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News Reports

Current Operations

• OIF / OND / OEF / OIR / OFS Casualty Update 31 Aug 2016 [PDF]
• Department of Defense Press Briefing by Pentagon Press Secretary Peter Cook in the Pentagon Briefing Room DoD 31 Aug 2016 -- Presenter: Pentagon Press Secretary Peter Cook
• Military Strikes Continue Against ISIL Terrorists in Syria, Iraq AFPS 31 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.
• Elimination of Adnani Would Be 'Significant Blow' to ISIL, Cook Says AFPS 31 Aug 2016 -- The elimination of Abu Muhammad Al-Adnani from the battlefield would be a significant blow to the Islamic State of Iraq and the Levant, Pentagon Press Secretary Peter Cook said today.
• US: Claim That Russian Airstrike Killed IS Spokesman Is 'Garbage' VOA 31 Aug 2016 -- Russia's claim that it carried out the airstrike in Syria that killed Islamic State's spokesman and chief strategist is "garbage," a U.S. official tells VOA.
• US Commander: Afghan Forces Lost 900 Men in July VOA 31 Aug 2016 -- More than 900 Afghan security personnel died in July while battling Taliban insurgents, the commander of U.S. and NATO forces in Afghanistan said Wednesday.
• Pakistan, Afghanistan agree to reopen Chaman border crossing Press TV 31 Aug 2016 -- Pakistan and Afghanistan have agreed to reopen a key border crossing that was closed for almost two weeks.

Defense Policy / Programs

• F-16s help strengthen bond between US, Pakistan air forces AFNS 31 Aug 2016 -- Pakistan Air Force F-16C/D aircraft traveled more than 7,700 miles to participate in Red Flag 16-4 here from Aug. 15-26.
• Colorado stands in for Afghanistan during pilot training AFNS 31 Aug 2016 -- The beautiful vistas and rugged mountainscapes of Colorado and Afghanistan are so similar that training for warfighting in one is done in the other.
• Air Force celebrates 60 years of the KC-135 AFNS 31 Aug 2016 -- The Air Force celebrated the 60th birthday of the KC-135 Stratotanker Aug. 31. The first Stratotanker flew in August of 1956 and was later delivered to the Air Force in June 1957.
• Forging the KC-46: New training center opens to prepare tanker aircrews AFNS 31 Aug 2016 -- A new training center for the KC-46 Pegasus was officially dedicated here Aug. 30, along with the activation of the 56th Air Refueling Squadron, which will be the formal training unit for the Air Force's next-generation refueling aircraft.
• Naval War College Opens Russia Maritime Studies Institute NNS 31 Aug 2016 -- U.S. Naval War College (NWC) has opened a Russia Maritime Studies Institute (RMSI) on their Newport, Rhode Islandv campus today, tasked with the mission of better understanding Russia's expanding role in the global maritime environment.
• CBIRF responds to simulated nuclear detonation during Scarlet Response 2016 USMC News 31 Aug 2016 -- On the morning of Aug. 22, 2016, a nuclear bomb detonated near Houston. The explosion rendered massive damage to the infrastructure of the city including a complete shutdown of a highway leading to Houston forcing part of the city into isolation.
• VMFA-122 gets low during Southern Frontier USMC News 31 Aug 2016 -- Marine Fighter Attack Squadron 122 executed low-altitude tactics training during the last week of Southern Frontier at Royal Australian Air Force Base Tindal, Australia, Aug. 29, 2016.
• Pacific Partnership 2016 Departs Indonesia, Completing Final Mission Stop NNS 31 Aug 2016 -- Pacific Partnership 2016, embarked aboard hospital ship USNS Mercy (T-AH 19), departed its final mission stop, Padang, Indonesia, Aug. 30.
• Roosevelt on Track with O-FRP NNS 31 Aug 2016 -- The guided-missile destroyer USS Roosevelt (DDG 80) completed her mid-deployment voyage repairs and pre-selective availability while ported in Manama, Bahrain, Aug. 27.
• US Navy V-22 Ospreys Head to Japan as Tensions Simmer Over Territory Disputes Sputnik 31 Aug 2016 -- The US Navy announced that advanced models of V-22 Osprey vertical take-off and landing (VTOL) aircraft will be attached to the USS Ronald Reagan deployed in the region to transport personnel, weapons and supplies in the event that the nuclear-powered supercarrier takes part in military operations in southeastern Asia.
• France and Germany take over protection of Baltic skies NATO 31 Aug 2016 -- In a ceremony on Wednesday (31 August), France and Germany took over NATO's Baltic Air Policing mission from Portugal and the United Kingdom, which guarded the skies over the Alliance's Baltic member states since May.
• Finland Paints Russia Black and Inches Closer on NATO Sputnik 31 Aug 2016 -- Russia represents a greater threat to Finland than previously thought, according to a new Finnish report. According to the report, which is not the first of its kind, Finland must increase its cooperation with the West and keep the possibility of joining NATO an option in order to remain prepared for the risks Russia poses.
• China capable of blockading, taking Taiwan's outlying islands: MND CNA 31 Aug 2016 -- China's military has the capability to blockade and seize Taiwan's outlying islands and has not cut back on military exercises targeting Taiwan, Taiwan's Ministry of National Defense (MND) said in a report Wednesday.
• Gun barrel snaps off tank, Army suspends use of CM-11s CNA 31 Aug 2016 -- Taiwan's Army has suspended the use of all of its CM-11 tanks to fire shots after the gun barrel of one of them broke off from the tank during a live-fire test at a training base in northern Taiwan on Wednesday.
• Leader: Defense, offensive might will dissuade bullying powers IRNA 31 Aug 2016 -- Supreme Leader of the Islamic Revolution Ayatollah Seyyed Ali Khamenei said on Wednesday that the officials and experts at the defense ministry should help mount their defense and offensive might to dissuade the bullying powers.
• Iran considers WMDs as redline for its defense program: Ayat. Khamenei Press TV 31 Aug 2016 -- The Leader of the Islamic Revolution Ayatollah Seyyed Ali Khamenei says Iran considers development of weapons of mass destruction (WMDs), including nuclear and chemical weapons, as redline for its defense program.
• Royal Navy ship supports removal of potential chemical weapon materials from Libya UK MOD 31 Aug 2016 -- A Royal Navy vessel has assisted in the removal of the last batch of known materials which could be used in the manufacture of chemical weapons from Libya.
• UN calls for 'breakthrough' in bringing nuclear test ban treaty into force UN News 31 Aug 2016 -- The United Nations today spoke up for an early entry into force a global treaty that bans nuclear explosions on the Earth's surface, in the atmosphere, underwater and underground, with a senior official describing the treaty as a "low-hanging fruit."
• Nuclear tests: 20 years after its adoption, the test ban treaty is yet to get into force UN News 31 Aug 2016 -- Adopted 20 years ago by the United Nations General Assembly, the Comprehensive Nuclear-Test-Ban Treaty (CTBT) has not yet got into effect, and will only come into force once ratified by eight specific countries that have not done it yet.
• Press Gaggle by Press Secretary Josh Earnest en route Lake Tahoe, NV, 8/31/2016 The White House 31 Aug 2016
• August 31, 2016 - U.S. Department of State Daily Press Briefing US Dept. of State 31 Aug 2016

Defense Industry

• DoD News: Contracts for August 31, 2016

Other Conflicts

• Kerry: No military solution to South China Sea dispute Press TV 31 Aug 2016 -- US Secretary of State John Kerry says there is "no military solution" to the dispute over the South China Sea, calling on China and the Philippines to comply with an international tribunal's decision.
• UN envoy tells Security Council that military escalation in Yemen aiding spread of terrorist groups UN News 31 Aug 2016 -- The United Nations envoy for Yemen told the Security Council today that the military escalation in Yemen will provide opportunities for the spread of terrorist groups, as Al Qaida and the Islamic State of Iraq and the Levant (ISIL) continue to wreak havoc in many parts of Yemen.
• 20 killed as Saudi jets launch new airstrikes in Yemen Press TV 31 Aug 2016 -- At least 20 people have lost their lives and many others sustained injuries in a number of Saudi airstrikes against residential neighborhoods across Yemen.
• Turkey: US criticism over Syria operations unacceptable ISNA 31 Aug 2016 -- Ankara has summoned the US ambassador over Washington's criticism of Turkey's incursion into northern Syria.
• Syria operation to last until threats eliminated: Turkish PM ISNA 31 Aug 2016 -- Turkey said its troops are to stay in Syria as long as there are "threats" against the Turkish state, days into a military incursion violating Syrian sovereignty.
• Turkey Bolsters Operation 'Euphrates Shield' in Syria with Eight More Tanks Sputnik 31 Aug 2016 -- The Turkish military has sent another eight tanks and armored vehicles to support the opposition Free Syrian Army at Jarabulus in northern Syria.
• Ankara Denies US Statements on Ceasefire Deal Between Turkey, Syrian Kurds Sputnik 31 Aug 2016 -- Turkish official has denied recent US statements about reached ceasefire agreement with Syrian Kurdish forces.
• Turkey Vows to Continue Offensive in Northern Syria VOA 31 Aug 2016 -- Turkey says it will not stop its military offensive in northern Syria until all threats are removed.
• Questions Arise About Turkey's Operation Inside Syria VOA 30 Aug 2016 -- Turkish forces started their cross-border military operation in Syria a week ago without an exit strategy, analysts say, and that may adversely affect U.S. efforts against Islamic State extremists in the region.
• Russia concerned about Turkey's incursion into Syria Press TV 31 Aug 2016 -- Russia's Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov has expressed concerns over Turkey's incursion into Syrian territory, which has also prompted condemnation by the Damascus government.
• Russia claims credit for killing Daesh spokesman in Syria Press TV 31 Aug 2016 -- Russia's Defense Ministry says the Daesh spokesman and chief strategist, Abu Mohamed al-Adnani, was killed by a Russian airstrike in Syria.
• Terrorist mortar, rocket attacks kill 2, injure 19 in Syria Press TV 31 Aug 2016 -- Terrorist mortar and rocket attacks targeting residential areas in Syria's eastern and southwestern regions have claimed the lives of two people and left 19 others injured.
• UN report on chlorine gas attack in Syria inconclusive: Russia Press TV 31 Aug 2016 -- Syria and Russia have rejected findings by a UN-led investigation that claims Damascus used chlorine gas in two attacks in 2014 and 2015.
• Russia Questions UN Report Blaming Syria For Chemical Attacks RFE/RL 31 Aug 2016 -- Russia has questioned a report by the United Nations that blames Syrian government forces for two chlorine gas attacks and said the UN Security Council cannot use the conclusions to impose sanctions.
• Turkey Denies Truce Deal With Kurdish Militia Fighters In Northern Syria RFE/RL 31 Aug 2016 -- Ankara is denying reports of a truce agreement with Kurdish militia fighters in northern Syria.
• Syrian Army Repels Attacks in North of Hama Province, Up to 50 Terrorists Killed Sputnik 31 Aug 2016 -- The Syrian armed forces and local militia managed to repel the terrorists' attacks in the north of Hama and killed about 50 terrorists, according to a source in militia.
• Syrian Army Liberates Half of Territory of Air Force School in Southern Aleppo Sputnik 31 Aug 2016 -- Syrian armed forces and militia liberated over half of the territory of an air force school in Southern Aleppo, according to a RIA Novosti correspondent.
• Syrian Kurdish Militia Largely Withdraws From West Bank of Euphrates River Sputnik 31 Aug 2016 -- The majority of the Syrian Kurdish self-defense forces left the west bank of the Euphrates River, according to Turkish Minister for EU Affairs Omer Celik.
• Iranian Foreign Ministry Concerned About Turkish Military Operation in Syria Sputnik 31 Aug 2016 -- Iran has voiced concern over the current Turkish military operation in Syria, a statement published Wednesday revealed.
• UN aid chief extremely concerned over evacuation of Syrian town of Darayya, cites need for compliance with humanitarian law UN News 31 Aug 2016 -- The top United Nations humanitarian relief official has expressed extreme concern over the recent evacuation of the entire population of the besieged Syrian town of Darayya, following an agreement between representatives of Darayya and the Syrian Government – and highlighted how the move does not comply with international law.
• Kurdish Rebels Step up Offensive in Turkey VOA 31 Aug 2016 -- August was a bloody month for Turkish security forces, being targeted by the Kurdish rebel group the PKK with a series of powerful truck bombs. The attacks that killed dozens and injured many more were across Turkey's predominantly Kurdish southeast.
• Israel approves about 300 new settler units in West Bank Press TV 31 Aug 2016 -- Israel has approved the construction of 285 new settler units in the occupied West Bank in defiance of international calls to end the illegal project in the Palestinian territories.
• UN agency lays foundation for its biggest logistics base in Gaza UN News 31 Aug 2016 -- The United Nations relief agency charged with the well-being of Palestinian refugees has started work on what will become its largest logistics base in the Gaza Strip.
• US 'Troubled' by Acceleration of Israeli Settlement Building VOA 31 Aug 2016 -- The United States has rebuked Israel for the Jewish nation's plans to accelerate building of Jewish settlements in the occupied West Bank in the face of mounting international concern.
• Somalia: UN envoy condemns terrorist attack on Mogadishu hotel UN News 31 Aug 2016 -- The United Nations envoy in Somalia has spoken out against the bombing yesterday of a hotel in the capital, Mogadishu, that killed at least 13 people and injured more than 20.
• Myanmar's promising path to reconciliation to require compromise, Ban tells peace conference UN News 31 Aug 2016 -- Addressing a major peace conference in Myanmar, the United Nations chief today highlighted that the country's path to reconciliation is a promising one, but that after decades of conflict it will not be easy and will require compromise for all involved.
• Myanmar Government, Ethnic Rebels Begin Peace Talks VOA 31 Aug 2016 -- Talks aimed at ending nearly seven decades of fighting between Myanmar's government and ethnic rebel groups opened in the capital of Naypyitaw Wednesday.
• UN-supported 'historic' training to monitor ceasefire between Government and FARC-EP starts in Colombia UN News 31 Aug 2016 -- Following a recent agreement to end more than 50 years of conflict between the Government of Colombia and the Revolutionary Armed Forces of Colombia-People's Army (FARC-EP), a seven-day training session on monitoring and verifying their bilateral ceasefire has begun in the country's western city of Popayan, with United Nations support.
• Cambodia, Vietnam Deadlocked on Border Dispute VOA 31 Aug 2016 -- A closed-door meeting on border issues between Vietnam and Cambodia ended in deadlock Tuesday.

News Reports

• Temer Takes Oath of Office as Brazil's New President VOA 31 Aug 2016 -- Brazil's new president, Michel Temer, promised a "new era" of government for that crisis-hit country Wednesday, shortly after being sworn in following the impeachment of his predecessor, Dilma Rousseff.
• Dilma Rousseff stripped of Brazil's presidency Press TV 31 Aug 2016 -- Dilma Rousseff has been stripped of Brazil's presidency following a Senate impeachment vote in Brasilia.
• Brazilian Senate Votes to Oust President Dilma Rousseff VOA 31 Aug 2016 -- Brazilian senators have voted 61 to 20 to remove president Dilma Rousseff from office, finding her guilty of breaking budget laws.
• North Korean Vice Premier Executed, South Korea Says VOA 31 Aug 2016 -- South Korea says a high-ranking North Korean government official has been executed, and two more banished to re-education camps, as leader Kim Jong Un continues to tighten his grip on power.
• KCNA Commentary Ridicules Odd Burlesque between Nuclear War Maniacs KCNA 31 Aug 2016 -- An odd burlesque is now under way between the American master and his stooge over the issue of the U.S. "preemptive nuclear attack".
• DPRK, Full-fledged Space Power KCNA 31 Aug 2016 -- In August Juche 87 (1998) Kwangmyongsong-1, the first earth satellite of the Democratic People's Republic of Korea, was successfully launched into space.
• Iran, Russian negotiators review process of JCPOA implementation IRNA 31 Aug 2016 -- Iranian deputy foreign ministers Abbas Araqchi and Majid Takht-e Ravanchi on Wednesday held separate meetings with Russian Deputy Foreign Minister Sergei Ryabkov about process of JCPOA implementation.
• Karimov's Condition Fuels Worries, Debate on Uzbekistan's Future VOA 31 Aug 2016 -- The sudden hospitalization, due to an apparent stroke, of Uzbekistan's only president since independence, Islam Karimov, has formed a dark cloud over the country as the most populous former Soviet republic in Central Asia on Wednesday and Thursday marks 25 years since breaking from the Soviet Union.
• As Death Rumors Swirl, Karimov Address Read Out On Uzbek TV, Daughter Cites Possible 'Recovery' RFE/RL 31 Aug 2016 -- An Uzbek state TV anchor read out an Independence Day address traditionally delivered by President Islam Karimov, three days after a government announcement that he had been hospitalized set off rumors of his death and conjecture over who might replace the authoritarian leader who has ruled the Central Asian nation since the Soviet era.
• UN Secretary-General 'deeply concerned' at reports of violence in wake of Gabon elections UN News 31 Aug 2016 -- Taking note of the official announcement of provisional results of Gabon's presidential election, United Nations Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon today expressed deep concern about reports of arson and clashes between protesters and security forces in the country's capital, Libreville.
• Gabon election commission approves Pres. Bongo's victory Press TV 31 Aug 2016 -- Several members of Gabon's election commission, known as Cenap, say the supervising body has approved the victory of incumbent President Ali Bongo over challenger Jean Ping.
• Gabon: President Re-elected, Opposition Cries Fraud VOA 31 Aug 2016 -- Gabon's President Ali Bongo has won re-election, according to members of the country's electoral commission, but critics are denouncing the result as fraudulent.
• Briefing by Foreign Ministry Spokesperson Maria Zakharova, Moscow, August 31, 2016 Russia Ministry of Foreign Affairs 31 Aug 2016
• Rights Watchdog Condemns 'Preelection Crackdown' In Chechnya RFE/RL 30 Aug 2016 -- A leading rights watchdog has accused authorities in Chechnya of systematically erecting a "tyranny" in that southern Russian republic and using "thugs" to intimidate potential rivals and the public ahead of an election next month in which Chechen leader Ramzan Kadyrov is seeking a new term.
• Crumbling Islamic State Caliphate Puts Europe on Edge VOA 31 Aug 2016 -- Progress against the Islamic State terror group in Iraq and Syria could come at a cost for European countries, which fear returning foreign fighters could soon turn their wrath on their homelands.
• State Department Terrorist Designation of Abdiqadir Mumin US Dept. of State 31 Aug 2016
• Concerns Mount Over Foreign Cyberattacks on US Election Day VOA 31 Aug 2016 -- As Democrats in the U.S. Congress call for the Federal Bureau of Investigation to investigate concerns that Russia may be trying to manipulate the November general election with cyberattacks, government officials are wrestling with new challenges to ensure accurate results.
• U.S. Democrats Seek Inquiry On Possible Russian Hacking Of Voting Systems RFE/RL 31 Aug 2016 -- U.S. Senate Democratic leader Harry Reid and other congressional Democrats are asking the FBI to investigate concerns that the Russian government may be attempting to undermine the U.S. presidential election through cyberattacks.
• Buckshot: India's Space Agency to Launch 68 Satellites in One Mission Sputnik 31 Aug 2016 -- The satellites are mainly meant for conducting experiments, data generation, image-capturing and transmitting signals for communications, broadcasting, remote-sensing, earth observation and weather conditions.
• Maldives issues arrest warrant for ex-president Nasheed Press TV 31 Aug 2016 -- A court in the Maldives has issued an arrest warrant for former president, Mohammad Nasheed, as officials seek to bring him back to the country where he is supposed to complete a prison sentence over terror-related charges.
• Australia dismisses arbitration by PCA on Timor Sea People's Daily 31 Aug 2016 -- After Australia was taken to the Permanent Court of Arbitration (PCA), Australian Foreign Minister Julie Bishop and Attorney General George Brandis issued a joint declaration on Aug. 29. They denied all spying allegations and said that East Timor should respect the existing treaties to divide underseas resources.