Operations
Defense Policy / Programs
Defense Industry
Other Conflicts
News Reports

Current Operations

• Inherent Resolve Airstrikes Hit ISIL Targets in Syria, Iraq AFPS 19 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.
• Cameron Says Britain Needs Greater Role Against IS VOA 19 Jul 2015 -- British Prime Minister David Cameron says his country needs to take a greater role in destroying the Islamic State group in Syria.
• Gen. Dempsey says no additional troops needed in Iraq Press TV 19 Jul 2015 -- Senior US military commanders in Iraq do not require additional troops or "advisers" on the ground to assist the Iraqi forces to displace the ISIL terrorists, according to the top US military officer.
• Dempsey, Ghani Discuss Transregional Effort Against ISIL AFPS 19 Jul 2015 -- Afghan President Ashraf Ghani and Army Gen. Martin E. Dempsey today discussed the possibility of forming a network to oppose the transregional threat posed by the Islamic State of Iraq and the Levant.
• Campbell: Afghan President Seeks Partnership in Counterterror Fight AFPS 19 Jul 2015 -- The commander of NATO's Resolute Support mission and U.S. forces in Afghanistan said Afghan President Ashraf Ghani wants to be partner with the United States in a regional counterterrorism aspect, here today.
• Afghanistan: UN Mission welcomes establishment of electoral system reform commission UN News 19 Jul 2015 -- The United Nations Assistance Mission in Afghanistan (UNAMA) today welcomed the establishment by the National Unity Government of an Electoral System Reform Commission in the country.

Defense Policy / Programs

• Secretary of the Navy Names Littoral Combat Ship DoD 19 Jul 2015 -- Secretary of the Navy Ray Mabus announced today that the next Independence variant littoral combat ship will be named USS Cincinnati (LCS 20).
• Media Availability with Secretary Carter En Route to Tel Aviv, Israel DoD 19 Jul 2015
• Snipers hone skills during Royal Air Force training AFNS 19 Jul 2015 -- He shivered in below-freezing temperatures, as pouring rain seeped through his muddied uniform. Clouds blanketed the night sky, casting a darkness difficult to defeat. Even with night vision technology, it was hard to see past his rifle.
• Russia to form new military reserve force Press TV 19 Jul 2015 -- Russia plans to form a new reserve armed force as part of steps to enhance its military readiness amid ongoing tensions with the West over the crisis in Ukraine.
• Russia Develops New 'Sub-Killer' Version of Be-200 Amphibious Aircraft Sputnik 19 Jul 2015 -- An anti-submarine version of the Beriev Be-200 multipurpose amphibious aircraft has reportedly been ordered by the Russian Navy.
• Finland Prepares New Military Buildup at Russian Border Sputnik 19 Jul 2015 -- Finland's defense ministry has begun preparing new military units to be deployed at its border with Russia, and is pushing for more defense budget allocations.
• Panic Attack: Latvia Reports Spotting Russian Sub, Corvette Near Border Sputnik 19 Jul 2015 -- Latvia's Armed Forces have reported spotting a Russian Kilo-class sub and a Tarantul-class corvette between four and six nautical miles off the country's maritime border.

Defense Industry

Other Conflicts

• Yemeni forces kill dozens of Saudi-backed militants in Lahij Press TV 19 Jul 2015 -- Dozens of Saudi-backed militants have been reportedly killed during clashes with Yemeni forces in the southwestern province of Lahij.
• Dozens killed as Saudi warplanes pound areas across Yemen Press TV 19 Jul 2015 -- More than two dozen civilians have lost their lives and many more sustained injuries as Saudi military aircraft conducted a fresh round of attacks against several areas across Yemen.
• Reports of advances by pro-Hadi militants in Aden false: Houthis Press TV 19 Jul 2015 -- Yemen's Houthi Ansarullah movement has rejected as "mere lies" recent reports that militants loyal to fugitive former President Abd Rabbuh Mansur Hadi have advanced in the southern port city of Aden.
• Syrian army kills scores of militants in new ops across country Press TV 19 Jul 2015 -- Syria's army units backed by fighters of the Lebanese resistance movement Hezbollah have carried out pervasive operations across the war-stricken country, killing dozens of Takfiri militants, making fresh gains against terror groups, and foiling several infiltration attempts.
• One solider, two civilians killed in east Ukraine Press TV 19 Jul 2015 -- One soldier and two civilians have been killed in the latest clashes between Ukrainian government soldiers and pro-Russia forces in eastern Ukraine.
• Kyiv, Rebels Accuse Each Other Of Shelling Central Donetsk RFE/RL 19 Jul 2015 -- The Ukrainian military and Russian-backed separatists in eastern Ukraine accused each other on July 19 of shelling residential areas in rebel-held Donetsk.
• Poroshenko Hopes to Regain Control Over Donbass Before End of 2015 Sputnik 19 Jul 2015 -- Poroshenko says that Kiev hopes to regain control over the Donbass region until the end of the year.
• Ukrainian Army Says Did Not Receive Orders to Withdraw Weapons in Donbass Sputnik 19 Jul 2015 -- There are no documents, order that would oblige Ukrainian army to withdraw weapons and vehicles to certain distances - weapons with a caliber of less than 100mm, according to a spokesman for the General Staff of Ukraine.
• Donetsk Republic Withdrawing Weapons, Vehicles Under OSCE Supervision Sputnik 19 Jul 2015 -- Withdrawing weapons with a caliber of less than 100mm and armored vehicles from outskirts of Donetsk by army of the self-proclaimed Donetsk People's Republic is monitored by he OSCE Special Monitoring Mission to Ukraine.
• AU Hits Al-Shabab With New Offensive VOA 19 Jul 2015 -- Ahead of President Barack Obama's visit to the region, which starts later this week, Kenyan and Ethiopian troops operating in Somalia have launched a new military offensive against the al-Shabab militant group in Gedo and Bay regions.
• At least 12 Somali, AU troops killed by al-Shabab militants Press TV 19 Jul 2015 -- At least 12 Somali and African Union forces have been killed by the al-Shabab militant group in Somalia.
• 7 Egyptian soldiers, 59 militants killed in Sinai: Army Press TV 19 Jul 2015 -- The Egyptian military says at least seven soldiers and nearly 60 militants have been killed in separate instances of violence in the Sinai Peninsula.
• Pakistan shows concerns over 'Indian offensive posture' People's Daily 19 Jul 2015 -- Pakistan on Sunday expressed deep concern over the 'unprovoked ceasefire violations' by the Indian security forces at the Line of Control (LoC) in the disputed Kashmir region and the offensive posture adopted during the last few days.

News Reports

• Embassy Openings to Launch New Era in US-Cuba Relations VOA 19 Jul 2015 -- The United States and Cuba are set to reach a milestone in diplomatic relations Monday. The two countries will formally reopen their embassies, a move that is part of a series of recent steps to reset relations that soured more than 50 years ago.
• US Urged to Keep Up Pressure on Cuba Rights VOA 19 Jul 2015 -- Leading human rights groups have stressed to U.S. lawmakers that historic diplomatic breakthroughs with Cuba should not shield it from rigorous American scrutiny of human rights violations.
• Iran Nuclear Deal Heads to US Congress VOA 19 Jul 2015 -- The Obama administration on Sunday sent the Iran nuclear agreement to Congress.
• Kerry to Netanyahu: Better nuclear conclusion with Iran 'fantasy' Press TV 19 Jul 2015 -- US Secretary of State John Kerry has lashed out at the critics of the recent nuclear breakthrough with Iran, including Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, saying a better conclusion is nothing but "fantasy."
• German Minister On Tehran Visit, Hoping To 'Normalize Economic Ties' RFE/RL 19 Jul 2015 -- German Economy Minister Sigmar Gabriel arrived in Tehran on July 19, marking the first visit to Iran by a top Western official since world powers and the Persian Gulf country signed a historic nuclear deal.
• U.S. Congress To Begin Reviewing Iran Nuclear Deal RFE/RL 19 Jul 2015 -- The administration of U.S. President Barack Obama has submitted the recently negotiated Iranian nuclear deal to the U.S. Congress for its review.
• State Department Submits to Congress Plan of Action on Iran Nuclear Program Sputnik 19 Jul 2015 -- The US Department of State transmitted to Congress the Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action, its annexes, and related materials on Iran's nuclear program.
• Conclusion of Iran nuclear talks not to change Hezbollah policies: Official Press TV 19 Jul 2015 -- A senior official of the Lebanese resistance movement, Hezbollah, says the conclusion of nuclear talks between Iran and the P5+1 group of countries will not change the movement's policies in the region.
• Burundi talks suspended after govt. fails to turn up Press TV 19 Jul 2015 -- Planned negotiations between Burundi's government and opposition groups aimed at resolving a major political turmoil have been suspended after the ruling party failed to show up for the scheduled meeting, a Ugandan mediator says.
• Calls for Peace Grow in Burundi as Talks are Suspended VOA 19 Jul 2015 -- Burundians gathered in churches for Sunday services across the country, just two days before the country's presidential election in the hope there will be no electoral related violence. But talks between Burundi's political parties were suspended Sunday after government representatives failed to attend.
• Al-Qaeda militants claim killing of 14 Algerian soldiers Press TV 19 Jul 2015 -- The al-Qaeda militant group has claimed responsibility for the killing of 14 Algerian soldiers, after carrying out an attack against an army patrol in the southwest of the capital, Algiers.
• Should the US Work With Iran to Fight IS? VOA 19 Jul 2015 -- World leaders reached a deal with Iran on July 14 to ease economic sanctions if Iran curbs its nuclear capabilities, and this has reopened the debate over whether the U.S. should work more closely with Iranian-backed militias, several dozen of which are now fighting against IS in Iraq.
• Thirty Years Later, Soviet-Era MI6 Double Agent Describes Escape From KGB RFE/RL 19 Jul 2015 -- The KGB colonel knew his cover was almost blown. He had been suspiciously summoned to Moscow. They had got him drunk on cognac while a KGB general grilled him for four hours. He'd be executed if they could catch him. They seemed to be closing the net. But the MI6 double agent couldn't risk openly fleeing.
• South Korean Intelligence Officer Found Dead Amid Hacking Scandal Sputnik 19 Jul 2015 -- A South Korean National Intelligence Service employee whose body was found earlier left behind a note apologizing for deleting potentially vital data.
• 2 Women to Vie for President in Taiwan VOA 19 Jul 2015 -- Taiwanese voters next year are all but sure to elect a woman as their next president. The ruling Nationalist Party on Sunday picked Taiwan's deputy legislative speaker and a former teacher as their candidate. She will run against the chief opposition party's chairwoman, Tsai Ing-wen, in the January election. Taiwan has never seen two female candidates run for the major parties or elected a woman as president.