Further Reading

Operations
Defense Policy / Programs
Defense Industry
Other Conflicts
News Reports

Current Operations

• Statement by the Honourable Rob Nicholson, Minister of National Defence Government of Canada 02 Nov 2014 -- Today, Canada's CF-18s conducted their first combat strike since joining the fight against ISIL on October 30. Coordinated with our coalition partners, two CF-18s attacked ISIL targets with GBU12 500 lb laser guided bombs in the vicinity of Fallujah, Iraq.

Defense Policy / Programs

• Pentagon's Plan to Create Large Spy Network Scaled Back RIA Novosti 02 Nov 2014 -- The US Department of Defense has backed away from an earlier planned project to assemble a large espionage network after the proposal failed to secure enough support from the US Congress, the Washington Post reported.
• N Korea Deploys Ballistic Missile Sub: Reports RIA Novosti 02 Nov 2014 -- North Korea has deployed a new submarine, capable of carrying ballistic missiles, another step forward in the nuclear weapon development.
• Small Arms, Light Weapons Smuggling in Middle East Growing: OSCE Spokesperson RIA Novosti 02 Nov 2014 -- Illicit trafficking of small arms and light weapons (SALW) in the Middle East is growing, and joint effort is needed to prevent spillover effects, Thomas Greminger, Chairperson of the Organization for Security and Co-operation in Europe (OSCE) Permanent Council 2014, told RIA Novosti Saturday.

Defense Industry

Other Conflicts

• Iraqi troops continue to make gains in fighting ISIL Iran Press TV 02 Nov 2014 -- Iraqi troops, backed by volunteer forces, have regained control of a key neighborhood in the strategic northern town of Baiji, clearing it from the ISIL Takfiri militants.
• ISIL executes another group of Sunnis in Anbar Iran Press TV 02 Nov 2014 -- The ISIL Takfiri terrorists have executed another group of Sunni people in Iraq's western province of Anbar, tribal sources say.
• Iraq Says IS Killed Over 300 From Single Sunni Tribe VOA 02 Nov 2014 -- Iraq says Islamic State extremists have executed more than 300 members of an Iraqi tribe in Anbar province, including 50 women and children whose bodies were found stuffed in a water well.
• DPR Accuses Pro-Kiev Troops of Attempts to Disrupt Elections: Press Service RIA Novosti 02 Nov 2014 -- Donetsk People's Republic (DPR) has documented attempts by the Ukrainian authorities to disrupt the ongoing elections, the press service of the DPR's government told RIA Novosti Sunday.
• Russian Humanitarian Convoy Returning From Luhansk RIA Novosti 02 Nov 2014 -- The Russian convoy is returning to Rostov region after delivering humanitarian aid to the crisis-hit city of Luhansk in the east of Ukraine, the Russian Emergencies Ministry said Sunday.
• Ukraine Rebels Vote in Controversial Election VOA 02 Nov 2014 -- Pro-Russian separatists in eastern Ukraine have voted in controversial elections that Kyiv and the West say they will not recognize.
• Hamas rejects UN's 'inefficient' Gaza reconstruction plan Iran Press TV 02 Nov 2014 -- The Palestinian resistance movement Hamas has opposed a UN reconstruction plan for the Gaza Strip following Israel's recent devastating war on the Palestinians.
• Indian soldiers attack Shia mourners in Kashmir Iran Press TV 02 Nov 2014 -- Indian police and paramilitary forces in Indian-controlled Kashmir have attacked a group of Shia Muslims participating in a religious procession marking the martyrdom anniversary of Imam Hussein (PBUH), injuring and arresting a number of people, Press TV reports.
• Bomb blast claims 45 lives on Pakistan-India border Iran Press TV 02 Nov 2014 -- A bomb blast on the Pakistan-India border has left at least 45 people, including women and children, dead and scores wounded, Pakistani police say.
• At Least 55 Dead in Pakistan Bombing VOA 02 Nov 2014 -- A bomb attack in the Lahore region of Pakistan has killed at least 55 people, and more than 100 are wounded.

News Reports

• Clashes erupt between army, protesters in Burkina Faso Iran Press TV 02 Nov 2014 -- Clashes have broken out between protesters and army in the capital of Burkina Faso, Ouagadougou, following demonstrations that challenged the army's stepping into power.
• Protest Brewing in Burkina Faso as Public Opposes Looming Military Reign RIA Novosti 02 Nov 2014 -- Burkina Faso has entered another day of political instability as hundreds of people rally in central Ouagadougou Sunday to protest against what they suspect is a military takeover after President Blaise Compaore's escape.
• Burkina Opposition, International Community Call for Army to Bow Out of Transition VOA 02 Nov 2014 -- Thousands of Burkinabe took to the streets again Sunday, in Ouagadougou, this time to protest the army, which the political opposition says is trying to hijack the people's ousting of President Blaise Compaore. The military declared itself in charge Friday after four consecutive days of large and at times violent protests resulted in Compaore's resignation.
• AU Ready to Help Restore Democracy in Burkina Faso VOA 02 Nov 2014 -- The African Union (AU) says it is ready to work with leaders and stakeholders in Burkina Faso in order to expedite the transition process to quickly return to a constitutional rule.
• Burkina Faso Army Promises Unity Transitional Government VOA 02 Nov 2014 -- Burkina Faso's Army, which seized power Friday, says it will install a unity government to oversee a political transition spawned by the ouster of longtime President Blaise Compaore.
• Bangladesh Tycoon to be Executed for War Crimes VOA 02 Nov 2014 -- A special tribunal in Bangladesh has handed down the death sentence to a senior leader of the country's largest Islamist party for war crimes more than 40 years ago.
• China passes Counterespionage Law for comprehensive state security People's Daily 02 Nov 2014 -- China's top legislature adopted an Counterespionage Law Saturday aimed at more comprehensive state security. Members of the Standing Committee of the National People's Congress (NPC) passed the bill through a vote at the close of the bi-monthly legislative session attended by top legislator Zhang Dejiang.
• Xi urges army to reflect on Xu Caihou case People's Daily 02 Nov 2014 -- Chinese President Xi Jinping has called for serious reflection on the discipline and law violations by former Central Military Commission (CMC) Vice Chairman Xu Caihou.
• Over 1.5 million sign petition against Occupy Central in HK People's Daily 02 Nov 2014 -- In Hong Kong, the anti-Occupy Central group, Alliance for Peace and Democracy, says it has collected over 1.5 million signatures as of Saturday.
• South Korea Regrets Pyongyang's Refusal to Inter-Korean Dialogue RIA Novosti 02 Nov 2014 -- South Korea on Sunday expressed deep regret after the North Korean authorities announced inter-Korean dialogue would not be possible unless an anti-Pyongyang leaflet drop campaign is halted, Xinhua reported.
• UN Ebola mission chief reports mixed picture in Sierra Leone, as victims outpace beds in Port Loko UN News Centre 02 Nov 2014 -- Witnessing yet again the challenging dynamics of the Ebola outbreak unfolding in West Africa, the United Nations envoy coordinating the global response visited Sierra Leone today, where he reported efforts to halt the virus in former hotspot Kenema are starting to pay off, while some 200 kilometres away, Port Loko is now "getting slammed".
• President says agreement is possible in remaining time IRNA 02 Nov 2014 -- President Hassan Rouhani said on Sunday that reaching a comprehensive agreement with the western governments is possible by the November 24 deadline.
• Official rejects Ahmad Shaheed report on Iran IRNA 02 Nov 2014 -- Deputy interior minister Hosseinali Amiri ruled out UN special rapporteur Ahmad Shaheeds statements on Iran, saying that the administrative affairs are handled on the basis of Iran Constitution and public opinion.
• Zarif: Iran ready to sign final deal if its nuclear rights recognized IRNA 02 Nov 2014 -- Foreign Minister Mohammad Javad Zarif said on Sunday that Iran is ready to sign nuclear deal in case the countrys peaceful nuclear activities are officially recognized.
• Iran, P5+1 can reach agreement on all issues: Rouhani Iran Press TV 02 Nov 2014 -- Iran's President Hassan Rouhani says Tehran and the P5+1 group of countries can reach an all-encompassing agreement before a November 24 deadline set for the talks between the two sides.
• Galactic SpaceShipTwo Crash Probe to Take up to 12 Months: US Transportation Safety Board RIA Novosti 02 Nov 2014 -- A full inquiry into the test flight crash of the Virgin Galactic SpaceShipTwo could take up to 12 months, the National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) reported.