Operations
Defense Policy / Programs
Defense Industry
Other Conflicts
News Reports

Current Operations

• Operation Iraqi Freedom (OIF) Casualty Update 05 Feb 2015 [PDF]
• Airstrikes Hit ISIL Terrorists in Syria, Iraq AFPS 05 Feb 2015 -- U.S. and coalition military forces continued to attack Islamic State of Iraq and the Levant terrorists in Syria, using bomber, fighter and remotely piloted aircraft to conduct three airstrikes, Combined Joint Task Force Operation Inherent Resolve officials reported today.
• US Will Look to China, Japan for Help Against IS VOA 05 Feb 2015 -- In his trip to Asia next week, U.S. Deputy Secretary of State Antony Blinken is expected to discuss with Beijing and Tokyo ways they can help degrade and defeat the Islamic State extremists, a senior State Department official said.
• US moving more military equipment into Iraq to fight ISIL Iran Press TV 05 Feb 2015 -- The United States is deploying more military equipment into Iraq as part of the strategy to fight the ISIL terrorist group and to be better positioned in the event of downed planes, US officials said.
• Senator Faults US Plan for Military Exit From Afghanistan VOA 05 Feb 2015 -- The United States should not make a hasty withdrawal from Afghanistan as it did in Iraq, and instead should keep current troop levels through 2017, a newly elected influential Republican senator said Thursday.

Defense Policy / Programs

• IS Executions Show Need to Shut Guantanamo, Obama Administration Says VOA 05 Feb 2015 -- Proof that the U.S. detention facility at Guantanamo Bay, Cuba, inspires and rallies the world's most savage terrorists has flashed across television screens around the world in recent weeks, a deputy undersecretary of defense said Thursday.
• Greek, US training reaffirms rock-solid friendship AFNS 05 Feb 2015 -- With the White Mountains of Crete as their backdrop, U.S. and Hellenic air forces F-16 Fighting Falcon fighter aircraft soared to great heights and speeds as part of a continuing flying training deployment (FTD) Jan. 16 through Feb. 13 at Souda Bay, Greece.
• Navy Knowledge Advances; Arctic Ocean Ice Retreats NNS 05 Feb 2015 -- Scientists sponsored by the Office of Naval Research (ONR) revealed Feb. 5 the latest findings from a study on Arctic sea ice, with one expert noting that summer sea ice levels could potentially fall to zero before the end of this century.
• Official Shares DoD's Technology Goals With Industry AFPS 05 Feb 2015 -- The assistant secretary of defense for acquisition laid out the Defense Department's areas of emphasis and goals for technology for an audience of industry and government officials here yesterday at the Naval Future Force Science and Technology Expo.
• US, Japan helicopter crews get on the same page AFNS 05 Feb 2015 -- Service members from the 459th Airlift Squadron invited Japan Ground Self-Defense Force (JGSDF) members from Camp Higashi-Tachikawa, to ride along in two UH-1N Iroquois helicopters Jan. 29, 2015, near Tokyo.
• US, South Korea strengthen bonds at exercise Buddy Wing AFNS 05 Feb 2015 -- Airmen from the 8th Fighter Wing sharpened combat skills and gained insight from their South Korean air force counterparts during exercise Buddy Wing 15-2 Feb. 3-6, at Daegu Air Base, South Korea.
• CNO: Here's What We Need for the Future Force NNS 05 Feb 2015 -- Chief of Naval Operations (CNO) Adm. Jonathan Greenert outlined his thoughts Feb. 4 on three science and technology objectives for the Navy and Marine Corps of the future, at the Naval Future Force Science and Technology (S&T) EXPO in Washington, D.C.
• Readout of Secretary Hagel's meetings with the Georgian Minister of Defense Mindia Janelidze DoD 05 Feb 2015
• Hagel, Georgian Counterpart Confer at NATO Meeting AFPS 05 Feb 2015 -- Defense Secretary Chuck Hagel met with Georgian Defense Minister Mindia Janelidze today on the sidelines of the NATO defense ministers' conference in Brussels, Pentagon Press Secretary Navy Rear Adm. John Kirby reported.
• Readout of Secretary Hagel's meeting with Italian Minister of Defense Roberta Pinotti. DoD 05 Feb 2015
• Osprey offers new experience for Philippine, U.S. Marines during fast-rope insertions USMC News 05 Feb 2015
• Hawaii Visits Yokosuka During Western Pacific Deployment NNS 05 Feb 2015 -- The Virginia-class fast-attack submarine USS Hawaii (SSN 776) returned to Fleet Activities Yokosuka Feb. 5 for a visit as part of its deployment to the Western Pacific.
• Defence Ministers agree to strengthen NATO's defences, establish Spearhead Force NATO 05 Feb 2015 -- NATO Defence Ministers took important decisions on Thursday (5 February 2015) to strengthen the Alliance's collective defence. NATO Secretary General Jens Stoltenberg said the decisions would "ensure that we have the right forces, in the right place, at the right time."
• NATO Meets to Discuss Strengthening Defenses Near Russia VOA 05 Feb 2015 -- NATO Secretary-General Jens Stoltenberg said the alliance was set Thursday to strengthen its defenses near Russia's borders in response to Moscow's 'aggressive actions' in Ukraine.
• NATO set to expand military presence near Russia border Iran Press TV 05 Feb 2015 -- NATO defense ministers have met at the bloc's headquarters in Brussels in a bid to agree on a plan to boost its military presence near Russia's western borders amid growing tensions in eastern Ukraine.
• Hagel: NATO Must Continue to Change in Face of New Threats AFPS 05 Feb 2015 -- The NATO alliance is transforming to address new threats, and it must continue to do so, Defense Secretary Chuck Hagel said in Brussels today.
• NATO Sets Sizes for Spearhead, Response Forces AFPS 05 Feb 2015 -- The NATO Response Force's new Spearhead Force will be a multinational, brigade-sized unit of around 5,000 troops, NATO Secretary General Jens Stoltenberg said in Brussels today.
• Press Conference by Secretary Hagel at NATO Headquarters, Brussels, Belgium DoD 05 Feb 2015 -- Presenter: Secretary of Defense Chuck Hagel
• Joint statement of the NATO-Georgia Commission at the level of Defence Ministers NATO 05 Feb 2015
• Doorstep statement by NATO Secretary General Jens Stoltenberg at the start of the meetings of NATO Defence Ministers NATO 05 Feb 2015
• NATO Says to Set Up Joint Training Center in Tbilisi, Georgia Sputnik 05 Feb 2015 -- NATO will set up a joint training center in Tbilisi, Georgia to train the country's troops as well as NATO troops, NATO Secretary General Jens Stoltenberg said Thursday.
• Washington to Allow NATO Members to Share US Weapons Sputnik 05 Feb 2015 -- The US State Department and Defense Security Cooperation Agency (DSCA) announced a plan to allow for the first time NATO members and organizations to share with each other US-acquired military equipment to maximize defense budgets, according to DSCA statement.
• UK to boost military role over Baltics Iran Press TV 05 Feb 2015 -- Britain said on Thursday that it will make a stronger military contribution to NATO to boost the military presence of the multinational alliance in in Eastern Europe.
• UK to Send 1,000 More Troops to Bolster NATO Forces in Eastern Europe Sputnik 05 Feb 2015 -- The United Kingdom will send another 1,000 troops and four RAF Typhoon jets to Eastern Europe to support NATO allies in the Baltics, British Defense Secretary Michael Fallon said Thursday.
• Russia warns US not to send arms supplies to Ukraine Iran Press TV 05 Feb 2015 -- Russia has warned the United States against sending weapons to Ukraine, saying the move would cause "colossal damage" to ties between the two countries.
• Kerry Says Obama To Decide 'Soon' Whether To Give Ukraine Weapons RFE/RL 05 Feb 2015 -- U.S. Secretary of State John Kerry says President Barack Obama will decide "soon" whether to provide lethal weapons to Ukraine to help it fight a Russian-backed military offensive by pro-Russian separatists in eastern Ukraine.
• Italy Will Not Supply Arms to Kiev Sputnik 05 Feb 2015 -- The Italian FM categorically ruled out any lethal arms supplies to Kiev, urging instead, the quickest possible cessation of hostilities in eastern Ukraine.
• Ukraine Ratifies Agreement on Joint Military Brigade With Poland, Lithuania Sputnik 05 Feb 2015 -- Ukraine, Lithuania and Poland are planning to establish a 4000-man military brigade, which is expected to act under the patronage of the UN and the EU.
• Russia concerned by planned regional military alliance Iran Press TV 05 Feb 2015 -- Russia has voiced concern over the planned formation of a multinational military alliance among Ukraine, Poland and Lithuania amid rising tensions between Moscow and the West over the crisis in Ukraine's east.
• President Hollande Opposes Ukraine's NATO Membership Sputnik 05 Feb 2015 -- France does not support the idea of Ukraine joining NATO, French President Francois Hollande said Thursday.
• Expert: China should have four aircraft carriers People's Daily 05 Feb 2015 -- To date there has been no official comment on the question whether China will build its second aircraft carrier or not.
• South Korea, China to Establish Military Hotline VOA 05 Feb 2015 -- South Korea and China have agreed to set up a military hotline between the two defense ministries.
• Indonesian Air Force Plans to Replace US F-5 Tiger Jets With Russian Su-35S Sputnik 05 Feb 2015 -- Indonesian Air Force plans to buy more sophisticated fighter jets to replace its aging US-made Northrop F-5 Tiger II fleet, and is considering Russian Sukhoi Su-35 (Flanker-E) jets, Indonesian Air Force chief Agus Supriatna said.
• Press Briefing by Press Secretary Josh Earnest, 2/5/2015 The White House 05 Feb 2015
• February 5, 2015 - U.S. Department of State Daily Press Briefing US Dept. of State 05 Feb 2015

Defense Industry

• DoD News: Contracts for February 05, 2015

Other Conflicts

• 5 February 2015 - Daily Press Briefing by the Office of the Spokesperson for the Secretary-General United Nations 05 Feb 2015
• Under Siege, Ukraine Awaits Decision on Lethal Aid VOA 05 Feb 2015 -- At the last checkpoint before the battle zone, Ukrainian troops keep a careful watch on who goes in, while families squeeze into cars to leave and busloads of children head out to relatives or shelters.
• Expert: Sending Weapons to Ukraine Would Embolden Putin VOA 05 Feb 2015 -- As Western leaders step up their efforts to find a diplomatic solution to the crisis in eastern Ukraine, one analyst says any peace deal must include the proviso that the Ukrainian government has to deal with separatist leaders.
• Remarks With Ukrainian President Petro Poroshenko After Their Meeting US Dept. of State 05 Feb 2015 -- Remarks by John Kerry, Secretary of State
• Press Availability With Ukrainian Prime Minister Arseniy Yatsenyuk After Their Meeting US Dept. of State 05 Feb 2015 -- Press Availability by John Kerry, Secretary of State
• Kerry: US Won't 'Close Eyes' to Russian Aggression in Ukraine VOA 05 Feb 2015 -- U.S. Secretary of State John Kerry said the United States, while seeking a diplomatic solution to the conflict in eastern Ukraine, would not 'close our eyes' to Russian tanks and fighters crossing the border.
• Biden to Discuss Ukraine Crisis With EU Leaders Sputnik 05 Feb 2015 -- During his visit to Belgium and Germany this week, US Vice President Joe Biden will discuss with the European Union leaders the situation in Ukraine along with other key economic and security issues, according to a White House press release issued on Thursday.
• German Media Say Kiev Has Little Chance to Gain Upper Hand in Conflict Sputnik 05 Feb 2015 -- Kiev has little chances to win the battle against Luhansk and Donetsk People's Republics, as Kiev's policy increasingly disposes the local population against the current Ukrainian government, the German "Der Spiegel" magazine stated.
• UN chief 'gravely concerned' as civilian death toll from Ukraine conflict continues to rise UN News Centre 05 Feb 2015 -- United Nations Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon has voiced grave concern over the continuing hostilities in eastern Ukraine amid an escalating rebel offensive which has locked civilians in a zone of intense fighting.
• UN Human Rights Chief Says Islamist Militants Think Like Nazis VOA 05 Feb 2015 -- The first U.N. human rights chief who is an Arab and a Muslim on Thursday also became the first person in that position to visit the U.S. Holocaust Memorial Museum in Washington.
• Jordan Launches New Airstrikes on Islamic State VOA 05 Feb 2015 -- Jordanian warplanes launched airstrikes against Islamic State targets Thursday, a day after the country's king vowed relentless targeting of the militant group following its gruesome killing of a Jordanian fighter pilot whose plane went down in Syria.
• Jordan warplanes bomb ISIL positions after pilot murder Iran Press TV 05 Feb 2015 -- Jordan's fighter jets have carried out a series of new retaliatory air strikes against ISIL positions after the ruthless killing of a Jordanian pilot at the hands of the Takfiri terrorist group.
• U.A.E. Stops Flying Combat Missions Against IS RFE/RL 05 Feb 2015 -- U.S. security officials have confirmed that the United Arab Emirates (U.A.E.) stopped flying combat missions over Syria late last year after a Jordanian pilot was captured.
• Syria army strikes ISIL hideouts in northeast Iran Press TV 05 Feb 2015 -- Syrian government forces have targeted hideouts of the ISIL terrorists in the northeastern city of Hasaka, inflicting heavy losses on the Takfiri militants, the Syrian Arab News Agency reports.
• Libyan Diplomat Says Anti-Government Militias Supported From Abroad Sputnik 05 Feb 2015 -- Various armed groups fighting the government forces in Libya are being supported by other countries, Mohamed Abdelaziz, the special Ambassador of the president of the Libyan parliament said, on Thursday.
• Security Council, in second statement this week, condemns Boko Haram attacks along Chad-Cameroon border UN News Centre 05 Feb 2015 -- The United Nations Security Council today condemned "in the strongest terms" the escalation of attacks perpetrated by Boko Haram terrorists along the border between Cameroon and Nigeria, including back-to-back attacks this week that killed Chadian and Cameroonian troops, as well as "a sizeable number of civilians."
• African Leaders Seek to Address Boko Haram Violence VOA 05 Feb 2015 -- Cameroon's information minister says the ongoing military offensive against the Nigeria-based Islamist group Boko Haram is an indication of the commitment of African heads of state to end the violence carried out by the militants.
• Boko Haram kills 13 Chadian troops in Cameroon Iran Press TV 05 Feb 2015 -- Thirteen Chadian troops and dozens of civilians have been killed in a retaliatory attack by the Takfiri Boko Haram militants on a Cameroonian border town.
• Cameroon Says 91 Killed in Boko Haram Attacks VOA 05 Feb 2015 -- Cameroon said at least 91 civilians have been killed by Boko Haram since the Nigerian militants invaded Cameroonian villages on Wednesday.
• Will Chad's Military Tip the Balance in Fight Against Boko Haram? VOA 05 Feb 2015 -- Chadian troops have played a decisive if at times problematic role in at least two African conflicts in the past few years; northern Mali and the Central African Republic. Some analysts say they may be the region's best hope to turn the tide against Boko Haram, but others are more cautious. The issue has become a hot topic as African leaders prepare to set-up a 7,500 troop regional force to fight the militants.
• African Union Hails Military Offensive Against Boko Haram VOA 05 Feb 2015 -- The deputy chairman of the African Union (AU) Commission has commended the efforts of Nigeria, Chad and Cameroon in their joint military offensive against the Nigeria-based Islamist militant group Boko Haram.
• Peshawar killings provoke crackdown on Afghans IRIN 05 Feb 2015 -- Thousands of Afghans in Pakistan have been arrested or moved from their homes of many years in the wake of December's killing of over 100 schoolchildren in the city of Peshawar. The Afghans, the majority of whom are not registered refugees, have been targeted in a government crackdown announced immediately after the killings.
• Great Lakes region must unite to stamp out armed groups in DR Congo, urges UN envoy UN News Centre 05 Feb 2015 -- Countries must come together to "neutralize all negative forces" terrorizing the population in eastern Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC), the United Nations Special Envoy for the Great Lakes Region urged today following meetings with top Rwandan officials to discuss recent peace and security developments in the region.
• Pakistan's Sharif Accuses India of Kashmir Violations VOA 05 Feb 2015 -- Pakistan's prime minister has harshly criticized rival India for using "delaying tactics" to resolve the long-running territorial dispute over Kashmir. Relations between the two nuclear-armed neighbors have plunged to new lows in recent months and their armies have regularly traded cross-border fire in the disputed region.
• Philippines Files Diplomatic Protest Over China Confrontation VOA 05 Feb 2015 -- The Philippines lodged diplomatic protests with China over two alleged fishing-related incidents at Scarborough Shoal in the South China Sea, the site of a tense standoff between the two countries three years ago.
• Political Compromise Proving Difficult in Yemen VOA 05 Feb 2015 -- As Yemen struggles with major political instability following the ouster of the former president, the minority Houthis are threatening to take power themselves unless a suitable interim governance plan is put in place.
• UN chief says 'challenging period' in Yemen's political transition must be overcome UN News Centre 05 Feb 2015 -- United Nations Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon today urged parties to the Peace and National Partnership Agreement in Yemen overcome the current impasse so the peaceful democratic transition that was launched in 2011 can be fulfilled.
• Guinea-Bissau situation 'fragile' after return to constitutional order, UN envoy tells Security Council UN News Centre 05 Feb 2015 -- Despite the efforts of Guinea-Bissau authorities, the situation remains fragile and the country still needs the support of the international community, the top United Nations envoy in the country told the Security Council today.
• In South Sudan, senior UN official says 'no doubt' rights violations are ongoing UN News Centre 05 Feb 2015 -- Warring parties in the South Sudan conflict say they are close to signing a peace deal, United Nations Assistant Secretary-General for Human Rights, Ivan Šimonović, told reporters in Juba today as he confirmed that while fighting has decreased, rights violations continue in the world's youngest country.
• Security Council encourages Somali political leaders to work together, establish inclusive Government UN News Centre 05 Feb 2015 -- Concerned by the ongoing political crisis in Somalia and its negative effect on delivery of progress for the Somali people, the United Nations Security Council today encouraged greater efforts from the country's political leadership – including the President, Prime Minister and Parliament – to work together to quickly establish an inclusive, representative Government.
• UN Wants 1,030 More Peacekeepers for C.A.R. VOA 05 Feb 2015 -- United Nations Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon has asked the U.N. Security Council for 1,030 more peacekeepers for Central African Republic after the mission was left overstretched when infrastructure and senior officials needed to be protected in the capital, Bangui.

News Reports

• British Spies Threaten to End Cooperation With Germany Over NSA Probe Sputnik 05 Feb 2015 -- The British intelligence agency GCHQ has warned their German colleagues they will break off contact if the German parliament continues its inquiry into the NSA dragnet surveillance program, Germany's online news magazine FOCUS said Thursday.
• New Snowden Docs: Western Spy Agencies Rely on Hackers Sputnik 05 Feb 2015 -- The US, UK and Canadian governments have been exploiting the information stolen by the same hackers they vilify and aggressively prosecute, according to documents leaked by National Security Agency whistleblower Edward Snowden.
• Iran to up number of centrifuges in case of new US sanctions IRNA 05 Feb 2015 -- A senior Iranian foreign ministry official promised Iran will increase the number of uranium enrichment centrifuges if the United States imposes new sanctions.
• Rouhani: Chains of arbitrary sanctions should be torn out IRNA 05 Feb 2015 -- President Hassan Rouhani said on Thursday that the chains of the arbitrary sanctions imposed on Iran in contravention of the International Law should be torn out thanks to national solidarity.
• Mousavian: US should select Netanyahu or NPT IRNA 05 Feb 2015 -- Former deputy head of Iran's Supreme National Security Council for foreign policy Hossein Mousavian said on Thursday that the US should choose Netanyahu or NPT in nuclear talks with Iran.
• Iran's missile program non-negotiable: Cmdr. Iran Press TV 05 Feb 2015 -- A senior Iranian commander has dismissed as "meddlesome" the recent US claims that Tehran's defense might would be part of the nuclear talks with six world powers, saying Iran's missile capability is non-negotiable.
• 'Last mile in fight against Ebola will be the hardest,' says senior UN relief official UN News Centre 05 Feb 2015 -- The international community's mobilization in the global Ebola response has been "very impressive and effective" but efforts to reach zero cases must continue unabated, a top United Nations humanitarian official has confirmed.
• Unbalanced media power skews espionage war People's Daily 05 Feb 2015 -- A Chinese doctoral candidate who had been working on a wind power project at the University of Agder over the past two years was recently ordered by Norwegian police to leave the country before January 23.
• Chinese Official Warns Hong Kong Activists Not to Protest VOA 05 Feb 2015 -- China's top official in Hong Kong vowed the central government will not allow any rejection of its authority as pro-democracy protesters in Hong Kong plan to continue their campaign for free and direct elections of the city's leader.
• One more H7N9 case reported in China's Guangdong People's Daily 05 Feb 2015 -- The number of H7N9 human cases in south China's Guangdong Province reached 34 since the start of the year with one more case reported, local health authorities said on Thursday.