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Current Operations

• OIF / OND / OEF / OIR / OFS Casualty Update 16 Aug 2017[PDF]
• Department of Defense Press Briefing by Colonel Dillon via Teleconference From Baghdad, Iraq DoD 16 Aug 2017 -- Presenter: Colonel Ryan Dillon, Combined Joint Task Force-Operation Inherent Resolve Spokesman; Adam Stump, Department of Defense Spokesman
• Strikes Continue Against ISIS Terrorists in Syria, Iraq AFPS 16 Aug 2017 -- U.S. and coalition military forces continued to attack the Islamic State of Iraq and Syria yesterday, conducting 21 strikes consisting of 41 engagements, Combined Joint Task Force Operation Inherent Resolve officials reported today.
• OIR Official Outlines Gains, Pays Tribute to Fallen Soldiers AFPS 16 Aug 2017 -- Coalition and partnered forces in Iraq and Syria are making progress against an increasingly desperate, fanatical enemy, the spokesman for Combined Joint Task Force Operation Inherent Resolve said today.
• Pentagon Declines to Comment on Taliban's Call for Withdrawal of US Troops Sputnik 16 Aug 2017 -- US Department of State spokeswoman Heather Nauert on Tuesday refused to comment on the Taliban's (outlawed in Russia) letter calling on President Trump to withdraw American "occupation forces" from Afghanistan.

Defense Policy / Programs

• Hill, Robins AFB to provide F-35 software sustainment AFNS 16 Aug 2017 -- The Air Force Sustainment Center is making plans to establish organic software sustainment capability for the F-35A Lightning II.
• Anytime, anywhere: combat controllers enable global access in Estonia AFNS 16 Aug 2017 -- A quiet, rural highway in northern Estonia transformed into a bustling military airfield as combat controllers guided A-10C Thunderbolt IIs onto the 50-foot-wide freeway during a flying training deployment, Aug. 10, 2017.
• Noble Partner Supports Georgia's NATO Response Force Integration AFPS 16 Aug 2017 -- Georgian special operations forces took part in exercise Noble Partner here July 30-Aug. 12, developing interoperability with conventional forces from not only their own military, but that of the U.S. and participating nations.
• Indiana National Guard and Nigerien state partners establish foundation Army News 16 Aug 2017 -- The Indiana National Guard hosted its Nigerien partners from the Ministry of Defense for a three-day seminar, August 11 through 13.
• Navy to Commission USS Lewis B. Puller (ESB 3) DoD 16 Aug 201 -- The Navy will commission the Expeditionary Sea Base USS Lewis B. Puller (ESB 3) during a 5 p.m. AST ceremony Thursday, August 17, at Khalifa bin Salman Port in Al Hidd, Bahrain.
• NNSY welcomes USS Dwight D. Eisenhower for Planned Incremental Availability NNS 16 Aug 2017 -- Norfolk Naval Shipyard (NNSY) welcomed USS Dwight D. Eisenhower (CVN 69) Aug. 5 in advance of its six-month Planned Incremental Availability.
• US Rejects China-backed 'Double Freeze,' to Continue Joint South-Korean Military Exercises: State Dept teleSUR 16 Aug 2017 -- When asked whether military exercises were "the right thing to do" in a period of tension, Nauert simply replied: "we do these things all around the world."
• Top US general in China to strengthen military ties People's Daily 16 Aug 2017 -- The United States' top military officer is in Beijing for a three-day visit.
• China, US agree on direct military communication Press TV 16 Aug 2017 -- China and the United States have reached an agreement to improve their direct military communication to lower chances of "miscalculations" and accidental military confrontations amid the crisis on the Korean Peninsula.
• Canadian Navy Launches Training Program With Fiji Sputnik 16 Aug 2017 -- The National Defense said that Canada is sending a naval team to help train the maritime forces of Fiji.
• HMS Queen Elizabeth makes debut in Portsmouth UK MOD 16 Aug 2017 -- Britain's future flagship HMS Queen Elizabeth sailed into her home port of Portsmouth for the first time today.
• HMS Queen Elizabeth makes debut in Portsmouth with first entry to her home port UK Royal Navy 16 Aug 2017 -- Britain's future flagship HMS Queen Elizabeth sailed into her home port of Portsmouth for the first time today.
• China's awesome weaponry displayed in Inner Mongolia People's Daily 16 Aug 2017 -- Some of China's latest and most advanced armored vehicles were put on display at the Second Norinco Armor Day in Baotou, north China's Inner Mongolia Autonomous Region on Wednesday.
• Rogozin: Ukraine Could Have Sold Missile Engines Directly to North Korea Sputnik 16 Aug 2017 -- Russian Deputy Prime Minister Dmitry Rogozin said on Wednesday it is possible that either details about Ukrainian missile engine technologies were leaked to North Korea or Kiev sold the engines to Pyongyang directly.
• Ukraine Scrambles to Quash Fallout From North Korea Allegations VOA 16 Aug 2017 -- Ukrainian officials and analysts were quick to deny allegations that the Soviet-era Yuzhmash arms factory was a likely source of engine technology used in North Korea's missiles and to redirect suspicions to Russia.
• Report: North Korea Makes Own Rocket Engines, Does Not Need Ukraine Technology RFE/RL 16 Aug 2017 -- The Reuters news agency is quoting U.S. intelligence officials as saying they believe North Korea can produce its own missile engines and does not need to import the technology from Ukraine.
• Indian Defense Sector Opens up to Private Players; Clears $2.8 Bln of Orders Sputnik 16 Aug 2017 -- Indian private companies would have to forge a joint venture with foreign firms for the purpose of manufacturing specific products with complete transfer of technology. The foreign firms, however, would not hold a majority stake in such joint ventures.
• India Looks for New Partner to Arm its Scorpene Class Submarine Sputnik 16 Aug 2017 -- Cancellation of the Black Shark torpedo deal has had a crippling impact on Indian Navy's plan of lending teeth to its fleet of six under-construction submarines, two of which are ready to be inducted any time soon.
• India's New Domestic Artillery Gun Fails Weapons Trials for Third Time Sputnik 16 Aug 2017 -- India's homemade Dhanush towed howitzer may be domestically produced, but a multitude of failed tests have proven that the weapon is unready for use in warfare. An Indian Army source told Defense News that the artillery gun has failed three times in as many months, pushing the induction date back further and further.
• Iran eyeing border security deal with Tureky: IRGC IRNA 16 Aug 2017 -- Iran is seeking a proper agreement with Turkey on securing the shared borders and fighting terrorism, an Iranian military official said.
• Russia throws weight behind Iran's missile program Press TV 16 Aug 2017 -- Iran's defensive missile program is part of its "national interests," Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov says, asserting that the new US sanctions against the Islamic Republic over its missile activities are "illegitimate" and only harm the nuclear deal between Tehran and the P5+1.
• Iran Building Weapons Factories In Syria, Lebanon, Israeli Media Reports RFE/RL 16 Aug 2017 -- Israeli media are reporting that Iran is building a factory in northwest Syria to manufacture long-range rockets.
• Taipei Remains on 'High Alert' During Chinese Military Drills Sputnik 16 Aug 2017 -- The Taiwanese National Defense Ministry urges "restraint to maintain peace in the Taiwan Strait," following a Chinese military aircraft's intrusion into Taipei's Air Defense Identification Zone (ADIZ) on Sunday.

Defense Industry

• DoD News: Contracts for August 16, 2017

Other Conflicts

• China, Philippines Agree on Modus Vivendi in South China Sea Sputnik 16 Aug 2017 -- The foreign ministries of China and the Philippines have found a 'way to get along' by banning new construction in the South China Sea as the two nations seek to enhance bilateral ties.
• Iran's Revolutionary Guard Refutes Reports on Independent Operations in Syria Sputnik 16 Aug 2017 -- Iran's Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) dismissed media claims, that IRGC conducted an independent ground military operation in Syria, according to spokesman Brig. Gen. Ramazan Sharif.
• Russia Notes Regrouping of Nusra Front Forces in Syria - Source Sputnik 16 Aug 2017 -- An active regrouping of Nusra Front forces in Syria was noted, as well as the flow of radical members of the armed opposition to this terrorist organization, according to a military-diplomatic source in the International Syria Support Group task forces.
• Syrian Foreign Ministry Accuses US, UK of Supplying Toxic Agents to Terrorists Sputnik 16 Aug 2017 -- On Wednesday, the Syrian Foreign Ministry has accused the US and the UK of supplying CS, CN toxic agents to terrorists.
• Daesh bomber kills seven Iraqi soldiers near oil-rich Baiji Press TV 16 Aug 2017 -- At least seven Iraqi soldiers have been killed when an attacker tried to infiltrate a security headquarters near the northern oil-rich city of Baiji, where members of the Takfiri Daesh terrorist group are holed up in nearby mountain areas.
• Iraqi Kurds' independence referendum risks civil war: Turkish FM Press TV 16 Aug 2017 -- Turkish Foreign Minister Mevlut Cavusoglu has warned that a plan by Iraq's semi-autonomous Kurdistan region to hold an independence referendum late next month will lead to "civil war" in the conflict-stricken Arab country.
• Baghdad Expects 'Easy' Battle for Daesh-Held Tal Afar After Liberating Mosul Sputnik 16 Aug 2017 -- Iraqi Interior Ministry said on Wednesday it expected to easily liberate the northern city of Tal Afar from Daesh militants, as they appear to be demoralized by the crushing defeat in Mosul.
• Colombia president declares war with FARC over Press TV 16 Aug 2017 -- The Colombian president has declared the end of the 50-year old conflict with former rebel group FARC, following the group's handover of the last batch of its weapons under the United Nations (UN)'s supervision.
• UN observers conclude FARC-EP arms removal process in Colombia UN News 16 Aug 2017 -- More than 8,000 weapons and over one million burned cartridges were transported to a central warehouse in Colombia as the United Nations political mission in the country concluded the process of the laying down of individual weapons of the Revolutionary Armed Forces of Colombia (FARC-EP) combatants.
• Total of Six Kiev Soldiers Killed in South of Donetsk People's Republic - DPR Sputnik 16 Aug 2017 -- DPR operational command said that Ukrainian forces lost at least six people when trying to enter the "gray zone" in the south of the self-proclaimed Donetsk People's Republic.
• Bangladesh sees new influx of Rohingya Muslims Press TV 16 Aug 2017 -- Hundreds of Rohingya Muslims have crossed into Bangladesh in recent days, following a fresh military build-up in Myanmar's western state of Rakhine.
• Lebanese army makes gains against Daesh on Syrian border Press TV 16 Aug 2017 -- The Lebanese military has managed to wrest control of several areas near the Syrian border in its latest push against the Daesh Takfiri terrorist group operating in the region.
• China Urges India to Abide by Border Agreements Amid Border Guard Skirmish Sputnik 16 Aug 2017 -- China has called on India to abide by bilateral agreements on border issues after media reports emerged about another skirmish between Chinese and Indian border guard officers on the Line of Actual Control (LAC), Chinese Foreign Ministry spokeswoman Hua Chunying said Wednesday.
• Emergency food distributions launched to assist thousands displaced in DR Congo - UN agency UN News 16 Aug 2017 -- Food assistance will be provided to food insecure people displaced by conflict in the Kasai region of the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC), says the United Nations food agency.
• UN chief condemns deadly terrorist attacks in Borno state, Nigeria UN News 16 Aug 2017 -- Condemning a series of terrorist attacks in north-eastern Nigeria, United Nations Secretary-General António Guterres has called for those responsible for these "repeated heinous acts" to be brought to justice.
• Nigeria bombing kills 30, injures 80 in Borno state Press TV 16 Aug 2017 -- At least 30 people have been killed and some 80 more wounded in a bombing attack in Nigeria's northeastern state of Borno.

News Reports

• Trump Again Blames 'Both Sides' For Violence At White-Supremacist Rally RFE/RL 16 Aug 2017 -- One day after declaring racism to be "evil," U.S. President Donald Trump has once again blamed "both sides" for violence that broke out at a weekend rally staged by white supremacists in Virginia.
• Kenya's Odinga accepts to settle poll dispute in top court Press TV 16 Aug 2017 -- Kenya's opposition leader Raila Odinga has finally accepted to pursue his claims of fraud in the recent presidential election at the country's top court.
• Kenyans Voted Along Ethnic, Geographic Lines to Re-elect Kenyatta VOA 16 Aug 2017 -- Kenyans voted mainly along ethnic and geographic lines to give President Uhuru Kenyatta a second term in office, according to election data analyzed by VOA.
• Kenyan Opposition Leader to Challenge Disputed Election Results in Supreme Court Sputnik 16 Aug 2017 -- The Kenyan opposition leader said Wednesday he is set to turn to the country's Supreme Court to challenge the results of the presidential elections.
• Russian Ex-Minister Ulyukayev Points Finger At Sechin, FSB In Bribery Trial RFE/RL 16 Aug 2017 -- Former Russian Economic Development Minister Aleksei Ulyukayev has told a Moscow court that the bribery charge against him was fabricated and accused powerful state oil company chief Igor Sechin of targeting him in a "provocation."
• Dunford Stresses Diplomacy, Sanctions for North Korea in Talks With Chinese AFPS 16 Aug 2017 -- U.S. and Chinese defense officials are pulling no punches as they discuss issues of concern to both countries, including the problem posed by a nuclear-armed North Korea, the chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff said here today.
• China, Russia warn against use of force against North Korea People's Daily 16 Aug 2017 -- Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi on Tuesday noted that no one should be permitted to stir up tensions on China and Russia's doorstep, calling for a peaceful settlement to the nuclear issue on the Korean Peninsula.
• As tensions on Korean Peninsula grow, UN chief urges world to 'dial up' diplomacy UN News 16 Aug 2017 -- Addressing the growing tensions on the Korean Peninsula, United Nations Secretary-General António Guterres today said it was important "to dial down rhetoric and dial up diplomacy."
• Trump: North Korea 'Wise' to Postpone Missile Launch Toward Guam VOA 16 Aug 2017 -- U.S. President Donald Trump said Wednesday that North Korean leader Kim Jong Un made "a very wise and well reasoned decision" to postpone a plan to launch missiles toward the shores of the U.S. territory of Guam.
• Defector: UN Sanctions Would Play Havoc With North Korean Economy VOA 16 Aug 2017 -- The impact of the latest round of U.N. sanctions leveled against North Korea could be greater than the projected $1 billion cut in its export revenue if fully implemented, a high-profile North Korean defector told VOA's Korean Service, and this would deal a significant financial blow to a regime intent on advancing its nuclear and missile programs.
• UN Chief Urges Political Solution on North Korea Nukes VOA 16 Aug 2017 -- U.N. Secretary-General António Guterres said a political solution must be found to the North Korean nuclear issue, because the potential consequences of military action "are too horrific to even contemplate."
• FM: Obstacles hindering Iran's economic growth removed by JCPOA IRNA 16 Aug 2017 -- The July 2015 nuclear deal did lead to removal of 'unfair obstacles' to Iran's scientific and economic growth, Iranian Foreign Minister Mohammad Javad said here on Wednesday.
• Iran says committed to nuclear deal, criticizes US for hindering deal implementation Press TV 16 Aug 2017 -- Iranian Foreign Ministry Spokesman Bahram Qassemi has reaffirmed Tehran's full commitment to the 2015 nuclear agreement with the P5+1 group of countries, known as the Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action (JCPOA), criticizing the US for hindering the implementation of the deal.
• Iran's parliament holds 2nd session of debates on Rouhani cabinet Press TV 16 Aug 2017 -- Iran's Parliament (Majlis) is holding a second day of debates on President Hassan Rouhani's cabinet picks.
• Moscow Voices Hope Iran Won't Quit Nuclear Deal RFE/RL 16 Aug 2017 -- Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov has said that Moscow hopes Iran will not quit the agreement reached in 2015 with world powers to curb its nuclear work in return for the lifting of most economic sanctions.
• German Prosecution Files Espionage Charges Against Swiss Citizen Sputnik 16 Aug 2017 -- German Public Prosecutor General filed charges of espionage in the Supreme Land Court of Frankfurt am Main against 54-year-old Swiss citizen Daniel M. over suspicion of being an intelligence agent, according to official statement.
• State Department Terrorist Designation of Hizbul Mujahideen US Dept. of State 16 Aug 2017 -- The Department of State has designated Hizbul Mujahideen–also known as Hizb-ul-Mujahideen, also known as HM–as a Foreign Terrorist Organization under section 219 of the Immigration and Nationality Act, and as a Specially Designated Global Terrorist (SDGT) under section 1(b) of Executive Order (E.O.) 13224.
• Post-election Kosovo entering period of uncertainty that will demand strong leadership - UN envoy UN News 16 Aug 2017 -- Following the parliamentary elections of 11 June, which took place without "major irregularities or incidents," Kosovo has entered a "period of uncertainty" marked by reconfiguring the political landscape and a "functional void," the Special Representative of the United Nations Secretary-General for Kosovo Zahir Tanin told the Security Council today.
• Kyrgyz Opposition Leader Tekebaev Handed Eight-Year Prison Sentence RFE/RL 16 Aug 2017 -- A Kyrgyz court has sentenced opposition leader Omurbek Tekebaev and his co-defendant to eight years in prison each on corruption charges.