Operations
Defense Policy / Programs
Defense Industry
Other Conflicts
News Reports

Current Operations

• OIF / OND / OEF / OIR / OFS Casualty Update 18 Mar 2016 [PDF]
• Strikes Hit ISIL Terrorists in Syria, Iraq AFPS 18 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.
• Counter-ISIL Fight Enters Second Phase to Dismantle Terrorist Group AFPS 18 Mar 2016 -- As U.S-led coalition forces enter the second phase in Iraq and Syria to degrade and ultimately defeat the Islamic State of Iraq and the Levant, a spokesman for U.S. Central Command today discussed operations to dismantle the extremist group.
• HRW Blasts U.S. 'Punishment' Of Soldiers Involved In Afghan Hospital Strike RFE/RL 18 Mar 2016 -- Human Rights Watch (HRW) has strongly criticized U.S. 'punishments' handed to officers involved in a deadly bombing raid on an Afghan hospital last year.
• US Military Personnel Punished for Kunduz Hospital Attack VOA 18 Mar 2016 -- Officials say U.S. personnel who were involved in the devastating, half-hour aerial attack on a Doctors Without Borders hospital in Afghanistan have been or will be punished.
• Warring Afghan Sides Urged to Respect Humanitarian Law VOA 18 Mar 2016 -- The International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC) said Friday that 2015 had increased violations of humanitarian law and principles by all sides to the conflict in Afghanistan, undermining delivery of much needed assistance to the war victims.

Defense Policy / Programs

• US, Philippines Agree on Five Locations Covered by Defense Pact VOA 18 Mar 2016 -- The United States and the Philippines have agreed on five locations that American military forces can have access to under a 10-year security deal that comes amid rising tensions with China over territorial disputes in the South China Sea.
• Cope Tiger 2016 enhances capabilities through teamwork AFNS 18 Mar 2016 -- Readiness and continued development of multilateral interoperability remains a key priority for Indo-Asia-Pacific partners participating in the 22nd year of exercise Cope Tiger, a joint multilateral field training exercise that began March 7 at Korat Royal Thai Air Force Base.
• Singapore, Thailand, U.S. conclude trilateral air exercise People's Daily 18 Mar 2016 -- Exercise Cope Tiger, a trilateral air exercise conducted by the air forces of Singapore, Thailand and the United States, concluded on Friday at Korat Air Base of Thailand, according to a press release by Singapore Ministry of Defence.
• ACC commander addresses RPA health to Senate Armed Services Committee AFNS 18 Mar 2016 -- Gen. Hawk Carlisle, the commander of Air Combat Command, addressed plans to improve the health of the Air Force remotely piloted aircraft enterprise March 16 during a hearing of the U.S. Senate Armed Services Committee's Airland subcommittee in Washington, D.C.
• Navy's Fleet Experimentation Program Looks Ahead to FY17 NNS 18 Mar 2016 -- Navy Warfare Development Command (NWDC) hosted Fleet-wide planning engagement March 15-16 to start formulating a fiscal year 2017 Fleet Experimentation (FLEX) execution plan.
• Bonhomme Richard Expeditionary Strike Group, ROK Forces Conclude Exercise Ssang Yong 2016 NNS 18 Mar 2016 -- Bonhomme Richard Expeditionary Strike Group and Republic of Korea military forces wrapped up Exercise Ssang Yong 2016 (SY 16) March 18 while underway off the coast of ROK.
• Mishap Aboard Ike Injures Sailors NNS 18 Mar 2016 -- Eight Sailors aboard the Norfolk-based aircraft carrier USS Dwight D. Eisenhower (CVN 69) were injured this afternoon when an arresting gear parted during a routine landing by an E-2C Hawkeye aircraft.
• Cybercom Commander: Other Nations' Cyberspace Ops Intensified AFPS 18 Mar 2016 -- U.S. Cyber Command has witnessed intensified cyberspace operations by state and nonstate actors and wide-ranging malicious cyber activities targeting the government and the private sector in the past year, Cybercom commander Navy Adm. Michael S. Rogers told a House panel March 16.
• NATO Secretary General discusses global security challenges, transatlantic partnership at Brussels Forum NATO 18 Mar 2016 -- NATO Secretary General Jens Stoltenberg addressed the global security outlook at the annual Brussels Forum conference on Friday (18 March 2016). Mr. Stoltenberg took part in a panel discussion entitled "A Grave New World: Future Global Security Challenges", together with Estonian President Toomas Hendrik Ilves and U.S. Senator Jeanne Shaheen.
• NATO welcomes closer ties with the Gulf Cooperation Council NATO 18 Mar 2016 -- NATO Secretary General Jens Stoltenberg welcomed the Secretary General of the Gulf Cooperation Council, Abdul Latif Bin Rashid Al Zayani, to NATO headquarters on Friday (18 March 2016) for talks on deepening cooperation between the two organisations.
• Russia Begins Underwater Robot Construction for Fifth-Generation Submarines Sputnik 18 Mar 2016 -- Russian design bureaus are developing unmanned underwater vehicles for deployment by fifth-generation submarines.
• World's Largest Akula-Class Nuclear Submarines to Be Recycled in Russia Sputnik 18 Mar 2016 -- Two of the world's largest nuclear-powered submarines will be recycled at a ship yard in northern Russia after reaching the end of their operational lives, a high-level defense industry representative told RIA Novosti on Friday.
• Invisible: Fifth-Gen Russian Subs to Use Composites for Increased Stealth Sputnik 18 Mar 2016 -- Fifth-generation Russian submarines will use anti-sonar composite materials to hide them from enemy detection systems, Izvestia daily newspaper wrote on Thursday.
• Construction of Last Lada-Class Submarines to Be Completed in 2018-2019 Sputnik 18 Mar 2016 -- The two last Lada-class diesel-electric submarines (Project 677) will be constructed in 2019, an official representative of Russia's United Shipbuilding Corporation said Friday.
• New Admiral Gorshkov Frigate to Join Russian Navy in December Sputnik 18 Mar 2016 -- The warship will have an assortment of weaponry, including a 130-mm gun, the Oniks 3M55 (SS-N-26) anti-ship missiles and the Poliment-Redut shipborne air defense system.
• Japan, South Korea slam North Korea's new ballistic missile launch Press TV 18 Mar 2016 -- South Korea and Japan have denounced North Korea over its latest ballistic missile launch, demanding Pyongyang to avoid such moves that could heighten tensions on the Korean Peninsula.
• Holding urgent closed-door talks, Security Council condemns DPR Korea ballistic missile test UN News 18 Mar 2016 -- Expressing 'grave concern,' the United Nations Security Council has strongly condemned the ballistic missile launches conducted by the Democratic People's Republic of Korea (DPRK) earlier today and on 10 March, pledging to closely monitor the situation and 'act as appropriate.'
• UN Security Council Calls North Korea Missile Launches 'Unacceptable' VOA 18 Mar 2016 -- The U.N. Security Council has 'strongly condemned' North Korea's launch of two medium-range ballistic missiles, saying it clearly violated U.N. resolutions.
• DPRK fires mid-range ballistic missile amid ongoing US-S.Korea war games People's Daily 18 Mar 2016 -- The Democratic People's Republic of Korea (DPRK) on Friday fired a medium-range ballistic missile into east waters in what appeared to be a move to respond to the ongoing joint military exercises between South Korea and the United States and tougher-than-ever sanctions on Pyongyang.
• Japan lodges protest over DPRK's missile launch People's Daily 18 Mar 2016 -- Japanese Foreign Minister Fumio Kishida said on Friday that his country has lodged protest to the Democratic People's Republic of Korea (DPRK) over its ballistic missile firing earlier this morning, saying the move violated UN Security Council resolutions.
• S.Korea denounces DPRK's ballistic missile launch People's Daily 18 Mar 2016 -- South Koreaon Friday strongly denounced the Democratic People's Republic of Korea (DPRK)'s launch of a ballistic missile in violation of UN Security Council resolutions.
• Sweden Adopts Cold War Military Strategy, Ramps Up Against Russian 'Threat' Sputnik 18 Mar 2016 -- Stockholm moves to expand defense, establishes military strategy contemplating multilateral attack capabilities against Russia following months of growing anti-Russia escalation by NATO.
• Russia to Supply President-S Aircraft Defense Systems to Egypt in Weeks Sputnik 18 Mar 2016 -- The deliveries of Russia's advanced President-S onboard defense systems (ODS) to Egypt will begin in 'coming days,' a senior Radio-Electronic Technologies Concern (KRET) executive said Friday.
• China Unveils New Electronic Spy Plane Sputnik 18 Mar 2016 -- Equipped to handle electronic warfare, China has unveiled its latest spy plane.
• China's presence in Indian Ocean legitimate, military expert says People's Daily 18 Mar 2016 -- It is a legitimate action for China's nuclear submarine to enter the Indian Ocean since China has interests in the region, Yin Zhuo, a military expert, said in an interview.
• UK relationship with Ukraine strengthened by Defence agreement UK MOD 18 Mar 2016 -- The UK's relationship with Ukraine has been strengthened by the signing of a new Defence agreement.
• Press Briefing by Press Secretary Josh Earnest, 3/18/2016 The White House 18 Mar 2016
• March 18, 2016 - U.S. Department of State Daily Press Briefing US Dept. of State 18 Mar 2016

Defense Industry

• DoD News: Contracts for March 18, 2016

Other Conflicts

• 18 March 2016 - Daily Press Briefing by the Office of the Spokesperson for the Secretary-General United Nations 18 Mar 2016
• Washington 'Anxious' Over China's Presence in South China Sea Shoal Sputnik 18 Mar 2016 -- The US has seen Chinese activity around Scarborough Shoal and a top US naval officer expressed concern that China may be expanding its presence.
• China rebuffs Japan-East Timor concern over South China Sea People's Daily 18 Mar 2016 -- China rebuffed a joint press release by Japan and East Timor that voiced concern over the South China Sea in Beijing on Thursday.
• S.Korea urges Japan to stop territorial claims on disputed island People's Daily 18 Mar 2016 -- South Korea on Friday urged Japan to stop territorial claims on a disputed island, called Dokdo in South Korea and Takeshima in Japan, lying halfway between the two countries.
• UN blames Saudi Arabia for civilian deaths in Yemen Press TV 18 Mar 2016 -- The UN human rights chief has held Saudi Arabia responsible for the killing of the majority of civilians in Yemen, decrying recent airstrikes on a market that left over 100 people dead.
• UN Records Nearly 9,000 Deaths in Yemeni Conflict Over Year Sputnik 18 Mar 2016 -- According to the Office of the UN High Commissioner for Human Rights, almost 9,000 people, including civilians, have been killed in hostilities in Yemen since March 2015.
• UN Deplores 'Awful' Carnage in Yemen From Saudi Coalition Airstrikes VOA 18 Mar 2016 -- The United Nations has condemned recent airstrikes by the Saudi-led coalition in Yemen, which have killed more than 100 civilians this week alone.
• In wake of another deadly attack in Yemen, UN human rights chief decries Coalition airstrikes UN News 18 Mar 2016 -- The United Nations human rights chief today condemned the repeated failure of the Coalition to effectively prevent civilian casualties in airstrikes and to publish transparent, independent investigations into those that have already occurred in Yemen.
• Russia says no ground troops involved in operation for Palmyra Press TV 18 Mar 2016 -- Russia says it has no ground troops involved in the operation to liberate Syria's Palmyra and the 'advance' to retake the historic city is carried out by the Syrian army.
• Syrian Opposition Sets Red Lines on Release of Detainees in Peace Talks Sputnik 18 Mar 2016 -- The Riyadh-formed Syrian High Negotiations Committee (HNC) opposition delegation in the Syrian peace talks has set 'red lines' in its negotiations with the Syrian government delegation regarding the numbers of detainees to be released by the government, HNC spokeswoman Bassma Kodmani said on Friday.
• Russian Air Group Leaving Syria According to Schedule Sputnik 18 Mar 2016 -- The Russian air group is leaving Syria in accordance with the approved schedule, according to the General Staff.
• Russian Jets Continue Strikes on Terrorists in Syria, Conduct 25 Sorties Sputnik 18 Mar 2016 -- Russian aviation will continue strikes on Daesh and al-Nusra Front terrorist groups in Syria, carrying out an average of 25 sorties daily, the Russian General Staff said Friday.
• Kremlin: Syrian Army Carries Out Palmyra Offensive Without Russian Military Sputnik 18 Mar 2016 -- The Russian military is not involved in the Syrian armed forces' campaign to reclaim the city of Palmyra, Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov said Friday.
• Opposition: Syria's New Constitution Must Guarantee Kurds' Rights, Freedoms Sputnik 18 Mar 2016 -- The new Syrian Constitution should fully guarantee rights and freedoms of the Kurds living in the country, a member of the Syrian opposition delegation formed after meetings in Moscow and Cairo, Qadri Jamil, told Sputnik on Friday.
• Intra-Syrian talks advancing without 'excessive rhetoric,' says UN envoy UN News 18 Mar 2016 -- As the first week of the new round of intra-Syrian talks ended today, the United Nations Special Envoy for Syria said the "proximity system" of the discussions, whereby parties are meeting indirectly through his mediation, has contributed to the talks moving forward.
• Iraq: UN and partners race to reach thousands fleeing areas west of Ramadi UN News 18 Mar 2016 -- The United Nations relief wing today reported that humanitarian partners are rushing to provide emergency assistance to an estimated 35,000 people who have been newly displaced in hard-to-reach areas west of Ramadi.
• Libya authorities oppose UN-backed unity government Press TV 18 Mar 2016 -- Libya's internationally recognized government has opposed a UN-sponsored unity government in the Arab country, citing fears of more divisions.
• Two Years After Annexation, Crimeans Wait On Russia's Unfulfilled Promises RFE/RL 18 Mar 2016 -- For many in Crimea, the Ukrainian Black Sea peninsula's takeover by Russia two years ago was a cause for joy and great expectations.
• Russia Celebrates Crimea Grab, Critics Denounce 'Climate Of Fear' RFE/RL 18 Mar 2016 -- Russian President Vladimir Putin hailed the seizure of Crimea from Ukraine two years ago as a long-awaited moment of "historic justice," while Western governments assailed Moscow over the annexation and Human Rights Watch described a "pervasive climate of fear and repression" on the peninsula.
• Uzbeks Deploy Troops, Equipment Near Disputed Kyrgyz Border RFE/RL 18 Mar 2016 -- Kyrgyz officials say Uzbekistan has unilaterally suspended entrance to the country for Kyrgyz nationals via at least two checkpoints along the two Central Asian countries' border.
• Georgian FM: Western Integration, Sovereignty Are 'Red Lines' In Russia Talks RFE/RL 18 Mar 2016 -- Georgia's new foreign minister says the ex-Soviet nation's territorial integrity and Western aspirations are not up for discussion in its dealings with Russia, which has propped up the Georgian breakaway regions of Abkhazia and South Ossetia and recognized their independence.

News Reports

• Belgian police arrest prime suspect in Paris attacks: Report Press TV 18 Mar 2016 -- Belgian police have reportedly arrested Salah Abdeslam, the prime suspect in the November 13, 2015 attacks in France.
• Paris Attacks Suspect Captured Alive in Belgian Raid VOA 18 Mar 2016 -- The top suspect linked to the November 13 terror attacks in France has been arrested in Belgium, a Belgian minister said
• Key Paris Attack Suspect Arrested In Brussels RFE/RL 18 Mar 2016 -- Salah Abdeslam, the main suspect in the November Paris attacks, and several other suspects have been arrested in the Belgian capital.
• France to Demand Extradition of Paris Mastermind After Brussels Arrest Sputnik 18 Mar 2016 -- Following the arrest of Salah Abdeslam, the mastermind of the Paris attacks, by Brussels authorities, France is requesting an extradition.
• Captured American IS Fighter's Story Raising 'Red Flags' VOA 18 Mar 2016 -- Intelligence officials are taking a close look at what an American Islamic State (IS) fighter is telling Kurdish media; parts of his account raise as many questions as answers.
• Guantanamo Handover Unlikely, Indonesia's Foreign Ministry Says VOA 18 Mar 2016 -- Indonesian officials said Friday that alleged Southeast Asian terror chief Hambali won't likely return home if President Barack Obama's plan to close the U.S. prison at Guantánamo Bay, Cuba, prevails.
• Militants Attack Algeria Gas Plant, No Casualties VOA 18 Mar 2016 -- Unknown attackers fired rockets at a natural gas plant in southern Algeria Friday but there are no reports of casualties.
• Ebola: UN health agency sends specialists to help contain flare-up in Guinea UN News 18 Mar 2016 -- The United Nations health agency has dispatched a team of specialists to Guinea after 2 new cases of Ebola were confirmed yesterday, the first re-emergence of the deadly virus in the Western African country since its original outbreak was declared over on 29 December 2015.
• Kurdish militants may launch attacks on Europe, Erdogan warns Press TV 18 Mar 2016 -- Using the momentum of fear created by a recent deadly attack in Ankara that was claimed by a Kurdish group, Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan has warned European countries that they could become a victim of such attacks.
• 'Refugees need protection, not rejection,' UN says in wake of EU-Turkey deal UN News 18 Mar 2016 -- The United Nations refugee agency has stressed the importance of ensuring safeguards in carrying out today's agreement between the European Union (EU) and Turkey on the situation of refugees and migrants making their way to Europe.
• EU, Turkey, Reach 'Landmark' Deal on Migrant Crisis VOA 18 Mar 2016 -- The European Union and Turkey agreed Friday on a deal that all sides hope will relieve Europe's worst refugee crisis since World War II.
• 'No alternative to political settlement of the Burundian crisis,' Ban tells Security Council UN News 18 Mar 2016 -- Briefing the Security Council, Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon and United Nations High Commissioner Zeid Ra'ad Al Hussein today voiced concern about spiralling violence and rights violations in Burundi, and called for an inclusive political dialogue to peacefully resolve the 11-month crisis.
• UN Rights Chief Says Many in Burundi Live in 'Terror' VOA 18 Mar 2016 -- The U.N. human rights chief, Zeid Ra'ad Al Hussein, said Friday that Burundi is on the brink of a sudden escalation of violence to 'massive proportions.'
• Shi'ite Cleric's Backers Rally Again in Baghdad, Demand Reforms VOA 18 Mar 2016 -- Thousands of supporters of Iraqi Shi'ite leader Muqtada al-Sadr demonstrated in the center of Baghdad for a fourth consecutive Friday, amid calls for government reform.
• Iraqis demonstrate near Green Zone, call for reforms Press TV 18 Mar 2016 -- Thousands of Iraqis demonstrated near the heavily fortified Green Zone in the capital, Baghdad, Friday, supporting calls by influential cleric Muqtada al-Sadr for reforms.
• US Prosecution Agrees to Halve Sentence of Russian Accused of Spying Sputnik 18 Mar 2016 -- US prosecutors have agreed to halve the sentence they are seeking in the case against an employee of Russia's Vnesheconombank, Evgeny Buryakov, who was indicted last February on charges of gathering information in the United States for Russia's intelligence service, the bank said in a statement published on its website on Friday.
• US, China Open Joint Nuclear Safety Center VOA 18 Mar 2016 -- China and the U.S. opened a joint nuclear safety center in Beijing Friday intended to offer training on the safe handling of nuclear materials and the prevention of terrorist attacks on nuclear facilities.
• 'Lao Sat-1'communications satellite developed by China delivered into orbit People's Daily 18 Mar 2016 -- The first satellite that China exported to an ASEAN country, Lao Sat-1, was officially delivered into orbit on March 16, China News Service reported on Wednesday.
• New Three-Man Crew Flies to Space Station VOA 18 Mar 2016 -- A Russian Soyuz spacecraft blasted off from Kazakhstan early Saturday on its way to the International Space Station with a three-man crew including an astronaut about to break an American record.
• No need for Taiwan, mainland to target each other: Tsai CNA 18 Mar 2016 -- President-elect Tsai Ing-wen (蔡英文) said Friday that there is no need for Taiwan and mainland China to target each other and she hoped that the resumption of diplomatic ties between mainland China and The Gambia was not such an act.
• Taiwan strongly protests resumption of Gambia-China diplomatic ties CNA 18 Mar 2016 -- Taiwan voiced strong protest Friday over a decision by The Gambia and China to resume diplomatic ties two years after the African country severed relations with Taiwan.
• The Gambia needs financial aid from mainland China: Taiwanese official CNA 18 Mar 2016 -- The Gambia needs financial assistance from foreign countries to improve its domestic economy, a Taiwanese official said Friday while commenting on the reason behind the African country resuming diplomatic ties with mainland China two years after it severed relations with Taiwan.
• Gambia case seen as warning to Taiwan's president-elect CNA 18 Mar 2016 -- The head of the Mainland Affairs Council (MAC) said Friday that many people regard China's move to resume diplomatic relations with The Gambia as a warning to Taiwan's President-elect Tsai Ing-wen (蔡英文).
• Security Council calls on Haiti to complete elections 'without further delay' UN News 18 Mar 2016 -- Deeply concerned by the continued suspension of electoral rounds in Haiti, the United Nations Security Council today called for the completion of the polling cycle without further delay to allow the Haitian people the opportunity to vote for their elected representatives in a free, fair, inclusive and transparent contest.