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News Reports

Current Operations

• OIF / OND / OEF / OIR / OFS Casualty Update 19 May 2016 [PDF]
• Counter-ISIL Strikes Hit Terrorists in Syria, Iraq AFPS 19 May 2016 -- U.S. and coalition military forces continued to attack Islamic State of Iraq and the Levant terrorists in Iraq and Syria yesterday, Combined Joint Task Force Operation Inherent Resolve officials reported today.
• Update: air strikes against Daesh UK MOD 19 May 2016 -- British forces have continued to conduct air operations in the fight against Daesh
• Dunford: U.S. Troops in Iraq Reinforce Success, Bolster Iraqi Actions AFPS 19 May 2016 -- People who say U.S. troop increases in Iraq are a "band-aid approach" or an incremental effort are missing the point, the chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff said today.
• 11 Civilians, Afghan General Killed by Roadside Bombs VOA 19 May 2016 -- Roadside bombs have killed 11 civilians and a top army commander in Afghanistan.
• Taliban capture district after peace deal with allies Press TV 19 May 2016 -- Taliban have captured a district in northern Afghanistan following several days of fighting even as the government signed a draft peace agreement with the militant group's allies.

Defense Policy / Programs

• Spokesman: Carter Has Concerns Over House Cut in Contingency Ops Funds AFPS 19 May 2016 -- Defense Secretary Ash Carter has deep concerns over proposals in the House version of the defense spending bill for fiscal year 2017 that cut the Overseas Contingency Operations fund that supports the warfighter, Pentagon Press Secretary Peter Cook told reporters today.
• U.S. House Backs Increase In Defense Spending For European Deployments RFE/RL 19 May 2016 -- The U.S. House of Representatives has passed a new $602 billion defense policy bill that backs increased spending for bolstered military deployments in Europe.
• US military campaign against Daesh costing nearly $12m daily Press TV 19 May 2016 -- The purported US military campaign against the Daesh (ISIL) terrorist group in Syria and Iraq has on average cost Washington $11.7 million per day ever since it started on August 8, 2014, a new Pentagon estimate shows.
• US House passes massive military budget, war fund Press TV 19 May 2016 -- The US House of Representatives, one of the two chambers in Congress, has passed a $610 billion military budget to fund Pentagon programs and US-led military conflicts.
• Department of Defense Press Briefing by Pentagon Press Secretary Peter Cook in the Pentagon Briefing Room DoD 19 May 2016 -- Presenter: Pentagon Press Secretary Peter Cook
• Bataan Trains with New Mark VI Patrol Boats NNS 19 May 2016 -- Coastal Riverine Squadron Four (CRS-4) conducted well deck operations with the Mark VI patrol boat for the first time aboard amphibious assault ship USS Bataan (LHD 5) May 15.
• Naval War College Overhauls Joint Military Operations Curriculum NNS 19 May 2016 -- Students in the Joint Military Operations department at U.S. Naval War College are getting more real-world experience through war gaming and operational-level planning beginning this trimester.
• Total force program aims to streamline KC-135 upkeep AFNS 19 May 2016 -- Active-duty and Reserve maintainers at McConnell Air Force Base have teamed up as part of a new total force integration program to improve maintenance on KC-135 Stratotankers.
• Work Hails U.S-Norway Ties, Expresses Concern About 'Revanchist' Russia AFPS 19 May 2016 -- The global security landscape is changing, with a "revanchist" and "resurgent" Russia posing a major concern, Deputy Defense Secretary Bob Work said here today.
• Keeping the B-1 airborne AFNS 19 May 2016
• Crew safe, investigation continues following B-52 crash in Guam AFNS 19 May 2016 -- A B-52H Stratofortress crashed at approximately 8:30 a.m. local time, May 18, on the flightline at Andersen Air Force Base. All seven aircrew members safely egressed the aircraft. No injuries were reported.
• USS Frank Cable Continues Training for Upcoming Deployment NNS 19 May 2016 -- Sailors and Military Sealift Command mariners assigned to submarine tender USS Frank Cable (AS 40) increased underway readiness by simulating emergency drills and running flight operations, May 17.
• US Calls Chinese Jet Intercept 'Dangerous Behavior' VOA 19 May 2016 -- The United States says Chinese jets exhibited "dangerous behavior" when they intercepted a U.S. military plane in international airspace Tuesday over the South China Sea.
• China urges US to stop close reconnaissance Press TV 19 May 2016 -- China has called on the US to stop close reconnaissance activities after the Pentagon said two Chinese fighter jets intercepted a US military aircraft over the South China Sea.
• China Demands US Halt Recon Flights Along Coast VOA 19 May 2016 -- China is demanding that Washington immediately cease close surveillance along the country's coast, following what the Pentagon described as an "unsafe" encounter between two Chinese fighter jets and a U.S. military plane.
• Beijing: Report probably concerns US close-in spy flight People's Daily 19 May 2016 -- The Ministry of National Defense said that what the US media reported as China's recent interception of US reconnaissance aircraft above the South China Sea "is probably concerning the close-in reconnaissance by US military aircraft against China".
• NATO Welcomes Montenegro; Russia Threatens Sanctions VOA 19 May 2016 -- NATO officially invited Montenegro to become its 29th member Thursday, angering Russia, which already is threatening sanctions against what it calls a "friendly country."
• NATO Chiefs Discuss Range of Issues at Military Committee Meeting AFPS 19 May 2016 -- NATO's chiefs of defense agreed that a flexible conditions-based plan is best for the alliance's Resolute Support Mission in Afghanistan, Gen. Petr Pavel of the Czech army, the chairman of the alliance's Military Committee, said here yesterday.
• Foreign Ministers agree NATO must do more to project stability in its neighbourhood NATO 19 May 2016 -- Foreign Ministers agreed on Thursday (19 May 2016) that NATO should do more to project stability beyond the Alliance's borders. While stressing that NATO must retain the ability to deploy combat forces when needed, Secretary General Jens Stoltenberg said "we must also do more to train up local forces, to secure their own territory, and push back against extremist groups." He underlined that such efforts are important for "preserving security here at home".
• NATO Foreign Ministers sign Accession Protocol with Montenegro NATO 19 May 2016 -- Today, NATO Foreign Ministers signed the Accession Protocol for Montenegro, marking a historic step in Montenegro's path to the Alliance. Speaking at a joint press conference with Montenegrin Prime Minister Djukanovic, Secretary General Jens Stoltenberg underlined that today's decision is "a clear sign that NATO's door remains open for partners that share and promote our values."
• NATO Member States Sign Montenegro Accession Protocol Sputnik 19 May 2016 -- Montenegro was granted an observer status of NATO after NATO member states' foreign ministers signed an accession protocol for Montenegro.
• NATO Foreign Ministers to set the stage for the Warsaw Summit NATO 19 May 2016 -- NATO Foreign Ministers are meeting in Brussels on Thursday (19 May 2016) to begin two days of talks on key issues, setting the stage for the Warsaw Summit in July. Today, Ministers will take a historic step by signing the Accession Protocol with Montenegro. "As of today, Montenegro will have a seat at NATO's table, taking part in all our meetings as an observer," said Secretary General Jens Stoltenberg. Ministers will also consider how best to project stability beyond NATO's borders, relations with Russia, the future of the Resolute Support Mission in Afghanistan, and stepping up cooperation with the European Union.
• NATO foreign ministers finalize measures against Russia Press TV 19 May 2016 -- NATO foreign ministers were finalizing on Thursday details of a massive military build-up in Eastern Europe aimed at Russia.
• Lithuania to Insist on Deploying NATO Forces in Country Sputnik 19 May 2016 -- Lithuania will insist on deploying NATO troops on its territory adding that it is the only argument against the forces trying to "make some mess" in the region.
• Background Briefing on Secretary Kerry's Participation in the NATO Foreign Ministerial Meeting US Dept. of State 19 May 2016
• Press Availability at NATO Headquarters US Dept. of State 19 May 2016 -- Press Availability by John Kerry, Secretary of State
• NATO Military Committee Rules Out Lethal Weapons Deliveries to Ukraine Sputnik 19 May 2016 -- Chairman of the NATO Military Committee Gen. Petr Pavel said that NATO's responsibility is to support Ukraine without fueling the internal conflict.
• Russian Lawmakers Back Putin's Move To Create National Guard RFE/RL 19 May 2016 -- Russian lawmakers gave tentative approval to forming a national guard, with some saying the Kremlin needs the new force as a tool against possible unrest.
• Good Morning Vietnam! Why the Russian Navy is Returning to Cam Ranh Bay Sputnik 19 May 2016 -- Vietnamese Ambassador to Russia Nguyen Thanh Sean says that his country is not opposed to the Russian Navy returning to the base in Cam Ranh Bay, on the condition that its presence is not directed against any third country. Will Russia take the opportunity to regain a foothold in Southeast Asia? Svobodnaya Pressa journalist Anton Mardasov explores.
• Russia to Build New Amphibious Assault Ship to Replace Mistral Sputnik 19 May 2016 -- Russian Deputy Defense Minister Yuri Borisov said that Russia plans to build amphibious assault ships for naval Kamov Ka-52K attack helicopters.
• Russian Defense Ministry to Become First Customer of New Mi-38 Helicopter Sputnik 19 May 2016 -- Russia's Defense Ministry will become the first costumer to purchase the Mil Mi-38 multirole helicopter.
• Russia to Renew Production of Mi-14 Nuclear-Capable Anti-Sub Helicopters Sputnik 19 May 2016 -- Russian Deputy Defense Minister Yuri Borisov said that ministry plans to renew the production of Mi-14 Haze nuclear-capable amphibious anti-submarine helicopters.
• Commander: IRGC's presence deters US Iran attack IRNA 19 May 2016 -- Rear Admiral Ali Fadavi, commander of the Islamic Revolution Guards Corps (IRGC) Navy, said the United States doesn't think of attacking Iran for the fear of a huge backlash to its interests.
  [Commander: IRGC's presence deters US Iran attack]
• Russia to deliver several S-300 divisions to Iran by year-end Press TV 19 May 2016 -- Russia says it will deliver several divisions of its S-300 air defense system to Iran by the end of 2016.
• Pakistan Reacts Strongly to Latest Indian Missile Tests VOA 19 May 2016 -- Pakistan reacted with "serious concerns" to archrival India's recent test-firing of an anti-ballistic missile system and nuclear-armed submarine-based missiles in the Indian Ocean.
• May 19, 2016 - U.S. Department of State Daily Press Briefing US Dept. of State 19 May 2016
• Press Briefing by Press Secretary Josh Earnest, 5/19/2016 The White House 19 May 2016

Defense Industry

• DoD News: Contracts for May 19, 2016

Other Conflicts

• 19 May 2016 - Daily Press Briefing by the Office of the Spokesperson for the Secretary-General United Nations 19 May 2016
• Peacekeeping 'flagship of the UN enterprise,' Ban says ahead of Day honouring 'blue helmets' UN News 19 May 2016 -- United Nations Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon today led an inaugural ceremony to award the "Captain Mbaye Diagne Medal for Exceptional Courage" as New York Headquarters observed the International Day of UN Peacekeepers.
• Houthis slam Saudi-backed delegation for suspending Yemen talks Press TV 19 May 2016 -- Yemen's Houthi Ansarullah movement has strongly criticized the Saudi-backed delegation for withdrawing from peace talks in Kuwait.
• Syria: credibility of peace talks at risk without renewed truce, aid access, UN envoy warns UN News 19 May 2016 -- Without improved humanitarian access and a restoration of Syria's cessation of hostilities, the credibility of the next round of peace talks would be in question, the United Nations envoy mediating the talks said today, vowing to take the "last resort" option of air drops if there is no improvement in access to besieged areas by the first of June.
• West backing terrorist groups to topple Assad: Russia official Press TV 19 May 2016 -- A senior Russian official says US-led Western governments have been using terrorism and militant groups to overthrow the government of President Bashar Assad in Syria.
• Syrian forces take control of key town near Damascus Press TV 19 May 2016 -- Syrian government forces, backed by Lebanese Hezbollah fighters, have retaken a strategic town near Damascus from foreign-backed Takfiri militants, a UK-based monitoring group says.
• UN: Cease-fire Needed So Syrian Peace Talks Can Resume VOA 19 May 2016 -- The U.N. special envoy for Syria, Staffan de Mistura, said no date for the resumption of suspended intra-Syrian peace talks will be fixed until the warring parties agree to a cessation of hostilities and allow humanitarian aid to enter besieged areas.
• 3000 Iraqis flee Mosul to Kurdish-held areas in Syria Press TV 19 May 2016 -- More than 3,000 Iraqis have fled Mosul to a refugee camp on the Syrian side of the border over the last week as fighting intensifies to retake the city from Daesh militants.
• U.S. Says Baghdad Bombings Signal Shift In Islamic State Tactics RFE/RL 19 May 2016 -- The bombings in Baghdad that killed hundreds in recent weeks signal a shift in the Islamic State (IS) extremist group's tactics as it suffers setbacks on the battlefield, U.S. officials say.
• Clearing One Iraqi City of IS Bombs Could Take Decades VOA 19 May 2016 -- It could take decades and millions of dollars before the Iraqi city of Ramadi can be deemed safe to live in, according to U.S. experts working to clear bombs planted by Islamic State.
• Helicopter may have been shot down: Turkish military Press TV 19 May 2016 -- The Turkish military says one of its helicopters that crashed last week may have been shot down with a ground-to-air projectile, probably even a missile.
• Five UN Chadian peacekeepers killed in northern Mali Press TV 19 May 2016 -- Militants have ambushed a convoy of United Nations peacekeepers in northern Mali, leaving five Chadian soldiers dead and injuring three others, UN sources say.
• Mali: Ban condemns attack on UN convoy that killed five peacekeepers UN News 19 May 2016 -- United Nations Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon has condemned yesterday's deadly attack that killed five peacekeepers and injured three others of the UN mission in Mali, his spokesman said in a statement.
• China to Deploy Almost 400 Peacekeeping Troops in Mali in May Sputnik 19 May 2016 -- China will deploy 395 peacekeeping troops in Mali under the auspices of the United Nations, local media reported Thursday.
• Nigerian President Vows Rescued 'Chibok Girl' Will Get Good Care VOA 19 May 2016 -- Nigeria's president pledged Thursday that his government would take care of Amina Ali, the first of the "Chibok girls" to be rescued from Boko Haram militants.
• Security Council concludes visit to Somalia; urges swift approval of electoral model UN News 19 May 2016 -- The United Nations Security Council concluded a one-day visit to Somalia today by reaffirming its solidarity with the country's people and Government and reiterating its calls to the federal parliament to legalize the 2016 electoral model as soon as possible.
• Egypt's Military Battling IS in Sinai, US General Says VOA 19 May 2016 -- Egypt's military is carrying out operations against Islamic State fighters in the Sinai Peninsula, according to the top U.S. general.

News Reports

• US Designates Daesh Branches in Libya, Yemen, Saudi Arabia as Terrorists Sputnik 19 May 2016 -- The Unites States has designated branches of the Islamic State (IS, or Daesh) in Libya, Saudi Arabia and Yemen as global terrorists and imposed sanctions on them, the US State Department announced in a release on Thursday.
• Terrorist Designations of ISIL-Yemen, ISIL-Saudi Arabia, and ISIL-Libya US Dept. of State 19 May 2016-- The Department of State has announced the designation of the Islamic State of Iraq and the Levant's (ISIL's) branch in Libya (ISIL-Libya) as a Foreign Terrorist Organization under section 219 of the Immigration and Nationality Act (INA).
• Turkey's ruling AKP nominates Yildirim as new premier Press TV 19 May 2016 -- Turkey's governing Justice and Development Party (AKP) has formally tapped Transport Minister Binali Yildirim as its sole candidate to be the party's new chairman and thereby automatically the next prime minister.
• Briefing by Foreign Ministry Spokesperson Maria Zakharova, Sochi, May 19, 2016 Russia Ministry of Foreign Affairs 19 May 2016
• The Monster Under The Kremlin RFE/RL 19 May 2016 -- If Boris Yeltsin's Russia often resembled a mafia masquerading as a country, it was a mafia run by a weak, feeble, and frequently inebriated godfather. This, of course, was a recipe for chaos, as it gave Yeltsin's capos and underbosses a lot of leeway, which they used with impunity. Putin, in contrast, sent a clear and early message to the underworld: the state is the biggest gang in town and all others are subordinate to it.
• JCPOA serves as model for resolving regional conflicts: Iran official Press TV 19 May 2016 -- A senior Iranian diplomat says the nuclear agreement reached between Tehran and the P5+1 group of countries last July can set an example for the resolution of conflicts in the region.
• US finalizing deal to buy Iran heavy water Press TV 19 May 2016 -- The US media have reported that the administration of President Barack Obama is moving to finalize a deal with Iran worth $8.6 million to buy heavy water from Iran.
• Rodong Sinmun Rebukes U.S. Accusations against DPRK's Satellites KCNA 19 May 2016 -- False stories about the DPRK's satellites are floating in the U.S. A national defence expert of the U.S. said there are two satellites of north Korea flying past the air over the U.S. mainland. He noted these satellites have likelihood of de-orbiting its course to directly strike the U.S. or emitting powerful electromagnetic wave capable of disrupting the state power grid when they blow up themselves in the air. The U.S. moves to cope with this are at a snail's pace, he added.
• China Official Leaves Hong Kong With Assurances of Autonomy VOA 19 May 2016 -- China's senior official in charge of Hong Kong affairs has ended his three-day visit to the former British colony with carefully timed assurances that Beijing will not seek to "mainlandize" the semi-autonomous territory or violate the one-country, two-systems formula that underpins the city's unique freedoms not found elsewhere in the country.
• Iraq's Sadr loyalists withdraw from Baghdad neighborhoods Press TV 19 May 2016 -- Fighters loyal to prominent Iraqi Shia cleric Moqtada al-Sadr have withdrawn from several neighborhoods across Baghdad where they were deployed following a spate of deadly bombings.
• Russia to Carry Out Four Commercial Launches From Vostochny Cosmodrome Sputnik 19 May 2016 -- Russia will conduct four commercial launches from the Vostochny space center in Russia's Far East in 2018, the director of Roscosmos state corporation's representative office at Vostochny said Thursday.
• U.S. asks Taiwan, China to show flexibility CNA 19 May 2016 -- Amid the upcoming power transition in Taiwan, the U.S. government has expressed hope that the two sides of the Taiwan Strait will continue to show flexibility in the maintenance of peace and stability.
• No reduction in Chinese military threat to Taiwan: deputy minister CNA 19 May 2016 -- China has not reduced its military threat to Taiwan, as evidenced by its continued deployment of missiles aimed at the island and ongoing training of military personnel, Hsu Pei-shan (許培山), deputy minister of National Defense, said Thursday.
• DRC Seeks Arrest of Presidential Challenger VOA 19 May 2016 -- The Democratic Republic of Congo's government has issued an arrest warrant for Moise Katumbi, an opposition leader planning a possible election challenge to President Joseph Kabila.
• DR Congo president's rival charged with hiring mercenaries Press TV 19 May 2016 -- The Democratic Republic of Congo's opposition leader and potential presidential candidate, Moise Katumbi, has been charged with hiring foreign mercenaries, a government spokesman says.