Operations
Defense Policy / Programs
Defense Industry
Other Conflicts
News Reports

Current Operations

• RPAs prove vital in fight against ISIL AFNS 15 Aug 2015 -- From August 2014 to August 2015, the 432nd Wing has directly supported Operation Inherent Resolve, a U.S. Central Command and partner nation's campaign to conduct targeted airstrikes in Iraq and Syria.
• Coalition Strikes Continue Against ISIL in Iraq, Syria AFPS 15 Aug 2015 -- U.S. and coalition military forces have continued to attack Islamic State of Iraq and the Levant terrorists in Syria and Iraq.
• Germany to withdraw Patriot missile-defense from Turkey Press TV 15 Aug 2015 -- Germany intends to pull out two Patriot missile-defense batteries along with its 250 soldiers from Turkey, German Defense Ministry says.
• Germany to Withdraw Patriot Missiles From Turkey Border Sputnik 15 Aug 2015 -- Germany is planning to withdraw its Patriot surface-to-air system from southern Turkey, which were deployed there as part of a NATO mission to counter alleged threat from Syria, by the end of 2015.
• Why Zawahri's Pledge To Taliban Could Be A Boon For IS RFE/RL 15 Aug 2015 -- After almost a year of silence, Al-Qaeda leader Ayman al-Zawahri has released an audio message swearing bay'ah - an oath of allegiance - to Mullah Akhtar Mohammad Mansur, the new leader of the Taliban.

Defense Policy / Programs

• Israel Asks US to Expand Joint Air Defense Drills Sputnik 15 Aug 2015 -- An Israeli Defense Forces (IDF) air force commander insists that the military is in fact looking to expand bilateral drills with the United States, rather than nix them.
• Obama blocks release of Gitmo inmate facing imminent death Press TV 15 Aug 2015 -- The Obama administration has called on a federal judge not to allow the release of a Guantanamo prisoner who has been on hunger strike for more than eight years.
• Cameron Demands Publication of Report Into UK Role in Iraq War Sputnik 15 Aug 2015 -- UK Prime Minister David Cameron called on Saturday for the publication of the report into United Kingdom’s role in the 2003 Iraq War, adding he was "immensely frustrated" by the delay.
• Chinese warships leave for sea of Japan for joint drills with Russia Xinhua 15 Aug 2015 -- Seven Chinese warships on Saturday left east China's port city of Qingdao for the Sea of Japan where they will join Russian counterparts for a nine-day naval exercise.
• Russia Ready To Send S-300 Missile Systems To Iran RFE/RL 15 Aug 2015 -- Russia is ready to send S-300 long-range, surface-to-air missile systems to Iran.
• Iran’s Damavand destroyer to dock at Russia’s Astrakhan port Press TV 15 Aug 2015 -- The Iranian Navy will send a naval fleet comprising the domestically-built Damavand destroyer to Russia in the near future.

Defense Industry

Other Conflicts

• Shelling Resumes in Syrian Towns as Talks Collapse VOA 15 Aug 2015 -- A Syrian rebel group said Saturday that a cease-fire negotiated with the Syrian army and its Lebanese ally, Hezbollah, had collapsed.
• Civilians Killed In Eastern Ukraine Following Surge In Shelling RFE/RL 15 Aug 2015 -- Three civilians have been killed in eastern Ukraine during what government forces said was record-high shelling since the start of a fragile cease-fire in February.
• Kiev used phosphorous bombs in east: Russian investigation Press TV 15 Aug 2015 -- Russia’s main federal investigating authority says there is evidence demonstrating that the Ukrainian armed forces have used modern analogues of phosphorous bombs against civilians in Ukraine’s volatile eastern provinces.
• UN mission condemns ISIL attacks in Sirte, urges Libyans to unite against terrorism UN News 15 Aug 2015 -- The United Nations Support Mission in Libya stressed today it is “high time” that Libyans agree a unity government to address the country's challenges.
• Pro-Government Fighters Seize Southern Yemeni Province from Houthis VOA 15 Aug 2015 -- Fighters backing the exiled Yemeni government have seized the southern province of Shabwa from Iranian-backed Houthi rebels.
• Yemeni forces kill seven Saudi soldiers Press TV 15 Aug 2015 -- The Yemeni army backed by popular committees has launched a retaliatory attack on a military base in Saudi Arabia's southwestern Jizan region, killing at least seven soldiers, reports say.
• Cameroon Pledges More Troops Against Boko Haram VOA 15 Aug 2015 -- Cameroon has pledged to provide 2,450 troops to join the multinational force to combat Boko Haram.
• South Sudan Accuses Sudan of Supporting Rebels VOA 15 Aug 2015 -- South Sudan’s foreign minister has expressed concern about reports Sudanese President Omar Hassan al-Bashir has promised military support to rebel leader Riek Machar to forcefully take power in the world’s newest nation.

News Reports

• On WWII Anniversary, Abe Sends Offering to War Shrine VOA 15 Aug 2015 -- Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe has sent a ritual offering to a controversial war shrine.
• Divided Koreas No Closer to Unification on WWII 70th Anniversary VOA 15 Aug 2015 -- South Korean President Park Geun-hye expressed muted criticism of Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe.
• Japanese emperor expresses ‘deep remorse’ at WWII memorial service Xinhua 15 Aug 2015 -- Emperor of Japan Akihito on Saturday expressed his "deep remorse" over the past war for the first time at an annual national memorial service.
• Iran Gives UN Agency Documents Linked to Past Nuclear Work VOA 15 Aug 2015 -- Iran has given the U.N. nuclear agency documents linked to a probe of allegations that Tehran tried to develop atomic weapons.
• Iran has given IAEA necessary documents: Official Press TV 15 Aug 2015 -- A senior Iranian nuclear official says the country has, based on the agreed time frame, provided the necessary documents to the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) over Tehran’s nuclear program.
• Iran to build specialized nuclear hospital: Salehi Press TV 15 Aug 2015 -- Iran has launched a plan to build a major specialized nuclear hospital in the near future, says the country’s nuclear chief.
• Iraqi Leader Orders Judicial Reform In Anticorruption Drive RFE/RL 15 Aug 2015 -- Iraqi Prime Minister Haidar al-Abadi has ordered an overhaul of the judiciary as thousands of Iraqis celebrated his anticorruption drive in the streets and the nation's top cleric said the court system should be the next target.
• Burundi's former army chief assassinated, family says Press TV 15 Aug 2015 -- Unidentified assailants have gunned down the former head of the Burundian army, Colonel Jean Bikomagu, amid warnings by the United Nations that the situation in the African country could spiral “completely out of control.”
• 104 Dead in Chinese Port City, Evacuation Ordered VOA 15 Aug 2015 -- The death toll from massive explosions in the Chinese port of Tianjin has risen to 104 including 21 firefighters.
• China orders evacuations near Tianjin blast site amid chemical fears Press TV 15 Aug 2015 -- Fears of chemical contamination have prompted Chinese authorities to order mass evacuations in areas near the site of recent explosions that claimed dozens of lives in the northeastern port city of Tianjin.