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Current Operations

• OIF / OND / OEF / OIR / OFS Casualty Update 01 May 2017[PDF]
• U.S., Coalition Continue Strikes Against ISIS AFPS 01 May 2017 -- U.S. and coalition military forces continued to attack the Islamic State of Iraq and Syria yesterday, conducting 28 strikes consisting of 73 engagements, Combined Joint Task Force Operation Inherent Resolve officials reported today.
• Weather flight critical to coalition mission AFNS 01 May 2017 -- Dropping bombs on target in Syria and Iraq during combat missions supporting Operation Inherent Resolve requires a complex array of information, including intelligence gathered well in advance of the combat sortie.
• Pentagon weighs 5,000 additional troops for Afghanistan Press TV 01 May 2017 -- The Donald Trump administration is considering plans to deploy as many as 5,000 additional American troops to Afghanistan, a move that could signal a strategy shift years after the US officially ended its combat mission in the country, officials say.
• NATO Chief Says Alliance Could Increase Troops In Afghanistan In Face Of Intensifying Insurgency RFE/RL 01 May 2017 -- NATO Secretary-General Jens Stoltenberg says the Western military alliance is close to making a decision on whether to increase its troop numbers in Afghanistan to help with the battle against militants.
• U.S. Watchdog Says Afghan Forces' Casualties 'Shockingly High' RFE/RL 01 May 2017 -- A U.S. watchdog group says in a new report that Afghan security forces suffered "shockingly high" casualties in this winter fighting the Taliban and other insurgents.
• Pakistan Spy Chief to Visit Afghanistan VOA 01 May 2017 -- Pakistan's spy chief is expected to visit Afghanistan later this week for talks with counterparts in Kabul on bilateral anti-terrorism and security cooperation, officials said Monday.
• Afghan Losses 'Shockingly High' as Taliban Gain Ground VOA 01 May 2017 -- The Taliban-led insurgency in Afghanistan has continued to inflict "shockingly high" casualties on government forces and brought more territory under its control or influence, a U.S. government agency said Monday.
• IS Says It Has Captured E. Afghan District From Taliban VOA 01 May 2017 -- Islamic State is claiming to have attacked and captured a volatile district from the rival Taliban in eastern Afghanistan.

Defense Policy / Programs

• Department of Defense Press Briefing on Sexual Assault in the Military at the Pentagon DoD 01 May 2017 -- Presenter: Presenters: Assistant to the Secretary of Defense Dana White; Elizabeth Van Winkle, performing the duties of assistant secretary of defense for readiness; Navy Rear Adm. Ann Burkhardt, director, Department of Defense Sexual Assault Prevention and Response Office; Dr. Nate Galbreath, deputy director, Department of Defense Sexual Assault Prevention and Response Office
• DoD Releases FY 2016 Annual Report on Sexual Assault in the Military DoD 01 May 2017 -- Today, the Department of Defense released its Annual Report on Sexual Assault in the Military for Fiscal Year (FY) 2016.
• DoD Releases Latest Military Sexual Assault Report AFPS 01 May 2017 -- Although the Defense Department experienced fewer instances of sexual assault and increased reporting of the crime last year, such assaults continue to negatively impact readiness, Navy Rear Adm. Ann M. Burkhardt, director of DoD's Sexual Assault Prevention and Response Office, said today at a Pentagon briefing.
• US Military Sexual Assaults at 10-Year Low VOA 01 May 2017 -- The Pentagon estimates that the number of sexual assaults in the military last year were the lowest since the military began surveying service members about a decade ago.
• F-35s forward deploy to Bulgaria AFNS 01 May 2017 -- Two F-35A Lightning IIs and about 20 supporting Airmen arrived at Graf Ignatievo Air Base April 28 from Royal Air Force Lakenheath, England.
• Live-fire exercise in Germany tests Army's 'Iron Brigade' Army News 01 May 2017 -- Multinational exercise Combined Resolve 8 brought trainers from the Joint Multinational Readiness Center here to support soldiers from the 4th Infantry Division's 3rd Armored Brigade Combat Team during a combined-arms live-fire exercise in Grafenwoehr, Germany, April 18-24.
• Colorado National Guard and agency partners conduct annual wildland firefighting training Army News 01 May 2017 -- The Colorado National Guard and more than a dozen local, state and federal agency partners will conduct annual helicopter-based fire suppression training May 2-7 at multiple locations in Colorado.
• Makin Island ARG/11th MEU's Contributions to US 7th Fleet NNS 01 May 2017 -- The Makin Island Amphibious Ready Group (ARG), comprised of the amphibious assault ship USS Makin Island (LHD 8), the amphibious transport dock ship USS Somerset (LPD 25), and the amphibious dock landing ship USS Comstock (LSD 45), with the embarked 11th Marine Expeditionary Unit (MEU), provided a vital array of amphibious capabilities to the U.S. 7th Fleet area of operations during a month-long stay in theater.
• Hill F-16s train in NATO exercise AFNS 01 May 2017 -- Eight F-16 Fighting Falcon aircraft and more than 200 Airmen from the active duty 388th Fighter Wing and Air Force Reserve 419th FW from Hill Air Force Base, Utah, are currently at Albacete Air Base, Spain, to participate in the NATO Tactical Leadership Program through May 19, 2017.
• Commander: Only regional countries can restore security to Persian Gulf IRNA 01 May 2017 -- Navy Commander Rear Admiral Habibollah Sayyari said on Monday that only the regional countries can restore security to the Persian Gulf.
• Iran Navy to cross Atlantic Ocean ISNA 01 May 2017 -- Crossing the Atlantic Ocean is on the agenda of Islamic Republic of Iran Navy, Iranian Navy commander Rear Admiral Habibollah Sayyari announced.
• Japan sends warship to join US strike force Press TV 01 May 2017 -- Japan has dispatched its biggest warship for the first time in history to escort an American strike force near the Korean Peninsula.
• THAAD missile defense system operational in S Korea Press TV 01 May 2017 -- The US controversial missile defense system, known as THAAD, has become operational in South Korea, despite China's criticism.
• Computerized war games kick off Han Kuang military exercises CNA 01 May 2017 -- A five-day stretch of computer-aided war games that will simulate a Chinese attack on Taiwan in 2025 opened the annual Han Kuang military exercises on Monday.
• Filipino president talks of possible joint drills with China Press TV 01 May 2017 -- Philippine President Rodrigo Duterte has raised the prospects of holding joint exercises with China as Manila seems to be distancing itself from its traditional ally, the United States.
• UAE expands military presence in Africa, Mideast: Report Press TV 01 May 2017 -- The United Arab Emirates is quietly expanding its military presence into Africa and elsewhere in the Middle East, a US report says.
• Daily Press Briefing by Press Secretary Sean Spicer -- *43 The White House 01 May 2017

Defense Industry

• DoD News: Contracts for May 01, 2017

Other Conflicts

• 1 May 2017 - Daily Press Briefing by the Office of the Spokesperson for the Secretary-General United Nations 01 May 2017
• US-backed Kurdish fighters take 80% of Syria's Tabqa Press TV 01 May 2017 -- US-backed Kurdish forces have gained control over 80 percent of Syria's Tabqa town after a week of fighting with the Daesh terrorist group, a UK-based monitoring group says.
• U.S.-Backed Fighters Advance Against IS In Tabqa, Monitor Says RFE/RL 01 May 2017 -- U.S-backed Kurdish-Arab forces have made gains against Islamic State (IS) militants in the town of Tabqa near the extremists' stronghold of Raqqa in northern Syria, a leading monitor group says.
• Syria: UN concerned over worsening security, humanitarian situation in Damascus suburbs UN News 01 May 2017 -- The United Nations today said that it remains deeply concerned by the deteriorating security and humanitarian situation in the eastern part of Syria's Ghouta, where some 400,000 people are trapped.
• HRW: Syria Used Nerve Gas in 4 Recent Attacks VOA 01 May 2017 -- Human Rights Watch has accused Syrian government forces of using deadly nerve gas on four occasions in recent months, including the April 4 chemical attack on Khan Sheikoun that killed nearly 100 people.
• 317 civilians killed in violence, armed conflicts in Iraq in April: UN Press TV 01 May 2017 -- The United Nations says terrorist acts, violence and armed conflicts took the lives of more than 300 people and left hundreds of others wounded in Iraq last month.
• Hamas Voice Support for Palestinian State along 1967 Borders VOA 01 May 2017 -- The Palestinian militant group Hamas has issued a set of new policies that removes anti-semitic language in its existing charter, severs ties with the outlawed Muslim Brotherhood and accepts the idea of a Palestinian state in territories seized by Israel in the Six-Day War of 1967.
• Hamas to name new leader, renew 'resistance' charter Press TV 01 May 2017 -- The Palestinian resistance movement of Hamas says it is to name a new leader over the coming days.
• Middle East peace effort lacks progress on political front - UN reports UN News 01 May 2017 -- The lack of progress in resolving the Israeli-Palestinian conflict is impeding Palestine's development, according to a new United Nations report, which also reiterates the international community's commitment to a two-state solution in the region.
• French soldiers 'kill, capture 20 militants' in Mali Press TV 01 May 2017 -- French forces in Western Africa say they have killed or captured about 20 militants in a restive region in Mali near Burkina Faso.
• FEATURE: Mission Accomplished – UN Operation in Côte d'Ivoire UN News 01 May 2017 -- After 13 years, the United Nations is completing the peacekeeping phase of its engagement with Côte d'Ivoire, after successfully assisting the country in restoring peace and stability following the post-2010 election crisis.
• UN calls for protection of civilians sheltering in South Sudan's Upper Nile area UN News 01 May 2017 -- A senior United Nations humanitarian official in South Sudan today demanded that parties to the conflict uphold their responsibilities to protect thousands of Shilluk civilians sheltering in and around Aburoc, following the resumption of the government offensive and clashes along the West Bank of the Nile River last week.
• Advance Team of UN Peacekeepers Arrives in South Sudan VOA 01 May 2017 -- An advance team of the regional protection force arrived in Juba over the weekend.

News Reports

• Venezuela's Maduro increases minimum pay ahead of May Day protests Press TV 01 May 2017 -- Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro has increased the country's minimum wage by 60 percent and given away hundreds of homes as tensions rise in the country.
• Duterte Invitation 'Part of a Strategy to Isolate North Korea,' White House Says VOA 01 May 2017 -- In the face of international outrage, U.S. President Donald Trump's spokesman says the decision to invite authoritarian Philippine President Rodrigo Duterte and other East Asian leaders to the White House is part of a strategy to isolate North Korea.
• Trump Says He'd Be 'Honored' to Meet With North Korean Leader VOA 01 May 2017 -- Just days after reiterating that military options for dealing with North Korea are under consideration, President Donald Trump said he is willing to meet its leader Kim Jong Un.
• Trump says would be 'honored' to meet North Korean leader Press TV 01 May 2017 -- US President Donald Trump says he "would be honored" to meet North Korean leader Kim Jong-un, despite escalating tensions between Washington and Pyongyang.
• Diplomatic solution to Korean peninsula crisis likely: official CNA 01 May 2017 -- A senior official said Monday that in spite of the tension on the Korean peninsula, no abnormal military actions are being taken there and the crisis will likely be averted through diplomatic negotiations.
• DPRK blames U.S., South Korea for tension on Korean Peninsula People's Daily 01 May 2017 -- The Democratic People's Republic of Korea (DPRK) said on Sunday that the U.S.-South Korea joint exercises and U.S. buildup of nuclear assets on the Korean Peninsula are the root cause of high tension here.
• North Korea: US bringing nuclear war to region Press TV 01 May 2017 -- North Korea says that the US is responsible for bringing the region to the edge of a nuclear conflict, while vowing to boost its nuclear arsenal "at the maximum pace."
• Trump Would Be 'Honored' To Meet North Korea's Kim, If Conditions Right RFE/RL 01 May 2017 -- U.S. President Donald Trump has said that he would be "honored" to meet North Korean leader Kim Jong Un "under the right circumstances."
• CIA Chief in South Korea for Talks on Nuclear Threat Posed by North VOA 01 May 2017 -- U.S. Central Intelligence Agency chief Mike Pompeo is in Seoul for talks with South Korean intelligence officials as top U.S. officials continue to express deep concerns about North Korea's nuclear weapons development program.
• CIA chief in South Korea for 'internal visit' Press TV 01 May 2017 -- CIA Director Mike Pompeo has traveled to South Korea for what the US embassy there described as an "internal meeting," as North Korea remains defiant in the face of US threats to drop its development of ballistic missiles and nuclear weapons.
• JCPOA joint commission hails Iran's commitments: FM IRNA 01 May 2017 -- The Joint Commission of the Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action (JCPOA) was unanimous in appreciating Iran's commitment to the nuclear deal and the International Atomic Energy Agency, Foreign Ministry spokesman said.
• No talks with US out of nuclear deal: Spokesman IRNA 01 May 2017 -- The Foreign Ministry has no instructions to engage in talks with the United States out of the framework of the nuclear deal, says the Ministry spokesman.
• Joint Commission's statement was a response to Trump: FM spokesman ISNA 01 May 2017 -- Iranian foreign ministry spokesman Bahram Ghasemi emphasized that there was no plan to discuss issues other than JCPOA with Americans.
• Iran: No talks with US outside nuclear accord Press TV 01 May 2017 -- Iran says there is no negotiation between Tehran and Washington outside the nuclear issue, but US officials have requested talks over the case of one or two prisoners in the Islamic Republic.
• Iran Says New Refinery Will Make Country Self-Sufficient In Gasoline Output RFE/RL 01 May 2017 -- Iranian President Hassan Rohani has officially opened a refinery on the Persian Gulf that he says will make the country self-sufficient in gasoline production, a project he credits the 2015 nuclear deal for making possible.
• Taiwan has 'Plan B' if not invited to WHA: foreign minister CNA 01 May 2017 -- The government will implement its Plan B if Taiwan is not invited to attend the World Health Assembly (WHA) this year, Foreign Minister David Lee (李大維) said on Monday.
• UN rights chief slams Turkey's post-coup purge, warns Egypt over crackdown Press TV 01 May 2017 -- The UN rights chief has criticized Turkey's large-scale dismissal of officials and mass arrests of people in the wake of the July 15 coup attempt, while warning Egypt about consequences of its heavy-handed crackdown on dissent.