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Operations
Defense Policy / Programs
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Other Conflicts
News Reports

Current Operations

• OIF / OND / OEF / OIR / OFS Casualty Update 05 Aug 2016 [PDF]
• Military Strikes Continue Against ISIL Terrorists in Syria, Iraq AFPS 05 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.
• US to Continue Fighting Al-Qaeda, Al-Nusra Front and Daesh - Obama Sputnik 05 Aug 2016 -- The United States will continue to fight al-Qaeda and Daesh, US President Barack Obama said during a press conference at the Pentagon.

Defense Policy / Programs

• How Safe Are US Nuclear Weapons in Turkey? VOA 05 Aug 2016 -- U.S. B61 nuclear bombs are equipped with "permissive action links" or PALs, which prevent arming and using the weapon without an authorization code. They are kept on special racks, inside secure underground vaults, inside protected aircraft shelters, inside a heavily guarded area, surrounded by two layers of fencing, lighting, cameras and intrusion detection devices, on protected airbases.
• Tankers enable long-range bomber capability during Polar Roar AFNS 05 Aug 2016 -- Mobility Airmen play a vital role in deterrence and stand ready to operate in support of global operations at a moment's notice.
• A-10s land on highway in Estonia AFNS 05 Aug 2016 -- Eight Air Force Reserve Command A-10 Thunderbolt IIs conducted highway landings on the Jägala-Käravete Highway in Northern Estonia Aug 1.
• Exercise Rim of the Pacific 2016 Concludes NNS 05 Aug 2016 -- The world's largest international maritime exercise concluded Aug. 4, after more than a month of training events conducted in and around the Hawaiian Islands and Southern California.
• USS Frank Cable Concludes Successful Port Visit to Goa, India NNS 05 Aug 2016 -- Forward-deployed submarine tender USS Frank Cable (AS 40) completed a successful port visit to Goa, India, Aug. 4.
• Greeneville Visits Subic Bay during Indo-Asia-Pacific Deployment NNS 05 Aug 2016 -- The Los Angeles-class attack submarine USS Greeneville (SSN 772) arrived in Subic Bay Aug. 5 for a port visit as part of its Indo-Asia-Pacific deployment.
• Pacific Partnership 2016 arrives in Palau NNS 05 Aug 2016 -- Pacific Partnership 2016 arrived in Palau, Aug. 4, aboard JS Shimokita (LST 4002), making this the second year Pacific Partnership has visited Palau since the mission began in 2006.
• USS Frank Cable Hosts Indian Admiral NNS 05 Aug 2016 -- Submarine tender USS Frank Cable (AS 40) hosted the flag officer, Goa Area during a scheduled port visit August 1.
• PANAMAX 2016 Concludes at Naval Station Mayport NNS 05 Aug 2016 -- Commander, U.S. Naval Forces Southern Command/Commander, U.S. 4th Fleet (C4F) presided over the closing ceremony of PANAMAX 2016 at the Ocean Breeze Conference Center at Naval Station Mayport, Aug. 4.
• 'Militarized Wasteland':US Navy, Defense Department Sued Over Marianas Training Sputnik 05 Aug 2016 -- Several Northern Mariana Islands conservation groups have sued the US Department of Defense and the Navy over live-fire exercises planned for the Pagan and Tinian islands, as part of a military buildup planned for Guam.
• NATO Decisions on Military Presence in Eastern Europe Permanent in Nature Sputnik 05 Aug 2016 -- Despite any changes in the US internal politics, NATO's military presence in the Eastern Europe will remain stable.
• Russia Invites NATO to 'Play Open' in Baltics, but Only on Quid-Pro-Quo Basis Sputnik 05 Aug 2016 -- Russia's Defense Ministry has offered NATO the chance to discuss terms for open interaction in the Baltic region to avoid any further security incidents in the area, but only on a quid-pro-quo basis.
• Stoking the Fire: Australia May Spy on Chinese-Russian S. China Sea Drills Sputnik 05 Aug 2016 -- With Russia and China set to conduct joint naval drills in the South China Sea next month, the Australian military may be preparing to spy on the exercises.
• South China Sea Buildup: Secrets Revealed for Beijing's New Aircraft Carrier Sputnik 05 Aug 2016 -- As the Chinese People's Liberation Army Navy makes significant upgrades to its fleet, a newly emerged photograph shows that the nation's third aircraft carrier will feature a catapult system, instead of the ski-jump method used in earlier models.
• China warships finish RIMPAC missions People's Daily 05 Aug 2016 -- Chinese naval vessels which taking part in this year's RIMPAC, or Rim of the Pacific, naval exercises are now docked at Pearl Harbor in Hawaii.
• U.S., South Korea, Japan Discuss Recent North Korean Missile Launches AFPS 05 Aug 2016 -- Representatives of the United States, South Korea and Japan conducted a senior-level videoconference yesterday to share information among the three countries regarding the two recent North Korean missile launches, according to a Defense Department statement.
• Japan to Constantly Keep Missile Interception Order in Place Sputnik 05 Aug 2016 -- The government of Japan is planning to keep the order to intercept North Korean missiles or their fragments on a constant basis, local media reported Thursday.
• Seoul May Consider New Site for THAAD Amid Local Residents' Protests Sputnik 05 Aug 2016 -- South Korea may find another location in the southern county of Seongju for the Terminal High Altitude Area Defense (THAAD) missile system, according to a presidential spokesman.
• UK Armed Forces deployments tackle security threats in Africa UK MOD 05 Aug 2016-- The UK is playing a substantial role in tackling security threats across Africa, with deployments in Nigeria and Somalia.
• Czech Republic, Slovakia to Sign Airspace Protection Agreement Sputnik 05 Aug 2016 -- The Czech Republic and Slovakia are expected soon to sign an agreement on protection of the airspace, which, in particular, would allow Slovak or Czech pilots to use force over the territory of the other state, Czech media reported Friday.
• Chinese, Afghan Armed Forces Hold First Strategic Dialogue Sputnik 05 Aug 2016 -- The Chinese People's Liberation Army (PLA) and the Afghan Armed Forces held their first strategic dialogue in Beijing on Friday, the Chinese Defense Ministry said.

Defense Industry

• DoD News: Contracts for August 05, 2016

Other Conflicts

• 5 August 2016 - Daily Press Briefing by the Office of the Spokesperson for the Secretary-General United Nations 05 Aug 2016
• South China Sea issue not to affect China-Philippines cooperation: ministers People's Daily 05 Aug 2016 -- The South China Sea issue does not determine all aspects of China-Philippines relations and will not affect bilateral cooperation in economic, trade and investment fields, ministers from the two countries agreed on Friday.
• Saudi Arabia forcefully evacuating residents near Yemen border Press TV 05 Aug 2016 -- Saudi Arabia has launched a forced evacuation of locals in its Jizan region, as Yemeni forces advance deeper into the Saudi territory in response to Riyadh's war on their country.
• 10 dead in fresh Saudi airstrikes in Yemen Press TV 05 Aug 2016 -- At least 10 people have lost their lives and several others sustained injuries when Saudi fighter jets carried out a number of airstrikes against residential neighborhoods across Yemen.
• 'Hundreds' of Syrian Refugees Denied Admission to US, Officials Say VOA 05 Aug 2016 -- Seven percent of all screened Syrian refugees seeking to resettle in the United States this year have been denied approval, and 13 percent of the cases have been put on hold, government officials said Friday.
• Daesh militants suffer heavy losses in eastern Syria Press TV 05 Aug 2016 -- Syrian army soldiers, backed by allied fighters from popular defense groups, have carried out large-scale mop-up operations against Takfiri Daesh militants in the country's eastern province of Dayr al-Zawr, dealing heavy blows to the extremists.
• Syrian army soldiers deal hard blows to militants across Aleppo Press TV 05 Aug 2016 -- Syrian government forces, backed by allied fighters from popular defense groups, have managed to thwart a string of militant attacks in the western and southern parts of the strategic northwestern city of Aleppo, Press TV reports.
• Syrian Kurds Worried Erdogan Will Try to Mend Ties With Assad Out of Spite Sputnik 05 Aug 2016 -- In an interview for Sputnik, Syrian Kurdish Democratic Union Party co-chair Salih Muslim expressed his concerns over the possibility of Ankara attempting to normalize relations with the Syrian government out of spite for the Kurds.
• UN team in Jordan uses cranes to hoist relief aid to Syrian refugees at sealed border UN News 05 Aug 2016 -- Syrians stranded at a sealed border with Jordan have received life-saving food and other supplies from the United Nations in a unique operation that saw aid hoisted by crane and monitored by drones across the closed frontier.
• Daesh captures 3,000 fleeing Iraqis: UNHCR Press TV 05 Aug 2016 -- The UN refugee agency UNHCR says Daesh terrorists may have captured up to 3,000 fleeing Iraqi villagers on Thursday and subsequently executed 12 of them.
• Libyan Islamists Increase Condemnation of US Airstrikes VOA 05 Aug 2016 -- Libyan Islamists opposed to the country's struggling U.N.-backed 'unity' government have condemned this week's U.S. airstrikes targeting Islamic State fighters holed up in the coastal town of Sirte.
• US Official: Annexing Crimea, Russia Broke All Rules of 'World Order' VOA 05 Aug 2016 -- Russia's actions against Ukraine and the potential threat it poses to other countries in its neighborhood has become an issue in the U.S. presidential race, thanks largely to comments made by Donald Trump.
• UN convoys reach thousands affected by conflict in eastern Ukraine UN News 05 Aug 2016 -- For the first time in five months, convoys from the United Nations refugee agency have reached non-Government controlled areas in Luhansk, in the easternmost part of Ukraine, carrying much- needed construction materials, kitchen sets and items for use in winter for thousands of people affected by the conflict.
• UN: Homes Damaged in E. Ukraine Conflict to Be Repaired VOA 05 Aug 2016 -- The U.N. refugee agency reports it has received the go-ahead from the de facto separatist rulers in eastern Ukraine to help repair thousands of homes damaged or destroyed during the military conflict there.
• Who Is Running Boko Haram? VOA 05 Aug 2016 -- This week saw dueling statements from two men who both claim to be the leader of Nigerian militant sect Boko Haram. The apparent leadership struggle has sparked concerns of an ideological split that could lead to a surge in violence in northeast Nigeria and the Lake Chad region.
• Ban hails EU donation to African-led Lake Chad Basin task force combating Boko Haram UN News 05 Aug 2016 -- United Nations Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon has commended the European Union (EU) Commission for its 50 million euro contribution to the multinational task force, created by Lake Chad Basin countries – Cameroon, Chad, Niger and Nigeria – and Benin to combat Boko Haram insurgents in the sub-region.
• Nigeria detains 7 for supplying explosives to NDA militants Press TV 05 Aug 2016 -- Nigeria has arrested seven people for allegedly providing the Niger Delta Avengers (NDA) militants with high-caliber explosives and detonators.
• Russia Not Seeking to Monopolize Nagorno-Karabakh Settlement Sputnik 05 Aug 2016 -- Russian President Vladimir Putin said that Russia has no intentions of pushing aside other mediators and monopolizing the Nagorno-Karabakh settlement work or imposing any solutions.
• South Sudan rejects UN rape accusations against soldiers Press TV 05 Aug 2016 -- South Sudan on Friday dismissed accusations against its soldiers that they had raped and killed civilians during clashes in the capital Juba in July.
• S. Sudan Opposition Wants Regional Buffer Force in Juba VOA 05 Aug 2016 -- A South Sudanese opposition official says East African leaders meeting Friday should endorse a foreign intervention force for the war-torn country.
• South Sudan Soldiers Killed Civilians, Raped Women - UN Human Rights Chief Sputnik 05 Aug 2016 -- South Sudan soldiers executed civilians and raped women and girls from ethnic groups during last month's fighting in the capital of Juba, the UN humanitarian chief said Thursday.
• Kashmir curfew extended to prevent anti-India rallies Press TV 05 Aug 2016 -- New Delhi has extended curfew in several parts of Indian-controlled Kashmir for a 28th day in an attempt to prevent more pro-independence protests across the disputed Himalayan region.

News Reports

• Gulen movement threat to world: Erdogan Press TV 05 Aug 2016 -- Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan says the movement affiliated to the US-based opposition cleric Fethullah Gulen not only poses "a threat" to Turkey, but also to all countries where it is present.
• Cleric's Lawyers: Gulen 'Should Not and Will Not Be Extradited' VOA 05 Aug 2016 -- Lawyers representing U.S.-based Muslim cleric Fethullah Gulen said that Turkey has not provided evidence of his involvement in last month's failed military coup attempt, and he "should not and will not be extradited."
• The Turkish Coup Attempt, Russia, And The West RFE/RL 05 Aug 2016 -- Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan travels to St. Petersburg on August 9 to meet with Russian President Vladimir Putin. They will focus on improving cooperation in two main areas: the effort to find a shared and joint solution to the Syria crisis, and in business and energy, including a full resumption of tourism from Russia to Turkey, trade, and construction projects that were halted during a monthslong spat between the two nations.
• Erdogan Explains Why He Wrote an Apology Letter to Putin Sputnik 05 Aug 2016 -- Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan explained why he wrote an apologetic letter to Vladimir Putin and made the first move to help fix the relations between Ankara and Moscow.
• Turkey's Ruling AKP Intends to Exclude Gulen's Supporters From Party Ranks Sputnik 05 Aug 2016 -- The Turkey's ruling Justice and Development Party (AKP) will exclude from their ranks supporters of US-based dissident Muslim cleric Fethullah Gulen, whom Ankara accused of being the mastermind behind the recent coup attempt, according to AKP deputy chair Hayati Yazici.
• Gulen Denounces Turkish Arrest Warrant VOA 05 Aug 2016 -- U.S.-based Muslim cleric Fethullah Gulen has denounced the arrest warrant issued in Turkey accusing him of masterminding the failed coup in Turkey last month.
• Aiming High: Pyongyang Sets Sights on Moon Landing In Next Decade Sputnik 05 Aug 2016 -- According to a senior official, North Korea plans to plant its national flag on the moon's surface some time in the next ten years.
• Two For All: Afghanistan's Identity-Card Crisis RFE/RL 05 Aug 2016 -- Afghanistan's long-standing effort to distribute electronic ID cards to citizens has been marred by dispute, leading to violent street protests, walkouts in parliament, and scuffles among politicians.
• Putin recruits Trump as 'unwitting agent' of Russia: Ex-CIA official Press TV 05 Aug 2016 -- A former top CIA official has accused Russian President Vladimir Putin of recruiting US Republican presidential nominee Donald Trump as an "unwitting agent" of Moscow.
• Mousavian: Efforts to undermine JCPOA only serve to reinforce notion US cannot be trusted IRNA 05 Aug 2016 -- Iran's former diplomat Seyed Hossein Mousavian says that opponents of the nuclear deal in Washington should understand that efforts to undermine the JCPOA only serve to reinforce in the minds of Iranians the notion that the United States cannot be trusted or engaged with on regional or other issues.
• Obama Says $400 Million Payment To Iran Not 'Nefarious' Ransom Deal RFE/RL 05 Aug 2016 -- U.S. President Barack Obama has dismissed criticism of his administration's $400 million cash payment to Iran to settle a long-standing legal claim, adamantly rejecting charges that it was a ransom paid for the release of imprisoned Americans.
• Chinese President Appears to Score Political Victory with Viral Videos VOA 05 Aug 2016 -- Chinese President Xi Jinping appears to have scored another major political victory over his internal rivals following two ultra-nationalistic propaganda videos by the Youth League of the Communist Party of China (CPC).
• Tajikistan Sentences 170 People for Last Year's Failed Military Coup Sputnik 05 Aug 2016 -- Tajikistan authorities have convicted 170 people of being involved in last year's coup attempt, the Central Asian nation's prosecutor general said Thursday.