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News Reports

Current Operations

• OIF / OND / OEF / OIR / OFS Casualty Update 12 May 2016 [PDF]
• Officials Provide Details of Latest Counter-ISIL Strikes in Syria, Iraq AFPS 12 May 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.
• Why Pakistan Won't Go After Afghan Taliban VOA 12 May 2016 -- Pakistan is hesitant to take action against the Afghan Taliban on its soil because of concerns the group will re-direct its violence against Pakistan and Afghan intelligence will support it, a senior Pakistani official said.
• Pakistan Closes Main Border Crossing With Afghanistan VOA 12 May 2016 -- Pakistan has temporarily closed one of its two main border crossings with Afghanistan, but said the two sides are in contact with each other to resolve "differences" that prompted the move.

Defense Policy / Programs

• Eglin activates F-35 Partner Support Complex AFNS 12 May 2016 -- The 53rd Wing activated on May 11 the F-35 Partner Support Complex, a U.S.-owned facility here that handles F-35 Lightning II testing.
• Remarks by Secretary of Defense Ash Carter at the U.S. Air Force Academy, Colorado Springs DoD 12 May 2016 -- Presenter: Secretary of Defense Ash Carter
• Remarks by Secretary Carter in a Media Availability, Colorado Springs, Colorado DoD 12 May 2016 -- Presenter: Secretary of Defense Ash Carter
• MAG-39 focuses effort on air, ground integration USMC News 12 May 2016 -- Since becoming commanding officer of Marine Aircraft Group 39, Col. Michael Borgschulte made it one of his command priorities to create a stronger relationship between the squadrons of MAG-39 and the ground units within I Marine Expeditionary Force at Marine Corps Base Camp Pendleton, California.
• GPS registers most accurate signal yet AFNS 12 May 2016 -- On April 25, the Air Force's GPS registered its most accurate signal yet, according to the Aerospace Corporation, which has been monitoring the data since 2002.
• Aegis Ashore Missile Defense System-Romania Operationally Certified NNS 12 May 2016 -- U.S. Naval Forces Europe-Africa/U.S. 6th (CNE-CNA/C6F), recognized a key milestone to complete Phase II of the European Phased Adaptive Approach by deeming the Aegis Ashore Missile Defense System in Romania as operationally certified in a ceremony held in Deveselu, May 12.
• Secretary General in Bucharest: NATO is committed to Romania's security NATO 12 May 2016 -- NATO Secretary General Jens Stoltenberg praised Romania's contributions to Allied security in Bucharest on Thursday (12 May 2016). Meeting with President Klaus Werner Iohannis, Mr. Stoltenberg commended Romania for its contributions to Black Sea security, its commitment to raise defence spending to 2% of GDP and its continued participation in NATO-led missions in Afghanistan and Kosovo. Calling Romania "a steadfast Ally," Mr. Stoltenberg stressed that NATO is committed to Romania's security.
• Defending our nations from ballistic missile threats - Opinion piece by NATO Secretary General Jens Stoltenberg NATO 12 May 2016 -- NATO's purpose is clear: to protect our citizens and territory against any threats.
• Key missile defence site declared operational NATO 12 May 2016 -- A United States missile defence system aimed at protecting European NATO Allies from ballistic missiles threats was declared operational at a ceremony in Deveselu, Romania on Thursday (12 May 2016).
• US missile system in Romania poses threat to Russia: Kremlin Press TV 12 May 2016 -- A senior Russian official has said the activation of a US missile system in Romania would constitute a threat to Russia's national security.
• U.S. Activates Missile-Defense Site In Romania, Despite Russian Protests RFE/RL 12 May 2016 -- The United States has activated a missile-defense site in Romania, prompting an angry reaction from Moscow.
• New US Missile Defense Systems in Europe 'Not Directed Against Russia' Sputnik 12 May 2016 -- The new US missile defense systems planned for deployment in Europe are not directed against Russia, US Department of State spokesman Noel Clay told Sputnik on Thursday.
• Pentagon Pledges to Protect NATO From Iran's Ballistic Missiles Sputnik 12 May 2016 -- The United States promises to protect its NATO allies from the threat of Iranian ballistic missile as long as Tehran continues to develop such capabilities, US Deputy Secretary of Defense Robert Work said on Thursday.
• US Inaugurates Aegis Missile Defense Outpost in Romania Sputnik 12 May 2016 -- A ground-based Aegis battle management system in Romania has been integrated into a planned missile defense network for Europe, Commander of US Naval Forces Europe-Africa Adm. Mark Ferguson said.
• Missile Defense Program in Romania to Increase NATO 'Defensive' Coverage Sputnik 12 May 2016 -- Activation of the Aegis Ashore missile defense system in Romania will enhance NATO defense capabilities against medium and short-range missile attacks, Secretary General Jens Stoltenberg said Thursday.
• US, NATO Activate Missile Defense Site in Romania VOA 12 May 2016 -- The U.S. has switched on an $800 million (700 million euro) missile defense site in southern Romania Thursday, a move that has infuriated Moscow.
• Russian Defense Ministry Considers Purchase of Multirole Ka-60 Helicopters Sputnik 12 May 2016 -- The Ka-60 is designed for cargo transportation to the combat areas, search and rescue operations, as well as for the landing missions and patrol activities.
• Putin: Russian Army Receives 4,000 Pieces of Military Equipment in 2015 Sputnik 12 May 2016 -- Russia's state defense contracts were fulfilled by 97 percent in 2015, President Vladimir Putin said.
• British navy ships shadow Russian frigate around UK Press TV 12 May 2016 -- British navy ships have tracked a Russian vessel in UK waters and escorted it out of the region.
• Royal Air Force Typhoons intercept Russian aircraft near Baltics UK MOD 12 May 2016 -- Royal Air Force Typhoon fighter jets have carried out their first intercept of Russian aircraft in this round of NATO's Baltic Air Policing mission (BAP).
• U.S., U.K., Georgian Forces Hone Capabilities in Exercise Noble Partner 16 AFPS 12 May 2016 -- Exercise Noble Partner 16 got underway yesterday between the U.S., U.K. and Georgian militaries at Georgia's Vaziani Training Area, Pentagon Press Operations Director Navy Capt. Jeff Davis told reporters today.
• Commander: Basij to stage drills in Orumieh on May 12-13 IRNA 12 May 2016 -- Commander of Orumieh's Shohada Corps volunteer (Basij) Force Brigadier General Abeddin Khorram announced on Wednesday that his forces are due to stage massive exercises codenamed 'Towards Beit al-Moqaddas' on Thursday and Friday.
• IRGC promoting trans-regional unity, says commander IRNA 12 May 2016 -- The Islamic Revolution Guards Corps has promoted religious identity, national coherence and trans-regional unity, says an IRGC naval commander.
• Iran missile program poses no threat to Europe, says Russia Press TV 12 May 2016 -- Russia says Iran's missile program does not pose a threat to Europe at all, dismissing allegations of perceived threats as unfounded.
• S. Korea monitoring DPRK's nuke test site: defense ministry People's Daily 12 May 2016 -- South Korea's defense ministry said Thursday that it has been carefully monitoring the nuclear test site of the Dmocratic People's Republic of Korea (DPRK).
• Denmark's Government Recommends Buying 27 F-35s Lockheed Martin 12 May 2016 -- At a press meeting on May 12, 2016 at approximately 10 a.m. local time, the prime minister and the defence minister of Denmark announced that the government recommend buying 27 F-35 aircraft.See the report from the Danish Ministry of Defence on why they selected the F-35.
• US Delivers Mine-Resistant Vehicles to Egypt to Combat Terrorism - Embassy Sputnik 12 May 2016 -- The United States deployed its initial batch of mine-resistant ambush protected vehicles (MRAP) to Egypt to fight terrorism and bolster stability, the US embassy in Cairo said in a statement on Thursday.
• May 12, 2016 - U.S. Department of State Daily Press Briefing US Dept. of State 12 May 2016
• Press Briefing by Press Secretary Josh Earnest, 5/12/2016 The White House 12 May 2016

Defense Industry

• DoD News: Contracts for May 12, 2016

Other Conflicts

• 12 May 2016 - Daily Press Briefing by the Office of the Spokesperson for the Secretary-General United Nations 12 May 2016
• IRC Chief: Displaced Need 'Something Better than Camps' VOA 12 May 2016 -- The majority of the world's refugees live in Africa, and there is a "need for a new deal" when it comes to their interests, International Rescue Committee President David Miliband said Thursday.
• UN calls for closer cooperation with African organizations for sustaining peace UN News 12 May 2016 -- Stronger partnerships between the United Nations and African regional and sub-regional organizations are necessary to sustain the momentum for peacebuilding in Africa and prevent a lapse into violent conflict, Deputy Secretary-General Jan Eliasson said today, calling for greater efforts to reinforce initiatives and define the parameters of cooperation.
• Senior Chinese diplomat says confrontation in South China Sea benefits none People's Daily 12 May 2016 -- The current situation in the South China Sea is the result of "entangling effect of the actions and reactions along multiple lines" and confrontation over the issue would benefit none, a senior Chinese diplomat said in an article.
• China opposes U.S. distortion of navigation freedom: spokesman People's Daily 12 May 2016 -- China on Wednesday suggested the United States, when talking about "freedom of navigation," make a distinction between commercial ships and warships.
• Commentary: Hague-based arbitration panel oversteps in the South China Sea issue People's Daily 12 May 2016 -- An arbitration panel has been established by the International Court of Arbitration at the unilateral request of the Philippines to settle disputes in the South China Sea. However, attempts by the panel to expand and abuse their own power triggered concern from the international community.
• At least 13 Hadi troops killed in Mukalla Press TV 12 May 2016 -- At least 13 troops loyal to Abd Rabbuh Mansur Hadi, Yemen's resigned president, have been killed when militants blew up vehicles outside the southeastern port city of Mukalla.
• Yemen's food situation on verge of 'humanitarian disaster' - UN UN News 12 May 2016 -- The food security and nutrition situation in Yemen will turn into a humanitarian disaster unless urgent funding is accessible for the Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) to deliver timely aid in the April/May cereal and vegetable planting season and the summer fishing season, and vaccinate livestock before winter, the United Nations agency has warned.
• Saudi warplanes kill 2, wound several in Yemen's Amran Press TV 12 May 2016 -- Saudi warplanes have carried out fresh airstrikes on the northwestern province of Amran, killing and wounding more Yemeni people despite international warnings about deteriorating humanitarian crisis in the war-hit country.
• Turkish president threatens unilateral actions against IS group in Syria People's Daily 12 May 2016 -- Turkey is prepared to take unilateral actions against the Islamic State (IS) in Syriato protect its southern border town Kilis from IS attacks, President Recep Tayyip Erdogan said on Thursday.
• Syria PM censures massacre of Hama civilians by militants Press TV 12 May 2016 -- The Syrian prime minister has sharply condemned the "heinous" massacre of civilians by Takfiri terrorists in a town in the west-central province of Hama, urging global support for Damascus' fight against terror.
• Turkey gears up for 'anti-Daesh' operations in Syria Press TV 12 May 2016 -- Turkey has threatened to launch unilateral "operations" on Syrian soil allegedly against Daesh terrorists amid long-running speculations on Ankara's covert plans for a military intervention in the Arab state.
• Putin Is Selling A Narrative On Syria And Some Media Organizations Are Buying It RFE/RL 12 May 2016 -- It's been a banner week for the Kremlin's propaganda machine. At home, and across the border in the parts of Ukraine held by Russia-backed separatists, Russian military hardware was out on display for the May 9 Victory Day parade marking the defeat of the Nazis in World War II.
• Attacks on Civilian Facilities in Syria May Constitute War Crimes - UNSC Sputnik 12 May 2016 -- Recent attacks in Syria, which claimed the lives of civilians, may amount to war crimes, Amr Abdellatif Aboulatta, Permanent Representative of Egypt to the UN and President of the Security Council in May, said Thursday.
• Self-Defense Forces: Militants Continue to Shell Aleppo in Syria Sputnik 12 May 2016 -- Militants are continuing to shell residential and central districts of the Syrian city of Aleppo, popular defense forces told RIA Novosti Thursday.
• Syria: first 10 days of May 'disappointing' for humanitarian work - UN advisor UN News 12 May 2016 -- The first 10 days of May have been "disappointing" for aid work in Syria as the breakdown of a truce made aid deliveries dangerous and difficult to plan, the United Nations-appointed humanitarian adviser said today.
• Syrian military forces fighting Daesh terrorists near Palmyra Press TV 12 May 2016 -- Syrian military forces are engaged in heavy clashes with Takfiri Daesh terrorists in the suburbs of the central city of Palmyra, which was liberated from the extremists several weeks ago.
• Daesh truck bombs leave 17 Iraqi soldiers dead near Ramadi Press TV 12 May 2016 -- Military officials say more than a dozen Iraqi army soldiers have lost their lives when members of the Takfiri Daesh terrorist group carried out truck bomb attacks against government forces in the country's embattled western province of Anbar.
• Iraq: UN Security Council strongly condemns terrorist attacks in Baghdad UN News 12 May 2016 -- The United Nations Security Council today condemned in the strongest terms the three terrorist attacks that occurred yesterday in Baghdad, which resulted in at least 93 deaths and many more injuries.
• ISIL losing battle in Iraq: US general Press TV 12 May 2016 -- A US Army general says the Daesh (ISIL) terrorist group is losing in Iraq's battleground.
• US Fires on al-Shabab Militants in Somalia Raid VOA 12 May 2016 -- U.S. forces fired on al-Shabab militants while assisting in an attack by Somali government and African Union troops on a militant base.
• Top UN and African Union officials condemn deadly violence at camp for displaced in North Darfur UN News 12 May 2016 -- The Chairperson of the African Union Commission, Nkosazana Dlamini-Zuma, and the Secretary-General of the United Nations, Ban Ki-moon, have jointly condemn Monday's attacks by armed groups on an internally displaced persons (IDP) camp and the shooting at a nearby market in Sortoni, North Darfur.

News Reports

• Minneapolis Terrorism Trial Focuses on IS Recruitment VOA 12 May 2016 -- Three Somali-American men on trial in Minneapolis, Minnesota, face the possibility of 15 years to life in prison for allegedly conspiring to provide material support to the Islamic State group and commit murder outside the United States. But the trial also brings into sharp focus the radical group's global reach and concerns within the Somali-American community about judicial fairness and how that could affect collaboration with law enforcement.
• Briefing with Foreign Ministry Spokesperson Maria Zakharova, Moscow, May 12, 2016 Russia Ministry of Foreign Affairs 12 May 2016
• Brazil's Rousseff calls impeachment against her a coup Press TV 12 May 2016 -- Suspended Brazilian president Dilma Rousseff has again dismissed a parliamentary motion against her as a coup, saying Senate's endorsement of the impeachment bill was a blow to democracy.
• Rousseff Accuses Brazil's Senate Vote of Sabotaging Government VOA 12 May 2016 -- Brazilian senators have voted to suspend President Dilma Rousseff from office. The lawmakers are preparing to try her on charges of manipulating the national budget to boost her 2014 re-election campaign.
• KCNA Commentary Slams U.S. Absurd Accusations against DPRK's Just Measures for Self-defence KCNA 12 May 2016 -- The U.S. keeps making absurd accusations against the DPRK's just measures for self-defence.
• US, EU, Canadians Walk Out of Ugandan Inauguration Ceremony VOA 12 May 2016 -- U.S., Canadian and European delegates walked out of the Ugandan presidential inauguration ceremony Thursday in response to the presence of an indicted war crimes suspect and remarks by President Yoweri Museveni disparaging the International Criminal Court.
• Museveni Sworn in Amid Tension, Social Media Blackout VOA 12 May 2016 -- Dancing to marching bands and musicians, supporters decked out in yellow – the color of the ruling party – awaited Ugandan President Yoweri Museveni's arrival at the Kololo Airstrip.
• Bangladesh in tight security following opposition leader's hanging Press TV 12 May 2016 -- Bangladeshi authorities deploy thousands of police officers across the capital, Dhaka, to stave off potential violence in the aftermath of the execution of an opposition leader.
• In Bid to End Fuel Shortage, Nigeria Hikes Price Nearly 70 Percent VOA 12 May 2016 -- For months, a gasoline shortage has left Nigerian drivers waiting in hours-long lines to fill their tanks. A planned, nearly 70 percent price hike may help keep the pumps flowing, but could spill over into other parts of the economy.
• US Focusing Intently on China's Cyber Commitments VOA 12 May 2016 -- U.S. officials say they are watching closely to ensure that China abides by its cybersecurity commitments, following the first meeting between the two sides since they struck an anti-hacking agreement in September.