Operations
Defense Policy / Programs
Defense Industry
Other Conflicts
News Reports

Current Operations

• Operation Iraqi Freedom (OIF) Casualty Update 22 May 2015 [PDF]
• Airstrikes Continue Against ISIL in Syria, Iraq AFPS 22 May 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.
• US-Led Airstrikes Target Islamic State Militants in Iraq, Syria VOA 22 May 2015 -- U.S.-led forces conducted 15 air strikes against Islamic State militants in Iraq since Thursday, concentrating on targets near Ramadi, the city that recently fell to the insurgents, the U.S. military said on Friday.

Defense Policy / Programs

• Department of Defense Identifies Planned Site of Future Long Range Discrimination Radar (LRDR) DoD 22 May 2015 -- The Department of Defense announced today a proposal to deploy a planned Long Range Discrimination Radar (LRDR) in Alaska, pending completion of required environmental and safety studies. Current plans call for the radar to begin defensive operations in 2020.
• Navy Completes USS Harry S. Truman Availability at NNSY NNS 22 May 2015 -- The aircraft carrier USS Harry S. Truman (CVN 75) departed Norfolk Naval Shipyard (NNSY) May 22 following the successful completion of its carrier incremental availability.
• USS Antietam Practices Safety During Ammo On-Load NNS 22 May 2015 -- The Ticonderoga-class guided-missile cruiser USS Antietam (CG 54) completed an ammunition on-load May 20, while at anchorage off of Commander, Fleet Activities Yokosuka.
• Luke's 56th Fighter Wing has new mission AFNS 22 May 2015 -- Luke Air Force Base's 56th Fighter Wing conducted a change of mission ceremony May 21, formally including the F-35 Lightning II as part of the wing's new mission statement.
• Aerospace medicine school welcomes C-17 trainer, first in AF AFNS 22 May 2015 -- Sections of a C-17 Globemaster III fuselage, transformed into an aeromedical evacuation trainer by the 502nd Trainer Development Squadron at Joint Base San Antonio-Randolph, Texas, began arriving here May 18.
• U.S. Marines fly with multinational forces during Exercise Lone Paratrooper USMC News 22 May 2015 -- There's a sharp, exhilarating blast of air that streams past the back of an aircraft at 22,000 feet. Even the warmth of mid spring is lost in the oxygen-starved atmosphere, where adrenaline and faith in the man behind compels them to obey the command, "Jump."
• PALS-15 unites Pacific USMC News 22 May 2015 -- The 15th Marine Expeditionary Unit demonstrated amphibious landing capabilities to service members and representatives from Indo-Pacific and Asia-Pacific region countries May 19, at Marine Corps Training Area Bellows.
• USS Chafee Deploys to 7th Fleet in Support of Maritime Security NNS 22 May 2015 -- The Arleigh Burke-class guided-missile destroyer USS Chafee (DDG 90) entered the U.S. 7th Fleet area of responsibility (AOR), May 22, after departing from her homeport of Joint Base Pearl Harbor-Hickam, Hawaii, May 18.
• CNO Releases Shore Investment Guidance NNS 22 May 2015 -- The chief of naval operations (CNO) released his Shore Investment Guidance May 22, setting forth his vision for the Navy to ensure its shore infrastructure is mission-ready, resilient, sustainable and in sync with the fleet. The document outlines 11 shore infrastructure initiatives that support the CNO's three tenants of warfighting first, operate forward, and be ready.
• NATO Alliance Stands Firm, Adapts to Challenges AFPS 22 May 2015 -- The NATO alliance is standing firm and adapting to the challenges on its eastern and southern flanks, military officials said during a press conference following the alliance's Military Committee meeting here.
• Are Chinese/Russian Military Exercises an Effort to Offset US Primacy? VOA 22 May 2015 -- China and Russia conducted joint naval exercises this week in the Mediterranean Sea – a sign, some security experts say, that the two countries are stepping up defense cooperation to offset U.S. military primacy.
• Finland Sends Instructions to Military Reservists Amid Tensions With Russia Sputnik 22 May 2015 -- Finnish authorities sent letters to nearly one million military reservists, instructing them what to do in the event of military crisis.
• Bulgarian Air Force Eyes Purchase of Used Fighters to Replace Russian MiGs Sputnik 22 May 2015 -- Bulgarian Defense Minister Nikolai Nenchev has announced that the Air Force needs to begin a fighter procurement program involving the purchase of Western fighters and the refitting of Soviet craft in order to keep the Air Force from being permanently grounded, Bulgarian media have reported.
• NATO Pressure Sparking Calls to Beef Up German Bundeswehr Sputnik 22 May 2015 -- Germany's new commissioner for the armed forces has called for the government to increase spending on the German army, saying that a reduction in the Bundeswehr's capabilities would 'annoy' other European countries, amid increasing pressure to meet NATO spending targets.
• New surveillance system for future Royal Navy aircraft carriers revealed UK MOD 22 May 2015 -- A new helicopter-borne surveillance system has been chosen to protect the Royal Navy's future Queen Elizabeth Class carriers.
• Adopting resolution, Security Council urges broader global cooperation to tackle illicit transfer of small arms UN News 22 May 2015 -- The United Nations Security Council today adopted a resolution urging stronger cooperation in stemming the "illicit transfer, destabilizing accumulation and misuse" of small arms and light weapons, underlining the suffering they caused to civilians.
• Press Briefing by Press Secretary Josh Earnest, 5/22/2015 The White House 22 May 2015
• May 22, 2015 - U.S. Department of State Daily Press Briefing US Dept. of State 22 May 2015

Defense Industry

• DoD News: Contracts for May 22, 2015
• Indian Company Wants Cooperation With Russia to Manufacture Nuclear Subs Sputnik 22 May 2015 -- An Indian company reportedly seeks partnership with Russia to locally manufacture nuclear submarines and stealth warships.

Other Conflicts

• 22 May 2015 - Daily Press Briefing by the Office of the Spokesperson for the Secretary-General United Nations 22 May 2015
• Yemen: UN rights office urges all parties to adhere to international law as civilian toll grows UN News 22 May 2015 -- As the number of civilian casualties in the Yemen conflict tops 1,000, the United Nations human rights office today urged all parties – coalition forces, the Yemeni armed forces, Houthis and other non-State armed groups – to adhere strictly to their obligations under international law and do all in their power to protect civilians.
• Saudi Arabia Vows to Return Exiled Hadi to Power in Yemen Sputnik 22 May 2015 -- According to Ambassador of Saudi Arabia to Russia, Riyadh will exercise every effort to ensure that the current crisis in Yemen ends with a national reconciliation under the leadership of the country's legitimate President.
• Yemeni forces take over Saudi military site Press TV 22 May 2015 -- Yemeni army forces and members of Popular Committees have taken control of a strategic military base in Saudi Arabia, as Riyadh continues its military aggression against Yemen.
• Saudi jet fighters continue strikes in Yemen Press TV 22 May 2015 -- Saudi Arabia's warplanes have carried out several new airstrikes in Yemen as the impoverished country continues to reel from nearly two months of aggression by its oil-rich neighbor.
• Yemen conflict fans food insecurity IRIN 22 May 2015 -- The conflict in Yemen is worsening the country's food insecurity, according to a new report, which predicts that the parts of Arab state may enter an emergency phase by the end of the year.
• Ramadi Refugees Face Desperate Humanitarian Situation As They Wait To Cross Into Baghdad RFE/RL 22 May 2015 -- The thousands of Iraqis fleeing to Baghdad in the wake of the Islamic State (IS) group's capture of Ramadi, west of the capital, are facing an increasingly desperate humanitarian situation.
• UN: 'Nothing More Important' Than Helping Ramadi Refugees VOA 22 May 2015 -- Since Ramadi fell to Islamic State militants on Sunday, tens of thousands of the city's former residents have been on the road, fleeing the fighting and their homes in the western Anbar Province. Most of them are headed for what they hope is safety in Iraq's capital, Baghda
• Iraq: as Ramadi fighting intensifies, UN food agency rushes supplies to thousands displaced UN News 22 May 2015 -- As tens of thousands of people continue to flee fierce fighting in the Ramadi district of Iraq, the United Nations World Food Programme (WFP) is rushing food assistance there, a spokesperson confirmed in Geneva today, as she appealed for $108 million to continue operations in the country until October 2015.
• White House: No Plans to Send US Ground Troops to Iraq VOA 22 May 2015 -- White House Press Secretary Josh Earnest said Friday he could not corroborate Islamic State's claims it was responsible for a blast at a Shi'ite mosque in the eastern Saudi Arabian governate of Qatif that killed at least 21 people.
• Iraqi Forces Clear Pathway to Beiji Oil Refinery AFPS 22 May 2015 -- Iraqi security forces and federal police, enabled by the coalition, have successfully cleared and established a ground route into the Beiji oil refinery, Combined Joint Task Force Operation Inherent Resolve officials reported today.
• UN envoy continues Syria consultations, seeking views on launching political process UN News 22 May 2015 -- The United Nations Special Envoy for Syria has said today that consultations on the future of the country continued today, as he shared perspectives with several interested parties, according to a UN spokesperson.
• As thousands flee Syria's besieged historic city of Palmyra, UN refugee agency readies response plan UN News 22 May 2015 -- The United Nations refugee agency and its partners are preparing aid for some 11,000 people fleeing the ancient Syrian city of Palmyra and surrounding villages, which have been overrun by militant forces this week.
• Syrian forces make major advances in northeast Press TV 22 May 2015 -- Syria's Army has made major advances against the ISIL Takfiri terrorist group in the country's northeast.
• Washington should stop acting as back driver over S. China Sea People's Daily 22 May 2015 -- Recent statements made by some U.S. military officials are contrary to regional peace and stability, and it is Uncle Sam who should explain its irresponsible behavior over the South China Sea.
• US Rejects Beijing's Demand to Stop Flying Over Disputed Islands Sputnik 22 May 2015 -- US Assistant Secretary for East Asian and Pacific Affairs Daniel Russel said that the United States has rejected Beijing's demands that US surveillance planes stop flying over the disputed Spratly Islands in the South China Sea.
• Amnesty: Torture of POWs is Rife in Ukraine Conflict VOA 22 May 2015 -- Rights group Amnesty International says it has gathered 'overwhelming evidence' that Ukrainian forces, pro-government militias, and anti-government separatists have tortured or mistreated prisoners, describing it as 'widespread' and 'frequent.'
• As South Sudan fighting intensifies, UN rights chief warns of 'persistent impunity' UN News 22 May 2015 -- The escalation of fighting in South Sudan has resulted in "alarming gross violations" of international human rights and humanitarian law as well as having exacted a terrible toll on the young nation's civilian population, the United Nations human rights chief confirmed today.
• China urges immediate cease fire in South Sudan People's Daily 22 May 2015 -- China on Friday urged South Sudan's warring sides to immediately cease military confrontations and ensure the safety of foreigners, staff from the United Nationsas well as humanitarian aid organizations.
• Army air strike kills 18 FARC rebels in Colombia Press TV 22 May 2015 -- An air strike carried out by the Colombian army has killed at least 18 members of the Revolutionary Armed Forces of Colombia (FARC) rebel group in the western part of the country.
• Funding shortage forces UN agency to halt housing allowance for Palestine refugees in Lebanon UN News 22 May 2015 -- A $100 monthly housing stipend per family for Palestine refugees who have fled war-torn Syria for Lebanon will be suspended because of lack of funds, prompting the UN agency assisting those refugees in the Middle East to urgently appeal to donors "to provide the bare minimum assistance" to protect Palestinians from "disastrous" risks such as detention, abuse and deportation.
• Which countries are failing to deliver Gaza aid? IRIN 22 May 2015 -- Gulf Arab states and Turkey have spectacularly failed to fulfill their pledges to Gaza, contributing to a two-thirds shortfall in promised assistance to the beleaguered enclave, a new report reveals.
• Boko Haram militants 'must be brought to justice' - UN chief UN News 22 May 2015 -- United Nations Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon has said he is deeply troubled by Boko Haram's "continuing indiscriminate and horrific attacks" against the civilian populations of Cameroon, Chad, Niger and Nigeria, according to the United Nations.
• Thousands Flee Fighting in N. Mali VOA 22 May 2015 -- The United Nations says it is investigating reports of serious human rights abuses in northern Mali following clashes this week between separatist rebels and pro-government militias.
• Kenya Thwarts Militant Attack Near Garissa VOA 22 May 2015 -- The Kenyan government says its forces repelled Islamic militants who attacked a village in northeastern Kenya, in the same area where militants seized control of a college and killed nearly 150 people last month.

News Reports

• Obama: Iran Deal 'Will Have My Name on It' VOA 22 May 2015 -- President Barack Obama reaffirmed Friday the U.S. commitment to Israel's security and stressed that Iran must not 'under any circumstances be allowed to get a nuclear weapon.'
• Turkey's Main Opposition Party Hopes for Election Breakthrough VOA 22 May 2015 -- Turkey's main opposition Republican People's Party (CHP) has sought an image change ahead of the June 7 general election. The move comes after suffering successive defeats at the hands of the Islamist-rooted AK Party, which has portrayed it as hostile to religion.
• Top negotiators of S.Korea, U.S., Japan to gather for DPRK nuke talks People's Daily 22 May 2015 -- Top nuclear delegates of South Korea, the United States and Japan will meet in Seoul for two days from May 26 to discuss the Democratic People's Republic of Korea (DPRK) 's nuclear program, Seoul's foreign ministry said Friday.
• White House: Senate 'Playing Chicken' With NSA Spying Program VOA 22 May 2015 -- With U.S. senators no closer to reauthorizing the government's domestic surveillance program, the White House is sounding new warnings that the safety and security of Americans is being put at risk.
• German Spy Chief Admits NSA Was Allowed to Ride Roughshod for Years Sputnik 22 May 2015 -- BND Chief Gerhard Schindler told a parliamentary enquiry on Thursday that Germany's dependence on the NSA led to a series of errors on the part of the BND, allowing the NSA to spy on European officials and commercial organizations.
• US Professor Charged With Providing Sensitive Technology to China VOA 22 May 2015 -- U.S. federal prosecutors have charged the chairman of Temple University's physics department in connection with an alleged scheme to provide sensitive technology to China.
• Islamic State Claims Bombing of Shi'ite Mosque in Saudi Arabia VOA 22 May 2015 -- The Islamic State group has claimed responibility for the suicide bombing of a Shi'ite mosque in eastern Saudi Arabia on Friday that killed at least 19 people and wounded dozens of others
• Recent Proton Loss to Push Up Launch Costs - Manufacturer Sputnik 22 May 2015 -- According to the Khrunichev State Research and Production Space Center, recent loss of the Proton-M rocket will push up launch costs and affect the overall number of contracts.
• Disagreements Shadow EU Eastern Partnership Summit RFE/RL 22 May 2015 -- Participants at the EU's Eastern Partnership summit have agreed on a final document affirming the bloc's relations with six neighboring countries in spite of sharp differences on key issues among participants that threatened to upstage the event.
• Latest US-Cuban Talks Ends in Washington VOA 22 May 2015 -- U.S. and Cuban officials say they have made progress in talks on restoring diplomatic ties but there is still more work to do.