Operations
Defense Policy / Programs
Defense Industry
Other Conflicts
News Reports

Current Operations

• Operation Iraqi Freedom (OIF) Casualty Update 09 Jul 2015 [PDF]
• Airstrikes Hit ISIL Targets in Syria, Iraq AFPS 09 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 drone strike in Afghanistan kills 25 Press TV 09 Jul 2015 -- A US drone strike has killed 25 in the restive eastern Afghan province of Nanagarhar, the third such deadly attack in four days.
• Afghanistan plans 'detailed' peace talks with Taliban Press TV 09 Jul 2015 -- An Afghan negotiator say Kabul is set to hold "detailed" discussions with members of the Taliban militant group on ways to end the fighting in the Asian country in the next session of peace talks slated for later this month.
• Why Afghan Taliban Are Ready to Talk VOA 09 Jul 2015 -- Afghanistan's President Ashraf Ghani's high risk, high rewards gamble in reaching out to Pakistan in return for Pakistan delivering the Afghan Taliban to the negotiating table seems to have paid off – for now.

Defense Policy / Programs

• Army Announces Force Structure and Stationing Decisions DoD 09 Jul 2015 -- The Department of the Army announced today force structure decisions and stationing plans for the reduction of the regular Army from 490,000 to 450,000 soldiers. The reduction of force structure will occur in fiscal years 2016 and 2017; the reduction of 40,000 end strength will be completed by the end of fiscal year 2018, and will be accompanied by the reduction of 17,000 Department of the Army civilian employees. These cuts will impact nearly every Army installation, both in the continental United States and overseas.
• African partners, proximity key to crisis response solutions USMC News 09 Jul 2015 -- Ebola, piracy, illicit trafficking, violent extremist organizations, and attacks against U.S. personnel and facilities are not new occurrences on the African continent. In an effort to directly confront those issues and engage with partner nations, U.S. forces are ensuring crisis-response forces are equipped, strategically located, and ready.
• Joint Chiefs Nominee: Russia, China Biggest Threats to US VOA 09 Jul 2015 -- A U.S. general ranked Russia and China as the number one and two threats to the United States national security.
• Joint Chiefs Nominee Calls Russia #1 Threat, Proposes Arming Ukraine Sputnik 09 Jul 2015 -- During the course of his confirmation hearing before the Senate to become the next Chairman of the US Joint Chiefs of Staff, Marine Corps Commandant Gen. Joseph Dunford Jr. stated that Russia poses 'the greatest threat' to US national security, adding that it would be 'reasonable' for the US to supply Ukraine with heavy weapons, AP reports.
• Joint Medical Exercise Trains for Future Interoperability AFPS 09 Jul 2015 -- One of the largest Defense Department field medical training exercises, combining 1,600 active-duty and reserve personnel from 17 states and three countries, wrapped up June 26.
• GWCSG Improves Combat Efficiency With Dynamic War-at-Sea Exercise During Talisman Sabre NNS 09 Jul 2015 -- The George Washington Carrier Strike Group (GWCSG), the Royal Australian Navy and the Royal New Zealand Navy completed a dynamic war-at-sea exercise (WASEX) as part of Talisman Sabre 2015 (TS15), July 8-9.
• USS Lassen Promotes Maritime Security in South China Sea NNS 09 Jul 2015 -- The Arleigh Burke-class guided-missile destroyer USS Lassen (DDG 82) continues to patrol the South China Sea since the end of May 2015 in support of security and stability in the region.
• NATO Secretary General praises Croatia's role in south-east Europe NATO 09 Jul 2015 -- In a visit to Zagreb on Thursday (9 July 2015), NATO Secretary General Jens Stoltenberg welcomed Croatia's role in south-east Europe and its contributions to keeping the Alliance strong. Describing the country as "a committed Ally", he expressed appreciation for Croatia's participation in NATO missions in Kosovo and Afghanistan, and praised Croatia's leadership role in the region.
• Russia to Double Military Troops on Novaya Zemlya in Arctic by 2020 Sputnik 09 Jul 2015 -- Russian troop grouping on Novaya Zemlya Island will be doubled by 2020, according to the statement of source.
• China's military establishes first national security think tank People's Daily 09 Jul 2015 -- China's military Thursday established its first think tank for national security studies at the National Defense University of the People's Liberation Army(PLA).
• Russia to Supply Iraqi Army With Mine Clearing Vehicles Under 'Secret' Deal Sputnik 09 Jul 2015 -- Russia is set to supply the Iraqi army with approximately 400 advanced mine clearing vehicles next week for clearing the mines planted by the Islamic State (IS) in vast areas, according to a report from Iran's Fars News Agency (FNA).
• Press Briefing by Press Secretary Josh Earnest, 7/9/2015 The White House 09 Jul 2015
• July 9, 2015 - U.S. Department of State Daily Press Briefing US Dept. of State 09 Jul 2015

Defense Industry

• DoD News: Contracts for July 09, 2015
• Bolstering Bilateral Ties: Russia, China Designing New Heavy Copter Sputnik 09 Jul 2015 -- Russia and China have reportedly agreed on a concept for a new transport helicopter which will have a payload capacity of fifteen metric tons.

Other Conflicts

• 9 July 2015 - Daily Press Briefing by the Office of the Spokesperson for the Secretary-General United Nations 09 Jul 2015
• Yemen: UN chief welcomes announcement of humanitarian ceasefire UN News 09 Jul 2015 -- Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon has welcomed the decision by Yemeni stakeholders to implement a humanitarian pause in the country's ongoing conflict and has reiterated his belief that the only sustainable solution to the crisis is through "peaceful and inclusive dialogue and negotiations," the United Nations confirmed today.
• UN: 'Humanitarian Pause' to Begin in Yemen Friday VOA 09 Jul 2015 -- The United Nations has announced a humanitarian pause in fighting will begin Friday in Yemen, providing a break in Saudi-led airstrikes and fighting with the Houthi militia that will allow aid to reach millions of Yemenis around the country.
• Taking back the narrative from Islamic State IRIN 09 Jul 2015 -- As the so-called Islamic State (also known as ISIS or ISIL) has spread, part of its success has been its ability to dominate the message online, with slick propaganda helping it develop legions of fans across the globe. For now, ISIS is winning the messaging war.
• 11 civilians killed in rockets attacks by ISIL in Iraq's Fallujah Press TV 09 Jul 2015 -- Medical sources in Iraq say nearly a dozen civilians, among them women and children, have been killed and more than three dozen others injured in rocket attacks by Takfiri ISIL militants against residential neighborhoods in the western city of Fallujah.
• Over 4mn refugees fled Syria: UN Press TV 09 Jul 2015 -- The United Nations says the number of Syrian refugees fleeing violence in their country has surpassed four million as the crisis there intensifies.
• Syrian army kills 35 ISIL terrorists near Palmyra Press TV 09 Jul 2015 -- At least 35 Takfiri ISIL terrorists have been killed and 90 others injured in an operation conducted by the Syrian army near the ancient city of Palmyra in the central province of Homs.
• Syrian refugee numbers pass four million as war rages on - UN UN News 09 Jul 2015 -- The exodus spawned by the four-year long Syrian conflict has now become the United Nations refugee agency's largest crisis in almost a quarter of a century and risks deteriorating even further as fighting in the country shows no sign of abating.
• UN: 4 Million Refugees Have Left Syria VOA 09 Jul 2015 -- The U.N. refugee agency says the number of refugees fleeing conflict in Syria, for the first time, has topped 4 million, making Syria the world's biggest refugee crisis in a generation. With no solution to the conflict in sight, the UNHCR says it expects the number of refugees to exceed 4.25 million by the end of the year. The U.N. refugee agency says this milestone comes barely 10 months after the 3 million mark was reached.
• Clashes in Libya's Benghazi leaves 14 dead, 53 injured Press TV 09 Jul 2015 -- At least 14 people have reportedly been killed in a fresh wave of fighting between militants and forces loyal to Libya's internationally recognized government in the restive city of Benghazi.
• Nigeria Arrests Suspect in Deadly Bombing Attacks VOA 09 Jul 2015 -- Nigeria's military said late Wednesday it arrested a suspect believed to be the mastermind recent attacks on the central city of Jos and the northern town of Zaria. Both attacks killed more than 70 people.
• Lavrov: For Russia, Issue of Crimea 'Closed' VOA 09 Jul 2015 -- Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov has reiterated Russia's position on its annexation of Crimea, saying that Moscow considers the matter "closed."
• US Chastises South Sudan Over Continued Violence VOA 09 Jul 2015 -- The U.S. National Security Advisor has harshly criticized South Sudan on the anniversary of its independence, saying President Salva Kiir and the former vice president, rebel leader Riek Machar, are directly responsible for the country's return to war.
• Food aid cut to Malian refugees in Mauritania IRIN 09 Jul 2015 -- Nearly 50,000 Malian refugees are at risk following the suspension of food aid to their camp in southeastern Mauritania, with NGOs warning of a significant increase in acute malnutrition, particularly among children under five, and pregnant and lactating women.

News Reports

• Updating the EU/P5+1 Ongoing Negotiations With Iran US Dept. of State 09 Jul 2015 -- Remarks by John Kerry, Secretary of State
• New Issues Threaten to Derail Iran Nuclear Deal VOA 09 Jul 2015 -- As hard deadlines for an Iran nuclear deal softened and extended talks among the six countries negotiating with Tehran stretched into a second week, new issues have surfaced that threaten to derail the process.
• Obama Said To Put Odds Of Iran Nuclear Deal At Only 50 Percent RFE/RL 09 Jul 2015 -- U.S. President Barack Obama put the odds for an Iran nuclear deal at only 50-50 in a closed-door White House meeting with Senate Democrats, congressional participants said July 8.
• Kerry on Iran Talks: 'We Will Not Wait Forever' VOA 09 Jul 2015 -- U.S. Secretary of State John Kerry said Thursday if difficult decisions are not made in Iran nuclear discussions, negotiators are ready to 'end this process.'
• A week from presidential polls, Burundi on 'brink of devastating violence,' Security Council told UN News 09 Jul 2015 -- Two weeks after the contested legislative and communal elections that took place in Burundi and with presidential polls just days away, senior United Nations officials warned the Security Council today that situation prevailing in the Central African country is once again at risk of sliding into violence.
• UN: Burundi on Brink Again VOA 09 Jul 2015 -- A senior U.N. official is warning progress in Burundi is in danger of slipping away as President Pierre Nkurunziza presses ahead with controversial plans to seek a third term.
• Thailand Draws Ire Over Deportation of Uighurs to China VOA 09 Jul 2015 -- Thailand's military government Thursday confirmed the deportation of more than 100 ethnic Uighur people from western Xinjiang province back to China, a move condemned by rights groups and the United Nations. The deportation followed months of negotiations and came after more than 170 Uighurs were cleared to travel to Turkey last week.
• Thai Consulate Attacked in Istanbul VOA 09 Jul 2015 -- The Thai consulate was attacked early Thursday in Istanbul, following the news of Thailand deporting Uighurs to China.
• Saud al-Faisal, Saudi Foreign Minister for 40 Years, Dies at 75 VOA 09 Jul 2015 -- Former Saudi Arabian foreign minister Prince Saud al-Faisal, one of the most prominent members of the Saudi royal family, has died.
• Draft Cybersecurity Law Raises Concerns in China VOA 09 Jul 2015 -- China has published a draft cybersecurity law that consolidates Beijing's control over data, sparking concerns about speech, dissent and intellectual property rights.
• Korean Complex Output Increases Despite Wage Dispute VOA 09 Jul 2015 -- South Korea said Thursday that the economic output of the Kaesong Industrial Complex had increased this year, despite a wage dispute.
• UN warns of child deaths in N Korea drought Press TV 09 Jul 2015 -- The United Nations (UN) has warned that a serious drought in North Korea requires urgent action to prevent the death of children already weakened by widespread malnutrition.
• BRICS Holds Summit In Russia RFE/RL 09 Jul 2015 -- Russian President Vladimir Putin has met with the leaders of emerging powers in the Russian city of Ufa for a summit widely seen as an attempt by Moscow to show it is not isolated despite its standoff with the West over the conflict in Ukraine.
• Merkel Praises Debt-Averse Balkans, Contrasts With Greece RFE/RL 09 Jul 2015 -- Balkan countries aspiring for European Union membership can reach their goals despite the crisis in Greece, Angela Merkel said July 8 as she began a two-day tour of the region.
• Some $3.2 billion needed for Ebola recovery efforts in Guinea, Liberia and Sierra Leone - UN UN News 09 Jul 2015 -- United Nations Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon will call for continued solidarity with the three West African countries most impacted by the unprecedented Ebola outbreak at tomorrow's International Ebola Recovery Conference in New York, which will seek to raise $3.2 billion over the next two years so that Guinea, Liberia and Sierra Leone can begin to recover from the crisis.