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News Reports

Current Operations

• OIF / OND / OEF / OIR / OFS Casualty Update 16 Jun 2017[PDF]
• Inherent Resolve Strikes Target ISIS in Syria, Iraq AFPS 16 Jun 2017 -- U.S. and coalition military forces continued to attack the Islamic State of Iraq and Syria yesterday, conducting 35 strikes consisting of 84 engagements, Combined Joint Task Force Operation Inherent Resolve officials reported today.
• Belgium to Prolong Air Force Participation in US-Led Anti-Terror Coalition Sputnik 16 Jun 2017 -- Belgian Prime Minister Charles Michel said that Belgium will extend participation of its F16 aircraft in the US-led coalition's mission to combat Daesh.
• US-led strike kills 4 Syrian civilians in Daesh-held Raqqah Press TV 16 Jun 2017 -- A so-called monitoring group says at least four civilians have lost their lives when the US-led coalition purportedly fighting the Takfiri Daesh terrorist group carried out an aerial attack in Syria's militant-held northern province of Raqqah.
• Pentagon sending 4,000 more troops to Afghanistan Press TV 16 Jun 2017 -- The United States will deploy about 4,000 additional troops, including hundreds of Special Operations forces, to Afghanistan, according to a Trump administration official.
• Daesh seizes Afghanistan's Tora Bora: Afghan officials Press TV 16 Jun 2017 -- The Daesh terrorist group has occupied Afghanistan's famous Tora Bora mountainous area, which is dotted with caves and tunnels, along the border with Pakistan, Afghan officials say.

Defense Policy / Programs

• USS Fitzgerald Involved in Collision NNS 16 Jun 2017 -- USS Fitzgerald (DDG 62) was involved in a collision with a merchant vessel at approximately 2:30 a.m. local time, June 17, while operating about 56 nautical miles southwest of Yokosuka, Japan.
• USS Fitzgerald involved in collision NNS 16 Jun 2017 -- USS Fitzgerald (DDG 62) was involved in a collision with a merchant vessel at approximately 2:30 a.m. local time, June 17, while operating about 56 nautical miles southwest of Yokosuka, Japan.
• 10th Mountain Division to get first JLTVs Army News 16 Jun 2017 -- An infantry brigade combat team of the 10th Mountain Division will be the first unit to get the new Joint Light Tactical Vehicles, or JLTVs, around January 2019 once full-rate production kicks in, said Col. Shane Fullmer.
• Beachmasters Group Two Owns the Beach USMC News 16 Jun 2017 -- Sailors from Beachmasters Group Two and Naval Cargo Handling Battalion One provided mission essential assets to more than 11,000 participants during Exercise Saber Strike 17, June 10, 2017.
• SM-6 Testing Displays Missile's Improved Capability NNS 16 Jun 2017 -- The U.S. Navy successfully executed a test of the surface-to-air Standard Missile-6 Block IA (SM-6 Blk IA) at the White Sands Missile Range (WSMR), New Mexico, June 7.
• ESG-3 Kicks Off Annual Gator Week NNS 16 Jun 2017 -- Sailors and Marines participated in Gator Week hosted by Expeditionary Strike Group (ESG) 3 at Admiral Baker Park June 13 through June 15.
• Air Force Stands Up New Headquarters Space Directorate AFNS 16 Jun 2017 -- Secretary of the Air Force Heather Wilson has approved the reorganization of the Air Force headquarters to establish a Deputy Chief of Staff for Space Operations, who will be a three-star Air Force general officer.
• Tennessee National Guard joins in statewide cyber security exercise Army News 16 Jun 2017 -- This week, Soldiers and Airmen of the Tennessee National Guard are taking part in a statewide exercise focused on cyber threats. This is part of the annual joint Tennessee Maneuvers (TNMAN) exercise, working with the Tennessee Emergency Management Agency, Tennessee State Guard, and various other state agencies taking place June and July.
• Russia tests short-range nuclear missile interceptor Press TV 16 Jun 2017 -- Russia's military has successfully launched a short-range interceptor missile, capable of delivering a nuclear warhead in a ballistic flight trajectory, to boost the country's defensive network, the Defense Ministry says.
• Russia to Equip New Infantry Vehicles With Satellite Communications System Sputnik 16 Jun 2017 -- Ruselectronics, a Russian state-owned electronics company, said Friday that the new amphibious infantry fighting vehicle BMD-4М will be equipped with fifth generation radio sets and will use a satellite communications system.
• Qatar, US conduct joint naval exercises in Persian Gulf Press TV 16 Jun 2017 -- The Qatari and US naval forces have concluded a three-day joint military exercise in the Persian Gulf in the wake of a recent move by a number of Arab countries to sever their diplomatic relations with Doha, and close their borders and airspace with the gas-rich kingdom.
• Poland plans to double military spending Press TV 16 Jun 2017 -- Poland plans to nearly double its military spending in an attempt to be able to defend itself "alone if necessary" against potential foreign invasion.
• Iranian, Chinese warships to hold joint military exercises IRNA 16 Jun 2017 -- Iranian and Chinese warships are to hold a joint military maneuver in the Strait of Hormuz and the Sea of Oman on June 18, 2017.
• FM Spox: Iran's missile defense legitimate not against UNSC Resolution 2231 IRNA 16 Jun 2017 -- Foreign Ministry spokesman Bahram Qasemi said on Friday that Iran's defense missile program is legitimate, in full conformity with the United Nations Security Council's Resolution 2231 and no move can deprive Iran of its legitimate rights.
• Nothing can prevent Iran from pursuing defense right: Qassemi Press TV 16 Jun 2017 -- The Iranian Foreign Ministry spokesman has defended the country's "completely legitimate" missile defense program, emphasizing that nothing can prevent the Islamic Republic from exercising its right to defense.
• U.S. congressmen express concern over delay in arms sale to Taiwan CNA 16 Jun 2017 -- Several members of the U.S. House of Representatives expressed concern Thursday over China's redoubled efforts to isolate Taiwan and the U.S. government's indecision on arms sales to Taiwan.
• Antsy Taiwan Waiting on Long-Rumored US Arms Sale Amid Tensions with Beijing Sputnik 16 Jun 2017 -- The government of Taiwan has expressed their appreciation for American lawmakers who have called for expedited arms sales to the island nation as tensions between it and the mainland continue to escalate.
• Press Gaggle Aboard Air Force One en route Miami, Florida | June 16, 2017 The White House 16 Jun 2017

Defense Industry

• DoD News: Contracts for June 16, 2017

Other Conflicts

• 16 June 2017 - Daily Press Briefing by the Office of the Spokesperson for the Secretary-General United Nations 16 Jun 2017
• What We Know About Daesh Terrorist Group Leader Abu Bakr Al-Baghdadi Sputnik 16 Jun 2017 -- The leader of the Daesh terrorist organization (outlawed in numerous countries) Ibrahim Abu Bakr al-Baghdadi may have been killed in an airstrike conducted by Russian Aerospace Forces on May 28, the Russian Defense Ministry said Friday, adding that it was verifying the information.
• US-led Coalition Closely Monitoring Turkish Training of Syrian Militia VOA 16 Jun 2017 -- The U.S.-led coalition in Syria is closely monitoring Turkey's arming and training of a Syrian militia in northern Syria and asking Turkey instead to return the region to control of local residents, coalition sources told VOA.
• Russian airstrike may have killed IS leader in Syria, says Defense Ministry People's Daily 16 Jun 2017 -- A Russian airstrike may have killed Islamic State leader Abu Bakr al-Baghdadi in northern Syria on May 28, the Russian Defense Ministry said Friday.
• Russia: Airstrike may have killed Daesh leader Press TV 16 Jun 2017 -- Russia's Defense Ministry says its airstrike may have killed Daesh leader Abu Bakr al-Baghdadi in the Syrian city of Raqqah.
• Russia Says It May Have Killed IS Leader Baghdadi In Air Strike RFE/RL 16 Jun 2017 -- The Russian Defense Ministry says the leader of the extremist group Islamic State (IS), Abu Bakr al-Baghdadi, may have been killed in a Russian air strike in Syria late last month.
• A Step Closer to Victory: Russian Airstrike Reportedly Decapitates Daesh Sputnik 16 Jun 2017 -- On Friday, the Russian Defense Ministry said that the Russian aerospace forces' strike conducted on May 28 allegedly killed Daesh leader Abu Bakr Al-Baghdadi south of Raqqa. The report is yet to be confirmed.
• Raging Battle: Why 'Liberation of Raqqa Could Take Months' Sputnik 16 Jun 2017 -- The representative of the Kurdish self-defense units (YPG), Nuri Mahmoud in an interview with Sputnik Turkey revealed the details of ongoing operation in Raqqa.
• UNICEF-backed projects for millions of children in Syria on verge of being 'cut off' UN News 16 Jun 2017 -- Programmes supported by the United Nations Children's Fund (UNICEF) to assist more than nine million children in Syria and neighbouring countries are on the verge of being cut off due to a critical funding shortage.
• UN refugee agency urges sustained access as civilians flee Raqqa fighting UN News 16 Jun 2017 -- As fighting in and around the Syrian city of Raqqa continues to take a toll on civilians and displaces thousands every day, the United Nations refugee agency has called for greater and sustained access to that it can reach those in desperate need of humanitarian assistance.
• UN: Iraqi Civilians in West Mosul Held as Human Shields VOA 16 Jun 2017 -- The United Nations refugee agency reports more than 100,000 Iraqis may still be held hostage by Islamic State militants in western Mosul. The UNHCR warns conditions in the old city are worsening for the civilians trapped there.
• Ten people killed in India-controlled Kashmir clashes Press TV 16 Jun 2017 -- Separate clashes in Indian-controlled Kashmir have left at least ten people dead as tensions continue in the region.
• Eritrea occupies disputed territory after Qataris exit, Djibouti files complaint Press TV 16 Jun 2017 -- Djibouti has accused neighboring Eritrea of occupying a disputed territory along the two neighboring countries' borderline.
• DR Congo: UN peacekeeping chief expresses solidarity with people of troubled Kasai region UN News 16 Jun 2017 -- As part of his five-day visit to the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC), the top United Nations peacekeeping official visited the vast country's troubled Kasai region and expressed "deep concern" about the ongoing violence there.
• Terrorist attacks 'major' hurdle to peace in Mali, UN mission chief tells Security Council UN News 16 Jun 2017 -- Despite progress towards peace in Mali, terrorist attacks remain a major obstacle, the head of the United Nations peacekeeping operation there told the Security Council today.

News Reports

• Trump Keeps Railing at Russia Probe; Kushner Deals Reportedly Draw Scrutiny VOA 16 Jun 2017 -- President Donald Trump continued a campaign on Twitter on Friday against the investigations into possible links between his campaign and Russia.
• Trump Appears To Confirm He's Under Investigation Over Comey Firing RFE/RL 16 Jun 2017 -- U.S. President Donald Trump appeared to acknowledge in a post on Twitter that he is "being investigated" for firing FBI Director James Comey, adding the assertion that the probe is being conducted by the man who told him to fire Comey.
• 'I am being investigated for firing FBI chief': Trump Press TV 16 Jun 2017 -- US President Donald Trump has said that he is under investigation for obstruction of justice, confirming reports that Special Counsel Robert Mueller is overseeing a probe into the alleged Russian interference in the American presidential election.
• I'm canceling Obama's one-sided deal with Cuba: Trump Press TV 16 Jun 2017 -- US President Donald Trump says he is canceling a "one-sided" US deal with Cuba by imposing travel and trade restrictions on the island nation, claiming that former President Barack Obama's approach on the country has allowed the Cuban government to benefit from increased tourism.
• Trump Revises Obama's Opening to Cuba but Leaves Much Untouched VOA 16 Jun 2017 -- Saying he was "canceling the last administration's completely one-sided deal with Cuba," President Donald Trump on Friday began undoing some parts of his predecessor's historic opening to the island nation.
• Fact Sheet on Cuba Policy The White House 16 Jun 2017
• Azerbaijani Spy Scandal Leaves Trail Of Dead Suspects RFE/RL 16 Jun 2017 -- Within days of being swept up in a wave of arrests on espionage charges last month, at least four Azerbaijani soldiers and a retired military officer died in custody. The circumstances of their deaths are shrouded in secrecy.
• EU Calls For Transatlantic Coordination On Any New Russia Sanctions RFE/RL 16 Jun 2017 -- The European Union has urged international partners to coordinate any new sanctions against Russia, a day after the U.S. Senate proposed additional measures against Moscow that drew a sharp rebuke from Germany and other allies.
• New US bans in breach of nuclear deal: Iran official Press TV 16 Jun 2017 -- A senior Iranian official slams a new set of sanctions approved by the US Senate against Tehran as a breach of the 2015 nuclear deal between Tehran and the P5+1 states, vowing a proper response to the hostile move.
• North Korean Supreme Leader Paranoid About Navy SEAL Assassination - Spy Agency Sputnik 16 Jun 2017 -- If you've been thinking you haven't seen much of North Korean Supreme Leader Kim Jong-un, you're right. The 33-year-old is apparently so afraid of being assassinated that he's cut way back on public appearances, according to South Korea's top espionage agency – making his latest meeting with former NBA star Dennis Rodman extra precious.
• U.S. Senate Votes 94-6 To Let NASA Keep Using Russian Rocket Engines RFE/RL 16 Jun 2017 -- The U.S. Senate voted overwhelmingly on June 15 to allow the U.S. space agency NASA to continue using Russian-made rocket engines in an amendment to legislation imposing new sanctions on Russia.
• Russian Progress MS-06 Cargo Spacecraft Successfully Docks With ISS Sputnik 16 Jun 2017 -- Russia's Progress MS-06 cargo spacecraft, launched on June 14 with the help of a Soyuz-2.1a carrier rocket, has docked with the Zvezda module of the International Space Station's (ISS) Russian segment, a Sputnik correspondent reported Friday from the Mission Control Center in the Moscow region.
• China Launches First-Ever Cutting Edge X-Ray Telescope Sputnik 16 Jun 2017 -- China has successfully launched their first-ever X-ray space telescope to study phenomena like black holes, gamma ray bursts and pulsar stars, according to state news agency Xinhua.
• China' s quantum satellite establishes photon entanglement over 1,200 km People's Daily 16 Jun 2017 -- A team of Chinese scientists have realized the satellite-based distribution of entangled photon pairs over 1,200 kilometers. The photon pairs were demonstrated to be still entangled after travelling long distances.
• President Tsai thanks U.S. officials for support CNA 16 Jun 2017 -- President Tsai Ing-wen (蔡英文) on Friday expressed appreciation to U.S. officials, including Secretary of State Rex Tillerson, for their support of Taiwan.
• Lebanon parliament approves new electoral law Press TV 16 Jun 2017 -- Lebanon's parliament has given its approval to a new electoral law that paves the way for parliamentary elections in May next year, extending its term for 11 months.
• Maduro rebukes Pence for meddling in Venezuela's internal affairs Press TV 16 Jun 2017 -- Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro has blasted US Vice President Mike Pence for questioning democracy in the South American state, calling his comments nauseating.
• UAE Sees Qatar Row as 'Golden' Chance to Deal With 'Terror Sponsor' Sputnik 16 Jun 2017 -- The decision of a number of Arab states to sever diplomatic ties with Qatar is a great opportunity to deal with the issue of Doha's alleged support for terrorism, United Arab Emirates' (UAE) Minister of State for Foreign Affairs Anwar Gargash said Friday.