Operations
Defense Policy / Programs
Defense Industry
Other Conflicts
News Reports

Current Operations

• OIF / OND / OEF / OIR / OFS Casualty Update 21 Mar 2017[PDF]
• Inherent Resolve Strikes Target ISIS in Syria, Iraq AFPS 21 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.
• Update: air strikes against Daesh UK MOD 21 Mar 2017 -- The RAF are continuing to take the fight to Daesh in Iraq and Syria.
• USS Laboon Makes Second Drug Bust in a Week NNS 21 Mar 2017 -- For the second time in five days, guided-missile destroyer USS Laboon (DDG 58) intercepted a small, stateless dhow in the international waters of the Arabian Sea and seized 500 kilograms of Hashish, March 17.

Defense Policy / Programs

• Readout of Secretary of Defense James Mattis' Meeting with NATO Secretary General Jens Stoltenberg DoD 21 Mar 2017
• Remarks by Secretary Mattis and Secretary General Stoltenberg at the Pentagon DoD 21 Mar 2017 -- Presenter: Secretary of Defense Jim Mattis; NATO Secretary General Jens Stoltenberg
• Remarks by Secretary Mattis and Defense Minister Niinisto at the Pentagon DoD 21 Mar 2017 -- Presenter: Secretary of Defense Jim Mattis; Minister of Defense of Finland Jussi Niinisto
• Cool Capabilities: Sea Hunter, Tern on Display at Sea-Air-Space NNS 21 Mar 2017 -- Advanced software that can transform existing medium-sized vessels into unmanned ships able to autonomously complete naval missions. A four-legged, bio-inspired robot that can perform reconnaissance or dispose of explosives safely. A drone that merges the flying capabilities of a helicopter and airplane.
• Bonhomme Richard, 31st MEU Completes AIT NNS 21 Mar 2017 -- Sailors assigned to amphibious assault ship USS Bonhomme Richard (LHD 6), alongside Marines of the 31st Marine Expeditionary Unit (MEU), completed amphibious integration training (AIT) while on routine patrol in the 7th Fleet area of operations, March 19.
• Obangame Express Enhances Nations' Capabilities NNS 21 Mar 2017 -- Maritime forces from Gulf of Guinea nations, Europe, South America, and the United States and several regional and international organizations began training for the multinational maritime exercise, Obangame Express, March 20.
• Shanti Prayas Exercise Commences in Nepal AFPS 21 Mar 2017 -- Shanti Prayas III, a multinational peacekeeping exercise, kicked off yesterday with an opening ceremony at the Birendra Peace Operations Training Center here.
• USS Lake Erie Assists Distressed Mariners NNS 21 Mar 2017 -- Ticonderoga-class guided-missile cruiser USS Lake Erie (CG 70) provided assistance to 25 mariners in the early hours of March 19, after receiving a distress call from a civilian ship taking on water.
• America Completes Mid-Cycle Inspection NNS 21 Mar 2017 -- The crew aboard amphibious assault ship USS America (LHA 6) completed their first mid-cycle inspection (MCI) with high marks in preparation for deployment later this year, March 17.
• USS Donald Cook Arrives in Cobh NNS 21 Mar 2017 -- Arleigh Burke-class guided-missile destroyer USS Donald Cook (DDG 75) arrived in Cobh, Ireland, March 21, for a scheduled port visit to enhance U.S.-Irish relations as the two nations work together for a stable, secure, and prosperous European region.
• Ike Completes 300,000th Arrested Landing NNS 21 Mar 2017 -- When the crew of aircraft carrier USS Dwight D. Eisenhower (CVN 69) (Ike) saw the ship's first commanding officer, Capt. William Ramsey, make the first launch off the flight deck Sept. 15, 1977, few probably thought the 17th commanding officer would one day proudly announce the ship's 300,000th successful arrested landing.
• US Marines, Romanian Troops Launch Joint Exercises on Black Sea Coast Sputnik 21 Mar 2017 -- On Monday, a group of Romanian troops and US Marines launched a Stinger missile at a surface-to-air firing range as part of joint exercises currently underway on the coast of the Black Sea.
• Tillerson To Visit Russia In May, Will Skip NATO Meeting In April RFE/RL 21 Mar 2017 -- U.S. Secretary of State Rex Tillerson will make his first visit to Russia as part of a European trip in May but will not attend a NATO meeting in April.
• Tillerson to Skip NATO Meeting, Visit Russia in April VOA 21 Mar 2017 -- The U.S. State Department confirmed Tuesday that Secretary of State Rex Tillerson will not attend the NATO summit in Brussels this April.
• Dutch Military Equipment Arrives in Lithuania for NATO Deployment - MoD Sputnik 21 Mar 2017 -- Dutch military equipment has arrived on Tuesday to the port of Lithuania's Klaipeda for temporary deployment, the Lithuanian Defense Ministry said.
• Russia denies reports of building military base with Syrian Kurds Press TV 21 Mar 2017 -- Russia has vehemently dismissed a Reuters report which claims it is constructing a military base in the Afrin district of Syria's Aleppo Province in alliance with the Kurdish militia controlling the area.
• Repair of Russian Admiral Kuznetsov Aircraft Carrier Will Begin This Year Sputnik 21 Mar 2017 -- Repair works of Russia's Admiral Kuznetsov aircraft carrier, which participated in the anti-terrorist operation in Syria, will start later in 2017, Navy Deputy Commander-in-Chief Vice Adm. Viktor Bursuk said Tuesday.
• Legislature to deliberate draft bills on monitoring cross-strait pacts CNA 21 Mar 2017 -- The Legislature will hold a committee meeting on Wednesday and Thursday to discuss six drafts of a bill on monitoring agreements between Taiwan and China, government and political party sources said on Tuesday.
• Taiwan hoping to launch home-grown submarines within a decade CNA 21 Mar 2017 -- Taiwan is hoping to build its first home-grown submarines within eight years and commission them into service within a decade, the local shipbuilder commissioned to carry out the submarine program said Tuesday.
• Taiwan signs MOU to build its own submarines CNA 21 Mar 2017 -- A Taiwan shipbuilder and a ship designer signed a memorandum of understanding with the country's Navy on Tuesday to jointly build submarines for the military as part of a government effort to develop an independent national defense industry.
• Taiwan Launches Submarine Building Project to Boost National Defense Sputnik 21 Mar 2017 -- Taiwanese authorities have launched a submarine building project aimed at boosting the independent national defense industry, media reported Tuesday.
• Beijing Lashes Out Against US Over Taiwan Weapons Deal Sputnik 21 Mar 2017 -- The Chinese foreign ministry spokeswoman has called for the US to terminate its deal with Taiwan as a means for maintaining Sino-US relations.
• US, Iraqi Leaders 'Confident' of Islamic State Defeat VOA 21 Mar 2017 -- U.S. President Donald Trump and Iraqi Prime Minister Haider al-Abadi praised the joint battle their countries are waging against Islamic State, as they held their first in-person talks Monday at the White House.
• Russia Supplies to Myanmar First Three Yak-130 Combat Trainers Sputnik 21 Mar 2017 -- Russia has completed the delivery of the first batch of Yak-130 combat trainer aircraft to Myanmar, the contract will be fully executed in 2017, Mikhail Petukhov, deputy director of Russia's Federal Service for Military-Technical Cooperation (FSMTC), told Sputnik.
• Pakistan to Reinstate Military Courts for 2 More Years VOA 21 Mar 2017 -- Pakistan's National Assembly voted overwhelmingly Tuesday to reinstate military courts in the country for two years, after a two months lapse.
• Russia, Indonesia Launch Draft Contract Talks on Delivery of Su-35 Fighters Sputnik 21 Mar 2017 -- Russia and Indonesia launched negotiations over a draft contract on the delivery of Russian Su-35 Flanker multirole fighters to Jakarta, the deputy director of Russia's Federal Service for Military-Technical Cooperation (FSMTC) told Sputnik.
• Russia, Indonesia Discuss Delivery Contract of 2 Stealth Submarines to Jakarta Sputnik 21 Mar 2017 -- Russia and Indonesia are in discussions over a contract on the delivery of two stealth submarines to Jakarata, the deputy director of Russia's Federal Service for Military-Technical Cooperation (FSMTC) told Sputnik.
• Russia Ready to Modernize Malaysian Combat Aircraft MiG-29N to MiG-29SM Level Sputnik 21 Mar 2017 -- Russia is ready to provide full repair and modernize Malaysia's MiG-29N fighter jets to MiG-29SM, a representative of Russia's United Aircraft Corporation (UAC) told Malaysian Prime Minister Najib Razak, during his visit to the international aerospace and maritime exhibition LIMA-2017.
• Department Press Briefing - March 21, 2017 US Dept. of State 21 Mar 2017
• Daily Press Briefing by the Press Secretary - #25 The White House 21 Mar 2017

Defense Industry

• DoD News: Contracts for March 21, 2017

Other Conflicts

• 21 March 2017 - Daily Press Briefing by the Office of the Spokesperson for the Secretary-General United Nations 21 Mar 2017
• Yemeni forces fire new indigenous ballistic missiles at Saudi base Press TV 21 Mar 2017 -- Yemeni army forces and allied fighters from Popular Committees have reportedly launched three locally designed and manufactured ballistic missiles toward an area deep inside Saudi Arabia in response to the Riyadh regime's atrocious campaign against the crisis-hit Arab country.
• UN rejects Saudi call to oversee Houthi-controlled Yemeni port Press TV 21 Mar 2017 -- The United Nations has rejected a call by Saudi Arabia and its allies to supervise a Houthi-held Yemeni port, where tens of refugees were killed last week in an aerial attack blamed on Riyadh.
• Syria launches counterattack near capital after militant incursion Press TV 21 Mar 2017 -- The Syrian army is engaged in a military operation to repel an infiltration attempt by Takfiri Jabhat Fateh al-Sham terrorists and other militants in a northeastern suburb of the capital city, Damascus, state media say.
• Russia Summons Israeli Envoy Over Concern About Air Strikes In Syria RFE/RL 21 Mar 2017 -- The Russian Foreign Ministry said on March 20 that it had summoned Israel's ambassador to express concern about air strikes that hit close to Russian forces last week around the Syrian city of Palmyra.
• Governor Reveals How Many Militants Exposed in Aleppo Since Liberation Sputnik 21 Mar 2017 -- More than 6,000 militants have been exposed in Syria's Aleppo since December last year, Aleppo province governor Hussein Diab said Tuesday at a meeting with a delegation of Russian lawmakers and PACE representatives.
• Kurds Say Pentagon Plans to 'Send 1,000 Troops to Syria in the Coming Weeks' Sputnik 21 Mar 2017 -- A representative of the US-backed Syrian Democratic Forces (SDF), an alliance largely made up Kurdish and Arab militias, has confirmed that the Pentagon is planning to deploy an additional 1,000 US ground troops to Syria to assist the SDF in the upcoming operation aimed at liberating Raqqa, the de facto capital of Daesh's caliphate.
• Iraqi forces gain more ground against Daesh terrorists in Mosul Press TV 21 Mar 2017 -- Iraqi government forces have made more territorial gains in Mosul as they are battling in joint operations with allied fighters to flush Daesh Takfiri militants out of their last urban stronghold in the crisis-hit Arab country.
• Mladic Seeks Release For Treatment, Lawyers Say Russia Gave Guarantees RFE/RL 21 Mar 2017 -- Lawyers for former Bosnian Serb military leader Ratko Mladic are seeking his provisional release from detention in The Hague on medical grounds, and say that Moscow has guaranteed he will be returned to custody if he is sent to Russia for treatment.
• UN agency voices concern about forced return of Nigerian refugees from Cameroon UN News 21 Mar 2017 -- The United Nations refugee agency today expressed concern that forced returns of refugees from Cameroon's far north region to crisis-gripped north-eastern Nigeria are continuing despite the recent signing of a tripartite agreement aimed at ensuring the voluntary nature of returns.
• UN Calls on Cameroon to Stop Forcibly Deporting Nigerian Refugees VOA 21 Mar 2017 -- The U.N. refugee agency is calling on Cameroon to stop forcibly deporting refugees to Nigeria in violation of international refugee law and a tripartite agreement recently signed by UNHCR, Nigeria, and Cameroon to ensure voluntary returns.
• Rohingya Refugees Worried About Bangladesh's Relocation Plan VOA 21 Mar 2017 -- Bangladesh has proposed moving an influx of refugees from Myanmar to an isolated island that only emerged from the sea 11 years ago, partially floods at high tide and disappears completely for three months during the annual monsoon season.
• In Juba, UN peacekeeping chief urges political solution for South Sudanese crisis UN News 21 Mar 2017 -- The security situation in South Sudan is "very worrisome," the head of United Nations peacekeeping operations today said, warning that the number of people fleeing the country showing no signs of slowing, and calling for a political solution to the hostilities.
• Deteriorating security situation in DR Congo 'a source of major concern,' warns UN envoy UN News 21 Mar 2017 -- The United Nations envoy for the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC) today stressed the need for both the Government and the opposition groups there to show the same level of commitment and compromise which led to the signing on 31 December of an agreement on the electoral process, while also citing the UN peacekeeping mission's readiness to adapt to the deteriorating security situation.

News Reports

• Ukraine Lawmaker Calls On U.S. To Investigate New 'Evidence' Of Secret Payments To Manafort RFE/RL 21 Mar 2017 -- Paul Manafort is under scrutiny again after a Ukrainian lawmaker released documents he says show that U.S. President Donald Trump's former campaign chairman went to great lengths to hide $750,000 tied to his work for former President Viktor Yanukovych.
• Russia Unfazed by US Election Hacking Hearings VOA 21 Mar 2017 -- If much of the United States was transfixed by the Congressional testimony of two of America's top intelligence officials on allegations of Russian meddling in the U.S. elections, the Kremlin claimed it had better things to do.
• U.S., Britain Ban Electronic Devices From Cabins Of Flights From Middle East RFE/RL 21 Mar 2017 -- The United States and Britain announced on March 21 that they are banning electronic devices from the cabins of direct incoming flights from Middle Eastern and North African countries due to potential terrorist threats.
• UK Joins US Ban on Large Electronic Carry-Ons on Some Flights VOA 21 Mar 2017 -- Britain said Tuesday that it would ban passengers from carrying laptops and other large electronic devices on flights into the country from six Middle Eastern nations, following a similar measure announced by the U.S.
• Egypt's Ex-President Mubarak Released, Returns Home After Acquittal Sputnik 21 Mar 2017 -- Egypt's ex-President Hosni Mubarak has been released from military hospital and returned to his home three weeks after being acquitted on charges of complicity in protesters deaths during the 2011 unrest, Egyptian media reported Tuesday.
• Erdogan's Party Says Turkish Politicians To Stop Rallies In Germany RFE/RL 21 Mar 2017 -- Turkish politicians, amid escalating tensions between Ankara and Berlin, say they will not attempt to stage any more rallies in Germany ahead of an April 16 referendum on proposed constitutional changes that would expand the powers of President Recep Tayyip Erdogan.
• Is Xi Jinping Putin-izing China? VOA 21 Mar 2017 -- One thing that was clear during China's recently concluded high-level political meetings in Beijing is that Xi Jinping is the country's uncontested leader and the most powerful this populous nation has seen in decades.
• DPR Korea facing 'entrenched, largely forgotten' humanitarian crisis, senior UN official warns UN News 21 Mar 2017 -- Over two-thirds of the population in the Democratic People's Republic of Korea (DPRK) suffers from food insecurity, malnutrition, and a lack of access to basic health and sanitation services, according to a latest humanitarian report, which also appeals for $114 million to meet the urgent need of the most vulnerable.
• Trump administration considering economic sanctions on N Korea Press TV 21 Mar 2017 -- The United States is reportedly weighing tough sanctions against North Korea to bar its access to the global financial system.
• Amano: Iran fully loyal to all its JCPOA commitments IRNA 21 Mar 2017 -- Director General of the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) Yukiya Amano has announced that Iran has been adhering to its JCPOA commitments.
• Abe cabinet approves controversial anti-terror conspiracy bill amid public outrage People's Daily 21 Mar 2017 -- The Cabinet of Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe on Tuesday approved the submission of a contentious bill to parliament to criminalize the act of preparing for terrorism and other serious crimes, amid vast political and public opposition.
• British Mediation Helps Ease Afghanistan's Tensions with Pakistan VOA 21 Mar 2017 -- Britain is being credited with an apparent reduction in political tensions between Afghanistan and Pakistan and reopening the border between the two countries.
• South Korea's ousted president questioned by prosecutors Press TV 21 Mar 2017 -- South Korea's dismissed president has been questioned by prosecutors in connection with a high-profile corruption scandal that culminated in her impeachment and removal from power.
• Beijing's Anti-THAAD Moves Sour China Views in South Korea VOA 21 Mar 2017 -- A new public opinion poll shows growing anti-China sentiment in South Korea over reports of economic retaliation by Beijing against the deployment of the Terminal High Altitude Area Defense (THAAD) missile defense system.