Operations
Defense Policy / Programs
Defense Industry
Other Conflicts
News Reports

Current Operations

• OIF / OND / OEF / OIR / OFS Casualty Update 17 Mar 2017[PDF]
• Coalition Strikes Hit ISIS Terrorists in Syria, Iraq AFPS 17 Mar 2017 -- U.S. and coalition military forces continued to attack the Islamic State of Iraq and Syria yesterday, Combined Joint Task Force Operation Inherent Resolve officials reported today.
• Pentagon Spokesman: Dozens of Terrorists Believed Killed in U.S. Strike in Syria AFPS 17 Mar 2017 -- Military officials believe dozens of core al-Qaida leaders were killed in a U.S. strike in Jinah, Syria, yesterday, according to a Pentagon spokesman.
• US Airstrike Rounds Out Brutal Anniversary Week in Syria War VOA 17 Mar 2017 -- This week marked the sixth anniversary of the Syrian war - and it was an especially brutal seven days, with a mosque allegedly damaged by a U.S. airstrike, a twin suicide bombing in Damascus and claims of phosphorus-bomb attacks by Russian and Syrian warplanes.
• Security Council extends mandate of UN mission in Afghanistan for one year UN News 17 Mar 2017 -- The Security Council today extended the mandate of United Nations assistance operation in Afghanistan until 17 March 2018, stressing the political mission's role in supporting an inclusive Afghan-led and Afghan-owned peace process.
• Moscow Tells Kabul Ties With Taliban Only to Promote Afghan Peace VOA 17 Mar 2017 -- Afghanistan's national security adviser met Friday with senior officials in Russia to discuss counterterrorism cooperation and efforts to promote peace as Taliban insurgents staged fresh deadly attacks in Afghanistan.

Defense Policy / Programs

• Accident Investigation Board determines maintenance error damaged JSTARS aircraft AFNS 17 Mar 2017 -- Drain holes in the radome of an E-8C Joint Surveillance Target Attack Radar System (JSTARS) aircraft were left covered after depot maintenance, allowing water to accumulate and damage some of the aircraft's electrical systems, according to a recently released Air Force Materiel Command accident investigation board report. AFMC administered the contract while the plane underwent depot maintenance.
• Historic Pacific F-35 Symposium concludes in Hawaii AFNS 17 Mar 2017 -- Military senior officers from nations throughout the Indo-Asia-Pacific region gathered March 14 and 15, 2017, during the first Pacific Air Forces-hosted F-35A/B Lightning II Symposium, to discuss the future of F-35 operations in the Pacific.
• Polish, U.S. tanks lead the way during combined maneuver training Army News 17 Mar 2017 -- Polish and U.S. armored forces dug into their individual battle positions, using the tree line for concealment and awaiting the operation order, tank crew members mentally prepare for a bilateral training event at Range Joanna in Karliki, Poland, March 15.
• Army demonstrates integration of laser weapon on combat vehicle Army News 17 Mar 2017 -- U.S. Army Space and Missile Defense Command/Army Forces Strategic Command team members are laser focused on the future of high energy lasers.
• USS Wasp Reaches Halfway Point NNS 17 Mar 2017 -- Mid-Atlantic Regional Maintenance Center (MARMC), the naval support activity for amphibious assault ship USS Wasp's (LHD 1) planned maintenance availability (PMA), achieved on-time completion of all milestones in time for the Wasp's 50-percent conference, March 15.
• Mesa Verde Visits Haifa, Israel NNS 17 Mar 2017 -- Amphibious transport dock USS Mesa Verde (LPD 19) and embarked Marines from the 24th Marine Expeditionary Unit (MEU), part of the Bataan Amphibious Ready Group, arrived in Haifa, Israel, for a scheduled port visit March 16.
• USS Carney Begins Third Rotational Patrol in US 6th Fleet NNS 17 Mar 2017 -- Arleigh Burke-class guided-missile destroyer USS Carney (DDG 64) departed Naval Station Rota, Spain, March 15, to begin the ship's third forward-deployed patrol in support of U.S. commitments to allies and partners in the region.
• USS America Wins Battle 'E' NNS 17 Mar 2017 -- Amphibious assault ship USS America (LHA 6) was selected for her first Battle Effectiveness Award (Battle "E") in the ship's first year of eligibility, March 14.
• Boxer Receives Sixth Consecutive Battle 'E' NNS 17 Mar 2017 -- Commander, Naval Surface Forces (SURFOR) announced, March 14, amphibious assault ship USS Boxer (LHD 4) is one of 36 surface ships which will receive the Battle Effectiveness Award (Battle "E") for 2016.
• Iwo Jima Earns Second Consecutive Battle 'E' NNS 17 Mar 2017 -- Amphibious assault ship USS Iwo Jima (LHD 7) was named a recipient of the Battle Effectiveness Award (Battle "E") for the second consecutive year.
• Secretary General thanks Denmark for its strong commitment to NATO NATO 17 Mar 2017 -- NATO Secretary General Jens Stoltenberg ended a two day visit to Denmark on Friday (17 March 2017) with talks with Prime Minister Lars Løkke Rasmussen. Mr. Stoltenberg thanked the Prime Minister for his country's continued commitment to the Alliance and the two discussed NATO's adaptation to the new security environment. The Secretary General and Prime Minister also discussed fair burden sharing in NATO and preparations for the upcoming meeting of Allied leaders in Brussels this May.
• Lithuania Wants NATO Command To Move Closer To Eastern Borders RFE/RL 17 Mar 2017 -- Lithuania's president says NATO should move its command centers closer to the alliance's eastern borders to deter the "growing threat from Russia."
• Russia set to launch its most powerful nuclear sub this month Press TV 17 Mar 2017 -- Russia will shortly put afloat a second, nuclear-powered Yasen-class submarine – its strongest – in a northern port, a Russian defense source says.
• Russian Activists Say Suspicious Military Deaths Often Tied To Extortion Schemes RFE/RL 17 Mar 2017 -- At 10 a.m. on February 17, Russian draftee Arkady B. jumped out of a third-story window of his barracks outside Moscow. Doctors say it was a miracle that he survived, with multiple compression fractures, a concussion, and other injuries. They are optimistic that Arkady, who asked not to be identified for this article, will walk again after a few months of rehabilitation.
• Crimean Shipyard to Build 3 Missile Corvettes by 2020 - Deputy Defense Minister Sputnik 17 Mar 2017 -- Russian Deputy Defense Minister said that Three Karakurt-class (Project 22800) corvettes for the Russian Navy will be constructed at the More (Sea) Shipyard in the town of Feodosia in Russia's Crimea in 2018-2020.
• Russia to Float Out 1st Upgraded Borei-Class Strategic Sub in 2Q17 Sputnik 17 Mar 2017 -- Russia's Borei II-class Knyaz Vladimir nuclear-powered strategic submarine will be floated out in the second quarter of 2017, the United Shipbuilding Corporation (USC) said Friday.
• U.K. Troops Arrive In Estonia To Bolster NATO Force RFE/RL 17 Mar 2017 -- The Estonian military says 130 British soldiers are arriving in the country as part of NATO's efforts to bolster its forces near the alliance's eastern border with Russia.
• Defence Secretary confirms 30,000 defence jobs in South West UK MOD 17 Mar 2017 -- Defence Secretary Sir Michael Fallon visited the Royal Marines (RM) base at Chivenor today to underline the importance of the South West to the defence of the UK.
• Army's future is secure in Brecon UK MOD 17 Mar 2017 -- Defence Secretary Sir Michael Fallon confirmed that the Army's future is secure in Brecon during a visit to the Welsh town today.
• Lebanon should integrate Hezbollah militarily: Interior minister Press TV 17 Mar 2017 -- The Lebanese interior minister says Lebanon should integrate the resistance movement of Hezbollah's armed strength in its military strategy.
• Russia, India Finalizing Agreement on Fighter Jet Development Work - Minister Sputnik 17 Mar 2017 -- Russian-Indian agreement on separation of research and development work on the Fifth Generation Fighter Aircraft (FGFA) is on its final stage, Russian Minister of Trade and Industry Denis Manturov said Friday, adding that India would have equal rights over aircraft in case it invested money into the project.
• India Signs Spares' Supply Pact With Russia for Sukhoi Fleet Sputnik 17 Mar 2017 -- The Indian Air Force has been grappling with the non-availability of its frontline fighter Su-30 MKI due to delays in the import of critical spares from Russia.
• India, Russia Sign Agreement on Sukhoi-30MKI Aircraft After-Sales Service Sputnik 17 Mar 2017 -- India's Hindustan Aeronautics Limited (HAL) company has signed an agreement with Russia's United Aircraft Corporation (UAC) and United Engine Corporation (UEC) for the long-term maintenance support for Sukhoi-30MKI aircraft of the Indian Air Force on Friday.
• Iraqi prime minister calls for reduction of US troops after Daesh defeat Press TV 17 Mar 2017 -- Prime Minister Haider al-Abadi has called on the US to reduce its military presence in Iraq as Washington has begun a surge of troops in the face of Daesh terrorists facing a final rout in the country.
• Japan launches new spy satellite amid tensions with North Korea Press TV 17 Mar 2017 -- Japan has launched a new spy satellite into space in an apparent mission to enhance the monitoring of North Korea.
• Japan Launches IGS Radar-5 Spy Satellite Sputnik 17 Mar 2017 -- Japan has launched the IGS Radar-5 surveillance satellite aboard an H-2A rocket.
• Japan Conducts First-Ever Emergency Drill Amid North Korean Missile Threat Sputnik 17 Mar 2017 -- In anticipation for a missile attack from North Korea, Japan executed its first civilian evacuation drill on Friday, with warnings broadcast over loudspeakers and blaring sirens.
• Residents of South Korean Jeju Island Outraged With US Military Base Plans Sputnik 17 Mar 2017 -- Residents of the South Korean resort island of Jeju strongly object to the military setting up of a base on it with the possible deployment of the US Navy's newest Zumwalt destroyer "to deter North Korean aggression," a source in the security service of the island told Sputnik Korea.
• Turkey's Largest Military Base Overseas to Be Opened in Somalia in April Sputnik 17 Mar 2017 -- Turkey's largest military base abroad will be opened in April in Somalia's capital of Mogadishu, media reported Friday.
• Remarks With Foreign Minister Yun Byung-se Before Their Meeting US Dept. of State 17 Mar 2017
• Remarks With Acting President Hwang Kyo-ahn Before Their Meeting US Dept. of State 17 Mar 2017

Defense Industry

• DoD News: Contracts for March 17, 2017

Other Conflicts

• 17 March 2017 - Daily Press Briefing by the Office of the Spokesperson for the Secretary-General United Nations 17 Mar 2017
• Taiwan's stance on proposed South China Sea code of conduct CNA 17 Mar 2017 -- The Republic of China (Taiwan) Ministry of Foreign Affairs (MOFA) has declared that no code of conduct in the South China Sea will be binding on Taiwan if it is cast out of the negotiations and dialogues aimed at creating a set of rules to avoid conflict among rival claimants in the waters.
• China to construct permanent station in South China Sea island Press TV 17 Mar 2017 -- China has plans to build a permanent environmental monitoring station on one of its islands in the South China Sea despite an ongoing territorial dispute with the Philippines over the shoal.
• Coalition Navy Intercepts 3 Houthi Launches, off Middi Seaport, in Yemen SPA 17 Mar 2017 -- Arab Coalition supporting Yemeni legitimate government has intercepted 3 Houthi launches, off the Midi seaport, in Yemen, on Thursday, the Command of the coalition announced here today, adding that the launches were planning to attack coalition ships, on their daily missions.
• In Europe, UN envoy urges political and financial support for Yemenis UN News 17 Mar 2017 -- The United Nations Special Envoy for Yemen today called on the international community to do everything in its power to stop the fighting in the country, provide humanitarian aid, and promote a negotiated political settlement to the two-year long conflict.
• Israel Defense Forces Deny Claims of Losing Aircraft Over Syria Sputnik 17 Mar 2017 -- The Israel Defense Forces (IDF) denied to Sputnik on Friday claims that one of its aircraft was shot down over Syria.
• Israeli Jets Attacked by Missiles From Syrian Territory - Military Sputnik 17 Mar 2017 -- Israeli Air Force planes were targeted from the ground after they attacked several targets on the territory of Syria, a spokesperson of the Israel Defense Forces (IDF) told Sputnik on Friday.
• Syrian army: Israeli jet shot down, another hit Press TV 17 Mar 2017 -- The Syrian army says four Israeli jets breached the Arab country's airspace on Friday morning, adding its air defense shot down one of the aircraft and hit another.
• Daesh under complete siege in western Mosul: Iraqi Defense Ministry Press TV 17 Mar 2017 -- The Daesh Takfiri terrorists are completely under siege by Iraqi forces in the west of Mosul, the terrorists' last stronghold in the Arab country.
• Afghans, Others Detained in Pakistan's Security Crackdown VOA 17 Mar 2017 -- Security forces in Pakistan have arrested dozens of suspects, including Afghans as part of an ongoing nationwide crackdown against extremist groups. The raids came as fresh militant attacks killed three security personnel.
• South Sudan now world's fastest growing refugee crisis - UN refugee agency UN News 17 Mar 2017 -- The number of South Sudanese fleeing their homes is "alarming," the United Nations refugee agency today said, announcing that 1.6 million people have either been displaced or fled to neighbouring countries in the past eight months ago.
• New South Sudan Rebel Group Gains Supporters VOA 17 Mar 2017 -- A new rebel group in war-torn South Sudan has gained some high-level supporters, both within the country and the South Sudanese diaspora.
• Turkey Launches Anti-PKK Operation in Country's Eastern Tunceli Province Sputnik 17 Mar 2017 -- Ankara started the military operation against the militants of the Kurdistan Workers' Party (PKK) in the province of Tunceli, according to local media.

News Reports

• White House Says It Was Not Accusing U.K. Of Spying On Trump RFE/RL 17 Mar 2017 -- The White House said it was not accusing Britain of spying on Donald Trump when his spokesman cited a news item suggesting that British intelligence had conducted surveillance on the then presidential candidate.
• UK Calls Trump Wiretap Claims 'Ridiculous' VOA 17 Mar 2017 -- Britain on Friday called President Donald Trump's claims that a British spy agency was involved in wiretapping Trump Tower "ridiculous" and said it received assurances from the White House that the claims wouldn't be repeated.
• Trump Hosts Merkel, Renews Call for NATO Members' Payments VOA 17 Mar 2017 -- After a White House meeting with German Chancellor Angela Merkel, U.S. President Donald Trump said he supported NATO but renewed a call for member nations to increase their financial contributions to support the military alliance.
• Russia Paid Former White House Adviser Flynn $67,000, Documents Show RFE/RL 17 Mar 2017 -- Former White House national security adviser Michael Flynn was paid more than $67,000 by Russian companies before the U.S. presidential election, according to documents released on March 16 by a Democratic congressman.
• Criticism, Concern Over Deep Cuts In U.S. Diplomacy, Foreign Aid RFE/RL 17 Mar 2017 -- U.S. President Donald Trump's proposal to slash funding for the U.S. State Department and foreign aid by about one-third has sparked criticism and concern at home and abroad on March 16.
• US Lawmakers Criticize Cuts to Diplomacy, Foreign Aid VOA 17 Mar 2017 -- President Donald Trump's budget chief, Mick Mulvaney, told reporters at the White House Thursday that the president is intentionally redefining U.S. foreign policy priorities, changing from a focus on "soft power" – diplomacy, participation in international institutions and cultural exchanges – to a laser focus on "hard power" with a big boost to military spending.
• U.S. state secretary says all options on table for Korean Peninsula nuke issue People's Daily 17 Mar 2017 -- Visiting U.S. Secretary of State Rex Tillerson said on Friday that all options are on the table to resolve the Korean Peninsula's nuclear issue.
• Russia accuses US of adding to tensions on Korean peninsula Press TV 17 Mar 2017 -- Russia has accused the United States of ratcheting up tensions on the Korean peninsula by increasing military activities, calling for the "vicious circle of tensions" to be broken.
• US military action against North Korea 'an option': Tillerson Press TV 17 Mar 2017 -- US Secretary of State Rex Tillerson has warned that military action against North Korea would be "on the table" if Pyongyang elevated the threat level.
• Tillerson: US 'Strategic Patience' With North Korea is Over Sputnik 17 Mar 2017 -- "All options are on the table," the top US diplomat said concerning Washington's policy toward North Korea.
• US 'Not Willing' to Engage in Six-Party Talks on North Korean Nuclear Issue Sputnik 17 Mar 2017 -- The United States is not interested in reviving the six-party format talks on the North Korean nuclear program, US Ambassador to the United Nations Nikki Haley said in an interview.
• State Department Terrorist Designations of Ahmad Hasan Yusuf and Alsayed Murtadha Majeed Ramadhan Alawi US Dept. of State 17 Mar 2017 -- The Department of State has designated Ahmad Hasan Yusuf and Alsayed Murtadha Majeed Ramadhan Alawi as Specially Designated Global Terrorists (SDGT) under Executive Order (E.O.) 13224, which imposes sanctions on foreign persons who have committed, or pose a serious 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.
• Merkel Rejects 'Trading Provocations' With Erdogan, Says 'Insults Must Stop' RFE/RL 17 Mar 2017 -- German Chancellor Angela Merkel said she does not want to join the escalating war of words with Turkey on March 16 but warned Turkish leaders that "the insults must stop."
• Turkey Opens Over 2,600 Criminal Cases for Insulting President Sputnik 17 Mar 2017 -- A total of 2,673 criminal cases were filed over six months on charges of insulting Turkey's President Recep Tayyip Erdogan, according to a report for the Human Rights Joint Platform (IHOP) on Friday.
• Turkey Widens War of Words to Include All of EU VOA 17 Mar 2017 -- Turkey's president continues to ratchet up tensions with the European Union, as he campaigns ahead of an April referendum to extend his presidential powers. The unprecedented rhetoric is raising concerns as to whether Turkish-EU relations can recover.
• 'Constant surveillance' needed to tackle resurgent outbreak of avian influenza - UN agency UN News 17 Mar 2017 -- The United Nations food security agency called today for rapid detection and response systems to address a new and potentially lethal outbreak of avian influenza in China.
• China Raising Pressure on Taiwan, Gently VOA 17 Mar 2017 -- China is slowly tightening its grip on self-ruled Taiwan to make it break a nearly year-old political deadlock, but it's avoiding any tough measures that it can't reverse if relations improve, analysts say.