Operations
Defense Policy / Programs
Defense Industry
Other Conflicts
News Reports

Current Operations

• OIF / OND / OEF / OIR / OFS Casualty Update 30 Jun 2016 [PDF]
• Counter-ISIL Strikes Target Terrorists in Syria, Iraq AFPS 30 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.
• Presidential Envoy Reports Counter-ISIL Progress, Ongoing Terrorism Threat AFPS 30 Jun 2016 -- The U.S.-led multinational coalition is making progress in Iraq and Syria against the Islamic State of Iraq and the Levant and against its networks and affiliates, but an unprecedented terrorist challenge remains for nations everywhere, the presidential envoy for the global coalition to counter ISIL said June 28.
• Syrian Arab Coalition Aids Manbij Residents AFPS 30 Jun 2016 -- The Syrian Arab Coalition continues its efforts to liberate the Syrian city of Manbij from the Islamic State of Iraq and the Levant's control, according to a news release issued today by Combined Joint Task Force Operation Inherent Resolve officials.
• Update: air strikes against Daesh UK MOD 30 Jun 2016 -- British forces have continued to conduct air operations in the fight against Daesh
• UK steps up counter-Daesh training UK MOD 30 Jun 2016 -- Britain will increase its training support to Iraqi forces taking the fight to Daesh, the Defence Secretary has announced today.
• Taliban bomb attacks kill 27, injure 40 in Afghan capital Press TV 30 Jun 2016 -- Twin bomb attacks by the Taliban have targeted vehicles carrying police cadets on the western outskirts of the Afghan capital, Kabul, killing at least 27 people and injuring 40 others.
• UN mission in Afghanistan condemns Taliban attack on national police cadets UN News 30 Jun 2016 -- The top United Nations official in Afghanistan today condemned a suicide attack targeting national police in the country's capital, Kabul.
• Dozens Dead, Wounded in Suicide Attack on Afghan Police Convoy VOA 30 Jun 2016 -- Taliban suicide car bombers struck a police convoy in the Afghan capital, Kabul, Thursday, killing at nearly 40 security personnel and wounding scores of others.

Defense Policy / Programs

• Department of Defense Press Briefing by Adm. Richardson on the Results of the Investigation into the Seizure of Two Riverine Boats and the Detention of 10 U.S. Navy Personnel by Iranian Forces in the Pentagon Briefing Room DoD 30 Jun 2016 -- Presenter: Chief of Naval Operations Admiral John Richardson, Deputy Chief for Operations, Plans and Strategy Vice Admiral Chris Aquilino
• US Navy Accuses Iran of Violating Int'l Law by Seizing of US Vessels Sputnik 30 Jun 2016 -- US Admiral John Richardson said in a briefing on Thursday that Iran violated international law by seizing US navy vessels near Farsi Island and violated sovereign immunity by videotaping the boats' crewmembers.
• Report: US Sailors Detention by Iranian Forces 'Wholly Preventable' VOA 30 Jun 2016 -- The detention of 10 U.S. sailors by the Iranian Revolutionary Guard Corps earlier this year was "wholly preventable," according to the commander of naval forces in the Middle East.
• Navy Releases Results of Riverine Command Boat, Farsi Island Investigation NNS 30 Jun 2016 -- The Navy released the results of the investigation into the seizure of two riverine boats and the detention of 10 U.S. Navy personnel by Iranian forces today in a press conference at the Pentagon.
• Department of Defense Press Briefing by Secretary Carter on Transgender Service Policies in the Pentagon Briefing Room DoD 30 Jun 2016 -- Presenter: Secretary of Defense Ash Carter
• Transgender Service Members Can Now Serve Openly, Carter Announces AFPS 30 Jun 2016 -- Transgender service members in the U.S. military can now openly serve their country without fear of retribution, Defense Secretary Ash Carter announced today, a policy decision that overturns the ban on transgender service across all branches of service, effective immediately.
• Secretary of Defense Ash Carter Announces Policy for Transgender Service Members DoD 30 Jun 2016 -- Secretary of Defense Ash Carter today announced that transgender individuals will now be able to openly serve in the U.S. armed forces.
• Marine-RAF team bring lightning to United Kingdom USMC News 30 Jun 2016 -- Marines with Marine Operational Test and Evaluation Squadron One and a Royal Air Force pilot with Marine Fighter Attack Training Squadron 501 (VMFAT-501) successfully conducted the first ever trans-Atlantic flight of the F-35B Lightning II, July 29, 2016.
• After Istanbul Attack, Pentagon May Require 'Unaccompanied' Tours in Turkey Sputnik 30 Jun 2016 -- With rising security concerns in Turkey, the US military is taking steps to bar civilian staffers and military families from traveling to country.
• Small team ensures special tactics career fields grow with the best AFNS 30 Jun 2016 -- On the shores of the Emerald Coast, candidates from all walks of Air Force life approach the sand, covered in salt and grit, their uniforms soaked with seawater as the warm Florida sun beats down on their red faces.
• In Effort to Protect Armored Vehicles, US Army Turns to Foreign Technology Sputnik 30 Jun 2016 -- The US Army is looking to foreign technology to protect its armored vehicles against anti-tank missiles and rocket propelled grenades.
• Great Green Fleet Arrives at RIMPAC NNS 30 Jun 2016 -- The USS John C. Stennis Strike Group (JCSSG) arrived in Pearl Harbor, June 28-29 to participate in the Rim of the Pacific (RIMPAC) exercise.
• NATO Buildup on Russian Border Aimed at Military Parity Scrapping - Putin Sputnik 30 Jun 2016 -- NATO activity on the Russian border is aimed at scrapping of the military parity between the sides, Russian President Vladimir Putin said Thursday.
• Top U.S. Diplomat Touts Benefits Of NATO, Other Military Alliances RFE/RL 30 Jun 2016 -- The U.S. State Department's No. 2 official made a robust defense of alliances like NATO, pushing back against public discussion about whether the United States should pull back from such relationships.
• EUCOM Claims Russian Ship 'Intentionally Displayed False Signal' Sputnik 30 Jun 2016 -- Russia's Neustrashimy-class frigate Yaroslav Mudry was deliberately "displaying a false international signal" during a recent close encounter with the US guided missile destroyer Gravely in the Mediterranean, a spokesman for the US European Command (EUCOM) said.
• Russia Urges US to Stop 'Dangerous' Activity After Incident With US Warship Sputnik 30 Jun 2016 -- The Russian Defense Ministry urged the United States to stop "dangerous and unprofessional activity" after an incident with US destroyer in the Mediterranean.
• US Destroyer Tried to Repulse Russian Frigate From Carrier - Admiral Sputnik 30 Jun 2016 -- Dangerous maneuvering of a US destroyer near a Russian frigate was part of the US Navy tactics to repulse any ships from a US aircraft carrier, a former Chief of Staff of the Russian Navy said on Thursday.
• Why Russia Needs New Naval Base on Kuril Islands Sputnik 30 Jun 2016 -- Construction of the Russian Navy's Pacific Fleet base on Matua in the Kuril Islands chain will begin as soon as this year, a military source told RIA Novosti on Wednesday.
• Russia Unhampered in Deploying Iskander Missile Systems to Kaliningrad Sputnik 30 Jun 2016 -- According to the Russia's envoy to NATO, Russia is unhampered in deploying Iskander ballistic missile systems in Kaliningrad.
• India Successfully Test-Fires Surface-to-Air Missile Barak 8 Sputnik 30 Jun 2016 -- The Indian Defense Ministry on Thursday successfully carried out the test of a long range surface-to-air-class missile (LRSAM) system, dubbed Barak 8, manufactured jointly by India and Israel, local Odisha TV broadcaster reported.
• Lightning lands in the UK UK MOD 30 Jun 2016 -- The first of Britain's new supersonic 'stealth' strike fighters has touched down in the UK for the first time.
• Armenia Ratifies Joint Air-Defense With Russia RFE/RL 30 Jun 2016 -- Armenian lawmakers have approved the cabinet's decision to join Russia's air-defense system amid protests by the opposition.
• Armenian parliament ratifies treaty on joint air defense system with Russia Press TV 30 Jun 2016 -- Armenian lawmakers have ratified an agreement on joining a unified air defense system with Russia in the Caucasus region.
• Chinese fleet arrives in Hawaii for RIMPAC 2016 drill People's Daily 30 Jun 2016 -- A Chinese fleet with about 1,200 soldiers and officers arrived in the Pearl Harbor Wednesday to take part in the Rim of the Pacific 2016 (RIMPAC 2016) multinational naval exercise.
• Army's chief commander felicitates appointment of General Baqeri IRNA 30 Jun 2016 -- Army Commander-in-Chief Major General Ataollah Salehi in a message on Thursday congratulated Major General Mohammad Hossein Baqeri on the occasion of his appointment to the post of chief of staff of the Iranian Armed Forces.
• Iran Set to Unveil Innovative Missile Defense Systems by March 2017 Sputnik 30 Jun 2016 -- Iran will pass into service cutting-edge missile defense systems by March 2017, local media reported Thursday, citing Brig. Gen. Amir-Farzad Esmaili, commander of Iranian Khatam al anbia air defense base.
• Might of Egyptian Air Force 'Under Threat' After Italian Senate's Decision Sputnik 30 Jun 2016 -- The Italian Senate on Wednesday night passed an amendment to the draft law on military missions, according to which the deliveries of spare parts for F-16 fighter jets to Egypt would be suspended.
• Germany, Poland Make 'Historically Unique' Deal to Combine Submarine Fleets Sputnik 30 Jun 2016 -- In a push to modernize their navies, Germany and Poland have agreed to work together, establishing a joint submarine operating authority.
• Russia Categorically Opposes Plans to Deploy US THAAD Systems in S Korea Sputnik 30 Jun 2016 -- Russia categorically opposes plans to deploy US Terminal High Altitude Area Defense (THAAD) missile defense systems in South Korea since this will pose direct threat to the country's security, Russian Ambassador to South Korea Alexander Timonin told Sputnik in an interview.
• June 30, 2016 - U.S. Department of State Daily Press Briefing US Dept. of State 30 Jun 2016
• Press Briefing by Press Secretary Josh Earnest, 6/30/2016 The White House 30 Jun 2016

Defense Industry

• DoD News: Contracts for June 30, 2016
• Russia Supplies Mi-26TS Heavy Transport Helicopter to China Sputnik 30 Jun 2016 -- The Russian Helicopters company on Thursday announced that it had supplied the fourth Mi-26TS heavy transport helicopter to China.

Other Conflicts

• 30 June 2016 - Daily Press Briefing by the Office of the Spokesperson for the Secretary-General United Nations 30 Jun 2016
• Rights Group Calls on Obama to Require Prohibition of Child Soldiers VOA 30 Jun 2016 -- Human Rights Watch urged President Barack Obama's administration to require foreign governments receiving United States military assistance to immediately end their use of child soldiers.
• Taiwan, Japan to hold talks on maritime cooperation in late July CNA 30 Jun 2016 -- Taiwan and Japan are scheduled to hold their first dialogue on maritime cooperation in Taipei in late July to discuss issues such as fishery cooperation and response to maritime emergencies, a foreign affairs official said Thursday.
• Yemen rival parties free 700 prisoners in over 2 months: UN envoy Press TV 30 Jun 2016 -- The UN special envoy for Yemen says the country's warring sides have released more than 700 prisoners since the beginning of the peace talks aimed at ending the conflict gripping the impoverished state.
• Syrian forces kill over 100 militants around Aleppo Press TV 30 Jun 2016 -- Syrian armed forces have carried out a massive military operation against Takfiri terror groups on the outskirts of the northern city of Aleppo, killing over 100 militants.
• Displaced Syrians face hunger due to Jordan border closure: MSF Press TV 30 Jun 2016 -- Doctors Without Borders has warned of the dire situation of tens of thousands of Syrians stranded on the Jordanian border, saying the refugees face hunger because of the closure of the frontier between the two countries.
• Putin: 'Outcome of Fight Against Daesh Being Decided on Syrian Soil' Sputnik 30 Jun 2016 -- Syria is the place where the outcome of the fight against Daesh is being decided, President Putin said.
• Pentagon's Renewed Program to Train, Equip Syrians Focuses on Growth VOA 30 Jun 2016 -- The U.S. military's renewed program to train and equip Syrian rebels is helping anti-Islamic State forces make "significant steps forward" across the Syrian battlefield, officials say, as the Pentagon works to evaluate recent changes in the program.
• UN: Aid Has Reached All Besieged Syrian Areas VOA 30 Jun 2016 -- In what it called a milestone, the United Nations reported humanitarian aid has now reached all of Syria's 18 besieged areas.
• Multiple bombings leave 12 civilians dead in Iraq capital Press TV 30 Jun 2016 -- At least 12 civilians have been killed in separate bomb attacks targeting commercial areas in the Iraqi capital, Baghdad, security officials say.
• Iraq recaptures more areas from Daesh south of Fallujah Press TV 30 Jun 2016 -- The Iraqi army and allied volunteer fighters have managed to recapture more territories from Daesh terrorists on the outskirts of the recently-liberated city of Fallujah.
• Inside Look Into Iraqi Fallujah After Two Years of Daesh Hell Sputnik 30 Jun 2016 -- From Baghdad to Fallujah the journey is only some forty minutes by car. Despite the war and many disasters that Iraq has experienced, the highway in all directions is full of traveling trucks and cars. It is hard to imagine that only a few dozen kilometers away, battles are raging in full swing.
• After Fallujah, Iraq Gears Up to Rid Mosul of Islamic State VOA 30 Jun 2016 -- Riding high on Iraq's victory over Islamic State fighters in Fallujah, Prime Minister Haider al-Abadi confidently said the northwest city of Mosul would be next.
• Bosnia Erupts In Feuding Over New Census Data RFE/RL 30 Jun 2016 -- Tensions are soaring in Bosnia-Herzegovina over the results of its first postwar census, which show that Bosnian Muslims are now a majority in a country whose population has shrunk overall by one-fifth.
• UN peacekeeping mission in Liberia handing over security responsibility to national forces UN News 30 Jun 2016 -- Liberian security forces today took full control of their security for the first time since the civil war ended 13 years ago, marking a historic milestone for the United Nations peacekeeping mission in Liberia and a major benchmark in the country's peace process.
• ICTY Upholds Convictions, Sentences of Two Bosnian Serbs VOA 30 Jun 2016 -- U.N. judges have rejected the appeals of two former top Bosnian Serbs officials against their convictions for war crimes during the breakup of the former Yugoslavia.
• UN chief condemns suicide attack in northern Cameroon, urging support to counter Boko Haram UN News 30 Jun 2016 -- Condemning a deadly terrorist attack in Cameroon's Far North Region, Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon today also reiterated his call for international partners to provide support to the countries threatened by Boko Haram.
• Suicide Bombers Kill At Least 13 in Far North Cameroon VOA 30 Jun 2016 -- Cameroon says it is deploying more troops to its far northern border with Nigeria after a suicide attack late Wednesday killed at least 13 people in the border town of Limani.
• New US Ambassador to Somalia Faces Heavy Challenges VOA 30 Jun 2016 -- The new U.S. envoy to Somalia, Stephen Schwartz, has been sworn into office, making him the first American ambassador to that nation in 25 years, and representing a landmark in U.S.-Somali relations.
• US Urged to Use 'Soft Power' in Somalia VOA 30 Jun 2016 -- The United States must pursue a different approach in helping stabilize Somalia following the appointment of the first U.S. Ambassador to Somalia in more than 25 years, said a former Somali diplomat and respected foreign policy analyst.
• Idea to Send Peacekeepers to Nagorno-Karabakh Out of Agenda - Russian Envoy Sputnik 30 Jun 2016 -- A peacekeeping operation could take place only after the Nagorno-Karabakh conflict's settlement, but it may happen only in the very long term, Russia's Permanent Representative to the Organization for Security and Co-operation in Europe (OSCE) Alexander Lukashevich told Sputnik.
• Quartet report cites violence, settlements and Gaza as barriers to Middle East peace - UN envoy UN News 30 Jun 2016 -- Continuing violence, terrorism and incitement, settlement expansion, and the Palestinian Authority's lack of control of Gaza are hurting the Middle East peace process, the United Nations envoy today said summarizing the first ever report by the diplomatic Quartet – comprising the United Nations, Russia, the United States and the European Union – to the Security Council.
• Quartet Warns Violence, Settlements Undermine Mideast Peace VOA 30 Jun 2016 -- Violence, terrorism, Israeli settlement expansion in the West Bank and the situation in the Gaza Strip are severely undermining the prospect of peace between Israelis and Palestinians, the Middle East Quartet is warning in a new report.

News Reports

• Istanbul Bombers Said To Be From Russia, Uzbekistan, And Kyrgyzstan RFE/RL 30 Jun 2016 -- representing as much as around 10 percent of IS's foreign fighting force. Russia has also battled a long-running Islamist-fueled insurgency in its North Caucasus region, including in Chechnya and Daghestan.
• Turkey: Istanbul Airport Bombers Were From Russia, Uzbekistan, Kyrgyzstan VOA 30 Jun 2016 -- Turkey says the three suicide bombers who carried out the deadly attack on the Istanbul airport were from Russia, Uzbekistan and Kyrgyzstan.
• Turkish police arrest 13 during anti-Daesh raids Press TV 30 Jun 2016 -- Turkish police have carried out raids against suspected Daesh cells in Istanbul and detained 13 people, including three foreigners, a Turkish official says.
• Al-Qaeda leader injured in US drone strike in Yemen: Report Press TV 30 Jun 2016 -- The leader of al-Qaeda in the Arabian Peninsula (AQAP), Qasim al-Raymi, has reportedly sustained injuries when a US drone carried out an airstrike in Yemen's southern province of Abyan.
• State Department Terrorist Designations US Dept. of State 30 Jun 2016 -- The Department of State has announced al-Qa'ida in the Indian Subcontinent (AQIS) as a Foreign Terrorist Organization under Section 219 of the Immigration and Nationality Act and as a Specially Designated Global Terrorist (SDGT) under section 1(b) of Executive Order (E.O.) 13224.
• Remarks at the 2016 Trafficking In Persons Report Ceremony US Dept. of State 30 Jun 2016 -- Remarks by John Kerry, Secretary of State
• Background Briefing on the Trafficking in Persons Report US Dept. of State 30 Jun 2016 -- Special Briefing by Senior State Department Official
• UN officials call for global consensus, preventive approach to combat terrorism and violent extremism UN News 30 Jun 2016 -- The unprecedented levels of terrorism and violent extremism on a global scale requires balanced implementation of commitments made through collective action, Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon today emphasized, calling on the international community to act with unity and resolve to address "this major scourge of our time."
• Turkey did apologize for shooting down Russian plane, Putin says Press TV 30 Jun 2016 -- Russia's President Vladimir Putin says Turkey did apologize to Moscow for shooting down a Russian jet fighter last year, although Ankara insists it has only expressed regret over the incident.
• Turkey EU Membership Talks Progress VOA 30 Jun 2016 -- A new chapter has opened in Turkey's bid for EU membership, as negotiations for budget contributions began in Brussels.
• US Adds 8 Countries to List of Worst Human Traffickers VOA 30 Jun 2016 -- Recruiters came to Angela's town in Syria offering paid work in restaurants in Lebanon. She accepted to leave her war-torn country, but found herself subjected to sex trafficking along with dozens of other girls. They were locked in hotels and sometimes forced to see 20 clients each day. The traffickers also raped and tortured the girls into submission. Angela finally escaped with help from police.
• Russia Says U.S. Diplomat In Moscow Altercation A Spy RFE/RL 30 Jun 2016 -- Russia's Foreign Ministry says a U.S. diplomat who was involved in an altercation with a Russian guard outside the Moscow Embassy was a spy returning from an unspecified intelligence operation.
• Larijani: Iran to leave nuclear agreement if West does not abide IRNA 30 Jun 2016 -- Majlis (Iranian parliament) Speaker Ali Larijani warned that if the other side does not abide by its commitments in the Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action (JCPOA), it will also do the same and take retaliatory measures.
• Kim Jong Un Elected as Chairman of DPRK State Affairs Commission KCNA 30 Jun 2016 -- The respected Comrade Kim Jong Un was elected as chairman of the State Affairs Commission of the DPRK at the Fourth Session of the 13th Supreme People's Assembly (SPA) held on June 29, reflecting the unanimous will and desire of all deputies to the SPA, service personnel and civilians.
• Letter to Kim Jong Un from Participants in Enlarged Meeting of 3rd Session of 23rd Central Committee of Chongryon KCNA 30 Jun 2016 -- The respected Marshal Kim Jong Un received a letter from the participants in the enlarged meeting of the 3rd session of the 23rd Central Committee of the General Association of Korean Residents in Japan (Chongryon) on June 27.
• Spokesman for Committee for Peaceful Reunification Urges U.S. to Make Right Option KCNA 30 Jun 2016 -- Medium long-range strategic ballistic rocket Hwasong-10 that shot up to space strikingly demonstrating the tremendous defence capabilities of the DPRK is sparking quite a stir among the world public.
• Moscow Not Considering Six-Party Talks on N Korean Nuclear Issue 'Dead' Sputnik 30 Jun 2016 -- Russia is not considering the six-party talks on Korean nuclear issue to be "dead," stressing the necessity to continue work on resuming the negotiations, Russian Ambassador to South Korea Alexander Timonin told Sputnik in an interview.
• Pyongyang Jams S Korea's GPS Signals Over 2,000 Times Sputnik 30 Jun 2016 -- Trying to sabotage regular US-South Korea joint military drills, North Korea transmitted over 2,000 jamming signals against its southern neighbor in the last six years, threatening to down hundreds of passenger airplanes, a South Korean MP revealed Wednesday.
• Russia Develops New Memory System for Soyuz MS-01 Flight to ISS Sputnik 30 Jun 2016 -- A new digital memory system has been developed for Russia's new Soyuz MS series manned transport spacecraft, which is set to record technical, physiological and audio data during the Soyuz MS-01 flight with the upcoming International Space Station (ISS) Expedition 48, the Russian Space Systems company said Thursday.
• Juno Space Probe Ready for July 4 Fireworks VOA 30 Jun 2016 -- The Juno space probe is still millions of kilometers and 18 days away from Jupiter, but on July 4, the spacecraft will fire its main engine for 35 minutes as it enters a polar orbit around the gas giant.
• CIA chief Brennan: President Assad's position in Syria war better, stronger Press TV 29 Jun 2016 -- CIA Director John Brennan acknowledges that Syrian President Bashar al-Assad is in a "better and stronger" position in the Syrian conflict, compared to last year.
• CIA paid Romania millions of dollars for secret prisons: Lawyer Press TV 30 Jun 2016 -- Romania received "millions of dollars" from the CIA to allow the agency to torture terrorism suspects in secret prisons in the European country during the presidency of George W. Bush, says a human rights lawyer.
• Taiwan-China hotline not in use: MAC chief CNA 30 Jun 2016 -- The hotline set up between Taiwan's Mainland Affairs Council (MAC) and China's Taiwan Affairs Office (TAO) is currently not in use, but communication between the two sides on a joint crime-fighting agreement remains uninterrupted, officials said Thursday.
• Tsai urges China to see her goodwill, be flexible CNA 30 Jun 2016 -- President Tsai Ing-wen (蔡英文) called Wednesday during her first overseas trip as head of state for understanding and flexibility from China in efforts to make progress in relations across the Taiwan Strait.
• Accumulating goodwill will help cross-strait ties: president CNA 30 Jun 2016 -- President Tsai Ing-wen (蔡英文) said Wednesday that if the two sides of the Taiwan Strait can work to accumulate goodwill, it would help improve cross-strait ties and create harmony in the relationship.
• Taiwan's 'checkbook diplomacy' ended long ago: president CNA 30 Jun 2016 -- President Tsai Ing-wen (蔡英文) said Wednesday that the "checkbook diplomacy" Taiwan was once criticized for has long been a thing of the past.
• UN expert urges Moldova to introduce multilingual education, bolster unity among ethnic groups UN News 30 Jun 2016 -- A United Nations human rights expert has called on the Government of the Republic of Moldova to further promote linguistic rights of minorities, introduce multilingual education, and strengthen the unity between various population groups in the country.
• Mongolia opposition secures landslide victory in parliamentary elections Press TV 30 Jun 2016 -- Mongolia's leftist opposition party has secured a sweeping victory in parliamentary elections, as the central Asian country is wrestling with a crippling economic crisis since 2008.