Operations
Defense Policy / Programs
Defense Industry
Other Conflicts
News Reports

Current Operations

• OIF / OND / OEF / OIR / OFS Casualty Update 26 Apr 2016 [PDF]
• Department of Defense Press Briefing by Maj. Gen. Gersten via Teleconference from Baghdad, Iraq DoD 26 Apr 2016 -- Presenter: U.S. Air Force Major General Peter E. Gersten, deputy commander for operations and intelligence, Combined Joint Task Force - Operation Inherent Resolve
• Additional Troops, New Technology Enhance Counter-ISIL Battle AFPS 26 Apr 2016 -- The latest in military technology and the addition of up to 450 more U.S. troops announced yesterday will enhance the U.S.-led coalition's efforts to enable ground forces in the campaign to defeat Islamic State of Iraq and the Levant terrorism in Iraq and Syria, the deputy commander for operations and intelligence for Operation Inherent Resolve told Pentagon reporters today.
• Counter-ISIL Strikes Hit Terrorists in Syria, Iraq AFPS 26 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.
• Update: air strikes against Daesh UK MOD 26 Apr 2016 -- British forces have continued to conduct air operations in the fight against Daesh
• Obama announces 250 special operations forces to Syria Press TV 26 Apr 2016 -- US President Barack Obama has announced the biggest expansion of American ground troops in Syria since 2011, under the pretext of fighting against terrorism, despite previously ruling out sending more forces to the Arab nation.
• US to Deploy Multiple Rocket Launchers in Turkey, Iraq for Anti-Daesh War Sputnik 26 Apr 2016 -- Washington will deploy two multiple rocket launchers - one in Turkey and the other in Iraq - to be used against Daesh.
• U.S. to deploy rocket system in Turkey against IS People's Daily 26 Apr 2016 -- The United States will send a rocket system to Turkey to boost its defense against Islamic State (IS) militants across the border in Syria, Turkish Foreign Minister Mevlut Cavusoglu said on Tuesday.
• Afghan Taliban team in Pakistan to restart peace talks Press TV 26 Apr 2016 -- An Afghan Taliban delegation has arrived in Pakistan to discuss the resumption of peace talks with the Kabul government, officials and militant sources say.
• US Forces Warn of More Militant Attacks in Afghanistan VOA 26 Apr 2016 -- U.S. forces in Afghanistan Tuesday warned of fresh militant attacks in several provinces, including Kabul.

Defense Policy / Programs

• Dunford Explores Ways to Better-Integrate Counter-Extremism Efforts AFPS 26 Apr 2016 -- The chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff met with British Chief of Defense Staff Gen. Sir Nicholas Houghton and other defense leaders in London yesterday to look at broadening efforts against the Islamic State of Iraq and the Levant and other extremist groups.
• Chairman Seeks to Solidify Military-to-Military Relations With Egypt AFPS 26 Apr 2016 -- The chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff visited Cairo this week for the second time in as many months to meet with senior Egyptian leaders in an effort to solidify military-to-military relations with this critical American partner in the Middle East.
• F-35 Program Accelerating, at 'Pivot Point,' Program Chief Tells Congress AFPS 26 Apr 2016 -- The program executive officer of the F-35 Lightning II aircraft program said the rapidly changing, growing, and accelerating program is at a "pivot point" as officials address a number of challenges.
• Deputy Defense Secretary Meets with Nordic, Baltic State Officials in Stockholm AFPS 26 Apr 2016 -- Deterrence, mainly in response to ongoing Russian provocation and aggression, was the broad topic of discussion today during meetings at Karlsberg Castle here among representatives from the United States, five Nordic states and three Baltic states.
• NAVCENT Commander Concludes IMCMEX, Calls "Realistic" Training a Priority NNS 26 Apr 2016 -- Leaders of the International Mine Countermeasures Exercise (IMCMEX) brought the exercise to a close and highlighted the need to continue training with scenarios that are likely to occur in real life in order to keep waterways safe.
• USS Gladiator Completes IMCMEX NNS 26 Apr 2016 -- Mine countermeasures ship USS Gladiator (MCM 11) is scheduled to return to homeport after participating in the International Mine Countermeasures Exercise (IMCMEX) April 4-26.
• In Sign of Support, US Deploys F-22 Fighter Jets in Romania VOA 26 Apr 2016 -- The United States deployed F-22 fighter jets to Romania as a sign of military support for NATO's eastern European allies who say they face aggression from Russia.
• Lakenheath strengthens royal ties during Joint Warrior AFNS 26 Apr 2016 -- Airmen from Royal Air Force Lakenheath, England, recently completed three weeks of intense threat-reaction training missions during Joint Warrior 2016 in Scotland.
• US, Central American firefighters train together in Honduras AFNS 26 Apr 2016 -- Joint Task Force-Bravo hosted firefighters from Belize, Guatemala, El Salvador, Honduras, Nicaragua, Costa Rica, and Panama for the Central America Sharing Mutual Operational Knowledge and Experience exercise April 18-22 at Soto Cano Air Base.
• US Backs NATO Force Off Libya as Migrant Numbers Soar VOA 26 Apr 2016 -- A NATO-led mission aimed at stemming the flow of migrants from Libya to Europe could be up and running by July, according to the Italian government. There are fears the numbers of migrants could soar as the route through Greece and the Balkans remains blocked.
• US Missiles' Deployment to Romania, Poland Banned Under INF Treaty - Moscow Sputnik 26 Apr 2016 -- The deployment of US missile defense systems in Romania and Poland is prohibited under the 1987 Intermediate-Range Nuclear Forces Treaty (INF), the Russian Foreign Ministry said on Tuesday.
• Russia Destroyed 93% of Chemical Weapons, Complies With Obligations - OPCW Sputnik 26 Apr 2016 -- Russia has already destroyed 93 percent of its chemical weapons under the Chemical Weapons Convention, as such successfully complying with its obligations, Director-General of the Organization for the Prohibition of Chemical Weapons (OPCW) Ahmet Uzumcu, said Tuesday.
• US positioning missile systems to counter N Korea: Obama Press TV 26 Apr 2016 -- President Barack Obama says the United States is positioning missile systems and establishing a "shield" to counter threats from North Korea.
• North Korea Preparing New Ballistic Missile Launch Sputnik 26 Apr 2016 -- North Korea is preparing to launch another medium-range ballistic missile later in April, a South Korean government source said Tuesday.
• Obama: US Taking Defense Measures Against North Korea VOA 26 Apr 2016 -- U.S. President Barack Obama says the U.S. is taking defensive measures to counter "low-level" threats from North Korea.
• DPRK's Test-fire of SLBM Is Just: Foreign Ministry KCNA 26 Apr 2016 -- A spokesman for the Foreign Ministry of the DPRK gave the following answer to a question raised by KCNA Tuesday in connection with the fact that the U.S. is ratcheting up the pressure on the DPRK while citing the DPRK's test-fire of submarine-launched ballistic missile:
• Japan lodges official protest over DPRK's latest missile launch People's Daily 26 Apr 2016 -- Japan's Foreign Minister Fumio Kishida said Tuesday that Japan had lodged an official protest with the Democratic People's Republic of Korea (DPRK) over its latest missile launch.
• DPRK seems set to launch Musudan ballistic missile: S.Korean media People's Daily 26 Apr 2016 -- The Democratic People's Republic of Korea (DPRK) seems set to launch another Musudan intermediate-range ballistic missile after its estimated failure 11 days ago, Yonhap news agency reported Tuesday citing South Korean government officials.
• Refusing an Olive Branch: US Spurns North Korea's Offer to End Nuke Program Sputnik 26 Apr 2016 -- Despite decrying North Korea's recent missile tests, President Barack Obama has roundly rejected an offer from Pyongyang to halt its programs in exchange for an end to joint US-South Korea military exercises, which the North considers a provocation.
• US Senators Urge Substantial Boost in Military Aid for Israel VOA 26 Apr 2016 -- A group of 83 U.S. senators called on President Barack Obama to complete a new security agreement with Israel that would include increasing the $3.1 billion the United States now provides in annual military aid.
• Prime Minister, Minister for Defence – Joint media release – Future submarine program Australia Department of Defence Ministers 26 Apr 2016 -- The Turnbull Government today announces that the next generation of submarines for Australia will be constructed at the Adelaide shipyard, securing thousands of jobs and ensuring the project will play a key part in the transition of our economy.
• Hanging in the Balance: India-France Talks on Rafale 'Still Underway' Sputnik 26 Apr 2016 -- The Indian defense minister clarifies that negotiations on the purchase of the French combat aircraft Rafale are still ongoing.
• From Russia With Love: Vietnam Gets Fighting Gepard From Moscow Sputnik 26 Apr 2016 -- A third Gepard-class 3.9 frigate built for Vietnam will be floated out at a shipbuilding plant in eastern Russia on Wednesday.
• Russia Not Planning to Revive Contract on S-300 Deliveries to Syria Sputnik 26 Apr 2016 -- Russia is currently not planning to revive the contract on deliveries of S-300 air defense systems to Syria, the head of Russia's Federal Service for Military-Technical Cooperation said Tuesday.
• Russia to Deliver 3 Yak-130 Fighter Trainers to Myanmar by Year End Sputnik 26 Apr 2016 -- Russia's state arms exporter Rosoboronexport and the Irkut manufacturer plan to deliver three Yak-130 (Mitten) advanced jet trainers and light attack aircraft to Myanmar by the end of the year, Russian media reported Tuesday, citing defense cooperation sources.
• Saudi unveils ambitious plan to become arms manufacturer Press TV 26 Apr 2016 -- Saudi Arabia says it is to start steering half of its military spending toward domestic weapons manufacturers.
• Turkey FM: Ankara to station US rocket system on Syria border Press TV 26 Apr 2016 -- Turkish Foreign Minister Mevlut Cavusoglu says Ankara will deploy a US rocket launcher system on the border with Syria next month to allegedly combat the Takfiri Daesh terrorists.
• Military Buildup? Turkey Deploys Missile Systems on Border With Syria Sputnik 26 Apr 2016 -- The Turkish army has pulled additional forces to the border with Syria, placing several rocket launchers near the Turkish city of Kilis, local media reported.
• April 26, 2016 - U.S. Department of State Daily Press Briefing US Dept. of State 26 Apr 2016
• Press Briefing by Press Secretary Josh Earnest, 4/26/16 The White House 26 Apr 2016

Defense Industry

• DoD News: Contracts for April 26, 2016

Other Conflicts

• 26 April 2016 - Daily Press Briefing by the Office of the Spokesperson for the Secretary-General United Nations 26 Apr 2016
• Taiwan disputes Japan's claim of rights over Okinotori reefs CNA 26 Apr 2016 -- Taiwan stressed Tuesday that it does not accept Japan's claim that the Okinotori reefs in the Pacific Ocean are entitled to a 200-nautical-mile exclusive economic zone, noting that it is a disputed issue and needs further negotiations among the parties involved.
• Japan's Warship Arrives in Philippines to Balance China's Influence Sputnik 26 Apr 2016 -- A Japanese warship arrived in the Philippines on Tuesday, signaling the strengthening of cooperation between Tokyo and Manila and in an effort to balance Beijing's growing influence in the South China Sea, Japanese media reported.
• Japan Dispatches Record Number of Jets as E. China Sea Tensions Flare Sputnik 26 Apr 2016 -- According to Japan Air-Self Defense Force (JASDF), fighter jets were dispatched 571 times in 2015 to stop Chinese military aircraft approaching or intruding into Japanese airspace in the East China Sea (Sea of Japan), according to the Japan's Defense Ministry.
• US accused of 'hyping up' military flights in South China Sea People's Daily 26 Apr 2016 -- China accused the US on Monday of "hyping up" recent military flights around a Chinese island in the South China Sea.
• Two Armenian troops killed in Karabakh clashes Press TV 26 Apr 2016 -- At least two ethnic Armenian military personnel have been killed in a series of fresh clashes between Azerbaijani soldiers and Armenia-backed forces in the disputed Caucasus region of Karabakh.
• Latest round of peace talks in Geneva constructive: Syria Press TV 26 Apr 2016 -- Syria's chief negotiator says the latest round of UN-brokered indirect peace talks in Geneva were constructive as important issues were raised during the discussions.
• Hezbollah, Syria army thwart Daesh attack Press TV 26 Apr 2016 -- Assisting Syrian army forces, fighters with the Lebanese Hezbollah resistance movement have fended off a Daesh attack in southwestern Syria near the border with Lebanon.
• Russia's Air Campaign in Syria Poses No Threat to Israel - Russian MoD Sputnik 26 Apr 2016 -- Russia's aerial counter-terrorist campaign in Syria poses no threat to Israel, Russian Deputy Defense Minister Anatoly Antonov said Tuesday.
• Concern Grows for Yazidi Hostages in Mosul VOA 26 Apr 2016 -- Yazidi advocates and rights activists say that, as Iraqi forces gear up to retake the northern city of Mosul, they are concerned about the safety of hundreds of women held by the Islamic State group as hostages, prisoners and sex slaves.
• Russian Court Bans Crimean Tatar Executive Council As Extremist RFE/RL 26 Apr 2016 -- A Russian-run court in the annexed Crimean Peninsula has branded the executive council for the region's Tatar minority an extremist organization and ordered it banned.
• South Sudan: Ban welcomes swearing in of Riek Machar as First Vice-President UN News 26 Apr 2016 -- United Nations Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon has welcomed the return of Riek Machar to Juba and his swearing in as the First Vice-President of South Sudan, calling it a "new phase" in the implementation of the peace agreement.
• South Sudan Rebel Chief Sworn In as VP VOA 26 Apr 2016 -- South Sudanese rebel leader Riek Machar returned to the capital Tuesday and took the oath as the country's top vice president.
• South Sudan Rebel Chief Machar Sworn in As Vice President in Unity Gov't Sputnik 26 Apr 2016 -- South Sudan's rebel leader Riek Machar was sworn in as the nation's first vice president, joining a unity government being formed to cease violence in the country, local media reported Tuesday.
• Riek Machar's arrival in Juba should 'open a new chapter' for South Sudan - UN Peacekeeping chief UN News 26 Apr 2016 -- The arrival in Juba of First Vice-President-designate Riek Machar should open a new chapter for South Sudan and allow "the real transition to begin," the United Nations peacekeeping chief said today, stressing that the security situation in the country, however, remains precarious amid a worsening humanitarian and human rights situation.
• Al-Shabab Militants Kill 8 Somali Gov't Soldiers VOA 26 Apr 2016 -- Al-Shabab militants in Somalia killed at least eight government soldiers in an ambush near the town of Baidoa, officials said.
• Security Council extends mandate of UN Mission in Central African Republic UN News 26 Apr 2016 -- The United Nations Security Council today extended until 31 July the mandate of the UN Multidimensional Integrated Stabilization Mission in the Central African Republic (MINUSCA), determining that the situation in the country constitutes a threat to international peace and security.

News Reports

• Chernobyl: with disaster's effects still being felt after 30 years, UN renews commitment to a safer future UN News 26 Apr 2016 -- Marking 30 years since the Chernobyl nuclear accident, senior United Nations officials today underlined the need to take stock of the lessons learned from the disaster and the many problems that still linger, while renewing their commitment to a safer future.
• RIYADH: The Council of Ministers endorsed during its session on Monday under the chairmanship of Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques King Salman the Saudi Vision 2030. Kingdom of Saudi Arabia 26 Apr 2016
• Saudi Vision 2030 Kingdom of Saudi Arabia 26 Apr 2016 -- Unveiled in Riyadh on Monday by Deputy Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman
• Deputy Crown Prince says: Vision 2030 constitutes roadmap for Kingdom's development, economy objectives for next 15 years SPA 26 Apr 2016 -- Deputy Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman bin Abdulaziz, the Second Deputy Premier, Minister of Defense and President of the Council of Economic Affairs and Development, stressed that the "Kingdom of Saudi Arabia's Vision 2030," approved by the cabinet on Monday, constitutes a roadmap for the Kingdom's development and economy objectives for the next 15 years.
• US Pledges Support for Ukraine's New Cabinet VOA 26 Apr 2016 -- The United States pledged its support for the new Ukrainian government as it embarks on the road of major reforms and changes in the country.
• Nobel Laureates to Embark on Rare Mission to North Korea VOA 26 Apr 2016 -- A group of Nobel laureates plans to visit North Korea later this month for rare academic exchanges amid heightened tensions over the country's nuclear development.
• Rafsanjani derides critics of JCPOA, saying they welcome sanctions IRNA 26 Apr 2016 -- Chairman of the Expediency Council Ayatollah Akbar Hashemi Rafsanjani on Tuesday derided critics of Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action saying that they used to consider sanctions as a divine blessing.
• The full text of Zarif's interview with The New Yorker ISNA 26 Apr 2016 -- The full text of Iranian Foreign Minister Mohammad-Javad Zarif's interview with The New Yorker comes as follows.
• Iraq replaces 6 ministers in contested cabinet reshuffle Press TV 26 Apr 2016 -- The Iraqi parliament has finally endorsed six new ministers proposed under a cabinet reshuffle plan by Prime Minister Haidar al-Abadi despite attempts by dozens of deputies opposed to changes to block the chamber meeting.
• Followers of Sadr rally in Baghdad in support of reforms Press TV 26 Apr 2016 -- Thousands of supporters of Iraqi Shia cleric Muqtada al-Sadr have taken to the streets of Baghdad, urging the government to implement reforms amid growing division among political parties.
• Protest by Iraqi MPs Blocks Vote on New Cabinet VOA 26 Apr 2016 -- Some Iraqi lawmakers interrupted a parliamentary session on Tuesday impeding a planned vote to decide on a new technocratic cabinet, one made up of policy experts.
• India Pushes Pakistan to Clamp Down on Terrorism VOA 26 Apr 2016 -- India's top diplomat pressed his Pakistani counterpart on Tuesday to acknowledge and combat terrorism aimed at the Indian state, and to make "visible progress" on investigating violence.
• Daesh runs secret cells in UK, Germany and Italy: Clapper Press TV 26 Apr 2016 -- The Daesh (ISIL) terrorist organization is operating underground cells in Britain, Germany and Italy, and there is "evidence" they are plotting terror attacks against civilians in those countries, the US intelligence chief says.
• Turkey Media Crackdown Expands with Growing Security Concerns VOA 26 Apr 2016 -- Pressure on journalists in Turkey appears to be spreading to the foreign media. This week, four reporters were denied entry into the country.
• Turkey rejects plan to drop secular rule Press TV 26 Apr 2016 -- Turkey's parliament speaker says the country should have a religious constitution and drop secularism from its new charter, prompting an official to dismiss the idea.
• By Electing A Populist, Serbia Is More European Than Ever RFE/RL 26 Apr 2016 -- The bar for political success in the Balkans has been set very low indeed. It seems that all you need to do is to refrain from threatening to start a war and you are fit to govern. This thought was foremost in my mind as I sat up this weekend watching the returns from the Serbian parliamentary elections.
• In Vienna, Ban to discuss how UN can deliver on world's expectations UN News 26 Apr 2016 -- While on a visit to the capital of Austria, United Nations Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon will be leading discussions on how the UN system can work together in unity so that it can deliver on the expectations of the international community.
• Venezuela top court blocks opposition bid to oust Maduro Press TV 26 Apr 2016 -- The Venezuelan Supreme Court has blocked yet another opposition bid to unseat President Nicolas Maduro before his tenure officially comes to an end in 2019.