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Operations
Defense Policy / Programs
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Other Conflicts
News Reports

Current Operations

• Coalition Continues Anti-ISIL Strikes in Syria, Iraq AFPS 26 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.
• US to Send Advisers to Iraq Kurdistan Region - Kurdish Regional Gov't Sputnik 26 Jan 2016 -- The Kurdistan Regional Government announced that Iraq's Kurdistan Region will receive US technical specialists and advisers who will assist in coping with the current financial crisis.
• Afghan battle claims 38 lives including 10 police within day People's Daily 26 Jan 2016 -- Afghan militancy and counter-militancy have claimed four dozen lives with majority of them militants elsewhere in the conflict-ridden country in a single day on Tuesday, officials said.
• National Guard Forces Continue Post-Storm Assistance AFPS 26 Jan 2016 -- Virginia National Guard soldiers on state active duty have been using Humvees and medium tactical trucks to provide mobility support to help Virginia State Police and local first responders reach residents requiring assistance after a historic snowfall blanketed the state.

Defense Policy / Programs

• Tucson Visits Singapore During Indo-Asia-Pacific Deployment NNS 26 Jan 2016 -- The Improved Los Angeles-class attack submarine USS Tucson (SSN 770) arrived in Singapore Jan. 21 for a visit as part of its Indo-Asia-Pacific deployment.
• Navy Awards $19.6 M to Build New SEAL Waterfront Operations Facility in Hawaii NNS 26 Jan 2016 -- Naval Facilities Engineering Command (NAVFAC) Hawaii
  awarded a $19.6 million firm-fixed-price task order under a multiple award construction contract Jan. 25 to Bethel-Webcor JV-1, a small business in Anchorage, Alaska.
• Russia Denies Building Second Air Base In Syria RFE/RL 26 Jan 2016 -- Russia has no plans to set up a second air base in Syria, the Russian Defense Ministry has said.
• Russian-Egyptian Eased Navy Access Protocol Enters Into Force Sputnik 26 Jan 2016 -- Russia's protocol with Egypt on simplifying navy ships access to mutual waters has come into force, according to the text of the document published by Russia's official legal information database on Wednesday.
• Indonesian Defense Chief Plans April Russia Visit Eyeing Su-35 Purchase Sputnik 26 Jan 2016 -- Indonesian Ambassador to Russia Djauhari Oratmangun said that Indonesia's defense minister plans to visit Russia in April to continue discussions on the procurement of Russian Su-35 Flanker-E superiority fighters.
• Iran to start final phase of naval drill Wednesday ISNA 26 Jan 2016 -- Iran plans to start the final phase of a large naval drill dubbed 'Velayat 94' from Wednesday, said Iranian Navy Commander Rear Admiral Habibollah Sayyari.
• Iran set to launch final stage of Velayat 94 naval drills Press TV 26 Jan 2016 -- Iran is set to hold the final stage of large-scale naval maneuver codenamed "Velayat 94" in the high seas.
• Germany Backtracks on Condemnation of Saudi Executions, Agrees to Sell Arms Sputnik 26 Jan 2016 -- Despite its threat earlier this month to restrict arms exports to Saudi Arabia, the German government has nevertheless given permission for the construction of boats for the Saudi navy, Der Spiegel reported.
• Remarks to the Press US Dept. of State 26 Jan 2016 -- John Kerry, Secretary of State

Defense Industry

Other Conflicts

• 26 January 2016 - Daily Press Briefing by the Office of the Spokesperson for the Secretary-General United Nations 26 Jan 2016
• UNICEF launches $2.8 billion humanitarian appeal for children UN News 26 Jan 2016 -- The United Nations Children's Fund (UNICEF) today announced the launch of a $2.8 billion appeal to reach 43 million children in humanitarian emergencies worldwide, with for the first time ever the largest portion of the appeal – 25 per cent – going towards their education.
• China urges the U.S. not to make mischief in Asia Pacific People's Daily 26 Jan 2016 -- China hopes the U.S. could play a constructive role in Asia-Pacific region instead of stirig up enmity and disharmony, a Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesperson said on a regular press conference Tuesday.
• Saudi jets eliminate 11-member Yemeni family Press TV 26 Jan 2016 -- Saudi aircraft have bombed an area in the northwestern Yemeni province of al-Jawf, killing an entire family of 11 people.
• Iraq, Syria call for united stance against terror Press TV 26 Jan 2016 -- Iraq and Syria Tuesday called for more cooperation between the two countries in the fight against terrorism, saying the Arab neighbors are required to work closely in the ongoing fight against groups like Daesh and al-Qaeda.
• Syria forces liberate Ein al-Hanash near Aleppo Press TV 26 Jan 2016 -- Syrian forces have recaptured the village of Ein al-Hanash near the major city of Aleppo in the northwestern part of the country.
• Turkey opposes Kurdish PYD presence in Syria talks Press TV 26 Jan 2016 -- Turkey's Prime Minister Ahmet Davutoglu has voiced Ankara's strong opposition to the participation of the Syrian Kurdish group Democratic Union Party (PYD) in the upcoming UN-backed talks to end the crisis in Syria.
• Parties to Syria talks must avoid irrelevant conditions: Russia FM Press TV 26 Jan 2016 -- Russia's foreign minister has slammed certain parties to international talks on Syria for behaving "capriciously" by setting conditions.
• Russia accuses Turkey of Syria border buildup Press TV 26 Jan 2016 -- Russia has accused Turkey of military buildup on the Syrian border as it rejected claims of Moscow's plan to establish a new airbase in the Arab country.
• Twin Daesh bombings kill 22 people in Syria's Homs Press TV 26 Jan 2016 -- At least 22 people have been killed and more than a hundred others been injured in twin blasts by the Takfiri Daesh terrorist group in the Syrian province of Homs.
• Syrian army takes control of Sheikh Miskeen Press TV 26 Jan 2016 -- The Syrian army has reportedly managed to take full control of a strategic town in the southern province of Dara'a as they continue to gain ground in battles against foreign-sponsored Takfiri militants.
• Suicide Blast Hits Syrian Rebel Group, Kills 23 RFE/RL 26 Jan 2016 -- At least 23 people, mostly from the Syrian rebel group Ahrar al-Sham, were killed by a suicide bomber in a tanker truck in Aleppo on January 25, a monitoring group said.
• Syrian Army Close To Recapturing Key Rebel Stronghold RFE/RL 26 Jan 2016 -- The Syrian Army is close to recapturing a rebel stronghold in the southern province of Deraa with help from Russian air strikes, a monitoring group says.
• Netherlands Should Only Bomb Syria If Sure Would Bring Peace - Lawmaker Sputnik 26 Jan 2016 -- The Dutch government should only extend its military action from Iraq to Syria, as part of the US-led international coalition, if it is sure the move could help stop the violence in the country, a Dutch lawmaker told Sputnik on Tuesday.
• Russian Actions in Syria Cause Daesh to 'Lose Foothold for First Time' Sputnik 26 Jan 2016 -- Russian Permanent Representative to the UN Vitaly Churkin stated that the military campaign conducted by Russia against Daesh and other terrorist groups in Syria has contributed to their losing standing in the country.
• Syrian Army Claims Control Over Northern Outskirts of Daraa - Spokesman Sputnik 26 Jan 2016 -- Syria's Brigadier General Ali Mayhoub said that the control of Sheikh Miskeen allowed the government forces to cut several terrorist supply routes as well as to ensure security in areas adjacent to the Daraa-Damascus highway.
• Turkey Threatens to Boycott Syria Peace Talks if Kurdish PYD Invited Sputnik 26 Jan 2016 -- Turkish Foreign Minister Mevlüt Çavuşoğlu said that if representatives of the Syrian Kurdish Democratic Union Party (PYD) are invited to take part in the intra-Syrian reconciliation talks, Ankara will 'certainly' boycott talks.
• Hearts and Minds: Syrian Army Wages Tactical Warfare Against Militants Sputnik 26 Jan 2016 -- The Syrian Army has liberated all major cities in the province of Latakia from Islamist militants.
• Kurds Must be Included in Intra-Syria Talks - Syrian Politician Sputnik 26 Jan 2016 -- A member of the Syrian Social Nationalist Party stated that in order for the Geneva intra-Syrian talks to yield, they should involve all opposition groups.
• Syrian Army Liberates Southern Town of Sheikh Maskin Sputnik 26 Jan 2016 -- According to a military source, Syrian government forces have consolidated their positions and liberated the southern town of Sheikh Maskin in the Daraa Governorate from terrorist groups.
• Take Cover, Daesh: Syrian Army Continues to Destroy Militants in Aleppo Sputnik 26 Jan 2016 -- The Syrian Army and the country's National Defense Forces have reportedly taken full control of a strategic district located near Kweiris Airbase in the northern province of Aleppo.
• After Fierce Fighting Syrian Army Retakes Strategic Town in Deraa Province Sputnik 26 Jan 2016 -- In its fight against Daesh, also known as IS/Islamic State, the Syrian Army has liberated Sheikh Maskin, a strategic town in the Deraa province, along a major supply route.
• Failure in Syria not humanitarian but political, says senior UN relief official UN News 26 Jan 2016 -- Senior United Nations relief officials working on the front lines of the conflict in Syria stressed today that only a political solution will end the five-year war, insisting that humanitarians have been doing all that they can to assist millions of desperate people who have lost nearly everything and are "now beginning to lose hope that the world cares."
• Turkey Pressured to Allow Kurdish Group at Syria Talks VOA 26 Jan 2016 -- Turkey is insisting the Syrian Kurdish group the PYD be excluded from planned Syrian peace talks in Geneva. Ankara accuses the group of being a terrorist organization. The dispute is casting doubt over the talks, but Ankara is finding itself increasingly isolated.
• Challenges Could Derail Syria Talks VOA 26 Jan 2016 -- U.N. envoy for Syria Staffan de Mistura says he hopes to convene peace talks between Syrian government and opposition members Friday in Geneva, but the process has been facing serious challenges because of disagreements over who should be invited and the future of Syria's president.
• Major Powers Express Support for Intra-Syrian Talks VOA 26 Jan 2016 -- Major world powers are urging that political momentum be seized following the U.N.'s announcement that Syrian talks would begin Friday in Geneva.
• Russia Hardens Position Ahead of Syria Peace Talks VOA 26 Jan 2016 -- Russia appeared to be hardening its position on Syria as it backed government forces making gains against rebels before hoped-for peace talks Friday in Geneva.
• Iraqi forces seize control of village in Anbar Press TV 26 Jan 2016 -- The Iraqi army and volunteer fighters seized control of a village in the western province of Anbar on Tuesday, closing in on the city of Fallujah.
• National will behind formation of popular units: Iraq FM Press TV 26 Jan 2016 -- Iraqi Foreign Minister Ibrahim al-Jaafari has defended volunteer fighters operating against Daesh, saying they are legitimate forces who have made many sacrifices for the Arab state.
• Police forces discover new mass grave in western Iraq Press TV 26 Jan 2016 -- Iraqi police have found a new mass grave in the western province of Anbar, containing the remains of scores of people believed to have been executed by Takfiri Daesh militants.
• Iraqi Forces Find 40 Bodies of Daesh Victims in Ramadi Mass Grave Sputnik 26 Jan 2016 -- Iraqi forces said they found 40 bodies in a mass grave on territory until recently held by the Daesh terrorist group.
• New unity government to be proposed in ten days in Libya Press TV 26 Jan 2016 -- A new unity government is to be proposed in ten days in Libya after the internationally recognized parliament rejected the initial lineup.
• UN calls on Israel to stop settlement expansion Press TV 26 Jan 2016 -- UN Secretary General Ban Ki-moon has blasted Israel over plans to construct new illegal settler units in the occupied Palestinian territories, calling for an end to the unlawful activity.
• Tel Aviv plans to build over 150 new settlements: NGO Press TV 26 Jan 2016 -- The Israeli regime has ratified plans to build over 150 new illegal settlements in the occupied West Bank, Israeli rights group Peace Now says.
• UN chief delivers impassioned plea to Israelis and Palestinians to compromise for peace UN News 26 Jan 2016 -- Condemning Palestinian attacks against Israeli civilians, highlighting growing Palestinian frustration at a half century of occupation, and calling on Israel to change its settlement and other policies, United Nations Secretary-General today urged both sides to seize the "historic challenge" of compromise to secure a two-state solution.
• The cost of America's "secret war" in Laos IRIN 26 Jan 2016 -- The United States may increase the $15 million a year it spends on dealing with the legacy of its "secret" bombing of Laos, said Secretary of State John Kerry yesterday in the capital, Vientiane.
• UN agrees to monitor potential Colombia ceasefire Press TV 26 Jan 2016 -- The UN Security Council has approved a resolution ordering the formation of a monitoring body that would observe cessation of hostilities between the Colombian government and rebels.

News Reports

• As refugee and migrant flood into Europe continues, UN and partners seek $550 million for 2016 UN News 26 Jan 2016 -- With no let-up in the flood of people pouring into Europe as they flee conflict in the Middle East and elsewhere, the United Nations refugee agency and its partners are appealing to donors for $550 million to support the ongoing humanitarian response for 2016.
• Burundi: Would Welcome S. Africa's Role in Intra-Burundian Dialogue VOA 26 Jan 2016 -- Burundi's government said it would welcome any offer by South Africa to facilitate the ongoing intra-Burundian dialogue.
• Team of experts delayed from entering Burundi to investigate human rights abuses - UN UN News 26 Jan 2016 -- The Office of the United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights (OHCHR) reported today that a team of independent experts mandated to probe violations and abuses in Burundi has not been able to enter the country.
• Kremlin dismisses US accusation of corruption against Putin Press TV 26 Jan 2016 -- The Kremlin has rejected a US official's accusation of corruption against Russian President Vladimir Putin, calling the claim official and challenging the US to provide evidence for it.
• U.S. Official Says Putin Is Secretly Wealthy, Corrupt RFE/RL 26 Jan 2016 -- The BBC is reporting that the United States has long considered Russian President Vladimir Putin to be secretly wealthy, corrupt, and focused on enriching his friends and allies.
• Kremlin Slams U.S. Official's Comment On Putin Being Corrupt RFE/RL 26 Jan 2016 -- The Kremlin says a U.S. Treasury official's comments to the BBC on Putin being corrupt 'amount to an official accusation.'
• Russia's Putin Calls for Improved Anti-corruption Measures VOA 26 Jan 2016 -- Russian President Vladimir Putin has called for the country to improve its anti-corruption measures, just hours after a BBC documentary reported his estimated personal fortune at close to $40 billion.
• Lavrov: Russia Won't Be 'Punished For Independent Foreign Policy' RFE/RL 26 Jan 2016 -- Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov says Moscow will not allow the West to punish if for conducting an independent foreign policy.
• Why Putin Is Afraid Of Lenin RFE/RL 26 Jan 2016 -- Speaking to pro-Kremlin activists this week in the southern city of Stavropol, the Kremlin leader raised eyebrows by denouncing Soviet founder Vladimir Lenin and the Bolsheviks for executing Tsar Nicholas II along with all his family and servants, killing thousands of priests, and placing a 'time bomb' under the Russian state.
• Araqchi: JCPOA opens new era in relation with other countries IRNA 26 Jan 2016 -- Deputy Foreign Minister Seyyed Abbas Araqchi underlined that the implementation of the Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action (JCPOA) will open a new chapter in relation with other countries.
• Iran to build large oil terminal in Jask, Sea of Oman coasts IRNA 26 Jan 2016 -- In order to diversify country's ports capable of exporting crude oil, Iran has decided to construct the country's largest oil terminal capable of exporting one million bpd.
• Iran-China discussing Arak reactor Press TV 26 Jan 2016 -- Iran said on Tuesday that it has signed a basic agreement with China to re-design a heavy water reactor in Arak during the visit to Tehran by the Chinese President Xi Jinping over the weekend.
• Is China Using Business Deals to Expand Middle East Influence? VOA 26 Jan 2016 -- Chinese President Xi Jinping wrapped up his first visit to the Middle East last Sunday with Saudi Arabia, Iran and Egypt pledging to enhance their relationships with Beijing. The visit, which took place after economic sanctions were lifted on Iran, resulted in an economic bonanza for China, which bagged deals worth $600 billion.
• US Further Clears Path for Travel, Commerce With Cuba VOA 26 Jan 2016 -- The United States is clearing the path for more travel and commerce with Cuba as it seeks to further engage the Cuban people and normalize relations with the island nation.
• Rodong Sinmun Accuses U.S. of Escalating Military Tension, Danger of War KCNA 26 Jan 2016 -- The U.S. is the arch criminal screwing up the military tension and increasing the danger of war in the Korean Peninsula, quite contrary to the desire of the Korean nation for peace and national reunification, under the pretext of observing various 'pacts and agreements' with south Korea, Rodong Sinmun Tuesday says in an article.
• North Korea Tours Continue After Arrest of American Student VOA 26 Jan 2016 -- The mystery and concern surrounding the recent arrest of an American university student visiting North Korea has not stopped tour operators from offering excursions to the repressive and isolated country.
• Russia's Lavrov says Daesh militants trained in Georgia Press TV 26 Jan 2016 -- Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov says Moscow has information that Daesh Takfiri militants are being trained in a valley region in Georgia near the Russian border.
• Turkey buying oil from Daesh: Israel Press TV 26 Jan 2016 -- The Israeli regime, which is itself believed to be supporting militants in the region, says Turkey has been providing money to the Daesh Takfiri militants operating in Syria and Iraq through oil trade with them.
• Turkey's Oil Trade With Daesh Sponsors Terrorism - Israeli Defense Minister Sputnik 26 Jan 2016 -- During his visit to Athens, Israeli Defense Minister Moshe Ya'alon accused Turkey of sponsoring terrorism by buying oil from Daesh terrorist group.
• French President Presses For Extension of State of Emergency Sputnik 26 Jan 2016 -- French President Francois Hollande's government is seeking parliamentary approval to extend the country's state of emergency, despite receiving widespread condemnation that is erodes the founding principle of the French Republic and people's freedoms.
• Oil crash exposes Angola's era of excess IRIN 26 Jan 2016 -- There's never a good time for a drought, but this is a particularly bad period for Angola as it struggles to cope with shrinking revenues as a result of the global oil price crash.
• Saudi royals gave Malaysian PM $68m as gift: Court Press TV 26 Jan 2016 -- The findings of a probe into a high-profile corruption case in Malaysia show that Prime Minister Najib Razak had received nearly USD 700 million as a gift from Saudi Arabia's royal family.
• Gbagbo Supporters in Ivory Coast Gearing Up for His Trial VOA 26 Jan 2016 -- The trial of former Ivorian president Laurent Gbagbo is due to begin January 28 at the International Criminal Court. Gbagbo is facing charges of crimes against humanity, based on acts allegedly committed during Ivory Coast's post-election violence in 2010 and 2011. Gbagbo supporters plan to closely follow the trial, which many of them perceive as an insult.
• Ex-minister's Trial Shines Spotlight on Lebanon's Military Court VOA 26 Jan 2016 -- Some Lebanese see Michel Samaha as the ultimate traitor, but with the trial of the ex-minister who confessed to planning terrorist attacks on home soil imminent, the country's judicial system has also found itself in the dock.
• CAR Court Annuls Legislative Polls; Presidential Runoff Vote Set VOA 26 Jan 2016 -- The top Central African Republic court has annulled last month's legislative elections, but confirmed that two former prime ministers will face off for the presidency.