Operations
Defense Policy / Programs
Defense Industry
Other Conflicts
News Reports

Current Operations

• OIF / OND / OEF / OIR / OFS Casualty Update 22 Apr 2016 [PDF]
• Centcom Releases Civilian Casualty Assessments AFPS 22 Apr 2016 -- U.S. Central Command officials said today that U.S. airstrikes targeting the Islamic State of Iraq and the Levant terrorist organization likely resulted in 20 civilian casualties and 11 civilian injuries in Iraq and Syria last year.
• Pentagon admits to killing more civilians in Syria, Iraq Press TV 22 Apr 2016 -- The US has admitted to more civilian casualties in its airstrikes against alleged Daesh (ISIL) positions inside Syria and Iraq between September and February, amid reports that the Pentagon has increased civilian death tolerance in the two countries.
• Dunford: Narrative, Momentum in Anti-ISIL Fight Has Shifted to Iraqis AFPS 22 Apr 2016 -- The narrative and the momentum in Iraq has definitely shifted from the Islamic State of Iraq and the Levant to Iraq and its coalition allies, the chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff said at the conclusion of his latest trip here.
• 20 Civilians Killed in US Airstrikes in Iraq, Syria During 5-Month Period VOA 22 Apr 2016 -- U.S. and coalition airstrikes targeting Islamic State militants in Iraq and Syria killed 20 civilians and wounded another 11 during a five-month period, according to the latest assessment by military officials.
• Military Strikes Continue Against ISIL Terrorists in Syria, Iraq AFPS 22 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.
• SPMAGTF-CR-CC 16.1 prepares to return home after providing crisis response to Middle East USMC News 22 Apr 2016 -- U.S. Marines with Special Purpose Marine Air Ground Task Force – Crisis Response – Central Command (SPMAGTF-CR-CC) are currently deployed to the U.S. Central Command area of responsibility serving as a crisis response force in the region. Additionally, SPMAGTF-CR-CC Marines and Sailors offer support for Task Force Al Asad (TFAA) and Task Force Al Taqaddum (TFTQ), both in Iraq, while they advise and assist Iraqi Security Forces (ISF) during Operation Inherent Resolve (OIR), which focuses on defeating the Islamic State of Iraq and Levant.
• Marines continue support for Kyushu earthquake victims USMC News 22 Apr 2016 -- Two MV-22B Ospreys from Marine Medium Tiltrotor Squadron 265 (Reinforced), 31st Marine Expeditionary Unit completed the fourth day of disaster relief flight operations in support of Joint Task Force Chinzei, led by the Japan Self Defense Force, after the island of Kyushu was hit by a series of earthquakes.
• Afghan Official: Kabul Attack Set Back Peace Efforts, Ties with Pakistan VOA 22 Apr 2016 -- Afghanistan's national flag flew at "half-staff" in government offices and special prayers were offered in mosques across the country Friday to pay respects to the victims of this week's deadly Taliban attack in Kabul.

Defense Policy / Programs

• U.S. Conducts Combined-Joint Operation with Philippine Counterparts AFPS 22 Apr 2016 -- At the break of dawn, a Philippine army platoon and one U.S. Army platoon from 2nd Battalion, 3rd Infantry Regiment, geared-up on Antique Airfield to conduct the final mission of Operation Handa Koa, part of this year's Balikatan exercise.
• US 4th Fleet Hosts Bilateral Staff Talks with Chilean Navy NNS 22 Apr 2016 -- Delegates from U.S. 4th Fleet met with members from the Chilean Navy for the annual Maritime Staff Talks hosted by 4th Fleet at Naval Station Mayport April 19-21.
• US, Swedish Forces Conduct Bilateral Naval Exercise NNS 22 Apr 2016 -- USS Donald Cook (DDG 75) and a U.S. Navy P-3 Orion from Patrol Squadron (VP) 4 conducted an underway engagement with the Swedish Navy, April 22.
• US, Swedish Forces Conduct Training Exercise in Baltic Sea Sputnik 22 Apr 2016 -- The guided-missile destroyer USS Donald Cook and an Orion P-3 surveillance aircraft were transfered the Swedish navy in the Baltic Sea.
• PACAF A-10s, HH-60s fly first air contingent missions in Philippines AFNS 22 Apr 2016 -- A U.S. Pacific Command air contingent began flying operations at Clark Air Base on April 19 with the successful launch of four A-10C Thunderbolt IIs and two HH-60G Pave Hawks.
• Energy Saving LED Lights Replacing Old Costly Sodium Bulbs NNS 22 Apr 2016 -- Naval Support Activity Naples is replacing outdated high pressure sodium bulbs in street lamps this week with solid-state lighting (SSL) as one of many efforts at the base to reduce energy-related costs at the installation.
• NATO Should Consider 'More Persistent' Presence in Black Sea Sputnik 22 Apr 2016 -- Cooperation between the NATO member states from the Black Sea region, comprising Bulgaria, Romania, Turkey, with the US assistance will be "key to the security challenges," according to NATO Deputy Secretary General Alexander Vershbow.
• NATO-Russia Talks Fail, but Raise Hopes VOA 22 Apr 2016 -- NATO and Russia held their first dialogue in two years this week.
• NATO Secretary General commends Greece on its role in refugee and migrant crisis NATO 22 Apr 2016 -- Visiting Athens on Friday (22 April), NATO Secretary General Jens Stoltenberg met with the Greek President Prokopios Pavlopoulos, Prime Minister Aleksis Tsipras and Defence Minister Panos Kammenos to discuss current security challenges and NATO's response.
• Ukraine Hopes to Sign Open Skies Treaty on Aerial Surveillance Sputnik 22 Apr 2016 -- Kiev is looking forward to sign an Open Skies EU deal in July on monitoring EU's military forces and activities, Ukraine's Infrastructure Ministry said Friday.
• Qatar - RIM-116C and RIM-116C-2 Rolling Airframe Missiles DSCA 22 Apr 2016 -- The State Department has made a determination approving a possible Foreign Military Sale to Qatar for RIM-116C and RIM-116C-2 Rolling Airframe Missiles and associated equipment, training, and support. The estimated cost is $260 million. The Defense Security Cooperation Agency delivered the required certification notifying Congress of this possible sale on April 21, 2016.
• China Rejects Claims of Troop Buildup Along North Korean Border Sputnik 23 Apr 2016 -- In response to reports that it has massed troops along the North Korean border, China maintains that all current deployments are at normal levels and that there has been no troop escalation along the peninsula.
• Ministry dismisses China-DPRK border deployment report People's Daily 22 Apr 2016 -- The Ministry of National Defense on Friday dismissed a media report that claimed China had sent a large number of troops to its border with the Democratic People's Republic of Korea.
• Belarus Criminalizes Participation In Military Operations Abroad RFE/RL 22 Apr 2016 -- Belarusian authorities published on April 22 new legislation criminalizing participation in any military activities abroad.
• CAR President Wants Arms Embargo Lifted VOA 22 Apr 2016 -- President Faustin-Archange Touadéra of the Central African Republic, who took office less than a month ago, has said his first tasks will include disarming ex-combatants and rebuilding the military.
• Japan Successfully Tests Fifth Generation Stealth Jet Sputnik 22 Apr 2016 -- Japan has successfully carried out the first test of its stealth jet.
• Pakistan sacks six army officers over corruption Press TV 22 Apr 2016 -- Pakistan has sacked six high-ranking army officers, including two generals, who were convicted of being involved in corruption.
• April 22, 2016 - U.S. Department of State Daily Press Briefing US Dept. of State 22 Apr 2016

Defense Industry

• DoD News: Contracts for April 22, 2016

Other Conflicts

• Two thirds of unimmunized children live in conflict-affected countries – UNICEF UN News 22 Apr 2016 -- Almost two thirds of children who have not been immunized with basic vaccines live in countries that are either partially or entirely affected by conflict, the United Nations Children's Fund (UNICEF) said today, ahead of World Immunization Week.
• Armenian Foreign Ministry Accuses Azerbaijan of Impeding Karabakh Talks Sputnik 22 Apr 2016 -- The Armenian Ministry of Foreign Affairs said that Azerbaijan is attempting to stymie talks to settle the Nagorno-Karabakh conflict.
• Russia says Turkey seeks for Nagorno-Karabakh war Press TV 22 Apr 2016 -- Russia has strongly slammed the Turkish stance on the crisis in Nagorno-Karabakh, accusing it of seeking to ignite war in the disputed region.
• Russia Rules Out Military Solution of Nagorno-Karabakh Conflict Sputnik 22 Apr 2016 -- Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov said that Azeris and Armenians should return to the negotiating table over the disputed Nagorno-Karabakh area.
• Yemen's Houthis, pro-Hadi militias exchange prisoners as peace talks begin Press TV 22 Apr 2016 -- Yemen's Houthis and militiamen loyal to former President Abd Rabbuh Mansur Hadi have exchanged hundreds of prisoners captured during the Saudi-led war on the Arab country.
• Yemen stands 'closer than ever to peace,' says UN envoy, as talks continue in Kuwait UN News 22 Apr 2016 -- The United Nations envoy for Yemen said that today's sessions of the UN-brokered peace negotiations among Yemeni parties were "positive and promising," as both sides continue to work towards achieving an agreement on ending the violence and devastation in the country.
• Russian sappers discover Daesh largest ammunition cache in Palmyra Press TV 22 Apr 2016 -- Russian sappers have discovered "one of the largest" ammunition caches that the Daesh Takfiri terrorists left behind in the recently liberated Syrian city of Palmyra, the Russian Defense Ministry says.
• Syria warplane crashes due to technical fault: Army Press TV 22 Apr 2016 -- The Syrian army has cited technical fault after one of its warplanes crashed near the capital Damascus.
• Damascus to resume talks with UN envoy on Monday Press TV 22 Apr 2016 -- Syria's chief negotiator in peace talks plans to resume talks with UN Special Envoy for Syria early next week.
• US divided over Russia's military role in Syria: Report Press TV 22 Apr 2016 -- A new report shows growing division within the US administration over Russia's military role in Syria.
• Russia, US to Do Everything Necessary to Consolidate Syria Ceasefire Sputnik 22 Apr 2016 -- Russian and US presidents Vladimir Putin and Barack Obama agreed that they would do everything necessary to consolidate the ceasefire regime and resolve pressing humanitarian aid issues in Syria, according to Permanent Representative of Russia to the UN Office and Other International Organizations in Geneva Alexey Borodavkin.
• Hmeymim Group Wants No Changes to Syria Constitution During Transition Sputnik 22 Apr 2016 -- Tarek Ahmad, a member of the Syrian Social Nationalist Party (SSNP) representing Syria's internal opposition group formed at Hmeymim base said that current Syrian laws concerning political parties, elections or political system could be changed only after the new constitution is voted on in a national referendum.
• Syria peace talks to continue 'as planned' into next week - UN envoy UN News 22 Apr 2016 -- The UN envoy mediating a resolution to the crisis in Syria today announced that the latest round of peace talks will continue as planned through Wednesday, despite reports that the opposition delegation could suspend its official participation due to the lack of progress on the humanitarian front.
• US Senate Foreign Relations Chair Calls for 'Plan B' in Syria Sputnik 23 Apr 2016 -- The Chairman of the US Senate Foreign Relations Comittee Senator Bob Corker said amid the Syrian opposition's pull out of the Geneva peace talks and ceasefire collapse, it is time for US Secretary of State John Kerry to consider a 'plan B' in Damascus.
• Mines kill dozens as Iraqis head back to Ramadi Press TV 22 Apr 2016 -- Mines laid by Daesh Takfiri group have killed dozens of Iraqis returning to the liberated city of Ramadi in the western province of Anbar.
• 9 killed, 25 injured in Iraq Shia mosque bomb blast Press TV 22 Apr 2016 -- At least nine people have been killed and 25 more injured after a bomb explosion inside a Shia mosque in the Radwaniyah area, southwest of the Iraqi capital Baghdad.
• Iraqi forces free 200 people from Daesh south of Mosul Press TV 22 Apr 2016 -- Iraqi army forces have freed scores of people who had been imprisoned by the Takfiri Daesh terrorist group near the embattled northern city of Mosul.
• Libya army liberates key eastern city from Daesh militants Press TV 22 Apr 2016 -- Forces loyal to Libya's internationally-recognized government have pushed Daesh out of the key eastern city of Derna, with the terrorists fleeing to their main stronghold in Sirte.
• Israel building new wall near Lebanese border Press TV 22 Apr 2016 -- Israel is walling off an area in the Upper Galilee near the Lebanese border and the Israeli-occupied side of Golan, citing what it claims are security threats from Lebanon's Hezbollah movement.
• Joint Statement on South Sudan Peace Process US Dept. of State 22 Apr 2016 -- The text of the following statement was issued jointly by the Governments of the United States of America, the United Kingdom, and Norway.
• Somalia: Security Council 'gravely concerned' over fragile security situation UN News 22 Apr 2016 -- Expressing 'grave concern' at the fragility of the security situation in Somalia, the United Nations Security Council has called for progress on the constitutional review process in the country, and for the completion of the Federal State formation process to be accelerated.
• Amnesty: Nigerian Army Killed Hundreds, Buried Them in Mass Grave VOA 22 Apr 2016 -- Amnesty International says hundreds of people were killed by the Nigerian military in a clash with a Shi'ite Muslim sect in the northern city of Zaria in December. The report's release Friday comes as the government filed charges that carried the death penalty against hundreds of the group's surviving members.

News Reports

• Iran confirms planned sale of 32 metric tons of heavy water to US Press TV 22 Apr 2016 -- A senior Iranian nuclear negotiator confirms reports that Iran will sell 32 metric tons of heavy water to the United States, PressTV reports.
• Iran, P5+1 meet for 1st time after JCPOA implementation Press TV 22 Apr 2016 -- Representatives of Iran and the P5+1 group of countries hold their first joint commission meeting to discuss framework for the implementation of the historic nuclear agreement they struck last year.
• US to Buy $8.6 Mln Worth of Nuclear Materials From Iran Sputnik 22 Apr 2016 -- The United States and Iran are expected to finalize a deal for Washington to purchase an estimated $8.6 million worth of heavy water to help Iran comply with its nuclear agreement, according to US media reports on Friday.
• US to Buy Iranian Heavy Water as Part of Nuclear Deal VOA 22 Apr 2016 -- The United States is purchasing 32 tons of a key component in the development of atomic weapons from Iran, in a bid to help Tehran implement provisions in the landmark nuclear deal.
• U.S. Congressional Leaders Warn Kerry Over Moves To Help Iran RFE/RL 22 Apr 2016 -- U.S. congressional leaders warned Secretary of State John Kerry against going too far in his effort to help Iran realize the economic benefits of its nuclear accord with world powers.
• EU Considers Sanctioning Macedonia's Leaders Over Amnesty RFE/RL 22 Apr 2016 -- The European Union is considering imposing sanctions on Macedonia's leaders for reneging on an agreement last year to investigate corruption in the ruling class and issuing an amnesty instead, news media reported on April 21.
• Thailand: UN human rights chief concerned over growing military role in Government UN News 22 Apr 2016 -- The United Nations human rights chief today on expressed growing concern about the military's deepening role in Thailand's civilian administration, as well as tight curbs on dissent, as the country prepares to vote on a final draft Constitution.
• Incumbent Chadian President Wins Fifth Term Amid Fraud Allegations VOA 22 Apr 2016 -- Chadian President Idriss Deby secured his fifth term in office Thursday, beating out more than a dozen opponents in a landslide victory. But opposition leaders are accusing him of voter fraud.
• Taliban Fatally Shoot Sikh Lawmaker in Pakistan VOA 22 Apr 2016 -- Taliban extremists in northwestern Pakistan on Friday gunned down a provincial legislator belonging to the minority Sikh community.
• 46 Malaysian nationals fighting for Daesh in Syria: Police Press TV 22 Apr 2016 -- The Malaysian federal police force says nearly four dozen citizens of the Southeast Asian country are currently fighting alongside members of the Takfiri Daesh militant group in Syria.
• Pakistan captures Qaeda financier blacklisted by UN Press TV 22 Apr 2016 -- Pakistani security officials have arrested a senior al-Qaeda member who has been on the United Nations Security Council sanctions list since 2012.
• Mali Arrests Suspected Planner of Radisson Attack VOA 22 Apr 2016 -- Authorities in Mali have arrested a Mauritanian man suspected of planning multiple deadly assaults on Malian hotels last year.
• INTERVIEW: Ahead of Baku Forum, UN official spotlights 'soft power' approaches to counter violent extremism UN News 22 Apr 2016 -- As the United Nations Alliance of Civilizations (UNAOC) prepares for an upcoming global conference in Baku, Azerbaijan, the head of the UN body has stressed the need to leverage 'soft power' to curb the rise of violent extremism and prevent conflict.
• South Korea Rejects North's Plan to Reunite Defectors VOA 22 Apr 2016 -- North Korea said Friday it has decided to send to Seoul the relatives of a group of defectors it says were kidnapped by the South.
• Coal Output Increases in DPRK KCNA 22 Apr 2016 -- Coal output has increased in the Democratic People's Republic of Korea after the start of the 70-day campaign.
• Europe's Tatars Resist Being Represented By Moscow Proxy Group RFE/RL 22 Apr 2016 -- The banner of the European Alliance of Tatars (ATA), an array of yellow stars on a field of blue, resembles the symbolism of the European Union. But the organization, which purports to be an umbrella group for ethnic Tatar communities in European countries, is really just a group of pro-Moscow individuals.
• Why Russia Is Rocking the European Boat VOA 22 Apr 2016 -- In an April 6 referendum in the Netherlands, a majority of participants voted against approving an association agreement between the European Union and Ukraine. The results were greeted with concern in the West, but with delight in Moscow.
• Turkey court releases 4 academics accused of terror propaganda Press TV 22 Apr 2016 -- A court in Istanbul has released pending trial four Turkish academics jailed on charges of "spreading terrorist propaganda."
• Turkey's top court overturns 275 verdicts in Ergenekon case Press TV 22 Apr 2016 -- Turkey's supreme court of appeals has overturned the conviction of 275 people who had been tried for allegedly plotting a coup d'état against the government in Ankara back in 2003.
• Journalists, Academics on Trial in Turkish Free Speech Cases VOA 22 Apr 2016 -- The trial of two Turkish journalists accused of espionage and aiding a terrorist organization adjourned Friday and one of them expressed hope that the case was nearing acquittal.
• CIA Director Pays Unannounced Visit to Bosnia - Reports Sputnik 22 Apr 2016 -- US Central Intelligence Agency Director John Brennan is in Bosnia on an unannounced visit for talks with officials, the Web news publication Balkan Insight reported Friday.
• Riyadh-Washington ties irrevocably changed: Ex-Saudi spy chief Press TV 22 Apr 2016 -- Saudi ties with the US have changed forever and would not return to what it was before even under a new president, the kingdom's former intelligence chief Prince Turki al-Faisal says.
• Burundi: one year into political crisis, UN agency warns thousands of people still fleeing country UN News 22 Apr 2016 -- One year after the crisis in Burundi began, the United Nations refugee agency today said that almost 260,000 people have fled the country, warning that the number could increase by thousands throughout the year – unless a political solution is found and a civil war averted.