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Current Operations

• OIF / OND / OEF / OIR / OFS Casualty Update 18 Jan 2017[PDF]
• U.S., Coalition Continue Strikes Against ISIL in Syria, Iraq AFPS 18 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.
• Airmen deliver aid to refugees in northern Iraq AFNS 18 Jan 2017 -- Reservists from the 315th Airlift Wing delivered humanitarian aid here Jan. 13 while also conducting a multifaceted training mission; the aid is bound for refugee camps in northern Iraq.
• Pakistan Wants Afghan Leaders to Review 'Fragmented' Approach to Taliban Peace Talks VOA 18 Jan 2017 -- Pakistan has called on Afghan leaders to review their "fragmented" approach to peace talks with the Taliban on containing and ending the resilient insurgency, instead of blaming Islamabad for the deteriorating security situation in Afghanistan.

Defense Policy / Programs

• Trump Pledges War on Radical Islamic Terrorism VOA 18 Jan 2017 -- President-elect Donald Trump's campaign pledge to wage war on "radical Islamic terrorism" is about to become U.S. policy.
• Dunford Says Transition to Trump Administration Going Smoothly AFPS 18 Jan 2017 -- The chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff wrapped up meetings in Paris and here, and he is heading home to attend presidential inauguration events Jan. 20.
• Dunford Discusses Russia, Other Issues, in Interview AFPS 18 Jan 2017 -- Military officials have to judge capabilities as they assess the risk of threats, and that is why Russia remains the most capable state actor that could challenge the United States, Marine Corps Gen. Joe Dunford, the chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, told reporters today.
• Air mobility squadron keeps C-17s ready for fight AFNS 18 Jan 2017 -- Winning the fight against an adversary requires much more than just dropping bombs on targets and taking out key leaders. It requires coordinating the precise movement of necessary supplies to arrive at the right location at the right time; which is why logistics plays such an important role in the war-fighting effort.
• Rotational Brigade Fires First Tank-Training Rounds in Europe AFPS 18 Jan 2017 -- Just 10 days after combat vehicles rolled off cargo ships in Bremerhaven, Germany, soldiers from the 3rd Armored Brigade Combat Team, 4th Infantry Division, fired their first rounds in Europe.
• Defense Acquisition Chief Lays Out Hard-Won Lessons AFPS 18 Jan 2017 -- The outgoing undersecretary of defense for acquisition, technology and logistics leaves office this week, and he's leaving behind a road map for the future of defense acquisition.
• Oklahoma Army National Guard gears up for deployment Army News 18 Jan 2017 -- Guardsmen with 2nd General Support Aviation Battalion (GSAB), 149th Aviation Regiment, Oklahoma Army National Guard are conducting pre-mobilization training at Camp Gruber this month in preparation for deployment to the Middle East in support of Operation Inherent Resolve.
• Lightning II strikes Iwakuni, F-35B arrives USMC News 18 Jan 2017 -- Marine Fighter Attack Squadron 121 arrived at Marine Corps Air Station Iwakuni, Japan, Jan. 18, 2017.
• Topeka Visits Yokosuka during Indo-Asia-Pacific Deployment NNS 18 Jan 2017 -- Los Angeles-class fast-attack submarine USS Topeka (SSN 754) arrived at Fleet Activities Yokosuka Jan. 17 for a visit as part of its Indo-Asia-Pacific patrol.
• US Signs Defense Pacts With Baltic States, but NATO Allies Wary of Trump Era VOA 18 Jan 2017 -- The United States has signed defense cooperation agreements with Lithuania and Estonia, formalizing the deployment of thousands of troops to bolster NATO defenses in the face of a Russian threat of aggression.
• NATO Aims to Transform Military Capacity, Official Says AFPS 18 Jan 2017 -- Throughout its history, NATO has always changed and adapted to new threats, new doctrines and new realities, the commander of the alliance's Allied Command Transformation told reporters here yesterday.
• Polish President Rebuffs Trump's Comment, Says No Factors Weakening NATO Sputnik 18 Jan 2017 -- There are no factors that may cause weakening of the NATO, Polish President Andrzej Duda said Wednesday in the wake of US President-elect Donald Trump's recent criticism of the alliance.
• NATO Article 5 'Sacred Obligation' of US, Cannot Be Questioned - Biden Sputnik 18 Jan 2017 -- The Article 5 of the NATO Treaty, stipulating that an attack on a member state is an attack against them all, is a "sacred obligation" of the United States which cannot be questioned, US Vice President Joe Biden said Wednesday.
• Estonia, Lithuania Sign Deals With U.S. To Allow Troop Deployments RFE/RL 18 Jan 2017 -- Estonia and Lithuania moved on January 17 to shore up military relations with the United States ahead of the inauguration of President-elect Donald Trump.
• Israel Enters 'New Era' With Arrow 3 Anti-Ballistic Missiles Sputnik 18 Jan 2017 -- The Israeli Air Force enters a "new era" as it has received Arrow 3 anti-ballistic missiles from Israeli Missile Defense Organization (IMDO), the IMDO director said Wednesday.
• Indian Army to Receive Bullet-Proof Helmets After Two Decades of Shortages Sputnik 18 Jan 2017 -- Indian soldiers on counter-insurgency deployment often have to do without basic safety equipment like bulletproof jackets and helmets. The army has placed a huge order for ballistic helmets that will save the lives of soldiers in close quarter combat.
• India Set to Increase its Naval Arc in Indian Ocean Sputnik 18 Jan 2017 -- As a part of its strategy to become a blue navy for safeguarding its burgeoning economic interests, India is vigorously increasing its sphere of influence in the Indian Ocean region and beyond.
• Taiwan simulates China invasion during annual drills Press TV 18 Jan 2017 -- The Taiwanese military has begun two days of exercises simulating a Chinese invasion at a time of increased tensions between Taipei and Beijing.
• Will UK's Joint Missile Project With Japan Be More Trouble Than It's Worth? Sputnik 18 Jan 2017 -- Japan and Britain are pushing ahead with the development of a new air-to-air missile in 2017 and the technical feasibility study for the Joint New Air-to-Air Missile (JNAAM) is slated to be completed before the end of this year, Sankei News reported.
• In White House Farewell, Obama Says US 'Is Going to Be OK' VOA 18 Jan 2017 -- At his final news conference as president Wednesday, Barack Obama sought to reassure those Americans anxious about the change of administrations after eight years with him in charge: "I believe in this country. I believe in the American people. I believe that people are more good than bad."
• Remarks by the President in Final Press Conference The White House 18 Jan 2017

Defense Industry

• DoD News: Contracts for January 18, 2017

Other Conflicts

• Vietnam Signals Softer Stance on Contested South China Sea VOA 18 Jan 2017 -- Vietnam shows signs of softening its approach toward China over their bitter maritime dispute, a move welcomed by nervous leaders in Beijing as it could rebalance Hanoi's foreign policy away from Washington while cooling decades of strife.
• Yemen: Ongoing humanitarian crisis adding to migrants woes, says UN migration agency UN News 18 Jan 2017 -- Highlighting the plight of migrants from the Horn of Africa arriving in Yemen – which itself has seen more than 2.1 million people internally displaced due to ongoing conflict and the resulting humanitarian crisis – the United Nations migration agency has called for additional support for the vulnerable.
• 'No peace with US, allies supporting terrorists in Syria' Press TV 18 Jan 2017 -- With less than a week to the Syria peace talks to be held in Kazakhstan, there is a degree of skepticism over the final outcome of the much-awaited negotiations.
• Russia says Turkey jets join anti-Daesh operation in Syria's al-Bab Press TV 18 Jan 2017 -- Moscow says Russian warplanes and Turkish jets have jointly targeted positions of Daesh terrorists in the Syrian city of al-Bab.
• No joint invitation sent to US for Syria meeting: Iranian official Press TV 18 Jan 2017 -- Iran, Russia and Turkey have not sent any "joint invitation" to the US for taking part in the upcoming conflict resolution talks on Syria in Astana, Kazakhstan.
• Aleppo win averted future uncertainty in region: Iran president Press TV 18 Jan 2017 -- Iranian President Hassan Rouhani has hailed the liberation of Syria's strategic northwestern city of Aleppo as a major step towards stability in the Arab state, saying the gain prevented the Middle East from having to face an uncertain future.
• Syrian general, eight soldiers killed in militant bomb attack Press TV 18 Jan 2017 -- A Syrian general and eight troops have been killed in a militant bombing attack outside the capital city Damascus, says a UK-based monitoring group.
• Turkish General Staff Praises First Joint Airstrikes With Russia in Al-Bab Sputnik 18 Jan 2017 -- The Turkish General Staff on Wednesday praised coordination with Russia in the operation against Daesh terrorist group in Syria's Al-Bab in the province of Aleppo.
• Kurdish-Led Syrian Democratic Forces Refuse to Support Astana Meeting Results Sputnik 18 Jan 2017 -- The Syrian Democratic Forces (SDF) opposition group will not support the results of the meeting on Syria in Astana, as the SDF has not received an invitation to attend it, SDF spokesman Talal Selo said Wednesday.
• Syrian Army Supported by Russian Warplanes Conducts Op Against Daesh in Palmyra Sputnik 18 Jan 2017 -- The Russian General Staff said that the Syrian army supported by Russian warplanes launched an operation against Daesh in Palmyra.
• Russian, Turkish Jets Conduct First Joint Operation in Syria's Aleppo Sputnik 18 Jan 2017 -- The Russian General Staff said that Russian and Turkish military aircraft have conducted their first joint operation in Syria.
• Security forces free large area in Iraq's Mosul Press TV 18 Jan 2017 -- Iraqi security forces have declared the liberation of the Left Coast area in the east of the city of Mosul, in a major advancement in the larger-scale operations to free the entire city from Daesh terrorists.
• Iraqi Forces Say IS Destroyed Historic Tomb of Jonah in Mosul VOA 18 Jan 2017 -- Iraqi forces battling so-called Islamic State (IS) fighters this week made a grim discovery in a Mosul neighborhood, confirming reports from 2014 that the group had leveled the shrine that is said to have housed the tomb of the prophet Jonah, a key figure in the Judaic, Christian and Islamic religions.
• China Offers To Help Seek Resolution Of Ukraine Crisis RFE/RL 18 Jan 2017 -- China is willing to play a constructive role in seeking a political resolution to the crisis in Ukraine, Chinese President Xi Jinping told his Ukrainian counterpart on January 17.
• Russian Sovereignty Over Crimea 'Undisputed' - Kremlin Sputnik 18 Jan 2017 -- Russia's sovereignty over the Crimean peninsula is not up for discussion or dispute, Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov said Wednesday.
• Ukraine's Savchenko Draws Fire For Crimea Comments RFE/RL 18 Jan 2017 -- Ukrainian lawmaker Nadia Savchenko has caused controversy by suggesting that Kyiv must accept Moscow's grip on Crimea for the time being if it wants to regain control over eastern territory held by Russia-backed separatists.
• Al-Qaida-linked Militants Claim Responsibility for Mali Suicide Bombing VOA 18 Jan 2017 -- An al-Qaida linked extremist group claimed responsibility for Wednesday's suicide attack on a military camp in northern Mali that killed at least 60 soldiers and former rebels and wounded 115.
• Car bomb kills 37 at military camp in Mali Press TV 18 Jan 2017 -- A car bomb explosion has killed dozens of people and injured many others in a military camp in northern Mali.
• Mali: UN condemns suicide bombing of Gao military camp as 'direct attack' on peace process UN News 18 Jan 2017 -- The United Nations peacekeeping chief strongly condemned the suicide bombing that reportedly killed at least 50 people and wounded dozens of others at a military camp in the northern Mali city of Gao, denouncing the attack as an attempt to derail the peace process and undermine recent progress on security arrangements.
• Trump's UN Pick Condemns Body for Israeli Settlements Resolution VOA 18 Jan 2017 -- President-elect Donald Trump's pick to be U.S. ambassador to the United Nations condemned the world body's recent resolution on Israeli settlements, praised NATO as necessary to contain Russia, and pledged to reassert American leadership to confront conflicts and challenges around the world.
• Palestinian factions agree to form unity government Press TV 18 Jan 2017 -- Leading Palestinian movements, Hamas and Fatah, have agreed to form a new unity government following extensive negotiations in Moscow, Russia.

News Reports

• New UN Chief Looks Forward to Working With Team Trump VOA 18 Jan 2017 -- The new United Nations secretary-general, Antonio Guterres, says he will take a positive, constructive approach in dealing with the new Trump administration on the many troubling issues facing the world today.
• Putin: Those behind fake Trump report worse than prostitutes Press TV 17 Jan 2017 -- President Vladimir Putin has denied claims that US President-elect Donald Trump has been compromised by Russian intelligence, adding that those behind the allegations are no better than "prostitutes."
• Biden Warns Of Russian Threat To World Order, Election Meddling RFE/RL 18 Jan 2017 -- In his final major speech in office, U.S. Vice President Joe Biden said that Russia poses the biggest threat to the "liberal international order" and warned that "further" Russian attempts to meddle in Western elections should be expected.
• Biden: Russian Attempts to Influence Elections 'Will Occur Again' VOA 18 Jan 2017 -- U.S. Vice President Joe Biden warned European nations Wednesday to be ready for Russia to try to influence their elections in the same way that U.S. intelligence agencies say they are certain Russia did in the November vote that is bringing Donald Trump to office this week.
• Biden calls Russia threat to world order, warns of clash with West Press TV 18 Jan 2017 -- US Vice President Joe Biden has called Russia the "greatest threat" to the international order, warning of a looming clash between the government of Russian President Vladimir Putin and the West.
• Trump's Choice For UN Ambassador Says U.S. Can't Trust Russia RFE/RL 18 Jan 2017 -- President-elect Donald Trump's pick for United Nations ambassador delivered sharp criticism of Russia on January 18, saying Moscow cannot be trusted, but added that Washington will nonetheless need the Kremlin's cooperation on counterterrorism efforts and other challenges.
• Trump's UN Ambassador Nominee Says Russia Cannot Be Trusted VOA 18 Jan 2017 -- In one of several U.S. Senate confirmation hearings Wednesday for top posts in Donald Trump's administration, U.S. ambassador to the United Nations nominee Nikki Haley said the U.S. cannot trust Russia.
• WikiLeaks Founder Waffles On Pledge To Accept U.S. Extradition RFE/RL 18 Jan 2017 -- WikiLeaks founder Julian Assange on January 17 appeared to waffle on his pledge to accept U.S. extradition now that President Barack Obama has pardoned former Army intelligence analyst Chelsea Manning.
• WikiLeaks: Assange Ready for Extradition to US If All Rights Guaranteed Sputnik 18 Jan 2017 -- Founder of the WikiLeaks website Julian Assange is ready to be extradited to the United States for testimony if Washington guarantees all his rights, the whistleblowing organization said Wednesday.
• Russia Extends Snowden's Residence Permit By 'A Couple Years' RFE/RL 18 Jan 2017 -- Russia says that Edward Snowden, the former U.S. intelligence contractor who leaked thousands of secret documents from the National Security Agency (NSA), has been granted permission to remain in the country for at least two more years.
• Obama commutes sentence of Manning, grants clemency to hundreds Press TV 18 Jan 2017 -- Outgoing US President Barack Obama has shortened the prison sentence of over 200 inmates, including Chelsea Manning, the former military intelligence analyst responsible for the biggest breach of classified materials in US history.
• Following Chelsea Manning's commutation, UN expert urges pardons for other whistleblowers UN News 18 Jan 2017 -- Welcoming the commutation of United States army officer Chelsea Manning's 35-year sentence for leaking classified military documents, a United Nations independents human rights expert today called on Governments to recognize the contributions of whistleblowers and pardon those serving prison sentences.
• Taiwan declines to comment on call to revisit one-China policy CNA 18 Jan 2017 -- Taiwan's Presidential Office said Wednesday that the government has "no comment" on the views expressed in an opinion piece in the Wall Street Journal Monday that called for the U.S. to revisit the "one-China" policy and form closer military alliance with Taiwan.
• China calls on US not to allow Taiwan delegation at Trump inauguration Press TV 18 Jan 2017 -- China has called on the United States not to allow a delegation from Taiwan at US President-elect Donald Trump's inauguration ceremony.
• US Made Attempt to Recruit Russian Diplomat on January 14 - Moscow Sputnik 18 Jan 2017 -- US intelligence services undertook another attempt at recruiting a Russian diplomat on January 14, just a week before President Barack Obama's departure from the White House, the Russian Foreign Ministry's spokeswoman, Maria Zakharova, said Wednesday.
• Hong Kong Not to Become Independent From China - Outgoing Chief Executive Sputnik 18 Jan 2017 -- Outgoing Hong Kong Chief Executive says that Hong Kong is an "inalienable" part of China and will not become independent.
• China's Xi Warns of Dangers of Trade War VOA 18 Jan 2017 -- Chinese President Xi Jinping warned governments of the dangers of a trade war while speaking at the World Economic Forum in Davos, Switzerland on Tuesday.
• UN: Iran Nuclear Deal Working; Continued Commitment Required VOA 18 Jan 2017 -- A U.N. report says Iran has not received any unauthorized transfers of nuclear-related items since an international nuclear agreement was implemented a year ago, but Tehran may have violated some provisions on conventional arms transfers and travel restrictions.
• There is no contact with US new administration: Zarif ISNA 18 Jan 2017 -- There has already been no contact with US new administration, Iranian foreign minister, Mohammad Javad Zarif announced.
• At Security Council, top UN political official outlines status of resolution on Iran's nuclear programme UN News 18 Jan 2017 -- Briefing the United Nations Security Council on its resolution 2231, which endorsed a plan of action on Iran's nuclear programme, the top UN political official called on the international community for continued support and contribution to the implementation of the agreement.
• IAEA verifies Iran's commitment to JCPOA IRNA 18 Jan 2017 -- Director General of the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) Yukia Amano verified Iran's commitment to the Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action (JCPOA).
• Hunger Strike Protests By Oil Workers Growing In Western Kazakhstan RFE/RL 18 Jan 2017 -- A protest by oil workers in western Kazakhstan against the closure of a confederation of independent trade unions is growing in magnitude as it approaches the end of its second week.
• Turkey issues arrest warrants for 243 military personnel in post-coup crackdown Press TV 18 Jan 2017 -- Turkish prosecutors have ordered the arrest of as many as 243 staff with the country's military over their alleged use of a messaging application, which Ankara associates with US-based opposition cleric Fetullah Gulen.
• Turkey Grants Arrest Warrants for 243 Military Personnel in Post-Coup Purge Sputnik 18 Jan 2017 -- A prosecutor in Istanbul issued arrest warrants Wednesday for 243 military service members suspected of links to a network blamed for last year's coup attempt, local media reported.
• Female, Far-right and Proudly Populist: Le Pen Stumps to Be France's Next Leader VOA 18 Jan 2017 -- France's April-May election is among Europe's most closely watched this year, and Le Pen is riding a wave of voter anger over a lackluster economy, rising immigration and militant Islam.
• Samsung Indictment Reversed in Setback for South Korean Impeachment Trial VOA 18 Jan 2017 -- A South Korean court Thursday dismissed an arrest warrant request for the head of the Samsung Group, in a case that could affect the impeachment trial of President Park Geun-hye.
• Mauritania's President Tries to Intervene in Gambian Political Crisis VOA 18 Jan 2017 -- Mauritania's President Ould Abdel Aziz is making a last-minute effort to settle Gambia's political crisis without the need for military intervention.