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Defense Policy / Programs
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News Reports

Current Operations

• Background Conference Call on Aerial Resupply of Forces Fighting ISIL Near Kobani, Syria The White House 20 Oct 2014
• US arms airdrops not enough to defeat ISIL in Kobani: Kurds Iran Press TV 20 Oct 2014 -- Kurdish forces fighting the ISIL in the Syrian border town of Kobani say munitions airdropped by the US are not enough to help them in its battle against the terrorists.
• U.S. Resupplies Kurdish Forces Fighting ISIL Near Kobani AFPS 20 Oct 2014 -- U.S. military forces conducted multiple airdrops near Kobani, Syria, last night to resupply Kurdish forces on the ground defending the city against Islamic State of Iraq and the Levant terrorists, U.S. Central Command officials reported.
• US airdrops arms to Kurds fighting against ISIL in Kobani Iran Press TV 20 Oct 2014 -- The US military says its cargo aircraft successfully airdropped arms and ammunition to Kurds fighting against ISIL terrorists in the northern Syrian city of Kobani.
• Turkey to Allow Iraqi Kurds to Reinforce Kobani VOA 20 Oct 2014 -- Turkey said on Monday it is helping Iraqi Kurds cross into Syria to aid Kurdish fighters in Kobani as they battle to hold off an advance by Islamic State militants.
• Inherent Resolve Airstrikes Continue in Syria, Iraq AFPS 20 Oct 2014 -- U.S. military forces continued to attack Islamic State of Iraq and the Levant terrorists in Syria yesterday and today, U.S. Central Command officials reported.
• US-led airstrikes kill dozens of anti-ISIL forces in Iraq Iran Press TV 20 Oct 2014 -- Iraqi security sources say dozens of volunteer forces fighting ISIL Takfiri militants have been killed in airstrikes carried out by the US-led coalition in Iraq.
• France Carries Out Third Series of Airstrikes Against IS in Iraq RIA Novosti 20 Oct 2014 -- The French Air Force has conducted its third series of airstrikes against the Islamic State (IS) on Iraqi territory, destroying two vehicles, the French Ministry of Defense said in aMonday press release.
• LATEST: air strikes in Iraq UK MOD 20 Oct 2014 -- British forces have continued to conduct air operations to assist the Iraqi government in its fight against ISIL.
• China Boosts Efforts to Help Afghan, Regional Stability VOA 20 Oct 2014 -- Afghanistan's historic political transition appears to have encouraged China to intensify its diplomatic efforts toward helping the war-shattered country sustain its political, security and economic gains after NATO's combat mission ends in December.
• Kentucky ANG Airmen support 101st Airborne Division's movement to Liberia AFNS 20 Oct 2014 -- The Joint Task Force-Port Opening Senegal (JTF-PO) supported the 101st Airborne Division's departure from Léopold Sédar Senghor International Airport here Oct. 19, en route to Liberia, where the division will join hundreds of U.S. service members engaged in the fight against Ebola in West Africa.
• Soldiers Leave Senegal for Liberia to Support United Assistance AFPS 20 Oct 2014 -- The commander of the 101st Airborne Division and more than 30 of his troops departed from Leopold Sedar Senghor International Airport here yesterday en route to Liberia, where they will join hundreds of U.S. service members engaged in the fight against Ebola in West Africa.

Defense Policy / Programs

• USS Michael Murphy Departs for Maiden Deployment to Western Pacific NNS 20 Oct 2014 -- The guided-missile destroyer USS Michael Murphy (DDG 112) departed Joint Base Pearl Harbor-Hickam on Oct. 20 for an independent deployment to the Western Pacific Ocean.
• Future of AF helicopter fleets discussed at conference AFNS 20 Oct 2014 -- Air Force Global Strike Command's Helicopter Operations Division hosted the Worldwide Helicopter Conference here Oct. 7-9, to discuss the current and future state of the Air Force's helicopter fleets.
• Readout of Secretary Chuck Hagel's Meeting with People's Republic of China State Council, Yang Jiechi DoD 20 Oct 2014
• VMFA - 533 goes sky high, Korean Marine Exchange Program 14-13 begins USMC News 20 Oct 2014 -- Marine All-Weather Fighter Attack Squadron 533, also known as the "Hawks," launched their first aircraft during the Korean Marine Exchange Program 14-13, Oct. 13, 2014, on Osan Air Base, Republic of Korea.
• Gunfighters take basics to heart for familiarization training USMC News 20 Oct 2014 -- UH-1Y Huey pilots and crews with Marine Light Attack Helicopter Squadron (HMLA) 369 "Gunfighters," took to the air for familiarization training aboard Marine Corps Air Station Camp Pendleton, Calif., Oct. 16.
• Nimitz to Participate Alongside Canadian, Japanese, other US Ships in Task Group Exercise NNS 20 Oct 2014 -- Canadian, Japanese and U.S ships will participate in a U.S. 3rd Fleet-led Task Group Exercise (TGEX) off the coast of Southern California, Oct. 20-31.
• Navy Christens, Launches Future USS Detroit NNS 20 Oct 2014 -- The Navy christened the future USS Detroit (LCS 7), the fourth Littoral Combat Ship of the Freedom variant, in a ceremony at Marinette Marine Shipyard in Marinette, Wisconsin, Oct. 18.
• George H.W. Bush and Carl Vinson Strike Groups Turnover Duties NNS 20 Oct 2014 -- Carl Vinson Strike Group (CV CSG) relieved George H.W. Bush Carrier Strike Group (GHWB CSG) of their duties in the U.S. 5th Fleet area of responsibility (AOR) Oct. 18.
• U.S. Marines partner with East African forces USMC News 20 Oct 2014 -- U.S. Marines arrived in East Africa, October 14, to train Ugandan and Burundian forces, preparing them for future deployments.
• Exercise Clear Horizon 2014 to Hone Mine Countermeasures, Enhance Cooperation NNS 20 Oct 2014 -- The U.S. and Republic of Korea (ROK) navies will participate in Exercise Clear Horizon, October 20-24, in waters south of the Korean peninsula.
• NATO's REGEX 14 Exercise With 12 Partner Countries to Kick Off in Turkey Monday RIA Novosti 20 Oct 2014 -- Turkey is preparing to host the 14th planning workshop of NATO's collective regional exercise (REGEX-14), which is to start in Istanbul on Monday, the Turkish General Staff said in a statement.
• Lavrov: No Need for NATO Presence in Arctic RIA Novosti 20 Oct 2014 -- NATO presence in the Arctic Region is unnecessary, Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov said Monday.
• Fighting terrorism needs united front, says Rouhani ISNA 20 Oct 2014 -- Iran's President Hassan Rouhani said sustainable security and stability must be restored to the Middle East, calling on regional countries to consolidate their unity to put an end to terrorism.
• China, Russia held anti-terror drill People's Daily 20 Oct 2014 -- Chinese and Russian police held a anti-terror drill on Monday in north China's Inner Mongolia Autonomous Region, to boost coordinated ability to fight terrorism in the border region.
• Chinese, Russian Police Hold Joint Anti-Terror Drill RIA Novosti 20 Oct 2014 -- Chinese and Russian police held a joint anti-terrorism drill in China's Inner Mongolia Autonomous Region on Monday, Xinhua news agency reported.
• Dutch Vessels Left Swedish Waters Before Alleged Submarine Sighting: Navy Spokesperson RIA Novosti 20 Oct 2014 -- The alleged foreign submarine first observed in the Stockholm archipelago on Friday could not belong to the Dutch Navy, as its vessels left Swedish waters on Thursday, the Royal Netherlands Navy's head of communications Karen Loos-Gelijns told RIA Novosti Monday.
• Sweden Seals Off Channel, Closes Airspace Amid Search For Alleged Foreign Sub: Reports RIA Novosti 20 Oct 2014 -- Swedish authorities have declared a safety distance of 10,000 meters (5.4 nautical miles) from all military vessels taking part in the search for an alleged foreign submarine in the Stockholm archipelago, local media reported Monday.
• Dutch Defense Ministry Says 'Suspicious Object' Sought by Sweden Not Dutch Submarine RIA Novosti 20 Oct 2014 -- The suspected foreign submarine observed in the Stockholm archipelago does not belong to the Dutch Navy, a spokesperson for the Dutch Ministry of Defense said Monday.
• Submarine Sought by Sweden Could Belong to Dutch Navy: Russian Defense Source RIA Novosti 20 Oct 2014 -- An unidentified submarine currently being sought by Sweden in its territorial waters could belong to the Royal Netherlands Navy, a Russian Defense Ministry source told RIA Novosti on Monday.
• Swedish Forces Say Cannot Confirm 'Suspicious Underwater Activity' to Be Russian Submarine RIA Novosti 20 Oct 2014 -- Swedish forces continue the search for a 'suspicious object' in the Stockholm archipelago, but cannot confirm media reports that this is a damaged Russian submarine, Rear Admiral Anders Grenstad of the Swedish Armed Forces told reporters Sunday.
• Dutch Deny Link to Mystery Submarine off Sweden VOA 20 Oct 2014 -- The Netherlands has denied a Russian claim that a mysterious "foreign vessel" photographed in waters off Sweden could be Dutch.
• Report: Image Shows New Submarine in North Korea VOA 20 Oct 2014 -- North Korea may have acquired a new submarine, according to an American researcher who based his findings on a review of commercial satellite imagery from 2010 until now.
• Press Gaggle by Principal Deputy Press Secretary Eric Schultz 10/20/14 The White House 20 Oct 2014
• October 20, 2014 - U.S. Department of State Daily Press Briefing US Dept. of State 20 Oct 2014

Defense Industry

• DoD News: Contracts for October 20, 2014

Other Conflicts

• 20 October 2014 - Daily Press Briefing by the Office of the Spokesperson for the Secretary-General United Nations 20 Oct 2014
• Asia's first IDP policy - from theory to practice IRIN 20 Oct 2014 -- 'Why does it allow them to stay?' the man asked incredulously. 'They should be going back to their homes.'
• UN humanitarian chief urges ongoing assistance, political solution for war-torn Syria UN News Centre 20 Oct 2014 -- Spotlighting the plight of Syrian refugees in Turkey, as well as the Turkish Government's efforts to meet the needs of an influx of an estimated 1.6 million people, United Nations humanitarian chief Valerie Amos today urged the world to "remember the suffering of the Syrian people" and the urgent need for a political end to the three year conflict.
• US, Iran Face Similar Challenges in Syrian Fight Against IS VOA 20 Oct 2014 -- The United States and Iran are both helping fight Sunni militants in the Islamic State group. But one of the biggest battlefields is Syria, where Washington and Tehran back opposing sides in the civil war.
• Kurds Welcome Turkish Approval of Reinforcements for Kobani VOA 20 Oct 2014 -- Kurds are welcoming the Turkish government's decision to allow Iraqi Kurdish fighters to transit Turkey to reinforce the defenders of the Syrian border town of Kobani. The United States and some European nations pushed Turkey to help the town besieged by the Islamic State militants.
• U.S. Welcomes Turkey's About-Turn On Kobani As Fighting Resumes RFE/RL 20 Oct 2014 -- The United States has praised Turkey's decision to permit the transit of Iraqi Kurdish fighters into Syria to help defend Kobani, as fightging continued in the besieged city.
• Turkey Now Helping Iraqi Kurd Fighters Reach Kobani RFE/RL 20 Oct 2014 -- The Turkish government is facilitating the transfer of Iraqi Kurdish fighters to the Syrian town of Kobani to help the beleaguered city in its fight with jihadists from the Islamic State (IS) militant group.
• Number of Syrian Refugees in Turkey Reaches 1.6 Million: Turkish Emergencies Ministry RIA Novosti 20 Oct 2014 -- The number of Syrian refugees in Turkey has reached 1.6 million, Fuat Oktay, director general of the Turkish Disaster and Emergency Management Presidency, said Monday.
• Turkish Border With Syria Open for Iraqi Kurdistan Forces: Ankara RIA Novosti 20 Oct 2014 -- Turkey is keeping its border open for Kurdish armed forces crossing from Iraq into Syria to fight the Islamic State (IS) jihadist group, Turkish Foreign Minister Mevlut Cavusoglu said Monday.
• Iran's General Suleimani: US invasion, ISIL measures in region doomed to fail ISNA 20 Oct 2014 -- Commander of Iran's Quds Force General Qassem Suleimani said the US invasion of the region and the approaches of the terrorist group known as the so-called Islamic State of Iraq and the Levant (ISIL) fail to succeed.
• Community, religious leaders must condemn ISIL 'atrocities' - UN rights official UN News Centre 20 Oct 2014 -- Civilians continue to suffer atrocities and "dramatic" human rights violations at the hands of the Islamic State of Iraq and the Levant (ISIL), warned United Nations Assistant Secretary-General for Human Rights, Mr. Ivan Šimonović, as he concluded his week-long mission to Iraq.
• ISIL militants capture two districts in Iraq's Nineveh Province Iran Press TV 20 Oct 2014 -- The ISIL Takfiri militants have taken control of two districts in Iraq's northern province of Nineveh as the Iraqi army has been battling the terrorists for nearly six months now.
• Iraq army recaptures several areas from ISIL Iran Press TV 20 Oct 2014 -- The Iraqi army says it has liberated several areas in the north of the war-torn country from the ISIL Takfiri militants, inflicting heavy losses on the insurgents.
• UN urges winterization assistance for displaced Iraqis before cold weather sets in UN News Centre 20 Oct 2014 -- With Iraq soon expecting heavy winter rains and sub-zero temperatures, efforts to provide hundreds of thousands of internally displaced persons in the Middle Eastern country with the necessary protections are already being implemented, an official with the United Nations Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (OCHA) has declared, adding that while much is being done, a more comprehensive approach would be required.
• US, European Allies Condemn Violence in Libya, Threaten Sanctions RIA Novosti 20 Oct 2014 -- The governments of France, Italy, Germany, the United Kingdom and the United States have released a statement threatening sanctions against Libya in the face of growing violence, which has recently culminated in clashes in coastal cities between jihadist militants and the forces of the retired general Khalifa Haftar.
• 20 Ansarullah fighters killed in southern Yemen Iran Press TV 20 Oct 2014 -- At least 20 fighters from the Shia Houthi Ansarullah movement have lost their lives in a fresh fighting with al-Qaeda-linked militants in southern Yemen.
• Al-Qaida Militants Kill 18 Houthi Rebels in Yemen Violence VOA 20 Oct 2014 -- Al-Qaida militants have killed at least 18 Shi'ite rebels in a suicide bomb attack and other attacks near Yemen's capital, Sana'a.
• South Sudan at 'crossroads' as it seeks to combat sexual violence, says UN official UN News Centre 20 Oct 2014 -- Sexual violence has become a key feature of the continuing conflict in South Sudan, the United Nations Special Representative of the Secretary-General on Sexual Violence in Conflict, Zainab Hawa Bangura, has declared, while affirming that the widespread use of rape could ultimately be stopped through greater political and legal efforts by the Government and civil society.
• Official: S. Sudan President, Rebel Leader to Meet in Tanzania VOA 20 Oct 2014 -- An official in South Sudan's Foreign Ministry says President Salva Kiir is expected to meet with rebel leader Riek Machar in Tanzania. The meeting comes as the government and rebels continue talks to end a violent political conflict that has torn the country apart. This is the first time the two leaders will have met since signing a failed cease-fire deal in May.
• Somalia: UN envoy condemns attack on African Union troops in Hiiraan region UN News Centre 20 Oct 2014 -- The UN envoy for Somalia condemned today an attack on African Union Mission in Somalia (AMISOM) forces in Hiiraan region and called for calm as rival clans caused insecurity in the area, which is near the centre of the East African country.
• In Burundi, UN envoy lauds role of women, youths in bringing peace to Great Lakes UN News Centre 20 Oct 2014 -- Women and young people must play a central role in establishing a long-term peace for Africa's Great Lakes Region amid the area's renewed efforts to overcome a past scarred by conflict, a top UN official said today.
• Cease-fire Falling Apart Amid Renewed Fighting in Northeast Nigeria VOA 20 Oct 2014 -- The cease-fire deal announced by the Nigerian government on Friday appears to be unraveling as fresh clashes between soldiers and Boko Haram militants are reported in the northeastern town of Damboa.
• Israelis Quietly Expand Enclave in Palestinian District of Jerusalem VOA 20 Oct 2014 -- Israeli guards quietly occupied two purchased residential buildings in a Palestinian district of East Jerusalem on Monday, expanding a Jewish settler project in defiance of U.S. criticism.

News Reports

• Russian FM Sees No Quick Fix to US Ties VOA 20 Oct 2014 -- A low point has been reached in relations between Russia and the United States since the start of the Ukraine crisis, with no remedy in sight, Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov said on Monday.
• CPC move toward rule of law significant step for China: experts People's Daily 20 Oct 2014 -- The fourth plenum of the 18th Communist Party of China (CPC) Central Committee is set to open on Monday to discuss the rule of law, aiming to speed up the construction of governance by law from the top level and by improving the system to promote social justice of the country.
• China Voice: CPC 'rule of law' meeting key to reform, fairness People's Daily 20 Oct 2014 -- Seeking greater social fairness and justice is high on the agenda in China as the central committee of the ruling party is set to discuss rule of law issues.
• As Hong Kong Violence Calms Pragmatism on Talks VOA 20 Oct 2014 -- In Hong Kong, after days of violent clashes between police and pro-democracy activists, the so-called "Umbrella Movement" enters a potentially pivotal week with the first direct talks with the government on Tuesday. While the hope is that negotiators will find some resolution to the constitutional crisis gripping the semi-autonomous Chinese city, expectations are not high.
• Ebola no longer 'localized emergency,' UN health officials tell regional summit in Cuba UN News Centre 20 Oct 2014 -- Ebola is no longer a localized public health emergency, top UN officials said in Havana today as they commended Cuba for sending doctors and nurses to the affected countries in West Africa, and addressed regional leaders gathering to discuss ways to resolve the emergency and halt spread of the virus to regional States.
• Europe Vows to Step Up Aid for Ebola Crisis VOA 20 Oct 2014 -- European Union foreign ministers have called for more money, more coordination and more health workers on the ground to respond to the Ebola crisis in West Africa. EU leaders will consider a pledging goal of $1.27 billion for Ebola when they meet later this week.
• US Sets New Protocols for Ebola Health Workers VOA 20 Oct 2014 -- The United States is tightening its guidelines for health workers treating patients with the Ebola virus, calling for new competency training, a buddy system for donning and doffing personal protective equipment, and total coverage of eyes, hair and skin.
• Ebola hits West Africa food security IRIN 20 Oct 2014 -- West Africa's Ebola outbreak, which has been disrupting agricultural and market activities, threatens to erode food security and negatively affect the livelihoods of millions of already vulnerable people in Guinea, Liberia and Sierra Leone unless more is done to meet their immediate food and nutritional needs, say aid agencies.
• Ashton: EU Countries Contribute $638Mln to Fund Fight Against Ebola RIA Novosti 20 Oct 2014 -- The EU member states have already allocated 500 million euros ($638 million) to combat the Ebola virus outbreak, Catherine Ashton, EU High Representative for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy, said Monday.
• WHO Declares Nigeria Ebola-free VOA 20 Oct 2014 -- The World Health Organization said Nigeria is free from Ebola after 42 days with no new cases reported.
• China Working to Prevent Ebola at Home, Providing Aid to Africa VOA 20 Oct 2014 -- China has not yet confirmed any cases of Ebola within its borders, but the country is taking steps to help fight the disease in West Africa, and prevent it from entering its borders.
• Iran needs 20 new nuclear power plants, says Salehi ISNA 20 Oct 2014 -- Head of Atomic Energy Organization of Iran (AEOI) Ali Akbar Salehi said the country needs 20 new nuclear power plants like Bushehr nuclear power plant.
• China hopeful on Iran nuke agreement People's Daily 20 Oct 2014 -- China hopes the parties involved in Iranian nuclear talks can exert more political will and meet an upcoming deadline to reach an agreement ending Tehran's controversial nuclear program, a Foreign Ministry spokeswoman said on Monday.
• Venezuela: UN rights chief calls for immediate release of opposition leader, politicians UN News Centre 20 Oct 2014 -- Expressing serious concern at the detention of Venezuelan opposition leader Leopoldo López, as well as more than 69 other people who were arrested in February during mass public protests that took place across the country, the United Nations human rights chief called on the authorities for the "immediate release' of all those being held.
• Joko Widodo Sworn in as Indonesia's Head of State VOA 20 Oct 2014 -- In Indonesia Monday, a former furniture entrepreneur turned wildly popular politician, Joko Widodo, was officially sworn in as the country's seventh president.
• Ukraine's Euromaidan Reforms Reveal Deep Divisions VOA 20 Oct 2014 -- With eastern Ukraine crippled by conflict between government forces and pro-Russia separatists, many democratic activists in Kyiv paint the struggle as having given birth to a new unified state.