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Defense Policy / Programs
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News Reports

Current Operations

• Operation Iraqi Freedom (OIF) Casualty Update 29 Jul 2015 [PDF]
• Taliban leader Mullah Omar dead, Afghan intelligence says Press TV 29 Jul 2015 -- The Afghan intelligence says leader of the Taliban militant group, Mullah Omar, is dead.
• Obituary: Taliban Leader Mullah Mohammad Omar RFE/RL 29 Jul 2015 -- The spiritual leader of the Afghan Taliban, Mullah Mohammad Omar, is dead. The reclusive leader, who had not been seen in public since the U.S.-led invasion in 2001, died in 2013 of an illness at a hospital in Karachi, Pakistan, according to Afghanistan's National Directorate of Security.
• Afghan Government Says Taliban Leader Mullah Omar Dead RFE/RL 29 Jul 2015 -- The Afghan government has said that Taliban leader Mullah Mohammad Omar is dead, in an official statement sent to media.
• Reports of Taliban Leader Mullah Omar's Death Credible - White House Sputnik 29 Jul 2015 -- Washington believes the reports claiming the leader of the Taliban wing in Afghanistan, Mullah Omar, was dead are trustworthy, White House spokesperson Eric Schultz said in a briefing on Tuesday.
• Afghan Government: Taliban Leader Mullah Omar Died in 2013 VOA 29 Jul 2015 -- Afghan government officials said Wednesday that reclusive Taliban chief Mullah Omar is dead, and that he died more than two years ago in Pakistan.
• Two ISIL commanders killed, six detained in east Afghanistan Press TV 29 Jul 2015 -- At least two commanders of the ISIL militant group have been killed and six others arrested in mop-up operations by Afghan security forces carried out against the Takfiri terrorists in Afghanistan's eastern province of Nangarhar.
• Turkey Says Verbal Agreement Only With US For Incirlik Base Use Sputnik 29 Jul 2015 -- Turkish Foreign Ministry said that Ankara has not signed an agreement with Washington for the use of the Incirlik air base in southern Turkey for aerial campaigns against Islamic State.
• US Set to Deploy More Troops, Combat Aircraft to Turkey Sputnik 29 Jul 2015 -- The United States is looking to broaden its military presence in Turkey with more personnel and combat aircraft, in its effort to intensify fight against ISIL alongside Turkish armed forces, a Pentagon official announced Monday.
• Anti-ISIL Airstrikes in Iraq, Syria Continue AFPS 29 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.

Defense Policy / Programs

• Navy to Commission Submarine John Warner DoD 29 Jul 2015 -- The Navy will commission its newest fast attack submarine, the future USS John Warner (SSN 785), during a 10 a.m. EDT ceremony Saturday, Aug. 1, 2015, at Naval Station Norfolk, in Norfolk, Virginia,Va.
• New interrogation system installed on AWACS, more in pipeline AFNS 29 Jul 2015 -- Out with the old, in with the new, at least that's the case for the existing interrogation system found on E-3 Sentry AWACS.
• National Guard Cyber Capability Grows Nationwide AFPS 29 Jul 2015 -- Just as the National Guard provides warfighting forces for the Army and Air Force and help during state and federal emergencies, Guardsmen now are ramping up their role in the nation's escalating cybersecurity fight, according to the chief of the National Guard Bureau.
• DOD Releases Report on Security Implications of Climate Change DoD 29 Jul 2015 -- The "Report on National Security Implications of Climate-Related Risks and a Changing Climate" was provided to Congress yesterday.
• Corpsmen called to action during Exercise Dragon Fire 2015 USMC News 29 Jul 2015 -- An unanticipated training event put Combat Logistics Company 36 corpsmen's training to the test during Exercise Dragon Fire 2015 at Combined Arms Training Center Camp Fuji, Japan, July 20, 2015.
• CBIRF tests response effectiveness during Exercise Scarlet Response 2015 USMC News 29 Jul 2015 -- Marines and sailors with Chemical Biological Incident Response Force, U.S. Marine Forces Command, began a 36-hour continuous operation as part of Exercise Scarlet Response 2015 at Guardian Centers in Perry, Georgia, July 23.
• 5th ANGLICO Jumps Into Talisman Sabre 15, Hamel 15 USMC News 29 Jul 2015 -- For the first time in the unit's history, 5th Air Naval Gunfire Liaison Company is able to insert into an area via parachute.
• USNS Rappahannock Assists Distressed Boat in Pacific NNS 29 Jul 2015 -- The Military Sealift Command (MSC) fleet replenishment oiler USNS Rappahannock (T-AO 204) rendered assistance to a distressed sailing boat, while on a routine mission in the western Pacific Ocean, July 25.
• Tu-160M2 to Have New Avionics That Will Increase Its Effectiveness Twofold Sputnik 29 Jul 2015 -- In addition to a new engine, Russia's elite Tupolev Tu-160M2 strategic bomber ("White Swan") is capable of carrying cruise and nuclear missiles and will receive cutting-edge avionics, said Vladimir Mikheev, the adviser of the deputy head of Russia's Radio-Electronic Technologies Concern (RETC), according to Rossiyskaya Gazeta.
• Production of ship navigation systems previously purchased in Ukraine launched in Russia TASS 29 Jul 2015 -- The Kaluga telegraph equipment plant has launched the production of ship navigation systems that were previously imported to Russia from Ukraine, the company commercial director Konstantin Shamatulskiy told TASS on Wednesday.
• Group of Russian Black Sea Fleet ships returning to Mediterranean TASS 29 Jul 2015 -- A group of warships of Russia's Black Sea Fleet (BSF) led by the Moskva missile cruiser is returning to the Mediterranean after a series of exercises in the Atlantic Ocean, BSF spokesman Captain 1st Rank Vyacheslav Trukhachev told reporters on Wednesday.
• Russia's Baltic Fleet missile units to hold drills in Kaliningrad region TASS 29 Jul 2015 -- The Guards Missile Brigade of the Baltic Fleet's coastal troops based in Russia's westernmost Kaliningrad Region will hold drills with simulated multiple and single missile launches, Western Military District spokesman Andrey Bespaly said on Wednesday.
• Russian Airborne Forces to get 80 newest assault vehicles by yearend - commander TASS 29 Jul 2015 -- Russia's Airborne Forces are to receive 50 newest DMD-4M airborne assault vehicles and 30 Rakushka armoured fighting vehicles before the end of the current year, the forces' commander Vladimir Shamanov told reporters on Wednesday.
• Tank army to be formed near Moscow by wintertime - source TASS 29 Jul 2015 -- The Russian Defense Ministry plans to create a new tank army in the Western Military District by December 1 and another, combined army, will in fact be formed anew, a senior source at Russia's General Staff has told TASS.
• Russia to Renew Proton-M Carrier Rocket Launches on August 28 Sputnik 29 Jul 2015 -- The next launch of Russian Proton-M rocket carrier is scheduled for August 28. The rocket is planned to deliver the British telecommunications Inmarsat-5F3 satellite into orbit.
• Kingdom of Saudi Arabia (KSA) – Patriot Advanced Capability-3 (PAC-3) Missiles and Support Equipment DSCA 29 Jul 2015 -- The State Department has made a determination approving a possible Foreign Military Sale to the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia for Patriot Advanced Capability-3 (PAC-3) Missiles and associated equipment, parts and logistical support for an estimated cost of $5.4 billion. The Defense Security Cooperation Agency delivered the required certification notifying Congress of this possible sale on July 28, 2015.
• Canada to acquire Israeli Iron Dome radar technology Canada DND 29 Jul 2015 -- An improved radar system for the Canadian Army will use cutting edge technology that is part of the successful Israeli Defence Force Iron Dome Air Defence system to defend against incoming rocket fire from Hamas and other terrorist groups.
• Canada to Buy Israeli Iron Dome Technology - National Defense Department Sputnik 29 Jul 2015 -- Canadian Department of National Defense announced that country will acquire radar technology similar to Israel's Iron Dome Air Defense System to be delivered as early as 2017 to boost the country's defense capabilities.
• United Arab Emirates (UAE) - AN/AAQ 24(V) Directional Infrared Countermeasures (DIRCM) Systems DSCA 29 Jul 2015 -- The State Department has made a determination approving a possible Foreign Military Sale to the United Arab Emirates for AN/AAQ 24(V) Directional Infrared Countermeasures (DIRCM) Systems and associated equipment, parts and logistical support for an estimated cost of $335 million. The Defense Security Cooperation Agency delivered the required certification notifying Congress of this possible sale on July 28, 2015.
• Turkey to Buy Anti-Ballistic Missile Systems Details From China Sputnik 29 Jul 2015 -- On Tuesday, Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan arrived in China on an official visit. He will hold talks with Chinese President Xi Jinping. The two leaders will discuss the delivery of Chinese-produced ABM systems components to Turkey.
• British army cuts made 3 years ahead of schedule Press TV 29 Jul 2015 -- Senior UK military figures argue that army personnel cuts have already been made, three years ahead of schedule, and without proper reservist numbers.
• Latvia Negotiating With US on Deployment of Heavy Military Equipment Sputnik 29 Jul 2015 -- Latvia has started formal negotiations with the US on the deployment of heavy military equipment at the Adazi base in the country, the press service of Latvian Defense Ministry reported.
• Latvia claims 12 Russian military aircraft spotted near its border TASS 29 Jul 2015 -- A group of 12 Russian combat aircraft has been spotted on Wednesday close to Latvia's airspace, Latvian National Armed Forces said in a statement.
• Japan to Equip Two Warships With Laser Weapons Sputnik 29 Jul 2015 -- The Japanese Defense Ministry has allocated money in the defense budget for two new 27DD project destroyers. The warships will be equipped with a modified AEGIS complex weapon system.
• France Eyeing to Deliver Rafale Jets to Malaysia, UAE Sputnik 29 Jul 2015 -- Since the beginning of the year, France has reached agreements to deliver Rafale jets to Egypt, Qatar and India. Now the country is in talks to sell the aircraft to Malaysia and the UAE.
• UN mission in Cyprus renewed for six months by Security Council UN News 29 Jul 2015 -- The Security Council today extended the mandate of the United Nations Peacekeeping Force in Cyprus (UNFICYP) for six months, until 31 January 2016, and welcomed resumed negotiations between the Greek Cypriot and Turkish Cypriot leaders to reach a comprehensive settlement.
• Ban condemns Israel's approval of new settlement construction in West Bank UN News 29 Jul 2015 -- United Nations Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon condemned the announcement today that Israel has approved construction of some 300 housing units in the West Bank settlement of Beit El, as well as the planning and construction of nearly 500 housing units in a number of settlements in East Jerusalem.
• Press Briefing by Principal Deputy Press Secretary Eric Schultz, 7/29/2015 The White House 29 Jul 2015

Defense Industry

• DoD News: Contracts for July 29, 2015
• German, French Arms Enterprises Unite to Create New Weapons Giant Sputnik 29 Jul 2015 -- German company Krauss-Maffei Wegmann and French enterprise Nexter Systems are planning to make a merger deal and create a new weapons giant called Newco, the German newspaper Die Zeit reported.

Other Conflicts

• Car bomb attack claims three lives in Yemen's Sana'a Press TV 29 Jul 2015 -- At least three people have been reportedly killed in a car bomb attack in the Yemeni capital, Sana'a.
• Saudi Arabia targets areas in Yemen with airstrikes, rockets Press TV 29 Jul 2015 -- Saudi Arabia has conducted several airstrikes and rocket attacks against areas in Yemen, where the United Nations (UN) says the humanitarian situation is dire.
• Berlin says Turkey should resume peace process with Kurds Press TV 29 Jul 2015 -- Berlin says German Foreign Minister Frank-Walter Steinmeier and the president of Iraq's Kurdistan regional government, Massoud Barzani, agree that Turkey should continue a peace process with Kurds despite a rise in violence.
• Iraqi forces take back western region from ISIL Takfiris Press TV 29 Jul 2015 -- Iraqi security forces have managed to recapture a town in the conflict-ridden western province of al-Anbar from Takfiri ISIL militants as they continue to gain more ground in the battle against the extremists.
• 6,000 Iraqi Sunni fighters join anti-ISIL fight Press TV 29 Jul 2015 -- At least 6,000 Sunni tribal fighters from various regions in Iraq have joined the country's pro-government Popular Mobilization units in their fight against Takfiri ISIL militants.
• Security Council approves one year renewal of UN Assistance Mission in Iraq for one year UN News 29 Jul 2015 -- The Security Council today extended for another year the United Nations Assistance Mission in Iraq (UNAMI) and expressed its intention to review the operation's mandate in twelve months or sooner, if requested by the Iraqi Government.
• Turkey Bombs Kurdish Rebels in Iraq VOA 29 Jul 2015 -- Turkish warplanes bombarded Kurdish militants in northern Iraq Wednesday, hours after President Recep Tayyip Erdogan said it was impossible to continue peace efforts with the Kurds.
• Four reasons Syrian 'safe zone' unlikely to work IRIN 29 Jul 2015 -- In the past week, Turkey has gone from an unhappy observer in the Syrian civil war to a full-blown combatant. Following two attacks by the so-called Islamic State (ISIS), the country has begun a bombing campaign targeting both the Islamist militants in Syria and Kurdish separatists in Iraq.
• At Security Council, Ban and UN special envoy outline 'way forward' on political solution for war-torn Syria UN News 29 Jul 2015 -- Describing the more than four years of "slaughter" in Syria as a "shameful symbol of the international community's divisions and failure," United Nations Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon today appealed to the Security Council to endorse his Special Envoy's recommendations on reaching the political solution that "all parties claim to support."
• Syrian Refugees Mark Third Year at Jordan's Zaatari Camp VOA 29 Jul 2015 -- The U.N. refugee agency reports hundreds of thousands of Syrian refugees in Jordan face an increasingly grim future as the Zaatari refugee camp marks its third anniversary.
• Russian Veto Of MH17 Tribunal Would Leave Few Good Alternatives RFE/RL 29 Jul 2015 -- Russia's anticipated veto of a UN Security Council resolution to establish a criminal court for Malaysia Airlines flight MH17 would block the best chance the international community has of forcing states to cooperate in finding who was responsible for the downing.
• Russia Vetoes UN Resolution on MH17 Crash VOA 29 Jul 2015 -- Russia vetoed a U.N. Security Council resolution that would have set up an international criminal court to prosecute those responsible for shooting down a Malaysia Airlines plane over Ukraine a year ago.
• Security Council fails to adopt proposal to create tribunal on crash of Malaysian Airlines flight MH17 UN News 29 Jul 2015 -- The United Nations Security Council was unable to adopt a new resolution today following Russia's negative vote on a measure that would have established an international tribunal to prosecute persons responsible for the downing of Malaysia Airlines flight MH17, which crashed on 17 July 2014 in Donetsk Oblast, Ukraine.

News Reports

• Analysts: Obama's Africa Trip Underscores Drive for Foreign Policy Legacy VOA 29 Jul 2015 -- U.S. President Barack Obama's trip to Africa this week culminates a streak of accomplishments that he has achieved at a time in a president's term when most U.S. leaders are considered powerless "lame ducks," analysts say.
• Carter: Nuclear Deal Limits Iran, Not the Defense Department AFPS 29 Jul 2015 -- The U.S.-Iran nuclear agreement limits Iran's ability to produce a nuclear bomb but puts no limits on the Defense Department or the United States, Defense Secretary Ash Carter told a Senate panel today.
• US Lawmakers Seek Details of Iran Nuke Inspection Regime VOA 29 Jul 2015 -- U.S. lawmakers pressed top administration officials Wednesday for details on the international inspection regime that will enforce a landmark nuclear pact with Iran.
• JCPOA shows diplomacy can settle disputes: Iran president ISNA 29 Jul 2015 -- Iranian President Hassan Rouhani said a recent agreement between Iran and six world powers displayed the power of diplomacy in resolving international issues and disputes.
• Rouhani: Cooperation on N. agreement should be basis for future ties with confidence ISNA 29 Jul 2015 -- Iranian President Hassan Rouhani reiterated that cooperation on the recent nuclear agreement between Iran and G5+1 should be a basis for relations coupled with confidence for the future.
• Iran, EU urge commitment to implementation of nuclear deal People's Daily 29 Jul 2015 -- Iran's President Hassan Rouhani and the visiting EU foreign policy chief Federica Mogherini on Tuesday urged commitment to steady and full implementation of the recent deal on Iran's nuclear program.
• Erdogan in China Amid Tensions on Uighurs, Missile System VOA 29 Jul 2015 -- Turkey's president is meeting top officials in China to strengthen ties that have been strained over the delayed sale of a Chinese missile system and Beijing's treatment of its Turkic-speaking Uighur minority.
• Armenian Activists Vow To Keep Protesting Power Rate Hikes RFE/RL 29 Jul 2015 -- Activists gathering in the central square of the Armenian capital, Yerevan, this week pledged to keep up the pressure on authorities to reverse their decision to raise electricity prices next month.
• DRC Opposition Seeks to Reopen Probe Into $3 Billion Fraud VOA 29 Jul 2015 -- The Democratic Republic of Congo's biggest-ever corruption probe was called off without an official explanation, according to both a Congolese lawmaker and a government spokesman. Investigators were looking into fraud that may have cost the government more than $3 billion.
• Crimea Visit Spotlights Kremlin Sympathies Beyond French Fringes RFE/RL 29 Jul 2015 -- It's no secret that a tide of hearty enthusiasm for Russia has been sweeping France's right-wing parties of late.
• Critics: China's President Using Law to Tighten Grip on Power VOA 29 Jul 2015 -- China's widespread crackdown on rights lawyers and activists over the past three weeks has fueled growing concerns that President Xi Jinping is using the law as a tool to mute dissidents and those who defend them in court.
• North Korea Hoping China Breaks with US Over Sanctions VOA 29 Jul 2015 -- North Korea's rejection of an Iran-style nuclear agreement could indicate the Kim Jong Un regime is counting on China to eventually break with the United States over the severe economic sanctions imposed on Pyongyang.