Operations
Defense Policy / Programs
Defense Industry
Other Conflicts
News Reports

Current Operations

• Operation Iraqi Freedom (OIF) Casualty Update 20 Feb 2015 [PDF]
• Coalition Continues Airstrikes Against ISIL in Syria, Iraq AFPS 20 Feb 2015 -- U.S. and coalition 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.
• Was Tipping Hand on Mosul Plan the Right Move? VOA 20 Feb 2015 -- Combatants do not usually tell opponents their attack plans. But that's what appears to have happened Thursday when a U.S. military official explained when and how an Iraqi and Kurdish military force would push to recapture Mosul from Islamic State fighters.

Defense Policy / Programs

• SecAF, AFGSC commander visit Malmstrom AFNS 20 Feb 2015 -- Secretary of the Air Force Deborah Lee James and Air Force Global Strike Commander Lt. Gen. Stephen Wilson visited Malmstrom Air Force Base Feb. 19, to meet with Airmen, specifically those who deploy to the missile fields, and see benefits of the grass-roots feedback program known as the Force Improvement Program before the Nuclear Oversight Board at Minot AFB, North Dakota.
• USS Paul Hamilton Enters US 7th Fleet AOR NNS 20 Feb 2015 -- The Arleigh Burke-class guided-missile destroyer USS Paul Hamilton (DDG 60) arrived in the U.S. 7th Fleet area of responsibility (AOR), Feb. 19.
• Nuclear oversight board members visit Minot AFB AFNS 20 Feb 2015 -- More than three dozen Air Force senior leaders, including Secretary of the Air Force Deborah Lee James and Chief of Staff of the Air Force Gen. Mark A. Welsh III, converged on Minot Air Force Base for a meeting of the Nuclear Oversight Board here Feb. 20.
• MWSS-272 executes FARP USMC News 20 Feb 2015 -- A group of Marines with Marine Wing Support Squadron 272, out of Marine Corps Air Station New River, North Carolina, traveled to a civilian air strip in Engelhard, North Carolina, Feb. 11, 2015, to establish a forward arming and refueling point.
• Thailand skies bring U.S. Marines, Thai Air Force together USMC News 20 Feb 2015 -- Exercise Cobra Gold 2015 has provided an opportunity for U.S. Marines and the Royal Thai Air Force to train together. The result: improved readiness and ability to operate as an international team in support of peace and security in the region.
• USS Green Bay Arrives in Sasebo, Joins BHR ARG NNS 20 Feb 2015 -- The amphibious transport dock ship USS Green Bay (LPD 20) arrived in Sasebo Feb. 19 bringing the Navy's latest technology to its largest numbered fleet after transiting the Pacific Ocean from its former homeport of San Diego.
• Chairman of the NATO Military Committee commends New Zealand's involvement in NATO-led Operations and Missions NATO 20 Feb 2015 -- Visiting New Zealand on a four-day visit (18-21 February 2015) General Knud Bartels, Chairman of the NATO Military Committee discussed New Zealand's increased cooperation with NATO on maritime security, interoperability and its continued commitment to NATO's Resolute Support mission in Afghanistan to train, advise and assist the Afghan forces.
• Russia Will Find Adequate Response to Any Pressure From Outside - Putin Sputnik 20 Feb 2015 -- Vladimir Putin said the Russian military is ready to act decisively against any external threats. The president also added that in recent years, a lot of work to improve the effectiveness of Russia's military administration has been carried out.
• Top Secret Fuel Formula to Accelerate Russia's Hypersonic Missiles Sputnik 20 Feb 2015 -- Russia has invented special fuel formula enabling Russia's hypersonic aerial vehicles to fly faster than five times the speed of sound.
• Russia Developing New Nuclear Powered Destroyer Sputnik 20 Feb 2015 -- Russia is developing a new generation destroyer with a nuclear propulsion system, Russian Navy Commander Viktor Chirkov told journalists Friday.
• Construction of Two New Naval Corvettes Begins in Russia Sputnik 20 Feb 2015 -- The building of two cutting-edge Russian naval corvettes Retiviy and Strogiy started at the Severnaya Verf shipyard in Saint-Petersburg.
• Prime Minister announces major boost to UK economy with £859 million shipbuilding investment UK MOD 20 Feb 2015 -- The Prime Minister has today announced a major boost to the UK's shipbuilding industry as the Ministry of Defence signs a contract with BAE Systems worth £859 million.
• Thai air force jet crashes during drill, pilot killed Iran Press TV 20 Feb 2015 -- A single-engine multirole combat aircraft operated by the Thai air force has crashed during a training session in Thailand's central province of Lop Buri, killing the pilot.
• Estonia to spend €2mn more on Russia border region Iran Press TV 20 Feb 2015 -- The Estonian government plans to spend another two million Euros (USD 2.27 million) on its border region with neighboring Russia.
• Ukraine Signs Agreement to Create Military Brigade With Poland, Lithuania Sputnik 20 Feb 2015 -- Ukrainian President Petro Poroshenko signed the law to ratify an agreement between Ukraine, Poland and Lithuania to create a joint military unit, the so-called Ukrainian-Polish-Lithuanian brigade, Poroshenko's official website reports.
• Swedish PM Panned Over Saudi Arms Deal Sputnik 20 Feb 2015 -- The Swedish government is under growing pressure over its much-criticized arms deal with Saudi Arabia, as three Social Democrat MPs urged Prime Minister Stefan Löfven to cancel the agreement, the Local reports.
• Background Briefing Previewing Secretary Kerry's Trip to London and Geneva US Dept. of State 20 Feb 2015
• February 20, 2015 - U.S. Department of State Daily Press Briefing US Dept. of State 20 Feb 2015
• Press Briefing by Press Secretary Josh Earnest, 2/20/2015 The White House 20 Feb 2015

Defense Industry

• Russia Ready to Supply MiG-35 Jets to Egypt - Manufacturer Sputnik 20 Feb 2015 -- Russian Aircraft Corporation MiG is ready to supply MiG-35fighter jets to Egypt should the country request them, MiG head Sergei Korotkov said at the Aero India-2015 exposition Friday.
• India Aims to Boost Share in Global Arms Market VOA 20 Feb 2015 -- As it seeks to ramp up domestic defense production, India has called on global arms makers eyeing the country's large arms market to share technology with Indian companies. But New Delhi faces many challenges in its efforts to build a credible defense industry.

Other Conflicts

• 20 February 2015 - Daily Press Briefing by the Office of the Spokesperson for the Secretary-General United Nations 20 Feb 2015
• Experts urge technology boost for UN peacekeepers in 'rapidly evolving, complex world' UN News Centre 20 Feb 2015 -- A group of United Nations experts have urged the Organization's peacekeeping presence to incorporate technological advances into its operations in order to better confront the dynamic challenges of the 21st century, the UN's spokesperson's office said today.
• Despite announced ceasefire, UN confirms fighting still heavy in eastern Ukraine UN News Centre 20 Feb 2015 -- While the 15 February ceasefire has led to a decrease in hostilities in east Ukraine, the United Nations human rights office today expressed deep worry over the fate of civilians and Ukrainian servicemen in the Debaltseve area, where heavy fighting has continued as a result of repeated breaches of the truce.
• France, Germany Threaten New Sanctions Over Ukraine VOA 20 Feb 2015 -- France and Germany have pressed again for respect for the cease-fire in eastern Ukraine and withdrawal of heavy weaponry, threatening new costs if warring sides there don't comply with last week's truce deal.
• France, Germany demand full respect for Ukraine truce Iran Press TV 20 Feb 2015 -- German and French leaders have called on warring sides in Ukraine to honor the truce deal amid firefight between pro-Russian forces and Kiev government forces in the eastern town of Debaltseve.
• Pro-Russians violated truce 50 times in 24 hours: Kiev Iran Press TV 20 Feb 2015 -- The Ukrainian military claims pro-Russian forces have launched nearly 50 attacks on its positions in the country's restive eastern region over the past day despite a recent ceasefire deal.
• France, Germany Call For Ukraine Cease-Fire To Be Fully Observed RFE/RL 20 Feb 2015 -- The French president says he and the German chancellor are "more convinced than ever" that the Minsk agreements aimed at putting an end to fighting in Ukraine should be fully implemented.
• Report Accuses EU, Britain Of 'Sleepwalking' Into Ukraine Crisis RFE/RL 20 Feb 2015 -- A British Parliamentary committee says the European Union and Britain are guilty of 'sleepwalking' into the crisis in Ukraine.
• Kiev Closes Over 20 Crossing Points at Border With Russia Sputnik 20 Feb 2015 -- Ukraine has closed 23 crossing points on its border with Russia, a decree published on the official website of Ukrainian government showed Friday.
• Luhansk, Kiev Sign Heavy Weaponry Withdrawal Plan Sputnik 20 Feb 2015 -- The self-proclaimed Luhansk People's Republic has signed a heavy weaponry withdrawal plan with Kiev, a Russian representative at the joint ceasefire control and coordination center said Friday.
• Ukrainian President Poroshenko calls for int'l peacekeepers to enforce ceasefire in eastern Ukraine People's Daily 20 Feb 2015 -- Ukrainian President Petro Poroshenko on Thursday called for deploying international peacekeepers in the war-torn eastern Ukraine to observe the implementation of a ceasefire deal between government troops and pro-independence rebels.
• Rights foundation says ISIL kidnapped more than 400 Turkmens in Iraq Iran Press TV 20 Feb 2015 -- The ISIL Takfiri terrorists have abducted over 400 Turkmens in various parts of Iraq, the Turkmen Rescue Foundation says.
• US Unveils Massive Spring Offensive to Free ISIL-Held Mosul in Iraq Sputnik 20 Feb 2015 -- Iraqi and Kurdish troops are expected to launch an assault against Islamic State militants to retake control over Iraqi city of Mosul in April or May, a US Central Command official declared at a press briefing.
• UN chief appeals for 'immediate de-escalation' as step towards political solution for Syria UN News Centre 20 Feb 2015 -- The United Nations Secretary-General has appealed today to all warring parties in Syria to de-escalate the conflict in order to provide a reprieve for the country's long-suffering civilians.
• UN rights experts describe 'unconscionable' suffering of Syrians in four-year conflict UN News Centre 20 Feb 2015 -- Four United Nations human rights experts briefed the Security Council today on a new report into human rights and humanitarian law violations in Syria since the uprising in the country began, saying unthinkable crimes continue occurring daily, with victims' voices in danger of being lost amid the horrors of the conflict.
• Triple bomb blasts kill 45 in eastern Libya Iran Press TV 20 Feb 2015 -- At least 45 people have been killed and dozens others injured in triple bomb explosions that struck Libya's eastern port city of Derna.
• US rejects Libya's call to lift arms embargo Iran Press TV 20 Feb 2015 -- The United States has rejected Libya's call to lift a UN arms embargo on Tripoli, saying the North African country needs a national unity government first.
• Libya: UN mission condemns latest 'cowardly' terror attack, urges political unity UN News Centre 20 Feb 2015 -- The United Nations Support Mission in Libya (UNSMIL) has strongly deplored a string of suicide car bombings that struck the eastern city of Al-Qubbah in the latest terror attack to afflict the war-torn country.
• IS Militants Claim Deadly Car Bombings in Libya VOA 20 Feb 2015 -- Islamic State militants in Libya have claimed responsibility for Friday's deadly car bombings in the country's east.
• Five militants, one soldier die as Pakistan forces, gunmen clash Iran Press TV 20 Feb 2015 -- At least six people have been killed when Pakistan's security forces and militants engaged in an exchange of fire in the troubled northwestern tribal region near the border with Afghanistan.
• Following election delay, Ban calls on Nigerian government to uphold new date for polls UN News Centre 20 Feb 2015 -- Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon has strongly urged the Government of Nigeria to ensure that the new dates set for the country's general elections are maintained following the vote's recent postponement, according to the United Nations spokesperson's office.
• Reports: Boko Haram Attacks Kill 21 near Chibok, Nigeria VOA 20 Feb 2015 -- Boko Haram militants have killed at least 21 people in attacks near the northern Nigerian village of Chibok, news agencies reported Friday, as the radical Islamist group steps up its violent campaign ahead of national elections.
• Boko Haram kills 30, torches two villages near Chibok Iran Press TV 20 Feb 2015 -- Boko Haram Takfiri terrorists have attacked two villages in northeastern Nigerian Borno state, killing at least 30 people.
• Opposing Yemeni sides agree on transitional council: UN Iran Press TV 20 Feb 2015 -- The UN says the opposing sides in Yemen's conflict have agreed on the formation of a democratic transitional council, which will be tasked with making efforts to end the chaos in the Arab country.e
• Myanmar Border Conflict Tests China VOA 20 Feb 2015 -- As fighting continues in northern Myanmar, along China's southern border, the government in Beijing is grappling with a flood of refugees, as well as questions about how Chinese authorities should respond to the conflict.
• Myanmar army keeps offensive against ethnic rebels Iran Press TV 20 Feb 2015 -- Myanmar's army has continued its offensive against Kokang ethnic rebels to push them out of areas near the border with China.
• Myanmar Reinforces Attacks on Ethnic Rebels Near China Sputnik 20 Feb 2015 -- The Myanmar army continued attacks to thrust out the rebels from areas around the northeastern border with China after 11 days of fighting that displaced tens of thousands of people.
• UN condemns 'cruel and despicable' Al-Shabaab attack on Mogadishu hotel UN News Centre 20 Feb 2015 -- Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon and the United Nations Security Council have joined the head of the UN Assistance Mission in Somalia (UNSOM) in strongly condemning today's deadly terrorist attack on the Central Hotel in Mogadishu, which was claimed by Al-Shabaab.
• Attackers Storm Mogadishu Hotel With Gov't Officials Inside Sputnik 20 Feb 2015 -- Al-Shabab militants have stormed a hotel in the center of the Somali capital Mogadishu with high-ranking officials inside, after a car bomb had exploded outside the building.
• Somali President Condemns Al-Shabab Attack VOA 20 Feb 2015 -- Somalia's president has vowed to continue the country's fight against terrorism after his deputy prime minister was wounded and at least 10 others were killed Friday when al-Shabab militants bombed a Mogadishu hotel.
• Filipino fighters say acted in self-defense in clashes with army Iran Press TV 20 Feb 2015 -- The Moro Islamic Liberation Front (MILF) says it acted in self-defense during clashes with the Filipino security forces, which claimed the lives of 44 police commandos in the country's south last month.
• Will South Sudan Rebel Defector Impact Peace Talks? VOA 20 Feb 2015 -- A high-level defection from former vice president Riek Machar's rebel group could impact the latest round of peace negotiations for South Sudan, said a government spokesman on Friday.

News Reports

• No major progress in clarifying Iran's alleged nuclear bomb plans People's Daily 20 Feb 2015 -- The UN nuclear agency, the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA), has made no major progress in verifying outstanding issues related to Iran's alleged nuclear weapons program, according to an official report shown on Thursday.
• Ukraine Marks Anniversary Of Maidan Massacre RFE/RL 20 Feb 2015 -- Commemorations are underway in Kyiv to honor the victims of deadly clashes between antigovernment protesters and security forces a year ago.
• SIM Card Producer Investigates US Intelligence Hack, Unable to Verify Sputnik 20 Feb 2015 -- International SIM card producer Gemalto, reportedly hacked by the US National Security Agency (NSA) and the UK Government Communications Headquarters (GCHQ), is unable to verify the findings at present and is going to conduct a detailed investigation, the company said in a press release on Friday.
• Finnish, Swedish Telecoms May Be Compromised in SIM Card Hacking Scandal Sputnik 20 Feb 2015 -- Customers of Finland and Sweden's largest mobile network operator TeliaSonera may have fallen victim to the hacking incident that enabled Western intelligence agencies to monitor their mobile phone users' activities, Sweden's Dagens Nyheter daily reported Friday.
• Caracas Mayor's Arrest Over 'Coup Plot' Denounced VOA 20 Feb 2015 -- Critics of Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro are decrying the unexpected arrest Thursday of Caracas Mayor Antonio Ledezma and calling for a protest demonstration.
• US denies plotting to overthrow Venezuelan government Iran Press TV 20 Feb 2015 -- The United States says it is not plotting to overthrow the Venezuelan government, following accusations that Washington is seeking regime change in the Latin American nation.
• Moldova's Creaking Political System Could Be A Gift For Moscow RFE/RL 20 Feb 2015 -- The political system in Moldova looks increasingly dysfunctional. And the big winner from that might end up being Russia.
• US State Department Unable to Root Out Hackers Three Months After Attack Sputnik 20 Feb 2015 -- The US State Department is still in struggling to rid itself of hackers that infiltrated its email system almost three months ago, The Wall Street Journal reported Friday.
• UN health agency approves rapid test for Ebola as decline in cases appears to level off UN News Centre 20 Feb 2015 -- The United Nations World Health Organization (WHO) today announced that it has approved for use a rapid diagnostic test kit for Ebola that can provide results in 15 minutes and correctly identify 92 percent of patients infected by the disease that has killed more than 9,400 people, mainly in West Africa.