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News Reports

Current Operations

• OIF / OND / OEF / OIR / OFS Casualty Update 20 May 2016 [PDF]
• Strikes Continue Against ISIL Terrorists in Syria, Iraq AFPS 20 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.
• Canada Opens Intelligence Center in Iraq to Boost Anti-Daesh Fight Sputnik 20 May 2016 -- The collected intelligence will be used for operational planning and force protection.
• 'Strong Commitment from NATO' in Afghanistan, Dunford Says AFPS 20 May 2016 -- After discussing the Resolute Support mission during the NATO's Military Committee/Chiefs of Defense session in Brussels this week, Joint Chiefs Chairman Marine Corps Gen. Joe Dunford said he detects among allied nations "a strong commitment to finish what they started" in Afghanistan.
• Foreign Ministers agree to sustain NATO-led mission in Afghanistan beyond 2016 NATO 20 May 2016 -- Foreign Ministers from the nations participating in Resolute Support agreed today (20 May 2016) to sustain the NATO-led mission in Afghanistan beyond 2016 in a sign of strong commitment to the stability of the country.
• NATO Vows to Continue Resolute Support Mission in Afghanistan Beyond 2016 Sputnik 20 May 2016 -- NATO foreign ministers agreed on Friday to continue the Resolute Support Mission (RSM) in Afghanistan past 2016, Secretary General Jens Stoltenberg said at a press conference on the heels of the ministerial meeting.
• Pakistan Rejects US Blame for Not Doing Enough to End Afghan War VOA 20 May 2016 -- Top officials in Pakistan have sharply reacted to U.S. accusations of not doing enough to help end the war in Afghanistan. They allege the blame stems from military "failures" the United States and its allies have suffered in the conflict, now in its 15th year.
• U.S. Military Aids EgyptAir Search, Rescue Operations AFPS 20 May 2016 -- U.S. European Command and the U.S. Navy's 6th Fleet are coordinating with officials in Greece in support of Egypt's search-and-rescue operations for EgyptAir Flight 804, which disappeared from radar screens while en route from Paris to Cairo yesterday.

Defense Policy / Programs

• US Navy Accepts Delivery of Future USS Zumwalt (DDG 1000) NNS 20 May 2016 -- The Navy accepted delivery of future USS Zumwalt (DDG 1000), the lead ship of the Navy's next-generation of multimission surface combatants, May 20.
• Future USS Zumwalt will have San Diego Homeport NNS 20 May 2016 -- The Navy announced today the future next-generation guided-missile destroyer USS Zumwalt (DDG 1000) is scheduled to be homeported at Naval Base San Diego following its commissioning in fall 2016. Zumwalt is scheduled to arrive in San Diego in late 2016.
• Navy to Christen Amphibious Transport Dock Ship Portland DoD 20 May 2016-- The Navy will christen the newest amphibious transport dock ship, USS Portland (LPD 27), Saturday, May 21 during a 10 a.m. CST ceremony at the Huntington Ingalls Industries (HII) shipyard in Pascagoula, Mississippi.
• Great Green Fleet to Visit Philippines NNS 20 May 2016 -- The USS John C. Stennis Strike Group (JCSSG) is scheduled to begin a routine port visit to the Philippines May 20 in Subic Bay and 21 May in Manila.
• Task Force Koana embarks from Okinawa USMC News 20 May 2016 -- Before any exercise or operational deployment there is always a rush of events happening to get the boat moving.
• NATO mulls deploying AWACS 'against Daesh' Press TV 20 May 2016 -- NATO weighs deploying sophisticated AWACS surveillance aircraft to Iraq and Syria to fight Daesh, but observers believe it is aimed at Russia which is carrying out airstrikes in support of the Syrian government.
• Dunford: NATO Military Chiefs Coalesce on Threats AFPS 20 May 2016 -- NATO cohesion was the big takeaway for the chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff as he left the alliance Military Committee meeting today.
• NATO Should Strengthen Bloc's East, South Flanks - Latvian Foreign Ministry Sputnik 20 May 2016 -- Latvian Foreign Minister Edgars Rinkevics and his Canadian counterpart Stephane Dion agreed on Friday that NATO should focus on strengthening of the military alliance's southern and eastern flanks, Latvian Foreign Ministry said in a statement.
• Largest Regional Special Forces Drills Wrap Up in Lithuania – Ministry Sputnik 20 May 2016 -- Largest special forces exercises in Eastern Europe concluded in Lithuania.
• Doorstep statements by NATO Secretary General Jens Stoltenberg and EU High Representative Federica Mogherini before the meeting of NATO Foreign Ministers on cooperation with the European Union NATO 20 May 2016 -- (As delivered)
• Russia bewildered by NATO meeting announcement Press TV 20 May 2016 -- Russia has censured NATO officials for an announcement that the military alliance is planning to hold a meeting with Moscow without seeking prior confirmation from the Russian side.
• Russia beefs up military presence in southwestern regions Press TV 20 May 2016 -- Russian Defense Minister Sergei Shoigu says his country has boosted its military presence in the country's southwest with "precision long-range weapons" to fend off developing threats.
• McCain: China Behaviour Warrants Exclusion From RIMPAC Maritime Exercises Sputnik 20 May 2016 -- John McCain said that the United States should not engage with China in the Rim of the Pacific (RIMPAC) military exercises due to Beijing's provocative behaviour.
• South China Sea patrol should be a regular move, military expert says People's Daily 20 May 2016 -- In order to cope with U.S. reconnaissance, which poses a challenge to China's sovereignty and national security, China should institute regular patrols in the South China Sea, said military expert Liang Fang in an interview with People's Daily Online.
• Ya'alon quits amid row with Netanyahu Press TV 20 May 2016 -- Moshe Ya'alon has officially resigned as Israel's minister of military affairs, citing "lack of trust" in Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, who has already offered the post to hawkish Avigdor Lieberman.
• What's Behind Lieberman's Return to Israeli Gov't as Defense Minister Sputnik 20 May 2016 -- Israeli Defense Minister Moshe Yaalon announced his resignation over "the lack of trust" in Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu's policies and is likely to be replaced by former Israeli Foreign Minister Avigdor Lieberman. In an interview with Sputnik, political analyst Ofer Zalzberg and Fatah member Abbas Zaki commented on the issue.
• New helicopter deal boosts UK's investment in military flying training to £2.8 billion UK MOD 20 May 2016-- A new contract worth around £1.1 billion has been awarded to UK industry to supply rotary wing training to the Armed Forces.
• Venezuela starts military drills to stave off 'foreign aggression' Press TV 20 May 2016 -- Venezuela has launched two-day military drills aimed at staving off what the government says are acts of foreign aggression against the Latin American country.
• Press Call on the Upcoming Trip to Vietnam and Japan The White House 20 May 2016

Defense Industry

• DoD News: Contracts for May 20, 2016

Other Conflicts

• 20 May 2016 - Daily Press Briefing by the Office of the Spokesperson for the Secretary-General United Nations 20 May 2016
• New president advocates joint development in disputed waters CNA 20 May 2016 -- Tsai Ing-wen (蔡英文), who was sworn in Friday to become Taiwan's first female president, has urged countries in sovereignty disputes in the East China Sea and South China Sea to set aside disputes and promote joint development.
• US rejects Russia's call for join airstrikes in Syria Press TV 20 May 2016 -- The United States has rejected a proposal by Russia to conduct joint airstrikes against Daesh terrorists in Syria from next week, but did not rule out the possibility of discussing ways to better monitor an existing ceasefire in the war-torn country.
• US Has No Agreement to Conduct Joint Airstrikes With Russia in Syria - DoS Sputnik 20 May 2016 -- The United States has no agreement to conduct joint airstrikes with the Russian military in Syria, US Department of State spokesperson John Kirby told Sputnik on Friday.
• US Not Planning Any Joint Operations With Russia to Liberate Raqqa Sputnik 20 May 2016 -- The US is not planning any joint operations with Russia to liberate the Syrian city of Raqqa from Daesh.
• Pentagon Rejects Joint Strikes With Russia VOA 20 May 2016 -- The Pentagon is dismissing a Russian proposal to carry out joint airstrikes against al Qaida-linked terrorists in Syria.
• FEATURE: Between protracted and emergency crises - a case study of the humanitarian funding conundrum in Sudan UN News 20 May 2016 -- One of the expected outcomes of the first World Humanitarian Summit (WHS), which will take place next week in Istanbul, Turkey, is a commitment from the international community to dedicate more resources to prevent and reduce human suffering.
• Russia Ready to Maintain Dialogue With Japan, Discuss Peace Treaty - Putin Sputnik 20 May 2016 -- Russia is ready and willing to maintain dialogue with Japan, including the discussion of the peace treaty, Russian President Vladimir Putin said Friday.

News Reports

• Full text of President Tsai's inaugural address CNA 20 May 2016 -- The following is the full text of President Tsai Ing-wen's (蔡英文) inaugural address as released by the Presidential Office Friday:
• Tsai Ing-wen sworn in as Taiwan's first female president CNA 20 May 2016 -- Tsai Ing-wen (蔡英文) of the Democratic Progressive Party (DPP) was inaugurated Friday as the Republic of China's first female president and only the second non-Kuomintang (KMT) leader in the country's history.
• Tsai's speech on cross-Straits ties offers "an incomplete answer sheet:" mainland official People's Daily 20 May 2016 -- The Chinese mainland's Taiwan affairs authority on Friday described remarks by Taiwan's new leader Tsai Ing-wen on relations across the Taiwan Straits as "an incomplete test answer."
• China warns Taiwan's new president against independence Press TV 20 May 2016 -- China warns Taiwan's new leader against seeking independence, saying peace would be "impossible" if she attempts to move away from the mainland.
• China Ties on Hold as New President Takes Office in Taiwan VOA 20 May 2016 -- Taiwan President Tsai Ing-wen, backed by a historically anti-China party, has taken office with pledges to seek peace with Beijing, but snubbed its demand for dialogue, setting the stage for at least a short-term pullback in relations after eight upbeat years.
• Taiwan's new president vows to continue cross-strait cooperation CNA 20 May 2016 -- Taiwan's new President Tsai Ing-wen (蔡英文) of the Democratic Progressive Party (DPP) pledged in her inaugural speech Friday that her administration will make efforts to maintain the existing mechanisms for dialogue and seek cooperation across the Taiwan Strait.
• Tsai says she 'respects' the fact of 1992 cross-strait talks CNA 20 May 2016 -- Taiwan's new president, Tsai Ing-wen (蔡英文) of the Democratic Progressive Party (DPP), said in her inaugural speech Friday that she "respects" the historical fact of the talks across the Taiwan Strait in 1992, when both sides arrived at "various joint acknowledgements and understandings."
• President extends greatest good will to China: spokesman CNA 20 May 2016 -- President Tsai Ing-wen (蔡英文) showed maximum flexibility and good will to China in her inauguration speech Friday, and her stance on cross-strait relations represented Taiwan's "greatest common denominator," Presidential Office spokesman Alex Huang (黃重諺) said.
• Taiwan will build lasting partnerships with its allies: president CNA 20 May 2016 -- Taiwan's new President Tsai Ing-wen (蔡英文) of the Democratic Progressive Party (DPP) pledged in her inaugural speech Friday that the country will continue to share its experience in economic development and develop lasting relations with its diplomatic allies.
• Tsai shows flexibility, good will on cross-strait ties: MAC CNA 20 May 2016 -- President Tsai Ing-wen (蔡英文) showed maximum flexibility and good will on cross-Taiwan Strait ties based on the existing reality in her inaugural address, the Mainland Affairs Council (MAC) said Friday.
• KMT laments Tsai's failure to recognize '92 consensus' CNA 20 May 2016 -- The Kuomintang (KMT) on Friday congratulated Tsai Ing-wen (蔡英文) on becoming president of the Republic of China (Taiwan) but lamented her failure to recognize the "1992 consensus" as the political basis for the future development of ties with China.
• Beijing describes Tsai's speech as 'incomplete test paper' CNA 20 May 2016 -- China has expressed its dissatisfaction with the inauguration speech of Taiwan's new president Tsai Ing-wen on Friday, describing it as an "incomplete test paper."
• U.S. House passes amendment to invite Taiwan to RIMPAC CNA 20 May 2016 -- The U.S. House of Representatives on Wednesday passed the U.S. military budget for 2017, with an amendment that directs the U.S. secretary of defense to grant Taiwan observer status in the Rim of the Pacific Exercise (RIMPAC).
• Turkey parliament adopts first clause of bill on MPs' immunity Press TV 20 May 2016 -- Turkey's parliament has approved a government-backed bill which would strip lawmakers of their immunity from prosecution in a move which critics say targets Kurds and dissidents.
• Turkish Decision to Lift Parliamentary Immunity Sputnik 20 May 2016 -- Senior EU officials are concerned by Turkish parliament's decision to allow the lifting of parliamentary immunity of a large number of lawmakers, the EU foreign office said in a statement on Friday.
• Turkey opposition to challenge bill on lifting MPs immunity Press TV 20 May 2016 -- Turkey's pro-Kurdish opposition has criticized as undemocratic a decision by the parliament to lift immunity of lawmakers, vowing to challenge it at the country's top court.
• Turkish Parliament Approves Amendment Stripping MPs' Immunity VOA 20 May 2016 -- Turkish lawmakers on Friday voted by the required two-thirds majority to pass a constitutional amendment that removes immunity for 138 deputies facing criminal investigation.
• Turkey's Pro-Kurdish Party to Appeal Law Stripping Lawmakers of Immunity Sputnik 20 May 2016 -- The pro-Kurdish Peoples' Democratic Party of Turkey is due to appeal a law stripping the country's lawmakers of immunity from prosecution, the party's co-chair said Friday.
• Erdogan: Adoption of Bill to Strip Lawmakers of Immunity 'Historic' Sputnik 20 May 2016 -- By allowing the removal of lawmakers' immunity, the Turkish parliament has made a decision that has "historic" significance for the country, Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan said Friday.
• Iran Still Isolated From Global Financial System Despite Nuclear Deal Sputnik 20 May 2016 -- Iran is still experiencing difficulties with rejoining the international financial system due to the West's failure to comply with commitments under the nuclear deal reached with Tehran in 2015, Iran's Central Bank head Valiollah Seif said.
• Seoul Rejects Pyongyang's Offer of Military Talks, Demands Denuclearization Sputnik 20 May 2016 -- The South Korean Defense Ministry rejected on Friday a proposal by the North to hold inter-Korean military talks, instead demanding real steps toward denuclearization from Pyongyang.
• Iraqi premier calls for unity, warns against chaos Press TV 20 May 2016 -- Iraqi Prime Minister Haider al-Abadi has called on the nation to set aside political differences and unite against the Daesh Takfiri terrorist group, which is wreaking havoc in parts of Iraq, saying bringing chaos is not in the interest of the country.
• Clashes erupt in Baghdad reform protest Press TV 20 May 2016 -- Clashes have erupted in the Iraqi capital Baghdad as a fresh wave of reform protests called by a respected cleric turns violent.
• Angry Protesters Storm Into Baghdad's Green Zone Again RFE/RL 20 May 2016 -- Iraqi security forces have fired tear gas and live bullets at protesters who stormed into Baghdad's heavily fortified Green Zone.
• Baghdad Protests Turn Violent at Green Zone VOA 20 May 2016 -- Anti-government protesters appear to have broken into the International Zone of Baghdad, the seat of the Iraqi government, where most foreign embassies are located.
• Pakistani police kill 14 al-Qaeda militants in shootouts in Punjab Press TV 20 May 2016 -- Pakistani authorities say the country's police have killed 14 al-Qaeda militants in two separate shootouts in the central province of Punjab.
• Paris Attacks Suspect Refuses to Speak VOA 20 May 2016 -- Top Paris attacks suspect Salah Abdeslam refused to talk during his first appearance before judges at a court in Paris Friday. A French citizen who grew up in Belgium, Abdeslam is charged with terrorism and murder for the November attacks in the French capital that killed 130 people.
• Ecuador: month after quake, humanitarian needs acute; many without roof over heads - UN UN News 20 May 2016 -- One month after the 7.8-magnitude earthquake that claimed the lives of over 650 people in north-western Ecuador, humanitarian needs remain acute there, as 73,000 people have been displaced, 15,000 people have lost their identity documents, and 17,000 refugees and asylum-seekers, mostly from Colombia, who lived in the stricken areas were also affected, the United Nations refugee agency said today.
• Sudan Seeks US Visa for President al-Bashir VOA 20 May 2016 -- The Sudan government hopes the Obama administration will grant a visa to President Omar al-Bashir to attend this year's United Nations General Assembly in New York.