Operations
Defense Policy / Programs
Defense Industry
Other Conflicts
News Reports

Current Operations

• OIF / OND / OEF / OIR / OFS Casualty Update 28 Mar 2016 [PDF]
• Military Strikes Hit ISIL Terrorists in Syria, Iraq AFPS 28 Mar 2016 -- U.S. and coalition military forces continued to attack Islamic State of Iraq and the Levant terrorists in Syria and Iraq yesterday, Combined Joint Task Force Operation Inherent Resolve officials reported today.
• Pentagon Cannot Account for $223Mln in Anti-Daesh Operation Orders Sputnik 28 Mar 2016 -- The US Central Command cannot account for $223 million in orders placed during the international operation against Daesh because of inaccurate records-keeping and poor guidance, according to a Department of Defense Inspector General audit released on Monday.
• Attacks reported on Afghan parliament, no casualties Press TV 28 Mar 2016 -- The Taliban militants have staged an attack on the compound of the Afghan parliament in the capital, Kabul, with officials saying the assault did not cause any major damage or casualties.
• Afghan Spy Chief Blames Pakistan for Taliban Resurgence VOA 28 Mar 2016 -- Afghanistan's security chief is directly blaming neighboring Pakistan's military intelligence agency for being behind the Taliban's expanded insurgent activities in his country.

Defense Policy / Programs

• Airmen reflect on B-1 bomber attacks over Libya AFNS 28 Mar 2016 -- Five years ago, a phone rang in the 28th Bomb Wing vice commander's office and made history.
• Crosstalks aimed at improving KC-135 service AFNS 28 Mar 2016 -- Experts from the Air Force Life Cycle Management Center, the Air Force Reserve, National Guard Bureau and the Legacy Tanker Division conducted a customer support visit here and at two other bases March 14-18 to listen to unit concerns regarding KC-135 Stratotanker support and logistics.
• USS America Performs Mass Casualty Drill NNS 28 Mar 2016 -- USS America (LHA 6) completed a series of mass casualty drills during its first underway in 10 months after completing a post-shakedown availability, March 22.
• U.S., Cambodian Forces Close Angkor Sentinel 2016 AFPS 28 Mar 2016 -- As Angkor Sentinel 2016 drew to a close March 25, U.S. and Cambodian forces wrapped up two weeks of bilateral training and relationship-building with a ceremony and a Royal Cambodian Army capability demonstration at the Training School for Multinational Peacekeeping Forces here.
• Behind scenes at Ssang Yong 16: Combat Logistics Battalion 31 USMC News 28 Mar 2016 -- Behind every operation a military unit conducts, there is a group of people that work behind the scenes to make everything happen. That group makes sure there are vehicles for transportation; water and food for the troops; medical treatment if needed; and ammunition for the operation. In the case of the 31st Marine Expeditionary Unit, that group of people is Combat Logistics Battalion 31.
• Nitze's Cold Warriors Train For Deployment During COMPTUEX NNS 28 Mar 2016 -- Guided-missile destroyer USS Nitze (DDG 94) and embarked Helicopter Squadron (HSM) 74 crew departed Naval Station Norfolk to begin Composite Training Unit Exercise (COMPTUEX), March 12.
• Boxer Departs Hong Kong NNS 28 Mar 2016 -- Amphibious assault ship USS Boxer (LHD 4) and the 13th Marine Expeditionary Unit pulled anchor and departed Hong Kong after completing a five-day port visit, March 25.
• USS Amercia Conducts Underway Replenishment NNS 28 Mar 2016 -- Amphibious assault ship USS America (LHA 6) pulled alongside the fleet replenishment oiler USNS Guadalupe (T-AO-200), March 24, and conducted underway replenishment (UNREP) at sea for the first time in more than 10 months, after completing a post-shakedown availability.
• US, Turkey Look to Expand Fight Against IS VOA 28 Mar 2016 -- The U.S. and Turkey are discussing plans to expand cooperation in order to put greater pressure on Islamic State (IS) militants, said U.S. Secretary of State John Kerry on Monday during a meeting with his Turkish counterpart, Foreign Minister Mevlut Cavusoglu.
• Remarks With Turkish Foreign Minister Mevlut Cavusoglu US Dept. of State 28 Mar 2016 -- Remarks by John Kerry, US Secretary of State
• Trump's Asia Security Criticisms Set Off Talk of Nuclear Arms Race VOA 28 Mar 2016 -- Donald Trump, the front-running U.S. presidential candidate for the Republican Party, is not winning a lot of friends among America's key allies in Asia after criticizing their contributions to regional security and suggesting they develop their own nuclear arsenals.
• US to Continue Aiding Syria Rebels Amid Clashes With CIA-Armed Groups Sputnik 28 Mar 2016 -- The US-led coalition against Daesh remains committed to supporting local groups in Iraq and Syria to fight the terrorist group, a US defense official told Sputnik on Monday.
• Reaping Fruits of Victory: First Results of Russia's Air Campaign in Syria Sputnik 28 Mar 2016 -- The war on terrorism in Syria is not over yet. However, after the bulk of Russian forces were withdrawn from Syria one can take a closer look at some aspects of how the operation unfolded and the weapons involved.
• China terminates paid services in military People's Daily 28 Mar 2016 -- The Central Military Commission (CMC) has planned to gradually terminate all paid services in the military in three years, according to a CMC circular recently issued.
• Boosting defense capabilities a strategic policy: Iran Press TV 28 Mar 2016 -- Iranian President Hassan Rouhani says boosting defense capabilities is a "strategic policy" of the Islamic Republic while Tehran should be wary of not providing its enemies with any "excuse."
• No stop to Iran's missile program development: IRGC cmdr. Press TV 28 Mar 2016 -- A senior commander of the Islamic Revolution Guards Corps (IRGC) says Iran will never stop developing its "defensive and deterrent" ballistic missile program.
• Pre-Contract Work on Russia's Pantsir Systems Delivery to Brazil Finished Sputnik 28 Mar 2016 -- Russia and Brazil have finished a pre-contract work on the delivery of the Russian advanced Pantsir-S1 air defense systems.
• Japan Refuses to Give Up Non-Nuclear Principles Amid N Korean Nuke Threat Sputnik 28 Mar 2016 -- Japan will not give up its Three Non-Nuclear Principles in response to the nuclear threat coming from North Korea, Japan's Chief Cabinet Secretary Yoshihide Suga said Monday.
• £372 million investment for Hawk support sustains 700 UK jobs UK MOD 28 Mar 2016 -- The MOD has committed £372 million across four contracts for the continued in-service support of Hawk fast jet training aircraft, securing around 700 UK jobs until 2020.
• Press Briefing by Press Secretary Josh Earnest, 3/28/2016 The White House 28 Mar 2016
• March 28, 2016 - U.S. Department of State Daily Press Briefing US Dept. of State 28 Mar 2016

Defense Industry

• DoD News: Contracts for March 28, 2016
• First Tests of Russian-Emirati Infantry Fighting Vehicle to Be Held in 2017 Sputnik 28 Mar 2016 -- Testing of a pilot item of the infantry fighting vehicle jointly developed by Russia and the United Arab Emirates (UAE) is scheduled for 2017, Russia's machine-building company Uralvagonzavod director for the military-technical cooperation, Igor Kulikov, said Monday.
• Russia Set to Create Military Aftersales Service System in Latin America Sputnik 28 Mar 2016 -- Russian arms exporter Rosoboronexport is currently working on the creation of helicopter service centers in Brazil, Venezuela, Colombia and Peru.

Other Conflicts

• 28 March 2016 - Daily Press Briefing by the Office of the Spokesperson for the Secretary-General United Nations 28 Mar 2016
• Tokyo Sets Up Military Base South of Islands Claimed by Japan, China Sputnik 28 Mar 2016 -- On Monday, Japan set up a self-defense force post in Okinawa, some 93.2 miles south of an island chain which is claimed by both it and China.
• Creation of Russian Navy Base on Kuril Islands 'Contradicts Japan Position' Sputnik 28 Mar 2016 -- The possible stationing of Russia's Pacific Fleet on the Kuril Islands runs counter to Japan's position, Chief Cabinet Secretary Yoshihide Suga said Monday.
• UN health agency calls for funding, access to Yemenis as conflict rages for second year UN News 28 Mar 2016 -- As the conflict in Yemen this week enters its second year, the United Nations health agency is calling for additional funding and access to the more than 80 per cent of the population in urgent need of humanitarian aid.
• Saudi-Led Islamic Military Coalition Meet In Riyadh RFE/RL 28 Mar 2016 -- Military chiefs from the Saudi-led alliance against terrorism met for talks in Riyadh on March 27.
• Yemen, Saudi Arabia swap dozens of prisoners Press TV 28 Mar 2016 -- Yemen's Houthi Ansarullah movement has freed nine Saudi prisoners of war in exchange for 100 Yemenis as a "humanitarian" move, a year after Riyadh started its deadly aggression against the impoverished nation.
• Iran's Rouhani urges lasting ceasefire in Syria Press TV 28 Mar 2016 -- Iran's President Hassan Rouhani has called for the continuation of ceasefire in Syria and acceleration of political negotiations to end a foreign-backed war that has gripped the Arab country for over five years.
• Russia ground troops not invloved in Palmyra operation: Kremlin Press TV 28 Mar 2016 -- The Kremlin says Russian ground forces did not participate in the Syrian government's operations to push back the Daesh Takfiri militants from the ancient city of Palmyra.
• Syria can restore Palmyra in five years: Official Press TV 28 Mar 2016 -- Syria's director general of antiquities and museums says the country can restore the ruins of ancient city of Palmyra, which were damaged by the Daesh Takfiri militants, in five years.
• Civilian deaths fall to lowest level in over 4.5 years: Group Press TV 28 Mar 2016 -- Civilian deaths in conflict-stricken Syria have dropped to the lowest monthly level in over four and a half years amid an ongoing truce that came into effect in the Arab country in February this year, a monitoring group says.
• Moscow: Recapture of Palmyra Helps Political Process in Syria Sputnik 28 Mar 2016 -- Moscow considers the recent success in the fight against terrorists in Syria as a real chance to help advance the political process in the war-torn country, the Russian Foreign Ministry said Monday.
• Syria's Palmyra Retaken, Russian Airstrikes Avoided Monuments - Russian MoD Sputnik 28 Mar 2016 -- Syrian government forces and patriotic militias have retaken from terrorists most of the ancient city of Palmyra with support of Russian airstrikes which avoided targeting historical monuments, the commander of the Russian center for Syrian reconciliation said Monday.
• Daesh Crosses Turkey-Syria Border Despite Ankara's Efforts to Stem Flow Sputnik 28 Mar 2016 -- Turkey is trying to retain control over its borders, but Daesh militants are still managing to penetrate the country.
• Kremlin: Russian Forces to Continue Supporting Syrian Army Despite Pullout Sputnik 28 Mar 2016 -- Russia's Aerospace Forces will continue to lend support to the Syrian forces in their fight against terrorists despite the major withdrawal of the Russian military from Syria, Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov said Monday.
• Russia to Deploy Sappers, Robots to Syria to Demine Palmyra Sputnik 28 Mar 2016 -- Russia will deploy sappers and specialized robots to Syria in the next few days to demine the recently liberated city of Palmyra, Russian General Staff head Army General Valery Gerasimov said Monday.
• Palmyra Victory Proves Syria 'Can Crush Terrorists With Its Own Forces' Sputnik 28 Mar 2016 -- On Sunday, the Syrian Army and its allies, with air support from Russia, completely liberated the ancient city of Palmyra from Daesh militants; the joint military operation took three weeks.
• Syria Vows to Continue Fight Against IS After Taking Palmyra VOA 28 Mar 2016 -- Syria's army says the recapture of Palmyra will be a launching point for expanded operations against the Islamic State group, while the country's antiquities chief declared the already historic site will carry even greater significance as a survivor of the militants' campaign.
• CIA Director Visited Moscow to Discuss Syria VOA 28 Mar 2016 -- U.S. Central Intelligence Agency Director John Brennan visited Moscow at the beginning of March, it was revealed Monday.
• Russian Deputy FM Expresses Optimism Over Syrian Peace Talks Sputnik 28 Mar 2016 -- Russian Deputy Foreign Minister Sergei Ryabkov said that the Syrian reconciliation talks in Geneva have made some progress and must be sustained.
• Iraq Security Forces Thwart Daesh Attack on Army Units Near Mosul Sputnik 28 Mar 2016 -- Iraqi security forces foiled an attack by Daesh jihadist group on military units to the south of the country's second largest city, Mosul, and eliminated 32 Daesh militants, local media reported Monday citing a security source.
• Sudan Takes Steps to Protect Use of Child Soldiers VOA 28 Mar 2016 -- The government of Sudanese President Omar al-Bashir says it has never used children in armed conflicts. But, Information Minister Ahmed Bilal says some of the rebels fighting against the government have been using child solders.
• UN team sent to Central African Republic to investigate new allegations of sexual exploitation UN News 28 Mar 2016 -- The United Nations has reported that a delegation led by the Secretary-General's Deputy Special Representative for the Central African Republic visited Kemo prefecture to gather more information on new allegations of sexual exploitation and abuse, as well as to engage with local communities and authorities.
• S. Korea Urged to Take Prudent Approach toward KPA's Ultimatum KCNA 28 Mar 2016 -- The Park Geun Hye group of traitors in south Korea should take prudent approach toward the ultimatum recently issued by the long-range artillery force of the large combined unit on the front of the Korean People's Army.

News Reports

• Pakistani forces launch anti-terror drive after bomber killed 72 People's Daily 28 Mar 2016 -- Pakistani security forces have launched operations in parts of eastern Punjab province where a suicide bomber killed at least 72 people and injured 315 others at a crowded park, the army said Monday.
• Pakistan Vows To Hunt Down Perpetrators Behind Lahore Attack RFE/RL 28 Mar 2016 -- Pakistani authorities have to hunt down perpetrators behind an Easter Sunday bombing in the city of Lahore that killed more than 70 people and injured some 300 others.
• Pakistan's PM Vows to Boost Counterterror Efforts After Lahore Blast VOA 28 Mar 2016 -- Pakistan's Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif has vowed to intensify counter-terrorism operations in the wake of Sunday's deadly suicide bombing in the eastern city of Lahore targeting Christians. At least 72 people, including about 30 children, were killed and 300 others were wounded in the blast at a crowded park.
• Pakistan to intensify crackdown on militants after Lahore bombing Press TV 28 Mar 2016 -- A bomb explosion outside a park in the city of Lahore, killed at least 70 people, mostly women and children on Sunday. The area was crowded with Christians celebrating the Easter holidays, and many families were leaving the park when the blast occurred.
• 69 killed, 300 injured as suicide blast hits public park in Pakistan's Lahore People's Daily 28 Mar 2016 -- At least 69 people including a large number of women and kids were killed and over 300 others injured when a suicide bomber hit a public park in Pakistan's east Lahore city on Sunday evening, officials said.
• Brussels Terror Suspect Freed for Lack of Evidence VOA 28 Mar 2016 -- A man widely reported to be a main suspect in last week's deadly Brussels terrorist attacks has been released because of a lack of evidence.
• Belgium charges 3 more over terror attacks Press TV 28 Mar 2016 -- Belgian authorities have charged three more people in relation to the bomb attacks that rocked the capital Brussels last week.
• FBI Unlocks Shooter's iPhone, Drops Demands on Apple VOA 28 Mar 2016 -- The U.S. Justice Department said Monday it has accessed data on the iPhone used by a shooter in last year's San Bernardino, California attacks, and that it no longer needs Apple's help in cracking the device.
• Taiwan to set up law banning people from joining ISIS CNA 28 Mar 2016 -- The National Security Bureau (NSB) said Monday that it will deliver to the Legislature during its current session a bill that bans Taiwan nationals from joining ISIS, which has claimed responsibility for several terrorist attacks around the world, including the one in Brussels last week that killed at least 30 people and wounded 230 others.
• 8 people in Taiwan have shown interest in joining ISIS: NSB CNA 28 Mar 2016 -- The National Security Bureau (NSB) is monitoring eight people in Taiwan who have shown an interest in joining the Islamic State (ISIS), NSB Director-General Yang Kuo-chiang (楊國強) said Monday.
• Diplomatic Row Deepens Over Turkey Press Freedom Trial VOA 28 Mar 2016 -- A diplomatic dispute between Ankara and its Western allies continues to grow over the presence of senior foreign diplomats at the trial of two Turkish journalists. Turkey's Justice and Foreign ministries are accusing the diplomats of interference in Turkey's judiciary.
• New KMT chief 'to remain on peaceful path' People's Daily 28 Mar 2016 -- Hung Hsiu-chu, the newly elected chairwoman of the Kuomintang in Taiwan, is expected to remain on a track of peaceful development laid down by current Taiwan leader Ma Ying-jeou, mainland analysts said on Sunday.
• Russia Develops New Heavy-Class Communications Satellite Sputnik 28 Mar 2016 -- A new Blagovest heavy-class communications satellite is being developed by Russia's Information Satellite Systems - Reshetnev Company, the enterprise's corporate newspaper reported Monday.
• Islam to Remain Official State Religion of Bangladesh VOA 28 Mar 2016 -- The top court in Bangladesh rejected a 28-year-old petition to remove Islam as the country's state religion Monday after just a few brief moments of consideration.
• Keeping Islam As State Religion in Bangladesh Triggers Mixed Reactions VOA 28 Mar 2016 -- The rejection Monday by Bangladesh's High Court of a 28-year-old petition in which some secular activists sought to scrap Islam as the state religion of the country has sparked mixed reactions in the Muslim-majority South Asian nation.