Further Reading

Operations
Defense Policy / Programs
Defense Industry
Other Conflicts
News Reports

Current Operations

• U.S., Coalition Continue Strikes Against ISIL in Syria, Iraq AFPS 16 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.
• US military boosts security to 'highest level' at bases in Turkey Press TV 16 Jul 2016 -- The US military increased security at bases it uses across Turkey to the highest level during a coup attempt against the government of President Recep Tayyip Erdogan.
• Afghan Forces Give Enemy Incentive to Reconcile, Resolute Support Chief Says AFPS 16 Jul 2016 -- The expanded authorities he now has to support Afghan forces offensively could give a big boost to efforts to defeat the Taliban and other terrorists, the commander of NATO's Resolute Support mission and U.S. forces in Afghanistan said here today.
• Nearly 150,000 Afghans displaced in first six months of 2016: UN Press TV 16 Jul 2016 -- The United Nations (UN) says nearly 150,000 Afghan residents were displaced from their homes in the first six month of 2016 as a result of violence in Afghanistan.
• Ghani orders anti-Daesh operation in Nangarhar Press TV 16 Jul 2016 -- Afghanistan's President Ashraf Ghani has ordered the country's National Defense and Security Forces (ANDSF) to launch a major operation against Daesh-linked terrorists in an eastern province.

Defense Policy / Programs

• US Federal Court Rejects Lower Court's Ruling for Navy's Sonar Use VOA 16 Jul 2016 -- A U.S. federal appeals court has ruled that a lower court was wrong to allow the Navy to use sonar that could harm whales and other marine life in the world's oceans.
• Pacific Partnership 2016 arrives in Vietnam NNS 16 Jul 2016 -- Pacific Partnership 2016 (PP16) kicked off in Da Nang, Vietnam this morning, July 15, for the third consecutive year, with the arrival of the U.S. hospital ship USNS Mercy (T-AH 19) and the Japanese Navy ship JSDS Shimokita (LST-4002). This year, the Vietnam People's Navy ship Khanh Hoa is also participating. This is the seventh time in eleven years that this event has taken place in Vietnam's provinces and cities.
• Vice President Biden Visits Stennis NNS 16 Jul 2016 -- Vice President Joe Biden visited the Sailors aboard USS John C. Stennis (CVN 74) July 14, while the ship and John C. Stennis Strike Group (JCSSG) were participating in the Rim of the Pacific maritime exercise.
• Djibouti: Ambouli Airport supports flight operations amid Juba crisis NNS 16 Jul 2016 -- Although last week's escalation of attacks in South Sudan caused immediate cancellations of all flights in Juba, Ambouli International Airport stepped up to the challenge, providing superior support for both commercial and military operational flights to their airfield.
• USS America Hosts CNO During RIMPAC 2016 NNS 16 Jul 2016 -- Chief of Naval Operations Adm. John M. Richardson visited the amphibious assault ship USS America (LHA 6) to meet with shipboard and embarked leadership, speak with Sailors and Marines, and tour the ship's spaces, July 15. Richardson's visit coincided with this year's Rim of the Pacific Exercise.
• Putin Introduces Bill on Ratification of Combined Force Deal With Abkhazia Sputnik 16 Jul 2016 -- Russian President Vladimir Putin introduced a bill on ratification of agreement on combined force with partially recognized republic of Abkhazia in the State Duma, the lower chamber of parliament, the data published in Duma's information system said Saturday.
• Iran to deploy radar capable of indentifying tiny flying objects ISNA 16 Jul 2016 -- Iran plans to deploy a radar with the capability of identifying tiny flying objects in North Khorasan province, northwestern Iran, said Brigadier General Farzad Esmaili, Commander of Khatam al-Anbiya Air Base.
• China Commissions Advanced Space Tracking Ship Sputnik 16 Jul 2016 -- China on Tuesday formally commissioned its next-generation Yuan Wang 7 ocean-going ship for tracking and controlling spacecraft, after a two-month trial period, Chinese media reported.

Defense Industry

Other Conflicts

• Yemen: UN envoy urges 'definitive decisions' as peace talks continue in Kuwait UN News 16 Jul 2016 -- The United Nations-supported Yemeni peace talks continued in Kuwait today after several weeks of daily sessions and two weeks of intensive consultations with regional and political leaders, the UN envoy for the country has said.
• Yemeni Houthi Rebels Attack Saudi Arabian Base With Ballistic Missile Sputnik 16 Jul 2016 -- Houthi rebels in Yemen fired a ballistic missile at a military base in the south of neighboring Saudi Arabia, local media reported Saturday.
• Saudi air raids, shelling kill 19 Yemeni civilians Press TV 16 Jul 2016 -- Fresh Saudi airstrikes and artillery shelling have killed at least 19 civilians, including women and children, in different parts of Yemen, local media reports say.
• UN Court Reaffirms Unrelated to South China Sea Arbitral Tribunal People's Daily 16 Jul 2016 -- The United Nations (UN) and the International Court of Justice (ICJ) recently issued statements reiterating that they have no connection to the temporary arbitral tribunal established under UNCLOS for the South China Sea case brought unilaterally by the Philippines.
• Op-Ed: Double Standards Applied in South China Sea Arbitration Profane International Law People's Daily 16 Jul 2016 -- After the tribunal in The Hague announced its so-called verdict concerning the arbitration that the Philippines unilaterally filed despite China's repeated objection, several countries including the US have been pressuring China to accept the void verdict under the banner of "respect for law".
• Taiwanese fishermen plan to head to Taiping to protect rights CNA 16 Jul 2016 -- Taiwanese fishermen are planning to sail to Taiwan-controlled Taiping Island in the South China Sea to protect the country's fishing rights in response to a court ruling that rejected the island's right to an exclusive economic zone.
• The 'Caliphate' At 2 RFE/RL 16 Jul 2016 -- The extremist group now known as Islamic State (IS) first claimed statehood, with clear pretentions to a new caliphate, in 2006 - and eight years later made it explicit.
• Russian airstrikes kill 18 Daesh militants in central Syria: Group Press TV 16 Jul 2016 -- At least 18 members of the Takfiri Daesh terrorist group have been killed in Russian airstrikes in central Syria, including near the ancient Semitic city of Palmyra, a monitoring group says.
• Latest advances prove Iraq ability to defeat Daesh: UN Press TV 16 Jul 2016 -- A United Nations official says recent strategic gains by Iraqi armed forces against Daesh indicate that the troops are capable of defeating the Takfiri terrorist group.
• 20 Libya troops killed in clashes with Daesh terrorists in Sirtre Press TV 16 Jul 2016 -- At least 20 members of forces loyal to the Libyan unity government have lost their lives as they engaged in clashes with Takfiri Daesh terrorists in the northern city of Sirte.
• In Rwanda, Ban calls for concerted regional and international action in South Sudan UN News 16 Jul 2016 -- On the margins of the 27th African Union (AU) Summit taking place in Kigali, Rwanda, United Nations Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon today addressed a regional body and met with several African leaders, stressing the need for concerted action to revive the implementation of the peace agreement in South Sudan.
• African leaders meet to discuss ICC concerns, South Sudan Press TV 16 Jul 2016 -- African leaders arrived in the Rwandan capital Saturday to attend a major summit which is expected to be dominated by discussions about excessive focus of international bodies on abuses in Africa and the conflict in South Sudan.

News Reports

• Arrests of Turkish Soldiers Top 2,800; Exiled Cleric Denies Role in Coup Plot VOA 16 Jul 2016 -- Turkish officials said Saturday that 2,839 soldiers and officers who attempted a coup late Friday had been arrested, as the president accused an exiled cleric of organizing the plot.
• Secretary Kerry's Call With Turkish Foreign Minister Mevlut Cavusoglu US Dept. of State 16 Jul 2016
• Somalia Condemns Coup Attempt in Turkey, Closes Projects Linked to Gulen VOA 16 Jul 2016 -- Somalia has ordered organizations linked to a U.S.-based Turkish cleric shut down after Turkey's president said Fethullah Gulen was involved Friday's coup attempt.
• World Leaders Condemn Military Coup Attempt in Turkey VOA 16 Jul 2016 -- Leaders around the world have condemned the attempted military coup in Turkey, showing their support for the elected government.
• Experts Saw Signs of Turkish Military Discontent Before Coup VOA 16 Jul 2016 -- For weeks there were signs that tensions between Turkey's secular military and the Islamist-aligned government of President Recep Tayyip Erdogan were reaching a boiling point. Semi-public disagreements between the politicians and the generals, especially over Syria policy, were becoming all too frequent. Military briefings appeared increasingly to be at odds with government statements.
• NATO Secretary General statement on events in Turkey NATO 16 Jul 2016 -- I have just spoken to the Turkish foreign minister Mevlut Cavusoglu. I am following events in Turkey closely and with concern. I call for calm and restraint, and full respect for Turkey's democratic institutions and its constitution. Turkey is a valued NATO Ally.
• Turkish helicopter lands in Greece, 8 crew members nabbed Press TV 16 Jul 2016 -- A Turkish military helicopter carrying eight men has landed in northeastern Greece, with its crew seeking political asylum after a putsch attempt in Turkey, Greek officials say.
• Iran supports Turkey's legitimate government amid coup attempt: SNSC Press TV 16 Jul 2016 -- Iran denounces an attempted military coup in Turkey and will fully support the legitimate Turkish government and will of the country's people, the Secretary of Iran's Supreme National Security Council (SNSC) says.
• Attempted Turkey coup falters, government reasserting control Press TV 16 Jul 2016 -- An attempted coup in Turkey was faltering on Saturday, hours after a faction of the military used tanks and helicopters in an ill-fated attempt to end the rule of President Recep Tayyip Erdogan and Prime Minister Binali Yildirim.
• Obama urges support for Turkish government Press TV 16 Jul 2016 -- US President Barack Obama has called on all sides in Turkey to avoid "any violence or bloodshed" amid the ongoing military coup in the country.
• Scores Dead, Injured Following Failed Turkey Coup RFE/RL 16 Jul 2016 -- Security operations were continuing across Turkey on July 16 following a failed military coup attempt overnight that left many dozens of people dead and more than 1,000 injured.
• Explainer: Who Is Fethullah Gulen? RFE/RL 16 Jul 2016 -- Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan and those around him have been quick to blame the country's foiled coup on what they say is a "shadow state" seeking to overthrow the government.
• Erdogan Vows Revenge As Turkish Coup Appears To Crumble RFE/RL 16 Jul 2016 -- An attempted military coup in Turkey appeared to be crumbling as Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan arrived back in Istanbul on July 16 and told crowds of supporters he's "not going anywhere."
• Four Reasons Behind Turkish Instability That Lead to Military Coup Attempt Sputnik 16 Jul 2016 -- The growing instability as well as the domestic policy of Recep Tayyip Erdogan were among the main factors behind the recent military coup attempt in Turkey. At the same time, the military has always played an important role in the Turkish politics.
• Erdogan Urges Obama to Extradite Fethullah Gulen Suspected of Coup Attempt Sputnik 16 Jul 2016 -- Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan on Saturday requested his US counterpart Barack Obama to extradite Turkish opposition cleric Fethullah Gulen, who has been reportedly linked to the coup attempt, to Turkey.
• Three Turkish Top Military Men Taken Hostage by Coup Perpetrators Released Sputnik 16 Jul 2016 -- According to the Turkish defense minister, three high-ranking Turkish military officials, who have been taken hostage during the military coup attempt, have been released.
• Coup Attempt in Turkey Foiled, Yet Danger Still Remains - Defense Minister Sputnik 16 Jul 2016 -- The military coup in Turkey was foiled, however the danger still remains, Turkish Defense Minister Fikri Isik said on Saturday.
• Commander of Turkey's Airbase Detained on Coup Attempt Links Sputnik 16 Jul 2016 -- Commander of Turkey's western Balikesir airbase Brig. Gen. Ishak Dayioglu was detained on coup attempt links, local media reported Saturday.
• Soldiers Detained in Turkey Thought Coup Was a Training Exercise Sputnik 16 Jul 2016 -- Soldiers arrested for participating in an attempted military coup in Turkey told interrogators that they thought they were on exercises when the attempt began, the Turkish newspaper Hurriyet reported.
• Turkish Prosecutors Order to Detain 188 Court Members Sputnik 16 Jul 2016 -- The Turkish prosecutors issued detention warrants for 140 members of the country's Constitutional Court and 48 members of the Supreme Court over their alleged involvement in a military coup in the country, local media reported on Saturday.
• Why Turkish Intelligence Agency Failed to Uncover Coup Plot Sputnik 16 Jul 2016 -- US State Secretary John Kerry said that nobody in Turkey or beyond saw the military coup that rocked the country on Friday night coming. But how did Turkey's National Intelligence Organization (MIT) miss the signs of the looming insurrection?
• Erdogan's Opponent Gulen Denies Military Coup Attempt Links Sputnik 16 Jul 2016 -- Fethullah Gulen, a political exile living in the United States and founder of the influential Gulen movement, denies any involvement in the military coup attempt in Turkey, he said in a statement on Saturday.
• Turkish Authorities Suspend 3,000 Country's Judges After Coup Attempt Sputnik 16 Jul 2016 -- Turkish authorities suspend almost 3,000 judges following military coup attempt, local media reported Saturday.
• Turkey Reopens Bosphorus Strait for Tankers After Coup Attempt Sputnik 16 Jul 2016 -- Turkey has reopened the Bosphorus strait for tanker transit after briefly closing the waterway in the wake of Friday's coup attempt, the GAC Group logistics company said Saturday.
• Deeply Concerned': World Reacts to Attempted Military Coup in Turkey Sputnik 16 Jul 2016 -- On Friday, the Turkish government came under siege by a faction of military forces who sought to end the rule of President Recep Tayyip.
• Coup Supporters Seize Turkish Frigate, Hold Turkish Fleet Commander Hostage Sputnik 16 Jul 2016 -- Turkish military coup supporters have seized Yavuz frigate and taken head of Turkish fleet as a hostage, CNN Turk reported on Saturday.
• Turkish Coup Attempt Was Led by Ex-Commander of Turkish Air Force - Reports Sputnik 16 Jul 2016 -- A military coup attempt in Turkey was allegedly led by the ex-commander of the Turkish Air Force, Akin Ozturk, DHA agency reported.
• Number of Arrested Turkish Military Officers Spikes to 1,563 Servicemen Sputnik 16 Jul 2016 -- The number of arrested military personnel has risen to 1,563 people, Reuters reports with reference to a senior Turkish official.
• Military Officer Fired for Gulenist Ties Named as Leader of Turkey's Coup Sputnik 16 Jul 2016 -- Colonel Muharrem Kose, a former officer in the Turkish Armed Forces was named by state-run Anadolu News Agency as the leader of the coup attempt against President Recep Tayyip Erdogan's government.
• Turkey's President Erdogan Lands in Istanbul, Will Address the Nation Sputnik 16 Jul 2016 -- Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan arrives at Istanbul's Ataturk International Airport in a bid to address the nation and reestablish control over the government after a coup attempt was unleashed on the country during his vacation.
• Erdogan Blames Gulenist Network, Calls on Public to Fight in Public Squares Sputnik 16 Jul 2016 -- Speaking on CNN Turk by phone, Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan spoke to the country from a safe space calling on them to fight back against the military coup by taking ground in public spaces and the airport.
• UN officials condemn attempt to overthrow Turkish Government UN News 16 Jul 2016 -- The President of the United Nations General Assembly today condemned the attempt on Friday to overthrow the Government of Turkey.
• Iran expresses concern over Turkey developments IRNA 16 Jul 2016 -- Iranian Foreign Minister Mohammad Javad Zarif said early Saturday morning that he feels concern over latest developments in Turkey.
• Zarif: Coups have no place in our region, doomed to fail IRNA 16 Jul 2016 -- Iranian Foreign Minister Mohammad Javad Zarif said Saturday morning that 'coups have no place in our region and are doomed to fail.'
• Turkish army group announces takeover; president says coup attempt unsuccessful People's Daily 16 Jul 2016 -- A military statement on Turkish media said Friday the armed forces have fully seized power in the country but President Recep Tayyip Erdogan said early Saturday the coup attempt has failed, urging people to protect democracy.
• Heavy military deployment seen in Ankara, Istanbul People's Daily 16 Jul 2016 -- Heavy military deployment were seen early Saturday morning in the Turkish capital of Ankara and Turkey's most populous city Istanbul, following a military coup attempt in the country, according to Xinhua reporters.
• US offers help to investigate coup attempt in Turkey Press TV 16 Jul 2016 -- US Secretary of State John Kerry says Washington is ready to help Turkey investigate a failed coup, inviting Ankara to share any evidence it has against US-based opposition cleric Fethullah Gulen.
• Readout of the President's Update on the Situation in Turkey The White House 16 Jul 2016
• Obama Briefed on Turkey Situation; Incirlik Closed, but Safe, Officials Say AFPS 16 Jul 2016 -- President Barack Obama received a briefing today from his national security team on the situation in Turkey following a coup attempt, White House officials said.
• Erdogan Blames Gulenist Network, Calls on Public to Fight in Public Squares Sputnik 16 Jul 2016 -- Speaking on CNN Turk by phone, Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan spoke to the country from a safe space calling on them to fight back against the military coup by taking ground in public spaces and the airport.
• Turkish Armed Forces (TSK) Statement: President deluded, misguided and even traitors; Peace Council in the administration of the country abroad confiscated! Turkish Armed Forces 16 Jul 2016 -- "The violations of the constitution and law have been carried out in a systematic way; have become an important threat to the presence of the state in terms of basic skills and vital institutions, the Turkish Armed Forces, and all institutions of the state, including ideological designs to undermine and therefore become unable to finish their tasks."
• TSK - Turkish Armed Forces Statement Turkish Armed Forces 16 Jul 2016 -- "This text, to be published in all the Republic of Turkey channel, is the wish and command of the Turkish Armed Forces. The valuable citizens of the Republic of Turkey, in a systematic way sustained violations in the basic characteristics of the state's Constitution and law and vital important for the existence of institutions that have become a threat to the Turkish Armed Forces in the state, including those institutions designed with ideological motives, and thus rendered unable for duty."
• FM presents report to Majlis commission on JCPOA IRNA 16 Jul 2016 -- Head of Majlis National Security and Foreign Policy Commission Alaeddin Boroujerdi said on Saturday that Foreign Minister Mohammad Javad Zarif presented a second report to the Commission on implementation of the Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action.
• Israeli Law Singles Out Foreign-Backed NGOs, But Backers Say 'Don't Call It Russian' RFE/RL 16 Jul 2016 -- A law passed this week in Israel to more tightly regulate organizations receiving foreign funding has drawn angry comparisons to contentious Russian legislation -- even as Russian-speaking Israelis are among its strongest proponents.
• Daesh claims fatal attack in France's Nice Press TV 16 Jul 2016 -- The Takfiri Daesh terrorist group has claimed responsibility for a deadly attack in France's southeastern city of Nice during the country's national holiday, Bastille Day.
• Islamic State Claims Responsibility For French Truck Attack RFE/RL 16 Jul 2016 -- The Islamic State (IS) terrorist group has claimed on social media that one of its "soldiers" carried out the truck attack in Nice, France, that left 84 dead and more than 200 injured.
• Haiti: UN and partners express regret over failed deliberations on provisional governance UN News 16 Jul 2016 -- The United Nations and its partners in Haiti have expressed "deep regret" that for the fourth time in as many weeks, the country's National Assembly was unable to deliberate on the provisional governance arrangements.
• China Gives Cambodia $600M in Exchange for International Support VOA 16 Jul 2016 -- Prime Minister Hun Sen has announced that China will give Cambodia almost $600 million in aid to support election infrastructure, education and health projects – with a catch.
• AU Advisory Body Slams International Criminal Court VOA 16 Jul 2016 -- Ahead of an African Union summit that begins Sunday, a key advisory body of the organization has condemned the International Criminal Court, saying its focus has been limited to Africa since its founding in 2002.