Operations
Defense Policy / Programs
Defense Industry
Other Conflicts
News Reports

Current Operations

• OIF / OND / OEF / OIR / OFS Casualty Update 01 Apr 2016 [PDF]
• Military Strikes Continue Against ISIL Terrorists in Syria, Iraq AFPS 01 Apr 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.
• Coalition Targets ISIL Leaders, Continues Hunt for Baghdadi AFPS 01 Apr 2016 -- Coalition efforts against the Islamic State of Iraq and the Levant's leadership have severely limited the terror group's operations, the Operation Inherent Resolve spokesman said today.
• Department of Defense Press Briefing by Colonel Warren via Teleconference from Baghdad, Iraq DoD 01 Apr 2016 -- Presenter: Colonel Steve Warren, Operation Inherent Resolve Spokesman; Captain Jeff Davis, Director, Defense Press Office
• Statement from Pentagon Press Secretary Peter Cook on Airstrike in Somalia DoD 01 Apr 2016 -- In cooperation with the Federal Government of Somalia, on Thursday, March 31, the U.S. military conducted an airstrike in Somalia against Hassan Ali Dhoore, a senior leader of al-Shabaab, who is part of al-Qa'ida.

Defense Policy / Programs

• US Releases Uranium Inventory Information VOA 01 Apr 2016 -- For the first time in 15 years, the U.S. has declassified and released data on its inventory of highly-enriched uranium (HEU).
• C-17 drag reduction testing aims at saving fuel AFNS 01 Apr 2016 -- From testing synthetic biofuels to "vortex surfing," Edwards Air Force Base is on the forefront of finding new ways to cut fuel costs for the Air Force.
• Airfield management Airmen support combat sorties AFNS 01 Apr 2016 -- A team of Airmen at Al Udeid Air Base, Qatar, is responsible for inspecting almost 50 million square feet of pavement every day, as they support operations at the largest airfield in the U.S. Air Forces Central Command.
• Remarks by Secretary Carter on a major announcement in new technology at Massachusetts Institute of Technology, Cambridge, Massachusetts DoD 01 Apr 2016 -- Presenter: Secretary of Defense Ash Carter
• Russia 'to respond' to US deployments in Eastern Europe Press TV 01 Apr 2016 -- Russia slams US plans to position troops, tanks and other armored vehicles full time along NATO's eastern borders, saying Moscow is preparing a "completely asymmetrical" response to the deployments.
• Rogozin Forbids Placing 'Lucrative' Shipbuilding State Orders Abroad Sputnik 01 Apr 2016 -- Russian Deputy Prime Minister Dmitry Rogozin said that Russia was in the process of outlining a new weapons program and has almost reached the targeted upgrades of the Russian Navy.
• Russia Waiting on France to Return Mistral Equipment Before Resale to Egypt Sputnik 01 Apr 2016 -- Russia is awaiting the return of its equipment for the Mistral-class helicopter carriers from France to resell it to Egypt, a Russian military source told RIA Novosti on Friday.
• Washington pledges more security aid to Kiev Press TV 01 Apr 2016 -- The United States has pledged hundreds of millions in security assistance to Ukraine.
• China has no hidden defense expenditures, spokesperson says People's Daily 01 Apr 2016 -- Some questions have been raised recently about whether China's defense budget has hidden portions, including expenditure on hi-tech weapons systems and on research and development of military technology.
• Defenses ministry: Worries about Chinese military expansion in Djibouti groundless People's Daily 01 Apr 2016 -- Concern from foreign countries about China's military expansion in Djibouti are absolutely unnecessary, as the facilities China is planning will be used mainly for rest and replenishment when the Chinese navy performs tasks in the vicinity of the Gulf of Aden and Somali waters, said Yang Yujun, spokesperson for China's Ministry of National Defense.
• China, U.S. vow to boost nuclear security cooperation People's Daily 01 Apr 2016 -- China and the United States on Thursday reaffirmed their joint commitment to global nuclear security and pledged to continue cooperation in this area beyond the Nuclear Security Summit (NSS) process.
• DPRK fires ground-to-air missile into eastern waters People's Daily 01 Apr 2016 -- The Democratic People's Republic of Korea (DPRK) on Friday fired off a ground-to-air missile into eastern waters, South Korea's Joint Chiefs of Staff (JCS) said.
• North Korea seems to have fired another missile: South Korea Press TV 01 Apr 2016 -- South Korea says the North appears to have fired another missile into the sea off its eastern coast as tensions continue on the Korean Peninsula.
• North Korea Launches Another Suspected Missile VOA 01 Apr 2016 -- South Korean media say North Korea has fired a suspected ballistic missile off its east coast in the latest of several tests this year, signifying an increased level of tension between Pyongyang, Seoul and South Korea's Western allies.
• US, Republic of Korea Submarine Forces Strengthen Alliance NNS 01 Apr 2016 -- Commander, Submarine Group 7 conducted bilateral talks with the Republic of Korea Navy March 30-31 at Polaris Point, Naval Base Guam.
• More BrahMos to Come: India Gets Two New Supersonic Cruise Missiles Sputnik 01 Apr 2016 -- Two more regiments of the BrahMos supersonic cruise missile jointly developed by Russia and India will be inducted into the Indian Army within approximately two weeks, Indian Defense Minister Manohar Parrikar said.
• Defence budget increases for the first time in six years UK MOD 01 Apr 2016 -- Today the Defence budget - as set in the Spending Review - will go up in real terms for the first time in 6 years.
• Defence Secretary announces £40m Cyber Security Operations Centre UK MOD 01 Apr 2016 -- The Defence Secretary announced the new centre on a visit to MOD Corsham. In a move to further strengthen the UK's cyber defences, the Defence Secretary Michael Fallon has announced that over £40 million will be spent on a new Cyber Security Operations Centre (CSOC). The preferred location for the centre will be at MOD Corsham.
• UK MoD Dodging Requests to Disclose Number of Killer Drones in Middle East Sputnik 01 Apr 2016 -- The UK Ministry of Defense continues denying requests to disclose the number of Reaper drones deployed from the Middle East countries, the investigative online outlet Drone Wars UK said Friday.
• US to Provide Ukraine With Additional $335M in Security Aid VOA 01 Apr 2016 -- The White House says the United States will provide Ukraine with an additional $335 million in security assistance.
• April 1, 2016 - U.S. Department of State Daily Press Briefing US Dept. of State 01 Apr 2016

Defense Industry

• DoD News: Contracts for April 01, 2016
• Russian State Arms Exporter Seals Over 1,300 Contracts in 2015 Sputnik 01 Apr 2016 -- Sergey Goreslavsky, Russian state arms exporter, Rosoboronexport, said that Rosoboronexport signed over 1,300 contracts in 2015.

Other Conflicts

• 1 April 2016 - Daily Press Briefing by the Office of the Spokesperson for the Secretary-General United Nations 01 Apr 2016
• China Defends Its Right to Set up Air Defense Identification Zone People's Daily 01 Apr 2016 -- China's Defense Ministry is expressing frustration at speculation it will declare an Air Defense Identification Zone in the South China Sea.
• Beijing's Ominous Threat to Washington Over South China Sea: 'Be Careful' Sputnik 01 Apr 2016 -- Tensions continue to mount between the US and China with an escalation of aggressive posturing on both sides.
• China to defend sovereignty in South China Sea: President Xi Press TV 01 Apr 2016 -- Chinese President Xi Jinping tells US counterpart Barack Obama in Washington that Beijing is resolute in defending its sovereignty in the South China Sea.
• Preparations underway 'at full speed' for intra-Yemeni peace talks, says UN envoy UN News 01 Apr 2016 -- Preparations are underway "at full speed" for the next round of United Nations-brokered intra-Yemeni peace talks to start on 18 April in Kuwait, a UN envoy said today.
• Most of EU militants in Iraq, Syria from 4 states: Study Press TV 01 Apr 2016 -- Four European Union member states have been branded as the largest source of European militants fighting in Syria, a new study suggests, warning governments that they put more efforts to prevent deadly terror attacks by people returning from the conflict zones in the Middle East.
• Syria: UN advisor warns of 'lost momentum' and frustration in humanitarian access talks UN News 01 Apr 2016 -- Diplomats are "very frustrated" about not being able to keep the early momentum in the humanitarian track of the intra-Syrian talks, a United Nations humanitarian mediator has warned.
• Syria's Pro-Democracy Protesters Show Renewed Defiance in Face of Jihadist Intimidation VOA 01 Apr 2016 -- The reduction of hostilities in Syria after last month's cease-fire deal has led to a resurgence of demonstrations in rebel-held areas.
• Russia concerned with reports of Turkey military shooting at refugees Press TV 01 Apr 2016 -- Russia has expressed concerns about reports of Turkish military's shooting at refugees struggling to cross into the country from Syria, calling for justice to be served for those responsible for alleged crimes.
• Moscow dismisses reports on US-Russia deal on Assad's fate Press TV 01 Apr 2016 -- Russia has dismissed reports on an alleged agreement between Moscow and Washington on the fate of Syrian President Bashar al-Assad.
• Lavrov to Kerry: Seal the Turkish-Syrian Border to Prevent Terrorists Flow Sputnik 01 Apr 2016 -- Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov reiterated in the a phone call with US State Secretary John Kerry that the Turkey-Syria border remains 'full of holes' and is actively used to bring terrorists to Syria via Turkey.
• US to Train, Equip Individual Troops in Syria Instead of Entire Units Sputnik 01 Apr 2016 -- Operation Inherent Resolve spokesman Col. Steve Warren said that during the first train-and-equip program in Syria, the US military pulled entire units off the battlefield and tried to push them through training, but that initiative failed.
• Finding Terrorist Foxholes: Syrian Army 'Smokes Out' Daesh in Deir ez-Zor Sputnik 01 Apr 2016 -- The Syrian Army and the country's National Defense Forces have tracked and destroyed a strategic tunnel which had been dug by Daesh in the besieged government-held enclave of Deir ez-Zor.
• Daesh Bomb-Making Factory Uncovered in Mosul University Lab Sputnik 01 Apr 2016 -- Materials made at the lab reportedly include peroxide-based chemical bombs, suicide bomb vests, nitrate-based explosives and chemical weapons.
• Peshmerga General Tells Sputnik How His Troops Plan to Clear Out Daesh Sputnik 01 Apr 2016 -- The Kurdish Peshmerga forces will do their best to clear Iraqi Kurdistan of Daesh; the group is a dangerous enemy to all mankind, according to General Lokman Serefhani, who commands a Peshmerga military unit.
• Iraq: UN envoy voices alarm at ongoing violence, 'unacceptable' loss of civilian lives UN News 01 Apr 2016 -- The top United Nations official in Iraq has expressed concern over the continuing acts of violence in the country, which last month took 1,119 lives and injured another 1,561 – according to casualty figures recorded by the UN Assistance Mission for Iraq (UNAMI).
• Kurdish Officials: IS Spies in Iraqi Army Compromised US Base VOA 01 Apr 2016 -- Undercover Islamic State (IS) fighters in the Iraqi army gathered intelligence about a U.S. military base in northern Iraq that came under heavy IS attack resulting in the death of an American Marine last month, Kurdish sources told VOA.
• Libya: Security Council welcomes Presidency Council's arrival in Tripoli UN News 01 Apr 2016 -- The United Nations today welcomed the arrival in the Libyan capital of Prime Minister Fayez Serraj and other members of the Presidency Council of the Government of National Accord.
• 10 Libyan cities pledge allegiance to new unity govt. Press TV 01 Apr 2016 -- Ten Libyan cities controlled by a self-declared authority in Tripoli have pledged their support to the UN-backed unity government of the country, which has moved into the capital.
• Libyan Interim PM Says No Clashes Amid Unity Gov't Arrival in Tripoli Sputnik 01 Apr 2016 -- The situation in Libya's capital Tripoli is volatile, but no clashes have taken place following the arrival of Presidential Council members, the Libyan interim government's Prime Minister Fayez Sarraj said Thursday.
• Spike In Fighting In Eastern Ukraine Threatens Fragile Cease-Fire RFE/RL 01 Apr 2016 -- International monitors in eastern Ukraine have reported an intense spike in fighting between government forces and Russia-backed separatists as the second year of a shaky truce begins.
• Stateless Rohingya Pose Challenge for New Myanmar Government VOA 01 Apr 2016 -- The United Nations has given Myanmar's incoming civilian government led by Aung San Suu Kyi's National League for Democracy (NLD) 100 days to improve living conditions for the country's ethnic minority Rohingya community. But doubts remain over the new government's ability to deliver.
• Cameroon Military Hospital Overwhelmed With Wounded Soldiers VOA 01 Apr 2016 -- The military hospital in Cameroon's capital, Yaounde, is overwhelmed with wounded Cameroon and Chadian troops of the regional force currently working to rout Boko Haram from its strongholds in Nigeria and border areas. The hospital has a capacity of 200 beds, but about two times the number are seeking medical attention there.
• UN peacekeeping chief condemns sexual exploitation; says victims' needs are 'top priority' UN News 01 Apr 2016 -- The top United Nations peacekeeping official has underscored that the protection of and assistance to victims of sexual exploitation and abuse in the Central African Republic remains the Organization's top priority.
• Shootings in Somalia's Capital Leave 7 Dead VOA 01 Apr 2016 -- Seven people, including three intelligence security officers, died Saturday in three shootings in Mogadishu, according to witnesses in Somalia's capital.

News Reports

• Press Conference by President Obama, 4/1/2016 The White House 01 Apr 2016
• Obama Sees 'Significant Progress' on Nuclear Security VOA 01 Apr 2016 -- U.S. President Barack Obama hailed the "significant progress" the world's nations have made on nuclear security, and pledged the United States will continue to cooperate with all efforts to reduce nuclear stockpiles and keep them safe.
• In Washington at Nuclear Security Summit, Ban highlights role of UN watchdog agency UN News 01 Apr 2016 -- At the Nuclear Security Summit in Washington, D.C., Secretary-General Ban Ki moon has attended a working lunch with other dignitaries and in his remarks, he is expected to spotlight the crucial role played by the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) in the area of nuclear security.
• Obama: Iran Must Prove It Is a Safe Place to Do Business VOA 01 Apr 2016 -- President Barack Obama said Friday that Tehran has to do more to prove to global firms that Iran is a safe place in which to do business.
• Obama Hails Success of Iran Deal at Nuclear Security Summit Sputnik 01 Apr 2016 -- The Iran nuclear agreement has been a real success in addressing nuclear proliferation, even though it doesn't resolve all of the Washington's differences with Tehran, President Obama said.
• U.S. Considering Easing Curbs On Using Dollars In Deals With Iran RFE/RL 01 Apr 2016 -- Obama administration officials are considering easing restrictions that prohibit U.S. dollars from being used in business deals with Iran to ensure Tehran gets economic relief promised under its nuclear deal with world powers.
• UNHCR: Safeguards Lacking for Refugees Deported From Europe to Turkey VOA 01 Apr 2016 -- The U.N. refugee agency is calling for safeguards before refugees and migrants are deported from Greece to Turkey as required under a deal between the European Union and Turkey. The UNHCR says measures must be taken to ensure that the human rights of all those returned are protected.
• UN refugee agency urges safeguard compliance before any returns begin under EU-Turkey deal UN News 01 Apr 2016 -- The United Nations refugee agency today urged parties to the recent EU-Turkey agreement on refugees and migrants to ensure all safeguards are in place before any returns begin.
• Russia Grievances Push North Caucasus Exiles to Join IS VOA 01 Apr 2016 -- The North Caucasus diaspora in Europe is a predominantly Muslim community of several hundred thousand people scattered across the continent. Hundreds of its members have gone to the Middle East to fight in the ranks of the Islamic State (IS). While most of them have wound up as cannon fodder for the terrorist group, some have risen to top positions in the IS hierarchy.
• Security Council requests options on deploying UN police in crisis-torn Burundi UN News 01 Apr 2016 -- Paving the way for enhanced United Nations engagement in Burundi, the Security Council this evening requested Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon to explore with the Government and regional actors options for a police deployment "to increase UN capacity to monitor the security situation, advance the rule of law and promote respect for human rights" in the country.
• Reunions of separated families impossible with Park Geun-hye in office: DPRK People's Daily 01 Apr 2016 -- The Red Cross Society of the Democratic People's Republic of Korea (DPRK) on Friday warned of no more humanitarian exchange between the two Koreas including reunions of separated families, as long as South Korean President Park Geun-hye is in office.
• DPRK sending GPS-jamming signals to S. Korea: Seoul People's Daily 01 Apr 2016 -- South Korea's defense ministry said on Friday that the Democratic People's Republic of Korea (DPRK) has been sending disruptive signals to jam global positioning system (GPS) in the country.
• Obama, Xi agree to implement N Korea sanctions: White House Press TV 01 Apr 2016 -- US President Barack Obama and Chinese President Xi Jinping have agreed to fully implement sanctions against North Korea, according to the White House.
• DPRK Red Cross Society Blames Park Geun Hye for Failure of Holding Reunions of Separated Families and Relatives KCNA 01 Apr 2016 -- Recently the south Korean puppet forces are asserting that more than half of those of the south side who had applied for the reunions of separated families and relatives passed away and the number of those passing away will increase in a crafty bid to give impressions that they are deeply concerned for the reunions.
• U.S. and S. Korean Warmongers Had Better Stop Nuclear Saber-rattling against DPRK: KCNA Commentary KCNA 01 Apr 2016 -- When the U.S. and the Park Geun Hye group of traitors of south Korea are bluffing with "high-density strike" and "operation for advancing into inland area of the north", parts of their large-scale joint military exercises aimed to "bring down its social system," the DPRK is powerfully demonstrating the capability of Juche-based nuclear treasured sword, the capability to fight an actual war to inflict a final doom on the enemies at a single blow.
• Just Preemptive Attack Is DPRK's Mode of Counteraction: Rodong Siunmun KCNA 01 Apr 2016 -- The revolutionary armed forces of the DPRK decided to take preemptive attack as the mode of its military counteraction so as to be able to deal merciless annihilating blows at the enemies under the grave situation where they are working with bloodshot eyes to encroach upon the DPRK's dignity, sovereignty and vital rights.
• N. Korea Jams GPS, Blocks VOA, Twitter, Facebook, Other Media VOA 01 Apr 2016 -- North Korea has begun jamming GPS signals in South Korea, affecting some communications and navigation systems, and it also said Friday it is blocking a number of popular websites.
• Taiwan reiterates commitment to cross-strait peace CNA 01 Apr 2016 -- The Presidential Office on Friday reiterated President Ma Ying-jeou's (馬英九) commitment to promote peace across the Taiwan Strait, after the Taiwan issue was raised during a meeting between U.S. President Barack Obama and Chinese President Xi Jinping (習近平).
• Iraqi Premier Names New Cabinet Of 'Technocrats' To Fight Corruption RFE/RL 01 Apr 2016 -- Iraqi Prime Minister Haidar al-Abadi has named 14 new cabinet ministers who he said are the kinds of policy experts protesters have been demanding for months to fight corruption in the government.
• India, Pakistan Make Progress on Pathankot Terror Attack Probe Sputnik 01 Apr 2016 -- Agreements have been reached on an investigation into the Pathankot airbase attack between Indian and Pakistani investigators, top sources said after Thursday's meeting in New Delhi.
• Ramzan Kadyrov Refutes Claims Democracy 'Non-Existent' in Chechnya Sputnik 01 Apr 2016 -- Chechen leader Ramzan Kadyrov refuted claims in an interview with Sputnik that there is no democracy or freedom of speech in the southern Russian republic.
• Kadyrov Undecided in Run for Leader of Chechnya Sputnik 01 Apr 2016 -- Chechen leader Ramzan Kadyrov called Russian President Vladimir Putin the "only single person in Russia who can make any decision in regard to him."
• Russia security agency arrests CIA-trained Ukrainian spy Press TV 01 Apr 2016 -- Moscow says it has captured a CIA-trained Ukrainian officer, who attempted to infiltrate Russia's main security agency.
• Pakistan Asks Tehran for Details About Alleged Indian Spy VOA 01 Apr 2016 -- Pakistani authorities asked Iran to investigate a suspected Indian spy arrested last month in Baluchistan.
• Niger's Issoufou Sworn In for Another Term as President VOA 01 Apr 2016 -- Niger's President Mahamadou Issoufou was sworn in for another five-year term Saturday after a controversial election boycotted by the opposition.
• Ebola: UN health agency reports new case in Liberia, as experimental vaccine used in Guinea UN News 01 Apr 2016 -- Lab results confirmed a new case of the Ebola virus in Liberia, the United Nations health agency today announced, while an experimental vaccine against the virus is being used in parts of Guinea to contain the latest flare-up of the virus in that country.