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Current Operations

• OIF / OND / OEF / OIR / OFS Casualty Update 13 May 2016 [PDF]
• Department of Defense Press Briefing by Colonel Warren via teleconference from Baghdad, Iraq DoD 13 May 2016 -- Presenter: Colonel Steve Warren, Operation Inherent Resolve Spokesman; Captain Jeff Davis, Director, Defense Press Office
• U.S., Coalition Continue Strikes Against ISIL in Syria, Iraq AFPS 13 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.
• Inherent Resolve Spokesman: Coalition Operations Deny ISIL's Caliphate Dreams AFPS 13 May 2016 -- The U.S.-led coalition fight against the Islamic State of Iraq and the Levant is denying the terrorists' ambition to act as a state by targeting their finances, revenue sources, recruiting efforts and leaders, the Operation Inherent Resolve spokesman said today.
• Statement by Secretary of Defense Ash Carter on Belgium's Expanded Role in the Counter-ISIL Air Campaign DoD 13 May 2016
• Belgium says to begin airstrikes against 'Daesh' in Syria Press TV 13 May 2016 -- Belgium has decided to extend the scope of its contribution to the US-led air campaign allegedly targeting Daesh, saying it will launch attacks on the Takfiri militants' positions in Syria.
• Nordic States to Increase Contributions to Anti-Daesh Coalition Sputnik 13 May 2016 -- Four Nordic countries, Denmark, Finland, Norway and Sweden, will contribute additional troops, equipment and finances to the US-led coalition against Daesh, according to a joint statement released at the US-Nordic Leaders Summit on Friday.

Defense Policy / Programs

• Dunford, Chinese Military Leader Speak via Video Teleconference AFPS 13 May 2016 -- At the request of the Chinese army, Marine Corps Gen. Joe Dunford, chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, spoke yesterday via video teleconference with Gen. Fang Fenghui, chief of the Chinese joint staff department.
• Deputy Assistant Secretary for East Asia Abraham M. Denmark Holds a Press Briefing in the Pentagon Briefing Room DoD 13 May 2016 -- Deputy Assistant Secretary of Defense for East Asia Abraham M. Denmark
• Remarks by Secretary Carter, General Robinson and Defence Minister Sajjan in a Press Conference in Colorado Springs, Colorado DoD 13 May 2016 -- Secretary of Defense Ash Carter; General Lori Robinson, commander, North American Aerospace Defense and commander, U.S. Northern Command; Harjit Sajjan, Canadian Minister of Defence
• Air Force General to Become 1st Woman to Lead Combatant Command VOA 13 May 2016 -- U.S. Air Force General Lori Robinson will become the first woman to lead a U.S. combatant command Friday when she takes charge of U.S. Northern Command and NORAD in Colorado.
• Raptors complete successful European deployment AFNS 13 May 2016 -- Twelve F-22 Raptors from the 95th Fighter Squadron and about 220 Airmen from Tyndall Air Force Base, Florida, completed on May 8 a month-long deployment to Royal Air Force Lakenheath.
• U.S., Jordan Partner in Eager Lion Exercise AFPS 13 May 2016 -- U.S. troops will partner with Jordanian military forces May 15-24 in Jordan during Exercise Eager Lion 16, one of U.S. Central Command's premier exercises, Centcom officials announced today.
• Echo Company sweeps through ITX 3-16 USMC News 13 May 2016 -- Marines from 2nd Battalion, 8th Marine Regiment, traveled from Marine Corps Base Camp Lejeune, N.C., to perform field training exercises at Ranges 400 and 410 as part of Integrated Training Exercise 3-16 aboard the Combat Center May 8 and 9, 2016.
• Helicopter rope suspension technique masters teach Marines fundamentals of fast roping USMC News 13 May 2016 -- Succeeding in environments where others have failed is both a point of pride for the Marine Corps, but also a well-known staple of the service which has helped to maintain its relevancy from inception up to the modern-day battlefields of the 21st century.
• Work Joins Groundbreaking for Ballistic Missile Defense Site in Poland AFPS 13 May 2016 -- At a groundbreaking ceremony here for an Aegis Ashore ballistic missile defense site today, Deputy Defense Secretary Bob Work emphasized the system is for the protection of NATO members and not directed at Russia.
• Deputy Secretary of Defense Bob Work's Visit to Romania and Poland DoD 13 May 2016
• NATO 'Must Be Ready to Defend' Europe: Polish FM Considers Russia a Threat Sputnik 13 May 2016 -- NATO must enhance its presence in Central and Eastern European regions to deter the perceived Russian aggression, Polish Foreign Minister Witold Waszczykowski said Friday.
• U.S. Breaks Ground On NATO Shield Site In Poland RFE/RL 13 May 2016 -- The United States has broken ground on a military installation in Poland that will form part of NATO's larger European missile shield.
• US Anti-Missile Base Drives Poland Into 'New Phase' of Security Buildup Sputnik 13 May 2016 -- Poland enters a new phase of strengthening of the country's security while constructing a military base, which will be a part of an US-designed ballistic missile defense system in Europe, Polish President Andrzej Duda said Friday.
• US Missile Defense System in Poland Not Directed Against Russia - Warsaw Sputnik 13 May 2016 -- The US Aegis Ashore missile defense system due to be built in the Polish village of Redzikowo is not directed against Russia, Polish Foreign Minister Witold Waszczykowski said Friday.
• US Air Defense Shield Not Defense, But Nuclear Potential in Europe - Putin Sputnik 13 May 2016 -- Russian President Vladimir Putin said Friday that the US defense shield in Eastern Europe is not part of defense, but Washington's nuclear potential in Europe.
• US-Nordic Summit Takes on Russian Aggression VOA 13 May 2016 -- President Barack Obama said Friday that an agreement between the U.S. and five Nordic nations to increase cooperation in the face of rising Russian aggression is an effort to ensure that "smaller nations are not bullied by larger nations."
• Obama warns Russia against military build-up in N Europe Press TV 13 May 2016 -- US President Barack Obama has warned Russia against its "aggressive" military build-up in northern Europe.
• 'Russian Aggression' On Agenda As Obama Hosts Nordic Leaders RFE/RL 13 May 2016 -- Russia's increased military assertiveness was high on the agenda as U.S. President Barack Obama hosted the leaders of five Nordic countries at the White House.
• Want Peace? Prepare for War! Finland Ready to Deploy Overseas Military Aid Sputnik 13 May 2016 -- Finland has long righteously enjoyed international respect for its staunch support of non-alignment policy, yet the situation is beginning to change. In a shift of paradigm, Finnish troops may now be deployed overseas, a government proposal suggests.
• Russian Drones Repeatedly Violated Poland's Airspace - Defense Minister Sputnik 13 May 2016 -- Polish Defense Minister Antoni Macierewicz said that Russian unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs) had repeatedly violated country's airspace in the past.
• Space Eye: Russian Armed Forces Use Glonass Satellites for Aiming in Syria Sputnik 13 May 2016 -- The Glonass navigation system helps the Russian Armed Forces to precisely strike terrorist targets in Syria.
• Russia will put end to US missile system threat: Putin Press TV 13 May 2016 -- Russian President Vladimir Putin has strongly criticized the deployment of US missile system in Eastern Europe near Russia, and vowed to neutralize any threats by the complex against his country's security.
• Russia Starts Flight Tests of 'Orion' Reconnaissance Drone Sputnik 13 May 2016 -- Russia has started testing its "Orion" reconnaissance drone, a source in the military defense sector told RIA Novosti Friday.
• DoD Report: China's Military Investments Continue AFPS 13 May 2016 -- China's investments in military and weaponry operations continue on a path to increase its power projection, anti-access and area denial and operations in cyberspace, space and electromagnetic emerging domains, the deputy assistant secretary of defense for East Asia told Pentagon reporters today.
• Polish Security Services Kept Defense Minister Under Surveillance - Reports Sputnik 13 May 2016 -- Polish special services under the country's previous government carried out surveillance on the country's Defense Minister Antoni Macierewicz, local media reported Friday citing a high-ranking government source.
• Blame Game: Pakistan Accuses India of Lobbying to Block F-16 Sale Sputnik 13 May 2016 -- In the latest war of words between India and Pakistan, the latter has now accused India of lobbying to block the sale of F-16 fighter aircraft to Islamabad by the US.
• United Arab Emirates-AGM-114 R/K Hellfire Category III Missiles DSCA 13 May 2016 -- The State Department has made a determination approving a possible Foreign Military Sale to the United Arab Emirates for AGM-114 R/K Hellfire Category III Missiles and equipment, training, and support. The estimated cost is $476 million. The Defense Security Cooperation Agency delivered the required certification notifying Congress of this possible sale on May 11, 2016.
• Egypt - UGM-84L Harpoon Block II Encapsulated Missiles DSCA 13 May 2016 -- The State Department has made a determination approving a possible Foreign Military Sale to Egypt for UGM-84L Harpoon Block II Encapsulated Missiles and equipment, training, and support. The estimated cost is $143 million. The Defense Security Cooperation Agency delivered the required certification notifying Congress of this possible sale on May 11, 2016.
• Press Briefing by Press Secretary Josh Earnest, 5/13/2016 The White House 13 May 2016
• May 13, 2016 - U.S. Department of State Daily Press Briefing US Dept. of State 13 May 2016

Defense Industry

• DoD News: Contracts for May 13, 2016

Other Conflicts

• 13 May 2016 - Daily Press Briefing by the Office of the Spokesperson for the Secretary-General United Nations 13 May 2016
• Manila declines Taipei invitation to visit disputed Spratlys island CNA 13 May 2016 -- The Philippines has officially declined to an invitation from Taiwan to visit Taiping Island in the disputed South China Sea, Taiwan's Ministry of Foreign Affairs said Friday, while rebutting Manila's argument that Taiping is a rock and not an island.
• Yemen on brink of humanitarian disaster, UN warns Press TV 13 May 2016 -- The UN has voiced alarm over an already dire food security situation in Yemen amid relentless Saudi attacks, saying the crisis could get much worse if it fails to receive more funding to address the issue.
• Flow of Foreign Fighters to Daesh Drops by 75% - Pentagon Sputnik 13 May 2016 -- The inflow of foreign militants willing to join Daesh has dropped by 75 percent, a Pentagon official said.
• US, Allies Closing Off Extremists' Gateway Into Syria, Carter Says VOA 13 May 2016 -- Closing the sole remaining area along the Syrian border where foreign fighters can enter and leave Islamic State-controlled territories is one of the top priorities of U.S.-led coalition forces, according to U.S. Secretary of Defense Ash Carter.
• Syria Faces Multiple Challenges as World Powers Convene VOA 13 May 2016 -- The U.S. and Russia will co-host a new round of talks on Syria's crisis next week to try to maintain a cease-fire and improve the delivery of aid, but the Syrian government's recent military advances may diminish the ability to restart political talks seen as the best hope for ending the war.
• IS Says It Executed Woman Who Spied for Russia VOA 13 May 2016 -- The Islamic State (IS) group has announced it executed a native of the North Caucasus, whom it accused of spying for the Russian intelligence services.
• Turkish Military Masses at Syria Border, but Why? VOA 13 May 2016 -- Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan has warned that the military could intervene in Syria to stop ongoing rocket attacks by so-called Islamic State group. But critics claim Erdogan's real priority for intervening would be to target Syrian Kurdish forces it accuses of being linked to the PKK. And experts warn any intervention would need cooperation from other countries or run the risk of military confrontation.
• Syria airstrike kills 16 Nusra leaders in Idlib: Monitor Press TV 13 May 2016 -- At least 16 senior members of the al-Qaeda-linked al-Nusra Front militant group have been killed in an airstrike in northwestern Syria, a monitor says.
• In Syria, head of UN agency for Palestine refugees calls for protection to be strengthened UN News 13 May 2016 -- The head of the United Nations relief agency charged with the well-being of Palestinian refugees across the Middle East has just completed a two-day visit to Syria where he met with Palestine refugees and called for their protection to be strengthened.
• Iraqi forces liberate two districts in Anbar Press TV 13 May 2016 -- Iraqi security forces, backed by fighters from pro-government tribal units, have fully liberated two districts in the conflict-ridden western province of Anbar from Takfiri Daesh terrorists.
• Iraqi Army Begins to 'Chip Away' Territory Near Fallujah - Pentagon Sputnik 13 May 2016 -- The Iraqi Security Forces have practically encircled the Daesh-occupied city of Fallujah, Operations Inherent Resolve spokesperson Col. Steve Warren said.
• Gunmen Kill at Least 12 at Iraq Cafe VOA 13 May 2016 -- At least 12 people were killed and 15 others wounded after gunmen attacked a popular cafe in a town north of Baghdad, Iraqi officials said Friday.
• US boots take position in Libya ahead of ISIL battle Press TV 13 May 2016 -- The United States has reportedly stationed some two dozen special operations troops to Libya prior to a possible military campaign against Daesh (ISIL) terrorists in the North African state.
• Eight Turkish soldiers killed in clashes with PKK, helicopter crash Press TV 13 May 2016 -- The Turkish military says at least eight soldiers have been killed in clashes with Kurdistan Workers' Party (PKK) militants and a helicopter crash in Turkey's southeast.
• Colombia: UN refugee agency urges civilian safety amid rising displacement in country's western region UN News 13 May 2016 -- Armed clashes between illegal groups fighting for territory in western Colombia are driving a growing number of mostly Afro-Caribbean and indigenous peoples from their homes in Chocó department, the United Nations refugee agency warned today, calling on all parties to the conflict to guarantee the safety of the civilian population.
• Security Council demands Boko Haram 'immediately' end all violence in Lake Chad Basin UN News 13 May 2016 -- Deeply concerned at the alarming scale of the humanitarian crisis caused by the activities of Boko Haram in the Lake Chad Basin region, the United Nations Security Council demanded that the group "immediately and unequivocally cease all violence and all abuses of human rights and violations of international humanitarian law."

News Reports

• Commander death bolsters Hezbollah anti-Israel resistance: Iran Press TV 13 May 2016 -- Iranian Foreign Minister Mohammad Javad Zarif says the death of Hezbollah's military chief will certainly stiffen the Lebanese resistance movement's determination to fight the Israeli regime and terrorism.
• Israel kills Hezbollah military commander Press TV 13 May 2016 -- An Israeli strike against the Syrian capital, Damascus, has claimed the life of a top military commander of the Lebanese Hezbollah resistance movement.
• Hezbollah probing nature of assassination Press TV 13 May 2016 -- Lebanon's Hezbollah movement says it is investigating to find out whether a blast which claimed the life of a top military commander was caused by an airstrike, missile attack or artillery.
• Top Hizballah Commander Killed In Syria RFE/RL 13 May 2016 -- A top Hizballah military commander has been killed in an explosion in Syria, dealing a blow to the Lebanese Shi'ite militant group and its support for the Syrian government.
• No US, Coalition Aircraft in Area Where Hezbollah Commander Was Killed Sputnik 13 May 2016 -- The White House spokesman said no US or coalition aircraft operated in the area where Hezbollah's top military commander was reportedly killed.
• Pentagon: Death of Hezbollah Leader in Syria Not Result of US Strike Sputnik 13 May 2016 -- According to Pentagon, Washington is not responsible for the death of a Hezbollah leader.
• Suspect in Hariri Killing Dies in Mysterious Damascus Blast VOA 13 May 2016 -- The man reputed to be Hezbollah's top military commander and a top suspect in the assassination of former Lebanese Prime Minister Rafik al Harri was killed in a blast near Damascus International Airport.
• US, China Warily Await Manila Leader's South Sea Stance VOA 13 May 2016 -- When the Philippines officially declares Davao City Mayor Rodrigo Duterte president, the international community will be watching closely as his administration navigates a geopolitical landscape where tensions between China and the United States are escalating.
• Economy Seen as Key to Kim Jong Un's Long-term Rule VOA 13 May 2016 -- This week North Korea's leader Kim Jong Un capped years of political maneuvers, purges and executions by assuming the post of party chairman, declaring it the start of the "Kim Jong Un era."
• Banks Still Wary Of Doing Business With Iran Despite U.S. Urging RFE/RL 13 May 2016 -- Some of the top European bankers who met with U.S. Secretary of State John Kerry to hear assurances that they can resume business with Iran still have no plans of doing so.
• Russia Spent $1.3 Bln on Vostochny Cosmodrome So Far Sputnik 13 May 2016 -- Russia has so far spent 84 billion rubles ($1.3 billion) on the construction of the Vostochny cosmodrome, Russian Deputy Prime Minister Dmitry Rogozin said Friday.
• China warns US to stop 'disturbing' Hong Kong Press TV 13 May 2016 -- China has accused US officials of trying to "disturb" Hong Kong through meddling in the city-state's affairs - a move that Beijing says would provoke its "bad reaction."
• Kremlin Calls Olympic Doping Charges 'Treacherous Slander' RFE/RL 13 May 2016 -- The Kremlin has rejected claims made by a former anti-doping official that dozens of Russian athletes - including more than a dozen medalists at the 2014 Winter Olympics - were part of a large-scale, state-run doping program.
• Turkey not very hopeful about EU refugee deal: Minister Press TV 13 May 2016 -- Turkish Minister of European Union Affairs Volkan Bozkir cast serious doubt Friday over the prospects of realizing a deal between Ankara and the EU on refugees, which would provide visa-free travel for Turks in Europe's borderless Schengen zone.
• Turkish Minister Urges EU to Find 'New Formula' to Solve Visa Deal Impasse Sputnik 13 May 2016 -- Brussels should seek a new approach to solve an impasse, emerged due to the lack of changes in the Turkish anti-terrorist legislation, Turkish EU Affairs Minister Volkan Bozkir said Friday.
• Uganda Defies ICC, Bashir Arrest Warrant VOA 13 May 2016 -- Sudanese President Omar al-Bashir returned home from Uganda late Thursday after attending President Yoweri Museveni's inauguration. Bashir is wanted by the International Criminal Court, and Uganda's failure to arrest him has sparked outrage.
• 'Paramount importance' for Lebanon to elect a president – UN envoy UN News 13 May 2016 -- A United Nations envoy for Lebanon reported to the Security Council today on how the current political paralysis, including the two-year presidential vacuum, is negatively impacting the country's ability to make vital decisions.
• Belarus: execution shows 'callous disdain' for international human rights law - UN experts UN News 13 May 2016 -- United Nations human rights experts today condemned Belarus' continued use of the death penalty following reports that a man whose complaint was before the UN Human Rights Committee (HRC) had been executed, despite a specific request from the Committee for a stay of execution.