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News Reports

Current Operations

• OIF / OND / OEF / OIR / OFS Casualty Update 15 Sep 2016 [PDF]
• Department of Defense Press Briefing by Pentagon Press Secretary Peter Cook in the Pentagon Briefing Room DoD 15 Sep 2016 -- Presenter: Pentagon Press Secretary Peter Cook
• Counter-ISIL Strikes Target Terrorists in Syria, Iraq AFPS 15 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.
• U.S.-Russian Officials Hold Video Conference on Syrian Airspace Safety AFPS 15 Sep 2016 -- The Defense Department yesterday held a video conference co-chaired by Acting Assistant Secretary of Defense for International Security Affairs Elissa Slotkin and Navy Rear Adm. Michael J. Dumont, deputy director, J-5, Strategic Plans and Policy on the Joint Staff, with Russian Ministry of Defense counterparts, Pentagon Press Secretary Peter Cook said in a statement.
• Karzai slams US military freedom, defends Afghan sovereignty Press TV 15 Sep 2016 -- Afghanistan's former President Hamid Karzai has censured new authorities for giving the US military greater freedom in the fight against Taliban, saying the attitude could dent Afghan sovereignty.
• US Lawmakers Question Afghanistan Spending VOA 15 Sep 2016 -- As the United States prepares to mark 15 years since the start of the U.S.-led offensive in Afghanistan next month (October 7), American lawmakers are questioning the continuing military and humanitarian spending aimed at trying to end the war and stabilize the government.
• Protracted Afghan Political Tensions Worry UN VOA 15 Sep 2016 -- Afghan officials say leaders of the beleaguered national unity government are resolved to overcome internal differences so they can jointly tackle security and many other challenges facing the war-torn country.

Defense Policy / Programs

• Intelligence Committee Approves Snowden Report US House of Representatives Permanent Select Committee on Intelligence 15 Sep 2016 -- The House Permanent Select Committee on Intelligence unanimously voted to adopt an investigative report on Edward Snowden, the former National Security Agency contractor who fled to China and then Russia after stealing 1.5 million classified documents. The result of a two-year inquiry, the report describes Snowden's background, likely motivations, and methods of theft, as well as the damage done to U.S. national security as a result of his actions.
• PACAF civil engineers improve airfield repair skills AFNS 15 Sep 2016 -- Civil engineer squadrons from Kadena, Yokota and Misawa Air Bases teamed up here with the Air Force Civil Engineer Center to conduct training for the new Rapid Airfield Damage Repair technique Sept. 12-15.
• Service Chiefs: Budget Uncertainty, Funding Levels are Biggest Challenges AFPS 15 Sep 2016 -- The military service chiefs today unanimously named budget uncertainty and reduced funding levels leading to gaps in readiness as their most critical long-term budgetary challenges.
• Navy to Christen Littoral Combat Ship Wichita DoD 15 Sep 2016 -- The Navy will christen its newest Freedom-variant littoral combat ship, USS Wichita (LCS 13), during a 10 a.m. CST ceremony Saturday, Sept. 17 in Marinette, Wisconsin.
• Readout of Secretary of Defense Ash Carter's Meeting With Japanese Minister of Defense Tomomi Inada DoD 15 Sep 2016
• Bonhomme Richard Expeditionary Strike Group Commences Valiant Shield Operations NNS 15 Sep 2016 -- The Bonhomme Richard Expeditionary Strike Group (BHR ESG), with embarked 31st Marine Expeditionary Unit, began operations in support of the joint U.S. military exercise Valiant Shield 2016, Sept 15.
• USNH Yokosuka Teams with Multiple US, Japan Forces During Big Rescue Kanagawa 2016 NNS 15 Sep 2016 -- Staff members of U.S. Naval Hospital (USNH) Yokosuka were among the many participants who braved severe inclement weather to conduct Big Rescue Kanagawa 2016 at Japan Ground Self-Defense Force (JGSDF) Camp Takeyama, Sept. 11.
• Theodore Roosevelt Reaches PIA Halfway Point NNS 15 Sep 2016 -- Aircraft carrier USS Theodore Roosevelt (CVN 71) reached the halfway point of its Planned Incremental Availability (PIA) Sept. 13, pierside at Naval Air Station North Island.
• Two Former Executives of Foreign Defense Contractor Charged in Expanding Fraud and Corruption Probe US Dept. of Justice 15 Sep 2016 -- Two former executives of a foreign defense contractor have been charged in an indictment unsealed today with participating in a conspiracy to submit fraudulent information, price quotes, claims and invoices to the U.S. Navy in an effort to steal millions of dollars as part of a years-long corruption and fraud scheme.
• Joint Statement on the Comprehensive Nuclear-Test-Ban Treaty by the Nuclear Nonproliferation Treaty Nuclear-Weapon States US Dept. of State 15 Sep 2016 -- The text of the following statement was issued jointly by the Governments of China, France, the Russian Federation, the United Kingdom, and the United States.
• Statement by Acting NATO Spokesperson Carmen Romero on risk reduction and transparency NATO 15 Sep 2016 -- As part of our continuing dialogue with Russia, the NATO Deputy Secretary General, Ambassador Alexander Vershbow, met today with the Ambassador of the Russian Federation, Alexander Grushko.
• Russian-Chinese Naval Interaction-2016 Drills Enter Active Phase Sputnik 15 Sep 2016 -- Russian and Chinese naval war games Naval Interaction-2016 enter active stage with ships and servicemen, Russia's Pacific Fleet Rear Adm. Vadim Kulit said Thursday.
• Chinese, Russian navies depart for joint drill at sea People's Daily 15 Sep 2016 -- Chinese and Russian fleets sailed out of a port in Zhanjiang in south China's Guangdong Province Thursday to predetermined waters for joint naval drill.
• Indian Delegation to Visit Russia for Leasing Yasen Class Submarine Sputnik 15 Sep 2016 -- India is interested in renting the multi-purpose Project 885 Yasen class submarine from Russia. This is being seen as a sign of another forthcoming India-Russia collaborative venture for the construction of six new SSN for Indian Navy.
• India's Most Advanced Destroyer to be Fitted With Barak 8 and BrahMos Missiles Sputnik 15 Sep 2016 -- INS Mormugao has 65 % local component and is touted as the most advanced guided missile destroyer to be built by the Indian Navy.
• India Coaxes France Into Selling its Air-to-Air Missile Equipped Rafale Sputnik 15 Sep 2016 -- Some procedural work could take little more time for signing of 36 Rafale deal between India and France
• Iran Unveils a Powerful New High-Speed Ship Sputnik 15 Sep 2016 -- Tehran unveiled a speedy new helicopter-carrying double-hulled ship, Iranian state TV reported Tuesday.
• September 15, 2016 - U.S. Department of State Daily Press Briefing US Dept. of State 15 Sep 2016
• Press Briefing by Press Secretary Josh Earnest, 9/15/16 The White House 15 Sep 2016

Defense Industry

• DoD News: Contracts for September 15, 2016

Other Conflicts

• 15 September 2016 - Daily Press Briefing by the Office of the Spokesperson for the Secretary-General United Nations 15 Sep 2016
• UN: 3.7 Million Refugees Lack Access to Schools VOA 15 Sep 2016 -- When armed conflicts or political instability send people fleeing from countries across the world, children leave behind not only their homes but also in many cases their education.
• Saudi says 5 soldiers killed in clashes with Yemeni forces Press TV 15 Sep 2016 -- Saudi Arabia has confirmed that five of its soldiers have been killed in separate clashes with fighters of the Yemeni Houthi movement in the kingdom's southern border regions of Dhahran Janoub, Jizan and Asir.
• Escalation of Conflict in Yemen Impedes Access to Medical Care Sputnik 15 Sep 2016 -- Laurent Sury, MSF's head of emergency programs said that since the beginning of August, people in Yemen are not traveling for care because they are afraid of using roads or they fear the hospital will be targeted by airstrikes.
• Saudi-Led Coalition to Let Houthi Negotiators Return in Yemen From Oman Friday Sputnik 15 Sep 2016 -- The forces of the Arab coalition will allow a private UN plane to bring the delegation of the Houthi movement from Oman's capital to Sanaa after more than 40 days after the initial ban, according to a Houthi source.
• Syria: UN says aid convoys unable to reach besieged areas despite US-Russia deal on ceasefire UN News 15 Sep 2016 -- The United Nations Special Envoy for Syria today said the ceasefire following last Friday's Russian-American agreement is largely holding but that desperately-awaited humanitarian convoys are unable to move due to a delay in getting permits from the Syrian Government.
• Druze Want Israeli Protection From Syrian Islamists VOA 15 Sep 2016 -- After recent attacks from Islamist militant rebels, Syria's Druze community is looking to clan leaders in nearby Israel for protection from attacks in Syria's civil war.
• US failed to fulfill obligations under Syria truce: Russia Press TV 15 Sep 2016 -- Russia has lashed out at Washington for failing to honor its commitments under a recently implemented ceasefire in Syria, complaining that the US-backed opposition groups are mounting their attacks on residential areas in the Arab country.
• Syria aid trucks cross Turkish border, enter buffer zone: UN Press TV 15 Sep 2016 -- The United Nations has confirmed that trucks loaded with desperately needed aid for Syria's war-rattled city of Aleppo have crossed the Turkish border and entered a buffer zone between the two countries.
• Syrian Army Withdraws Heavy Military Equipment to Create Demilitarized Zone Sputnik 15 Sep 2016 -- The Syrian Army has started withdrawal of heavy military equipment to create demilitarized zone, the Russian General Staff stated on Thursday.
• Russia Adheres to Syria Ceasefire Accord Unlike US Sputnik 15 Sep 2016 -- Russian Defense Ministry spokesman Maj. Gen. Igor Konashenkov said that Russia, unlike the US, "has fulfilled its obligation to enforce the ceasefire regime on Syrian territory" following the ceasefire announcement made by Russian and US diplomats in Geneva on September 9.
• Syrian Rebels Say no Point to Cease-fire With Assad Blocking Humanitarian Aid VOA 15 Sep 2016 -- The fragile three-day-old Syrian cease-fire negotiated by the U.S. and Russia appeared increasingly troubled Thursday with Moscow accusing Washington of failing to rein in rebel militias, and insurgent commanders saying there's little point to the truce while Syria's president, Bashar al-Assad, continues to block United Nations aid from reaching the besieged city of Aleppo.
• Libya Report Slams British, French Ouster of Gadhafi VOA 15 Sep 2016 -- A group of British lawmakers has strongly criticized the intervention by Britain and France in 2011 that led to the ouster of Libyan leader Moammar Gadhafi.
• Ukraine army, pro-Russians both report truce violations Press TV 15 Sep 2016 -- The Kiev government and pro-Russia forces have reported violations of a ceasefire agreement that started at midnight on Wednesday.
• Over 9,600 Killed, 22,400 Wounded in Donbass Conflict – UN Mission Sputnik 15 Sep 2016 -- The death toll in the two-year conflict in eastern Ukraine surpassed 9,600 people with more than 22,400 wounded as of Thursday, the UN Human Rights Office of the High Commissioner's (OHCHR) monitoring mission in Ukraine said.
• Civilian casualties up 66 per cent in eastern Ukraine during summer - UN report UN News 15 Sep 2016 -- A new United Nations report released today shows a 66 per cent increase in the number of conflict-related civilian casualties in eastern Ukraine and describes the deterioration of the human rights situation there, as a result of escalating hostilities between the Government and non-Government forces from June to August.
• Israeli fighter jets carry out new airstrikes on Gaza Strip Press TV 15 Sep 2016 -- Israeli military aircraft have carried out three air strikes against areas in the Gaza Strip in yet another act of aggression across the region.
• Two-state solution to Israel-Palestine conflict at risk of giving way to 'one-state reality,' warns Ban UN News 15 Sep 2016 -- United Nations Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon today called for intensified efforts to encourage Israelis and Palestinians to take the difficult steps required to change the current destructive trajectory of the conflict, which is heading towards a "one-state reality" rather than a peaceful resolution.
• UN relief chief allocates $10 million in emergency funds to bolster aid response in southern Chad UN News 15 Sep 2016 -- The United Nations Emergency Relief Coordinator, Stephen O'Brien, has approved the allocation of $10 million from the UN Central Emergency Response Fund (CERF) to bolster humanitarian operations in Chad.
• Analysts: S. Sudan Arms Embargo - Better Late Than Never VOA 15 Sep 2016 -- Better late than never, that's what analysts say about an arms embargo on South Sudan.

News Reports

• 9/11 Drove Change in Intelligence Community, NSA Chief Says AFPS 15 Sep 2016 -- The 9/11 attacks drove "fundamental change" in the way the U.S. government uses and shares intelligence, the director of the National Security Agency said during a panel discussion yesterday.
• US Sanctions 2 Men as IS Financial Facilitators VOA 15 Sep 2016 -- The U.S. government imposed sanctions Thursday on two men identified as financial facilitators for the Islamic State group.
• Briefing by Foreign Ministry Spokesperson Maria Zakharova, Moscow, September 15, 2016 Russia Ministry of Foreign Affairs 15 Sep 2016
• 'Spy Nation' Film Alleges Abuse of N. Korean Asylum Seekers VOA 15 Sep 2016 -- In South Korea, a new documentary is attempting to make the case that the Seoul government's National Intelligence Service (NIS) is engaging in abusive and coercive techniques to falsely uncover North Korean spies posing as defectors.
• UN health agency provides emergency support as floods and landslides cause havoc in DPRK UN News 15 Sep 2016 -- Responding urgent humanitarian needs triggered by flash floods and landslides in the northern provinces of the Democratic People's Republic of Korea (DPRK), the United Nations health agency is providing emergency health kits and supplies that will benefit some 260,000 persons for about three months.
• China Against Unilateral Sanctions Against North Korea Sputnik 15 Sep 2016 -- China is opposed to imposing unilateral sanctions on North Korea, according to Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi.
• IMF Approves $1 Billion Loan For Ukraine After One-Year Delay RFE/RL 15 Sep 2016 -- The International Monetary Fund on September 14 approved a loan disbursement for Ukraine of $1 billion after a delay of more than a year that reflected concern about corruption and stability in the war-torn nation.
• US Lawmakers Meet With Aun San Suu Kyi, Speak Out on Myanmar Sanctions VOA 15 Sep 2016 -- U.S. lawmakers met Thursday with Myanmar's de facto leader, Aung San Suu Kyi, and expressed mixed reactions to President Barack Obama's intention to lift economic sanctions on the country formerly known as Burma.
• China's space lab Tiangong-2 blasts off People's Daily 15 Sep 2016 -- In a cloud of brown smoke, Tiangong-2 roared into the air underneath a mid-autumn full moon from the Jiuquan Satellite Launch Center on the back of a Long March-2F rocket, trailing a vast volume of flame.
• China Launches Space Lab into Orbit VOA 15 Sep 2016 -- China has launched its second space laboratory into orbit Thursday, in a step towards having its own manned space station.
• Taiwan planning to downsize overseas representative offices CNA 15 Sep 2016 -- Taiwan is planning to close some of its overseas representative offices in an effort to improve the overall efficiency of the country's overseas presence, in response to the diplomatic strategy of the administration of President Tsai Ing-wen (蔡英文), foreign affairs officials have confirmed.
• Philippines Diplomat Cautions US Against Human Rights Lectures VOA 15 Sep 2016 -- The top Philippines diplomat has cautioned the United States against lecturing his government on human rights, prompting a White House spokesman to urge all countries, especially allies, to uphold universal human rights.
• Former Philippines Hitman Claims Duterte Murdered Justice Official VOA 15 Sep 2016 -- A former member of a Philippines death squad told senators in Manila Thursday that Philippines President Rodrigo Duterte, while serving as mayor of Davao City, shot and killed an employee of the justice department and ordered the deaths more than 1,000 people over the past 25 years.
• Former Brazilian President Lula rejects graft charges in corruption scandal Press TV 15 Sep 2016 -- Former Brazilian president Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva has defended himself against allegations of involvement in money-laundering and corruption.
• Brazil prosecutors file corruption charges against Lula Press TV 15 Sep 2016 -- Prosecutors in Brazil have filed charges of involvement in money-laundering and corruption against former president Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva and his wife.
• Belarus: Smooth-looking polls 'lipstick measures on face of violations,' says UN rights expert UN News 15 Sep 2016 -- A United Nations expert on the human rights situation in Belarus said today that Sunday's parliamentary elections were no different from all the previous ones because citizens' right to a free and fair election continued to be abused in the grip of entrenched repressive laws and institutions.
• Compromise Could Clear Path to Elections in DRC VOA 15 Sep 2016 -- Government and opposition leaders in the Democratic Republic of Congo announced a compromise late Wednesday that could pave the way to elections next year.