Operations
Defense Policy / Programs
Defense Industry
Other Conflicts
News Reports

Current Operations

• Operation Iraqi Freedom (OIF) Casualty Update 23 Mar 2015 [PDF]
• Airstrikes Continue Against ISIL in Syria, Iraq AFPS 23 Mar 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.
• CIA: Iran general complicates mission against ISIL in Iraq Press TV 23 Mar 2015 CIA Director John Brennan has claimed that the presence of top Iranian commander Major General Qasem Soleimani in Iraq is contributing to destabilization in the country.
• US Officials Praise 'Revitalized Partnership' With Afghanistan VOA 23 Mar 2015 -- After a day of high-level discussions with Afghanistan's leaders, top U.S. officials praised progress on the two countries' 'revitalized partnership,' announcing plans for several measures including a new development partnership as well as a goal to seek congressional funding to extend financial support for Afghanistan's military.
• Carter, Kerry Announce New Afghan Initiatives at Camp David AFPS 23 Mar 2015 -- Defense Secretary Ash Carter and Secretary of State John Kerry announced new funding and initiatives to strengthen a renewed U.S.-Afghanistan partnership after meeting today with Afghan leaders at the Camp David presidential retreat.
• Press Conference with President Ghani, Secretary Carter, Secretary Kerry and Chief Executive Abdullah at Camp David, Maryland DoD 23 Mar 2015 -- Presenter: Secretary of Defense Ash Carter; Secretary of State John Kerry; Afghan President Ashraf Ghani; Afghan Chief Executive Abdullah Abdullahe
• Background Briefing: Senior Administration Officials On High-Level Afghanistan Dialogue US Dept. of State 23 Mar 2015
• Joint Press Availability With Secretary of Defense Ashton Carter, Afghan President Ashraf Ghani, and Afghan Chief Executive Abdullah Abdullah US Dept. of State 23 Mar 2015
• Remarks With Afghan President Ashraf Ghani US Dept. of State 23 Mar 2015
• Remarks by Secretary Carter and President Ghani to Servicemembers and Veterans in the Pentagon Courtyard DoD 23 Mar 2015 -- Presenters: Secretary of Defense Ash Carter and Afghan President Ashraf Ghani
• Ghani: Afghan, US Partnership Is 'Foundational' VOA 23 Mar 2015 -- Afghan President Ashraf Ghani visited the Pentagon Monday to thank U.S. troops for their sacrifice and struggle in his country, honoring them "on behalf of a grateful nation."
• Afghan President Says He is Working With US to Repair Relations VOA 23 Mar 2015 -- In an exclusive interview with Voice of America on Sunday evening shortly after his arrival in Washington, Afghan President Ashraf Ghani spoke about his request for a change in U.S. troop levels, the threat from the Islamic State, and what he is doing to set a course to repair relations with the United States.
• Normandy Retrieves Abandoned Narcotics NNS 23 Mar 2015 -- The Ticonderoga-class guided-missile cruiser USS Normandy (CG 60) recovered more than 1,000 pounds of illegal narcotics while transiting the Mediterranean Sea, March 21.

Defense Policy / Programs

• Okinawa governor moves to pull plug on US base relocation Press TV 23 Mar 2015 -- The governor of Japan's southernmost prefecture of Okinawa has ordered a halt on the development of a controversial plan to relocate a US military base there.
• Japan's Okinawa Requests to Shut Down US Marine Base Construction Sputnik 23 Mar 2015 -- The construction of a relocated US Marine Corps Air Station in Nago attracted media attention in recent months amid opposition rallies by local residents outraged over sex crimes committed by US servicemen in the area.
• AF releases results of Space Launch Process review AFNS 23 Mar 2015 -- The Air Force announced March 23, that the phase one results of the independent review panel tasked by Secretary of the Air Force Deborah Lee James to review the process for certifying SpaceX as an Evolved Expendable Launch Vehicle (EELV) provider.
• F. E. Warren conducts Minuteman III missile test launch from Vandenberg AFNS 23 Mar 2015 -- A team Airmen from Air Force Global Strike Command, launched an unarmed LGM-30G Minuteman III intercontinental ballistic missile equipped with a test reentry vehicle March 23, from Vandenberg Air Force Base.
• Missile System Helps Counter N. Korea Threats, US Official Says VOA 23 Mar 2015 -- A senior Pentagon official says a U.S. missile defense called Terminal High-Altitude Area Defense (THAAD) is a key part of efforts to counter North Korean missile threats.
• Joint communication training creates realistic scenarios, cost savings AFNS 23 Mar 2015 -- "Train like we fight" and "Do more with less" are mottos echoing the walls of countless Defense Department and Air Force conference rooms daily; and for good reason.
• NATO Commander Breedlove Discusses Implications of Hybrid War AFPS 23 Mar 2015 -- Air Force Gen. Philip M. Breedlove discussed the implications of hybrid war during a presentation to the Brussels Forum over the weekend.
• VBSS Boarding Officer Course Restructured NNS 23 Mar 2015 -- The Center for Security Forces (CENSECFOR) announced the successful implementation of changes to the Visit, Board, Search and Seizure (VBSS) Boarding Officer course, March 20.
• US Heightens Military Presence in Gulf as Iran Nuclear Deal Approaches Sputnik 23 Mar 2015 -- As the nuclear negotiations between Iran and the P5+1 nations come to a head, the US begins Eagle Resolve, a massive military exercise in the Persian Gulf.
• Sequestration threatens America's airpower advantage AFNS 23 Mar 2015 -- Air Force senior leaders testified to the Senate Armed Services Committee Subcommittee on Airland March 19, and said with the return of sequestration-level funding, America's airpower advantage is increasingly at risk.
• U.S. Africa Command to validate Marine Corps' 2nd Marine Expeditionary Brigade USMC News 23 Mar 2015 -- U.S. Africa Command will validate the Marine Corps' 2nd Marine Expeditionary Brigade Joint Task Force Headquarters' capability during a command-post exercise for Exercise Judicious Response 2015 from March 19-25, 2015.
• U.S. Marines, Tanzanians work to fight illicit trafficking USMC News 23 Mar 2015 -- Tanzanian park rangers worked with U.S. Marines with Special-Purpose Marine Air-Ground Task Force Crisis Response-Africa to help counter illicit trafficking throughout the country.
• USS Paul Hamilton Strengthens Relationship with Indian Navy NNS 23 Mar 2015 -- The Arleigh Burke-class guided-missile destroyer USS Paul Hamilton (DDG 60) visited Goa, India, March 17-21.
• USS Paul Hamilton Enters US 5th Fleet AOO NNS 23 Mar 2015 -- The guided-missile destroyer USS Paul Hamilton (DDG 60) arrived in the U.S. 5th Fleet area of operations (AOO), March 22.
• USS Chicago Visits Changi during Western Pacific Deployment NNS 23 Mar 2015 -- The Los Angeles-class fast-attack submarine USS Chicago (SSN 721) arrived in Changi, Singapore March 22 for a visit as part of its Western Pacific deployment.
• JMSDF Leadership visits USS Fort Worth (LCS 3) NNS 23 Mar 2015 -- Japan Maritime Self Defence Force (JMSDF) leadership visited the Littoral Combat Ship USS Fort Worth (LCS 3) March 20.
• New center to focus on development of nuclear Airmen AFNS 23 Mar 2015 -- Air Force Global Strike Command initiated the creation of a new Nuclear Leadership Development Center, which will focus on nuclear and leadership education, and professional development.
• Secretary General: Canada is a committed and capable NATO Ally NATO 23 Mar 2015 -- NATO Secretary General Jens Stoltenberg thanked Canada for its significant contributions to the Alliance during a visit to Ottawa on Monday (23 March 2015). "Canada is a committed Ally and a capable contributor to international security," he said. Mr. Stoltenberg stressed that "Canada plays a major part in our decision-making and helps keep the vital bond between Europe and North America strong."
• NATO General: West Should Consider Arming Ukraine VOA 23 Mar 2015 -- NATO's military commander is again calling on the West to consider sending defensive weapons to Ukraine, to help it offset Russia's continued support for the pro-Russian rebellion in Ukraine's east.
• NATO Responding to Russia's Actions Against Ukraine AFPS 23 Mar 2015 -- NATO is responding to Russia's illegal occupation of Ukrainian territory with the largest reinforcement of collective defense since the end of the Cold War, NATO Secretary General Jens Stoltenberg said over the weekend in Brussels.
• NATO urges West to use 'all tools' to back Kiev Press TV 23 Mar 2015 -- A top military commander with the North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO) has urged the West to employ all means – including sending arms - to help the Ukrainian government, in response to what he alleged was Moscow's arming of pro-Russia forces in eastern Ukraine.
• No Ukrainian Governor Will Be Allowed to Have 'Pocket' Army - Poroshenko Sputnik 23 Mar 2015 -- Ukrainian President Poroshenko said that no governor in the country would be allowed to have own army.
• Russia to Begin Serial Production of 5th Generation T-50 Fighters in 2016 Sputnik 23 Mar 2015 -- Russia plans to start production of fifth-generation T-50 fighter jets in 2016, Russian Deputy Defense Minister Yuri Borisov said Monday.
• Russia ready to launch fifth generation fighter serial production - deputy minister TASS 23 Mar 2015 -- The Russian Defense Ministry may adjust the order for the T-50 fifth-generation fighters (PAK FA) in the new economic situation with taking into account the Sukhoi Su-35 high flight characteristics, Deputy Defense Minister Yuri Borisov said on Monday.
• Construction of Ka-52K shipborne helicopters not connected with Mistral delivery TASS 23 Mar 2015 -- Construction of Ka-52K shipborne helicopters in Russia is not connected with the situation around France's delivery of Mistral helicopter carriers, Deputy Defense Minister Yury Borisov said on Monday.
• Netherlands - CH-47F Aircraft DSCA 23 Mar 2015 -- The State Department has made a determination approving a possible Foreign Military Sale to the Netherlands for CH-47F Aircraft and associated equipment, parts, training and logistical support for an estimated cost of $1.05 billion. The Defense Security Cooperation Agency delivered the required certification notifying Congress of this possible sale on March 19, 2015.
• Finland Free to Decide on Its NATO Membership Sputnik 23 Mar 2015 -- Finland's Defense Minister Carl Haglund met his Swedish and British counterparts on board a US aircraft carrier Sunday in a sign of growing military cooperation between Helsinki and NATO.
• Russian Jet Flights Comply With International Law - Estonian Air Force Sputnik 23 Mar 2015 -- Unlike Baltic neighbors Latvia and Lithuania, Estonia does not notify citizens of Russian warplanes flying close to its borders since it's not a breach of international norms, the Estonian Air Force press service said Monday.
• Estonia to Inform Locals About US Fighter Jet Flights - Air Force Commander Sputnik 23 Mar 2015 -- Last week, 14 F-16 fighters, part of the US Air Force in Europe, arrived in Estonia from their Italian base for joint military drills set to last through April 17.
• Finnish Inspectors to Fly Over Russia Under Open Skies Treaty Sputnik 23 Mar 2015 -- Inspectors from Finland will conduct an observation flight on March 23-27 over the Russian territory within the framework of the Treaty on Open Skies, the head of Russia's National Nuclear Risk Reduction Center said.
• Russian Inspectors to Fly Over Turkey Under Open Skies Treaty Sputnik 23 Mar 2015 -- Russian inspectors will carry out an observation flight over the territory of Turkey on March 23-27 under the Treaty on Open Skies, head of Russia's National Nuclear Risk Reduction Center Sergei Ryzhkov said.
• Press Briefing by Press Secretary Josh Earnest, 3/23/2015 The White House 23 Mar 2015
• March 23, 2015 - U.S. Department of State Daily Press Briefing US Dept. of State 23 Mar 2015

Defense Industry

• DoD News: Contracts for March 23, 2015
• India Envisages Arms Exports to 38 Countries - Defense Minister Sputnik 23 Mar 2015 -- India is considering the possibility of exporting its defense products and training its troops in at least 38 countries, the country's defense minister said Monday.

Other Conflicts

• 23 March 2015 - Daily Press Briefing by the Office of the Spokesperson for the Secretary-General United Nations 23 Mar 2015
• Ukraine Accuses Separatists of Violating Cease-fire VOA 23 Mar 2015 -- Ukraine again accused pro-Russian separatists Monday of violating the cease-fire agreement the two sides signed in Minsk, Belarus last month, saying the rebels had fired rockets and artillery at Ukrainian military positions in eastern Ukraine.
• Poroshenko Sends Two Army Battalions to Dnepropetrovsk Sputnik 23 Mar 2015 -- Troops were sent to Dnepropetrovsk to 'maintain public security,' according to army's official Twitter page.
• UK Has No Moral Right to Demand Crimea Return to Ukraine – Russian Embassy Sputnik 23 Mar 2015 -- The UK should share its part of responsibility for the power grab in Kiev last February; moreover, London has participated in illegal military operations in Libya and Iraq, the Russian Embassy to the United Kingdom replied to Philip Hammond's demands.
• Medical Group Claims 650,000 Syrians Under Siege VOA 23 Mar 2015 -- Nearly three times more Syrians are scrambling to survive in besieged towns than the U.N. is estimating, warns an American non-profit whose members are medical professionals of Syrian descent. The Syrian American Medical Society claims in new a report that 650,000 Syrians are currently besieged in 49 communities by government forces and are facing a slow death.
• In Brussels, UN envoy says continued dialogue critical for Libyan peacebuilding UN News 23 Mar 2015 -- Stakeholders must work together to take Libya out of its "mess of a war" and begin rebuilding the conflict-ridden country into a modern, democratic state, a senior United Nations official said today.
• Turkey President, PM at Odds Over Kurdish Peace Efforts VOA 23 Mar 2015 -- Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan and Deputy Prime Minister Bulent Arinc are at odds over the government's handling of peace efforts involving Kurdish militants, whose insurgency has spanned several decades. Observers say the dispute is an indication of a deepening division within the ruling AK Party.
• Saudi Arabia Steps Up Threats Against Yemen's Houthis VOA 23 Mar 2015 -- Saudi Arabia's foreign minister said Monday that Arab states would take 'necessary measures' against Yemen's Houthi rebels if a peaceful solution cannot be found to end their fight against the government of President Abd-Rabbu Mansour Hadi.
• Houthi Leader Calls for General Mobilization to Advance in South Yemen Sputnik 23 Mar 2015 -- The leader of Shiite Houthi rebel movement in Yemen, Abdul-Malik al-Houthi, called for a general mobilization to continue advance into the country's south, stressing that the move is aimed against al-Qaeda and Islamic State (ISIL) extremists only, Yemeni television reported Sunday.
• Yemeni Forces Loyal to President Fight off Rebels VOA 23 Mar 2015 -- Soldiers loyal to Yemeni President Abd-Rabbu Mansour Hadi fought off dozens of Shi'ite Houthi rebels who had been sent toward the southern city of Aden, militia and security sources said Monday.
• Palestinians Consider UN Options VOA 23 Mar 2015 -- Relations between Israel and the United States are at their most strained in years, following campaign comments by newly-re-elected Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu that there would not be a Palestinian state on "his watch."
• Palestinian conflict continues to destroy human life, dignity - UN rights official UN News 23 Mar 2015 -- Violations of human rights "fuel and shape the conflict" in the occupied Palestinian territories, a senior United Nations official reported to the Human Rights Council today.
• Despite Peace Talks, Myanmar Expands Kachin Offensive VOA 23 Mar 2015 -- Myanmar's Kachin rebels say the government has expanded its offensive against them while continuing peace talks with the country's ethnic groups.
• Central African Republic in 'urgent need' of agricultural assistance, warns UN agency UN News 23 Mar 2015 -- The United Nations Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) has launched an urgent appeal to help provide farmers in the Central African Republic (CAR) with seeds and tools for the country's upcoming planting season, warning that without additional assistance vulnerable populations risked a further deterioration of their livelihoods.

News Reports

• Document Reveals New Zealand Spied on Trade Partners Using NSA Tools Sputnik 23 Mar 2015 -- New Zealand Government Communications Security Bureau (GCSB) used United States National Security Agency (NSA) XKeyscore surveillance software to spy on World Trade Organization (WTO) leader candidates, a document revealed by NSA whistleblower Edward Snowden said.
• China reiterates openness of AIIB after shift in U.S. attitude People's Daily 23 Mar 2015 -- China upholds an open and inclusive attitude in the building and operation of the Asian Infrastructure Investment Bank (AIIB), a Foreign Ministry spokesperson said on Monday.
• Beijing's Ongoing Corruption Probe Casts Wide Net VOA 23 Mar 2015 -- China's anti-corruption crackdown, led by President Xi Jinping, continues to reach into the upper ranks of China's state-owned enterprises, politics and the military.
• Indonesia Arrests Five Islamic State Suspects VOA 23 Mar 2015 -- Indonesia said it has arrested five men suspected of raising funds and recruiting new members for the Islamic State group, which Jakarta calls ISIS.
• Iran Negotiations: The Deal-Breakers RFE/RL 23 Mar 2015 -- High-stakes nuclear talks between Iran and world powers are now in the crucial end game. But with a March 31 deadline for a framework agreement looming, delegates' ears are ringing from powerful voices away from the negotiating table.
• McCain: US Senate will block nuclear agreement with Iran Press TV 23 Mar 2015 -- Republican Senator John McCain has threatened that the US Senate would block any nuclear deal, should the Obama administration reach an agreement with Iran.
• One year on: why Ebola is not yet over in Guinea IRIN 23 Mar 2015 -- The Ebola outbreak, which was first declared by Guinea's Ministry of Health on the evening of 22 March 2014, continues to ravage the country, in large part because information campaigns have failed to bring about comprehensive changes in behavior and beliefs.
• Doctors Without Borders slams slow response to Ebola outbreak Press TV 23 Mar 2015 -- The humanitarian aid organization, Doctors Without Borders (Médecins Sans Frontières), has strongly criticized the United Nations World Health Organization and other international medical emergency bodies for their failure to provide a timely response to West Africa's Ebola epidemic.
• Three African leaders sign deal to end Nile dispute Press TV 23 Mar 2015 -- Egypt, Ethiopia and Sudan have signed an initial deal to end a long-running dispute over the sharing of water from the Nile River that goes through the three countries.
• Nigeria Election Expected to Upend Past Political Trends VOA 23 Mar 2015 -- Nigeria's fifth presidential election on March 28 is expected to be the tightest since the country returned to democracy in 1999. That's not the only way this vote might be different.