Operations
Defense Policy / Programs
Defense Industry
Other Conflicts
News Reports

Current Operations

• OIF / OND / OEF / OIR / OFS Casualty Update 03 Jul 2017[PDF]
• Coalition Strikes Hit ISIS Terrorists in Syria, Iraq AFPS 03 Jul 2017 -- U.S. and coalition military forces continued to attack the Islamic State of Iraq and Syria yesterday, conducting 19 strikes consisting of 63 engagements, Combined Joint Task Force Operation Inherent Resolve officials reported today.
• Update: air strikes against Daesh UK MOD 03 Jul 2017 -- The RAF are continuing to take the fight to Daesh in Iraq and Syria.
• US Strike Targets Al-Shabab in Somalia VOA 03 Jul 2017 -- The U.S. military has conducted a strike against al-Shabab militants in southern Somalia, officials tell VOA.

Defense Policy / Programs

• Pentagon Mulls Canceling Program Giving US Citizenship to Foreign Recruits Sputnik 03 Jul 2017 -- The Department of Defense is considering canceling a program that grants US citizenship to foreigners recruited by the US military for their specialized skills, a memorandum to Defense Secretary James Mattis showed on Monday, according to media reports.
• Nuclear Weapon Arsenals Depleting Worldwide, But Modernization Efforts Ongoing Sputnik 03 Jul 2017 -- Since June 2016, the number of nuclear weapons worldwide has slightly decreased – but investment in modernizing arsenals has risen significantly, according to the 2017 Stockholm International Peace Research Institute (SIPRI) report on trends in nuclear warfare.
• Nuclear Powers Cut Weapons Numbers But Increase Modernization, Study Says RFE/RL 03 Jul 2017 -- The number of nuclear weapons in the world is continuing to decline, but countries possessing such arsenals are modernizing their stockpiles and are not likely to give them up for the foreseeable future, a new study says.
• Poland Hopes for Cheaper US Arms Sales Offers, Support in Army Modernization Sputnik 03 Jul 2017 -- Poland, as the border country of NATO and the European Union, hopes the United States would support the modernization of the Polish army through "interesting and cheaper" offers, Polish Foreign Minister Witold Waszczykowski said on Monday ahead of US President Donald Trump's visit to the country on July 5-6.
• Chinese aircraft carrier formation conducts trans-regional training People's Daily 03 Jul 2017 -- A flotilla including aircraft carrier Liaoning has been undertaking trans-regional training since it set out from east China's Qingdao on June 25.
• India test fires quick reaction surface-to-air short range missile People's Daily 03 Jul 2017 -- India on Monday successfully test-fired its indigenously developed quick reaction surface-to-air short range missile, officials said.
• India Test-Fires Quick Reaction Surface-To-Air Missile Sputnik 03 Jul 2017 -- India has successfully test-fired the home-grown quick reaction surface-to-air (QRSAM) short-range missile fired from a test range along the Odisha coast on Monday. Launched from a truck-mounted canister, the missile has a capability of engaging multiple targets at a 25 to 30 km range.
• India Plans Next Generation Bombproof Shelter for 108 Fighter Jets Sputnik 03 Jul 2017 -- With tensions rising with its neighbors, the Indian Air Force (IAF) has once again asked India's defense ministry to approve funding for building next generation hardened shelters designed by state-owned research organization DRDO for every aircraft deployed in eastern and north-eastern airfields.
• Indian Army to Deploy Military Helicopters to Chinese Border for the First Time Sputnik 03 Jul 2017 -- In a move to strengthen border security along the eastern border, the Indian Army will deploy the weaponized version of indigenous advanced light helicopters by August this year.
• Pyongyang Celebrates Its Rocket Forces in Wake of Seoul-Washington Summit Sputnik 03 Jul 2017 -- While Americans prepare for the US' Independence Day on July 4, on the other side of the Pacific North Korea celebrated the 18th anniversary of the country's Strategic Rocket Forces with a level of restraint that has Korea watchers wondering whether the crisis could be at a turning point.
• Pyongyang Says N. Korean Rockets May Strike Anywhere Around World Sputnik 03 Jul 2017 -- North Korea celebrates the day of strategic forces of the Korean People's Army.
• Iran Navy holds military drills in Caspian Sea Press TV 03 Jul 2017 -- The Iranian Navy has launched military drills in the Caspian Sea as a means of sending across the Armed Forces' message of "peace and friendship."
• Turkey to Build Own Aircraft Carrier, Reach Technological Independence - Erdogan Sputnik 03 Jul 2017 -- Turkey is determined to build an aircraft carrier by its own efforts and has no doubts about its success, Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan said Monday.
• Turkey Vows to Keep Troops in Qatar Despite Arab States' Demands Sputnik 03 Jul 2017 -- Turkey will maintain its military presence in Qatar, Turkish Deputy Prime Minister Numan Kurtulmus said on Monday, hours after Arab states agreed to extend a deadline for Doha to accept their demands, including pulling Turkish troops out of the country, amid the diplomatic crisis.

Defense Industry

• DoD News: Contracts for July 03, 2017

Other Conflicts

• MOFA: US warship sailing territorial waters a 'serious provocation' People's Daily 03 Jul 2017 -- China has dispatched military vessels and fighter planes to warn off the missile destroyer USS Stethem that had trespassed China's territorial waters off the Xisha Islands earlier on Sunday, according to a statement by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of China.
• China pledges more maritime patrols after US warship's 'provocation' People's Daily 03 Jul 2017 -- China's ministry of defense said on Monday that the country's armed forces will strengthen maritime patrols after a US destroyer sailed into Chinese territorial waters in the South China Sea.
• China slams new US Navy 'provocation' Press TV 03 Jul 2017 -- China has strongly condemned a recent move by a United States warship to sail near one of its islands in the disputed South China Sea, describing the move as a "provocation."
• To Some, Chinese Forays in Disputed Seas Ring of Harmless National Pride VOA 03 Jul 2017 -- China's growing use of advanced technology in a disputed Asian sea may be meant more to inspire its citizens and get respect from abroad than to double down on disputed sovereignty claims as feared by other countries, scholars and Chinese media reports say.
• Fresh Saudi air raids against Yemen claim 15 civilian lives Press TV 03 Jul 2017 -- More than a dozen civilians have been killed when Saudi military aircraft carried out separate airstrikes against various areas across Yemen as the Saudi regime presses ahead with an atrocious military campaign against its crisis-hit southern neighbor.
• Turkish Military Op Against Kurds in Syria's Afrin Could Begin 'Any Time Soon' Sputnik 03 Jul 2017 -- A joint military operation between the Free Syrian Army (FSA) and the Turkish Armed Forces against Kurdish military units in the Syrian city of Afrin could take place any time soon, a FSA commander told Sputnik Turkey.
• UN chief appoints head of panel laying groundwork for possible war crimes probe in Syria UN News 03 Jul 2017 -- United Nations Secretary-General António Guterres today announced the appointment of Catherine Marchi-Uhel of France as the head of the independent panel to assist in the investigation and prosecution of those responsible for most serious violations of international law in Syria.
• Tillerson says Assad's fate in hands of Russia: Report Press TV 03 Jul 2017 -- The United States reportedly wants Russia to influence the future leadership of Syria as Damascus regains full control of the Middle Eastern Arab state.
• Syrian army declares combat cessation in south of country Press TV 03 Jul 2017 -- Syria says it has suspended military operations in the south of the Arab country, including in Quneitra Province, where the Israeli regime has targeted army outposts in recent days.
• Syrian Army Declares Cease-Fire In South RFE/RL 03 Jul 2017 -- The Syrian Army has declared a unilateral cease-fire in the south of the country, citing a bid to support "reconciliation efforts."
• Daesh cornered in Mosul as Iraqi forces inch closer to final victory Press TV 03 Jul 2017 -- Iraqi government forces have pushed deeper into the last pocket of Mosul controlled by Daesh Takfiri terrorists as the battle for the country's second largest city approaches its end.
• China offers more evidence over Indian border incursion People's Daily 03 Jul 2017 -- The act of Indian border troops recently crossing into Chinese territory was described as "very serious" by a Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesperson Monday.
• China accuses India of violating 1890 agreement in border standoff Press TV 03 Jul 2017 -- Beijing has accused New Delhi of violating an 1890 border agreement between Britain and China as a standoff on a plateau next to the mountainous Indian state of Sikkim, which borders China, has intensified tensions between the two neighboring countries.
• Indo-Chinese Tension Escalates as India Strengthening Defense Near Border Sputnik 03 Jul 2017 -- The war of words between India and China intensified even as the top leadership in both nations is likely to hold informal talks on the sidelines of the G-20 Summit meeting in Hamburg, Germany later this week.
• Turkish freighter comes under Greece's fire after ignoring warnings Press TV 03 Jul 2017 -- The Greek coast guard has fired on a Turkish freighter after the ship failed to comply with an order to dock at a port in the Aegean Sea.
• Ankara Condemns Greek Coast Guards' Attack on Turkish Freight Ship Sputnik 03 Jul 2017 -- Ankara condemned the Greek coast guards' Monday fire against the Turkish cargo ship in the Aegean Sea, the Turkish Foreign Ministry said in a statement, obtained by Sputnik.
• Greek Coast Guard Opens Fire on Turkish Cargo Ship in Aegean Sea - Reports Sputnik 03 Jul 2017 -- Turkish NTV channel reported that the Greek coast guard opened fire on a Turkish-flagged cargo ship in the Aegean Sea.
• UN, partners seek $25 million to stabilize Gaza's worsening humanitarian conditions UN News 03 Jul 2017 -- United Nations relief agencies and their partners in the occupied Palestinian territory are calling on the international community to provide $25 million in new funding to stabilize the deteriorating humanitarian situation in the Gaza Strip, including the effects of deep power cuts and lack of fuel for generators for hospitals.

News Reports

• Arab States Grant Qatar 48-Hour Extension To Meet Demands As Deadline Passes RFE/RL 03 Jul 2017 -- Saudi Arabia and its Arab allies have agreed to grant Qatar a 48-hour extension to meet demands after Doha submitted a response to a 13-point ultimatum, Saudi state-owned TV says.
• Qatar Wins 48-hour Extension of Deadline Set by Saudis, Other Arab States VOA 03 Jul 2017 -- Saudi Arabia and its allies involved in a prolonged diplomatic dispute with Qatar said Monday they would extend by 48 hours a deadline for Qatar to comply with their demands.
• Content of Qatar's Response to Saudi Arabia Not Yet Disclosed VOA 03 Jul 2017 -- Qatar's top diplomat delivered a response Monday to a list of demands made by Saudi Arabia and its allies involved in a prolonged diplomatic dispute with Qatar after extending a deadline to comply by 48 hours.
• In response to Amir of Kuwait's request, Saudi Arabia, UAE, Bahrain & Egypt agree to extend the grace period offered to Qatar to 48 hours SPA 03 Jul 2017 -- The Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, the United Arab Emirates, the Kingdom of Bahrain and the Arab Republic of Egypt issued today a joint statement as follows
• Qatar given 48 more hours to respond to demands of boycotting countries People's Daily 03 Jul 2017 -- Four Arab states accusing Qatar of supporting terrorism agreed Monday to a proposal by Kuwait to extend the deadline for Qatar's response to the demands list by 48 hours, the official Saudi news agency SPA reported.
• Kuwait receives Qatar's response to Saudi-led bloc's demands Press TV 03 Jul 2017 -- Qatar has officially handed over its response to a list of demands requested by the siege countries, Saudi Arabia and its allies, after they agreed to extend the initial 10-day deadline for another two days to address their grievances.
• Saudi led-bloc extends Qatar demands deadline by 48 hours Press TV 03 Jul 2017 -- Saudi Arabia says it has decided along with its allies to extend a deadline for Qatar to accept a list of its demands by 48 hours.
• Foreign Ministers of 4 Arab Countries to Meet in Cairo to Discuss Qatar Issue Sputnik 03 Jul 2017 -- The Egyptian Foreign Ministry said that foreign ministers of Egypt, Bahrain, Saudi Arabia and the United Arab Emirates will meet on Wednesday in Cairo to discuss the situation around Qatar.
• US senators discuss Afghanistan, Daesh with Pakistan civil, military officials IRNA 03 Jul 2017 -- A US senatorial delegation has visited Pakistan and met with top government and military officials to discuss peace in Afghanistan and threat of Daesh to the region.
• US Senate Delegation Visits Pakistan's Waziristan Region Near Afghan Border VOA 03 Jul 2017 -- A U.S. congressional delegation has visited a troubled region of Pakistan and called on both Islamabad and Washington to continue working closely to combat regional terrorism and to promote peace and stability in neighboring Afghanistan. The delegation, led by Senator John McCain, includes fellow senators Lindsey Graham, Elizabeth Warren, David Perdue and Sheldon Whitehouse. The visit comes as the Trump administration is expected to unveil a new Afghan strategy later this month.
• China's Xi raises concerns with US's Trump Press TV 03 Jul 2017 -- Chinese President Xi Jinping has raised concerns with his American counterpart, Donald Trump, regarding "some negative factors" affecting Sino-American relations.
• Chinese President Xi Jinping Arrives in Russia for 2-Day Official Visit Sputnik 03 Jul 2017 -- Chinese President Xi Jinping has arrived in Russia for a two-day official visit at the invitation of Russian President Vladimir Putin and was met by Russian Deputy Foreign Minister Igor Morgulov as well as the ambassadors of the two countries.
• China Welcomes Proposals From Russia, Other States on N Korea - Envoy to UN Sputnik 03 Jul 2017 -- China welcomes the Russian proposal on North Korea and is of the opinion the more countries try to offer constructive plans to settle the crisis, the better the chances to succeed, Chinese Ambassador to the United Nations and UN Security Council President for the month of July Liu Jieyi said in a briefing on Monday.
• Zangeneh: July 3 deal with Total is JCPOA, election outcome IRNA 03 Jul 2017 -- Minister of Petroleum Bijan Zangeneh says signing of a gas deal with French Total is outcome of the JCPOA and the May 19 Presidential Elections.
• Total to return with 4.8-billion-dollar investment to Iran IRNA 03 Jul 2017 -- Countdown to the signing of the $4.8 billion oil contract between Iran and the international consortium led by Total has started.
• FM Spokesman: JCPOA Joint Commission remains on schedule IRNA 03 Jul 2017 -- Iran's Foreign Ministry spokesman said on Monday that the Joint Commission of the Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action (JCPOAC) will be held according to the schedule in July.
• South Pars deal facilitates transfer of technology: Rouhani Press TV 03 Jul 2017 -- Iranian President Hassan Rouhani says a multi-billion-dollar gas deal signed between Iran and French energy giant, Total, will facilitate the "transfer of technological, scientific and managerial experience" between Iran and France.
• Total seals Iran's biggest gas deal in years Press TV 03 Jul 2017 -- French energy giant Total signed a multi-billion-dollar gas deal with Iran, the first by a foreign firm in more than a decade.
• France's Total Signs $4.8 Billion Natural Gas Project With Iran RFE/RL 03 Jul 2017 -- The French energy firm Total says it has signed a multibillion-dollar agreement with Iran on the development of an Iranian offshore natural-gas field - the first major Western energy investment since international sanctions were lifted against Tehran under its nuclear accord with world powers.
• EU urges Myanmar to protect free speech amid crackdown on journalists Press TV 03 Jul 2017 -- The European Union has urged Myanmar to protect journalists from "intimidation, arrest or prosecution" after a number of journalists were detained across the Southeast Asian country.
• French president vows to enhance security, lift state of emergency Press TV 03 Jul 2017 -- President Emmanuel Macron has pledged to intensify security measures in France, stressing that the measure is aimed at restoring the freedoms lost under the country's state of emergency.
• Macron Announces Bid To Reinvigorate 'Weakened' EU RFE/RL 03 Jul 2017 -- French President Emmanuel Macron says he plans to launch "democratic conventions" across Europe in a bid to "refound" the European Union.
• UN health agency declares end to latest Ebola outbreak in DR Congo UN News 03 Jul 2017 -- A recent outbreak of the Ebola virus in the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC) is over, the United Nations health agency today said, while adding that enhanced surveillance for the virus continues.
• No conditions should be set for cross-strait exchanges: official CNA 03 Jul 2017 -- City exchanges between the two sides of the Taiwan Strait enhance bilateral understanding, but no political conditions should be set, a spokesman of the Presidential Office reaffirmed Monday.
• African Union Summit Opens in Ethiopia VOA 03 Jul 2017 -- The 29th biannual African Union summit opened in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia, Monday with Zimbabwean President Robert Mugabe presenting a $1 million donation to the body in a push for self-sufficiency.