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Defense Policy / Programs
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News Reports

Current Operations

• OIF/OEF/OND Casualty Update 31 Oct 2014 [PDF]
• Airstrikes Continue Against ISIL in Syria, Iraq AFPS 31 Oct 2014 -- U.S. military forces continued to attack Islamic State of Iraq and the Levant terrorists in Syria yesterday and today, using fighter and bomber aircraft to conduct four airstrikes, U.S. Central Command officials reported.
• Afghan President Calls On Taliban To Join Peace Process RFE/RL 31 Oct 2014 -- Afghan President Ashraf Ghani has urged the Taliban to join in reconciliation talks, a call that was echoed by China's prime minister.
• Ghani Urges Taliban to Join 'Inter-Afghan Dialogue' VOA 31 Oct 2014 -- Afghanistan's new President Ashraf Ghani used a regional conference in China Friday to reiterate his call for the Taliban to join a national peace dialogue and urged his country's international partners to support what he said is an Afghan-led and Afghan owned process. The insurgents have already rejected Ghani's offer of peace talks and have instead intensified attacks across the country.
• Army Expeditionary Laboratory Team to Deploy to Liberia AFPS 31 Oct 2014 -- A highly trained team of soldier-scientists who are part of an Army expeditionary laboratory unit is deploying to Liberia for up to a year to establish four labs outside Monrovia and contribute to the U.S. effort to halt Ebola outbreaks in West Africa.
• UK navy mission in Sierra Leone over Ebola Iran Press TV 31 Oct 2014 -- A British navy mission has arrived in Sierra Leone in what is claimed to be part of a campaign to fight the deadly outbreak of Ebola in its former colony.

Defense Policy / Programs

• US spent $136 billion on spying in two years: Government figures Iran Press TV 31 Oct 2014 -- The United States spent nearly $136 billion in the fiscal years of 2013 and 2014 on intelligence gathering, according to government figures.
• Department of Defense Press Briefing by Admiral Kirby in the Pentagon Briefing Room DoD 31 Oct 2014 -- Presenters: Rear Admiral John Kirby, Press Secretary
• DOD Releases Report on Progress in Afghanistan DoD 31 Oct 2014 -- The Department of Defense provided to Congress today the October 2014 "Report on Progress Toward Security and Stability in Afghanistan," in accordance with Section 1230 and 1231 of the National Defense Authorization Act (NDAA) for Fiscal Year 2008 (Public Law 110-181), as amended; to include section 1221 of the NDAA for FY 2012 (Public Law 112-81); sections 1212, 1223, and 1531(d) of the NDAA for FY 2013 (Public Law 112-239); and Senate Report 113-211, to accompany H.R. 4870, the Department of Defense (DoD) Appropriations Bill, 2015. This report covers April 1 to September 30, 2014.
• Fabrication Begins for the Future USS Daniel Inouye NNS 31 Oct 2014 -- Bath Iron Works (BIW) celebrated the start of fabrication of the future USS Daniel Inouye (DDG 118) during a ceremony at BIW shipyard, Oct. 31.
• European Distinguished Visitors Embark USS George H.W. Bush NNS 31 Oct 2014 -- U.S. Naval Forces Europe-Africa hosted 23 distinguished visitors from multiple European countries aboard aircraft carrier USS George H.W. Bush (CVN 77) as a part of the Navy's Distinguished Visitor (DV) Embark program, Oct. 30.
• FY 15 launch schedule kicks off with GPS IIF-8 liftoff AFNS 31 Oct 2014 -- The U.S. Air Force supported the successful launch of a United Launch Alliance Atlas V rocket carrying the Air Force's eighth Block IIF navigation satellite for the Global Positioning System at 1:21 p.m. EDT Oct. 29 from Space Launch Complex 41 here.
• Air Force completes historic fuel conversion AFNS 31 Oct 2014 -- The Air Force officials took an important step in fiscal responsibility and supply chain efficiency with the conversion of the final stateside installation from Jet Propellant 8 (JP-8) fuel to the more common and commercially available Jet A fuel, Oct. 29 at Wright Patterson Air Force Base, Ohio.
• DoD Authorizes Global War on Terrorism Expeditionary Medal for Operation Inherent Resolve DOD 31 Oct 2014 -- The Department of Defense announced today that service members deployed abroad in support of Operation Inherent Resolve are eligible for the Global War on Terrorism Expeditionary Medal. Undersecretary of Defense for Personnel and Readiness Jessica Wright signed a memorandum authorizing award of the medal.
• DoD Authorizes War on Terror Award for Inherent Response Ops AFPS 31 Oct 2014 -- Service members overseas serving in support of Operation Inherent Resolve are eligible for the Global War on Terrorism Expeditionary Medal, Pentagon officials announced today.
• DoD Releases Strategic Sustainability Plan AFPS 31 Oct 2014 -- The Defense Department released a plan today intended to mitigate the effects of climate change on military operations and national security in what officials describe as a comprehensive framework for action through 2020 that calls for using resources more efficiently and acquiring more energy from renewable sources.
• F-35 Engine Fix Coming, Program Chief Says AFPS 31 Oct 2014 -- The head of the F-35 Lightning II joint strike fighter program office said yesterday that he expects to have decided on a permanent solution by the end of December for the design issue that caused an engine to fail in June in an F-35A at Eglin Air Force Base in Florida.
• Russian Air Maneuvers Over Europe Pose Risk, Official Says AFPS 31 Oct 2014 -- Russian military aircraft are continuing to fly stepped-up maneuvers over European airspace in what a Pentagon spokesman today called a potential risk to security and civilian aviation.
• Israel cancels plan to purchase US V-22 Ospreys Iran Press TV 31 Oct 2014 -- Israel has canceled a plan to buy military aircraft from the United States, amid already frosty relations with Washington.
• Seoul, Beijing Express Similar Viewpoint on North Korea's Nuclear Program RIA Novosti 31 Oct 2014 -- South Korea and China said they share "deep concern" regarding recent developments in North Korea's nuclear program and missile technology, and expressed their commitment to prevent Pyongyang from expanding its nuclear weapons capability, according to a statement made Friday by Seoul's chief nuclear envoy.
• October 31, 2014 - U.S. Department of State Daily Press Briefing US Dept. of State 31 Oct 2014

Defense Industry

• DoD News: Contracts for October 31, 2014

Other Conflicts

• 18 suspected ISIL militants indicted in Lebanon Iran Press TV 31 Oct 2014 -- Lebanon has indicted 18 suspected members of the ISIL Takfiri militant group on charges of planning to set up an emirate in the north of the Arab country.
• Syria: 'Outraged' Security Council condemns ongoing violence targeting civilians UN News Centre 31 Oct 2014 -- Outraged by the violence directed against civilians in Syria, including the reported dropping of barrel bombs on a displaced persons camp in the war-torn country's northern region, which killed dozens of people, the Security Council this evening strongly condemned such acts, and reminded all the parties of their international legal obligations to protect civilians.
• Syria Increases Airstrikes on Rebels VOA 31 Oct 2014 -- Syrian government forces have increased the tempo of air raids on rebel-held territory, striking combatants and civilians in what analysts and U.S. officials say is an apparent attempt to gain ground while the U.S.-led coalition strikes Islamic State group targets in Syria.
• Iraqi Kurds Join Syrian Kurds in Fight for Kobani VOA 31 Oct 2014 -- A convoy of 150 Iraqi Kurdish fighters have crossed from Turkey into Syria to bolster Syrian Kurds defending the city of Kobani from Islamic State militants.
• Foreign Fighters Stream to Syria Despite US Campaign Against Islamic State RIA Novosti 31 Oct 2014 -- Over 1,000 foreign fighters have come to Syria every month despite US-led efforts to destroy the Islamic State (IS), the Washington Post reports, citing US intelligence and counterterrorism officials.
• Peshmerga fighters poised to enter Kobani to join anti-ISIL fight Iran Press TV 31 Oct 2014 -- Fighters from Iraq's Kurdistan Regional Government forces, known as Peshmerga, are set to enter the Syrian town of Kobani to join the fight against the ISIL militants.
• Security Council condemns ISIL's murder of Sunni tribesmen in Anbar UN News Centre 31 Oct 2014 -- The Security Council this evening strongly condemned the kidnapping and murder by Islamic State in Iraq and the Levant (ISIL) terrorists of "scores" of Sunni tribesmen whose bodies were found in mass graves in Anbar province, and once again urged the world to unite in a "common effort" to defeat the group and "stamp out" the violence and hatred it espouses.
• Ayat. Sistani urges Iraq govt. to help Sunni tribes against ISIL Iran Press TV 31 Oct 2014 -- Iraq's most senior Shia cleric, Grand Ayatollah Ali al-Sistani, has called on Baghdad to rush to the aid of the country's Sunni tribes in their fight against the ISIL Takfiris.
• Statement by NSC Spokesperson Bernadette Meehan on Anticipated Separatist "Elections" in Eastern Ukraine The White House 31 Oct 2014
• NATO Secretary General statement on planned "elections" in Eastern Ukraine NATO 31 Oct 2014
• Poroshenko: EU Leaders Press Putin On Rebel Votes RFE/RL 31 Oct 2014 -- The leaders of France and Germany have joined Ukraine's president in urging Russian President Vladimir Putin not to recognize this weekend's rebel-held elections in the breakaway Ukrainian regions of Donetsk and Luhansk.
• Russia Sees Nothing Wrong With DPR's Plans to Get Democratic Mandate: Ambassador RIA Novosti 31 Oct 2014 -- Russia sees nothing wrong in the intention of the self-proclaimed Donetsk People's Republic (DPR) to get a 'democratic mandate' by holding regional elections, Vladimir Chizhov, Russia's Ambassador to the EU said Friday.
• Hamas reject's Israel's conditions for Gaza reconstruction IRNA 31 Oct 2014 -- Palestinian Islamic Resistance Movement, Hamas, here on Friday rejected the racist Zionist regime of Israel's conditions for reconstruction of Gaza Strip, asking for immediate beginning of the construction operations in Gaza Strip.
• Central African Republic: As violence flares, UN warns of worsening humanitarian conditions UN News Centre 31 Oct 2014 -- Fresh fighting in the Central African Republic (CAR) has aggravated the humanitarian situation across the country, UN humanitarian officials warned today, adding that amid the upsurge in violence, aid workers were now facing unprecedented attacks.
• Attacks On Aid Workers Hamper CAR Relief VOA 31 Oct 2014 -- The United Nations reports attacks on humanitarian workers are seriously hampering efforts to provide relief for hundreds of thousands of people who were forced to flee their homes in the Central African Republic.
• UN Mission extracts 30 civilians from airstrip in South Sudan as violence continues UN News Centre 31 Oct 2014 -- The United Nations Mission in South Sudan (UNMISS) extracted 30 civilians from the Rubkona airstrip yesterday and brought them to the Protection of Civilians site in the UN compound, the Secretary-General said today.
• Yemeni Rebels Give President Ultimatum on New Government VOA 31 Oct 2014 -- Shi'ite Muslim rebels in Yemen are giving President Abed Rabbu Mansour Hadi 10 days to form a new government or face another possible takeover.
• Vietnam must be sincere over maritime disputes People's Daily 31 Oct 2014 -- Vietnamese boats have harassed the Chinese drilling platform on the South China Sea. Violent attacks in Vietnam have entailed great losses to China-funded enterprises and caused casualties among Chinese. The Sino-Vietnamese relationship has been damaged as a result of such confrontations.
• UN agency accelerates efforts on Nigerian refugee transfer as border insecurity surges UN News Centre 31 Oct 2014 -- Despite mounting insecurity in border areas between Cameroon and Nigeria, where thousands of Nigerian refugees have sought refuge in the past weeks after fleeing from insurgent attacks, the UN refugee agency said it was stepping up efforts to continue to expedite their transfer.
• UN agency warns Somalia on verge of food crisis, urges uptick in humanitarian funding UN News Centre 31 Oct 2014 -- Still reeling from a devastating famine which struck the countryside in 2011, Somalia once again sits on the brink of another humanitarian crisis as a poor rainy season followed by severe bouts of floods threaten local harvests, the United Nations agriculture agency warned today.

News Reports

• Burkina Faso Army Officers: We Hold Power VOA 31 Oct 2014 -- A group of Burkina Faso army officers said Friday that it had 'taken the destiny of the nation in hand,' increasing doubt about just who is in charge in the country.
• Burkina Faso: Ban notes resignation of President, as envoy arrives in crisis-gripped capital UN News Centre 31 Oct 2014 -- As his special envoy arrived in Burkina Faso this morning following the country's deteriorating security situation, the Secretary-General noted today the resignation of President Blaise Compaoré and continues to follow events there with great concern.
• Burkinabe military chief takes over after president quits Iran Press TV 31 Oct 2014 -- Burkina Faso's military chief has assumed power following the resignation of the West African country's long-serving president.
• Army Chief Takes Power in Burkina Faso VOA 31 Oct 2014 -- Burkina Faso's army chief announced he had taken power in the country following the resignation of longtime president Blaise Compaore.
• Experts: African Constitutions Increasingly Used to Prolong Power VOA 31 Oct 2014 -- In the last decade, at least a dozen African leaders - among them, the rulers of Algeria, Cameroon, Chad, Djibouti, Uganda and Zimbabwe - have amended their national constitutions to allow them to extend their time in office. The men who lead those six countries have been in power collectively for just shy of 150 years.
• Myanmar Leaders Hold Landmark Meeting, but no Breakthroughs VOA 31 Oct 2014 -- Unprecedented talks among Myanmar's political rivals and powerful army leaders have led to commitments to discuss political reforms and peace talks in the still-fractured country.
• Ebola: UN envoy says response must be sustained 'until every last case is contained and treated' UN News Centre 31 Oct 2014 -- The Secretary-General's Special Envoy for Ebola, David Nabarro, appealed today for the global response to the deadly virus to be sustained "until every last case is contained and treated," as the United Nations health agency recommended more protective measures for health workers battling the disease on the frontlines of the outbreak.
• New Ebola Treatment Center Opens in Liberia VOA 31 Oct 2014 -- One of the largest Ebola treatment centers opened Friday in Liberia, as the death toll from the disease continues to rise in West Africa.
• Overcoming Ebola stigma takes time IRIN 31 Oct 2014 -- Ebola survivors in Liberia and Sierra Leone are facing mixed reactions as they return home after contracting the deadly virus. While some have been welcomed back into their communities, most are facing discrimination and stigmatization, or have even been shunned.
• China to Send Army Medics to Liberia to Fight Ebola: Foreign Ministry RIA Novosti 31 Oct 2014 -- China has promised to keep sending assistance to countries in West Africa fighting the Ebola virus outbreak and has trained 480 medical staff from the Chinese army to work on the disease in Liberia, the Director of Chinese Foreign Ministry's African Affairs Department said Friday.
• China to Open Ebola Treatment Center in Liberia Within Month: Official RIA Novosti 31 Oct 2014 -- China is going to open an Ebola treatment center in Liberia in a month's time to help fight the deadly outbreak, the head of the Chinese Foreign Ministry's Africa Department said.
• WHO Updates Guidelines on Ebola Protective Gear VOA 31 Oct 2014 -- The World Health Organization is issuing updated guidelines on proper use of personal protective equipment, or PPE, used in the fight against Ebola in West Africa.
• IAEA Seeks 'Concrete Actions' From Iran To Prove Nuclear Intentions RFE/RL 31 Oct 2014 -- The head of the UN nuclear agency says Iran needs to take "concrete actions" to prove that all of its nuclear activities are peaceful.
• Afghanistan Turning Into Narco-State: Russian Drug Control Chairman RIA Novosti 31 Oct 2014 -- Afghanistan is rapidly turning into a narco-state, Russian Federal Drug Control Service Chairman Viktor Ivanov said Friday.
• Ukraine, Russia Work Out Gas Deal VOA 31 Oct 2014 -- Russia and Ukraine have signed an agreement to end their dispute over gas supplies.
• Ukraine, Russia, EU strike gas deal Iran Press TV 31 Oct 2014 -- Russia has signed a deal with the European Union and Ukraine on the resumption of natural gas supplies to Ukraine after a hiatus that lasted for several months during the conflict in Ukraine.
• Can Lviv Mayor Change Ukrainian Politics Once And For All? RFE/RL 31 Oct 2014 -- In 2013, when the Lviv mayor purchased a new family home, he invited journalists to the house for a tour. And now, as his fledgling party prepares to enter the notoriously down-and-dirty world of parliamentary politics, Sadovyy says the more scrutiny, the better.
• Twenty-Five Years After Fall Of Berlin Wall, Hungary Lurches Away From Democracy RFE/RL 31 Oct 2014 -- A quarter of a century ago, in a stirring speech on Budapest's Heroes' Square, a young Viktor Orban called for the dismantling of communism in Hungary, free elections, and the withdrawal of Soviet troops - spearheading a wave of revolutions in the Eastern Bloc that culminated with the fall of the Berlin Wall.
• Secularists Face Challenge in Forming Tunisian Government VOA 31 Oct 2014 -- Official results from Tunisia show the Islamist Ennahda party has failed to win the second free election since the uprising in 2011.
• Party is not above Constitution People's Daily 31 Oct 2014 -- CPC is authorized to lead the nation and strengthen the rule of law, hence there is no contradiction between them