Operations
Defense Policy / Programs
Defense Industry
Other Conflicts
News Reports

Current Operations

• OIF / OND / OEF / OIR / OFS Casualty Update 18 Jul 2017[PDF]
• Inherent Resolve Strikes Target ISIS in Syria, Iraq AFPS 18 Jul 2017 -- U.S. and coalition military forces continued to attack the Islamic State of Iraq and Syria yesterday, conducting 29 strikes consisting of 36 engagements, Combined Joint Task Force Operation Inherent Resolve officials reported today.
• Taliban militants kill five policemen in northern Afghanistan Press TV 18 Jul 2017 -- At least five Afghan policemen have been killed and another six have been wounded in a fierce battle with the Taliban militant group in the country's troubled north, security sources say.
• Afghan Vice President's Failed Homecoming Signals Deepening Political Crisis RFE/RL 18 Jul 2017 -- A vice president being barred from landing in his own country -- it's a scenario that could spark a major political crisis.

Defense Policy / Programs

• Selva Addresses Global Challenges, Readiness in Capitol Hill Hearing AFPS 18 Jul 2017 -- The challenges the United States faces as a global power and the readiness of U.S. forces dominated questions for Air Force Gen. Paul J. Selva today during a Senate Armed Services Committee hearing considering his nomination by President Donald J. Trump to serve another two years as vice chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff.
• Department of Defense Selected Acquisition Reports (SARs) – December 2016 DoD 18 Jul 2017 -- The Department of Defense (DoD) has released details on major defense acquisition program cost, schedule, and performance changes since the December 2015 reporting period. This information is based on the comprehensive annual Selected Acquisition Reports (SARs) for the first quarter of FY 2017, as updated by the President's FY 2018 budget submitted to Congress on May 23, 2017.
• Concept demonstration explores robotic aviation refueling system Army News 18 Jul 2017 -- Could a robotic, unmanned refueling system limit rotary-wing aircraft time on the ground and remove Soldiers from isolated fueling stations?
• U.S. Army Reserve military police adapt to the changing environment of modern warfare Army News 18 Jul 2017 -- The ground was so hard that the U.S. Army Reserve Soldiers broke five mallets while pounding tent pegs into the dirt. The heat climbed above 100 degrees Fahrenheit, and even though it was a dry heat, it caused the dust to fly around and settle on the Soldiers from their eyebrows down to their bootstraps.
• 36th Infantry Division celebrates 100th Anniversary Army News 18 Jul 2017 -- The 36th Infantry Division celebrates its 100th anniversary July 18, 2017 and soldiers from the division honored their 100-year legacy of service during their July drill, with sweat, reverence and festivities.
• New York Army National Guard Soldiers pick up mission to train Ukrainian Soldiers Army News 18 Jul 2017 -- More than two hundred New York Army National Guard Soldiers will be heading to Ukraine in the fall on a nine-month mission to train Ukrainia Soldiers.
• MTACS-38 deploys a light-weight, amphibious aviation command post during exercise HYDRA 1-17 USMC News 18 Jul 2017 -- Marine Tactical Air Command Squadron (MTACS) 38 conducted exercise HYDRA 1-17 to simulate ship-to-shore employment of a Tactical Air Direction Center (TADC) and integrate it with a simulated Navy tactical air control center (NTACC), at Marine Corps Air Station Miramar, California, June 5-8.
• UNITAS 2017 Naval Exercise Begins In Peru NNS 18 Jul 2017 -- Naval maritime forces from 19 countries are gathering in Lima, Peru, to kick off the 58th iteration of the annual multilateral exercise UNITAS. The meeting will conclude on July 26.
• US Marines Conduct Urban-Terrain Training with Ukrainian Counterparts NNS 18 Jul 2017 -- U.S. Marines and members of the Ukrainian naval infantry conducted military operations on urbanized terrain (MOUT) training, July 13, during exercise Sea Breeze 2017.
• VFA-115 Surpasses 100,000 Class "A" Mishap-Free Flight Hours NNS 18 Jul 2017 -- The "Eagles" of Strike Fighter Squadron (VFA) 115 achieved a major safety milestone by surpassing 100,000 Class "A" mishap-free flight hours, July 3.
• Nimitz Carrier Strike Group Concludes Malabar 2017 NNS 18 Jul 2017 -- Maritime forces from India, Japan, and the United States completed Exercise Malabar 2017, July 17, in the Bay of Bengal.
• US Navy test-fires anti-drone laser gun Press TV 18 Jul 2017 -- The US Navy says it has successfully tested the world's first laser gun system designed to target drones and "a variety" of other targets.
• Naval War College Wargame Focuses on Civ-Mil Response to Cyber Attacks NNS 18 Jul 2017 -- U.S. Naval War College (NWC), Newport, Rhode Island welcomed to campus elected officials, business and government leaders, and military members, to conduct a wargame focused on civilian cyber attacks and their effects.
• Russia, China navies to conduct joint drills in Baltic Sea Press TV 18 Jul 2017 -- Russia and China are set to conduct joint naval drills featuring military aircraft and warships from both sides, including one of Beijing's most advanced destroyers.
• Russian Defense Ministry to Purchase MiG-35 Multipurpose Fighter Jets From 2018 Sputnik 18 Jul 2017 -- The Russian Defense Ministry will begin purchasing MiG-35 fighters from 2018 as part of the new state armament program, Russian Deputy Defense Minister Yury Borisov said Tuesday.
• Russian MoD Wants to Get Hypersonic 'Aviation Means of Destruction' Sputnik 18 Jul 2017 -- Russia intends to obtain in 2020-2022 several hypersonic "aviation means of destruction," Russian Deputy Foreign Minister Yuri Borisov said Tuesday.
• Russian Defense Ministry Says Eyeing Purchase of 50 Modernized Tu-160 Bombers Sputnik 18 Jul 2017 -- The Russian deputy defense minister said that Russia planned to buy some 50 modernized Tu-160 bombers.
• Russian Defense Ministry Plans to Buy Around 15 Mi-38 Helicopters Sputnik 18 Jul 2017 -- According to the Russian deputy defense minister, Russia is planning to buy around 15 medium multipurpose Mi-38 helicopters.
• Russia Considering Development of Vertical Takeoff Planes for Aircraft Carriers Sputnik 18 Jul 2017 -- The Russian Defense Ministry is considering the development of a vertical takeoff (VTOL) plane for aircraft carriers based on the Yak-family, Deputy Defense Minister Yury Borisov said Tuesday.
• Concerned nations should get used to China's naval presence in Indian Ocean: expert People's Daily 18 Jul 2017 -- "China should send more submarines to the Indian Ocean to make concerned countries get used to their presence in that region," said Hu Bo, researcher with Peking University Ocean Strategy Research Center.
• China's Air Force conducts high-seas training People's Daily 18 Jul 2017 -- The Air Force of the Chinese People's Liberation Army (PLA) has conducted a number of high-seas training exercises this week. Formations of H-6K bombers and other fighters flew over the Bashi Strait and the Miyako Strait, putting to test the Air Force's maritime combat capability, said its spokesman Shen Jinke in Beijing on Saturday.
• Russia to Complete Contract to Supply Su-35 Jets to China in 2019 Sputnik 18 Jul 2017 -- Russia will complete the contract on supplies of 24 Su-35 planes to China in 2019, the director of Russia's Federal Service for Military-Technical Cooperation (FSMTC), Dmitry Shugaev, said Tuesday.
• Pressures on Iran's missile power aimed at weakening Islamic Republic IRNA 18 Jul 2017 -- Pressures and sanctions against Iran's missile power is aimed at weakening the Islamic establishment, Commander of Iran's Islamic Revolution Guards Corps (IRGC) Aerospace Force Brigadier General Amir Ali Hajizadeh said.
• Iran self-sufficient in producing missiles, drones, smart bombs: IRGC commander Press TV 18 Jul 2017 -- A senior commander of the Islamic Revolution Guards Corps (IRGC) Aerospace Division says Iran is self-sufficient in producing various types of surface-to-surface missiles, drones and smart bombs.
• Why Iran is Unlikely to Buy More Russian Missile Systems After S-300 Purchase Sputnik 18 Jul 2017 -- Iran is unlikely to purchase Russia's anti-missile systems in future in addition to the already acquired S-300 systems as Tehran has technology to upgrade its own Bavar 373 systems, Jagath Zedvar, marketing and export development director of Aviation Industries Organization of Iran (IAIO), told Sputnik Tuesday.
• Germany delays submarine deal with Israel over graft Press TV 18 Jul 2017 -- Germany has decided to delay the signing of a major military deal with Israel after reports emerged saying officials in the occupied Palestinian territories have been involved in bribery and money laundering around the deal.
• Germany Postpones Submarines Sales Deal With Israel Due to Corruption Probe Sputnik 18 Jul 2017 -- Germany has indefinitely postponed the signing of a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) for the sale of three submarines to Israel in light of the ongoing Israeli probe into corruption allegations in connection with the multi-billion dollar deal, Israeli media reported on Tuesday.
• Oops! Israeli Defense Forces Accidentally Admit to Existence of Secret Airbase Sputnik 18 Jul 2017 -- The Israeli army accidentally revealed the existence of a previously unacknowledged airbase through its official website, hastily removing all references when the exposure was pounced upon by the media. The incident highlights the secrecy at the core of Israel's military strategy.
• S Korean Leader Intends to Increase Defense Spending Sputnik 18 Jul 2017 -- President of South Korea Moon Jae-in has indicated his intent to increase the country's defense budget from 2.4 percent of gross domestic product (GDP) to 2.9 percent during his five-year presidential term, local media reported Tuesday.
• Russian S-400 Systems' Delivery Contract With Turkey Ready, Loan Being Discussed Sputnik 18 Jul 2017 -- Technical issues of the contract for the supply of Russian S-400 missile systems to Turkey have been resolved, only administrative ones remain, the general director of Russia's Rostec state corporation said Tuesday.
• F-35B Lightning II Fighters: UK MoD Faces Hundreds of Millions in Extra Costs Sputnik 18 Jul 2017 -- UK defense chiefs are facing a bill of hundreds of millions due to the hidden costs of the F-35B Lightning II Joint Strike Fighter, due to be added to the Royal Air Force's arsenal before the end of 2017. Billions are to be spent on the fleet – a fleet which may not even work properly due to defense cuts.
• Department Press Briefing - July 18, 2017 US Dept. of State 18 Jul 2017
• Press Briefing by Principal Deputy Press Secretary Sarah Sanders, 7/18/2017 The White House 18 Jul 2017

Defense Industry

• DoD News: Contracts for July 18, 2017

Other Conflicts

• 18 July 2017 - Daily Press Briefing by the Office of the Spokesperson for the Secretary-General United Nations 18 Jul 2017
• Chinese Ships Warned to Leave After Entering Japanese Waters Sputnik 18 Jul 2017 -- Chinese government vessels entered Japanese waters on Monday and were issued a warning to leave.
• Saudi warplanes kill 19 displaced Yemenis in Ta'izz Press TV 18 Jul 2017 -- Saudi warplanes have targeted three displaced families in Yemen's southwestern province of Ta'izz, killing 19 Yemenis.
• Lebanon to launch operation against militants on Syrian border: Premier Press TV 18 Jul 2017 -- Lebanese Prime Minister Saad al-Hariri says the army would launch an operation against Takfiri militants in an area along the Syrian border.
• Fresh US-led airstrikes kill several Syrian civilians in Dayr al-Zawr Press TV 18 Jul 2017 -- Several civilians have lost their lives when the US-led coalition purportedly fighting the Daesh Takfiri terrorist group carried out a number of aerial attacks in Syria's troubled eastern province of Dayr al-Zawr.
• Despite some improvements, food security remains dire in Syria - UN agencies UN News 18 Jul 2017 -- In spite of improvements in wheat production in war-torn Syria – about 12 per cent more than last year's record low – the overall food security situation remains far worse than before the conflict, the United Nations food security and emergency food relief agencies have said.
• With IS Gone, Iraq Shapes Plans for Rebuilding Mosul VOA 18 Jul 2017 -- Just days after Iraqi forces evicted Islamic State (IS) militants from the last parcel of land that they controlled in Mosul, Iraqi government officials say they are ready to rebuild the war-torn city and return an estimated 1 million displaced civilians to their homes.
• Pro-Russians announce new state in east Ukraine Press TV 18 Jul 2017 -- Pro-Russian forces in eastern Ukrainian territories have announced the creation of a new state, further complicating efforts to put an end to a conflict that has killed more than 10,000 people.
• Ukraine Separatists Criticized Over Call For Creation Of 'Little Russia' RFE/RL 18 Jul 2017 -- Russia-backed separatists in eastern Ukraine's Donetsk region have announced what they say is the creation of a new state called Malorossia, or Little Russia, a declaration that was swiftly condemned by Kyiv.
• Donetsk Republic Leader's 'Malorossiya' Proposal His Own Initiative - Kremlin Sputnik 18 Jul 2017 -- The proposal of the head of the self-proclaimed Donetsk People's Republic (DPR), Alexander Zakharchenko, on the establishment of the Malorossiya state is his personal initiative, Russian presidential press secretary Dmitry Peskov said on Tuesday.
• Kremlin Not Commenting on Malorossiya State Proposal, Vows to Respect Minsk Deal Sputnik 18 Jul 2017 -- It is too early to comment on the proposal of the head of the self-proclaimed Donetsk People's Republic, Alexander Zakharchenko, to create a new state of Malorossiya, as it has to be thoroughly analyzed, Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov said Tuesday.
• Donetsk Republic Declares Creation of New State of Malorossiya Sputnik 18 Jul 2017 -- The Donetsk People's Republic has declared the establishment of a new country - Malorossiya - which the local leadership described as a successor state to Ukraine.
• India Expanding Infrastructure Along China Border Amid Standoff Sputnik 18 Jul 2017 -- In spite of the continuing standoff with China at the Sikkim border, India is busy at work building infrastructure in the states that border China.
• UN human rights body urges east Libya army to probe summary executions Press TV 18 Jul 2017 -- The United Nations human rights body has called for the Libyan National Army (LNA) to probe summary executions of prisoners in the eastern parts of North African's country.
• Philippine president asks Congress to extend martial law in south Press TV 18 Jul 2017 -- Philippine President Rodrigo Duterte has asked the parliament to extend martial law on the southern island of Mindanao, which has witnessed deadly fighting between army forces and Daesh-affiliated militants controlling a major city there.
• Chinese media rejects fake news report of Indian soldiers' death in Chinese attack People's Daily 18 Jul 2017 -- Chinese mainstream media outlets on Tuesday denounced Pakistani media's "groundless" report, which claims that over 150 Indian soldiers were killed in Sikkim due to a Chinese rocket attack.
• UN and partners call for nearly $24 million in emergency aid for the Congo's Pool region UN News 18 Jul 2017 -- United Nations, the Republic of Congo's Government and humanitarian partners today appealed for $23.7 million to aid Congolese in the area of southern Brazzaville known as "the Pool", where fighting and insecurity has displaced one out of every three people.
• Children increasingly targeted for murder, rape in Central African Republic - UNICEF UN News 18 Jul 2017 -- Renewed fighting in the Central African Republic (CAR) is increasingly targeting children, while there are concerns that the humanitarian needs in the country could escalate to levels not seen since the crisis four years ago, United Nations humanitarian officials today said.
• Spike in Violence in CAR Causing Thousands to Flee VOA 18 Jul 2017 -- United Nations agencies report that an upsurge in violence and an alarming escalation of human rights abuses in the Central African Republic (CAR) are causing tens of thousands of people to flee across borders and thousands of others to become displaced within the country.

News Reports

• Trump, Putin Met Twice at G-20; US Says 2nd Encounter Was 'Brief Conversation' VOA 18 Jul 2017 -- U.S. President Donald Trump and Russian President Vladimir Putin held a second, previously undisclosed meeting at the G-20 summit earlier this month in Germany, White House officials confirmed Tuesday night.
• State Dept.: grandparents exempt from Trump travel ban Press TV 18 Jul 2017 -- The US State Department has issued new instructions allowing the grandparents of US citizens who were previously included in President Donald Trump's travel ban to be granted American visas.
• Russia 'reserves right to retaliate US property seizure' Press TV 18 Jul 2017 -- Russia says it reserves the right to retaliate the United States' seizure of its diplomatic compounds in America.
• After U.S. Talks, Ryabkov Says Russia Has 'Almost' Gotten Diplomatic Compounds Back RFE/RL 18 Jul 2017 -- Russian Deputy Foreign Minister Sergei Ryabkov has suggested that Moscow and Washington are close to an agreement that would restore Russian access to two diplomatic compounds seized in December by then-President Barack Obama's administration.
• Rights Watchdog Condemns Russia's 'Assault' On Freedom Of Expression RFE/RL 18 Jul 2017 -- Human Rights Watch says Russia has introduced significant restrictions to online speech, conducts invasive surveillance of online activity, and prosecutes critics under the guise of fighting extremism.
• US: Talks With Russia on Closed Compounds, Other Issues Need 'More Work' VOA 18 Jul 2017 -- Senior United States and Russian diplomats held "tough" talks on a range of issues Monday, but still "more work needs to be done," according to the State Department.
• What's Behind Putin's Hate for the Magnitsky Act? VOA 18 Jul 2017 -- Congress passed the "Sergei Magnitsky Rule of Law Accountability Act" in 2012 to punish Russian human rights abusers by banning them from entering the United States.
• U.S. Announces New Iran-related Sanctions US Dept. of State 18 Jul 2017 -- The United States remains deeply concerned about Iran's malign activities across the Middle East which undermine regional stability, security, and prosperity.
• Majlis Speaker: Iran to resist US actions IRNA 18 Jul 2017 -- Iran's Majlis (parliament) has approved the urgency of a bill on counteracting "US adventurous and terrorist actions" in the region.
• Zarif: If US violates JCPOA, Iran has right to withdraw IRNA 18 Jul 2017 -- Iran's Foreign Minister Mohammad Javad Zarif said on Monday that if the US violates the landmark nuclear agreement then "Iran has another options including withdrawing from the deal."
• U.S. says Iran complying with 2015 nuclear deal People's Daily 18 Jul 2017 -- U.S. President Donald Trump's administration on Monday declared for the second time that Iran was complying with a 2015 nuclear deal.
• Iran vows retaliation against new US sanctions Press TV 18 Jul 2017 -- Iran's Foreign Ministry has denounced the US move to impose new economic sanctions against Tehran over its ballistic missile program as "cheap and useless," saying Tehran will respond with its own sanctions against the Americans.
• US adding new sanctions against Iran over missile program Press TV 18 Jul 2017 -- The administration of US President Donald Trump says it is imposing new economic sanctions against Iran over the Islamic Republic's ballistic missile program.
• US recertifies Iran's compliance with nuclear deal Press TV 18 Jul 2017 -- The United States has for a second time certified Iran's compliance with a 2015 nuclear agreement between the Islamic Republic and six other countries, including the US itself.
• US must alter its policy of issuing sanctions against other nations: Zarif Press TV 18 Jul 2017 -- Washington has to reassess its approach of issuing sanctions against other countries as they are a liability for the US, says Iranian Foreign Minister Mohammad Javad Zarif.
• U.S. Imposes New Iran Sanctions A Day After Certifying Nuclear Deal RFE/RL 18 Jul 2017 -- The United States is imposing new sanctions against 18 individuals and entities over their support for Iran's ballistic missile program and other military-related activities.
• Rohani's Brother Reportedly Released On Bail RFE/RL 18 Jul 2017 -- Iranian President Hassan Rohani's younger brother, Hossein Fereidoun, has been released on bail days after his arrest over unspecified allegations of financial impropriety, Iranian news agencies reported.
• Zarif: Trump Administration Sending 'Contradictory Signals' To Iran RFE/RL 18 Jul 2017 -- Iran is getting "contradictory signals" from U.S. President Donald Trump's administration about the fate of its landmark nuclear deal with world powers, Iranian Foreign Minister Mohammad Javad Zarif said on July 17.
• US imposes new sanctions on Iran over its missile and military activities SPA 18 Jul 2017 -- The United States imposed new sanctions on Iran over its missile and military-related activities in the Middle East, hours after it has maintained the international nuclear agreement with Tehran.
• US Sanctions Iran Over Ballistic Missile Program Just After Certifying Nuke Deal Sputnik 18 Jul 2017 -- The United States on Tuesday announced new sanctions targeting Iran's military and Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) over the country's ballistic missile program, along with Chinese and Turkish intermediaries, just hours after the State Department recertified Tehran's compliance to the nuclear agreement.
• US Sanctions Iranians Even After Recertifying Nuclear Deal VOA 18 Jul 2017 -- The U.S. slapped sanctions Tuesday on 18 Iranian individuals and groups it accused of supporting Tehran's ballistic missile program and weapons deals, a day after it again certified that Iran is complying with the 2015 international accord on its nuclear development program.
• North Korea: US Strike Would Effectively 'Ruin' the 'Empire of America' Sputnik 18 Jul 2017 -- North Korean state-run media has called out a high ranking member of the Trump administration for beating the war drums against Pyongyang.
• Egypt to deny Qataris visa-free entry Press TV 18 Jul 2017 -- Egypt, which has joined a Saudi-led bloc of states in boycotting Qatar, says it will end a visa-free regime with the country and will continue to require that Doha meet the 13 demands the bloc has given it.
• Venezuela Balks at Trump Sanctions Threat VOA 18 Jul 2017 -- Venezuela's foreign minister said Tuesday the country will move forward with plans to elect members of a constitutional assembly and review relations with the United States, despite sanction threats from U.S. President Donald Trump.
• Venezuela Vows to Reconsider Relations With US Amid Threat of Sanctions Sputnik 18 Jul 2017 -- Venezuela will reconsider its relations with the United States, if Washington takes strong economic measures against Caracas over plans of the government of Nicolas Maduro to impose its Constituent Assembly on July 30, Venezuelan Foreign Minister Samuel Moncada said Tuesday.
• Venezuela opposition plans strike; US threatens action Press TV 18 Jul 2017 -- Venezuela's opposition has called for a general nationwide strike to increase pressure on President Nicolas Maduro.
• Haiti has chance to solidify stability before UN mission's drawdown, Security Council told UN News 18 Jul 2017 -- With three months left before the current United Nations peacekeeping mission in Haiti transitions to a smaller one, a UN envoy stressed today that the Caribbean country faces the "window of opportunity" to solidify stability, following recent elections.