18 May 2017 Military News

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Defense Policy / Programs
Defense Industry
Other Conflicts
News Reports

Current Operations

OIF / OND / OEF / OIR / OFS Casualty Update 18 May 2017[PDF]

Inherent Resolve Strikes Target ISIS in Syria, Iraq AFPS 18 May 2017 -- U.S. and coalition military forces continued to attack the Islamic State of Iraq and Syria yesterday, conducting 32 strikes consisting of 101 engagements, Combined Joint Task Force Operation Inherent Resolve officials reported today.

Coalition, Partnered Syrian Forces Repair Water Well AFPS 18 May 2017 -- Coalition and partnered Syrian opposition forces recently repaired a water well capable of producing more than 317,000 gallons of water a day in southern Syria, Combined Joint Task Force Operation Inherent Resolve officials said today.
US jets bomb pro-government Syria forces advancing on militant base Press TV 18 May 2017 -- US military aircraft have carried out an airstrike on a convoy of pro-Syrian government fighters advancing toward the positions of foreign-backed militants in the south of the Arab country.
US-led Coalition Strikes Pro-Syrian Government Forces VOA 18 May 2017 -- The U.S.-led coalition has conducted airstrikes against pro-Syrian government forces near an area where Syria, Jordan and Iraq intersect.

Dunford: Counter-ISIS Coalition Would Benefit From NATO Membership AFPS 18 May 2017 -- NATO chiefs of defense agreed there is merit in examining the possibility of the alliance becoming an official part of the counter-Islamic State of Iraq and Syria coalition, Marine Corps Gen. Joe Dunford told reporters traveling with him yesterday.
NATO not to join combat role against Daesh: Stoltenberg Press TV 18 May 2017 -- The secretary general of the NATO has ruled out the possibility that the Western military alliance would help combat missions against Daesh if it joins the US-led coalition purportedly fighting the Takfiri terrorist group in Iraq and Syria.
US Joint Chiefs Chair Urges NATO to Officially Join Anti-Daesh Coalition Sputnik 18 May 2017 -- The US Joint Chiefs of Staff chairman said the anti-Daesh coalition would benefit from the alliance's official participation.

Turkey urges ouster of US envoy in 'anti-Daesh' coalition Press TV 18 May 2017 -- Turkey has called for the removal of the US official coordinating the international coalition purportedly fighting Daesh Takfiri terrorists in Iraq and Syria amid growing tensions between Ankara and other members of the Washington-led alliance.
Turkey Calls For Ouster Of U.S. Envoy To Anti-IS Coalition RFE/RL 18 May 2017 -- Turkey is calling for the ouster of the U.S. envoy to the international coalition fighting the extremist group Islamic State (IS), accusing him of supporting Kurdish militias.

US Military Conducting Nearly 100 Special Ops in Africa at Any Time - Report Sputnik 18 May 2017 -- US special operations forces are conducting nearly 100 operations at any time throughout Africa, according to a Special Operations Command Africa (SOCAFRICA) strategic planning report made public on Thursday.

NATO Chiefs Discuss Afghan Manning Ahead of Heads of State Meeting AFPS 18 May 2017 -- No one is satisfied with a stalemate in Afghanistan and NATO defense chiefs in Brussels examined proposals that would increase the number of NATO and partner troops in the country, and to change the way those troops are employed.

Defense Policy / Programs

AF to Congress: Readiness depends on strong, resilient force AFNS 18 May 2017 -- Lt. Gen. Gina Grosso, the Air Force manpower, personnel and services deputy chief of staff, testified on Air Force personnel posture before the House Armed Services Subcommittee on Military Personnel in Washington, D.C., May 17.
Service Personnel Chiefs Testify on Military Posture on Capitol Hill AFPS 18 May 2017 -- As Capitol Hill moves toward the fiscal year 2018 budget season, the military services' personnel chiefs testified on their postures and policies for recruitment and retention before a House Armed Services Committee panel yesterday.
Readout of Secretary of Defense Jim Mattis' meeting with Swedish Minister of Defense Peter Hultqvist DoD 18 May 2017
Remarks by Secretary Mattis and Minister Hultqvist at the Pentagon DoD 18 May 2017 -- Presenter: Secretary of Defense Jim Mattis; Swedish Minister of Defense Peter Hultqvist
USS Bataan Hosts US Central Command NNS 18 May 2017 -- Marines and Sailors with the 24th Marine Expeditionary Unit and the Bataan Amphibious Ready Group sat down for dinner with Gen. Joseph Votel, Commander U.S. Central Command, and Brig. Gen. Francis Donovan, Commander, Task Force 51 and Commander, 5th Marine Expeditionary Brigade May 14.
Army moves closer to establishing first Security Force Assistance Brigade Army News 18 May 2017 -- One of Army Chief of Staff Gen. Mark A. Milley's recent top initiatives is the permanent establishment of Security Force Assistance Brigades to advise and assist partner nations with their security force capabilities.
Balikatan engineers build classrooms and friendships USMC News 18 May 2017 -- U.S. military and Philippine Army engineers at Don Carlos Elementary School have worked nonstop for the past month to build not only a new classroom for local children, but also friendships that will last for years to come.
CNO, USS Coronado, USS Sterett Highlight US Navy Presence at Singapore's International Maritime Review, IMDEX17 NNS 18 May 2017 -- The littoral combat ship USS Coronado (LCS 4) and Arleigh Burke-class guided-missile destroyer USS Sterett (DDG 104) represented the U.S. in the International Maritime Defense Exposition 2017 (IMDEX-17) in Singapore May 16-18.
Senior leaders discuss US space posture AFNS 18 May 2017 -- On May 17, 2017, Air Force senior leaders testified before the Senate Armed Service Committee Strategic Forces subcommittee on military space, organization, policy and programs.
45th Space Wing enables nation's space mission AFNS 18 May 2017 -- Space launches may soon be an almost weekly sight on Florida's Space Coast.

Secretary General welcomes closer NATO-EU cooperation NATO 18 May 2017 -- NATO Secretary General Jens Stoltenberg stressed the progress being made in closer cooperation between the Alliance and the European Union in a meeting with EU Defence Ministers on Thursday (18 May 2017). He highlighted that this cooperation has reached a new level.
White House Again Threatens To Quit NATO If Allies' Spending Does Not Rise RFE/RL 18 May 2017 -- U.S. President Donald Trump is "pleased" with pledges by NATO allies to spend more on defense, but he would consider withdrawing if they don't honor those pledges, a senior White House official said.

Modernized Tu-160M2 Bomber, 'Stepping Stone' to PAK DA 5th Gen Stealth Bomber Sputnik 18 May 2017 -- While Russia is pressing ahead with the development of the Tupolev Tu-160M2 supersonic strategic bomber, work on the PAK DA new generation stealth bomber could be temporarily put on the back burner.
Modernization of Russian Naval Support Base in Tartus May Take 5-7 Years Sputnik 18 May 2017 -- A full modernization of the Russian Navy maintenance and support facility in Syrian Tartus may take five to seven years, Chairman of the State Duma's Defense Committee Vladimir Shamanov said Thursday.
Russian Strategic Missile Forces Switching to Yars ICBMs - Putin Sputnik 18 May 2017 -- Russian President Vladimir Putin said that the share of Yars modern missile systems in Russia's Strategic Missile Forces (SMF) would stand at 72 percent by the end of 2017.

China, UAE pledge to advance military cooperation People's Daily 18 May 2017 -- Fan Changlong, vice chairman of China's Central Military Commission, and Chang Wanquan, Chinese defense minister and state councilor, Wednesday met separately with Mohammed Al-Bowardi, Minister of State for Defense of the United Arab Emirates (UAE).

Trump on way to Riyadh, planning to sell $350 billion arms: Pak media IRNA 18 May 2017 -- President Donald Trump will announce a mammoth US arms package in Riyadh for Saudi Arabia that could reach $350 billion, a Pakistani media report said.

Chinese naval fleet calls at Myanmar port to enhance exchange People's Daily 18 May 2017 -- A Chinese naval fleet comprising three warships -- Changchun, Jingzhou and Chaohu of Escort Task Group called at the Myanmar International Terminals Thilawa (MITT) in Yangon's Thanlyin township Thursday morning.
Lift Off: New Chinese Attack Chopper Takes Maiden Flight Sputnik 18 May 2017 -- China's latest domestically produced military vehicle has made its first flight.

Pakistan says India has material to make 2,600 nuclear weapons IRNA 18 May 2017 -- Pakistan said that India has material to make 2,600 nuclear weapons which has serious implications for strategic stability in South Asia and national security of Pakistan.

Turkey: German troops welcome to leave Incirlik Press TV 18 May 2017 -- Turkish Foreign Minister Mevlut Cavusoglu has hit back at German threats to pull its troops out of a key NATO base on its soil near Syria.

Defense Industry

Other Conflicts

18 May 2017 - Daily Press Briefing by the Office of the Spokesperson for the Secretary-General United Nations 18 May 2017

China, SE Asian Nations Agree on 'Code of Conduct' for South China Sea VOA 18 May 2017 -- China and the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) have agreed to a framework for a code of conduct in the South China Sea, a development that could ease tensions in the disputed waters.
China succeeds in mining combustible ice in South China Sea People's Daily 18 May 2017 -- China has succeeded in collecting samples of combustible ice in the South China Sea, a major breakthrough that may lead to a global energy revolution, Minister of Land and Resources Jiang Daming said Thursday.

S Korea Rejects Tokyo's Complaints Over Seoul's Activities Near Liancourt Rocks Sputnik 18 May 2017 -- Seoul dismissed Tokyo's official objections over the operation of a South Korean research vessel in the area around the disputed Liancourt Rocks in the Sea of Japan, Foreign Ministry spokesman Cho June-hyuck said Thursday.

Saudi regime offensive on Shia town enters 2nd week Press TV 18 May 2017 -- Saudi regime forces have launched a fresh wave of shelling attacks against a besieged town in Saudi Arabia's Shia-populated Eastern Province, as a fierce crackdown on protesters there enters its second week.

Syria sides agree to discuss draft constitution: UN Press TV 18 May 2017 -- The UN says Syria's warring parties have agreed to set up expert committees to discuss "constitutional issues" as part of efforts to facilitate a political resolution of the deadly conflict in the Arab country.
Daesh executes over 50 people in northern Syrian villages: Group Press TV 18 May 2017 -- Members of the Daesh Takfiri terrorist group have executed more than 50 people in Syria's central province of Hama as they continue to lose more ground in battles against government forces and allied popular fighters.
Syria army liberates more areas near one of Daesh's last strongholds in Aleppo: Group Press TV 18 May 2017 -- Syrian army troops have made further advances in the strategic northern province of Aleppo, liberating 12 villages and districts near one of the last strongholds of the Takfiri Daesh terrorist group in the province, a monitoring group says.
Turkey Not to Take Part in Raqqa Retaking Op Due to Kurds Involvement - Erdogan Sputnik 18 May 2017 -- Turkey will not participate in the anti-Daesh Raqqa operation amid the YPG involvement in it, Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan said Thursday.
Syrian Army Repelled Daesh Attack on Aqareb East of Hama Sputnik 18 May 2017 -- The Syrian army repelled a Daesh attack on the town of Aqareb es Safi located east of the city of Hama.
Turkey Will Respond to Attacks by Syrian Kurds Without Warning US - Erdogan Sputnik 18 May 2017 -- Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan told his US counterpart Donald Trump during their recent meeting that Ankara has the right to take necessary measures if it is attacked by the Syrian Kurdish militia People's Protection Units (YPG) without holding consultations with Washington prior to its response, Daily Sabah newspaper reported Thursday.
Syrian Gov't Forces Regained Initiative From Terrorists in Civil War Sputnik 18 May 2017 -- Syrian government forces have managed to gain initiative in the antiterrorist fight amid the nation's ongoing conflict, the head of the political department of the Syrian Army told Sputnik.
Calls Grow for Upcoming Syria Talks to Focus on Detainee Conditions VOA 18 May 2017 -- With the United States accusing Syrian President Bashar al-Assad's government of mass killings of prisoners and use of a crematorium to burn the bodies, human rights advocates said the negotiations in Geneva this week on the Syria crisis should make detainee conditions a priority.

Iraqi volunteer forces recapture 2 airbases from Daesh terrorists Press TV 18 May 2017 -- Iraqi fighters from the Popular Mobilization Units have established complete control over two airbases on the western outskirts of Mosul.
Mosul: 200,000 more people could be displaced as battle nears Old City - UN UN News 18 May 2017 -- As military operations against terrorists intensify and move closer to Mosul's Old City area, up to 200,000 more people could be displaced, a senior United Nations humanitarian official in Iraq warned today.

Challenges can derail Bosnia and Herzegovina from path of stability, Security Council told UN News 18 May 2017 -- Though Bosnia and Herzegovina has continued its efforts towards membership in the European Union (EU) and the North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO), negative incidents could still derail the country from the path of peace and stability, a senior diplomat told the United Nations Security Council today.

News Reports

Trump: Special Counsel for Russia Probe 'Single Greatest Witch Hunt' VOA 18 May 2017 -- U.S. President Donald Trump on Thursday disparaged the appointment of a special counsel to investigate his campaign's links to Russian interests in last year's presidential election, calling it "the single greatest witch hunt of a politician in American history!"
Ousted Trump National Security Adviser at Center of Russia Probe VOA 18 May 2017 -- Retired Army General Michael Flynn, a staunch political surrogate for Donald Trump's election as president and for 24 days his first national security adviser, now is certain to be at the center of a new special prosecutor's investigation of Trump campaign links to Russian interests.
Trump slams Russia probe as 'greatest witch hunt in US history' Press TV 18 May 2017 -- US president Donald Trump has condemned an investigation into possible collusion between his 2016 election campaign and Russia as the "greatest witch hunt" in the US history.
Trump Decries 'Witch Hunt' After Special Counsel Appointed RFE/RL 18 May 2017 -- U.S. President Donald Trump has tweeted that he is facing "the single greatest witch hunt of a politician" in U.S. history, lashing out at the latest development in the controversy over suspected Russian interference in the 2016 election.
U.S. Appoints Special Counsel To Oversee Probe Into Trump-Russia Ties RFE/RL 18 May 2017 -- The U.S. Justice Department on May 17 appointed former FBI Director Robert Mueller as special counsel to investigate possible collusion between Russia and President Donald Trump's 2016 campaign team.

Former Israeli spy chiefs attack Trump for 'intel leak' Press TV 18 May 2017 -- Two former directors of Israel's Mossad spy agency have attacked US President Donald Trump for his alleged sharing of highly classified, Israeli-obtained "intelligence" with Russia.

Venezuela sends troops to western region to stop looting amid protests Press TV 18 May 2017 -- The Venezuelan government has announced that it is deploying soldiers to the country's western region following a night of looting during anti-government protests.

Briefing by Foreign Ministry Spokesperson Maria Zakharova, Moscow, May 18, 2017 Russia Ministry of Foreign Affairs 18 May 2017

Analysis: Iran's Younger Generation Positioned To Restore Political Roar RFE/RL 18 May 2017 -- When Mahmud Ahmadinejad was elected to a second term as president in 2009 as a result of what is widely regarded as vote-rigging, Iran's younger generation played a leading role in the massive street protests that ensued and gave birth to the opposition Green Movement.

Brazilian Supreme Court Authorizes Opening of Investigation Against President Sputnik 18 May 2017 -- Federal Supreme Court minister Edson Fachin has authorized the opening of an investigation against President Michel Temer, Globo TV reported on Thursday without citing a source. The request was made by the Attorney General's Office (PGR).

UN Court Orders Pakistan Not To Execute Indian Naval Officer RFE/RL 18 May 2017 -- The International Court of Justice (ICJ) has ordered Pakistan not to execute an Indian naval officer convicted of espionage and terrorism.
UN Court Orders Pakistan Not to Execute Indian Officer Sputnik 18 May 2017 -- On Thursday, the International Court of Justice ordered Pakistan to stay the execution of Kulbhushan Jadhav, who Pakistan claims to be an Indian spy, until the case is heard in full by the court in The Hague, the Netherlands. It also asked Pakistan to give India full consular access to Jadhav.
Intl. court asks Pakistan to stay execution of Indian 'spy' Press TV 18 May 2017 -- The United Nations' top court has ordered Pakistan to stay the execution of an Indian man convicted of involvement in espionage and sabotage activities.

Moon's special envoy heads to China for talks on THAAD, North Korea People's Daily 18 May 2017 -- A special envoy of South Korean President Moon Jae-in headed to China on the morning of May 18 for discussions about U.S. missile defense system THAAD and ways to contain North Korea, Yonhap News Agency reported.
South Korean envoy in China to mend strained ties Press TV 18 May 2017 -- China has asked the new government of South Korea to make efforts toward improving strained relations between the two neighboring countries.

Experts race against clock to quell Ebola outbreak in remote DR Congo province - UN UN News 18 May 2017 -- A race against the clock has begun to contain an outbreak of Ebola in a remote northern area of the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC) the United Nations World Health Organization (WHO) said today.

Moldovan President Calls EU Aid 'Geopolitical Assistance' RFE/RL 18 May 2017 -- Moldova's pro-Russian president, Igor Dodon, has accused the European Union of providing "geopolitical assistance" to his country in order to keep a series of pro-EU governments in power in Chisinau.

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