Further Reading

Operations
Defense Policy / Programs
Defense Industry
Other Conflicts
News Reports

Current Operations

• OIF / OND / OEF / OIR / OFS Casualty Update 29 Dec 2016 [PDF]
• Military Strikes Hit ISIL Terrorists in Syria, Iraq AFPS 30 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.
• Rain or shine, Artillerymen support Mosul counteroffensive Army News 30 Dec 2016 -- On Christmas Eve, Soldiers in Staff Sgt. Johnathan Walker's section shiver as freezing rain falls upon their position.

Defense Policy / Programs

• National Guard looks back on busy 2016, prepares for 2017 Army News 30 Dec 2016 -- The National Guard saw a busy 2016, meeting challenges both at home and abroad, deploying overseas, responding to large-scale emergencies and natural disasters at home while also taking part in a number of milestone events and transitioning to new roles.
• DoD Announces New Outreach Efforts to Veterans Regarding Discharges and Military Records DoD 30 Dec 2016 -- The Department of Defense today announced a renewed effort to ensure veterans are aware of the opportunity to have their discharges and military records reviewed.
• USS Mason Returns from Deployment NNS 30 Dec 2016 -- Guided-missile destroyer USS Mason (DDG 87) with embarked Combat Element (CEL) 3 from the "Swamp Foxes" of Helicopter Maritime Strike Squadron (HSM) 74 returned from a scheduled seven-month deployment, Dec. 30.
• USS San Jacinto Returns from Deployment NNS 30 Dec 2016 -- Guided-missile cruiser USS San Jacinto (CG 56) returned to Naval Station Norfolk following a seven-month deployment to the U.S. 5th and 6th Fleet areas of operations, Dec. 30.
• USS Shiloh Hosts Holiday Visit with JMSDF Sister Ship JS Yuugiri NNS 30 Dec 2016 -- Crew members from the Ticonderoga-class guided-missile cruiser USS Shiloh (CG 67) met with representatives from the Japan Maritime Self-Defense Force (JMSDF) JS Yuugiri (DD 153) to exchange holiday gifts Dec. 28.
• PLA news portal: Su-35 intended to be last type of imported fighter People's Daily 30 Dec 2016 -- Four Russian Su-35 fighter jets were delivered to China on Dec. 25, ending speculations about the procurement of the aircraft, which had been delayed about two years, according to an article on 81.cn, a news portal of the People's Liberation Army.
• China's new mine hunter enters service People's Daily 30 Dec 2016 -- The PLA navy's mine hunter, Donggang, officially entered active service on Dec. 29. The vessel consists of a mother ship and three 100-ton distant-control minesweepers.
• Chinese Carrier Moves Ahead Following Year of Increased Activity in South China Sea VOA 30 Dec 2016 -- Chinese warships, led by the country's first aircraft carrier, the Soviet-built Liaoning, sailed past Taiwan and into the South China Sea earlier this week. It was a move that caught the attention of both Taiwan and Japan, who closely observed the six-vessel group.
• Bulgaria Opens Probe Into Alleged Supplies of Weapons to Syria Sputnik 30 Dec 2016 -- Bulgarian prosecutors on Thursday opened an investigation into a local arms company that allegedly broke the embargo on weapons export to Syria, media reported.

Defense Industry

• DoD News: Contracts for December 30, 2016

Other Conflicts

• Turkey Troops Killed Some 1,170 Daesh Fighters During Euphrates Shield Operation Sputnik 30 Dec 2016 -- Turkish forces have killed 1,171 fighters from the Daesh jihadist group, as well as 291 militants from the Kurdistan Workers' Party (PKK) since the beginning of the Operation Euphrates Shield in northern Syria in August, the Turkish General Staff said in a Friday statement.
• Syrian government forces regain control over western village Press TV 30 Dec 2016 -- Syrian army soldiers, supported by fighters from popular defense groups, have managed to liberate a village in the western province from the grip of Daesh terrorist group as a nationwide ceasefire brokered by Russia and Turkey, which excludes the Takfiris, appears to be largely holding.
• Syria ceasefire holds despite militant breaches Press TV 30 Dec 2016 -- The all-Syria ceasefire, brokered by Russia and Turkey, is holding across the country despite initial instances of violations by foreign-backed militants, a monitoring group and militant sources say.
• Russian Jets Strike Daesh Positions Near al-Bab to Support Turkish Troops Sputnik 30 Dec 2016 -- After brokering a ceasefire agreement between the Syrian government and opposition rebel groups, Russia bolstered Turkish military operations in the fight against Daesh, with three airstrikes around al-Bab.
• Kurds to Be Included in Syrian Gov't If They Lay Down Arms - Ankara Sputnik 30 Dec 2016 -- The Syrian Kurdish People's Protection Units (YPG) will participate in the formation of the new government on condition they agree to lay down arms and support Syrian territorial integrity, Turkish Foreign Minister Mevlut Cavusoglu said Friday.
• Turkish Troops Kill Daesh Military Commander in North Syria Sputnik 30 Dec 2016 -- The Turkish Air Force has killed a military commander of Daesh terrorist group in an airstrike conducted in the northern part of Syria, the Turkish General Staff said in a Friday statement.
• Nationwide Ceasefire Takes Effect in Syria Sputnik 30 Dec 2016 -- A major agreement between the Syrian government of Bashar al-Assad and armed opposition groups was reached on Thursday and supported by Russia, Iran and Turkey as guarantors of the peace process. Russian President Vladimir Putin announced the news after emerging as a key peace broker. Last week, foreign ministers from Russia, Iran, and Turkey convened in Moscow to discuss resolutions that could bring peace and stability to the region.
• Iraqi forces make headway in fresh offensive to retake Mosul Press TV 30 Dec 2016 -- Iraqi government soldiers and their allied forces have made great achievements in their renewed push to take back the strategic northern city of Mosul from Takfiri Daesh militants.
• Fighting in Mosul Resumes After Two Weeks of Calm VOA 30 Dec 2016 -- Iraqis in Mosul faced car bombs and airstrikes Friday on the second day of a renewed push to retake the city following two weeks of relative calm.
• Five senior PKK figures detained in southern Turkey: Interior Ministry Press TV 30 Dec 2016 -- The Turkish Interior Ministry says at least five high-profile figures of the Kurdistan Workers' Party (PKK) have been arrested during a series of counter-terrorism operations against the militant group as well as its affiliate, the Kurdistan Communities Union (KCK), in the southern part of the country.
• 'Tornado' Trial Tests Kyiv's Ability To Rein In Rogue Paramilitaries RFE/RL 30 Dec 2016 -- PRYVILLIA, Ukraine -- Eighteen months after the last of the Kyiv-backed militiamen vacated this weary town near the front lines of Europe's only active war, School No. 32 is a crime scene.
• Millions in Ukraine are in need of humanitarian assistance, UN relief wing reports UN News 30 Dec 2016 -- According to the United Nations Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (OCHA), an estimated 3.8 million people in Ukraine are in need of humanitarian assistance and 2.2 million are suffering as a result of no access to quality health services.
• France hints at plan for 'long' military stay in Chad Press TV 30 Dec 2016 -- Prime Minister Bernard Cazeneuve says French troopers stationed in Chad should "prepare for a long war" against regional militants, in a remark that reveals France's plans for prolonged military presence in its former African colony.
• Georgia Considers Referendum on Renaming South Ossetia to Alania Illegitimate Sputnik 30 Dec 2016 -- Georgia condemns South Ossetia's initiative to hold a referendum on the republic renaming to Alania and considers the process illegitimate, Georgia's Minister for Reconciliation and Civil Equality Ketevan Tsikhelashvili said Friday.
• In December alone, UN food relief agency assists one million people in northeast Nigeria UN News 30 Dec 2016 -- In December, the United Nations food aid agency has delivered food or cash to more than a million people in conflict-affected zones in northeast Nigeria, meaning that over half of those in need of urgent humanitarian assistance have now been reached.

News Reports

• U.S. Senators Vow No 'Faustian Bargain' With Russia, Pledge To Target Putin 'Harder' RFE/RL 30 Dec 2016 -- KYIV -- Senator John McCain says that the United States will not strike a "Faustian bargain" with Russian President Vladimir Putin, amid speculation that President-elect Donald Trump could scrap sanctions in a bid to improve ties.
• Trump calls for U.S. to "move on" from Russian hacking allegations People's Daily 30 Dec 2016 -- U.S. President-elect Donald Trump on Thursday downplayed the escalating tensions between Washington and Moscow over alleged Russian hacking activities targeting the United States.
• Top Trump aide denounces US sanctions against Russia Press TV 30 Dec 2016 -- US President-elect Donald Trump's senior aide Kellyanne Conway has denounced outgoing Democratic President Barack Obama's decision to impose harsh economic sanctions against Russia.
• Trump Praises Putin's Decision Against Tit-For-Tat Sanctions VOA 30 Dec 2016 -- Russian President Vladimir Putin says Moscow will not expel U.S. diplomats in response to sanctions imposed Thursday by U.S. President Barack Obama for interference by Russian intelligence agencies in November's U.S. national election.
• Trump can reverse Obama's new sanctions on Russia Press TV 30 Dec 2016 -- US President-elect Donald Trump could reverse President Barack Obama's sweeping new sanctions against Moscow that included the expulsion of 35 Russian diplomats, officials say.
• Russia's Putin decides not to expel US diplomats Press TV 30 Dec 2016 -- Russian President Vladimir Putin has decided not to expel US diplomats in reprisal for Washington's recent sanctions.
• Putin Says Russia Will Not Expel U.S. Diplomats RFE/RL 30 Dec 2016 -- Russian President Vladimir Putin says that Moscow will not expel any Americans from the country, opting out of a tit-for-tat retaliation after the United States kicked 35 Russian officials out over allegations of hacking aimed at interfering in the U.S. election, espionage, and harassment of U.S. diplomats in Russia.
• Russia Will Determine Steps in Restoring Ties With US Depending on Trump - Putin Sputnik 30 Dec 2016 -- Russian President Vladimir Putin said that Moscow will determine further steps in restoring ties with the United States depending on the policy of President-elect Donald Trump.
• Russian Foreign Minister Lavrov proposes expulsion of 35 US diplomats Press TV 30 Dec 2016 -- Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov says he has proposed to President Vladimir Putin to expel 35 US diplomats in retaliation for a similar move by Washington.
• FBI, DHS release report on alleged Russian hacking of election Press TV 30 Dec 2016 -- US intelligence services have released an analysis detailing how federal investigators believe the Russian government was behind hacks of the 2016 US election.
• Trump Seeks Full Report from US Intelligence Agencies on Russian Allegations Sputnik 30 Dec 2016 -- Incoming White House chief of staff Reince Priebus said that Donald Trump will personally hear assessments from across the US intelligence community on the allegations of Russian interference in the American elections.
• Trump to Meet With Intelligence Officials to Clarify Russian Spying Accusations Sputnik 30 Dec 2016 -- "In the interest of our country and its great people," Trump promised to meet with members of the FBI, DHS, and other intelligence agencies "to be updated on the facts of this situation," according to a statement from the transition team.
• China Surprises India as It Defends Pak-Based Militant Chief at UN Sputnik 30 Dec 2016 -- Despite promising joint efforts to weed out terrorism from the region, China has backed Pakistan at the UN to prevent Jaish-e-Mohammed Chief Masood Azhar being designated a terrorist.
• China Wants Vatican to Mend Fences With Beijing, Ditch Taiwan Sputnik 30 Dec 2016 -- China is ready to engage in constructive dialogue with the Vatican and is hopeful that the Holy See will take practical steps to mend fences with Beijing, a senior Chinese official said.
• Turkey bill extending Erdogan power moves forward Press TV 30 Dec 2016 -- The Turkish parliament's constitutional commission has passed a draft law seeking a series of amendments to the constitution, including a switch to a presidential system of government long sought by President Recep Tayyip Erdogan.
• Venezuela extends validity of 100-bolivar banknotes again Press TV 30 Dec 2016 -- Venezuela's President Nicolas Maduro has once again extended the validity of the country's most common currency note, citing the need for people not to worry about cash shortages during New Year festivities.
• US envoys spy on, undermine governments: Philippine president Press TV 30 Dec 2016 -- Philippine President Rodrigo Duterte has accused US ambassadors of being spies and working to undermine governments, in remarks likely to further strain relations with Washington.
• Young Continent, Old Leaders: The Aging Face of African Governance VOA 30 Dec 2016 -- All 10 of the world's nations with the youngest populations are in Africa, according to United Nations statistics, giving the continent a median age of just under 20 years–or, roughly half the estimated median age of the United States, (37.9 years according to CIA estimates).