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Operations
Defense Policy / Programs
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News Reports

Current Operations

• OIF/OEF/OND Casualty Update 01 Dec 2014 [PDF]
• Airstrikes Continue Against ISIL in Syria, Iraq AFPS 01 Dec 2014 -- U.S. military forces continued to attack Islamic State of Iraq and the Levant terrorists in Syria using fighter, bomber and remotely-piloted aircraft to conduct 27 airstrikes Nov. 28 through today, U.S. Central Command officials reported today.
• Pilot killed in Middle East F-16 crash AFNS 01 Dec 2014 -- A U.S. Air Force pilot was killed when an F-16 Fighting Falcon crashed in a noncombat-related incident Nov. 30 at approximately 11 p.m. EST. The aircraft was returning to its base in the Middle East shortly after take-off. The crash did not occur in Iraq or Syria.
• LATEST: air strikes in Iraq UK MOD 01 Dec 2014 -- British forces have continued to conduct air operations to assist the Iraqi government in its fight against ISIL.
• Afghan Leaders Formalize New Relationship at NATO VOA 01 Dec 2014 -- Afghanistan's president and chief executive are at NATO headquarters in Brussels to formalize their country's new relationship with the alliance, which will end its more than 10-year combat mission in Afghanistan at the end of this month.
• Bomb blast kills nine, injures 18 in north Afghanistan Iran Press TV 01 Dec 2014 -- Nearly 10 people have been killed and several others wounded after a bomb attack targeted a funeral ceremony in Afghanistan's northern province of Baghlan, local police officials say.
• Life in Controlled Monitoring at the Langley Transit Center NNS 01 Dec 2014 -- Chief Equipment Operator Jason Knifley of Naval Mobile Construction Battalion (NMCB) 133, sat in front of a camera and a telephone as he answered questions from the media about his recent return to the United States.
• USS Vandegrift-Coast Guard Team Prevents Smuggling Attempt Off Central America NNS 01 Dec 2014 -- Oliver Hazard Perry-class guided-missile frigate USS Vandegrift (FFG 48) and a U.S. Coast Guard Law Enforcement Detachment (USCG LEDET) interdicted almost 2,000 pounds of cocaine being smuggled in a small vessel Nov. 20 while on patrol in international waters off the coast of Central America.

Defense Policy / Programs

• DNI Clapper Establishes the National Counterintelligence and Security Center Director of National Intelligence 01 Dec 2014 -- Director of National Intelligence James R. Clapper announced today the establishment of the National Counterintelligence and Security Center.
• DoD Announces Recruiting and Retention Numbers for Fiscal 2015, Through October 2014 DoD 01 Dec 2014 -- The Department of Defense announced today recruiting and retention statistics for the active and reserve components for fiscal 2015, through October 2014.
• US Forces prepare Burundi National Defense Force for upcoming deployment USMC News 01 Dec 2014 -- U.S. Marines are training with the Burundi National Defense Force to prepare them for their deployment in support of African Union Mission in Somalia.e
• CTF-75 Receives New Riverine Command Boats NNS 01 Dec 2014 -- Sailors assigned to Commander, Navy Expeditionary Forces Command Pacific (CTF-75), Coastal Riverine Squadron 3 and Naval Mobile Construction Battalion 133 aided in off-loading two Riverine Command Boats (RCBs) from USNS Soderman (T-AKR 317) and transported to Naval Base Guam, Nov 24.
• Secretary General welcomes Afghan leaders as NATO and Afghanistan open new chapter of cooperation NATO 01 Dec 2014
• Pre-ministerial press conference by NATO Secretary General Jens Stoltenberg - Opening remarks NATO 01 Dec 2014
• Russia takes swipe at NATO over war games Iran Press TV 01 Dec 2014 -- Russia has taken issue with NATO over the Western military alliance's staging of war games in northern Europe.
• NATO Chief Blasts Russia Over Military Activity RFE/RL 01 Dec 2014 -- The head of NATO says Russia has been sending large amounts of weapons to rebels in eastern Ukraine and stepped up its military activity around Europe and the world.
• Stoltenberg: NATO Spearhead Force to Become Fully Operational in 2016 Sputnik 01 Dec 2014 -- NATO's high readiness Spearhead Force will become fully operational in 2016, the alliance's Secretary General Jens Stoltenberg stated Monday.
• Russia Tests First Military Space Surveillance Complex: Defense Official Sputnik 01 Dec 2014 -- The first surface complex of Russia's military space surveillance system has undergone state tests, Commander of Russian Aerospace Defense Forces Lt. Gen. Alexander Golovko told reporters Monday.
• Russia Starts Construction of Two New Anti-Missile Radars: Defense Official Sputnik 01 Dec 2014 -- The construction of two anti-missile radars has begun in the European part of Russia, in the Orenburg Region and the Komi Republic, the commander of the Russian Aerospace Defense Forces said Monday.
• Russia Opens New National Defense Control Center: Tech Savvy and Prompt Sputnik 01 Dec 2014 -- The creation of the National Defense Control Center began in May 2013. President Vladimir Putin has announced that the council will improve the military's central command system. From April 1 to December 1, 2014, the focus was on tentative combat duty, reports RIA Novosti.
• Russia's Northern Fleet Ships Leave English Channel, Enter Bay of Biscay Sputnik 01 Dec 2014 -- A squadron of ships from the Russian Navy's Northern Fleet led by anti-submarine ship Severomorsk has left the English Channel and entered the Bay of Biscay, the fleet's press service said in a statement Monday.
• Russia Should Conduct Reconnaissance Flights in More Responsible Way: NATO Sputnik 01 Dec 2014 -- Russia needs to conduct its reconnaissance flights in a "more responsible way," NATO Secretary General Jens Stoltenberg said Monday.
• Russian Air Force to Get Over 150 Planes, Copters in 2015: Defense Ministry Sputnik 01 Dec 2014 -- The Russian Air Force will receive more than 150 aircraft and helicopters next year, as part of a state defense order, the Defense Ministry has announced.
• Russian Strategic Missile Forces to Get New Military Equipment: Ministry Sputnik 01 Dec 2014 -- Russian Strategic Missile Forces (RVSN) will receive 29 units of new military equipment by the end of the year, the country's Defense Ministry has announced.
• Russian Ground Forces to Take Part in Six International Drills: Ministry Sputnik 01 Dec 2014 -- Russian Ground Forces will take part in six international anti-terrorism and peacekeeping military drills in 2015, the country's Defense Ministry has announced.
• Russia Puts Second GLONASS-K Satellite Into Orbit: Defense Ministry Sputnik 01 Dec 2014 -- The second new-generation GLONASS-K Russian navigation satellite has been put into orbit, a Defense Ministry spokesperson told RIA Novosti Monday.
• Defence Secretary gets update on aircraft carrier project UK MOD 01 Dec 2014 -- Michael Fallon visited Scotland to see the progress being made in building the UK's Queen Elizabeth Class (QEC) aircraft carriers.
• China Focus: PLA gets tough on duty crimes People's Daily 01 Dec 2014 -- New rules released by the People's Liberation Army (PLA) show its toughening stance on duty crimes in the areas of construction, and materials and armament procurement.
• PLA targets corruption People's Daily 01 Dec 2014 -- The Chinese military is beefing up supervision to fight corruption in its ranks with detailed regulations, which analysts said will be crucial in preventing graft-related crimes.
• Iran adds helicopters to air-sea fleet ISNA 01 Dec 2014 -- Iran added several helicopters to its air-sea fleet and unveiled armed units in a ceremony in Abbas Port, located in southern Iran.
• US to arm Japan with amphibious vehicles amid Tokyo-Beijing tensions Iran Press TV 01 Dec 2014 -- The United States is set to provide Japan with a number of amphibious vehicles amid tensions between Tokyo and Beijing over the disputed islands in the East China Sea.
• Dassault Mirage 5 military aircraft crashes in Pakistan Iran Press TV 01 Dec 2014 -- A Dassault Mirage 5 supersonic attack aircraft operated by the Pakistani air force has crashed in Pakistan's eastern province of Punjab.
• Kerry Meets With Pakistan's Top Military Commander RFE/RL 01 Dec 2014 -- U.S. Secretary of State John Kerry has said that he had a 'productive meeting' in Washington with Pakistan's visiting Chief of Army Staff, General Raheel Sharif.
• Afghan president plans security reforms: Diplomats Iran Press TV 01 Dec 2014 -- Afghan President Ashraf Ghani plans to fire senior civilian and military leaders in the most troubled provinces of Afghanistan as part of "reforms" in the security system of the country, informed western officials say.
• Britain Reaffirms Support for Lebanese Army: UK Embassy Sputnik 01 Dec 2014 -- The United Kingdom is strongly committed to stability in Lebanon and reaffirmed its support for the country's armed forces, the UK embassy in Lebanon told Sputnik Monday.
• Press Briefing by Press Secretary Josh Earnest, 12/1/2014 The White House 01 Dec 2014
• December 1, 2014 - U.S. Department of State Daily Press Briefing US Dept. of State 01 Dec 2014
• Background Briefing To Preview the Secretary's Travel to Brussels and Basel US Dept. of State 01 Dec 2014

Defense Industry

• DoD News: Contracts for December 01, 2014

Other Conflicts

• 1 December 2014 - Daily Press Briefing by the Office of the Spokesperson for the Secretary-General United Nations 01 Dec 2014
• Ukraine Announces Temporary Truce At Donetsk Airport RFE/RL 01 Dec 2014 -- The Ukrainian military says its forces and Russian representatives have agreed to a temporary cease-fire at the airport in rebel-held Donetsk.
• NATO Chief: Russia Violating Ukraine Cease-fire VOA 01 Dec 2014 -- NATO says Russia is violating a truce in eastern Ukraine by sending in convoys with advanced weapons and personnel reinforcements for pro-Russia separatists fighting Ukrainian government troops.
• US Denies Deal Close on Syria/Turkey Safe Zone VOA 01 Dec 2014 -- The U.S. military is downplaying the idea of creating a buffer zone along the Syrian-Turkish border, after a report said a deal with Turkey on military coordination was near.
• WFP stops providing food vouchers for Syrian refugees Iran Press TV 01 Dec 2014 -- The United Nations World Food Program (WFP) says it has suspended providing food vouchers for more than 1.7 million Syrian refugees due to lack of funds.
• Terror groups using chemical weapons: Syria Iran Press TV 01 Dec 2014 -- Syria's Deputy Foreign Minister Faisal al-Mekdad says foreign-backed terrorist groups are using chemical weapons such as chlorine gas in their fight against the government forces.
• Syria: UN forced to suspend food aid, warns of 'disastrous' impact as winter nears UN News Centre 01 Dec 2014 -- A life-saving programme providing food vouchers to more than 1.7 million Syrian refugees has been suspended due to lack of funds, the United Nations World Food Programme (WFP) announced today, warning that the move will have a devastating impact on families who are already facing a dire situation as the harsh winter months approach.
• WFP Halts Food Vouchers to 1.7 Million Syrian Refugees VOA 01 Dec 2014 -- A shortfall in funding from international donors has forced the UN's World Food Program to suspend giving crucial food vouchers to 1.7 million of Syria's most destitute refugees, the agency announced Monday, warning that families will find it tough to survive the winter.
• Violence in Iraq kills at least 1,232 people in November – UN UN News Centre 01 Dec 2014 -- Some 1,232 people – mostly civilians – were killed by violence in Iraq in November, the top United Nations official there said today as he called on Iraq's political, religious and social leaders to rise above their differences and work to consolidate the democratic process.
• Iraq border guards kill 20 ISIL terrorists in Anbar Iran Press TV 01 Dec 2014 -- At least 20 ISIL Takfiri terrorists have been killed and dozens injured when Iraqi border guards thwarted an attempt by the militants to infiltrate into the western province of Anbar.
• Nigerian Vigilantes Pay Price for Fighting Boko Haram VOA 01 Dec 2014 -- Boko Haram's siege on the border town of Damasak in Borno state last week was similar to many of the attacks the insurgent group has carried out in its five-year violent campaign for control of Nigeria's northeast.
• Explosions, Gun Attacks Rock 2 Nigerian Towns VOA 01 Dec 2014 -- Suspected Islamic extremists attacked two northeastern Nigerian state capitals Monday, targeting a police facility and a crowded market.
• Boko Haram hits north Cameroon schools IRIN 01 Dec 2014 -- Nearly 70 schools in Cameroon's Far North Region have been forced to close, are damaged, or operate intermittently as a result of the recurrent cross-border raids by Nigerian Boko Haram insurgents, officials say.
• Nigeria's Damaturu city rocked by explosions, gunfire Iran Press TV 01 Dec 2014 -- Blasts and gunfire have broken out in the northeastern Nigerian city of Damaturu as violence continues to plague the West African country.
• FARC Releases Colombian General in Order to Secure Peace Negotiations Sputnik 01 Dec 2014 -- FARC, the Revolutionary Armed Forces of Colombia, has released General Ruben Alzate and other military personnel, captured earlier this month.
• Darfur: African Union-UN mission launches campaign against recruitment of child soldiers UN News Centre 01 Dec 2014 -- The United Nations-African Union Hybrid Mission in Darfur (UNAMID) has launched a campaign throughout the western region of Sudan against the recruitment of children as soldiers with an event that was attended by more than 1,000 people.
• Lebanon: Ban appoints Special Coordinator as country continues to face political vacuum UN News Centre 01 Dec 2014 -- United Nations Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon has appointed Sigrid Kaag of the Netherlands as his new Special Coordinator for Lebanon, the UN Spokesperson's office announced today.

News Reports

• Five Things That Vladimir Putin And Recep Tayyip Erdogan Have In Common RFE/RL 01 Dec 2014 -- Russian President Vladimir Putin travels to Ankara on December 1 for talks with his Turkish counterpart, Recep Tayyip Erdogan, on foreign policy, energy, and a potential trade deal worth $100 billion.
• Putin:Russia Cannot Continue South Stream Construction in Current Situation Sputnik 01 Dec 2014 -- Russia is unable to continue the South Stream gas pipeline project implementation in current conditions, Russian President Vladimir Putin said Monday.
• Putin, Gazprom Say South Stream Pipeline 'Closed' RFE/RL 01 Dec 2014 -- President Vladimir Putin has announced that Russia will drop the South Stream natural-gas pipeline project because of the European Union's opposition.
• Putin: Russia forced to withdraw from S. Stream project due to EU stance RT 01 Dec 2014 -- Russia is forced to withdraw from the South Stream project due to the EU's unwillingness to support the pipeline, and gas flows will be redirected to other customers, Vladimir Putin said after talks with his Turkish counterpart, Recep Tayyip Erdogan.
• Gazprom to build new 63 bcm Black Sea pipeline to Turkey instead of S. Stream RT 01 Dec 2014 -- Gazprom CEO Aleksey Miller said the energy giant will build a massive gas pipeline that will travel from Russia, transit through Turkey, and stop at the Greek border – giving Russia access to the Southern European market.
• Cheaper oil takes Russian ruble to new lows; officials say no reason to worry RT 01 Dec 2014 -- The ruble is hitting new lows, as oil falls to prices not seen since 2009. Deputy Prime Minister Igor Shuvalov says the country’s economy won’t be hurt, and federal funding from the budget will be met.
• China Bans Senior British MP From Hong Kong Amid Clashes With Protesters Sputnik 01 Dec 2014 -- Beijing has warned a group of British MPs against interfering in China's domestic affairs, claiming it would deny their entry into Hong Kong. China's move came after the British Foreign Affairs Committee declared it was planning to meet with anti-government Occupy Central's protesters and the city's authorities in Hong Kong.
• Hong Kong Protesters Warned Not to Return After Clashes Disrupt Government VOA 01 Dec 2014 -- Hong Kong's chief executive warned protesters not to return to the streets after they and police clashed early Monday outside government headquarters.
• Hong Kong Protests Close Down Government VOA 01 Dec 2014 -- Clashes in Hong Kong between pro-democracy protesters and police have closed government offices and parliament.
• Khamenei Aide Calls For End To Criticism Of Nuclear Talks RFE/RL 01 Dec 2014 -- A top adviser to Iranian Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei has called for an end to domestic criticism of Tehran's nuclear negotiations with major world powers.
• Uzbekistan Sentences Kyrgyz To 10 Years On Spy Conviction RFE/RL 01 Dec 2014 -- A Kyrgyz national has been sentenced to 10 years in prison in Uzbekistan after being convicted of spying.
• German Intelligence Aware of US Surveillance Since 2005: Reports Sputnik 01 Dec 2014 -- German intelligence services were aware of increased United States surveillance beginning in early 2005, Spiegel magazine reported Monday, referencing a confidential German foreign intelligence service Bundesnachrichtendienst (BND) report.
• Georgian President Signs New 'Phone Tapping' Law: Reports Sputnik 01 Dec 2014 -- Georgian President Giorgi Margvelashvili has signed a law preserving the right of the country's interior ministry to wiretapping, the head of the Georgian presidential administration David Pataraya has told the Rustavi 2 TV channel.
• 'Nimble and flexible' approach needed to bring new Ebola cases to zero - UN UN News Centre 01 Dec 2014 -- Exceptional efforts to respond to the Ebola outbreak in West Africa are starting to show results, but a more "nimble and flexible" approach will be needed as the outbreak evolves in order to stay ahead of the disease and bring it down to zero, top officials charged with the United Nations response said today.
• WHO: Ebola Stabilizing in Some Places But Far From Over VOA 01 Dec 2014 -- The World Health Organization reports the Ebola epidemic in West Africa is slowing down and stabilizing in some places, but is far from over.
• Ebola: Where next and how bad? IRIN 01 Dec 2014 -- In the past few months huge amounts of time and energy have been spent trying to second-guess the progress of the Ebola outbreak in West Africa. Where will the next hotspot be? Is the outbreak still exploding or is it starting to burn itself out? And how many beds will be needed next week, next month or next year?
• Locking Ebola out of Sierra Leone jails IRIN 01 Dec 2014 -- It is next to impossible to avoid physical contact in an overcrowded prison. In Sierra Leone, heavily congested jails and a worsening Ebola outbreak make a potentially lethal combination. So how do you keep inmates safe?
• WHO Says Ebola Fight Deadline Partially Met, More Work Needed Sputnik 01 Dec 2014 -- The World Health Organization (WHO) announced that targeted goals to curb the Ebola outbreak have been partially met in the three worst-hit countries, WHO assistant director-general Bruce Aylward said Monday.
• Yemen faces economic crisis as Saudi mulls pulling plug IRIN 01 Dec 2014 -- Saudi Arabia is considering stopping financial support to Yemen, a move that could tip the country further towards economic collapse, Yemeni, Saudi and Western officials have said.
• Moldova's Pro-EU Parties Begin Coalition Consultations RFE/RL 01 Dec 2014 -- a chief instrument of Russian President Vladimir Putin's efforts to strengthen relations between former Soviet republics and counter Western influence in the region.
• Taiwan Cabinet Resigns After Local Elections Sputnik 01 Dec 2014 -- Taiwan's cabinet has formally resigned following the massive defeat of the ruling Chinese Nationalist Party, Kuomintang or KMT, in Saturday's elections, AFP reports.