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Defense Policy / Programs
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News Reports

Current Operations

• OIF / OND / OEF / OIR / OFS Casualty Update 14 Apr 2017[PDF]
• Military Strikes Continue Against ISIS Terrorists in Syria, Iraq AFPS 14 Apr 2017 -- U.S. and coalition military forces continued to attack the Islamic State of Iraq and Syria, conducting 14 strikes consisting of 64 engagements against ISIS targets yesterday, Combined Joint Task Force Operation Inherent Resolve officials reported today.
• Ex-President Hamid Karzai 'Vehemently' Condemns US Dropping MOAB in Afghanistan Sputnik 14 Apr 2017 -- Former President of Afghanistan Hamid Karzai condemned on Thursday the decision of the United States to use a GBU-43 Massive Ordnance Air Blast Bomb (MOAB) in his country.
• Karzai strongly condemns US dropping of huge bomb in Afghanistan Press TV 14 Apr 2017 -- Afghanistan's former President Hamid Karzai has blasted the US for dropping its largest non-nuclear bomb in the Asian country, saying Washington is using his country as a "testing ground" for its new weapons.
• Karzai condemns US using largest non-nuclear bomb in Afghanistan IRNA 14 Apr 2017 -- The former president of Afghanistan condemned the US dropping of the largest non-nuclear bomb in Afghanistan in his Twitter account.
• Russia Hosts Afghanistan Meeting Boycotted By Washington RFE/RL 14 Apr 2017 -- Russia opened meetings with top diplomats from Afghanistan, China, and several Central Asian countries in talks that are aimed at bringing peace to Afghanistan but are being boycotted by the United States.
• U.S. General Says Huge Bomb Used In Afghanistan 'Right Weapon For Right Target' RFE/RL 14 Apr 2017 -- The top U.S. commander in Afghanistan said his decision to use one of the U.S. military's largest nonnuclear bombs in an attack that reportedly killed 36 Islamic State (IS) militants was done in communication with officials in Washington.
• Afghan Embassy Welcomes Any Help in Anti-Terror Fight Amid US MOAB Strike Sputnik 14 Apr 2017 -- The Government of the Islamic Republic of Afghanistan welcomes any assistance in the fight against international and regional terrorists, a spokesman for the Embassy of the Islamic Republic of Afghanistan in Moscow told Sputnik Friday, commenting on the recent US bomb strike on terrorists in Afghanistan.
• Afghan Government Says 36 IS Members Killed in MOAB Bombing VOA 14 Apr 2017 -- Afghanistan says a massive bomb dropped Thursday by a U.S. warplane killed 36 members of Islamic State group and destroyed a large cache of weapons.
• Massive Bomb Strike Divides Afghan Opinion with Critics Questioning Motives VOA 14 Apr 2017 -- U.S. use of a massive bomb against Islamic State extemists in Afghanistan has proven divisive in the region, winning support from political and military authorities in Kabul but strong condemnations from former Afghan President Hamid Karzai and Afghanistan's ambassador to Pakistan.
• US uses biggest non-nuclear bomb in Afghanistan IRNA 14 Apr 2017 -- The Pentagon, the US Department of Defense has announced that the US army has used the largest non-nuclear bomb in Afghanistan against Daesh (ISIS) terrorists.
• Dozens of more US troops dispatched to Somalia Press TV 14 Apr 2017 -- The US military has dispatched dozens of troops to Somalia on a mission allegedly aimed at training the African country's forces to confront terrorist groups.

Defense Policy / Programs

• U.S. Air Force F-35A Lightning II Fighter Aircraft To Deploy to Europe for Training DoD 14 Apr 2017 -- The U.S. Air Force will deploy a small number of F-35A Lightning II aircraft this weekend on a long-planned training deployment to Europe. The aircraft are scheduled to conduct training with other U.S. and NATO aircraft based in Europe for several weeks as part of the European Reassurance Initiative.
• Future USS Gerald R. Ford completes successful builder's sea trials, begins preparations for acceptance trials NNS 14 Apr 2017 -- The future USS Gerald R. Ford (CVN 78) returned from Builder's Sea Trials to Naval Station Norfolk, Virginia on April 14 after seven days at sea.
• MARMC Aligns Combat Systems on USS Bulkeley (DDG 84) NNS 14 Apr 2017 -- Mid-Atlantic Regional Maintenance Center's (MARMC) Vertical Launch Systems (VLS) and Combat Systems (CS) Alignment Branch successfully completed alignment checks on board USS Bulkeley (DDG 84) pier-side at Naval Station Norfolk, April 1, to ensure proper alignment for combat readiness.
• Makin Island Conducts Night Vision Flight Operations, Maintains Readiness in 7th Fleet NNS 14 Apr 2017 -- Sailors and Marines aboard the amphibious assault ship USS Makin Island (LHD 8) conducted night vision device flight operations, April 12, to maintain pilot and crew qualifications and ensure readiness to support contingencies in the Indo-Asia-Pacific region.
• USS Stethem Operates in South China Sea NNS 14 Apr 2017 -- The Arleigh Burke-class, guided-missile destroyer USS STETHEM (DDG 63) forward-deployed to Yokosuka, Japan, is conducting routine operations in the South China Sea.
• U.S. Navy successfully conducts first AN/SPY-6(V) Air and Missile Defense Radar (AMDR) Ballistic Missile test. NNS 14 Apr 2017 -- The U.S. Navy successfully conducted a flight test March 15 with the AN/SPY-6(V) Air and Missile Defense Radar (AMDR) off the west coast of Hawaii.
• US, Gulf States Wrap Up 'Eagle Resolve' War Games in Kuwait Sputnik 14 Apr 2017 -- The joint military drills involving the troops from the United States and the Gulf states have come to conclusion in Kuwait, US Central Command said in a press release on Thursday.
• Poland officially welcomes NATO battalion Press TV 14 Apr 2017 -- Poland has officially welcomed a NATO battalion deployed to the Eastern European country to join a multinational force aimed at countering alleged future aggression from Russia.
• Third China-made aircraft carrier could be nuclear-powered: expert People's Daily 14 Apr 2017 -- As China's second aircraft carrier, and the country's first domestically built carrier, approaches its launch, experts predict that the third China-made carrier will see dramatic breakthroughs, such as the use of nuclear power and the capability for an electromagnetic launch.
• China delivers third maritime patrol ship to Pakistan People's Daily 14 Apr 2017 -- On April 11, China officially handed a 600-ton patrol ship over to Pakistan's maritime safety authority in Guangzhou, Guangdong province. Among other things, the ship will be used to safeguard Pakistan's maritime interests.
• Background Press Call on the Vice President's Travel to South Korea, Japan, Indonesia, and Australia The White House 14 Apr 2017

Defense Industry

• DoD News: Contracts for April 14, 2017

Other Conflicts

• Japan Opposes Presence of Chinese Ships in Disputed Senkaku Islands Waters Sputnik 14 Apr 2017 -- Japan's Foreign Ministry expressed their objections over a phone call to China's Ambassador Cheng Yonghua to the entrance of the country's ship in the waters near the disputed Senkaku Islands, media reported Friday.
• Lavrov: Iran, Russia, Syria urge careful investigation into Khan Shayhkun chemical incident IRNA 14 Apr 2017 -- Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov said on Friday that the three countries of Russia, Iran, and Syria are keen on launching a deep probe into chemical incident in Khan Shaykhun but it is not clear why the US and the West are opposing the idea.
• Russia, Iran, Syria Issue Warning Against Another Syria Strike VOA 14 Apr 2017 -- Russia, Syria and Iran have warned the United States against launching new strikes on Syria and called for an international investigation into the chemical weapons attack in Syria.
• Zarif: Donators of chemical arms to Saddam now accusing Syria of using them IRNA 14 Apr 2017 -- Foreign Minister Mohammad Javad Zarif on Fridya said that providers of chemical weapons to the Iraqi deposed dictator Saddam Hussein during the imposed war against Iran are now accusing Syria of suing the weapons.
• Kremlin Sets Condition for Russia's Restoration of Memo With US on Syria Flights Sputnik 14 Apr 2017 -- Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov said that Moscow is ready to restore the memorandum on the safety of flights over Syria if Washington's "unpredictable actions" don't repeat.
• Russia 'skeptical' of OPCW probe in Syria Press TV 14 Apr 2017 -- A Russian deputy foreign minister has said Moscow is "skeptical" of the work being carried out by an international organization to probe an alleged chemical attack in Syria, saying Iran, Brazil, and India should be included in any investigation of the purported attack.
• Civilians, militants begin evacuating 4 Syria towns Press TV 14 Apr 2017 -- Civilians and militants begin leaving four Syrian towns in the provinces of Idlib and Rif Dimashq under a deal reached between the Damascus government and militant groups last month.
• Syrian Army Repels Militant Attack on Western Damascus Sputnik 14 Apr 2017 -- The Syrian Armed Forces thwarted an attack on western districts of Damascus by the militants of Jabhat al-Nusra, a terrorist organization banned in Russia, local media reported on Friday.
• Daesh 'grand mufti' slain in Iraqi army missile strikes Press TV 14 Apr 2017 -- The highest so-called official of religious law of the Takfiri Daesh terrorist group has been killed in a missile attack carried out by the Iraqi Air Force military aircraft in Mosul as government forces, backed by allied fighters from Popular Mobilization Units, are battling to retake the country's second largest city from the extremists.
• South Sudan Rebels Allied With Machar Take Control of Raja VOA 14 Apr 2017 -- Rebels with the South Sudan People's Liberation Movement in Opposition (SPLM-IO), allied with rebel leader Riek Machar, on Friday attacked Raja town, the capital of Lol state.

News Reports

• Russia's Policy in Syria, Afghanistan Clashing with US VOA 14 Apr 2017 -- Multi-nation talks on the prospects for Afghan security and national reconciliation, the third such round since December, began Friday in Moscow.
• Pyongyang Vows 'Toughest Action' as US Naval Strike Group Heads to Korean Waters VOA 14 Apr 2017 -- North Korea's military on Friday directly responded to U.S. President Donald Trump's renewed threats to take "care of" Pyongyang's nuclear threat amid expectations of a new nuclear test that could come at any time.
• Chinese FM Says 'No Winners' In War Over North Korea RFE/RL 14 Apr 2017 -- There can be no winners in an armed conflict between the United States and North Korea over Pyongyang's nuclear weapons and missile programs, Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi said April 14, offering China's support for dialogue between the two sides.
• Pence to Discuss North Korean Aggression on Asia-Pacific Trip AFPS 14 Apr 2017 -- Vice President Mike Pence begins his first official trip to the Asia-Pacific region tomorrow to, among other things, reinforce the Trump administration's full commitment to U.S. security alliances there, senior administration officials said yesterday.
• North Korea vows retaliation, 'taste of real war' if US takes military action People's Daily 14 Apr 2017 -- North Korea condemned the U.S. on April 13, warning of retaliation if the latter acts rashly, media reported.
• DPRK supreme leader inspects army's special operation forces amid tension with U.S. People's Daily 14 Apr 2017 -- Kim Jong Un, the supreme leader of the Democratic People's Repulic of Korea (DPRK), has lately highlighted the role of special forces of the Korean People's Army (KPA) in combating enemy forces of the United States and South Korea.
• Air China to suspend some flights to North Korea Press TV 14 Apr 2017 -- China's national carrier, Air China, will suspend flights between Beijing and North Korea's capital, Pyongyang, from Monday amid tensions on the Korean Peninsula involving the United States, Chinese state media say.
• Russia calls for restraint amid North Korea-US crisis Press TV 14 Apr 2017 -- Russia has urged all sides involved in the crisis in the Korean Peninsula to show "restraint", warning of any "provocative steps" amid reports of potential military confrontation between North Korea and the United States.
• Conflict can break out on Korean Peninsula any moment: China Press TV 14 Apr 2017 -- China has warned that "conflict could break out at any moment" on the Korean Peninsula, as North Korea and the United States increasingly seem headed for a potential military confrontation.
• US ready to launch preemptive strike on North Korea: NBC News Press TV 14 Apr 2017 -- The United States is prepared to launch a preemptive strike against North Korea should American officials become convinced that Pyongyang is going ahead with a nuclear weapons test, a report says.
• Air China Airline to Cease Flights to North Korea From Apr. 17 Amid Tensions Sputnik 14 Apr 2017 -- The Chinese airline company Air China will suspend flights to Pyongyang starting April 17 amid the escalation of tensions on the Korean Peninsula, local media reported Friday.
• North Korea Vows to Launch 'Preemptive Strike' in Case of Any US 'Provocation' Sputnik 14 Apr 2017 -- A representative of the North Korean General Staff said that Pyongyang will launch a "preemptive strike" in case of any US' "political, economic or military provocation."
• Kremlin Warns Against Escalation on Korean Peninsula, 'Provocative Steps' Sputnik 14 Apr 2017 -- The Kremlin is watching with concern the escalation of the situation on the Korean Peninsula, Moscow warns other countries against provocative steps in the region, Russian presidential spokesman Dmitry Peskov said Friday.
• Russia, China Seek to Avoid Chaos in North Korea With New Sanctions - Envoy Sputnik 14 Apr 2017 -- Russia and China do not task themselves with causing social and economic chaos in North Korea with new sanctions mulled by the United States, Russian Ambassador to North Korea Alexander Matsegora told Sputnik.
• President Rouhani registers for presidential election IRNA 14 Apr 2017 -- President Hassan Rouhani signed up for the upcoming presidential race on Friday to seek reelection for the second term in office.
• Iran's Incumbent President Registers To Run In May Elections RFE/RL 14 Apr 2017 -- Iran's incumbent president has registered to run in next month's national election, a vote that is shaping up to be a referendum on the landmark 2015 nuclear agreement with world powers.
• Analysis: Ahmadinejad, Iran's Greatest Foil, Is Back In The Spotlight RFE/RL 14 Apr 2017 -- He's back. The white polyester shirt that glistens in the light; the salesman's shark-toothed grin; the restless arms, always waving and throwing victory signs: Mahmud Ahmadinejad, Iran's combative and polarizing former president, has reentered the political spotlight.
• Ahmadinejad's Back: Ex-President Registers to Run in Iranian Election Sputnik 14 Apr 2017 -- Former conservative President of Iran Mahmoud Ahmadinejad has registered as a candidate in the country's upcoming presidential election.
• Raeisi joins mix for 12th Iran presidential election Press TV 14 Apr 2017 -- Hojjatoleslam Seyyed Ebrahim Raeisi, the current custodian of the Holy Shrine of Imam Reza (PBUH) in the northeastern Iranian city of Mashhad, throws his hat in the ring for the forthcoming presidential contest.
• Rouhani: Those seeking to kill JCPOA won't be good caretakers for it IRNA 14 Apr 2017 -- President Hassan Rouhani said on Friday that maintaining the Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action (JCPOA) is one of the major political and economic issues of the Iranian nation.
• Turkish PM Vows to Resign if Turks Vote for Extending Erdogan's Powers Sputnik 14 Apr 2017 -- Turkish Prime Minister Binali Yildirim said on Friday that he would step down if the country decided to change its government from its current parliamentary form to the federal one following the nation's referendum this weekend.
• Turkish Referendum Has Expats in Europe on Edge VOA 14 Apr 2017 -- Turkish expatriates in Europe are on edge ahead of Sunday's referendum in their homeland, troubled by diplomatic tensions and wide-ranging threats against "no" vote campaigners.
• As Macedonia's Political Deadlock Drags On, Economy Slows And Social Costs Mount RFE/RL 14 Apr 2017 -- Jovan Angelov doesn't need to close his eyes and think hard to picture what may happen next. He's seen it before.