Further Reading

Operations
Defense Policy / Programs
Defense Industry
Other Conflicts
News Reports

Current Operations

• OIF / OND / OEF / OIR / OFS Casualty Update 06 Dec 2016 [PDF]
• Military Strikes Continue Against ISIL Terrorists in Syria, Iraq AFPS 06 Dec 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.
• From Libya to Syria, Iraq, US Navy Fights ISIL from the Med NNS 06 Dec 2016 -- The Dwight D. Eisenhower Carrier Strike Group (Ike CSG) resumed support of Operation Inherent Resolve, Dec. 6, launching sorties from the Eastern Mediterranean.

Defense Policy / Programs

• Remarks by the President on the Administration's Approach to Counterterrorism The White House 06 Dec 2016
• Obama Appeals for Counterterrorism Policy That Adheres to Core US Values VOA 06 Dec 2016 -- In his final national security speech, President Barack Obama thanked U.S. troops for keeping America safe and, without mentioning his name, rejected President-elect Donald Trump’s call for a ban on Muslims and his support expressed during the election campaign for waterboarding.
• Obama Defends Counterterrorism Strategy Against al-Qaida, IS VOA 06 Dec 2016 -- President Barack Obama said his administration's shift in the tactics of fighting terrorism -- from bearing the brunt of the battle to creating a multinational force that engages local governments -- should be credited for gains the United States has made against the Islamic State and al-Qaida terror networks.
• Air Force One' Cost Concerns Show Trump's Priority of Reducing Spending - Team Sputnik 06 Dec 2016 -- US President-elect Donald Trump demonstrated how serious he is about reducing federal government spending when he highlighted the high cost of acquiring a new Air Force One on Tuesday, a spokesman for Trump's transition team said in a phone call with reporters.
• Trump Calls for Cancellation of Boeing Order for New 'Air Force One' Plane Sputnik 06 Dec 2016 -- President-elect Donald Trump told reporters on Tuesday that the US Air Force is being charged too much money for new airplanes known by the call sign "Air Force One," which will be used by the US president.
• New SBIRS Block 10 Ground System achieves operational acceptance AFNS 06 Dec 2016 -- Air Force Space Command's Space and Missile Systems Center and the 460th Space Wing successfully achieved operational acceptance of the Space-Based Infrared Systems (SBIRS) Block 10 ground system Dec. 2.
• Remarks by Secretary Carter at a Troop Event in Yokosuka, Japan DoD 06 Dec 2016 -- Presenter: Secretary of Defense Ash Carter
• Tyndall host Checkered Flag, Combat Archer AFNS 06 Dec 2016 -- The skies over Tyndall Air Force Base will soon be filled with a variety of aircraft as they partake in Checkered Flag 17-1 and Combat Archer 17-3, concurrent large-scale total force aerial integration exercises that will run Dec. 5-16.
• Carter Stresses Region's Strategic Importance to Service Members in Japan AFPS 06 Dec 2016 -- Defense Secretary Ash Carter today told sailors serving aboard the guided-missile destroyer USS John S. McCain that they are in the midst of the most important strategic transition the United States is undertaking at an essential place and time.
• Readout of Deputy Secretary of Defense Bob Work's Meeting with Ukrainian Deputy Prime Minister Ivanna Klympush-Tsyntsadze DoD 06 Dec 2016
• USS San Antonio Concludes OOL Support, Highlights LPD Capabilities NNS 06 Dec 2016 -- The amphibious transport dock ship USS San Antonio (LPD 17) concluded its support of Operation Odyssey Lighting (OOL), having completed a relief-in-place with the amphibious assault ship USS Wasp (LHD 1), Dec. 4, 2016.
• Fearing budget cuts, Pentagon buried study on wasteful spending Press TV 06 Dec 2016 -- The US Defense Department has buried a study that revealed a $125 billion waste of administrative funds, fearing it would prompt Congress to cut the military budget, according to a new report.
• Secret Report of $125Bln Wasted by Pentagon Prompts Demand for Congress Probe Sputnik 06 Dec 2016 -- An internal Department of Defense audit that reportedly showed $125 million wasted by the agency's bloated bureaucracy is being sought for an investigation by Congress, according to a press release issued by US Senator Claire McCaskill on Tuesday.
• Readout of Secretary of Defense Ash Carter's Meeting with Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe DoD 06 Dec 2016
• Remarks by Secretary Carter and Prime Minister Abe in Tokyo, Japan DoD 06 Dec 2016 -- Presenter: Secretary of Defense Ash Carter; Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe
• US returning parts of occupied land in Okinawa to Japan Press TV 06 Dec 2016 -- The United States is returning some of the Japanese territories it has been occupying since the Second World War, US Defense Secretary Ashton Carter says.
• US to Return Half of Military Training Area to Japan on December 22 Sputnik 06 Dec 2016 -- Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe and US Defense Secretary Ash Carter agreed to hold the ceremonial returning of about half of the US military training grounds in the prefecture of Okinawa to Japan on December 22, the Japanese Foreign Ministry said Tuesday.
• Washington, Tokyo Pledge to Cooperate to Return Land to Japan - Pentagon Sputnik 06 Dec 2016 -- Secretary of Defense Ashton Carter and Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe have pledged to return a large US training area in Okinawa to Tokyo, Pentagon spokesperson Peter Cook said in a release on Tuesday.
• Remarks to Press Upon Arrival at NATO Headquarters US Dept. of State 06 Dec 2016
• Press Availability in Brussels US Dept. of State 06 Dec 2016
• US Foreign Policy Under Trump Likely to Preoccupy NATO Ministers VOA 06 Dec 2016 -- NATO Foreign ministers face a busy agenda as they meet for year-end talks Tuesday in Brussels. But at a time when the alliance faces myriad challenges, the biggest issue is not on the official agenda: What NATO course will Donald Trump chart when he becomes U.S. president?
• Stoltenberg Says NATO Will Use Open Debate to Counter 'Russian Propaganda' Sputnik 06 Dec 2016 -- NATO will use open free debate in countering Russian propaganda when it deals with Moscow's informational presence in Europe, including the Western Balkans, NATO Secretary General Jens Stoltenberg said Tuesday.
• EU, NATO Herald 'Transatlantic Bond' Ahead Of Trump Presidency RFE/RL 06 Dec 2016 -- NATO and the European Union heralded a "new important era" of cooperation on December 6, endorsing an agenda for closer collaboration amid uncertainty over U.S. President-elect Donald Trump's foreign policy and approach to the alliance.
• Press conference by NATO Secretary General Jens Stoltenberg following the meeting of the North Atlantic Council at the level of NATO Foreign Ministers on projecting stability NATO 06 Dec 2016 -- (As delivered)
• Joint press conference by NATO Secretary General Jens Stoltenberg with the EU High Representative for Foreign Affairs, Federica Mogherini NATO 06 Dec 2016
• Doorstep statement by NATO Secretary General Jens Stoltenberg ahead of the meetings of NATO Foreign Ministers NATO 06 Dec 2016
• EU, US Sign Military Logistical Assistance Agreement Sputnik 06 Dec 2016 -- Representatives of the European Union and the United States on Tuesday signed an agreement aimed at facilitation of bilateral logistical support during military operations, the European External Action Service (EEAS) said in a press release.
• The United States and European Union Sign Military Logistical Assistance Agreement US Dept. of State 06 Dec 2016 -- U.S. Secretary of State John Kerry and High Representative of the European Union for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy Federica Mogherini signed a U.S.-EU Acquisition and Cross-Servicing Agreement (ACSA) today.
• Nordics Bracing for New Arms Race Despite Russia's Proposed Military Budget Cuts Sputnik 06 Dec 2016 -- The news of Russia's plans to bring down its military expenditure should obviously have a soothing effect on the Nordic countries, who seem a bit paranoid about the imminent Russian "aggression." Nevertheless, the anti-Russian rhetoric lingers on.
• Poland Launches Massive $14.5 Billion Military Overhaul Sputnik 06 Dec 2016 -- Officials in Warsaw, Poland, have announced plans to devote $14.5 billion to military modernization efforts over the next five years.
• Iran Army effectively primed by indigenous knowhow: Commander Press TV 06 Dec 2016 -- Commander of Iran's Army Major General Ataollah Salehi says Iranian Armed Forces have been equipped effectively in the face of all threats thanks to inclusive, indigenous knowhow.
• Russia using Iran's airbase currently not on agenda: Qassemi Press TV 06 Dec 2016 -- Iran says Russia currently has no plans for using the airbase near the western Iranian city of Hamedan for its anti-terrorism operations.
• Japan's new missile weak in real battle: military expert People's Daily 06 Dec 2016 -- Chinese military expert Du Wenlong said in a recent interview with CCTV that Japan's new surface-to-ship missile (SSM), which has a range of 300 kilometers, will hardly serve its purpose in real battle, pointing out that the weapon's threat is only theoretical.
• South Korea Suspects Pyongyang of Hacking its Cyber Command Sputnik 06 Dec 2016 -- South Korean cyber command have likely been hacked with North Korea being suspected of committing the alleged attack, a South Korean Defense Ministry official said on Tuesday.
• Taiwan to take tougher action against drones in restricted areas CNA 06 Dec 2016 -- The Ministry of National Defense (MND) said Tuesday that with effect from January next year, civilian drones that enter restricted air spaces in Taiwan will either be intercepted or shot down.
• Matter of Prestige: Reasons Behind Bangladesh's Purchase of Chinese Submarines Sputnik 06 Dec 2016 -- Bangladesh purchased two diesel-electric submarines from China, sparking concerns in neighboring India. Russian military expert Vasily Kashin spoke to Sputnik about this.
• China, Djibouti to strengthen military cooperation People's Daily 06 Dec 2016 -- A senior Chinese military official on Monday said that the Chinese army is willing to strengthen dialogue and coordination with Djiboutian troops.
• December 6, 2016 - U.S. Department of State Daily Press Briefing US Dept. of State 06 Dec 2016
• Press Gaggle by Press Secretary Josh Earnest en route Tampa, FL, 12/6/2016 The White House 06 Dec 2016

Defense Industry

• DoD News: Contracts for December 06, 2016

Other Conflicts

• 6 December 2016 - Daily Press Briefing by the Office of the Spokesperson for the Secretary-General United Nations 06 Dec 2016
• Philippine Marine Sanctuary in Disputed Sea Risks Upsetting China VOA 06 Dec 2016 -- A marine sanctuary proposed by the Philippine president inside a contested South China Sea shoal risks upsetting rival claimant China despite an ecological mission and a recent thaw in relations with the Asian superpower.
• Saudi jets bombard areas across Yemen Press TV 06 Dec 2016 -- Saudi warplanes have carried out a series of new aerial attacks against areas across Yemen.
• Number of Turkish Soldiers Captured by Daesh Could Be 'Higher' Than Reports Say Sputnik 06 Dec 2016 -- Publishing Editor of the Turkish newspaper BirGün Ibrahim Varli told Sputnik Turkey that the number of Turkish soldiers captured by Daesh fighters could be much higher than it was reported by official sources.
• US not stalling Syria talks with Russia on Aleppo: Kerry Press TV 06 Dec 2016 -- US Secretary of State John Kerry has denied Moscow's charges that Washington has stalled planned talks on terrorists' withdrawal from the Syrian city of Aleppo in order to get more time for them.
• Syrian army busts terrorists' chemical warehouse in Aleppo Press TV 06 Dec 2016 -- Syrian military forces in the city of Aleppo have discovered a large depot where foreign-backed terrorists stored toxic chemicals for filling shells.
• Syrian troops purge more E Aleppo districts of terrorists Press TV 06 Dec 2016 -- Syrian army soldiers and allied fighters have managed to recapture eight militant-held eastern Aleppo districts in their latest push against foreign-backed terrorists on the battlefield in the contested city.
• Russia Criticizes International Reaction To Aleppo Field Hospital Shelling RFE/RL 06 Dec 2016 -- Russia is criticizing what it says has been the "more than modest" international reaction after two Russian Army medics were killed in what the Defense Ministry said was rebel shelling of a field hospital in the Syrian city of Aleppo.
• Russia, China Veto UN Measure Calling For Truce In Aleppo RFE/RL 06 Dec 2016 -- Russia and China on December 5 vetoed a United Nations Security Council resolution pushed for by Western powers and calling for a seven-day truce in the Syrian city of Aleppo.
• US Secretary Kerry Doubts Fall of Aleppo Will End Syrian War Sputnik 06 Dec 2016 -- The fall of Syria's Aleppo won't lead to bloodbath conflict in the country, US Secretary of State John Kerry said at a NATO ministerial meeting in Brussels on Tuesday.
• Syrian Army Liberated 35 Aleppo Districts Since Start of Operation Sputnik 06 Dec 2016 -- The Syrian army has liberated a total of 35 Aleppo districts from militants since the start of the operation, the Russian Defense Ministry said.
• Syrian Army, Militia Gain Control Over One More Aleppo's District Sputnik 06 Dec 2016 -- The Syrian army supported by allied militia units completed liberation of the Qadi Askar district located near the historic center of the Aleppo city, Al-Watan newspaper reported on Tuesday.
• Monitoring Group Accuses Turkish Border Guards of Killing 163 Syrian Refugees VOA 06 Dec 2016 -- A monitoring group Tuesday alleged at least 163 Syrians fleeing their war-torn country have been slain by Turkish border guards since the start of 2016. The accusation is the latest in a series stretching back more than a year of border guards firing on war refugees as they sought sanctuary in Turkey.
• Monitors: Death Toll from Air War in Idlib, Syria, Climbs Past 300 VOA 06 Dec 2016 -- Syrian monitors say the death toll from a Russian and Syrian air offensive that began late last month against rebel positions southwest of Aleppo has climbed past 300. And they say more than 1,000 others - many of them women and children -- have been wounded.
• Large Syrian Refugee Population in Lebanon Sparks Social Tensions VOA 06 Dec 2016 -- The United Nations has launched a four-year crisis response plan for Lebanon it hopes will maintain stability and prevent an internal conflict from breaking out. It is appealing for $2.8 billion to get humanitarian and stabilization support programs underway in 2017.
• Iraqi army raises national flag over hospital on left bank of Tigris Press TV 06 Dec 2016 -- Iraqi army soldiers have wrested control of al-Salam Hospital situated on the left bank of Tigris River as part of their operation to liberate the strategic city of Mosul from the grip of the Daesh Takfiri terrorist group.
• Libyan political accord 'stands firm, but stuck' - UN envoy tells Security Council UN News 06 Dec 2016 -- Briefing the Security Council just days ahead of the first anniversary of the Libyan Political Agreement, the United Nations envoy for the north African country highlighted that while there has been progress, the deal has stalled and "much more should have happened."
• Kofi Annan urges Myanmar army to act within rule of law Press TV 06 Dec 2016 -- Former UN Secretary General Kofi Annan has called on Myanmar's army to act within the rule of law amid a heavy crackdown on the Rohingya Muslims in the northwestern state of Rakhine.
• IOM says 21,000 Rohingya fled Myanmar crackdown to Bangladesh Press TV 06 Dec 2016 -- The International Organization for Migration (IOM) says nearly 21,000 Rohingya Muslims in Myanmar have fled persecution and violence to Bangladesh in the past two months.
• Israeli parliament moves bill forward to legalize unlawful outposts Press TV 06 Dec 2016 -- Israel's parliament (Knesset) has given its initial approval to a controversial bill that would authorize the presence of illegal settlement units built on privately-owned Palestinian territories in the occupied West Bank amid outcry that the measure would amount to land grab.
• Israel's settlement 'legalization bill' would harm prospects for Arab-Israeli peace, UN envoy warns UN News 06 Dec 2016 -- The United Nations envoy on the Middle East peace process today warned against Israel's move to adopt the so-called 'legalization bill,' which aims to protect illegal settlements and outposts built on private Palestinian property in the West Bank, "but which some have said could be a step towards annexation" of the area.
• Uganda's LRA Senior Commander Goes on Trial at ICC VOA 06 Dec 2016 -- The International Criminal Court has begun its first trial against a senior member of the Ugandan Lord's Resistance Army, and its first against a former child soldier. The procedures raise complex ethical questions as defendant Dominic Ongwen, who has pled not guilty, was both a victim and an alleged perpetrator of the rebel group's brutality.
• Tensions Between India, Pakistan Undermining Regional Alliances VOA 06 Dec 2016 -- Tensions between India and Pakistan are spoiling efforts to try to tackle the region's security problems, as the nuclear-armed neighbors have difficulty finding issues on which they can work together.

News Reports

• Trump-Tsai Call Reflects Views of Trump Advisers Urging Toughness With China VOA 06 Dec 2016 -- A U.S. Republican party foreign policy aide arrived in Taiwan Tuesday morning for a week-long visit, which might include a meeting with Taiwan President Tsai Ing-wen, after she congratulated U.S. President-elect Donald Trump during a phone call last Friday.
• Trump's Past Trademark Dispute with China Raises Concern VOA 06 Dec 2016 -- A decade-long trademark dispute between U.S. President-elect Donald Trump and China has attracted wide media attention since the real estate mogul and reality television star won the Nov. 8 election.
• Taiwan-U.S. relations helpful to cross-strait ties: president CNA 06 Dec 2016 -- President Tsai Ing-wen (蔡英文) said on Tuesday that Taiwan is an important partner of the United States and maintaining good bilateral relations is helpful to the promotion of cross-strait ties and peace and stability in the Asia-Pacific region.
• Trump-Tsai call a 'good, small' step: Ex-Cheney aide CNA 06 Dec 2016 -- A former White House official said on Tuesday that the recent call between U.S. President-elect Donald Trump and Taiwan's President Tsai Ing-wen (蔡英文) was an "important step" in the direction many Republicans have advocated for, but added that the move remains a "small step," during a visit to Taiwan.
• Tsai-Trump phone call symbol of friendship: MOFA CNA 06 Dec 2016 -- President Tsai Ing-wen's (蔡英文) phone call with U.S. President-elect Donald Trump last week was a symbol of friendship between the two sides, a Ministry of Foreign Affairs (MOFA) official said Tuesday.
• Ex-Cheney aide in Taiwan, denies arranging Trump-Tsai call CNA 06 Dec 2016 -- A former White House official on Tuesday denied media speculation that he helped arrange a phone call between U.S. President-elect Donald Trump and Taiwan President Tsai Ing-wen (蔡英文) but described the call as "a very good beginning" in the relationship between the two administrations.
• Taiwan criticizes China statement as detrimental to cross-strait ties CNA 06 Dec 2016 -- Taiwan describes a statement issued by the Chinese government urging the United States to block transit stops by President Tsai Ing-wen (蔡英文) during a reported trip to three of Taiwan's diplomatic allies in Central America next month as an overreaction that is not conducive to the development of cross-strait relations.
• China calls on US to ban transit by Taiwan president Press TV 06 Dec 2016 -- China has urged the United States not to allow Taiwan President Tsai Ing-wen to transit there when she visits Guatemala in January.
• Taiwanese President Says Phone Call With Trump Does Not Mean US Policy Shift Press TV 06 Dec 2016 -- Taiwanese President Tsai Ing-wen said on Tuesday that his recent phone talk with US President-elect Donald Trump did not signify a shift in Washington's policy and was rather an extension of courtesy.
• Greek court OK's extradition of three Turkish 'coup' officers Press TV 06 Dec 2016 -- A Greek court has ruled that three Turkish army officers accused of playing a role in a failed July coup against the administration of Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan could be extradited to Turkey.
• Iran could foil all regional threats: Army commander IRNA 06 Dec 2016 -- Iran's Armed Forces are capable enough to ward off all regional threats by relying on their indigenous defense know-how, says Army Commander Major General Ataollah Salehi.
• Larijani: JCPOA is multiparty, cannot be challenged by a single state IRNA 06 Dec 2016 -- Majlis Speaker Ali Larijani said on Tuesday that nuclear deal – known as JCPOA – is an international agreement which has been approved by the United Nations and that a single country cannot decide about or jeopardize it.
• Rouhani: Iran to make proper decision on US Congress move on Wednesday IRNA 06 Dec 2016 -- President Hassan Rouhani said Iran's Special Board Monitoring JCPOA Implementation will decide on the recent decision by the US Congress on extending anti-Iran sanctions on Wednesday.
• Vaezi: US cannot violate multiparty deal of JCPOA IRNA 06 Dec 2016 -- Minister of communications and Information Technology Mahmoud Vaezi said on Tuesday that Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action (JCPOA) is a multiparty international contract and the US cannot violate it by itself.
• Rafsanjani: US Congress cannot violate JCPOA IRNA 06 Dec 2016 -- Chairman of Expediency Council Akbar Hashemi Rafsanjani said on Tuesday that Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action (JCPOA) is an international document approved by United Nations Security Council and the US Congress cannot breach it unilaterally.
• JCPOA Supervisory Committee member says ISA violates nuclear deal IRNA 06 Dec 2016 -- Iran Sanctions Act violates the nuclear deal reached between Iran and G5+1, a member of the Joint Comprehensive Plan Of Actions(JCPOA) Supervisory Committee said on Tuesday.
• Speaker: US Congress anti-Iran measure is deception IRNA 06 Dec 2016 -- Majlis Speaker Ali Larijani has described the recent anti-Iran measure that was taken by the US Congress as a kind of deceitfulness.
• US wants to keep JCPOA in limbo: Iran's Larijani Press TV 06 Dec 2016 -- Iranian Parliament Speaker Ali Larijani says the United States seeks to keep last year's landmark nuclear agreement signed between Iran and the P5+1 group of countries in a state of limbo.
• Iran will duly respond to US extension of sanctions: Velayati Press TV 06 Dec 2016 -- A senior Iranian official says a recent US Senate vote to extend the Iran Sanctions Act (ISA) violates last year's nuclear agreement signed between Iran and the P5+1 group of countries, vowing a tough and appropriate response by the Islamic Republic to the move.
• Iran committee to decide on ISA ratification: Rouhani Press TV 06 Dec 2016 -- Iranian President Hassan Rouhani says a committee tasked with monitoring the implementation of a nuclear agreement with six world powers will on Wednesday decide on how to respond to the US Congress' recent extension of a piece of anti-Iran legislation.
• Kerry stresses commitment to Iran deal Press TV 06 Dec 2016 -- US Secretary of State John Kerry has stressed the "absolute urgency" of remaining committed to a nuclear deal with Iran.
• Iranian President Threatens US Over Sanctions Extension VOA 06 Dec 2016 -- Iran's President Hassan Rouhani is threatening the United States with a "harsh reaction", after Congress voted last week to renew sanctions against the country for an additional 10 years.
• Britain has 18 months to reach Brexit deal, EU warns Press TV 06 Dec 2016 -- The European Union has warned that Britain will have less than 18 months to strike a deal to exit the bloc once Brexit negotiations begin, assuming London keeps a promise to formally launch the process of leaving the EU by the end of March.
• Venezuela Opposition Withdraws from Meeting with Government Officials VOA 06 Dec 2016 -- Venezuela's opposition says it will not attend a meeting Tuesday with government officials, putting a halt to on ongoing talks intended to defuse the country's political crisis.
• Venezuela's opposition quits govt. talks with new demands Press TV 06 Dec 2016 -- The leader of Venezuela's opposition coalition has pulled out of the current round of crisis talks with government authorities, demanding the release of prisoners and a vote on the country's political future.
• Japan: Abe Will Not Apologize at Pearl Harbor VOA 06 Dec 2016 -- What is billed as the last big gathering of survivors of the Japanese attack on Pearl Harbor takes place Wednesday in Hawaii – 75 years to the day after the bombing which brought the United States into World War II.
• No 'Smoking Gun' Uncovered at South Korean Presidential Scandal Hearing VOA 06 Dec 2016 -- The powerful heads of South Korea's top conglomerates on Tuesday denied they were buying influence or preferential treatment by donating millions of dollars to the two foundations that are at the center of President Park Geun-hye's sudden political collapse.
• Saudi Court Sentences 15 To Death For Spying For Iran RFE/RL 06 Dec 2016 -- A Saudi court has sentenced 15 people to death for spying for the kingdom's archrival Iran, in a move that is likely to heighten regional tensions.
• New Kremlin Information-Security Doctrine Calls For 'Managing' Internet In Russia RFE/RL 06 Dec 2016 -- Russia's new information-security doctrine calls for the government to develop "a national system of managing the Russian segment of the Internet."
• Russian Applications For U.S. Asylum Surge Again In 2016 RFE/RL 06 Dec 2016 -- The number of new U.S. asylum applications by Russian citizens has jumped for the fourth straight year in 2016, reaching the highest level in more than two decades and more than doubling since President Vladimir Putin's return to the Kremlin for a third term.
• Social-Media Giants Team Up To Curb Terrorist Content RFE/RL 06 Dec 2016 -- Four major U.S. technology companies say they are joining forces to remove terrorist-related content from their online services.
• Nigerian authorities urge prosecution of Sheikh Zakzaky Press TV 06 Dec 2016 -- Authorities in a Nigerian state have called for the prosecution of Sheikh Ibrahim Zakzaky who was recently ordered to be released after nearly a year of detention without trial.