• Military Menu                       

• Introduction
• Systems
• Facilities
• Agencies
• Industry
• Operations
• Countries
• Hot Documents
• News
• Reports
• Policy
• Budget
• Congress
• Links

• WMD
• Intelligence
• Homeland Security
• Space

Operations
Defense Policy / Programs
Defense Industry
Other Conflicts
News Reports

Current Operations

• U.S., Coalition Continue Strikes to Defeat ISIS in Syria, Iraq AFPS 20 Aug 2017 -- U.S. and coalition military forces continued to attack the Islamic State of Iraq and Syria yesterday, conducting 15 strikes consisting of 24 engagements, Combined Joint Task Force Operation Inherent Resolve officials reported today.
• Iraqi Forces Begin Offensive to Liberate Tal Afar AFPS 20 Aug 2017 -- Iraqi security forces have begun their offensive to liberate the city of Tal Afar from the Islamic State of Iraq and Syria, Combined Joint Task Force Operation Inherent Resolve officials said today.
• UN Confirms Killing of 36 Civilians by Terrorists in Afghanistan's Mirza Olang Sputnik 20 Aug 2017 -- The UN Assistance Mission in Afghanistan (UNAMA) confirmed on Sunday the killing of 36 civilians by militants in Afghanistan's northern Mirza Olang village in early August.
• Trump has made decision on Afghanistan strategy: Mattis Press TV 20 Aug 2017 -- US President Donald Trump and his military commanders have agreed on the country's new strategy in Afghanistan after a "rigorous" debate, the Pentagon chief says.
• Taliban, Daesh jointly massacred people in Afghan village: UN Press TV 20 Aug 2017 -- An investigation team of the United Nations has confirmed that the Taliban and Daesh terrorist groups jointly massacred dozens of people, mostly Shia Hazaras, in an attack that "may amount to a war crime" in a remote northern village in Afghanistan earlier this month.
• Afghanistan’s Special Operations Forces Transition from Division to Corps VOA 2017-08-20 - Afghanistan’s elite Special Operations Forces officially transitioned from a division to a corps, as part of a four-year security plan aimed at vastly improving the country's security forces.
• Mattis Tight-Lipped on New Afghan Strategy VOA News - August 20, 2017 - U.S. Defense Secretary Jim Mattis says he is satisfied with the process the Trump administration went through to formulate its new strategy for Afghanistan, but he declined to provide details.

Defense Policy / Programs

• USS John S. McCain Collides with Merchant Ship NNS 20 Aug 2017 -- The guided-missile destroyer USS John S. McCain (DDG 56) was involved in a collision with the merchant vessel Alnic MC while underway east of the Straits of Malacca and Singapore on Aug. 21.
• Mattis Arrives in Jordan to Discuss Security Issues AFPS 20 Aug 2017 -- Defense Secretary Jim Mattis arrived in Jordan today as part of a trip to reaffirm the U.S. commitment to strategic partnerships in the Middle East and Europe.
• En Route Media Availability with Secretary Mattis DoD 20 Aug 2017 -- Presenter: Defense Secretary Jim Mattis
• Sunken US warship found in Pacific Ocean Press TV 20 Aug 2017 -- Researchers have found the wreckage of the US warship Indianapolis, which was sunk by a Japanese submarine towards the end of World War ll, leading to the greatest single loss of life at sea in the history of the US Navy.
• AFIT prepares nuclear enterprise to deal with any scenario AFNS 20 Aug 2017 -- With talk of nuclear weapons returning to Americans' everyday conversations, it might be excusable for the average person to think that the technology somehow had left the mainstream; this couldn't be further from the truth.
• Exercise to Strengthen Efforts in Defense of South Korea, Mattis Says AFPS 20 Aug 2017 -- A joint U.S.-South Korean computer-simulated defensive exercise set to kick off tomorrow is meant to strengthen joint efforts for the defense of South Korea, Defense Secretary Jim Mattis said today.
• North Korea warns US, South against joint drill Press TV 20 Aug 2017 -- North Korea has warned the United States and South Korea against holding a planned joint military drill in the region amid the current high tensions.
• Pyongyang: US, South Korean Military Drills Pushing Peninsula 'Into Nuclear War' Sputnik 20 Aug 2017 -- Joint military exercises by the US and South Korea are only "adding fuel to the fire" on the Korean Peninsula, Pyongyang said on Sunday.
• Differences on North Korea Could Test US-South Korea Relationship VOA 2017-08-20 - Questions have arisen about the future of the U.S.-South Korea security alliance as the nations take different approaches to North Korea, despite the fact the decades-long relationship remains robust right now, experts say.
• New S Korean Top Military Official Vows to Retaliate Against Pyongyang's Attacks Sputnik 20 Aug 2017 -- Newly appointed chairman of the South Korean military Joint Chiefs of Staff (JCS) Jeong Kyeong-doo pledged on Sunday to "resolutely and strongly" respond to any of Pyongyang's provocations and attacks amid the escalating tensions on the Korean peninsula.
• Iran to continue missile program: Defense minister IRNA 20 Aug 2017 -- Iran's newly-appointed Defense Minister Brigadier General Amir Hatami said on Sunday that Iran will continue its missile program.
• Iran missile program will continue unabated: Defense minister Press TV 20 Aug 2017 -- Iran's new Defense Minister Brigadier General Amir Hatami says the missile program of the Islamic Republic will push ahead relentlessly, vowing to continue activities of the country's defense industry.
• Rouhani's proposed ministers win parliament's vote of confidence, except one ISNA 20 Aug 2017 -- The 17 ministers proposed by Iranian President to form his cabinet have won the parliament's vote of confidence, except the pick for the energy portfolio.

Defense Industry

Other Conflicts

• Saudi deploys troops to Yemen's Aden: Pro-Hadi officials Press TV 20 Aug 2017 -- Yemeni officials loyal to former president, Abd Rabbuh Mansur Hadi, say Saudi Arabia has for the first time deployed troops to the southwestern port city of Aden, where Riyadh and its ally, the United Arab Emirates, are vying for a foothold.
• 3 Lebanese soldiers killed in Syria border operation Press TV 20 Aug 2017 -- Three soldiers of the Lebanese army have been killed in an ongoing operation near the Syrian border against the Daesh Takfiri terrorist group.
• Lebanese soldiers continue battle against Daesh near Syrian border Press TV 20 Aug 2017 -- Lebanese army troops have been attacking positions held Daesh terrorists near the Syrian border for a second day after liberating a third of the militant-held territory.
• Syrian army forces crushing terrorists, clearing areas: President Assad Press TV 20 Aug 2017 -- Syrian President Bashar al-Assad says government forces, backed by allied fighters from popular defense groups, are crushing foreign-backed Takfiri terrorists across the country, and clearing areas of militants.
• Syrian Opposition Yet to Discuss Assad's Role at Peace Talks in Riyadh Sputnik 20 Aug 2017 -- Syrian opposition groups are yet to discuss Syrian President Bashar Assad's role in the Syrian settlement during peace talks in Riyadh.
• Syria's Homs Receives 200 Tonnes of UN Humanitarian Aid - Russian MoD Sputnik 20 Aug 2017 -- The United Nations held one humanitarian mission in the Syrian province of Homs over the past 24 hours, delivering 200 tonnes of humanitarian cargo to the area, the Russian Defense Ministry said in a daily bulletin Sunday.
• Daesh Encircled in Hama: Syrian Army 'Improves Combat Skills' With Russian Aid Sputnik 20 Aug 2017 -- The Russian Aerospace Forces helped the Syrian Army encircle a large terrorist force near a town in Hama province. According to military expert Andrei Koshkin, Syrian forces have been improving their skills with Russian military assistance.
• Iraq begins battle to retake Daesh-held city of Tal Afar 2017-08-20 TRT World - Iraqi Prime Minister Haider al Abadi announces the start of the offensive to retake Tal Afar, a key Northern Iraqi bastion of Daesh, in a televised speech.
• Iraqi PM Abadi announces start of Tal Afar liberation operation Press TV 20 Aug 2017 -- Iraqi Prime Minister Haider al-Abadi has announced the commencement of a major offensive to liberate the northern city of Tal Afar from the Daesh Takfiri terrorist group.
• Iraqi security forces retake four neighborhoods in Tal Afar Press TV 20 Aug 2017 -- Iraqi government forces have liberated four districts in Tal Afar as they are engaged in a major ground operation to liberate the northern city from the grip of Daesh Takfiri terrorists.
• '17,000 Iraqis return to Nineveh in 2 months' Press TV 20 Aug 2017 -- Iraq says up to 17,000 internally displaced persons (IDPs) have returned to their homes in Nineveh Plains in the country over the past two month following the liberation of the region from the Daesh terrorist group.
• 'Surrender Or Die': Iraqi Forces Begin Battle To Retake Tal Afar From Islamic State RFE/RL 20 Aug 2017 -- Iraqi Prime Minister Haidar al-Abadi says his country's forces have begun the offensive to recapture the city of Tal Afar, one of the final areas held by the Islamic State (IS) extremist group.
• Iraqi PM Says Start of Operation to Liberate Tal Afar From Daesh Underway Sputnik 20 Aug 2017 -- The mission to end Daesh's occupation of Tal Afar, Iraq by the Iraqi Army is officially a go, Iraqi Prime Minister Haider al-Badi said Sunday.
• Dodon Denounces Romania Reunification Idea In Rare Visit To Gagauzia RFE/RL 20 Aug 2017 -- Moldovan President Igor Dodon has urged supporters in the ex-Soviet nation's autonomous Gagauzia region to fight against those he says are plotting to "destroy" Moldova's statehood by uniting it with neighboring Romania.

News Reports

• Venezuela parliament convenes, defying new assembly Press TV 20 Aug 2017 -- Venezuela's dissolved opposition-controlled parliament has convened in defiance of a move by the pro-government Constituent Assembly to take over the legislature's powers, deepening the political standoff in the Latin American country.
• Iran parliament says 'yes' to 16 cabinet picks IRNA 20 Aug 2017 -- Sixteen proposed ministers out of 18 were successful in getting the confidence votes of Iranian lawmkers on Sunday.
• Majlis approves Rouhani's ministers, except one Press TV 20 Aug 2017 -- President Hassan Rouhani's new ministers have won the Iranian parliament's vote of confidence, except the pick for the energy portfolio who had already served in the post under a reformist administration.
• Rohani Says Protecting Nuclear Deal Top Priority, As Iranian Lawmakers Approve Cabinet Picks RFE/RL 20 Aug 2017 -- Iran's parliament on August 20 approved all but one of the cabinet nominees submitted by President Hassan Rohani, who said protecting the landmark 2015 deal to curb Tehran's nuclear activities in exchange for an easing of sanctions would be the key foreign policy priority for his new government.
• Alleged Role In State Crackdown Haunts Rohani's New Communications Minister RFE/RL 20 Aug 2017 -- Mohammad Javad Azari Jahromi is young and successful, but allegations about his past could come back to haunt him.
• Kurds Could Postpone Referendum in Return for Concessions From Baghdad 2017-08-20 nrttv.com - The central government in Baghdad could convince a Kurdish senior delegation there to consider the possibility of postponing a planned Sept. 25 referendum on independence if certain financial and political compromises are reached, a senior official from the Patriotic Union of Kurdistan (PUK) said on Saturday (August 19).
• Spain 'dismantles cell behind terror attacks' Press TV 20 Aug 2017 -- Spain says it has dismantled an extremist cell behind the recent terrorist attacks in Catalonia, which were claimed by the Takfiri Daesh group.
• KMT lays out vision for peaceful development of cross-strait ties CNA 20 Aug 2017 -- The national congress of the opposition Kuomintang (KMT) on Sunday approved a new policy platform that revolves around a vision for the peaceful development of cross-Taiwan Strait relations and respect for the "1992 consensus on one China with respective interpretations."
• Dick Gregory­US Comedian, Activist, Author­Dies at 84 TeleSUR 20 Aug 2017 -- Civil rights activist, comedian and author Dick Gregory has died following a brief stay in the hospital for a bacterial infection, according to his son Christian. He was 84-years-old.