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Current Operations

• OIF / OND / OEF / OIR / OFS Casualty Update 05 Jan 2017[PDF]
• Military Strikes Target ISIL Terrorists in Syria, Iraq AFPS 05 Jan 2017 -- U.S. and coalition military forces continued to attack Islamic State of Iraq and the Levant terrorists in Iraq and Syria yesterday, Combined Joint Task Force Operation Inherent Resolve officials reported today.
• Department of Defense Press Briefing by Pentagon Press Secretary Peter Cook in the Pentagon Briefing Room DoD 05 Jan 2017 -- Presenter: Pentagon Press Secretary Peter Cook
• DoD Spokesman: U.S. Airstrikes Weaken Al-Qaida, ISIL Terrorists AFPS 05 Jan 2017 -- A series of precision U.S. airstrikes against al-Qaida operatives this week in northwestern Syria's Idlib province killed more than 20 militants and destroyed eight vehicles and nine structures, Pentagon Press Secretary Peter Cook told reporters today.
• Statement by Pentagon Press Secretary Peter Cook on Recent Strikes in Northern Syria DoD 05 Jan 2017 -- U.S. forces conducted a series of precision airstrikes this week against al-Qaida operatives in northwestern Syria.
• Pentagon Seeking to Speed Up Campaign to Crush Daesh in Syria Sputnik 05 Jan 2017 -- The Pentagon is seeking ways to put more pressure on Daesh terror group in Syria to accelerate defeat of terrorists.
• Afghanistan Mission Remains on Track, Defense Spokesman Says AFPS 05 Jan 2017 -- The U.S. military presence in Afghanistan continues to provide support to the Afghan government and its armed forces "so that they can secure the country for themselves," Pentagon Press Secretary Peter Cook told reporters today.

Defense Policy / Programs

• Detainee Transfers Announced DoD 05 Jan 2017-- The Department of Defense announced today the transfer of four detainees: Salem Ahmad Hadi Bin Kanad, Muhammed Rajab Sadiq Abu Ghanim, Abdallah Yahya Yusif Al-Shibli, and Muhammad Ali Abdallah Muhammad Bwazir from the detention facility at Guantanamo Bay to the government of the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia.
• 4 Released Guantanamo Detainees Arrive in Saudi Arabia VOA 05 Jan 2017 -- The Pentagon has identified the latest group of detainees released from the U.S. detention center at Guantanamo Bay, Cuba, as four Yemenis, all of whom had been in custody for at least 14 years as suspected members of the al-Qaida terror network.
• Pentagon Officials Describe Ongoing Importance of Cyber Capabilities AFPS 05 Jan 2017 -- Pentagon officials addressed emerging cyber challenges and the game plan to confront them in remarks before the Senate Armed Services Committee hearing on foreign cyber threats to the United States here today.
• Deployments Bolster U.S. Presence in Western Pacific, Europe AFPS 05 Jan 2017 -- Pentagon Press Secretary Peter Cook announced operational deployments that will boost U.S. presence in the western Pacific and in Europe.
• Deployments, floods and fires: Looking back on the Guard's hectic year Army News 05 Jan 2017 -- The National Guard saw a busy 2016, meeting challenges both at home and abroad, deploying overseas, responding to large-scale emergencies at home while also taking part in a number of milestone events.
• Carl Vinson Carrier Strike Group Begins Western Pacific Deployment NNS 05 Jan 2017 -- Ships and units from the Carl Vinson Carrier Strike Group departed San Diego for a regularly scheduled deployment to the western Pacific, Jan. 5.
• US Navy Planning to Spend $566 Billion on Fleet Expansion Over Three Decades Sputnik 05 Jan 2017 -- The US Navy's plans to expand its fleet over the next 30 years would cost an average of almost $19 billion per year under the current plan, or $2 billion more than the Navy's estimates, the Congressional Budget Office (CBO) said in a report summary on Wednesday.
• Pentagon Chief: Trump Needs to Keep Alliances, Hold Russia Accountable in Syria VOA 05 Jan 2017 -- U.S. Defense Secretary Ash Carter says President-elect Donald Trump's administration should maintain partnerships with NATO and allies in the Asia-Pacific, while also holding Russia accountable to its stated mission of battling terrorists in Syria and help end the war.
• Trump Presidency Adds to Uncertainty Over NATO-Russia Tensions VOA 05 Jan 2017 -- Since Russia's forceful takeover of Crimea in 2014, both Moscow and NATO have deployed troops and weapons along old lines as tensions have grown to their highest since the end of the Cold War.
• France hands over lead in Baltic Air Policing to the Netherlands at Siauliai NATO 05 Jan 2017 -- ŠIAULIAI, Lithuania -- On 5 January 2017, NATO's Baltic Air Policing (BAP) mission entered its 43rd rotation since its beginning in 2004.
• Netherlands Takes Over Baltic Air Policing Mission - Lithuanian Defense Ministry Sputnik 05 Jan 2017 -- French Air Force service personnel, who have patrolled the Baltic airspace for four months, have been replaced by the Netherlands Air Force with four Fighting Falcon F-16 fighters, according to the Lithuanian Defense Ministry.
• Russian Navy Visit Helps Manila Diversify Alliances After US Policy Disappoints Sputnik 05 Jan 2017 -- The goodwill visit of two Russian navy ships to the Philippines is a sign that relations between Russia and the Philippines are warming up, just as President Rodrigo Duterte expresses discontent with the Philippines-US relationship.
• Philippines Open to Joint Military Drills With Russia Sputnik 05 Jan 2017 -- Philippine leader Rodrigo Duterte said through his spokesman that he is open to joint drills with Russia.
• £410M RAF Atlas aircraft support contract secures at least 400 UK jobs UK MOD 05 Jan 2017 -- The Ministry of Defence (MOD) has negotiated a £410 million contract that will secure at least 400 highly-skilled British jobs and provide in-service support for the UK's Atlas A400M aircraft, securing a key part of the RAF airlift fleet until 2026.
• UK Innovation: Laser Weapon Contract Awarded UK MOD 05 Jan 2017 -- MOD awards £30m contract to produce Laser Directed Energy Weapon (LDEW) Capability Demonstrator to UK Dragonfire consortium, led by MBDA.
• Military expert: China may have 3 aircraft carrier battle groups People's Daily 05 Jan 2017 -- On the first day of the new year, a fleet headed by aircraft carrier Liaoning held drills in the South China Sea. Around the same time, news was released that the USS Carl Vinson, a nuclear-powered American aircraft carrier, would deploy from San Diego, California to the Western Pacific region.
• Major military weapons and military equipment released in 2016 People's Daily 05 Jan 2017 -- The year 2016 saw great strides for the Chinese military, with numerous achievements related to weaponry and equipment. Below are some of the standout weapons and equipment that were introduced in 2016.
• Has China Developed New Secretive Light Tank? Sputnik 05 Jan 2017 -- In late December 2016 images started cropping up on Chinese internet forums indicating that ground units in Beijing's military may be armed with a new light tank. The combat vehicle supposedly being used by the People's Liberation Army (PLA) was first seen in 2011.
• China urges proper settlement with ROK on THAAD issue People's Daily 05 Jan 2017 -- China on Thursday urged communication with the Republic of Korea (ROK) to find a proper solution to the ROK's deployment of an advanced U.S. missile defense system, the Terminal High Altitude Area Defense (THAAD).
• S.Korea re-affirms THAAD deployment as planned People's Daily 05 Jan 2017 -- South Korea on Thursday re-affirmed its position to deploy a U.S. missile defense system in its soil as planned despite strong opposition from neighboring countries.
• China reiterates opposition to US deployment of THAAD in South Korea Press TV 05 Jan 2017 -- A senior Chinese official has reiterated Beijing's opposition to a US deployment of the Terminal High-Altitude Area Defense (THAAD) system to South Korea.
• China Hopes to Find Settlement With South Korea Over THAAD Deployment Sputnik 05 Jan 2017 -- Beijing hopes to resolve the THAAD deployment issue with South Korea through dialogue.
• Key Outcomes of the U.S.-Japan-R.O.K. Trilateral Vice Foreign Ministerial Meetings US Dept. of State 05 Jan 2017 -- The following is a joint fact sheet on the key outcomes of the U.S.-Japan-ROK trilateral vice foreign ministerial meetings
• US Rejects North Korea's Nuclear Claim Amid Growing Concerns VOA 05 Jan 2017 -- Amid speculation surrounding North Korea's nuclear capabilities, the U.S. government said this week that Pyongyang has yet to acquire the ability to outfit an intercontinental ballistic missile with a nuclear warhead.
• N Korean Nuclear Problem Should Be Priority for Trump Administration - CIA Chief Sputnik 05 Jan 2017 -- CIA head John Brennan said the North Korean nuclear issue should be a high-priority problem for the Donald Trump administration.
• Pakistan Builds New Missile Ship to Shield Chinese Trade Routes Sputnik 05 Jan 2017 -- Pakistan has officially begun construction of a missile warship that the country hopes will guarantee the integrity of its vital trade corridor with China.
• US-Qatar Radar Deal: What's the Real Reason for the Purchase Sputnik 05 Jan 2017 -- In a follow up to the recently announced deal reached between the US and Qatar on the purchase by Doha of the US' 5,000 km range early warning radar with the announced purpose to "mitigate the threat from Iranian ballistic missiles," various media sources speculate why Qatar needs such a long-range facility if Iran is only 821 km away.
• Taiwan ready if Liaoning passes through Taiwan Strait: MND CNA 05 Jan 2017 -- Taiwan's Ministry of National Defense (MND) said on Thursday that China's aircraft carrier, the Liaoning, first passed through the Taiwan Strait in 2014, and as such the ministry has experience and countermeasures in place to deal with a repeat.
• Turks turn down US military help, asks Russia for air support: US officials Press TV 05 Jan 2017 -- Turkey has declined the US military's offer to provide air support for its troops in Syria, asking Russia to take on the role instead, American officials say.
• Turkey using Incirlik airbase as leverage for US air support for Syria incursion Press TV 05 Jan 2017 -- Turkish Defense Minister Fikri Isik says the lack of US air support for Ankara's military operations in Syria is giving rise to negative public sentiment over Washington's use of Turkey's Incirlik airbase.
• Exit Memo From Secretary Kerry to President Obama US Dept. of State 05 Jan 2017 -- Remarks by John Kerry, Secretary of State
• Remarks at a Press Availability US Dept. of State 05 Jan 2017 -- Remarks by John Kerry, Secretary of State
• Press Briefing by Press Secretary Josh Earnest, 1/5/2017 The White House 05 Jan 2017

Defense Industry

• DoD News: Contracts for January 05, 2017

Other Conflicts

• 5 January 2017 - Daily Press Briefing by the Office of the Spokesperson for the Secretary-General United Nations 05 Jan 2017
• Philippine lawmaker says joint exploration in S. China Sea legal, constitutional People's Daily 05 Jan 2017 -- A Philippine lawmaker said on Thursday that the potential joint exploration of the South China Sea between the Philippines and China is allowed under the Philippine constitution.
• Houthi Forces Send Ballistic Missile at Government Camp in Yemen Sputnik 05 Jan 2017 -- The Houthi forces launched a mid-range ballistic missile at the camp of government supporters near Bab-el-Mandeb in Taizze governorate, according to a military source.
• Yemeni snipers kill 8 Saudi troopers, mercenaries in retaliatory attacks Press TV 05 Jan 2017 -- Yemeni army soldiers, backed by fighters from allied Popular Committees, have shot dead eight Saudi troops and pro-Saudi militiamen loyal to resigned Yemeni president Abd Rabbuh Mansur Hadi in the kingdom's southwestern border regions of Jizan and Asir.
• Casualties reported as bomb blast rocks western Syria town Press TV 05 Jan 2017 -- A car bomb attack has rocked the coastal town of Jablah in Syria's western province of Latakia, reportedly leaving over a dozen people dead and scores wounded.
• Damascus Water Shortage Threatens 5.5Mln People, May Trigger Epidemic Sputnik 05 Jan 2017 -- UN's humanitarian coordinator Jan Egeland said that 5.5 million people had their water supplies cut or minimized after supply from the Wadi Barada spring was disrupted.
• De Mistura Expects Russia, Turkey to Ensure Success of Syria Truce, Astana Talks Sputnik 05 Jan 2017 -- UN Special Envoy for Syria Staffan de Mistura expressed hope on Thursday that Russia and Turkey could influence the conflicting sides in Syria to ensure the implementation of the ceasefire regime and the success of the Syria peace talks in the Kazakh capital of Astana.
• After five years of 'ruthless war' in Syria, 2017 can be a year of diplomacy, says UN envoy UN News 05 Jan 2017 -- Looking back over the past month, which saw some of the most difficult challenges for humanitarian workers in Syria but which also witnessed evacuations of thousands of civilians from war-ravaged eastern Aleppo, United Nations envoys for Syria said today that things have to change in 2017 and that "it can change in 2017."
• Syria Car Bombing Kills 9 in Government-held Town VOA 05 Jan 2017 -- At least nine people were killed when a car bomb exploded in a coastal town in Syria – the first such explosion reported since a new cease-fire was implemented last week, according to state media.
• Iraqi popular forces reject Amnesty war crimes allegations Press TV 05 Jan 2017 -- Iraq's Popular Mobilization Units (PMU), known as Hashd al-Sha'abi, have dismissed a recent Amnesty International report that accused them of using foreign arms to allegedly commit war crimes, urging Baghdad to file a legal case against the organization over slander.
• Iraqi forces in control of 70 percent of eastern Mosul: Cmdr. Press TV 05 Jan 2017 -- The head of Iraq's Counter-Terrorism Service (CTS) says Iraqi forces have managed to wrest control of up to 70 percent of eastern Mosul in their push to purge the whole city from Daesh terrorists.
• Iraqi forces launch major offensive to recapture western towns Press TV 05 Jan 2017 -- Iraqi army soldiers, backed by fighters from allied Popular Mobilization Units, have started an offensive to retake towns and areas in the troubled western province of Anbar from Takfiri Daesh terrorists.
• Daesh Stops Paying Mosul Fighters Amid Iraq Gov't Forces' Renewed Offensive Sputnik 05 Jan 2017 -- Daesh terrorist group stopped payment of monthly wages to its fighters in Iraq's second-largest city of Mosul, amid Iraqi government forces continued its offensive, according to local media.
• Rights Group: Iraqi Militias Used Foreign-Supplied Weapons to Commit War Crimes VOA 05 Jan 2017 -- An Amnesty International report released Thursday said militias allied with Iraqi troops are committing war crimes with arms provided to the Iraqi military by at least 16 countries, including the U.S., Russia and Iran.
• Chad closes border with Libya over threat of terror infiltration Press TV 05 Jan 2017 -- The government in Chad has announced the closure of its border with Libya, citing security reasons and the terrorists' possible infiltration into the Central African country from the south of conflict-stricken Libya.
• Bomb blast kills two near court in western Turkish city Press TV 05 Jan 2017 -- An explosion has struck near a courthouse in the western Turkish city of Izmir, leaving two people dead and several others wounded.
• Kurdish Militants Suspected In Deadly Turkey Blast RFE/RL 05 Jan 2017 -- Turkish officials say suspected Kurdish militants exchanged gunfire with police before detonating their vehicle in Turkey's Aegean coastal city of Izmir, killing a police officer and a courthouse employee.
• Police Officer, Court Employee Killed in Izmir, Turkey, Car Bombing VOA 05 Jan 2017 -- Suspected Kurdish militants set off a car bomb near a courthouse in Turkey's western city of Izmir Thursday, killing a police officer and a courthouse employee, authorities said.
• Rights groups slam Myanmar abuse cover-up Press TV 05 Jan 2017 -- Human Rights Watch (HRW) and other rights groups have accused Myanmar of trying to cover up abuses perpetrated by the country's government forces against Rohingya Muslims in the western state of Rakhine.
• Three girl bombers killed before attacking busy market in Nigeria Press TV 05 Jan 2017 -- Pro-government anti-terror fighters in Nigeria have managed to kill three radicalized girls before they could detonate their explosive vests in a crowded market in the country's northeastern province of Adamawa, officials say.
• Police Kill Leader of Philippine Group Believed to Sympathize With IS VOA 05 Jan 2017 -- The leader of a militant group in the Philippines suspected of sympathizing with Islamic State was killed Thursday in a shootout with police.

News Reports

• US Intelligence: Top Russian Officials Behind Election Interference VOA 05 Jan 2017 -- Top U.S. intelligence officials say they believe high-level Russian authorities were directly responsible for the hacking and leaking of documents from the Democratic National Committee in an effort to interfere in the 2016 presidential election.
• Intelligence Chief Accuses Russia Of Unprecedented Meddling In U.S. Election RFE/RL 05 Jan 2017 -- The United States' top intelligence official has said a suspected Russian cyberhacking campaign constituted unprecedented meddling in the American electoral process.
• Russian cyber attacks are 'major threat,' US intelligence officials say Press TV 05 Jan 2017 -- America's top intelligence officials says that Russia undeniably interfered in the country's 2016 presidential election with cyber attacks, calling Moscow's hacking a "major threat" to the United States.
• Obama Receives Intelligence Report on Alleged 'Russian Hacking' Sputnik 05 Jan 2017 -- Outgoing President Barack Obama has received the report put together by the US Intelligence Community regarding purported evidence that led officials to conclude that Russia attempted to interfere in the US election, White House spokesperson Josh Earnest said in a press briefing.
• Obama 'Did Not Need to Wait for Evidence' Before Responding to 'Russian Hacking' Sputnik 05 Jan 2017 -- Outgoing President Barack Obama did not need "additional evidence" regarding alleged Russain hacking of the US presidential election before imposing more sanctions on Moscow, White House spokesperson Josh Earnest said in a press briefing on Thursday.
• Donald the Reformer: Trump to Revamp 'Politicized' US Intelligence Agencies Sputnik 05 Jan 2017 -- The Trump administration is reportedly going to modernize the Central Intelligence Agency (CIA) by reducing the number of staff at the CIA headquarters, while increasing the number of agents around the world.
• State Department Terrorist Designation of Hamza bin Laden US Dept. of State 05 Jan 2017 -- The Department of State has designated Hamza bin Laden as a Specially Designated Global Terrorist (SDGT) under section 1(b) of Executive Order (E.O.) 13224
• State Department Terrorist Designation of Ibrahim al-Banna US Dept. of State 05 Jan 2017 -- The Department of State has designated Ibrahim al-Banna as a Specially Designated Global Terrorist (SDGT) under Executive Order (E.O.) 13224
• Turkey launches fresh hunt in nightclub bombing Press TV 05 Jan 2017 -- Turkish security forces have arrested more suspects in connection with a Daesh attack on a famous nightclub in Istanbul, which claimed 39 lives and left many more injured.
• Turkey orders detention of 380 businessmen over links to Fethullah Gulen Press TV 05 Jan 2017 -- Prosecutors in Turkey have ordered the detention of 380 businessmen suspected of assisting Fethullah Gulen, a US-based cleric who is accused by Ankara of having masterminded a coup attempt in the country in mid-July 2016.
• 2 Turkish Military Officers Given Life Terms for Coup Attempt VOA 05 Jan 2017 -- A Turkish court on Thursday sentenced two military officers to life in prison for their alleged roles in last year's failed coup attempt.
• White House Releases Strategy in Case of 'Killer Asteroid' Sputnik 05 Jan 2017 -- The White House has published a 25-page report on 'National Near-Earth Object Preparedness Strategy,' detailing preparations in the event that a celestial object such as a 'killer asteroid' is found to be on a collision course with Earth.
• South Korea Constitutional Court holds hearings in president's impeachment trial Press TV 05 Jan 2017 -- The Constitutional Court in South Korea is continuing hearings in the impeachment trial of the country's President Park Geun-hye over a major corruption scandal.
• Understanding South Korea's 'Upside Down' Impeachment Process VOA 05 Jan 2017 -- In South Korea the process for removing a democratically elected leader from office seems to be to impeach first and ask questions later.
• Rohani Corruption Spat Could Herald Rough-And-Tumble Iranian Presidential Campaign RFE/RL 05 Jan 2017 -- President Hassan Rohani has traded barbs with hard-line officials from Iran's judiciary in a highly public spat in which each side appears determined to tar the other with accusations of corruption in an election year.
• Chinese FM urges US to maintain proper direction of ties Press TV 05 Jan 2017 -- Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi has urged the United States not to let bilateral relations move in the wrong direction amid rising diplomatic tensions between the two sides.
• Trump To Press Reforms, Change At UN, Spokesman Says RFE/RL 05 Jan 2017 -- U.S. President-elect Donald Trump will press for reforms and change at the United Nations to ensure it is more "efficient and effective" in responding to global problems, his spokesman has said.
• UN calls for 'swift implementation' of DR Congo deal Press TV 05 Jan 2017 -- The United Nations (UN) has called for the immediate restoration of political stability to the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC) following a recently-signed accord between the country's government and opposition.
• Former Kosovar Prime Minister To Remain In French Custody Pending Serbian Extradition Bid RFE/RL 05 Jan 2017 -- A French court has ordered former Kosovar Prime Minister Ramush Haradinaj to remain in custody pending an extradition request from Serbia on war crimes in a case that has strained the already fragile ties between Belgrade and Pristina.
• Gambian President Shows No Sign of Leaving Office After Election Defeat VOA 05 Jan 2017 -- The past week has seen Gambian President Yahya Jammeh's rhetoric grow increasingly defiant and hawkish as his government clamps down on dissent.
• Ghana's NDC Ponders Reasons for Election Loss VOA 05 Jan 2017 -- Ghana is getting ready to inaugurate its new president and swear in members of parliament Saturday. The peaceful transfer of power is celebrated as a key win for one of Africa's most stable democracies. But it was also a defeat for the country's former ruling party, the National Democratic Congress, which has now embarked on some soul searching.