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News Reports

Current Operations

• OIF / OND / OEF / OIR / OFS Casualty Update 09 Jan 2017[PDF]
• Counter-ISIL Strikes Hit Terrorists in Syria, Iraq AFPS 09 Jan 2017 -- 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.
• Counter-ISIL Forces Moving to Liberate Mosul, Raqqa AFPS 09 Jan 2017 -- The Defense Department believes the Islamic State of Iraq and the Levant's days are numbered in Iraq's second-largest city of Mosul, Pentagon spokesman Navy Capt. Jeff Davis said here today.
• Update: air strikes against Daesh UK MOD 09 Jan 2017 -- The renewed counter-Daesh offensive to liberate Mosul in Iraq, coupled with the advance of forces in Syria, has resulted in a busy period for Royal Air Force aircraft, providing close air support and intelligence, surveillance and reconnaissance activity as part of the coalition air campaign.
• US raid on Daesh leaders in Syria successful: Pentagon Press TV 09 Jan 2017 -- The Pentagon says that a US military mission against Daesh leaders in Syria has been successful and led to the deaths of two Takfiri militants.
• US Carries Out Raid in Syria Targeting IS Leadership VOA 09 Jan 2017 -- The United States says it carried out a "successful" raid against Islamic State fighters in eastern Syria, focused on IS leadership.
• White House Explains Why US Destroyer Fired Warning Shots at Iranian Vessels Sputnik 09 Jan 2017 -- The four Iranian fast boats in the Strait of Hormuz closing in on US warships engaged in unsafe practices that can worsen existing tensions, White House Press Secretary Josh Earnest said in a briefing on Monday.
• US Navy Fires Warning Shots at Iranian Boats Near Persian Gulf VOA 09 Jan 2017 -- A U.S. Navy ship fired three warnings shots at Iranian boats near the Strait of Hormuz on Sunday, Pentagon spokesman Capt. Jeff Davis said.
• US Navy Destroyer Fires Warning Shots at Iranian Vessels - Reports Sputnik 09 Jan 2017 -- The US Navy destroyer Mahan fired warning shots at four Iranian boats in the Strait of Hormuz that were closing in on it at a rapid pace, Fox News reported citing an unnamed US defense official.
• US Commander Visits Pakistan Region Deemed 'Epicenter' of Global Terrorism VOA 09 Jan 2017 -- The U.S. commander of international forces in Afghanistan undertook a rare trip to neighboring Pakistan's North Waziristan border district that until recently was condemned as the "epicenter" of global terrorism.
• Guard units kept busy by winter storms in Alabama, North Carolina and Virginia Army News 09 Jan 2017 -- Frigid weather and snowstorms kept National Guard personnel busy assisting civil authorities throughout the weekend in several Southeast states.
• South Carolina National Guard prepares for first winter storm 2017 Army News 09 Jan 2017 -- As South Carolina National Guard units across the state prepare for the first drill of the new year, Vehicle Recovery Teams (VRT) are organizing in response to the first winter storm of 2017.

Defense Policy / Programs

• National Intelligence Council Releases Global Trends Report Director of National Intelligence 09 Jan 2017 -- The National Intelligence Council today released its quadrennial Global Trends Report. The report–"The Paradox of Progress"–is rooted in conversations with more than 2,500 people around the world from all walks of life in more than 35 countries.
• Advisory Board Approves 11 DoD Innovation Recommendations AFPS 09 Jan 2017 -- Top innovators, scholars and business leaders gathered at the Pentagon today for the second meeting of the Defense Innovation Advisory Board and approved 11 recommendations aimed at keeping the Defense Department on the cutting edge in technology, culture, operations and processes.
• Department of Defense Announces Successful Micro-Drone Demonstration DoD 09 Jan 2017 -- In one of the most significant tests of autonomous systems under development by the Department of Defense, the Strategic Capabilities Office, partnering with Naval Air Systems Command, successfully demonstrated one of the world's largest micro-drone swarms at China Lake, California.
• Gabon, U.S. train to fight illicit activity USMC News 09 Jan 2017 -- Gabonese Armed Forces worked together with U.S. Marines during a training exercise at Camp Mokekou, Gabon, Nov. 10 – Dec. 9, 2016.
• US Military to Deploy 24 AH-64 Apache Helicopters in S Korea by Early February Sputnik 09 Jan 2017 -- The United States plans to deploy 24 Boeing AH-64 Apache attack helicopters to a base in South Korea by early February to help Seoul counter threats from Pyongyang, local media said Monday.
• US vows more 'complex' European training 'to deter Russia' Press TV 09 Jan 2017 -- The US military is planning to expand the training of its European allies in the North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO), in order to "deter Russian aggression," says a senior US commander.
• Russia Mulls Sending Uran-9 Combat Robots to Syria Sputnik 09 Jan 2017 -- Russia could use its Uran-9 multipurpose robotic combat system in Syria, Viktor Murakhovsky, Editor-in-Chief of Arsenal of the Fatherland journal and defense expert told RIA Novosti.
• £271M Wildcat Helicopter support deal sustains 500 UK jobs UK MOD 09 Jan 2017-- The MOD has signed a £271M deal with Leonardo Helicopters to continue to support world-leading Wildcat helicopters, protecting hundreds of highly-skilled British jobs.
• Ministry of National Defense confirms submarine stopover in Malaysia People's Daily 09 Jan 2017 -- The information office of China's Ministry of National Defense (MND) confirmed on Jan. 7 a stopover in Malaysia by a Chinese submarine. It was the first time that a Chinese submarine had visited Malaysia, which, according to analysts, is a sign of alleviated tension in the South China Sea.
• US will 'shoot down' North Korean missiles: Pentagon chief Press TV 09 Jan 2017 -- US Defense Secretary Ashton Carter has described North Korea's ballistic missiles program as a "serious threat" to the United States, threatening to shoot down any such missiles aimed at targets in the country.
• North Korea Missile Threat Seen as Test of Incoming Trump Team VOA 09 Jan 2017 -- South Korean officials say they believe Pyongyang's latest threat to test an intercontinental missile is intended to set the stage for future relations with the incoming U.S. administration of President-elect Donald Trump.
• S. Korea closely monitoring DPRK's possible test-launch of long-range missile People's Daily 09 Jan 2017 -- South Korea's defense ministry said Monday that its military is closely watching whether the Democratic People's Republic of Korea (DPRK) would possibly test-launch its long-range missile.
• Ambiguous THAAD photos cause unease in China People's Daily 09 Jan 2017 -- Chinese netizens have expressed discomfort with photos depicting Terminal High-Altitude Area Defense (THAAD) interceptors targeting the Chinese national flag. Eight such photos have appeared in Yonhap News Agency reports within half a year.e
• India to Test Nuclear-Capable Submarine-Launched Ballistic Missile Sputnik 09 Jan 2017 -- India is shrugging off concerns raised by some of its neighbors on its preparations to test its most ambitious weapon - the K-4 submarine-launched long range ballistic missile (SLBM). The DRDO claims a range of 3,500 km, less than half of China's JL 2 SLBM.
• Pakistan test-fires submarine cruise missile for first time Press TV 09 Jan 2017 -- Pakistan has "successfully" test-fired its first submarine-launched cruise missile, providing the nuclear-armed Asian country with a "credible second strike capability," and further boosting its deterrence power against its arch-rival India.
• Pakistan Conducts 1st Successful Test of Submarine-Launched Cruise Missile Sputnik 09 Jan 2017 -- The Pakistan Armed Forces conducted on Monday the first successful launch of the Babur-3 cruise missile from a submarine in the Indian Ocean, the press service of Pakistan's Armed Forces said in a statement.
• Iranian Parliament mandates government to boost missile capabilities Press TV 09 Jan 2017 -- The Iranian Parliament has approved a bill, which obligates the government to enhance the country's defense power in line with national interests and security.
• Iranian Parliament Approves Bill Requiring Gov't to Boost Defense Capabilities Sputnik 09 Jan 2017 -- The Iranian parliament approved a bill Monday which will require the country's government to spend 5 percent of the public budget on the development of the country's defense capabilities, local media reported.
• Defector explains reason for Taiwan's nuclear plan to sink CNA 09 Jan 2017 -- A former member of Taiwan's doomed nuclear weapons development project, Chang Hsien-yi (張憲義), disclosed Monday that his fear of ambitious politicians using such weapons was the reason behind his decision to flee to the United States 29 years ago.
• 'Turkey Sends US a Message' by Questioning Washington's Access to Incirlik Base Sputnik 09 Jan 2017 -- Access to the Turkish Incirlik airbase is a strategic matter in ties between Ankara and Washington. Turkey's threats to reconsider the use of the base by the US military indicate Ankara's concerns over Washington's stance on the Kurdish problem and the Turkish military operation in northern Syria.
• Philippines, Cool to US, Explores Military Relationship With Russia VOA 09 Jan 2017 -- Russia and the Philippines are considering joint naval exercises, a link that would advance Manila's move toward a multi-country foreign policy and bulk up its military while giving both sides a chance to stand up to the United States.
• Turbulence in South China Sea: India Offers Missile to Vietnam Sputnik 09 Jan 2017 -- India is an old friend of Vietnam and both don't subscribe to China's claim in the South China Sea. That is the reason for raised eyebrows over India's offer to supply missiles to Vietnam.
• Press Briefing by Press Secretary Josh Earnest, 1/9/17 The White House 09 Jan 2017
• January 9, 2017 - U.S. Department of State Daily Press Briefing US Dept. of State 09 Jan 2017

Defense Industry

• DoD News: Contracts for January 09, 2017

Other Conflicts

• 9 January 2017 - Daily Press Briefing by the Office of the Spokesperson for the Secretary-General United Nations 09 Jan 2017
• Japan Scrambles Jet Fighters Amid Flight of Chinese Aircraft Over Korean Strait Sputnik 09 Jan 2017 -- Japanese Air Self-Defense Forces were scrambled in response to Chinese Air Force aircraft flying over the Korean Strait near the islands of Tsushima and Kyushu, local media reported on Monday.
• Yemen: EU-UN partnership to target 'alarming' food insecurity UN News 09 Jan 2017 -- With 14 million people in Yemen lacking reliable access to a sufficient quantity of affordable, nutritious food, the European Union (EU) has committed 12 million euros to assist the efforts of the United Nations Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) to tackle rising hunger in the strife-torn Gulf of Aden country.
• UN agency seeks $813 million to support Palestine refugees fleeing Syria and those in occupied territory UN News 09 Jan 2017 -- With Palestinians in the Occupied Palestinian Territory – including East Jerusalem – and those who have fled the conflict in Syria, facing humanitarian crises, the United Nations Relief and Works Agency for Palestine Refugees in the Near East (UNRWA) today launched an $813 million emergency aid appeal.
• Army will fight on to liberate every inch of Syria: President Assad Press TV 09 Jan 2017 -- Syria's President Bashar al-Assad says the armed forces will fight until the liberation of "every inch" of the homeland from militant and extremist presence.
• Turkey 'Stuck in Quagmire' After Launching Al-Bab Offensive - PYD Co-Chairman Sputnik 09 Jan 2017 -- Turkish forces andtheir rebel allies have been engaged in a weeks-long operation to push Daesh out of al-Bab, but the town located in northern Syria remains under the militants' control. Salih Muslim, co-chairman of the Democratic Union Party (PYD), told Sputnik that Ankara has become bogged down in a "quagmire."
• Iraqi govt. forces gain more ground against Daesh terrorists in Mosul Press TV 09 Jan 2017 -- Iraqi government forces have managed to regain control over a number of neighborhoods in Mosul as they try to flush Daesh Takfiri militants out of the strategic northern city in joint operations with allied fighters and Kurdish Peshmerga forces.
• Nineveh operation in final phase: Iraqi premier Press TV 09 Jan 2017 -- Iraq's Prime Minister Haider al-Abadi says the counter-terrorism push against Daesh in the northwestern province of Nineveh is in its final phase.
• Mosul Operation Displaces Almost 138,000 People - IOM Sputnik 09 Jan 2017 -- Some 138,000 people have been displaced by the Iraqi military operation against the Daesh terrorist group in the city of Mosul, the International Organization for Migration (IOM) said Monday.
• Iraqi Forces Punch to Tigris, as IS Mounts Attacks Elsewhere in Iraq VOA 09 Jan 2017 -- Iraqi leaders say they doubt their forces will oust Islamic State fighters from Mosul – the terror group's last major urban stronghold in Iraq – before Easter, despite a spurt of progress in recent days that saw the troops reach the Tigris River for the first time in the battle for the city.
• At least 65,000 Rohingya Muslims flee from Myanmar to Bangladesh: UN Press TV 09 Jan 2017 -- At least 65,000 Rohingya Muslims have fled persecution and violence in Myanmar to neighboring Bangladesh since the army launched a crackdown in the northwestern Rakhine State early October, the United Nations says.
• UN special envoy arrives in Myanmar for probe Press TV 09 Jan 2017 -- A United Nations (UN) special envoy has arrived in Myanmar to begin an investigation into a brutal and deadly military crackdown on Rohingya Muslims in the country.
• 5 terrorists, 3 civilians die in bomb attacks in northeastern Nigeria Press TV 09 Jan 2017 -- Five suspected members of the Boko Haram Takfiri terrorist group and three civilians have been killed after the terrorists detonated their explosive vests in Nigeria's northeastern province of Borno, police say.
• Trial to Resume in Secret for Nigerian Separatist Leader VOA 09 Jan 2017 -- In Nigeria, the trial of Biafran separatist leader Nnamdi Kanu will resume Tuesday, but the judge has ordered the proceedings to continue in secret, sparking further controversy.
• 13 Egyptian security forces killed in militant attack in Sinai: Reports Press TV 09 Jan 2017 -- At least 13 Egyptian security forces have been killed in a multipronged militant attack on a checkpoint in the city of el-Arish, the provincial capital and the largest city of Egypt's troubled North Sinai.
• A Day Of Reckoning For Bosnia? RFE/RL 09 Jan 2017 -- A Bosnian military regiment has been caught in an ethnically charged tug-of-war over how to regard that Balkan country's recent history and what that means for its increasingly fractured present.
• Bosnian Serbs Mark Controversial 'Statehood' Holiday RFE/RL 09 Jan 2017 -- Bosnian Serbs have marked a controversial "statehood day" holiday over the objections of Bosnia-Herzegovina's government, which says the holiday promotes separatism.
• This is the 'moment of truth' says UN envoy ahead of international conference on Cyprus UN News 09 Jan 2017 -- Speaking ahead of an international conference on Cyprus, the United Nations Special Adviser on the country stressed that the coming days would be crucial for the resolution of the remaining matters, and said that while the path ahead is "going to be difficult," a solution is possible.
• Cyprus Reunification Talks Start in Geneva Sputnik 09 Jan 2017 -- The Cyprus reunification talks with the participation of Turkish Cypriot Leader Mustafa Akinci and President of Cyprus Nicos Anastasiades will start in Geneva on Monday.

News Reports

• Russia tired of baseless US hacking allegations: Kremlin Press TV 09 Jan 2017 -- Russia says it is "tired" of "baseless allegations" by Washington that Moscow meddled in the 2016 US presidential election.
• Kremlin Denies Role in US Election Hack, Calls Accusations 'Witch Hunt' Sputnik 09 Jan 2017 -- Russia categorically denies that any of its official agencies took part in any cyberattacks on the United States, Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov said Monday, noting that the "witch hunt" is becoming tiresome.
• Russia Denounces as 'Amateurish' US Claims of Election Meddling VOA 09 Jan 2017 -- The Kremlin is denouncing as baseless and amateurish U.S. intelligence claims it meddled in the U.S. presidential election to help Donald Trump win a four-year term in the White House.
• Obama Says He 'Underestimated' Impact Of Russian Misinformation, Hacking RFE/RL 09 Jan 2017 -- President Barack Obama says he has "underestimated" the impact misinformation and hacking can have on democracies, after intelligence agencies concluded that Russia's president ordered a hacking campaign that aimed to influence the U.S. presidential election.
• Donald Trump Accepts Russia's Role in DNC Hacking - Aide Sputnik 09 Jan 2017 -- President-elect Donald Trump acknowledges that Russia was to blame for hacking the Democratic National Committee and Clinton Campaign Chairman John Podesta, incoming Chief of Staff Reince Priebus said on Sunday.
• U.S. Sanctions Russia's Bastrykin And Alleged Litvinenko Killers RFE/RL 09 Jan 2017 -- The United States has slapped sanctions on five additional Russians for alleged human rights violations, including powerful senior law-enforcement official Aleksandr Bastrykin and lawmaker Andrei Lugovoi, who has been accused in Britain in the poisoning of Kremlin critic Aleksandr Litvinenko.
• US Puts Kremlin's Top Investigator, 6 Others on Sanctions List VOA 09 Jan 2017 -- The U.S. imposed sanctions on Russia's top investigator and four other Kremlin figures Monday for what the State Department calls "notorious human rights violations."
• Britain Debates Adoption of 'Magnitsky' Legislation for Human Rights Abusers VOA 09 Jan 2017 -- British lawmakers are debating legislation similar to the Magnitsky Act in the United States, which allows courts to impose visa bans and asset freezes on Russian officials allegedly involved in the 2009 death of lawyer Sergei Magnitsky. The U.S. Act has since been widened to include anyone accused of human rights abuses. Pressure is now growing for other European countries to follow suit.
• Turkish Security Forces Arrest 442 People in Anti-Terrorist Raids in January Sputnik 09 Jan 2017 -- Turkish security forces have arrested 442 people in anti-terrorist operations across the country over the past week, Hurriyet Daily News reported Monday, citing the Interior Ministry.
• Turkish parliament to begin debates on presidential powers Press TV 09 Jan 2017 -- Amid considerable criticism and backslapping, a new draft constitution envisaging expanded powers for Turkey's president will be put to debate at the parliament.
• China 'firmly' opposes Taiwan leader Tsai Ing-wen US stopover Press TV 09 Jan 2017 -- China has "firmly" voiced it opposition over meetings between Taiwan's President Tsai Ing-wen and senior Republican officials during a visit to the US.
• President meets with U.S. politicians during stopover in Houston CNA 09 Jan 2017 -- President Tsai Ing-wen (蔡英文) met with American politicians during a stopover in Houston en route to Central America on Sunday.
• China Condemns Meeting Between Taiwan's President, US Officials Sputnik 09 Jan 2017 -- China strongly condemns Taiwan's President Tsai Ing-wen meeting with Texas Governor Greg Abbott and US Senator Ted Cruz, the Chinese Foreign Ministry said Monday.
• Ted Cruz, Texas Governor Meet With Taiwanese President VOA 20 Jan 2017 -- China said Monday it opposes any contact between Taiwanese leaders and U.S. officials, a day after Taiwan's President Tsai Ing-wen met with U.S. Senator Ted Cruz and Texas Governor Greg Abbott.
• Iran: JCPOA violations will not be tolerated Press TV 09 Jan 2017 -- Iran says violations of the historic nuclear deal between Tehran and the P5+1 group of countries will not be tolerated.
• Leader's message on the passing away of Ayatollah Hashemi Rafsanjani IRNA 09 Jan 2017 -- Supreme Leader of the Islamic Revolution Ayatollah Seyyed Ali Khamenei issued a message to condole the nation on the demise of the Expediency Council Chairman Ayatollah Akbar Hashemi Rafsanjani.
• China's Carrier Rocket Puts 3 Satellites in Space in First Commercial Mission Sputnik 09 Jan 2017 -- China's solid-fueled carrier rocket Kuaizhou-1A (KZ-1A) put in space on Monday three satellites as part of its first commercial launch, Xinhua news agency reported.
• ECOWAS leaders due in Gambia over election dispute Press TV 09 Jan 2017 -- Leaders from the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) have announced a plan to visit Gambia for a second time in less than a month in an effort to persuade the country's longtime ruler to hand over power to the president-elect.
• Ivory Coast PM resigns, dissolves government amid tensions Press TV 09 Jan 2017 -- Ivory Coast Prime Minister Daniel Kablan Duncan has resigned along with his cabinet amid political tensions in the West African country.
• Venezuelan government raises minimum wage by 50 percent Press TV 09 Jan 2017 -- Venezuela's President Nicolas Maduro has ordered a 50-percent raise in the minimum wage and pensions with the declared objective of helping workers amid an intense economic crisis and soaring inflation.
• Venezuela's President Hikes Minimum Wage Amid Skyrocketing Inflation Sputnik 09 Jan 2017 -- Venezuela's President Nicolas Maduro has hiked the minimum wage and pensions for the fith time in one-year period.
• China's top anti-graft body to keep high pressure on corruption People's Daily 09 Jan 2017 -- China's top anti-graft authority has pledged to maintain a tough stance on corruption in 2017 and promote "comprehensively and strictly governing the Party" to go deeper.
• State Department Terrorist Designations of Ali Damush and Mustafa Mughniyeh US Dept. of State 09 Jan 2017 -- The Department of State has designated Ali Damush and Mustafa Mughniyeh as Specially Designated Global Terrorists (SDGTs) under Executive Order (E.O.) 13224, which imposes sanctions on foreign persons and groups determined to have committed, or pose a significant risk of committing, acts of terrorism that threaten the security of U.S. nationals or the national security, foreign policy, or economy of the United States
• Cameroon City Shuts Down Over Language Issue VOA 09 Jan 2017 -- The streets were empty Monday in the Cameroonian city of Bamenda, as residents honored a call to strike over the increasing use of French in English-speaking parts of the country.