Operations
Defense Policy / Programs
Defense Industry
Other Conflicts
News Reports

Current Operations

• Coalition Strikes Continue Against ISIL in Iraq, Syria AFPS 19 Dec 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.
• Readout of Secretary Carter's Visit to France's Aircraft Carrier Charles de Gaulle and Call with French Minister of Defense Jean-Yves Le Drian DoD 19 Dec 2015
• Statement from Pentagon Press Secretary Peter Cook on Secretary Carter's Phone Call with Iraqi Prime Minister Abadi DoD 19 Dec 2015
• US Admits Missile 'Mistake' Killed Iraqi Soldiers VOA 19 Dec 2015 -- U.S. Defense Secretary Ash Carter said an American airstrike that killed up to 10 Iraqi security forces appears to have been 'a mistake that involved both sides.'
• Iraq opens probe into deadly US airstrike Press TV 19 Dec 2015 -- Baghdad says it has opened an investigating into a recent airstrike carried out by the United States in Anbar Province, which claimed the lives of at least 10 Iraqi soldiers.
• Pentagon calls Iraq attack 'mistake by both sides' Press TV 19 Dec 2015 -- US Defense Secretary Ashton Carter claims that the death of a number of Iraqi troops in a US airstrike against purported Daesh (ISIL) positions appeared to be a mistake involving both American and Iraqi forces.
• Carter: Afghanistan Mission Remains a Top Priority AFPS 19 Dec 2015 -- Work over the past year has put Afghanistan on a better path forward, and the mission there remains a top priority, Defense Secretary Ash Carter said yesterday.
• Afghan Forces Remain Resilient Against Multiple Adversaries, Commander Says AFPS 19 Dec 2015 -- After a summer of hard fighting, the Afghan army is working to gain skills they'll need to continue the battle against diverse adversaries, the commander of the NATO Resolute Support Mission and U.S. Forces-Afghanistan said yesterday.
• Afghan troops liberate southern district from Taliban Press TV 19 Dec 2015 -- Afghan military forces have retaken a district in the southern province of Helmand from the Taliban, after it fell to the militant group earlier this month.

Defense Policy / Programs

• Carter Visits French Aircraft Carrier Charles De Gaulle AFPS 19 Dec 2015 -- Defense Secretary Ash Carter spoke with French Defense Minister Jean-Yves Le Drian yesterday before visiting the French nuclear-powered aircraft carrier Charles de Gaulle, now stationed in the Arabian Gulf and launching strikes against the Islamic State in Iraq and the Levant.
• Media Availability with Secretary Carter Aboard the USS Kearsarge DoD 19 Dec 2015 -- Presenter: Secretary of Defense Ash Carter
• Remarks by Secretary Ash Carter Aboard the USS Kearsarge DoD 19 Dec 2015 -- Presenter: Secretary of Defense Ash Carter
• US: Bombers Didn't Intentionally Fly Near S. China Sea Island VOA 19 Dec 2015 -- A Pentagon spokesman said Saturday that two B-52 bombers did not intentionally fly near a Chinese man-made island in the South China Sea last week.
• Readout of Secretary Carter's Meeting with the King of Bahrain DoD 19 Dec 2015
• Remarks by Secretary Carter Aboard the French Aircraft Carrier Charles de Gaulle DoD 19 Dec 2015 -- Presenter: Secretary of Defense Ash Carter
• NAVCENT Commander Welcomes Charles de Gaulle to 5th Fleet NNS 19 Dec 2015 -- The commander of U.S. Navy Forces Central Command visited his task force commander aboard the French aircraft carrier FS Charles de Gaulle (R91) Dec. 19, highlighting a crucial international partnership as well as the increasing importance of maritime cooperation in the fight against ISIL.
• DM: Iran receives proposals for advanced defense cooperation IRNA 19 Dec 2015 -- Defense and Armed Forces Logistical Support Minister Brigadier General Hossein Dehqan said on Saturday that advanced countries have had good proposals for military cooperation with Iran since the signing of the Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action (JCPOA).
• Iran not to start any war, says commander ISNA 19 Dec 2015 -- Commander of the Iranian Army's Ground Force Brigadier General Ahmad-Reza Pourdastan said the country would never start a war.
• Iran, Oman to hold joint drill in Hormuz Strait: Cmdr. Press TV 19 Dec 2015 -- The naval forces of Iran and Oman will hold a joint rescue and relief drill in the southern Iranian waters in the coming days, a senior Iranian commander says.
• Missile tests our legitimate right: Iran Press TV 19 Dec 2015 -- Foreign Minister Mohammad Javad Zarif has defended Iran's right to carry out missile tests, saying none of Iranian missiles are capable of carrying nuclear warheads.

Defense Industry

Other Conflicts

• China: US Conducted 'Serious Military Provocation' VOA 19 Dec 2015 -- China has accused the United States of conducting a 'serious military provocation' by flying B-52 planes over Chinese man-made islands earlier this month in the South China Sea.
• Op-ed V on the Philippines' South China Sea Arbitration Farce People's Daily 19 Dec 2015 -- The Philippines has lately been selling the South China Sea arbitration case it unilaterally initiated to the international community while defaming China, claiming that China's non-acceptance of and non-participation in the arbitration undermines international rule of law.
• US committed 'serious military provocation,' China says Press TV 19 Dec 2015 -- The United States has committed 'a serious military provocation' by flying two B-52 strategic bombers over artificial Chinese islands in the South China Sea, China's Defense Ministry says.
• China warns against stoking tensions in 'stable' South China Sea Press TV 19 Dec 2015 -- Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi has warned certain extra-regional countries against stirring tensions which could threaten the "relatively stable" situation in the disputed South China Sea.
• China slams 'provocative' airspace violation by US bomber Press TV 19 Dec 2015 -- China has censured the US for a 'serious military provocation' after an American B-52 strategic bomber conducted a flight over China's islands in the disputed waters of the South China Sea.
• Yemeni factions agree to set up ceasefire committee Press TV 19 Dec 2015 -- Yemen's warring sides have agreed to form a committee to oversee a fragile ceasefire as they engage in peace talks mediated by the United Nations.
• UAE sends 300 Colombian mercs to Yemen: AFP Press TV 19 Dec 2015 -- The United Arab Emirates has secretly dispatched some 300 Colombian mercenaries to Yemen to fight on its behalf alongside Saudi-led militants, the French news agency AFP says.
• Missile attack kills at least 180 Saudi-led troops Press TV 19 Dec 2015 -- At least 180 Saudi-led troops are killed after Yemen's army fires a ballistic missile at a military base in retaliation for heavy bombing and capture of two Yemeni towns despite a ceasefire.
• Despite 'Truce,' Clashes Kill 68 in Yemen VOA 19 Dec 2015 -- At least 68 people have died in fierce fighting in northern Yemen in recent days, the country's military said Saturday, tainting an already fragile cease-fire between pro-government forces and Shi'ite Houthi rebels.
• Russia poured 1,500 bombs on Daesh since mid-November: General Press TV 19 Dec 2015 -- Russian long-range fighter bombers have dropped nearly 1,500 bombs on positions of Daesh terrorists in Syria and conducted 145 sorties against the foreign-backed militants since mid-November said an air force commander.
• Putin: Russia ready to rev war machine on terrorists in Syria Press TV 19 Dec 2015 -- Russian President Vladimir Putin says his country is prepared to send "more military means" to Syria in order to combat terrorist groups operating inside the Arab country.
• Syrian army makes new advances, inflicts heavy losses on Takfiris Press TV 19 Dec 2015 -- The Syrian army, backed by fighters from allied popular forces, has made new advances in strategic parts of the country and inflicted losses on the personnel and equipment of the militants.
• Kerry: UN-approved Road Map to Peace in Syria a 'Milestone' VOA 19 Dec 2015 -- The U.N. Security Council's unanimous approval of an international road map for a Syrian peace process was a rare display of unity among major powers on a conflict that has claimed more than a quarter-million lives, U.S. Secretary of State John Kerry said.
• Withdrawal of Turkish Troops From Northern Iraqi Province Underway Sputnik 19 Dec 2015 -- Turkey continues the process of its troops' withdrawal from the Iraqi province of Nineveh, the country's Foreign Ministry said Saturday.
• Obama to Erdogan: Withdraw Turkish troops from Iraq Press TV 19 Dec 2015 -- US President Barack Obama has called on his Turkish counterpart Recep Tayyip Erdogan to withdraw his country's troops out of Iraq and respect its integrity.
• Turkey says miscommunication caused Iraq troop deployment Press TV 19 Dec 2015 -- Turkish Foreign Ministry says 'miscommunication' with Iraq caused its recent troops deployment in the northern Nineveh province.
• Iraq urges UNSC resolution against Turkey troop deployment Press TV 19 Dec 2015 -- Iraq has asked the United Nations Security Council (UNSC) to adopt a resolution, urging Turkey to end its "illegal incursion" and immediately withdraw its troops from the Arab country's soil.
• Armenia, Azerbaijan back OSCE efforts on Nagorno-Karabakh Press TV 19 Dec 2015 -- Armenia and Azerbaijan have declared their support for ongoing efforts by the Organization for Security and Cooperation in Europe (OSCE) to stem the violence in the disputed region of Nagorno-Karabakh.
• Car Bomb Blast Kills 3, Injures 25 in Mogadishu VOA 19 Dec 2015 -- At least three people were killed Saturday and 25 others were wounded when a car bomb exploded on a busy road in the Somali capital of Mogadishu, police said.
• ICC Transfers Two Militia Leaders to DRC VOA 19 Dec 2015 -- The International Criminal Court in The Hague has sent two Congolese militia leaders back to the Democratic Republic of Congo to finish serving their sentences for war crimes.

News Reports

• UN Security Council calls for stepped up mediation efforts in conflict-torn Burundi UN News 19 Dec 2015 -- Voicing deep concern at the continuing escalation of violence in Burundi, the United Nations Security Council today called for urgent acceleration of mediation efforts by East African States and urged all Burundian stakeholders to fully cooperate with a proposed African Union (AU) peace-keeping mission.
• Burundi Fighting Sides to Resume Talks to End Political Unrest VOA 19 Dec 2015 -- Uganda announced Saturday that it would mediate peace talks between government and opposition groups in Burundi in an effort to end Burundi's deadly political unrest.
• Provisional Results: Rwandans Vote to Allow Kagame Extra Terms VOA 19 Dec 2015 -- Rwandans have voted overwhelmingly to change the constitution and allow President Paul Kagame to seek another term, provisional referendum results released Saturday showed.
• Spanish Elections: Who's Who? teleSUR 19 Dec 2015 -- Spain is headed to elections on Sunday and two new political players are posing a serious challenge to the dominance of the country's two leading parties, the Spanish Socialist Workers' Party (PSOE) and the conservative Popular Party (PP).
• AEOI Chief: PMD case closed for ever IRNA 19 Dec 2015 -- Head of the Atomic Energy Organization of Iran (AEOI) announced that that the case of the issues related to Iran's past nuclear activities have been closed and PMD is no longer an issue for discussion.
• Salehi: Iran to export 9 tons of enriched uranium to Russia soon IRNA 19 Dec 2015 -- Head of the Atomic Energy Organization of Iran (AEOI) Ali Akbar Salehi announced that Iran would export nine tons of its enriched uranium to Russia in the coming days.
• Iran To Ship Enriched Uranium To Russia RFE/RL 19 Dec 2015 -- Iranian nuclear officials say Tehran will export most of its enriched uranium stockpile to Russia in the coming days as it implements a nuclear deal to secure relief from international sanctions.
• Chemical arms entered Syria via Turkey from Libya: Gaddafi cousin Press TV 19 Dec 2015 -- The chemical weapons, widely reported to be used by Takfiri terrorists against Syrians some two years ago, were stolen from Libya and later smuggled into Syria via Turkey, a relative of former Libyan dictator Muammar Gaddafi says.
• Georgian Electoral Amendment Clears Early Hurdle, But Vote Concerns Persist RFE/RL 19 Dec 2015 -- As Georgia braces for an election year, its parliament has taken an early step toward remedying a perceived imbalance in political districting, but concerns about the fairness of the vote are likely to persist.