Operations
Defense Policy / Programs
Defense Industry
Other Conflicts
News Reports

Current Operations

• OIF / OND / OEF / OIR / OFS Casualty Update 23 Jun 2016 [PDF]
• Department of Defense Press Briefing by Maj. Gen. Chalmers via Teleconference from Baghdad, Iraq DoD 23 Jun 2016 -- Presenter: British Army Maj. Gen. Doug Chalmers, deputy commander, strategy and sustainment, Combined Joint Task Force-Operation Inherent Resolve
• Military Strikes Continue Against ISIL Terrorists in Syria, Iraq AFPS 23 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.
• OIR General: Coalition Pressure Causing ISIL's 'Caliphate' to Unravel AFPS 23 Jun 2016 -- The significantly increased pressure that U.S.-led coalition and local forces are putting on the Islamic State of Iraq and the Levant's fighters is causing the terrorist group's "caliphate" to unravel and crumble, a senior Combined Joint Task Force-Operation Inherent Resolve official told reporters today.

Defense Policy / Programs

• North Korea test necessitates stronger US defense: Carter Press TV 23 Jun 2016 -- US Defense Secretary Ashton Carter says North Korea's latest launch of an intermediate-range ballistic missile raises the need for a strong missile program for all the allies of Washington in the region.
• Air Force announces KC-46A candidate bases AFNS 23 Jun 2016 -- Air Force officials announced fives bases as candidates for the next round of active duty-led KC-46A Pegasus basing on June 23.
• Minnesota guardsmen help secure skies above South Korea AFNS 23 Jun 2016 -- The Air National Guard is frequently called upon when U.S. Pacific Command needs additional assets to deliver rapid air capabilities in the Pacific region, and Airmen from the 148th Fighter Wing out of Duluth, Minnesota, are currently stepping up to that call.
• B-52s conclude Europe mission after supporting exercises, airshows AFNS 23 Jun 2016 -- After flying numerous sorties, multiple airshows and missions with NATO allies, two B-52H Stratofortresses headed home June 23 to Minot Air Force Base, North Dakota.
• Liaison officers keep communication flowing in Swift Response AFNS 23 Jun 2016 -- As exercise Swift Response 16 began phase II, with C-130J Super Hercules aircraft flying overhead and Soldiers operating on the ground, air mobility liaison officers kept effective communications flowing between both elements to ensure a successful exercise.
• USS Coronado Departs for Deployment NNS 23 Jun 2016 -- Littoral combat ship USS Coronado (LCS 4) departed Naval Base San Diego June 22 on an independent deployment to the Western Pacific.
• Naval War College, CJTF-HOA Collaborate to Strengthen Maritime Security NNS 23 Jun 2016 -- U.S. Naval War College (NWC) professors Larry McCabe and James Cook visited Combined Joint Task Force - Horn of Africa (CJTF-HOA), June 14-15, to facilitate a two-day seminar on issues important to the African continent.
• Ceremony caps off Baltic region exercise Saber Strike AFNS 23 Jun 2016 -- More than 200 NATO service members gathered June 21 at Tapa Training Base to close out Saber Strike 16, a multinational theater security cooperation exercise.
• Former U.S. Defense Officials Warn Of Russian Response To NATO Summit RFE/RL 23 Jun 2016 -- A former top U.S. Defense Department official has warned that the buildup of NATO troops in Eastern Europe, and Russia's own troop movements along its western borders, are deepening the risk of an accidental outbreak of war.
• NATO 'Refining' Baltic, Black Sea Presence, Seeks Bigger Mediterranean Role Sputnik 23 Jun 2016 -- NATO is "refining" its maritime presence in both the Black and the Baltic seas and is looking into ways of enhancing its role in the Mediterranean, NATO's Deputy Secretary-General Alexander Vershbow said Thursday.
• Deputy Secretary General addresses NATO's Warsaw Summit objectives in Lisbon NATO 23 Jun 2016 -- In a keynote speech at the Portuguese Parliament on Thursday (23 June 2016), NATO Deputy Secretary General Alexander Vershbow addressed key objectives for the Warsaw Summit, NATO's response to current security challenges and the significance the Alliance attaches to maritime security.
• Russia Working on Modernization of Mine System for Mi-9, Mi-17 Helicopters Sputnik 23 Jun 2016 -- Russian enterprises within the Techmash group are working on the modernization of the helicopter mine dispensing system for the Mil Mi-8 and Mi-17, the group's general director, Sergey Rusakov, said Thursday.
• Kim Jong Un Guides Test-fire of Hwasong-10 KCNA 23 Jun 2016 -- Kim Jong Un, chairman of the Workers' Party of Korea, first chairman of the National Defence Commission of the DPRK and supreme commander of the Korean People's Army, guided the test-fire of surface-to-surface medium long-range strategic ballistic rocket Hwasong-10.
• Demonstration of Invincible Might, Successful Rocket Test-fire KCNA 23 Jun 2016 -- People of the Democratic People's Republic of Korea are seized with great joy at the successful test-fire of new strategic weapon.
• Successful Test-fire of Hwasong-10 Pleases DPRK Citizens KCNA 23 Jun 2016 -- All the people in the DPRK are delighted at the news of its successful test-fire of surface-to-surface medium long-range strategic ballistic rocket Hwasong-10.
• FM Spokesman Assails U.S. for Instigating UN Secretary General to Send Letter to UNSC President KCNA 23 Jun 2016 -- A spokesman for the Foreign Ministry of the DPRK gave the following answer to a question raised by KCNA Thursday in connection with the fact that the U.S. let the UN secretary general forward a letter denying the DPRK's right to launch satellite to the president of the UN Security Council:
• DPRK announces successful test-launch of medium- and long-range strategic ballistic missile People's Daily 23 Jun 2016 -- The Democratic People's Republic of Korea (DPRK) on Thursday announced that it has successfully test-launched a surface-to-surface medium- and long-range strategic ballistic missile Hwasong-10 and the top leader Kim Jong Un watched the launch on the site, according to state media KCNA.
• UN convenes emergency meeting on North Korea missile launches Press TV 23 Jun 2016 -- The United Nations Security Council (UNSC) has held an emergency meeting on North Korea's latest missile launches, with the council's president suggesting that there has been unanimity among members in opposition to the tests.
• North Korea missiles can hit US Pacific bases: Kim Jong-un Press TV 23 Jun 2016 -- North Korean leader Kim Jong-un says Pyongyang's recently-tested medium-range missiles can target US military bases in the Pacific.
• Security Council strongly condemns DPRK's ballistic missile launches UN News 23 Jun 2016 -- The Security Council today strongly condemned the ballistic missile launches conducted by the Democratic People's Republic of Korea (DPRK) on 21 June, noting that these repeated acts are in grave violation of obligations under the relevant resolutions adopted by the 15-nation body.
• South Korean Military Commanders to Meet After North Ballistic Missile Test Sputnik 23 Jun 2016 -- South Korea is planning to hold a top military commanders' meeting to access the country's readiness to deal with North Korea's provocations, South Korean media report.
• What if the Liaoning aircraft carrier is the target of U.S. and Japanese submarines? People's Daily 23 Jun 2016 -- On June 18, an article on the website of the National Interest "The Ultimate Way to Sink an Aircraft Carrier" said that "…American and Japanese subs that will undoubtedly hound the Liaoning every time she leaves port, practicing to sink the carrier in the event of war."
• You have chosen the wrong opponent: People's Daily warns USA of the game of 'deterrence' against China People's Daily 23 Jun 2016 -- People's Daily strongly rebuked the U.S. for flexing of military might repeatedly in the South China Sea in an opinion piece published on the flagship newspaper on June 22. The article has sparked heated discussion among internet users around the world over U.S. foreign policies.
• India Wants More Frequent Military Drills in Southeast Asia Sputnik 23 Jun 2016 -- India's steadily growing engagement with South East Asian nations is not indicative of India's confrontational mood with China.
• India to Fast Track Critical Defense Deals Including S-400 Defense System Sputnik 23 Jun 2016 -- The Indian Defense Acquisition Council's upcoming meeting is expected to take a final review of a number of critical defense deals that have been in limbo due to a number of reasons.
• Israeli Air Force Wants 75 Fifth-Generation F-35 Jets From US Sputnik 23 Jun 2016 -- The Israeli Air Force (IAF) plans to buy 75 US-manufactured fifth-generation F-35 fighter jets to increase its capabilities in the Middle East, IAF Chief of Staff Brig. Gen. Tal Kalman said.
• Ukraine Looks to US for Anti-Drone Weapons, Radar Sputnik 23 Jun 2016 -- The Ukrainian military wants anti-drone weapons and other equipment, and is pushing for lethal military aid from the United States.
• June 23, 2016 - U.S. Department of State Daily Press Briefing US Dept. of State 23 Jun 2016
• Press Gaggle by Principal Deputy Press Secretary Eric Schultz en route San Francisco, CA, 6/23/2016 The White House 23 Jun 2016
• Press Call by Deputy National Security Advisor for Strategic Communications, Ben Rhodes; and the U.S. Chief Technology Officer, Megan Smith to Preview the Global Entrepreneurship Summit The White House 23 Jun 2016

Defense Industry

Other Conflicts

• 23 June 2016 - Daily Press Briefing by the Office of the Spokesperson for the Secretary-General United Nations 23 Jun 2016
• At peacebuilding body, UN deputy chief underlines core obligation to prevent conflict and sustain peace UN News 23 Jun 2016 -- Marking the tenth anniversary of the first meeting of the Peacebuilding Commission –which has become known as 'Peacekeeping Day' – United Nations Deputy Secretary-General Jan Eliasson today urged Member States, particularly those with membership in the Security Council, to make full use of the Commission and its role in preventing violent conflict.
• Indonesia president sails near waters claimed by China Press TV 23 Jun 2016 -- Indonesian President Joko Widodo has sailed on a warship near remote islands in the South China Sea that are claimed by regional powerhouse China.
• Washington warns Beijing over South China Sea 'provocations' Press TV 23 Jun 2016 -- The United States has once more warned China against taking "additional provocative actions" in the disputed waters of the South China Sea.
• Car bomb kills over a dozen Hadi loyalists in Yemen Press TV 23 Jun 2016 -- At least 13 forces loyal to Abd Rabbuh Mansur Hadi, Yemen's resigned president, have been killed after al-Qaeda militants blew up explosive-laden vehicles outside the southeastern port city of Mukalla.
• Getting Personal in the War vs. Islamic State VOA 23 Jun 2016 -- The U.S. is being urged to take a more sensitive and personalized approach to fighting the Islamic State terror group if it wants to replicate some of the success it has had on the physical battlefield in cyberspace.
• End of Islamic State Could Be Start of Larger Anti-Terror Fight VOA 22 Jun 2016 -- Slow, steady progress by U.S. and coalition backed forces against the Islamic State terror group in Iraq and Syria could mean little in the wider war against jihadist organizations bent on striking at the West.
• Syrian Arab Coalition Prepares to Seize Manbij in Syria AFPS 23 Jun 2016 -- Syrian Arab Coalition elements have consolidated their position around Manbij in Syria in anticipation of the next phase of operations to secure the city, according to a Combined Joint Task Force Operation Inherent Resolve news release today.
• Kurdish, Arab fighters engage Daesh inside Syria's Manbij Press TV 23 Jun 2016 -- An alliance of Kurdish and Arab forces has reportedly managed to enter Manbij in Syria's Aleppo Province weeks after encircling the Daesh-held city.
• Turkey, US kill 8 militants in northern Syria Press TV 23 Jun 2016 -- At least eight Daesh terrorists have reportedly been killed by Turkish artillery fire and US airstrikes in northern Syria.
• 'Medieval' sieges, barrel bombs are 'disgusting reality' in Syria - senior UN officials UN News 23 Jun 2016 -- The recent "stuttering momentum" in delivering humanitarian aid to Syria's besieged and hard-to-reach populations must be significantly expanded in the second half of 2016, the United Nations humanitarian chief told the Security Council today, warning that progress made to date was only "a trickle" of the country's overwhelming needs.
• US-backed Forces Clash With IS inside Syria's Manbij VOA 23 Jun 2016 -- U.S.-backed Syrian forces entered a Syrian town near the Turkish border that has been held by Islamic State (IS) militants for more than two years, after a three-week-long battle with the terror group around the town.
• Govt. forces make fresh gains against Daesh in northern Iraq Press TV 23 Jun 2016 -- Iraqi government forces have made new advances in the northern province of Nineveh in their latest push against the Takfiri Daesh terrorists, who are wreaking havoc in the Arab country.
• Iraqi Forces Aim at Crucial Airbase in Final Fight Against IS VOA 23 Jun 2016 -- Iraqi forces, backed by U.S. coalition airstrikes and Apache attack helicopters, began moving Wednesday toward the crucial al Qayyarah airfield south of Mosul.
• Fallujah Refugees Face Dire Straits in Camps VOA 23 Jun 2016 -- One lonely latrine stands on the dusty edge of an open pit – the only facility for 3,000 people recently escaped from Fallujah.
• Colombia, FARC Rebels Sign Cease-fire Agreement VOA 23 Jun 2016 -- The Colombian government and the leftist FARC rebels signed a cease-fire and disarmament deal Thursday, bringing Colombia a major step closer to ending more than 50 years of guerrilla warfare and terrorism
• Senior Officials on Colombia Peace Accord US Dept. of State 23 Jun 2016 -- Special Briefing by Senior Officials Via Teleconference
• Colombia Peace Process US Dept. of State 23 Jun 2016 -- Press Statement by John Kerry, Secretary of State
• In Havana, Ban hails Colombia ceasefire pact as example of peace with dignity UN News 23 Jun 2016 -- In Havana, Cuba, today to witness the signing of a bilateral ceasefire agreement and laying down of weapons between the Government of Colombia and the Revolutionary Armed Forces of Colombia-People's Army (FARC-EP), United Nations Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon underscored the importance of the historic event as an exemplary implementation of peace.
• Colombia government, FARC rebels reach peace deal after four years of talks Press TV 23 Jun 2016 -- The Colombian government and the FARC rebels in the country say they have reached a deal on a comprehensive ceasefire after four years of peace talks, marking an end to a half-century of bloodshed and guerrilla war.
• Nigeria Fighting Cuts Food, Aid Access VOA 23 Jun 2016 -- As many as six people are dying daily from disease and malnutrition at a northeastern Nigeria camp for people displaced by Boko Haram violence, Doctors Without Borders said.
• Nearly 200 IDPs die of starvation, dehydration in NE Nigeria camp: MSF Press TV 23 Jun 2016 -- Medical aid group Doctors Without Borders (MSF) says nearly 200 internally displaced persons (IDPs), including children, who had fled attacks by the Boko Haram terrorist group in northeast Nigeria, have lost their lives at a camp in the past month, citing the lack of food and dehydration.
• South Ossetia's Military to Be on Par With Russian Army Which Defended It Sputnik 23 Jun 2016 -- The modernization of South Ossetia's Armed Forces military equipment will be brought to the level of the Russian 58th Army, which played an important role in the 2008 Georgia-South Ossetia conflict, the president of the breakaway republic, Leonid Tibilov, told Sputnik.

News Reports

• Britain Votes in EU Referendum VOA 23 Jun 2016 -- Immigration, sovereignty, security and Britain's economic future were on the minds of voters casting the first ballots Thursday in Britain's historic referendum that by the end of the day will decide whether the country remains in the European Union.
• Korean People Vow to Take Revenge upon U.S. Imperialist Aggressors KCNA 23 Jun 2016 -- Meetings were held by working people's organizations on Thursday to vow to take revenge upon the U.S. aggressors with the approach of June 25, the day of struggle against U.S. imperialism.
• Russian Duma Drops Citizenship-Stripping Clause Ahead Of Antiterror Bill Vote RFE/RL 23 Jun 2016 -- Russian lawmakers, who are expected on June 24 to pass controversial antiterrorism legislation, have reportedly dropped the proposed bill's most contentious elements: a mechanism to strip certain Russians of their citizenship.
• Briefing by Foreign Ministry Spokesperson Maria Zakharova, Moscow, June 23, 2016 Russia Ministry of Foreign Affairs 23 Jun 2016
• Italy's Demand Delays Extension Of EU Sanctions Against Russia RFE/RL 23 Jun 2016 -- Italy has once again delayed an attempt to extend the European Union's economic sanctions against Russia, despite an accord reached by EU diplomats earlier in the week for sanctions to be prolonged by another six months.
• Moscow Warns U.S. Against Imposing Cold War-Style Restrictions On Russian Diplomats' Travel RFE/RL 23 Jun 2016 -- Russia's Foreign Ministry has warned Washington against imposing new rules on the movements of Russian diplomats in the United States, threatening that Moscow might institute similar restrictions.
• Putin's War On Europe RFE/RL 23 Jun 2016 -- The vibe at the St. Petersburg Economic Forum was distinctively different this year, with European Commission President Jean Claude Juncker, Italian Prime Minister Matteo Renzi, and former French President Nicolas Sarkozy making high-profile appearances.
• Myanmar Migrants in Thailand Rush Police, Greet Suu Kyi VOA 23 Jun 2016 -- Thousands of Myanmar migrants, eager to get a glimpse of Aung San Suu Kyi, overwhelmed police in a Thai coastal fishing center Thursday afternoon.
• U.S. Diplomat: Boeing Deal Shows It's 'Possible To Do Business With Iran' RFE/RL 23 Jun 2016 -- A U.S. official says a tentative deal between aerospace giant Boeing and Iran demonstrates that Tehran is open for business following the easing of sanctions under a nuclear agreement with world powers.
• Venezuelan Opposition Validates Enough Signatures to Oust Maduro Sputnik 23 Jun 2016 -- Venezuela's opposition says it has validated enough signatures on a petition to hold a national referendum on ousting President Nicolas Maduro.