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News Reports

Current Operations

• OIF / OND / OEF / OIR / OFS Casualty Update 31 May 2016 [PDF]
• Coalition Strikes Target ISIL Terrorists in Syria, Iraq AFPS 31 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.
• 118 militants killed in southern Afghan province in 3 days: official People's Daily 31 May 2016 -- More than 100 armed militants have been killed in Taliban stronghold the southern Helmand province and scores of others injured over the past three days as fierce fighting has been continuing in parts of the restive province, provincial governor Hayatullah Hayat said on Tuesday.
• Taliban militants kill 16 civilians in Afghanistan's Kunduz Press TV 31 May 2016 -- At least 16 passengers of a number of buses have been killed by militants affiliated with the Taliban in northern Afghanistan, local officials say.
• Amnesty International: Afghan IDP Problem Grows Despite Government Promises RFE/RL 31 May 2016 -- The number of Afghans forced to flee conflict and relocate inside their own country has more than doubled in the past three years, to 1.2 million people, according to Amnesty International.
• Dramatic Rise in Number of Afghans Displaced by Conflict VOA 31 May 2016 -- The number of Afghans who have fled violence and remain trapped in their own country has doubled over the past three years, says a new report by Amnesty International.

Defense Policy / Programs

• AF releases Air Superiority 2030 Flight Plan AFNS 31 May 2016 -- The Air Force released a flight plan directing development activity as a result of a yearlong study focused on developing capability options to ensure joint force air superiority in 2030 and beyond.
• Media Availability with Secretary Carter at Fort Hauchuca, Arizona DoD 31 May 2016 -- Presenter: Secretary of Defense Ash Carter
• Remarks by Secretary Carter at a Troop Event at Fort Huachuca, Arizona DoD 31 May 2016 -- Presenter: Secretary of Defense Ash Carter
• Harpers Ferry Helps Solidify U.S. Relationship with Jordan NNS 31 May 2016 -- During the month of May, around 3,000 U.S. military personnel who represent United States Central Command and its components, including the crew of dock landing ship USS Harpers Ferry (LSD 49), participated in exercise Eager Lion 16 with Jordanian Armed Forces.
• Great Green Fleet Departs Manila NNS 31 May 2016 -- John C. Stennis Strike Group (JCSSG) departed the Philippines after a port visit, May 28.
• US increasing air, naval maneuvers in Asia Pacific: Report Press TV 31 May 2016 -- The United States has dramatically increased its military maneuvers across the South China Sea over the past months, prompting angry protests from China and Russia who accuse Washington of fueling unrest in the Asia Pacific region.
• NATO Secretary General previews Warsaw Summit in speech at Warsaw University NATO 31 May 2016 -- On the second day of his visit to Poland (31 May 2016) the NATO Secretary General met with the Prime Minister Beata Szydło, Minister of Defence Antoni Macierewicz and with the Minister of Foreign Affairs Witold Waszczykowski to discuss NATO's response to a more challenging security environment and preparations for the Warsaw Summit.
• NATO plans to station rotating force near Russia border Press TV 31 May 2016 -- NATO has announced plans to station a rotating force near the border with Russia amid allegations made by members of the Western military alliance concerning the "potential threat" of Russian aggression.
• Polish Defense Minister Says NATO to Deploy 4 Battalions in Baltic States Sputnik 31 May 2016 -- NATO will deploy four battalions in Poland and Baltic states.
• Russian Navy Begins Transporting Supplies for Arctic Military Facilities Sputnik 31 May 2016 -- The Russian military has begun transporting materials to Arctic required to build a high-tech military infrastructure that is due to be completed by 2017, Northern Fleet press service head Vadim Serga said Tuesday.
• Russia's Black Sea Fleet Receives Last of 6 New Diesel-Electric Submarines Sputnik 31 May 2016 -- The last of six Varshavyanka-class (NATO reporting name Improved Kilo-class) diesel-electric powered submarines for the Russian Black Sea Fleet has been launched at the Admiralty Shipyards in St. Petersburg on Tuesday, a RIA Novosti correspondent reported.
• Russia's Pacific Fleet to Order 6 New Diesel-Electric Submarines - Official Sputnik 31 May 2016 -- The Russian Navy has made a final decision to order the construction of six Varshavyanka-class (NATO reporting name Improved Kilo-class) diesel-electic powered submarines for the Pacific Fleet, Deputy Navy Commander-in-Chief Vice Adm. Alexander Fedotenkov said Tuesday.
• Australia –SM-2 Block IIIB STANDARD Missiles DSCA 31 May 2016 -- The State Department has made a determination approving a possible Foreign Military Sale to Australia for SM-2 Block IIIB STANDARD missiles, equipment, and support. The estimated cost is $301 million. The Defense Security Cooperation Agency delivered the required certification notifying Congress of this possible sale on May 27, 2016.
• China 'to press US' on maritime issues People's Daily 31 May 2016 -- Beijing will pressure Washington over maritime issues during the upcoming annual Strategic and Economic Dialogue, as the United States' increasing military presence in the South China Sea is among China's major concerns, officials told China Daily.
• Massive Indian Ammo Dump Erupts in Giant Fireball, Inquiry Underway Sputnik 31 May 2016 -- A giant explosion and ensuing flames claimed the lives of 16 people at the largest Indian ammo dump in Pulgaon, located 115 km from Nagpur.
• First Indian-Made Training Aircraft Completes Successful Flight Sputnik 31 May 2016 -- The indigenously developed HTT-40 basic trainer aircraft took off and landed smoothly at Bengaluru, marking a key milestone towards its delivery and use.
• Iran Navy to send 41st flotilla to high seas Press TV 31 May 2016 -- The 41st flotilla of the Iranian Navy plans to set off for high seas to safeguard maritime routes used by Iranian vessels operating in international waters.
• Ukrainian Army Acquired 36 New Types of Weapons, Equipment in 2 Years Sputnik 31 May 2016 -- Ukrainian Armed Forces acquired 36 new types of weapons and military equipment between 2014 and 2016, armed forces' chief of arms Col. Vladislav Shostak said Tuesday.
• May 31, 2016 - U.S. Department of State Daily Press Briefing US Dept. of State 31 May 2016
• Press Briefing by Press Secretary Josh Earnest, 5/31/2016 The White House 31 May 2016

Defense Industry

• DoD News: Contracts for May 31, 2016

Other Conflicts

• 31 May 2016 - Daily Press Briefing by the Office of the Spokesperson for the Secretary-General United Nations 31 May 2016
• Chinese coast guard vessels' patrol around Diaoyu islands thwarted by Japan, the media says People's Daily 31 May 2016 -- Four China's coast guard vessels patrolled the country's territorial waters surrounding the Diaoyu Islands but the fleet was warned and thwarted by Japan, according to a report on Huanqiu.com.
• Commentary: Asia-Pacific Rebalance, an unjust strategy that finds little support People's Daily 31 May 2016 -- During his recent visit to Vietnam and Japan, U.S. President Barack Obama has been advocating the Asia-Pacific Rebalance strategy, drawing wide attention from the international community. Some western media even applaud this kind of strategy, claiming that the U.S. is capable of building stronger alliance ties with countries that are China's concerns.
• Taiwan hopes to resolve Okinotori dispute in talks with Japan CNA 31 May 2016 -- The goal of upcoming maritime negotiations with Japan is to allow Taiwanese fishermen to fish in waters near Japan's Okinotori atoll, an official said Tuesday.
• Yemen's warring sides close to reaching major deal: Report Press TV 31 May 2016 -- The warring sides in the Yemeni conflict are close to reaching a major deal in Kuwait, where they have been negotiating for more than a month, a report says.
• Saudi Arabia Agrees on Ceasefire on Border With Yemen Sputnik 31 May 2016 -- Saudi Foreign Minister Adel Jubeir said Tuesday that Riyadh had reached an arrangement on a ceasefire at the Saudi-Yemeni border in order to provide access for humanitarian aid coming to the war torn country.
• Anti-IS Forces Advance on Iraq, Syria Militant Strongholds VOA 31 May 2016 -- Islamic State has come under fierce attack on three fronts stretching from Iraq to Syria.
• Syrian Observatory, Reuters spreading lies about airstrikes: Russia Press TV 31 May 2016 -- Russia has accused the so-called Syrian Observatory for Human Rights and the Reuters news agency of spreading lies about its involvement in a series of airstrikes is Syria's northwestern Idlib province.
• Senior UN relief officials express concern over Syrians trapped by fighting in northern Aleppo UN News 31 May 2016 -- Two United Nations humanitarian officials expressed deep concerned over the fate of an estimated 8,000 Syrians trapped by fighting around the towns of Mare'a and Sheikh Issa in northern Aleppo Governorate following advances in the past three days by the Islamic State in Iraq and the Levant (ISIL/Da'esh) into areas controlled by non-State armed groups.
• UN worried about Syrians trapped by fighting in northern Syria Press TV 31 May 2016 -- Two United Nations (UN) agencies have expressed concern about the situation of the thousands of Syrians trapped by fighting near the Turkish border.
• Syrian army cuts terrorists' supply line in Damascus suburb Press TV 31 May 2016 -- The Syrian army has cut a supply route used by terrorists in the Eastern Ghouta region of Damascus, wresting control of a nearby area in their push against foreign-backed militants.
• Airstrikes kill 'terrorists' in Idlib; Turkey cries foul Press TV 31 May 2016 -- Dozens of Takfiri militants have been killed and scores of others injured in airstrikes overnight in the Syrian city of Idlib, media reports say.
• Raqqa Offensive Brings Syrian Talks in Geneva to 'Deadlock' Sputnik 31 May 2016 -- After Syrian Kurds backed by the US and Russia launched an assault on Raqqa, the capital of the Daesh "caliphate" the Geneva peace talks have become at risk of disruption. However, Moscow and Washington are interested in the continuation of the negotiations.
• Tangled Syrian Conflict Getting Messier, More Sectarian VOA 31 May 2016 -- U.S.-backed Kurdish-led forces have expanded their operations west of Syria's Euphrates River, crossing a Turkish 'red line' and angering mainstream Sunni Arab rebels.
• Airstrikes Leave Dozens Dead in Syria's Idlib VOA 31 May 2016 -- Suspected Russian airstrikes pounded the rebel-held Syrian city of Idlib killing at least 50 people and leaving dozens more injured and trapped under rubble.
• Daesh commanders killed in Iraqi airstrike near Syria border Press TV 31 May 2016 -- Several top commanders of the Takfiri Daesh terrorist group have been killed along with a number of other militants an Iraqi aerial attack in the western province of Anbar, media reports say.
• Iraqi Army Advances Against Daesh Despite Suicide Bombers' Attacks Sputnik 31 May 2016 -- The Iraqi Army is continuing to advance in the fight against Daesh terrorists in the city of Fallujah despite attacks by suicide bombers and mine-laden vehicles, Iraqi Armed Forces spokesman Yahya Rasul told Sputnik on Tuesday.
• Thousands of desperate civilians on the run as battle for Fallujah continues - UN UN News 31 May 2016 -- Nearly 3,700 people, or 624 families, have fled Fallujah over the past week amid a new offensive by Iraqi forces to retake the besieged city from the Islamic State in Iraq and the Levant (ISIL/Da'esh), the United Nations said today, with humanitarian officials also reporting that those civilians left behind risk being used as 'human shields' by the terrorists.
• Civilian Casualties in Fierce Battle for Fallujah VOA 31 May 2016 -- Civilian casualties are beginning to mount as the battle for the Islamic State-held city of Fallujah intensifies.
• Leader of Western Sahara's Polisario dies after long illness Press TV 31 May 2016 -- Mohamed Abdelaziz the leader of the Polisario Front, the independence movement in the Western Sahara, has died after a long illness.
• Roadside bomb kills six soldiers in Egypt's Sinai Peninsula Press TV 31 May 2016 -- At least six soldiers have been killed in Egypt in a roadside bomb explosion that struck their armored vehicle in the North African country's volatile Sinai Peninsula, security and medical sources say.
• Kerry Heads to Paris in Hopes of Restarting Mideast Talks VOA 31 May 2016 -- With Israel's ultranationalist new Defense Minister Avigdor Lieberman saying he backs a two-state solution, analysts say the Paris ministerial meeting aimed at ending the Israeli-Palestinian conflict later this week may get Israel to "acquiesce somewhat" to move the peace process forward, despite low expectations of a breakthrough.
• UN envoy welcomes Israeli officials' comments on Arab Peace Initiative UN News 31 May 2016 -- The United Nations Special Coordinator for the Middle East Peace Process today welcomed statements by the Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and Defense Minister Avigdor Liberman on the Arab Peace Initiative.
• Ban says guilty verdict against former Chadian President marks 'historic' day for country's people UN News 31 May 2016 -- The verdict announced by a special court in Senegal on the conviction of the former President of Chad, Hissène Habré, of crimes against humanity sent "a strong signal" to those who perpetrate serious crimes of international concern, United Nations Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon has said.
• Chad: Two million people face hunger in Sahelian belt, UN agency warns UN News 31 May 2016 -- About two million people, or half the population, in the Sahelian belt of Chad face hunger and more than a quarter of them are in severe need of external assistance to meet their minimum daily food needs, the United Nations food relief agency said today.

News Reports

• EU's Juncker Says Russia Visit Is For Talks; No Letup In Sanctions RFE/RL 31 May 2016 -- European Commission President Jean-Claude Juncker says his planned trip to Russia next month is intended to maintain dialogue rather than signal a rethinking of European sanctions.
• Iran says ultracentrifuges in Switzerland standard ISNA 31 May 2016 -- A senior official of Atomic Energy Organization of Iran (AEOI) Ali-Asghar Zarea'an said Iranian ultra-centrifuge in Switzerland is standard.
• No heavy water for US without upfront payment: Iran's atomic agency ISNA 31 May 2016 -- The head of the Atomic Energy Organization of Iran (AEOI) says the delivery of the country's surplus heavy water to the United States is conditional on Washington making full payment in advance.
• Europe after 20 tons of Iran heavy water: AEOI chief Press TV 31 May 2016 -- The head of the Atomic Energy Organization of Iran (AEOI) says European countries have voiced readiness to buy 20 tons of heavy water from the Islamic Republic.
• No heavy water for US without upfront payment: Iran's atomic agency Press TV 31 May 2016 -- The head of the Atomic Energy Organization of Iran (AEOI) says the delivery of the country's surplus heavy water to the United States is conditional on Washington making full payment in advance.
• Larijani re-elected Iran's Tenth Majlis Speaker Press TV 31 May 2016 -- Ali Larijani has been re-elected as the speaker of Iran's Tenth Majlis (parliament) to serve in the post during the first year of the legislative body's four-year term.
• Second minister in new Brazil cabinet resigns after audio leaks Press TV 31 May 2016 -- In a new blow to Brazil's interim government, another minister has stepped down after the leak of a new audio tape that reveals him trying to disrupt a corruption investigation at the state oil company.
• Turkish government brands Gulen movement 'terrorist' Press TV 31 May 2016 -- The Turkish government has officially designated as a "terrorist" group a movement led by Fethullah Gulen, a US-based opponent of President Recep Tayyip Erdogan.
• Erdogan Notes Positive Dynamic in Restoration of Turkey-Israel Relations Sputnik 31 May 2016 -- The process of restoration of Turkish-Israeli relations is going in a positive way, Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan said Tuesday.
• Forced Cotton-Picking Earns Uzbekistan Shameful Spot In 'Slavery Index' RFE/RL 31 May 2016 -- A new report on global slavery ranks Uzbekistan and Pakistan among the five worst offenders in terms of the number of people forced into modern slavery.
• Death toll 'soars' among refugees and migrants crossing Mediterranean in 2016 - UN UN News 31 May 2016 -- At least 880 people appear to have died over the past week as their vessels either wrecked or capsized in the Mediterranean, bringing the total fatalities along the dangerous crossing route to 2,510 so far this year, the United Nations refugee agency said today.
• Nigerian Oil Production Falls as Militant Attacks Take Toll VOA 31 May 2016 -- Nigeria is Africa's oil king no more.