Operations
Defense Policy / Programs
Defense Industry
Other Conflicts
News Reports

Current Operations

• OIF / OND / OEF / OIR / OFS Casualty Update 10 Jul 2017[PDF]
• U.S., Coalition Continue Strikes to Defeat ISIS AFPS 10 Jul 2017 -- U.S. and coalition military forces continued to attack the Islamic State of Iraq and Syria yesterday, conducting 22 strikes consisting of 59 engagements, Combined Joint Task Force Operation Inherent Resolve officials reported today.
• Afghan Police: Children Kidnapped To Be Suicide Bombers For Taliban RFE/RL 10 Jul 2017 -- Afghan police have arrested members of a human trafficking ring they say kidnapped 25 children and tried to smuggle them into Pakistan, where they were to be trained as suicide bombers for the Afghan Taliban.

Defense Policy / Programs

• US deploys advanced missile system to Lithuania near Russia Press TV 10 Jul 2017 -- The US has deployed the Patriot missile system to Lithuania to be used in NATO military drills, the first time the advanced missiles have been sent to the Baltics near Russia's border.
• US stations long-range Patriot missiles in Lithuania for exercises SPA 10 Jul 2017 -- The US military has stationed Patriot anti-aircraft missiles in Lithuania for military exercises for the first time, the Defence Ministry in Vilnius announced Monday, according to dpa.
• US Deploys Patriot Missile System in Lithuania for 1st Time - Defense Ministry Sputnik 10 Jul 2017 -- The US has deployed Patriot missile system in Lithuania for the first time.
• Readout of Secretary Mattis' Meeting With Prime Minister of Tunisia DoD 10 Jul 2017
• Remarks by Secretary Mattis at an Honor Cordon Welcoming Tunisian Prime Minister Chahed to the Pentagon DoD 10 Jul 2017 -- Presenter: Secretary of Defense Jim Mattis; Tunisian Prime Minister Youssef Chahed
• East China Sea Mission Marks New B-1B Bomber Milestone AFPS 10 Jul 2017 -- U.S. Air Force and Japan Air Self-Defense Force units sharpened their combat skills July 6 during a bilateral mission over the East China Sea.
• USS Ronald Reagan Begins Exercise Talisman Saber 2017 NNS 10 Jul 2017 -- The Navy's forward-deployed aircraft carrier, USS Ronald Reagan (CVN 76) began participating in exercise Talisman Saber 2017 (TS 17) off the coast of Australia July 8.
• Nimitz Carrier Strike Group Begins Malabar 2017 NNS 10 Jul 2017 -- Sailors and Marines assigned to the Nimitz Carrier Strike Group, the Indian Navy and the Japan Maritime Self-Defense Force (JMSDF) commenced the Malabar in-port portions in Chennai, India, July 9.
• Iwo Jima Amphibious Readiness Group Departs for PMINT NNS 10 Jul 2017 -- Amphibious Squadron (PHIBRON) 4 and the 26th Marine Expeditionary Unit (MEU) departed Naval Station Norfolk July 8 to begin PHIBRON-MEU Integrated Training (PMINT) off the southeast coast of the United States.
• USS Hue City and USS Carney Arrive in Odessa, Ukraine NNS 10 Jul 2017 -- The Ticonderoga-class guided-missile cruiser USS Hue City (CG 66), and the Arleigh Burke-class guided missile destroyer USS Carney (DDG 64) arrived in Odessa, Ukraine, July 10, 2017, for a scheduled port visit in support of exercise Sea Breeze 2017.
• Truxtun Visits Souda Bay NNS 10 Jul 2017 -- The guided-missile destroyer USS Truxtun (DDG 103) concluded a four-day port visit in Souda Bay, Greece, July 6.
• USS Carney Enters Black Sea NNS 10 Jul 2017 -- The Arleigh Burke-class guided missile destroyer USS Carney (DDG 64) entered the Black Sea, July 8, 2017, to conduct maritime security operations and enhance capability and interoperability with allies and partners in the region. While operating in the Black Sea, USS Carney will participate in exercise Sea Breeze 2017.
• USS Hue City Enters Black Sea NNS 10 Jul 2017 -- The Ticonderoga-class guided-missile cruiser USS Hue City (CG 66) entered the Black Sea, July 9th, 2017, in order to participate in the multinational exercise Sea Breeze 2017. Sea Breeze is an annual recurring exercise that will focus on a variety of warfare areas to include maritime interdiction operations, air defense, anti-submarine warfare, damage control tactics, search and rescue, and amphibious warfare.
• USS Ross Departs Norway NNS 10 Jul 2017 -- The Arleigh Burke-class guided-missile destroyer USS Ross (DDG 71) departed Trondheim, Norway, July 8, 2017, after completing a scheduled port visit to enhance U.S.-Norway relations as the two nations work towards a stable and secure Europe.
• Australian Air Force Partners With US Navy for New Electronic Warfare Capability Sputnik 10 Jul 2017 -- Australia is moving forward with US defense giant Raytheon for the next-generation jammer program, to ensure the Royal Australian Air Force (RAAF) and its friends in the US Navy can engage all types of electronic warfare attacks in the South Pacific Theater and beyond.
• With Eye on China, India, US and Japan Conduct Naval Drills VOA 10 Jul 2017 -- In a signal of deepening military cooperation between India, the United States and Japan, the three countries have deployed some of their largest warships and submarines in the Indian Ocean for an annual naval exercise that is conducted with an eye on China.
• NATO Secretary General stresses Alliance's strong support for Ukraine NATO 10 Jul 2017 -- NATO Secretary General Jens Stoltenberg ended a two-day visit to Ukraine on Monday evening (10 July 2017), during which he reaffirmed the Alliance's strong political and practical support for Ukraine.
• Joint press conference with NATO Secretary General Jens Stoltenberg and the President of Ukraine, Petro Poroshenko NATO 10 Jul 2017
• NATO Chief Calls On Russia To Remove 'Thousands Of Troops' From Ukraine RFE/RL 10 Jul 2017 -- NATO Secretary-General Jens Stoltenberg has affirmed the alliance's "unwavering support" for Ukraine's territorial integrity and has called on Russia to remove its "thousands of soldiers from Ukraine and stop supporting the militants with command-and-control and military equipment."
• Ukraine Abandons Short-Term NATO Membership Goal to Focus on Reforms Sputnik 10 Jul 2017 -- Ukraine does not yet plan to apply for North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO) membership and will instead focus on security and defense reforms to comply with the alliance's standards, Ukrainian President Petro Poroshenko said Monday.
• Ukraine to Begin Talks on NATO Membership Action Plan VOA 10 Jul 2017 -- Ukraine will begin discussions on a membership action plan with the North Atlantic Treaty Organization, Ukrainian President Petro Poroshenko announced Monday.
• Why China Reduces All Military Contacts With North Korea to Zero Sputnik 10 Jul 2017 -- China has suspended military contacts with North Korea amid an escalation in tensions on the Korean Peninsula. According to a Chinese senior military official, the decision was aimed at reaffirming solidarity with the rest of the world in complying with UN resolutions.
• After 70 Years in Service, India Set to Shut Army Education Corps Sputnik 10 Jul 2017 -- India is likely to close an Army unit established in 1947 to provide basic education to troops. An 11-member committee has recommended the winding up the Army Education Corps (AEC) and deploy 5000 personnel to the war zone that will be advantageous to the forces.
• 'Very close associates' of Israeli PM arrested in 'submarine affair' Press TV 10 Jul 2017 -- Israeli police have arrested six people, including some "very close associates" of Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, over bribery, fraud, and money laundering charges, in a case that could be highly consequential for the Israeli premier.
• New submarine delivered to S Korea Navy amid tensions with North Press TV 10 Jul 2017 -- South Korea's Navy is in possession of a new advanced 1,800-tonne submarine which it hopes will improve its underwater prowess against its northern neighbor amid heightened tensions on the Korean Peninsula.
• South Korea Receives New Submarine Amid Escalating Tensions With Pyongyang Sputnik 10 Jul 2017 -- South Korean Navy receives new advanced 1,800-tonne submarine to increase its underwater warfare capability against the North Korea amid escalating tensions in the region, local media reported Monday.
• United Kingdom - Joint Light Tactical Vehicles (JLTV) and Accessories DSCA 10 Jul 2017 -- The State Department has made a determination approving a possible Foreign Military Sale to the United Kingdom for Joint Light Tactical Vehicles (JLTV) and accessories. The estimated cost is $1.035 billion. The Defense Security Cooperation Agency delivered the required certification notifying Congress of this possible sale today.
• Jeremy Corbyn says UK arms sales to Saudi Arabia 'unethical' Press TV 10 Jul 2017 -- Britain's opposition Labour Party Leader Jeremy Corbyn has criticized a UK High Court ruling that allows London to continue arms sales to Saudi Arabia.
• UK court: Saudi arms sales lawful Press TV 10 Jul 2017 -- The UK High Court has reviewed a plea against the country's arms sales to Saudi Arabia in the light of the fact that the kingdom is waging a bloody war against Yemen, deciding that the government's weapons sales are not in contravention of the law.
• Poland to Create Missile Defense System Based on US Patriot System in 10 Years Sputnik 10 Jul 2017 -- Poland will build in 10 years its own missile defense system based on the US Patriot missile system, Polish Deputy Defense Minister Bartosz Kownacki said Monday.
• Turkey Says Goodbye to German Troops as Ankara-Berlin Ties Remain Tense Sputnik 10 Jul 2017 -- On Sunday, Germany started the withdrawal of its troops from the Turkish Incirlik base, as the result of a decision approved by the Bundestag in June following a row between Berlin and Ankara.
• Government of the Netherlands - AN/AAR-57A(V)7 Common Missile Warning System (CMWS) DSCA 10 Jul 2017 -- The State Department has made a determination approving a possible Foreign Military Sale to the Government of the Netherlands for AN/AAR-57A(V)7 Common Missile Warning Systems (CMWS). The estimated cost is $58.2 million. The Defense Security Cooperation Agency delivered the required certification notifying Congress of this possible sale today.
• Press Briefing by Principal Deputy Press Secretary Sarah Sanders and Director of Legislative Affairs Marc Short The White House 10 Jul 2017

Defense Industry

• DoD News: Contracts for July 10, 2017
• Russia remains world's 2nd weapons exporter: Rosoboronexport People's Daily 10 Jul 2017 -- Russia has remained the world's second-largest exporter of weapons and military hardware in recent years with a 17 percent share of the global market, Russia's sole state intermediary agency for exports and imports of defense-related products Rosoboronexport said Monday.

Other Conflicts

• 10 July 2017 - Daily Press Briefing by the Office of the Spokesperson for the Secretary-General United Nations 10 Jul 2017
• With Eye on China, India, US and Japan Conduct Naval Drills VOA 10 Jul 2017 -- In a signal of deepening military cooperation between India, the United States and Japan, the three countries have deployed some of their largest warships and submarines in the Indian Ocean for an annual naval exercise that is conducted with an eye on China.
• Syria war has cost $226 billion in GDP losses: World Bank Press TV 10 Jul 2017 -- The World Bank has estimated that the devastating war in Syria has cost the country a whopping $226 billion in cumulative Gross Domestic Product (GDP) losses.
• Israel not bound by US-Russian ceasefire deal in Syria: Liberman Press TV 10 Jul 2017 -- Israel has refused to abide by a ceasefire brokered by the United States and Russia which went into force in southwestern Syria on Sunday, saying it would act to protect its interests.
• UN Envoy Launches New Round Of Syria Talks Amid Cease-Fire RFE/RL 10 Jul 2017 -- The UN's envoy for Syria has opened a new round of indirect peace talks in Geneva between Syrian government representatives and opposition leaders.
• Cease-Fire Brokered By U.S., Russia Appears To Hold After First Day In Southwest Syria RFE/RL 10 Jul 2017 -- A cease-fire brokered by the United States and Russia in southwest Syria has held through the first day, a monitor group and rebel fighters say.
• Syrian Conflict Causing More Damage to Economy Than Infrastructure - World Bank Sputnik 10 Jul 2017 -- Syrian conflict has damaged social and economic systems more than the devastated infrastructure, the World Bank said in a report on Monday.
• Syrian Army Liberates 15 Villages in Southern Province of As-Suwayda From Daesh Sputnik 10 Jul 2017 -- Syrian government army, supported by the allied forces, have dislodged Daesh terrorists (outlawed in numerous countries) from 15 settlements in the eastern part of the As-Suwayda province in southern Syria, a Syrian military source told Sputnik on Monday.
• Higher Potential for Progress in Syria Peace Talks VOA 10 Jul 2017 -- The current, seventh round of U.N.-mediated peace talks aimed at ending the long-running conflict in Syria has opened with a sense of cautious optimism that things might be moving in the right direction.
• Battle to Retake Raqqa a Desperate House-to-House Fight VOA 10 Jul 2017 -- The battle to retake the Syrian city of Raqqa from the Islamic State terror group is a fight increasingly without front lines. The U.S.-backed, Kurdish-led Syrian Democratic Forces have breached the old city and control about a quarter of the terror group's de facto capital, say American officials, but holding what has already been seized is proving a struggle.
• Liberation of Mosul US Dept. of State 10 Jul 2017 -- Press Statement by Rex W. Tillerson, Secretary of State
• Iraqi Forces Liberate Mosul From ISIS AFPS 10 Jul 2017 -- The coalition welcomed Iraqi Prime Minister Haider al-Abadi's announcement of Iraq's victory in Mosul and congratulated the Iraqi forces on their remarkable progress against the Islamic State of Iraq and Syria while making extraordinary efforts to safeguard civilian lives, Army Lt. Gen. Stephen J. Townsend, the Combined Joint Task Force Operation Inherent Resolve commander, said in a video statement today.
• Liberation of Mosul symbolizes total collapse of IS in Iraq People's Daily 10 Jul 2017 -- Iraqi Prime Minister Haider al-Abadi arrived in Mosul on Sunday and congratulated the armed forces for their victory over Islamic State after 266 days of fierce battles, which finally liberated Mosul from IS and ended its three-year rule.
• Iraqi prime minister formally declares victory over Daesh Press TV 10 Jul 2017 -- Iraqi Prime Minister Haider al-Abadi has formally declared victory of the country's forces over the Daesh Takfiri terrorist group one day after the country's military and Popular Mobilization Forces took full control of the northern city.
• Iraqi PM Formally Declares Victory In Mosul RFE/RL 10 Jul 2017 -- Iraqi Prime Minister Haidar al-Abadi formally declared victory over the Islamic State (IS) on July 10 in a speech on state television, marking the biggest defeat for the group since it declared a caliphate three years ago.
• Defence Secretary welcomes Iraqi Victory in Mosul UK MOD 10 Jul 2017 -- Defence Secretary Sir Michael Fallon has congratulated the Iraqi Prime Minister and security forces on their victory in Mosul.
• Guterres pledges UN support to Iraqi Government, people in Mosul; $562M needed in aid UN News 10 Jul 2017 -- Following Iraqi Government's declaration that its forces have liberated the northern city of Mosul from the Islamic State of Iraq and the Levant (ISIL) fighters, Secretary-General António Guterres today paid tribute to the country's people and Government and vowed United Nations' support to aid the displaced communities and restore rule of law in the freed areas.
• Iraq PM Declares 'Victory' Over IS in Mosul VOA 10 Jul 2017 -- Iraqi Prime Minister Haider al-Abadi has formally declared victory over Islamic State in Mosul.
• Pakistan Army kills four Indian soldiers, destroys two Indian check posts People's Daily 10 Jul 2017 -- Four Indian soldiers were killed and two Indian check posts were destroyed by the Pakistan Army on Sunday, after the deaths of seven people caused by unprovoked Indian shelling across the Line of Control (LoC) in Kashmir, the Pakistan Army confirmed on Monday.
• UN to Ease Colombian Rebels' Transition to Civilian Life VOA 10 Jul 2017 -- The United Nations Security Council unanimously adopted a resolution Monday aimed at helping Colombian rebels return to civilian life after a peace deal halted 52 years of guerrilla warfare. The conflict has killed more than 250,000 people and displaced more than 7 million.
• Colombia: Security Council authorizes UN mission to monitor reintegration of FARC-EP UN News 10 Jul 2017 -- The Security Council today decided to establish a new United Nations political mission in Colombia that will succeed the current one and will shift from monitoring the disarmament of former combatants to verifying their political, economic and social reintegration.
• Greeks, Turks Blame Each Other for Collapse of Cyprus Talks VOA 10 Jul 2017 -- As expected, both sides are blaming the other for the collapse of the latest Cyprus peace talks which diplomats saw as the best chance yet to reunify the divided island.
• Recognize tragedy of Srebrenica and ensure such atrocities are never repeated, urges UN chief UN News 10 Jul 2017 -- Ahead of the twenty-second anniversary of the Srebrenica massacre – the largest atrocity on European soil since World War II – United Nations Secretary-General António Guterres urged all to "look honestly" at the past, acknowledge the crimes and the inaction that allowed them to occur and ensure that such atrocities are never repeated.

News Reports

• Reports: Trump Son Met With Russian Lawyer After Offer Of Damaging Clinton Information RFE/RL 10 Jul 2017 -- U.S. media are reporting that U.S. President Donald Trump's son and others met with a Kremlin-connected lawyer during the 2016 campaign after being promised damaging information about Democratic rival Hillary Clinton.
• Alarm Bells Raised In U.S. About Russian Lawyer Before She Met Trump's Son RFE/RL 10 Jul 2017 -- Prior to her controversial meeting with U.S. President Donald Trump's son, Russian lawyer Natalya Veselnitskaya drew the attention and ire of American officials over her alleged lobbying against a U.S. law despised by the Kremlin and a hefty hotel bill handed to U.S. authorities for reimbursement.
• White House Aide Dismisses Claims of Collusion Between Trump Jr., Russian Lawyer Sputnik 10 Jul 2017 -- A White House aide dismissed media reports of alleged collusion between Donald Trump's eldest son, Donald Trump Jr., and a Russian lawyer last year.
• Kremlin: Unaware of Russian Lawyer's 2016 Contact with Trump Campaign VOA 10 Jul 2017 -- The Kremlin says it is unaware of a 2016 meeting between U.S. President Donald Trump's senior staff and a Russian attorney who promised to provide damaging information about Trump's challenger, Democrat Hillary Clinton.
• Trump Backs Off Cybersecurity Plan With Putin After Criticism From Own Party RFE/RL 10 Jul 2017 -- U.S. President Donald Trump late on July 9 stepped back from his proposal to work with Russian President Vladimir Putin to establish a cybersecurity unit to prevent hacking and election meddling after he received blistering criticism from his own party.
• Tillerson Hopes to Mend Strained US-Turkey Relations VOA 10 Jul 2017 -- The strained U.S. relations with Turkey are beginning to improve, but will require much more work, according to Secretary of State Rex Tillerson.
• Man Pleads Guilty to Conspiring to Provide Material Support to Terrorists and Soliciting the Murder of a Federal Judge US Dept. of Justice 10 Jul 2017 -- Yahya Farooq Mohammad, 39, pleaded guilty today to one count of conspiracy to provide and conceal material support or resources to terrorists and one count of solicitation to commit a crime of violence.
• Tillerson Shuttles to Kuwait, Saudi Arabia and Qatar to Try to Break Impasse VOA 10 Jul 2017 -- U.S. Secretary of State Rex Tillerson is in Kuwait, in an effort to help resolve the impasse over the blockade of Qatar by its Persian Gulf neighbors
• Tillerson seeks to resolve crisis between Qatar, Arab neighbors Press TV 10 Jul 2017 -- US Secretary of State Rex Tillerson is embarking on his first shuttle diplomacy mission, heading to the Persian Gulf in a bid to end the diplomatic crisis between Qatar and a Saudi-led bloc of countries in the region.
• Erdogan plans regional tour to help resolve Qatar row despite brushoff Press TV 10 Jul 2017 -- Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan says he may travel to several regional countries to help resolve a crisis revolving around Qatar, even as he has disturbed some of those countries by resolutely taking Doha's side.
• Qatar Says It Has $340 Billion To Withstand Boycott By Arab Nations RFE/RL 10 Jul 2017 -- Qatar's central bank says it has $340 billion in reserves that could help the country to withstand any effects from the boycott imposed by its Arab neighbors and other countries.
• High-Level Probe Recommends Corruption Case Against Pakistan's Sharif VOA 10 Jul 2017 -- A panel appointed by Pakistan's Supreme Court to look into the financial wealth and overseas assets of Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif and his children has recommended that a corruption case be brought against the family.
• Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques Chairs Cabinet s Session SPA 10 Jul 2017 -- The Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques King Salman bin Abdulaziz Al Saud chaired the Cabinet s session at Al-Salam Palace in Jeddah on Monday afternoon.
• Caucasus Report: Abkhazia Heads Into New Political Crisis RFE/RL 10 Jul 2017 -- As Georgia seeks to pressure the international community to respond robustly to attempts by its breakaway Republic of South Ossetia to encroach on its territory by shifting border markers, a new political crisis is building in its other breakaway region, Abkhazia, where the opposition has repeatedly called for the resignation of de facto leader Raul Khajimba.
• Somalia Prepares for One Person, One Vote Polls by 2020 VOA 10 Jul 2017 -- African and Arab election experts are in Kenya this week meeting with Somalia's electoral commission to help the country prepare to move to "one person, one vote" elections in 2020.
• Food Crises Getting Worse in Somalia, Kenya VOA 10 Jul 2017 -- Severe food crises are growing in Kenya and Somalia, as the Horn of Africa continues to receive below-normal rainfall, according to the Famine Early Warning Systems Network.