Operations
Defense Policy / Programs
Defense Industry
Other Conflicts
News Reports

Current Operations

• Operation Iraqi Freedom (OIF) Casualty Update 17 Jul 2015 [PDF]
• Operation Inherent Resolve Strikes Continue in Syria, Iraq AFPS 17 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.
• Afghan president backs peace talks with Taliban Press TV 17 Jul 2015 -- Afghanistan's President Ashraf Ghani says negotiations with Taliban could help 'end the bloodshed" in the war-wracked country.

Defense Policy / Programs

• 3rd largest wideband enterprise terminal upgrade in progress AFNS 17 Jul 2015 -- A key system that helps ensure the global free flow of information throughout all military branches and other government agencies is undergoing a major overhaul.
• Human performance team helps RPA Airmen combat stress AFNS 17 Jul 2015 -- As the persistent demand for remotely piloted aircraft support increases, the burden on the Airmen who fly, maintain and support these operations also increases, often leaving some people to question their abilities to continue in this stressful job.
• AF generals testify for their future positions AFNS 17 Jul 2015 -- Two Air Force generals testified before the Senate Armed Services Committee during their nomination hearing as the next U.S. Transportation Command commander and new vice chairman to the Joint Chiefs of Staff July 14.
• Carter Recognizes Agency Devoted to Improvised Threats AFPS 17 Jul 2015 -- Defense Secretary Ash Carter presented the Joint Meritorious Unit Award to the Joint Improvised Explosive Device Defeat Organization -- now called the Joint Improvised-Threat Defeat Agency -- in a Pentagon ceremony yesterday.
• Dempsey Describes Chairman's Job as Being 'The Dash' AFPS 17 Jul 2015 -- In the world of political-military affairs, Army Gen. Martin E. Dempsey likes to say that he is "the dash."
• Navy Announces Christening of Littoral Combat Ship Little Rock DoD 17 Jul 2015 -- The Navy's newest littoral combat ship (LCS), the future USS Little Rock (LCS 9), will be christened Saturday, July 18, during a 10 a.m. CDT ceremony at Marinette Marine Corporation's shipyard in Marinette, Wisconsin.
• Pacific Marines train with Australian Defence Force in Talisman Sabre 15 USMC News 17 Jul 2015 -- Nearly 5,000 Marines from the Pacific region joined with the Australian Defence Force Exercise Talisman Sabre 15, July 4.
• Antietam, Australian Defence Force Strengthen Air Defense Readiness NNS 17 Jul 2015 -- The Ticonderoga-class guided-missile cruiser USS Antietam (CG 54) participated in an air defense exercise (ADEX) with the Australian Defence Force in support of Talisman Sabre (TS) 2015, July 12.
• USNS Mercy Arrives in Roxas City, Philippines for Pacific Partnership NNS 17 Jul 2015 -- The Military Sealift Command hospital ship USNS Mercy (T-AH 19) arrived in Roxas City, Philippines, July 18 for the first half of its mission stop in the host nation for Pacific Partnership 2015.
• NATO Allies tackle Platinum Lion final exercise USMC News 17 Jul 2015 -- U.S. Marines with 2nd Battalion, 8th Marine Regiment, Black Sea Rotational Force and members of the armed forces of Bulgaria, Romania, United Kingdom and Albania completed the culminating event for Platinum Lion 15-3.
• Russia's Modernized Tu-160 Bomber: New Missiles, State-of-the-Art Engine Sputnik 17 Jul 2015 -- A modernized version of the Russian strategic bomber Tu-160 will be equipped with several types of new missiles, according to the country's Deputy Defense Minister Yuri Borisov.
• Russia's upgraded Tu-160M2 missile carriers to be in service at least 40 years - official TASS 17 Jul 2015 -- The modernized Tupolev Tu-160M2 missile carrying strategic bombers of Russia's Long Range Aviation will be in service for at least 40 years, Deputy Defense Minister Yuri Borisov said on Friday.
• Several types of missiles being developed for Russia's Tupolev Tu-160M2 bombers - ministry TASS 17 Jul 2015 -- Several types of new aircraft missiles are being developed for the Tupolev Tu-160M2 strategic bombers, Russian Deputy Defense Minister Yuri Borisov said on Friday.
• Serial production of Russia's Tupolev Tu-160M2 bomber to begin in 2023 - Defense Ministry TASS 17 Jul 2015 -- Serial production of Russia's strategic bomber Tupolev Tu-160M2 will be launched starting from 2023, and the implementation of the next-generation strategic bomber design project (prospective long-range aviation complex - PAK DA) will be somewhat shifted in time, Russian Deputy Defense Minister Yuri Borisov told reporters on Friday.
• US offers to boost military aid to Israel after outcome of Iran talks: Report Press TV 17 Jul 2015 -- The United States has reportedly increased its military aid package to Israel, which would include another squadron of F-35 fighter jets, in an attempt to comfort the crying regime in Tel Aviv over the historic conclusion of nuclear talks between Iran and the P5+1 countries.
• Israel Reevaluating Security in Light of Iran Nuclear Deal Sputnik 17 Jul 2015 -- Israel, a consistently vocal critic of nuclear negotiation with Tehran, called the deal a historical mistake, claiming that Iran will build a nuclear bomb if the current economic restrictions are removed.
• Press Briefing by Press Secretary Josh Earnest, 7/17/2015 The White House 17 Jul 2015
• Press Call on the Upcoming Visit of the President of Nigeria The White House 17 Jul 2015
• July 17, 2015 - U.S. Department of State Daily Press Briefing US Dept. of State 17 Jul 2015

Defense Industry

• DoD News: Contracts for July 17, 2015

Other Conflicts

• Japanese May Patrol South China Sea Sputnik 17 Jul 2015 -- China's unwavering stance on various territorial disputes and the number of artificial islands it is constructing have led Japan to consider patrolling the South China Sea and conducting surveillance there, according to Admiral Katsutoshi Kawano, Japan's military chief.
• Saudi Arabia sends Special Forces into Yemen: Report Press TV 17 Jul 2015 -- Saudi Arabia has reportedly sent Special Forces into Yemen under the pretext of escorting some fugitive former Yemeni officials back into its war-torn southern neighbor, in another violation of Yemeni sovereignty.
• Areas across Yemen hit by Saudi warplanes Press TV 17 Jul 2015 -- Incessant Saudi bombardment against Yemen continues to inflict a heavy toll on innocent civilians despite calls for an end to Riyadh's deadly aggression against the impoverished Arab country.
• At Eid, Iraqi charities take the lead IRIN 17 Jul 2015 -- Zeina stands in the courtyard of the Sheikh Choli mosque in Erbil in northern Iraq, her navy blue scarf revealing an inch of dyed blonde hair. She holds a clipboard and directs a queue of women waiting to receive food packages. Today, this includes fresh bread and an entire frozen chicken; cooked rice is spooned into plastic bags as a take-away.
• 31 killed in clashes with IS in Iraq People's Daily 17 Jul 2015 -- Fierce clashes and air strikes against the Islamic State (IS) militants killed 31 across Iraq on Thursday, security sources said.
• Turkey Cracks Down on Islamic State Militants VOA 17 Jul 2015 -- Turkish security forces are engaging in what is being seen as an unprecedented crackdown on the Islamic State militant group – an indication that Ankara's policy towards the Islamic group has changed.
• Damning Video Shows Pro-Russian Rebels Surprised MH17 Was Civilian RFE/RL 17 Jul 2015 -- Damning video obtained by Australian media shows pro-Russian rebels in eastern Ukraine sifting through the wreckage of MH17 and finding to their surprise that the aircraft was civilian rather than military.
• Russia's RT Spins And Spins Over New MH17 Footage RFE/RL 17 Jul 2015 -- Russia's Kremlin-controlled RT has heavily redacted previously unreleased footage of the MH17 crash site that is consistent with indications that the Malaysian airliner was mistakenly shot down by Russian-backed rebels who thought they had destroyed a Ukrainian military jet.
• Australia, Ukraine, Netherlands Mark Anniversary Of MH17 Airline Tragedy RFE/RL 17 Jul 2015 -- Memorial services were being held in Ukraine, Australia, and the Netherlands on July 17 to mark the first anniversary of the MH17 airline disaster that killed 298 people.
• Ceremonies Mark Anniversary of MH17 VOA 17 Jul 2015 -- Ceremonies are being held in several countries Friday to mark one year since a Malaysia Airlines passenger jet exploded over Ukraine, killing all 298 people on board.
• Putin opposed to int'l tribunal on MH17 crash People's Daily 17 Jul 2015 -- Russian President Vladimir Putin on Thursday expressed opposition to the formation of an international criminal tribunal for the downing of Malaysia Airlines Flight MH17 a year ago.
• Pakistan urges UN to investigate truce violation on India border Press TV 17 Jul 2015 -- Pakistan has called for the United Nations peacekeeping force stationed on its border with India to investigate recent ceasefire violations in the region.
• Uganda announces air force deployment in Somalia Press TV 17 Jul 2015 -- The Ugandan air force says it is going to deploy fighter jets in Somalia to help the war-torn country battle al-Shabab militants.
• South Ossetia: Ban calls on all parties to refrain from any steps that could be seen as 'provocative' UN News 17 Jul 2015 -- Concerned by the recent events at the line of control of South Ossetia, in Georgia, the top United Nations official has expressed yesterday evening his concerns regarding activities that may negatively impact the freedom of movement and livelihood of the local population
• UN chief condemns terrorist attacks that killed 60 people in northeast Nigeria UN News 17 Jul 2015 -- United Nations Secretary-General Bank Ki-moon today condemned the terrorist attacks that killed over 60 people in the towns of Gombe and Damaturu, in northeast Nigeria over the last two days.
• South Sudan: UN official cites will of the people to achieve peace despite 'bleak' situation UN News 17 Jul 2015 -- The outlook for South Sudan is not completely bleak, a senior United Nations has said in Juba, noting that travelling throughout the country, he has repeatedly heard the phrase: "we want peace now."
• Over 100 people killed in Darfur tribal clashes Press TV 17 Jul 2015 -- Fresh violent clashes between rival tribes in the South Darfur region of western Sudan have claimed the lives of at least 100 people and injured hundreds of others, sources say.

News Reports

• Carter Approves Force-Protection Steps in Wake of Chattanooga Shootings AFPS 17 Jul 2015 -- Defense Secretary Ash Carter approved immediate force-protection steps in the wake of yesterday's shooting incidents in Chattanooga, Tennessee, that left four Marines dead and a Navy sailor wounded, Pentagon Press Secretary Peter Cook said today.
• FBI Investigates Motive of Gunman Who Killed 4 Marines VOA 17 Jul 2015 -- The U.S. Federal Bureau of Investigation agent in charge of the investigation of the shootings at two military facilities Thursday in Chattanooga, Tennessee, said the agency is investigating the shooter's motive.
• A Statement from Chief of Navy Reserve Vice Adm. Robin R. Braun Regarding the Events at Navy Operational Support Center Chattanooga NNS 17 Jul 2015 -- The entire Navy Reserve Force extends its deepest sympathies to the families of the United States Marines who were tragically killed at Navy Operational Support Center Chattanooga. Our thoughts and prayers are also with the Navy Reserve Sailor who was critically wounded during yesterday's shooting.
• FBI Following Up All Leads in Chattanooga VOA 17 Jul 2015 -- The FBI and other law enforcement have investigated 70 leads so far as they follow up on the shooting rampage in Chattanooga, Tennessee.
• IS Claims Saudi Arabia Suicide Blast VOA 17 Jul 2015 -- The Islamic State militant group has claimed responsibility for a suicide bombing at a police checkpoint near Saudi Arabia's capital.
• Suspects slain in Bishkek anti-terror operation linked to ISIL Press TV 17 Jul 2015 -- Kyrgyz officials say the six suspects killed in a recent anti-terror operation in the capital, Bishkek, were linked to the Takfiri ISIL terrorist group.
• Kyrgyzstan Claims Neutralized IS Members Planned Attacks RFE/RL 17 Jul 2015 -- Kyrgyz authorities say that alleged militants killed and detained in Bishkek on July 16 were members of the Islamic State (IS) extremist group receiving support from Syria.
• Background Briefing on Cuba US Dept. of State 17 Jul 2015
• Dempsey: Time, Iranian Behavior Will Determine Pact's Success AFPS 17 Jul 2015 -- Time and Iranian behavior will determine whether the Iran nuclear pact has achieved its intended objective, the chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff said today.
• Javad Zarif on Iran's post-deal future IRNA 17 Jul 2015 -- Iranian Foreign Minister Mohammad Javad Zarif had an interview on post-sanctions period with The New Yorker's Robin Wright which was published on July 15.
• Obama Meets Saudi FM to Discuss Iran Nuclear Deal VOA 17 Jul 2015 -- Uneasy about the Iran nuclear deal, Saudi Arabia on Friday sent its foreign minister, Adel al-Jubeir, to the White House, where he received reassurances from President Barack Obama.
• Iran Deal Is Likely 2016 Campaign Issue in US VOA 17 Jul 2015 -- Republican opposition to the Iran nuclear deal is likely to be front and center during the 2016 U.S. presidential campaign. Most of the Republican contenders wasted little time in slamming the deal, and it appears that the pact will be featured as the lead item in their critique of President Barack Obama's foreign policy record.
• High Court rules surveillance legislation 'unlawful' Press TV 17 Jul 2015 -- The High Court has ruled that emergency data retention and surveillance legislation the coalition government introduced last year is unlawful.
• Assange Offers to Release Unredacted List of German NSA Spy Targets Sputnik 17 Jul 2015 -- WikiLeaks posted a trove of redacted NSA spying lists; Assange claims he has full copies of these lists and would share them with German lawmakers.
• S.Korea invites DPRK to Seoul-hosted regional security forum People's Daily 17 Jul 2015 -- South Korea's Defense Ministry said Friday that it has invited the Democratic People's Republic of Korea (DPRK) to a Seoul-hosted regional security forum scheduled for September.