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Defense Policy / Programs
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News Reports

Current Operations

• OIF / OND / OEF / OIR / OFS Casualty Update 12 Sep 2017[PDF]
• Strikes Continue in Syria, Iraq Against ISIS Terrorists AFPS 12 Sep 2017 -- U.S. and coalition military forces continued to attack the Islamic State of Iraq and Syria yesterday, conducting 41 strikes consisting of 50 engagements, Combined Joint Task Force Operation Inherent Resolve officials reported today.
• Pakistani PM Offers Joint Patrols With Afghanistan VOA 12 Sep 2017 -- Pakistan's prime minister has offered "joint patrols" and "joint posts" with Afghanistan as a means of bi-lateral verification of action taken against terrorist groups or their sanctuaries.
• Update: DoD Response to Hurricane Irma September 12, 2017 (5:00 pm EDT) DoD 12 Sep 2017 -- The Department of Defense has initiated response operations in Florida and continued response operations in the Virgin Islands/Puerto Rico.
• Nellis AFB to support Hurricane Irma rescue operations AFNS 12 Sep 2017 -- In mid-afternoon Sept. 8, 2017, the 66th Rescue Squadron and 823rd Maintenance Squadron assigned to Nellis Air Force Base, Nevada, received a call from U.S. Northern Command to ready teams to support the Federal Emergency Management Agency search and rescue efforts in the Florida Keys following the aftermath of Hurricane Irma.
• Wisconsin National Guard among latest units to supplement Irma aid Army News 12 Sep 2017 -- As the nation marked the 16th anniversary of the terror attacks in New York City, the Pentagon and Shanksville, Pennsylvania, more than 2,500 Wisconsin National Guard troops began loading up into military trucks or aircraft -- en route to Florida to assist the ongoing Hurricane Irma relief efforts.
• USNS William McLean; Delivering in Support of Hurricane Irma Relief Efforts NNS 12 Sep 2017 -- ATLANTIC OCEAN (September 12, 2017)- Military Sealift Command's dry cargo and ammunition ship USNS William McLean (T-AKE 12) has commenced logistic support operations in the vicinity of Puerto Rico and the U.S. Virgin Islands, following the devastation caused by Hurricane Irma.

Defense Policy / Programs

• Readout of Deputy Secretary Shanahan's meeting with Minister of Defence Marina Pendeš for Bosnia and Herzegovina DoD 12 Sep 2017
• Remarks by Secretary Mattis at an Enhanced Honor Cordon Welcoming Portugal Minister of National Defense Azeredo Lopes to the Pentagon DoD 12 Sep 2017 -- Presenter: Defense Secretary Jim Mattis
• US Navy Leads International Effort to Deploy Buoys into the Arctic Ocean NNS 12 Sep 2017 -- The U.S National Ice Center (USNIC) in coordination with the Office of Naval Research, Office of the Oceanographer of the Navy, the Danish Joint Arctic Command, Environmental and Climate Change Canada and University of Washington deployed buoys into the Arctic Ocean during a joint mission.
• Vanguard Battalion demonstrates airborne capabilities in Africa and Europe Army News 12 Sep 2017 -- "Six minutes!" The C-130J Super Hercules' walls echo the roar from the Tunisian jumpmasters.
• Arsenal digs into its history finding "shovel ready" program to enhance Soldier readiness, lethality Army News 12 Sep 2017 -- Solid proof that the Army has "shovel-ready" programs that can quickly enhance Soldier readiness and lethality can be found at a 204-year-old Army-owned arsenal in upstate New York.
• Readout of Secretary Mattis' Meeting with Portuguese Minister of Defense José Alberto Azeredo Lopes DoD 12 Sep 2017
• US warships involved in collisions in Asia failed key training: Report Press TV 12 Sep 2017 -- The crew on board the two US Navy warships, USS John McCain and USS Fitzgerald, which were involved in deadly clashes in Asia earlier this year, had failed key training missions, according to new data.
• Russia, US Agree on the Need to Comply With New START Treaty - Moscow Sputnik 12 Sep 2017 -- Russian and US diplomats discussed the New START treaty aiming to decrease the number of deployed nuclear warheads, which is set to expire in 2021.
• Russia Successfully Test-Launches Yars ICBM Sputnik 12 Sep 2017 -- Russia has successfully test-launched a RS-24 Yars ICBM to confirm the reliability of these missiles.
• Ukraine launches joint war games with US, NATO forces ahead of Russia drills Press TV 12 Sep 2017 -- Ukraine is holding joint war games with the US and a number of NATO member countries in the western city of Yavoriv near the Polish border as neighboring Russia gets set for its own drills in the Balkans.
• Turkey says paid deposit in S-400 deal with Russia Press TV 12 Sep 2017 -- Turkey says it has paid a deposit as part of an agreement with Russia for the purchase of an air defense system.
• Turkey Signs Deal To Buy Antiaircraft Missiles From Russia RFE/RL 12 Sep 2017 -- Turkey has signed a deal with Russia to buy S-400 antiaircraft missile systems in its first major weapons purchase from Moscow.
• Russia, Turkey S-400 Deal Underway: Ankara Paid Deposit for Russian Systems Sputnik 12 Sep 2017 -- The Turkish president confirmed the agreement of Russian S-400 air defense systems' delivery to Turkey had been signed and the deposit had been paid.
• Latvia Only NATO State to Send Extra Inspection to Zapad-2017 Drills Sputnik 12 Sep 2017 -- The Latvian defense minister said Tuesday that Latvia would be the only NATO state to send an additional inspection mission to observe the joint Russia-Belarus Zapad-2017 drills.
• China, Australia hold joint military training in Kunming People's Daily 12 Sep 2017 -- Chinese and Australian ground forces started their bilateral joint training named "Exercise Panda-Kangaroo 2017" on September 10 at a training ground of the PLA Southern Theater Command in Kunming, capital city of southwest China's Yunnan Province.
• Cobra's Venom: India's Homegrown Anti-Tank Missile Impresses in Tests Sputnik 12 Sep 2017 -- India has successfully tested their domestically produced "Nag" anti-tank guided missile (ATGM,) reports the Indian Ministry of Defense (MoD.) The Nag is meant to eventually replace foreign-made missiles to become the Indian military's first and primary anti-tank weapon.
• US-Made M777 Howitzer Malfunctions During Field Trials in India Sputnik 12 Sep 2017 -- An investigation has been launched to ascertain the reason behind the malfunction. Firing trials have been stopped until investigation report is submitted.
• India's New Defense Minister Rolls out Strategy to Hasten Key Defense Deals Sputnik 12 Sep 2017 -- The co-production of fifth generation fighter aircraft with Russia, the purchase of 120 single-engine fighter jets and finalization of foreign partners for local production of six nuclear submarines comprise the major deals awaiting final approval.
• Indian Army Chief Does About Face: China, Pakistan No Longer Threats Sputnik 12 Sep 2017 -- Experts say General Rawat's remarks were nonetheless significantly relevant given the frequency of intrusions by Chinese and Pakistani forces.
• India Sticks to Plan of Leasing Third Russian Nuclear Submarine Sputnik 12 Sep 2017 -- India is pushing for a plan to station its shipbuilding team at a Russian shipyard to witness the complex refitting and modernization process of nuclear attack submarines.
• Senior official: Any access to military sites rejected IRNA 12 Sep 2017 -- No foreigner is permitted to visit Iran's military centres since they are regarded as forbidden, security locations, an advisor to Iran's Supreme Leader reiterated on Tuesday.
• Iran to 'shock' enemies with hybrid warfare: Senior IRGC Comdr IRNA 12 Sep 2017 -- Iran will 'shock' its enemies with its new innovations and 'hybrid' power at any possible future war, said Commander of the Khatam Al-Anbia headquarters General Gholam-Ali Rashid on Tuesday.
• Iran will never allow foreigners to inspect military sites: Velayati Press TV 12 Sep 2017 -- A senior Iranian official has vehemently rejected foreign demands for inspection of Iran's military sites under the pretext of implementing the 2015 nuclear deal between Tehran and the P5+1 group of countries.
• Saudi Air Force prepares for "Faisal" maneuvers with Egyptian Air Force in Egypt SPA 12 Sep 2017 -- The Saudi Royal Air Force (RAF) is preparing to begin the "Faisal 11 maneuvers" with high-class aircraft with the Egyptian Air Force to be launched in the Arab Republic of Egypt at the end of next week.
• Missile damaged during unloading, no one injured: Navy CNA 12 Sep 2017 -- Following a report in the Apple Daily the R.O.C Navy released a statement on Tuesday confirming that a missile on a Cheng Kung-class frigate was damaged when being unloaded on Monday afternoon.
• Government of Canada -– F/A-18E/F Super Hornet Aircraft with Support DSCA 12 Sep 2017 -- The State Department has made a determination approving a possible Foreign Military Sale to the Government of Canada of ten (10) F/A-18E Super Hornet aircraft, with F414-GE-400 engines; eight (8) F/A-18F Super Hornet aircraft, with F414-GE-400 engines; eight (8) F414-GE-400 engine spares; twenty (20) AN/APG-79 Active Electronically Scanned Array (AESA) radars; twenty (20) M61A2 20MM gun systems; twenty-eight (28) AN/ALR-67(V)3 Electronic Warfare Countermeasures Receiving Sets; fifteen (15) AN/AAQ-33 Sniper Advanced Targeting Pods; twenty (20) Multifunctional Information Distribution Systems–Joint Tactical Radio System (MIDS-JTRS); thirty (30) Joint Helmet Mounted Cueing Systems (JHMCS); twenty-eight (28) AN/ALQ-214 Integrated Countermeasures Systems; one hundred thirty (130) LAU-127E/A and or F/A Guided Missile Launchers; twenty-two (22) AN/AYK-29 Distributed Targeting System (DTS); twenty-two (22) AN/AYK-29 Distributed Targeting Processor (DTP); one hundred (100) AIM-9X-2 Sidewinder Block II Tactical Missiles; thirty (30) AIM-9X-2 Sidewinder Block II Captive Air Training Missiles (CATM); eight (8) AIM-9X-2 Sidewinder Block II Special Air Training Missiles (NATM); twenty (20) AIM-9X-2 Sidewinder Block II Tactical Guidance Units; sixteen (16) AIM-9X-2 Sidewinder Block II CATM Guidance Units. Also included in this sale are AN/AVS-9 Night Vision Goggles (NVG); AN/ALE-47 Electronic Warfare Countermeasures Systems; AN/ARC-210 Communication System; AN/APX-111 Combined Interrogator Transponder; AN/ALE-55 Towed Decoys; Joint Mission Planning System (JMPS); AN/PYQ-10C Simple Key Loader (SKL); Data Transfer Unit (DTU); Accurate Navigation (ANAV) Global Positioning System (GPS) Navigation; KIV-78 Duel Channel Encryptor, Identification Friend or Foe (IFF); CADS/PADS; Instrument Landing System (ILS); Aircraft Armament Equipment (AAE); High Speed Video Network (HSVN) Digital Video Recorder (HDVR); Launchers (LAU-115D/A, LAU-116B/A, LAU-118A); flight test services; site survey; aircraft ferry; auxiliary fuel tanks; aircraft spares; containers; storage and preservation; transportation; aircrew and maintenance training; training aids and equipment, devices and spares and repair parts; weapon system support and test equipment; technical data Engineering Change Proposals; technical publications and documentation; software; avionics software support; software development/integration; system integration and testing; U.S. Government and contractor engineering technical and logistics support; Repair of Repairable (RoR); repair and return warranties; other technical assistance and support equipment; and other related elements of logistics and program support. The estimated total case value is $5.23 billion. The Defense Security Cooperation Agency delivered the required certification notifying Congress of this possible sale on September 11, 2017.
• Lebanon lodges airspace violation complaint with UN against Israel Press TV 12 Sep 2017 -- Lebanon has lodged a complaint with the United Nations after Israeli fighter jets penetrated Lebanese airspace and flew low over parts of the country over the weekend in flagrant violation of a UN Security Council resolution.
• Department Press Briefing - September 12, 2017 US Dept. of State 12 Sep 2017
• Press Briefing by Press Secretary Sarah Sanders The White House 12 Sep 2017

Defense Industry

• DoD News: Contracts for September 12, 2017

Other Conflicts

• 12 September 2017 - Daily Press Briefing by the Office of the Spokesperson for the Secretary-General United Nations 12 Sep 2017
• Over 3.5 million refugee children missing out on education, UN report finds UN News 12 Sep 2017 -- Over 3.5 million refugee children did not have the chance to attend school in the last academic year, according to a report published today by the United Nations refugee agency, which is calling for education to be a vital component of humanitarian response.
• Coalition Forces Air-strikes, their Objectives Highly Focused, Team Assessing Accidents, in Yemen, Spokesman Says SPA 12 Sep 2017 -- Spokesman for the Joint Accidents Assessment Team, in Yemen, Legal Advisor Mansour bin Ahmed Al-Mansour confirmed that the Arab Coalition Forces for the Restoration of Legitimacy, in Yemen, have always been consistent in their air attacks with international humanitarian law.
• Syria has liberated 85% of its territory from terrorists: Russian military Press TV 12 Sep 2017 -- The Russian military says the Syrian government has managed to liberate 85 percent of the country from the grips of terrorist groups, some two years after Moscow began a counterterrorism campaign in Syria at the official request of Damascus.
• Russia's Shoigu Meets Assad In Damascus To Discuss Syria War RFE/RL 12 Sep 2017 -- Russian Defense Minister Sergei Shoigu has met with Syrian President Bashar al-Assad in Damascus, as Russia-backed government troops press their assault against the extremist group Islamic State (IS) in the country's east.
• Iran Signs Deals To Repair Syria's Power Grid, Infrastructure RFE/RL 12 Sep 2017 -- Iran has signed a series of deals and memorandums of understanding with Damascus to repair Syria's electrical-power infrastructure, state media report, giving the Islamic republic a potential foothold in war-torn Syria's eventual rebuilding process.
• Daesh Resorts to Suicide Attack Tactics in Syria's Raqqa - SDF Sputnik 12 Sep 2017 -- An SDF spokesman told Sputnik that Daesh used suicide attackers in Syria's Raqqa.
• Syrian Army Begins Offensive on Daesh Positions in Deir Ez-Zor Sputnik 12 Sep 2017 -- The Syrian armed forces launched an offensive against the remaining Daesh positions in Deir Ez-Zor, who responded with mortar fire and suicide attackers.
• Syrian Army Completing Operation to Defeat Daesh in Deir ez-Zor - Russian MoD Sputnik 12 Sep 2017 -- The operation to fully liberate Deir ez-Zor is still underway with the Syrian army fighting Daesh terrorists in the southern part of the city, the Russian Defense Ministry said.
• About 15% of Syrian Territory Remains to be Liberated From Terrorists Sputnik 12 Sep 2017 -- About 15 percent of the Syrian territory remains to be liberated from terrorists, according to the Russian Armed Forces Group in the country.
• Russian Jets Destroy 180 Daesh Infrastructure Facilities Near Akerbat Sputnik 12 Sep 2017 -- The Russian Aerospace Forces made 50 sorties and destroyed 180 Daesh infrastructure facilities in the area of Akerbat, Syria.
• UN Peacekeepers' Deployment in Donbass May Prevent Kiev's Provocations - DPR Sputnik 12 Sep 2017 -- The self-proclaimed Donetsk People's Republic commented on the plan on the deployment of UN peacekeepers in Donbass proposed by Russian President Vladimir Putin and supported by Kiev.
• Ongoing tensions pose continued dangers for civilians in eastern Ukraine, notes UN report UN News 12 Sep 2017 -- Last month saw a decrease in the number of civilian casualties due to the conflict in eastern Ukraine, according to a new report issued today by the United Nations human rights office, which added that the sudden flaring and easing of tensions continues to make daily life dangerous for civilians living close to the so-called "contact line."
• Amnesty Chides Bosnia For Denying Justice To Victims Of Sexual Violence RFE/RL 12 Sep 2017 -- More than 20,000 survivors of wartime sexual violence in Bosnia-Herzegovina are still being denied justice, Amnesty International said in a new report released on September 12.
• UN and partners aiding 'unprecedented' flow of refugees from Myanmar UN News 12 Sep 2017 -- The flow of desperate Rohingya fleeing across the border from Myanmar into Bangladesh is unprecedented in terms of volume and speed, United Nations humanitarian agencies said today, amid calls for international support for the emergency response.
• UN envoy stresses urgency of adequate, predictable resources for AU Mission in Somalia UN News 12 Sep 2017 -- A senior United Nations official today called for greater support for the African Union Mission in Somalia (AMISOM) and warned that lack of funding could endanger hard-won progress in the country.

News Reports

• Trump Praises Malaysia's Purchase of Boeing Jets, Fight Against Terrorism VOA 12 Sep 2017 -- U.S. President Donald Trump is hosting Malaysia's scandal-tainted Prime Minister Najib Razak and praising his country's investment in the United States and the fight against terrorism.
• US Envoy Criticizes Cambodia Over 'Absurd' Plot Claims VOA 12 Sep 2017 -- The U.S. ambassador to Cambodia on Tuesday described as "baseless" claims from the country's leader that the United States was involved in an attempt to overthrow the government.
• Is US Losing a Key Part of the War on Terror? VOA 12 Sep 2017 -- Sixteen years after the United States launched its war on terror, there are nagging concerns that aspects of the war have not gone well. And when it comes to the battle of ideas, some experts and officials fear the U.S. may be losing.
• N. Korea Slams New UN Sanctions, Warns US of 'Greatest Pain' VOA 12 Sep 2017 -- North Korea strongly criticized Tuesday the U.N. Security Council's decision to impose tough new sanctions against the East Asian nation, and warned the United States would experience the "greatest pain" for playing a leading role in the effort.
• US Lawmakers Ask 'What's Next?' After Latest UN North Korea Sanctions VOA 12 Sep 2017 -- Congressional lawmakers applauded the latest round of U.N. sanctions against North Korea, but said any resolution to the crisis stemming from Pyongyang's accelerated nuclear program would have to go through China.
• N Korea rejects UN bans, warns US of 'great pain' Press TV 12 Sep 2017 -- North Korea has denounced a United Nations Security Council vote approving a Washington-drafted resolution for more anti-Pyongyang sanctions, warning that the US will soon face the "greatest pain" it has ever experienced.
• UN Security Council Toughens Sanctions On North Korea RFE/RL 12 Sep 2017 -- The United Nations Security Council has voted to tighten sanctions on North Korea over the country's sixth and most powerful nuclear test, imposing a ban on the country's textile exports and setting a limit on imports of crude oil.
• US Treasury Targeting Individuals Allegedly Helping North Korean Government Sputnik 12 Sep 2017 -- In light of new UN sanctions on North Korea in response to the country's so far most powerful nuclear test, the US Treasury is working on targeting and exposing individuals who allegedly act as "financial facilitators" for Pyongyang.
• Trump Calls New Sanctions on DPRK 'Nothing Compared to What Will Have to Happen' Sputnik 12 Sep 2017 -- Donald Trump has commented on the UN Security Council resolution imposing more sanctions on Pyongyang as a response to North Korea's latest nuclear test.
• US Uses N Korean 'Self-Defense' as Pretext to 'Fully Strangle' Country - Envoy Sputnik 12 Sep 2017 -- The North Korean envoy to Moscow has commented on the newly adopted UN resolution imposing more sanctions on North Korea.
• North Korea's Development of Nuclear Force Reaches Completion Phase - Envoy Sputnik 12 Sep 2017 -- A North Korean ambassador slammed the new UN sanctions on Pyongyang and vowed that the US "will soon feel the greatest pain" it has ever experienced.
• China calls for calm over Korean Peninsula crisis People's Daily 12 Sep 2017 -- China's permanent representative to the United Nations, Liu Jieyi, on Monday called for calm over the crisis on the Korean Peninsula after the UN Security Council adopted new sanctions against the Democratic People's Republic of Korea (DPRK) over its latest nuclear test.
• China supports UN Security Council resolution on DPRK People's Daily 12 Sep 2017 -- China supports the UN Security Council in taking necessary measures regarding the DPRK's nuclear test, Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesperson Geng Shuang said Tuesday morning.
• Independence vote divides Kurdish groups: Iran official Press TV 12 Sep 2017 -- Secretary of Iran's Supreme National Security Council (SNSC) Ali Shamkhani has warned that a referendum on the independence of Iraq's semi-autonomous Kurdistan region will divide Kurdish groups and political parties.
• Six Iraqi unions to sue Kurdistan Regional Govt. over independence referendum Press TV 12 Sep 2017 -- Six Iraqi unions are set to take legal action against the government of the semi-autonomous Kurdistan region over an independence referendum due this month.
• Iraqi Lawmakers Reject Pending Kurdish Independence Vote VOA 12 Sep 2017 -- The Iraqi parliament on Tuesday condemned a referendum vote slated for later this month that would possibly grant independence to Iraqi Kurds.
• U.S. Says Tillerson Not Looking To Escalate Diplomatic Tensions Further With Russia RFE/RL 12 Sep 2017 -- U.S. Secretary of State Rex Tillerson does not want diplomatic disputes between Washington and Moscow to escalate further and seeks an improvement of ties between the "two nuclear powers," a spokeswoman says.
• Official source: State Security Presidency was able to detect, thwart Daesh terrorist organization s terrorist plot against two headquarters of Ministry of Defense in Riyadh SPA 12 Sep 2017 -- An official source said that, the State Security Presidency - following up on terrorist threats targeting the kingdom s security and capabilities and tracking those responsible - was able to carry out a qualitative operation in detecting and thwarting a terrorist plot by Daesh terrorist organization against two headquarters of Ministry of Defense in Riyadh by suicide operation with explosive belts. The results of the security operation resulted in the following:
• Riyadh Claims to Have Foiled Plot to Suicide Bomb Saudi Defense Ministry Sputnik 12 Sep 2017 -- Saudi Arabia has arrested two Yemeni nationals and two Saudi citizens under suspicions of planning a suicide bombing attack against the Riyadh headquarters of the Saudi Defense Ministry.
• Kenya's President Opens Parliament Amid Opposition Boycott VOA 12 Sep 2017 -- There is more drama on the Kenyan election front, as incumbent President Uhuru Kenyatta opened parliament to an audience of ruling party members only.
• Spanish court blocks Catalonia's second law on referendum Press TV 12 Sep 2017 -- The Constitutional Court of Spain has suspended another referendum law ratified in the regional parliament of Catalonia as Madrid struggles to block a vote of independence in the region planned for earlier next month.