Operations
Defense Policy / Programs
Defense Industry
Other Conflicts
News Reports

Current Operations

• OIF / OND / OEF / OIR / OFS Casualty Update 07 Jul 2017[PDF]
• Military Strikes Target ISIS Terrorists in Syria, Iraq AFPS 07 Jul 2017 -- U.S. and coalition military forces continued to attack the Islamic State of Iraq and Syria yesterday, conducting 29 strikes consisting of 40 engagements, Combined Joint Task Force Operation Inherent Resolve officials reported today.

Defense Policy / Programs

• US will test THAAD system in Alaska: Official Press TV 07 Jul 2017 -- The US Missile Defense Agency (MDA) says it will soon test an anti-ballistic missile system amid rising tensions over North Korea's increased missile tests.
• USS Sterett Deployment Extended NNS 07 Jul 2017 -- U.S. Pacific Fleet ordered the Arleigh Burke-class guided-missile destroyer USS Sterett (DDG 104) to extend the previously scheduled deployment in the Western-Pacific until the end of August.
• Rapid Capabilities Office prepares to face emerging threats Army News 07 Jul 2017 -- Over the past 15 years, the Army has rightly focused on winning the current fight, said Maj. Gen. Wilson Shoffner, director of operations for the Army Rapid Capabilities Office, known as the RCO.
• Readout from Secretary Jim Mattis' Bilateral Meeting with UK Secretary of State for Defence Michael Fallon DoD 07 Jul 2017
• Remarks by Secretary Mattis at an Honor Cordon Welcoming U.K. Secretary of State for Defense Fallon to the Pentagon DoD 07 Jul 2017 -- Presenter: Secretary of Defense Jim Mattis; United Kingdom Secretary of State for Defense Sir Michael Fallon
• Exercise Dynamic Mongoose Concludes NNS 07 Jul 2017 -- Naval forces from Canada, Denmark, France, Germany, Iceland, the Netherlands, Norway, the United Kingdom and the United States concluded the NATO Allied Maritime Command-led exercise Dynamic Mongoose 2017, in the North Atlantic Ocean, July 6, 2017.
• Norfolk Naval Shipyard's New Pipe Bending Machine Saves Time and Money NNS 07 Jul 2017 -- Capturing complex bends on pipes is an art form members of the Norfolk Naval Shipyard (NNSY) Pipe Group have harnessed for many years.
• Ike Goes to Canada NNS 07 Jul 2017 -- USS Dwight D. Eisenhower (CVN 69) (Ike) anchored outside of Halifax, Nova Scotia, June 28, to help support and celebrate Canada's 150th year. This year marks the first time a U.S. aircraft carrier has visited the city since 1998.
• Army's first cipher office broke the code on modern cryptology Army News 07 Jul 2017 -- When Ralph Van Deman established the War Department's intelligence organization shortly after the United States entered World War I, he was faced with the daunting task of building his section from nearly nothing.
• Colorado and Wyoming National Guard troops helping wildfire battles Army News 07 Jul 2017 -- As wildfires burned Friday in Colorado and Wyoming, National Guard troops and helicopters joined the battle to assist civilian fire crews.
• US to Continue THAAD Deployment in S. Korea Despite Russia, China Opposition Sputnik 07 Jul 2017 -- The United States will continue to deploy its THAAD missile defense systems in South Korea despite recent opposition from Moscow and Beijing, State Department spokesperson Heather Nauert said in a press conference on Thursday.
• India, Israel Ink Deal for Air Defense System, Radars, UAVs Worth $4.3 Bln Sputnik 07 Jul 2017 -- Indian companies have signed 12 strategic agreements ranging from air defense systems, radars, anti-ship missiles to medium altitude long endurance UAVs in India under technology transfer worth $4.3 billion during the first formal meeting of India-Israel CEOs forum in Tel Aviv.
• Statement from UK, US, France, on ban treaty 07 Jul 2017 -- "France, the United Kingdom and the United States have not taken part in the negotiation of the treaty on the prohibition of nuclear weapons. We do not intend to sign, ratify or ever become party to it. Therefore, there will be no change in the legal obligations on our countries with respect to nuclear weapons."
• UN adopts global treaty on prohibition of nuclear weapons Press TV 07 Jul 2017 -- The United Nations has adopted a legally-binding treaty prohibiting nuclear weapons for the first time in the seven-decade effort to avert a nuclear war.
• Over 120 UN Member States Adopt Treaty to Ban Nuclear Weapons Sputnik 07 Jul 2017 -- 120 UN member states with the exception of all nine nuclear powers adopted a treaty to categorically prohibit nuclear weapons.
• UN conference adopts treaty banning nuclear weapons UN News 07 Jul 2017 -- Countries meeting at a United Nations conference in New York today adopted the Treaty on the Prohibition of Nuclear Weapons, the first multilateral legally-binding instrument for nuclear disarmament to have been negotiated in 20 years.
• Over 120 Nations Adopt First Treaty Banning Nuclear Weapons VOA 07 Jul 2017 -- A U.N. conference adopted an international treaty banning nuclear weapons Friday, but the world's nine nuclear powers boycotted the proceedings, leaving its impact in doubt.
• Press Briefing on the President's Meetings at the G20 | July 7, 2017 The White House 07 Jul 2017

Defense Industry

• DoD News: Contracts for July 07, 2017

Other Conflicts

• 7 July 2017 - Daily Press Briefing by the Office of the Spokesperson for the Secretary-General United Nations 07 Jul 2017
• Strengthening UN peacekeeping tops agenda as chiefs of defence meet in New York UN News 07 Jul 2017 -- In the ongoing effort to improve the overall performance of United Nations peacekeeping missions, the heads of the armed forces of around 100 countries met at UN Headquarters in New York today to discuss issues such as rapid deployment, training, increasing the number of female peacekeepers, and conduct and discipline.
• US Bombers Buzz South China Sea as Trump and Xi Prepare For G20 Meeting Sputnik 07 Jul 2017 -- oAs the presidents of the US and China participate in the Group of 20 Summit in Hamburg, the two nations continue to rattle their sabers in the disputed South China Sea. The latest muscle-flexing came from the United States Air Force, which flew a pair of B-1B Lancers over the contested waters Friday.
• China Says South China Sea Research is for Science, Not Sovereignty VOA 07 Jul 2017 -- Chinese scientists are defending the nation's high-tech exploration activities in the South China Sea against criticism, insisting the effort is a legitimate bid to advance science rather than a ploy to bolster China's claims to sovereignty over the contested waterway.
• China opposes show of force after US bombers' S. China Sea flyover People's Daily 07 Jul 2017 -- China opposes the use of freedom of navigation and overflight as an excuse to show off military muscle, Foreign Ministry spokesperson Geng Shuang said on Friday, after two US bombers flew over the South China Sea.
• US strategic bombers fly over Chinese-claimed territory in South China Sea Press TV 07 Jul 2017 -- Two US strategic bombers have flown over Chinese-claimed territory in the disputed South China Sea.
• Vietnam Goads India to Counter China in South China Sea Sputnik 07 Jul 2017 -- Amid an atmosphere of heightened border tension between India and China, Vietnam has renewed a license for Indian state-owned company ONGC Videsh to explore oil blocks in the South China Sea for the next two years.
• US, Russia reach agreement on truce in southwestern Syria: Lavrov Press TV 07 Jul 2017 -- The United States and Russia have reached a deal on a truce in southwestern Syria, Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov said on Friday.
• Russia wants US to clarify Syria 'no-fly zones' proposal Press TV 07 Jul 2017 -- Russia says it has asked the US to provide more details about its proposal to work together with Moscow to set up "no-fly zones" in Syria.
• Daesh second-in-command killed in clashes with Iraqi govt. forces Press TV 07 Jul 2017 -- The militant commander ranked second in the Takfiri Daesh terrorist group has reportedly been killed during fierce street battles with Iraqi government forces in the Old City of Mosul as Daesh is practically on its last breath in Iraq.
• IS Fighters Counterattack In Mosul, Kill Two Journalists RFE/RL 07 Jul 2017 -- Islamic State (IS) militants launched a counterattack in the Old City of Mosul and in a village south of the city, killing several people, including two Iraqi journalists covering the battle.
• Liberation of Benghazi Ruins Foreign Plans for Libya's Partition - National Army Sputnik 07 Jul 2017 -- Ahmed Mismari, spokesman of the Libyan National Army, stated that the victory in Benghazi was an issue of great importance for all Libyans.
• Sinai bombings kill, injure 26 Egyptian soldiers Press TV 07 Jul 2017 -- Over two dozen Egyptian soldiers have been killed or wounded in attacks on two security checkpoints in the militancy-riddled Sinai Peninsula.
• Kosovo's Thaci Looks For 'Comprehensive' Deal With War Foe Serbia RFE/RL 07 Jul 2017 -- President Hashim Thaci says that after years of talks, Kosovo and Serbia are entering a "new phase of dialogue" as they look to sign a comprehensive agreement to benefit both countries on the path of European integration.
• UN chief 'deeply sorry' as Cyprus talks conclude without agreement UN News 07 Jul 2017 -- Secretary-General António Guterres says that he is "deeply sorry" that, despite very strong commitments and the engagement of all delegations, the United Nations-facilitated Conference on Cyprus concluded without reaching an agreement.
• Funding, Suicide Attacks Remain Challenge for African Force Fighting Boko Haram VOA 07 Jul 2017 -- Boko Haram has lost as much as 70 percent of its war equipment and fighters. That's the assessment of defense officials from the five countries involved in the joint task force fighting the militants. But the officials, who gathered in Cameroon this week to discuss the war effort, admit their own troops face challenges, mostly involving funding.

News Reports

• Trump Meets With Putin as G-20 Protests Rage VOA 07 Jul 2017 -- President Donald Trump said Friday he and Russian President Vladimir Putin have discussed "various things" and he anticipates future developments that are beneficial to both countries.
• Putin-Trump Meeting Ends After Extending To More Than Two Hours RFE/RL 07 Jul 2017 -- U.S. President Donald Trump and Russian President Vladimir Putin wrapped up their talks on the sidelines of the Group of 20 summit in Hamburg, with the meeting extending to more than two hours from a scheduled 35 minutes.
• Putin, Trump talk various issues in 1st first face-to-face meeting Press TV 07 Jul 2017 -- Russian President Vladimir Putin and his American counterpart Donald Trump have held their first meeting on the sidelines of the G20 summit in Germany, and reportedly exchanged viewpoints on a host of international problems and bilateral issues.
• Trump Confronts Putin on Russia's Meddling in US Election VOA 07 Jul 2017 -- U.S. President Donald Trump "pressed" Russian counterpart Vladimir Putin on Moscow's meddling in last year's U.S. presidential election at their first face-to-face meeting Friday, according to U.S. Secretary of State Rex Tillerson.
• US: Russia steps up spying efforts after 2016 presidential election Press TV 07 Jul 2017 -- US intelligence officials believe Russian spies are increasing their intelligence-gathering efforts in the United States, amid ongoing investigations over Moscow's alleged meddling in the 2016 US presidential election.
• US, South Korea, Japan Call for Stiffer Sanctions Against North Korea VOA 07 Jul 2017 -- Leaders from the United States, South Korea and Japan agreed Friday to urge the United Nations to speed up the implementation of sanctions against North Korea following the country's July 4 intercontinental missile launch.
• DPRK warns U.S. against further military gambling People's Daily 07 Jul 2017 -- The Democratic People's Republic of Korea (DPRK) on Friday warned the United States against further resorting to military gambling.
• US opposes Russia, China proposal to suspend S Korean drills Press TV 07 Jul 2017 -- The United States has rejected a proposal from Russia and China that Washington should suspend joint military drills with Seoul in exchange for Pyongyang halting missile tests and nuclear weapons programs.
• Russia says North Korean missile was not ICBM, objects to US over such classification Press TV 07 Jul 2017 -- Russia says a projectile recently test-fired by North Korea was not an intercontinental ballistic missile (ICBM), as commonly believed, and has objected to the United States over describing the missile as such in a draft United Nations Security Council resolution.
• The 'Gift' That Keeps on Giving: North Korea Hints at More Missile Launches Sputnik 07 Jul 2017 -- After the US threatened penalties for North Korea's Tuesday intercontinental ballistic missile (ICBM) launch, Pyongyang on Friday alluded to more launches in the future.
• Russia Objects To U.S.-Drafted Measure Condemning North Korea At UN RFE/RL 07 Jul 2017 -- Russia on July 6 objected to a U.S.-drafted resolution at the UN condemning North Korea's first-ever launch of an intercontinental ballistic missile.
• Egypt can't bar Qatari ships from passing though Suez waterway: Canal boss Press TV 07 Jul 2017 -- The Suez Canal Authority says Egypt cannot bar Qatari ships from crossing the vital waterway, although the North African country, along with Saudi Arabia and its allies, has severed ties with Qatar.
• UN calls on Myanmar to grant citizenship to Rohingya Press TV 07 Jul 2017 -- The UN refugee agency has called on Myanmar to grant citizenship to the persecuted Rohingya Muslims.
• Lithuanian Court Sentences Russian Security Official To 10 Years In Prison For Spying RFE/RL 07 Jul 2017 -- A Russian security official has been sentenced to 10 years in prison by a Lithuanian court for attempting to recruit local officials to bug the home of the country's president.
• Pakistan Hails UN for Listing Jamaat-ul-Ahrar as Global Terrorist VOA 07 Jul 2017 -- Pakistan has hailed a United Nations Security Council decision to declare the group Jamaat-ul-Ahrar, or JuA, a global terrorist organization. The anti-state militant group has claimed responsibility for a majority of recent terrorist attacks in the country.
• China develops sea launches to boost space commerce People's Daily 07 Jul 2017 -- China has a clear plan to provide sea launches for commercial payloads to be carried by Long March rockets, according to an aerospace official.
• Tainan mayor backs Taiwan independence, friendship with China CNA 07 Jul 2017 -- Tainan Mayor Lai Ching-te (賴清德) on Friday described relations with China as a relationship between friends but stressed that he still advocated Taiwan independence.