• Military Menu                       

• Introduction
• Systems
• Facilities
• Agencies
• Industry
• Operations
• Countries
• Hot Documents
• News
• Reports
• Policy
• Budget
• Congress
• Links

• WMD
• Intelligence
• Homeland Security
• Space

Operations
Defense Policy / Programs
Defense Industry
Other Conflicts
News Reports

Current Operations

• OIF / OND / OEF / OIR / OFS Casualty Update 26 May 2017[PDF]
• Counter-ISIS Strikes Hit Terrorists in Syria, Iraq AFPS 26 May 2017 -- U.S. and coalition military forces continued to attack the Islamic State of Iraq and Syria yesterday, conducting 30 strikes consisting of 88 engagements, Combined Joint Task Force Operation Inherent Resolve officials reported today.
• Coalition Removes ISIS Leaders From Battlefield AFPS 26 May 2017 -- Coalition airstrikes have removed senior Islamic State of Iraq and Syria military officials and planners from the battlefield.
• US: Coalition Airstrikes Kill 3 Senior Islamic State Leaders VOA 26 May 2017 -- U.S.-led coalition airstrikes have killed three senior Islamic State military officials in Syria and Iraq during the past month, the U.S. military said Friday.
• Taliban Assault on Afghan Military Base Kills 16 Soldiers VOA 26 May 2017 -- The Taliban has attacked security outposts around a military base in southern Afghanistan, killing at least 16 government soldiers and wounding many others, officials said Friday.
• Taliban militants kill 15 Afghan soldiers in Kandahar Press TV 26 May 2017 -- Taliban militants have killed at least 15 Afghan soldiers during an attack on an army base in Afghanistan's southern province of Kandahar.
• Multiple Deaths In Taliban Attack On Army Base RFE/RL 26 May 2017 -- Afghan officials say at least 15 soldiers have been killed in the latest in a series of attacks by Taliban militants in Kandahar Province.

Defense Policy / Programs

• Future USS Gerald R. Ford Returns From Acceptance Trials NNS 26 May 2017 -- The future USS Gerald R. Ford (CVN 78) successfully completed acceptance trials conducted by the U.S. Navy's Board of Inspection and Survey (INSURV) in the Atlantic Ocean May 24-26 and is in final preparations for delivery.
• US to conduct ICBM intercept test amid rising tensions over North Korea Press TV 26 May 2017 -- The United States plans to shoot down an intercontinental ballistic missile (ICBM) for the first time in a test next week as North Korea is trying to develop one.
• Budget Request Seeks Greater Missile Defense Capabilities AFPS 26 May 2017 -- The Missile Defense Agency's priority in the president's fiscal year 2018 budget request is to deliver greater missile defense capability for the warfighter and to invest in advanced technology and future capabilities, MDA's director of operations said here this week.
• Arctic Challenge exercise aims to increase interoperability AFNS 26 May 2017 -- Twelve F-15C Eagles and about 200 personnel from the 493rd Fighter Squadron at Royal Air Force Lakenheath, England, and two KC-135 Stratotankers and over 30 personnel from the 351st Air Refueling Squadron at RAF Mildenhall, England, deployed to bases in Finland and Sweden for exercise Arctic Challenge 2017.
• VMM-265 'Dragons' join the 31st MEU USMC News 26 May 2017 -- Marine Medium Tiltrotor Squadron 265 replaced VMM-262 as the aviation combat element of the 31st Marine Expeditionary Unit May 26, 2017.
• Vice chief addresses need to modernize nuclear triad AFNS 26 May 2017 -- Vice Chief of Staff of the Air Force Gen. Stephen Wilson discussed the state of the nuclear triad during a Mitchell Institute breakfast at the Capitol Hill Club in Washington, D.C., May 25, 2017.
• NATO Nations assert capabilities USMC News 26 May 2017 -- Saber Strike 17 kicks off this year with troops and vehicles coming ashore with tactical landing crafts from Maritime Prepositioning Ships in the Baltic Sea to Ventspils, Latvia, May 23-24, 2017.
• NATO leaders agree to do more to fight terrorism and ensure fairer burden sharing NATO 26 May 2017 -- NATO leaders wrapped up a meeting at the new NATO Headquarters in Brussels on Thursday (25 May 2017). This meeting was a strong demonstration of transatlantic unity and resolve, with Allies taking important decisions to do more in the fight against terrorism and to ensure fairer burden sharing across NATO.
• NATO to be full member of global coalition against IS: NATO chief People's Daily 26 May 2017 -- The North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO) would be a full member of the Global Coalition against the Islamic State (IS), NATO chief said Thursday.
• Interview: NATO Chief Says Trump's Message On Spending Echoes Past Administrations RFE/RL 26 May 2017 -- NATO Secretary-General Jens Stoltenberg says the message in U.S. President Donald Trump's "blunt" speech urging alliance members to boost defense spending echoed that of previous administrations.
• Russia to Set Up Military Scientific-Testing Center for Arctic Zone Sputnik 26 May 2017 -- The Russian Defense Ministry is planning to establish an Arctic research and testing scientific center this year.
• China's latest-generation air and space defensive missiles complete flight test People's Daily 26 May 2017 -- The latest generation of China's air and space defensive missiles have completed a flight test, according to the country's aerospace authorities. The missiles are able to hit targets 10 times faster than bullets at an altitude of dozens of kilometers in the air. The development is a giant leap forward for Chinese weaponry and will serve to further secure the country.
• Wreckage of missing India Sukhoi fighter jet spotted People's Daily 26 May 2017 -- The wreckage of missing Sukhoi-30 MKI fighter jet of Indian air force (IAF) was spotted after three days of continuous search, officials said Friday.
• Wreckage of Missing Indian Sukhoi-30 Jet Found Near Chinese Border Sputnik 26 May 2017 -- The 72-hours-long search operation for the missing Sukhoi-30MKI jet came to an end on Thursday when Indian rescuers located the aircraft's wreckage in the dense forests of the Rupa Valley in Arunachal Pradesh.
• Indian Army Orders 15,000 Night Sights for Carl-Gustaf Tank Launchers Sputnik 26 May 2017 -- In a bid to provide critical firepower to its infantry deployed along the border, Indian Army has ordered 15,000 long-range night sights which can detect rival tanks and other at a minimum distance of 1,200 meters.
• Iran Vows to Develop Missile Program Despite Washington's Discontent Sputnik 26 May 2017 -- Tehran will not give up on its missile program and will continue to develop it further, despite objections raised by the United States, because of omnipresent threats in the region, Bahram Qassemi, the spokesman of Iranian Foreign Ministry, said Friday.
• Russia Supplies Advanced President-S Onboard Defense Systems to Three Countries Sputnik 26 May 2017 -- Russia has supplied its advanced President-S onboard defense systems to three countries and is negotiating further supplies with other customers, a representative of Concern Radio-electronic Technology (KRET), Vladimir Mikheev, told Sputnik.
• Russia to Supply China, India With Helicopters by 2020 – Manufacturer Sputnik 26 May 2017 -- Russia is to supply several countries with the Mi-8, Ka-32 and Ansat helicopters, Deputy CEO of the Russian Helicopters company.

Defense Industry

• DoD News: Contracts for May 26, 2017

Other Conflicts

• 26 May 2017 - Daily Press Briefing by the Office of the Spokesperson for the Secretary-General United Nations 26 May 2017
• Chinese jets 'unsafely' intercept US spy plane: Officials Press TV 26 May 2017 -- Chinese fighter jets have intercepted an American "surveillance" aircraft near Hong Kong, US officials say, days after a US navy warship challenged China's territorial claims in the South China Sea.
• Saudi-led airstrikes kill more Yemeni civilians Press TV 26 May 2017 -- Airstrikes by Saudi Arabia and a number of its vassal states on residential buildings in Yemen's south have killed six civilians, including women and children.
• UN Rights Chief Concerned Over Civilian Toll Of Syria Air Strikes RFE/RL 26 May 2017 -- The UN human rights chief is calling on countries carrying out air strikes in Syria to take greater care to distinguish between legitimate military targets and civilians.
• US Sends Syrian Kurds New Batch of Weapons, Armored Vehicles Sputnik 26 May 2017 -- The day before yesterday Washington sent another batch of weapons to the Syrian Democratic Forces (SDF). This is the third batch of weapons sent to Syrian Kurds since Donald Trump made the decision to assist the Kurdish People's Protection Units (YPG).
• Kurds Expect Coalition Forces to Help Stop Turkish Op in Syria's Tell Abyad Sputnik 26 May 2017 -- According to information received from sources in the Free Syrian Army, Turkey is preparing for an air and ground operation in the Syrian city of Tell Abyad, which is controlled by the Kurdish People's Protection Units (YPG).
• Civilians in Syria must be spared from anti-ISIL airstrikes - UN rights chief UN News 26 May 2017 -- The United Nations human rights chief today urged all warring parties in Syria to take every feasible measure to spare the civilian population from the effects of the armed conflict, noting that civilians are increasing caught in fighting between the Government forces and the Islamic State in Iraq and the Levant (ISIL/Da'esh) terrorist group.
• Some 10,000 people fleeing west Mosul every day, UN migration agency warns UN News 26 May 2017 -- Citing Iraqi Government figures, the United Nations migration agency today warned that the number of people fleeing West Mosul is soaring – on 18 May, hitting a peak when some 16,100 transited through the Hamam al-Alil screening site – the largest official daily movement of people since the October 2016 military offence began.
• Libya: UN envoy calls on rival groups to immediately halt violence in Tripoli UN News 26 May 2017 -- Condemning the surging violence in Tripoli, the top United Nations official in Libya called today for an immediate end to fighting in and around the capital and for rival groups to "put Libyan national interests" ahead of their own.
• Fresh violence empties city in Central African Republic; senior UN official urges more aid UN News 26 May 2017 -- A senior United Nations official is calling for additional humanitarian aid in the Central African Republic, where nearly the entire population of the city Bria was forcibly displaced last week.
• Philippines: 'Foreign Fighters' Invade Marawi VOA 26 May 2017 -- The Philippines says foreigners are among the Islamist militants who took control of the southern island of Mindanao earlier this week.
• Egypt Hits Militant Bases in Libya After Attack on Copts VOA 26 May 2017 -- Egypt answered a bloody machine-gun attack that killed dozens of Coptic Christians Friday with airstrikes on "terror bases" in Libya where the militant Islamist gunmen were believed to have trained.
• Egypt conducts airstrikes against terrorist training camps in Libya: State TV Press TV 26 May 2017 -- The Egyptian military has carried out several airstrikes against purported terrorist training camps in Libya after unknown gunmen attacked a bus carrying Coptic Christians south of the Egyptian capital Cairo, leaving at least 28 dead.
• UN envoy warns of dire crisis as Gaza faces power cuts, gallons of raw sewage pouring into the sea UN News 26 May 2017 -- The United Nations Middle East envoy today cautioned that unless urgent measures are taken to de-escalate the crisis now spiralling out of control in the Gaza Strip, there will be devastating consequences for Palestinians and Israelis alike.
• Kosovo: UN to create trust fund, following panel report on alleged rights violations by peacekeeping mission UN News 26 May 2017 -- Taking into account an expert panel report on alleged human rights violations by the United Nations peacekeeping mission in Kosovo, the Secretary-General has decided to establish a Trust Fund to implement community-based assistance projects, his spokesperson said today.

News Reports

• Trump, Other Leaders Hold 'Most Challenging G7 Summit In Years' RFE/RL 26 May 2017 -- Leaders of the Group of Seven (G7) leading industrialized countries met on the Italian island of Sicily for what European Council President Donald Tusk said would "no doubt" be "the most challenging G7 summit in years."
• EU's Tusk Calls On G7 To Maintain Russia Sanctions RFE/RL 26 May 2017 -- Amid new uncertainty over the U.S. position, European Council President Donald Tusk has called on the leaders of the Group of Seven (G7) countries to maintain sanctions on Russia over its aggression in Ukraine.
• Report: Russian Ambassador Told Moscow Kushner Wanted a Private Channel to Kremlin VOA 26 May 2017 -- The Washington Post is reporting that Jared Kushner, U.S. President Donald Trump's son-in-law and senior adviser, discussed with Russia's ambassador to Washington the possibility of setting up a secret communications channel between the Trump transition team and the Kremlin.
• Trump's son-in-law under FBI scrutiny over alleged Russia ties Press TV 26 May 2017 -- US President Donald Trump's son-in-law and his senior adviser Jared Kushner is under scrutiny as part of the FBI's investigation of alleged Russian meddling in the US presidential election.
• Experts: Africa 'Hemorrhaging' Billions in Illicit Financial Flows VOA 26 May 2017 -- Africa loses an estimated $50 billion a year to illicit financial flows, leaving governments strapped for cash and dependent on development aid.
• Britain resumes intelligence sharing with U.S. upon Trump promise People's Daily 26 May 2017 -- Britain has decided to resume intelligence sharing with the United States after receiving promises from U.S. President Donald Trump on a recent leak of classified information, the British counter terrorism police said Thursday.
• US takes 'full responsibility' for Manchester attack leaks: Tillerson Press TV 26 May 2017 -- US Secretary of State Rex Tillerson says the United States takes "full responsibility" for leaks of the British investigation into Monday's attack in Manchester, England.
• Tillerson Tells British Counterpart U.S. Takes 'Full Responsibility' For Intelligence Leaks RFE/RL 26 May 2017 -- U.S. Secretary of State Rex Tillerson has told his British counterpart that the United States took "full responsibility" for a leak of intelligence information related to a deadly May 22 terror attack in Manchester.
• Tillerson: US Takes 'Full Responsibility' for Manchester Intel Leaks VOA 26 May 2017 -- The United States takes "full responsibility" for the leaking of sensitive information in the aftermath of the suicide bombing in Manchester Monday, Secretary of State Rex Tillerson said.
• S.Korea approves 1st civilian contact with DPRK under new gov't People's Daily 26 May 2017 -- South Korea on Friday approved the first civilian contact with the Democratic People's Republic of Korea (DPRK) under the new government of President Moon Jae-in, indicating a gradual resumption of inter-Korean exchanges.
• Trump administration approves 4-point plan regarding N.Korea Arirang 26 May 2017 -- The U.S. State Department's Deputy Assistant Secretary for Korea and Japan Joseph Yun notified South Korean lawmakers visiting Washington of a "4-point policy plan" that was approved by President Trump.
• Trump to Japanese PM: North Korean question 'will be solved' Press TV 26 May 2017 -- US President Donald Trump has assured Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe that the question of North Korea "will be solved," ahead of a G7 summit that will discuss a series of missile tests carried out by Pyongyang.
• Trump Calls North Korea A 'Big Problem,' Says It Will Be Solved RFE/RL 26 May 2017 -- U.S. President Donald Trump said on May 26 that North Korea, which has conducted a series of recent missile tests, was a "big problem" on the U.S. foreign policy agenda.
• Trump: North Korea 'A Particular Focus' for G-7 Leaders at Summit VOA 26 May 2017 -- U.S. President Donald Trump says terrorism and North Korea are top items on the agenda for the leaders' summit of the Group of Seven nations, which began Friday on Sicily, the largest Mediterranean island.
• Xi's reform methods People's Daily 26 May 2017 -- Reform, undoubtedly, is the major agenda of the Communist Party of China (CPC). Chinese President Xi Jinping has presided over all 35 meetings of the Central Leading Group for Deepening Overall Reform over the past three years.
• China not after expanding influence with Silk Road: Defense Ministry Press TV 26 May 2017 -- China's Defense Ministry says a Chinese trade project commonly known as the Silk Road has no military or geostrategic goals, dismissing claims that Beijing seeks to expand its global footprint with the initiative.
• Iran won't give in to threats: Defense minister IRNA 26 May 2017 -- Defense Minister Brigadier General Hossein Dehqan said Iranians from all walks of life endorsed the Islamic establishment through massive turnout in the May 19 presidential elections and proved that the country will never tolerate insults and threats.
• In an anti-Iran move, US Senate panel approves new sanctions against Tehran IRNA 26 May 2017 -- In a grave breach of Iran's nuclear deal with G5+1, the US Senate Foreign Relations Committee has approved legislation that would authorize President Donald Trump to impose new sanctions against Iran.
• 'Beautiful military equipment' can't buy Middle East peace IRNA 26 May 2017 -- Foreign Minister Mohammad Javad Zarif in an article published in American daily New York Times criticized US-Saudi recent $110 arms deal, saying it will neither reduce the burden on the American military nor support the long-term security of Saudi Arabia.
• Masked Terrorists Kill Coptic Christians on Bus in Egypt VOA 26 May 2017 -- More than two dozen Coptic Christian pilgrims traveling to a monastery in the south of Egypt were killed Friday when suspected Islamic militants opened fire on a stopped passenger bus.
• Ankara sacks over 4,000 judges linked to Gulen Press TV 26 May 2017 -- Turkey has sacked more than 4,000 judges and prosecutors accused of supporting last year's abortive putsch against President Recep Tayyip Erdogan.