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News Reports

Current Operations

• OIF / OND / OEF / OIR / OFS Casualty Update 19 Sep 2016 [PDF]
• US Officials: Controversial Strike Hit Battalion of Syrian Prisoners VOA 19 Sep 2016 -- The coalition strike that Syria and Russia claim hit Syrian government troops may have struck a battalion of Syrian prisoners who were aligned with Syrian government forces but were in a separate location from the Syrian army, U.S. officials tell VOA.
• U.S., Coalition Continue Counter-ISIL Strikes in Syria, Iraq AFPS 19 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 Airstrike Allegedly Kills 8 Afghan Policemen VOA 19 Sep 2016 -- Officials in Afghanistan said Monday an American air attack has killed at least eight policemen in a volatile central province.

Defense Policy / Programs

• State of the AF: Active-duty force on the rise, space will be more prominent AFNS 19 Sep 2016 -- Nearly three years into her tenure as the Air Force's top leader, Air Force Secretary Deborah Lee James reaffirmed that people continue to be her top priority during her State of the Air Force address at the Air Force Association Air, Space and Cyber Conference Sept. 19, in National Harbor.
• Remarks by Secretary Carter on Innovation in Defense Policy at the Hoover Institution, Washington, D.C. DoD 19 Sep 2016 -- Secretary of Defense Ash Carter; Philip Taubman, consulting professor, Center For International Security And Cooperation, Stanford University; Thomas W. Galligan, Hoover Institution
• Secretary of the Navy Names Two Fleet Replenishment Oilers NNS 19 Sep 2016 -- Secretary of the Navy (SECNAV) Ray Mabus announced Sept. 19, that the next ships of the next generation of fleet replenishment oilers will be named USNS Lucy Stone (T-AO 209) and USNS Sojourner Truth (T-AO 210).
• Future USNS Yuma (EPF 8) Launches in Shipyard NNS 19 Sep 2016 -- The Navy's newest Expeditionary Fast Transport (EPF), the future USNS Yuma (EPF 8), was launched from the Austal USA shipyard in Mobile, Alabama, Sept. 17.
• Annual UNITAS Naval Exercise Kicks Off In Panama NNS 19 Sep 2016 -- Naval and maritime forces from 11 nations gathered in Panama City, Panama to begin UNITAS 2016, which began Sept. 18 and concludes Sept. 28.
• USS Fort Worth Departs Kwajalein, Continues Transit Home NNS 19 Sep 2016 -- Littoral combat ship USS Fort Worth (LCS 3) departed Kwajalein Atoll, Republic of the Marshall Islands, Sept. 18, en route to its San Diego homeport.
• The B-21 has a name: Raider AFNS 19 Sep 2016 -- The Air Force's long-range strike bomber has officially been named the B-21 Raider.
• USS Montgomery Headed to Mayport for Repairs NNS 19 Sep 2016 -- On Sept. 13, littoral combat ship USS Montgomery (LCS 8) experienced two unrelated casualties within a 24-hour period while transiting from Mobile, Alabama, to her homeport of San Diego.
• USS Iwo Jima Completes Mobility Navigation Certification NNS 19 Sep 2016 -- Amphibious assault ship USS Iwo Jima (LHD 7) successfully completed the Mobility Navigation (MOB-N) certification with an overall score of 98 percent by the Afloat Training Group (ATG) Sept. 12 off the coast of Mayport, Florida.
• NATO Secretary General joins world leaders in New York for UN General Assembly NATO 19 Sep 2016 -- NATO Secretary General Jens Stoltenberg joined world leaders in New York on Monday (19 September 2016) to attend the 71st session of the United Nations General Assembly (UNGA). During his five-day visit to the United States, Mr. Stoltenberg will meet with United Nations Secretary General Ban Ki-moon and other high-level officials.
• Israel Opens Mission at NATO Headquarters in Brussels VOA 19 Sep 2016 -- Israel has opened a mission at NATO headquarters in Brussels, aiming to step up ties with the alliance led by the United States.
• Russia to Use Syrian Combat Experience in Upgrading Helicopter Optical Systems Sputnik 19 Sep 2016 -- The Russian military will use its experience gained in Syria to upgrade Mi-35M attack helicopters and Mi-8AMTSh multirole helicopters with new 360-degree OPS-24N1 surveillance and targeting opto-electronic systems, a Defense Ministry representative said Monday.
• Russia's Helicopter Gunships to Boast Unique Electronic 'Eyes' Sputnik 19 Sep 2016 -- After analyzing the results of its aerial campaign in Syria, Russia's Defense Ministry has decided to test a unique 360 degree targeting system for its Mi-35 Super Crocodile helicopter gunships and Mi-8AMTSh Terminator transport helicopters, Izvestia reported.
• China, Russia conclude joint naval drill People's Daily 19 Sep 2016 -- Chinese and Russian naval forces on Monday concluded their joint military exercise in the waters off the southern province of Guangdong, pledging to enhance practical cooperation.
• China, Russia mark end of naval drill in disputed Sea Press TV 19 Sep 2016 -- Chinese and Russian naval forces have staged an island-seizing mission as part of a joint annual drill in the disputed South China Sea.
• China-Russia Drills Highlight Converging Interests; Undercurrents Remain VOA 19 Sep 2016 -- China and Russia have just held their first round of joint exercises in the South China Sea, including an island-seizing and island landing drill as well as anti-submarine and air defense maneuvers.
• US, Norway to Conduct Observation Flight Over Russia Under Open Skies Treaty Sputnik 19 Sep 2016 -- The United States and Norway will conduct an aerial surveillance flight over Russia under the Treaty on Open Skies, the head of Russia's Nuclear Risk Reduction Center said Monday.
• India Intensifies Tests of Surface to Air Missile Defense System Sputnik 19 Sep 2016 -- The long awaited missile system will significantly enhance the air defense capabilities of India.
• India's Rafale Fighter Jets to Serve as 'Strategic Delivery System' of Nukes Sputnik 19 Sep 2016 -- India pushed forward the completion of the long-delayed deal for the French fighter jets after determining that the aircraft fulfills a vital strategic purpose – the delivery of nuclear weapons.
• Army: Sacred Defense era a shining light for next generations IRNA 19 Sep 2016 -- Iran's Army in a message on Monday referred to the eight years of Iranians Sacred Defense against invasion of Saddam Hussein's Ba'ath regime as a shining light for the next generations resulted from sacrifices and bravaries of the Iranian forces.
• 'IRGC duty-bound to monitor Iran's borders, territorial periphery' Press TV 19 Sep 2016 -- A senior Iranian military commander says the practice of monitoring Iran's territorial periphery is a natural duty of the Islamic Revolution Guards Corps (IRGC) and is not meant to provoke other countries.
• S.Korea, U.S. to conduct airstrike training on DPRK's nuke facilities People's Daily 19 Sep 2016 -- South Korea and the United States plan to conduct an airstrike training on the Democratic People's Republic of Korea (DPRK)'s nuclear facilities through a U.S.-led multinational air defense exercise scheduled for next month, Seoul's Yonhap news agency reported on Monday.
• Over 17,000 South Koreans Give Up Citizenship to Evade Conscription Sputnik 19 Sep 2016 -- A total of 17,229 South Korean men renounced their citizenship from 2012 through July 2016 to avoid performing an obligatory military duty.
• Two new Coast Guard cutters to be commissioned Wednesday CNA 19 Sep 2016 -- Two new 1000-ton Class Coast Guard Administration cutters will be officially commissioned at a ceremony to be held at the Port of Kaohsiung on Wednesday, the CGA announced Monday.
• The Government of Egypt – 8 Sentinel AN/MPQ-64F1 Radars and Related Equipment and Support DSCA 19 Sep 2016 -- The State Department has made a determination approving a possible Foreign Military Sale to Egypt for Sentinel AN/MPQ-64F1 Radars and related equipment, training, and support. The estimated cost is $70 million. The Defense Security Cooperation Agency delivered the required certification notifying Congress of this possible sale on September 16, 2016.

Defense Industry

• DoD News: Contracts for September 19, 2016

Other Conflicts

• Sustainable livelihoods bring not only food security but dignity, for refugees - UN chief UN News 19 Sep 2016 -- Underscoring that millions of refugees around the world face food insecurity and the risk of malnutrition, United Nations Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon called today for stronger response to ensure that refugees are able to meet their food and nutrition needs.
• World Leaders Pledge to Share Responsibility for Refugees VOA 19 Sep 2016 -- The international community has pledged to improve its response to the global refugee and migration crisis, though some question whether the plan goes far enough.
• World leaders at UN summit adopt 'bold' plan to enhance protections for refugees and migrants UN News 19 Sep 2016 -- With more people forced to flee their homes than at any time since World War II, world leaders came together at the United Nations today to adopt the New York Declaration, which expresses their political will to protect the rights of refugees and migrants, to save lives and share responsibility for large movements on a global scale.
• China slams Japan's South China Sea plans Press TV 19 Sep 2016 -- China has voiced deep disappointment over Japan's conduct in the South China Sea after Tokyo announced it may set up training patrols with the United States in the region.
• Chinese Media Warns US-Japan 'Fishing for Trouble' in South China Sea Sputnik 19 Sep 2016 -- China's Xinhua news suggests that Japan has "ulterior motives" for intervening in the South China Sea including cozying up to the United States and garnering influence towards its own territorial dispute over the Senkaku (Diaoyu) Islands.
• Turkey military pushing south after bombing northern Syria Press TV 19 Sep 2016 -- Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan said Turkey-backed militants would seek to capture more areas in northern Syria by pushing further south.
• Erdogan Reveals Why Turkish Forces Had to Save US Commandos From Syrian Rebels Sputnik 19 Sep 2016 -- The head of the Turkish state explained that US soldiers' attitude toward Syrian opposition triggered the rift.
• Erdogan: Turkish Forces Continue Southerly Advance in N Syria Sputnik 19 Sep 2016 -- Turkish armed forces continue their advance in the southern direction in northern Syria as the military campaign to clear militants and Kurdish fighters from the area continues, President Recep Tayyip Erdogan said Monday.
• Attack on Aid Convoy in Syria May Have Destroyed Cease-fire Deal VOA 19 Sep 2016 -- A big blow was dealt to efforts to bring about peace in Syria when aid trucks trying to reach besieged Aleppo were hit in an airstrike Monday.
• US Allies Headed Syria Clash, Shaking Already Unstable Alliance VOA 19 Sep 2016 -- U.S.-backed allies in northern Syria appear set for a major clash even as they both race to liberate a strategic town from Islamic State (IS) terror group.
• Syrian Military Declares US-Russian Negotiated Cease-Fire Over VOA 19 Sep 2016 -- Syria's military command has declared the U.S.-Russian negotiated cease-fire over, blaming the country's rebel groups for undermining the agreement.
• Syrian Army Declares End of Ceasefire Sputnik 19 Sep 2016 -- The Syrian Army has declared end of ceasefire claiming that militants did not adhere to any provision of the truce.
• Syria army announces end of US-Russia brokered truce Press TV 19 Sep 2016 -- Syria's army announces an end to the week-long ceasefire brokered by the United States and Russia, blaming militants for the failure of the truce.
• Australia Expresses Regret Over Botched Syrian Airstrikes VOA 19 Sep 2016 -- Australia has expressed deep regret for its part in a botched airstrike in Syria that killed scores of Syrian government soldiers and endangered the fragile ceasefire in the region. The attack was led by the U.S. military that said the coalition believed it was targeting positions of the so-called Islamic State.
• UN expresses disappointment over stuck humanitarian aid for Aleppo Press TV 19 Sep 2016 -- The United Nations has expressed disappointment at the delay in delivering humanitarian aid to the embattled Syrian city of Aleppo, where civilians are suffering from the lack of food and emergency relief.
• Syrian, Russian jets pound Daesh positions in Dayr al-Zawr Press TV 19 Sep 2016 -- Syrian and Russian jets have attacked Daesh positions in Dayr al-Zawr following a US bombing which killed 62 government troops in the eastern town and allowed the Takfiri group to make gains.
• Syria militants preparing for raid in Aleppo: Russia Press TV 19 Sep 2016 -- Russia says militants in Syria are exploiting a ceasefire currently underway in the Arab country to launch a wide-scale attack in the city of Aleppo.
• Nusra Terrorists Launch Attack on Assad Forces Outside Aleppo Sputnik 19 Sep 2016 -- According to the Russian military, terrorists with Nusra Front have launched an offensive against the Syrian Army in the southwestern outskirts of Aleppo.
• Russian General Staff Denies Accusations of Airstrikes in Syria Amid Ceasefire Sputnik 19 Sep 2016 -- Neither Russia's nor Syria's forces had any role in last week's alleged airstrikes in Syria, Russian Chief of the General Staff's Main Operational Directorate Lt. Gen. Sergei Rudskoi said Monday.
• Syria: UN relief chief 'disappointed' that aid workers still unable to safely access eastern Aleppo UN News 19 Sep 2016 -- Expressing disappointment that humanitarian actors have not been able to reach eastern Aleppo in Syria, the United Nations humanitarian chief urged all parties to the conflict to facilitate regular and sustained access to the besieged and hard-to-reach areas across the country.
• UK admits taking part in Syria airstrikes that killed scores of troops Press TV 19 Sep 2016 -- Britain is the latest country to acknowledge its participation in the airstrikes that reportedly killed 83 soldiers in the Syrian city of Dayr al-Zawr on Saturday.
• Denmark Took Part in Strikes Near Deir ez-Zor Where Syrian Army Was Hit Sputnik 19 Sep 2016 -- The Royal Danish Air Force participated in the recent airstrikes of the US-led coalition conducted near the Syrian city of Deir ez-Zor, the Defense Command Denmark announced.
• Libya: UN and partners launch appeal for urgent life-saving assistance in a complex emergency UN News 19 Sep 2016 -- The United Nations and humanitarian agencies in Libya today issued an urgent appeal for $10.7 million to meet life-saving emergency assistance for close to 80,000 people located within the Libyan city of Sirte until the end of the year.
• 'Zero Hour is Coming': Libyan Military Surround Daesh in Sirte Sputnik 19 Sep 2016 -- Libyan troops encircled Daesh on a 0.4-square-mile area in the city of Sirte and is preparing to deal the last blow.
• India steps up military presence in Kashmir after attack Press TV 19 Sep 2016 -- India has stepped up patrols along the de facto border with Pakistan as it weighs a response to a raid on an army base in Kashmir that killed 17 soldiers and fueled tensions between nuclear-armed rivals.
• UN mission in Central African Republic condemns attack on villages, reinforces presence in affected areas UN News 19 Sep 2016 -- Condemning recent violence in Ndomete and Kaga Bandoro in Central African Republic (CAR), the United Nations Multidimensional Integrated Stabilization Mission in the country (MINUSCA) called on local communities to remain calm and underlined its right to take appropriate measures to prevent destabilization of the situation.

News Reports

• Crushing Victory, Low Turnout - Six Russian Election Takeaways RFE/RL 19 Sep 2016 -- The ruling United Russia party won the September 18 State Duma elections by a landslide, according to official results. United Russia is on track to win well over 300 seats in the lower house of parliament, far more than the 238 it holds now. The three other largely loyal parties in the current Duma will also remain, while liberal Kremlin opponents were kept out.
• With Half Of Ballots Counted, United Russia Set To Dominate State Duma RFE/RL 19 Sep 2016 -- With just over 50 percent of the ballots from Russia's State Duma elections counted, official results show the governing United Russia party on track to win more than 300 of the 450 legislative seats - enough to secure a two-thirds constitutional majority in the lower chamber of parliament.
• NY, New Jersey Bombings Suspect Arrested VOA 19 Sep 2016 -- A man sought by police in connection with bombings in New York and New Jersey on Saturday is in custody following what has been described as a shootout with police.
• DR Congo: Ban condemns deadly clashes between protestors and security forces in capital UN News 19 Sep 2016 -- United Nations Secretary-General today expressed deep concern about the violent clashes between protestors and security forces in Kinshasa, and several other locations in the Democratic Republic of the Congo.
• Anti-Kabila Protest Descends into Violence VOA 19 Sep 2016 -- In the Democratic Republic of Congo, a protest against the president Monday descended into violence. Wire agencies are reporting at least two policemen killed, including one whose body was allegedly burned. The demonstrators say President Joseph Kabila must step down when his term ends in December.
• Twelve Liberian Political Parties Join Forces VOA 19 Sep 2016 -- A dozen political parties in Liberia are joining forces to take on the ruling Liberty Party in the 2017 presidential election, Senator Prince Johnson told VOA Daybreak Africa.
• KCNA Commentary on U.S. Arms Buildup KCNA 19 Sep 2016 -- The U.S. is busy pushing ahead with the moves to build up its arms.
• Ships Mobilized for Restoring Flood-hit Areas in DPRK KCNA 19 Sep 2016 -- The DPRK Ministry of Land and Maritime Transport launched a maritime transport campaign for restoring the flood-hit areas of North Hamgyong Province.
• Spokesman says PGCC claims against Iran are baseless IRNA 19 Sep 2016 -- Foreign Ministry spokesman said that accusations made against Iran in the latest statement of the Persian Gulf Cooperation Council against Iran were 'repetitive' and 'unfounded' and an attempt to cover up the link between Wahhabism and its organizers.
• GCC seeks to cover up terrorism, Wahhabism link: Iran Press TV 19 Sep 2016 -- Iran has shrugged off allegations leveled by the GCC, the [Persian] Gulf Cooperation Council, saying the body seeks to cover up the link between Takfiri Wahhabism, preached in Saudi Arabia, and terrorism.
• IAEA chief reaffirms Iran's commitment to JCPOA IRNA 19 Sep 2016 -- Director General of the International Atomic Energy Agency Yukiya Amano on Wednesday said that Iran continues to implement its nuclear-related commitments under the Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action (JCPOA).
• IAEA confirms Iran's commitment to obligations under JCPOA Press TV 19 Sep 2016 -- The International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) has once again confirmed Iran's commitment to a landmark nuclear agreement Tehran signed with the six world powers last year.
• China denounces EU Parliament leaders' meeting with Dalai Lama Press TV 19 Sep 2016 -- China has strongly denounced the European Union's parliament for receiving Buddhist spiritual leader Dalai Lama, saying the move could damage relations between the bloc and Beijing.
• Philippines' Duterte wants 6 months to tackle drug scourge Press TV 19 Sep 2016 -- Philippine President Rodrigo Duterte says he needs six more months for his ongoing war on drugs, which has led to the death of hundreds since he took office.
• UN atomic chief reports on agency's role in nuclear safety, sustainable development, combating illness UN News 19 Sep 2016 -- In his address to the Board of Governors of the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA), Yukiya Amano, the agency's Director-General, highlighted work in various areas, including nuclear applications, nuclear safety and security, safeguards and technical cooperation, and modernizing a new pest control facility to tackle vector-brome diseases such as Zika.