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Defense Policy / Programs
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News Reports

Current Operations

• OIF/OEF/OND Casualty Update 25 Sep 2014 [PDF]
• Arab Militaries Lead Third Round of Syria Strikes VOA 25 Sep 2014 -- Military teams from two Arab countries led the United States in a third round of airstrikes against the Islamic State Thursday, targeting militant-held oil facilities in northeastern Syria.
• Department of Defense Press Briefing by Rear Adm. Kirby in the Pentagon Briefing Room DoD 25 Sep 2014 -- Presenter: Pentagon Press Secretary Navy Rear Adm. John Kirby
• Tanker aircrews help in fight against ISIL AFNS 25 Sep 2014 -- With 16 KC-135 Stratotankers on its installation, Airmen from MacDill Air Force Base, Florida, waste no time when answering the call to defend the nation -- even when there is little to no notice. As these planes can be seen and heard overhead, one has to wonder where in the world they are flying.
• Coalition Aircraft Disable ISIL Refineries in Syria AFPS 25 Sep 2014 -- Ten fighter aircraft from Saudi Arabia and the United Arab Emirates joined six U.S. jets yesterday in attacks on oil refineries in eastern Syria controlled by the Islamic State of Iraq and the Levant, the Pentagon press secretary said today.
• Joint Staff Director: Arab Nations Bring Professionalism to ISIL Fight AFPS 25 Sep 2014 -- Arab countries are bringing a great deal of professionalism and pride to their activities over Iraq and Syria, the director of the Joint Staff said here this week.
• Pentagon: ISIL will 'change and adapt' following airstrikes Iran Press TV 25 Sep 2014 -- The Pentagon anticipates that the ISIL terrorist group will "adapt and change" in response to US airstrikes in Syria.
• US airstrikes hit ISIL oil sites in Syria Iran Press TV 25 Sep 2014 -- Fresh US airstrikes struck oil refineries and fields used by the ISIL terrorists in Syria, killing 19 people overnight and early Thursday.
• U.S., Coalition Forces Hit IS Targets In Syria Again RFE/RL 25 Sep 2014 -- Activists say U.S.-led air strikes have targeted Syrian oil installations held by the militant Islamic State (IS) group overnight and early on September 25, killing nearly 20 people.
• US Airstrikes Target IS-seized Oil Refineries VOA 25 Sep 2014 -- U.S. forces and those from Saudi Arabia and the United Arab Emirates conducted 13 airstrikes in eastern Syria as part of an operation against the Islamic State group, Wednesday.
• France to Pursue Islamic State Militants Despite Beheading VOA 25 Sep 2014 -- France vows to continue its aerial assault against Islamic State jihadists, striking targets Thursday in Iraq, despite the brutal slaying of a Frenchman by Islamist terrorists. The French government is tightening security at home amid fears the Jihadist offensive is spreading to new countries.
• French Air Forces Strike Islamic State Targets in Iraq: Paris RIA Novosti 25 Sep 2014 -- French jets on Thursday hit Islamic State (IS) militants positions on the territory of Iraq, French government spokesman Stephane Le Foll said.
• Last AWACS return home from Afghanistan NATO 25 Sep 2014 -- 1,240 missions and 12,240 flying hours later the AWACS fleet is finally home. On Thursday, 25 September the last AWACS returned to its home base in Geilenkirchen, Germany from Mazar-e-Sharif, Afghanistan.
• Russia's NATO Envoy: Cooperation With NATO in Afghanistan Halted RIA Novosti 25 Sep 2014 -- The cooperation of Russia and NATO in Afghanistan has been halted, including a helicopter project, Russia's envoy to NATO Alexander Grushko told RIA Novosti on Thursday.
• New Afghan Government Seeks Better Relations With Pakistan VOA 25 Sep 2014 -- Afghanistan's newly-elected government says improved economic relations with Pakistan are a must for reducing tensions and strengthening cooperation to deal with terrorism and other challenges facing the region. Pakistani leaders say they also look forward to jointly solving problems that are straining ties.

Defense Policy / Programs

• Department of Defense Press Briefing on U.S. Pacific Command's Area of Responsibility by Admiral Locklear in the Pentagon Briefing Room DoD 25 Sep 2014 -- Presenters: U.S. Pacific Command Commander, Admiral Samuel Locklear
• Pacom Commander Discusses U.S.-China Military Encounters AFPS 25 Sep 2014 -- A series of close encounters between U.S. military planes and ships and those from China has stopped after some "pretty direct dialogue" between both countries, the top U.S. military commander for the Asia-Pacific region said today.
• Hill AFB in midst of robust F-35 preparation AFNS 25 Sep 2014 -- Aggressive renovation and modification is in full swing at Hill Air Force Base, Utah, in preparation for the military's newest multi-role fighter aircraft.
• Holloman firefighters get state-of-the-art rapid intervention vehicle AFNS 25 Sep 2014 -- When fires engulf aircraft on the flight line, Holloman's firefighters remain vigilant to respond. In the worst of circumstances, they are relied upon to mitigate and control a variety of crisis scenarios within a moment's notice.
• First of Class Destroyer Completes Generator Light Off NNS 25 Sep 2014 -- The Navy's Zumwalt class (DDG 1000) destroyer program continues to make significant progress achieving key shipbuilding milestones, completing ship generator light-off Sept. 23 for the first-of-class ship, the future USS Zumwalt.
• NAVSEA Successfully Completes Implementation of New Surface Ship Maintenance Process NNS 25 Sep 2014 -- The Navy's Surface Maintenance Engineering Planning Program (SURFMEPP) announced on Sept. 25 the successful completion of the Baseline Availability Work Package (BAWP)/Availability Work Package (AWP) process for all surface ships, thereby meeting a major milestone in the Navy's continued effort to improve surface ship maintenance.
• NAVFAC Southeast Awards $10 million to Small Business for Cadastral Modernization Project NNS 25 Sep 2014 -- Naval Facilities Engineering Command (NAVFAC) Southeast awarded a $10 million contract Sept. 24 for architect and engineering services for the Cadastral Modernization Program (CMP), to Rochester and Associates, Inc., a small business based in Gainesville, Georgia.
• Unique Shock Machine Saves Navy Testing Costs NNS 25 Sep 2014 -- The Navy's new Deck Simulator Shock Machine (DSSM) improves shipboard electronics reliability while reducing testing costs as equipment evaluations commenced in Philadelphia, Sept. 15, saving the Navy $75,000 per test.
• PACAF hosts Pacific Rim Air Power Symposium AFNS 25 Sep 2014 -- Pacific Air Forces hosted military leaders from 20 countries throughout the Pacific region during the annual Pacific Rim Air Power Symposium held here Sept. 22-25.
• Iwo Jima ARG and 24th MEU Complete ARG/MEU Exercise NNS 25 Sep 2014 -- USS Iwo Jima Amphibious Ready Group (ARG) arrives in Mayport, Florida, after completing a 23-day ARG/ Marine Expeditionary Unit Exercise (ARG/MEU Ex) with the 24th MEU.
• US, Bangladesh Navy Commence 4th CARAT Bangladesh NNS 25 Sep 2014 -- The fourth annual exercise Cooperation Afloat Readiness and Training (CARAT) Bangladesh commenced with an opening ceremony at Naval Base Issa Khan, Sept. 25.
• PLA vows to root out abuse of power People's Daily 25 Sep 2014 -- The People's Liberation Army has geared up its fight against corruption and abuse of power, requesting that officers hand in any houses or cars they are using in violation of regulations.
• 17th Chinese Naval Escort Fleet wraps Iran visit Iran Press TV 25 Sep 2014 -- The 17th Chinese Naval Escort Fleet, including the missile destroyer Changchun and missile frigate Changzhou, has ended a visit to Iran.
• China, U.S. to hold 15th annual defense talks People's Daily 25 Sep 2014 -- China and the United States will hold the 15th annual Defense Consultative Talks in mid-October in Washington D.C., a Chinese defense ministry spokesman announced Thursday.
• UN treaty regulating global arms trade set to enter into force UN News Centre 25 Sep 2014 -- Less than two years after its adoption by the United Nations General Assembly, the Arms Trade Treaty has now received the 50 ratifications needed to trigger its entry into force, the world body announced today.
• Press Gaggle by Press Secretary Josh Earnest and Deputy National Security Advisor Ben Rhodes en route Andrews Air Force Base, 9/25/2014 The White House 25 Sep 2014

Defense Industry

• DoD News: Contracts for September 25, 2014

Other Conflicts

• 25 September 2014 - Daily Press Briefing by the Office of the Spokesperson for the Secretary-General United Nations 25 Sep 2014
• Background Briefing on African Issues US Dept. of State 25 Sep 2014
• UN rights chief condemns 'brutal' killings by ISIL of women politicians in Iraq UN News Centre 25 Sep 2014 -- The United Nations human rights chief today condemned the recent brutal, cold-blooded slaying by the Islamic State of Iraq and the Levant (ISIL) of human rights defender Sameera Salih Ali Al-Nuaimy, as well as the continuing detention, sexual exploitation and sale of hundreds of women and girls in areas captured by the militant group.
• Turkey's Kurds Warn Ankara's Syria Policy Threatens Peace Process VOA 25 Sep 2014 -- The head of the military wing of Turkey's Kurdistan Workers' Party has warned the peace process with Ankara is finished due to its policy towards the Syrian-Kurdish enclave. The enclave is on the verge of being over run by Islamic State forces and the Syrian city of Kobani is surrounded.
• Syria army retakes strategic town of Adra Iran Press TV 25 Sep 2014 -- The Syrian army has managed to retake control of the strategic town of Adra in the southern part of the country.
• G-7 Foreign Ministers' Joint Statement on Ukraine US Dept. of State 25 Sep 2014
• Ukraine to close eastern border with Russia Iran Press TV 25 Sep 2014 -- Ukrainian President Petro Poroshenko has ordered his cabinet to "temporarily" close the border with Russia in the east.
• Yatsenyuk Urges No Lifting Of Russian Sanctions RFE/RL 25 Sep 2014 -- Ukrainian Prime Minister Arseniy Yatsenyuk has urged countries not to lift sanctions against Russia until Kyiv regains control of all its territory, including Crimea.
• Poroshenko Has No Doubt Peace Will Come to Ukraine Soon RIA Novosti 25 Sep 2014 -- Ukrainian President Petro Poroshenko said Thursday that he had 'no doubts' that the most dangerous period of the civil conflict in the country is over and peace will be restored soon.
• As conflict continues, UN rights expert urges Ukraine to step up aid for displaced people UN News Centre 25 Sep 2014 -- The Ukrainian Government must intensify its efforts to meet the needs and protect the rights of the hundreds of thousands of people internally displaced by the country's ongoing conflict, an independent United Nations human rights expert affirmed today.
• UN chief tells South Sudan leaders to heal suffering they caused UN News Centre 25 Sep 2014 -- United Nations Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon today blamed the dire humanitarian situation in South Sudan on the country's leaders, telling them: "You opened the wounds that have caused so much suffering. Now heal them."
• China to send 700 peacekeepers to South Sudan for UN mission: defense ministry People's Daily 25 Sep 2014 -- China will send a 700-peacekeeper infantry battalion to South Sudan for a United Nations peacekeeping mission, a Defense Ministry spokesman said on Thursday.
• Nigeria army nabs over 260 Boko Haram militants Iran Press TV 25 Sep 2014 -- The Nigerian military says it has arrested more than 260 Takfiri Boko Haram militants in the African country's northeast.
• Ban calls on Libyan parties to forge consensus, safeguard democratic transition UN News Centre 25 Sep 2014 -- Warning that Libya is in "deep crisis," United Nations Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon today called on all parties in the country to peacefully resolve the ongoing conflict, and safeguard the democratic transition under way since 2011.

News Reports

• G-7 Foreign Ministers' Statement on Joint Action to Fight the Terrorist Organisation ISIL/DAESH US Dept. of State 25 Sep 2014
• FBI Chief: Khorasan Plot May Still Be Alive VOA 25 Sep 2014 -- Terrorist plots against the United States and Europe may still be in the works despite this week's airstrikes against the al-Qaida cell known as Khorasan. FBI Director James Comey told reporters in Washington Thursday he is 'not confident at all' that attacks by U.S.-led coalition disrupted Khorasan's plans.
• Rouhani: West's 'Strategic Blunders' Caused Middle East Extremism VOA 25 Sep 2014 -- Iran's president is placing heavy blame on Western countries for the rise of extremism in the Middle East, citing colonialism and what he called 'strategic blunders.'
• Iran Leader Blames West for Islamic State's Rise VOA 25 Sep 2014 -- Iran's president is placing heavy blame on Western countries for the rise of extremism in the Middle East, citing colonialism and what he called 'strategic blunders.'
• UK police nab 9 'terror suspects' in London raid Iran Press TV 25 Sep 2014 -- UK police say they have arrested nine men, reportedly including a Muslim preacher, in a London raid, accusing them of involvement in suspected terror acts.
• Iraqi Prime Minister Says IS Plans Terrorist Attacks in France, US: Reports RIA Novosti 25 Sep 2014 -- Iraqi Prime Minister Haider Abadi said Thursday that the Iraqi intelligence had uncovered the Islamic State (IS) militants' plans to carry out a series of attacks on subways in Paris and some US cities, Reuters reported.
• French Foreign Minister: Beheading of French Hostage by IS-Linked Militants 'Infamy' RIA Novosti 25 Sep 2014 -- French Foreign Minister Laurent Fabius has condemned the execution of a French hostage carried out by Algerian jihadists linked to the Islamic State (IS) group in an interview to France Info radio Thursday.
• G-7 Foreign Ministers' Joint Statement on Ebola US Dept. of State 25 Sep 2014
• WHO: Ebola Most Challenging Epidemic 'in Decades' VOA 25 Sep 2014 -- Compared to previous epidemics like SARS and Avian influenza, Ebola is probably the most challenging outbreak the world has seen in the last few decades, said Dr. Keiji Fukuda, assistant director-general for health security at the World Health Organization.
• Obama Urges Countries, Organizations to Do More to Fight Ebola AFPS 25 Sep 2014 -- The Ebola outbreak in West Africa is a health crisis that threatens regional and global security, and if it's not stopped, it could cause a humanitarian catastrophe across the region, President Barack Obama said today at a United Nations meeting on the epidemic.
• UN chief to leaders: 'The world can and must stop Ebola – now' UN News Centre 25 Sep 2014 -- "The world can and must stop Ebola – now," Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon told world leaders gathered at a special meeting held today at the United Nations to speed up the global response to the outbreak that has evolved from a public health crisis into a threat to peace and security.
• As host of UN hub against Ebola, Ghana calls for cooperated efforts to halt outbreak UN News Centre 25 Sep 2014 -- We cannot afford to let fear keep us away, the President of Ghana today told the United Nations General Assembly calling for a sustained, coordinated international effort to stem the outbreak of the Ebola virus which he calls a "disease of isolation."
• Sierra Leone quarantines 1m amid Ebola outbreak Iran Press TV 25 Sep 2014 -- Sierra Leone has ordered the quarantine of over a million more people in different areas to contain the deadly Ebola virus.
• Sierra Leone Isolates 3 More Areas in Response to Ebola VOA 25 Sep 2014 -- Sierra Leone's government has placed three more districts under isolation as it tries to fight an outbreak of Ebola.
• Obama: Ebola Threat to 'Regional, Global Security' VOA 25 Sep 2014 -- Continuing White House efforts to combat the outbreak of Ebola in Africa, U.S. President Barack Obama warned a summit of world leaders in New York on Thursday that the disease is becoming 'a growing threat to regional and global security.'
• UAE, Saudi Arabia, Oman Taking Measures to Prevent MERS-CoV Outbreak Ahead of Hajj RIA Novosti 25 Sep 2014 -- The United Arab Emirates, Saudi Arabia and Oman are taking all necessary precautionary measures ahead of the annual Hajj pilgrimage to Mecca to prevent the spread of the Middle East Respiratory Syndrome Coronavirus (MERS-CoV).
• Poroshenko Sees Ukraine Applying For EU Membership By 2020 RFE/RL 25 Sep 2014 -- Ukraine's President Petro Poroshenko has presented a broad plan of reforms that he said would allow Ukraine to apply for membership in the European Union in six years.
• Poroshenko: Ukraine to Apply to Join EU in 2020 VOA 25 Sep 2014 -- Ukrainian President Petro Poroshenko says his country will apply for membership in the European Union in 2020 as part of a broader plan for social and economic reforms.
• VOA Exclusive: US Negotiator Cites Progress in Iran Nuclear Talks VOA 25 Sep 2014 -- The chief U.S. negotiator at nuclear talks with Iran said in an exclusive interview with VOA's Persian Service on Thursday that optimism for a final deal remains.
• President expresses concern about globalized terrorism IRNA 25 Sep 2014 -- President Hassan Rouhani on Thursday expressed concern about the globalized terrorism and questioned the world leaders whether they have been united against the extremists?
• President: Nuclear issue can be settled through dialogue IRNA 25 Sep 2014 -- President Hassan Rouhani in a meeting with President of European Council (EC) Herman Van Rompuy on Wednesday, stressed that nuclear issue can be settled only through negotiations.
• Iran's Rohani Addresses Extremism, Nuclear Issue At UN RFE/RL 25 Sep 2014 -- Addressing the UN General Assembly, Iranian President Hassan Rohani has said the West is responsible for 'strategic blunders' that have turned the Middle East, Central Asia, and the Caucasus into a "haven for terrorists and extremists."
• Iran Says Ready for 'Good Faith' Nuclear Deal with West RIA Novosti 25 Sep 2014 -- Iranian President Hassan Rouhani reaffirmed on Thursday Tehran's readiness to continue work on securing a historic nuclear deal with the West, but insisted that Iran will not give up its peaceful nuclear program.
• Iran's President Vows Honest Dialogue in Nuclear Talks VOA 25 Sep 2014 -- Iranian President Hassan Rouhani said in a speech to the United Nations General Assembly on Thursday that Iran is committed to serious and honest negotiations on its nuclear program but will not stop enriching uranium.
• India's Mars Orbiter Cost Only 11 Percent of NASA's Maven Probe: Reports RIA Novosti 25 Sep 2014 -- India's Mangalyaan orbiter reached Mars' orbit Wednesday, becoming the first spacecraft from an Asian country to reach the red planet, but the country hit another record by making the cheapest space probe so far, costing 11 percent of the National Aeronautics and Space Administration's (NASA) Maven probe, CNN Money reported Thursday.
• 2nd Session of 13th Supreme People's Assembly of DPRK Held KCNA 25 Sep 2014 -- The 2nd Session of the 13th Supreme People's Assembly (SPA) of the DPRK was held at the Mansudae Assembly Hall Thursday.
• Brunei highlights importance of peace in development, in UN Assembly address UN News Centre 25 Sep 2014 -- Instability, injustices and increasingly frequent natural disasters are precluding the international community from achieving gains that protect people's welfare and the environment, the Sultan of Brunei said today, calling on delegations at the annual United Nations General Assembly debate to take concerted, unified action.
• Working together, 'no limits to what we can achive' Australian leader tells UN UN News Centre 25 Sep 2014 -- Nations working together can serve our common humanity, Prime Minister Tony Abbott told the annual United Nations summit, reiterating Australia's goal to be a "light on the hill" amid terrorism, aggression and the outbreak of disease.
• Leaders of small island developing states call for bigger voice in UN decision-making UN News Centre 25 Sep 2014 -- As the first head of a small island developing state to today address the annual General Assembly debate in New York, Gaston Browne called for a democratization of the United Nations to give a greater voice to countries that are marginalized "because we are considered too small to make a difference."