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Defense Policy / Programs
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News Reports

Current Operations

• Operation Iraqi Freedom (OIF) Casualty Update 08 Apr 2015 [PDF]
• Airstrikes Hit ISIL in Syria, Iraq AFPS 08 Apr 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.
• 'Team of Teams' draws down Afghan bases, equipment Army News 08 Apr 2015 -- At its peak, in early 2011, there were nearly 100,000 U.S. Service members in Afghanistan, as part of Operation Enduring Freedom, or OEF. Working alongside those Service members, were as many as 90,000 contractors working for the U.S. Department of Defense.
• Ready, set, retrograde AFNS 08 Apr 2015 -- As the United States seeks to lessen its footprint at locations across Southwest Asia, the word retrograde has been on the lips of Department of Defense decision-makers for months. When applied to military operations in Afghanistan, retrograde, which is defined as having a backward motion or direction, translates to the proverbial undoing of more than a decade's accumulation of assets, equipment and personnel in theater.

Defense Policy / Programs

• Carter, Japan's Defense Minister Conduct Alliance Talks AFPS 08 Apr 2015 -- On the initial overseas stop of his first Asia-Pacific trip as defense secretary, Ash Carter met today in Tokyo with Japanese Defense Minister Gen Nakatani to discuss the alliance and mutual world interests.
• Defense Secretary Hails US-Japan Alliance VOA 08 Apr 2015 -- Beginning his first Asia tour, U.S. Secretary of Defense Ashton Carter laid out the U.S. commitment to Japanese security Wednesday in Tokyo, urging restraint in territorial disputes between Japan and China.
• Carter's Visit to Japan Overshadowed by Military Base Row Sputnik 08 Apr 2015 -- US Defense Minister Ashton Carter and his Japanese counterpart Gen Nakatani reconfirmed on Wednesday a plan to relocate a US air base from one side of the Okinawa island to the other, in a statement bound to increase protests against the US military presence in Japan.
• Remarks by Secretary Carter and Nakatani at a Joint Press Conference DoD 08 Apr 2015 -- Presenters: Secretary of Defense Ash Carter and Japanese Minister of Defense Gen Nakatani
• Readout of Meeting Between Secretary of Defense Ash Carter and Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe DoD 08 Apr 2015
• Readout of Meeting Between Secretary of Defense Ash Carter and Japanese Foreign Minister Fumio Kishida DoD 08 Apr 2015
• Readout of Meeting Between Secretary of Defense Ash Carter and Japanese Chief Cabinet Secretary Yoshihide Suga DoD 08 Apr 2015
• Japan, U.S. DMs agree to speed up defense guidelines revision People's Daily 08 Apr 2015 -- Japanese and U.S. defense ministers agreed on Wednesday to speed up work on revising their bilateral defense cooperation guidelines, while stressing the necessity to build a new base in Okinawa to replace the U.S. Marine Corp's Futenma Base.
• US Army's New Self-Propelled Howitzer Follows 20 Years of Delays Sputnik 08 Apr 2015 -- It took two decades and the cancellation of two costly programs, but the United States Army on Thursday will finally unveil the newest self-propelled howitzers from its Paladin Integrated Management program.
• Army releases request for proposals for Fort Campbell solar project Army News 08 Apr 2015 -- The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, Engineering and Support Center, Huntsville today released a request for proposals for a 3.1MW Solar array Power Purchase Agreement (PPA) on Fort Campbell, Kentucky. The PPA will complete the installation's requirement for a 5MW solar array.
• Steppe Eagle 2015 officially underway Army News 08 Apr 2015 -- Exercise Steppe Eagle 2015 officially began with an opening ceremony April 6, here, at Ilisky Training Area.
• US Aerospace Command Communications to Move Back to Cold War-Era Bunker Sputnik 08 Apr 2015 -- The North American Aerospace Defense command (NORAD) is planning to move its communications gear to a Cold War-era bunker in Colorado's Rocky Mountains.
• America Successfully Completes Final Contractor Trials NNS 08 Apr 2015 -- The Navy's newest amphibious assault ship, USS America (LHA 6), completed final contractor trials (FCT) April 3.
• USNS Comfort Departs Miami, Heads to First CP-15 Mission Stop NNS 08 Apr 2015 -- The Military Sealift Command hospital ship USNS Comfort (T-AH 20) departed Miami, Fla. April 6 making its way to Belize, the first Continuing Promise 2015 (CP-15) mission stop.
• US and ROK Submarine Forces Participate in 41st SWCM NNS 08 Apr 2015 -- Commander, Submarine Group (COMSUBGRU) 7 conducted bilateral talks with the Republic of Korea Navy (ROKN) March 31 - April 2 at Pearl Harbor, Hawaii.
• USS Iwo Jima Visits Duqm, Oman NNS 08 Apr 2015 -- The amphibious assault ship USS Iwo Jima (LHD 7) pulled out of port in Duqm, Oman after completing mid-deployment voyage repairs and maintenance aboard the ship.
• Welsh Describes Air Force of the Future AFPS 08 Apr 2015 -- In the future, the Air Force's core missions will probably not change, but the way they are carried out will, Air Force Chief of Staff Gen. Mark A. Welsh III said today.
• USS Donald Cook Departs Plymouth, Continues FOST Training NNS 08 Apr 2015 -- The Arleigh Burke-class guided-missile destroyer USS Donald Cook (DDG 75) departed Plymouth, England, April 6, 2015, to continue Flag Officer Sea Training (FOST) at sea.
• U.S., African Union Partner Against Terrorist Threat AFPS 08 Apr 2015 -- Kenya has not yet asked for Department of Defense assistance following the university attack last week that left some 150 people dead, Pentagon spokesman Army Col. Steve Warren told reporters today.
• NATO Plans to Deploy Troops in Romania Are Confrontational Sputnik 08 Apr 2015 -- NATO plans to deploy military forces in Romania are inadequate and confrontational, Russian Foreign Ministry spokesperson Alexander Lukashevich said Wednesday.
• Russia is Building Airfield for Military Transport Jets on Arctic Islands Sputnik 08 Apr 2015 -- Russia is building an airfield for the Military Transport Aviation (VTA) of the country's Air Force on the Franz Josef Land archipelago for the first time, the Russian Defense Ministry said Wednesday.
• First Admiral Grigorovich Class Frigate to Join Russian Navy in August Sputnik 08 Apr 2015 -- The first in a series of six Admiral Grigorovich class (Project 11356) frigates, being built for the Black Sea Fleet, will be delivered to the Russian Navy in August, the United Shipbuilding Corporation said Wednesday.
• Russia's Western Military District Receives Upgraded Main Battle Tanks Sputnik 08 Apr 2015 -- Russian Defense Ministry's Western Military District received refurbished T-72B3 main battle tanks, according to the district's press service.
• Workers Drain Water From Dock After Putting Out Fire on Russian Nuclear Sub Sputnik 08 Apr 2015 -- Workers finished draining water from the dry dock they filled to extinguish a fire on a Russian nuclear submarine in the country's north, a spokesman from the shipbuilding company that was repairing the submarine told RIA Novosti on Wednesday.
• Russian, Belarusian Troops Take Part in Joint Military Exercises Sputnik 08 Apr 2015 -- The Belarusian military is holding joint exercises in operational and strategic command with the Russian Western Military District, the Belarusian Defense Ministry announced Wednesday.
• Russian Fighter Jets Holding Air Combat Exercises in Far East Sputnik 08 Apr 2015 -- Approximately 500 Russian military servicemen and 30 fighter jets are holding flight exercises in the country's Far East, the Russian Defense Ministry's Eastern Military District announced Wednesday.
• Motorized Rifle Brigade in Russia's Orenburg Region on High Alert in Drills Sputnik 08 Apr 2015 -- A motorized rifle brigade deployed in Orenburg region has been put on high alert for combat readiness inspection Wednesday, the Central Military District said.
• US increases weapons shipments to Saudi Arabia Press TV 08 Apr 2015 -- The United States has increased its military assistance to Saudi Arabia, extending its participation in the ongoing Saudi-led aggression against Yemen.
• Egypt - AGM-114K/R3 Hellfire II Missiles DSCA 08 Apr 2015 -- The State Department has made a determination approving a possible Foreign Military Sale to Egypt for AGM-114K/R3 Hellfire II Missiles and associated equipment, parts, training and logistical support for an estimated cost of $57 million. The Defense Security Cooperation Agency delivered the required certification notifying Congress of this possible sale on April 7, 2015.
• Last batch of Chinese peacekeeping infantry battalion arrives in South Sudan People's Daily 08 Apr 2015 -- The last batch of the Chinese peacekeeping infantry battalion arrived in South Sudan on Wednesday, concluding the deployment of the first infantry battalion sent abroad for peackeeping mission.
• US 'concerned' about Chinese nuclear missile submarines Press TV 08 Apr 2015 -- A top US military commander says he is concerned about China's ballistic missile submarines capable of attacking the United States with nuclear weapons.
• India, Japan agree to deepen defense cooperation People's Daily 08 Apr 2015 -- India and Japanon Tuesday decided to deepen their defense cooperation and enhance strategic maritime ties, during a meeting between the defense officials of the two countries here, said Press Trust of India.
• No Breakthrough Yet on Rafale Deal - Indian Foreign Ministry Sputnik 08 Apr 2015 -- India remains undecided on whether to go ahead with its planned purchase of France's Rafale fighter jets, Foreign Secretary Subrahmanyam Jaishankar told reporters on Wednesday.
• India Envoy Weighs In on Pakistan's Growing Nuclear Arsenal VOA 08 Apr 2015 -- India's envoy to Pakistan has brushed aside Islamabad's claims that rapid increases in its atomic arsenal, including short-range "tactical" nuclear weapons, are serving as a deterrent to another war between the rival nations.
• US Denies Reports of High Altitude Defense Deployment in South Korea Sputnik 08 Apr 2015 -- The United States is not discussing the deployment of a Terminal High Altitude Area Defense (THAAD) missile interceptor battery on the Korean Peninsula with its South Korean partners, US Assistant Secretary of Arms Control Frank Rose told the press.
• Russia ready to replace Thailand's traditional weapons suppliers - PM TASS 08 Apr 2015 -- Russia is ready to supply its weapons to Thailand in exchange for agricultural output, Prime Minister Dmitry Medvedev said in an interview with Nation media group on Wednesday.
• Caught Red Handed: Ukraine Exposes Smuggling of Military Aircraft Engines Sputnik 08 Apr 2015 -- Ukrainian authorities exposed an attempt to smuggle military aircraft engines from the country. The engines, having no export permit, were seized at the 'West' customs post in Kiev.
• Press Briefing by Press Secretary Josh Earnest, 4/8/2015 The White House 08 Apr 2015
• April 8, 2015 - U.S. Department of State Daily Press Briefing US Dept. of State 08 Apr 2015

Defense Industry

• DoD News: Contracts for April 08, 2015

Other Conflicts

• 8 April 2015 - Daily Press Briefing by the Office of the Spokesperson for the Secretary-General United Nations 08 Apr 2015
• US Keeps 'Close Eye' on Iran as Yemen Conflict Deepens VOA 08 Apr 2015 -- The Saudi-led air campaign in Yemen is threatening to grow into a wider conflict as both the United States and Iran take new steps to potentially strengthen partners in the region.
• Iran, Pakistan Urge Dialogue on Ending Yemen Crisis VOA 08 Apr 2015 -- Iran's foreign minister arrived Wednesday in Pakistan for a two-day visit that's part of an effort by both countries to find a diplomatic solution to the crisis in Yemen.
• Ayatollah Khamenei calls for end to aggression against Yemen ISNA 08 Apr 2015 -- Leader of the Islamic Revolution Ayatollah Seyyed Ali Khamenei said a halt to the military aggression against Yemen and foreign meddling in the country is the only solution to the crisis plaguing the Arabian Peninsula state.
• Iran Sends Navy Vessels to Yemen Amid Airstrikes VOA 08 Apr 2015 -- A state-run media outlet in Iran is reporting that Iranian navy ships have left for waters near Yemen, amid a Saudi-led airstrike campaign to halt the advance of Iranian-backed Shi'ite rebels in the country.
• Few escape routes for refugees and migrants trapped in Yemen IRIN 08 Apr 2015 -- As the Saudi-led aerial bombardment of Yemen intensifies and a full-scale civil war appears increasingly inevitable, there are few immediate escape routes for well over a million African migrants and refugees in the country.
• As chaos deepens in Yemen, UN expert warns of 'worst case scenario' displacement UN News 08 Apr 2015 -- The United Nations expert on the human rights of internally displaced persons today urged the international community "to prepare for massive displacement and humanitarian crisis as conflict torn Yemen further descends into chaos and civilians flee the fighting."
• Yemenis Fault Foreign Intervention for Humanitarian Crisis VOA 08 Apr 2015 -- Yemen's residents said the war tearing their country apart is misunderstood and mismanaged, and they hold foreign intervention responsible for what has become a humanitarian disaster.
• ISIL terrorists release more than 200 Izadis in Iraq Press TV 08 Apr 2015 -- The Takfiri ISIL terrorist group has released more than 200 Izadi Kurds in Iraq, mostly children and elderly members, who had been held for months.
• Analysts: Insurgents Make Gains in Syria VOA 08 Apr 2015 -- Iran is increasingly focusing its military efforts in the Mideast on Iraq and the loser appears to be Syrian President Bashar al-Assad. For the past few weeks his forces have been losing ground to the country's fractious rebels, who despite being engulfed by infighting, have managed to seize territory in the war-torn country's north and south, say analysts.
• UN renews call for end to fighting inside Yarmouk camp, urges opening of humanitarian corridor UN News 08 Apr 2015 -- The situation in the Palestinian refugee camp of Yarmouk remains extremely tense amid continued street fighting and unconfirmed reports of aerial bombardments of civilian areas, the United Nations said today.
• Despite Crackdown, IS Says Turkey-Syria Border Still Open RFE/RL 08 Apr 2015 -- On April 6, Ahlul Hakk, a Russian-speaking pro-IS group on the VKontakte social network issued an emergency announcement. It is still possible to cross into Syria from Turkey, the message said, despite rumors that the Turkish authorities have closed the border.
• Hear it from the people: What's wrong in the Central African Republic? IRIN 08 Apr 2015 -- The room was packed. Everyone wanted to speak: unsurprising after years of conflict that has claimed thousands of lives and seen the Central African Republic riven by ethnic and religious cleansing.
• Internally Displaced Refugees in Cameroon Ask for Help VOA 08 Apr 2015 -- Cameroonian refugees displaced by the Boko Haram insurgency in northern Cameroon say they are living in desperate conditions – going without food, water and medicine for days at a time. They complain the government and U.N. agencies are focusing solely on Nigerian refugees and ignoring their needs.
• Rwanda Requests Information on French Declassification of Genocide Documents VOA 08 Apr 2015 -- Rwanda wants to know how the French government will go about releasing declassified documents relating to the 1994 genocide that left about 800,000 -- mostly minority Tutsi -- dead in a hundred-day massacre.

News Reports

• Washington, Tehran Spin Framework Deal Different Ways RFE/RL 08 Apr 2015 -- There are two sides to every story. When it comes to the framework nuclear deal reached this month between world powers and Iran, there is the account provided by the United States, and there is the Iranian account.
• CIA Chief Praises Iran Nuclear Deal RFE/RL 08 Apr 2015 -- CIA Director John Brennan defended the framework nuclear deal with Iran and said some criticism of it is 'disingenuous.'
• Tsarnaev Found Guilty on All Counts in Boston Bombing Trial VOA 08 Apr 2015 -- Dzhokhar Tsarnaev was convicted on all counts Wednesday in the Boston Marathon bombing by a federal jury that now must decide whether the 21-year-old former college student should be executed.
• Putin: Greece Did Not Ask for Financial Aid VOA 08 Apr 2015 -- Russian President Vladimir Putin says the leader of Greece did not ask for financial aid during an official visit Wednesday. Putin was speaking to reporters after a bilateral meeting at the Kremlin with Greek Prime Minister Alexis Tsipras.
• Zimbabwe's Mugabe on First Visit to S. Africa in 2 Decades VOA 08 Apr 2015 -- It has been more than two decades since Zimbabwe's President Robert Mugabe paid a state visit to neighboring South Africa.
• UK 'Assessing' Diego Garcia Flight Records Amid CIA Torture Claims Sputnik 08 Apr 2015 -- a group of small, isolated atolls in the Indian Ocean for which Diego Garcia is apart of.
• CIA Knew They Tortured the Wrong Man, Whistleblower Kiriakou Says Sputnik 08 Apr 2015 -- John Kiriakou has alleged that CIA insiders protested the arrest and torture of Syrian-born Canadian Maher Arar knowing that he was innocent, but a woman in CIA middle-management, whose identity he will not reveal, insisted upon the man's arrest.
• Greece 'Openly Disapproves' of Anti-Russian Sanctions Sputnik 08 Apr 2015 -- The construction of a new US Marine Corps Air Station in Nago has attracted media attention in recent months amid rallies staged by local environmentalists, who argue that a base would harm flora and fauna in the area and by civic groups, critical of the US military presence in Nago city.
• Kim Jong Un Gives Field Guidance to Pyongyang Weak-current Machine Plant KCNA 08 Apr 2015 -- Kim Jong Un, first secretary of the Workers' Party of Korea, first chairman of the National Defence Commission of the DPRK and supreme commander of the Korean People's Army, gave field guidance to the Pyongyang Weak-current Machine Plant.
• UN calls for $111 million to address urgent humanitarian priorities in DPR Korea UN News 08 Apr 2015 -- The United Nations today called for some $111 million to fund its humanitarian operations in the Democratic People's Republic of Korea (DRPK) in 2015, covering activities in food and agriculture, health and nutrition, and water and sanitation.
• ROK, DPRK reconfirm differences in wage hike for economic zone People's Daily 08 Apr 2015 -- South Koreaand the Democratic People's Republic of Korea (DPRK) reconfirmed their different positions on wage hike for DPRK workers in the Kaesong industrial zone during Tuesday contact, Seoul's unification ministry said on Wednesday.