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Defense Policy / Programs
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News Reports

Current Operations

• OIF / OND / OEF / OIR / OFS Casualty Update 16 Feb 2016 [PDF]
• Department of Defense Press Briefing by Pentagon Press Secretary Peter Cook in the Pentagon Briefing Room DoD 16 Feb 2016 -- Presenter: Pentagon Press Secretary Peter Cook
• Press Secretary: Carter 'Gratified' Coalition Will Do More in Counter-ISIL Fight AFPS 16 Feb 2016 -- Defense Secretary Ash Carter was gratified that so many nations accepted his challenge and vowed to step up contributions to accelerate defeat of the Islamic State of Iraq and the Levant at last week's first meeting of defense ministers from the counter-ISIL coalition, Pentagon Press Secretary Peter Cook told reporters this morning.
• Military Strikes Continue Against ISIL in Syria, Iraq AFPS 16 Feb 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

• USS Carter Hall Rescues Fishermen in Distress NNS 16 Feb 2016 -- The Norfolk-based dock landing ship USS Carter Hall (LSD 50) rescued three fishermen Feb. 15 after responding to a distress call.
• USS William P Lawrence, First US Navy Warship to Visit Fiji in 10 Years NNS 16 Feb 2016 -- The guided-missile destroyer USS William P. Lawrence (DDG 110) completed a port visit in Suva, Fiji, Feb. 14.
• USS Missouri Returns from 6-Month Deployment NNS 16 Feb 2016 -- Virginia-class, nuclear-powered, fast-attack submarine USS Missouri (SSN 780) returned to its homeport at Naval Submarine Base New London in Groton from a regularly scheduled deployment, Feb. 12.
• KC-46 refuels fighter jet with hose, drogue system for first time AFNS 16 Feb 2016 -- An Air Force and Boeing aircrew aboard a KC-46A Pegasus successfully refueled an F/A-18 Hornet fighter jet in flight Feb. 10, marking the program's first using the KC-46's hose and drogue system.
• U.S. Marines helocast with Royal Thai, Republic of Korea Marines during Cobra Gold 16 USMC News 16 Feb 2016 -- Royal Thai, Republic of Korea and U.S. Marines helocasted from an MV-22B Osprey Feb. 10, 2016 for the first time in a joint environment during exercise Cobra Gold 16 in Thailand.
• USS Mustin Visits Hong Kong NNS 16 Feb 2016 -- Arleigh Burke-class guided-missile destroyer USS Mustin (DDG 89) arrived in Hong Kong Feb. 13 for a port visit during a routine patrol in the 7th Fleet area of operations.
• USS Emory S. Land Arrives in Singapore NNS 16 Feb 2016 -- Submarine tender USS Emory S. Land (AS 39) arrived in Singapore for a port visit Feb. 11.
• New Fuel Increases Range of Russian Cruise Missiles by 185 Miles Sputnik 16 Feb 2016 -- A new fuel can increase the range of hypersonic strategic cruise missiles by up to 185 miles.
• Russia to Supply China With Nine Multirole Helicopters Sputnik 16 Feb 2016 -- Russia and China have signed a deal on the supply of seven Russian-made Kamov Ka-32A11BC and two Mil Mi-171E choppers, the Russian Helicopters company said Tuesday.
• Russia Plans to Seal Deal on Mi-17V-5 Helicopters Delivery to India in 2016 Sputnik 16 Feb 2016 -- Russian Helicopters plans to sign a contract with India for the delivery of an additional batch of 48 Mi-17V-5 military transport helicopters in 2016, the company's deputy director general said Tuesday.
• Saudi Arabia Denies Deployment of Ground Troops Outside Kingdom at Present Sputnik 16 Feb 2016 -- Saudi Arabia has no ground troops deployed outside the kingdom at present, including in Yemen, a Saudi defense ministry adviser said Tuesday.
• Riyadh Denies Presence of Troops in Turkey for Possible Operations in Syria Sputnik 16 Feb 2016 -- A Saudi Defense Ministry official told Sputnik that Riyadh had no troops deployed in Turkey for possible operations in Syria.
• Riyadh to Sputnik: Drills in Saudi Arabia Not Runup for Specific Operation Sputnik 16 Feb 2016 -- The Northern Thunder military exercises in Saudi Arabia with the participation of 21 countries are not a training drill for any specific operation, a Saudi Defense Ministry aide told Sputnik.
• Iraq military helicopter crash kills 9 crew members Press TV 16 Feb 2016 -- An Iraqi military helicopter has crashed southeast of the capital Baghdad, leaving all nine crew on board dead, a senior Iraqi military official says.
• Japanese Defense Ministry Spots Suspicious Submarine Near Tsushima Island Sputnik 16 Feb 2016 -- A suspicious submarine was spotted close to Japan's Tsushima island in the Korea Strait, the Japanese Defense Ministry said Tuesday.
• Malaysia says not involved in Saudi 'anti-terror coalition' Press TV 16 Feb 2016 -- Malaysia's Defense Minister Datuk Seri Hishammuddin Hussein says his country is not involved in a military "coalition" announced by Saudi Arabia with the purpose of "fighting terrorism" in the region.
• February 16, 2016 - U.S. Department of State Daily Press Briefing US Dept. of State 16 Feb 2016

Defense Industry

• DoD News: Contracts for February 16, 2016
• Russia Starts Construction of 7 Mi-171Sh Helicopters for Bangladesh Sputnik 16 Feb 2016 -- Russia has started construction of seven Mi-171Sh combat-transport helicopters for the Bangladesh Air Force, a deputy CEO of the Russian Helicopters company said Tuesday.

Other Conflicts

• 16 February 2016 - Daily Press Briefing by the Office of the Spokesperson for the Secretary-General United Nations 16 Feb 2016
• Peacekeeping 'a tool to advance political, not military, solutions' - UN deputy chief UN News 16 Feb 2016 -- United Nations peacekeeping is "a tool to advance political, not military solutions to conflict," Deputy Secretary-General Jan Eliasson told the UN Special Committee on Peacekeeping Operations today, as the General Assembly subsidiary body opened its 2016 session.
• At Security Council, UN relief chief spotlights need to end 'human catastrophe' in Yemen UN News 16 Feb 2016 -- With a human catastrophe unfolding in Yemen, the Security Council and the international community must urge the parties to the conflict to ensure unconditional and sustained humanitarian access to all parts of the country, and take greater measures to protect civilians, the top United Nations emergency relief official said today.
• Yemeni forces retake key military camp outside capital Press TV 16 Feb 2016 -- The Yemeni army and allied forces have retaken a strategic military camp outside Sana'a four days after it fell to Saudi-backed mercenaries, a Press TV correspondent in the capital reports.
• Yemenis in Taiz Receive Emergency Aid VOA 16 Feb 2016 -- The United Nations refugee agency has delivered desperately needed emergency relief supplies to thousands of people in the besieged Yemeni city of Taiz.
• Ground troops only solution to Syria conflict: Turkey Press TV 16 Feb 2016 -- Turkey is among the few countries insisting that the only way to stop the war in Syria is to deploy ground forces in the Arab country's northern regions.
• Syria: UN mediator intends to resume Geneva talks next week UN News 16 Feb 2016 -- After differences between Government and opposition delegations on the priority of humanitarian issues forced a pause in the Intra-Syrian talks earlier this month, the United Nations envoy mediating the discussions has said he intends to resume them by 25 February, and earlier if possible, a UN spokesperson announced today.
• Pentagon: Syria Accord Tests Russia's Will to De-escalate War VOA 16 Feb 2016 -- The Pentagon on Tuesday called the cessation-of-hostilities agreement in Syria a "test" for Russia, as potential effects and implementation of the agreement remain uncertain.
• Russia dismisses Turkey accusations of attacking hospitals in northern Syria Press TV 16 Feb 2016 -- Russia rebuffed Turkish claims Tuesday that its fighter jets hit medical centers in northern Syria, saying there is no evidence to support such accusations.
• Fatal raid on northwest Syria hospital deliberate: MSF Press TV 16 Feb 2016 -- Doctors Without Borders has sharply condemned a deadly aerial attack against its medical facility in Syria's northwestern province of Idlib and said the raid was not "accidental."
• NATO Powers, UN Condemn Deadly Strikes On Syrian Schools, Hospitals RFE/RL 16 Feb 2016 -- NATO powers and the UN chief have condemned air strikes on Syrian hospitals and schools that killed dozens of civilians on February 15, with Turkey and France saying they amounted to 'war crimes' and Ankara blaming Russia for the bombings.
• Russia Denies Ankara's Claims of Ballistic Missile Strike on Hospital Sputnik 16 Feb 2016 -- Russian Defense Ministry spokesman Maj. Gen. Igor Konashenkov dismissed Turkish allegations on Tuesday that Russian forces had carried out a ballistic missile strike on a hospital in Syria's Idlib region.
• Syria: UN 'gravely concerned' over repeated attacks on hospitals, school UN News 16 Feb 2016 -- The United Nations human rights office today expressed grave concern over airstrikes yesterday in Syria that hit at least four hospitals and a school, reportedly killing more than 45 people and injuring dozens of others.
• Russia Rejects Accusations it Bombed Syrian Hospitals VOA 16 Feb 2016 -- Russia on Tuesday rejected accusations that its forces were responsible for deadly airstrikes on hospitals in northern Syria.
• UN Human Rights Office Condemns Attacks on Syria Hospitals, School VOA 16 Feb 2016 -- The U.N. High Commissioner for Human Rights has condemned airstrikes on at least four hospitals and a school Monday in northern Syria. He says if intentional, these attacks could amount to war crimes.
• Russian Forces' 'Only Aim' in Syria to Help Gov't Fight Extremists Sputnik 16 Feb 2016 -- The Russian Aerospace Forces' only aim in Syria is to help the country to fight off Daesh jihadists and other extremists.
• Russian Warplanes Hit 1,593 Terrorist Targets in Syria in a Week Sputnik 16 Feb 2016 -- Russian warplanes have conducted 444 sorties, hitting 1,593 terrorist targets in six Syrian provinces in a week, the Russian Defense Ministry said Tuesday.
• Terrorists in Syria get arms via Turkey border: Russia Press TV 16 Feb 2016 -- Russia says terrorists active in Syria's volatile northwestern region still receive arms smuggled through the Turkish border during night.
• Syria remains committed to dialogue: FM Press TV 16 Feb 2016 -- Syrian Foreign Minister Walid al-Muallem has reaffirmed his country's commitment to inter-Syrian dialogue without preconditions.
• Saudi, Turkey boots in Syria may trigger regional war: Ex-soviet states Press TV 16 Feb 2016 -- A security alliance of post-soviet states says plans by Turkey and Saudi Arabia to deploy ground troops into Syria could escalate tensions in the conflict-ridden Arab country and result in direct military clashes between countries in the Middle East.
• Turkey's Heavy Artillery Fires 100 Volleys on Residential Areas in Aleppo Sputnik 16 Feb 2016 -- The Turkish artillery has been massively shelling Syrian troops and patriotic opposition in border areas since last week, with over 100 volleys registered in the Aleppo province, the Russian Defense Ministry's spokesperson told journalists on Tuesday.
• Turkey Wants Ground Troops in Syria VOA 16 Feb 2016 -- A Turkish official said Tuesday Turkey is asking allies to take part in a ground operation in Syria, saying that is the only way to stop the country's five-year war.
• US to 'Adjust Accordingly' After Assessing Results of Ceasefire in Syria Sputnik 16 Feb 2016 -- The US military will modify its operations after evaluating the results of the ceasefire agreement in Syria reached by the International Syria Support Group last week, US Department of Defense spokesperson Peter Cook told reporters Tuesday.
• Feeling the Heat: Syrian Army Retakes More Villages Amid Aleppo Offensive Sputnik 16 Feb 2016 -- The Syrian army seized back two strategic villages in eastern Aleppo and repelled a large-scale attack by Daesh and other terrorist groups in the north of the province, Iran's Fars news agency reported on Monday.
• Bitter Rebels Blame Kurds for Looming Tide of Syrian Refugees VOA 16 Feb 2016 -- Intense fighting in northern Syria, near the Turkish border, has raised sharp concerns that a huge new wave of Syrian refugees will soon be pouring into Turkey.
• ISIL 'losing appeal' in Iraq, but threat should not be underestimated – UN envoy UN News 16 Feb 2016 -- Iraq has been steadily gaining ground against the Islamic State of Iraq and the Levant (ISIL, also known as Da'esh), which is gradually losing its appeal to the disenfranchised population, the United Nations envoy for that country told the Security Council today, as he also warned that its threat should not be underestimated.
• Iraq censures US, EU for inaction over Turkey's troops deployment Press TV 16 Feb 2016 -- Iraqi Prime Minister Haider al-Abadi censured the United States and the European Union Tuesday for inaction on Turkey's military deployment north of Iraq, warning that Baghdad may be forced to get help from Russia for pushing back the Turkish forces.
• Iraq launches military operation to retake key Anbar district Press TV 16 Feb 2016 -- Iraqi armed forces have launched a fresh military offensive to regain control of a strategic district east of Ramadi, the capital of Anbar Province, from Daesh terrorists.
• Turkey announces curfew in southeastern district Press TV 16 Feb 2016 -- Turkey has imposed a curfew in a region in the southeastern province of Sirnak as Ankara goes on with its operation against militants of the Kurdistan Workers' Party (PKK).
• 3,000 displaced in violence in northern Myanmar state: UN Press TV 16 Feb 2016 -- The United Nations (UN) says thousands of people have been displaced amid clashes between different ethnic rebel groups in Myanmar's northern state of Shan.
• UN agency reaches thousands of people in Chad and Cameroon displaced by Boko Haram violence UN News 16 Feb 2016 -- The United Nations World Food Programme (WFP) announced today that, along with its partners, the agency has, over the past week, has been able to deliver life-saving food and nutrition support to thousands of people recently displaced by the Boko Haram violence in Chad and Cameroon.
• Cameroon Claims to Have Liberated Nigerian Boko Haram Stronghold VOA 16 Feb 2016 -- Cameroon says its soldiers have liberated the northeastern Nigerian town of Goshi from Boko Haram and handed it to the Nigerian government. A spokesman for the government of Cameroon said more than 160 Boko Haram fighters were killed and hundreds of hostages, both Cameroonian and Nigerian, freed.
• UN mission in Central African Republic aims to ensure victims of alleged abuse receive help UN News 16 Feb 2016 -- The United Nations is working to ensure that the victims involved in four new allegations of sexual exploitation and abuse involving UN peacekeepers in the Central African Republic (CAR) have access to the help they need, a spokesperson for the world body said today.

News Reports

• UN mourns death of former Secretary-General Boutros Boutros-Ghali UN News 16 Feb 2016 -- Boutros Boutros-Ghali, veteran Egyptian diplomat and the first United Nations Secretary-General from Africa, passed away today at the age of 93. He is being praised for guiding the Organization through the tumultuous early 1990's and for helping shape the UN's response to post-Cold War realities, drafting a seminal report on preventive diplomacy, peacemaking and peacekeeping.
• Ukraine government survives no confidence vote Press TV 16 Feb 2016 -- The government of Ukrainian Prime Minister Arseniy Yatsenyuk has survived a no confidence vote, hours after the president asked him to step down.
• Ukraine PM Yatsenyuk Survives No-Confidence Vote In Parliament RFE/RL 16 Feb 2016 -- Ukrainian Prime Minister Arseniy Yatsenyuk has survived a no-confidence vote in parliament, hours after President Petro Poroshenko called on him to resign 'in order to restore trust in the government.'
• Iran in full compliance with nuclear agreement: Samantha Power Press TV 16 Feb 2016 -- The US ambassador to the United Nations says that compliance of Iran with the nuclear agreement has been strong, but still calls Tehran a threat to the security of the Middle East region.
• Iran Vows to Continue Military High-Tech Cooperation With Russia Sputnik 16 Feb 2016 -- Iran will continue military-technical cooperation with Russia with focus on high-tech equipment allowing Iran to maintain superiority and to stave off regional and global threats, Iranian Defense Minister Hossein Dehghan said Tuesday.
• South Korea calls for 'robust' sanctions against North Press TV 16 Feb 2016 -- South Korea says the United Nations Security Council should adopt 'extraordinary' measures in response to North Korea's recent nuclear test and rocket launch.
• South Korean President Takes Tough Stand Against North VOA 16 Feb 2016 -- South Korean President Park Geun-hye has called for unity and support for her hardline response to North Korea's recent nuclear test and rocket launch.
• Obama-ASEAN Talks Center On Peace, Security, Prosperity VOA 16 Feb 2016 -- Long-term peace, security and prosperity for Southeast Asia are the goals U.S. President Barack Obama and the 10 members of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations are seeking to ensure during a second day of talks in California.
• Saudi Arabia, Russia Lead Four-party Freeze on Oil Outputs VOA 16 Feb 2016 -- Four of the world's biggest oil-producing nations moved to freeze their production Tuesday to try to halt the 70 percent drop in the price of crude because of a glut of oil on world markets.
• Oil Prices Soar As Russia, Saudi Arabia Discuss Output RFE/RL 16 Feb 2016 -- Oil prices have shot up ahead of a meeting between the energy ministers of Saudi Arabia and Russia, the world's two largest oil exporters, in Qatar.
• Deal with Iraq easy if salaries paid: Kurdish leader Press TV 16 Feb 2016 -- The deputy prime minister of Iraqi Kurdistan says a political and economic deal with the central government in Baghdad could easily be reached if the federal government agrees to pay employees in the semi-autonomous region.
• Russia to Deplete Only Half of Reserve Fund If Oil Costs $40 in 2016 Sputnik 16 Feb 2016 -- Only half of the Russian Reserve Fund will be depleted by the end of 2016 if the government cuts federal budget spending and oil prices stand at $40 per barrel, Sberbank's CEO Herman Gref said Tuesday.
• Former president calls for changing ROC into new republic CNA 16 Feb 2016 -- Former President Lee Teng-hui (李登輝) has called for a constitutional revision to change the Republic of China into a 'new republic,' saying that this is something that will have to be done sooner or later.