Operations
Defense Policy / Programs
Defense Industry
Other Conflicts
News Reports

Current Operations

• Operation Iraqi Freedom (OIF) Casualty Update 07 Aug 2015 [PDF]
• Coalition, Not ISIL, Dictates Pace of Operations AFPS 07 Aug 2015 -- The current situation in Iraq and Syria clearly indicates that the coalition, and not ISIL, now dictates the pace of operations, a U.S. Central Command spokesman said today during a telephonic press conference with Pentagon reporters.
• Anti-ISIL Airstrikes Continue in Syria, Iraq AFPS 07 Aug 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 jets getting ready to fly out of bases In Turkey: Pentagon Press TV 07 Aug 2015 -- American fighter jets will be flying over the Syrian territory within days in the wake of the Turkish government's green-light to the Pentagon to fly manned aircraft out of airbases in the country.
• Update: air strikes in Iraq UK MOD 07 Aug 2015 -- British forces have continued to conduct air operations to assist the Iraqi government in its fight against ISIL.
• Taliban Rifts Leave Peace Process in Doubt VOA 07 Aug 2015 -- There have long been rumors of rifts among the Afghan Taliban. But the death of Mullah Omar, the Taliban's reclusive chief, has made those divisions public.
• Senior ISIL commander killed in Afghanistan's Helmand Press TV 07 Aug 2015 -- Afghan officials say a senior commander of the ISIL terrorist group has been killed along with four of his comrades during a cleanup operation in Afghanistan's troubled south, Press TV reports.
• Bomb attack hits police academy in Afghan capital, 20 killed Press TV 07 Aug 2015 -- At least 20 people have been killed in a bomb attack that rocked an area near the Afghan police academy building in the capital, Kabul, Afghan officials say.
• Wave Of Bomb Attacks Rattle Kabul, At Least 20 Killed RFE/RL 07 Aug 2015 -- Kabul has been hit by a wave of bomb attacks, with three explosions rattling the city in the evening hours of August 7 after a massive truck bomb earlier in the day.
• Deploring latest Afghan attack, UN calls for perpetrators to be held accountable UN News 07 Aug 2015 -- The top United Nations envoy in Afghanistan has condemned the killing of at least eight civilians and the injuring of more than 200 in an attack that took place in Kabul today.
• Pakistan condemns US drone strike as violating its sovereignty Press TV 07 Aug 2015 -- Pakistan has condemned the recent deadly US drone strike in North Waziristan, saying the attack disregards Islamabad's ongoing efforts to tackle militant groups in tribal areas.

Defense Policy / Programs

• Arlington Completes COMPTUEX NNS 07 Aug 2015 -- Sailors from the amphibious transport dock ship USS Arlington (LPD 24) and Marines assigned to the 26th Marine Expeditionary Unit (MEU) completed composite training unit exercise (COMPTUEX), Aug. 7, while operating as part of the Kearsarge Amphibious Ready Group (KSGARG).
• Air Force upgrades 100-year-old technology AFNS 07 Aug 2015 -- Spatial disorientation, the inability to determine one's position in an open space, can lead to a dangerous scenario inside a cockpit.
• USS Ashland Back to Sea After Port Visit in Guam NNS 07 Aug 2015 -- The amphibious dock landing ship USS Ashland (LSD 48) pulled into Guam for a four-day port visit, Aug 3.
• Pacific Partnership Hosts Opening Ceremony in San Fernando City, Philippines NNS 07 Aug 2015 -- Pacific Partnership 2015 Task Force Forager members and Armed Forces of the Philippines service members kicked off the PP15 mission visit here during an opening ceremony Aug. 6.
• USS Green Bay Arrives in Guam NNS 07 Aug 2015 -- The amphibious transport dock ship USS Green Bay (LPD 20) arrived in Guam for a port visit, Aug. 7.
• George Washington to Arrive in San Diego, Three Carrier Swap Continues NNS 07 Aug 2015 -- The aircraft carrier USS George Washington (CVN 73) is scheduled to arrive at Naval Air Station North Island Aug. 10 to initiate a crew and equipment swap with the aircraft carrier USS Ronald Reagan (CVN 76) before beginning its transit to Norfolk, Virginia, where it will prepare for its mid-life refueling and complex overhaul (RCOH).
• FEMA Sends USS Ashland, Marines to Provide Typhoon Soudelor Relief to Saipan NNS 07 Aug 2015 -- Through the coordination of the Federal Emergency Management Agency, the amphibious dock landing ship USS Ashland (LSD 48) will depart Guam and arrive in Saipan Aug. 8 to provide relief in the aftermath of Typhoon Soudelor, which devastated the island Aug. 2-3.
• All Bases Belong to US: New American Military Base to be Built in Poland Sputnik 07 Aug 2015 -- The new facility is planned to be located in Mazovia Province, in the city of Ciechanow. It will be used for the needs of Polish and US troops.
• US Navy Restricts Operations on Three Newest Subs Due to Technical Failures Sputnik 07 Aug 2015 -- In the last two years, the US Navy has launched three brand new submarines. Due to technical failures, though, each them – one barely a week old – have now been temporarily sidelined.
• US Heavy Military Equipment May Be Deployed in Latvia in 2016 Sputnik 07 Aug 2015 -- US heavy military equipment could be stationed at the Adazi military base in Latvia next year, Latvian Defense Minister Raimonds Bergmanis said.
• Czech Air Force Gripens conduct NATO air surveillance mission over Iceland NATO 07 Aug 2015 -- Four Czech Air Force JAS-39 Gripen aircraft are currently conducting air patrols and training in the skies above Iceland under the Alliance's air surveillance mission for the Nordic NATO Ally. The fighter jets and 70 personnel took up their duties at the end of July. Their task is to provide "airborne surveillance and interception capabilities to meet Iceland's peacetime preparedness needs." The Czech Air Force will conduct the mission through 29 August 2015.
• Russian S-400 Missile Defense Systems Operational in Kamchatka Sputnik 07 Aug 2015 -- The capabilities of the new systems are several times better than the military efficiency of the anti-air defense of foreign states, the Russian Defense Ministry reported.
• Another S-400 antiaircraft missile regiment goes on combat duty in Russia's Kamchatka TASS 07 Aug 2015 -- A regiment servicing the new S-400 Triumph antiaircraft missile systems has gone on combat duty in Russia's Far East Kamchatka, the chief press spokesman for Russia's Eastern Military District, Captain 1st Rank Roman Martov told TASS on Friday.
• Russian Eastern Military District Gets New Air Force, Air Defense Army Sputnik 07 Aug 2015 -- Russia has established an Air Force and Air Defense Army in its Eastern Military District that will perform exercises in the Sea of Japan and the Pacific Ocean, press-secretary for the regional command, Col. Alexander Gordeyev, said Friday.
• New Air Force and Air Defense Army in Russia's East to protect over 22,000 km border TASS 07 Aug 2015 -- Units and formations of the 3rd Air Force and Air Defense Command in the Far East and Eastern Siberia have joined the new 11th Air Force and Air Defense Army, Eastern Military District spokesman, Colonel Alexander Gordeyev said on Friday.
• Russian Armed Forces have two, not four armored trains on duty - source TASS 07 Aug 2015 -- The Russian railway force group in the Southern Military District has two special armored trains, The Baikal and The Amur, and not four, a source at the Defense Ministry told TASS.
• Russian Defense Ministry conducts large-scale artillery exercise in western district TASS 07 Aug 2015 -- Artillery units in the Western military district are to conduct training in the field to practice counter-battery fire with thousands of artillery pieces and multiple rocket launchers taking part. Drones and Zoopark radars will be used, the district's spokesman, Colonel Oleg Kochetkov told the media.
• Japan - DDG (guided missile destroyer) 7 and 8 AEGIS Combat System (ACS), Underwater Weapon System (UWS), and Cooperative Engagement Capability (CEC) DSCA 07 Aug 2015 -- The State Department has made a determination approving a possible Foreign Military Sale to Japan for DDG 7 and 8 AEGIS Combat System, Underwater Weapon System, Cooperative Engagement Capability and associated equipment, parts and logistical support for an estimated cost of $1.5 billion. The Defense Security Cooperation Agency delivered the required certification notifying Congress of this possible sale on August 4, 2015.
• Pacifist No More? US Approves $1.5Bln Weapons Sale to Japan Sputnik 07 Aug 2015 -- Japan's constitution prohibits a standing army. Its troops are called self-defense forces and their functions have been severely limited until recently. In July, the lower house of Japan's parliament endorsed a package of security bills allowing the army to fight abroad for the first time since WWII.
• Japan Offers Philippines Aircraft to Spy on Disputed South China Sea Waters Sputnik 07 Aug 2015 -- As part of its increasing involvement in the South China Sea, Japan could soon provide the Philippines with patrol aircraft.
• Bahrain - F-16 Follow-On Support DSCA 07 Aug 2015 -- The State Department has made a determination approving a possible Foreign Military Sale to Bahrain for F-16 follow-on support and associated equipment, parts and logistics for an estimated cost of $150 million. The Defense Security Cooperation Agency delivered the required certification notifying Congress of this possible sale on August 4, 2015.
• RAF jets 'beaten' by Indian pilots flying Russian-designed planes Press TV 07 Aug 2015 -- Indian Air Force (IAF) says Indian pilots using Russian-designed fighter jets have humiliated their British counterparts flying the Typhoon fighters during a two-week exercise.
• Who is Lining Up for Mistrals? Egypt, Saudi Arabia Rumored to Be Interested Sputnik 07 Aug 2015 -- The next episode in the Mistral saga could begin in the near future: Egypt and Saudi Arabia are rumored to be contemplating the purchase of the two helicopter carriers built for the Russian Navy after Moscow and Paris officially terminated the deal, Le Monde reported, citing an unnamed source.
• A Fool Pays Twice: France Must Spend Over €1 Bln to De-Customize Mistrals Sputnik 07 Aug 2015 -- The de-customization of two Mistral-class helicopter carriers that France failed to deliver to Russia will be an expensive process, the French daily Les Echos said.
• India, Russia in talks to jointly produce helicopters, tanks, aircraft and ships TASS 07 Aug 2015 -- India and Russia are discussing projects to jointly produce helicopters, ships, tanks and aircraft, the Indian Defense Ministry said in a statement on Friday.

Defense Industry

• DoD News: Contracts for August 07, 2015

Other Conflicts

• 7 August 2015 - Daily Press Briefing by the Office of the Spokesperson for the Secretary-General United Nations 07 Aug 2015
• Kurdish Peshmerga fighters kill 15 ISIL terrorists in Iraq Press TV 07 Aug 2015 -- Iraq's Kurdish Peshmerga forces have killed more than a dozen members of the ISIL Takfiri terrorists during a fierce exchange of gunfire in the northern province of Nineveh.
• INTERVIEW: "I believe that the country is at a very difficult stage of its development… But at the same time, there is hope" – UN envoy for Iraq Ján Kubiš UN News 07 Aug 2015 -- It has been six months since Ján Kubiš took up the post of the Secretary-General's Special Representative and head of the United Nations Assistance Mission for Iraq (UNAMI). Over that period, the Slovakian national and his team have had to face considerable challenges – much like the country itself.
• Security Council approves probe into those responsible for using chemical weapons in Syria UN News 07 Aug 2015 -- The United Nations Security Council today gave the greenlight for the establishment of a Joint Investigative Mechanism to identify those responsible for the use of chemical weapons in Syria.
• UN Seeks Accountability for Syria Gas Attacks VOA 07 Aug 2015 -- The U.N. Security Council unanimously agreed Friday to establish a joint investigation mechanism to identify perpetrators of chlorine and other toxic chemical attacks in Syria. It is the first time the council has sought to establish accountability for such attacks in Syria.
• IS Kidnaps Hundreds in Syria VOA 07 Aug 2015 -- An observation group says the Islamic State (IS) militants kidnapped 230 people in Syria, including dozens of Christians, some taken from a monastery.
• ISIL kidnaps 230 civilians in Syria's Homs Province Press TV 07 Aug 2015 -- ISIL militants operating in Syria have abducted more than 200 civilians in a town in the country's central Homs Province, reports say.
• Chinese FM rejects Philippine, Japanese, U.S. claims on South China Sea issue People's Daily 07 Aug 2015 -- Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi made clear China's stance on the South China Sea issue on Thursday, rejecting the claims of the Philippines, Japan and United States.
• Houthis kill 30 militants in southwest Yemen Press TV 07 Aug 2015 -- At least 30 militants have been killed in clashes with popular committees, backed by the Houthi Ansarullah fighters, in Yemen's southwestern, reports say.
• 3 killed, 3 injured in hotel siege in central Mali Press TV 07 Aug 2015 -- Gunmen stormed a hotel in central Mali in an apparent attempt to kidnap Westerners, killing at least three people and seizing hostages in an ongoing standoff with the Army.
• Two Armenian Drones Shot Down Over Azerbaijan Sputnik 07 Aug 2015 -- Azerbaijan's air defense forces shot down two Armenian drones which were on a reconnaissance mission over the Azerbaijani armed forces position, the Defense Ministry said in Baku on Friday.
• Mali: UN strongly condemns 'despicable' attack in Mopti region UN News 07 Aug 2015 -- The United Nations peacekeeping mission in Mali has strongly condemned the attack that took place today in the town of Sevaré, in the Mopti region, and led to the death of at least one person.

News Reports

• WH 'Disappointed' Key Democrat Opposes Iran Deal VOA 07 Aug 2015 -- The White House says it is 'disappointed' but not 'surprised' that one of the top Democrats in the U.S. Senate came out against the pending nuclear deal with Iran.
• Key US Democrat to Vote Against Iran Nuclear Deal VOA 07 Aug 2015 -- President Barack Obama's effort to sell the Iran nuclear deal to a skeptical Congress has been dealt a serious setback, with one of the president's top allies, Senator Chuck Schumer, coming out against the pact.
• US Official: Hack Looks 'State Sponsored' VOA 07 Aug 2015 -- The hack into the Pentagon's Joint Chiefs of Staff email network has "all the hallmarks of a state-sponsored attack," a defense official told VOA.
• Russian Hackers Suspected In E-mail Attack On U.S. Military Chiefs RFE/RL 07 Aug 2015 -- Russia is the leading suspect in a sophisticated cyber attack on the unclassified e-mail network of the U.S. Joint Chiefs of Staff, forcing the military command to shut the system down, U.S. officials said August 6.
• Security Council condemns deadly terrorist attack in Saudi Arabia UN News 07 Aug 2015 -- The United Nations Security Council has condemned "in the strongest terms" the terrorist attack that took place on Thursday at a mosque in Saudi Arabia, resulting in the death of at least 15 people, for which the Islamic State of Iraq and the Levant (ISIL) has claimed responsibility.
• North Korea set to establish own time zone Press TV 07 Aug 2015 -- North Korea is set to establish its own time zone next week by pulling back its current standard time by 30 minutes, local media say.
• Experts: N. Korean Rhetoric Aims to Probe US Willingness to Talk VOA 07 Aug 2015 -- Recent rhetoric from North Korea is aimed at probing the United States' readiness to resume negotiations on the North's nuclear program, according to experts on North Korea.
• Egypt's 'New Suez Canal' promising, yet challenges remain People's Daily 07 Aug 2015 -- As Egyptofficially opened on Thursday its 'New Suez Canal,' experts believe that while the nation's flagship project will help spur the nation's economic comeback, security, corruption and the slack global trade are among the thorny challenges Cairo has to face.
• BRICS Woes: Plunging Currency Values Belie Talk Of Challenging Dollar RFE/RL 07 Aug 2015 -- Brazil, Russia, India, China, and South Africa - the BRICS - hope to move the world away from the U.S. dollar and Western-dominated financial institutions, which they say do not meet the needs of emerging economies.
• Assassination attempt prompts UN call for protection of human rights defenders in Burundi UN News 07 Aug 2015 -- Following this week's assassination attempt on one of Burundi's leading human rights defenders, an independent United Nations expert has called on the Government to ensure the protection of all rights activists.