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Defense Policy / Programs
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News Reports

Current Operations

• OIF / OND / OEF / OIR / OFS Casualty Update 17 Nov 2016 [PDF]
• Military Strikes Continue Against ISIL Terrorists in Syria, Iraq AFPS 17 Nov 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.
• CRG enables strategic air operations at Qayyarah West AFNS 17 Nov 2016 -- The wheels of a C-130 Hercules touched down at Qayyarah West Airfield Nov. 11. The tactical airlift workhorse, loaded with supplies and equipment to resupply the Mosul offensive, belonged to the Iraqi air force.
• Statement by the Small Group of the Global Coalition to Counter ISIL, Berlin, Germany, November 17, 2016 US Dept. of State 17 Nov 2016
• Update: air strikes against Daesh UK MOD 17 Nov 2016-- British forces have continued to conduct air operations in the fight against Daesh

Defense Policy / Programs

• Statement by Pentagon Press Secretary Peter Cook on Transition DoD 17 Nov 2016
• Media Availability with Secretary Carter at Joint Base San Antonio-Randolph, San Antonio, Texas DoD 17 Nov 2016 -- Presenter: Secretary of Defense Ash Carter
• Media Availability with Secretary Carter at Eglin Air Force Base, Florida DoD 17 Nov 2016 -- Presenter: Secretary of Defense Ash Carter
• AF selects Holloman AFB as preferred location for interim F-16 training squadrons AFNS 17 Nov 2016 -- The Air Force selected Holloman Air Force Base, New Mexico, as the preferred alternative for the interim home for two F-16 Fighting Falcon training squadrons created to increase fighter pilot production as the service faces a growing pilot shortage.
• F-16CM ACCIDENT REPORT RELEASED AFNS 17 Nov 2016 -- An Accident Investigation Board found that an F-16CM Fighting Falcon suffered an engine hardware malfunction resulting in its crash into a rural area in the U.S. Central Command Area of Responsibility on March 29.
• Army Secretary: Capabilities More Important Than Numbers of Soldiers AFPS 17 Nov 2016 -- The Army needs to stop talking strictly about the numbers of its soldiers and focus on the capabilities the service needs, Army Secretary Eric Fanning said here today.
• Defense Innovation Unit Calls on Guard, Reserve to Expand Nationally AFPS 17 Nov 2016 -- The Pentagon's Defense Innovation Unit-Experimental technology outposts will expand beyond their offices in three states by calling on innovators and tech experts in the National Guard and reserve to expand the DIUx presence nationwide, DIUx Managing Director Raj Shah said here yesterday.
• Carter Meets Air Force Instructors in Texas, Discusses Future Force AFPS 17 Nov 2016 -- As part of his travels to California, Texas and Florida, Defense Secretary Ash Carter yesterday visited Joint Base San Antonio-Lackland in Texas, where he spoke to reporters about "building the Force of the Future."
• USS Comstock Arrives in Subic Bay NNS 17 Nov 2016 -- Sailors and Marines aboard amphibious dock landing ship USS Comstock (LSD 45) and the embarked 11th Marine Expeditionary Unit (MEU) arrived in Subic Bay, Philippines, Nov. 16, for a port visit while operating in the U.S. 7th Fleet area of operations.
• New LCS Operational Training Facility Coming to NS Mayport NNS 17 Nov 2016 -- Naval Facilities Engineering Command (NAVFAC) Southeast awarded a $25 million contract Nov. 15, to Sauer, Inc. of Jacksonville, Florida, for the construction of a Littoral Combat Ship (LCS) Operational Training Facility at Naval Station (NS) Mayport, Florida.
• NMCB 3 Conducts Field Training Exercise, Receives Valuable ADR Experience NNS 17 Nov 2016 -- More than 500 Sailors assigned to Naval Mobile Construction Battalion (NMCB) 3 battle tested their capabilities during a field training exercise (FTX) at Fort Hunter-Liggett throughout November.
• Intelligence Agencies Work, Communicate Better Together, DoD Official Says AFPS 17 Nov 2016 -- The Pentagon's intelligence agencies work and communicate better with each other today, and that transformation must continue, the undersecretary of defense for intelligence said at the Defense One Summit here today.
• Cooperation Between Intel, Defense Never Better, Work Tells Lawmakers AFPS 17 Nov 2016 -- The intelligence community's support to the Defense Department has never been better, Deputy Defense Secretary Bob Work told the House Permanent Select Committee on Intelligence here today.
• Danish Leader Says Ready To Hike Military Spending After Talk With Trump RFE/RL 17 Nov 2016 -- Denmark is ready to increase military spending, the nation's Prime Minister Lars Lokke Rasmussen said after speaking with U.S. President-elect Donald Trump on November 16.
• Defence Secretary announces UK-French missile cooperation UK MOD 17 Nov 2016-- Defence Secretary Sir Michael Fallon has announced Franco-British Centres of Excellence for missile technology in Stevenage and Bolton.
• The Government of Kuwait - F/A-18E/F Super Hornet Aircraft with Support DSCA 17 Nov 2016 -- The State Department has made a determination approving a possible Foreign Military Sale to the Government of Kuwait for F/A-18E/F Super Hornet Aircraft with support, equipment, and training. The estimated cost is $10.1 billion. The Defense Security Cooperation Agency delivered the required certification notifying Congress of this possible sale on November 17, 2016.
• Government of Qatar - F-15QA Aircraft with Weapons and Related Support DSCA 17 Nov 2016 -- The State Department has made a determination approving a possible Foreign Military Sale to the Government of Qatar for F-15QA aircraft with weapons and related support, equipment, and training. The estimated cost is $21.1 billion. The Defense Security Cooperation Agency delivered the required certification notifying Congress of this possible sale on November 17, 2016.
• Taiwan to upgrade four F-16s next year CNA 17 Nov 2016 -- Taiwan will begin the domestic upgrade of its F-16 fighter jets early next year, with four jets expected to be upgraded in 2017, the Air Force said on Thursday.
• Is Turkey's Military Becoming Overstretched? VOA 17 Nov 2016 -- The Turkish army is engaged in a two-front war, fighting both in Turkey and Syria against PKK Kurdish rebels. With a third front possibly looming, questions are being raised about how sustainable such operations are, given the military is still reeling from massive purges within its ranks following July's failed coup in Turkey.
• Remarks by President Obama and Chancellor Merkel of Germany in a Joint Press Conference The White House 17 Nov 2016
• November 17, 2016 - U.S. Department of State Daily Press Briefing US Dept. of State 17 Nov 2016

Defense Industry

• DoD News: Contracts for November 17, 2016

Other Conflicts

• 17 November 2016 - Daily Press Briefing by the Office of the Spokesperson for the Secretary-General United Nations 17 Nov 2016
• UN and Organisation of Islamic Cooperation must cooperate on resolving conflicts, Security Council told UN News 17 Nov 2016 -- Citing more than 20 years of collaboration between the United Nations and the Organisation of Islamic Cooperation (OIC), a senior UN political official today urged greater efforts by the two entities to draw on each other's strengths and devise joint strategies to prevent and resolve conflicts.
• MND non-committal over troop deployments on Taiping Island CNA 17 Nov 2016 -- The Ministry of National Defense (MND) was non-committal on Thursday in the face of demands from lawmakers to send troops to Taiwan-controlled Taiping Island, the largest of the disputed Spratly Islands in the South China Sea.
• China urges Japan not to stir up troubles on South China Sea issue People's Daily 17 Nov 2016 -- China on Thursday responded to remarks of Japan's defense minister by urging Japan to refrain from stirring up trouble in the South China Sea.
• Two killed in Yemeni retaliatory attack on Saudi soil Press TV 17 Nov 2016 -- At least three people have been killed and several others wounded in a retaliatory attack by Yemeni forces on Saudi Arabia's southwestern border region of Jizan.
• Strikes kill 30 terrorists in Syria's Idlib: Russia Press TV 17 Nov 2016 -- Russia says its anti-terror airstrikes this week in Syria's northwestern province of Idlib have killed at least 30 Takfiri terrorists, among them three prominent militant commanders.
• UN health agency denounces attacks on health facilities in Syria UN News 17 Nov 2016 -- The United Nations World Health Organization (WHO) today condemned attacks on five Syrian hospitals – including two trauma centres and an emergency obstetric centre – as well as a mobile medical clinic, and demanded that all parties to the five-year conflict respect the neutrality of health workers, health facilities and medical supplies.
• Russian Official: Contacts Being Made with Trump Team to Discuss Syria VOA 17 Nov 2016 -- A top Russian official said Thursday that Moscow has initiated contacts with representatives of the team of U.S. President-elect Donald Trump to discuss Syria.
• Over dozen dead as bombing rips through wedding in western Iraq Press TV 17 Nov 2016 -- Iraqi security and medical officials say more than a dozen people have lost their lives and scores of others have been injured when a bomb explosion struck a wedding ceremony in the beleaguered western province of Anbar.
• Iraqi troops liberate eastern Mosul district from Daesh grip Press TV 17 Nov 2016 -- Iraqi forces have recaptured an eastern neighborhood in Mosul and raised the national flag on buildings as the army and allied fighters are tightening the noose around the Daesh-held city.
• Over 300 Iraqi ex-policemen slaughtered south of Mosul Press TV 17 Nov 2016 -- Human Rights Watch (HRW) says Daesh terrorists have executed more than 300 former Iraqi policemen south of Mosul following heavy losses in the ongoing battle with Iraqi forces.
• One month into Mosul battle, UN and partners 'profoundly concerned' for civilian safety UN News 17 Nov 2016 -- At the one-month mark of Iraqi military operations to oust terrorists from Mosul, the United Nations and its partners today said tens of thousands of families in newly retaken areas urgently requiring life-saving assistance and warned that the humanitarian community in Iraq faces a "massive scope" of need.
• IS Bomb-Makers, Kurdish Bomb-Disposal Teams in Deadly Cat-and-Mouse Game VOA 17 Nov 2016 -- The peshmerga general frowned when asked about a top Kurdish bomb-disposal expert killed last month the day after the assault on Mosul, Iraq began. "He was a very brave man," said Gen. Mahmood Kakaye.
• UN deputy chief urges donors to support peace consolidation in Central African Republic UN News 17 Nov 2016 -- In Brussels, United Nations Deputy Secretary-General Jan Eliasson today urged an international conference for the Central African Republic (CAR) to show solidarity and pledge the necessary financial support to the Government-identified priorities and reforms needed for the African country's rehabilitation and stabilization.
• South Sudan continues to face persistent challenges to peace and stability, Security Council told UN News 17 Nov 2016 -- Briefing the United Nations Security Council for the last time, the Special Representative of the Secretary-General for South Sudan called on the 15-member body to continue to accord priority to the country and to consider the future of its people in taking any decisions.
• US to Press for Arms Embargo on South Sudan VOA 17 Nov 2016 -- The United States said Thursday that it would press for a U.N. arms embargo against those responsible for the violence in South Sudan, which has dramatically escalated along ethnic lines.
• Colombia: UN-led mechanism investigating alleged ceasefire violation UN News 17 Nov 2016 -- The tripartite Mechanism coordinated by the United Nations and comprising the Government of Colombia and the Revolutionary Armed Forces of Colombia-People's Army (FARC-EP) has started investigations into a 15 November incident in the country's Santa Rosa municipality that resulted in the deaths of two FARC-EP members.
• Two FARC rebels killed in Colombia Press TV 17 Nov 2016 -- Two rebels with the Revolutionary Armed Forces of Colombia (FARC) have been killed in fighting with government troops in the north of the country, a first case of armed hostility in apparent violation of a recent bilateral ceasefire deal.
• US Intensifies Colombia De-mining Efforts After Peace Deal VOA 17 Nov 2016 -- The United States is doubling down on aid programs for de-mining efforts in Colombia, a country that has the second most unexploded ordnance next to Afghanistan since 1990, as its government is making peace with the largest guerrilla rebel group after a decades-long conflict.
• North Korea would review US ties if troops withdrawn from South: Envoy Press TV 17 Nov 2016 -- North Korea's ambassador to the UN says his country would consider normalizing relations with the United States in case President-elect Donald Trump orders the withdrawal of military forces and anti-ballistic missile systems from the South, and guarantees a peace treaty aimed at ending tensions on the Korean Peninsula.
• Philippines' Duterte says country may pull out of ICC Press TV 17 Nov 2016 -- The Philippines' President Rodrigo Duterte says his country may decide to follow in Russia's footsteps in withdrawing from the International Criminal Court (ICC).

News Reports

• Russian Government Spokeswoman Suggests Trump Won Thanks To 'The Jews' RFE/RL 17 Nov 2016 -- Maria Zakharova, the Russian Foreign Ministry spokeswoman who has made caustic rhetoric and sarcastic social-media posts a staple of her public outreach, has an idea whom U.S. President-elect Donald Trump can thank for his stunning victory over Democratic rival Hillary Clinton: "the Jews."
• On Final Presidential Visit To Germany, Obama Warmly Endorses Merkel RFE/RL 17 Nov 2016 -- U.S. President Barack Obama warmly endorsed German Chancellor Angela Merkel, telling reporters that she has has been an oustanding partner who engages with the world.
• Obama Calls on Trump to 'Stand Up' to Russia VOA 17 Nov 2016 -- President Barack Obama brought his message of America's enduring unity and cooperation to the heart of Europe Thursday, stressing to Germans and all Europeans that the United States will continue to engage with the world.
• Trump Looms Over Lima's APEC Summit VOA 17 Nov 2016 -- U.S. President Barack Obama arrives in Peru on Friday for his final Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) leaders' meeting, but his presence will be overshadowed by someone who is not scheduled to attend until next year: his successor, President-elect Donald Trump.
• Giuliani's Past Dealings With Serbia, Iran, Russia Could Draw Scrutiny RFE/RL 17 Nov 2016 -- Rudy Giuliani, the former New York mayor who is said to be one of U.S. President-elect Donald Trump's leading candidates to become secretary of state, has had past dealings with foreign leaders and groups from Serbia to Russia and Iran that could draw scrutiny if he is nominated.
• Japanese PM Says He Has 'Great Confidence' in Donald Trump VOA 17 Nov 2016 -- Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe calls U.S. President-elect Donald Trump a leader in whom he can have "great confidence."
• Obama calls on Trump to stand up to Russia Press TV 17 Nov 2016 -- US President Barack Obama has called on his successor Donald Trump to stand up to Russia, underscoring a major concern that overshadowed his meeting with German Chancellor Angela Merkel.
• Top U.S. Intelligence Official: Russia Stopped Hacking After U.S. Warnings RFE/RL 17 Nov 2016 -- The United States' top intelligence official said Russia stopped its election-related cyberactivity after the U.S. administration publicly accused Moscow of interfering in the campaign.
• Briefing by Foreign Ministry Spokesperson Maria Zakharova, Moscow, November 17, 2016 Russia Ministry of Foreign Affairs 17 Nov 2016
• Turkey set to scrap PM position in new system: Minister Press TV 17 Nov 2016 -- Turkey would no longer have a prime minister under constitutional reforms the Ankara government is seeking to usher in under a presidential system, a senior official says.
• Turkish Leader Vows to Bring US-Based Opposition Cleric to Justice VOA 17 Nov 2016 -- Turkey's president, Recep Tayyip Erdogan, has vowed to bring to justice and punish a U.S.-based opposition Muslim cleric he accused of plotting the failed July 15 coup attempt in his country.
• P5+1 must avoid steps undermining nuclear deal: Iran IAEA envoy Press TV 17 Nov 2016 -- The Iranian ambassador to the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) says the P5+1 group of countries should not take steps that would undermine the implementation process of last year's nuclear deal with the Islamic Republic.
• US House passes bill to block commercial aircraft sales to Iran Press TV 17 Nov 2016 -- The US House of Representatives has voted to bar the sale of commercial Boeing and Airbus airplanes to Iran.
• US Senate set to extend Iran sanctions: McConnell Press TV 17 Nov 2016 -- US Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell says that the legislative body is set to renew the Iran Sanctions Act (ISA) before the year ends.
• US intelligence head James Clapper to step down Press TV 17 Nov 2016 -- The Director of US National Intelligence James Clapper has announced his resignation, although he would stay until the end of President Barack Obama's administration.
• US Director of National Intelligence Resigns VOA 17 Nov 2016 -- The top U.S. intelligence official will not stay on to work with President-elect Donald Trump, telling lawmakers he has already submitted his resignation.
• Pakistan Claims IS Recruitment Cell Busted in Lahore VOA 17 Nov 2016 -- Authorities in Pakistan say they have captured a group of eight militants operating a recruitment cell in the country at the behest of the Syrian-based Islamic State terrorist group.
• Minnesota IS Supporters Sentenced to Total of 140 Years VOA 17 Nov 2016 -- A Minnesota judge has handed jail sentences to nine men, most of them Somali-American, who conspired to provide material support to Islamic State.
• South Korean President Retreats, Resists Scandal Investigation VOA 17 Nov 2016 -- South Korea President Park Geun-hye may have been found guilty in the court of public opinion for her alleged involvement in an influence peddling scandal, but the legal case against her is progressing slowly.
• Full text of Chinese president's signed article in Peruvian newspaper People's Daily 17 Nov 2016 -- Chinese President Xi Jinping published a signed article in the leading Peruvian newspaper El Comercio under the title "Join Hands to Fulfill Centenary Dreams and Strive for New Progress in Cooperation" on Thursday, ahead of his state visit to the Latin American country.
• What Does Xi's 'One China' Mean for Hong Kong's Democracy? VOA 17 Nov 2016 -- After two elected Hong Kong lawmakers took an oath of office, advocating a divide in the "one country, two systems" principle, Chinese President Xi Jinping addressed legislators in Beijing's Great Hall of the People, making it clear that looking forward, there is only one China.
• At governing body, UN atomic agency chief highlights agency's priorities for 2017 UN News 17 Nov 2016 -- Nuclear safety and security, health and nutrition, and food and agriculture will be the main technical programmes for the United Nations atomic agency next year, its head told the agency's governing body.
• DRC's Kabila Names New Prime Minister VOA 17 Nov 2016 -- Democratic Republic of Congo President Joseph Kabila has named a new prime minister.
• DR Congo: Ban takes note of appointment of new Prime Minister UN News 17 Nov 2016 -- United Nations Secretary-General Ban Ki moon has taken note of the appointment today of Samy Badibanga as Prime Minister ahead of the formation of a transitional government of national unity in the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC), in line with the political agreement of 18 October.
• Congo president picks opposition lawmaker as new premier Press TV 17 Nov 2016 -- The Democratic Republic of Congo's President Joseph Kabila has named an opposition lawmaker as prime minister following a controversial agreement struck between the government and some opposition groups.
• Nigeria: UN expert seeks urgent answers on 'brutal' eviction of 30,000 people in Lagos UN News 17 Nov 2016 -- A United Nations human rights expert has appealed to the Government of Nigeria for an urgent explanation of the forced eviction of 30,000 people in Lagos state in the last week.