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News Reports

Current Operations

• Strikes Hit ISIL in Syria, Iraq AFPS 25 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.

Defense Policy / Programs

• KC-46A Pegasus conducts 1st in-flight refueling demonstration AFNS 25 Jan 2016 -- The KC-46A Pegasus successfully transferred fuel through its boom to an F-16C Fighting Falcon Jan. 24 to demonstrate aerial refueling operations in advance of its first production decision later this spring.
• Exercise Cobra Gold 2016 to begin February 9 USMC News 25 Jan 2016 -- Thailand and the United States will co-host the annual, multilateral Exercise Cobra Gold in various areas throughout the Kingdom of Thailand Feb. 9-19, 2016.
• Kearsarge Visits Muscat, Oman NNS 25 Jan 2016 -- The crew of amphibious assault ship USS Kearsarge (LHD 3) departed Muscat, Oman, Jan. 12, after a four-day port visit.
• Navy Awarded $14.9 M to Repair 2 BEQs at Marine Corps Base Hawaii NNS 25 Jan 2016 -- Naval Facilities Engineering Command (NAVFAC) Hawaii awarded a $14.9 million firm-fixed-price task order under a multiple award construction contract Jan. 22 to Bethel-Webcor JV-1, a small business in Anchorage, Alaska.
• STRATCOM chief talks nuclear deterrence, modernization AFNS 25 Jan 2016 -- The global security environment calls for a continued strong nuclear deterrent along with modernization for elements of the nuclear triad and advanced training for U.S. Strategic Command's workforce, the STRATCOM commander said here Jan. 22.
• Air Force Global Strike Command completes accident investigation AFNS 25 Jan 2016 -- The Air Force Global Strike Command completed an accident investigation board following a May 2014 mishap during maintenance on an intercontinental ballistic missile.
• Hurricane Hunters gather forecast data on record-breaking blizzard AFNS 25 Jan 2016 -- The Hurricane Hunters of the 53rd Weather Reconnaissance Squadron flew a different kind of mission from Keesler Air Force Base Jan. 22 to gather data on the blizzard that hit the Eastern Seaboard.
• Joint Polish, Lithuanian, Ukrainian Force to Become Operational in 2017 Sputnik 25 Jan 2016 -- According to Polish Defense Minister, a joint brigade of units from the Lithuanian, Polish and Ukrainian armies will become fully operational next year.
• India, Russia Slash Fifth Gen Fighter Jet Development Costs by 40% Sputnik 25 Jan 2016 -- India's Hindustan Aeronautics Ltd and Russia's Sukhoi negotiators cut the costs of Fifth-Generation Fighter Aircraft (FGFA) project joint project from $12 billion to $8 billion.
• France, India Sign Agreement on Purchase of 36 Rafale Aircraft Sputnik 25 Jan 2016 -- Narendra Modi said that India and France have signed an intergovernmental agreement on the purchase of 36 Rafale fighter aircraft from Paris.
• Czech Republic to Send 6,500 Rifles to Iraq to Help Fight Daesh - PM Sputnik 25 Jan 2016 -- According to prime minister, Czech Republic will send some 6,500 assault rifles and over 7 million rounds for them to Iraq.
• Pakistan Army Chief Dismisses Extension Rumors VOA 25 Jan 2016 -- Pakistan military chief General Raheel Sharif has dismissed 'speculations as baseless' in local media that he intends to seek an extension in his term, expiring later this year.
• Army helicopter makes forced landing in Taichung CNA 25 Jan 2016 -- A UH-60 Black Hawk helicopter of the Republic of China Army was forced to land in a vacant lot in Taichung City's Nantun District on Monday.
• Defence Secretary welcomes deeper security relationship with Germany UK MOD 25 Jan 2016 -- Defence Secretary Michael Fallon discussed the strengthening of Britain's security ties with Germany when he met counterpart Ursula Von der Leyen in Berlin today, where the Ministers confirmed their shared vision for a closer and stronger partnership.
• US Spent $266Mln on Military Equipment, Training in Ukraine Since 2014 Sputnik 25 Jan 2016 -- US Ambassador to Ukraine Geoffrey Pyatt said that Washington provided military equipment and training at more than $266 million to help the Ukrainian forces improve border control and security, act more efficiently and defend the sovereignty and territorial integrity of the country.
• Remarks at a Press Roundtable US Dept. of State 25 Jan 2016 -- John Kerry, Secretary of State

Defense Industry

Other Conflicts

• 25 January 2016 - Daily Press Briefing by the Office of the Spokesperson for the Secretary-General United Nations 25 Jan 2016
• Four-phase Japan-U.S. operation plan towards Diaoyu Islands worked out in 2012: Japanese media People's Daily 25 Jan 2016 -- During the office of former Japanese Prime Minister Yoshihiko Noda, Japanese Self-Defense Forces (JSDF) and the U.S. forces worked out a four-phase operation plan for Diaoyu Islands in 2012, according to a report by Japanese newspaper Asahi Shimbun on Sunday.
• In breakthrough, UN agency delivers supplies to besieged districts inside Yemen's Taiz city UN News 25 Jan 2016 -- The United Nations World Food Programme (WFP) has managed to send food supplies inside areas under siege in the central Yemeni city of Taiz where residents have been suffering in dire conditions with very little food.
• MSF Calls for Protection of Yemen Health Care Facilities VOA 25 Jan 2016 -- The medical aid charity Doctors Without Borders is calling for guarantees from Yemen's warring parties that medical activities will be protected in accordance with international humanitarian law.
• Delayed intra-Syrian talks, brokered by UN, to begin on Friday in 'uphill' bid for ceasefire UN News 25 Jan 2016 -- Intra-Syrian talks that were scheduled to begin in Geneva today under United Nations sponsorship will now start on Friday, with the first priority being a broad ceasefire, humanitarian aid, and halting the threat posed by the Islamic State of Iraq and the Levant (ISIL).
• UN says Syria talks resume on January 29 Press TV 25 Jan 2016 -- UN Special Envoy for Syria Staffan de Mistura said Monday the new date for the start of long-awaited peace talks on the conflict in the Arab country is January 29.
• UN Envoy: Syria Peace Talks to Start Friday VOA 25 Jan 2016 -- The U.N. Special Envoy for Syria says the delayed intra-Syrian peace talks will start at the end of the week on January 29 and invitations will be sent out on Tuesday.
• Syrian Peace Talks Should Go in Parallel With Fight Against Terrorism Sputnik 25 Jan 2016 -- Qadri Jamil, one of the leaders of the Syrian Popular Front for Change and Liberation said that the sides to the Syrian conflict have three main objectives that should go in parallel, namely the resolution of a humanitarian catastrophe, the anti-terror fight and the peace talks.
• Moderate Syrian Opposition Delegation Includes 15 People Sputnik 25 Jan 2016 -- Qadri Jamil, one of the leaders of the Syrian Popular Front for Change and Liberation said that 15 people were chosen to represent the whole spectrum of the Syrian opposition at the Intra-Syrian talks.
• Daesh bigwigs ride out Syria airstrikes at dam Press TV 25 Jan 2016 -- Airstrikes on Syria's Raqqah province have forced high-ranking Daesh Takfiri terrorists to take cover at the country's largest dam where they are using civilians as human shields.
• Syria forces make new gains against Takfiri militants Press TV 25 Jan 2016 -- Syria's military forces and volunteer fighters made new gains against Takfiri militants in a key southern city on Monday.
• Russian Jets Carry Out 169 Sorties in Syria Hitting 484 Terrorist Targets Sputnik 25 Jan 2016 -- Combat aircraft from the Russian air group in Syria carried out some 170 sorties in the last three days hitting over 480 terrorist targets, the Russian General Staff said Monday.
• Downgrading Daesh: Syrian Army Repels Jihadists' Attacks in Deir Ez-Zor Sputnik 25 Jan 2016 -- The Syrian army and the country's National Defense Forces have reportedly prevented Daesh militants from seizing hilltops located near a strategic town in the eastern province of Deir Ez-Zor.
• Turkey Shrouding Troop Deployment in Syria With Russian Airbase Rumors Sputnik 25 Jan 2016 -- Russian Defense Ministry spokesman said that media reports on a new Russian base in Syria may be an attempt to cover-up information about Turkey's deployment of a large group of troops to the Syrian border.
• Kurds Repel Massive Daesh Attack Near Mosul, Terrorists Take Severe Losses Sputnik 25 Jan 2016 -- Dozens of Daesh mujahideen were killed and many more retreated amid fierce clashes with Peshmerga not far from Mosul.
• Libya parliament rejects UN deal on unity government Press TV 25 Jan 2016 -- Libya's internationally-recognized parliament has rejected a political agreement and a deal on establishing a unity government in an apparent blow to efforts by the United Nations to settle the conflict in the country.
• No Deal: Libyan Parliament Rejects UNSC-Backed Unity Government Sputnik 25 Jan 2016 -- Efforts to put an end to the violence and political instability in Libya have been dealt a huge blow after the country's internationally recognized parliament rejected a UN-backed plan for a national unity government.
• Libyan Parliament Rejects UN-backed Unity Government VOA 25 Jan 2016 -- Members of Libya's internationally recognized parliament have rejected a U.N.-sponsored unity government and an agreement with rival authorities aimed at ending the chaos that has engulfed the country since the overthrow of longtime leader Moammar Gadhafi in 2011.
• Confronting bitter winter, UN agency steps up food aid in conflict-affected eastern Ukraine UN News 25 Jan 2016 -- With food security expected to worsen in conflict-affected areas of eastern Ukraine during the cold winter months, the United Nations World Food Programme (WFP) announced today that it would extend its emergency operation to help feed more than 260,000 people until the end of June.
• UN Seeks Over $500 Million to Help Nigerian, CAR Refugees VOA 25 Jan 2016 -- The United Nations refugee agency and its partners are appealing for more than half a billion dollars to provide life-saving aid to hundreds of thousands of people fleeing conflicts in Nigeria and the Central African Republic. The funding would also assist the communities hosting the refugees.
• UN agency and partners seek $500 million for Nigeria and Central African Republic refugee crises UN News 25 Jan 2016 -- The Office of the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR) and its partners today called on donor nations for more than half-a-billion dollars this year to help hundreds of thousands of people forced to flee conflicts in Nigeria and the Central African Republic (CAR), and for the host communities providing them with shelter and other basic services.
• 29 dead in multiple bombing attacks in Cameroon Press TV 25 Jan 2016 -- Over two dozen people have lost their lives in three bomb attacks targeting a local market in Cameroon's volatile northern region, a security source says.
• Boko Haram Takfiris attack Nigeria village, kill civilian Press TV 25 Jan 2016 -- A civilian has been killed and his house torched by the Takfiri Boko Haram terrorists during a raid on a village in northeastern Nigeria, a police official says.
• Israeli helicopters target areas in besieged Gaza Strip Press TV 25 Jan 2016 -- Israeli military helicopters have carried out two aerial attacks against the Gaza Strip in yet another act of aggression against the blockaded coastal territory, reports say.
• UN Security Council approves mission to monitor peace deal between Colombia and FARC UN News 25 Jan 2016 -- The Security Council today moved to set up a United Nations political mission in Colombia, approving a team of international observers to monitor disarmament should the Colombian Government and the Revolutionary Armed Forces of Colombia-People's Army (FARC-EP) reach a final agreement to end Latin America's longest armed conflict.
• UN Security Council Establishes Mission to Verify Colombia Peace Deal Sputnik 25 Jan 2016 -- The UN Security Council adopted a resolution to create a political mission in Colombia.
• With Mali at turning point, commitment to lasting peace and development a 'must' - senior UN relief official UN News 25 Jan 2016 -- Wrapping up visit to Mal, the United Nations Regional Humanitarian Coordinator for the Sahel, Toby Lanzer, said that he had seen both progress and challenges on security and access to basic services for crisis-affected communities, while underscoring the importance of full commitment – from national authorities and the international community – to move the country forward.
• South Sudan Rebel Leader, Uganda's Museveni to Meet VOA 25 Jan 2016 -- Former South Sudan Vice President and current rebel leader Riek Machar said he will ask Ugandan President Yoweri Museveni to tell President Salva Kiir to scrap his decision to create 28 states because it is hindering implementation of the peace agreement.
• As deadline slips in South Sudan, UN chief urges African partners to revive peace process UN News 25 Jan 2016 -- With South Sudan's parties missing last week's deadline to set up the Transitional Government of National Unity amid deadlock over establishing 28 states, United Nations Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon today called on the war-torn country's African partners to save the peace process.
• UN chief urges African Union to help end S Sudan deadlock Press TV 25 Jan 2016 -- The United Nations is calling on African Union states to help pull South Sudan's parties out of a deadlock in the country's peace process.
• Amid military confrontation in Darfur, 'limited' progress on resolving conflict - UN peacekeeping chief UN News 25 Jan 2016 -- Against the backdrop of renewed military confrontation, the political process to resolve the conflict in Darfur through dialogue remains fragmented with limited progress, the United Nations peacekeeping chief today informed the UN Security Council.

News Reports

• Putin Denounces Lenin, Says Stalin Got it Right VOA 25 Jan 2016 -- Russian President Vladimir Putin has criticized the regime of Soviet founder Vladimir Lenin and sharply denounced brutal repressions by the Bolshevik government.
• Putin: Lenin's Ideas Destroyed USSR by Backing Republics Right to Secession Sputnik 25 Jan 2016 -- Russian President Vladimir Putin said that Soviet leader Vladimir Lenin has planted a 'delay-action mine' by advocating for the individual republics' right to political secession.
• Russian Authorities Should Deal With Issue of Lenin's Reburial Carefully Sputnik 25 Jan 2016 -- Russian President Vladimir Putin said that the Russian authorities on the issue of burying the body of Russian communist leader Vladimir Lenin should not make any rash moves that could divide society, instead, they should unite people.
• Socialist Ideas Correct, Poorly Implemented in Soviet Union - Putin Sputnik 25 Jan 2016 -- Russian President Vladimir Putin said that the ideas of socialism were good – equality, fraternity, happiness, but the practical implementation of those ideas in Russia and the Soviet Union was far from what the socialists-utopists envisioned.
• Putin Calls for More Economic Freedom in Russia Sputnik 25 Jan 2016 -- Russian President Vladimir Putin said that the fundamentals of the economy allow showing 'cautious optimism' regarding the development of the situation in Russia.
• Putin Says Still Likes Communist, Socialist Ideas Sputnik 25 Jan 2016 -- Russian President Vladimir Putin said that he still kept his Communist party identification document, despite the dissolution of the Soviet Union.
• Russian Prime Minister Orders Cabinet to Submit Anti-Crisis Plan Sputnik 25 Jan 2016 -- Russian Prime Minister Dmitry Medvedev said that current trends in global oil prices pose serious risks to the implementation of Russia's state budget and the goal of the government is to minimize these risks.
• US Official: Putin Behavior 'Picture of Corruption' VOA 25 Jan 2016 -- A senior U.S. Treasury official is accusing Russian President Vladimir Putin of corruption, saying the Kremlin leader uses his position to enrich friends and allies at the expense of others.
• Putin Praises Controversial Chechen Leader For 'Effective' Work RFE/RL 25 Jan 2016 -- President Vladimir Putin has praised Ramzan Kadyrov, the head of Russia's Chechnya region, who has been widely accused of human rights abuses and recently unleashed a series of verbal attacks on liberals and Kremlin opponents.
• Iran's President Rouhani begins three-leg Europe tour Press TV 25 Jan 2016 -- Iran's President Hassan Rouhani has arrived in Italy on the first leg of his trip to three European destinations following the implementation of a nuclear agreement between Iran and the P5+1 group of countries.
• Iran's President Travels To Europe To Drum Up Business RFE/RL 25 Jan 2016 -- Iranian President Hassan Rohani has arrived in Rome on the first leg of a European tour, his first trip abroad since a nuclear deal with world powers took effect.
• Iranian President Signs Business Deals In Rome RFE/RL 25 Jan 2016 -- Italian Prime Minister Matteo Renzi has said after meeting in Rome with Iranian President Hassan Rohani that a series of business agreements they signed on January 25 is "just the beginning" for their countries.
• Kerry Asking China to Rein In North Korea's Nuclear Tests VOA 25 Jan 2016 -- U.S. Secretary of State John Kerry, now in Beijing, will urge China to do more to press North Korea to stop its controversial nuclear tests during his talks beginning shortly in the Chinese capital.
• Our Iraq envoy not representing us: Saudi Arabia Press TV 25 Jan 2016 -- Saudi Arabia's Foreign Minister Adel al-Jubeir says recent controversial remarks made by the country's ambassador to Iraq do not represent Riyadh's official stance, in remarks that effectively put into question the nature of diplomatic appointments by Riyadh and, thus, the legitimacy of the envoy in Iraq.
• Saudi Arabia Seeks to Shed Dependency on Foreign Labor VOA 25 Jan 2016 -- At a traditional robe shop in a market in the Saudi capital, Riyadh, 28-year-old sales clerk Zachariah said he didn't plan to come to Saudi Arabia when he fled the war in Yemen two months ago.
• Daesh provoking France in worst possible way: Hollande Press TV 25 Jan 2016 -- French President Francois Hollande says the Takfiri Daesh terrorist group "is provoking" France in "the worst possible way," after the group released a propaganda video that purportedly shows their assailants sometime before the November attacks in Paris.
• Europol: IS Planning Large-Scale Attacks in Europe VOA 25 Jan 2016 -- Islamic State group and other militants are likely to carry out large scale attacks in Europe following last year's attacks in Paris, the European Union police agency said in a new report Monday.
• Authorities Say Up To 1,000 Tajiks Joined IS In Syria, Iraq RFE/RL 25 Jan 2016 -- Tajik authorities say up to 1,000 nationals have joined Islamic State (IS) militants in Syria and Iraq, doubling the figure that officials previously provided.
• Tajik Minister Confirms Death of Extremist Group Jamaat Ansarullah Leader Sputnik 25 Jan 2016 -- Tajik Interior Minister Ramazon Rakhimzoda said that the leader of the Jamaat Ansarullah extremist group was killed in Afghanistan over half a year ago.
• Malaysia PM Defends Strict Counterterrorism Laws VOA 25 Jan 2016 -- Malaysian Prime Minister Najib Razak said his country's new anti-terrorism laws are a necessary weapon against what he said are 'very real' threats by the Islamic State group.
• Thailand confirms MERS-CoV disease, WHO cautions against risk IRNA 25 Jan 2016 -- Thailand confirmed Middle East Respiratory Syndrom coronavirus MERS-CoV disease in traveler, WHO said on Monday. WHO cautioned against continued risk of importation.
• No sand in eyes: China's top graft-buster vows strengthened discipline People's Daily 25 Jan 2016 -- China's top graft-buster Wang Qishan has vowed to further tighten the screw of regulations in the fight against corruption in 2016.
• India, France to Build 6 Nuclear Reactors at Jaitapur Plant Sputnik 25 Jan 2016 -- India's Foreign Secretary stated that India and France intend to construct six nuclear reactors within the framework of the Jaitapur Nuclear Power Project.
• India to Cooperate With France on Next Mission to Mars Sputnik 25 Jan 2016 -- France will participate in India's next Mars mission, according to India's Foreign Secretary Subrahmanyam Jaishankar.
• Ethiopia Boundary Dispute Puts Human Rights Violations in Spotlight VOA 25 Jan 2016 -- After almost two months of clashes between Oromo protesters and security forces in Ethiopia, authorities have scrapped a 'master plan' that would have expanded the boundaries of Addis Ababa and, according to protesters, would have displaced Oromo farmers.
• Five Years After Tahrir Square, Egypt's Activists Say Revolution Still Lives VOA 25 Jan 2016 -- The streets of Egypt's cities were somber Monday, the five-year anniversary of the January 25th "Day of Rage" against poverty, joblessness, political corruption and most notably, the three-decade regime of President Hosni Mubarak. Within weeks, the millions who occupied Tahrir Square and streets across the nation toppled Mubarak and began what they hoped was a path to change.