Further Reading

Operations
Defense Policy / Programs
Defense Industry
Other Conflicts
News Reports

Current Operations

• OIF/OEF/OND Casualty Update 05 Nov 2014 [PDF]
• Airstrikes Continue Against ISIL in Syria, Iraq AFPS 05 Nov 2014 -- U.S. military forces continued to attack Islamic State of Iraq and the Levant terrorists in Syria Nov. 3 through today, using attack and fighter aircraft to conduct four airstrikes, U.S. Central Command officials reported.
• Pentagon denies Syria strategy in disarray Iran Press TV 05 Nov 2014 -- The Pentagon defends the US strategy against the ISIL terrorist organization in Syria, downplaying a series of setbacks in the ever-escalating war.
• UK to provide further support to forces fighting ISIL UK MOD 05 Nov 2014 -- Defence Secretary Michael Fallon has announced that the UK plans to offer Iraqi forces more training.
• Britain to send forces to Iraq to help anti-ISIL fight Iran Press TV 05 Nov 2014 -- Britain is preparing to deploy forces to Iraq to help the Iraqi security forces in their fight against the ISIL Takfiri militants, a British newspaper says.
• Department of Defense Briefing by Lt. Gen. Anderson in the Pentagon Briefing Room via satellite from Afghanistan DoD 05 Nov 2014 -- Presenter: International Security Assistance Force Joint Command Commander Lieutenant General Joseph Anderson
• Afghan Forces Winning, ISAF Joint Command Chief Says AFPS 05 Nov 2014 -- In the final days of the International Security Assistance Force mission in Afghanistan, the Afghan national security forces are winning and the long coalition effort is taking hold, the commander of ISAF Joint Command said today.
• First British Ebola treatment facility opens in Sierra Leone UK MOD 05 Nov 2014 -- A new British Ebola treatment facility opens to patients today in Kerry Town, near the Sierra Leone capital Freetown.

Defense Policy / Programs

• AF engineers log record-breaking accelerated engine test AFNS 05 Nov 2014 -- A highly successful accelerated mission test (AMT) of Pratt & Whitney's F135 conventional take-off and landing/carrier variant (CTOL/CV) engine was recently completed in the Sea Level 3 test cell (SL-3) at the Arnold Engineering Development Center here.
• Air Force pilot develops plan to reduce jet fuel consumption AFNS 05 Nov 2014 -- The Air Force spends more than $9 billion annually on energy. Aviation consumes 86 percent of that amount.
• Landing zone cameras mean major improvement in C-17 training AFNS 05 Nov 2014 -- A C-17 Globemaster III cargo aircraft pilot calculates measurements to figure out the best way to approach a small landing strip in the middle of a hostile environment in Afghanistan.
• 567th RED HORSE heads to Arkansas to prepare for Beyond the Horizon AFNS 05 Nov 2014 -- More than 150 Airmen from the 567th RED HORSE out of Seymour Johnson Air Force Base, North Carolina, arrived for a weeklong field training exercise here, Nov. 2.
• Technology Gap Closing, Top Acquisitions Official Warns AFPS 05 Nov 2014 -- The technological dominance enjoyed by the U.S. military force that fought the first Gulf War a quarter century ago is threatened today, the undersecretary of defense for acquisitions, technology and logistics said today.
• Strike Group Leads Crisis Response Exercise NNS 05 Nov 2014 -- More than 4,500 Sailors from 19 countries got underway to train across a range of simultaneous, and near simultaneous, crisis response missions during Exercise Bold Alligator, the largest, multinational, amphibious exercise conducted in a decade.
• Detainee Transfer Announced DoD 05 Nov 2014 -- The Department of Defense announced today the transfer of Fouzi Khalid Abdullah Al Awda from the detention facility at Guantanamo Bay to the Government of Kuwait.
• 2/8 conducts embassy reinforcement during Exercise Bold Alligator USMC News 05 Nov 2014 -- More than 40 Marines with 2nd Battalion, 8th Marine Regiment conducted an embassy reinforcement operation during Exercise Bold Alligator 2014 aboard Marine Corps Base Camp Lejeune, North Carolina, Oct. 29.
• USNS Choctaw County Participates in Exercise Bold Alligator 2014 NNS 05 Nov 2014 -- Spearhead-class joint high speed vessel USNS Choctaw County (JHSV 2) is conducting proof-of-concept testing during Exercise Bold Alligator 2014 as an afloat forward staging base style platform.
• Coastal Riverine Squadron 4 Completes VBSS Milestone NNS 05 Nov 2014 -- Sailors assigned to Coastal Riverine Squadron 4 completed a training milestone by completing a successful visit, board search and seizure (VBSS) within a simulated environment during exercise Bold Alligator, Nov. 2.
• Russia Pushing Limits of International Order, Dempsey Says AFPS 05 Nov 2014 -- Russia is 'pushing on the limits of international order,' the chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff said today.
• NATO's Deputy Secretary General Emphasizes Partnerships AFPS 05 Nov 2014 -- Collective defense is well and is truly back on NATO's agenda, the alliance's deputy secretary general said in South Korea last week.
• Russia to watch NATO moves in east Europe: Envoy Iran Press TV 05 Nov 2014 -- Russia says it will inspect NATO's increasing presence in Eastern Europe being established under the pretext of the crisis in Ukraine, adding it will frame its new defense policy with regard to the issue.
• France, Saudi Arabia sign Lebanon weapons deal Iran Press TV 05 Nov 2014 -- France and Saudi Arabia have signed a USD 3 billion deal to provide the Lebanese army with French weapons.
• £120 million Anglo-French defence contract UK MOD 05 Nov 2014 -- A set of contracts worth £120 million have been awarded for the early phase of a development programme for unmanned combat air systems.
• Facts & Figures: Chinese air force observes 65th anniversary People's Daily 05 Nov 2014 -- The People's Liberation Army (PLA) Air Force will observe its 65th anniversary next week during the Airshow China 2014, which is to be held from Nov. 11-16.
• India Concerned About Chinese Subs in Sri Lankan Ports VOA 05 Nov 2014 -- India has expressed strong concerns to Sri Lanka for allowing Chinese submarines to dock at its port this month. China's growing naval presence in the Indian Ocean region has opened a new area of rivalry for the two Asian countries.
• Washington pressures South Korea to exit air show in China Iran Press TV 05 Nov 2014 -- Seoul has come under US pressure to scrap its plan for sending a pair of military jets to an upcoming air show in China.
• November 5, 2014 Availability in Paris, France by John Kerry, Secretary of State US Dept. of State 05 Nov 2014

Defense Industry

• DoD News: Contracts for November 05, 2014

Other Conflicts

• 5 November 2014 - Daily Press Briefing by the Office of the Spokesperson for the Secretary-General United Nations 05 Nov 2014
• Humanitarian system 'scrambling' to meet skyrocketing needs, warns UN refugee agency chief UN News Centre 05 Nov 2014 -- The global humanitarian system has reached its limits in dealing with the upward trend in forced displacement due to mounting pressures from conflicts and persecution around the world, the head of the United Nations refugee agency warned today, calling on the humanitarian community to "think out of the box" when it comes to funding emergency response.
• Iraq Suppresses Attempt to Smuggle 40 Tons of Weapons From Czech Republic: Reports RIA Novosti 05 Nov 2014 -- The Iraqi government has announced that it has managed to suppress an attempt to smuggle more than 40 tons of weapons into the country, a local TV channel reported Wednesday.
• Conditions worsen in Benghazi as fighting intensifies IRIN 05 Nov 2014 -- Medical conditions are under severe strain in the east Libyan city of Benghazi, where government forces are grappling to regain territory from Islamist rebels, and residential streets have become battle zones patrolled by self-appointed local committees.
• Ukraine Stops Funding for Rebel-Held Regions VOA 05 Nov 2014 -- Ukraine on Wednesday announced it will halt government funding to those areas of its eastern regions controlled by Russian-backed separatists.
• Tensions rise in east Ukraine amid army build-up Iran Press TV 05 Nov 2014 -- Tensions are reportedly rising in eastern Ukraine following Kiev's decision to send army reinforcements to the restive region.
• 'F' Word Hangs Over Ukraine's Rebel-Held Regions RFE/RL 05 Nov 2014 -- Ukraine has pledged to recapture them. Separatists vow to expand them. But even as hostilities rage on despite a shaky cease-fire, the areas in eastern Ukraine controlled by Russia-backed rebels appear to be drifting inexorably toward the 'F' word, analysts say.
• Ceasefire Deal, Other Agreements With East Ukraine Remain in Force: Kiev RIA Novosti 05 Nov 2014 -- The National Security and Defense Council of Ukraine Wednesday confirmed their commitment to agreements reached in Minsk in September, including the ceasefire deal with the eastern Ukraine self-defense forces.
• South Korea Remains Optimistic About Dialogue With North RIA Novosti 05 Nov 2014 -- South Korea has expressed optimism about improving relations with the North, despite recent setbacks including the cancellation of high level talks which had been due to take place October 30.
• Boko Haram carries out attacks in Nigeria's northeast Iran Press TV 05 Nov 2014 -- Takfiri Boko Haram militants have carried out several attacks in two towns in the volatile northeastern parts of Nigeria, where violent clashes have been going on between the army and the terrorists, witnesses say.
• Houthis flush al-Qaeda-linked militants out of Adeen Iran Press TV 05 Nov 2014 -- Yemen's Ansarullah fighters have swept a central city south of the capital, Sana'a, in their battle against al-Qaeda-linked militants in the country, officials say.
• South Sudan: Security Council strongly condemns outburst of deadly violence, urges peace UN News Centre 05 Nov 2014 -- The United Nations Security Council this evening voiced alarm and outrage at the eruption of hostilities in South Sudan over the past week which left numerous civilians dead and injured and placed increasing pressure on the country's already overwhelming humanitarian crisis.
• UN: Sudan Turns Back Team Probing Alleged Mass Rape VOA 05 Nov 2014 -- United Nations peacekeepers say Sudan's military has denied them access to an area of Darfur where some 200 girls and women were allegedly raped last weekend.
• Darfur: amid allegations of mass rape, UN voices profound concern, begins investigation UN News Centre 05 Nov 2014 -- The African Union-United Nations hybrid mission in Darfur (UNAMID) has expressed its "deep concern" about allegations circulating in local media over the mass rape of 200 women and girls in a town in the region's North, declaring that it is conducting a thorough investigation into the veracity of the claims.
• ASEAN Document Pushes Talks on South China Sea VOA 05 Nov 2014 -- A leaked ASEAN document, a draft of the chairman's statement for next week's summit, notes progress on a Code of Conduct for the South China Sea and urges the group's members to peacefully resolve their maritime disputes with China.
• Burundi: UN officials urge vigilance, transparency as elections near UN News Centre 05 Nov 2014 -- Noting the current stability in Burundi's security situation, two United Nations officials briefing the Security Council today urged vigilance, but expressed confidence that the Government would continue on a path towards peace in the run-up to elections in 2015.
• DR Congo: UN mission says police arrest more than 200 suspected of recent attacks UN News Centre 05 Nov 2014 -- The United Nations stabilization mission in the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC) announced today that more than 200 people have been arrested in relation to the recent attacks against civilians around the town of Beni in the long-restive eastern part of the vast African country.

News Reports

• Midterm result will further thwart Obama People's Daily 05 Nov 2014 -- The US midterm elections kicked off Tuesday. The overall situation does not favor President Barack Obama. In the Republican-controlled House of Representatives, Democrat seats are likely to decrease. The Republicans also aim for a big change in the Senate so as to control both houses of Congress. If so, the lame-duck president will be further crippled.
• Who's In, Who's Out: Republicans Take Over Top U.S. Foreign-Policy Committees RFE/RL 05 Nov 2014 -- Republicans have captured control of the U.S. Senate for the first time in eight years, picking up at least seven seats in the November 4 congressional elections.
• Republicans Win Control Of U.S. Senate In Blow To Obama RFE/RL 05 Nov 2014 -- Republicans have seized a majority in the U.S. Senate from President Barack Obama's party by defeating Democrats in at least seven key states in midterm elections whose results reflected voter discontent.
• News Analysis: Crisis Upsets Georgia's Political Balance, Perhaps For The Better RFE/RL 05 Nov 2014 -- The political crisis in Georgia has been fast and bloody, with the Western-leaning defense minister sacked November 4 and the foreign minister, plus the minister for European and Euro-Atlantic integration, walking out in sympathy.
• Georgian Foreign Minister Resigns RFE/RL 05 Nov 2014 -- Georgian Foreign Minister Maia Panjikidze has resigned a day after Defense Minister Irakli Alasania was dismissed, revealing growing rifts in the ruling coalition two years after it rose to power.
• Norwegian Security Service Predicts Terrorist Attack in Norway Within 12 Months RIA Novosti 05 Nov 2014 -- There has been a 'negative development' in the security situation in Norway, and terrorists could attempt to carry out an attack in the country within the next 12 months, the Norwegian Police Security Service (PST) said Wednesday.
• Burkina Faso: UN chief calls for country's quick return to democratic process UN News Centre 05 Nov 2014 -- As a joint United Nations and African diplomatic mission continues its consultations with Burkinabé stakeholders amid a constitutional crisis in the West African country, Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon today reiterated his call for dialogue and voiced hope for Burkina Faso's speedy return to a democratic process, a United Nations spokesperson has confirmed.
• West African Leaders Press for Transition in Burkina Faso VOA 05 Nov 2014 -- A delegation of West African leaders is in Burkina Faso, trying to defuse a political crisis set off by the departure of longtime President Blaise Compaore.
• UN warns of economic hardship in Ebola-hit countries as World Bank agrees finance package UN News Centre 05 Nov 2014 -- As the United Nations warned today that the Ebola outbreak is deepening the socio-economic challenges faced by the hardest hit countries in West Africa, the World Bank's private sector arm, the International Finance Corporation (IFC), announced a package of some $450 million in commercial financing that will enable trade, investment, and employment in Guinea, Liberia and Sierra Leone.
• Ebola Poses Threat to Europe Until Epidemic Ends in West Africa: Public Health Agency RIA Novosti 05 Nov 2014 -- The danger of new Ebola cases in Europe will remain until the epidemic comes to an end in West Africa, Marc Sprenger, Director of the European Centre for Disease Prevention and Control (ECDC), said Wednesday.
• Remarks on U.S.-China Relations US Dept. of State 04 Nov 2014-- Remarks by John Kerry, Secretary of State at the Johns Hopkins School of Advanced International Studiese
• China slams last colonial governor for remarks on HK Occupy Movement People's Daily 05 Nov 2014 -- China slammed Hong Kong's last colonial governor Chris Patten and urged him to stop 'inciting the illegal Occupy Central Movement in Hong Kong' on Wednesday.
• Full probe of Zhou Yongkang case needs time: official People's Daily 05 Nov 2014 -- The investigation in Zhou Yongkang's case is under way and needs time to finish the in-depth process, China's vice minister of justice Zhang Sujun said Wednesday.
• Chinese Paper Blasts Obama Ahead of Visit VOA 05 Nov 2014 -- Just days before President Barack Obama travels to China for a regional summit, a prominent, state-run paper there is accusing him of being an ineffective leader who has done an 'insipid' job in office.
• Aung San Suu Kyi: Myanmar Reforms 'Stalled' VOA 05 Nov 2014 -- Myanmar opposition leader Aung San Suu Kyi says her country's reform process has been stalled for months and warns the United States and others against being overly optimistic.
• US, France Say Iran Can Have Nuclear Program, Not Bomb VOA 05 Nov 2014 -- U.S. Secretary of State John Kerry says he and his French counterpart, Laurent Fabius, agree that Iran has a right to a peaceful nuclear program but "not a track to a bomb."
• Nuclear deal will benefit everyone: Iran UN envoy IRNA 05 Nov 2014 -- Iranian ambassador to the United Nations Hossein Dehqani said Wednesday that a comprehensive deal with Iran on the nuclear issue will benefit everyone.
• North Korea's Kim Jong Un Appears in Public Without Walking Cane RIA Novosti 05 Nov 2014 -- Kim Jong Un, the North Korean leader whose health has been subject to intense scrutiny and debate over the last months, has appeared, sans walking cane, at a meeting of the country's top military officials, South Korea's Yonhap News Agency reports.
• US Manufacturer of Failed Antares Spacecraft Likely to Discontinue Using Russian Engine RIA Novosti 05 Nov 2014 -- The US manufacturer of fallen unmanned cargo spacecraft Antares is likely to discontinue using the Russian rocket engine that it believes to be the cause of the vehicle launch crash in October, according to press release issued Wednesday.