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Operations
Defense Policy / Programs
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News Reports

Current Operations

• OIF/OEF/OND Casualty Update 06 Jan 2015 [PDF]
• Department of Defense Press Briefing by Rear Adm. Kirby in the Pentagon Briefing Room DoD 06 Jan 2015 -- Presenter: Pentagon Press Secretary Navy Rear Adm. John Kirby
• Pentagon Probes Possible Civilian Casualties in Iraq, Syria Strikes VOA 06 Jan 2015 -- The Pentagon has acknowledged for the first time that there may have been civilian casualties from coalition airstrikes against Islamic State in Iraq and Syria.
• Fight against ISIL: Ammo troops keep up with tempo AFNS 06 Jan 2015 -- There's nothing more exciting than watching a fighter jet loaded with munitions roar down the flight line headed off to take out the bad guy.
• Inherent Resolve Airstrikes Continue in Syria, Iraq AFPS 06 Jan 2015 -- U.S. and partner-nation military forces have continued to attack Islamic State of Iraq and the Levant terrorists in Syria and Iraq, Combined Joint Task Force Operation Inherent Resolve officials reported today.
• LATEST: air strikes in Iraq UK MOD 06 Jan 2015 -- British forces have continued to conduct air operations to assist the Iraqi government in its fight against ISIL.
• No Cabinet Deal As Afghan President Marks 100 Days In Office RFE/RL 06 Jan 2015 -- Afghan President Ashraf Ghani marked his first 100 days in office on January 6, still struggling to form a cabinet with the chief executive of his unity government, Abdullah Abdullah.

Defense Policy / Programs

• DoD Announces Recruiting and Retention Numbers for Fiscal 2015, Through November 2014 DoD 06 Jan 2015 -- The Department of Defense announced today recruiting and retention statistics for the active and reserve components for fiscal 2015, through November 2014.
• USS Louisville Visits Okinawa During Western Pacific Deployment NNS 06 Jan 2015 -- The Los Angeles class fast-attack submarine USS Louisville (SSN 724) arrived at Okinawa Naval Base Jan. 6, for a port call as part of a deployment to the Western Pacific.
• Putin Decree Enables Foreigners To Serve In Russian Military RFE/RL 06 Jan 2015 -- Russian President Vladimir Putin has issued a decree enabling foreign nationals to serve in the Russian military. The January 2 decree allows foreigners aged 18-30 to sign up for five-year service contracts with the Russian armed forces, Interior Ministry troops, or the state firefighting service.
• Moscow Police Say Another Retired Russian General Commits Suicide RFE/RL 06 Jan 2015 -- Russian authorities say a former Russian air force general committed suicide in Moscow on January 6 by hanging himself.
• North Korea's Missiles Able to Reach US Mainland: South Korea Sputnik 06 Jan 2015 -- The South Korean Defense Ministry has said in a white paper that North Korea is in possession of missiles that could reach the US mainland, Xinhua reported Tuesday.
• S. Korea Notes Pyongyang's Improved Nuclear Capability VOA 06 Jan 2015 -- South Korea's defense ministry said North Korea appears to have achieved a 'significant' level of technology to miniaturize a nuclear device that could fit on the tip of a missile.
• Defense Ministry efforts lead to Iran's stability: Commander IRNA 06 Jan 2015 -- A senior military commander said on Tuesday that the stability of the country is resulted from efforts made by experts of Defense Ministry who succeeded to properly equip armed forces under the difficult situations created by the Western sanctions.
• Iraq restructuring army to stop ISIL: Minister Iran Press TV 06 Jan 2015 -- Iraq is restructuring its army in order to boost its capabilities in countering the advance of the ISIL Takfiri group in the country, the Iraqi defense minister says.
• Babcock awarded £900 million army vehicle contract UK MOD 06 Jan 2015 -- The Ministry of Defence has awarded Babcock International a £900 million 10-year contract for the maintenance of the army's land vehicles.
• Lithuania Delivers Requested Arms to Ukraine: Ukrainian Army Spokesperson Sputnik 06 Jan 2015 -- Ukraine has received the arms that it had previously requested from Lithuania, National Security and Defense Council (NSDC) spokesperson Andriy Lysenko said on Tuesday.
• Press Briefing by Press Secretary Josh Earnest, 1/6/2015 The White House 06 Jan 2015
• January 6, 2015 - U.S. Department of State Daily Press Briefing US Dept. of State 06 Jan 2015

Defense Industry

• DoD News: Contracts for January 06, 2015
• Assembly of China's first large aircraft C919 almost complete People's Daily 06 Jan 2015 -- Assembly of the first large passenger aircraft built by a Chinese company is nearly complete.
• Export quota system for rare earths abolished People's Daily 06 Jan 2015 -- China has ended a quota system previously aimed at restricting exports of rare earths, a move in line with a World Trade Organization panel ruling last March.

Other Conflicts

• 6 January 2015 - Daily Press Briefing by the Office of the Spokesperson for the Secretary-General United Nations 06 Jan 2015
• Senior ISIL leader found beheaded in eastern Syria Iran Press TV 06 Jan 2015 -- A senior ISIL leader, who had been involved in many ISIL beheadings, has been found decapitated in eastern Syria, a UK-based opposition group says.
• UN: Syria Conflict Robbing More Than 1.3M Children of Education VOA 06 Jan 2015 -- The U.N. Children's Fund (UNICEF) cites children's education as one of the prime victims of Syria's ever-worsening war.
• Iraqi commander lauds Iran's role in freeing Iraq ISNA 06 Jan 2015 -- A senior Iraqi commander lauded Iran's support for Iraqi government, reiterating that there would be no government in Baghdad if Iran's did cooperate with the country.
• ISIL militants seize Saudi posts near border with Iraq: Iraqi officer Iran Press TV 06 Jan 2015 -- Iraqi security sources say the ISIL Takfiri militants have attacked a number of Saudi border posts along Iraq's strife-stricken western province of al-Anbar, and managed to take control over the military facilities.
• Fighting raging on between Iraqi forces, ISIL militants in Anbar Iran Press TV 06 Jan 2015 -- Fighting is reportedly raging on between Iraqi forces and the ISIL Takfiri group in Iraq's Anbar Province, west of the capital, Baghdad.
• Iran's red line for terrorist groups lies 40 km inside Iraqi soil IRNA 06 Jan 2015 -- Commander of Armys Ground Force Brigadier General Ahmad Reza Pourdastan said on Tuesday that Iran has drawn red line for terrorist groups 40 km inside the Iraqi territory.
• Iran has marked a 40-km red zone inside Iraqi border Iran Press TV 06 Jan 2015 -- The commander of the Iranian Army's Ground Forces says Iran has marked a 40-km red zone into the Iraqi border to warn terrorists of any infiltration attempt into Iranian territories.
• Libya Seeks Arab Help as Terrorism Concerns Grow VOA 06 Jan 2015 -- As Libya's official government asks for military help to tackle rival militias, analysts warn the country is on the verge of breaking apart. There are also fears over Libya's role as an exporter of terror, amid reports of growing links between Islamist militants in the country and the Islamic State group.
• Ukrainian Forces Announce Locations of Seven Corridors in East Ukraine Sputnik 06 Jan 2015 -- Ukraine's security forces have released the locations of seven corridors along the line of contact (a 30-kilometer buffer zone) in east Ukraine, the country's National Security and Defense Council (NSDC) spokesperson Andriy Lysenko said Tuesday.
• S Korea welcomes North's readiness for high-level talks Iran Press TV 06 Jan 2015 -- Seoul has welcomed a recent announcement by Pyongyang that it is prepared to take part in bilateral talks of the "highest-level," calling on its northern neighbor to show commitment to dialogue.
• UN Mission chief applauds joint operations against armed groups in eastern DR Congo UN News Centre 06 Jan 2015 -- A joint operation by United Nations troops and the Congolese army (FARDC) took control of the main bases used by an armed group actively threatening security and stability in the Democratic Republic of the Congo's long-troubled eastern region.
• DRC Rebel Group Kills Over 70 Since Warrant for Leader's Arrest Was Issued Sputnik 06 Jan 2015 -- A rebel group in the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC) has killed at least 70 people since the government issued a warrant for its leader's arrest on January 6, 2011, Human Rights Watch (HRW) reported Tuesday.
• UN, Congo Forces Seize Rebel Bases VOA 06 Jan 2015 -- The United Nations is increasing pressure on Rwandan rebels in eastern Congo to disarm, a day after U.N. and Congolese forces seized bases of a different rebel group.
• Mai Mai Rebels Accused of Murder and Rape VOA 06 Jan 2015 -- It's been four years since DRC authorities issued an arrest warrant for a Mai Mai militia Leader accused of crimes against humanity. Nevertheless, he remains at large. Human Rights Watch has released – what it said – is new information about crimes committed by the militia.
• New Chinese website underpins claim to Diaoyu Islands People's Daily 06 Jan 2015 -- In a new effort to bolster its claim to the disputed Diaoyu Islands in the East China Sea, the Chinese government has launched websites under www.???.cn and www.diaoyudao.org.cn. The website also serves to expose the strategic ambitions of Japan's ultra-right wing government.
• Peace process in Mali at 'crucial stage' UN peacekeeping chief tells Security Council UN News Centre 06 Jan 2015 -- Progress in the political process in Mali over the last three months has been "fairly modest", with fighting continuing despite talks in Algiers that marked the first occasion when armed groups and the Government engaged in direct conversations, the head of United Nations peacekeeping operations said in a briefing to the Security Council today.
• Darfur: UN-African Union mission peacekeepers attacked in spate of violence UN News Centre 06 Jan 2015 -- The Joint United Nations and African Union Mission in Darfur has reported that its peacekeepers came under two separate attacks today while on patrol, both times by unidentified gunmen.
• EU Criticizes Israel for Palestinian Tax Freeze VOA 06 Jan 2015 -- The European Union foreign policy chief has criticized Israel's decision to freeze $125 million in Palestinian tax revenues, in response to Palestinian efforts to join the International Criminal Court.
• Kenya's security act threatens refugees IRIN 06 Jan 2015 -- Human rights groups are warning that Kenya's controversial Security Amendment Act still poses a threat to refugees' rights despite a high court decision on Friday that suspends parts of the bill for 30 days pending a full court hearing.

News Reports

• Iran never gives up N. rights, says Zarif ISNA 06 Jan 2015 -- Iranian Foreign Minister Mohammad Javad Zarif said Tehran would never give up the nuclear rights of the Iranian nation, vowing to defend national interests in the nuclear talks with the P5+1 group.
• Iran MPs support foreign minister over nuclear talks Iran Press TV 06 Jan 2015 -- Iranian lawmakers have unanimously supported the Iranian foreign minister's remarks on the performance of the country's negotiating team in the nuclear talks with the P5+1 group of world powers.
• Iran Accuses Saudis of Oil Conspiracy VOA 06 Jan 2015 -- Iranian hard-liners are lashing out at Saudi Arabia, accusing it of conspiring with the West to keep oil prices low in a bid to harm the Islamic Republic's economy and pressure the country to conclude a nuclear deal with West. In retaliation, Iranian hawks are urging restive Shia Muslims in eastern Saudi Arabia to rebel against the ruling House of Saud.
• Saudi crown prince makes speech in king's lieu Iran Press TV 06 Jan 2015 -- Saudi Arabia's Crown Prince Salman bin Abdulaziz Al Saud has delivered an annual televised speech, which is normally given by the kingdom's monarch, who is currently hospitalized and battling against pneumonia.
• Saudi King Abdullah Vows to Deal With Falling Oil Prices with 'Solid Will' Sputnik 06 Jan 2015 -- Saudi Arabia will deal with the current global downturn in demand for oil and falling oil prices with a 'solid will,' the Saudi King Abdullah said in a statement on Tuesday.
• Hezbollah Leader Admits to Existence of Israeli Spy in Top Leadership Sputnik 06 Jan 2015 -- The Deputy Secretary General of the Lebanese political party and militant group Hezbollah appears to have confirmed the arrest of a senior party official on charges of spying for Israel, Lebanon's The Daily Star has reported.
• Pakistani Parliament Approves Military Courts For Terror Suspects RFE/RL 06 Jan 2015 -- Pakistan's parliament has approved a constitutional amendment enabling military courts to try civilians suspected of terrorism.
• Pakistan to Establish Courts for Speedy Trial of Terrorism Suspects Sputnik 06 Jan 2015 -- The National Assembly of Pakistan (the lower parliamentary house) approved the 21st Constitutional Amendment and The Pakistan Army (Amendment) Bill 2015 Tuesday granting military courts the ability to try civilian terrorism suspects, the Pakistan Tribune reported.
• Pakistan Approves Military Courts for Civilian Terror Suspects VOA 06 Jan 2015 -- Pakistan's parliament has approved the creation of special trial courts supervised by army officers to swiftly prosecute civilian terrorism suspects. The move is one of a raft of measures the country has introduced to stem violent extremism after Taliban militants massacred 150 people, almost all of them children, last month.
• Erdogan Says Anti-Gov't 'Parallel State' Threatens National Security Sputnik 06 Jan 2015 -- Turkish President Recep Tayip Erdogan said on Tuesday that the 'parallel state' driven by the US-based cleric Fethulla Gulen poses a significant threat to national security, Turkish Anadolu Agency reported.
• On first visit to hard-hit nations, new UN Ebola mission chief vows scaled-up support to end crisis UN News Centre 06 Jan 2015 -- The new Head of the United Nations Mission for Ebola Emergency Response (UNMEER), Ismail Ould Cheikh Ahmed, arrived in Liberia today as part of his first tour of the countries in West Africa most affected by the outbreak of the virus.
• UN health agency says no Ebola detected in Iraq, calls reports of cases 'rumours' UN News Centre 06 Jan 2015 -- Despite reports of Ebola cases in Mosul in several Iraqi media sources last week, the Iraqi Ministry of Health and the United Nations health agency have confirmed today that no cases of the disease have so far been found in the country.
• Wave of Arrests Abroad Follow Gambian Coup Attempt VOA 06 Jan 2015 -- The Gambian government's reaction to a December 30 coup attempt has been swift and "unprecedented," according to human rights groups that say dozens of civilians and security personnel have been detained. The story has taken on an international dimension as well with arrests in Senegal and the United States.
• Bangladesh Police Arrest Key Opposition Leader VOA 06 Jan 2015 -- Police in Bangladesh have arrested the deputy leader of the country's main opposition party following two days of protests that left four dead and dozens more injured.