Operations
Defense Policy / Programs
Defense Industry
Other Conflicts
News Reports

Current Operations

• Operation Iraqi Freedom (OIF) Casualty Update 25 Feb 2015 [PDF]
• Operation Inherent Resolve Airstrikes Continue in Syria, Iraq AFPS 25 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.
• Mass Abduction Of Hazaras In Afghanistan Raises Fears Of Islamic State RFE/RL 25 Feb 2015 -- The mass kidnapping of members of Afghanistan's Hazara minority has raised concerns that Islamic State militants are entering a new, active, phase in the country.
• New UN report urges push to end problem of torture in Afghan detention facilities UN News Centre 25 Feb 2015 -- The Government of Afghanistan's efforts to prevent torture and ill-treatment have shown some progress over the last two years but much more remains to be done, the United Nations Assistance Mission in Afghanistan (UNAMA) confirmed today as it released its latest report on the treatment of conflict-related detainees in Afghan custody.

Defense Policy / Programs

• Department of Defense Press Briefing by Gen. Breedlove in the Pentagon Briefing Room DoD 25 Feb 2015 -- Presenters: General Philip Breedlove, NATO Supreme Allied Commander Europe and commander of United States European Command
• Breedlove: Russia, Violent Extremism Challenge Europe AFPS 25 Feb 2015 -- Europe faces a different and more challenging security environment than it did just a year ago, including an increasingly aggressive Russia and a surge of violent extremism, Air Force Gen. Philip M. Breedlove said here yesterday.
• Sanctions Having a Mixed Effect on Russia, Officials Say AFPS 25 Feb 2015 -- U.S. and European sanctions imposed on Russia for its support of Ukrainian separatists and the annexation of Crimea are having a significant impact on Russia's economy but have not curtailed Moscow's continued intervention in the region, two senior Defense Department officials told Congress today.
• US Defense Secretary Quickly Goes on International Offensive VOA 25 Feb 2015 -- His nomination was barely confirmed, but within hours new U.S. Secretary of Defense Ashton Carter was jetting off to Afghanistan and Kuwait. He met with U.S. troops, top officials in the region and vowed to go after militants of the so-called Islamic State
• Sequestration Harms Air Force Readiness, James Says AFPS 25 Feb 2015 -- The Air Force's readiness edge could slip away if sequestration is not lifted permanently, Air Force Secretary Deborah Lee James told members of a Senate panel at a fiscal year 2016 defense appropriations hearing here today.
• Readout of Secretary of Defense Ash Carter's meeting with Djiboutian Ministers DoD 25 Feb 2015
• USS Makin Island ARG Returns from Deployment NNS 25 Feb 2015 -- Nearly 4,500 Sailors and Marines with the Makin Island Amphibious Ready Group (ARG) and the embarked 11th Marine Expeditionary Unit (MEU) returned to San Diego Feb. 25, following a seven-month deployment to the U.S. 5th and 7th Fleet areas of operations.
• IDCERTEX Advances Readiness in Pacific NNS 25 Feb 2015 -- Five U.S. Navy ships concluded a two-week independent deployer certification exercise (IDCERTEX) off the coast of Southern California and Hawaii Feb. 20.
• Patrol Squadron 45 Strengthens Partnership in the Philippines NNS 25 Feb 2015 -- The Pelicans of Patrol Squadron (VP) 45 hosted members of the Philippine air force and navy aboard a U.S. Navy P-8A Poseidon for a familiarization flight to increase understanding and showcase the capabilities of the Navy's newest maritime patrol and reconnaissance aircraft during a detachment to Clark Air Base, Republic of the Philippines, Feb. 17.
• Army Secretary Details Sequestration Dangers AFPS 25 Feb 2015 -- If sequestration spending cuts trigger this year, it will affect every person and mission the U.S. Army has, Army Secretary John M. McHugh said at a Defense Writer's Group breakfast here today.
• High Seas Must Remain Open to All, Navy Leader Says AFPS 25 Feb 2015 -- The world's ocean trade routes must remain open to all to maintain global commerce, the vice chief of naval operations said here yesterday.
• Capabilities Must Match Future Threats, Army Leader Says AFPS 25 Feb 2015 -- Success in future armed conflict boils down to ensuring the capabilities put in place today can match the threats of the future, deputy commanding general for futures, U.S. Army Training and Doctrine Command, said here today.
• Russia Ready to Defend Its Interests in Arctic With Military Means Sputnik 25 Feb 2015 -- Russia does not rule out the possibility of protecting its national interests in the Arctic with military means as the region becomes the focus of attention from various countries, including those that do not have direct access to the Arctic Circle, Russia's defense minister said Wednesday.
• India Considering Russian Shipyard for Construction of Advanced Warship Sputnik 25 Feb 2015 -- India is considering whether to place an order for four more warships with Russia's Yantar shipyard that has already built six frigates for the Indian Navy, the shipyard's acting chief executive told RIA Novosti on Wednesday.
• IRGC ballistic missiles successfully hit targets in Strait of Hormuz IRNA 25 Feb 2015 -- The ballistic missiles fired by various units of the Islamic Revolution Guards Corps (IRGC) navy successfully hit and destroyed the targets in the Strait of Hormuz, southern Iran, on Wednesday in the first day of a huge military drill.
• Iran permanent defender of Strait of Hormuz, Persian Gulf: Commander IRNA 25 Feb 2015 -- Commander of the Islamic Revolution Guards Corps (IRGC) Major General Mohammad Ali Jafari said on Wednesday that Iran is the perpetual defender of the Persian Gulf and Strait of Hormuz.
• IRGC starts huge wargames in Strait of Hormuz IRNA 25 Feb 2015 -- Naval units of the Islamic Revolution Guards Corps (IRGC) began the 9th massive military exercise, codenamed 'Payambar-e Azam 9' (The Great Prophet 9) in the Strait of Hormuz, southern Iran, Wednesday morning.
• Dozens of coast-to-sea missile systems parade in Iran's massive naval drill ISNA 25 Feb 2015 -- Dozens of coast-to-sea missile systems paraded in the 9th large-scale naval exercise known as 'Great Prophet Mohammad' in Persian Gulf and the Strait of Hormuz.
• IRGC drills aim to ensure Persian Gulf security against enemy threats: Cmdr. ISNA 25 Feb 2015 -- The ongoing massive drills in the Strait of Hormuz in the Persian Gulf are aimed at ensuring security in the region against enemy threats, said a senior Iranian commander.
• Iran capable of sinking giant US carriers: IRGC Navy commander Iran Press TV 25 Feb 2015 -- A senior commander of the Islamic Revolution Guards Corps (IRGC) says the Iranian Navy can sink the giant US aircraft carriers if they pose a threat to Iran's maritime interests, Press TV reports.
• Iran's IRGC wraps up first day of major maneuvers in Persian Gulf Iran Press TV 25 Feb 2015 -- Iran's Islamic Revolution Guards Corps (IRGC) has wrapped up the first day of major massive war games it started earlier in the day in the Strait of Hormuz in the Persian Gulf, code-named the Great Prophet 9.
• IRGC drills aiming to ensure PG security against enemy threats: Cmdr. Iran Press TV 25 Feb 2015 -- The ongoing massive drills in the Strait of Hormuz in the Persian Gulf are aimed at ensuring security in the region against enemy threats, says a senior Iranian commander.
• UK Rules Out Combat Troops in Ukraine Amid Warnings Against Mission Creep Sputnik 25 Feb 2015 -- Britain has ruled out deploying combat troops to Ukraine, a day after it said it was sending 75 military advisers and trainers to help the Ukrainian army, but was under pressure from many politicians against 'mission creep'.
• Poroshenko's Big Haul: What Exactly Did Ukraine Bring Back From the UAE? Sputnik 25 Feb 2015 -- Ukrainian President Petro Poroshenko has returned home from the IDEX-2015 arms expo, where he was reported to have signed nearly 20 contracts for the supply of weapons with various suppliers.
• Ukraine president reaches deal to buy arms from UAE Iran Press TV 25 Feb 2015 -- Ukrainian President Petro Poroshenko has reportedly reached an agreement for the purchase of weapons from the Persian Gulf country of the United Arab Emirates (UAE), which is itself one of the largest purchasers of US arms in the Middle East.
• Russia, Cyprus sign military cooperation agreement Iran Press TV 25 Feb 2015 -- Russia and Cyprus have signed a military cooperation deal, under which Russian navy ships will be permitted to make regular port calls at the island country.
• Russia Signs Arms Deal With UAE to Supply AU-220M Automatic Turret Module Sputnik 25 Feb 2015 -- The new turret will be integrated with a new Emirati armored fighting vehicle, as Russia continues finding new partners for defense cooperation.
• Gaggle aboard Air Force One en route Miami The White House 25 Feb 2015

Defense Industry

• DoD News: Contracts for February 25, 2015

Other Conflicts

• 25 February 2015 - Daily Press Briefing by the Office of the Spokesperson for the Secretary-General United Nations 25 Feb 2015
• US General: No Red Line in Ukraine to Trigger NATO Response VOA 25 Feb 2015 -- The top U.S. general in Europe has indicated there is no red line that Russia can cross that would lead NATO to step in and help Ukraine militarily.
• Ukraine Now Battles Economy as Fighting Slows VOA 25 Feb 2015 -- As a cease-fire with separatists appeared to be taking hold in eastern Ukraine, Kyiv struggled with a collapsing currency and Russian threats to its natural gas supply on Wednesday.
• Kerry accuses Russia of lying about involvement in Ukraine Iran Press TV 25 Feb 2015 -- US Secretary of State John Kerry has leveled accusations against Russian authorities, saying they have been "lying" to his face about Moscow's involvement in Ukraine.
• As Minsk II Flounders, Europe Scrambles For A Backup Plan RFE/RL 25 Feb 2015 -- When the so-called Minsk II deal was signed on February 12, everyone knew its implementation would be - in the words of Ukrainian President Petro Poroshenko - 'very difficult.'
• Ukraine Says Fighting Eases, But Cease-Fire Still Not Implemented RFE/RL 25 Feb 2015 -- Ukraine's military says violations by Russian-backed separatists of a newly signed cease-fire deal are continuing, but have been decreasing in recent days.
• Donbas Envoys Accuse Kiev of Attempts to Jeopardize Weapons Pullout Plan Sputnik 25 Feb 2015 -- Kiev is attempting to jeopardize the heavy weapons withdrawal plan developed by the Joint Coordination Center for Ceasefire Monitoring under the recent Minsk peace agreements, envoys from the self-proclaimed Donetsk and Luhansk people's republics said Wednesday.
• Libyan MP Says Iran Should Bolster Role to Stem Chaos VOA 25 Feb 2015 -- Days after militants affiliated with the Islamic State group claimed responsibility for a bomb attack on the residence of the Iranian ambassador in Tripoli, a prominent Libyan lawmaker and former rights activist said Iran has taken an ineffective, hands-off approach regarding his country.
• UN Libya mission urges country's stakeholders to pursue next round of talks UN News Centre 25 Feb 2015 -- The United Nations Support Mission in Libya (UNSMIL) announced today that it is undertaking a series of urgent consultations with stakeholders in the North African country to ensure the convening of the next round of talks soon and "not let this window of opportunity slip away."
• Assyrian rights group: 1,000 Christian families displaced in northeast Syria Iran Press TV 25 Feb 2015 -- Nearly 1,000 Assyrian families in northeastern Syria have run for their lives in the wake of the abduction of at least 150 members of the community by the ISIL Takfiri terrorists.
• Syria launches offensive to break ISIL's siege of Aleppo Iran Press TV 25 Feb 2015 -- Syrian army troops have launched a fresh offensive in the countryside of the war-ravaged northern city of Aleppo in a bid to break the siege of several suburban towns that remained under the ISIL Takfiri terrorists' control.e
• Boko Haram takes aim at Nigeria's elections IRIN 25 Feb 2015 -- Three bomb explosions in the space of two days in northern Nigeria signal a resumption of urban terror tactics by Boko Haram, a jihadist group that wants to demonstrate it is still a force to be reckoned with despite recent military setbacks, according to analysts.
• India-Pakistan: The new victims of an old border dispute IRIN 25 Feb 2015 -- India and Pakistan's decades-old territorial dispute is often portrayed as a dormant conflict, but for Zaigham Abbas it is anything but.
• FM: China-Myanmar border not closed People's Daily 25 Feb 2015 -- China has strengthened management of its border with Myanmar but has not closed it, despite conflict in northern Myanmar, a spokesperson said on Wednesday.
• Myanmar Rebel Leader Denies Receiving Chinese Help VOA 25 Feb 2015 -- Ongoing fighting between rebel fighters and Myanmar's army on the Chinese border has dislocated tens of thousands of people and raised tensions between the two countries. But on Wednesday the leader of the rebels denied rumors that he has received help from Chinese citizens or mercenaries. Authorities are trying to play down the tensions.
• South Sudan Ruling Party to Accused Coup-Plotters: Come Back VOA 25 Feb 2015 -- South Sudan's ruling party has voted to reinstate rebel leader Riek Machar and other officials who were dismissed from their posts when the country erupted in violence 14 months ago, a top party official said Wednesday.

News Reports

• Three Brooklyn, New York, Residents Charged with Attempt and Conspiracy to Provide Material Support to ISIL US Dept. of Justice 25 Feb 2015 -- Earlier today, a criminal complaint was unsealed in federal court in Brooklyn charging Abdurasul Hasanovich Juraboev, Akhror Saidakhmetov, and Abror Habibov with attempt and conspiracy to provide material support to the Islamic State of Iraq and the Levant (ISIL), a foreign terrorist organization.
• US Charges 3 With Conspiring to Support IS VOA 25 Feb 2015 -- U.S. authorities on Wednesday arrested and arraigned two foreign nationals living in New York on charges of plotting to support the Islamic State group in Syria and kill President Barack Obama, police and FBI agents in the United States. A third foreign national was charged separately.
• Putin: Gas Cuts To Europe Possible, Kyiv's Gas Cuts To East 'Genocide' RFE/RL 25 Feb 2015 -- Russian President Vladimir Putin has warned that Ukraine faces a natural-gas cutoff that could leave Europe with shortages while saying Kyiv's suspension of gas supplies to separatist parts of eastern Ukraine 'smells of genocide.'
• Exploratory N Korean Nuclear Talks Possible, Seoul Official Says VOA 25 Feb 2015 -- South Korea's top nuclear envoy said Wednesday that participants in the North Korean nuclear talks, except the government in Pyongyang, had reached a consensus to hold exploratory talks before any resumption of formal six-party discussions.
• Iran rejects Washington Post allegation reneging on nuclear deal IRNA 25 Feb 2015 -- Iran's Permanent Mission to United Nations in a statement on Wednesday rejected Washington Post allegation reneging on the nuclear deal as baseless and faked, saying that Iran stays loyal to its commitments to Non-Proliferation Treaty.
• Iran says no to sanctions in N-talks ISNA 25 Feb 2015 -- Iranian President Hassan Rouhani said the Islamic Republic will not accept humiliation or the continuation of sanctions during negotiations over its nuclear program.
• Iran brooks no sanctions in nuclear talks: Rouhani Iran Press TV 25 Feb 2015 -- Iranian President Hassan Rouhani says the Islamic Republic will not accept humiliation or the continuation of sanctions during negotiations over its nuclear program.
• Saudis to Allow Israeli Jets Airspace for Strikes on Iran – Report Sputnik 25 Feb 2015 -- Saudi Arabia has now offered to let Israeli fighter jets use its airspace to attack Iran when necessary, in exchange for Israel making progress in the peace talks with Palestinians, a senior European source told Israeli Channel 2.
• Spook Central: Plans to Give Danish Spies More Powers Than NSA, GCHQ Sputnik 25 Feb 2015 -- the Danish Intelligence Defence Service – would be granted increased powers to spy on Danes abroad suspected of being involved in terror cells, even without the issuing of a court order.
• Gemalto Says US, UK Spy Agencies Likely Behind SIM Card Hack Sputnik 25 Feb 2015 -- Gemalto, the world's largest SIM producer, said Wednesday that US and British intelligence are likely behind the hacking of their SIM cards, and targeted "numerous parties" beyond Gemalto.
• Zhou Yongkang's case alerts CPC to hidden 'tigers': graft watchdog People's Daily 25 Feb 2015 -- The cases of Zhou Yongkang and Xu Caihou -- disgraced former senior officials -- demonstrate that some corrupt officials 'are very well hidden' within the Communist Party of China (CPC), the Party's graft watchdog cited a bylined commentary on its website on Monday.
• Background Briefing on Talks to Re-Establish Diplomatic Relations With Cuba US Dept. of State 25 Feb 2015