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Operations
Defense Policy / Programs
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News Reports

Current Operations

• OIF / OND / OEF / OIR / OFS Casualty Update 01 Sep 2016 [PDF]
• Coalition Strikes Target ISIL Terrorists in Syria, Iraq AFPS 01 Sep 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 Air Force Denies Reports of Not Providing Help to Turkey in Anti-Daesh Fight Sputnik 01 Sep 2016 -- The US-led coalition against Daesh provided the necessary support to Turkish forces in the attack on the terrorist group in Syria's city of Jarablus, US Air Forces Central Command spokeswoman Kiley Dougherty told Sputnik on Thursday.
• Pakistan: Afghan Apology Prompted Reopening of Busy Border Crossing VOA 01 Sep 2016 -- Pakistan says it reopened a busy border crossing with Afghanistan for routine traffic after Kabul apologized over the burning of the Pakistani flag by angry Afghan protesters.
• Florida National Guard Soldiers, Airmen Prepare for Hurricane Hermine AFPS 01 Sep 2016 -- As Category 1 Hurricane Hermine heads for Florida's Gulf Coast, the state's governor has activated about 100 National Guard soldiers and airmen as part of an initial preparatory package and is prepared to activate more if needed, a Defense Department spokesman said today.

Defense Policy / Programs

• Marine F-35 Operational Tests increases combat capability USMC News 01 Sep 2016 -- Three F-35B aircraft and 75 U.S. Marines from Marine Operational Test & Evaluation Squadron 1 F-35B Detachment at Edwards Air Force Base , CA, along with 21 test personnel from the JSF Operational Test Team at Edwards deployed to Eglin AFB, FL., from August 9 to September 1, 2016 to complete Operational Test missile shots of the AIM-120 Advanced Medium-Range Air-to-Air Missile.
• General gives KC-46A progress report at symposium AFNS 01 Sep 2016 -- The first active-duty KC-46A Pegasus is slated to arrive at Tinker Air Force Base for routine maintenance three years from now, but preparations for the new aerial refueling tanker are in full swing across the Air Force, the program's executive officer said.
• USS Mason Conducts Anti-Submarine Warfare Exercises with UK, Australian Navies NNS 01 Sep 2016 -- Sailors aboard Arleigh Burke-class guided-missile destroyer USS Mason (DDG 87), part of the Eisenhower Carrier Strike Group (Ike CSG), concluded bilateral anti-submarine warfare (ASW) exercises with the Royal Australian navy and the United Kingdom's Royal navy, Aug. 29.
• Pentagon's new aircraft carrier may miss expectations Press TV 01 Sep 2016 -- The Pentagon is reviewing the US Navy's latest aircraft carrier, the USS Gerald Ford, fearing that the $12.9 billion warship would fail to perform as promised.
• NATO Deputy Secretary General: "Partnerships are a necessity, not a luxury" NATO 01 Sep 2016 -- NATO Deputy Secretary General Alexander Vershbow outlined the vital role that partners play within NATO in a keynote speech at the Finnish Institute of International Affairs' Annual Helsinki Summer Session on Thursday (1 September 2016). Noting the Alliance's enduring challenges to the east and to the south, he stressed that NATO's partnerships have helped to consolidate peace and stability in Europe, and to extend stability beyond our borders.
• Russian Navy to Get First Advanced Project 22160 Modular Patrol Ship in 2017 Sputnik 01 Sep 2016 -- Project 22160 is the first of its kind based on the principles of modular construction, allowing the vessels to interchange equipment and armaments based on tasks at hand.
• You're in the Army Now! Sweden Considers Gender-Neutral Draft Sputnik 01 Sep 2016 -- Less than a decade after scrapping conscription, Sweden may see a return to compulsory military service, this time for both men and women, in an attempt to beat the vanishing staff numbers in the military.
• Report: Syria, Yemen Still Using Banned Cluster Munitions VOA 01 Sep 2016 -- Human Rights activists accuse Syria and Yemen of illegally using cluster munitions in violation of an international treaty. Documented evidence appears in the latest edition of the Cluster Munition Monitor 2016, which tracks the global use, production, stockpiling and trade of these banned weapons.
• India Launches Domestic Design Bureau to Cut Imports of Arms and Ammo Sputnik 01 Sep 2016 -- India has taken a big leap forward toward reducing defense equipment imports, by launching its own design wing.
• India Rejects DCNS' Offer to Set Up Subsidiary With 100% Direct Investment Sputnik 01 Sep 2016 -- French ship-building Company DCNS has failed to impress Indian authorities with its proposal to set up a subsidiary in India under the 100% foreign direct investment option.
• India Wants to Buy Russian Kalibr Cruise Missiles Sputnik 01 Sep 2016 -- India plans to purchase the Kalibr cruise missiles from Russia, the Russian Izvestia newspaper reports.
• Navy forces escorted 3,200 vessels in recent years: Sayyari IRNA 01 Sep 2016 -- Iran's Navy Commander Rear Admiral Habibollah Sayyari said in this northern province on Thursday that the navy forces have escorted some 3,200 merchant vessels in the Gulf of Aden in recent years.
• UK warship heads to Mediterranean to help tackle arms trafficking UK MOD 01 Sep 2016 -- The Royal Navy warship HMS Diamond will sail to the southern Mediterranean to join an operation aimed at countering arms trafficking.
• Press Gaggle by Press Secretary Josh Earnest and Senior Advisor Brian Deese en route Midway Atoll, 9/1/2016 The White House 01 Sep 2016
• September 1, 2016 - U.S. Department of State Daily Press Briefing US Dept. of State 01 Sep 2016

Defense Industry

• DoD News: Contracts for September 01, 2016
• Zvezda Shipyard to Build Icebreakers, Oil Platforms With Singapore, Netherlands Sputnik 01 Sep 2016 -- The Zvezda shipyard in the Russian Far East is to build icebreakers and oil platforms in cooperation with companies from Singapore and the Netherlands, and it will team up with General Electric to manufacture ship equipment, Rosneft CEO Igor Sechin said at an opening ceremony for the first phase of the shipyard.
• Ukraine, China to make giant plane 'Mriya' Press TV 01 Sep 2016 -- Ukraine and China have signed a deal to manufacture the world's largest and heaviest plane -the Antonov AN-225 Mriya.

Other Conflicts

• UN General Assembly President underscores importance of fostering a 'Culture of Peace' in challenging world environment UN News 01 Sep 2016 -- Drawing attention to violence and terrorism affecting many parts of the world, the President of the United Nations General Assembly today underscored that importance of promoting a global culture of peace.
• After Turkey's Syria Incursions, Questions Grow Over Exit Strategy VOA 01 Sep 2016 -- A week after Turkey's military launched an incursion into northern Syria, observers at home and abroad are wondering when it will end. But the stated objective of operation "Euphrates Shield" – to remove "terrorists" from the Turkish border – is vague, prompting growing speculation over Ankara's long term intentions.
• Turkey Destroys Total of 262 Targets During Syria Military Operation Sputnik 01 Sep 2016 -- The Turkish army has hit 262 targets since its Euphrates Shield military operation began in northern Syria nine days ago, the Turkish General Staff said Thursday.
• Turkey's Ground Offensive in Syria Caught Washington 'Off Guard' Sputnik 01 Sep 2016 -- Turkish leadership said that the ground offensive in northern Syria was carried out in coordination with the US-led anti-Daesh coalition but Ankara appears to have launched the military campaign, dubbed Operation Euphrates Shield, without giving Washington a heads up.
• Turkey Denies Ceasefire, Vows to Continue Offensive in Northern Syria VOA 01 Sep 2016 -- Turkey on Wednesday denied U.S. claims that it agreed to a ceasefire with Kurdish fighters and says it will not stop its military offensive in northern Syria until all threats are removed.
• UN's top relief official: World body is impartial in its humanitarian work in Syria as it is elsewhere UN News 01 Sep 2016 -- The top United Nations relief official today outlined how the humanitarian work of the world body in war-torn Syria is guided by impartiality and the key imperative of saving lives.
• UN envoy eyes new political initiative in Syria talks; his advisor says taskforce 'failed' people of Darayya UN News 01 Sep 2016 -- The United Nations envoy for Syria said today that he plans to present a "quite clear political initiative" during the week preceding the General Assembly so that the stalled peace talks could resume by the time the Security Council holds another meeting on Syria on 21 September.
• Efforts to Resume Syrian Peace Talks, Humanitarian Access Falter VOA 01 Sep 2016 -- Senior United Nations officials acknowledge that efforts to resume deadlocked Syrian peace talks and gain humanitarian access to besieged areas in that war-torn country remain unsuccessful, as fighting continues to escalate with no let up in sight.
• Daesh militants flee as govt. forces close in on Iraqi town Press TV 01 Sep 2016 -- Daesh militants are reportedly fleeing the Iraqi town of Hawija as the Iraqi army and volunteer forces are gearing up for an operation to liberate the area in the Kirkuk province.
• Iraq: More than two-thirds of those killed in August civilians, reports UN mission UN News 01 Sep 2016 -- Civilians continue to disproportionately bear the burden of acts of terrorism, violence and armed conflict in Iraq, accounting for more than two-thirds of those killed or injured in the month of August, the United Nations mission announced today.
• Pentagon: IS Down to 3 Neighborhoods in Former Libyan Stronghold VOA 01 Sep 2016 -- Islamic State forces have been reduced to just three neighborhoods in Sirte, Libya, a city once considered to be a stronghold for the group, a Pentagon spokesman said Thursday as the U.S. extended its air campaign over the city for up to another 30 days.
• Pakistan: Islamic State Bid To Expand In Country Foiled RFE/RL 01 Sep 2016 -- Pakistan says it has halted the Islamic State (IS) group's attempts to expand in the country, arresting hundreds of people involved in plotting attacks on government, diplomatic, and civilian targets.
• Pakistani army admits Daesh terrorists' presence in country Press TV 01 Sep 2016 -- A senior Pakistani military official has made a rare acknowledgement of the presence of the Daesh Takfiri terrorist group in the militancy-riddled country.
• US Sanctions More Russian Individuals, Firms Over Ukraine VOA 01 Sep 2016 -- The United States on Thursday announced additional sanctions aimed at Russia over its continuing support for Ukraine's rebels and the 2014 annexation of Crimea.
• US Adds 5 Russian Defense Companies, Gazprom Entities to Sanctions List Sputnik 01 Sep 2016 -- The United States added five Russian defense companies and a score of Gazprom entities, including the Gazprom Media Holding, to the US sectoral sanctions over the Ukraine conflict, the US Department of the Treasury said in a press release on Thursday.
• Both sides of Ukraine conflict respecting new ceasefire Press TV 01 Sep 2016 -- The Ukrainian government and pro-Russia forces fighting for greater autonomy have been both respecting a new ceasefire agreement between the two conflicting sides.
• Kosovo Postpones Montenegro Border Vote Amid Protests, Serb Boycott RFE/RL 01 Sep 2016 -- Amid fierce protests by nationalists and a boycott by Serbian deputies, Kosovo's government has called off a parliamentary vote on a controversial bill that would demarcate the country's border with Montenegro and move the country closer to European Union membership.
• Kosovo Postpones Debate on Montenegro Border Deal VOA 01 Sep 2016 -- Kosovo's government on Thursday withdrew a controversial draft law on a border deal with Montenegro, saying a vote on the measure would be postponed indefinitely.
• Nigerian State Regulates Cattle Herders After Violent Clashes VOA 01 Sep 2016 -- Nomadic cattle herders say regulations enacted by a Nigerian state this week won't end clashes between farmers and herdsmen that have left dozens dead in the West African country.
• INTERVIEW: Upcoming visit a chance for the Security Council to see, firsthand, the challenges facing the people of South Sudan UN News 01 Sep 2016 -- A delegation from the United Nations Security Council is expected to visit South Sudan next week.
• FEATURE: WFP in Emergency Operation to Assist Around 80,000 South Sudanese Refugees in Uganda UN News 01 Sep 2016 -- Halima, aged 22, is from the village of Yei in South Sudan. Now, though, Yei is only a name, and a distant dream for her and her four children. Bidi Bidi: she will have to get used to that, as the new name for her new home. Bidi Bidi. Besides this name and its new beats, she will learn new names, of new neighbours, too. Her husband is not here with her; he was shot dead two weeks ago, when her village was attacked.

News Reports

• UN Secretary-General calls for restraint amid electoral crisis in Gabon, supports call for transparent verification of results UN News 01 Sep 2016 -- Voicing deep concerns about the unfolding electoral crisis in Gabon, United Nations Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon today called for restraint and the upholding of international standards of human rights there –and expressed UN support for a transparent verification of its recent presidential election results.
• Gabon arrests up to 1,100 people in post-election chaos Press TV 01 Sep 2016 -- Authorities in Gabon have arrested up to 1,100 people over two days of violence that erupted amid post-election tensions in the West African country.
• Gabon's opposition leader calls for international help after security raid on HDs Press TV 01 Sep 2016 -- The leader of the opposition in Gabon, a country in Central Africa, has called for international help to protect the population following a raid by government forces on opposition headquarters in the capital, Libreville, and amid a dispute over presidential election results.
• Over 1,000 Arrested in Gabon Post-election Violence VOA 01 Sep 2016 -- Gabon's interior minister says more than 1,000 people have been arrested since the capital erupted in violence Wednesday, after officials announced the re-election of President Ali Bongo.
• Uzbeks Scale Back Holiday Events, With Karimov Nowhere To Be Seen RFE/RL 01 Sep 2016 -- Uzbekistan has celebrated Independence Day events with longtime President Islam Karimov notably absent from the celebrations, four days into an official silence that has set off speculation that the 78-year-old died of what his daughter described as a stroke.
• Uzbek President Misses Independence Day Speech Due to Illness VOA 01 Sep 2016 -- Uzbekistan President Islam Karimov missed the country's Independence Day celebrations Thursday, remaining hospitalized since suffering a stroke.
• Pakistani National Extradited and Sentenced for Attempting to Export Sensitive Technology for Pakistani Military US Dept. of Justice 01 Sep 2016 -- Syed Vaqar Ashraf, 71, of Lahore, Pakistan, was sentenced today to 33 months in prison by U.S. District Judge Rosemary Marquez of the District of Arizona. Ashraf previously pleaded guilty to conspiracy to export defense controlled items without a license.
• Funeral For Controversial Former Afghan King Sparks Violence RFE/RL 01 Sep 2016 -- The belated funeral ceremony for a controversial former Afghan monarch turned violent in Kabul on September 1, with at least one person killed and several wounded after gunshots were fired during a procession attended by thousands of members of Afghanistan's ethnic Tajik minority.
• Brazil's ousted president Rousseff lodges appeal against removal from office Press TV 01 Sep 2016 -- Brazil's ousted president Dilma Rousseff, who was stripped of presidency following a Wednesday Senate impeachment vote, has appealed to the Supreme Court to overturn the decision on her removal from office.
• Czech Spy Agency: Russian Agents Waging Information War RFE/RL 01 Sep 2016 -- Russian intelligence services are conducting "an information war" in the Czech Republic, warns the Central European country's counterintelligence agency, the BIS.
• JCPOA touchstone of enemy's spirit of commitment: IRGC commander IRNA 01 Sep 2016 -- In the new environment created following the nuclear deal between Iran and world powers, the JCPOA is going to be a touchstone to show the spirit of commitment among our enemies, deputy commander of the Islamic Revolution Guards Corps, says.
• Iran to Start Building Two Reactors at Bushehr NPP on September 10 Sputnik 01 Sep 2016 -- Tehran will start building two new reactors of the Bushehr nuclear power plant on September 10.
• Romanian Hacker "Guccifer" Sentenced to 52 Months in Prison for Computer Hacking Crimes US Dept. of Justice 01 Sep 2016 -- Marcel Lehel Lazar, 44, of Arad, Romania, a hacker who used the online moniker "Guccifer," was sentenced today to 52 months in prison for unauthorized access to a protected computer and aggravated identity theft.
• Explosion destroys SpaceX rocket in Florida Press TV 01 Sep 2016 -- A massive has explosion has destroyed a rocket belonging to the US aerospace manufacturer SpaceX during routine test firing in Cape Canaveral, Florida, shaking buildings in the area and sending a fiery plume of smoke into the air.
• Unmanned SpaceX Rocket Explodes on Florida Launchpad VOA 01 Sep 2016 -- An unmanned SpaceX rocket exploded on its launchpad in the U.S. state of Florida Thursday morning. NASA said SpaceX was testing the rocket when a series of blasts rocked the site, shaking buildings several kilometers away.
• Erdogan says post-coup crackdown boosts judiciary Press TV 01 Sep 2016 -- Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan has defended Ankara's massive post-coup crackdown on thousands of judges and prosecutors, saying the measure will bolster the country's judiciary.
• Turkish interior minister resigns after attacks, coup attempt Press TV 01 Sep 2016 -- Turkish Interior Minister Efkan Ala has quit his post in the wake of apparent intelligence failures and public criticism over a string of militant attacks as well as the failed July 15 coup attempt.
• Rights Group: Situation in Chechnya Continues to Deteriorate VOA 01 Sep 2016 -- A leading international human rights group released a report this week detailing what it says is an intensifying crackdown on dissent in Chechnya, the republic in Russia's North Caucasus region ruled with an iron fist by Ramzan Kadyrov, its Kremlin-appointed leader.
• Cross-strait relations facing 'grave challenge': Chinese official CNA 01 Sep 2016 -- Zhang Zhijun (張志軍), head of China's Taiwan Affairs Office (TAO), said Thursday that cross-strait relations are facing a "grave challenge" as the current Taiwan government has refused to recognize the "1992 consensus" and its core meaning.
• Serbia Says It Will Remain Neutral on Bosnian Serb Referendum VOA 01 Sep 2016 -- Serbia has declared it will maintain a neutral position toward the controversial Bosnian Serb referendum that has challenged the international community in Bosnia and heightened ethnic tensions more than 20 years after the war.