Operations
Defense Policy / Programs
Defense Industry
Other Conflicts
News Reports

Current Operations

• OIF / OND / OEF / OIR / OFS Casualty Update 05 Apr 2016 [PDF]
• Coalition Airstrike Destroys ISIL Headquarters Compound in Mosul AFPS 05 Apr 2016 -- A U.S.-led coalition airstrike took out an Islamic State of Iraq and the Levant headquarters compound in Mosul, Iraq, yesterday morning, a Pentagon spokesman said today.
• U.S., Coalition Continue Counter-ISIL Strikes in Syria, Iraq AFPS 05 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.

Defense Policy / Programs

• Remarks on "Goldwater-Nichols at 30: An Agenda for Updating" (Center for Strategic and International Studies) DoD 05 Apr 2016 -- Presenter: Secretary of Defense Ash Carter
• Carter Proposes Updates to Goldwater-Nichols Act AFPS 05 Apr 2016 -- To best confront challenges in an increasingly complex world, the law that defines much of the Defense Department's institutional organization needs to be updated, Defense Secretary Ash Carter said today.
• US Defense Secretary Wants More Power for Chairman of Joint Chiefs Sputnik 05 Apr 2016 -- US Defense Secretary Ashton Carter said that the government and Congress need to reform the US military command system to give more power to the chairman of the Joint Chiefs and their staff to move forces quickly around the world on daily basis.
• Remarks by the President in Meeting with Combatant Commanders and Joint Chiefs of Staff The White House 05 Apr 2016
• B-52 conducts long-range training with Colombian forces AFNS 05 Apr 2016 -- A B-52 Stratofortress from Minot Air Force Base, North Dakota, conducted a long-range training sortie to engage with South American military partners April 1-2.
• F-16 crews soar in South Korean exercise AFNS 05 Apr 2016 -- F-16 Fighting Falcon pilots from the 80th Fighter Squadron practiced combined flying operations March 28-31 alongside counterparts from the South Korean air force's 19th Fighter Wing at Jungwon Air Base during Buddy Wing 16-3.
• Ramstein mobility wing credited for smooth departure from Turkey AFNS 05 Apr 2016 -- Even before the flow of families arrived at Ramstein Air Base after they were ordered to depart from Turkey on March 29, Airmen from the 521st Air Mobility Operations Wing were getting ready to make their transition as fluid as possible.
• Gorenc Discusses European Reassurance Initiative, Air Police Mission AFPS 05 Apr 2016 -- The commander of U.S. Air Forces in Europe and Air Forces Africa said today that the increase in European Reassurance Initiative funds next year will allow his command to improve its presence and facilities on the eastern side of NATO and to deter Russia.
• DoD Launches New Civilian Performance Appraisal Program AFPS 05 Apr 2016 -- Defense Department civilian employees are getting a new, standardized performance appraisal program as part of the department's New Beginnings initiative.
• Kearsarge ARG Departs US 5th Fleet NNS 05 Apr 2016 -- The Kearsarge Amphibious Ready Group departed the U.S. 5th Fleet area of operation, April 5, after successfully completing theater security cooperation and maritime security operations in the region.
• Boxer ARG, 13th MEU Enter US 5th Fleet NNS 05 Apr 2016 -- The Boxer Amphibious Ready Group and 13th Marine Expeditionary Unit concluded operations in the U.S. 7th Fleet area of operations and entered the U.S. 5th Fleet area of operations, April 5.
• Blue Ridge Arrives in Mumbai NNS 05 Apr 2016 -- U.S. 7th Fleet flagship USS Blue Ridge (LCC 19) arrived in Mumbai, India for a regularly scheduled port visit to promote friendships and strengthen ties with our allies April 4.
• U.S. remains world's biggest military spender in 2015: research institute People's Daily 05 Apr 2016 -- The United States remained "by far the world's biggest spender" on military in 2015, according to a report released on Tuesday by the Stockholm International Peace Research Institute (SIPRI).
• U.S. Cyber Command Chief Testifies on Challenges, Security Initiatives AFPS 05 Apr 2016 -- Over the past year U.S. Cyber Command has continued building capability and capacity and made progress in building its 133-team cyber mission force, all while operating at an increased tempo, Navy Adm. Michael S. Rogers told a Senate panel today.
• Possible Push to Elevate US Cyber Command in Fight vs IS VOA 05 Apr 2016 -- Washington's top cyber warrior said Tuesday that the time has come to elevate the status of U.S. Cyber Command, arguing the move would make efforts more effective against a variety of threats, including the Islamic State (IS) terror group.
• President, NATO Secretary General Discuss Alliance Issues AFPS 05 Apr 2016 -- President Barack Obama and NATO Secretary General Jens Stoltenberg met yesterday to discuss alliance and U.S. efforts to defeat the Islamic State of Iraq and the Levant, NATO support to Afghanistan and issues related to Russia.
• The Decree of the Federal Service of the National Guard troops Kremlin 05 Apr 2016 -- The President signed a Decree "Issues of the Federal Service of the Russian Federation, National Guard troops."
• Putin Announces Creation of National Guard to Fight Terror, Organized Crime Sputnik 05 Apr 2016 -- Russia has created the National Guard, which is aimed to fight terrorism and organized crime on the basis of Interior Troops.
• Russia Creates National Guard to Fight Terror, Crime VOA 05 Apr 2016 -- Russia's president signed a decree Tuesday to create a national guard tasked with fighting terrorism and organized crime.
• Russian Army Receives Vikhr-1 Guided Missiles From Kalashnikov Concern Sputnik 05 Apr 2016 -- The Kalashnikov Concern delivered Vikhr-1 guided missiles to the Russian Armed Forces under a state defense procurement plan.
• North Korea can mount nukes on mid-range missiles: South Press TV 05 Apr 2016 -- North Korea has reached the capability to mount nuclear warheads on its medium-range missiles, which can hit targets in the Korean Peninsula, Japan, China, and Russia, says a South Korean official.
• Seoul Claims North Korea Capable of Launching Mid-Range Nuclear Missile Sputnik 05 Apr 2016 -- Amid North Korea's recent push to improve its nuclear capabilities, South Korean officials claim that Pyongyang can mount a nuclear warhead on a medium-range missile.
• Official: No ban on Russia's export of Sukhoi-30, T-90 tanks to Iran IRNA 05 Apr 2016 -- Head of Russian Foreign Ministry's Administration for Security and Disarmament Mikhail Oliyanov underlined that there are no obstacles hindering the sale of Sukhoi-30 fighter jets and T-90 tanks to Iran.
• Iran's defense industry dashed enemies' hope for military attack IRNA 05 Apr 2016 -- Deputy Defense Minister Brigadier General Amir Hatami said here on Tuesday that Iran's defense industry has frustrated the enemies' hope for any military strike.
• US to block sale of Russian Su-30 aircraft to Iran: State Dept. Press TV 05 Apr 2016 -- The United States would use its veto power in the United Nations Security Council to block the sale of Russian Su-30 fighter jets to Iran, the State Department says.
• 1st S-300 shipment to head to Iran in coming days: Russia official Press TV 05 Apr 2016 -- A senior Russian official says Moscow is to deliver the first shipment of its S-300 air defense systems to Iran in the coming days as part of a long-running contract between Tehran and Moscow.
• Kuwait joins the Typhoon family UK MOD 05 Apr 2016 -- The Defence Secretary Michael Fallon has welcomed Kuwait to the Eurofighter Typhoon family after the State became the eighth country to invest in this world-beating, battle proven, multi-role combat aircraft. The purchase will further strengthen the enduring bilateral defence relationship between Kuwait and the UK.
• US Navy Orders 9 Bell Combat Helicopters for Pakistan Sputnik 05 Apr 2016 -- Bell Helicopter has won a US Navy contract to manufacture nine AH-1Z Viper combat helicopters for Pakistan.
• Saudi fuels global arms spending increase Press TV 05 Apr 2016 -- Saudi Arabia's lavish spending on its military sector last year contributed to the first increase in global arms spending since 2011, a report says.
• Saudi Arabia Replaces Russia As World's Third Biggest Military Spender RFE/RL 05 Apr 2016 -- Saudi Arabia replaced Russia last year as the country with the third-highest military spending in the world, a Swedish research institute has said.
• Press Briefing by Press Secretary Josh Earnest, 4/5/2016 The White House 05 Apr 2016
• April 5, 2016 - U.S. Department of State Daily Press Briefing US Dept. of State 05 Apr 2016

Defense Industry

• DoD News: Contracts for April 05, 2016

Other Conflicts

• 5 April 2016 - Daily Press Briefing by the Office of the Spokesperson for the Secretary-General United Nations 05 Apr 2016
• UN to enforce 'zero tolerance' policy on sexual exploitation and abuse, senior official tells Member States UN News 05 Apr 2016 -- Briefing the General Assembly on recent disturbing allegations of sexual exploitation and abuse by United Nations peacekeepers, Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon's Chef de Cabinet reaffirmed the Organization's determination to tackle the issue head on and indicated that such violations, if verified, would trigger a decision by Mr. Ban to repatriate the units in question.
• WHO and partners appeal for $2.2 billion with humanitarian health needs at 'all-time high' UN News 05 Apr 2016 -- Ongoing turmoil in Syria and the impact of drought in Ethiopia are among the diverse and pressing crises cited by the United Nations World Health Organization (WHO) as the agency and its partners appealed for some $2.2 billion to provide lifesaving health services to more than 79 million people in more than 30 countries facing protracted emergencies this year.
• Azerbaijan, Armenian Forces Announce Karabakh Cease-Fire RFE/RL 05 Apr 2016 -- Azerbaijan and Armenian-backed separatists in its breakaway region of Nagorno-Karabakh said on April 5 that a cease-fire was in place to halt the deadliest flare-up over that mountainous South Caucasus enclave in decades.
• Explainer: Why The Nagorno-Karabakh Crisis Matters RFE/RL 05 Apr 2016 -- This week's Nagorno-Karabakh crisis might strike most people as nothing more than another minor conflict in a remote, faraway place.
• US: Ceasefire in Nagorno-Karabakh 'Seems to Have Taken Hold' VOA 05 Apr 2016 -- The United States says the ceasefire in Nagorno-Karabakh "seems to have taken hold" and encourages both sides to strict adherence.
• Azerbaijan Destroys Armenian Frontline Command Post People's Daily 05 Apr 2016 -- The Azerbaijani Defense Ministry said on Monday that the country's armed forces have destroyed an Armenian command and staff point in the disputed Nagorno-Karabakh region.
• Karabakh peace appears 'to have taken hold' Press TV 05 Apr 2016 -- As a ceasefire is announced between Azerbaijan and the Armenia-backed Nagorno-Karabakh, efforts are underway for sustainable peace in the volatile region.
• Azerbaijan confirms Nagorno-Karabakh ceasefire Press TV 05 Apr 2016 -- Azerbaijan confirms reaching a ceasefire agreement with Armenia-backed rebels over the volatile Caucasus region of Nagorno-Karabakh following a new spate of violence between Yerevan and Baku over the disputed territory.
• Azerbaijan Defense Ministry Reveals Losses in Karabakh Escalation Sputnik 05 Apr 2016 -- The Azeri defense Ministry said that the Azeri armed forces have lost 31 servicemen and just one tank in recent outbreak of hostilities along the Nagorno-Karabakh line of contact.
• Nagorno-Karabakh Army Reveals Losses in Conflict Escalation Sputnik 05 Apr 2016 -- The armed forces of the self-proclaimed republic of Nagorno-Karabakh have lost 29 servicemen killed and 101 wounded, as well as 14 tanks destroyed, since the escalation of the Karabakh conflict, the NKR Defense Ministry said Tuesday.
• Nagorno-Karabakh Ceasefire Came Into Force at Noon - Karabakh Spokesman Sputnik 05 Apr 2016 -- Armenians and Azerbaijanis both ceased fire Tuesday at noon on the frontline in the disputed Nagorno-Karabakh region, a spokesman for the government of the self-declared republic said.
• Armenia Confirms Ceasefire Preparations for Nagorno-Karabakh Sputnik 05 Apr 2016 -- Armenia and Azerbaijan agreed on a bilateral ceasefire along the contact line in Nagorno-Karabakh, which came into force at noon local time on April 5.
• Azeri Military Claims to Have Destroyed Armenian Army Base HQ in Karabakh Sputnik 05 Apr 2016 -- Azerbaijani Armed Forces have destroyed an Armenian military base headquarters in the Nagorno-Karabakh republic, Azerbaijani Defense Ministry press spokesman Vagif Dargahli said Tuesday.
• Militants 'shoot down Syrian jet in Aleppo' Press TV 05 Apr 2016 -- A Syrian warplane has been shot down by a surface-to-air missile fired by militants in the northern province of Aleppo, a Syrian military source says.
• Daesh uses mustard gas in attack on Syria airbase Press TV 05 Apr 2016 -- The Daesh terrorist group has reportedly carried out a chemical attack on a Syrian military airport in eastern Syria.
• By Liberating Al-Qaryatayn, Syrian Army Destroys Largest Daesh Stronghold Sputnik 05 Apr 2016 -- A RIA Novosti correspondent was present at the scene during the liberation of Al-Qaryatayn. The Syrian Army destroyed the largest Daesh stronghold and liberated the city on Sunday.
• Russian Bomb Squad Clears 158 Mines in Syria's Palmyra in Past 24 Hours Sputnik 05 Apr 2016 -- The Russian bomb squad has demined 12 hectares in the historical part of Syria's ancient city of Palmyra in the past 24 hours.
• Daesh Uses Mustard Gas in Syria, Iraq at Least Three Times in 2016 – Moscow Sputnik 05 Apr 2016 -- Daesh terrorists have already used chemical weapons at least three times in Iraq and Syria, the Russian Foreign Ministry said.
• Syrian Fighter Jet Downed Near Aleppo - Source Sputnik 05 Apr 2016 -- A Syrian fighter jet has been downed Tuesday near Aleppo.
• More Fighting Reported in Syria's Aleppo VOA 05 Apr 2016 -- Shelling from Syrian rebel forces Tuesday killed at least 11 civilians and wounded dozens in a Kurdish district in Syria's Aleppo, Kurdish officials and local activists said.
• Islamic State Keeps Christians Under Siege in Raqqa VOA 05 Apr 2016 -- Islamic State militants are cracking down on the few remaining Christians and preventing them from leaving Raqqa, Syria, local activists tell VOA.
• Turkey may strip PKK supporters of citizenship, Erdogan says Press TV 05 Apr 2016 -- Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan says Ankara "must" consider all options including revoking citizenship to prevent supporters of the Kurdistan Workers' Party (PKK) from doing harm.
• Turkey declares curfew in southeast town Press TV 05 Apr 2016 -- Turkey has declared a curfew in the southeastern town of Silopi after an attack by Kurdistan Workers Party (PKK) militants on police there.
• Analysts: Libya's New UN-Brokered Government Faces Daunting Task VOA 05 Apr 2016 -- Libya's U.N.-backed Government of National Accord (GNA) is off to a better than expected start in the few days since its six-strong Presidency Council arrived in Tripoli on board a boat from neighboring Tunisia "promising to turn the page" and restore order to the country.
• Libya's Tripoli-based Government Disbands for UN's Unity Government VOA 05 Apr 2016 -- One of two rival Libyan governments says it is disbanding to make way for the new U.N.-brokered unity government.
• AU Forces in Somalia Kill al-Shabab Leaders VOA 05 Apr 2016 -- The African Union Mission in Somalia (AMISOM) and Somali government forces have killed several al-Shabab commanders in the lower Shabelle region.
• Delays in implementing Mali peace deal mean gains for terrorists - UN peacekeeping chief UN News 05 Apr 2016 -- Every day lost in the implementation of Mali's peace agreement is a day gained for extremist and terrorist groups that have bet heavily that the process will fail, the top United Nations peacekeeping official told the Security Council today, stressing that the Government and the armed groups who signed the deal must establish a timeline to resolve all pending issues.
• Food gap widens in conflict-stricken South Sudan - UN assessment UN News 05 Apr 2016 -- Civil strife and unfavourable rains have further reduced crop production in South Sudan, contributing to a cereal deficit of 381,000 metric tons – 53 per cent greater than in 2015 – and aggravating the already severe food shortages, two UN agencies warned today.
• Tanzania to Investigate Possible Abuse by its Peacekeepers in DRC VOA 05 Apr 2016 -- Tanzania says it will promptly investigate allegations that several of its troops sexually abused women and girls in the Democratic Republic of Congo, where its soldiers are U.N. peacekeepers.
• International Force Frees 2,000 Boko Haram Captives VOA 05 Apr 2016 -- Cameroon says a regional force arrested more than 300 Boko Haram fighters and freed at least 2,000 people in the first five days of an operation to flush the terrorists from their remaining hideouts along the borders of Cameroon, Chad and Niger.
• Chadian Self-Defense Groups on Alert for Boko Haram VOA 05 Apr 2016 -- Chad remains on alert for Boko Haram attacks four months after a state of emergency was declared around Lake Chad. Local self-defense groups in the village of Baga Sola near Lake Chad are working alongside security forces.

News Reports

• UN refugee agency warns of spike in asylum-seekers fleeing violence in Central America UN News 05 Apr 2016 -- The number of people fleeing violence in Central America has surged to levels not seen since the region was wracked by armed conflicts in the 1980s, the UN refugee agency warned today, urging action to ensure that unaccompanied children and others receive the protection which they are entitled to.
• Iran never to allow Syria partition: IRGC chief Press TV 05 Apr 2016 -- A senior Iranian military official says the Islamic Republic will continue to support the Syrian government in its fight against terrorists, warning that Iran will never allow the disintegration of any Muslim state.
• US Official: Iran Will Not Gain Access to US Financial System VOA 05 Apr 2016 -- A U.S. official on Tuesday denied reports that the Obama administration would grant Iran access to the U.S. financial system, but said Washington would help Tehran gain full benefits from sanctions relief under last year's international nuclear accord.
• Iran to unveil nuclear fuel, laser achievements: Spokesman ISNA 05 Apr 2016 -- Spokesman of the Atomic Energy Organization of Iran (AEOI) said new accomplishments in the fields of nuclear fuel, laser, power plant, and health will be unveiled on Thursday.
• Terrorist Designation of Salah Abdeslam US Dept. of State 05 Apr 2016 -- The Department of State has designated Salah Abdeslam as a Specially Designated Global Terrorist (SDGT) under section 1(b) of Executive Order (E.O.) 13224, which imposes sanctions and penalties on foreign persons that have committed, or pose a serious risk of committing, acts of terrorism that threaten the security of U.S. nationals or the national security, foreign policy, or economy of the United States.
• Man Charged For Selling Parts To Iran Used In Deadly Explosives In Iraq RFE/RL 05 Apr 2016 -- A man accused of illegally selling to Iran U.S.-made parts found in deadly explosives in Iraq faced charges in a federal court in Washington, the Justice Department has said.
• China Imposes Trade Restrictions on Ally North Korea VOA 05 Apr 2016 -- China is imposing economic restrictions on North Korea in compliance with a new set of stronger United Nations sanctions over Pyongyang's nuclear and ballistic missile programs.
• Former military leader Guo Boxiong confesses to taking bribe People's Daily 05 Apr 2016 -- Guo Boxiong, former vice chairman of China's Central Military Commission, has confessed to taking bribe, said military prosecutors here Tuesday.
• Panama Papers Hit Great Firewall of China VOA 05 Apr 2016 -- China has moved quickly to silence any discussion about the Panama Papers and information about the use of tax havens by the families of at least eight current and former top leaders, including the brother-in-law of President Xi Jinping.
• Kremlin Spokesman Explains His 'Putinophobia' Comments Amid Offshore Leaks Sputnik 05 Apr 2016 -- Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov said Tuesday, commenting on his previous statement, that by "Putinophobia" he meant the inexplicably high level of world media attention to the Russian president after the release of the so-called Panama Papers data leak.
• 'Panama Papers' Allegations on Putin Only Scratch Surface, Russians Say VOA 05 Apr 2016 -- With a Kremlin spokesman promptly dismissing allegations of Russian President Vladimir Putin's involvement in large-scale money laundering, Russian state media offered little, if any, coverage of the massive journalistic report that has dominated headlines worldwide.
• Iceland PM Quits Amid Panama Papers Affair VOA 05 Apr 2016 -- Iceland's prime minister resigned Tuesday in a wave of massive protests following revelations about his questionable offshore investments.
• Several Africans Named in Leaked Panama Papers VOA 05 Apr 2016 -- The massive leak of confidential banking documents known as the Panama Papers has implicated some big names in Africa. The documents, described as the biggest data leak in history show how 143 politicians, including 12 national leaders, have used offshore tax havens and other means to avoid taxes and sanctions.
• Family Of Pakistan's Sharif Says Offshore Wealth Holdings Not Illegal RFE/RL 05 Apr 2016 -- Pakistan has denied any wrongdoing by the family of Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif after it was linked to offshore wealth holdings in the massive "Panama Papers" scandal.
• Pakistan PM Promises Probe Into Family Investments VOA 05 Apr 2016 -- Pakistan Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif says he is creating an independent judicial commission to investigate whether his family is involved in illegal overseas investments.
• Turkey Posts $14M Reward for Wanted IS Militants VOA 05 Apr 2016 -- Facing blistering internal criticism over its failure to halt a wave of terrorist attacks, the Turkish government on Tuesday set a reward of $14 million for information leading to the arrest of Islamic State suspects in at least four recent suicide bombings.
• Turkey detains 68 over alleged links to Gulen Press TV 05 Apr 2016 -- Police in Turkey have launched a series of raids across the country, arresting 68 people as part of a probe into the so-called Gulenist terror group.
• No End In Sight To Standoff Between Ingushetia's Republic Head, Mufti RFE/RL 05 Apr 2016 -- The tensions between Republic of Ingushetia head Yunus-Bek Yevkurov and the republic's mufti, Issa-hadzhi Khamkhoyev, have worsened over the past two months.
• ICC Terminates Case Against Kenyan Deputy President VOA 05 Apr 2016 -- The International Criminal Court has dropped charges of crimes against humanity against Kenyan Deputy President William Ruto.
• Rights Groups Dismayed at ICC Ruto Ruling VOA 05 Apr 2016 -- Rights groups reacted with dismay Tuesday at the International Criminal Court's decision to end its trial against Kenyan Deputy President William Ruto, saying it left victims without justice and showed the limits of pursuing cases against powerful individuals.
• Gun Battles Kill 17 in Congo Capital VOA 05 Apr 2016 -- At least 17 people have been killed in a gun battle between former militiamen and security forces in Brazzaville, the capital of the Republic of Congo.
• South African President Zuma Survives Impeachment Vote VOA 05 Apr 2016 -- South African President Jacob Zuma survived an impeachment vote Tuesday, with about 60 percent of lawmakers voting to keep him in office. Opposition parties presented the impeachment motion after a court ruled Zuma had ignored an order to pay back state funds spent on his private home. Tempers ran hot as parliament members debated the motion Tuesday.
• S Africa's Zuma defeats impeachment vote Press TV 05 Apr 2016 -- South African President Jacob Zuma has defeated an impeachment motion following a parliament debate over his alleged violation of the country's constitution.
• Ugandan Opposition Leader Besigye Arrested Again VOA 05 Apr 2016 -- Ugandan opposition leader Kizza Besigye was re-arrested Tuesday just hours after he left his home.
• Myanmar's Suu Kyi to Assume Another New Role VOA 05 Apr 2016 -- Myanmar's parliament is creating a new role for the head of the newly elected ruling party, Aung San Suu Kyi.
• Dutch Vote On Ukraine Deal Could Reverberate Throughout Europe RFE/RL 05 Apr 2016 -- When Dutch voters head to the polls on April 6 they could say a lot about the future of the European Union. Technically, they will be voting in a referendum on whether to approve or reject the bloc's Association Agreement with Ukraine, a pact that would bring the country closer politically and economically to the EU that has been ratified by all members aside from the Netherlands.