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News Reports

Current Operations

• Operation Iraqi Freedom (OIF) Casualty Update 13 Apr 2015 [PDF]
• Airstrikes Hit ISIL in Syria, Iraq AFPS 13 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.
• ISIL Loses Control of Once-dominated Iraq Territory AFPS 13 Apr 2015 -- Some 25 percent to 30 percent of Iraqi territory has been taken back from Islamic State of Iraq and the Levant terrorist group control by coalition forces, Army Col. Steve Warren told reporters today.
• Army continues to provide rapid engineering, prototyping in Afghanistan Army News 13 Apr 2015 -- Despite the drawdown of American Soldiers in Afghanistan, the U.S. Army engineering community is continuing to develop rapid technological solutions.
• Taliban Kills 18 Afghan Soldiers, Beheading Some Of Them RFE/RL 13 Apr 2015 -- Afghan authorities say Taliban militants killed at least 18 soldiers and beheaded some of them in attacks in the country's northeast in recent days.
• Reliable Tempo draws down 13-year combat footprint in Afghanistan Army News 09 Apr 2015 -- By Dec. 31, 2014, the United States transferred more than 300 military installations and $180 million in foreign excess personal property to the Afghan government. Concurrently, more than 30,000 pieces of rolling stock and 50,000 shipping containers of equipment were sent back to the United States, as well.

Defense Policy / Programs

• Initiative Provides Incremental Acquisition Improvement AFPS 13 Apr 2015 -- The basic idea behind the Defense Department's Better Buying Power initiative, now entering its third iteration, has been to improve acquisition through continuous improvement in many areas simultaneously, the Pentagon's acquisition chief said here today.
• 4-3 AHB Begins Multinational Aviation Operations in Support of Operation Atlantic Resolve Army News 13 Apr 2015 -- Soldiers from the 4-3 Assault Helicopter Battalion from Hunter Army Airfield, Ga., currently attached to the 12th Combat Aviation Brigade here, conducted movement from Storck Barracks in Illeshiem, Germany, to Poland and Romania from April 6-10, in support of Operation Atlantic Resolve.
• SECNAV Directs Navy to Expand Use of LEDs NNS 13 Apr 2015 -- Secretary of the Navy Ray Mabus recently directed that brighter, longer-lasting and more energy-efficient lighting be installed in U.S. Navy ships under construction as part of a strategy designed to help increase these ships' time on-station, decrease time spent on maintenance, and prevent shipboard injuries.
• US Marines train Tanzanians in fight against illicit trafficking USMC News 13 Apr 2015 -- More than 40 Tanzanian park rangers graduated from a counter illicit-trafficking course on the Selous Game Reserve in Matambwe, Tanzania, March 27, 2015.
• Marines, Tanzanians conduct final illicit trafficking training exercise USMC News 13 Apr 2015 -- Approximately 15 U.S. Marines and sailors assigned to a Security Cooperation Team with Special-Purpose Marine Air-Ground Task Force Crisis Response-Africa, conducted a patrol exercise with more than 40 Tanzanian park rangers on the Selous Game Reserve in Matambwe, Tanzania, March 24-26, 2015.
• Annoying Beijing: US, Indonesia Plan Regular Navy Drills in South China Sea Sputnik 13 Apr 2015 -- Jakarta is looking to an already crowded stretch of water, the South China Sea, for regular military exercises with the United States, despite the fact that neither nation holds any official claims in the region.
• Russia 'Concerned' By NATO's Ties With Sweden And Finland RFE/RL 13 Apr 2015 -- Russia's Foreign Ministry says moves by Finland and Sweden towards closer ties with NATO were of 'special concern.'
• US Military Expenditures Seven Times Higher Than Russia's in 2014 Sputnik 13 Apr 2015 -- Despite the fact that the United States has decreased its military spending in 2014, its expenditure was still seven times higher than Russia's, the Stockholm International Peace Research Institute reported Monday.
• Ukrainian Crisis Prompts European Countries to Boost Military Spending Sputnik 13 Apr 2015 -- The political and military crisis in Ukraine prompted European countries to increase their military spending, an arms watchdog said Monday.
• Global Arms Spending Remains Largely Unchanged RFE/RL 13 Apr 2015 -- An arms watchdog says global military spending remained largely unchanged in 2014.
• U.S. protests alleged fighter intercept by Russia People's Daily 13 Apr 2015 -- The Pentagon said on Sunday the United Stateswas filing a complaint to Russiathrough diplomatic channels after an intercept of a U.S. reconnaissance plane by a Russian fighter jet last week, calling it an aggressive operation by Moscow.
• US Protests 'Unsafe, Unprofessional' Russian Interception of US Recon Plane Sputnik 13 Apr 2015 -- The Pentagon issued an official complaint Sunday over a Russian SU-27 fighter's interception of a US RC-135U reconnaissance plane over the Baltic Sea, citing the plane's 'unsafe and unprofessional maneuvers' in close proximity to the spy plane, AP has reported.
• Russian Defense Ministry rejects Pentagon's interpretation of April 7 Baltic air incident TASS 13 Apr 2015 -- The actions by the Russian pilot of a Su-27 (Flanker) fighter jet that flew close to a US reconnaissance aircraft over the Baltic Sea may deteriorate the US-Russia relations, Pentagon spokesman Mark Wright said on Sunday in an interpretation of the air accident rejected by Russia's Defense Ministry.
• Russian, Belarusian Paratroopers Begin Drills in Belarus Sputnik 13 Apr 2015 -- Belarusian and Russian paratroopers start Monday drills in Belarus aimed at practicing interoperability in joint tactical operations, the Belarusian Defense Ministry said.
• Russian Warships Holding Live Fire Drills in Pacific Ocean Sputnik 13 Apr 2015 -- Russian anti-ship vessels are conducting live torpedo and artillery drills in the Pacific Ocean, the Russian Navy's Pacific Fleet's press service said Monday.
• Post-Soviet military alliance members to help Russia with arms import substitution TASS 13 Apr 2015 -- The member states of the Collective Security Treaty Organization (CSTO) will take part in Russia's import substitution program in the defense sector, CSTO Secretary-General Nikolay Bordyuzha said in an interview with TASS on Monday.
• Russian experts to monitor military drills in UK TASS 13 Apr 2015 -- Military experts from Russia, the United States and Turkey will conduct a series of checks within the framework of the International Treaty on Open Skies and the Vienna Document of 2011. Head of the Russian National Nuclear Threat Reduction Center Sergey Ryzhkov told TASS that under the Vienna Document of 2011 on confidence-building measures and security, a team of Russian inspectors plans to inspect military ranges of Cyprus and the UK.
• Chinese arms production to partially open to the market People's Daily 13 Apr 2015 -- The Chinese government will open part of its weapons research and manufacturing to the marketplace, including military technology transformation and industrialization development, to promote industry resource sharing, the Beijing Times reported on Monday.
• Russia Confirms Arms Deal to Supply China With S-400 Air Defense Systems Sputnik 13 Apr 2015 -- The chief executive of the Russian state-run arms trader Rosoboronexport has confirmed that China clinched a contract with his company for the purchase of the S-400 air defense systems.
• China becomes first foreign buyer of Russian S-400 air defense system - media TASS 13 Apr 2015 -- China has purchased S-400 missile defense systems from Russia, director general of Russia's major arms exporting company Rosoborobexport Anatoly Isaykin has told the Kommersant daily in an interview.
• Peskov: There will be no delay in supply of S-300 system to Iran IRNA 13 Apr 2015 -- Supplies of Russian S-300 air defense missile systems to Iran may begin any moment in line with the relevant decree signed by the Russian president earlier in the day, presidential spokesman Dmitry Peskov said on Monday.
• Israel irked by Russia's plan to lift ban on S-300 delivery to Iran Press TV 13 Apr 2015 -- Israel has denounced Russia's decision to lift a ban on the delivery of S-300 missile systems to Iran as proof of Tehran's newfound 'legitimacy' following a mutual nuclear understanding reached in Switzerland.
• S-300 ban removal signifies Iran, Russia resolve to boost ties: Dehqan Press TV 13 Apr 2015 -- Iran's Defense Minister Brigadier General Hossein Dehqan says Russia's decision to lift a ban on the delivery of S-300 missile system to Iran indicates the political will of the two countries' officials to improve cooperation in all fields.
• Putin signs decree lifting ban on delivering S-300 to Iran Press TV 13 Apr 2015 -- Russian President Vladimir Putin has signed a presidential decree paving the way for the long-overdue delivery of S-300 missile system to Iran, the Kremlin says.
• Putin Lifts Ban On Supplies Of S-300 Missiles To Iran RFE/RL 13 Apr 2015 -- Russian President Vladimir Putin has signed a decree lifting the country's ban on deliveries of high precision S-300 missile systems to Iran, in a move that drew criticism from the United States and Israel.
• Wrong Time for Russia to Sell S-300 Missiles to Iran - US State Department Sputnik 13 Apr 2015 -- Russia's decision to lift a ban on the sale of S-300VM anti-ballistic missile system to Iran does not violate UN Security Council-imposed sanctions on Tehran, but the United States still opposes the sale because Iran is destabilizing the Middle East, US State Department spokesperson Marie Harf said at a press briefing on Monday.
• US Concerned About Russia's Possible S-300 Sale, Oil for Goods Program Sputnik 13 Apr 2015 -- The United States is concerned about Russia potentially lifting the ban on the sale of S-300 air defense systems to Iran and the oil for goods program that is underway between the two countries and could possibly lead to new sanctions, White House spokesperson Josh Earnest said on Monday.
• Putin Gives Go-Ahead for S-300 Missile Systems Delivery to Iran Sputnik 13 Apr 2015 -- Russian President Vladimir Putin has signed a decree to lift a ban on the sales of S-300 air defense systems to Iran, the Kremlin press service said in a statement Monday.
• Russia Demands Lifting of Arms Embargo Against Iran Sputnik 13 Apr 2015 -- Russia demands that the arms embargo against Iran be lifted, Russian Deputy Foreign Minister Sergei Ryabkov said Monday.
• Putin lifts ban on S-300 missile system supplies to Iran TASS 13 Apr 2015 -- Russian President Vladimir Putin has signed a decree to lift the ban on supplies of S-300 air defense missile systems to Iran.
• US Troubled by Possible Russian Missile Sales to Iran VOA 13 Apr 2015 -- The Obama administration expressed concern Monday over Russia's possible sale of sophisticated S-300 air defense systems to Iran, after President Vladimir Putin lifted a ban on supplying the advanced surface-to-air missile systems to the Islamic Republic.
• Iraq's prime minister retires over 300 officers to revamp army Press TV 13 Apr 2015 -- Iraqi Prime Minister Haider al-Abadi has retired more than 300 military officers as part of efforts to restructure the army against the backdrop of the battle to drive the ISIL Takfiri terrorists out of the country.
• Iraqi PM to Seek Military Aid During US Visit VOA 13 Apr 2015 -- Iraqi Prime Minister Haider al-Abadi is headed to the United States, where he is expected to ask President Barack Obama to provide his country with more air support and billions of dollars in new arms shipments to fight Islamic State militants.
• Drive to Preemptively Ban 'Killer Robots' Gaining Traction VOA 13 Apr 2015 -- 'The Campaign to Stop Killer Robots' is urging governments attending a U.N. conference to prevent the development of a lethal robotic system that holds the power of life or death without any human control.
• April 13, 2015 - U.S. Department of State Daily Press Briefing US Dept. of State 13 Apr 2015

Defense Industry

• DoD News: Contracts for April 13, 2015

Other Conflicts

• 13 April 2015 - Daily Press Briefing by the Office of the Spokesperson for the Secretary-General United Nations 13 Apr 2015
• Saudi warplanes bombard military barracks in southern Yemen Press TV 13 Apr 2015 -- Saudi warplanes have bombarded a military barracks in southern Yemen as Riyadh continues its military aggression against the Popular Committees loyal to Yemen's Houthi Ansarullah movement in the impoverished Arab country.
• Yarmouk crisis: international community has 'compelling imperative to act,' says UN official UN News 13 Apr 2015 -- The thousands of Palestinian and Syrian refugees trapped in the Yarmouk refugee camp have suffered "untold indignities" amid intensifying hostilities between armed groups in the area, the United Nations agency concerned with the well-being of Palestinian refugees declared today.
• In Algeria, UN envoy opens latest round of talks between Libyan leaders, activists UN News 13 Apr 2015 -- Libyan stakeholders must give the country's United Nations-facilitated peace process a chance in order for a political solution to take hold and end the ongoing fighting in the North African nation, the head of the UN Support Mission in Libya (UNSMIL) has declared.
• US, Europe Urge Libyan Cease-fire; Unity Government Talks Begin VOA 13 Apr 2015 -- The United States and European powers are pressing Libya's rival factions for an 'unconditional' cease-fire as talks aimed at creating a unity government start Monday in Algeria.
• Talks On Ukraine Conflict Set For Berlin RFE/RL 13 Apr 2015 -- Talks to assess the implementation of a cease-fire in eastern Ukraine are due to take place in Berlin on April 13.
• Repatriation threat alarms Somali refugees in Kenya IRIN 13 Apr 2015 -- A threat from Kenya's deputy president to send back hundreds of thousands of Somali refugees in the wake of the Garissa university shooting has prompted alarm in the camps and rebuke from advocacy groups and even some MPs.
• Cameroon soldiers defy Boko Haram in polio battle IRIN 13 Apr 2015 -- How do you vaccinate women and children against polio in remote areas prone to attack from Boko Haram militants? Arm the soldiers with vaccine.

News Reports

• Russia Flexes Missile Diplomacy With Iran RFE/RL 13 Apr 2015 -- Russia's potential delivery of antiaircraft S-300 missile systems to Iran has long been shrouded in controversy and contradictions. But with Russian President Vladimir Putin's decree allowing shipments of these high-precision systems to Tehran, will Moscow finally make good on these deliveries?
• Speaker praises nuclear negotiators for observing redlines IRNA 13 Apr 2015 -- Parliament (Majlis) Speaker Ali Larijani praised negotiating team for observing redlines in nuclear talks with world powers.
• Kerry to Congress: More Time Needed for Iran Deal VOA 13 Apr 2015 -- Top U.S. administration officials led by Secretary of State John Kerry are briefing lawmakers on Capitol Hill in an effort to persuade Congress to give the international community more time to secure a nuclear deal with Iran.
• Pakistan Treads Lightly Between Iran, Saudi Arabia VOA 13 Apr 2015 -- Pakistan's prime minister sought to reassure Saudi Arabia and its Arab coalition in Yemen that his country "does not abandon friends and strategic partners, especially at a time when their security is under threat."
• Kerry: US Engagement Seeks to Encourage Change in Cuba VOA 13 Apr 2015 -- U.S. Secretary of State John Kerry said the United States has embarked on a "policy of transformation" with its engagement with Cuba.
• Beijing's Ongoing Corruption Probe Widens VOA 13 Apr 2015 -- With China's former domestic security chief Zhou Yongkang facing corruption charges after months of investigation, analysts say China is sending a stern message by making him the highest ranking Chinese official to face trial in the past three decades.
• Turkey Furious At Francis Over Pope's 'Genocide' Comment RFE/RL 13 Apr 2015 -- Turkey is furious over Pope Francis's use of the word 'genocide' in a mass marking the centenary of the slaughter of Armenians in the Ottoman Empire.
• Sudan's Bashir Heads for Clear Win in Boycotted Elections VOA 13 Apr 2015 -- With few voters turning out at polling stations in Sudan's capital Monday and opposition parties boycotting the general elections, it was all but certain President Omar al-Bashir would win another term.