Operations
Defense Policy / Programs
Defense Industry
Other Conflicts
News Reports

Current Operations

• Operation Iraqi Freedom (OIF) Casualty Update 06 Jul 2015 [PDF]
• Remarks by the President on Progress in the Fight Against ISIL The White House 06 Jul 2015
• Obama Discusses Anti-ISIL Strategy With National Security Team at Pentagon AFPS 06 Jul 2015 -- President Barack Obama discussed the strategy to degrade and ultimately destroy the Islamic State of Iraq and the Levant with civilian and military leaders of his national security team at the Pentagon today.
• Obama: Fight Against Islamic State 'Will Not Be Quick' VOA 06 Jul 2015 -- U.S. President Barack Obama says the fight against Islamic State radicals will be long, hard-fought and require more than American military might to win.
• Obama to Visit Pentagon to Refine Islamic State Strategy VOA 06 Jul 2015 -- U.S. President Barack Obama makes a rare visit to the Pentagon Monday to confer with national security advisers about refining their strategy to defeat Islamic State militants wreaking havoc in Iraq and Syria.
• Inherent Resolve Airstrikes Continue in Syria, Iraq AFPS 06 Jul 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 Coalition Airstrikes Target IS in Syria, Iraq VOA 06 Jul 2015 -- The U.S.-led coalition carried out 38 airstrikes against Islamic State targets in Syria and Iraq over a 24-hour period Saturday into Sunday with nearly half of the sorties conducted around the self-proclaimed IS capital of Raqqa. Fighting in northern Syria has alarmed neighboring Turkey, which has vowed retaliation if it feels threatened.
• Afghan forces kill 41 Taliban militants in 24 hours Press TV 06 Jul 2015 -- Attacks by Afghan forces against the Taliban across the country have killed 41 militants in 24 hours, Afghanistan's Interior Ministry says.

Defense Policy / Programs

• Carter, Le Drian: U.S.-France Defense Cooperation Never Stronger AFPS 06 Jul 2015 -- Defense Secretary Ash Carter and French Defense Minister Jean-Yves Le Drian met at the Pentagon today to discuss shared concerns, ongoing operations and opportunities to strengthen defense cooperation.
• Joint Press Briefing with Secretary Carter and Defense Minister Le Drian in the Pentagon Briefing Room DoD 06 Jul 2015 -- Presenters: Secretary of Defense Ash Carter and French Minister of Defense Jean-Yves Le Drian
• USS Higgins Departs on Deployment NNS 06 Jul 2015 -- The guided-missile destroyer USS Higgins (DDG 76) departed Naval Base San Diego, July 6 on an independent deployment to the Western Pacific Ocean, Indian Ocean and Middle East.
• USNS Mercy Arrives in Rabaul, Papua New Guinea for Pacific Partnership NNS 06 Jul 2015 -- The Military Sealift Command hospital ship USNS Mercy ship (T-AH 19) arrived in Rabaul, Papua New Guinea, June 5 for the second half of its mission stop in the host nation for Pacific Partnership 2015.
• Lassen, ONI Train Together NNS 06 Jul 2015 -- Two acoustic intelligence (ACINT) specialists from the Office of Naval Intelligence, based out of Washington, D.C., embarked aboard the Arleigh Burke-class guided-missile destroyer USS Lassen (DDG 82) to provide training on acoustic and anti-submarine warfare (ASW) areas, May 15.
• Improvement Plans in the Works for Special Forces Underwater Operations School AFPS 06 Jul 2015 -- As humanitarian, training and operational missions continue in the Asia-Pacific region, the combat diving community's most rigorous school will soon implement its area development plan in support of Defense Secretary Ash Carter's "force of the future" strategy.
• Statement by Secretary of Defense Ash Carter on Department of Defense Personnel Decisions DoD 06 Jul 2015
• 31st MEU to participate in Talisman Saber 2015 USMC News 06 Jul 2015 -- More than 2,000 Marines and Sailors with the 31st Marine Expeditionary Unit will participate in exercise Talisman Saber 2015, a bilateral exercise taking place in a number of locations in Australia from July 7-18.
• Raids with Romanians USMC News 06 Jul 2015 -- U.S. Marines with Black Sea Rotational Force 15.1 concluded their final week-long infantry tactics and live-fire range with Romanian marines at the Babadag Training Area, Romania, June 28 – July 3.
• USS Michigan Visits Yokosuka During Western Pacific Deployment NNS 06 Jul 2015 -- The Ohio-class guided-missile submarine USS Michigan (SSGN 727) arrived at Yokosuka, July 6, to perform a change of command and for a visit as part of its deployment to the Western Pacific.
• USS Pasadena Returns Home From Deployment NNS 06 Jul 2015 -- The Los Angeles-class fast attack submarine USS Pasadena (SSN 752) returned to its homeport July 3 following a regularly scheduled deployment.
• Blue Ridge Visits Allies In Sydney, Prepares For Joint Exercise NNS 06 Jul 2015 -- The U.S. 7th Fleet flagship USS Blue Ridge (LCC 19) arrived in Sydney for a port visit further strengthening the relationship between the partner nations July 3.
• US jets intercept Russian bombers off California, Alaska coasts: Report Press TV 06 Jul 2015 -- The US Air Force reportedly scrambled fighter jets to intercept two pairs of Russian bombers that flew off the coast of California and Alaska on July 4.
• Russia to Station its Deadliest Submarine Near Alaska Sputnik 06 Jul 2015 -- Russia is expected to finish the construction of a submarine base on the Kamchatka Peninsula by the end of October, the Diplomat reported, citing USNI News.
• Russian Su-24M Flanker Jet Crashes in Far East, Both Pilots Killed Sputnik 06 Jul 2015 -- A Russian Su-24M Fencer supersonic attack jet has crashed in Russia's eastern Khabarovsk region killing both pilots, the Russian Defense Ministry said Monday.
• Russia's S-400 Air Defense System to Sport New Missile Sputnik 06 Jul 2015 -- Russia's top-notch S-400 missile defense system is preparing to be equipped with a new, longer range missile, the Russian Missile Forces' commander said in a radio interview Monday.
• Chinese artillery begins live-fire drill People's Daily 06 Jul 2015 -- Artillery troops of the People's Liberation Army (PLA) kicked off a live-fire drill in a training base in northwest China's Lanzhou Military Area Command on Monday.
• PLA issues regulation to close loopholes, end regularities People's Daily 06 Jul 2015 -- The People's Liberation Army has issued a regulation to correct 69 financial irregularities and close all the loopholes in its treasury.
• Russia, Pakistan Negotiating on Military Mi-35 Helicopters Deal Sputnik 06 Jul 2015 -- Russia and Pakistan might sign an agreement on selling the combat Mi-35 helicopters to Islamabad.
• Latest A400M transport aircraft is delivered to the Royal Air Force UK MOD 06 Jul 2015 -- The Ministry of Defence is pleased to announce it has taken delivery of its third A400M Atlas aircraft, which has flown to the UK.
• Press Briefing by Press Secretary Josh Earnest, 7/6/2015 The White House 06 Jul 2015
• July 6, 2015 - U.S. Department of State Daily Press Briefing US Dept. of State 06 Jul 2015

Defense Industry

• DoD News: Contracts for July 06, 2015

Other Conflicts

• 6 July 2015 - Daily Press Briefing by the Office of the Spokesperson for the Secretary-General United Nations 06 Jul 2015
• At Oslo forum, Ban warns capacity to meet humanitarian needs under 'unprecedented strain' UN News 06 Jul 2015 -- The capacity of the United Nations and its partners to meet humanitarian needs is under "unprecedented strain," Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon warned today at a forum in Oslo, Norway, where he highlight the critical role civil society plays as part of the global effort to save lives, support livelihoods and protect people from violence.
• Saudi fighter jets target Yemen, killing at least 10 Press TV 06 Jul 2015 -- Saudi fighter jets have once again targeted various areas in war-torn Yemen, killing at least 10 people in the Arab country.
• IS Boosts Russian-Language Propaganda Efforts RFE/RL 06 Jul 2015 -- The militant group Islamic State (IS) has stepped up its Russian-language propaganda efforts, another sign that its Russian-speaking contingent is becoming more powerful.
• Bomb attacks kill 10, wound 30 in Baghdad Press TV 06 Jul 2015 -- Security and medical officials in Iraq say at least ten people have been killed and 30 others injured in six separate bomb explosions in the capital, Baghdad.
• Syrian Kurdish forces clash with Turkish soldiers Press TV 06 Jul 2015 -- Syrian Kurdish forces have clashed with Turkish soldiers close to a border crossing between Syria and Turkey, a report says.
• Syrian forces, Hezbollah advance into heart of Zabadani Press TV 06 Jul 2015 -- Syrian troops and fighters of the Lebanese resistance movement Hezbollah have made fresh advances in their offensive into the border town of Zabadani, encircling the militants deep into the city.
• Turkey mulling direct military intervention in Syria Press TV 06 Jul 2015 -- The Turkish military has called on all troop commanders stationed along its border with Syria to be present at a meeting aimed at discussing a possible intervention in the crisis-hit country.
• Kurds' Mules a Concern for Turkey's Government VOA 06 Jul 2015 -- Turkish armed forces and Kurdish fighters are clashing regularly in low-grade firefights in southeastern Turkey, and soldiers are targeting local mules, which the authorities claim are used by Kurdish fighters for lucrative cross-border smuggling.
• Boko Haram Violence Tests Nigerians' Faith in Buhari VOA 06 Jul 2015 -- In the past week, Boko Haram militants have slaughtered villagers and bombed churches and mosques across Nigeria's north, challenging the new president's promises to stem the six-year insurgency and testing Nigerians' faith in his ability to do so.
• Boko Haram Violence Tests Nigerians' Faith in Buhari VOA 06 Jul 2015 -- In the past week, Boko Haram militants have slaughtered villagers and bombed churches and mosques across Nigeria's north, challenging the new president's promises to stem the six-year insurgency and testing Nigerians' faith in his ability to do so.
• Bombings Kill 44 in Central Nigeria VOA 06 Jul 2015 -- Officials in Nigeria said Monday that bombings at a mosque and restaurant in the central city of Jos had killed at least 44 people.
• Bomb blasts leave 44 dead in central Nigeria Press TV 06 Jul 2015 -- Two bomb explosions have targeted a mosque and a restaurant in the Nigerian central city of Jos, killing at least 44 people.
• New attacks in northwest Nigeria kill over 30 Press TV 06 Jul 2015 -- New attacks by unidentified assailants in the northwestern state of Zamfara in Nigeria have killed at least 32 people amid a recent escalation of terror attacks in the African country.
• Egypt forces kill 241 militants in 5 days: Military Press TV 06 Jul 2015 -- Egypt's military says it killed 241 militants in the violence-plagued Sinai Peninsula in the first five days of July.
• Former South Korean First Lady to Visit North Korea VOA 06 Jul 2015 -- The wife of late South Korean president Kim Dae-jung will visit North Korea early next month, Kim's foundation said Monday.

News Reports

• Officials Begin Crunch Talks On Iran Deal RFE/RL 06 Jul 2015 -- Foreign ministers from major world powers resumed talks in Vienna, one day before a self-imposed deadline to reach a nuclear deal with Iran.
• Background Briefing in Vienna, Austria US Dept. of State 06 Jul 2015
• Nuclear Deal With Iran Would Be Complex VOA 06 Jul 2015 -- An Iran nuclear deal would essentially a trade: Iran trading its capability to make nuclear weapons in exchange for relief from international economic sanctions.
• Deputies of IAEA director general in Tehran ISNA 06 Jul 2015 -- Deputies of Yukiya Amano, the director general of the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) arrived in the Iranian capital, Tehran, to discuss ways of sorting out issues pertaining to Iran's nuclear program.
• Sen. Corker urges Kerry not to rush to a bad deal with Iran Press TV 06 Jul 2015 -- Bob Corker, chairman of the Senate Foreign Relations Committee, has urged US Secretary of State John Kerry to not rush to a bad nuclear deal in the negotiations with Iran.
• Final Iran Deal Faces Potential Stumbling Block VOA 06 Jul 2015 -- The foreign ministers from the group of six world powers and Iran are locked in intense negotiations in Vienna on Monday with key disputes unresolved, including a potential stumbling block involving a push by Tehran to have a U.N. arms embargo lifted.
• Police Disperse Protesters in Armenia's Capital, Begin Detentions Sputnik 06 Jul 2015 -- Armenian police have begun dispersing protesters against the hike in electricity tariffs in the country's capital of Yerevan, a RIA Novosti correspondent reported from the scene Monday.
• Greek Finance Minister Resigns Following 'No' Vote VOA 06 Jul 2015 -- Greek Finance Minister Yanis Varoufakis resigned Monday, a day after Greek voters overwhelmingly rejected a demand by the country's lenders to impose more austerity measures on the country in exchange for new bailout loans for the government in Athens. His resignation was a surprise because he had said he would only resign if his countrymen voted in favor of accepting the austerity demands.
• Re-Establishment of Diplomatic Relations With Cuba US Dept. of State 06 Jul 2015 -- President Obama announced on July 1, 2015, the historic decision to re-establish diplomatic relations between Cuba and the United States of America, effective July 20. The U.S. Department of State also notified Congress of its intent to convert the U.S. Interests Section in Havana, Cuba to U.S. Embassy Havana, effective on the same date.
• Egypt Journalists Blast New Anti-terror Law VOA 06 Jul 2015 -- New anti-terrorism legislation in Egypt is targeting the media and making it a criminal offense to publish news contradicting the government's version of events in terrorism-related cases.
• UN Fears Rights Violations in China-backed Projects VOA 06 Jul 2015 -- A top U.N. official is expressing concern about whether China-backed development projects overseas will have adequate protections for human rights.