• Military Menu                       

• Introduction
• Systems
• Facilities
• Agencies
• Industry
• Operations
• Countries
• Hot Documents
• News
• Reports
• Policy
• Budget
• Congress
• Links

• WMD
• Intelligence
• Homeland Security
• Space

Operations
Defense Policy / Programs
Defense Industry
Other Conflicts
News Reports

Current Operations

• OIF / OND / OEF / OIR / OFS Casualty Update 14 Jul 2016 [PDF]
• Military Strikes Continue Against ISIL in Syria, Iraq AFPS 14 Jul 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 14 Jul 2016 -- British forces have continued to conduct air operations in the fight against Daesh
• Daesh confirms 'minister of war' Shishani dead Press TV 14 Jul 2016 -- The Takfiri Daesh terrorist group has confirmed the death of its key commander Omar al-Shishani, who the US says was killed in March.
• French Aircraft Carrier to Return to Anti-Daesh Mission in Persian Gulf Sputnik 14 Jul 2016 -- French aircraft carrier Charles de Gaulle will return to its mission to combat Daesh in Persian Gulf, French President Francois Hollande said Wednesday.
• Afghanistan has no plans to revive talks with Taliban: Ghani's spokesman Press TV 14 Jul 2016 -- The Afghan government says it has no plans to revive a peace process aimed at bringing the Taliban militant group to the negotiating table.

Defense Policy / Programs

• Air dominance and the critical role of fifth generation fighters AFNS 14 Jul 2016 -- Gen. Hawk Carlisle, the Air Combat Command commander, discussed the importance of air superiority and the need to assure it by modernizing the combat air force during a hearing of the House Armed Services Committee Tactical Air and Land Forces Subcommittee in Washington, D.C., July 13.
• CNO to Visit China NNS 14 Jul 2016 -- Chief of Naval Operations (CNO) Adm. John Richardson is scheduled to visit China, July 17 to 20, to meet with People's Liberation Army (Navy) (PLA(N)) commander Adm. Wu Shengli.
• Department of Defense Press Briefing by Pentagon Press Secretary Peter Cook in the Pentagon Briefing Room DoD 14 Jul 2016 -- Presenter: Pentagon Press Secretary Peter Cook
• Carter Writes to Congress Outlining 2017 Budget Concerns AFPS 14 Jul 2016 -- Defense Secretary Ash Carter sent a letter to the House and Senate armed services committees' leadership that outlines several concerns he has with the 2017 National Defense Authorization Act, Pentagon Press Secretary Peter Cook told reporters today.
• European Reassurance Initiative Shifts to Deterrence AFPS 14 Jul 2016 -- A U.S. initiative begun in 2014 to reassure allies that the United States remains committed to enduring peace and stability in Europe has transitioned into a deterrent approach in light of Russian aggression, senior Defense Department civilian and military officials told Congress yesterday.
• Southcom Commander Outlines Latin America Strategy AFPS 14 Jul 2016 -- "Uncertainty, unpredictability, and transregional linkages are the defining characteristics of the world today," according to Navy Adm. Kurt W. Tidd, commander of U.S. Southern Command, who spoke at the Atlantic Council here yesterday about Southcom's strategy for Latin America.
• DoD Experts Tell Congress Nuclear Modernization Efforts 'Crucial' AFPS 14 Jul 2016 -- Modernization and sustainment across the nuclear triad are essential to maintaining national and allied security, three Defense Department experts told Congress today.
• U.S. Marines and Mexican Navy conduct AAV Ops USMC News 14 Jul 2016 -- U.S. Marines and the Mexican Navy ship ARM Usumacinta (A-412) conducted assault amphibious vehicle operations at Naval Base San Diego as part of the multinational exercise Rim of the Pacific, July 6, 2016.
• SPMAGTF-CR-AF shares tactics with the next line of soldiers USMC News 14 Jul 2016 -- In the humid, lush jungle of Cameroon, 18 Marines with Special Purpose Marine-Air Ground Task Force Crisis Response-Africa shared tactics and skills with more than 80 soldier's part of the Forces Fusiliers Marins et Palmeurs de Combat Cameroonian Armed Forces, June 6 – July 8, 2016.
• Marines and sailors work together to demonstrate naval logistic capabilities during PALS-16 USMC News 14 Jul 2016 -- For generations, nations from around the world have come together to build long lasting partnerships. Military organizations often train closely with their foreign counterparts to hone their skills and build on pre-established relationships.
• USS Patriot Arrives in Hakodate NNS 14 Jul 2016 -- Avenger-class mine countermeasures ship USS Patriot (MCM 7) arrived in Hakodate, Japan, July 14 for a port visit before the crew makes their way to the annual Mine Countermeasures Exercise (MCMEX) 2JA.
• Why Russia is Strengthening Its Arctic Northern Periphery Sputnik 14 Jul 2016 -- Moscow regards the development of the Russian Arctic as an issue which has long-term strategic importance. New military infrastructure, deployed on the perimeter of the country's northern border will ensure both the security of Artic offshore natural resources and the sovereignty of the state.
• Moscow slams NATO's 'confrontational' plans for military buildup near Russia Press TV 14 Jul 2016 -- Russia has lambasted NATO for expanding its presence in the Baltic states near Russia, saying the US-led alliance is fomenting a Cold-War atmosphere.
• Congress Urged to Cut Off Financial and Military Aid to Pakistan VOA 14 Jul 2016 -- The United States should cut off financial and military aid to Pakistan's government, a U.S. lawmaker said this week, because Pakistan's powerful military establishment and intelligence services have not broken off their links to terrorist groups.
• China-made 3,000-ton frigate exported to North Africa People's Daily 14 Jul 2016 -- A frigate designed and manufactured by China Shipbuilding Industry Group was officially delivered to the customer on July 12. So far, three ships from the project have all been successfully delivered.
• South Korean president advocates THAAD deployment amid protests Press TV 14 Jul 2016 -- South Korean President Park Geun-hye has supported the deployment of the US advanced missile system Terminal High Altitude Area Defense (THAAD) amid opposition from both inside and outside the country.
• Remarks With Russian President Vladimir Putin US Dept. of State 14 Jul 2016
• Readout of Secretary Kerry's Meeting With Russian President Putin US Dept. of State 14 Jul 2016
• July 14, 2016 - U.S. Department of State Daily Press Briefing US Dept. of State 14 Jul 2016
• Press Briefing by Press Secretary Josh Earnest, 7/14/2016 The White House 14 Jul 2016

Defense Industry

• DoD News: Contracts for July 14, 2016

Other Conflicts

• 14 July 2016 - Daily Press Briefing by the Office of the Spokesperson for the Secretary-General United Nations 14 Jul 2016
• China PM Urges Vietnam to Establish Joint Peace in S China Sea Sputnik 14 Jul 2016 -- Chinese Prime Minister urged his Vietnamese counterpart to jointly ensure peace and stability in the South China Sea, local media reported on Thursday.
• Philippines calls on Beijing to respect tribunal ruling on South China Sea Press TV 14 Jul 2016 -- The Philippines has called on China to respect the recent ruling by an international tribunal that dismissed Beijing's territorial claims in disputed areas in the South China Sea.
• Air defense zone called option People's Daily 14 Jul 2016 -- China could set up an air defense identification zone over the South China Sea if it felt threatened, a senior diplomat said on Wednesday amid rising maritime tensions caused by the Philippines' arbitration case.
• People's Daily slams South China Sea arbitration tribunal for being political tool People's Daily 14 Jul 2016 -- The award on the South China Sea dispute has proven that the arbitration tribunal has degenerated into a political tool of external powers, the People's Daily said on Tuesday.
• China vows 'decisive' response to South China Sea provocations Press TV 14 Jul 2016 -- China has pledged to give a decisive response to any provocations in the South China Sea, after an international tribunal declared invalid Beijing's claims to the disputed waters.
• Beijing Grapples With PR Crisis After S. China Sea Ruling VOA 14 Jul 2016 -- China is facing a communication crisis following an international tribunal's sweeping rejection of Beijing's claims over much of the South China Sea.
• Taiwan not to cooperate with any party on South China Sea issue CNA 14 Jul 2016 -- Taiwan will not cooperate with any party with regard to the territorial issue in the South China Sea, the Mainland Affairs Council (MAC) said Thursday.
• Taiping is an island with fresh water: Ex-President Ma CNA 14 Jul 2016 -- Former President Ma Ying-jeou (馬英九) on Thursday displayed a bottle of water that he said was from the Taiwan-controlled Taiping Island and therefore proved that it was in fact an island and not a rock.
• Premier calls South China Sea ruling unacceptable CNA 14 Jul 2016 -- Premier Lin Chuan (林全) said Thursday the Permanent Court of Arbitration in The Hague's reference to the Republic of China (Taiwan) as "Taiwan Authority of China" in its ruling is inappropriate as it downgraded the ROC's sovereignty status, according to Cabinet spokesman Tung Chen-yuan (童振源).
• Ahead of Peace Talks, UN Presses to Reduce Yemen War's Effect on Children VOA 14 Jul 2016 -- Ahead of peace talks on Yemen scheduled to restart Friday in Kuwait, United Nations Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon pressed the Saudi-led coalition in Yemen to act to reduce the number of children being killed in the wartorn country.
• Kerry To Offer Russia Greater Cooperation Against Islamic State RFE/RL 14 Jul 2016 -- U.S. Secretary of State John Kerry has arrived in Moscow for a visit in which he is expected to offer greater military cooperation against Islamic State (IS) militants in exchange for Russia and Syria starting a political transition to a new government.
• White House: US Not Currently Cooperating With Russia on Syria VOA 14 Jul 2016 -- A spokesman for the White House says the United States is not conducting or coordinating with Russia on military operations in Syria, ahead of a visit to Russia by U.S. Secretary of State John Kerry.
• Russia conducts 50 anti-Daesh sorties near Palmyra Press TV 14 Jul 2016 -- Russian fighter jets have carried out 50 air strikes in three days on positions of the Daesh Takfiri group near Syria's recently-liberated city of Palmyra.
• First aid convoy since June enters Syria's Homs: ICRC Press TV 14 Jul 2016 -- The first aid convoy since mid-June has reached a besieged suburb of Syria's Western city of Homs, the International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC) says.
• Assad hopes history will remember him as savior Press TV 14 Jul 2016 -- Syrian President Bashar al-Assad says he will be remembered in history as a ruler who defended the territorial integrity of his country in the face of foreign-sponsored militancy.
• UN Says Syrian Government Denies Medical Aid to Civilians in Besieged Areas VOA 14 Jul 2016 -- United Nations officials accuse the Syrian government of President Bashar al-Assad of denying medical aid to hundreds of thousands of civilians trapped in besieged areas. The officials say people are dying for lack of medicines and treatment.
• Syrian President says Russia Never Asked Him to Leave Office VOA 14 Jul 2016 -- Syrian President Bashar al-Assad said Russia has never asked him to relinquish power as U.S. Secretary of State John Kerry heads to Moscow where he is expected to push for a revised cease-fire and roadmap to peace.
• Top Iraqi general formally appointed as Baghdad security chief Press TV 14 Jul 2016 -- Iraq's premier has reportedly named a senior general as new head of the Baghdad Operations Command after he sacked high-ranking officials in charge of security in the capital in the wake of the Daesh-claimed bloodshed in Karradah.
• South Sudan: UN supply warehouse looted; non-critical staff ordered to relocate UN News 14 Jul 2016 -- The United Nations today ordered the temporary relocation of some non-critical staff from Juba, South Sudan, due to the operational challenges caused by the recent fighting there.
• S. Sudan President Calls for Talks to Salvage Peace Accord VOA 14 Jul 2016 -- South Sudan's President Salva Kiir has called on rival leader Riek Machar to meet for talks, in an effort to save a peace deal threatened by days of heavy gun and artillery battles in the capital.
• Ugandan military convoy enters South Sudan to evacuate citizens Press TV 14 Jul 2016 -- A heavily-armed Ugandan military convoy has crossed into conflict-ridden South Sudan in a bid to evacuate thousands of Ugandan citizens trapped by recent violence in the capital, Juba.
• South Sudan: UNICEF delivers life-saving aid to civilians displaced by fighting in Juba UN News 14 Jul 2016 -- The United Nations Children's Fund (UNICEF) and partners are providing urgent life-saving assistance to thousands of people displaced by last weekend's heavy fighting in Juba, South Sudan, which reportedly killed some 272 people, including 33 civilians, and displaced at least 36,000 civilians.
• Terror on the Road for People Fleeing South Sudan VOA 14 Jul 2016 -- Five days of heavy fighting in South Sudan's capital, Juba, sent tens of thousands of people fleeing their homes. Some have tried to go south to Uganda, but that highway is considered incredibly dangerous. The few who have made it across the border tell of ambushes and checkpoints wracked by looting and violence.
• UN Report Finds 'Rampant Impunity' For Killings In Eastern Ukraine RFE/RL 14 Jul 2016 -- A UN human rights report says there has been "limited accountability" in eastern Ukraine for arbitrary killings and torture by separatist fighters and Ukrainian soldiers.
• UN report finds impunity for killings 'remains rampant' in Ukraine conflict UN News 14 Jul 2016 -- A new report by the United Nations human rights office released today describes widespread killings that have taken place in Ukraine since January 2014, concluding that very limited accountability has taken place.
• UN: Civilians in E. Ukraine Conflict Killed With 'Rampant Impunity' VOA 14 Jul 2016 -- The conflict in eastern Ukraine has claimed civilian lives with "rampant impunity" in what may have constituted "war crimes" and crimes against humanity, according to a U.N. report.
• Commander: Radar capable to discover micro flying object installs in Northern Khorasan IRNA 14 Jul 2016 -- Commander of Khatam al-Anbiya Air Defense Base Brigadier General Farzad Esmaeili said that the latest achievement in air defense is installation of a radar with capability to discover micro flying object in Northern Khorasan province soon.
• Iran Island of stability, says Navy commander IRNA 14 Jul 2016 -- Iran is island of stability and security of the region, Navy Commander Rear Admiral Habibollah Sayyari said.
• U.S. Forces Accused of Turning DMZ along MDL into Zone Flush with Heavy Weapons KCNA 14 Jul 2016 -- A spokesman for the Panmunjom Mission of the Korean People's Army Thursday gave an answer to the question raised by Joson Inmingun newspaper as regards the fact that the U.S. imperialist aggression forces in south Korea recently massively introduced various type heavy weapons into the Demilitarized Zone (DMZ) along the Military Demarcation Line (MDL), pushing the situation there to the phase of conflict and war.
• Rights Group: Cameroon Abuses Human Rights in Fight Against Boko Haram VOA 14 Jul 2016 -- Amnesty International has accused authorities in Cameroon of committing numerous human rights abuses in their crackdown on militant group Boko Haram, including the killing of dozens of civilians, torture, and arbitrary mass arrests.

News Reports

• Truck Plows Into Bastille Day Crowd in France; Terror Attack Kills 84 VOA 14 Jul 2016 -- French President Francois Hollande says the Bastille Day truck attack that killed 84 and injured 100 others in Nice has all the elements of a terrorist attack.
• French Anti-terror Unit Takes Over Probe of Nice Attack VOA 14 Jul 2016 -- France's anti-terrorism investigation department was asked to take over inquiries into the Thursday night attack in which dozens were killed by a truck that mowed through crowds of people in the southern coastal resort town of Nice, media reported.
• At Least 80 Dead After Truck Ploughed Into Crowd In France RFE/RL 14 Jul 2016 -- An attacker killed at least 80 people and injured scores more when he drove a truck at high speed into a crowd celebrating Bastille Day in the French Riviera city of Nice late on July 14.
• US Preparing for Islamic State's 'Terrorist Diaspora' VOA 14 Jul 2016 -- Top U.S. counterterror and law enforcement officials are offering grim warnings about what awaits once the Islamic State terror group's self-declared caliphate ultimately collapses.
• Are Uzbek Militants In Disarray? RFE/RL 14 Jul 2016 -- The actions of less than 1 percent of Central Asians are giving the entire region an odious reputation as a prime recruiting ground for Islamic extremist groups. In Syria and Iraq, for example, there have been reports and videos of Kazakhs, Kyrgyz, Tajiks, Turkmen, and Uzbeks who have joined some extremist group there.
• Briefing by Foreign Ministry Spokesperson Maria Zakharova, Moscow, July 14, 2016 Russia Ministry of Foreign Affairs 14 Jul 2016
• Mogherini: EU will continue support for JCPOA implementation IRNA 14 Jul 2016 -- The European Union will continue to actively support the full and effective implementation of the JCPOA throughout the lifetime of the agreement, as well as the UNSC Resolution 2231, Federica Mogherini EU foreign policy chief said in a statement.
• US says bans removal benefited Iran Press TV 14 Jul 2016 -- The United States says Iran's economy has benefited from the removal of the sanctions that was been in place for several years before they were eventually lifted in January.
• All sides must remain committed to nuclear deal: Mogherini Press TV 14 Jul 2016 -- The EU has urged all parties to uphold their commitments to the landmark deal struck between Tehran and six world powers last year amid Iran's complaints that it has not received the sanctions relief it was promised under the accord.
• One Year On: Why Iran Has Yet To Cash In On Nuclear Deal RFE/RL 14 Jul 2016 -- A year ago, the inking of a historic nuclear deal with world powers led some euphoric Iranians to dream of an economic boom and the end of international isolation.
• U.S. House Passes Bill To Block Purchases Of Heavy Water From Iran RFE/RL 14 Jul 2016 -- The U.S. House of Representatives passed legislation on July 13 to undercut the Iran nuclear deal by blocking the purchase of "heavy water" from Iran as authorized under the agreement.
• Senate Bill Beefs Up U.S. Sanctions On Iran Over Missiles, Terrorism RFE/RL 14 Jul 2016 -- A bipartisan group of U.S. senators introduced legislation to sanction persons involved in Iran's ballistic missile program and require the president to enforce an arms embargo against Tehran.
• One Year After Iran Nuclear Deal, Sides Remain Compliant but Wary VOA 14 Jul 2016 -- One year ago, exhausted diplomats from Iran and a group of six world powers emerged from a meeting at a luxury hotel in Vienna, Austria with what they had been seeking for nearly two years: a comprehensive agreement limiting Iran's nuclear program in exchange for lifting harsh economic sanctions.
• Despite Putin Jibes, Russia Places Hope In 'Brexiteer' Boris Johnson RFE/RL 14 Jul 2016 -- In a single sentence, he once called Russian President Vladimir Putin a "manipulative tyrant" and likened him to the big-eared, bug-eyed "house elf" from the Harry Potter series. But the surprise appointment of Boris Johnson to head the British Foreign Office is being cautiously welcomed by Moscow -- and his predecessor's exit pointedly cheered.
• Kerry Congratulates New British Foreign Secretary Johnson As Others React To Appointment RFE/RL 14 Jul 2016 -- U.S. Secretary of State John Kerry has called British Foreign Secretary Boris Johnson to congratulate him on his new post and to urge "a sensible and measured approach" to the United Kingdom's withdrawal from the European Union.
• US Pledges Close Cooperation with Britain's New Cabinet VOA 14 Jul 2016 -- U.S. Secretary of State John Kerry and British Foreign Secretary Boris Johnson have pledged to work closely together as NATO allies to address challenges and meet responsibilities around the world, according to the State Department.
• Chinese man jailed in US for stealing F-35 data Press TV 14 Jul 2016 -- The US has sentenced a Chinese hacker to jail for partaking in the hacking of US military secrets concerning advanced American attack and transport jets.
• China Hardens Position Against Hong Kong Booksellers VOA 14 Jul 2016 -- China is toughening its position in the case of five Hong Kong booksellers it detained last year for publishing books critical of Chinese leaders.
• Experts refute rumors of Chinese satellite freefall People's Daily 14 Jul 2016 -- Several Western media outlets have accused China of losing control of its satellite, Tiangong-1, saying that the satellite's freefall could end in a dangerous collision with Earth. Chinese experts have responded to these stories, explaining that the reports are nothing more than ongoing "China threat" rhetoric.
• Merkel In Kyrgyzstan For 'Historic' Visit RFE/RL 14 Jul 2016 -- German Chancellor Angela Merkel has held talks in Bishkek with Kyrgyz President Almazbek Atambaev at the start of a two-day visit to what is widely regarded as Central Asia's most democratic country.
• Italy Court Rules Against Suspected Russian Spy's Extradition to Portugal Sputnik 14 Jul 2016 -- The Rome court of appeals ruled that a Russian citizen, whose extradition is sought by Lisbon, will not be handed over to the Portuguese authorities, according to a source.