Operations
Defense Policy / Programs
Defense Industry
Other Conflicts
News Reports

Current Operations

• OIF / OND / OEF / OIR / OFS Casualty Update 02 Jun 2016 [PDF]
• Counter-ISIL Strikes Target Terrorists in Syria, Iraq AFPS 02 Jun 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.
• Update: air strikes against Daesh UK MOD 02 Jun 2016 -- British forces have continued to conduct air operations in the fight against Daesh
• Britain helps train record number of Afghan Army officers UK MOD 02 Jun 2016 -- The Afghan National Army Officer Academy (ANAOA) has now trained over 1,300 Afghan officer graduates, the Defence Secretary has announced.
• Afghanistan: UN mission concerned by civilian abductions and hostage-taking UN News 02 Jun 2016 -- The United Nations Assistance Mission in Afghanistan (UNAMA) today said it is deeply concerned by the spate of abductions, hostage-taking and summary executions carried out in recent days against passengers travelling in civilian vehicles.
• Karzai Says Taliban Leader's Killing Has 'Hurt' Chances For Afghan Peace RFE/RL 02 Jun 2016 -- Former Afghan President Hamid Karzai says the killing of Taliban leader Mullah Akhtar Mansur in a U.S. drone strike has damaged the prospects of a negotiated peace settlement with the militant group.

Defense Policy / Programs

• Media Availability with Secretary Carter En Route to the Shangri-La Dialogue DoD 02 Jun 2016 -- Presenter: Secretary of Defense Ash Carter
• Skinny Dragons 2016: El Salvador Detachment NNS 02 Jun 2016 -- The "Skinny Dragons" of Patrol Squadron (VP) 4 are conducting 2016 deployment operations after performing upgrades and completing personnel qualifications, resulting in 12 combat-ready aircrews and an adept maintenance department prepared for the squadron's multi-site deployment.
• Japan Training Squadron visits Pearl Harbor on Round-the-World Deployment NNS 02 Jun 2016 -- A Japan Maritime Self Defense Force (JMSDF) training squadron composed of three ships began a three-day port visit at Naval Station Pearl Harbor June 1, as part of a round-the-world deployment to 16 ports in 13 countries.
• Thunderbird F-16 crashes after Academy graduation; pilot unhurt AFNS 02 Jun 2016 -- One of the U.S. Air Force Thunderbirds crash landed June 2 in a field near Colorado Springs, Colorado, following the U.S. Air Force Academy commencement, which was attended by President Barack Obama.
• Total force integration significant in KC-46 support AFNS 02 Jun 2016 -- When the Air Force and Boeing launched the KC-46 Pegasus program, the 412th Test Wing was tagged as one of the prime players in testing and validation of the aircraft.
• "Kings of Fury" unleash Spartan Fury USMC News 02 Jun 2016 -- Marines with 1st Battalion, 12th Marine Regiment's, "Kings of Battles," conducted live-fire sustainment training during Spartan Fury, an annual pre-deployment exercise, aboard the Schofield Range Facility on May 4th, 2016.
• USS Dwight D. Eisenhower Carrier Strike Group Departs on Great Green Fleet Deployment NNS 02 Jun 2016 -- About 7,000 Sailors attached to Carrier Strike Group (CSG) 10 departed Naval Station Norfolk Wednesday, June 1, on a regularly-scheduled deployment. The IKE CSG is deploying to relieve the Harry S. Truman Strike Group supporting air strikes against ISIL and conducting maritime security cooperation operations in the U.S. 5th and 6th Fleet areas of operations.
• Stout Completes Multinational Search and Rescue Exercise Argonaut NNS 02 Jun 2016 -- The Arleigh Burke-class guided-missile destroyer USS Stout (DDG 55) completed the multinational search and rescue exercise Argonaut May 31.
• U.S., Philippine, and Royal Malaysian Navies Sharpen Coordination Skills during Multilateral Sulu Sea Training NNS 02 Jun 2016 -- The U.S., Philippine, and Malaysian navies are scheduled to conduct a coordinated multilateral training activity in the Sulu Sea, June 4.
• Mount Whitney in Estonia for BALTOPS Kickoff NNS 02 Jun 2016 -- Amphibious command ship USS Mount Whitney (LCC 20) arrived in Tallinn, Estonia June 2.
• Future USS Delbert D. Black (DDG 119) Keel Authenticated NNS 02 Jun 2016 -- The keel of the future USS Delbert D. Black (DDG 119) was ceremoniously laid at the Huntington Ingalls Industries (HII) shipyard June 1.
• Southcom Commander: Illicit Networks Are Region's Greatest Security Challenge AFPS 02 Jun 2016 -- In Latin America and the Caribbean the biggest security challenge confronting the United States comes from illicit networks used by criminals and terrorists, U.S. Southern Command commander Navy Adm. Kurt W. Tidd said yesterday during a media roundtable at the Pentagon.
• NATO Secretary General congratulates Germany for contributions to Alliance security NATO 02 Jun 2016 -- Visiting Berlin on Wednesday (2 June) NATO Secretary General Jens Stoltenberg said that Germany is "at the heart of Europe and of the NATO Alliance". Speaking with the media in a joint press conference with Chancellor Merkel, Mr. Stoltenberg said that Germany makes "outstanding contributions" to NATO operations in Afghanistan and Kosovo.
• Background Briefing Previewing Secretary Kerry's Visit to Paris US Dept. of State 02 Jun 2016 -- Special Briefing, Office of the Spokesperson, Senior State Department Official
• June 2, 2016 - U.S. Department of State Daily Press Briefing US Dept. of State 02 Jun 2016
• Press Gaggle by the Press Secretary en route Andrews Air Force Base The White House 02 Jun 2016

Defense Industry

• DoD News: Contracts for June 02, 2016

Other Conflicts

• 2 June 2016 - Daily Press Briefing by the Office of the Spokesperson for the Secretary-General United Nations 02 Jun 2016
• Shock at the Scale of Grave Violations Committed Against Children in 2015 Office of the Special Representative of the Secretary-General for Children and Armed Conflict 02 Jun 2016 -- In his Annual report on children and armed conflict covering the year 2015, the UN Secretary-General expressed his shock at the scale of grave violations committed against children in countries such as Afghanistan, Iraq, Somalia, South Sudan, Syria and Yemen.
• 'Justice may be delayed, but not denied,' Security Council told at debate on sexual violence in conflict UN News 02 Jun 2016 -- At a Security Council debate today on sexual violence in conflict, senior United Nations officials stressed that in the past decade, the world has witnessed a fundamental shift in the way the issue is understood and addressed as a peace and security concern.
• Droughts and persisting conflicts exacerbate global food needs – UN agency UN News 02 Jun 2016 -- Droughts linked to El Niño and civil conflicts have pushed the number of countries currently in need of external food assistance up to 37 from 34 in March, a new report by the United Nations Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) has found.
• IS Forces Under Assault In Iraq's Fallujah, Key Syrian Town RFE/RL 02 Jun 2016 -- Iraqi government forces have slowed their advance on the major city of Fallujah, held by Islamic State (IS) fighters, as U.S.-backed Kurdish and Arab fighters opened a major new offensive against the extremist militants in northern Syria.
• UN advisor foresees more humanitarian deliveries this month to besieged areas in Syria UN News 02 Jun 2016 -- United Nations Senior Advisor Jan Egeland said today there are plans to go to 11 besieged areas in Syria in the next few days, following the delivery yesterday of humanitarian supplies in the city of Darayya for the first time since it was besieged in 2012.
• Sanctioned Syrian Official Slams 'Tinned Food and Macaroni' Humanitarian Aid VOA 02 Jun 2016 -- A key adviser to Syrian President Bashar al-Assad rejected the need for urgent humanitarian aid for some besieged areas in Syria, while at the same time accusing the U.S. and its allies of keeping the country and the region mired in war.
• Top relief official says UN and partners doing 'everything they can' for people in Fallujah UN News 02 Jun 2016 -- Expressing his deep concern at the plight of civilians trapped in the besieged Iraqi city of Fallujah in Iraq, the most senior United Nations relief official today underlined that the Organization and its partners are doing everything they can to scale up humanitarian assistance.
• Iraq: despite hundreds killed in May, UN says will of civilians 'remains unshaken' UN News 02 Jun 2016 -- A total of 867 Iraqis were killed and another 1,459 were injured in acts of terrorism, violence and armed conflict in Iraq in May 2016, according to casualty figures recorded by the United Nations Assistance Mission for Iraq (UNAMI).
• Looking beyond 'quick-fix' solutions, UN agencies help South Sudan refugees become self-sufficient UN News 02 Jun 2016 -- Two United Nations agencies have joined forces to distribute seeds and agricultural tools to 200,000 refugees and their host communities across South Sudan, helping them become more self-sufficient in a country facing a serious food crisis.
• President Kiir, Former Rebel Leader Machar Meet But Don't Resolve Disputes VOA 02 Jun 2016 -- South Sudan's President Salva Kiir, First Vice President and former rebel leader Riek Machar, and Vice President James Wani Igga met this week to talk about the remaining stumbling blocks impeding full implementation of the peace agreement.
• New Tactics, Same Goals as Nigeria Oil Insurgency Intensifies VOA 02 Jun 2016 -- First, it was the Movement for the Emancipation of the Niger Delta. Now, it's the Niger Delta Avengers.

News Reports

• US Sees Islamic State Group Spreading its Tentacles VOA 02 Jun 2016 -- The global terrorism threat is becoming increasingly decentralized with groups such as Islamic State spreading tentacles into regions including Southeast Asia, Russia's North Caucasus and Africa, the State Department said in its annual report on terrorism.
• German Lawmakers Recognize Ottoman Killings Of Armenians As A Genocide RFE/RL 02 Jun 2016 -- Germany's lower house of parliament has approved a resolution recognizing the mass killings of Armenians during World War I by Ottoman forces as a "genocide," unleashing a furious reaction from Ottoman successor state Turkey.
• Germany Recognizes Armenian Genocide, Drawing Turkey's Ire VOA 02 Jun 2016 -- German lawmakers voted overwhelmingly Thursday to recognize the World War I-era killings of Armenians by Ottoman Turks as genocide, triggering an angry reaction from Ankara.
• How Long Can US Mask Disagreements With Turkey? VOA 02 Jun 2016 -- For months the U.S. has sought to keep up appearances when it comes to relations with Turkey, striving to downplay disputes with Ankara and to mask discord. But a dispute over the best way to defeat the Islamic State terror group is exposing how much at cross-purposes the two countries are – risking longer-term harm to the U.S.-Turkish strategic alliance, say analysts.
• Venezuelan Political Strategist Granted Asylum in US VOA 02 Jun 2016 -- A Venezuelan political strategist has been granted asylum in the U.S., Colombian media reported Tuesday.
• Hillary Clinton's Speech on Donald Trump and National Security Hillary Clinton 02 Jun 2016
• Clinton Says Electing Trump Would Be 'Historic Mistake' RFE/RL 02 Jun 2016 -- In a searing indictment of her Republican rival, Democratic presidential front-runner Hillary Clinton said Donald Trump is "unfit" for the White House and holds foreign policy ideas that are "dangerously incoherent."
• Briefing by Foreign Ministry Spokesperson Maria Zakharova, Moscow, June 2, 2016 Russia Ministry of Foreign Affairs 02 Jun 2016
• Commission adopts Rule of Law Opinion on the situation in Poland European Commission 02 Jun 2016 -- The European Commission has today adopted an Opinion concerning the rule of law in Poland.
• Commission Opinion on the Rule of Law in Poland and the Rule of Law Framework: Questions & Answers European Commission 02 Jun 2016 -- The European Commission has today adopted an Opinion concerning the rule of law in Poland.
• China FM Scolds Journalist for Asking Human Rights Question VOA 02 Jun 2016 -- It is no secret China's communist leaders do not like having their human rights credentials questioned, but based on a response from Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi in Canada Wednesday, it apparently is a topic that should not be brought up.
• China Remains Afghanistan's Hope for a Secure Future VOA 02 Jun 2016 -- When Afghan President Ashraf Ghani took over in late 2014 and talk of peace and reconciliation with the Taliban gained momentum, skeptics derived hope from China's newfound interest in the process.
• UN chief: Haiti can 'ill afford' prolonged period of transitional governance UN News 02 Jun 2016 -- United Nations Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon, taking note of the release of the report on the verification of the electoral process in Haiti, has underlined that Haiti can "ill afford" a prolonged period of transitional governance.