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Operations
Defense Policy / Programs
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News Reports

Current Operations

• OIF/OEF/OND Casualty Update 17 Nov 2014 [PDF]
• Kerry: IS Momentum 'Dissipated' by Coalition Attacks VOA 17 Nov 2014 -- U.S. Secretary of State John Kerry says Islamic State (IS) fighters in Iraq and Syria are losing momentum in the face of coalition airstrikes against them. The militants, who also are known as ISIL, have beheaded a fifth Westerner, and warned that a U.S. soldiers will meet a similar fate.
• LATEST: air strikes in Iraq UK MOD 17 Nov 2014 -- British forces have continued to conduct air operations to assist the Iraqi government in its fight against ISIL.
• Centcom Officials Provide Inherent Resolve Airstrike Details AFPS 17 Nov 2014 -- U.S. Central Command officials today provided details of airstrikes that have targeted Islamic State of Iraq and the Levant terrorists in Syria and Iraq in recent days.

Defense Policy / Programs

• First Manned, Unmanned Detachment Deploys Aboard Littoral Combat Ship NNS 17 Nov 2014 -- The 'Magicians' of Helicopter Maritime Strike Squadron (HSM) 35 Detachment 1 departed Naval Air Station North Island, Coronado, California, Nov. 17, to join USS Fort Worth (LCS 3) on her maiden deployment.
• 7th Fleet Commander Outlines Fleet Priorities NNS 17 Nov 2014 -- Vice Adm. Robert L. Thomas, commander, U.S. 7th Fleet, outlined his priorities during an all-hands call with his staff Nov. 14, to discuss his goals and objectives for the Fleet.
• USS Fort Worth Commences 16-Month Rotational Deployment to Western Pacific NNS 17 Nov 2014 -- The littoral combat ship USS Fort Worth (LCS 3) departed its homeport of San Diego Nov. 17 for a 16-month rotational deployment to Singapore in support of the Navy's strategic rebalance to the Pacific.
• Remarks by Secretary Hagel to Troops at Fort Campbell, Kentucky DoD 17 Nov 2014 -- Presenter: Secretary of Defense Chuck Hagel
• Fabrication Begins on the Navy's First Ship to Shore Connector NNS 17 Nov 2014 -- Textron, Inc. began fabrication of the Navy's first Ship to Shore Connector (SSC) at its New Orleans facility Nov. 17.
• F-35C Completes Initial Sea Trials aboard Aircraft Carrier NNS 17 Nov 2014 -- The F-35C Lightning II carrier variant Joint Strike Fighter completed its first phase of developmental test (DT) aboard an aircraft carrier Nov. 14, three days ahead of schedule aboard USS Nimitz (CVN 68).
• Hagel Observes Full-spectrum National Training Center Exercise AFPS 17 Nov 2014 -- Defense Secretary Chuck Hagel yesterday lauded training efforts at the Army's National Training Center at Fort Irwin, California, where he addressed troops and observed a "full-spectrum" war exercise involving about 4,700 soldiers preparing for deployments to the Middle East.
• Marines, Romanians refine communication skills as deterrence against potential threat USMC News 17 Nov 2014 -- The need for reinforcing partnerships among allies is becoming more prevalent on the global stage, more specifically due to the lack of de-escalation of Russian aggression in the region.
• VMFA-115, VMFA-533 soar to Kunsan Air Base USMC News 17 Nov 2014 -- Service members with Marine Fighter Attack Squadron 115 and Marine All-Weather Fighter Attack Squadron 533, currently part of the Unit Deployment Program with Marine Aircraft Group 12, aboard Marine Corps Air Station Iwakuni, Japan, arrived at Kunsan Air Base, Republic of Korea, Nov. 13, 2014, in support of Exercise Max Thunder 14-2.
• USS La Jolla Changes Homeport to Norfolk NNS 17 Nov 2014 -- The Los Angeles-class attack submarine USS La Jolla (SSN 701) arrived at its new homeport in Norfolk, Virginia, Nov. 10. Under the command of Cmdr. Kevin Roach, the submarine was previously assigned to Commander, Submarine Squadron One, home ported in Pearl Harbor, Hawaii.
• NATO Official Discusses Southern Flank, Mediterranean Dialogue AFPS 17 Nov 2014 -- Russia's blatant disregard of international norms in Ukraine is just one example of its attempts to reject an international order that promotes democracy, sovereignty and the rule of law, NATO's deputy secretary general said in La Hulpe, Belgium, today.
• NATO Secretary General hails Partnership with Georgia NATO 17 Nov 2014 -- The NATO Secretary General Jens Stoltenberg welcomed Georgian Prime Minister Irakli Garibashvili to NATO Headquarters on Monday (17 November).
• Putin: Russia Conducting Military Exercises Only in International Zone Sputnik 17 Nov 2014 -- Russian military drills have been conducted in international zones only, with the strategic aircraft flight being resumed as an answer to US actions near Russian borders, Russian President Vladimir Putin said.
• Indian Phase of Aviaindra-2014 Russia-India Air Forces Drills Kicks Off Sputnik 17 Nov 2014 -- The Indian stage of the Aviaindra-2014 Russia-India joint drills of air forces have started at the Halwara air base, Russian Defense Ministry announces.
• Pakistan test-fires 2nd nuclear-capable missile in week Iran Press TV 17 Nov 2014 -- Pakistan has test-fired a medium-range ballistic missile capable of carrying nuclear and conventional warheads for the second time in less than a week.
• Air force plans to modify pilot selection process People's Daily 17 Nov 2014 -- The People's Liberation Army air force will upgrade its pilot selection procedure, adding individual psychological tests and flight simulation to the country's strictest recruitment process, air force officials said.
• China not to engage in conflicts to pursue goals: Xi Iran Press TV 17 Nov 2014 -- Chinese President Xi Jinping has pledged that his country will never resort to force to pursue its national interests, reaffirming Beijing's commitment to protecting global peace and security.
• China Pledges to Refrain From Using Force to Attain Goals: Xi Sputnik 17 Nov 2014 -- China's President Xi Jinping vowed not to use force to achieve the country's goals, stressing China is "dedicated to upholding peace".
• November 17, 2014 - U.S. Department of State Daily Press Briefing US Dept. of State 17 Nov 2014

Defense Industry

• DoD News: Contracts for November 17, 2014
• Chinese weapons winning battle for int'l market People's Daily 17 Nov 2014 -- Chinese-made armaments have become increasingly popular in the international market, according to an industry insider.

Other Conflicts

• 17 November 2014 - Daily Press Briefing by the Office of the Spokesperson for the Secretary-General United Nations 17 Nov 2014
• Putin Admits Russian Troop Role in Crimea Annexation VOA 17 Nov 2014 -- Contradicting previous denials, President Vladimir Putin has admitted that Russia's armed forces played a role in events leading up to Moscow's annexation of Ukraine's Crimean peninsula, but denied direct involvement of his country's military in a referendum that was used to justify the move, according to an interview broadcast by German television.
• EU Moves to Sanction Separatists as E. Ukraine Fighting Intensifies VOA 17 Nov 2014 -- European Union foreign ministers moved Monday to ratchet up sanctions against pro-Russian separatists in eastern Ukraine, amid reports of intensified fighting in the region.
• Ten Ukraine soldiers, police killed in east: Officials Iran Press TV 17 Nov 2014 -- Ten Ukrainian soldiers and police officers have reportedly been killed in the country's volatile east, which has witnessed fierce fighting between government troops and pro-Russia forces in recent months.
• Settlement of Ukraine crisis possible: Putin Iran Press TV 17 Nov 2014 -- Russian President Vladimir Putin has expressed confidence that it is possible to find a way to settle the lingering crisis in Ukraine.
• Ukrainian Foreign Minister Says No Plans of East Ukraine Offensive Sputnik 17 Nov 2014 -- Ukrainian Foreign Minister Pavlo Klimkin said the Kiev government was not planning to launch an offensive against self-proclaimed republics in the east of the country.
• NATO Prefers to Ignore Russian Efforts to Stabilize Situation in Ukraine Sputnik 17 Nov 2014 -- NATO prefers to ignore the humanitarian crisis in eastern Ukraine and Moscow's efforts to stabilize situation in the country, the Russian Foreign Ministry said Monday.
• Ukraine Claims It Is Prepared for Military Confrontation With Russia Sputnik 17 Nov 2014 -- Ukraine has prepared its first line of defense, equipment and reservists in the event of a military confrontation with Russia, Ukraine's National Security and Defense Council spokesman Andriy Lysenko said Monday.
• Putin: Russia Concerned by Threat of Ethnic Cleansing in Ukraine Sputnik 17 Nov 2014 -- Moscow is concerned by the risk of ethnic cleansing in Ukraine, Russian President Vladimir Putin said Sunday.
• Kiev Commits War Crime by Halting Pension Payments in East Ukraine: DPR Sputnik 17 Nov 2014 -- The Kiev authorities are committing a war crime by withholding payments to eastern Ukraine pensioners, the chairman of Donetsk People's Republic's (DPR) Supreme Council Denis Pushilin said Sunday.
• ISIL militants massacred 1,500 Syrians over 5 months: Group Iran Press TV 17 Nov 2014 -- The ISIL Takfiri terrorists have executed nearly 1,500 people in Syria in five months, as they continue committing crimes against humanity on a large scale in the country, says a UK-based group.
• S Korea Dismisses Claims of Pyongyang's Secret Tunnel Near Capital Sputnik 17 Nov 2014 -- Last week, activists of several conservative civic groups held a press conference in the city of Namyangju, north of Seoul, and claimed that they found an underground tunnel in the city dug by North Korea in order to infiltrate South Korea.
• Bogota suspend talks with FARC after general's abduction Iran Press TV 17 Nov 2014 -- Colombia has suspended peace negotiations with the leftist rebels of the Revolutionary Armed Forces of Colombia (FARC), as the army investigates the kidnapping of a general.
• Colombia-FARC Talks Suspended Over Abduction of Army General Sputnik 17 Nov 2014 -- Colombia's President Juan Manuel Santos has announced that the government has suspended peace talks with the Revolutionary Armed Forces of Colombia (FARC) guerilla group following an abduction of three people, including an army general.
• Colombia Suspends Peace Talks After FARC Kidnaps Army General VOA 17 Nov 2014 -- Colombian President Juan Manuel Santos suspended peace talks with the country's largest rebel group after a general and two other people were kidnapped Sunday.
• UN official calls on Israeli, Palestinian leaders to make 'difficult compromises' for peace UN News Centre 17 Nov 2014 -- Preventing a further escalation of tensions in the Israeli-Palestinian conflict and returning to negotiations has never been more important, a senior United Nations political official told the Security Council today, calling on leaders from both sides to make the "difficult compromises" that will promote stability and ensure long-term security in the region.
• 'Deeply troubled' by Darfur rape allegations, Ban urges 'unfettered' access to town UN News Centre 17 Nov 2014 -- United Nations Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon said today that he is deeply troubled about persistent allegations of mass rape in Tabit, North Darfur, and urged Government officials to grant unfettered access to the town so that investigators can verify these reports.

News Reports

• China explains to world how to deepen reform in 'new normal' state People's Daily 17 Nov 2014 -- As G20 leaders in Brisbane, Australia,pledged measures to boost their economies, Chinese President Xi Jinping shared China's recipe for the future: deepening reform.
• China Acuses About 300 Former Government Officials of Financial Crime Sputnik 17 Nov 2014 -- China to serve charges on about 300 former state officials for financial crimes as the 'fox hunt program' continues, China Daily reports
• Russia expels Polish diplomats over spying Iran Press TV 17 Nov 2014 -- Russia has dismissed a number of Polish diplomats over spying allegations, shortly after the expulsion of its diplomats by Poland.
• Iran Nuclear Deal in Final Push VOA 17 Nov 2014 -- Iranian and international negotiators convene in Vienna Tuesday for a final push to try to reach agreement on Iran's nuclear program by the November 24 deadline.
• Column: Crunch Time for Iran Nuclear Talks VOA 17 Nov 2014 -- With only one week to go before a self-imposed deadline, the nail-biting is accelerating over whether Iran will reach an agreement with the five permanent members of the U.N. Security Council plus Germany (P5+1) that curbs its nuclear program for years to come in return for sanctions relief.
• Larijani: West's excuses, obstacle to talks ISNA 17 Nov 2014 -- Iranian Parliament Speaker Ali Larijani reiterated that the West's excuses is an obstacle to negotiations between the country and the G5+1.
• N. Korea Defectors Urge Switzerland to Freeze Leader Funds VOA 17 Nov 2014 -- A group of 20 North Korean defectors urged Switzerland to immediately freeze all assets of the North Korean leadership, who it said are directly responsible for human rights crimes against their own people.
• Ebola: DR Congo declares end to outbreak, as top footballers join global fight against virus UN News Centre 17 Nov 2014 -- The United Nations today praised the end of an outbreak of Ebola in the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC), as some of the world's top football players, including Real Madrid's Cristiano Ronaldo and Barcelona's Neymar Jr, announced they are joining the Organization's fight to help raise global awareness in the fight against the deadly virus.
• Mali on High Alert as New Ebola Cases Confirmed VOA 17 Nov 2014 -- Mali is on high alert after authorities in Bamako confirmed the fifth case of Ebola in the country. Malian President Ibrahim Boubacar Keita visited a treatment center Monday where the humanitarian medical group Doctors Without Borders is receiving patients.
• China tackles Ebola in Liberia People's Daily 17 Nov 2014 -- China has dispatched more than 160 military medical workers to operate an Ebola treatment center in Monrovia, the capital of Liberia - the first time that China has consigned a large military medical group overseas.
• Mali places 442 people under surveillance over Ebola fears Iran Press TV 17 Nov 2014 -- Mali has placed hundreds of people under surveillance over fear of being exposed to Ebola, as the country battles to contain the spread of the deadly virus.
• IS Defector Claims Islamic State Has Sleeper Cells in Europe: Reports Sputnik 17 Nov 2014 -- On conditions of anonymity, a former Islamic State fighter revealed the existence of numerous terror cells in Europe ready to fulfill IS orders.
• France: Frenchman Among IS Militants in Beheading Video VOA 17 Nov 2014 -- France said one of its citizens is among the Islamic State militants who participated in killing American aid worker Abdul-Rahman Kassig.
• Bird flu shutters N England farm Iran Press TV 17 Nov 2014 -- A duck-breeding farm in northern England has been closed off over an outbreak of bird flu.
• Bird Flu Death in Egypt; Outbreak Hits Dutch Farm VOA 17 Nov 2014 -- A second woman in Egypt has died of bird flu. The woman, who died of the H5N1 virus after tending chickens at her home, was the second such fatality in Egypt this year.
• Burkina Faso: Ban welcomes appointment of interim president, signing of transition framework UN News Centre 17 Nov 2014 -- United Nations Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon today congratulated the people of Burkina Faso on the signing of the Charter of the Transition and on the appointment of former foreign minister Michel Kafando as Transitional President.
• Interim president named in Burkina Faso Iran Press TV 17 Nov 2014 -- Representatives of Burkina Faso's army as well as traditional and religious groups have named an acting president to direct the country's transition from military rule back to civilian government.
• Ghani's Trip Fuels Hopes for Better Afghan-Pakistan Ties VOA 17 Nov 2014 -- Afghan President Ashraf Ghani's first state visit to neighboring Pakistan over the weekend has generated an unusual level of optimism on both sides of the border, with some hailing it as the beginning of a new era in the often acrimonious bilateral relationship.
• Somalia: UN envoy calls for political stability ahead of Copenhagen conference UN News Centre 17 Nov 2014 -- The top United Nations official in Somalia, Nicholas Kay, has met with country leaders in Mogadishu to discuss the ongoing political crisis days ahead of the first high-level meeting held in Copenhagen to review the embattled nation's progress to political reconciliation.
• Somali Political Crisis Deepens VOA 17 Nov 2014 -- Somalia's political crisis is growing, with 14 ministers asking the prime minister to resign due to his intense political rift with the president. The standoff between the two men has paralyzed the government for the last couple of months.
• Russia Plays Big Role in Cyber Spying, Hacking VOA 17 Nov 2014 -- Even in these times of incessant cyber-attacks and Internet hacks, the news took many security analysts by surprise – and led to the doors of the Kremlin.
• Romanian President-elect Moves to Crack Down on Corruption VOA 17 Nov 2014 -- The mayor of a city in central Romania who defeated the country's prime minister in a presidential runoff election has promised to crack down on corruption.
• China to Introduce Own Space Law in 2020: National Space Administration Sputnik 17 Nov 2014 -- Beijing promises to abide by international space law despite introducing its own corresponding legislation.
• Medvedev Says Russia's Vostochny Space Center Has Construction Problems Sputnik 17 Nov 2014 -- Actual problems exist in the construction of Russia's Vostochny Cosmodrome in the country's Far East will be discussed with the leadership of Roscosmos space agency, Russian Prime Minister Dmitry Medvedev said Monday.
• Russian Satellite Constellation to Reach 150 by 2025: Space Corporation Sputnik 17 Nov 2014 -- Russia will increase its orbital satellite constellation to 150 spacecraft by 2025, United Rocket and Space Corporation (URSC) head Igor Komarov told RIA Novosti on Monday.
• Russia to Start Deploying Own Space Station in 2017: Reports Sputnik 17 Nov 2014 -- Russia will start deploying its own orbital space station in 2017, using part of the modules constructed for the International Space Station (ISS), Kommersant newspaper reported Monday, citing a space engineering source.