Operations
Defense Policy / Programs
Defense Industry
Other Conflicts
News Reports

Current Operations

• OIF / OND / OEF / OIR / OFS Casualty Update 24 Jul 2017[PDF]
• Coalition Strikes Target ISIS in Syria, Iraq AFPS 24 Jul 2017 -- U.S. and coalition military forces continued to attack the Islamic State of Iraq and Syria yesterday, conducting 16 strikes consisting of 27 engagements, Combined Joint Task Force Operation Inherent Resolve officials reported today.
• Iraqi Forces Control Mosul, Fighting Continues in Raqqa AFPS 24 Jul 2017 -- Iraqi forces now control all parts of Mosul, Iraq, while tough fighting against the Islamic State of Iraq and Syria continues in Raqqa, Syria, Pentagon spokesman Navy Capt. Jeff Davis told reporters here today.
• Taliban attack leaves 35 dead at hospital in central Afghanistan Press TV 24 Jul 2017 -- At least 35 people have been killed when heavily-armed Taliban militants launched a deadly attack on a hospital in Afghanistan's central Ghor province.
• Afghanistan: UN condemns attack on civilians in Kabul UN News 24 Jul 2017 -- United Nations Secretary-General António Guterres condemned today's bomb attack in the Afghan capital of Kabul, warning that attacks on civilians may constitute a war crime.
• Taliban Suicide Bomber Kills 35 in Afghan Capital VOA 24 Jul 2017 -- A Taliban suicide car bombing has killed at least 35 people and injured dozens more in the Afghan capital, Kabul.
• Dozens Killed In Taliban Suicide Car Bombing In Kabul RFE/RL 24 Jul 2017 -- Afghan officials say a Taliban suicide car bombing has killed at least 26 people and wounded 41 others in the capital, Kabul.

Defense Policy / Programs

• U.S. Air Force bombers integrate with Royal Australian Air Force JTACS AFNS 24 Jul 2017 -- U.S. Air Force B-1B Lancers based at Andersen Air Force Base, Guam conducted two separate integration training missions with Royal Australian Air Force Joint Terminal Attack Controllers as part of Exercise Talisman Saber 17 at Shoalwater Field Training Area, Australia, July 17 and 19, 2017.
• Army Soldiers prove their mettle, readiness in Australian exercise Army News 24 Jul 2017 -- Australia is not for the faint of heart. Scorpions, snakes, and spiders lurk in the Australian Outback; treacherous terrain crisscrosses the northeastern countryside; extreme temperature shifts can swelter during the day and chill to the bone at night.
• New York Army National Guard engineer training helps Fort Drum Army News 24 Jul 2017 -- Nearly 300 Soldiers from the Binghamton, N.Y. based 204th Engineer Battalion used their summer annual training to prepare for overseas deployments and domestic operations while building lasting projects across three ranges and four construction sites in Fort Drum, N.Y. in July, 2017.
• "Rainbow Division" that represented the United States formed in New York in August 1917 Army News 24 Jul 2017 -- The 42nd Infantry Division, a part of the New York National Guard since 1947, was born a 100 years ago on August 5, 1917 as a way to get 27,000 troops to France quickly during World War I.
• Future USS Ralph Johnson Successfully Completes Builder's Trials NNS 24 Jul 2017 -- The future USS Ralph Johnson (DDG 114) successfully completed builder's trials, July 20, after spending four days underway in the Gulf of Mexico.
• USS John P. Murtha (LPD 26) Completes Final Contract Trials NNS 24 Jul 2017 -- USS John P. Murtha (LPD 26) returned to Naval Base San Diego, July 21, after successfully completing Final Contract Trials (FCT).
• America ARG, 15th MEU Enter 7th Fleet NNS 24 Jul 2017 -- The America Amphibious Ready Group (ARG) and embarked 15th Marine Expeditionary Unit (MEU) arrived in the U.S. 7th Fleet area of operations, July 23, after concluding operations in U.S. 3rd Fleet.
• USS Pearl Harbor Departs Hawaii, Continues Deployment with America ARG NNS 24 Jul 2017 -- The amphibious dock landing ship USS Pearl Harbor (LSD 52) departed Hawaii after a scheduled port visit, July 22.
• Dewey Visits Pearl Harbor NNS 24 Jul 2017 -- Arleigh Burke-class guided-missile destroyer USS Dewey (DDG 105) arrived at Joint Base Pearl Harbor-Hickam for the final port visit in their Western Pacific deployment, July 21.
• McCampbell Arrives in Sydney NNS 24 Jul 2017 -- The forward-deployed Arleigh Burke-class guided-missile destroyer USS McCampbell (DDG 85) pulled into Sydney, Australia, July 23.
• US to conduct THAAD missile test in Alaska Press TV 24 Jul 2017 -- The US military is preparing for an upcoming test of its Terminal High Altitude Area Defense (THAAD) missile system, which is often touted by Washington as a deterrent against what it calls missile threats from North Korea.
• Okinawa Government Files New Lawsuit Over US Air Base Relocation Sputnik 24 Jul 2017 -- The government of Japan's southern Okinawa prefecture filed yet another lawsuit in the Naha Regional Court, protesting against the relocation of the US Marine Corps Futenma Air Station from the city of Ginowan to Henoko district in the city of Nago, local media reported Monday.
• As Restoration Nears Completion, Old Ironsides Returns to Boston Harbor NNS 24 Jul 2017 -- After a two-year restoration at historic Dry Dock 1 at Charlestown Navy Yard, Boston National Historical Park, America's oldest commissioned warship, USS Constitution was refloated July 23.
• America Completes First Replenishment-at-Sea NNS 24 Jul 2017 -- Sailors and Marines aboard the amphibious assault ship USS America (LHA 6) completed their first connective replenishment (CONREP), as well as first replenishment-at-sea (RAS) and vertical replenishment (VERTREP), for the ship's maiden deployment, July 19.
• Chinese jets intercept US surveillance plane over East China Sea: US officials Press TV 24 Jul 2017 -- Two Chinese fighter jets have intercepted a US Navy surveillance plane over the East China Sea, American officials claim.
• Chinese Jets Intercepted US Military Plane Over E. China Sea VOA 24 Jul 2017 -- Two Chinese fighter jets intercepted an American surveillance aircraft over the East China Sea, U.S. officials said Monday. The incident happened over the weekend.
• China's DF31-AG missile enhances target range and accuracy: expert CNA 24 Jul 2017 -- China recently reported on the most recent upgrade to its Dongfeng (East Wind, 東風) ballistic missile series, codenamed DF-31AG, which Hong Kong-based military analyst Leung Kwok-leung (梁國樑) believes has improved range and targeting precision.
• Chinese Xian H-6 bombers again approach Taiwan, Japan CNA 24 Jul 2017 -- Four Chinese Xian H-6 strategic bombers were spotted in two formations flying close to Taiwan's air defense identification zone (ADIZ) on Monday, passing through the Bashi Channel and the Miyako Strait south of Okinawa before returning to Chinese airspace, Taiwan's Ministry of National Defense said that day.
• International military collaboration duty of China's military: spokesperson People's Daily 24 Jul 2017 -- Recent international military collaborations by the People's Liberation Army (PLA) are the duty of the armed forces of a major power, a Ministry of National Defense (MOD) spokesperson said Monday.
• PLA vows to defend sovereignty and territorial integrity ahead of 90th anniversary People's Daily 24 Jul 2017 -- Senior Colonel Wu Qian, the spokesman of China's Ministry of National Defense, said the People's Liberation Army (PLA) is determined to defend the country's sovereignty and territorial integrity in the ongoing border standoff with India.
• Chinese naval fleet arrives in Greece for friendly visit People's Daily 24 Jul 2017 -- A Chinese naval fleet arrived on Sunday at Piraeus port for a four-day friendly visit to Greece, conveying a message of friendship and cooperation.
• Germany Must Push NATO to Settle Issue With Konya Base in Turkey – Official Sputnik 24 Jul 2017 -- Turkey banning German lawmakers from visiting German personnel at the NATO military base in Konya is a matter of relations within the alliance, and Berlin must urge NATO to settle the issue, chairman of the Defense Committee of the German Parliament Wolfgang Hellmich said on Monday.
• US Ramps Up Surveillance as North Korean Sub Continues 'Unusual Activities' Sputnik 24 Jul 2017 -- The "unusual activities" of a North Korean submarine in the Sea of Japan last week has caused the US military to increase its surveillance to keep an eye on the 1,800-ton vessel.
• Even Rambo Can't Salvage Indian Navy's Sikorsky Choppers, Auditor Lists Problems Sputnik 24 Jul 2017 -- Purchased from the US for enhancing the utilization of Indian Navy's ship the US-made INS Jalashwa, six Sikorsky helicopters have failed to maintain desired levels of serviceability in six of seven years of its operations.
• Russia, Germany in Race for Indian Navy's $7.8 Billion Submarine Tender Sputnik 24 Jul 2017 -- India's Ministry of Defense has asked six foreign shipbuilders to respond to the Indian Navy's long-delayed Project 75 India (P-75I) program, which is worth over $7.8 billion.
• US worried as Iran, Iraq forge close security ties Press TV 24 Jul 2017 -- Iraq, fresh from liberating Mosul in its most serious blow to Takfiri terrorists, is reaching out to Iran which, according to most senior Iraqi officials, prevented Baghdad from falling to Daesh.
• UK Armed Forces Face 'Very Dangerous Crisis' as Troop Numbers Fall Below 80,000 Sputnik 24 Jul 2017 -- UK army personnel statistics show the number of fully trained soldiers has dropped below a previous "trained strength" target of 82,000 to 78,010 – a shortfall of 3,990 fully trained troops, and the lowest total since the 18th century – and critics say the country's military faces a "potentially very, very dangerous crisis" as a result.
• Press Gaggle by Principal Deputy Press Secretary Sarah Sanders and Secretary of Health and Human Services Tom Price en route Beaver, WV The White House 24 Jul 2017
• 24 July 2017 - Daily Press Briefing by the Office of the Spokesperson for the Secretary-General United Nations 24 Jul 2017

Defense Industry

• DoD News: Contracts for July 24, 2017

Other Conflicts

• Philippines Pokes China With Intent to Drill for Oil in Disputed Sea VOA 24 Jul 2017 -- Plans in the Philippines to reopen a tract of the disputed South China Sea for oil and gas exploration are likely to complicate the foreign policy of Manila's new friend Beijing, which claims the same waters, and adds to a regional pushback against Chinese maritime influence.
• Yemeni naval forces target, torch Saudi military vessel in western Yemen Press TV 24 Jul 2017 -- Yemeni naval forces, backed by fighters from allied Popular Committees, have targeted and torched a Saudi military vessel in a missile attack off the coast of the country's western province of Hudaydah, military says.
• Top UN delegation visits crisis-stricken Yemen Press TV 24 Jul 2017 -- A high-ranking United Nations delegation has made a rare visit to Yemen, as the impoverished country is grappling with war, a cholera epidemic and looming famine.
• US-led Coalition Supports Raqqa Civilian Council Efforts to Rule After IS VOA 24 Jul 2017 -- As the U.S.-backed Syrian Democratic Forces continue their advance against the Islamic State (IS) in its stronghold Raqqa, the U.S.-led coalition is increasing assistance for a civilian council established to govern the city after its recapture from IS.
• Turkish Opposition Leader Calls Ankara's Meddling in Syrian Conflict a Mistake Sputnik 24 Jul 2017 -- The leader of the largest opposition political party in Turkey sharply criticized Ankara's foreign policy, especially regarding the Syrian conflict and the Qatari diplomatic crisis.
• Russia creates military posts to monitor ceasefire in safe zone in Syria Press TV 24 Jul 2017 -- The Russian army says it has established military posts in order to monitor the ceasefire in a safe zone in the eastern suburbs of Syrian capital Damascus.
• British General Says Victory In Raqqa Would Not Be End Of Fight Against Islamic State RFE/RL 24 Jul 2017 -- A top British general in the U.S.-led coalition battling Islamic State (IS) extremists in Syria says a defeat of the militant group in Raqqa would not be the end of the fight.
• Syrian Forces Advancing on Key Town En Route to Deir ez-Zor Sputnik 24 Jul 2017 -- The Syrian troops are successfully executing an offensive on a key town on a way to the city of Deir ez-Zor that is held by the government forces, the Russian military said.
• Syrian Army Restore Control Over 150km of Border With Iraq Sputnik 24 Jul 2017 -- The Syrian Arab Army has restored control over 150km of border with Iraq, lowering Daesh capabilities in movement of militants and arms, the chief of the Russian General Staff said on Monday.
• Russian Military Police Deployed to Monitor Syria Safe Zones VOA 24 Jul 2017 -- Russia has started to deploy military police to Syria to monitor a cease-fire in two newly established safe zones, Russian authorities said Monday.
• IS Fighters in Disarray in Iraq Due to Air Power, says US General VOA 24 Jul 2017 -- Islamic State fighters in Iraq appear to be in disarray and are managing only sporadic counterattacks, after losing the months-long battle for the city of Mosul, says a top U.S. general.
• Back from visit to Myanmar, independent UN rights expert says situation 'worsening' UN News 24 Jul 2017 -- While no one expects an overnight transition to democracy in Myanmar, there has to be real progress on human rights, an independent United Nations expert today said, highlighting reported killings, tortures, and an "ongoing humanitarian crisis" for the Rohingya people and other minorities.
• Kremlin Comments on Claims of Russian Reinforcements Near Ukrainian Border Sputnik 24 Jul 2017 -- Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov commented on Monday on the Ukrainian military's claims of Russian reinforcements near its borders.
• China urges India to abandon illusions People's Daily 24 Jul 2017 -- China Monday urged India to immediately withdraw all troops that have illegally entered China, stating that the nation would defend its territorial sovereignty "at all costs."
• Doklam has always been under China's effective jurisdiction without dispute: FM People's Daily 24 Jul 2017 -- A Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesperson said Monday that there has been no territorial dispute in the Doklam area.
• China tells India to stop meddling in contested Himalayan region Press TV 24 Jul 2017 -- China has called on India to withdraw its troops from a Himalayan region, disputed by both China and New Delhi's ally Bhutan, vowing that it will defend its sovereignty "at whatever cost."
• China Urges India to 'Immediately' Withdraw Troops From Disputed Himalayan Area Sputnik 24 Jul 2017 -- Chinese military called on India to withdraw its troops from the Himalayan mountains, saying that New Delhi "should abandon unrealistic illusions" of owning the disputed territory as Beijing is ready to defend its sovereignty, territorial integrity and national security.
• Indian Investigators Arrest Kashmiri Separatists Over Terror Funding Sputnik 24 Jul 2017 -- The National Investigation Agency (NIA) has arrested seven Kashmiri separatist leaders on charges of terror funding in Kashmir.
• Fight against militant groups along border with Syria nearing end: Hezbollah Press TV 24 Jul 2017 -- The Lebanese Hezbollah resistance movement says its military operations against foreign-sponsored Takfiri militants along the eastern border with war-ravaged Syria is "nearing its end" after its fighters regained control over the last stronghold of Jabhat Fatah al-Sham extremists there.
• Hezbollah fighters liberate key Arsal valley from terrorists' grip Press TV 24 Jul 2017 -- Lebanon's Hezbollah resistance movement says its fighters have wrested control over a strategic valley in the highlands of Arsal in their latest push against militants on the Syrian border.
• UN chief condemns killing of peacekeeper in Central African Republic UN News 24 Jul 2017 -- United Nations Secretary-General António Guterres has condemned the killing of a UN peacekeeper on Sunday in the Central African Republic, urging the country's authorities to investigate this incident and bring the perpetrators to justice.
• Ahead of October elections, UN Council urges Liberia to plan for safe, credible polls UN News 24 Jul 2017 -- With Liberian officials responsible for security in the country, the United Nations Security Council today encouraged the Government to put in place an election security plan for the October polls.
• Israeli-Palestinian Tensions Spill into Jordan VOA 24 Jul 2017 -- Tensions surrounding a disputed Jerusalem holy place that is sacred to Muslims and Jews has spilled across the border into Jordan.

News Reports

• Trump's Son-In-Law Kushner Says 'No Improper Contacts' With Russians RFE/RL 24 Jul 2017 -- U.S. President Donald Trump's son-in-law said that he has not colluded with any foreign government and had "no improper contacts" with Russians during the U.S. presidential campaign or the transition period.
• Trump's son-in-law denies collusion with Russia Press TV 24 Jul 2017 -- Senior White House adviser and President Donald Trump's son-in-law Jared Kushner has denied colluding with Russia during the 2016 presidential campaign.
• Trump Son-in-Law Denies Collusion With Moscow VOA 24 Jul 2017 -- Jared Kushner, U.S. President Donald Trump's son-in-law and senior adviser, denied Monday that he or anyone else with the Trump campaign had any improper contacts with Russia leading up to or after the 2016 election.
• Poland's President to Veto 2 Controversial Bills on Judiciary VOA 24 Jul 2017 -- Poland's president says he is vetoing two of three bills recently passed by lawmakers to reform the country's judicial system.
• Polish president to veto controversial bills on judicial reforms Press TV 24 Jul 2017 -- Polish President Andrzej Duda has announced that he would use his authority to veto controversial bills on reforms in Poland's judicial system, a move largely inspired by nationwide protests that have gripped the country for the past several days.
• Polish President Says He Will Veto Controversial Judicial Reform Bills RFE/RL 24 Jul 2017 -- Polish President Andrzej Duda says he will veto controversial judiciary reform legislation that has sparked large protests and drawn warnings from the European Union.
• Russia, EU Voice Concern About Proposed U.S. Sanctions RFE/RL 24 Jul 2017 -- Russia and the European Union are both expressing concern about proposed new U.S. sanctions against Moscow, focusing in particular on how they might affect joint energy projects.
• CPC meeting stresses stability, progress in China's economic work People's Daily 24 Jul 2017 -- China will continue "seeking progress while maintaining stability" for its economic work in the second half of 2017, according to a meeting of the Political Bureau of the Communist Party of China (CPC) Central Committee Monday.
• Iran: US sanctions on IRGC strategic mistake IRNA 24 Jul 2017 -- Any US Sanctions against the Islamic Revolution Guards Corps (IRGC) would be a strategic mistake, Iran's Foreign Ministry spokesman Bahram Qasemi warned on Monday.
• Nuclear deal going forward with steady pace: Spokesman IRNA 24 Jul 2017 -- Foreign Ministry spokesman Bahram Qasemi said Iran nuclear deal also known as Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action (JCPOA) is going forward vigorously.
• US on its own in seeking to undermine Iran nuclear deal: Qassemi Press TV 24 Jul 2017 -- Iran says the United States is in a minority of one in its destructive ambitions against the 2015 nuclear deal between the Islamic Republic and the P5+1 group, which includes the US itself.
• US citizen arrested in Iran, accused of certain crimes: Foreign Ministry IRNA 24 Jul 2017 -- Foreign Ministry Spokesman Bahram Qasemi said on Monday that the Chinese-American citizen arrested in Iran had been prosecuted for certain accusations against him.
• Explosion claims 26 lives in Pakistan's city of Lahore Press TV 24 Jul 2017 -- A powerful explosion has claimed the lives of at least 26 people and injured dozens more in the eastern Pakistani city of Lahore.
• Turkish president continues Persian Gulf tour to resolve Qatar crisis Press TV 24 Jul 2017 -- Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan has traveled to Kuwait after visiting Saudi Arabia as part of a regional tour to help resolve a dispute among several Arab countries in the region.
• Maduro vows to go ahead with referendum despite 'imperial' threats Press TV 24 Jul 2017 -- Venezuela's President Nicolas Maduro has vowed to go ahead with a vote next week to elect a new national assembly, which would have the power to re-write the constitution, despite opposition pressure and a threat by the US to slap more sanctions on the country.
• 'Mama Nyandeng' Says She Has Reconciled With South Sudan's President Kiir VOA 24 Jul 2017 -- A well-known South Sudanese politician who a few months ago had called on government soldiers to lay down their weapons saying that would leave President Salva Kiir with no power, said Monday she has reconciled with the president.