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Operations
Defense Policy / Programs
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News Reports

Current Operations

• Operation Iraqi Freedom (OIF) Casualty Update 17 Nov 2015 [PDF]
• Department of Defense Press Briefing DoD 17 Nov 2015 -- Pentagon Press Secretary Peter Cook
• Joint Chiefs Chairman Warns Against Underestimating ISIL AFPS 17 Nov 2015 -- The Islamic State of Iraq and the Levant is "a very sophisticated organization" and that "it would be a mistake to underestimate them," the chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff said here today.
• Carter: Recent Uptick in Iraq-Syria Fight Represents Taken Opportunities AFPS 17 Nov 2015 -- The Defense Department has ratcheted up its search for opportunities in Iraq and Syria to get at the Islamic State of Iraq and the Levant, and it will continue at that pace until ISIL is defeated, Defense Secretary Ash Carter said here last night.
• Military Strikes Target ISIL Terrorists in Syria, Iraq AFPS 17 Nov 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.
• Update: air strikes in Iraq UK MOD 17 Nov 2015-- British forces have continued to conduct air operations to assist the Iraqi government in its fight against ISIL.
• Canada to Increase Number of Military Trainers in Iraq - Prime Minister Sputnik 17 Nov 2015 -- According to country's prime minister, Ottawa is set to increase the number of Canadian military trainers on the ground to instruct Iraqi forces as part of its contribution to the US-led coalition's efforts to fight Islamic State.
• Germany to Continue Training Kurdish Fighters in Northern Iraq Sputnik 17 Nov 2015 -- Germany will continue to deliver arms to Kurdish foghters in northern Iraq and to train them, according to German Defense Minister Ursula von der Leyen.
• US fails to respect security deal with Kabul: Afghan politicians Press TV 17 Nov 2015 -- Top Afghan politicians have accused the United States of failing to fulfill its commitments agreed under the Bilateral Security Agreement (BSA) with Kabul, Press TV reports.

Defense Policy / Programs

• US Air Force Successfully Tests New Nuclear Gravity Bomb Sputnik 17 Nov 2015 -- The National Nuclear Security Administration (NNSA) and United States Air Force (USAF) have completed the third development flight test of a non-nuclear version of the B61-12 nuclear gravity bomb at Tonopah Test Range in Nevada, NNSA said in a press release posted on its website. It performed successfully in a realistic guided flight environment.
• Rushmore Returns to Indonesia NNS 17 Nov 2015 -- The amphibious dock landing ship USS Rushmore (LSD 47), along with the embarked 15th Marine Expeditionary Unit (MEU), arrived in Bali Nov. 16, for a scheduled port visit.
• USS Anchorage Conducts Transit of South China Sea NNS 17 Nov 2015 -- Amphibious transport dock ship USS Anchorage (LPD 23) conducted routine operations in international waters during a northbound transit of the South China Sea as part of a deployment to the Western Pacific Nov. 13-14.
• Keel For Future USS Thomas Hudner (DDG 116) Authenticated NNS 17 Nov 2015 -- The keel of the future USS Thomas Hudner (DDG 116) was authenticated during a ceremony at the Bath Iron Works (BIW) shipyard Nov. 16.
• Doorstep statement by NATO Secretary General Jens Stoltenberg upon his arrival at the European Council NATO 17 Nov 2015,
• Deterrence for the 21st Century - Opening remarks by NATO Deputy Secretary General Alexander Vershbow at the Berlin Security Conference 2015 NATO 17 Nov 2015
• FACT SHEET: U.S. Building Maritime Capacity in Southeast Asia The White House 17 Nov 2015
• Obama to give two ships to Philippines in signal to China Press TV 17 Nov 2015 -- President Barack Obama announced that the United States will give two ships to the Philippine Navy to bolster maritime security around the island nation amid territorial disputes with China.
• US to Give Two Additional Ships to Philippine Navy to Boost Border Control Sputnik 17 Nov 2015 -- With an eye towards China, US President Barack Obama on Tuesday announced that the United States will transfer two ships to the Philippine navy to help it navigate and patrol its territorial waters.
• Obama Unveils SE Asia Maritime Plan VOA 17 Nov 2015 -- Despite not being on the official agenda at the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) summit this week, maritime disputes in the South China Sea took center stage Tuesday in the Philippines when President Barack Obama pledged to help Asia-Pacific allies boost their maritime security.
• Germany to Up Its Presence in West Africa to Help France Redistribute Army Sputnik 17 Nov 2015 -- According to German Defense minister, Berlin is planning to send in more troops to Western Africa in order to give France the opportunity to redistribute its forces.
• Putin Orders MoD to Cooperate With French Naval Group Sputnik 17 Nov 2015 -- Putin ordered the Moskva cruiser to cooperate with a French naval group in the fight against the Islamic State.
• Russia Test Launches Topol Ballistic Missile Sputnik 17 Nov 2015 -- According to the Defense Ministry, Russia conducted on Tuesday a successful test launch of a RS-12M Topol intercontinental ballistic missile.
• Russia's Newest Defense Satellite Placed in Orbit, Contact Established Sputnik 17 Nov 2015 -- Russia's Defense Ministry established contact with it's latest satellite after it has been placed into target orbit.
• France Requests Military Support From EU Allies RFE/RL 17 Nov 2015 -- France has made an unprecedented demand for military and other aid from its EU partners in the wake of the terror attacks in Paris.
• China second only to the U.S. in terms of number of satellites: chief engineer People's Daily 17 Nov 2015 -- China currently has over 140 satellites in orbit with stable operation, second only to the U.S. in terms of satellite ownership, said a Chinese engineer from the national defense field at a satellite exhibition.
• Russian Strikes in Syria Leave Kiev Desperate to Organize Own Air Defenses Sputnik 17 Nov 2015 -- The successes of the Russian campaign of airstrikes in Syria appears to be giving authorities in Kiev the cold sweats, leaving them desperately trying to think of ways to reorganize the country's run-down air defense network.
• November 17, 2015 - U.S. Department of State Daily Press Briefing US Dept. of State 17 Nov 2015

Defense Industry

• DoD News: Contracts for November 17, 2015
• Lockheed Martin Hybrid Airship Certification Plan for Commercial Transport Approved by the FAA Lockheed Martin 17 Nov 2015 -- The Federal Aviation Administration (Seattle Aircraft Certification Office) recently approved Lockheed Martin's (NYSE: LMT) project specific certification plan for the Hybrid Airship.

Other Conflicts

• 17 November 2015 - Daily Press Briefing by the Office of the Spokesperson for the Secretary-General United Nations 17 Nov 2015
• Refugees should not be turned into scapegoats following Paris attacks, says UN agency UN News 17 Nov 2015 -- The United Nations refugee agency today expressed its shock and horror at the attacks in Paris and the killing of so many innocent people but warned against the scapegoating of refugees, in the wake of the deadly attacks.
• China Doesn't Want Sea Dispute Raised at ASEAN Summit VOA 17 Nov 2015 -- Beijing says it will oppose attempts to make its island-building activities in the South China Sea the focus of this week's leaders' summit in the Malaysian capital.
• Philippines, Vietnam Affirm United Front on S. China Sea VOA 17 Nov 2015 -- The presidents of the Philippines and Vietnam are showing a more united front on the disputed South China Sea issue on the sidelines of the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation leaders' summit, where the topic is officially not up for discussion.
• US ploy in South China Sea bound to fail People's Daily 17 Nov 2015 -- President Xi Jinping's visit to the Philippines for the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation meeting from Nov 17 to 19 has quelled speculations that the maritime disputes with the host nation could make him decide otherwise.
• Death toll from Saudi airstrikes on Yemen nears 7,500, report says Press TV 17 Nov 2015 -- Nearly 7,500 people have died in more than seven months of Saudi Arabia's relentless military aggression against Yemen, a monitoring group says.
• Gen. Jafari: Martyr Hamadani played key role in Syria IRNA 17 Nov 2015 -- Commander of the Islamic Revolution Guards Corps Major General Mohammad Ali Jafari underlined the role of the martyred IRGC Commander Brigadier General Hossein Hamadani in fighting against the Takfiri terrorists in Syria.
• French warplanes launch more strikes against IS targets in Syria People's Daily 17 Nov 2015 -- France launched more airstrikes against Islamic State (IS) targets in Syria overnight, pounding a command center and a recruitment center in their stronghold of Raqqa, the Defense Ministry said Tuesday.
• Syrian forces liberate strategic village in Homs Province Press TV 17 Nov 2015 -- Syria's government forces have liberated a strategic village that was under the control of the Daesh Takfiri terrorists in Homs Province.
• Coalition Could Adjust Actions in Syria Amid Intensified Russian Campaign Sputnik 17 Nov 2015 -- Russia informed the United States about planned operations to fire cruise missiles at the ISIL stronghold of Raqqa, according to US Defense Department spokesperson Michelle Baldanza.
• There's No Place Like Homs: Syrian Army Cracks Down on Jihadists Sputnik 17 Nov 2015 -- The Syrian army plans to launch a large-scale military operation to regain the strategic town of Maheen in Homs province from Islamic State militants, sources said.
• Russian Airstrikes in Syria Will Continue, Intensify - Putin Sputnik 17 Nov 2015 -- Airstrikes by the Russian Aerospace Forces in Syria will not only continue, but will be intensified, Russian President Vladimir Putin said Tuesday.
• Russian Warplanes Help Syrian Forces Regain Strategic Villages in Latakia Sputnik 17 Nov 2015 -- Russia's air strikes have been a force multiplier in the province of Latakia, where the Syrian Army and the National Defense Forces have liberated a number of strategically-located villages, media reports said.
• Central African Republic: UN relief coordinator strongly condemns attacks on sites for internally displaced UN News 17 Nov 2015 -- The top UN relief official in the Central African Republic (CAR) has condemned repeated and deadly attacks that took place last week on sites for internally displaced people (IDPs) in the towns of Batangafo and Bambari.
• Nigeria says 'go home', but is it safe from Boko Haram? IRIN 17 Nov 2015
• Somalia: senior UN official calls for global support to improve human rights situation UN News 17 Nov 2015 -- While noting significant improvement in several sectors in long-troubled Somalia, a senior United Nations official today warned that the country's progress is "at risk" without increased support from international partners to ensure the promotion and protection of human rights.
• Myanmar Military Continues Attacks Against Ethnic Rebels VOA 17 Nov 2015 -- Myanmar's military is continuing its renewed campaign against several ethnic rebel groups, highlighted by aerial assaults in Shan State.

News Reports

• France Hunts 2nd Fugitive Linked to Paris Attacks VOA 17 Nov 2015 -- French officials said late Tuesday they are seeking a second fugitive directly involved in the Paris attacks.
• Fumbles, Mistakes Prompt Talk of Major French Intelligence Failure VOA 17 Nov 2015 -- In the wake of the Paris attacks, wary and overstretched European intelligence services are asking themselves what more they can do to prevent the kind of terrorism that struck the French capital.
• Four Things That Will Likely Change After The Paris Terrorist Attacks RFE/RL 16 Nov 2015 -- The horrific terrorist attacks in Paris that killed at least 129 people and wounded hundreds of others could have a major impact on political and social issues in Europe and other Western countries.
• France Deploys Flagship Aircraft Carrier to Intensify Air Strikes Against Islamic State RFE/RL 17 Nov 2015 -- France's president ordered the country's flagship aircraft carrier to the eastern Mediterranean as Paris moved to intensify a bombing campaign against Islamic State militants in Syria in the wake of last week's terrorist attack in the French capital.
• President: Iran ready for security, intelligence cooperation with France to fight terrorism IRNA 17 Nov 2015 -- President Hassan Rouhani said on Tuesday that the Islamic Republic of Iran is ready for security and intelligence cooperation with France in campaign against terrorism.
• In shadow of Beirut and Paris terror attacks, UN Security Council discusses root causes of conflict UN News 17 Nov 2015 -- The United Nations Security Council held an already scheduled debate on conflict prevention today amid added urgency fuelled by last week's terrorist attacks in Beirut and Paris, with Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon stressing that counter-terrorism must also tackle such root causes as bad governance, injustice and exclusion.
• Obama: US Would Welcome Russian Focus on Islamic State VOA 17 Nov 2015 -- President Barack Obama said Wednesday the U.S. would welcome Russia shifting more of its efforts in Syria to confronting the Islamic State group instead of 'propping up' Syrian President Bashar al-Assad.
• Seeds of Jihad Planted in the Balkans VOA 17 Nov 2015 -- Editor's note: VOA's Jeff Swicord visited Bosnia and Herzegovina and Kosovo to examine radical extremism in the Balkans. This is the second of three parts.
• Terrorism Key Issue in US Election in Wake of Paris Attacks VOA 17 Nov 2015 -- Last week's horrific terror attacks in Paris have thrust foreign policy and national security issues front and center in the 2016 U.S. presidential election campaign.
• Obama Decries 'Offensive' Comments on Syrian Refugees VOA 17 Nov 2015 -- President Barack Obama said Wednesday that comments about Syrian refugees made by some U.S. politicians were 'offensive' and 'hysterical.'
• Background Briefing on Refugee Screening and Admissions US Dept. of State 17 Nov 2015
• Russia: Bomb Downed Passenger Jet; Putin Vows Vengeance VOA 17 Nov 2015 -- Russia concluded Tuesday that a bomb brought down one of its passenger jets over the Sinai Peninsula last month, with President Vladimir Putin vowing vengeance against those who carried out the attack.
• Russia Confirms Bomb Downed Plane Over Egypt, Vows Retribution RFE/RL 17 Nov 2015 -- Russia's President Vladimir Putin vowed "vengeance" after the country's security chief confirmed that a "terrorist act" had brought down a Russian passenger plane over Egypt last month.
• Russia Confirms A321 Brought Down by Terrorist Explosive Device Sputnik 17 Nov 2015 -- An explosion of the homemade bomb of up to 1kg of TNT equivalent was the cause of the A321 crash in Sinai, Russian Security Service (FSB) head Alexander Bortnikov said.
• Myanmar: Ban phones election victor, pledging continued UN support for democratic reform UN News 17 Nov 2015 -- Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon today phoned Daw Aung San Suu Kyi, leader of Myanmar's National League for Democracy (NLD), to congratulate her on its resounding success in this month's elections, pledging continued United Nations support for democratic reform efforts.
• Rwandan Senate Paves Way for Kagame to Extend Rule VOA 17 Nov 2015 -- The Rwandan Senate has endorsed constitutional amendments that would allow President Paul Kagame to stay in office for another two decades.
• Comment: What talks in Burundi should look like IRIN 17 Nov 2015 -- Warnings of a looming genocide in Burundi dangerously misrepresent the nature of the crisis in my country, but the widespread calls for urgent mediated talks are nevertheless well founded. They are an essential step to halting a cycle of violence that has claimed some 240 lives since April.
• Civil Society Role Urged in Burundi Talks VOA 17 Nov 2015 -- A Burundian civil society leader has called on the international community to help strengthen Burundian civil society groups so that they can effectively play their role as the voices of the people. Deogratias Niyonkuru, secretary general of ADISCO, a Burundian NGO that organizes farmers to mobilize resources for their own development, said civil society has a major role to play in the ongoing efforts to find an amicable solution to the country's crisis.
• IAEA Chief: Much progress made in Iran's nuclear case last year IRNA 17 Nov 2015 -- Director General of the International Atomic Energy Agency Yukiya Amano said that the IAEA has had another eventful year as important developments were made in relation to Iran's nuclear program.
• Consultations underway with other party on implementation of JCPOA IRNA 17 Nov 2015 -- Iranian Foreign Ministry's Director General for Political and International Affaris Hamid Baeedinejad said on Tuesday that consultations are underway with the western governments on sound implementation of the Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action.
• Iran to crush any Daesh threat before it reaches border: Commander ISNA 17 Nov 2015 -- The commander of the Iranian Army's Ground Forces said any threat posed by the Daesh Takfiris will be crushed before it can even reach Iran's borders.
• Russia Proposes Ukraine Debt Restructuring RFE/RL 17 Nov 2015 -- Russian President Vladimir Putin has offered to restructure Ukraine's $3 billion debt to Moscow.
• German Secret Agent Admits to Spying for CIA, Cites Boredom as Reason Sputnik 17 Nov 2015 -- A former German secret service agent charged with treason has admitted to spying for the CIA during his court trial in Munich.
• Taiwan Presidential Front-runner Chooses Running Mate VOA 17 Nov 2015 -- The front-runner for Taiwan's 2016 presidential election, opposition candidate Tsai Ing-wen, has named prominent epidemiologist Chen Chien-jen as her running mate.
• Cambodia: Ban calls arrest warrant for opposition leader 'worrisome development' UN News 17 Nov 2015 -- For the second time in three weeks the United Nations has expressed concern over increasing tensions between Cambodia's Government and opposition, with Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon today calling the arrest warrant issued against opposition leader Sam Rainsy "worrisome."