Operations
Defense Policy / Programs
Defense Industry
Other Conflicts
News Reports

Current Operations

• OIF / OND / OEF / OIR / OFS Casualty Update 21 Apr 2016 [PDF]
• Combined Joint Operations Center Keeps Eyes on ISIL AFPS 21 Apr 2016 -- From the outside, the Baghdad Combined Joint Operations Center doesn't look like much. The center is in a large room in a nondescript building at the headquarters of Combined Joint Task Force Operation Inherent Resolve.
• US using B-52 bombers in Iraq, Syria amid civilian fears Press TV 21 Apr 2016 -- The US Air Force has announced using B-52 bombers in the air campaign against Daesh (ISIL) terrorists in Iraq and Syria, amid rising concerns about possible civilian casualties from the deployment.
• Counter-ISIL Strikes Hit Terrorists in Syria, Iraq AFPS 21 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.
• US Welcomes Denmark's Expansion of Airstrikes Against Islamic State VOA 21 Apr 2016 -- U.S. Defense Secretary Ash Carter has welcomed Denmark's decision to expand its military campaign against Islamic State militants to include airstrikes in Syria.
• U.S. Military Delivers 30 Tons of Supplies for Japan Earthquake Relief AFPS 21 Apr 2016 -- The U.S. military has delivered more than 30 tons of supplies to help the people of Japan following two powerful, deadly earthquakes there, a Pentagon spokesman said here today.

Defense Policy / Programs

• Incoming NATO Commander Calls For Permanent Combat Brigade in Europe RFE/RL 21 Apr 2016 -- The incoming head of U.S. military forces in Europe said he supports a permanent brigade-sized presence of U.S. combat troops in Eastern Europe to deter Russia's expanded and assertive actions.
• Eucom Nominee Scaparrotti Testifies Before Senate Panel AFPS 21 Apr 2016 -- Army Gen. Curtis M. Scaparrotti, now commander of U.S. Forces Korea, United Nations Command and Combined Forces Command, testified before the House Armed Services Committee this morning during his hearing to become commander of U.S. European Command and Supreme Allied Commander Europe.
• Carter: New Era of Challenges Facing U.S., Gulf Partner Nations AFPS 21 Apr 2016 -- The U.S. and its longtime partners attending the U.S.-Gulf Cooperation Council summit face a new era of challenges as they work toward a lasting defeat of the Islamic State of Iraq and the Levant and to counter Iran's regional destabilization, Defense Secretary Ash Carter said in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, yesterday.
• USS Shamal Successfully Completes 4th Fleet Patrol NNS 21 Apr 2016 -- Cyclone-class patrol coastal USS Shamal (PC 13) returned April 20 from her second 45-day patrol in the U.S 4th Fleet area of operations.
• Critical Infrastructure Vulnerable to Attack, NSA Leader Says AFPS 21 Apr 2016 -- Strong dependence on industrial control systems, or ICS, is a serious vulnerability for industry, the National Security Agency's deputy director said here yesterday.
• Homeland Defense 'Sacred Responsibility,' Says Nominee to Head Northcom, NORAD AFPS 21 Apr 2016 -- "Defense of the homeland is a sacred responsibility and the No. 1 mission of the Department of Defense," Air Force Gen. Lori J. Robinson told a Senate panel today during her nomination hearing to become commander of U.S. Northern Command and North American Aerospace Defense Command.
• AF Reserve airlift squadron plays part in Saber Junction 16 AFNS 21 Apr 2016 -- The Air Force Reserve's 815th Airlift Squadron returned here April 20 after participating in the U.S. Army Europe's Saber Junction 16 exercise since April 5.
• B-52 integrates, trains with French allies AFNS 21 Apr 2016 -- A B-52 Stratofortress from Minot Air Force Base, North Dakota, conducted a long-range training sortie April 20, to train and integrate with the French air force.
• AF Global Strike Command practices constant vigilance AFNS 21 Apr 2016 -- Air Force Global Strike Command participated April 8-17 in Constant Vigilance, an annual exercise that tests its ability to conduct both conventional and nuclear operations.
• Merchant Ships Train with Partner Navies during IMCMEX NNS 21 Apr 2016 -- Civilian crews on merchant vessels and cruise ships worked with navies from more than 30 nations to ensure the waterways of the Middle East remain open and secure for commercial shipping.
• US, Korean Navies Complete 32nd SALVEX Korea 2016 NNS 21 Apr 2016 -- U.S. Navy and Republic of Korea navy diving and salvage experts wrapped up two weeks of advanced training during Salvage Exercise (SALVEX) Korea 2016, April 21.
• USS Donald Cook Departs Riga NNS 21 Apr 2016 -- Arleigh Burke-class guided-missile destroyer USS Donald Cook (DDG 75) departed Riga for after a scheduled port visit, April 21.
• NATO Secretary General thanks Turkey for long-standing contribution to the Alliance NATO 21 Apr 2016 -- Visiting Turkey on Thursday (21 April) NATO Secretary General Jens Stoltenberg met with Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan, Prime Minister Ahmet Davutoglu, Minister of Foreign Affairs Mevlüt Çavusoglu, and Minister of Defence Ismet Yilmaz.
• NATO Secretary General visits NATO flagship in Aegean Sea NATO 21 Apr 2016 -- NATO Secretary General Jens Stoltenberg visited FGS BONN, the German flagship of Standing NATO Maritime Group 2 (SNMG2), on Thursday (21 April) as the ship continues to conduct reconnaissance, monitoring and surveillance of illegal crossings in the Aegean Sea.
• NATO and partner air forces train over the Baltic Sea NATO 21 Apr 2016 -- NATO and partner air forces completed two days of exercises in the Baltic region on Wednesday (20 April 2016), practising emergency responses and sharpening their cooperation.
• US military conveys 'displeasure' to Russia over fighter incidents Press TV 21 Apr 2016 -- The United States military says it has conveyed its "displeasure" to the Russian military over recent incidents involving Russian fighter jets intercepting an American spyplane and flying very close to a US warship in international waters of the Baltic Sea.
• Military will respond to intimidation: Russia NATO envoy Press TV 20 Apr 2016 -- The Russian military will respond with "all necessary measures" to incidents of "intimidation" such as the US naval destroyer that recently sailed close to Russia's border.
• Master of Oceans: Russian Navy Grows to 100 Warships Sputnik 21 Apr 2016 -- Russia has conducted an "unprecedented" reinforcement of its Navy as the number of its vessels in the world's oceans has surpassed 100.
• Defence Secretary welcomes deployable UK-France joint force UK MOD 21 Apr 2016 -- Defence Secretary Michael Fallon and French Defence Secretary Jean-Yves Le Drian see Exercise Griffin Strike in full flow.
• Ministry of Defense: China's test of intercontinental missile is normal scientific experiment People's Daily 21 Apr 2016 -- Responding to U.S. media reports alledging that China launched an intercontinental ballistic missile near the South China Sea on April 12, China's Ministry of Defense said on Thursday that China conducted regular scientific experiment as planned within its territories.
• China confirms test of new long-range missile Press TV 21 Apr 2016 -- China has quietly confirmed a report that it carried out another test of a new long-range ballistic missile.
• China deploys 2,000 troops to North Korea border: Report Press TV 21 Apr 2016 -- China has deployed 2,000 troops along its border with North Korea, amid speculations that Pyongyang could be bracing for a fifth nuclear test, a report says.
• China mulls stronger military relations with Afghanistan Press TV 21 Apr 2016 -- China says it wants to forge strong military ties with Afghanistan which is under a US-led occupation.
• Chinese President Takes More Prominent Military Role VOA 21 Apr 2016 -- Chinese President Xi Jinping has been adorned with the new title of "commander in chief" of the country's Joint Operations Command Center, and with it has assumed a more prominent role in directing the Chinese military, state-run media reported Thursday.
• Spare No Expense: Indian Navy Set to Boost Maritime Preparedness Sputnik 21 Apr 2016 -- Raising serious concern over India's current state of maritime preparedness, the Indian Navy has nudged the Government to increase expenditure on strengthening its fleet of ships submarines and aircraft. This opens immense opportunities for foreign defense firms to collaborate with Indian manufacturers in equipping the Indian Navy.
• India to Induct 4th Regiment of BrahMos Cruise Missiles in 2 Weeks Sputnik 21 Apr 2016 -- India will induct the fourth regiment of the BrahMos cruise missiles in two weeks.
• India-France Deal on Rafale Jets on Final Lap – Defense Minister Sputnik 21 Apr 2016 -- India and France still need to iron out some differences before they sign a long-awaited deal on Rafale fighter jets, Indian Defense Minister Manohar Parrikar said Thursday.
• North Korea Resumes Excavation at Punggye-ri Nuclear Test Site Sputnik 21 Apr 2016 -- A satellite imagery released by the 38 North monitoring website shows that North Korea is resuming excavation operations at the Punggye-ri nuclear test site.
• Pakistan Army Chief Dismisses Top Officers for Corruption VOA 21 Apr 2016 -- Pakistan's powerful military chief, General Raheel Sharif, has dismissed a group of top officers from service over corruption charges.
• Larijani underlines positive influence of S-300 delivery to Iran IRNA 21 Apr 2016 -- Majlis (Iranian Parliament) Speaker Ali Larijani underlined the importance of the delivery of the S-300 air defense missile system on the regional developments.
• Iran to severely punish aggressors: Senior commander Press TV 21 Apr 2016 -- A senior commander has expressed Iran's readiness to counter all threats with full force, stressing that the Army's Ground Forces will severely punish aggressors.
• Australia Unveils $220 Million Strategy to Boost Cyber Defenses VOA 21 Apr 2016 -- Australia says it is building up its capability to thwart cyber crime. Prime minister Malcolm Turnbull recently unveiled his $220 million Cyber Security Strategy, aimed at boosting the nation's defenses against online assaults by hackers on individuals, businesses and governments.
• Myanmar, Latin America Interested in Russia's Yak-130 Fighter Trainer Sputnik 21 Apr 2016 -- Russia's Yak-130 jet trainer can fly as the American F-18, the Russian Su-30 and MiG-29, and it can mimic the Eurofighter Typhoon.
• Press Briefing by Press Secretary Josh Earnest and Ben Rhodes, 4/21/2016 The White House 21 Apr 2016
• April 21, 2016 - U.S. Department of State Daily Press Briefing US Dept. of State 21 Apr 2016

Defense Industry

• DoD News: Contracts for April 21, 2016

Other Conflicts

• 21 April 2016 - Daily Press Briefing by the Office of the Spokesperson for the Secretary-General United Nations 21 Apr 2016
• China dissatisfied with British comment on South China Sea People's Daily 21 Apr 2016 -- China is strongly dissatisfied with senior British official Hugo Swire's comment on the South China Sea, Foreign Ministry spokesperson Hua Chunying said on Wednesday.
• US Questions China's Intentions in South China Sea VOA 21 Apr 2016 -- China's land reclamation and military projects in the South China Sea are raising serious questions about their intentions in the disputed region, a top U.S. official said Thursday.
• First library opened in Sansha in South China Sea People's Daily 21 Apr 2016 -- The first public library on China's southernmost island city of Sansha opened on Thursday in the city's only school.
• Yemen peace talks start in Kuwait after delay Press TV 21 Apr 2016 -- The United Nations has officially opened delayed peace talks meant to end more than a year of deadly conflict in Yemen.
• 'Make peace your choice' urges UN envoy, as Yemen peace talks begin in Kuwait UN News 21 Apr 2016 -- Following a three-day delay, the United Nations-brokered peace negotiations among Yemeni parties started today in Kuwait, with the aim of reaching an agreement on a clear way to end the violence and devastation in the country.
• UN Ready to Launch Delayed Yemen Peace Talks VOA 21 Apr 2016 -- The United Nations expects peace talks for Yemen to begin Thursday after being delayed when opposition delegations stayed home complaining of cease-fire violations by pro-government forces.
• Turkey Increases Number of Tanks, Howitzers on Border With Syria - Reports Sputnik 21 Apr 2016 -- Turkey has increased the number of deployed tanks and howitzers on the border with Syria in a precaution measure against an attacks by Daesh militants, local media reported Thursday.
• Russia gearing up for ground offensive in Syria: US military official Press TV 21 Apr 2016 -- The Russian military and the Syrian Army are preparing for a major ground attack against terrorist groups in the Arab country, a US military official says, citing data by American intelligence agencies.
• HNC Departure From Geneva 'Act of Pressure' Sputnik 21 Apr 2016 -- UN Envoy for Syria Staffan de Mistura said that talks between Syrian government and the remaining opposition delegates in Geneva should continue despite the Saudi-backed High Negotiations' Committee decision to suspend its participation.
• U.S. Concerned By Reports Of Increased Russian Military Presence In Syria RFE/RL 21 Apr 2016 -- The United States has expressed concern about reports that Russia is moving more military materiel into Syria.
• Hundreds evacuated from four besieged areas in Syria - UN mediator UN News 21 Apr 2016 -- In what he called "modest but very real" progress on the humanitarian track of the crisis in Syria, the United Nations envoy for the country today reported that, among other steps, more than 500,000 civilians have been reached during the cessation of hostilities, and yesterday, some 500 people were medically evacuated from several besieged.
• UN, Red Crescent Evacuate 500 From Besieged Syrian Towns VOA 21 Apr 2016 -- The United Nations and Syrian Arab Red Crescent have evacuated 500 people from besieged areas in Syria.
• US Concerned By Russia's Increased Military Presence in Syria VOA 21 Apr 2016 -- The United States said it is concerned about reports that Russia is moving more military equipment and personnel back into Syria, while the top NATO official said the cease-fire still remains the best chance for a peaceful solution to the crisis.
• Bombings, shooting leave 8 dead, 28 wounded in, around Baghdad Press TV 21 Apr 2016 -- At least eight people have been killed and more than two dozen others injured in a series of bomb explosions and a shooting attack at residential neighborhoods in and around the Iraqi capital, Baghdad.
• Libya: UN envoy calls for safe evacuation of civilians caught up in Benghazi fighting UN News 21 Apr 2016 -- The head of the United Nations Support Mission in Libya (UNSMIL) today called on all the warring parties in Benghazi to ensure that civilians are protected, also urging them to allow and facilitate the safe and immediate exit of all civilians who are trapped in areas affected by fighting.
• South Sudan rivals cite deal on Machar's return Press TV 21 Apr 2016 -- South Sudan's government and rebels say they have reached a deal to let rebel leader Riek Machar return to the capital to form a unity government.
• South Sudan Partners Demand Machar's Return, Movement on Peace Deal VOA 21 Apr 2016 -- The United States, China and other world powers are demanding an end to disputes that have held up the peace process between South Sudan's government and rebel forces.
• South Sudan Government, Rebels Face Ultimatum VOA 21 Apr 2016 -- World powers say South Sudan's government and rebels must cooperate and bring rebel leader Riek Machar to the capital by Saturday, or be referred to the U.N. Security Council.
• Chinese premier underlines peaceful settlement of boundary issues with India People's Daily 21 Apr 2016 -- Chinese Premier Li Keqiang(R) meets with India's National Security Adviser Ajit Doval in Beijing, who attended the 19th round of talks between Chinese and Indian special representatives on boundary issues, April 21, 2016.
• India Pushes For Faster Border Rapprochement with China Sputnik 21 Apr 2016 -- India is aggressively pursuing a resolution of the border conflict with China. In fact, in a strategic shift India conveyed to China recently that solving the border problem is a priority to maintain cordial and smooth relations between the two countries.
• Moscow: Ceasefire Agreements of 1994-1995 Key to Nagorno-Karabakh Peace Sputnik 21 Apr 2016 -- The Russian Foreign Ministry said that two ceasefire agreements signed between Azerbaijan and Armenia in 1995 and 1996 are the foundation of cessation of hostilities in self-proclaimed Nagorno-Karabakh region.
• Peacekeeping Mission Asks Russia to Restore Chopper Group in Transnistria Sputnik 21 Apr 2016 -- The trilateral peacekeeping mission in the breakaway republic of Transnistria cited increasing unsanctioned and uncoordinated foreign aircraft flights over the buffer zone between Moldova and Ukraine as reason for the request.

News Reports

• Turkish Military Conspiracy Case Collapses VOA 21 Apr 2016 -- Turkey's top appeals court has overturned the convictions of senior military officers who had been charged with planning to overthrow the government. The convictions two years ago were hailed as an example of civilian rulers ending the military's influence in Turkish politics.
• US-Russia Plutonium Disposal Talks Expected 'At Some Point' Sputnik 21 Apr 2016 -- US Assistant Secretary of State for Nonproliferation Thomas Countryman said that the United States will eventually discuss Russian concerns over the Plutonium Management and Disposition Agreement regarding changes in the means of plutonium disposal.
• Remarks by President Obama in Q&A with the Press -- Riyadh, Saudi Arabia The White House 21 Apr 2016
• Obama, Gulf Partners Remain United in Efforts to Stabilize Mideast VOA 21 Apr 2016 -- President Barack Obama said the U.S. and Gulf state leaders remain united in efforts to destroy the Islamic State group and stabilize the conflict-ridden Middle East region.
• Zuma: 'No Evidence' of Bribery in Notorious Arms Deal VOA 21 Apr 2016 -- South African President Jacob Zuma says there was "no undue or improper influence" in a government arms deal in the late 1990s.
• Macedonian Opposition Sets Conditions For Talks On Settling Crisis RFE/RL 21 Apr 2016 -- Macedonia's opposition said it will not join talks on resolving the country's political crisis until the government postpones elections and withdraws a controversial amnesty for politicians suspected of corruption.
• Florida Woman Charged in 18-Count Indictment for Conspiracy to Illegally Export Systems, Components and Documents to China US Dept. of Justice 21 Apr 2016 -- An 18-count superseding indictment was unsealed today charging Amin Yu, 53, of Orlando, Florida, with acting as an illegal agent of a foreign government in the United States without prior notification to the Attorney General, conspiring to defraud the United States and to commit offenses against the United States, committing unlawful export information activities, smuggling goods from the United States, conspiring to and committing international money laundering and making false statements to the U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services.
• Florida Woman Charged with Exporting Technology to China VOA 21 Apr 2016 -- A Florida woman is facing charges of conspiring to illegally export technology used in underwater drones to state-owned entities in China, according to an indictment unsealed Thursday.
• North Korea Demands Meeting With Defector Restaurant Workers VOA 21 Apr 2016 -- North Korea is demanding that a meeting be set up between a dozen recent defectors it claims were abducted by South Korea and their parents, or the south will face "strong retaliatory action."
• Rights Group Denounces North Korean Atrocities VOA 21 Apr 2016 -- Widespread and systematic human rights abuses in North Korea continue despite two years of intense efforts by the United Nations to pressure the Kim Jong Un government to change, a new report by a Korean human rights organization found.
• Briefing by Foreign Ministry Spokesperson Maria Zakharova, Moscow, April 21, 2016 Russia Ministry of Foreign Affairs 21 Apr 2016
• New Russian Elections Chief Calls Off Vote Said Marred By Fraud RFE/RL 21 Apr 2016 -- The new chief of the Russian Election Commission has responded to allegations of fraud in an election in a Moscow suburb and called off the vote.
• Snowden Takes Norway to Court to Secure Free-Passage VOA 21 Apr 2016 -- A Norwegian law firm says it has filed a lawsuit with an Oslo court so American whistleblower Edward Snowden - the leaker of U.S. government documents - can safely travel to Norway for a prestigious award ceremony without fear of extradition to the United States.
• Zarif: Iran not recognizing US supreme court's verdict as legal IRNA 21 Apr 2016 -- Iranian Foreign Minister Mohammad Javad Zarif underlined that his country does not recognize the verdict of the US Supreme Court against Iran.
• FM spokesman: Anti-Iran verdict shows Zionists' influence on US IRNA 21 Apr 2016 -- Iranian Foreign Ministry Spokesman strongly condemned a recent verdict by the US Supreme Court on obliging Iran to pay compensation, describing it as another evidence of the continuation of the Zionist circles' influence on US decision-makings.
• Kerry, Zarif to discuss US sanctions relief for Iran: Kirby Press TV 21 Apr 2016 -- US Secretary of State John Kerry and Iranian Foreign Minister Mohammad Javad Zarif will discuss American sanctions relief during their meeting in New York on Friday amid Tehran's complaints that Washington is not honoring its end of last year's historic nuclear agreement, the US State Department has said.
• Iran slams US Supreme Court ruling as money theft Press TV 21 Apr 2016 -- Iran has strongly condemned a ruling by the US Supreme Court granting some two billion dollars in frozen Iranian assets to the families of victims of a 1983 bombing in Beirut, saying it violates international law.
• U.S. House committee reaffirms Taiwan Relations Act CNA 21 Apr 2016 -- A U.S. House of Representatives committee has unanimously passed a bipartisan measure to reaffirm the Taiwan Relations Act and the "Six Assurances" -- the guidelines used to conduct relations between the United States and Taiwan.