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Defense Policy / Programs
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News Reports

Current Operations

• OIF / OND / OEF / OIR / OFS Casualty Update 03 Aug 2016 [PDF]
• Department of Defense Press Briefing by Col. Garver via teleconference from Baghdad, Iraq DoD 03 Aug 2016 -- Presenter: Colonel Christopher Garver, Operation Inherent Resolve spokesman
• OIR Spokesman Details Progress Degrading ISIL in Syria, Iraq AFPS 03 Aug 2016 -- Coalition forces, along with partners on the ground in Iraq and Syria, are furthering gains in countering the Islamic State of Iraq and the Levant, a Combined Joint Task Force Operation Inherent Resolve spokesman said today.
• Inherent Resolve Strikes Target ISIL in Syria, Iraq AFPS 03 Aug 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 03 Aug 2016 -- British forces have continued to conduct air operations in the fight against Daesh
• British jets attack former Saddam palace in Mosul Press TV 03 Aug 2016 -- British warplanes have targeted one of Iraq's former dictator Saddam Hussein's palaces in the northern city of Mosul, the UK Ministry of Defense says.
• Rome Ready to Allow US to Use Italian Bases for Anti-Daesh Airstrikes in Libya Sputnik 03 Aug 2016 -- Italy is ready to let the United States use its military bases to support the US airstrikes against Daesh jihadist groups in Libya, Italian Defense Minister Roberta Pinotti said Wednesday.
• Deputy Head of Taliban Intelligence Arrested in Northern Afghanistan Sputnik 03 Aug 2016 -- The deputy intelligence chief of the Taliban militant group has been arrested by Afghan security forces in the north of the country, the Afghan foreign and domestic intelligence agency said Wednesday.
• Afghan Forces Say They Captured Key IS Base VOA 03 Aug 2016 -- Afghan security forces say they have captured the Islamic State (IS) group's regional headquarters in the eastern Nangarhar province of Afghanistan.

Defense Policy / Programs

• Compass Call receives navigation upgrade AFNS 03 Aug 2016 -- Since it became operational, the EC-130H Compass Call has demonstrated its electronic combat power in tactical air operations around the world, and this year the aircraft has achieved another first.
• Guard Critical To Total Force, Carter Says at Change of Responsibility Ceremony AFPS 03 Aug 2016 -- Citizen-warriors and the entire National Guard family are vital to the security of the United States, Defense Secretary Ash Carter said at the National Guard Bureau change-of-responsibility ceremony at the Pentagon today.
• Pentagon Points Advanced B61-12 Tactical Nukes 'Deep Underground' Sputnik 03 Aug 2016 -- Once the United States upgrades its decades-old B61 tactical nuclear bomb to its 12th modification, the improved weapon will receive advanced capabilities that will allow it to do something it has never done before – penetrate well-fortified command and control centers located deep underground, the newspaper Vzglyad reported.
• Statement by Secretary Carter on Air Force F-35A Achieving IOC DoD 03 Aug 2016
• US Air Force finally declares F-35 'combat ready' Press TV 03 Aug 2016 -- The US Air Force has finally announced its first squadron of F-35 fighter jets "combat ready," marking a major milestone for the much-maligned project 15 years into its development.
• South Carolina ANG support PACOM theater security package AFNS 03 Aug 2016 -- Osan Air Base welcomed the South Carolina Air National Guard's 169th Fighter Wing during their deployment as the 157th Expeditionary Fighter Squadron in support of a U.S. Pacific Command theater security package.
• Globalization and U.S. Africa Command: Understanding the New World AFPS 03 Aug 2016 -- Globalization is a process as old as humanity itself.
• Shamal Completes Third US 4th Fleet Patrol NNS 03 Aug 2016 -- The Cyclone-class patrol coastal ship USS Shamal (PC 13) returned from its third patrol in the U.S 4th Fleet area of operations Aug. 1.
• Navy Conducts Fleet Battle Experiment with V-22 Osprey NNS 03 Aug 2016 -- In preparation for replacing the Navy's C-2A Greyhound carrier onboard delivery (COD) platform with the future Navy variant CMV-22B Osprey, Naval Air Forces is conducting a Fleet Battle Experiment, July 22 through Aug. 4.
• Keel Laid for future USNS Hershel "Woody" Williams NNS 03 Aug 2016 -- A keel laying ceremony for the future USNS Hershel "Woody" Williams (ESB 4) was held, Aug. 2, in San Diego, representing the formal beginning of the ship and recognizing the first joining together of ship components.
• MUOS-5 Anomaly Identified, Satellite Remains in Safe, Intermediate Orbit NNS 03 Aug 2016 -- Evaluation of the fifth Mobile User Objective System (MUOS) satellite determined that the satellite experienced a failure of the orbit raising propulsion system during a transfer maneuver on June 29. The transfer maneuver was designed to take the satellite from its initial elliptical launch orbit to its final circular geosynchronous orbit. This anomaly resulted in the transfer maneuver being halted. The MUOS 5 satellite is currently stable, safe and under positive control.
• Warsaw Starts Inquiry Into Russian Pilot's Alleged Violation of Polish Airspace Sputnik 03 Aug 2016 -- The prosecutor's office of the Polish city of Czestochowa on Wednesday started an investigation into the Russian pilot's alleged intrusion into the Polish closed flying zone, local media reported.
• US B61-12 Program to Lower Threshold for Nuclear Weapons Use - Russia Sputnik 03 Aug 2016 -- The United States' B61-12 nuclear warhead life extension program will lower the threshold for the use of nuclear weapons, the head of the Russian Foreign Ministry's Department for Non-Proliferation and Arms Control said Wednesday.
• Russia blames U.S. bomb upgrade for threatening nuclear security People's Daily 03 Aug 2016 -- The upgrade of the U.S. B61-12 bomb will threaten nuclear security, as its combat characteristics increase the risk of its use, senior Russian Foreign Ministry officials said Wednesday.
• Expert claims US lavishing praise on Chinese military to increase own expenditure People's Daily 03 Aug 2016 -- Military experts have claimed that Western media is deliberately exaggerating the so-called China Threat and praising China's military in order to procure more funding for their countries' own militaries.
• China opposes Japan's defense white paper: defense ministry People's Daily 03 Aug 2016 -- Chinese Defense Ministry on Tuesday expressed strong opposition to Japan's 2016 defense white paper, calling the annual document hostile to the Chinese military and deceptive to the international community.
• UN 'deeply troubled' by latest DPRK missile launch UN News 03 Aug 2016 -- The United Nations is "deeply troubled" by the recent missile launches of the Democratic Republic of Korea (DPRK), a UN spokesperson said today after one of the rockets, reportedly landed in or near Japanese waters for the first time.
• North Korea Reportedly Launches Ballistic Missile Towards Sea of Japan Sputnik 03 Aug 2016 -- North Korea has test fired a ballistic missile from its east coast, according to South Korean media reports.
• DPRK fires 2 ballistic missiles to protest S.Korea's THAAD deployment People's Daily 03 Aug 2016 -- The Democratic People's Republic of Korea (DPRK) on Wednesday fired two ballistic missiles into east waters in an apparent protest against the deployment in South Korea of Terminal High Altitude Area Defense (THAAD).
• North Korea launches ballistic missile toward Sea of Japan Press TV 03 Aug 2016 -- North Korea has launched a ballistic missile toward the Sea of Japan, which reportedly landed in or near Japanese-controlled waters for the first time.
• USSTRATCOM Detects, Tracks North Korean Missile Launches USSTRATCOM 03 Aug 2016 -- U.S. Strategic Command (USSTRATCOM) systems detected what we assess were two North Korean missile launches at 5:53 p.m. CDT, August 2, 2016. The simultaneous launch of two presumed No Dong intermediate range ballistic missiles occurred near the western city of Hwangju.
• Pyongyang Ballistic Test Proves South Korea Needs THAAD System - S Korea FM Sputnik 03 Aug 2016 -- The test launch of the North Korean missile carried out on Wednesday proves the need for the Terminal High Altitude Air Defense (THAAD) anti-missile system in South Korea, South Korean Foreign Minister Yun Byung-se said.
• Japan heightens security alert, protests latest DPRK missile launch People's Daily 03 Aug 2016 -- Japan on Wednesday condemned a missile launch by the Democratic People's Republic of Korea (DPRK) and lodged an official protest with Pyongyang saying the launch was in defiance of UN Security Council resolutions.
• Northrop Grumman Begins Work on Second Japanese E-2D Advanced Hawkeye Northrop Grumman 03 Aug 2016 -- Northrop Grumman Corporation (NYSE:NOC) has received a U.S. Navy contract to begin production of a second Japanese E-2D Advanced Hawkeye airborne early warning (AEW) and surveillance aircraft.
• Japan Orders Second Early Warning Aircraft From US – Northrop Grumman Sputnik 03 Aug 2016 -- Japan has ordered another US-built E-2D airborne early warning aircraft, Northrop Grumman announced in a news release on Wednesday.
• Indian Government Approves Sending BrahMos Cruise Missiles to Chinese Border Sputnik 03 Aug 2016 -- The Indian government has approved placing of BrahMos missiles at the northeastern border with China, local media reported Wednesday.
• France, India Move in on Deal for Dozens of Rafale Fighter Jets Sputnik 03 Aug 2016 -- India and France are now one step closer to making a deal on the procurement of 36 Rafale jet fighters, according to Indian Minister of Defense Manohar Parrikar.
• Israel, Pakistan, UAE to join drill in US Press TV 03 Aug 2016 -- Israeli, Pakistani, and Emirati warplanes are to partake in aerial warfare simulations to be held in the United States.
• Argentina – T-6C+ Texan Aircraft DSCA 03 Aug 2016 -- The State Department has made a determination approving a possible Foreign Military Sale to Argentina for T-6C+ Texan aircraft, training, and support. The estimated cost is $300 million. The Defense Security Cooperation Agency delivered the required certification notifying Congress of this possible sale on July 29, 2016.
• August 3, 2016 - U.S. Department of State Daily Press Briefing US Dept. of State 03 Aug 2016
• Press Briefing by Press Secretary Josh Earnest, 8/3/2016 The White House 03 Aug 2016

Defense Industry

• DoD News: Contracts for August 03, 2016

Other Conflicts

• 3 August 2016 - Daily Press Briefing by the Office of the Spokesperson for the Secretary-General United Nations 03 Aug 2016
• Top court clarifies law at sea People's Daily 03 Aug 2016 -- The Supreme People's Court issued a judicial interpretation on Monday specifying standards for convicting and punishing those engaged in illegal fishing or entry into Chinese territorial waters and refusing to obey commands to leave.
• 'Unintentional Consequences': Japan Warns of Chinese Aggression in Pacific Sputnik 03 Aug 2016 -- Citing Beijing's actions in the South China Sea, Japan's annual defense review expresses "deep concern" over China's refusal to accept to the nine-dash line territorial ruling.
• Iran rejects UK claims of sending arms to Yemen Press TV 03 Aug 2016 -- Iran has rejected as lies allegations by the UK Foreign Office that the Islamic Republic is sending weapons to Yemen, saying Tehran supports "the establishment of peace" in the region.
• OPCW Concerned by Possible Use of Chemical Weapons in Syria, Examines Reports Sputnik 03 Aug 2016 -- The Organisation for the Prohibition of Chemical Weapons (OPCW) said Wednesday it is concerned by recent media reports alleging that chemical weapons could have been used in Syria and keeps on studying such information.
• Aleppo Offensive Reveals 'Tectonic Shift' in Capabilities of Syrian Army Sputnik 03 Aug 2016 -- The Syrian Arab Army (SAA), assisted by Russian aircraft and its local allies, has managed to cut off all militant supply routes to the city of Aleppo in a weeks-long offensive that has demonstrated how efficient and potent Damascus-led forces have become, the Lebanese newspaper As Safir asserted.
• Syrian army further advances in Aleppo: Report Press TV 03 Aug 2016 -- Syrian government forces have carried out a string of operations against foreign-backed Takfiri militants on the outskirts of Aleppo, establishing control over several hilltops and villages, a report says.
• Syria: ISIL's genocide of Yazidis 'ongoing,' UN inquiry warns UN News 03 Aug 2016 -- A United Nations-mandated inquiry on human rights in Syria today called for an end to the genocide and other crimes committed by Islamic State in Iraq and the Levant (ISIL/Da'esh) against the Yazidis, recommending that the UN Security Council refer the situation to the International Criminal Court (ICC) or an ad hoc tribunal.
• Russia Denies Involvement in Syrian Gas Attacks VOA 03 Aug 2016 -- Russia is denying claims from Syrian rebels and human rights groups that it was behind a reported chlorine gas attack Tuesday in the same area where a Russian helicopter was shot down a day before, according to a Russian state media report.
• Amid Syria's Civil War, Kurds Enjoy Newfound Language Freedoms VOA 03 Aug 2016 -- Syria's civil war and the rise of Islamic State militants have left Syrian Kurds with an opportunity to control their areas in the north and northeastern part of that war-torn country. This has allowed the Kurds to exercise their once-banned ethnic culture freely.
• Ban reiterates strong condemnation of 'heinous' crimes committed by ISIL in Sinjar UN News 03 Aug 2016 -- Marking the second anniversary of the seizure of Sinjar by the Islamic State in Iraq and the Levant (ISIL), United Nations Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon today expressed his profound sympathy to the families of the victims and the survivors as well as deep concern for safety of the people – particularly thousands of Yazidi women and children – still being held captive.
• Yazidis Mark Second Anniversary of Islamic State Massacre VOA 03 Aug 2016 -- With vigils and demands to free the enslaved, Yazidis in Iraq and throughout the world on Wednesday commemorated the second anniversary of a massacre committed by Islamic State militants in Sinjar.
• Libyan forces continue anti-Daesh fight in city of Sirte Press TV 03 Aug 2016 -- Forces loyal to the Libyan unity government are pushing against Takfiri Daesh terrorists in the northern city of Sirte despite obstacles to their progress such as mines and snipers.
• In South Sudan, UN humanitarian chief calls for end to attacks against civilians, aid workers UN News 03 Aug 2016 -- United Nations Emergency Relief Coordinator Stephen O'Brien concluded today his three-day mission to crisis-torn South Sudan, voicing serious concern at the humanitarian situation in the country and in particular the violence against civilians, as well as attacks against aid workers, which is hampering efforts to respond to the needs of the people affected by the fighting.
• South Sudan's president sacks six opposition ministers Press TV 03 Aug 2016 -- South Sudan's President Salva Kiir sacked six opposition ministers Wednesday amid growing tensions in the African country.
• Burundi rejects UN deployment of police force Press TV 03 Aug 2016 -- Burundi has rejected the deployment of a United Nations police force to the violence-wracked African nation, saying the France-drafted resolution authorizing the security contingent was made without Bujumbura's consent.
• Charity Linked to Terrorism Tries Aid Delivery to Indian Kashmir VOA 03 Aug 2016 -- Hundreds of activists, blocked while trying to deliver an Islamist charitable organization's relief supplies and ambulances from Pakistan to India in the disputed Kashmir region, staged a sit-in Wednesday in protest.
• Civilian casualties in eastern Ukraine hit highest annual record Press TV 03 Aug 2016 -- The United Nations has recorded the highest number of civilian casualties in a year in eastern Ukraine as a result of continued fighting in the region.
• UN warns of escalating tension in eastern Ukraine as casualties hit highest since last August UN News 03 Aug 2016 -- Civilian causalities in eastern Ukraine spiked in June and July, prompting the United Nations human rights chief to call on the parties to the conflict to make protection of civilians a priority and take urgent steps to de-escalate the increasingly tense situation at the contact line.

News Reports

• Erdogan Apologizes to Turkish Nation for Failure to Prevent Coup Attempt Sputnik 03 Aug 2016 -- Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan apologized on Wednesday "to God and the people" for his inability to prevent a recent coup attempt in the country.
• Erdogan unleashes anger at US over Gulen Press TV 03 Aug 2016 -- Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan says he is growing impatient with the US over its refusal to extradite Fethullah Gulen, whom Ankara accuses of having led a "terrorist" organization of putschists in Turkey.
• State Department Terrorist Designations of Jamaat-ul-Ahrar and Mohamed Abrini US Dept. of State 03 Aug 2016 -- The Department of State has designated Jamaat-ul-Ahrar and Mohamed Abrini as Specially Designated Global Terrorists (SDGTs) under Executive Order (E.O.) 13224, which imposes sanctions on foreign persons and groups determined to have committed, or pose a significant risk of committing, acts of terrorism that threaten the security of U.S. nationals or the national security, foreign policy, or economy of the United States.
• Scandal Smears Putin's Superpowered Vision For Russian Sport RFE/RL 03 Aug 2016 -- When skier Aleksandr Legkov lunged across the finish line to lead a trio of Russians onto the medals stand on the last day of the Sochi Olympics, he ensured Russia of its greatest sporting achievement since the glory days of the Soviet era.
• Once Russian Opposition's Hope, Ex-Yaroslavl Mayor Gets Lengthy Jail Sentence RFE/RL 03 Aug 2016 -- Yevgeny Urlashov - a former Yaroslavl mayor and rare example of a Russian opposition politician in public office - has been sentenced to 12 1/2 years in prison on corruption charges he says are trumped up.
• US Paid Iran $400M as Tehran Freed 4 American Hostages VOA 03 Aug 2016 -- The United States airlifted $400 million in foreign currencies to Iran in January to partially settle a decades-old dispute over an aborted arms deal. On the same day, Tehran released four American hostages, but Washington is denying the exchange amounted to a ransom payment.
• Belarusian Nuclear Mishap Shows Soviet-Like Secrecy Still Rules RFE/RL 03 Aug 2016 -- Thirty years after the Chernobyl nuclear accident in neighboring Ukraine, Belarus, which saw a quarter of its territory contaminated in the world's worst nuclear accident, is building its first energy plant powered by the atom.
• Iraq prosecutor build case against suspected corrupt officials Press TV 03 Aug 2016 -- Iraq's chief prosecutor has lodged a complaint against the officials recently accused of involvement in alleged corruption in several high-value contracts.
• Joint Statement for C5+1 Ministerial of August 3, 2016 US Dept. of State 03 Aug 2016 -- The Secretary of State of the United States of America and the foreign ministers of the Republic of Kazakhstan, the Kyrgyz Republic, the Republic of Tajikistan, Turkmenistan, and the Republic of Uzbekistan, following the second ministerial level meeting in the C5+1 format, held August 3, 2016 in Washington DC, together issue this Second Joint Declaration of Partnership and Cooperation.
• Remarks at the Central Asia Ministerial US Dept. of State 03 Aug 2016 -- Remarks by John Kerry, US Secretary of State
• Terrorism, Economic Growth Top Agenda At Washington Summit With Central Asian States RFE/RL 03 Aug 2016 -- U.S. Secretary of State John Kerry called for more cooperation in fighting terrorism and spurring economic growth as he met on August 3 with foreign ministers from the five Central Asian states.
• Zambia's Lungu Issues Warning on Election-linked Violence VOA 03 Aug 2016 -- Zambian President Edgar Lungu says he is ready to use draconian means to ensure the country remains peaceful after next week's presidential, parliamentary, local and referendum elections.
• Uzbekistan, Kazakhstan Said To Be Hacking, Spying On Dissidents RFE/RL 03 Aug 2016 -- Uzbekistan, Kazakhstan, and other authoritarian governments have reportedly acquired cybertools used by Western law enforcement and have been using them to hack and harass dissidents.
• Nigeria Shi'ite Community May Appeal Report on Army Killings VOA 03 Aug 2016 -- An investigative commission set up by the Kaduna state government has found that the Nigerian army used excessive force against a Shi'ite minority sect during a roadside dispute eight months ago.