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News Reports

Current Operations

• OIF / OND / OEF / OIR / OFS Casualty Update 21 Dec 2016 [PDF]
• Coalition Targets ISIL Terrorists in Syria, Iraq AFPS 21 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.
• U.S., Russian Officials Discuss Flight Safety in Syria AFPS 21 Dec 2016 -- Defense Department officials today held a video conference with Russian Defense Ministry counterparts, Pentagon Press Secretary Peter Cook said in a statement.
• Statement by Pentagon Press Secretary Peter Cook on U.S.-Russia Video Conference DoD 21 Dec 2016 -- The Department of Defense today held a video conference co-chaired by Acting Assistant Secretary for International Security Affairs Elissa Slotkin and Maj. Gen. Richard Clarke, vice director, J-5, Strategic Plans and Policy on the Joint Staff, with Russian Ministry of Defense counterparts.
• US Africa command ends operation in Daesh bastion in Libya Press TV 21 Dec 2016 -- The US military has formally announced the end of operations in the Libyan city of Sirte following the recent capturing of the coastal city from the clutches of the Takfiri Daesh terrorist group (ISIL).

Defense Policy / Programs

• STATEMENT BY SASC CHAIRMAN JOHN McCAIN ON NAVY RESTORING RATINGS TITLES Office of Senator John McCain 21 Dec 2016 -- U.S. Senator John McCain (R-AZ), Chairman of the Senate Armed Services Committee, released the following statement today on the Chief of Naval Operations’ decision to restore ratings titles
• Navy Leaders Bring Back Rating Titles NNS 21 Dec 2016 -- On Dec. 21, the Navy announced that effective immediately, Sailors may continue to be addressed by their Rating Titles.
• Largest military solar energy project in Northeast breaks ground on JB MDL AFNS 21 Dec 2016 -- Miranda A.A. Ballentine, the assistant secretary of the Air Force for installations, environment and energy, and Brig. Gen. Michael Cunniff, the adjutant general of New Jersey, helped break ground on a 98-acre solar farm at Joint Base McGuire-Dix-Lakehurst Dec. 21.
• Scoping it out: Shaw evaluated for Reaper mission AFNS 21 Dec 2016 -- Teams from Air Combat Command and Whiteman Air Force Base, Missouri, conducted a site survey at Shaw AFB Dec. 13, to assess the base as a candidate for an MQ-9 Reaper mission.
• DoD Crowdsourcing Effort Produces Innovative Operational Approaches AFPS 21 Dec 2016 -- A crowdsourcing effort launched last month to inspire creative thinking inside and outside the Defense Department on key operational challenges has produced two primary submissions and several others that will be presented for consideration directly to top officials in the department.
• Flying the skies with the South Carolina National Guard Army News 21 Dec 2016 -- Located near the Columbia Metropolitan Airport is a small South Carolina Army National Guard aviation unit that has the ability to carry out real-world missions on a daily basis, transporting passengers and cargo to anywhere in the continental United States.
• DoD Announces Award of New Advanced Tissue Biofabrication Manufacturing Innovation Hub in Manchester, New Hampshire DoD 21 Dec 2016 -- The Department of Defense announced the award of a new public-private Manufacturing USA institute to Advanced Regenerative Manufacturing Institute (ARMI) today. This new institute will be the 12th Manufacturing USA institute established, with the Department of Defense now leading seven of the 12.
• GHWBCSG Completes COMPTUEX NNS 21 Dec 2016 -- The crew of USS George H.W. Bush (CVN 77), flagship of the George H.W. Bush Carrier Strike Group (GHWBCSG), has proven they are ready to enter the fight once again with the successful conclusion of composite training unit exercise (COMPTUEX), Dec. 21.
• First Down-range Deployment for USNS Trenton NNS 21 Dec 2016 -- Military Sealift Command's expeditionary fast transport ship, USNS Trenton (EPF 5) departed from Joint Expeditionary Base Little Creek-Fort Story to begin its first operational deployment, Dec. 20.
• USS San Jacinto Departs Piraeus, Greece NNS 21 Dec 2016 -- The guided-missile cruiser USS San Jacinto (CG 56) departed Piraeus, Greece, Dec. 17, after a scheduled port visit to enhance U.S.-Greece relations as the two nations work together for a stable, secure and prosperous Europe.
• U.S. 6th Fleet Command USS Mount Whitney Enters Shipyard NNS 21 Dec 2016 -- The U.S. 6th Fleet command and control ship USS Mount Whitney (LCC 20) entered drydock, Dec. 19, for its 2017 shipyard period.
• U.S. Returns 10,000 Acres of Okinawan Training Area to Japan AFPS 21 Dec 2016 -- The return of land on Okinawa's Northern Training Area will reduce the footprint of U.S. forces on the Japanese island by 20 percent, officials in Japan said today.
• US returns part of Okinawa's WWII-occupied land to Japan Press TV 21 Dec 2016 -- The United States government has officially returned a large chunk of occupied land on Okinawa Island to Japan, but is pushing ahead with plans to stay on the prefecture despite public outrage.
• Norway – P-8A Aircraft and Associated Support DSCA 21 Dec 2016 -- The State Department has made a determination approving a possible Foreign Military Sale to the Government of Norway for P-8A Aircraft and associated support. The estimated cost is $1.75 billion. The Defense Security Cooperation Agency delivered the required certification notifying Congress of this possible sale on December 20, 2016.
• Russia slams Dutch for permitting US to stockpile tanks Press TV 21 Dec 2016 -- Russian Foreign Ministry spokeswoman Maria Zakharova says Dutch authorities are deliberately trying to ruin ties with Moscow.
• Thailand, China in talks over military cooperation: Thai official Press TV 21 Dec 2016 -- A Thai official says his country is negotiating with China to have joint military production facilities set up in Thailand.
• China Prepares Secretive H-20 Strategic Stealth Bomber Sputnik 21 Dec 2016 -- China's secretive H-20 bomber is well on its way to becoming a fully developed next-generation strategic stealth aircraft, but not in the near future.
• Military auditing regulation revised People's Daily 21 Dec 2016 -- A revised regulation has been issued to streamline auditing practices in the armed forces and tighten disciplinary supervision.
• India should be cautious in rebuilding special forces in border areas with China: expert People's Daily 21 Dec 2016 -- In addition to the deployment of Mountain Strike Corps and BrahMos Supersonic Cruise Missiles along the China-India border, India is planning to rebuild its Special Frontier Forces (SFF) to cope with China's frequent actions, Indian media outlet Daily News and Analysis (DNA) reported on Dec. 19.
• US to regularly deploy strategic weapons to South Korea: Officials Press TV 21 Dec 2016 -- The United States will regularly deploy strategic weapons to South Korea to counter nuclear and missile threats from North Korea, US and South Korean defense officials said in a joint statement.
• US sent Ukraine useless low-tech analogue drones: Report Press TV 21 Dec 2016 -- A report says US-supplied drones to Ukraine to use against pro-Russia forces utilize "stone age" technology that makes them ineffective against jamming and hacking.
• December 21, 2016 - U.S. Department of State Daily Press Briefing US Dept. of State 21 Dec 2016

Defense Industry

• DoD News: Contracts for December 21, 2016

Other Conflicts

• 21 December 2016 - Daily Press Briefing by the Office of the Spokesperson for the Secretary-General United Nations 21 Dec 2016
• Zarif: Iran, Russia, Turkey cooperate for sustainable ceasefire in Syria IRNA 21 Dec 2016 -- Iranian Foreign Minister Mohammad-Javad Zarif said on Wednesday that Iran, Russia and Turkey cooperate for establishment of a lasting ceasefire in Syria to bring about a political solution to the crisis in the country.
• Zarif urges respect for Syrian territorial integrity IRNA 21 Dec 2016 -- Foreign Minister Mohammad Javad Zarif urged respect to sovereignty, territorial integrity and national unity of Syria and underscored the need for efforts to prevent its division.
• UN resolution on Aleppo to fuel tension in Syria: Iran senior official Press TV 21 Dec 2016 -- A senior Iranian official has warned that a recent United Nations Security Council (UNSC) resolution on the deployment of UN observers to the Syrian city of Aleppo could result in more tension in the Arab country.
• Civilians' evacuation from eastern Aleppo resumes after halt: UN Press TV 21 Dec 2016 -- The process of evacuating civilians from formerly militant-held eastern Aleppo has resumed after a one-day suspension amid diplomatic efforts to bring an end to the almost six-year-long conflict in Syria, says a UN official.
• U.S. Welcomes Moscow Agreement On Syria, But Remains Skeptical RFE/RL 21 Dec 2016 -- The United States has welcomed an agreement by Russia, Iran, and Turkey to work toward drafting a peace deal in Syria but expressed some skepticism that it would come to pass.
• Final Aleppo Evacuations Resume VOA 21 Dec 2016 -- The final evacuations of rebels and civilians from the northern city of Aleppo have resumed after being delayed for one day. "The buses are now moving again from east Aleppo," a U.N. official in Syria told Reuters.
• Daesh terrorists target civilians as they lose ground in Mosul: HRW Press TV 21 Dec 2016 -- Human Rights Watch says Takfiri Daesh terrorists in Mosul are deliberating targeting the civilians who decline to join their ranks as Iraqi armed forces are making headway during an operation to liberate the northern city.
• Open-Source Sleuths Document Extensive Russian Shelling Of Ukraine In 2014 RFE/RL 21 Dec 2016 -- Open-source investigator Bellingcat says Russia launched "systematic" artillery and other barrages against Ukraine in 2014 that were "essentially an act of war" against its smaller neighbor.
• S. Sudan Atrocities Continue Despite President's Call for Dialogue VOA 21 Dec 2016 -- South Sudanese fleeing the country's 3-year conflict say armed men are committing brutal atrocities and abuses against civilians. The refugees said extrajudicial killings also were common in areas they fled.
• Israeli settlement activities against international law: EU, Arab League Press TV 21 Dec 2016 -- The European Union and the Arab League have denounced Israel's illegal settlement activities, calling for international efforts to end the regime's decades-long occupation of Palestinian lands.

News Reports

• Trump: European Attacks 'Prove' He Is 'Right' on Need for Muslim Screening VOA 21 Dec 2016 -- U.S. President-elect Donald Trump said Wednesday that the violent attacks in Europe this week "prove" that he is "right" about his plans to institute tough screening of Muslims attempting to enter the United States after he assumes power next month.
• Germany Offers Reward For Information On Berlin-Attack Suspect RFE/RL 21 Dec 2016 -- German authorities are offering a reward of up to 100,000 euros ($105,000) for information leading to the arrest of a Tunisian man suspected of involvement in the Berlin Christmas-market attack, identifying him as 24-year-old Anis Amri.
• Germany Identifies New Suspect in Berlin Market Attack VOA 21 Dec 2016 -- German police are engaged in a manhunt to find a Tunisian man suspected of involvement in Monday's deadly truck rampage in Berlin.
• State Department Terrorist Designation of AQIM Operative Saleck Ould Cheikh Mohamedou US Dept. of State 21 Dec 2016
• Europe Braces for Russian Cyber Assault Before 2017 Elections VOA 21 Dec 2016 -- Amid ongoing accusations that Russia attempted to influence and subvert the U.S. presidential election, Europe is bracing for a similar operation by Moscow before a series of elections. France, Germany and the Netherlands go to the polls in 2017, and analysts say Russia is already attempting to influence the outcomes, a charge Moscow denies.
• US to continue diplomatic ties with Russia: State Dept. Press TV 21 Dec 2016 -- The US government will continue its diplomatic ties with Russia, says the US State Department, rejecting the Kremlin's remarks that almost all communication channels between the two sides were "frozen."
• US sanctions Russian companies, Moscow responds Press TV 21 Dec 2016 -- The United States has blacklisted several Russian companies and individuals over their alleged connection to the Ukrainian crisis and the 2014 reunification of the Crimean peninsula with the Russian mainland.
• Russian Presidential Hopeful Slams Kremlin On Syria, Ukraine RFE/RL 21 Dec 2016 -- Russia is fighting on the wrong side in Syria and has turned close neighbor Ukraine into a "hostile state" through its aggression, Kremlin foe Aleksei Navalny has said in an interview.
• Kremlin Lashes Out At U.S. Over 'Destructive' Sanctions RFE/RL 21 Dec 2016 -- Russian President Vladimir Putin's spokesman has criticized the United States for targeting additional individuals and organizations with sanctions over Moscow's aggression in Ukraine and suggested the Kremlin would respond in kind.
• US Refutes Russian Claim of Broken Communication VOA 21 Dec 2016 -- U.S. officials expressed bafflement Wednesday over Kremlin comments that relations between Washington and Moscow are practically frozen.
• Russian envoy's murder blow to Turkey's prestige: Kremlin Press TV 21 Dec 2016 -- The Kremlin says the assassination of the Russian ambassador to Ankara is a serious blow to the image of Turkey, whose government is said to have gambled on the conflict in Syria by supporting anti-Damascus militants.
• Killer of Russia envoy ex-Erdogan guard: Daily Press TV 21 Dec 2016 -- Turkish newspaper Hurriyet has identified the off-duty police officer, who recently gunned down Russia's ambassador to Ankara, as a member of the team providing security for President Recep Tayyip Erdogan.
• Turkey Blames U.S.-Based Muslim Cleric For Russian Envoy's Killing RFE/RL 21 Dec 2016 -- Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan says the Turkish policeman who gunned down the Russian ambassador in Ankara was a member of the network of Muslim cleric Fethullah Gulen.
• Erdogan: 'No Doubt' Russian Envoy's Killer Linked to Gulen VOA 21 Dec 2016 -- Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan said the assassination of Russia's ambassador earlier this week was "no doubt" carried out by a member of the network of Muslim cleric Fethullah Gulen.
• Russia: Too Early to Reach Conclusions About Ambassador's Killer VOA 21 Dec 2016 -- Russia said Wednesday it is too early to draw conclusions about the shooter responsible for the assassination of the country's ambassador to Turkey.
• Turkey suspends 2k education staff over coup plot Press TV 21 Dec 2016 -- Turkey has sacked nearly 2,000 education employees over their alleged links to the coup attempt of July 15.
• China Seen Readying for Trade War During Trump Presidency VOA 21 Dec 2016 -- The possibility of a trade war between the United States and China loomed large over the horizon after the U.S. electoral college confirmed Donald Trump's presidency on Monday. China is expected to take a series of defensive and retaliatory measures to counter any U.S. moves to restrict the role of Chinese goods and currency movements in the American economy, as Trump has promised to do.
• China Extends Its Clampdown on Foreign Nonprofits VOA 21 Dec 2016 -- Beijing has extended its clampdown on the activities of 7,000 international nonprofit groups in China, its latest effort aimed at curbing foreign influences in the country.
• Taiwan regrets Sao Tome termination of diplomatic ties CNA 21 Dec 2016 -- Foreign Minister David Lee (李大維) on Wednesday expressed deep regret at the decision by Sao Tome and Principe to sever diplomatic ties with the Republic of China (Taiwan).
• ROC to break diplomatic ties with Sao Tome and Principe CNA 21 Dec 2016 -- It is a "sure thing" that Sao Tome and Principe in west Africa will break diplomatic ties with the Republic of China, a ranking official of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs said Wednesday.
• Taiwan's Loss of a Diplomatic Ally Points to Growing Anger in China VOA 21 Dec 2016 -- A sudden break in relations between Taiwan and one of its few diplomatic allies points to growing anger in China toward the Taipei leadership and analysts warn of more such moves by Beijing.
• Japanese PM to Take Non-apology Tour to Pearl Harbor VOA 21 Dec 2016 -- Next week, Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe is expected to engage in a now familiar diplomatic offensive to reconcile lingering resentment over his country's wartime past when he visits the Pearl Harbor memorial in Hawaii. Japan's surprise attack on the U.S. naval base in 1941 killed over 2,000 Americans and drew the United States into World War II.
• Scores of S.Korean ruling party lawmakers agree to defect after presidential impeachment People's Daily 21 Dec 2016 -- Scores of South Korean ruling party lawmakers agreed on Wednesday to defect from the Saenuri Party as strife deepened between factions loyal to and against impeached President Park Geun-hye.
• South Korea inspectors raid major pension fund office linked to fraud scandal Press TV 21 Dec 2016 -- South Korean inspectors have raided the National Pension Service (NPS) office as part of a probe into a high-profile fraud scandal that has prompted the impeachment of President Park Geun-hye.
• Iran to launch 3 more satellites into space: ICT minister Press TV 21 Dec 2016 -- Iran's minister of information and communications technologysays the country plans to send a new domestically-manufactured satellite into space by the end of the current Iranian calendar year (ending on March 20, 2017).
• Fugitive Ukrainian Lawmaker Hits Back At Poroshenko Allies With Profiteering Claims RFE/RL 21 Dec 2016 -- A fugitive Ukrainian lawmaker, whose accusations of top-level corruption have sparked a political furor, has charged that President Petro Poroshenko's allies are profiting from supplying troops fighting Russia-backed separatists.
• Gambian leaders must ensure peaceful transfer of power to President-elect, says Security Council UN News 21 Dec 2016 -- Welcoming the African Union's decision to recognize Adama Barrow as President-Elect of Gambia, the United Nations Security Council reiterated its call on outgoing President Yayha Jammeh to transfer power to the President-Elect in peaceful and orderly manner.
• UN urges Gambia's President Jammeh to transfer power Press TV 21 Dec 2016 -- The United Nations Security Council (UNSC) has called on Gambia's longtime head of state, Yahya Jammeh, to hand over power to President-elect Adama Barrow, who won the December 1 polls in the West African country.
• Gambia's president clings on to power Press TV 21 Dec 2016 -- Gambian President Yahya Jammeh has declared he will not step down despite losing to opposition leader Adama Barrow in a presidential election earlier this month.
• DR Congo: Ban urges political leaders to put country ahead of partisan considerations UN News 21 Dec 2016 -- Calling on Congolese political leaders to place the interests of the country and its people above partisan considerations, United Nations Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon said today that he is keeping a close eye on the situation in the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC) as the mediation led by the Conférence épiscopale nationale des églises du Congo (CENCO) resumes.
• 19 protesters killed in DR Congo's capital: UN Press TV 21 Dec 2016 -- At least 19 protesters have been killed in recent clashes in the Democratic Republic of the Congo's capital, Kinshasa, amid growing tensions over the refusal of President Joseph Kabila to quit after the expiration of his term in office.
• Bahraini court summons top cleric Sheikh Isa Qassim Press TV 21 Dec 2016 -- Regime forces in Bahrain have handed a warrant to prominent cleric Sheikh Isa Qassim to appear in court, after clashing with his supporters.
• UN chief hails peaceful and inclusive legislative elections in Côte d'Ivoire UN News 21 Dec 2016 -- United Nations Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon has applauded the Government and the people of Côte d'Ivoire for this Sunday's peaceful and inclusive legislative elections as well as the progress in the country since last year, his office said.
• Guinea-Bissau: Ban urges leaders to demonstrate goodwill to resolve political crisis UN News 21 Dec 2016 -- Expressing concern over the impact of a prolonged political and institutional crisis in Guinea-Bissau, United Nations Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon urged the country's leadership to work towards a long-lasting political solution to the crisis on the basis of a regional roadmap agreed in September this year.