Operations
Defense Policy / Programs
Defense Industry
Other Conflicts
News Reports

Current Operations

• Operation Iraqi Freedom (OIF) Casualty Update 30 Dec 2015 [PDF]
• Coalition Strikes Hit ISIL in Syria, Iraq AFPS 30 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.
• Afghan Protesters Demand Kabul Step Up Fight Against IS, Taliban VOA 30 Dec 2015 -- Several hundred local Afghans took to the streets of the eastern city of Jalalabad Wednesday, demanding that Kabul step up military operations against Islamic State (IS) and Taliban militants in Nangarhar province.
• Fresh US assassination drone raid kills two in eastern Afghanistan Press TV 30 Dec 2015 -- Afghan authorities say at least two people have lost their lives in a US assassination drone strike in the country's troubled eastern province of Laghman.
• 4 Nation 'Steering Committee' to Discuss Afghan Peace Process VOA 30 Dec 2015 -- Pakistan says it will host next month's inaugural meeting of a recently set up four-nation "steering committee" to discuss when, how and where direct peace talks between the Afghan government and the Taliban could possibly be resumed.

Defense Policy / Programs

• U.S. Charges Afghan Businessman With Bribing For Contracts RFE/RL 30 Dec 2015 -- An Afghan businessman has been charged with bribing U.S. soldiers to obtain millions of dollars in U.S. supply contracts in a major U.S. court case targeting corruption during the war in Afghanistan.
• Afghan Businessman Facing Charges for Bribing US Soldiers VOA 30 Dec 2015 -- The owner of an Afghan trucking company contracted to move supplies for coalition soldiers in 2009 has been charged in U.S. federal court with bribing soldiers in order to get contracts worth millions of dollars.
• Russian PAK FA to be Equipped With Futuristic Photonic Radar Sputnik 30 Dec 2015 -- Russia's fifth-generation fighter PAK FA (T-50) may be equipped with an advanced radar which is currently being developed by a Russian corporation.
• Russia Plans Arms Export Sales of $15 Billion in 2016 Sputnik 30 Dec 2015 -- According to the Russian Federal Service for Military-Technical Cooperation, Moscow plans to export over $15 billion of military equipment in 2016.
• China's New 5th Generation Jet Rumored to Have Entered Production Sputnik 30 Dec 2015 -- China's stealthy Chengdu J-20 fifth-generation combat aircraft may have gone into preliminary production according to state-owned Chinese media.
• China's South Sea Fleet Gets Three New Ships Sputnik 30 Dec 2015 -- The People's Liberation Army Navy (PLAN) recently commissioned three vessels, including a Dongdiao-class general intelligence ship, into its South Sea Fleet, according to Chinese media.
• India test-fires Barak-8 long range missile Press TV 30 Dec 2015 -- India has successfully test-fired a new long-range surface-to-air missile (LR SAM), which New Delhi says, is capable of countering aerial threats at extended ranges.
• India Test-Fires Long-Range Missile System Developed With Israel Sputnik 30 Dec 2015 -- The long range surface-to-air missile destroyed aerial targets at extended ranges, making a 'quantum jump in air defense capability' of the joint Indian-Israeli effort, the Indian Defense Ministry said.
• US: Iran Launched 'Provocative' Missile Test Near US Warship VOA 30 Dec 2015 -- The United States has accused Iran of launching a 'highly provocative' missile test last week near an American aircraft carrier passing through international shipping lanes in the Strait of Hormuz.
• Iran Test-Fires Rockets Close To Western Warships In Gulf RFE/RL 30 Dec 2015 -- The Iranian Revolutionary Guards fired rockets near three Western warships as they were entering the Persian Gulf in what a U.S. military spokesman on December 29 called a 'highly provocative' act.
• Russia begins delivery of S-300 to Iran IRNA 30 Dec 2015 -- Russian Deputy Prime Minister Dmitry Rogozin said on Wednesday that delivery of S-300 advanced anti-missile air defense system to Iran has begun.
• Iran Paying for S-300 Air Defense System Contract - Russian Deputy PM Sputnik 30 Dec 2015 -- According to Russia's deputy prime minister, Iran paid for the delivery of S-300 air defense systems.
• Russia to Supply Egypt With 46 Ka-52K Naval Attack Helicopters Sputnik 30 Dec 2015 -- Russia has struck a deal with Egypt to deliver 46 Kamov Ka-52K navalized attack helicopters, the director-general of the state-run Russian Helicopters aircraft maker said Wednesday.
• Russia May Supply Egypt With Helicopters for Mistral in 2017 Sputnik 30 Dec 2015 -- According to the Federal Service for Military-Technical Cooperation, Russia may supply Egypt with helicopters if an according contract will be signed in the beginning of 2016.
• £369 million MOD Hercules support deal sustains 1,200 UK jobs UK MOD 30 Dec 2015-- The Ministry of Defence has agreed a £369 million deal for the continued in-service support of the RAF Hercules C-130J fleet, securing around 1,200 UK jobs until 2022.
• Afghanistan, Pakistanistan set up military hotline Press TV 30 Dec 2015 -- Pakistan and Afghanistan have established a hotline between their respective military commanders in an attempt to reduce bilateral tensions and prevent cross-border clashes.

Defense Industry

• DoD News: Contracts for December 30, 2015

Other Conflicts

• Yemeni counterstrikes kill two Saudi military forces Press TV 30 Dec 2015 -- Two members of Saudi Arabia's military have died in counteroffensives by Yemeni forces in retaliation for Saudi Arabia's roughly-year-long military aggression.
• Yemeni forces launch missile attacks on Saudi military bases Press TV 30 Dec 2015 -- The Yemeni army, backed by Popular Committees loyal to the Houthi Ansarullah movement, has launched retaliatory missile attacks on military bases in Saudi Arabia's southwestern border city of Najran.
• Kuwait to Send Troops to Join Saudi War in Yemen Sputnik 30 Dec 2015 -- Kuwait is ready to send an artillery battalion to protect Saudi Arabia against cross-border incursions by Houthi rebels in Yemen, the Kuwaiti daily newspaper Al-Qabas reported.
• Major Hurdles Foreseen for Syria Talks VOA 30 Dec 2015 -- As the United Nations prepares to facilitate January talks on a political transition in Syria, some key questions remain unanswered.
• US claims over civilian deaths in Syria 'absurd,' Russia says Press TV 30 Dec 2015 -- The Russian Defense Ministry has denounced as "absurd" allegations by the United States that Moscow's airstrikes in Syria are causing civilian casualties.
• Russia Under Renewed Criticism For Killing Syrian Civilians RFE/RL 30 Dec 2015 -- Russia came under renewed criticism on December 29 for what the United States said is 'indiscriminate' bombing in Syria that is killing civilians and endangering peace talks.
• Syria army enters militant-held town in Dara'a Press TV 30 Dec 2015 -- The Syrian army has managed to move inside the town of Sheikh Maskin, which was controlled by foreign- backed militants, in the southern province of Dara'a.
• Syrian army recaptures several areas from Daesh Press TV 30 Dec 2015 -- Syrian army troops have liberated several areas from Daesh Takfiri terrorists across the country.
• Gaining Ground: Syrian Army Establishes Control of Many Strategic Areas Sputnik 30 Dec 2015 -- The Syrian Army backed by the Air Force established control over several new areas in southern and coastal parts of the country.
• Ankara troops cause lots of tension in Iraq: Premier Abadi Press TV 30 Dec 2015 -- The Iraqi prime minister says Ankara shows no respect to an agreement on pulling back its troops from the country's north, accusing the Turkish forces of causing "lots of tension" in the region.
• Iraqi Forces Find More IS 'Pockets of Resistance' in Ramadi VOA 30 Dec 2015 -- Iraqi forces trying to clear Ramadi after seizing the city from Islamic State militants are meeting with heavier resistance than first anticipated.
• UNICEF warns of future lost generation in Iraq due to chaos Press TV 30 Dec 2015 -- The United Nations has warned that Iraq is facing a lost generation because of insufficient education and healthcare for citizens who are bearing the brunt of foreign-sponsored militancy gripping the country.
• Iraq urges Turkish troops pullout, threatens military action Press TV 30 Dec 2015 -- The Iraqi foreign minister has once again called on Turkey to withdraw its troops from northern Iraq, warning that Baghdad may otherwise take military action against Ankara.
• Vicious Caliphate: Daesh Executes Over 800 Women in Iraq Sputnik 30 Dec 2015 -- The terrorists of Daesh have reportedly executed 837 women in Mosul, Iraq, since they took over the city, according to a report by the Nineveh police department.
• Sunni Fighters Help Hold Ramadi as Army Pursues IS Holdouts VOA 30 Dec 2015 -- Iraqi military officials say Sunni tribal fighters are helping hold territory in Ramadi after the army largely pushed Islamic State militants out of the key city west of Baghdad.
• Hsia, Zhang launch new cross-strait hotline CNA 30 Dec 2015 -- A newly installed telephone hotline system connecting the heads of cross-Taiwan Strait affairs in Taiwan and mainland China was officially launched Wednesday, with the top cross- strait affairs officials conversing with each other and recognizing the recent achievements across the strait.
• China, Taiwan Establish Hotline as Ties Improve VOA 30 Dec 2015 -- China and Taiwan have officially set up a hotline that serves as an emergency tension-reducing mechanism, the latest effort to increase political dialogue between the two neighbors.
• Normandy Four Leaders Reaffirm Commitment to Ceasefire in Donbass Sputnik 30 Dec 2015 -- The leaders of Germany, France, Russia and Ukraine reiterated their commitment to the Minsk deal, including the pullout of heavy weapons in Donbass.
• 9 killed in new clashes between Philippine troops, Abu Sayyaf militants Press TV 30 Dec 2015 -- Nine people have been killed in a new round of clashes between Philippine troops and militants of the outlawed group, Abu Sayyaf.
• AU Committed to Help CAR Return to Constitutional Rule VOA 30 Dec 2015 -- The African Union's Peace and Security Council will meet to decide when to lift its suspension of the Central African Republic once a legitimate president is chosen and inaugurated, an AU official said Wednesday as the CAR held elections aimed at returning constitutional rule to the country.
• UN peacekeepers help provide security as Central African Republic holds elections UN News 30 Dec 2015 -- United Nations peacekeepers were out in force at polling stations throughout the Central African Republic (CAR) today as the country voted in presidential and legislative elections, a major step on the path to stability after two years of conflict between Muslims and Christians.
• Voters Ready to Turn Page on CAR Crisis VOA 30 Dec 2015 -- Throngs of voters lined up at polling stations early Wednesday in the capital of the Central African Republic, ready to elect a new president and parliament who they hope will end years of conflict and division. However, conditions for the elections, originally scheduled for October, remain imperfect. The poll has been marred by widespread logistical problems, claims of vote-rigging, the post-election period might also be difficult to manage.
• CAR Holds Presidential, Legislative Vote VOA 30 Dec 2015 -- Voters went to the polls in the Central African Republic Wednesday, in a much-delayed election that many hope will end three years of violence in the troubled country.

News Reports

• AU Threatens Sanctions if Burundi Factions Shun Peace Talks VOA 30 Dec 2015 -- The African Union has threatened to place sanctions on Burundi's rival political factions if they fail to attend peace talks next month, as it pushes all sides to resolve their differences and avert more violence.
• Norway backs N. deal via helping natural uranium transfer to Iran ISNA 30 Dec 2015 -- Norway said it has helped verify a shipment of 60 tons of raw uranium to Iran as part of an international deal on Tehran's nuclear program.
• Iran receives high-standard uranium stockpile since Islamic revolution ISNA 30 Dec 2015 -- Iran has received the most high-standard and most volume of uranium stockpile (yellow cake) since the Islamic Revolution of Iran, following uranium exchange between Iran and Russia, Hamid Baeidinejad who is the director general for political and international security affairs at Iran's Foreign Ministry said.
• Iran Marks 'Epic' 2009 Pro-Government Rallies RFE/RL 30 Dec 2015 -- Iran is marking six years since tens of thousands of hard-line supporters took to the streets to show their support for the clerical establishment, countering mass demonstrations against the results of the country's 2009 presidential election.
• Turkey detains 2 Daesh suspects for plotting attacks in Ankara Press TV 30 Dec 2015 -- Turkish police have arrested two suspected members of Daesh Takfiri terrorist group, who were allegedly planning bomb attacks in the capital, Ankara, on New Year's Eve.
• Russia In 2015: Undaunted, Navalny Pushes Corruption Agenda Even More Aggressively RFE/RL 30 Dec 2015 -- You might think that someone who's been tried, convicted, and sentenced twice, has seen his brother imprisoned on questionable charges, and lives in a country where investigative reporters and political activists have been killed with impunity would seek to avoid the limelight. If it was someone other than Aleksei Navalny, you'd probably be right.
• US continues spying on Israeli prime minister: Report Press TV 30 Dec 2015 -- The US continues spying on Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu despite claims to curtail hacking its allies, says a report, quoting the National Security Agency officials.
• Report: U.S. Spied On Israeli Leader During Iran Nuclear Talks RFE/RL 30 Dec 2015 -- The United States spied on Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu during the Iran nuclear negotiations despite a pledge by the White House to stop spying on allies, the Wall Street Journal reported December 29.
• Israeli Anti-Iran Deal Actions Provoked US Spying on Netanyahu Sputnik 30 Dec 2015 -- Israel's actions to counter the Iranian nuclear deal prompted the US National Security Agency (NSA) to spy on the country's Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu's office, a member of the Meretz Party Executive Committee told Sputnik on Wednesday.
• Report Says US Spied on Israel During Iran Negotiations VOA 30 Dec 2015 -- A U.S. newspaper is reporting that the United States spied on communications of Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, although President Barack Obama promised two years ago to curtail eavesdropping on friendly heads of state.
• Cuban president calls for U.S. embargo relief to normalize diplomatic ties People's Daily 30 Dec 2015 -- Cuban President Raul Castro Tuesday asked the United States to lift its economic sanctions against Cuba and return the territory occupied by the U.S. naval base in Guantanamo before normalizing bilateral diplomatic ties.
• Cuba enters new phase of int'l economic relations: Castro People's Daily 30 Dec 2015 -- Cuba's economic, trade and financial relations with some countries have entered a new phase, President Raul Castro said Tuesday at the parliament after the island country managed to renegotiate its debt with some countries.
• Japan reportedly to face comfort women issue beyond Korea: official CNA 30 Dec 2015 -- The Japanese government must have been aware of Taiwan's demands over the 'comfort women' issue, given that Japanese officials told NHK that their government will face the issue directly with countries other than South Korea based on different conditions, according to Taiwan's representative to Japan Shen Ssu-tsun (沈斯淳).
• Taiwan to negotiate with Japan over comfort women compensation CNA 30 Dec 2015 -- Japan is willing to negotiate with Taiwan over the issue of comfort women who were forced into sexual slavery by the Japanese military during World War II, and the negotiations will start in early January, Foreign Minister David Y.L. Lin (林永樂) said Wednesday.
• Burkina Faso's new government a significant achievement for whole Sahel region, says UN chief UN News 30 Dec 2015 -- The inauguration of Burkina Faso's new president marks a significant development for the whole sub-Saharan Sahel region on the path away from tension and disputed elections, United Nations Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon has said, also commending the opposition for their prompt acceptance of the election results.
• China sends sophisticated satellite into Earth orbit Press TV 30 Dec 2015 -- China has launched a highly sophisticated satellite specifically designed to observe the Earth with high-definition imaging equipment.
• Analysts: More Problems Ahead for Russian Space Agency VOA 30 Dec 2015 -- Russia's President Vladimir Putin liquidated the Federal Space Agency, Roscosmos, on Monday – and replaced it with a state corporation, still called Roscosmos.