Operations
Defense Policy / Programs
Defense Industry
Other Conflicts
News Reports

Current Operations

• Operation Iraqi Freedom (OIF) Casualty Update 10 Jul 2015 [PDF]
• Strike in Afghanistan Kills IS Commanders VOA 10 Jul 2015 -- Afghan security officials say a U.S. drone strike in eastern Afghanistan killed two senior Pakistani militants who had pledged allegiance to the Islamic State.
• Afghanistan: Security Council welcomes direct talks between Government and Taliban UN News 10 Jul 2015 -- The United Nations Security Council has welcomed the recently held direct talks between Afghan Government and Taliban representatives as a step towards "peace and reconciliation" in the region.

Defense Policy / Programs

• New Atomic Bomb to Reduce US Nuclear Arsenal by Type - NNSA Sputnik 10 Jul 2015 -- The new B61-12 atomic gravity bomb will replace four earlier variants, according to US National Nuclear Security Administration (NNSA) spokesperson.
• US Military Successfully Test Nuclear Gravity Bomb Sputnik 10 Jul 2015 -- The United States Air Force and National Nuclear Security Administration (NNSA) successfully tested the latest version of a nuclear bomb that was originally developed in the early 1960s.
• US takes partnerships to new heights AFNS 10 Jul 2015 -- U.S. Air Force and Army counterparts joined together with service members from nine allied countries to participate in International Jump Week here July 6-10.
• Remarks by Secretary Carter at the Global Response Force Troop Event at Fort Bragg, North Carolina DoD 10 Jul 2015 -- Presenter: Secretary of Defense Ash Carter
• 74 years and counting, 2nd MAW looks toward future as premier aircraft wing USMC News 10 Jul 2015
• U.S., Korean Marines share valuable training at Peninsula Express 15 USMC News 10 Jul 2015 -- On an overcast July morning in Pohang, Republic of Korea, assault amphibious vehicles cut through the sea toward Dogu Beach. As the AAVs emerge from the surf, the water displaced by the mass of the vehicles surges along the beach.
• Team Carl Vinson Completes Ammo Offload NNS 10 Jul 2015 -- The aircraft carrier USS Carl Vinson (CVN 70) conducted a successful ammunition offload in preparation for an upcoming planned incremental availability (PIA) period, July 9.
• Carter Calls Bragg Troops 'Tip of Spear' for New Strategic Era AFPS 10 Jul 2015 -- Defense Secretary Ash Carter thanked soldiers at Fort Bragg, North Carolina, today for their past service and said they will be the "tip of the spear" for the new strategic era the world is entering.
• Department of Defense Releases First Quarter 2015 Suicide Information DoD 10 Jul 2015 -- Today, the Department of Defense released the Quarterly Suicide Report (QSR) for the first quarter of calendar year 2015.
• USS Oscar Austin Returns Home NNS 10 Jul 2015 -- The Arleigh Burke-class guided-missile destroyer USS Oscar Austin (DDG 79) returned to homeport at Naval Station Norfolk, July 10, after completing an eight-month independent deployment to the U.S. 5th and 6th Fleet areas of responsibility (AOR).
• U.S. Army to cut 40,000 soldiers, 17,000 civilians by fiscal 2018 People's Daily 10 Jul 2015 -- By the end of September in 2018, the U.S. Army expects to carry out a comprehensive brigades realignment by shrinking its size from 490,000 to 450,000 due to budget constraints, according to a statement released by U.S. Defense Department on Thursday.
• Pentagon Announces New US Army Combat Force Cutback Over Next Two Years Sputnik 10 Jul 2015 -- The US Department of the Defense is cutting the size of its regular force from 490,000 to 450,000 soldiers over fiscal years 2016 and 2017 because of required budget cuts, the Department of Defense News reported.
• Russian Military Space Programs to Continue Despite Sanctions Sputnik 10 Jul 2015 -- Military spacecraft launches in 2015 will be implemented despite sanctions introduced by the West against Russia, Deputy Defense Minister Yuri Borisov said on Thursday.
• Lurking in the Depths: Russia to Relaunch Counter-Submarine Helicopter Sputnik 10 Jul 2015 -- Russia's defense industry said that it is ready to relaunch production of the legendary Mi-14 nuclear-capable submarine-hunting amphibious helicopter.
• Russia, France Prepare Agreement on Mistral Deal Sputnik 10 Jul 2015 -- Moscow and Paris are ready for an agreement on Mistral non-delivery, according to a military source.
• Russian Naval Cruisers Fire Supersonic Cruise Missiles in Sea of Okhotsk Sputnik 10 Jul 2015 -- Russian Pacific Fleet crew ungergoing exercises in the Sea of Okhotsk, Defense Ministry confirms.
• Royal Navy's latest submarine to set sail this summer UK MOD 10 Jul 2015 -- HMS Artful, the third of the Royal Navy's new Astute Class attack submarines will set sail for sea trials this summer
• Serbia Develops State-of-the-Art, Armata-Style Battle Tank Sputnik 10 Jul 2015 -- A concept of the Russian Armata-like 'Serbian tank of the future', the М-20UP-1, has reportedly been presented at the Partner 2015 military exhibition in Belgrade.
• Military inspectors nab another 'tiger' in graft probe People's Daily 10 Jul 2015 -- People's Liberation Army (PLA) disciplinary inspectors on Friday said they have put Deng Ruihua, former political commissar of the joint logistics department of Lanzhou Military Area Command, under investigation for alleged'serious violations of discipline and laws.'
• Australia Refuses to Buy F-35B for Its Military Sputnik 10 Jul 2015 -- Australia has scrapped plans to purchase F-35B fighter jets for the two largest ships in its Navy after it was found that the ships would require extensive modifications which were deemed to be too costly.
• July 10, 2015 - U.S. Department of State Daily Press Briefing US Dept. of State 10 Jul 2015

Defense Industry

• DoD News: Contracts for July 10, 2015

Other Conflicts

• 10 July 2015 - Daily Press Briefing by the Office of the Spokesperson for the Secretary-General United Nations 10 Jul 2015
• Ahead of Yemen ceasefire, UNICEF sounds alarm about impact of crisis on children UN News 10 Jul 2015 -- Yemen's humanitarian crisis has reached a new low amid disintegrating health services and the spread of infectious disease among children, the United Nations Children's Fund (UNICEF) confirmed today just hours before a ceasefire aimed at facilitating the delivery of critical relief is slated to begin.
• UNHCR Spokesman: 'No End in Sight' to Syrian Refugee Problem VOA 10 Jul 2015 -- A spokesman for the U.N. refugee agency warns that the number of refugees fleeing Syria is 'likely to continue to grow' beyond the 4 million who have so far left their country.
• Syrian, Lebanese Fighters Surround 1,500 Nusra Rebels Near Damascus Sputnik 10 Jul 2015 -- Approximately 1,500 al-Nusra Front rebels were surrounded by Syrian troops and fighters from the Lebanese Hezbollah movement in the Zahra region to the west of Zabadani outside Damascus.
• Turkey Says Refugee Burden Unsustainable VOA 10 Jul 2015 -- Turkish officials said they will be unable to cope with any new influx of refugees from the civil war in Syria, warning that Europe could be faced with growing numbers of Syrians trying to reach its shores aboard people-smugglers' boats.
• Libya: UN envoy calls for end to fighting in Benghazi, urges political solution to crisis UN News 10 Jul 2015 -- The Secretary-General's Special Representative for Libya, Bernardino León, has condemned the escalating hostilities in the country's eastern city of Benghazi and the heavy toll being felt by the area's civilians, the United Nations mission in the country confirmed today.
• UN experts report uptick in flow of Tunisian militants to conflict zones, call for urgent response UN News 10 Jul 2015 -- The number of Tunisian militants flocking to join the hostilities in Syria and Iraq is one of the highest among those traveling to fight alongside extremists in the Middle East's two most dogged conflicts, the United Nations Working Group on the use of mercenaries confirmed today.
• As Ukraine fighting continues, UN warns of worsening humanitarian crisis UN News 10 Jul 2015 -- The humanitarian crisis in Ukraine is continuing to deteriorate as the number of Ukrainians in need of assistance has now reached a total of five million people, a spokesperson for the United Nations relief arm reported today.
• Poroshenko, Merkel, Hollande Discuss Implementation of Minsk Agreements Sputnik 10 Jul 2015 -- Ukrainian President Petro Poroshenko, German Chancellor Angela Merkel and French President Francois Hollande agreed on the need to intensify efforts to achieve a complete ceasefire and the withdrawal of heavy weapons in eastern Ukraine.
• Ukraine Settlement Stalled But Success More Likely Than Failure - Putin Sputnik 10 Jul 2015 -- Russian President Vladimir Putin said that there is no other solution to the Ukraine problem than to peacefully resolve it through a full and unconditional implementation of the agreements reached in Minsk.
• Right Sector Refuses to Leave Shirokino Despite Demilitarization Offer Sputnik 10 Jul 2015 -- Ukrainian volunteer battalions have reportedly refused to leave the village of Shirokino in eastern Ukraine, which had been declared a demilitarized zone.
• UN Slams South Sudan's Leadership Sputnik 10 Jul 2015 -- The UN Security Council has expressed disappointment with South Sudan's President Salva Kiir and his ex-deputy Riek Machar who continue to fuel violence in the country which is celebrating the fourth anniversary of its independence from Sudan.
• Secrecy in Sinai - an unknown human toll IRIN 10 Jul 2015 -- Ever since Islamic State-affiliated militants tried to take the town of Sheikh Zuwayed in North Sinai last week, the Egyptian media has talked of little else. "What mistakes were made?" "Where did they get their weapons from?" and "What can be done to rid the country of the scourge of Islamist militants?" have been common refrains.
• India-Pakistan Tensions Ease After Leaders Meet VOA 10 Jul 2015 -- A meeting between Indian and Pakistani leaders on the sidelines of the Shanghai Cooperation Organisation Summit in Russia on Friday produced a thaw in tense relations between the South Asian rivals.
• Deadly Seige on Mogadishu Hotels VOA 10 Jul 2015 -- Al-Shabab gunmen attacked two hotels in Somalia's capital Friday evening, killing at least six people.

News Reports

• Nuclear Talks To Continue Over Weekend RFE/RL 10 Jul 2015 -- Nuclear negotiations between Iran and major powers look set to continue into the weekend.
• Iran Nuclear Talks Extended Again VOA 10 Jul 2015 -- An interim nuclear agreement between Iran and world powers will be extended through Monday, to provide negotiators in Vienna more time for talks on a comprehensive deal, a senior U.S. State Department official said Friday.
• Interim Iran nuclear deal extended to Monday to allow more talks, US Says IRNA 10 Jul 2015 -- Iran and major powers gave themselves until Monday to reach a nuclear agreement, their third extension in two weeks, as Tehran accused the West of throwing up new stumbling blocks to a deal.
• EU further extends Iran sanctions freeze until Monday IRNA 10 Jul 2015 -- The European Union extended until Monday a suspension on sanctions on Iran, in the second move this month to allow more time for talks in Vienna to achieve a deal, the European Council said in a statement.
• Velayati: Iran not to yield to pressure, psychological warfare IRNA 10 Jul 2015 -- Iranian negotiating team will not yield to pressures or psychological warfare, Advisor to the Supreme Leader and head of the Strategic Research Center of Iranian Expediency Council Ali Akbar Velayati said.
• Zarif advises G5+1 to opt for accord or pressure IRNA 10 Jul 2015 -- Foreign Minister Mohammad-Javad Zarif said in Vienna on Friday that the G5+1 party should opt for a deal or pressure.
• Zarif: N. deal to be obtained if G5+1 seeks 'balanced, honorable agreement' ISNA 10 Jul 2015 -- Iranian Foreign Minister Mohammad-Javad Zarif reiterated that nuclear deal will be defiantly achieved in case G5+1 seeks a 'balanced and honorable agreement.'
• Iran official hopes US would lay aside sensitivities on sanctions ISNA 10 Jul 2015 -- An Iranian official expressed the hope that the US would lay aside its sensitivities about sanctions imposed on Iran.
• US Senators Introduce Bill to Expand Sanctions on North Korea VOA 10 Jul 2015 -- Two U.S. senators have introduced a bill to toughen sanctions against North Korea, responding to a House measure introduced earlier this year.
• Greek Crisis Threatens To Become Crisis In Georgia, Too RFE/RL 10 Jul 2015 -- In this age of globalization, when Greece sneezes, even Georgia catches a cold.
• Four Ways Ukraine Isn't Greece RFE/RL 10 Jul 2015 -- Both Ukraine and Greece are seeking debt relief from foreign creditors as the two countries teeter on the brink of insolvency. Officials in Kyiv and Athens say their nations' debt levels are unsustainable and must be restructured, an assessment echoed by the International Monetary Fund (IMF). But while both countries push to stave off bankruptcy, here are four differences between their respective financial predicaments.
• UN rights office warns about consequences of 'extremely tense' situation in Burundi UN News 10 Jul 2015 -- One day after United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights Zeid Ra'ad Al Hussein alerted the Security Council about the seriousness of the electoral crisis in Burundi, his Office today issued a new warning about the impact the "extremely tense situation" there could have on the stability and the development of Central Africa.
• UN Burundi Election May Destabilize Region VOA 10 Jul 2015 -- The United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights warns politically-inspired violence preceding Burundi's presidential election next week could explode and lead to regional instability.
• After BRICS, Putin Hosts Shanghai Cooperation Organization Summit In Ufa RFE/RL 10 Jul 2015 -- Russian President Vladimir Putin hosted regional leaders at a summit of the Shanghai Cooperation Organization (SCO) on July 10, a second day of meetings meant to show the West that Moscow has friends and influence elsewhere at a time when ties with the United States and EU are tense.
• US spy agency tapped German chancellery for decades People's Daily 10 Jul 2015 -- The US National Security Agency tapped phone calls involving German Chancellor Angela Merkel and her closest advisers for years and spied on the staff of her predecessors, according to WikiLeaks.
• UN and regional leaders launch effort to put Ebola-affected West Africa on path to recovery UN News 10 Jul 2015 -- United Nations Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon today focused world attention on the "final stretch" of the response to the Ebola outbreak in West Africa, an epidemic that has killed more than 11,000 people, saying: "let us collectively take a deep breath and resolve to finish the job" and put the most affected countries on the path of recovery.
• Thefts Rise as Nigerian Pipeline Surveillance Falters VOA 10 Jul 2015 -- The rising number of attacks on oil pipelines is presenting a challenge to the new government of President Muhammadu Buhari as he formulates an expected overhaul of Nigeria's oil industry.
• S. Sudan Presidential Mandate Extension - Constitutional? VOA 10 Jul 2015 -- South Sudan's presidential spokesman has denied accusations President Salva Kiir unilaterally extended his mandate for three additional years.