Operations
Defense Policy / Programs
Defense Industry
Other Conflicts
News Reports

Current Operations

• OIF / OND / OEF / OIR / OFS Casualty Update 03 Mar 2016 [PDF]
• Military Strikes Continue Against ISIL Terrorists in Syria, Iraq AFPS 03 Mar 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.
• Kabul Sees 'Last Chance' for Peace With Taliban VOA 03 Mar 2016 -- Afghanistan's chief peace negotiator says talks with Taliban-led insurgent groups are a "last opportunity" for accord, despite increasing violence during the past six months by armed opposition factions.
• Pakistan hosting Afghan Taliban leadership: Top official Press TV 03 Mar 2016 -- A top Pakistani official has for the first time admitted that Islamabad holds sway over Taliban and hosts leaders of the Afghan militant group.

Defense Policy / Programs

• STATEMENT BY SASC CHAIRMAN JOHN McCAIN ON CURRENT NATIONAL SECURITY DEBATE Senator McCain 03 Mar 2016 -- U.S. Senator John McCain (R-AZ), Chairman of the Senate Armed Services Committee, released the following statement today on the current debate on national security
• Navy to Christen Submarine Washington DoD 03 Mar 2016 -- The Navy will christen its newest Virginia-class attack submarine USS Washington (SSN 787), Saturday, March 5, during an 11 a.m. EST ceremony at Newport News Shipbuilding in Newport News, Virginia. The ceremony will be broadcast live at www.washingtonchristening.com.
• Remarks by Secretary Carter in a Microsoft Breakfast with Military Leaders in Seattle, Washington DoD 03 Mar 2016 -- Presenter: Secretary of Defense Ash Carter
• Mount Whitney Returns to Gaeta, Italy NNS 03 Mar 2016 -- The U.S. 6th Fleet command and control ship USS Mount Whitney (LCC 20) returned to its forward-deployed port of Gaeta, Italy, after completing a brief underway period, March 3, 2016.
• USS Lassen Enters 4th Fleet Area of Operations NNS 03 Mar 2016 -- Arleigh Burke-class guided-missile destroyer USS Lassen (DDG 82) arrived in the U.S. 4th Fleet area of operations to begin conducting counter illicit trafficking operations in support of Operation Martillo, March 2.
• Media Availability with Secretary Carter following his Visit to Amazon Headquarters in Seattle, Washington DoD 03 Mar 2016 -- Presenter: Secretary of Defense Ash Carter
• Russia to Replace All Su-24's With Su-30SM's in Black Sea Fleet by 2020 Sputnik 03 Mar 2016 -- Russia will replace all Su-24 bombers on the Crimean Peninsula with the Su-30SM multirole fighters which can strike targets on the surface and in the air.
• N. Korea's Kim to Military: Be Set to Fire Nukes 'At Any Moment' VOA 03 Mar 2016 -- North Korean leader Kim Jong Un has ordered his military to be ready to use its nuclear weapons 'at any moment,' state media have said, in what is Pyongyang's latest angry response to expanded U.N. sanctions against it.
• Made-in-China equipment helps to strengthen PLA People's Daily 03 Mar 2016 -- The PLA Army is the first body of armed forces led by the CPC, and plays an essential role in safeguarding national sovereignty, security and development, Chinese president Xi Jinping said at a meeting on Dec. 31, 2015
• Iran to unveil Karrar tank in coming days: Senior commander Press TV 03 Mar 2016 -- A senior Iranian commander says the Islamic Republic is set to unveil a domestically-manufactured battle tank in coming days.
• Defence Secretary announces £642 million investment in next generation nuclear submarines UK MOD 03 Mar 2016 -- Defence Secretary Michael Fallon has today announced £642 million of investment for the Successor submarine programme.
• Defence Secretary secures progress on Brimstone sales as unmanned aircraft project moves forward UK MOD 03 Mar 2016 -- Defence Secretary Michael Fallon has discussed trade opportunities and joint operations with France during the bi-annual UK-France Defence Summit.
• Lebanon mulls Iran's military aid offer: Defense minister Press TV 03 Mar 2016 -- The Lebanese defense minister says he will ask the government to take Iran's past offers of military support seriously after Saudi Arabia's recent decision to retract $4 billion in military aid.
• US Delivers Blackhawk Helicopters to Jordan to Guard Border From Daesh Sputnik 03 Mar 2016 -- The United States has delivered eight UH-60A Blackhawk helicopters to Jordan to help its coalition partner secure its border from Daesh terrorists, the US Embassy in Jordan announced on Thursday.
• Prosecutors investigate Coast Guard cutter controversy CNA 03 Mar 2016 -- Prosecutors and investigators went to the headquarters of the Maritime Patrol Directorate-General (MPDG) in New Taipei's Tamsui District Thursday to examine documents regarding a cutter belonging to the Coast Guard Administration (CGA) and question officials who were involved in its construction.
• Press Gaggle by Principal Deputy Press Secretary Eric Schultz en route Milwaukee, WI, 3/3/2016 The White House 03 Mar 2016
• March 3, 2016 - U.S. Department of State Daily Press Briefing US Dept. of State 03 Mar 2016

Defense Industry

• DoD News: Contracts for March 03, 2016
• China Setting Up Aircraft Engine Conglomerate to Strengthen Market Position Sputnik 03 Mar 2016 -- China is setting up a conglomerate that will merge three aircraft engine manufacturers, local media reported Thursday.

Other Conflicts

• 3 March 2016 - Daily Press Briefing by the Office of the Spokesperson for the Secretary-General United Nations 03 Mar 2016
• China says Philippine ship towed over safety concerns People's Daily 03 Mar 2016 -- China confirmed on Wednesday that it sent ships to the Wufang Jiao, an atoll of the Nansha Islands, to tow a stranded Philippine ship to ensure navigation safety and protect the marine environment.
• US, allies announce new drills near South China Sea Press TV 03 Mar 2016 -- The US has announced an upcoming joint military exercise with India and Japan in the Philippine Sea, close to the Chinese territorial waters in the South and East China Seas where Beijing and Washington have been locked in a heated standoff.
• Philippines Looking to Resolution of Arbitration Case Against China VOA 03 Mar 2016 -- Philippine officials say they are hopeful the country's arbitration case against China over disputed territory in the South China Sea will be decided in April or May.
• Yemen: UN humanitarian chief urges civilian protection, access to all parts of country UN News 03 Mar 2016 -- Protecting civilians amid the unabated conflict in Yemen is the most pressing concern today, the top United Nations relief official told the Security Council, calling on the international community to impress upon the actors their obligations to guard civilians and to facilitate unconditional and sustained access to all parts of the country.
• UN: Hospitals, Schools Targeted in Yemen VOA 03 Mar 2016 -- The U.N. humanitarian chief has criticized all parties to the Yemen conflict for attacks against civilians.
• Humanitarian Groups Call for Sustained Cease-fire in Syria VOA 03 Mar 2016 -- Humanitarian groups say the cease-fire in Syria is an improvement, but needs to be more strictly enforced and sustained.
• Suspended Syrian Peace Talks to Resume Next Week VOA 03 Mar 2016 -- The United Nations' special envoy for Syria reported the cessation of hostilities in Syria is largely holding, so political talks aimed at ending the five-year-long civil war will be resumed next week as planned.
• Syria peace holding despite minor breaches: UN envoy Press TV 03 Mar 2016 -- The UN special envoy for Syria has given an upbeat assessment of truce in Syria, saying the ceasefire agreement engineered by the US and Russia has been holding across the country despite minor breaches.
• Some 30 towns, villages in Syria's Hama join national reconciliation Press TV 03 Mar 2016 -- Some 30 towns and villages in the Syrian province of Hama have joined the national reconciliation process through the mediation of a Russian center, the head of the center says.
• Kurdish fighters retake strategic hill in surprise attack in Aleppo Press TV 03 Mar 2016 -- A coalition of mostly Kurdish and Syrian forces has recaptured a strategic region from Takfiri terrorists in Syria's northwestern province of Aleppo.
• Jaish al-Islam Leaders in Damascus Join Ceasefire Regime in Syria Sputnik 03 Mar 2016 -- Jaish al-Islam leaders in the Damascus province decided to join the ceasefire regime in Syria, according to the Russian Defense Ministry.
• Kurds Receive No Official Invitation to Join Next Syria Peace Talks Sputnik 03 Mar 2016 -- Syrian Kurds have received no official invitation to join the next round of Syrian peace talks, set to begin on March 9, despite a promise made by the countries organizing the negotiations, the head of the Syrian Kurds' representative office in Moscow said Thursday.
• Amnesty: Russian, Syrian Airstrikes Target Hospitals Deliberately VOA 03 Mar 2016 -- Amnesty International accused Russian and Syrian forces Thursday of deliberately targeting Syrian hospitals and medical facilities with airstrikes to ease the path for pro-regime ground forces advancing on northern Aleppo.
• Syria Suffers Nationwide Power Blackout VOA 03 Mar 2016 -- For the first time since the eruption of civil war in 2011, a nationwide electricity blackout hit Syria in the early hours Thursday.
• Italy to Send 8 Helicopters to Iraq for Anti-Daesh Campaign Sputnik 03 Mar 2016 -- Italy will send eight helicopters to Iraq to provide combat and logistical assistance in the fight against terrorism, the Italian defense minister said.
• Libyan forces kill 7 suspected Daesh terrorists in Sabratha Press TV 03 Mar 2016 -- Libyan security forces have raided a hideout belonging to Daesh terrorists in the northwestern city of Sabratha, leaving seven suspected Takfiri militants dead.
• Ukraine FM: Russia Not Ready to Talk in Detail VOA 03 Mar 2016 -- Ukraine's foreign minister, Pavlo Klimkin, reported no breakthrough after Thursday's talks in Paris on the conflict in eastern Ukraine, saying he believes the Russians are not ready to discuss anything in detail.
• Ukraine: growing despair among over three million civilians in conflict zone - UN report UN News 03 Mar 2016 -- Despite a decrease in the number of civilian casualties in the east of Ukraine over the past few months, a new United Nations report shows that the conflict is severely impacting on the daily life of civilians, with a growing sense of despair and isolation affecting those living in the conflict zone, especially in the areas controlled by the armed groups.
• Disillusioned, Ukrainians Lose Faith in Quick End to War VOA 03 Mar 2016 -- When Russian-backed forces seized public buildings in eastern Ukraine, unleashing the ongoing conflict, many Ukrainians thought the crisis would not last very long. Two years later, with western sanctions and two peace agreements failing to stop Russia's intervention, the war continues and many of those displaced see little hope that they will get to go home anytime soon.
• Darfur: top UN and African Union officials call for free movement of peacekeepers and aid workers UN News 03 Mar 2016 -- Expressing deep concern about the upsurge in fighting between the Sudanese Government forces and a rebel group in Darfur, United Nations Secretary-General ban Ki-moon today called for freedom of movement for UN peacekeepers and humanitarian actors in their continued efforts to protect and support the affected civilians.

News Reports

• DPRK fires short-range projectiles after UN resolution passes People's Daily 03 Mar 2016 -- The Democratic People's Republic of Korea (DPRK) fired six short-range projectiles on Thursday morning in an apparent show of force after new tougher sanctions resolution on Pyongyang was passed at the UN Security Council.
• UN Security Council calls for end to Pyongyang's nuclear, missile programs People's Daily 03 Mar 2016 -- The UN Security Council on Wednesday unanimously adopted a resolution to impose new and tougher sanctions against the Democratic People's Republic of Korea (DPRK) and council members called for an end to Pyongyang's nuclear and missile program and early resumption of the Six-Party Talks.
• Russia calls on North Korea to return to dialog after UN bans Press TV 03 Mar 2016 -- Russia has expressed hope that North Korea will make the right decision and return to negotiations after the United Nations adopted a new set of sanctions against Pyongyang over its recent nuclear test and rocket launch.
• North Korea fires projectiles into sea after new UN sanctions Press TV 03 Mar 2016 -- North Korea fires several short-range projectiles into the sea, hours after the UN Security Council votes to impose harshest sanctions on the impoverished country.
• Russia Carved Out Exceptions To North Korean Sanctions RFE/RL 03 Mar 2016 -- Russia's ambassador to the United Nations claims that Moscow won protections for important economic projects in the drafting of tough new sanctions on North Korea.
• Will China Enforce UN Sanctions Against N. Korea? VOA 03 Mar 2016 -- North Korea fired several short-range projectiles Thursday in what seemed to be an act of defiance against the expanded sanctions that were unanimously adopted by the United Nations Security Council.
• China's top political advisory body starts annual session People's Daily 03 Mar 2016 -- China's top political advisory body convened its annual meeting Thursday, kicking off a political high season that will continue with the opening of the country's top legislature later this week.
• China champions 'four consciousnesses,' conforming with Xi People's Daily 03 Mar 2016 -- Party officials, lawmakers and media have called for unwavering conformity with top leader Xi Jinping, ahead of the country's major political meetings, known collectively as the 'two sessions.'
• Taiwan urges Beijing to 'take pragmatic approach to ROC Constitution' CNA 03 Mar 2016 -- Taiwan urged China to look at the Constitution of the Republic of China in a practical manner, noting that the government's China policy has always been made based on the 'one China (ROC), two areas' principle
• Iraq signs deal with Italian firm to save Mosul dam Press TV 02 Mar 2016 -- Iraq has signed a deal with an Italian company to repair and maintain the country's largest dam near the northern city of Mosul, a government official says.
• [P]GCC decision on Hezbollah in line with Israeli agenda: Syria Press TV 03 Mar 2016 -- The Syrian government says the move by the [Persian] Gulf Cooperation Council ([P]GCC) in declaring the Hezbollah resistance movement a "terrorist group" is in line with the Israeli regime's agenda.
• Hezbollah criticizes [P]GCC states as reckless, hostile Press TV 03 Mar 2016 -- Lebanon's resistance movement, Hezbollah, has described the [Persian] Gulf Cooperation Council member states as "reckless and hostile" after the Arab body labeled the movement a terrorist organization.
• Hezbollah embodiment of anti-terror fight: Iran Press TV 03 Mar 2016 -- Iran has condemned a decision by the [Persian] Gulf Cooperation Council to blacklist Lebanon's Hezbollah, saying the resistance movement is in fact a "potent symbol" of struggles against terror and Israeli occupation.
• Syria Slams GCC's Move to Call Hezbollah Terrorist Group Sputnik 03 Mar 2016 -- The Syrian government has strongly condemned the decision of the Gulf Cooperation Council (CCASG or GCC) to include the Lebanon-based Shiite Hezbollah militant group in its terrorist organization list.
• GCC branding of Hezbollah as terrorist a new mistake: Iran Press TV 03 Mar 2016 -- Iran says a decision by Persian Gulf Arab states to brand Lebanon's Hezbollah as a terrorist group is a 'new mistake' that will undermine peace in the region and unity in Lebanon.
• Briefing on Announcement of New Measures To Address the Drought in Ethiopia US Dept. of State 03 Mar 2016-- BUG: the source does not exist in description file