Operations
Defense Policy / Programs
Defense Industry
Other Conflicts
News Reports

Current Operations

• OIF / OND / OEF / OIR / OFS Casualty Update 05 Jul 2017[PDF]
• Officials Release Details of Latest Strikes in Syria, Iraq AFPS 05 Jul 2017 -- U.S. and coalition military forces continued to attack the Islamic State of Iraq and Syria yesterday, conducting 37 strikes consisting of 107 engagements, Combined Joint Task Force Operation Inherent Resolve officials reported today.
• McCain: We are not on a course to success in Afghanistan Press TV 05 Jul 2017 -- Republican Senator John McCain has censured the 16-year presence of US military in Afghanistan, saying that Washington's efforts to restore peace have failed and the goal has been to not lose rather than to win.
• U.S. Senators Call For New Strategy To Defeat Taliban In Afghanistan RFE/RL 05 Jul 2017 -- A bipartisan delegation of U.S. senators visiting Afghanistan on July 4 called for a new strategy from the Trump administration to turn the tide against an increasingly strong Taliban insurgency and end the longest U.S. war.

Defense Policy / Programs

• Readout of Secretary Mattis' Call with Japanese Minister of Defense Tomomi Inada DoD 05 Jul 2017
• Jacksonville visits Singapore during Indian Ocean, US 5th Fleet Deployment NNS 05 Jul 2017 -- The Los Angeles-class attack submarine USS Jacksonville (SSN 699) arrived in Singapore, July 3, for a visit as part of its deployment to the U.S. 5th Fleet area of operations and Indian Ocean.
• Israeli Prime Minister Visits GHWB NNS 05 Jul 2017 -- The staff and crew embarked aboard the aircraft carrier USS George H.W. Bush (CVN 77) (GHWB) had the distinct pleasure of hosting its first foreign head of state for a ship visit, July 3.
• Robins AFB finishes Global Hawk work AFNS 05 Jul 2017 -- A special ribbon-cutting ceremony, signaling the early completion of work on the first RQ-4 Global Hawk at Robins Air Force Base, was held on the base flight line here June 29, 2017.
• Royal New Zealand Navy, US Navy Conduct Bilateral Operations NNS 05 Jul 2017 -- HMNZS Te Kaha (F77), an Anzac-class frigate from the Royal New Zealand Navy, conducted bilateral operations with the Nimitz Carrier Strike Group in the Western Pacific from June 30 through July 5.
• US Navy Kicks Off 8th Annual Naval Engagement Activity with Visit to Cam Ranh International Port, Vietnam NNS 05 Jul 2017 -- The U.S. Navy began the 8th Annual Naval Engagement Activity (NEA) with the Vietnam People's Navy, July 5, with the arrival of USS Coronado (LCS 4) and USNS Salvor (T-ARS-52) at Cam Ranh International Port.
• USS John S. McCain Participates in TS 17, FTX-N NNS 05 Jul 2017 -- The Arleigh Burke-class guided-missile destroyer USS John S. McCain (DDG 56) participated with four Royal Australian Navy ships, the Royal Australian Air Force, and United States Marine Corps during Field Training Exercise North (FTX-N).
• USS Portland (LPD 27) Successfully Completes Builder's Trials NNS 05 Jul 2017 -- The Navy's future amphibious transport dock, USS Portland (LPD 27), successfully completed Builder's Trials Jun. 30.
• BHR ESG Starts Talisman Saber 2017 NNS 05 Jul 2017 -- Amphibious ships of the Bonhomme Richard Expeditionary Strike Group (ESG), with embarked 31st Marine Expeditionary Unit (MEU), departed from respective Australian ports, July 3, to begin participation in Talisman Saber 2017.
• Bonhomme Richard Departs Sydney NNS 05 Jul 2017 -- The amphibious assault ship USS Bonhomme Richard (LHD 6) departed Sydney following a four-day port visit, July 3.
• Laboon Visits Wilhelmshaven, Germany NNS 05 Jul 2017 -- Guided-missile destroyer USS Laboon (DDG 58) pulled into Wilhelmshaven, Germany, for a scheduled port visit, July 4.
• Stethem Sets New Standard with Successful 3M Inspection NNS 05 Jul 2017 -- The Arleigh Burke-class guided-missile destroyer USS Stethem (DDG 63) became the first ship in 7th Fleet to pass the Maintenance and Material Maintenance (3M) Certification Phase 3 Event (1.3) inspection under the new instruction, June 15.
• Bonhomme Richard Arrives In Sydney NNS 05 Jul 2017 -- The amphibious assault ship USS Bonhomme Richard (LHD 6) arrived in Sydney for a scheduled port visit.
• Southern Partnership Station 2017 Begins NNS 05 Jul 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.
• US 4th Fleet Kicks Off Teamwork South 2017 NNS 05 Jul 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.
• Italian jets arrive in Bulgaria for joint air policing NATO 05 Jul 2017 -- Italian Eurofighter jets are joining Bulgarian MiG-29 fighter jets on 07 July 2017 for joint air policing of allied airspace over Bulgaria. Part of NATO's enhanced air policing measures, the mission will last until October.
• NATO Ambassadors and EU Commissioner discuss cooperation toward stronger European defence NATO 05 Jul 2017 -- Secretary General Jens Stoltenberg welcomed European Commissioner Elżbieta Bieńkowska to NATO today (05 July 2017). The high-level representative of the European Union briefed the North Atlantic Council on the latest developments regarding the European Defence Action Plan and the European Defence Fund.
• Russian Tu-95 Bombers Strike Daesh in Syria With Newest Kh-101 Cruise Missiles Sputnik 05 Jul 2017 -- Russian Tu-95MS long-range bombers struck Daesh targets in Syria with brand new Kh-101 (X-101) cruise missiles, the Russian Defense Ministry said Wednesday.
• Silent Guardian: Russia's Newest Missile Corvette is Ready to Rumble Sputnik 05 Jul 2017 -- The Sovershenny – the newest class of corvette in the Russian Navy – has successfully completed sea trials and will soon enter service with the Pacific Fleet, the head of the of the Eastern Military District's press service for the Pacific Fleet, Captain 2nd Rank Vladimir Matveev, told reporters on Tuesday.
• Russia's Nuclear Submarine Test-Launches Cruise Missile in Barents Sea Sputnik 05 Jul 2017 -- Russia's Project 949A submarine Smolensk of the Oscar-II class has successfully launched a Granit cruise missile and hit a naval target in the Barents Sea as part of the combat readiness drills, according to Northern Fleet's spokesman Capt. 1st Rank Vadim Serga.
• U.S., South Korea stage joint missile drill after DPRK tests ICBM People's Daily 05 Jul 2017 -- The United States and South Korea have staged a missile drill by firing missiles into the Sea of Japan, in response to the latest missile launch by the Democratic People's Republic of Korea (DPRK).
• US, South Korea conduct missile drill in response to North's ICBM test Press TV 05 Jul 2017 -- The United States and South Korea have fired surface-to-surface missiles in reaction to North Korea's recent test-launch of an intercontinental ballistic missile (ICBM).
• North Korea used a new missile: US intelligence Press TV 05 Jul 2017 -- US intelligence agencies have described the latest missile launched on Tuesday by North Korea as a new kind of missile that had not been seen before.
• North Korean Leader Openly Boasts of Successful ICBM Test VOA 05 Jul 2017 -- North Korean leader Kim Jong Un is boasting over his country's first successful test of what appeared to be an intercontinental ballistic missile (ICBM) on Tuesday.
• S.Korean defense chief says no sign of DPRK's nuke test People's Daily 05 Jul 2017 -- South Korea's defense chief said Wednesday that there has been no specific sign of another nuclear test by the Democratic People's Republic of Korea (DPRK).
• Trump has limited options to stop North Korea's new missiles Press TV 05 Jul 2017 -- US President Donald Trump has criticized China for failing to do more to pressure North Korea on its nuclear and missile program, but his options for dealing with the threat are limited.
• We will never accept a nuclear-armed North Korea: US Press TV 05 Jul 2017 -- As the United States describes North Korea's successful ICBM missile test as an international threat, North's leader Kim Jong-Un calls it a gift to the "American bastards" on the fourth of July Independence Day holiday.
• U.S. Confirms North Korea Tested ICBM In 'New Escalation Of Threat' RFE/RL 05 Jul 2017 -- The United States confirmed on July 4 that North Korea had tested an intercontinental ballistic missile and warned of a "new escalation of the threat" to the United States and its allies.
• Kim Jong Un Supervises Test-launch of Inter-continental Ballistic Rocket Hwasong-14 Rodong Sinmun 05 Jul 2017 -- The scientists and technicians of the DPRK Academy of Defence Science on July 4 successfully carried out the test-launch of inter-continental ballistic rocket Hwasong-14 newly developed by them under the personal guidance of Kim Jong Un, chairman of the Workers' Party of Korea, chairman of the State Affairs Commission of the DPRK and supreme commander of the Korean People's Army.
• Pentagon 'Not Seen Before' the Type of Missile Recently Launched by N Korea Sputnik 05 Jul 2017 -- The US Department of Defense said that it has "not seen before" the type of the ballistic missile launched by North Korea on Tuesday.
• 'N Korea Not the Kind of Country US Can Break and Force to Give Up on Nukes' Sputnik 05 Jul 2017 -- The altitude of the North Korean ballistic missile launched on Tuesday exceeded 2,500 kilometers (over 1,550 miles), Japan's Kyodo news agency reported, citing the country's defense ministry.
• Tokyo Considers Pyongyang's Latest Missile Likely of ICBM Type - Official Sputnik 05 Jul 2017 -- The government of Japan considers that North Korea's latest missile, launched on Tuesday, was likely of the intercontinental ballistic type, country's Chief Cabinet Secretary Yoshihide Suga said Wednesday.
• South Korea Skeptical of Pyongyang's Success in ICBM Development - Ministry Sputnik 05 Jul 2017 -- The South Korean Defense Ministry said Wednesday that it is not sure whether Pyongyang has in fact achieved success in the development of the intercontinental ballistic missiles (ICBM) as there is no proof that North Korea's missile returned to the atmosphere after the latest launch.
• Taiwan condemns North Korean ballistic missile test CNA 05 Jul 2017 -- Taiwan on Wednesday condemned North Korea's firing a day earlier of a ballistic missile with a range of about 933 kilometers, urging Pyongyang to stop any moves that could undermine security in the region.
• Indian Army Looking to Acquire a High-Performance Minelayer Sputnik 05 Jul 2017 -- The Indian Army has begun the procurement process of next generation GPS/GIS-based minefield recording system for its troops deployed in Himalayan terrain and north-eastern parts of the country. The Army will use the equipment to record the location of mines laid in the system.
• IRGC seeking peace through power: Commander IRNA 05 Jul 2017 -- Islamic Revolution Guard Corps (IRGC) is seeking peace, but peace is established when the enemies are scared of waging war against Iran and its consequences, IRGC commander said.
• Leader lauds IRGC's performance in missile launching IRNA 05 Jul 2017 -- Supreme Leader of Islamic Revolution Ayatollah Seyyed Ali Khamenei lauded the "highly excellent" performance of the Islamic Revolution Guards Corps (IRGC) in Leilatulqadr missile operations in the fasting month of Ramadan.
• Ayatollah Khamenei calls on IRGC to build up Iran's missile defense power Press TV 05 Jul 2017 -- Leader of the Islamic Revolution Ayatollah Seyyed Ali Khamenei has underlined the need for the country to boost its missile defense capability.
• IRGC to target terrorists anywhere: Senior commander Press TV 05 Jul 2017 -- A senior Islamic Revolution Guards Corps (IRGC) commander says the Islamic Republic will target terrorists in any place.
• IRGC says defense power serving peace, security Press TV 05 Jul 2017 -- Iran's Islamic Revolution Guards Corps (IRGC) says it is after promoting peace in the region, stressing that the Islamic Republic's defense power serves as a "security-building factor" for the nation and guarantees its safety.
• Pakistan test-fires short-range nuclear-capable ballistic missile Press TV 05 Jul 2017 -- Pakistan has successfully tested a short-range surface-to-surface ballistic missile capable of carrying nuclear warheads, its military says.
• Pakistan successfully test-fires new ballistic missile IRNA 05 Jul 2017 -- While Indian PM Narendra Modi is visiting Israel to sign new defense deal, Pakistan army said on Wednesday it has successfully tested a short range surface to surface ballistic missile 'NASR'.
• Pakistan Enhances Range of Controversial 'Tactical' Nuclear Weapon VOA 05 Jul 2017 -- Pakistan's military announced Wednesday that it has successfully undertaken a series of flight tests of its battlefield nuclear-capable NASR missile this week, enhancing the rocket's flight maneuverability and extending its range to 70 kilometers from 60.
• UK field hospital in South Sudan fully operational UK MOD 05 Jul 2017 -- The Defence Secretary has confirmed that the UK-built temporary hospital that will support a UN mission in country is now up and running.
• UK trains over 5000 Ukrainian Armed Forces UK MOD 05 Jul 2017 -- UK has directly trained over 5000 members of Ukraine's Armed Forces, 1000 more than initially targeted, the Defence Secretary has confirmed.
• Afghanistan Accepts Pakistan's Offer of 'Coordinated' Anti-Terror Operations VOA 05 Jul 2017 -- Pakistan and Afghanistan have agreed to conduct "coordinated, complementary" security operations against terrorist groups on their respective sides of the shared border, officials confirmed Wednesday.
• Russia Could Sell Indonesia Su-35 Fighter Jets on Loan Sputnik 05 Jul 2017 -- Russia and Indonesia are in discussions over loans for the delivery of Su-35 Flanker multirole fighters to Jakarta, state arms exporter Rosoboronexport Director General Alexander Mikheev told Sputnik.
• Russia's Helicopter Supplies Deal for Egypt's Mistral Envisions 2 Contracts Sputnik 05 Jul 2017 -- Russia will sign two contracts with Egypt on the Ka-52K helicopter, Rosoboronexport Director General Alexander Mikheev told Sputnik.
• Background Briefing on Secretary Tillerson's Travel to Kyiv, Ukraine and Istanbul, Turkey US Dept. of State 05 Jul 2017

Defense Industry

• DoD News: Contracts for July 05, 2017

Other Conflicts

• 5 July 2017 - Daily Press Briefing by the Office of the Spokesperson for the Secretary-General United Nations 05 Jul 2017
• Vietnam drilling for oil in Chinese-claimed territory: Report Press TV 05 Jul 2017 -- Vietnam has started drilling for oil in disputed territory claimed by China in the South China Sea, a report says.
• China urges India to correct mistakes by withdrawing border troops People's Daily 05 Jul 2017 -- China Wednesday urged India to immediately withdraw its border troops that have crossed into Chinese territory and correct its mistakes with practical actions.e
• China Blames India for Misleading Its Citizens Over Sikkim Standoff Sputnik 05 Jul 2017 -- China has accused India of misleading people by saying Chinese troops are building a road close to the strategically important area known as 'Chicken's Neck' in Sikkim sector.
• Russia may deploy troops to police Syria's de-escalation zones Press TV 04 Jul 2017 -- Russia has announced that it may deploy troops to de-escalation zones in Syria after agreement from Turkey and Iran.
• Russia, Turkey, Iran Fail To Agree On Details Of Syria De-Escalation Zones RFE/RL 05 Jul 2017 -- Diplomats from Russia, Iran, and Turkey have failed to reach agreement on final details regarding so-called "de-escalation zones" in parts of war-torn Syria.
• Syria National Coalition Views Astana Talks as Real Basis for Truce Sputnik 05 Jul 2017 -- The National Coalition of Syrian Revolution and Opposition Forces sees Astana peace process creating real ground for ceasefire and political solution, Coalition's Vice-President Abdul Hakim Bashar told Sputnik, commenting on the results of the fifth international meeting on Syria in Astana.
• Russian Military Police in Syrian Safe Zones to Carry Light Weapons Sputnik 05 Jul 2017 -- Russia's military police in the de-escalation zones in Syria will carry only light weapons, the head of the Russian delegation at the talks on Syria in Astana, Alexander Lavrentyev, said Wednesday.
• Suicide Bombings Climb in Northern Cameroon VOA 05 Jul 2017 -- Suicide bombings continue to climb in northern Cameroon with deadly attacks in the communities of Fomeka, Mora and Kerawa near Cameroon's border with Nigeria reported since Saturday.
• 13 Al-Shabab Militants Killed in Somali Troop Assault VOA 05 Jul 2017 -- Somali security forces say they killed 13 al-Shabab fighters and wounded 10 others in an attack on a militant base north of the coastal city of Kismayo.
• Suspects In Downing Of MH17 To Be Prosecuted In Dutch Court RFE/RL 05 Jul 2017 -- The Dutch Foreign Ministry says the suspects in the downing of Malaysia Airlines Flight MH17 in eastern Ukraine will be prosecuted in a Dutch court.

News Reports

• Trump Looks To Begin European Trip On Positive Note With Warsaw Visit RFE/RL 05 Jul 2017 -- U.S. President Donald Trump will arrive in Poland late on July 5, looking for a political boost ahead of what is likely to be more tense meetings later in the week at the Group of 20 (G20) summit in Hamburg, Germany.
• Analysis: Despite High Tensions, Trump, Putin Seek To Reestablish A Broken Dialogue RFE/RL 05 Jul 2017 -- Syria, Ukraine, North Korea, purported Russian meddling in the U.S. presidential election, Russian efforts to divide Europe, sanctions and countersanctions, hacking and cyberattacks.
• UN official urges Security Council to delink political, humanitarian concerns in response to DPR Korea missile launch UN News 05 Jul 2017 -- Briefing an emergency meeting of the Security Council convened following the launch by the Democratic People's Republic of Korea (DPRK) of a ballistic missile of intercontinental range, a senior United Nations official reminded the Council of the importance of separating political and humanitarian concerns as it considers a response to the situation.
• Trump Attacks China's Growing Trade with North Korea VOA 05 Jul 2017 -- President Donald Trump assailed China on Wednesday for boosting its trade with North Korea, the latest of several broadsides Washington has leveled at Beijing in recent days.
• China, Russia urge calm, dialogue after North Korea missile test Press TV 05 Jul 2017 -- Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov and his Chinese counterpart Wang Yi have urged dialogue and restraint to cool down the current confrontations on the Korean Peninsula.
• Qatar Blames Saudi Arabia and UAE for Crisis While Rivals Meet in Cairo VOA 05 Jul 2017 -- Qatar's foreign minister blamed Saudi Arabia and the United Arab Emirates for leading the embargo against the Gulf state in a speech on Wednesday, the same day the group of nations that cut ties with Qatar met in Cairo to plot their next move.
• Qatar slams demands as Saudi-coalition deadline looms People's Daily 05 Jul 2017 -- Qatar says the demands made by Arab nations to end the Gulf diplomatic crisis are impossible to meet, as a deadline fast approaches for a response from the emirate.
• None of Arab States Urged to Freeze Qatar's Arab League Membership Amid Row Sputnik 05 Jul 2017 -- None of the Arab countries proposed an initiative to freeze the participation of Qatar in the League of Arab States, the organization's Secretary General Ahmed Aboul Gheit told Sputnik on Wednesday.
• Saudi Arabia Vows to Keep Boycott in Place 'Until Qatar Changes Policies' Sputnik 05 Jul 2017 -- Saudi Foreign Minister Adel al-Jubeir announced Wednesday that Saudi Arabia and other countries that have imposed sanctions on Qatar are set to keep the boycott in place until Doha changes its policies "for the better."
• Qatar Ready to Solve Disagreements With Neighbors Through Dialogue Sputnik 05 Jul 2017 -- Qatar's Foreign Minister Mohammed bin Abdulrahman Thani said Wednesday his country was ready to solve disagreements with neighbors through dialogue.
• Arab States Say Received Qatar's Response to List of Demands Amid Diplomatic Row Sputnik 05 Jul 2017 -- Saudi Arabia, Egypt, the United Arab Emirates and Bahrain issued a joint statement confirming that they had received the reply from Qatar on the list of their demands amid the diplomatic row.
• Germany Bracing For Russian Effort To Influence September Elections RFE/RL 05 Jul 2017 -- Germany is expecting Russia to try to influence its general election in September, with the goal of undermining faith in German democracy rather than promoting any particular candidate, officials said on July 4.
• Turkish Opposition Leader Pledges to Challenge Crackdown VOA 05 Jul 2017 -- The leader of Turkey's main opposition party has pledged to continue his campaign for justice in the face of government accusations of supporting terrorism.