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Defense Policy / Programs
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News Reports

Current Operations

• OIF / OND / OEF / OIR / OFS Casualty Update 30 Jun 2017[PDF]
• Counter-ISIS Strikes Continue in Syria, Iraq AFPS 30 Jun 2017 -- U.S. and coalition military forces continued to attack the Islamic State of Iraq and Syria yesterday, conducting 34 strikes consisting of 90 engagements, Combined Joint Task Force Operation Inherent Resolve officials reported today.
• Update: air strikes against Daesh UK MOD 30 Jun 2017 -- The RAF are continuing to take the fight to Daesh in Iraq and Syria.

Defense Policy / Programs

• Statement by Chief Pentagon Spokesperson Dana W. White on Transgender Accessions DoD 30 Jun 2017
• New Triton Hangar Coming to Naval Station Mayport NNS 30 Jun 2017 -- Naval Facilities Engineering Command (NAVFAC) Southeast awarded a nearly $36 million contract June 29, to Hensel Phelps Construction Company of Orlando, Florida, for the construction of a Triton Forward Operating Base Hangar at Naval Station (NS) Mayport, Florida.
• Porter completes Navy's first SIA in Rota, Spain NNS 30 Jun 2017 -- USS Porter (DDG 78) completed its Surface Incremental Availability (SIA) June 16, the first such CNO availability ever performed at Forward Deployed Regional Maintenance Center Detachment Rota, Spain.
• Southern Partnership Station 2017 Begins NNS 30 Jun 2017 -- U.S. Naval Forces Southern Command/U.S. 4th Fleet (USNAVSO/FOURTHFLT) began Southern Partnership Station-Expeditionary Fast Transport 2017 (SPS-EPF 17) by deploying USNS Spearhead (T-EPF 1), Saturday, to Central and South America from July to late October 2017.
• U.S. 4th Fleet Kicks off Teamwork South 2017 NNS 30 Jun 2017 -- U.S. Naval Forces Southern Command/U.S. 4th Fleet (USNAVSO/FOURTHFLT) kicks off Teamwork South 2017 (TWS-17) exercise off the coast of Chile, July 1.
• Russian Navy Plans to Receive Total of 4 Gremyashchiy-Class Corvettes Sputnik 30 Jun 2017 -- A total of four Gremyashchiy-class (Project 20385) stealth corvettes are planned to be built for the Russian navy, Vladimir Tryapichnikov, the head of the Russian Defense Ministry's Navy Ship Building Directorate, said Friday.
• Russian Shipyard to Launch New Corvette on Friday Sputnik 30 Jun 2017 -- The local Severnaya Verf shipyard said that a new stealth corvette for the Russian Navy will be launched in St. Petersburg on Friday.
• The Fight for Marawi: China Donates Thousands of Weapons to Philippines Sputnik 30 Jun 2017 -- China has supplied a batch of weapons to the Philippines to support President Rodrigo Duterte's crusade against Islamist terror groups in Marawi, after Duterte proclaimed that he would seek assistance from sources other than the United States.
• German lawmakers block deal to lease combat drones from Israel Press TV 30 Jun 2017 -- German lawmakers from the Social Democratic Party (SPD) have blocked a billion-dollar deal to lease advanced Heron-2 drones from Israel, citing the capability of the unmanned aerial vehicles to carry weapons.
• China rebuts doubts on aircraft carrier Liaoning's capabilities People's Daily 30 Jun 2017 -- A spokesperson for China's Ministry of National Defense (MOD) has rebutted doubts about the combat capability of China's first aircraft carrier, the Liaoning.
• Australia to Set Up Cyber Warfare Unit to Protect Country From Hacking Attacks Sputnik 30 Jun 2017 -- The Australian Defense Forces will create a cyber warfare unit, which will improve the country's defense against cyberattacks and enable it to launch own attacks, local media reported Friday.
• U.S. arms sales improves Taiwan's self-defense capability: MND CNA 30 Jun 2017 -- An arms sale to Taiwan worth US$1.42 billion cleared by the U.S. government will improve Taiwan's self-defense capabilities, the Ministry of National Defense (MND) said on Friday.
• Taiwan expresses thanks after Trump government approves arms sales CNA 30 Jun 2017 -- President Tsai Ing-wen (蔡英文) on Friday tweeted a statement from the Presidential Office expressing gratitude to the U.S. government after the latter approved arms sales to Taiwan.
• Taiwan and China trade criticism over U.S. arms sales CNA 30 Jun 2017 -- Taiwan and China engaged in a war of words Friday following an announcement by the Trump administration on a U.S. arms sales package to Taiwan, with the self-governing island saying the onus is on China to find ways to ease tensions between the two sides.
• U.S. arms sale to Taiwan a sign of stable relations: think tank CNA 30 Jun 2017 -- The U.S. announcement of arms sales worth US$1.42 billion to Taiwan should ease doubts about the stability of relations between Taiwan and the United States, Lai I-chung (賴怡忠), an executive board member of Taiwan Thinktank, said Friday.
• US approves arms sales to Taiwan worth $1.4 bln People's Daily 30 Jun 2017 -- The US Department of State on Thursday approved seven deals of weapon sales to Taiwan valued at about 1.4 billion US dollars.
• Chinese ambassador: US arms sale to Taiwan harms ties People's Daily 30 Jun 2017 -- China's top diplomat to the U.S. denounced Washington's latest decision to sell arms to Taiwan, which the U.S. Department of State announced late Thursday.
• Outraged China urges US to revoke arms sales to Taiwan Press TV 30 Jun 2017 -- An outraged China has urged the US to revoke immediately its "wrong decision" to sell $1.42 billion worth of arms to Taiwan which Beijing considers a renegade province.
• US Arms Sales to Taiwan Violate International Rights – Chinese Foreign Ministry Sputnik 30 Jun 2017 -- By selling weapons to China, the United States violates international rights, Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesman Lu Kang said Friday, adding Beijing has already officially protested the new US arms sales deal.
• US Proposal to Sell Taiwan Arms Risks China Backlash at Awkward Time VOA 30 Jun 2017 -- The U.S. government's approval Thursday of $1.42 billion in advanced weaponry for Taiwan risks a stiff backlash from China after a year of strained relations between Beijing and the self-ruled island, which sees the mainland as its chief military rival.
• Sweden and Finland join UK-led response force UK MOD 30 Jun 2017 -- Sir Michael Fallon met his Swedish and Finnish counterparts at a signing event welcoming the two countries to the Joint Expeditionary Force.
• After Attack on IS, Iran Proposes Expanding Missile Program VOA 30 Jun 2017 -- Iran's parliament is considering a proposal to spend nearly $550 million to bolster security and expand the country's missile program.
• Security Council adopts first-ever resolution on mine action UN News 30 Jun 2017 -- The United Nations Security Council today adopted its first-ever resolution on mine action, noting the serious and lasting threat posed by landmines, explosive remnants of war and improvised explosive devices, while also recognizing the positive contribution of mine action to sustaining peace and stability.
• Press Briefing by Principal Deputy Press Secretary Sarah Sanders, 6/30/2017 The White House 30 Jun 2017

Defense Industry

Other Conflicts

• 30 June 2017 - Daily Press Briefing by the Office of the Spokesperson for the Secretary-General United Nations 30 Jun 2017
• China builds new military facilities on reef in disputed South China Sea: Group Press TV 30 Jun 2017 -- A US think tank says satellite images show China has recently built new military facilities on artificial islands in the disputed South China Sea.
• China, Japan Hold Talks to Avoid Accidental East China Sea Clashes Sputnik 30 Jun 2017 -- On Thursday, China and Japan began a two-day consultation of senior officials, where they will discuss ways to avoid accidental clashes in the East China Sea and other maritime issues.
• Daesh terrorists pull out of Syria's Aleppo Province Press TV 30 Jun 2017 -- Members of the Takfiri Daesh terrorist group have withdrawn from Syria's northwestern province of Aleppo as government forces, backed by allied fighters from popular defense groups, are making territorial gain against the extremists and other foreign-sponsored militants in the region.
• UN Registers Over 440,000 Refugees Return to Syria Amid Ongoing Conflict Sputnik 30 Jun 2017 -- Aid agencies estimate that more than 440,000 internally displaced people have returned to their homes in Syria during the first six months of this year, according to the statement of the UN refugee agency (UNHCR).
• Challenges abound as 'significant' numbers of displaced return within Syria, warns UNHCR UN News 30 Jun 2017 -- Citing "significant" returns of displaced persons to and within Syria, the United Nations refugee agency said today that while it will be scaling up its response to assist those coming back, it can neither promote nor facilitate returns given the security and humanitarian situation in the war-torn country.
• U.S.-Backed Forces Look To Finish Islamic State In Mosul, Raqqa RFE/RL 30 Jun 2017 -- Islamic State (IS) extremists on June 30 were cut off and encircled in their self-declared capitals in Iraq and Syria, although more bloody fighting was predicted in the days ahead before final victory is declared, military officials and monitoring groups said.
• Iraq: UN warns against 'collective punishment' of population with alleged ISIL ties UN News 30 Jun 2017 -- The United Nations human rights office has expressed concern over forced evictions of people alleged to have ties with the Islamic State in Iraq and the Levant (ISIL/Da'esh) terrorist group, noting that such actions may amount to collective punishment that is in clear contravention of the Iraqi Constitution as well as human rights and humanitarian law.
• Myanmar to deny entry to UN staffers investigating plight of Rohingya Muslims Press TV 30 Jun 2017 -- Myanmar says it will refuse entry to the members of a United Nations fact-finding mission tasked with investigating allegations of crimes by Myanmar's security forces against Rohingya Muslims.
• Chinese FM releases pictures of evidence showing trespass of Indian border troops at the Sikkim section People's Daily 30 Jun 2017 -- Truth may be concealed for a while, but not forever, said Chinese Foreign Ministry Spokesperson Lu Kang at the regular press conference on June 29, 2017.
• China Tells India to 'Stop Clamoring for War' and 'Learn Lessons' of 1962 Defeat Sputnik 30 Jun 2017 -- China has warned India to stop 'clamoring for war' and has reminded them of the thrashing they received from the People's Liberation Army in 1962. The Indian Army has opened new helicopter bases in Sikkim, where tensions are rising.
• Lebanese army arrests 350 in Arsal raids, including Daesh members Press TV 30 Jun 2017 -- The Lebanese army has detained some 350 people, including members of the Daesh Takfiri terrorist group, during raids on Syrian refugee camps in the northeastern border town of Arsal, a security source says.
• Israeli aircraft bombs Syrian army positions in occupied Golan Press TV 30 Jun 2017 -- An Israeli unmanned aerial vehicle has reportedly targeted Syrian army positions in Golan Heights after a projectile allegedly fired from Syria landed in the occupied territory.
• Escalating Violence in CAR Threatens Thousands of Civilians VOA 30 Jun 2017 -- The U.N. refugee agency warns renewed violence in the Central African Republic is threatening thousands of civilian lives, forcing many to flee and destroying villages and camps for displaced people.
• UN refugee agency 'extremely worried' about renewed violence in Central African Republic UN News 30 Jun 2017 -- The United Nations refugee agency has voiced concern over a flow of people fleeing renewed violence in some parts of the Central African Republic, a country that has already seen a half million people internally displaced and another half million taking refuge in neighbouring countries.
• Colombia: With arms laid down, focus now on reintegration, UN envoy tells Security Council UN News 30 Jun 2017 -- Highlighting progress in the Colombian peace process, especially the completion of the laying down of arms by the Revolutionary Armed Forces of Colombia (FARC-EP), the United Nations envoy for the country has called for shifting the momentum to other aspects of the historic peace deal.
• Famine Alert in South Sudan Lifted, But Catastrophe Continues VOA 30 Jun 2017 -- The International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies warns that the humanitarian situation in South Sudan remains catastrophic, even though the country is no longer classified as being in a state of famine.
• UN chief urges Greek Cypriot and Turkish Cypriot sides to seize 'historic' chance for peace UN News 30 Jun 2017 -- United Nations Secretary-General António Guterres today called on the leaders of the Greek and Turkish communities in Cyprus to grasp "an historic opportunity" to reach a comprehensive settlement to the conflict that has divided the Mediterranean island for more than four decades.
• 'Important work ahead,' Security Council says, as UN mission in Côte d'Ivoire concludes UN News 30 Jun 2017 -- Recognizing the efforts of the United Nations Operation in Côte d'Ivoire (UNOCI) in promoting peace, stability and development, the UN Security Council today marked the closing of the mission by underscoring the importance of action by the Government to address the remaining challenges in the country for the benefit of all Ivorians.

News Reports

• Trump Administration Travel Restrictions Take Effect Amid New Court Challenge RFE/RL 30 Jun 2017 -- New restrictions for travelers from people from six mainly Muslim countries and all refugees have taken effect in the United States.
• Blockade against Qatar amounts to 'bloodless declaration of war': Minister Press TV 30 Jun 2017 -- Qatar says the Saudi-led blockade against Doha is a "bloodless declaration of war," a day after the Persian Gulf Arab country rejected as "unreasonable" the demands presented by Saudi Arabia and its allies to end the unprecedented diplomatic row with the emirate.
• Riyal Boycott: Saudi Arabia Turns Screws on Qatar With Currency Blockade Sputnik 30 Jun 2017 -- Residents of Qatar are having problems exchanging their riyals after exchange services worldwide stopped accepting them, following the economic blockade announced by Saudi Arabia and its Arab allies.
• Qatar Seeks US Backing for Negotiations With Saudis VOA 30 Jun 2017 -- Qatar's foreign minister says Doha is interested in negotiating an end to the standoff with regional forces, as long as it doesn't interfere with the country's sovereignty.
• US sanctions Chinese bank over alleged illicit ties with North Korea Press TV 30 Jun 2017 -- The United States has imposed sanctions on a Chinese bank, accusing it of laundering money for North Korean companies.
• Trump Assails 'Brutal' North Korea Regime, Vows To Protect Allies RFE/RL 30 Jun 2017 -- U.S. President Donald Trump has assailed the "reckless and brutal regime" in North Korea and said there was a "strong, solid plan" to deal with Pyongyang's illicit nuclear and ballistic-missile programs.
• Trump, Moon Present Unified Front Against North Korea VOA 30 Jun 2017 -- President Donald Trump on Friday declared the U.S. has run out of patience with North Korea, as he met with his South Korean counterpart at the White House.
• UN calls for full implementation of JCPOA by all sides IRNA 30 Jun 2017 -- The United Nations and the European Union in a Security Council meeting called for full implementation of the Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action by all sides.
• UN: No report on violation of resolution 2231 by Iran IRNA 30 Jun 2017 -- UN Under-Secretary-General for Political Affairs Jeffrey Feltman said that the secretary general had not received any report, nor is he aware of any open source information regarding the supply, sale or transfer to Iran of nuclear-related items undertaken contrary to the provisions.
• U.S. Lambastes UN For Failing To Punish Iran For Sanctions Violations RFE/RL 30 Jun 2017 -- U.S. Ambassador to the United Nations Nikki Haley lambasted the Security Council for failing to take any action against Iran, which she said had "repeatedly and deliberately violated" sanctions imposed by the body.
• More Than 90 Indicted In Macedonia Over Wiretap Scandal RFE/RL 30 Jun 2017 -- A special prosecutor in Macedonia has charged more than 90 people, including former senior officials, in connection with a 2-year-old wiretap scandal that brought down the previous government.
• Serbian Lawmakers, In Historic First, Elect Openly Gay, Female Prime Minister RFE/RL 30 Jun 2017 -- Serbian lawmakers elected Ana Brnabic as prime minister on June 29, making history by choosing both the conservative Balkan nation's first female prime minister and its first openly gay leader.
• Congo Denies 'Security Concerns' Caused Cancellation of Military Parade VOA 30 Jun 2017 -- Democratic Republic of Congo officials are denying a report that security concerns led them to cancel the annual military parade.
• Ukraine Detains Two Russian FSB Agents Who Came Ashore From Black Sea RFE/RL 30 Jun 2017 -- Ukrainian authorities have detained two men identified as Russian security agents after they came ashore in a small boat on Ukrainian-government controlled territory along the Black Sea, officials of both countries say.
• In U.S. Court, Yukos Shareholders Try New Tactic: Go After The Lawyers RFE/RL 30 Jun 2017 -- Shareholders of defunct Russian oil giant Yukos, which was dismantled and absorbed by a state-owned rival in contentious legal actions, are taking a new tack in their multibillion-dollar fight with the Russian government.