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Operations
Defense Policy / Programs
Defense Industry
Other Conflicts
News Reports

Current Operations

• Coalition Strikes ISIL Targets in Syria, Iraq AFPS 18 Jan 2016 -- 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 and Syria UK MOD 18 Jan 2016 -- Daesh terrorists in Syria and Iraq have suffered further losses from successful Royal Air Force air strikes.
• Progress Reported in Four-way Afghan Peace Talks VOA 18 Jan 2016 -- Afghanistan on Monday hosted a meeting of delegates from the United States, China and Pakistan on how to initiate direct peace talks between Afghan government and Taliban representatives.
• Afghan Parliamentary Polls Set for October 15 VOA 18 Jan 2016 -- Afghanistan's top election official says postponed parliamentary polls will be held in October, promising mistakes of the bitterly disputed 2014 presidential vote would not be repeated.

Defense Policy / Programs

• US Military Releases Account of Iran's Detention of US Sailors VOA 18 Jan 2016 -- The U.S. military has released its first official account of Iran's 15-hour detention of 10 U.S. sailors whose boats had strayed into Iranian waters in the Persian Gulf last week.
• Readout of Secretary Carter's Meeting With Australian Prime Minister Turnbull DoD 18 Jan 2016
• Fire for effect: U.S. Coalition personnel train Iraqi soldiers on artillery techniques USMC News 18 Jan 2016 -- Iraqi forces request artillery fire support from the front lines during the counterattack missions in Ramadi. Heavy small-arms fire suppresses the enemy on the ground, but a few minutes later there's thunder in the sky – artillery thunder!
• Chitose exercise enhances U.S.-Japan interoperability USMC News 18 Jan 2016 -- Marines with Marine All-Weather Fighter Attack Squadron 224, Marine Aviation Logistics Squadron 12, and Headquarters and Headquarters Squadron traveled from Marine Corps Air Station Iwakuni, Japan, to participate in the Chitose Aviation Training Relocation exercise at Chitose Air Base, Japan, Jan. 12-22, 2016.
• NATO Secretary General discusses Warsaw Summit with Polish President NATO 18 Jan 2016 -- NATO Secretary General Jens Stoltenberg and Polish President Andrzej Duda met on Monday, 18 January 2016, to discuss preparations for the Warsaw Summit. Mr. Stoltenberg thanked Poland for its continued commitment to Euro-Atlantic security - including through its contributions to the Readiness Action Plan, Alliance-led missions in Afghanistan and Kosovo, and defence capacity building for NATO partners, including Ukraine.
• NATO Presence in Poland to Grow After Alliance's Warsaw Summit Sputnik 18 Jan 2016 -- NATO Secretary General Jens Stoltenberg stated that NATO will increase its military presence in Poland.
• Modern Military Hardware to Total 70% in Russian Southern District in 2016 Sputnik 18 Jan 2016 -- About 1,200 units of modern and modernized weapons and military hardware are expected to be delivered to the Russian Southern Military District forces, according to Commander of the Southern Military District Col. Gen. Alexander Galkin.
• Russia to Equip Radio-Technical Troops With 80% of Radars Before 2020 Sputnik 18 Jan 2016 -- The Radio-Technical Troops (RTT) of the Russian Aerospace Forces are to undergo a general re-equipment with advanced radar-location systems by 2020, according to the Russian Defense Ministry.
• Iran: New U.S. Sanctions Over Missile Tests 'Illegitimate' RFE/RL 18 Jan 2016 -- Tehran has denounced new U.S. sanctions imposed over Iran's ballistic-missile program, claiming that the sanctions 'have no legal or moral legitimacy' because of Washington's arms sales to other countries in the Middle East.
• Tehran Will Continue Increasing Missile Potential Despite New US Sanctions Sputnik 18 Jan 2016 -- According to Iranian Foreign Ministry spokesman, Tehran will continue to expand its missile potential regardless of new US sanctions imposed against Iran.
• Iran Calls New US Ballistic Missile Sanctions Illegitimate VOA 18 Jan 2016 -- Iran's Foreign Ministry called new U.S. sanctions targeting the country's ballistic missile program illegitimate.
• Iran will continue to upgrade missile might: Foreign ministry Press TV 18 Jan 2016 -- Iran's Foreign Ministry says the country will continue to enhance its missile capabilities in defiance of the 'destructive' fresh US sanctions over the Islamic Republic's missile program.
• Iran to test new missiles despite US sanctions: Defense minister Press TV 18 Jan 2016 -- Iranian Defense Minister Brigadier General Hossein Dehqan says the Islamic Republic will unveil new domestically-designed and manufactured missiles in the near future in defiance of new US sanctions against the country over its missile program.
• Inside North Korea's Secret Drone Ops Sputnik 18 Jan 2016 -- North Korea has been honing its drone system for over 25 years, developing advanced drones believed to be capable of both airstrikes and deep infiltration. Here's how they did it.
• Chinese navy ships start Sri Lanka tour People's Daily 18 Jan 2016 -- The 21st Chinese naval escort taskforce, comprising the guided-missile frigates Liuzhou, Sanya and the comprehensive supply ship Qinghaihu, arrived here on Sunday for a five-day visit.
• Backlash Against UK Labour Leader Corbyn's Nuclear Blunder Sputnik 18 Jan 2016 -- UK Labour Party leader Jeremy Corbyn - a life-long anti-nuclear campaigner - faced a huge backlash Monday over his statement that Britain could retain its Trident nuclear missile deterrent, but without carrying warheads.
• Defence Secretary announces more support to Ukraine Armed Forces UK MOD 18 Jan 2016 -- The Defence Secretary has today announced the UK will gift around £500,000 worth of first aid kits to the Ukraine Armed Forces (UAF).
• Afghan Air Force receives first four A-29s AFNS 18 Jan 2016 -- The U.S. Air Force delivered four A-29 Super Tucanos to the Afghan Air Force Jan. 15 at Hamid Karzai International Airport, Afghanistan.

Defense Industry

• Russia Hopes Easing of Tehran Sanctions Will Boost Helicopter Sales to Iran Sputnik 18 Jan 2016 -- For Russian Helicopters company, the end of sanctions against Tehran means an opportunity to supply Iran with new military helicopters and after-sales services, according to the Russian state technology company Rostec.

Other Conflicts

• 18 January 2016 - Daily Press Briefing by the Office of the Spokesperson for the Secretary-General United Nations 18 Jan 2016
• Dozens killed as Saudis pound police offices in Yemeni capital Press TV 18 Jan 2016 -- Dozens of people have been killed in a series of air raids by Saudi Arabia on police buildings in the Yemeni capital of Sana'a as well as other areas across the war-torn Arab state.
• Yemeni forces target Saudi mercenaries with ballistic missile Press TV 18 Jan 2016 -- Yemeni army troopers, backed by fighters from the allied popular committees, have reportedly carried out a missile attack against a hideout of Saudi foreign mercenaries in Yemen's central province of Ma'rib.
• Yemen: Ban urges all sides to commit to ceasefire and resume UN-brokered talks to end fighting UN News 18 Jan 2016 -- Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon today called on the Government and all parties in Yemen as well as States in the region to commit to a comprehensive and permanent ceasefire to enable the rapid resumption of already delayed peace talks which the United Nations is facilitating.
• Saudi-led Airstrike on Sana'a Police Kills 26 VOA 18 Jan 2016 -- Saudi-led airstrikes killed at least 26 people at a police facility in Yemen's capital overnight, adding to a death toll of nearly 6,000 people since Riyadh began its military campaign against the Houthi militia that controls Sana'a.
• IS to withdraw from southern Damascus within 72 hours People's Daily 18 Jan 2016 -- The Islamic State (IS) militant group and the al-Qaida-linked Nusra Front are expected to withdraw from areas under their control in south of the capital Damascus within 72 hours, local al-Watan newspaper reported on Monday.
• Syria liberates more areas near Dayr al-Zawr Press TV 18 Jan 2016 -- The Syrian army and allied volunteer fighters have made fresh gains against militants in a key village in the country's east, securing areas in an area that recently saw the massacre of hundreds of people at the hands of Daesh terrorists.
• 'Sharply deteriorating conditions' in besieged areas of Syria, UN aid agencies report UN News 18 Jan 2016 -- United Nations humanitarian agencies expressed concern today that an estimated 200,000 people are facing "sharply deteriorating conditions" in the besieged western side of Deir-Ez-Zor city in Syria, while the top UN relief official stressed that the world body continues to act "impartially, neutrally and independently" to reach people in need throughout the country.
• Contradictions in Syrian Conflict Seen in Battle for Aleppo Countryside VOA 18 Jan 2016 -- A monthslong struggle for control of the northern Aleppo countryside between Syrian insurgent factions and Islamic State militants is at a stalemate, partly because Western and Gulf-backed rebel militias are being forced to reinforce south of Syria's onetime commercial capital to combat Russian-backed Syrian army and Lebanese Shi'ite forces, admit insurgent commanders and fighters.
• Iraqi Kurds find new mass grave containing 50 bodies in Sinjar Press TV 18 Jan 2016 -- Iraqi Kurdish Peshmerga fighters have found a mass grave in the country's northwestern town of Sinjar, over two months after retaking the town from the Daesh Takfiri terrorist group.
• As Libyan parties delay naming unity government, UN urges steps to end political divisions UN News 18 Jan 2016 -- The United Nations in Libya has expressed regret over the decision of the country's Presidency Council to postpone the formation of a national unity government for 48 hours beyond the deadline set by a UN-facilitated political agreement, emphasizing that all efforts to combat and eliminate these terrorist groups must be led by the Libyan State.
• Seoul: N. Korea Has Dropped 1 Million Propaganda Leaflets VOA 18 Jan 2016 -- North Korea launched about 1 million leaflets by balloon into South Korea in an escalating propaganda battle after the North's nuclear test earlier this month, Seoul officials said Monday.
• K-Pop & Balloons: North, South Korea Engage in New Round of Propaganda War Sputnik 18 Jan 2016 -- Despite the official end of psychological warfare between North Korea and South Korea, officials in Seoul say the north continues sending propaganda leaflets into the South via balloons.
• Ex-Tamil Tigers go jobless in Sri Lanka IRIN 18 Jan 2016 -- Almost seven years after the end of Sri Lanka's decades-long civil war, the majority of former Tamil Tiger rebels are struggling to find jobs despite billions of dollars of extra investment in their regions.
• Three Turkish police killed in PKK roadside bomb attack in Sirnak Press TV 18 Jan 2016 -- At least three Turkish policemen have been killed and four others wounded in a bomb explosion that ripped through their armored military vehicle in the country's restive southeastern province of Sirnak.
• Somali General: Kenyans Were Warned of Al-Shabab Attack VOA 18 Jan 2016 -- A Kenyan army unit reportedly decimated in an attack by al-Shabab militants last Friday had received warning of the assault, according to a Somali general.

News Reports

• Amano: Implementation of JCPOA vital for IAEA IRNA 18 Jan 2016 -- Visiting Director General of the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) Yukiya Amano said here on Monday that the UN nuclear watchdog attaches great importance to implementation of the Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action (JCPOA) .
• JCPOA implementation, political victory for Iran: Rouhani ISNA 18 Jan 2016 -- Iran's President Hassan Rouhani hailed the implementation of the nuclear agreement between the country and the P5+1 group of countries, dubbed the Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action (JCPOA), as a political victory for the Iranians.
• IAEA chief arrives in Iran after JCPOA implementation ISNA 18 Jan 2016 -- The director general of the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA), Yukiya Amano, arrived in Tehran on his first visit after the beginning of the implementation of the landmark nuclear agreement between Iran and the P5+1 group of countries.
• Rouhani outlines JCPOA achievements ISNA 18 Jan 2016 -- Iranian President Hassan Rouhani outlined 11 achievements obtained following implementation of the Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action (JCPOA) in a letter to Supreme Leader of Islamic Revolution Ayatollah Sayyed Ali Khamenei.
• IAEA duty-bound to help Iran nuclear progress: Rouhani Press TV 18 Jan 2016 -- Iran's President Hassan Rouhani says the UN nuclear agency is duty-bound to support the Islamic Republic's measures to expand its peaceful nuclear technology.
• JCPOA implementation big step in right direction: EU Press TV 18 Jan 2016 -- European Union foreign policy chief Federica Mogherini says the implementation of the nuclear agreement between Iran and the P5+1 group of countries was a "big step in the right direction" for the Middle East.
• Iran-IAEA cooperation enters new phase: Salehi Press TV 18 Jan 2016 -- Head of the Atomic Energy Organization of Iran (AEOI) Ali Akbar Salehi says the Islamic Republic's cooperation with the UN nuclear agency has entered a new phase.
• Iran gives order for 500,000 bpd rise in oil production Press TV 18 Jan 2016 -- Managing director of the National Iranian Oil Company says the Oil Ministry has been ordered to raise the country's daily oil production by 500,000 barrels following announcement of the removal of international sanctions against Iran.
• Iran warns of reciprocation over JCPOA breach Press TV 18 Jan 2016 -- Iran's President Hassan Rouhani says the Islamic Republic will respond in kind if the P5+1 group fails to fulfill its commitments under a landmark nuclear agreement clinched in July 2015.
• Sanctions removal must be carried out precisely: Iran FM Press TV 18 Jan 2016 -- Iranian Foreign Minister Mohammad Javad Zarif says the termination of sanctions imposed on Iran over its nuclear program must be carried out in strict accordance with the nuclear agreement reached between Tehran and the P5+1 group of countries.
• Iran nuclear agreement proves power of dialog: President Rouhani Press TV 18 Jan 2016 -- Iranian President Hassan Rouhani says that Tehran's nuclear agreement with the six world countries proves that complicated issues can be settled through negotiations.
• Full text of Chinese President's signed article on Saudi newspaper: Be Good Partners for Common Development Xinhua 18 Jan 2016 -- Chinese President Xi Jinping published a signed article titled "Be Good Partners for Common Development" on Saudi newspaper Alriyadh on Monday ahead of his state visit to the country. The following is the English version of the article
• Taiwan will maintain close ties with the U.S.: president-elect CNA 18 Jan 2016 -- President-elect Tsai Ing-wen (蔡英文) said Monday that her administration will maintain close, friendly relations with the United States and promote cooperation with the United States in all areas, especially in the economic and industrial realms.
• Premier resigns despite president's objection CNA 18 Jan 2016 -- The fate of the Cabinet headed by Premier Mao Chi-kuo (毛治國) appeared to be in limbo on Monday when he announced it was resigning en masse even though President Ma Ying-jeou (馬英九) said earlier in the day that he would not accept the resignation for now.
• Beijing Calls on US to Stick to 'One-China Policy' Regarding Taiwan Issue Sputnik 18 Jan 2016 -- Chinese Foreign Ministry urges the US side to adhere to one-China policy, not to interfere in China's internal affairs, to oppose Taiwan independence and to do more for the development of US-China relations, according to ministry's spokesperson Hong Lei.
• Burundi Opposition Leader Still Hopeful for Peaceful Settlement VOA 18 Jan 2016 -- The exiled leader of the Opposition Front for Democracy in Burundi (FRODEBU) said efforts toward a peaceful resolution of the Burundian crisis are not dead because the Burundian people want peace.
• Over $9 billion stolen in Nigeria in seven years: Minister Press TV 18 Jan 2016 -- Fifty-five Nigerians, including former ministers, governors, business leaders and public officials, have stolen nine billion dollars in public funds in seven years, the information minister claims.
• Nigeria's Opposition Won't Defend Spokesman in Corruption Allegations VOA 18 Jan 2016 -- A spokesman for Nigeria's main opposition People's Democratic Party (PDP) is denying the party has thrown its national publicity secretary under the bus in the face of President Muhammadu Buhari's war on corruption.
• In U.S. Money-Laundering Case, Shades Of Russian Corruption RFE/RL 18 Jan 2016 -- At first glance, it's a case that could easily be misconstrued as a humdrum allegation of ill-gotten foreign money being laundered through dealings in American real estate.
• Counter-terrorism measures threaten remittances sent to Somali diaspora - UN rights experts UN News 18 Jan 2016 -- Expressing concern over the impact on vital remittances from diaspora countries into Somalia caused by "necessary but less considered counter-terrorism regulations," United Nations rights experts today warned the measures may "severely affect the human rights" of Somali people, while urging regulation-setting governments to guarantee the flow of such funds.
• Morocco: Belgian Suspect Tied to Paris Attackers Arrested VOA 18 Jan 2016 -- Moroccan officials say they have arrested a Belgian suspect linked to attackers that killed 130 people in Paris in November.
• Long March 7 and Long March 5 scheduled to make maiden flights in 2016 People's Daily 18 Jan 2016 -- 'China's new generation carrier rockets, Long March 7 and Long March 5, will make their respective maiden flights in June and at the end of September to the beginning of October in 2016,' said Lei Fanpei, the chairman of China Aerospace Science and Industry Corporation (CASC).
• Turkey opposition leader grilled for calling Erdogan 'tinpot dictator' Press TV 18 Jan 2016 -- Turkish prosecutors have launched an investigation against leader of the opposition Republican People's Party (CHP), Kemal Kilicdaroglu, after he called President Recep Tayyip Erdogan a "tinpot dictator."
• In Latest Salvo, Kadyrov Ally Threatens To Sic Attack Dog On Russian Opposition RFE/RL 18 Jan 2016 -- Internet posts featuring photos of pets are usually well-meant. This one was not. A close ally of Chechen strongman Ramzan Kadyrov fired a fresh salvo in a chilling confrontation with Russian liberals when he posted a menacing picture of the Kremlin-backed regional leader with a slavering dog named Tarzan straining on a leash.