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Defense Policy / Programs
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News Reports

Current Operations

• OIF / OND / OEF / OIR / OFS Casualty Update 14 Sep 2016 [PDF]
• Military Strikes Target ISIL Terrorists in Syria, Iraq AFPS 14 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 strikes may have killed Syrian civilians: Pentagon Press TV 14 Sep 2016 -- The US military has admitted its airstrikes in Syria over the past several days "may have resulted in civilian casualties."
• Update: air strikes against Daesh UK MOD 14 Sep 2016 -- British forces have continued to conduct air operations in the fight against Daesh
• Avenues for peace in Afghanistan must be explored with 'utmost urgency' - UN envoy UN News 14 Sep 2016 -- Highlighting the challenges facing Afghanistan due to decades-long violence and instability, the United Nations envoy to the country stressed today that avenues for peace there must be explored with utmost urgency and seriousness.
• Report: Corruption Substantially Undermined US Mission in Afghanistan VOA 14 Sep 2016 -- Widespread corruption in Afghanistan has substantially undermined U.S. efforts to rebuild the county, according to a report released Wednesday
• Militants ambush ex-warlord vehicle in Afghanistan, kill five Press TV 14 Sep 2016 -- Suspected militants have killed at least five people, including a former warlord, in Afghanistan's northern province of Baghlan, local Afghan authorities say.
• US drone attack leaves five people dead in SW Yemen Press TV 14 Sep 2016 -- The United States has conducted a fresh drone strike in the southwestern Yemeni province of Bayda, killing five people.

Defense Policy / Programs

• Media Availability with Secretary Carter following DIUx visit in Austin, Texas DoD 14 Sep 2016 -- Presenter: Secretary of Defense Ash Carter
• Navy's Most Advanced Warship, USS Zumwalt Arrives in Norfolk NNS 14 Sep 2016 -- The Navy's newest and most technologically advanced surface ship, future USS Zumwalt (DDG 1000) pulled into Naval Station Norfolk Wednesday for another port visit on the 3-month journey to its new homeport in San Diego.
• Standing vigilant from the top of the world AFNS 14 Sep 2016 -- Stretching from the confines of Thule Air Base, the northernmost U.S. military installation hundreds of miles above the Arctic Circle, a dirt road trails steadily upward and to the northwest.
• Secretary Carter Announces DIUx Presence in Austin, Texas DoD 14 Sep 2016 -- Secretary of Defense Ash Carter announced today that the Department of Defense will establish a new Defense Innovation Unit Experimental, or DIUx, presence in Austin, Texas.
• Valiant Shield sinking exercise concludes USMC News 14 Sep 2016 -- Live fire from ships and aircraft participating in the Valiant Shield 2016 exercise sank the decommissioned USS Rentz (FFG 46) about 3 p.m. Tuesday, Sept. 13, in waters 30,000 feet deep, 220 nautical miles northeast of Guam.
• SINKEX Conducted During Valiant Shield 2016 NNS 14 Sep 2016 -- Live fire from ships and aircraft participating in Valiant Shield 2016 sank the decommissioned USS Rentz (FFG 46) in waters 30,000 feet deep and 117 nautical miles northeast of Guam Sept. 13.
• USS San Antonio Responds to Medical Emergency in Gulf of Aden NNS 14 Sep 2016 -- Amphibious transport dock USS San Antonio (LPD 17) provided medical assistance to a crew member of a motor vessel after receiving a distress call Sept. 12.
• Russian Black Sea Fleet 'Has Everything' to Destroy Enemy Moving to Crimea Sputnik 14 Sep 2016 -- The Russian Black Sea Fleet is fully capable of defending the country's borders thanks to reconnaissance and modern weapons, the General Staff's head said.
• Japan-India Nexus in South China Sea 'Disgraceful' Says China Sputnik 14 Sep 2016 -- Japan is interested in reviving an almost 'dead deal' regarding the sale of 12 amphibious aircraft to India to counter Chinese actions in the South China Sea.
• China sets up joint logistics force, Xi confers flags People's Daily 14 Sep 2016 -- Chinese President Xi Jinping on Tuesday conferred flags to joint logistics units as the Central Military Commission (CMC) established a joint logistics support force.
• U.S. B-1B Nuclear Strategic Bombers Fly over S. Korea KCNA 14 Sep 2016 -- The U.S. imperialists are going reckless, taken aback by the DPRK's successful nuclear test.
• US, Israel Sign Record Military Aid Agreement VOA 14 Sep 2016 -- The United States and Israel signed a landmark 10-year military assistance agreement Wednesday, as U.S. lawmakers of both political parties stressed that Congress will determine actual aid levels to the Jewish state.
• Israeli spy sat shows signs of malfunctioning after launch: Reports Press TV 14 Sep 2016 -- Hours after its launch into space, an Israeli spy satellite reportedly shows signs of experiencing multiple malfunctions.
• Iranian Military Threatens To Shoot Down Two U.S. Planes Over Gulf RFE/RL 14 Sep 2016 -- Tehran's military threatened to shoot down two U.S. Navy planes over the Strait of Hormuz in the latest tense encounter in the Persian Gulf.
• Iran Unveils New High-Speed Vessel Aimed At Deterring U.S. Ships In Gulf RFE/RL 14 Sep 2016 -- Iran's Islamic Revolutionary Guards Corps (IRGC) has unveiled a new high-speed vessel the force says is capable of carrying a helicopter and up to 100 people, Iranian media reported on September 13.
• US presence in Persian Gulf unwarranted: Iran official Press TV 14 Sep 2016 -- A senior Iranian official says the presence of American military forces in the Persian Gulf lacks any legal and international justification.
• September 14, 2016 - U.S. Department of State Daily Press Briefing US Dept. of State 14 Sep 2016
• Press Briefing by Press Secretary Josh Earnest, 9/14/2016 The White House 14 Sep 2016

Defense Industry

• DoD News: Contracts for September 14, 2016
• Russia Wants to Set Up Service Center for Tanks, Small Arms in South Africa Sputnik 14 Sep 2016 -- Russian Federal Service for Military-Technical Cooperation Deputy Director Anatoly Punchuk said that Moscow is interested in setting up service centers for tanks and small arms in South Africa.
• Russian Shipbuilding Company Plans to Set Up Manufacturing Base in India Sputnik 14 Sep 2016 -- The United Shipbuilding Corporation of Russia, the country's largest ship manufacturer, may consider locating a manufacturing hub in Visakhapatnam in the Indian state of Andhra Pradesh.

Other Conflicts

• With Syria Cease-fire Holding, Aid Deliveries Await Assad's OK VOA 14 Sep 2016 -- A Syrian cease-fire brokered by the U.S. and Russia appeared to be generally holding across the war-torn country Wednesday, but aid distribution to besieged towns and areas - a key part of the deal - remains on hold. The Syrian government has insisted any humanitarian assistance to the city of Aleppo has to be coordinated with Damascus.
• Russia strikes kill 250 Daesh militants in Syria's Palmyra: General Press TV 14 Sep 2016 -- A senior Russian army official says his country's aircraft have conducted air raids in the recently-recaptured Syrian city of Palmyra, leaving 250 Daesh terrorists dead.
• Russian Jets Eliminate 250 Daesh Terrorists Preparing Attack on Palmyra Sputnik 14 Sep 2016 -- Russian Aerospace Forces targeted a group of terrorists preparing an offensive on the Syrian city of Palmyra. The airstrikes destroyed 250 militants and 15 vehicles.
• Significant lull in Syria fighting after ceasefire deal, UN says Press TV 14 Sep 2016 -- UN Special Envoy for Syria Staffan de Mistura says there has been a "significant drop" in violence after a ceasefire brokered by Russia and the United States came into force in the crisis-hit Arab country.
• US-Russian Deal: Syrian 'Moderate' Rebels Pose a Challenge to the Agreement Sputnik 14 Sep 2016 -- The so-called Syrian moderate rebels discredited by colluding with al-Nusra Front and other terrorist groups on the ground may pose a challenge to the US-Russian ceasefire deal.
• As Syrian Cease-fire Holds, Focus Turns to Aid VOA 14 Sep 2016 -- A Syrian cease-fire brokered by the U.S. and Russia appeared to be generally holding across the war-torn country but aid distribution to besieged towns and areas – a key part of the deal –remains on hold with the Syrian government insisting any humanitarian assistance to the city of Aleppo must be coordinated with Damascus.
• Humanitarian Assistance for Iraq Totals Over $1 Billion US Dept. of State 14 Sep 2016 -- The United States is providing more than $181 million in additional humanitarian assistance for the Iraqi people to address critical humanitarian needs, including those expected to occur with Iraq's planned military offensive to liberate Mosul from Da'esh occupation.
• Libyan intervention based on erroneous assumptions; David Cameron ultimately responsible UK Commons Foreign Affairs Committee 14 Sep 2016 -- The Foreign Affairs Committee has published a report examining the intervention and subsequent collapse of Libya.
• Head of Libya's unity govt. seeks talks after seizure of oil ports Press TV 14 Sep 2016 -- The head of Libya's UN-backed Government of National Accord (GNA) has called for urgent talks in the wake of the seizure of four export terminals in the country's so-called oil crescent in the east by forces loyal to General Khalifa Haftar.
• Aerial assaults kill 16 suspected PKK militants in SE Turkey Press TV 14 Sep 2016 -- Fresh airstrikes conducted by the Turkish army on the country's restive southeast have claimed the lives of 16 suspected Kurdistan Workers' Party (PKK) militants.
• UK, Argentina Agree on 1st Joint Positive Statement on Falklands Since 1999 Sputnik 14 Sep 2016 -- Britain and Argentina agreed to work toward removing restrictive measures around the oil and gas industry, shipping and fishing.
• 5 soldiers, 30 Boko Haram militants killed in Niger fighting Press TV 14 Sep 2016 -- Nigeria-based Boko Haram Takfiri militants have attacked soldiers in neighboring Niger, with reports saying more than two dozen people have been killed in the fighting.
• President Obama Signs Executive Order Ending Côte d'Ivoire Sanctions US Dept. of State 14 Sep 2016 -- Today President Obama terminated the national emergency declared with respect to Côte d'Ivoire in Executive Order 13396 of February 7, 2006, and lifted the economic sanctions imposed pursuant to that Order.
• The Sentry's Report on Corruption in South Sudan US Dept. of State 14 Sep 2016 -- The United States welcomes The Sentry's report chronicling public corruption among South Sudan's leaders, including President Salva Kiir and Riek Machar.
• Security Council approves three-month extension for UN Mission in Liberia UN News 14 Sep 2016 -- The Security Council this morning extended the mandate of the United Nations Mission in Liberia (UNMIL) through the end of the year, while reaffirming its readiness to consider withdrawing the operation and transitioning to a future UN presence there following a proposed mid-November review of situation on the ground in the country.

News Reports

• U.S.-Burma Relations US Dept. of State 14 Sep 2016 -- Aung Sang Suu Kyi's historic visit in her new capacities as State Counsellor and Foreign Minister is testament to the far-reaching change Burma has undergone in the past few years. Burma now has a civilian-led, democratically elected government focused on bringing peace and national reconciliation, economic prosperity and social welfare, and respect for human rights to its people.
• Terminating the National Emergency for Burma US Dept. of State 14 Sep 2016 -- On September 14, President Obama announced his intent to terminate the National Emergency with respect to Burma, nearly 20 years after economic and financial sanctions were first imposed on Burma. The announcement came after the President met and discussed these issues with State Counsellor Aung San Suu Kyi, during her first visit to the United States in her new capacity.
• US Signals Changes in Economic Ties with Myanmar VOA 14 Sep 2016 -- The United States pulled its ambassador from Myanmar in 1990 after the military refused to cede power to a civilian government. U.S. sanctions were imposed in 1997 and have been in place in some form ever since. Here is a look at those sanctions:
• US Prepared to Lift Sanctions on Myanmar VOA 14 Sep 2016 -- President Barack Obama announced the U.S. is prepared to lift economic sanctions on Myanmar, following talks at the White House with the country's de facto leader Aung San Suu Kyi.
• U.S. Hostile Policy toward DPRK Is Bound to Go Bankrupt: Rodong Sinmun KCNA 14 Sep 2016 -- The U.S. is making much fuss, pushing its allies to "announce a statement" and apply an "additional sanctions" at the UN over the successful nuclear explosion test for judging the power of nuclear warhead conducted by scientists and technicians of the DPRK Nuclear Weapons Institute, says Rodong Sinmun Wednesday in an article.
• Not Impressed: North Korea Brushes Off US B-1 Bomber Flyover Sputnik 14 Sep 2016 -- After US bombers flew over South Korea in a sign of solidarity earlier this week, Pyongyang issued a statement claiming that Washington is all bark and no bite.
• US pushing Korean Peninsula to point of explosion: North Korea Press TV 14 Sep 2016 -- North Korea says the United States is pushing the Korean Peninsula to "the point of explosion" following a move by Washington to fly two of its heavy strategic bombers over South Korea in an apparent show of force against Pyongyang.
• DPRK FM Briefs Asian Diplomatic Envoys on Situation KCNA 14 Sep 2016 -- The Foreign Ministry of the DPRK held a briefing on the situation for Asian diplomatic envoys here on Wednesday.
• Projected Frantic Anti-DPRK Leaflet-scattering Operation under Fire KCNA 14 Sep 2016 -- The whole planet is stunned by the news of the DPRK's successful nuclear warhead explosion test.
• Freight Traffic for Flood Damage Rehabilitation on Rapid Increase in DPRK KCNA 14 Sep 2016 -- A priority is given to the centralized railway transport for the flood-hit areas of North Hamgyong Province in the DPRK.
• Korean Army and People All out for Flood Recovery Campaign in North Hamgyong Province KCNA 14 Sep 2016 -- The army and people are all out in the flood recovery campaign in the northern areas of North Hamgyong Province.
• North Korea: Flood Rescue Operations Underway VOA 14 Sep 2016 -- A large-scale recovery effort involving 200,000 people is underway in North Korea following devastating flooding that began August 30.
• Turkmenistan's President Paves Way For Lifelong Rule RFE/RL 14 Sep 2016 -- Turkmenistan's authoritarian leader has paved the way for potential lifelong rule, signing off on constitutional amendments that will allow him to run in future presidential elections regardless of his age.
• Analysis: Grozny Fatwa On 'True Believers' Triggers Major Controversy RFE/RL 14 Sep 2016 -- A fatwa issued by a conference of Islamic scholars convened in Grozny by Ramzan Kadyrov seems to give the Chechen leader license to take any action he likes to punish those whose religious views don't chime with his own.
• US concerned about Russian hacking: NSA chief Press TV 14 Sep 2016 -- The US National Security Agency (NSA) has expressed concerns over reports that some foreign governments may launch cyber attacks to undercut the November presidential election.
• Taiwanese delegation in U.S. to promote U.N. membership for Taiwan CNA 14 Sep 2016 -- A non-governmental Taiwanese delegation is currently in the United States to promote Taiwan's membership in the United Nations to coincide with the 71st Session of the U.N. General Assembly.
• China's goodwill key to Taiwan's ICAO bid: KMT caucus whip CNA 14 Sep 2016 -- China's goodwill is key to Taiwan's bid to participate in the International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO), and U.S. backing alone is not enough to push for the bid, an opposition Kuomintang (KMT) legislative caucus whip said Wednesday.
• President reaffirms commitment to improve cross-strait ties CNA 14 Sep 2016 -- President Tsai Ing-wen (蔡英文) on Wednesday reaffirmed her commitment to improve Taiwan's relations with China and pledged to help Taiwanese businessmen solve problems they face on the mainland.
• Mainland stresses firm opposition to "Taiwan independence" People's Daily 14 Sep 2016 -- Ma Xiaoguang, a spokesperson for the State Council Taiwan Affairs Office, has said that any "Taiwan independence" activities will be firmly opposed.
• US ambassador not a Turkish governor: Cavusoglu Press TV 14 Sep 2016 -- Turkey's foreign minister has censured the latest remarks by the US ambassador to Ankara concerning suspension of dozens of mayors over alleged links to the Kurdistan Workers' Party (PKK), arguing that he is not in charge as a governor in Turkey.
• Prosecutor Cites 'Criminal Probe' Into Ukraine's Top Cop RFE/RL 14 Sep 2016 -- Ukrainian Prosecutor-General Yuriy Lutsenko has announced that his office has opened a criminal probe of Interior Minister Arsen Avakov, raising the specter of another public blow to a fractious ruling coalition.
• UN rights chief says Duterte statements lack understanding of human rights Press TV 14 Sep 2016 -- United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights Zeid Ra'ad Zeid al-Hussein has censured Philippine President Rodrigo Duterte for his remarks against the international body.
• Thai Moves to End Military Trials of Civilians Draws Mixed Response VOA 14 Sep 2016 -- A decision by Thailand's military government to end military trials for most civilian crimes is drawing praise and skepticism from rights activists and lawyers, who say further steps are needed, including a return of freedom of assembly.