Operations
Defense Policy / Programs
Defense Industry
Other Conflicts
News Reports

Current Operations

• OIF / OND / OEF / OIR / OFS Casualty Update 23 Mar 2016 [PDF]
• Military Strikes Continue Against ISIL Terrorists in Syria, Iraq AFPS 23 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.
• Coalition Has Momentum in Fight Against ISIL, Carter, Dunford Say AFPS 23 Mar 2016 -- While not complacent about the Islamic State of Iraq and the Levant's capabilities, Defense Department leaders are confident that momentum against the terror group is firmly in the hands of the coalition arrayed against it.
• 49 militants killed, injured in Afghanistan: Kabul Press TV 23 Mar 2016 -- Afghanistan's Defense Ministry says nearly 50 militants, including Daesh terrorists, have been killed and wounded over the past 24 hours across the country.

Defense Policy / Programs

• Pentagon Envoy Says Closing Guantanamo is National Security Issue AFPS 23 Mar 2016 -- Significant numbers of Defense Department and senior military leaders say closing the Naval Station Guantanamo Bay detention facility in Cuba is the single most important action the United States can take to counter terrorism, DoD's special envoy for Guantanamo detention closure said on Capitol Hill today.
• Pentagon Confirms Guantanamo Transfers Have Killed Americans VOA 23 Mar 2016 -- A senior Defense Department official told U.S. lawmakers Wednesday that Americans have been killed by detainees who were released from the prison in Guantanamo Bay, Cuba.
• New Reserve unit to open doors at Keesler AFNS 23 Mar 2016 -- The 403rd Wing is going through a period of growth with the activation of an additional aircraft maintenance squadron solely focused on keeping the 815th Airlift Squadron's 10 C-130J Super Hercules aircraft healthy and in the air.
• F-35 Program Making Progress, Executing 'Fairly Well,' Program Chief Tells Congress AFPS 23 Mar 2016 -- The chief of the F-35 program detailed "the good, the bad and the ugly" aspects of the Joint Strike Fighter during testimony before the House Armed Services Subcommittee on Tactical Air and Land Forces yesterday.
• CIO Priorities Include Cybersecurity, Innovation, Retaining IT Workforce AFPS 23 Mar 2016 -- Information technology and cyber program priorities for the Defense Department's chief information officer include modernizing DoD networks, improving cybersecurity and building the IT workforce, Terry Halvorsen said yesterday.
• Carter: Complex Challenges Likely for Tomorrow's Army Officers AFPS 23 Mar 2016 -- The Army officers of tomorrow likely will face complex challenges in protecting the nation and staying one step ahead of adversaries, Defense Secretary Ash Carter said today at the United States Military Academy.
• Remarks by Secretary Carter in a "Fireside Chat" at the United States Military Academy, West Point, New York DoD 23 Mar 2016 -- Presenter: Secretary of Defense Ash Carter
• Media Availability with Secretary Carter en route to Washington, DC DoD 23 Mar 2016 -- Presenter: Secretary of Defense Ash Carter
• MWSS-272 demonstrates expeditionary capabilities USMC News 23 Mar 2016 -- Marines with Marine Wing Support Squadron 272 demonstrated their expeditionary capabilities during a Marine Corps Combat Readiness Evaluation at Marine Corps Auxiliary Landing Field Bogue, North Carolina, March 14-18, 2016.
• Carl Vinson Unveils New Carrier Air Traffic Control Simulator NNS 23 Mar 2016 -- USS Carl Vinson (CVN 70) unveiled a new air traffic control simulator, the first of its kind installed in a Navy aircraft carrier, in the ship's carrier air traffic control center, March 22.
• Mobile Bay: Building Relations in ROK NNS 23 Mar 2016 -- Sailors from the guided-missile cruiser USS Mobile Bay (CG 53) took part in a cultural tour to Myeongnyang Battle Park and Museum and Daehung Temple, March 15.
• Ohio Gold Visits Subic Bay During Indo-Asia-Pacific Deployment NNS 23 Mar 2016 -- Ohio-class guided-missile submarine USS Ohio (SSGN-726) arrived at Subic Bay, for the conclusion of its Indo-Asia-Pacific deployment.
• 95-Year-Old Lost US Navy Ship Mystery Solved NNS 23 Mar 2016 -- National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) and the U.S. Navy announced the discovery of World War I-era fleet tugboat USS Conestoga (AT 54), 95 years after her disappearance with 56 officers and Sailors, at the Navy Memorial, March 23.
• USS Mobile Bay Earns 4th Consecutive Battle "E" Award NNS 23 Mar 2016 -- Building on a legacy of good performance and hard work, guided-missile cruiser USS Mobile Bay (CG 53) was awarded the coveted Battle Effectiveness Award (Battle "E") for 2015, the fourth year in a row.
• North Atlantic Council discusses NATO's adaptation in Lithuania NATO 23 Mar 2016 -- NATO Deputy Secretary General Ambassador Alexander Vershbow and the 28 ambassadors of the North Atlantic Council arrived in Vilnius on Wednesday (23 March 2016) to discuss the Alliance's adaptation, modern defence, and new security challenges. During their two-day visit, they will hold meetings with President Dalia Grybauskaitė, Foreign Minister Linas Linkevičius and Defence Minister Juozas Olekas.
• Russian Paratroopers Land in South Russia in Snap Inspection Sputnik 23 Mar 2016 -- Two parts of Russia's Airborne Forces divisions landed in the Orenburg Region as part of inspections.
• China's first homegrown aircraft carrier to be superior than Liaoning, military experts say People's Daily 23 Mar 2016 -- China's first homegrown aircraft carrier will have larger tonnage and carry more carrier-based aircraft, according to military experts.
• Indian Navy Sub-Hunting Reconnaissance Aircraft Touches Down in Seychelles Sputnik 23 Mar 2016 -- The Indian navy has deployed a P 8I maritime reconnaissance aircraft to the Seychelles to undertake surveillance of the 115-island archipelago, which is located off the coast of East Africa.
• Russian Arms Deliveries to Iraqi Kurdistan Approved by Baghdad - Ambassador Sputnik 23 Mar 2016 -- Russia's Ambassador to Iraq said that Russia is delivering arms to Iraqi Kurdistan on a schedule that is approved and coordinated with Baghdad authorities.
• US Helps Cameroon Ramp Up Airport, Border Security VOA 23 Mar 2016 -- The United States has given Cameroonian police sophisticated equipment to monitor airports and border crossings as part of continued cooperation in the fight against Boko Haram.
• Remarks by President Obama and President Macri of Argentina in Joint Press Conference The White House 23 Mar 2016
• March 23, 2016 - U.S. Department of State Daily Press Briefing US Dept. of State 23 Mar 2016
• Briefing on Secretary Kerry's Travel to Moscow, Russia US Dept. of State 23 Mar 2016

Defense Industry

• DoD News: Contracts for March 24, 2016
• Russia Discusses Licensing Admiral Grigorovich Frigate Production to India Sputnik 23 Mar 2016 -- India and the Russian state arms exporter Rosoboronexport are discussing plans to set up licensed production of Admiral Grigorovich class frigates under the Make in India program, the company said on Wednesday.

Other Conflicts

• 23 March 2016 - Daily Press Briefing by the Office of the Spokesperson for the Secretary-General United Nations 23 Mar 2016
• Taiwan invites arbitrators, Philippine lawyers to visit Taiping CNA 23 Mar 2016 -- President Ma Ying-jeou (馬英九) on Wednesday invited Philippine lawyers and international arbitrators working on a South China Sea case to visit Taiping Island, which Taiwan claims as its territory in the contested South China Sea area.
• Foreign media reporters given rare look at Taiwan's Taiping Island CNA 23 Mar 2016 -- The government on Wednesday took media workers from 10 foreign media outlets to a Taiwan-held Taiping Island in the disputed South China Sea for the first time ever, hoping to buttress its case that it is an "island" under international law.
• Saudi warplanes hit northwestern Yemen, killing more civilians Press TV 23 Mar 2016 -- Saudi warplanes conducted a new series of airstrikes on northwestern Yemen Wednesday, killing at least four people, local media reports say.
• In 'breakthrough,' UN refugee agency reaches embattled Yemeni governorate with life-saving aid UN News 23 Mar 2016 -- Calling it a "breakthrough," the United Nations refugee agency today reported that earlier this week, 13 trucks managed to deliver blankets, mattresses, and other badly needed emergency relief items to Taiz governorate in Yemen.
• Envoy: Yemen Truce, Peace Talks in April VOA 23 Mar 2016 -- The parties to the conflict in Yemen have agreed to a cessation of hostilities and a new round of peace talks next month.
• Russian commander confirms active ground troops in Syria Press TV 23 Mar 2016 -- Russia has deployed a group of special forces in Syria to conduct "reconnaissance and other special tasks" in the war-torn country, a senior Russian military commander says.
• Syrian army liberates key area in Homs, edges closer to Palmyra Press TV 23 Mar 2016 -- Syrian forces have edged closer to retaking the ancient city of Palmyra after establishing full control over new areas in the central province of Homs and inflicting heavy losses on Daesh terrorists, new reports say.
• Mogherini Says Realizes EU Responsible for Bringing Peace to Syria Sputnik 23 Mar 2016 -- Federica Mogherini said she realized Europe bore some responsibility for Syrian reconciliation after terrorist attacks in Brussels.
• Syrian Ceasefire Generally Holding Despite Violations Sputnik 23 Mar 2016 -- Despite recorded violations, the cessation of hostilities in Syria has been generally observed, according to Col. Gen. Alexander Dvornikov, the commander of the Russian military contingent in Syria.
• Russia Deploys Special Forces to Syria for Reconnaissance Missions Sputnik 23 Mar 2016 -- Units of Russian special forces have been deployed in Syria to carry out "many tasks", including reconnaissance and target-designation, the commander of the Russian military contingent in Syria said.
• Syrian Army Fighting Daesh Near Historic City of Palmyra Sputnik 23 Mar 2016 -- Syrian army is fighting Daesh on the outskirts of Palmyra to recapture the historic city, a source in the offensive's headquarters said Wednesday.
• Russia Supplied Syrian Army With Modern Weaponry to Defeat Terrorists Sputnik 23 Mar 2016 -- The commander of the Russian military contingent in Syria said that Russia has supplied the Syrian government forces with modern weaponry.
• Syrian Army Kills 70 Daesh Militants in Battle East of Palmyra - Source Sputnik 23 Mar 2016 -- The Syrian army and allied militia took full control of the Haya mountain range east of Palmyra, killing at least 70 Islamic State (Daesh) militants in the past 24 hours, a source in the command of the Syrian Armed Forces in Palmyra told RIA Novosti on Wednesday.
• Progress made on humanitarian track for Syria, reports UN advisor UN News 23 Mar 2016 -- The advisor to the United Nations envoy on Syria today reported further progress in the humanitarian relief efforts in that conflict-battered country, including with more areas reached, medical kits getting through checkpoints, and children being vaccinated.
• Senior UN official warns of dire consequences for millions of Iraqis due to funding shortfalls UN News 23 Mar 2016 -- Returning from a visit to Iraq, a senior United Nations relief official today drew attention to the worsening situation for more than 10 million people in need, and to the urgency to mobilize more funding for the humanitarian response.
• Libyan govt. to be installed in Tripoli within days: UN Press TV 23 Mar 2016 -- The head of the UN mission in Libya says the North African country's new unity government will be installed in the capital Tripoli within days.
• 26 PKK members killed in Turkish airstrikes Press TV 23 Mar 2016 -- Turkey's military says its warplanes have conducted new combat sorties against positions of the Kurdistan Workers' Party (PKK) militants in the southeast of the country as well as northern Iraq, killing over two dozen PKK members.
• DR Congo at 'critical juncture,' amid rising political tensions - UN envoy tells Security Council UN News 23 Mar 2016 -- The Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC) is at a critical juncture, with rising political tensions ahead of elections which could lead to violence if left unaddressed, the top United Nations official in the country warned the Security Council today, while highlighting key issues for consideration as it renews the UN's mandate there.
• Diplomatic Quartet to prepare report to lay ground for Israel-Palestine talks - UN envoy UN News 23 Mar 2016 -- The United Nations envoy for the peace process in the Israeli-Palestinian conflict today unveiled a plan by the diplomatic Quartet – comprising the UN, Russia, the United States and the European Union – to produce a report that would help create a political environment for the two sides to resume peace negotiations.
• Khmer Rouge Tribunal Cases Stuck as Deadline Looms VOA 23 Mar 2016 -- Almost a year after charging former mid-ranking regime official Ao An with crimes against humanity, the Phnom Penh-based Khmer Rouge Tribunal last week expanded its case against the 83-year-old suspect, bringing new charges of genocide, torture and other serious crimes.

News Reports

• Obama: Defeating Islamic State is 'Top Priority' VOA 23 Mar 2016 -- President Barack Obama says destroying Islamic State is his "top priority," a day after the extremist group claimed responsibility for a terrorist attack that killed 31 people in Belgium.
• Islamic State Losing Ground, But Not the War VOA 23 Mar 2016 -- While Brussels was reeling from the bloodshed after Islamic State (IS) bombed civilians in the airport and a metro station, Iraqi forces were piling up body bags from multiple suicide bombings across central, western and northern Iraq.
• US Presidential Candidates Trade Barbs Over Terrorism VOA 23 Mar 2016 -- The leading U.S. presidential candidates are trading new ideas and sharp barbs over how best to cope with the threat of terrorism in the immediate aftermath of the deadly Brussels terrorist attacks.
• Belgian Police Slammed Over Lack of Coordination, Chaos, Confusion Sputnik 23 Mar 2016 -- In the aftermath of the Brussels bombings, the Belgian police and intelligence services have been heavily criticized, with the police accused of being uncoordinated and out-of-touch with the communities they serve.
• Turkey Detained, Deported Suspected Brussels Attacker in 2015 VOA 23 Mar 2016 -- One of the men identified as a suicide bomber in the deadly terror attacks in Brussels had been detained by Turkey and deported to Europe, where he was released about eight months ago, Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan said Wednesday.
• IS Bombmaker for Paris Attacks Is Confirmed Killed in Brussels VOA 23 Mar 2016 -- Intelligence officials said Wednesday that a 25-year-old Islamic State bombmaker who was involved in the Paris attacks in November was one of two suicide bombers who targeted the Brussels airport this week.
• Brussels Reels, Bombers Named A Day After Attacks RFE/RL 23 Mar 2016 -- Brussels residents are struggling to regain a semblance of normal life, while authorities say two suicide-bomber brothers struck the city's main airport and a subway car in attacks Belgium's prime minister said displayed "absolutely abominable brutality."
• Leaders of Lorenzana Drug Trafficking Organization Convicted on International Narcotics Trafficking Charges US Dept. of Justice 23 Mar 2016 -- Eliu Elixander Lorenzana-Cordon and Waldemar Lorenzana-Cordon, leaders of a Guatemala-based international drug trafficking organization responsible for importing multi-ton quantities of cocaine into the United States, were convicted on international narcotics trafficking charges in the District of Columbia following a four-week trial.
• UK Security Services Prevent Seven Terror Attacks Over Last 18 Months Sputnik 23 Mar 2016 -- UK Home Secretary Theresa May said that in the last 18 months, the police and the security services have disrupted seven terrorist plots to attack the UK.
• China mulling designated name for Taiwan to join AIIB: official CNA 23 Mar 2016 -- China's top negotiator with Taiwan said Wednesday that the issue of what name should be used by Taiwan to participate in the Beijing-initiated Asian Infrastructure Investment Bank (AIIB) is now "under discussion."
• China Relations with The Gambia Raises Concerns in Taiwan VOA 23 Mar 2016 -- A small West African country's establishment of relations with China this month is raising concern in Taiwan of a new fight to retain its few diplomatic allies around the world and exert international influence.
• S. Korea warns retaliation against DPRK's threat to strike People's Daily 23 Mar 2016 -- South Korea on Wednesday warned of stern and merciless retaliations in response to the Democratic People's Republic of Korea (DPRK)'s threat to strike South Korea's presidential office.
• North Korea warns of 'miserable end' for South Korea, US Press TV 23 Mar 2016 -- North Korea has denounced the largest ever military drills by the US and South Korea a "thrice-cursed provocation," which Pyongyang sees as rehearsal for an invasion.
• DPRK Responds to Enemies' War Drills with Construction KCNA 23 Mar 2016 -- Kim Jong Un, supreme leader of the Democratic People's Republic of Korea, recently declared the start of building Ryomyong Street in the capital city of Pyongyang, a manifestation of the DPRK's will to answer the nuclear war drills of the U.S. imperialists and their followers with vigorous economic construction.
• Chinese National Pleads Guilty to Conspiring to Hack into U.S. Defense Contractors' Systems to Steal Sensitive Military Information US Dept. of Justice 23 Mar 2016 -- A Chinese national pleaded guilty today to participating in a years-long conspiracy to hack into the computer networks of major U.S. defense contractors, steal sensitive military and export-controlled data and send the stolen data to China.
• China Approves Comprehensive Law on Charities, Nonprofits VOA 23 Mar 2016 -- In the midst of its crackdown on civil society groups, China recently approved its first comprehensive law on charities and nonprofit organizations aimed at helping alleviate poverty in the country. The landmark legislation loosens regulatory hurdles for charities to register and provides safeguards for people who donate. But it also tightens government oversight.
• Turkey Demands EU Meet Commitment to Visa-free Travel VOA 23 Mar 2016 -- Just days after the announcement of a European Union-Turkey refugee deal, President Recep Tayyip Erdogan criticized the bloc, saying it could not be trusted. His main concern is the commitment for visa-free travel for Turks through the EU.
• Shia movement withdraws from Zaria massacre probe Press TV 23 Mar 2016 -- An umbrella organization representing Shia Muslims in Nigeria has decided not to appear before a tribunal looking into the army's December massacre in Zaria, PressTV reports.
• Former Malaysian PM Suing Incumbent Over Missing Money VOA 23 Mar 2016 -- Malaysia's former prime minister filed a lawsuit against Prime Minister Najib Razak Wednesday, alleging government funds were transferred into the current leader's personal bank account.
• Nepal Moves to Open Up China Route VOA 23 Mar 2016 -- Nepal's Prime Minister K. P. Sharma Oli appears to be creating history on his visit to China, which began March 20 and ends this Sunday.