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Current Operations

• OIF / OND / OEF / OIR / OFS Casualty Update 17 Jan 2017[PDF]
• Department of Defense Press Briefing by Col. Dorrian via teleconference from Baghdad, Iraq DoD 17 Jan 2017 -- Presenter: Colonel John Dorrian, Operation Inherent Resolve Spokesman
• Counter-ISIL Strikes Continue in Syria, Iraq AFPS 17 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.
• Update: air strikes against Daesh UK MOD 17 Jan 2017-- The RAF are continuing to take the fight to Daesh in Iraq and Syria.
• Iraqi Forces Liberate Mosul University From a Deeply Entrenched ISIL AFPS 17 Jan 2017 -- Iraqi security forces this week have continued steady progress against the Islamic State of Iraq and the Levant, including the liberation of Mosul University, a sprawling complex on the northeast side of Iraq's second-largest city where the enemy was deeply entrenched, the Operation Inherent Resolve spokesman said today.
• Snow, ice and flooding keep troops busy in Kansas, Missouri, Nevada and Oklahoma Army News 17 Jan 2017 -- Ice, snow and floods kept National Guard members busy over the holiday weekend in Kansas, Missouri, Nevada and Oklahoma. As winter weather continues to affect western Kansas, the State Emergency Operations Center was still activated today and monitoring the storm that hit much of the state over the weekend.
• Idaho National Guard helps with snow removal from snowstorm that dumped 15 inches Army News 17 Jan 2017 -- Many are referring to this winter in the Treasure Valley as "Stormageddon 2017" or "Snowpocalypse 2017" as treacherous snow continues to fall, setting a new National Weather Service depth record of 15 inches since 1985 for Boise, Idaho.

Defense Policy / Programs

• Obama Commutes Sentence of Military Documents Leaker Chelsea Manning VOA 17 Jan 2017 -- President Barack Obama has commuted the prison sentence of former U.S. Army intelligence analyst Chelsea Manning, who leaked hundreds of thousands of military documents to anti-secrecy website WikiLeaks.
• Detainee Transfers Announced DoD 17 Jan 2017 -- The Department of Defense announced today the transfer of 10 detainees: Ghaleb Nassar Al Bihani, Mustafa Abd al-Qawi Abd al-Aziz Al-Shamiri, Karim Bostam, Abdul Sahir, Musab Omar Ali Al-Mudwani, Hail Aziz Ahmed Al-Maythali, Salman Yahya Hassan Mohammad Rabei'i, Mohammed Al-Ansi, Muhammad Ahmad Said Haider, and Walid Said bin Said Zaid from the detention facility at Guantanamo Bay to the government of Oman.
• Watervliet Arsenal receives largest contract in decades to support ... the Indian army Army News 17 Jan 2017 -- The Watervliet Arsenal has received a $47 million contract to manufacture 145 howitzer cannon systems as part of a $737 million foreign military sales contract that BAE Systems has with the Indian government. This award took about eight years to finalize and is the largest single contract the arsenal has received in decades.
• Oklahoma Army National Guard arrive in Ukraine Army News 17 Jan 2017 -- Approximately 250 soldiers from the Oklahoma Army National Guard's 45th Infantry Brigade Combat Team arrived in Ukraine this week to begin their deployment in support of Joint Multinational Training Group-Ukraine.
• Marines raise combat standards for rifle range in hopes of more realistic training USMC News 17 Jan 2017 -- Marines qualify on the rifle range every year and train to locate, close with, and destroy the enemy. In October 2016, the Marine Corps has presented a new challenge for Marines on the range – a modification to the second half of the marksmanship program was implemented with hopes to better train Marines for combat.
• Makin Island Visits Bahrain NNS 17 Jan 2017 -- Sailors and Marines aboard amphibious assault ship USS Makin Island (LHD 8) visited Manama, Bahrain, Jan. 9-15, for the ship's first port visit since entering the U.S. 5th Fleet area of operations, Nov. 30.
• USS Monterey Outchops from U.S. 6th Fleet Area of Operations NNS 17 Jan 2017 -- The guided-missile cruiser USS Monterey (CG 61) concluded its mission in the Mediterranean.
• USNS Able Visits Yokosuka during Indo-Asia-Pacific Deployment NNS 17 Jan 2017 -- Military Sealift Command ocean surveillance ship USNS Able (T-AGOS 20) arrived at Fleet Activities Yokosuka Jan. 16 for a port visit as part of its Indo-Asia-Pacific patrol.
• USS Michael Murphy Deploys to Western Pacific NNS 17 Jan 2017 -- Arleigh Burke-class guided-missile destroyer USS Michael Murphy (DDG 112) departed Pearl Harbor for a regularly-scheduled deployment with the Carl Vinson Carrier Strike Group to the Indo-Asia-Pacific region, Jan. 13.
• Patrol Coastal Ships Zephyr, Shamal Return to Mayport NNS 17 Jan 2017 -- Cyclone-class patrol coastal ships USS Zephyr (PC 8) and USS Shamal (PC 13) returned to Mayport, Florida, from 64-day patrols in the U.S. 4th Fleet area of responsibility, Jan. 17.
• US deploys troops to Norway despite warnings from Russia Press TV 17 Jan 2017 -- After angering Russia by sending thousands of troops to Poland, the United States has now deployed nearly 300 Marines to Norway, prompting serious warnings from Moscow.
• Cold War Apparitions Resurface as Norway Welcomes US Marines Sputnik 17 Jan 2017 -- Norway welcomed on Monday the bulk of the US Marine Rotation Force on its soil, which was widely recognized as a violation of Norway's fundamental policy.
• Dunford Joins Fellow NATO Chiefs of Defense in Security Environment Meetings AFPS 17 Jan 2017 -- Marine Corps Gen. Joe Dunford, the chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, is attending NATO's 176th Military Committee meeting here this week.
• NATO welcomes Georgia's reform progress NATO 17 Jan 2017 -- NATO Secretary General Jens Stoltenberg praised Georgia's ongoing reform efforts on Tuesday (17 January 2017) in talks with the State Minister for European and Euro-Atlantic Integration, Victor Dolidze, and Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs David Dondua. The ministers met with the Secretary General before participating in a meeting of the NATO-Georgia Commission.
• Trump's NATO Remarks 'Real Mistake' as Alliance Important to US Sputnik 17 Jan 2017 -- Dutch Foreign Minister Bert Koenders said US President-elect Donald Trump's statements regarding NATO as an obsolete organization were "worrying."
• Russia successfully test-fires Topol-M ballistic missile People's Daily 17 Jan 2017 -- Russia conducted on Monday a successful test launch of a silo-based Topol-M intercontinental ballistic missile (ICBM) from the Plesetsk launch site, the Russian Defense Ministry said Tuesday.
• Russian Official Rejects Trump Offer To Lift Sanctions For Nuclear Arms Deal RFE/RL 17 Jan 2017 -- Russia appears to have rejected U.S. President-elect Donald Trump's offer to lift U.S. economic sanctions against Russia in exchange for a deal to curb nuclear arms.
• Military conducts drill to simulate Chinese naval invasion CNA 17 Jan 2017 -- The military on Tuesday conducted a drill simulating a naval invasion by China, in the wake of Beijing's sailing of an aircraft carrier through the Taiwan Strait.
• Taiwan Begins Massive Drills Simulating Chinese Attack Sputnik 17 Jan 2017 -- In what may be a response to a recent show of force by the transit of the Chinese aircraft carrier through the Strait of Taiwan, Taipei initiated defense preparation exercises over the weekend while vowing to "enhance training 365 days a year."
• Taiwan's first female combat helicopter pilot aims to fly Apaches CNA 17 Jan 2017 -- Taiwan's first female combat helicopter pilot said Tuesday that her dream is to one day fly one of the world's most advanced military helicopters, the U.S.-made AH-64E Apache.
• France Deploys Troops Globally in Counter-Extremism Fight AFPS 17 Jan 2017 -- France is committed to stopping the spread of violent extremism and has deployed significant military resources worldwide in the fight, a French military official said here yesterday.
• Cambodia cancels military drill with US Press TV 17 Jan 2017 -- Cambodia has annulled military exercises with the United States slated to take place this summer for the eighth consecutive year, the defense ministry says.
• French PM Calls for Creation of Independent European Defense System Sputnik 17 Jan 2017 -- French Prime Minister Bernard Cazeneuve called Tuesday for the establishment of a European defense system to guarantee Europe's independence in the light of US President-elect Donald Trump's criticism of NATO.
• Finnish Armed Forces Slated for Mass Upgrades on Land and at Sea Sputnik 17 Jan 2017 -- Finland is planning a series of massive updates for its armed forces, which include counter artillery systems and high-precision projectiles. Moreover, the non-aligned Nordic country is buying torpedoes for the first time since World War II.
• Ivory Coast loyalist guards kill rebel soldier as mutiny over pay reignites Press TV 17 Jan 2017 -- A mutinous soldier in Ivory Coast has been killed by elite loyalist forces in the administrative capital, Yamoussoukro, marking the first casualty since a revolt by soldiers broke out over wages on January 5.
• Remarks by Vice President Joe Biden With Ukrainian President Petro Poroshenko The White House 17 Jan 2017
• Press Briefing by Press Secretary Josh Earnest, 1/17/17 The White House 17 Jan 2017
• January 17, 2017 - U.S. Department of State Daily Press Briefing US Dept. of State 17 Jan 2017

Defense Industry

• DoD News: Contracts for January 17, 2017

Other Conflicts

• 17 January 2017 - Daily Press Briefing by the Office of the Spokesperson for the Secretary-General United Nations 17 Jan 2017
• South Korea Slams Japan's Repeated Territorial Claims to Dokdo Islets Sputnik 17 Jan 2017 -- The South Korean Foreign Ministry called on Japan on Tuesday to stop its claims to the disputed Dokdo islets, known as Takeshima in Japan, which both countries claim ownership of.
• Saudi vessels target southwestern Yemen, kill 10 Press TV 17 Jan 2017 -- Ten people have been killed in rocket attacks by Saudi military vessels against a residential neighborhood in Yemen's southwestern coastal province of Ta'izz.
• Yemen: UN Renews Push to End Conflict as Death Toll Passes 10,000 Sputnik 17 Jan 2017 -- The death toll in the war in Yemen has risen to more than 10,000, according to the UN, with the organization launching a fresh plea for all sides involved in fighting to put an end to the two-tear conflict.
• Syrian government, armed militants name heads of Astana talks delegation Press TV 17 Jan 2017 -- The Syrian government and opposition militants have announced the names of their delegation heads for the upcoming peace talks in Kazakhstan.
• Syria: Heavy fighting forces UN food relief agency to suspend airdrops in Deir ez-Zor UN News 17 Jan 2017 -- The United Nations World Food Programme (WFP) said today that it has been forced to suspend airdrops to residents of the besieged Syrian city of Deir ez-Zor because of heavy fighting between Government forces and the Islamic State of Iraq and the Levant (ISIL/Da'esh).
• Russian Defense Ministry to Withdraw More Su-24 Bombers, Medics From Syria Sputnik 17 Jan 2017 -- Russia is preparing to withdraw an additional flight of Su-24 Fencer attack aircraft and personnel of a special-purpose medical team from the Hmeymim airbase in Syria after a successful conclusion of their duty, Col. Gen. Andrei Kartapolov, commander of the Russian military contingent in Syria, said Tuesday.
• Iran opposes US participation in Syria peace talks in Astana: Zarif Press TV 17 Jan 2017 -- Iranian Foreign Minister Mohammad Javad Zarif has expressed the Islamic Republic's opposition to the participation of the United States in the forthcoming Syria peace talks in Kazakhstan, which aim to boost efforts to end the nearly six-year-old conflict in the Arab country.
• Iran supports political initiatives on Syria: Shamkhani Press TV 17 Jan 2017 -- A senior Iranian official says the Islamic Republic supports political initiatives on Syria, which seek to address the real demands of the Syrian people and preserve the war-stricken country's territorial integrity and independence.
• US increasing airdrops of arms supplies to militants in Syria: Report Press TV 17 Jan 2017 -- The United States is increasing airdrops of weapons, ammunition and other equipment to foreign-backed militant forces in the northeastern Syrian city of Raqqah, according to a report.
• Senior Iranian, Russian security officials discuss Syria Press TV 17 Jan 2017 -- Senior Iranian and Russian security officials have discussed the latest political, security, and military developments in the joint campaign against foreign-sponsored terrorism in Syria.
• Syrian Minister Skeptical About Outcome of Astana Settlement Talks Sputnik 17 Jan 2017 -- On of the Syrian Minister Ali Haidar doubts about the positive outcome of the forthcoming Astana talks.
• Fighting Forces UN to Suspend Food Airdrops to Besieged Syrian City VOA 17 Jan 2017 -- The United Nations World Food Program reports it has been forced to suspend life-saving airdrops of food to residents of the besieged Syrian city of Deir Ezzor because of intense fighting between Syrian government forces and Islamic State militants.
• Iraqi forces liberate more Mosul areas from terrorists' grip Press TV 17 Jan 2017 -- Iraqi forces have managed to retake control of several areas in Mosul as part of a large-scale military operation to purge the Daesh Takfiri terrorists from the strategic northern city.
• Capturing Mosul Solidified Islamic State. Losing It Could Break It. RFE/RL 17 Jan 2017 -- The dawn of the new year has unsurprisingly witnessed global media turn toward the incoming U.S. administration with an intensity bordering on the obsessive. Cabinet confirmations, Russia's alleged hacking activities, and intelligence agency squabbles now dominate international headlines.
• East Libya forces take control of Daesh stronghold in Benghazi Press TV 17 Jan 2017 -- Forces loyal to the government in eastern Libya have gained control of one of the last strongholds of Daesh Takfiri terrorists in Benghazi.
• Comments by the Department of Information and Press of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the Russian Federation in Connection with the Proceedings Instituted Against the Russian Federation with the International Court of Justice by Ukraine Ministry of Foreign Affairs 17 Jan 2017
• Ukraine institutes proceedings against the Russian Federation and requests the Court to indicate provisional measures International Court of Justice 17 Jan 2017
• Ukraine files complaint against Russia with UN high court Press TV 17 Jan 2017 -- Kiev has filed a legal case against Moscow with the International Court of Justice (ICJ), demanding a stop to Russia's alleged interference in eastern Ukraine.
• Nigeria air force says mistakenly kills 100 civilians Press TV 17 Jan 2017 -- At least 100 civilians have been killed in what Nigeria's army calls a mistaken airstrike in the north of the country.
• Dozens Killed as Nigerian Army Mistakenly Bombs Refugee Camp VOA 17 Jan 2017 -- More than 50 people were killed when a Nigerian military jet mistakenly bombed a camp for homeless people Tuesday.
• Somalia: Only early action will avert another catastrophe, says senior UN relief official UN News 17 Jan 2017 -- Faced with a 'slight but steady' increase in the number of people in need, the humanitarian community in Somalia launched today an $864 million to reach 3.9 million people with urgent life-saving assistance, the United Nations relief wing reported.
• UN Seeks Funds for Famine Prevention Amid Drought in Somalia VOA 17 Jan 2017 -- The United Nations wants almost a billion dollars to prevent famine in Somalia; but as a new government establishes itself, there are worries about corruption and political interference with aid delivery.
• Ethiopia: UN-backed humanitarian appeal launched, seeking $948 million in 2017 UN News 17 Jan 2017 -- On the heels of failed rains and a calamitous El Niño in Ethiopia, the country's Government today launched an appeal for $948 million to urgently address food and non-food needs, while the United Nations agriculture agency warned that a new drought may put the East African nation's hard fought gains at risk.
• At Security Council, senior UN envoy cautions against 'unilateral' action in Middle East UN News 17 Jan 2017 -- Unilateral actions threaten to unravel the two-state solution between Israelis and Palestinians, the United Nations focal point on the Middle East today told the Security Council, stressing that both sides must do their part to create the necessary conditions to launch direct negotiations.
• UN Urges Israeli-Palestinian Calm, Return to Talks VOA 17 Jan 2017 -- The U.N.'s Special Coordinator for the Middle East Peace Process warned Tuesday that Israeli-Palestinian tensions have been heightened in the aftermath of a Security Council resolution condemning Israeli settlements as illegal and an obstacle to peace.
• PKK bombing leaves 4 cops dead in southeastern Turkey Press TV 17 Jan 2017 -- Four Turkish police officers have lost their lives and two others sustained injuries in a roadside bomb explosion that targeted their patrol vehicle in Turkey's southeastern and Kurdish-populated province of Diyarbakir.

News Reports

• Envoy to UN Calls Russia Threat to US and World Order VOA 17 Jan 2017 -- In a parting shot to Moscow and a warning to America three days before leaving her post, the U.S. top envoy at the United Nations said Russia is "a major threat facing our great nation."
• Russia's Lavrov Denies Meddling In European Votes, Blasts U.S. Intelligence RFE/RL 17 Jan 2017 -- Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov says any claims that Moscow is staging cyberattacks to interfere in European elections are "dreamt-up."
• Putin Sees 'Maidan-Style' Attempts in US to Delegitimize Trump Sputnik 17 Jan 2017 -- Russian President Vladimir Putin said that he sees attempts in the United States to "delegitimize" US President-elect Donald Trump using "Maidan-style" methods previously used in Ukraine.
• Putin Accuses Obama Administration of Spreading False Info About Trump VOA 17 Jan 2017 -- Russian President Vladimir Putin has blamed the outgoing U.S. administration of attempting to undercut President-elect Donald Trump by spreading erroneous information.
• Putin Accuses Obama Administration Of Trying To Undermine Trump RFE/RL 17 Jan 2017 -- Russian President Vladimir Putin has accused U.S. President Barack Obama's administration of trying to undermine President-elect Donald Trump's legitimacy by spreading what Putin said were false allegations.
• Joint news conference with President of Moldova Igor Dodon President of Russia 17 Jan 2017 -- "Second, concerning the allegation that Trump arrived in Moscow and the first thing he did was meet with Moscow prostitutes. First, he is an adult and, second, he has for many years sponsored beauty contests and had the chance to meet the world's most beautiful women. Why would he run to a hotel to meet up with our girls of limited social responsibility? Although they are, of course, the best in the world. But I doubt that Trump fell for it."
• Trump crossed line with attacks on intelligence community: Brennan Press TV 17 Jan 2017 -- American President-elect Donald Trump has crossed a line by drawing a parallel between the US intelligence community and Nazi Germany, according to outgoing CIA Director John Brennan.
• Lavrov says US diplomats in Russia engaged in espionage Press TV 17 Jan 2017 -- Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov says US diplomats in Russia have engaged in espionage in the past few years and participated in opposition protests.
• Prospect of Warming US-Russia Ties Worries China VOA 17 Jan 2017 -- President-elect Donald Trump's hints ties with Moscow could improve after he assumes office has been a source of controversy and heated debate in the United States. And that is unlikely to go away after his inauguration later this week.
• President : Iran no longer under sanctions IRNA 17 Jan 2017 -- Sanctions against Iran are almost removed, but the country should be prepared for different situations, says President Hassan Rouhani.
• Rouhani: Fresh talks on JCPOA 'meaningless' IRNA 17 Jan 2017 -- President Hassan Rouhani on Tuesday ruled out any new talks on Iran nuclear deal – known as JCPOA – as meaningless.
• President: Iran not a threat to global peace IRNA 17 Jan 2017 -- President Hassan Rouhani said on Tuesday that sound implementation of the Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action (JCPOA) proved that the Islamic Republic of Iran should not be regarded as a threat to global peace and security.
• Russia says there is no sign of disruption in implementation of JCPOA IRNA 17 Jan 2017 -- Russian Deputy Foreign Minister Sergey Ryabkov said that there are no signs of possible disruptions in implementation of the Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action and stakeholders are determined to continue their work.
• Kerry describes JCPOA as 'technical deal' IRNA 17 Jan 2017 -- US Secretary of State John Kerry has described the July 2015 Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action (JCPOA) as a 'highly technical deal' requiring 'diligent efforts by all participants.'
• FM sends 38-page letter to Majlis on JCPOA IRNA 17 Jan 2017 -- Foreign Ministry sent a 38-page letter to Majlis on implementation of the Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action (JCPOA), extension of Iran Sanction Act (ISA), US presidential election campaign and Iranophobia.
• Foreign Ministry presents 4th report on inplementation of JCPOA to Majlis IRNA 17 Jan 2017 -- A lawmaker announced here Tuesday that the Foreign Ministry has submitted its fourth report on the implementation of 2015 nuclear deal known as the Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action (JCPOA) between Iran and world powers.
• China urges JCPOA parties to fulfill commitments Press TV 17 Jan 2017 -- The Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesperson says all signatories to the 2015 nuclear agreement with Iran must remain committed to their obligations.
• JCPOA belied allegations against Iran: President Rouhani Press TV 17 Jan 2017 -- Iranian President Hassan Rouhani says the historic deal over Iran's nuclear program and its implementation belied claims about the country seeking weapons of mass destruction and demonstrated the honesty and sincerity of the Islamic Republic.
• Russia, China Work on Joint High-Precision Satellite Navigation System Sputnik 17 Jan 2017 -- Russia and China are setting up a joint Differential Corrections and Monitoring (SDCM) high-precision satellite navigation system, China National Space Administration (CNSA) chief representative in Russia Zhang Yuan said Tuesday.
• Istanbul attacker nabbed, confesses to massacre: Turkish authorities Press TV 17 Jan 2017 -- Turkish authorities have announced they have captured the gunman who carried out a gruesome attack at an Istanbul nightclub on New Year's Day, saying he has confessed to staging the massacre.
• Turkey Says Nightclub Attack Suspect Uzbek-Born, Trained In Afghanistan RFE/RL 17 Jan 2017 -- Turkish authorities say they have captured the man they believe gunned down 39 people at an Istanbul nightclub on New Year's Day.
• Turkey's pro-Kurdish party leader faces up to 142 years in prison Press TV 17 Jan 2017 -- Turkish prosecutors have called for an imprisonment term of up to 142 years for the co-head of the country's pro-Kurdish opposition party over alleged charges of links to Kurdish militants.
• Northern Ireland to hold snap election after govt. collapses Press TV 17 Jan 2017 -- Britain's Northern Ireland minister calls an early election for March 2 following the collapse of the region's power-sharing government.
• Gambian president declares state of emergency Press TV 17 Jan 2017 -- Gambian President Yahya Jammeh has declared a 90-day state of emergency, citing foreign interference in the presidential election of December.
• West African states prepare Gambia military intervention Press TV 17 Jan 2017 -- Nigeria and some other African countries are preparing a joint force to intervene militarily in the Gambia if President Yahya Jammeh does not hand over power to opposition leader, Adama Barrow.
• Gambia's Yammeh Refuses to Cede Power, Declares Emergency VOA 17 Jan 2017 -- Gambian President Yahya Jammeh declared a state of emergency after refusing to accept the results of last month's election in which he lost to opposition leader Adama Barrow.