• 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

• OIF / OND / OEF / OIR / OFS Casualty Update 14 Sep 2017[PDF]
• Department of Defense Press Briefing by Colonel Dillon via teleconference from Baghdad, Iraq DoD 14 Sep 2017 -- Presenter: Colonel Ryan Dillon, Combined Joint Task Force-Operation Inherent Resolve Spokesman; Eric J. Pahon, Defense Department Spokesman
• Counter-ISIS Strikes Continue in Syria, Iraq AFPS 14 Sep 2017 -- U.S. and coalition military forces continued to attack the Islamic State of Iraq and Syria yesterday, conducting 43 strikes consisting of 45 engagements, Combined Joint Task Force Operation Inherent Resolve officials reported today.
• Steady Progress Marks Success in Iraqis' Fight Against ISIS, Official Says AFPS 14 Sep 2017 -- Progress is steady in the fight to defeat the Islamic State of Iraq and Syria, as Iraqi security forces push ahead to eradicate the enemy from Iraq, Army Col. Ryan S. Dillon, spokesman for Combined Joint Task Force Operation Inherent Resolve, told Pentagon reporters today during a news briefing live from Baghdad.
• IS Beheads 2 Afghans Accused Being American Spies VOA 14 Sep 2017 -- Islamic State terrorists have beheaded two civilian hostages in Afghanistan's volatile eastern province of Kunar, officials confirmed on Thursday.
• USS Abraham Lincoln and USS San Jacinto depart Florida coast NNS 14 Sep 2017 -- The aircraft carrier USS Abraham Lincoln (CVN 72) with embarked Carrier Strike Group 12 (CSG 12) staff, and the guided-missile cruiser USS San Jacinto (CG-56) departed the coast of Key West, Fla., yesterday after turning over Navy sea-based support to civilian authorities in Florida to Carrier Strike Group 10 (CSG 10).
• Airmen provide humanitarian relief to Caribbean Islands AFNS 14 Sep 2017 -- Airmen across the U.S. came together to support the Hurricane Irma relief effort, Sept. 12, 2017, at Mountain Home Air Force Base.
• FEMA, Air Force utilize vital airfield for hurricane staging area AFNS 14 Sep 2017 -- Joint Base Charleston enabled Hurricane Irma recovery operations by helping to stand-up a Federal Emergency Management Agency installation support base at the North Auxiliary Airfield, Sept. 8, 2017.
• Marines Assist Irma Relief Efforts in Caribbean, Florida AFPS 14 Sep 2017 -- Since the beginning of the Hurricane Irma disaster relief effort, Marines have successfully evacuated 1,600 citizens stranded on Caribbean islands that took Irma's full impact, and delivered more than 52,000 pounds of supplies and equipment here.
• USNS Spearhead Picks Up Supplies In Route to St. Martin NNS 14 Sep 2017 -- USNS Spearhead (T-EPF 1) stopped at Naval Station Guantanamo Bay, Sept. 13, to pick up humanitarian relief supplies to support Joint Task Force Leeward Islands (JTF-LWI) on the Franco-Dutch island Saint Martin.

Defense Policy / Programs

• US Military Readying a More Aggressive Approach Against Iran VOA 14 Sep 2017 -- The United States is looking to counter Iranian influence in the Middle East with a more aggressive approach in cyberspace.
• Supervised autonomy the goal in Army aviation, says major general Army News 14 Sep 2017 -- With all of the publicity surrounding autonomous cars in America, people might wonder if autonomous aircraft or unmanned aerial systems are to follow, particularly in the military.
• Navy to Christen Amphibious Assault Ship Tripoli DoD 14 Sep 2017 -- The Navy will christen its newest America-class amphibious assault ship, the future USS Tripoli (LHA 7), during a 10 a.m. CDT ceremony Saturday, September 16, in Pascagoula, Mississippi.
• VMFA-121 helps prepare JASDF for F-35A USMC News 14 Sep 2017 -- Marine Fighter Attack Squadron 121 hosted members of Japan Air Self-Defense Force's Third Air Wing for an educational tour and class centered around the F-35A Lightning II at Marine Corps Air Station Iwakuni, Japan, Sept. 13, 2017.
• Ammo On Deck!: Truman Conducts Ammunition Onload NNS 14 Sep 2017 -- USS Harry S. Truman (CVN 75) conducted a complex, multi-day ammunition onload with USNS Robert E. Peary (T-AKE 5), September 12-13, using both connected transfers and vertical lifts.
• Navy Warfare Development Command Publishes Operational Logistics in a Contested Maritime Environment Concept NNS 14 Sep 2017 -- The Navy Warfare Development Command (NWDC) has published a new concept paper which addresses the transformation of the current shore-based logistics model into a distributed, agile, and maneuverable force, able to sustain combat operations at sea in highly contested environments.
• Carrier Air Wing Five Completes Carrier Qualification NNS 14 Sep 2017 -- Carrier Air Wing (CVW) Five and the Nimitz-class aircraft carrier USS Ronald Reagan (CVN 76) completed carrier qualifications, Sept. 9-12.
• Arctic Ambition: ONR Joins International Mission to Monitor Conditions in Arctic Ocean NNS 14 Sep 2017 -- In an example of international cooperation and scientific collaboration, the Office of Naval Research (ONR) participated in a joint mission to deploy three specialized buoys with sensors into the Arctic Ocean, in the vicinity of the North Pole.
• Turkey Says It Remains Dependable NATO Ally Despite Russian Missile Deal RFE/RL 14 Sep 2017 -- Turkey says it remains a dependable NATO ally after President Recep Tayyip Erdogan dismissed Western concerns over Ankara's purchase of antiaircraft missile systems from Russia.
• Ankara Purchase of S-400 Not Alternative to NATO Membership - Erdogan Spokesman Sputnik 14 Sep 2017 -- Turkey says that the purchase of the Russian S-400 air defense missile systems and the country's relations with NATO 'complement each other'.
• Russia launches military drills with Belarus, causing alarm Press TV 14 Sep 2017 -- Russia is set to launch major joint military drills with Belarus on Thursday, amid continuing tensions between Moscow and NATO.
• Kremlin Considers 'Wave of Hysteria' Over Russia-Belarus Drills 'Provocation' Sputnik 14 Sep 2017 -- The Kremlin has responded to several eastern NATO member-states claims concerning the Russia-Belarus planned drills, which they consider to be posing a "threat" to their security despite the fact that the alliance's military observers had been invited to the exercise.
• Zapad 2017 Joint Strategic Drills Start in Russia, Belarus - Russian MoD Sputnik 14 Sep 2017 -- The Zapad 2017 joint strategic military exercise involving 12,700 servicemen from Russia and Belarus has begun.
• Russia, Belarus Kick Off Military Exercises Amid Tensions With West RFE/RL 14 Sep 2017 -- Russia and neighboring Belarus have begun a joint military exercise near NATO's eastern flank that has fanned already deep tensions between Moscow and the West.
• Iskander Systems Developer Takes INF Treaty Into Account When Creating New Arms Sputnik 14 Sep 2017 -- The developer of the Iskander-M has shed the light on the weapons' compliance with the INF Treaty between Russia and the US, as well as spoke about the ballistic missile system's capabilities.
• New Russian Icebreaker Ilya Muromets Clears Second Round of Sea Trials Sputnik 14 Sep 2017 -- Russian Navy spokesman reports that icebreaker Ilya Muromets has completed the second stage of trials.
• North Korea Test-fires Another Missile Over Japan VOA 14 Sep 2017 -- North Korea launched another missile over Japan early Friday, just days after the United Nations imposed additional sanctions on Pyongyang for conducting its sixth nuclear test.
• North Korea fires missile over Japan's Hokkaido Island Press TV 14 Sep 2017 -- North Korea has fired yet another missile over Japan, Japanese and Korean media say, a few hours after Pyongyang threatened to "sink" its south eastern neighbor.
• Iran familiar with all types of satellite: Army advisor IRNA 14 Sep 2017 -- Iran is familiar with all aspects of satellites which has put the country among the four eminent states having such capacities around the world , advisor to Iran's Army commander said on Thursday.
• US manufacturer not to blame for howitzer misfire accident in India People's Daily 14 Sep 2017 -- The US manufacturer of the newly-imported howitzer to India is not at fault for the misfire accident that damaged one of the two weapons, the latest report said.
• Department Press Briefing - September 14, 2017 US Dept. of State 14 Sep 2017
• Press Gaggle by Deputy Press Secretary Lindsay Walters en route Fort Myers, FL The White House 14 Sep 2017
• Press Gaggle by President Trump, Southwest Florida International Airport, 9/14/2017 The White House 14 Sep 2017
• Press Gaggle by President Trump en route Washington, D.C. , 9/14/2017 The White House 14 Sep 2017

Defense Industry

• DoD News: Contracts for September 14, 2017

Other Conflicts

• 14 September 2017 - Daily Press Briefing by the Office of the Spokesperson for the Secretary-General United Nations 14 Sep 2017
• Saudi warplane crashes in southern Yemen, pilot killed: Report Press TV 14 Sep 2017 -- A Saudi warplane has crashed in Yemen's southern province of Abyan for unknown reasons, killing the pilot onboard.
• Pentagon: American Fighting for ISIS in Syria Now in US Custody VOA 14 Sep 2017 -- An American citizen fighting for Islamic State in Syria is in U.S. custody after surrendering to coalition-backed Syrian fighters.
• Fresh Syria peace talks begins in Astana IRNA 14 Sep 2017 -- The sixth round of talks on Syria peace, which is being led by Iran, Russia and Turkey, kicked off in the Kazakh capital on Thursday.
• Iran a partner in Syrian victory: Assad's letter to Ayatollah Khamenei Press TV 14 Sep 2017 -- Syrian President Bashar Assad has sent a letter to Leader of the Islamic Revolution Ayatollah Seyyed Ali Khamenei, thanking him and congratulating the Iranian nation on recent advances in Dayr al-Zawr.
• Daesh convoy reaches Syria's Dayr al-Zawr, Hezbollah fighter back in Lebanon Press TV 14 Sep 2017 -- A convoy of hundreds of Daesh Takfiri terrorists evacuated from the Syria-Lebanon border has reached the Syrian province of Dayr al-Zawr as reports say the Hezbollah resistance movement manages to secure the release of one of its fighters from the captivity of Daesh.
• Russian submarines attack Daesh targets in Dayr al-Zawr Press TV 14 Sep 2017 -- Russia says it has launched a missile attack against positions held by Daesh in Syria's eastern province of Dayr al-Zawr from the submarines stationed in the Mediterranean Sea.
• Sixth round of Syrian peace negotiations kicks off in Astana Press TV 14 Sep 2017 -- Representatives from the Syrian government and foreign-sponsored armed opposition have started the sixth round of negotiations in the Kazakh city of Astana to resolve the Syrian conflict.
• Russia Says Deal 'Close' On Fourth Safe Zone In Syria RFE/RL 14 Sep 2017 -- Russia's chief negotiator at a sixth round of Syria peace talks in Astana says that an agreement to establish a fourth safe zone in the war-torn Middle East country is "very close."
• America 'Sends Us Heavy Weaponry' to Liberate Deir ez-Zor - SDF Sputnik 14 Sep 2017 -- The US continues to supply heavy arms and armored vehicles to the Syrian Democratic Forces (SDF) as part of the military operations to liberate Raqqa and Deir ez-Zor, an SDF representative said in an interview with Sputnik on condition of anonymity.
• Seven Warlords, 1,000 Militants Agree to Side With Syrian Army – Russian MoD Sputnik 14 Sep 2017 -- The Russian Defense Ministry said that militants who used to fight against Damascus have agreed to side with the Syrian government troops.
• Russia Hopes Fight Against Daesh in Syria to End 'in Coming Months' Sputnik 14 Sep 2017 -- Russia's presidential envoy for Syria has commented on the Syrian peace talks currently underway in Astana. He said he believes that Daesh terrorists in the country would be defeated soon due to the Syrian army's successful operation to free Deir ez-Zor, which resulted in the lifting of the three-year blockade of the city.
• Russian Submarines Destroy Daesh Targets in Syria With Kalibr Cruise Missiles Sputnik 14 Sep 2017 -- Two Russian submarines, the Veliky Novgorod and Kolpino, attacked Daesh terrorists in the vicinity of the Syrian city of Deir ez-Zor with Kalibr cruise missiles from a submerged position on Thursday.
• Syrian Army Gains Control Over Strategic Heights Near Deir ez-Zor Airbase Sputnik 14 Sep 2017 -- Th Syrian Army continues to battle its way on the road connecting the main supply route of Daesh terrorists.
• In Deir ez-Zor Trenches: Syrian Army Attacks Daesh Positions Sputnik 14 Sep 2017 -- A RIA Novosti correspondent tells about the launch of the Syrian army's offensive against Daesh controlled territories of Deir ez-Zor he witnessed.
• More than 70 people, 7 Iranians among them, killed in Iraq's twin attacks Press TV 14 Sep 2017 -- Iraqi security and medical sources say more than 70 people, including seven Iranians, have lost their lives in twin gun and car bomb attacks striking the country's southern province of Dhi Qar.
• At Least 52 Killed In Gunmen, Car Bomb In Southern Iraq RFE/RL 14 Sep 2017 -- An attack by gunmen and suicide car bombers has killed at least 52 people, including more than a dozen visiting Iranians, in southern Iraq, officials and local media say.
• Security Council approves one-year extension of UN political mission in Libya UN News 14 Sep 2017 -- The Security Council today extended for one year the mandate of the United Nations Support Mission in Libya (UNSMIL), focused on supporting the North African country's political process and key national institutions, as well as coordination of international assistance.
• UN chief urges Myanmar authorities to stop violence against Rohingya Press TV 13 Sep 2017 -- The United Nations chief has called on Myanmar's authorities to halt the ongoing campaign against the persecuted Rohingya Muslims in Rakhine state.
• EU parliament calls on Myanmar to halt violence against Rohingya Muslims Press TV 14 Sep 2017 -- Members of the European Parliament (MEPs) have demanded that Myanmar's military immediately end the ongoing violence against the persecuted Rohingya Muslims in Rakhine state, adding to global pressure against the country's de facto leader Aung San Suu Kyi.
• Myanmar Rejects Bangladesh's Initiative on Safety Zone Along Border - Official Sputnik 14 Sep 2017 -- A senior Myanmari official told the Myanmar Times newspaper that the government had rejected Bangladesh's initiative to create a safe zone on Myanmar's border to ensure the safety of Rohingya refugees.
• UNICEF scales-up relief for Rohingya facing critical 'shortages of everything' UN News 14 Sep 2017 -- Amid an acute shortage of humanitarian supplies for the thousands of Rohingya arriving every day in Bangladesh, having fled violence in Myanmar, the United Nations Children's Fund (UNICEF) is undertaking a "massive" scale-up of its emergency operations to ensure that those most vulnerable are not endangered further.
• Emergency Supplies En Route to Rohingya Children VOA 14 Sep 2017 -- Trucks carrying emergency supplies to children affected by the Rohingya refugee crisis are making their way to Bangladesh, where hundreds of thousands of members of Myanmar's Rohingya community have fled for safety, the U.N.'s children's agency said Thursday.
• With Refugee Camps Overwhelmed, Rohingya Fleeing Myanmar Sleep on Roadsides VOA 14 Sep 2017 -- Overwhelmed and underfunded, aid agencies in Bangladesh are at a breaking point. But nearly three weeks into Rakhine State's bloody conflict and the humanitarian crisis shows no signs of relenting.
• Indian Forces Eliminate Terror Mastermind in Kashmir Valley Sputnik 14 Sep 2017 -- Abu Ismail is the second Lashkar-e-Toiba chief in Kashmir to be eliminated by Indian security forces in the last two months.
• Arms proliferation continues in Darfur, but area remains largely calm, Security Council told UN News 14 Sep 2017 -- The situation in Darfur has been largely calm in recent months, but there is continued violence fuelled by a proliferation of weapons and competition over natural resources, a senior United Nations official today told the Security Council.
• Back from Wau, UN South Sudan envoy says security improved, people returning home UN News 14 Sep 2017 -- The security situation north-western South Sudan has improved with displaced people returning home, the head of the United Nations peacekeeping mission in the African country has said, holding he situation in Wau as a "model" for other parts of the country where displacement rose so far this year.
• Security Council approves mandate, operations and size of UN Verification Mission in Colombia UN News 14 Sep 2017 -- The Security Council today approved the Secretary-General António Guterres' recommendations regarding the size, operational aspects and mandate of the United Nations Verification Mission in Colombia.

News Reports

• U.S. Lawmakers Probing Whether Trump Aide Promoted U.S.-Russian Nuclear Project RFE/RL 14 Sep 2017 -- Democratic lawmakers say they're investigating whether U.S. President Donald Trump's former national security adviser, Michael Flynn, secretly promoted a U.S.-Russian project to build dozens of nuclear reactors in the Middle East.
• Kremlin Hits Out At U.S. Decision To Ban Kaspersky Software Products RFE/RL 14 Sep 2017 -- Russia says Washington's move to ban U.S. federal agencies from using Kaspersky Labs software products "runs counter to fair competition" and is designed to hurt the Russian antivirus company's global market position.
• EU Renews Russia Sanctions, Keeps Ban On New U.S. Envoy Antonov RFE/RL 14 Sep 2017 -- The European Union has prolonged its asset freezes and travel bans on Russian officials and Moscow-backed separatists in Ukraine for another six months, with Russia's new ambassador to the United States remaining on the list, diplomats said.
• Anti-Doping Organizations Call For Russia To Be Banned From 2018 Winter Olympics RFE/RL 14 Sep 2017 -- Leaders from 17 national anti-doping organizations (NADO) have called for Russia to be banned from the 2018 Winter Olympics in South Korea.
• S. Korea considering 8-mln-USD aid to DPRK via int'l organizations: media People's Daily 14 Sep 2017 -- South Korea was considering eight million U.S. dollars of humanitarian aid to the Democratic People's Republic of Korea (DPRK) through international organizations, local media reports said Thursday.
• Seoul Seeks to Provide $8 Mln in Humanitarian Aid to Pyongyang Despite Tensions Sputnik 14 Sep 2017 -- According to the Yonhap news agency, the South Korean government plans to provide humanitarian assistance to North Korea despite existing tensions.
• Japan Calls for Strict Implementation of UN Resolutions Against N. Korea VOA 14 Sep 2017 -- Wrapping up a two-day visit to India, Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe called for strict enforcement of a U.N. resolution against North Korea over its latest nuclear test.
• Tillerson urges more pressure on North Korea Press TV 14 Sep 2017 -- US Secretary of State Rex Tillerson has discussed the need to increase diplomatic pressure on North Korea with UK Prime Minister Theresa May in London, where the Iran nuclear deal was also raised.
• North Korea threatens to 'sink' Japan Press TV 14 Sep 2017 -- North Korea has threatened to use nuclear weapons against neighboring Japan and "sink" the island country.
• Pentagon Chief Warns 'Don't Try It' as North Korea Readies for Next Nuke Test Sputnik 14 Sep 2017 -- America's top defense official has a simple message for North Korean Supreme Leader Kim Jong-un, whose forces are preparing yet another underground nuclear test, according to recent imagery intelligence reports: "Don't try it. It won't work. You can't take us out."
• Tillerson Says Imposing Oil Embargo on North Korea Will Be 'Very Difficult' Sputnik 14 Sep 2017 -- US Secretary of State Rex Tillerson has commented on talks with British Foreign Secretary Boris Johnson on Thursday, saying that the sides agreed on the need to increase diplomatic and economic pressure on North Korea.
• 'Juche Justice': North Korea Threatens to Unleash Armageddon on Japan Sputnik 14 Sep 2017 -- North Korea has warned that it might use nuclear weapons against Japan and "sink" the island country due to its close ties with the US and its calls to toughen UN sanctions against Pyongyang over its nuclear and missile programs.
• Observers: North Korea Pushing Longtime Ally Beijing Into Corner VOA 14 Sep 2017 -- While debate continues in Washington about how the latest round of sanctions against North Korea could have been tougher, and U.S. President Donald Trump's administration ponders additional actions, patience is wearing thin in China with the country's longtime ally and communist neighbor.
• Thriving Black Market Could Mitigate North Korea Sanctions Impact VOA 14 Sep 2017 -- Illicit evasion and a thriving black market continue to mitigate the impact of sanctions intended to deprive North Korea of billions of dollars in revenue and needed components for its nuclear program.
• On UK Visit Tillerson Urges China to Cut North Korean Oil Exports VOA 14 Sep 2017 -- U.S. Secretary of State Rex Tillerson urged China to cut oil exports to North Korea to force Pyongyang to rein in its nuclear weapons program during his visit to London on Thursday.
• Trump Administration Seen Taking Harder Line on Iran VOA 14 Sep 2017 -- President Donald Trump on Thursday threatened to take unspecified action against Iran next month, expressing continued dissatisfaction with the 2015 nuclear agreement signed by Iran and a group of world powers, including the United States.
• JCPOA not renegotiable, better deal "pure fantasy": Iran's Zarif Press TV 14 Sep 2017 -- Iranian Foreign Minister Mohammad Javad Zarif says the 2015 nuclear deal with the P5+1 group of countries, known as the Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action (JCPOA), is not open to renegotiation, stressing that there is no better alternative to the deal.
• US imposes new restrictions on Iran, extends sanctions relief under nuclear deal Press TV 14 Sep 2017 -- The United States has announced economic sanctions on 11 individuals and companies in Iran accused of supporting Iran's Islamic Revolution Guards Corps (IRGC) or engaging in cyber attacks on US banks, but has decided to continue for now to exempt Iran from nuclear-related sanctions.
• US House votes to block aircraft sales to Iran Press TV 14 Sep 2017 -- The US House of Representatives has voted in favor of new measures that block sales of commercial aircraft to Iran, ignoring some lawmakers' warnings that the hostile move would undermine the 2015 nuclear agreement between the Islamic Republic and the six world powers.
• U.S. Extends Iran Nuclear Sanctions Relief, Adds Other Sanctions Over Missile Activity RFE/RL 14 Sep 2017 -- The United States says it is extending sanctions relief for Iran that was granted under the 2015 nuclear deal, while imposing new penalties on several individuals and entities over the country's ballistic-missile program.
• US Waives Iran Sanctions Amid Continuing Assessment of JCPOA Sputnik 14 Sep 2017 -- The US government extended existing waivers on sanctions against Iran, however, this move can be viewed as a holding action until Trump finally decides on the policy pertaining to the JCPOA and potentially declares that Iran is not in compliance with the agreement.
• Iran, Turkey military chiefs: Kurdish vote 'dangerous' Press TV 14 Sep 2017 -- The military chiefs of Iran and Turkey have warned of dangerous consequences of an upcoming referendum on the possible secession of Iraq's Kurdistan region.
• Iraqi parliament votes to dismiss Kirkuk governor over independence vote Press TV 14 Sep 2017 -- The Iraqi parliament has voted to dismiss the governor of the northern oil-rich province of Kirkuk after the provincial council voted to take part in the upcoming Kurdish independence referendum irrespective of the central government's strong opposition to the planned vote.
• Kurdish Kirkuk Governor Defies Iraqi Parliament Vote For His Removal RFE/RL 14 Sep 2017 -- The Kurdish governor of Kirkuk Province has called a vote by the Iraqi parliament to remove him from his position "illegal" and vowed to remain in office.
• Why is the Kurdistan Referendum Controversial? VOA 14 Sep 2017 -- In the capital of Iraq's Kurdistan region, traffic cameras nail speeders, and trash thrown on the street is whisked away by morning. High-level officials from all over the country dine in five-star hotels, and parks, malls and cafes are packed on nights and weekends.
• Turkish Dissident Trial Begins Amid Controversy VOA 14 Sep 2017 -- In the Turkish capital, Ankara, the trial of two educators charged with terrorism has started. The defendants have been on a hunger strike for more than five months to protest their firing as part of a government crackdown after last year's failed coup. Their hunger strike and trial have become a focal point of government opposition.
• Catalonia launches campaign for independence referendum Press TV 14 Sep 2017 -- Catalan separatists have announced their decision to start a campaign for a vote of independence from Spain, despite Madrid vowing to stop the move.