Operations
Defense Policy / Programs
Defense Industry
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News Reports

Current Operations

• OIF / OND / OEF / OIR / OFS Casualty Update 19 Jul 2017[PDF]
• Officials Provide Details of Latest Strikes Against ISIS AFPS 19 Jul 2017 -- U.S. and coalition military forces continued to attack the Islamic State of Iraq and Syria yesterday, conducting 23 strikes consisting of 38 engagements, Combined Joint Task Force Operation Inherent Resolve officials reported today.
• Turkey's State-Run News Agency Leaks U.S. Base Locations In Syria RFE/RL 19 Jul 2017 -- The Pentagon has voiced concerns to Turkey after the NATO ally's state-run news agency published U.S. base locations in northern Syria, in a move that could deepen distrust between the two NATO allies and endanger U.S. forces in the area.
• Turkish Media Reveals 'Sensitive' Info on US Forces in Syria, Pentagon Outraged Sputnik 19 Jul 2017 -- The United States now has as many as 10 military posts in Syria on the territory controlled by the Kurdish Democratic Union Party (PYD) and Kurdish People's Protection Units (YPG), the Anadolu news agency reported.

Defense Policy / Programs

• Exercise Sea Breeze 2017 Continues in Ukraine AFPS 19 Jul 2017 -- Ships from Georgia, Romania, Turkey, Ukraine and the U.S. departed the port of Odessa and the nearby Western Naval Base yesterday to participate in the free-play phase of Exercise Sea Breeze 2017.
• Free-play Phase of Sea Breeze 2017 Starts in Ukraine NNS 19 Jul 2017 -- Ships from Georgia, Romania, Turkey, Ukraine and the U.S. departed the port of Odessa and the nearby Western Naval Base July 18, 2017, to participate in the free-play phase of exercise Sea Breeze 2017.
• 'Eyes in space' and more powerful lasers will soon enhance the Army's arsenal Army News 19 Jul 2017 -- It's been a "dynamic year" for Army space and missile defense, with a multi-domain task force being formed, a new nanosatellite set to launch soon, and more powerful laser weapons in the works, said Lt. Gen. James H. Dickinson.
• KC-10s display global reach in the Pacific AFNS 19 Jul 2017 -- Three KC-10 Extenders flew from Hawaii and Wake Island Airfield to refuel five C-17 Globemaster IIIs carrying over 300 coalition paratroopers across the Pacific Ocean, July 13, 2017.
• 101st Airborne Soldiers conduct testing for potential weapons, systems in groundbreaking exercise Army News 19 Jul 2017 -- Facing harsh terrain and high temperatures, Soldiers of the 1st Battalion, 26th Infantry Regiment, 2nd Brigade Combat Team, 101st Airborne Division from Fort Campbell, Kentucky, tested critical weapons and network systems to provide Army leaders with feedback on equipment that could be fielded to Soldiers in the future.
• Exercise Talisman Saber highlights enduring US and Australia alliance Army News 19 Jul 2017 -- More than 33,000 U.S. and Australian personnel are participating in the biennial military training exercise Talisman Saber 2017 in Australia, June 23 to July 25, 2017.
• All eyes to the sky in Operation Swift Response Army News 19 Jul 2017 -- All eyes went to the sky as 500 military paratroopers -- comprised of U.S., Canadian and Italian forces -- dropped from wave after wave of C-130 aircraft during Operation Swift Response, July 18, at the Bezmer Air Base in Bulgaria as part of Exercise Saber Guardian 17.
• 3ABCT combines forces with 6 nations during Getica Saber firepower display Army News 19 Jul 2017 -- Soldiers of the 3rd Armored Brigade Combat Team, 4th Infantry Division, teamed up with counterparts from six nations during a fire support coordination exercise and combined arms live-fire exercises during Getica Saber 17 at the Cincu Joint National Training Center, Romania, July 8-15.
• Red Devils rumble from above USMC News 19 Jul 2017 -- U.S. Marines Corps Marine Fighter Attack Squadron 232 continues to conduct simulated air-to-air combat flights with the Japan Air Self-Defense Force at JASDF Hyakuri Air Base, Japan, July 14, 2017.
• USS Carney Departs Odessa, Ukraine NNS 19 Jul 2017 -- The Arleigh Burke-class guided-missile destroyer USS Carney (DDG 64) departed Odessa, Ukraine, to participate in the second, at-sea phase of exercise Sea Breeze 2017.
• NATO provides swift forest fire assistance to new Ally Montenegro NATO 19 Jul 2017 -- NATO Allies and partners are providing aircraft and helicopters to help Montenegro deal with forest fires in the Lustica peninsula. Montenegro approached NATO's Euro-Atlantic Disaster Response Coordination Centre (EADRCC) for assistance on Monday (17 July 2017), and the request was immediately circulated to NATO Allies and partners. A Ukrainian fire-fighting aircraft Antonov 32P has been in Montenegro since Tuesday, and two helicopters – contributed by Bulgaria and Switzerland – arrived in Montenegro on Wednesday. Two more fire-fighting aircraft will be deployed from Israel in the coming days.
• Russian MoD May Get 12 5th Generation PAK FA Fighters Already in 2019 Sputnik 19 Jul 2017 -- The Russian Defense Ministry and the United Aircraft Corporation (UAC) are discussing the delivery of first 12 Sukhoi T-50 (PAK FA) fifth-generation fighter aircraft in 2019, UAC President Yury Slyusar said on Wednesday.
• Russian Defense Ministry Receives 100 Su-34s With Radio Warfare Systems Sputnik 19 Jul 2017 -- The Russian Defense Ministry has received about one hundred Su-34 aircraft equipped with Khibiny aircraft electronic countermeasure systems.
• Russia, Malaysia Sign Agreement on Modernization of Malaysian MiG-29 Sputnik 19 Jul 2017 -- Russia and Malaysia have signed an agreement on the renovation and modernization of the Russia-produced MiG-29 fighter aircraft that form parts of the Royal Malaysian Air Force, a Sputnik correspondent reported from the MAKS International Aviation and Space Salon on Wednesday.
• Russia to Finalize MiG-29 Deliveries to Serbia by Year-End Sputnik 19 Jul 2017 -- Russia plans to finalize MiG-29 "Fulcrum" fighter jet deliveries to Serbia by the end of 2017, Federal Service for Military-Technical Cooperation (FSMTC) Director Dmitry Shugaev said Wednesday.
• Russia, Serbia Discuss Supplies of S-300 Battalions Sputnik 19 Jul 2017 -- Russia considers possible deliveries of S-300 air defense system battalions with Serbia, FSMTC Director Dmitry Shugaev said Wednesday.
• Expert urges China to develop counter technologies after U.S., Australian hypersonic test flights People's Daily 19 Jul 2017 -- A Chinese military expert says China should develop counter technologies after the U.S. and Australia jointly tested at least one flight for their Hypersonic International Flight Research Experimentation (HiFIRE) programme.
• China conducts military drill in Tibet amid fermenting border standoff with India People's Daily 19 Jul 2017 -- China's recent military moves along the Sino-Indian border have attracted international attention, with many experts commenting that the actions have sent a strong message to India amid the two nations' standoff in the border area.
• UK warship tails Chinese flotilla headed for Russia Press TV 19 Jul 2017 -- The UK has scrambled one of its warships to shadow a Chinese flotilla passing through the English Channel to join Russian naval forces for a joint military drill in the Baltic Sea.
• Chinese navy greeted by NATO in North Sea People's Daily 19 Jul 2017 -- Chinese naval vessels were greeted by NATO's flagship in the North Sea as the Chinese fleet headed for the Baltic region for the first time to carry out joint maritime exercises with Russia.
• Chinese Army Mobilizes Military Assets to Tibet Following Live Fire Drills Sputnik 19 Jul 2017 -- The Chinese People's Liberation Army (PLA) mobilized thousands of ground vehicles and other military equipment as the standoff between Chinese and Indian troops near the disputed area of Sikkim continues, according to a report from the PLA Daily.
• Pentagon Says Pyongyang Cannot Strike US 'With Any Degree of Accuracy' Sputnik 19 Jul 2017 -- A senior Pentagon official asserted Tuesday that Pyongyang is not currently able to land a missile on the US mainland with any degree of accuracy.
• US Intelligence Shows North Korea Preparing for Another Missile Test - Reports Sputnik 19 Jul 2017 -- US intelligence indicates that North Korea is preparing to conduct a test of an intercontinental ballistic missile or intermediate range missile, CNN reported, citing two Trump administration officials familiar with the latest intelligence.
• French army chief resigns over dispute with Macron Press TV 19 Jul 2017 -- France's military chief has resigned following a public dispute with President Emmanuel Macron over the government's proposed defense budget cuts.
• French Armed Forces Chief Quits in Row Over Budget Cuts With Macron Sputnik 19 Jul 2017 -- The head of France's armed forces has resigned after a furious row with his new boss, President Emmanuel Macron, over budget cuts. General Pierre de Villiers said he did not believe he could "guarantee the protection of France and the French people."
• IRGC Comdr: Iran missile power growing rapidly IRNA 19 Jul 2017 -- Commander of the Islamic Revolution Guard Corps (IRGC) Major General Mohammad-Ali Jafari says Iran's air, ground and sea missile power is growing rapidly.
• Blacklisting Iran's IRGC to cost US dear: Top commander Press TV 19 Jul 2017 -- A top Iranian commander has warned against the repercussions of Washington's possible designation of the Islamic Revolution Guards Corps (IRGC) as a terrorist organization, saying the move would cost the US dear.
• Press Briefing by Principal Deputy Press Secretary Sarah Sanders - 7/19/2017 The White House 19 Jul 2017

Defense Industry

• DoD News: Contracts for July 19, 2017

Other Conflicts

• 19 July 2017 - Daily Press Briefing by the Office of the Spokesperson for the Secretary-General United Nations 19 Jul 2017
• International community needs to 'change narrative' about Africa - UN chief Guterres UN News 19 Jul 2017 -- Briefing the Security Council on their strengthened collaboration, top officials from the African Union (AU) and the United Nations today highlighted their joint work on peace and security in the Gambia, Somalia and South Sudan, as well as other African countries, and urged adequate, timely and predictable funding.
• Indonesia Sounds a Soft Warning in Renaming Part of Disputed Sea VOA 19 Jul 2017 -- Indonesia's move to rename part of the contested South China Sea appears to be a warning to the most powerful maritime claimant, China, that Jakarta intends to step up protection of its own claim without causing a spat for now.
• Russia sending 2nd humanitarian aid flight to Yemen Press TV 19 Jul 2017 -- Russia says it is sending a new humanitarian aid flight to Yemen, where people have been dealing with famine and an outbreak of cholera following a months-long Saudi-led war.
• UN refugee agency 'shocked' by reported airstrike and casualties in Yemen UN News 19 Jul 2017 -- The United Nations refugee agency today said that it is "deeply shocked and saddened" at reports of the deaths and injuries of internally displaced persons in an aerial attack on the embattled Mawza district in Yemen's Taizz governorate.
• Israel to build new field hospital in Syria to treat militants Press TV 19 Jul 2017 -- Israel's military says the Tel Aviv regime plans to build a new field hospital in Syria to treat what it generally named patients amid international concerns over the regime's support for the Takfiri militants fighting in the Arab country.
• Syrian forces advance near Daesh-held Raqqah Press TV 19 Jul 2017 -- Syrian military forces and allies have made advances near the city of Raqqah as they close in on the Daesh-held territories east of the country.
• Arab-Kurdish Feud Deepens as Fears Mount Over Battle for Raqqa VOA 19 Jul 2017 -- Syrian rebel militias and Turkey appear to be preparing to intensify their military operations north of Aleppo aimed at taking back mainly Arab towns and villages the Kurdish People's Protection Units, or YPG, seized in 2015.
• Iraq's PM Acknowledges Human Rights Violations in Mosul VOA 19 Jul 2017 -- Iraqi Prime Minister Haider al-Abadi has acknowledged Iraqi forces committed human rights violations in the battle to retake Mosul from Islamic State, but maintained the crimes were "individual acts" and the perpetrators would be punished.
• U.S., Russian Envoy, OSCE Dismiss Ukraine Separatists' 'Little Russia' Declaration RFE/RL 19 Jul 2017 -- The U.S. State Department, Russia's envoy to Ukrainian peace talks, and the Organization for Cooperation and Security in Europe all voiced concern about the declaration of a "Little Russia" in Ukraine by Russia-backed separatists on July 18.
• Duterte threatens to end talks with communist rebels after raid Press TV 19 Jul 2017 -- Philippine President Rodrigo Duterte has threatened to end peace talks with communist rebels following an ambush attack on his military bodyguards, which killed one and injured five.
• China demands India pull out troops from disputed Himalayan territory Press TV 19 Jul 2017 -- China has called on India to withdraw its troops from a disputed territory in the Himalayan mountains near the borders with China and Bhutan and avoid an "escalation of the situation."
• Pakistan, India Trade Claims Over Cease-fire Violations VOA 19 Jul 2017 -- Pakistan says India's border forces opened fire Wednesday in the divided Kashmir region in violation of a mutual cease-fire truce, killing a soldier and two civilians.
• Pakistan Report: Militants Operating With Impunity in Sindh Province Prisons VOA 19 Jul 2017 -- Convicted militants and criminals imprisoned in Pakistan's Sindh province are reportedly running day-to-day affairs of the same prisons they are held captive in, according to a recent report by the province's Counter Terrorism Department (CTD).
• More flexibility and mobility for UN peacekeepers in DR Congo - senior official says UN News 19 Jul 2017 -- The United Nations peacekeeping mission in the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC) is becoming more flexible and mobile, the head of that mission today said, by focusing on rapid deployment of troops and air surveillance.

News Reports

• Acting Coordinator for Counterterrorism Justin Siberell on the Release of Country Reports on Terrorism 2016 US Dept. of State 19 Jul 2017
• State Department Releases Country Reports on Terrorism 2016 US Dept. of State 19 Jul 2017 -- Today the State Department released its annual report, Country Reports on Terrorism 2016, which provides the Department of State's annual Congressionally-mandated assessment of trends and events in international terrorism that transpired from January 1 to December 31, 2016.
• Trump, Putin had second, undisclosed talk at G20 summit: US Press TV 19 Jul 2017 -- US President Donald Trump and his Russian counterpart Vladimir Putin had a second and previously undisclosed meeting on the sidelines of the G20 summit in Germany earlier this month, US officials say.
• White House Says Trump Had Second Talk With Putin At G20 Summit RFE/RL 19 Jul 2017 -- U.S. President Donald Trump and Russian President Vladimir Putin held a second, previously undisclosed conversation during the Group of 20 summit in Germany earlier this month, the White House said on July 18.
• Russian lawyer who met Trump Jr. ready to testify before Congress Press TV 19 Jul 2017 -- The Russian lawyer who met with US President Donald Trump's eldest son during the 2016 presidential election campaign claims she's ready to testify before the US Senate in Congress.
• Russian Mogul's Aide Attended Meeting With Trump Jr. During Campaign RFE/RL 19 Jul 2017 -- An executive working for a Russian billionaire and one-time partner with U.S. President Donald Trump was the eighth person at a meeting between Russians and the president's son during last year's presidential campaign, media reported on July 18.
• Russian Lawyer Who Met Trump Jr. Says 'Ready' To Testify In Congress RFE/RL 19 Jul 2017 -- A Russian lawyer whose meeting with President Donald Trump's eldest son has added to questions about Russia's role in the 2016 U.S. election claims she is prepared to testify to Congress to dispel what she called "mass hysteria" over the encounter.
• Ryabkov: Issue of Seized Russian Diplomatic Property in US Not 'Almost' Resolved Sputnik 19 Jul 2017 -- Russian Deputy Foreign Minister Sergey Ryabkov on Wednesday explained what his answer meant about the "almost" reached agreement with the United States on seized Russian diplomatic property, which the CNN reported as a result of the meeting with US Under Secretary of State for Political Affairs Thomas Shannon.
• US-Russia Dispute Over Seized Compounds Remains Unresolved VOA 19 Jul 2017 -- Russia says it reserves the right to retaliate in a dispute with the U.S. over the Obama administration's seizure of two Russian compounds last December.
• JCPOA it's not a bilateral deal to be renegotiated: Zarif ISNA 19 Jul 2017 -- Iran's foreign minister Mohammad Javad Zarif, said the new sanctions announced by the Trump administration are poisoning already strained relations between the two countries.
• Iran vows "proper response" to new U.S. sanctions over missile program People's Daily 19 Jul 2017 -- Iran on Wednesday vowed to "duly respond" to new U.S. sanctions while pledging to remain committed to the international deal on its nuclear program.
• Iran slams new U.S. sanctions over missile program as "hostile" People's Daily 19 Jul 2017 -- Iran has slammed the new U.S. sanctions over the country's missile program as "hostile."
• Iranian president vows due response to US sanctions Press TV 19 Jul 2017 -- President Hassan Rouhani has vowed that Iran will reciprocate the sanctions that are imposed by the United States against the Islamic Republic "under any pretext."
• New US sanctions violate JCPOA spirit: Zarif Press TV 19 Jul 2017 -- Iranian Foreign Minister Mohammad Javad Zarif has said that the new sanctions against Tehran by the US are damaging already frayed Tehran-Washington ties.
• U.S. State Department: Iran Remains 'Foremost State Sponsor Of Terrorism' RFE/RL 19 Jul 2017 -- Iran continued to be the "foremost state sponsor of terrorism" in 2016, with groups supported by the country maintaining their ability to threaten the United States and its allies, a new report by the U.S. State Department says.
• Rohani Says Tehran Will Respond 'Appropriately' To New U.S. Sanctions RFE/RL 19 Jul 2017 -- Iranian President Hassan Rohani says that Tehran would "respond appropriately" to new U.S. sanctions while reiterating that his country remained committed to its 2015 nuclear deal with world powers.
• Iran Accuses U.S. Of Trying To 'Poison Atmosphere' With 'Illegal' Sanctions RFE/RL 19 Jul 2017 -- Iranian Foreign Minister Mohammad Javad Zarif accused U.S. President Donald Trump's administration of trying to "poison the atmosphere" by imposing new sanctions on Tehran despite its adherence to the 2015 nuclear accord.
• Rouhani: Iran to 'Stand Up' to US for New Sanctions VOA 19 Jul 2017 -- Iranian President Hassan Rouhani said Wednesday his country will stand firm against the United States and respond to any new sanctions the U.S. imposes on the Islamic republic.
• UN chief welcomes Seoul's proposal to reopen dialogue with Pyongyang UN News 19 Jul 2017 -- Secretary-General António Guterres today welcomed the move by the Republic of Korea to lower tensions on the Korean Peninsula, his spokesperson said.
• Myanmar Grapples With Legacy of Independence Hero 70 Years After Assassination VOA 19 Jul 2017 -- Long lines wrapped around the block of downtown Yangon's historic Secretariat building on Wednesday, with schoolchildren, adults and groups of friends waiting to get a rare glimpse of Myanmar's history.
• Russia's Newest Angara Heavy-Lift Rocket May Be Used for Manned Flights Sputnik 19 Jul 2017 -- Russia's Angara heavy-lift launch vehicle can be used for manned flights.
• Indian Space Organisation Ensures Protection of Satellites From Space Debris Sputnik 19 Jul 2017 -- Facing criticism for launching hundreds of micro satellites into the same orbit where India's own Earth observation satellites are or will be, the Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO) has said that it has ensured the nano or micro satellites won't collide with each other.
• Turkish PM names new justice, defense ministers in cabinet reshuffle Press TV 19 Jul 2017 -- Turkish Prime Minister Binali Yildirim has announced a cabinet reshuffle, replacing or swapping 11 of the country's 26 ministers.
• EU Urges Poland to Suspend Judicial Changes Or Face Unprecedented Sanctions RFE/RL 19 Jul 2017 -- The European Commission has called on Poland to suspend controversial judicial reforms it said would "have a very significant negative impact" on the Polish judiciary's independence, or face unprecedented sanctions as early as next week.
• Venezuelan Opposition Presents Plan of Action in Case Maduro Resigns Sputnik 19 Jul 2017 -- The Venezuelan opposition party Democratic Unity Roundtable (MUD) on Wednesday presented its plan of action if it succeeds in securing the resignation of President Nicolas Maduro, local media reported.
• Blockaders urge Qatar to accept 'six core demands' Press TV 19 Jul 2017 -- The Saudi-led bloc of states boycotting Qatar have called on Doha to accept what they view as core "principles" already mentioned in their list of demands from Qatar, apparently backing down from a number of the terms on the 13-point list dismissed by the emirate.
• Ex-minister, 2 Others Arrested in Malawi Food Import Scandal VOA 19 Jul 2017 -- Malawi's Anti-corruption Bureau, or ACB, has arrested a former agriculture minister and two others linked to a corruption scandal involving maize imports. Malawi was importing the grain to avert food shortages after flooding and drought wrecked last year's harvest.