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News Reports

Current Operations

• OIF / OND / OEF / OIR / OFS Casualty Update 28 Nov 2016 [PDF]
• Military Strikes Target ISIL Terrorists in Syria, Iraq AFPS 28 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.
• Update: air strikes against Daesh UK MOD 28 Nov 2016 -- British forces have continued to conduct air operations in the fight against Daesh
• Carter: ISIL's Days in Mosul Are Numbered AFPS 28 Nov 2016 -- Iraqi forces, bolstered by the international coalition, are making significant gains toward defeating the Islamic State of Iraq and the Levant in Mosul, Defense Secretary Ash Carter said today.
• Four police forces killed in Taliban ambush: Afghan official Press TV 28 Nov 2016 -- Taliban militants have killed at least four Afghan border policemen in an attack in the country's southern province of Zabul, an official says.
• Obama Expands 9/11 Authorization to Cover Al-Shabab VOA 28 Nov 2016 -- The Obama administration has expanded its legal authority to attack the al-Qaida-linked Somali militant group al-Shabab.
• Iranian Revolutionary Guards Point Weapon at US Helicopter VOA 28 Nov 2016 -- An Iranian Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) boat pointed its weapon at a helicopter launched from aboard the USS Dwight D. Eisenhower in the Strait of Hormuz, a U.S. defense official told VOA Monday.

Defense Policy / Programs

• VOA Interview: Air Force Has Too Few Fighter Squadrons to Meet Commanders' Needs VOA 28 Nov 2016 -- When Iraqi troops began the operation to retake Mosul last month, fighter pilots in America's F-22 Raptor jets struck the first Islamic State targets there. But that kind of operation may be in jeopardy.
• US Air Force facing severe pilot, aircraft shortage: Commander Press TV 28 Nov 2016 -- The US Air Force says a severe shortage of fighter pilots and aircraft has made the force nearly unable to satisfy combat requirements abroad.
• Readout of Secretary Carter's Bilateral Meeting With French Minister of Defense Le Drian DoD 28 Nov 2016
• Remarks by Secretary Carter and French Minister of Defense Le Drian at DAR Constitution Hall, Washington, D.C. DoD 28 Nov 2016 -- Presenter: Secretary of Defense Ash Carter; French Minister of Defense Jean-Yves Le Drian
• New RQ-4 engine depot opens on Tinker AFB AFNS 28 Nov 2016 -- The Oklahoma City Air Logistics Complex (OC-ALC) recently stood up the overhaul and repair capability for a new workload in the F-137 engine.
• US Marines, Malaysian Armed Forces conclude Exercise Tiger Strike 2016 USMC News 28 Nov 2016 -- Approximately 300 Marines and Sailors with the 11th Marine Expeditionary Unit arrived back on Makin Island Amphibious Ready Group shipping following the final amphibious landing exercise and closing ceremony of Exercise Tiger Strike 2016, in the Sabah Province, Malaysia, Nov. 13, 2016.
• U.S.-Japan Mine Countermeasures Units Conduct Mine Countermeasures Exercise NNS 28 Nov 2016 -- USS Chief (MCM 14) and members of Mine Countermeasures Squadron (MCMRON) 7 staff joined Japan Maritime Self Defense Force (JMSDF) MCM units for combined operations in the final phases of the bilateral mine countermeasures exercise (MCMEX) 3JA, Nov. 24-28.
• USS Carney (DDG 64) Participates in Mavi Balina 2016 NNS 28 Nov 2016 -- Arleigh Burke-class guided-missile destroyer USS Carney (DDG 64) completed its participation in the Turkish-led Exercise Mavi Balina 2016, Nov. 26, in the Mediterranean Sea.
• NATO navies start exercise in Aegean Sea NATO 28 Nov 2016 -- NATO navies began a countermine-warfare exercise in the Aegean Sea on Monday (28 November 2016), aimed at testing combat readiness and strengthening ties between Allies and partners.
• Israel to Buy 17 More Beleaguered F-35 Fighter Jets From US Sputnik 28 Nov 2016 -- Israeli government has approved a procurement of 17 additional US-manufactured fifth-generation F-35 fighter jets in order to bring the total number of such aircraft in Israeli Air Force (IAF) service to 50, the governmental press service said Saturday.
• China urges Singapore to strictly adhere to one-China policy People's Daily 28 Nov 2016 -- China Monday urged Singapore to strictly adhere to the one-China policy after nine Singaporean armored vehicles, reportedly used in military drills in Taiwan, were seized by Hong Kong customs last week.
• China files protest with Singapore over joint exercise with Taiwan Press TV 28 Nov 2016 -- China has protested to Singapore over military maneuvers conducted earlier between the city-state and Taiwan.
• Taiwan to stage disaster relief drill in South China Sea CNA 28 Nov 2016 -- Taiwan will stage a humanitarian assistance and disaster relief exercise in the waters around Taiping Island in the South China Sea on Tuesday, the Coast Guard Administration (CGA) said on Monday.
• China urges Japan to act prudently in military field People's Daily 28 Nov 2016 -- China Monday urged Japanto act prudently in military and security fields and avoid unsettling regional stability.
• Poland - JASSM-ER with Support DSCA 28 Nov 2016 -- The State Department has made a determination approving a possible Foreign Military Sale to Poland for Joint Air-to-Surface Standoff Missiles Extended Range (JASSM-ER) and related support, equipment, and training. The estimated cost is $200 million. The Defense Security Cooperation Agency delivered the required certification notifying Congress of this possible sale today.
• November 28, 2016 - U.S. Department of State Daily Press Briefing US Dept. of State 28 Nov 2016
• Press Briefing by Press Secretary Josh Earnest, 11/28/2016 The White House 28 Nov 2016

Defense Industry

• DoD News: Contracts for November 28, 2016
• WTO delivers knockout blow to Boeing’s record-breaking subsidies with historic ruling Airbus 28 Nov 2016 -- Today’s report from the World Trade Organization (WTO) Panel (DS487) confirms that the United States has ignored international trade rules by permitting illegal subsidies to Boeing, this time targeted at the 777X aircraft.

Other Conflicts

• 28 November 2016 - Daily Press Briefing by the Office of the Spokesperson for the Secretary-General United Nations 28 Nov 2016
• Vietnam Taking Long-Term Hard Line Toward China on Maritime Claims VOA 28 Nov 2016 -- Vietnam is lengthening a military runway on a tiny islet to help hold off a larger, more aggressive China for control in Asia's widest-reaching sovereignty dispute as other claimants keep quiet or seek negotiations.
• Yemen Rebels and Allies Form Government, Deepening Rift VOA 28 Nov 2016 -- U.S. officials on Monday expressed disappointment with a move by Iran-supported rebels in Yemen to form a new "national salvation government" in that impoverished country.
• Can Rebels Hold On in Aleppo? VOA 28 Nov 2016 -- The much fought over front lines in Aleppo separating Syrian rebels in the eastern districts from the mixed forces of President Bashar al-Assad surrounding them have begun to shift dramatically – that's hardly surprising given how outmatched the fight has become both in terms of manpower and the massive air power that's being brought to bear on insurgents and civilians alike in the east.
• Syria denounces Qatar's pledge to continue support for militants Press TV 28 Nov 2016 -- Damascus has lashed out at Qatar for its renewed declaration of support for militants operating in Syria, saying it reveals Doha's participation in spreading Takfiri ideology.
• Militants lose much of northeastern Aleppo: Observatory Press TV 28 Nov 2016 -- The Syrian army has wrested control of a strategic district in the militant-held part of Aleppo, in a major victory on the battleground which brought back much of the embattled city's northeast under state control.
• Rebel-Held Eastern Aleppo Divided In Two By Advance Of Regime Forces RFE/RL 28 Nov 2016 -- Syrian government forces have retaken six formerly rebel-held districts of the city of Aleppo, effectively dividing the remaining rebel-held eastern parts of the city into two separate areas and forcing thousands of civilians to flee.
• With 500,000 children living under siege in Syria, UNICEF calls for humanitarian access UN News 28 Nov 2016 -- As the number of children living under siege has doubled in less than one year to nearly 500,000 amid escalating violence across Syria, the United Nations Children's Fund (UNICEF) has called for lifting sieges and allowing immediate humanitarian access.
• Iraqi forces retake one more village en route to liberate Mosul Press TV 28 Nov 2016 -- Forces engaged in the liberation of Daesh's last stronghold in the country have raised Iraq's flag on one more village on their way to fully retake Mosul.
• Iraqi forces say nearly 1,000 Daesh terrorists killed in Mosul Press TV 28 Nov 2016 -- Nearly 1,000 Daesh terrorists have been killed by the Iraqi special forces six weeks into a major operation to liberate the northern city of Mosul, a top commander says.
• UN agencies scaling up emergency health services as Mosul is made accessible UN News 28 Nov 2016 -- United Nations agencies are rapidly scaling up efforts in eastern Mosul to ensure that more than 60,000 people living near the frontlines of the current military operations have access to life-saving care.
• PKK militants kill 2 soldiers in Turkey's east: Sources Press TV 28 Nov 2016 -- At least two Turkish soldiers have been killed in clashes with Kurdistan Workers' Party (PKK) militants in the east of the country, military sources say.
• Myanmar to Probe Allegations of Abuse Against Rohingya VOA 28 Nov 2016 -- The Myanmar government is to set up a "national level committee" to investigate conditions and allegations of abuses amid international pressure from rising violence and a humanitarian crisis in northern Rakhine state.
• 'Myanmar armed, manipulated group of Rohingyas' Press TV 28 Nov 2016 -- A group in Europe advocating Rohingya Muslims says Myanmar's military manipulated some members of the community into carrying out an attack on a border outpost back in October in order to legitimize a crackdown on the Muslims.
• Four million children orphaned due to violence in DR Congo: UN Press TV 28 Nov 2016 -- Some four million children have lost at least one parent in two decades of continuous violence in the Democratic Republic of the Congo, the United Nations (UN) has announced.
• Refugees in Chad facing continued food insecurity, joint UN agency assessment reveals UN News 28 Nov 2016 -- A joint assessment by the Office of the United Nations High Commission for Refugees (UNHCR) and the World Food Programme (WFP), has revealed that 43 per cent of refugees who have been living in Chad for more than 10 years continue to face a precarious food security situation and require assistance.
• UN Officials: Situation in CAR Can Be Turned Around With Sustained Aid VOA 28 Nov 2016 -- While expressing optimism that the Central African Republic will become a stable, peaceful country, U.N. aid officials have acknowledged that the mission ahead would be a challenge and achieving the goal would require the sustained support of the international community – something that has been in short supply for some time.
• Central African Republic: Half the population needs humanitarian support, says UN UN News 28 Nov 2016 -- With nearly half the population in the Central African Republic (CAR) in need of humanitarian assistance, some $400 million is requires over the coming year to shore up relief efforts that will be critical "to save the lives of people who are among the poorest and most forgotten on this planet," a senior United Nations official said today.
• 'Hang on to every little glimmer of hope,' says UN envoy for South Sudan UN News 28 Nov 2016 -- All people in South Sudan, regardless of their ethnic affiliation, must unite towards creating a national identify, the head of the United Nations mission there urged today, underscoring the potential of the resource-rich African country to prosper despite its ongoing challenges.
• Somalia's Presidential Election Postponed for Third Time VOA 28 Nov 2016 -- Somalia's presidential elections, scheduled to begin this week, have been postponed for a third time, the electoral body said Monday.
• Russia Opens Criminal Case Against Ukrainian Military Commanders RFE/RL 28 Nov 2016 -- Prosecutors in Russia have launched a criminal case against Ukrainian security agencies for alleged war crimes committed in the eastern Ukrainian Donbas region.

News Reports

• A Week of Memorials for Castro Begins in Cuba VOA 28 Nov 2016 -- Cubans lined up Monday to pay their respects to Fidel Castro at Revolution Square in Havana as the country begins a week-long goodbye to the island's revolutionary leader, a man many loved and many loathed.
• African Union Official Remembers Fidel Castro VOA 28 Nov 2016 -- The deputy chair of the African Union Commission said the modern history of Africa owes a lot to Cuba and its late leader Fidel Castro.
• Trump Threatens to 'Terminate' US-Cuba Detente VOA 28 Nov 2016 -- U.S. President-elect Donald Trump has threatened to reverse President Barack Obama's warming of relations with Cuba, the clearest indication yet that the historic restoration of ties is under threat.
• History, people to remember Castro: Chinese president People's Daily 28 Nov 2016 -- Chinese President Xi Jinping said Saturday that history and people will remember Fidel Castro, calling the Cuban revolutionary leader "a great figure of our times."
• Trump threatens to 'terminate the deal' with Cuba after Castro's passing Press TV 28 Nov 2016 -- Not long after the passing of Cuban revolutionary leader Fidel Castro, US President-elect Donald Trump has threatened to "terminate the deal," with the Caribbean island nation.
• Cubans turn out in thousands to pay tribute to Castro Press TV 28 Nov 2016 -- Cubans have turned in thousands in the capital, Havana, to pay their respects to Fidel Castro, the iconic revolutionary leader who ruled the country for nearly half a century.
• Cubans Pay Last Respects To Castro In Havana RFE/RL 28 Nov 2016 -- Tens of thousands of Cubans have been paying their last respects to Fidel Castro as they file past an urn in Havana's central Revolution Square containing the ashes of the fiery revolutionary who clung to power for nearly a half-century before handing over to his brother a decade ago.
• Trump Meets with Ex-CIA Chief Petraeus as Possible Secretary of State VOA 28 Nov 2016 -- President-elect Donald Trump met with another possible candidate for secretary of state Monday, and one who is likely to raise some tough questions from the U.S. Senate – former CIA chief and retired general David Petraeus.
• UN Security Council Likely to Impose New DPRK Sanctions This Week VOA 28 Nov 2016 -- The U.N. Security Council is expected to vote Wednesday on new and tighter sanctions to choke off funding to North Korea's illicit nuclear and ballistic missile programs.
• 'Massive efforts' under way in flood-hit northern DPRK require additional support - UN UN News 28 Nov 2016 -- While nearly 12,000 families in northern Democratic Republic of Korea (DPRK) have moved into new houses three months after devastating Typhoon Lionrock destroyed their homes, the United Nations is reporting that this "massive effort" still needs additional support so damaged water networks can be repaired and essential medicines and nutritious foods can be provided.
• Emergency rule will continue as long as necessary, Turkish deputy PM says Press TV 28 Nov 2016 -- Turkey's Deputy Prime Minister Numan Kurtulmus says a state of emergency imposed across the country since the abortive coup of July 15 will continue as long as necessary.
• Iran observing US decision on JCPOA: AEOI chief IRNA 28 Nov 2016 -- The Islamic Republic is observing US decision on Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action (JCPOA) and will adopt the right decision at the right time, Head of the Atomic Energy Organization of Iran Ali Akbar Salehi said on Monday.
• Iran ready to respond to US if sanctions renewed: Salehi Press TV 28 Nov 2016 -- Iran is ready to respond if the US violates the landmark nuclear agreement signed between Tehran and the group of six countries known as the P5+1 by renewing sanctions against the Islamic Republic, says the top Iranian nuclear official.
• Tehran Jails Son Of Top Revolutionary Cleric Over Execution Tape RFE/RL 28 Nov 2016 -- A court in Iran has sentenced the son of one of Iran's founding revolutionaries to six years in prison for releasing a decades-old tape in which his father denounced the mass execution of prisoners in 1988.
• Fillon wins France's conservative primary for 2017 presidential election People's Daily 28 Nov 2016 -- Former Prime Minister Francois Fillon won the conservative primary runoff on Sunday and is set to represent the biggest opposition party in the 2017 French presidential race, according to partial results the runoff.
• South Korean President Fades as Impeachment Looms VOA 28 Nov 2016 -- Despite another weekend of massive protests in Seoul, and facing a possible impeachment vote that could come as early as this week, South Korean President Park Geun-hye remains secluded and isolated in the presidential Blue House.
• President Park will not participate in questioning by prosecutors: Lawyer Press TV 28 Nov 2016 -- A lawyer representing South Korean President Park Geun-hye says the embattled president will not subject herself to questioning by prosecutors over an influence-peddling scandal.
• Tsai's approval rating sinks to new low: poll CNA 28 Nov 2016 -- Public satisfaction with President Tsai Ing-wen's (蔡英文) handling of state affairs has dropped to its lowest since she took office in May, the latest survey by the Taiwanese Public Opinion Foundation showed Monday.
• UK unlikely to be able to stay in single market: Secret memo Press TV 28 Nov 2016 -- The United Kingdom is unlikely to be able to stay in the single market after it leaves the European Union, suggests a secret memo carried by a senior Conservative party aide.
• Yanukovych Denies Ordering Euromaidan Shootings; Kyiv Announces Treason Charge RFE/RL 28 Nov 2016 -- Exiled former President Viktor Yanukovych has told a Ukrainian court via video link that he never ordered police to fire on protesters during Euromaidan demonstrations that roiled the country nearly three years ago.
• State Corruption Watchdog Flip-Flops On Ukrainian President's Spanish Villa RFE/RL 28 Nov 2016 -- KYIV -- A Ukrainian corruption watchdog has changed its position on whether President Petro Poroshenko should have declared ownership of a Spanish seaside villa, raising questions about the state agency's independence from the presidential administration.
• Kuwait's cabinet steps down following snap parliamentary elections Press TV 28 Nov 2016 -- The Kuwaiti cabinet has tendered its resignation to Emir Sheikh Sabah al-Ahmad al-Sabah in the wake of snap legislative elections, which saw opposition groups and their allies winning nearly half of the seats in the 50-member legislature.
• 3 of Zuma's Cabinet Ministers Want Him to Resign VOA 28 Nov 2016 -- Three of the South African president's Cabinet ministers have called on scandal-plagued Jacob Zuma to resign.
• Three ministers urge South Africa leader to step down Press TV 28 Nov 2016 -- At least three South African ministers have urged scandal-hit President Jacob Zuma to quit in the most serious challenge he is facing since taking office seven years ago.
• Montenegro's Parliament Approves New Pro-NATO Government RFE/RL 28 Nov 2016 -- Montenegrin lawmakers have approved a new pro-NATO government led by Prime Minister Dusko Markovic - a former head of intelligence and a close ally of longtime leader Milo Djukanovic.
• Liberia's Opposition Silent on Rumored Meeting With Charles Taylor VOA 28 Nov 2016 -- A senior member of Liberia's largest opposition political party, the Congress for Democratic Change (CDC), said the party cannot confirm nor deny an allegation made by Alan White, former chief of investigations for the United Nations Special Court for Sierra Leone, that party leader George Weah has had discussions with former Liberian President Charles Taylor in Britain and that the jailed Taylor may be trying to interfere with the 2017 presidential election in Liberia perhaps by having his former wife run on the opposition ticket.
• Zimbabwe Begins Issuing New Currency VOA 28 Nov 2016 -- Zimbabwe is issuing a new currency, known as bond notes, that officially are equal to the U.S. dollar. The government has gone ahead with the plan despite warnings the new currency will fuel hyperinflation and worsen the already ailing economy.