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News Reports

Current Operations

• OIF / OND / OEF / OIR / OFS Casualty Update 24 May 2017[PDF]
• Military Airstrikes Hit ISIS Terrorists in Syria, Iraq AFPS 24 May 2017 -- U.S. and coalition military forces continued to attack the Islamic State of Iraq and Syria yesterday, conducting 12 strikes consisting of 32 engagements, Combined Joint Task Force Operation Inherent Resolve officials reported today.
• Counter-ISIS Campaign Progresses in Iraq, Syria, Afghanistan AFPS 24 May 2017 -- Counterterrorism efforts in Iraq, Syria and Afghanistan are proving successful, the commander of U.S. Air Forces Central Command told Pentagon reporters today.
• Department of Defense Press Briefing by General Harrigian via Teleconference DoD 24 May 2017 -- Presenter: Lieutenant General Jeffrey Harrigian, Commander, U.S. Air Forces Central Command; Captain Jeff Davis, Director, Defense Press Office
• US, Russia Boost Communication to Head Off Syria Incidents VOA 24 May 2017 -- The commander in charge of U.S. air operations in the Middle East says the United States and Russia have communicated more via an established military hotline as the airspace around Islamic State territory in Syria has become more crowded.
• Three killed in US drone strike in eastern Afghanistan Press TV 24 May 2017 -- At least three people have lost their lives when a US drone carried out a strike in the eastern part of Afghanistan on the border with Pakistan.

Defense Policy / Programs

• Department of Defense News Briefing on the President's Fiscal Year 2018 Defense Budget DoD 24 May 2017 -- Presenter: Performing the Duties of Under Secretary of Defense (Comptroller) and Chief Financial Officer John Roth; Director, Force Structure, Resources and Assessment, Joint Staff Lt. Gen. Anthony R. Ierardi
• Trump Wants Over $600B Budget for US Defense Next Year VOA 24 May 2017 -- President Donald Trump has put forward a $668 billion defense budget for the upcoming fiscal year.
• DARPA Picks Design for Next-Generation Spaceplane DARPA 24 May 2017 -- DARPA has selected The Boeing Company to complete advanced design work for the Agency’s Experimental Spaceplane (XS-1) program, which aims to build and fly the first of an entirely new class of hypersonic aircraft that would bolster national security by providing short-notice, low-cost access to space.
• National Guard Chief Highlights Force Readiness, Excellence to Congress AFPS 24 May 2017 -- The citizen soldiers and airmen of the National Guard stand ready to protect and defend the nation, thanks to the continued support from Congress, the chief of the National Guard Bureau told a congressional hearing today.
• AF proposes 1,600 personnel increase to command support staffs AFNS 24 May 2017 -- The Air Force plans to increase commander support staff manning across the force by 1,600 by fiscal year 2022 increasing total authorizations to more than 6,300.
• Tech Ops Squadron is heartbeat of nuke treaty monitoring from air, sea, space AFNS 24 May 2017 -- When the Defense Department needs bombs on target or fighters in the air, they reach out to any number of flying wings within the Air Force to task their squadrons to accomplish that mission. Yet
• Navy Engineers Build Structures, Bonds in Djibouti AFPS 24 May 2017 -- "Back. Front. Back. Back. Front." A muddy trickle of sweat trailed down Navy Petty Officer 3rd Class Lacy P'Pool's face, her voice gently directing a hand-clapping game with the little boy.
• Arctic Challenge Exercise Aims to Increase Interoperability AFPS 24 May 2017 -- Twelve F-15C Eagles and approximately 200 personnel from the 493rd Fighter Squadron, Royal Air Force Lakenheath, England, and two KC-135 Stratotankers and over 30 personnel from the 351st Air Refueling Squadron, RAF Mildenhall, England, deployed to bases in Finland and Sweden for Arctic Challenge 2017.
• Future USS Gerald R. Ford Underway for Acceptance Trials NNS 24 May 2017 -- The future USS Gerald R. Ford (CVN 78) departed Naval Station Norfolk for its second set of sea trials, known as acceptance trials (AT) May 24.
• USS Jackson Completes Final Contract Trials NNS 24 May 2017 -- The U.S. Navy's Independence-variant littoral combat ship USS Jackson (LCS 6) completed Final Contract Trials (FCT) May 19.
• USS James E. Williams Deploys NNS 24 May 2017 -- The Arleigh Burke-class guided-missile destroyer USS James E. Williams (DDG 95) departed Naval Station Norfolk, May 23, for a regularly-scheduled deployment to conduct maritime operations in the Navy's 5th and 6th Fleet areas of operation.
• US military lost track of $1bn worth of weapons: Amnesty Press TV 24 May 2017 -- The US military has admitted to losing track of around $1 billion worth of weapons in Iraq and Kuwait, according to a US Defense Department audit reviewed by Amnesty International.
• Cybercom: Pace of Cyberattacks Have Consequences for Military, Nation AFPS 24 May 2017 -- The intensifying pace of international conflict and cyber events has consequences for the U.S. military and for the nation at large, Navy Adm. Michael S. Rogers, commander of U.S. Cyber Command, told a House panel yesterday.
• Trump In Brussels To Push NATO On Spending RFE/RL 24 May 2017 -- U.S. President Donald Trump has arrived in Brussels ahead of a NATO summit where he will push the security alliance's 28 members to meet their spending obligations and do more to combat terrorism amid a backdrop of the bombing in Britain that killed 22 people.
• Secretary General previews meeting of NATO leaders NATO 24 May 2017 -- Secretary General Jens Stoltenberg previewed the agenda of this week's meeting of NATO leaders in a press conference on Wednesday (24 May 2017). Tomorrow, NATO leaders will meet in Brussels to address the Alliance's role in the fight against terrorism and fairer burden-sharing across NATO.
• Trump arrives in Brussels for first NATO, EU talks Press TV 24 May 2017 -- US President Donald Trump has arrived in Brussels for his first summit with NATO and European Union leaders.
• NATO alters rules to work around Turkish veto on Austria Press TV 24 May 2017 -- NATO member states have agreed to approve collaborations with non-members on a case-by-case basis following member Turkey's move to veto cooperation between the military alliance and non-member Austria.
• Erdogan Explains Why Turkey Blocks Austria's Participation in NATO Programs Sputnik 24 May 2017 -- Turkey is blocking Austria's participation in NATO's programs in connection with the blocking by Vienna of Turkey's accession to the EU, Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan said Wednesday.
• 20 Aircraft to Take Part in NATO Drills in Estonia Sputnik 24 May 2017 -- 20 planes and helicopters are participating in the NATO Spring Storm military drills in Estonia, the Headquarters of the Estonian Defense Forces said Wednesday.
• Europe's Leaders Hope for Change at NATO Summit VOA 24 May 2017 -- NATO leaders are going to Brussels for a summit meeting on Thursday expecting to agree on key principles. With Monday's attack in Britain overshadowing the meeting, there will be quick consensus on the need to keep fighting terrorism both at home and abroad, in places like Afghanistan.
• Russian Ka-52 'Alligator' Helicopters to Get 'Space' Guidance System Sputnik 24 May 2017 -- Russian Ka-52 "Alligator" attack helicopters will get a new guidance system for artillery armament which has been developed with the use of "space" technology, the Russian Space Systems company said.
• Russia to Focus on Hypersonic Weapons in New State Arms Program - MoD Sputnik 24 May 2017 -- Russia will consider the development of hypersonic weapons and supplying the country's Armed Forces with them as one of the high-priority spheres in the country's 2018-2025 state armaments program, Russian Deputy Defense Minister Yuriy Borisov said Wednesday.
• Russian Navy Aims to Increase Number of Strategic Subs Armed With Missiles Sputnik 24 May 2017 -- Nine strategic submarines reinforce Russia's Strategic Missile Forces and allow for permanent patrol of the world's oceans, Russian Defense Minister Sergei Shoigu said at a government hour session Wednesday.
• Russian Armed Forces to Receive T-50 Fighter Jets in 2019, S-500 Systems in 2020 Sputnik 24 May 2017 -- The Russian Armed Forces will begin receiving fifth-generation T-50 fighter aircraft in 2019 and S-500 missile systems the following year, Russian Defense Minister Sergei Shoigu said Wednesday.
• Russia to Activate Anti-Prompt Global Strike, Non-Nuclear Deterrence by 2020 Sputnik 24 May 2017 -- According to the Russian defense minister, Russia will create a reliable barrier to a potential enemy's prompt global strike and ensure non-nuclear deterrence by 2020.
• Russian Forces Receive 40 Arms Carriers, 180 Long-Range Cruise Missiles in 2016 Sputnik 24 May 2017 -- The Russian Armed Forces have received 40 high-precision weapons delivery systems and 180 long-range cruise missiles in 2016, Defense Minister Sergei Shoigu said Wednesday.
• Erdogan Wishes Germany 'Happy Journey' if it Decides to Leave Incirlik Base Sputnik 24 May 2017 -- The possible withdrawal of the German air force contingent from the Incirlik airbase in southern Turkey poses no problem for Ankara, Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan said Wednesday.
• Taiwan forces stage live-fire drill on Tamsui River CNA 24 May 2017 -- The ROC Army Sixth Corps conducted a live-fire exercise on Tamsui River in suburban Taipei on Wednesday, testing the military's defense capability against a simulated attack by China's People's Liberation Army (PLA).
• Xi calls for "strong, modern" navy People's Daily 24 May 2017 -- Chinese President Xi Jinping on Wednesday called for efforts to build the People's Liberation Army (PLA) Navy into a strong and modern force to lend support for the realization of the Chinese dream of national rejuvenation and the dream of a strong army.
• Army Ground Forces military drills kick off in central Iran IRNA 24 May 2017 -- Beit-ol-Moqaddas-29 military exercises started with the attendance of Deputy Commander of Army Ground Forces Brigadier General Nozar Nemati on Wednesday in Nasrabad city, Isfahan province.
• US to reduce military aid to Pakistan IRNA 24 May 2017 -- The director of the White House Office of Management and Budget, Mick Mulvaney, in a briefing has said that aid to Pakistan would be reduced, though he did not give concrete details, local media reported.
• Philippines willing to buy Russian arms Press TV 24 May 2017 -- The Philippines' President Rodrigo Duterte has expressed interest in purchasing advanced Russian weaponry to combat terrorism and narcotics trade in his country.

Defense Industry

• DoD News: Contracts for May 24, 2017

Other Conflicts

• 24 May 2017 - Daily Press Briefing by the Office of the Spokesperson for the Secretary-General United Nations 24 May 2017
• Senior UN official appeals for aid to stop 'unprecedented' spread of cholera in Yemen UN News 24 May 2017 -- With more than 100,000 people in Yemen believed to be at risk for cholera, the top United Nations humanitarian official in the country is appealing to Governments for urgent financial and political support.
• Turkey Recruits Thousands of Free Syrian Army Rebels to Fight Kurds Sputnik 24 May 2017 -- Turkey has ostensibly spent three months training a large rebel force planning to deploy them against the People's Protection Units (YPG), a commander of the Free Syrian Army (FSA) told Sputnik Turkey on condition of anonymity.
• S. Sudan's Kiir Announces Truce, National Dialogue VOA 24 May 2017 -- The U.N.'s top official in South Sudan says President Salva Kiir has formally launched a long-awaited national dialogue and declared a unilateral cessation of hostilities.
• South Sudan: 'Fighting must stop now' so millions can be spared from famine, say UN agency chiefs UN News 24 May 2017 -- Despite "appalling conditions" in South Sudan, it is not too late to save more people from dying, the head of the United Nations agriculture agency said today, joining the World Food Programme (WFP) chief in a call to all parties enmeshed in the country's conflict to end the violence and work together to ensure access to food and other life-saving support.
• Top UN official in South Sudan urges Security Council to advance 'common strategy' on political process UN News 24 May 2017 -- The head of the United Nations peacekeeping mission in South Sudan today urged the Security Council to unite behind a common strategy for advancing the political process and peace in the crisis-torn country.
• Aung San Suu Kyi Opens Second Round of Myanmar Peace Talks VOA 24 May 2017 -- The second round of peace talks under Myanmar leader Aung San Suu Kyi, called "21st Century Panglong", commenced in the capital Naypyitaw Wednesday amid a cloud of frustration over the lack of progress made since the first conference held under her leadership in August.
• Kiev Builds Up Military Contingent in Donbass - Russian Envoy Sputnik 24 May 2017 -- Kiev is openly building up its military contingent along the separation line in Donbass, the Russian envoy to the Contact Group on Ukraine said Wednesday.
• DR Congo: 400,000 children in Greater Kasai at risk of severe acute malnutrition, UNICEF warns UN News 24 May 2017 -- Deteriorating security conditions have severely disrupted life-saving interventions for children in Greater Kasai in the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC) in recent months, putting an estimated 400,000 children at risk of severe acute malnutrition, the United Nations Children's Fund (UNICEF) has said.
• Militants take hostages in restive Philippine city Press TV 24 May 2017 -- Philippine militants tied to the Daesh terrorist group have reportedly seized a Catholic church and taken a priest and several worshipers hostage in the city of Marawi.
• IS Claims Responsibility for Suicide Bombing in Northern Somalia VOA 24 May 2017 -- lslamic State militants have claimed responsibility for a suicide bombing in northern Somalia on Tuesday that killed five people, including the bomber, and wounded 18 others.

News Reports

• Brussels Notebook: Trump Arrives In EU Capital Rediscovering Its Mojo RFE/RL 24 May 2017 -- When it became clear late last year that Donald Trump would be here to visit both EU and NATO headquarters, there was some concern, if not downright apprehension, in the air. This was, after all, a man who had called the military alliance "obsolete" and who appeared to support both Brexit and French far-right populist Marine Le Pen, who regards the European Union as one of the continent's big evils.
• Key Republicans In Congress Cool To Trump's Proposed Cuts In Foreign Aid RFE/RL 24 May 2017 -- U.S. President Donald Trump's proposal to slash spending on foreign aid got a cool reception from key Republicans in Congress on May 23.
• Senate Panel Redoubles Effort to Acquire Flynn Records VOA 24 May 2017 -- While newly-appointed Special Counsel Robert Mueller gets to work investigating Russian meddling in last year's U.S. presidential election and any coordination between Moscow and the Trump campaign, the Senate Intelligence Committee is continuing a probe of its own. President Donald Trump's former national security adviser, Michael Flynn, is squarely in the committee's sights. Trump fired Flynn in February amid reports that Flynn had lied to Vice President Mike Pence about his contacts with Russia's ambassador to the United States. On Tuesday, the Intelligence Committee issued a subpoena for Flynn's business dealings with Russia and Turkey. Flynn rejected a previous subpoena for his personal records, invoking his constitutional right against self-incrimination.
• US Congressional Panels Issuing New Subpoenas to Ex-Trump National Security Adviser VOA 24 May 2017 -- U.S. congressional panels are issuing new subpoenas to Michael Flynn, in an effort to force him to turn over documents and testify about his brief tenure as President Donald Trump's first national security adviser.
• British Police Arrest Fifth Suspect In Manchester Attack Probe RFE/RL 24 May 2017 -- British police say they have arrested a fifth person in connection with the Manchester suicide bombing that killed 22 people, some of them children.
• Brother, Father of Alleged Manchester Bomber Arrested in Libya VOA 24 May 2017 -- A brother and father of the alleged Manchester suicide bomber have been arrested in Libya, according to a spokesman for the country's anti-terror force.
• Britain Irritated by US Intel Leaks VOA 24 May 2017 -- Britain is criticizing U.S. intelligence officials for leaking information to journalists after a suicide attack Monday in Manchester.
• China's UN envoy: Why not to have dialogue with North Korea? Press TV 24 May 2017 -- China's ambassador to the UN says despite North Korea's missile and nuclear tests, dialogue can be held with Pyongyang.
• China Calls on US, Japan, South Korea to Reset Relations With DPRK Sputnik 24 May 2017 -- The Chinese ambassador to the United Nations Liu Zeyi urged the United States, Japan and South Korea to start a dialogue with North Korea.
• S. Korean President Wants to Help Trump Make Deal with North VOA 24 May 2017 -- Newly-elected South Korean President Moon Jae-in is intent on reopening inter-Korean channels of dialogue and engagement, despite Pyongyang's continued missile tests and U.S. calls for increased sanctions.
• Israel Alters Intelligence Sharing with US VOA 24 May 2017 -- Israel says it has changed its intelligence-sharing protocols with the United States after President Donald Trump disclosed classified information to Russian diplomats earlier this month that had come from Israel, even though Tel Aviv had not assented to his handing it to another country.
• Turkish authorities have seized 879 firms since 2016 failed coup Press TV 24 May 2017 -- Turkey's Savings and Deposits Insurance Fund (TMSF) says authorities have seized or appointed an administrator to some 879 firms worth 40.3 billion lira (about $11.32 billion) in assets in the eight months since the July 2016 coup attempt.
• Turkish post-coup purge reaches local councils, ministries Press TV 24 May 2017 -- Turkey's Savings and Deposits Insurance Fund (TMSF) says authorities have seized or appointed an administrator to some 879 firms worth 40.3 billion lira (about $11.32 billion) in assets in the eight months since the July 2016 coup attempt.
• Five Killed, Hundreds Arrested In Bahrain At Shi'ite Protest; Iran Blames Trump RFE/RL 24 May 2017 -- At least five people were killed and hundreds arrested in Bahrain on May 23 after police stormed a sit-in by protesters supporting the Sunni-ruled kingdom's top Shi'ite cleric, Bahrain's Interior Ministry said.