Operations
Defense Policy / Programs
Defense Industry
Other Conflicts
News Reports

Current Operations

• OIF / OND / OEF / OIR / OFS Casualty Update 15 Apr 2016 [PDF]
• Rice Details U.S. Whole-of-Government Approach to Defeating ISIL AFPS 15 Apr 2016 -- President Barack Obama's national security advisor spelled out America's whole-of-government strategy against the Islamic State of Iraq and the Levant during a speech at the U.S. Air Force Academy in Colorado Springs, Colorado, yesterday.
• Coalition Strikes Hit ISIL Targets in Iraq, Syria AFPS 15 Apr 2016 -- U.S. and coalition military forces continued to attack Islamic State of Iraq and the Levant terrorists in Iraq and Syria yesterday, Combined Joint Task Force Operation Inherent Resolve officials reported today.
• Despite Coalition Military Gains, No End in Sight in Anti-IS Campaign VOA 15 Apr 2016 -- The Kurdish Peshmerga commander sat on a couch at his headquarters in Sulaymaniyah. On a nearby table there was a bowl of dried fruit and nuts. Two large sniper rifles lay on the floor by his desk.
• Afghanistan repels major Taliban attack, 50 militants killed Press TV 15 Apr 2016 -- An operation by Afghanistan military north of the country has left dozens of Taliban militants killed as Taliban's dream for capturing a major city in the area faced a "jaw-breaking" response.
• New US strike kills 40 in eastern Afghanistan Press TV 15 Apr 2016 -- At least 40 people have been killed in a new US drone strike in Afghanistan's troubled eastern province of Nangarhar.
• Afghan Government Seeks Financial Assistance to Bring Refugees Home VOA 15 Apr 2016 -- The Afghan government is finalizing agreements with some European member states and the European Union to handle the return of Afghan refugees, currently in limbo in Greece.
• Afghan Forces Fend Off Taliban Assault on Kunduz VOA 15 Apr 2016 -- Authorities in Afghanistan say that security forces on Friday repulsed a major Taliban assault on the northern city of Kunduz, killing dozens of insurgents.

Defense Policy / Programs

• Remarks by Secretary Carter in a Media Availability aboard USS John C. Stennis in the South China Sea DoD 15 Apr 2016 -- Presenter: Secretary of Defense Ash Carter
• Carter: DoD Takes Next Step in Sustaining Asia-Pacific Rebalance AFPS 15 Apr 2016 -- As part of its role in the ongoing rebalance to the Asia-Pacific, the Defense Department is making new investments in the region and linking its bilateral relationships there to bilateral and trilateral arrangements, Defense Secretary Ash Carter said today.
• Carter Hails 'Ironclad' Relationship With the Philippines AFPS 15 Apr 2016 -- The United States is taking a number of steps to further strengthen its already "ironclad" relationship with the Philippines, Defense Secretary Ash Carter said yesterday in Manila, the Philippines' capital city.
• Carter: Balikatan Exercise Demonstrates Close U.S., Philippines Relationship AFPS 15 Apr 2016 -- The United States and the Philippines have stood together for 65 years, and America's commitment to the former U.S. territory is "ironclad," Defense Secretary Ash Carter said at closing ceremonies for the 32nd annual bilateral Balikatan exercise.
• PACFLT Enhances Bilateral Cooperation with Vietnam NNS 15 Apr 2016 -- U.S. Pacific Fleet senior military leaders hosted bilateral staff talks with officials from Vietnam to exchange ideas on a variety of technical and operational topics at PACFLT headquarters, April 12- 14.
• US Defense Secretary Visits Carrier in South China Sea VOA 15 Apr 2016 -- U.S. Secretary of Defense Ash Carter visited a U.S. warship Friday sailing in the South China Sea to emphasize U.S. commitment to security in that area.
• U.S. Defense Secretary To Visit Carrier In South China Sea As Beijing Seethes RFE/RL 15 Apr 2016 -- U.S. Defense Secretary Ash Carter says he will visit an American aircraft carrier in the disputed South China Sea on April 15, a move almost certain to further anger China, which denounced U.S.-Philippine military cooperation in the region.
• US Defense Secretary to Visit Carrier in South China Sea VOA 15 Apr 2016 -- U.S. Secretary of Defense Ash Carter is visiting a U.S. warship in the South China Sea to emphasize the United States' commitment to security in that area, where territorial disputes have place China at odds with several of its neighbors.
• US won't be 'intimidated' by Russia on the high seas: Kerry Press TV 15 Apr 2016 -- US Secretary of State John Kerry has condemned a "simulated attack" on a US guided missile destroyer in the Baltic Sea by two Russian fighter jets, saying the American military would have been within its rights to shoot down the aircraft.
• US Army Approves First Female Officers for Ground Combat VOA 15 Apr 2016 -- The U.S. Army has approved the first female officers for ground combat missions, following new rules that open all military combat positions to women.
• AMC relocates KC-135 simulator AFNS 15 Apr 2016 -- Air Mobility Command will relocate a KC-135 Stratotanker pilot simulator from McConnell Air Force Base, Kansas, to Rickenbacker Air National Guard Base, Ohio, in an effort to maximize simulator utilization across the mobility enterprise.
• US, Dominican Republic strengthen partnerships while building hospitals AFNS 15 Apr 2016 -- Through a joint training exercise, civil engineers with the 820th RED HORSE Squadron from Nellis Air Force Base, Nevada, have been working together with their Dominican partners throughout April to build four clinics and a vocational school in the Maria Trinidad Sanchez Province.
• Face-to-Face talks Strengthened US, RAN Maritime Cooperation NNS 15 Apr 2016 -- U.S. Navy and Royal Australian Navy (RAN) leaders gathered at U.S. Pacific Fleet (PACFLT) headquarters to conduct an Operations Steering Group (OSG) April 14.
• President Thaci: Kosovo Committed to NATO, Euro-Atlantic Mechanisms VOA 15 Apr 2016 -- Hashim Thaçi, who was sworn in April 7 as Kosovo's president, says he remains committed to his country's quick integration into NATO and other Euro-Atlantic mechanisms and to continuing the process of normalizing relations with Serbia and fighting against Islamic fundamentalism.
• Russia plans S-500 missile defense system deployment Press TV 15 Apr 2016 -- Russia has announced plans to deploy its state-of-the-art S-500 Prometheus ballistic and hypersonic missile defense system this year.
• Security Council strongly condemns firing of ballistic missile by DPR Korea UN News 15 Apr 2016 -- The United Nations Security Council has strongly condemned the firing of a ballistic missile earlier today by the Democratic People's Republic of Korea (DPRK) and urged the country to refrain from further actions.
• DPRK's Attempt to Launch Ballistic Missile Fails: Report People's Daily 15 Apr 2016 -- The Democratic People's Republic of Korea (DPRK) on Friday attempted to launch what is believed to be Musudan mobile ballistic missile into its eastern waters early in the morning, but the attempt appeared to have failed, South Korea's Joint Chiefs of Staff (JCS) said.
• DPRK's ballistic missile firing ill-advised, unwise People's Daily 15 Apr 2016 -- The firing of a mid-range ballistic missile on Friday by the Democratic People's Republic of Korea (DPRK), though failed, marks the latest in a string of sabre-rattling that, if unchecked, will lead the country to nowhere.
• North Korea missile launch fails, US, South Korea say Press TV 15 Apr 2016 -- North Korea has failed in its attempt to launch what is said to be a medium-range ballistic missile, the United States and South Korea claim.
• Failed North Korean Missile Launch Detected On Founder's Birthday RFE/RL 15 Apr 2016 -- The United States and South Korea say North Korea appears to have failed in an attempt to launch a missile on April 15, likely to mark the birthday of its founding president.
• North Korean Dud Missile Still Cause for Concern VOA 15 Apr 2016 -- North Korea's failed attempt to launch an intermediate-range ballistic missile on Friday is not the military set back it may seem, analysts said. It is instead, part of the natural progression in the development of an advanced nuclear weapons program.
• Ocean Economy: India Flexing Muscles in Indian Ocean and Beyond Sputnik 15 Apr 2016 -- India is increasing its sphere of influence in the Indian Ocean and beyond for geo-strategic and commercial interests. In fact, India is allying with the US, Japan, Australia and other countries to achieve its objective of naval supremacy.
• Commander: Armed forces well-prepared to destroy Takfiri terrorists IRNA 15 Apr 2016 -- Commander of Army Ground Forces Brigadier-General Ahmad Reza Pourdastan said on Friday that Intelligence personnel of the Army and IRGC are involved in surveillance of Takfiri terrorists and the Armed Forces are well-prepared to destroy Daesh terrorists.
• Enemies unable to catch Iran off-guard: Military commander Press TV 15 Apr 2016 -- A senior Iranian military commander says the country's Armed Forces are fully prepared to counter enemies and will never be astonished by their moves.
• Press Briefing by Press Secretary Josh Earnest, 4/15/2016 The White House 15 Apr 2016
• April 15, 2016 - U.S. Department of State Daily Press Briefing US Dept. of State 15 Apr 2016

Defense Industry

• DoD News: Contracts for April 15, 2016

Other Conflicts

• 15 April 2016 - Daily Press Briefing by the Office of the Spokesperson for the Secretary-General United Nations 15 Apr 2016
• 'Refugees have a right to asylum - not bias and barbed wire,' Ban says in Washington UN News 15 Apr 2016 -- As the world faces the biggest refugee and displacement crisis of our time, United Nations Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon today reiterated a call to leaders across Europe and throughout the world to show greater solidarity as they strive to combat the deeper roots of conflict and continue to work towards securing human rights for all.
• Taiwan protests Japan's claim to Diaoyutais in diplomatic paper CNA 15 Apr 2016 -- Taiwan on Friday issued a strong protest over Japan's claim in its annual diplomatic paper that the disputed Diaoyutai Islands are part of its territory.
• Erdogan Steps Up Support of Azerbaijan in Karabakh Dispute VOA 15 Apr 2016 -- Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan is taking a more assertive stance in the Caucasus following the latest fighting between Armenia and Azerbaijan over disputed Nagorno-Karabakh.
• Saudi warplanes bomb Yemen in violation of ceasefire Press TV 15 Apr 2016 -- Saudi warplanes have bombarded a number of areas in the Yemeni capital, violating a UN-brokered truce agreement for the fifth day since it went into effect.
• Yemen at 'critical crossroads,' Security Council told ahead of face-to-face peace talks UN News 15 Apr 2016 -- Yemen is now at a critical crossroads, the United Nations Security Council heard today from the UN special envoy for the country, with one path leading to peace while the other can only worsen the security and humanitarian situation.
• Syria govt. presents amendments to UN document Press TV 15 Apr 2016 -- The head of the Syrian government delegation to the peace talks in Geneva hailed Friday his meeting with the UN special envoy for Syria as "constructive," saying he had handed Staffan de Mistura amendments on the guiding principles set in the last round of negotiations.
• Jaysh al-Islam Leader Denies Using Chemical Weapons in Northern Syria Sputnik 15 Apr 2016 -- Leader of Jaysh al-Islam Mohammed Alloush in an interview with Sputnik denied alleged use of chemical weapons in a recent attack on Aleppo's Kurdish-controlled Sheikh Maqsoud district by the Syrian rebel group.
• In Race to Capture Syria's Raqqa, Assad May Have Edge VOA 15 Apr 2016 -- Islamic State-controlled territory in Syria has shrunk by nearly a quarter in the past few months, but Kurds, Syrian rebels and forces loyal to embattled President Bashar al-Assad have all grabbed pieces of the self-styled caliphate.
• WHO: Blockaded Syrians Deprived of Medical Supplies VOA 15 Apr 2016 -- The World Health Organization is urgently appealing to the Syrian government to allow life-saving surgical equipment and medications into besieged and hard-to-reach areas.
• Battles Rage Around Aleppo Amid Syria Talks VOA 15 Apr 2016 -- Syrian forces have engaged in fighting on different fronts near the northern city of Aleppo, said a group that monitors the war in Syria, as U.N.-mediated peace talks got underway in Geneva.
• Central African Republic passes 'critical milestone' towards lasting peace - UN peacekeeping chief UN News 15 Apr 2016 -- Expectations are high for the Central African Republic's new Government to restore durable peace and improve people's living conditions, the United Nations peacekeeping chief said today, stressing that the first hundred days will be decisive.
• US Accuses Former Liberian Rebel of Genocide VOA 15 Apr 2016 -- U.S. officials are giving details about the arrest this week of a former Liberian rebel commander. Forty-nine-year-old Mohammed Jabbateh, aka "Jungle Jabbah," was arrested at his home in Philadelphia following an investigation by the U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement Agency.
• Fighting Reported in South Sudan Ahead of Former Rebel Leader's Return VOA 15 Apr 2016 -- Fresh clashes are being reported between government and opposition forces in South Sudan, just ahead of the expected arrival of former rebel leader Riek Machar in Juba.
• Rebel Leader's Arrival in Juba Next Week in Question VOA 15 Apr 2016 -- With just days to go before South Sudanese Vice President-designate Riek Machar is due to return to the capital, the government and opposition remain at odds over how the rebel leader will be welcomed and when he will be sworn in.

News Reports

• Egyptians hold demo over island deal with Saudi Arabia Press TV 15 Apr 2016 -- Egypt's police have "encircled" major routes into Cairo as the government attempts to prevent a planned protest over the decision to hand two Red Sea islands to Saudi Arabia.
• Egypt warns against demos over Red Sea islands handover Press TV 15 Apr 2016 -- The Egyptian Interior Ministry has warned of legal action against participants in demonstrations against Cairo's decision to hand over the control of two strategic Red Sea islands to Saudi Arabia.
• In Egypt, Tensions Flare Over Red Sea Islands VOA 15 Apr 2016 -- Tensions flared in Egypt on Friday as protests over the handover of two islands to Saudi Arabia were dispersed or prevented by security forces with tear gas and military blockades.
• DPRK Foreign Ministry Spokesman Blasts U.S. Annual "Human Rights Report" KCNA 15 Apr 2016 -- A spokesman for the Foreign Ministry of the DPRK gave the following answer to a question raised by KCNA Friday in connection with the fact that the U.S. slandered the DPRK in an annual "human rights report":
• Unclear on US Rules, Banks, Corporations Wary of Doing Business in Iran VOA 15 Apr 2016 -- Three months after the implementation of the Iran nuclear deal, banks and other corporations are wary of doing business in the country due to concerns over running afoul of U.S. sanctions, especially as U.S. lawmakers ponder a clampdown over Iran's missile development.
• A Man Of Modest Means? Putin Says He Made Just $133,000 In 2015 RFE/RL 15 Apr 2016 -- Kremlin opponents and Western officials have long accused Russian President Vladimir Putin of using his power to accrue massive wealth and lavish real estate, including a sprawling Black Sea estate widely referred to as "Putin's Palace."
• Kadyrov Tries To Parry Putin Criticism, Calls Crosshairs Video 'A Joke' RFE/RL 15 Apr 2016 -- Chechen leader Ramzan Kadyrov has sought to deflect implicit criticism from Russia's president after Vladimir Putin suggested some regional leaders in Russia were "hunt[ing] for enemies of the nation among opposition figures."
• Explainer: Crisis In Macedonia Leads To Violent Protests RFE/RL 15 Apr 2016 -- Violent protests that led to the ransacking of Macedonian President Gjorge Ivanov's office are the culmination of public anger over a long-running scandal in which the government is accused of illegally wiretapping thousands of citizens' phone conversations.
• 5 Arrested in Britain Terror Probe VOA 15 Apr 2016 -- British police have arrested five people on suspicion of preparing terrorism attacks. Authorities say the arrests are part of an investigation involving Belgium and France.
• Leaked Memo Says Ghana Terror Threat 'Real' VOA 15 Apr 2016 -- West Africa has been on high alert following recent terror attacks on hotels in Mali, Burkina Faso and Ivory Coast. And now in Ghana, a leaked security document says Ghana and Togo are the next targets of the al-Qaida affiliate that claimed responsibility for the previous attacks. Ghanaian President John Mahama has told the nation not to panic.
• Pakistan denies involvement in 2009 attack on CIA base Press TV 15 Apr 2016 -- Pakistan has dismissed as "preposterous" US claims that its Inter–Services Intelligence (ISI) agency helped fund a deadly attack on a Central Intelligence Agency (CIA) outpost in Afghanistan in 2009.
• Pakistan Rejects Allegation of Plotting Raid on CIA's Afghan Base VOA 15 Apr 2016 -- Pakistan on Friday rejected as "preposterous" allegations that its spy agency had links with the Haqqani network of militants and played a role in the 2009 suicide attack on a CIA base in eastern Afghanistan.
• Parliament tensions hindering Iraq's major reforms: Abadi Press TV 15 Apr 2016 -- Iraqi Prime Minister Haider al-Abadi has called on lawmakers to exercise self-restraint amid political tensions at the parliament which have delayed a vote on his cabinet reshuffle.
• Taiwan to send mission to China to deal with Kenya deportation issue CNA 15 Apr 2016 -- Taiwan's government will send a delegation to China next week to visit a group of 45 Taiwanese fraud suspects, who were sent there from Kenya, and to discuss their release, the Ministry of Justice said Friday.
• Taiwan works to prevent deportation of more fraud suspects to China CNA 15 Apr 2016 -- The Taiwan government has been working to ensure 52 nationals detained in Malaysia for alleged phone scams are not sent to China, Foreign Minister David Lin (林永樂) said Friday.