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News Reports

Current Operations

• OIF / OND / OEF / OIR / OFS Casualty Update 20 Sep 2017[PDF]
• Military Strikes Continue Against ISIS Terrorists in Syria, Iraq AFPS 20 Sep 2017 -- U.S. and coalition military forces continued to attack the Islamic State of Iraq and Syria yesterday, conducting 44 strikes consisting of 50 engagements, Combined Joint Task Force Operation Inherent Resolve officials reported today.
• Long range strike operations in Libya AFNS 20 Sep 2017 -- Brig. Gen. John Nichols, 509th Bomb Wing commander, along with aircrew directly involved with the Libya Raid, discussed their actions during the raid, long range strike operations and the B-2 Spirit during a panel at the Air Force Association Air, Space and Cyber Conference, Sept. 19, 2017.
• US Air Force Expands Fighter Fleet, Bombing Campaigns in Afghanistan Sputnik 20 Sep 2017 -- The US Air Force has announced that they will be increasing their fighter capabilities in Afghanistan to bolster air power as part of the US's new strategy in the country's longest running war: to destroy terrorist networks in the Central Asian nation.
• National Guard Plans Relief Efforts as Hurricane Maria Slams Puerto Rico AFPS 20 Sep 2017 -- National Guard troops and members of federal agencies throughout the Caribbean region are hunkering down and making disaster relief preparations as Hurricane Maria made landfall today in Puerto Rico as a Category 4 storm, with winds of 150 mph, weather officials said.
• Army, sister services ready to respond as Hurricane Maria makes landfall in Puerto Rico Army News 20 Sep 2017 -- U.S. service members with Joint Task Force Leeward Islands moved their aircraft from San Juan to Aguadilla, Puerto Rico, on Monday so they can continue their humanitarian assistance and disaster relief mission once Hurricane Maria passes.
• Iwo Jima, New York Wrap Up Recovery Efforts in Key West NNS 20 Sep 2017 -- USS Iwo Jima (LHD 7), USS New York (LPD 21), along with multiple embarked Navy and Marine Corps units completed initial recovery operations in support of federal and state officials, September 16, following Hurricane Irma's devastation of Key West, Florida.

Defense Policy / Programs

• Readout of Secretary Mattis' Meeting with Australian Minister of Defense Marise Payne DoD 20 Sep 2017
• Readout of Secretary Mattis' Meeting with Romanian Minister of Defense Mihai-Viorel Fifor DoD 20 Sep 2017
• Mattis: DoD Lines of Effort Include Building a More Lethal Force AFPS 20 Sep 2017 -- The Defense Department's three lines of effort include building a more lethal force, strengthening international partnerships and reforming business practices of military departments and DoD itself, Defense Secretary Jim Mattis said this morning.
• Mattis Praises Romania for Defense Partnership AFPS 20 Sep 2017 -- Defense Secretary Jim Mattis yesterday praised fellow NATO member nation Romania as a valued ally in alliance efforts to deter Russian aggressive actions in Eastern Europe and in the campaign to defeat terrorist groups, including the Islamic State of Iraq and Syria.
• Army to prioritize top equipment programs in service-wide review Army News 20 Sep 2017 -- Over the next several months, some 820 equipment programs -- including combat vehicles, aircraft, and even gear worn or carried by Soldiers -- are expected to be rank ordered by their importance to the Army's warfighting mission, as a way to determine if the Army is spending its limited resources in the best ways possible.
• Pearl Harbor Concludes Alligator Dagger Support NNS 20 Sep 2017 -- The amphibious dock landing ship USS Pearl Harbor (LSD 52) and embarked 15th Marine Expeditionary Unit (MEU) successfully completed Alligator Dagger, Sept. 20.
• USS America Completes Alligator Dagger 2017 NNS 20 Sep 2017 -- Marines and Sailors aboard the amphibious assault ship USS America (LHA 6) with the embarked 15th Marine Expeditionary Unit (MEU) and Amphibious Squadron (PHIBRON) 3 rehearsed amphibious operations and combat sustainment in the vicinity of Djibouti during Alligator Dagger 2017 Sept. 4-20.
• USS Puller Participates in Alligator Dagger 2017 NNS 20 Sep 2017 -- U.S. Marines assigned to the 15th Marine expeditionary unit (MEU) and Fleet Anti-terrorist Security Team Central Command, along with the Sailors aboard the expeditionary support ship USS Lewis B. Puller (ESB-3), completed combat rehearsals for Alligator Dagger 2017 Sept. 16.
• USNS Spearhead Assists in Humanitarian Aid for St. Martin NNS 20 Sep 2017 -- Expeditionary fast transport vessel USNS Spearhead (T-EPF 1) arrived at the island of St. Martin Sept. 16, 2017, to assist in disaster relief efforts for persons affected by Hurricane Irma, during Southern Partnership Station 17 (SPS 17).
• DRAGON-17 Large-Scale Military Drills Start in Poland Sputnik 20 Sep 2017 -- Some 17,000 soldiers and 3,500 vehicles are taking part in large-scale military drills DRAGON-17 that have started on Wednesday in Poland.
• Pentagon Chief Reaffirms US Commitment to Allies VOA 20 Sep 2017 -- The United States is working to strengthen its international alliances and partnerships, the country's top defense official said, describing the effort as critical to U.S. military strategy.
• Hyten Discusses 21st Century Strategic Deterrence AFPS 20 Sep 2017 -- U.S. Strategic Command priorities center on providing a strategic deterrent, providing a decisive response if deterrence fails, and carrying out missions with a combat-ready force, Stratcom's commander, Air Force Gen. John E. Hyten, said today.
• Secretary General meets US commanders for talks on NATO's role in fighting terrorism NATO 20 Sep 2017 -- NATO Secretary General Jens Stoltenberg visited US Central Command (CENTCOM) and Special Operations Command (SOCOM) at MacDill Air Force Base in Tampa, Florida on Wednesday (20 September 2017) for talks on stepping up NATO's role in fighting terrorism. NATO works with both commands to fight terrorist organisations and project stability by strengthening partner countries.
• Secretary General meets US commanders for talks on NATO's role in fighting terrorism NATO 20 Sep 2017 -- NATO Secretary General Jens Stoltenberg visited US Central Command (CENTCOM) and Special Operations Command (SOCOM) at MacDill Air Force Base in Tampa, Florida on Wednesday (20 September 2017) for talks on stepping up NATO's role in fighting terrorism. NATO works with both commands to fight terrorist organisations and project stability by strengthening partner countries.
• North Atlantic Council Statement on the Treaty on the Prohibition of Nuclear Weapons NATO 20 Sep 2017 -- At Warsaw in July 2016, the Alliance set out clear positions on the issues of nuclear deterrence and nuclear disarmament
• Russia Conducts Test Launch of RS-24 Yars ICBM Sputnik 20 Sep 2017 -- The solid-fuel mobile ICBM RS-24 Yars (NATO reporting name SS-27 Mod 2) equipped with a multiple independently targeted reentry vehicle was test-launched from the Plesetsk space center.
• Lukashenka Says Russian Troops Will Go Home After Zapad Drills RFE/RL 20 Sep 2017 -- Belarusian President Alyaksandr Lukashenka observed joint military exercises with Russia on their final day and said that all Russian troops in his country for the Zapad 2017 drills would go home after their conclusion.
• India, Japan Expected to Increase Maritime Activity Aimed at China VOA 20 Sep 2017 -- India and Japan, anxious to keep Asia's dominant power Beijing in check, may send patrols into the contested South China Sea or sell arms to rival states following a pair of high-level meetings this month, experts say.
• India to Investigate Pakistan's Alleged Role in DPRK Nuclear Program Sputnik 20 Sep 2017 -- The Indian Ministry of External Affairs has announced that they will be conducting an investigation into potential links between India's rival Pakistan and the North Korean nuclear programs, promising to "hold accountable" those who have assisted North Korea's nuclear ambitions.
• Chinese naval hospital ship Peace Ark to offer free medical services in Sierra Leone People's Daily 20 Sep 2017 -- The Chinese naval hospital ship Peace Ark on Tuesday arrived at the shores of Sierra Leone, with a mission to deliver free medical services to 2,000 people within eight days till September 26.
• Iran President: Arms for defense a must for national security IRNA 20 Sep 2017 -- Iranian President Hassan Rouhani stressed that production of weapons for defensive purposes is a 'necessity for our national security.'
• Israeli Leader Vows To Keep Iran From Establishing Military Bases In Syria RFE/RL 20 Sep 2017 -- Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has said he will prevent Iran from establishing military bases in Syria and demanded changes to the Iran nuclear deal in an address before the United Nations General Assembly.
• Clear Signal: Turkey Holds Drills on Iraqi Border as Kurdish Referendum Nears Sputnik 20 Sep 2017 -- The massive military drills launched by Ankara on the Iraqi border are an unambiguous statement of its readiness to respond to a threat, which may emerge after the Kurdish vote on September 25, experts told Sputnik adding that the situation risks degrading to chaos and escalation.
• UN chief highlights "nuclear peril" in work report to General Assembly People's Daily 20 Sep 2017 -- United Nations Secretary-General Antonio Guterres on Tuesday highlighted "nuclear peril" while addressing the General Assembly, which kicked off its annual general debate.
• Nuclear powers refrain from signing UN treaty on banning nukes Press TV 20 Sep 2017 -- World powers that possess nuclear weapons refrain from attending a ceremony at the United Nations to sign a long-anticipated treaty on banning nukes, merely arguing that the pact will not work.
• Treaty banning nuclear weapons opens for signature at UN UN News 20 Sep 2017 -- The world's first legally-binding treaty prohibiting nuclear weapons opened for signature today at United Nations Headquarters in New York at a ceremony at which speakers from international organizations, governments and civil society hailed this milestone in achieving a world free of such arsenals as well as the work that remains to be done.

Defense Industry

• DoD News: Contracts for September 20, 2017
• Russia Exports Mi-28NE Helicopters With Newest Defense Systems for 1st Time Sputnik 20 Sep 2017 -- The Russian Helicopters company has delivered its first Mi-28NE "Night Hunter" modern attack helicopter to a foreign customer.

Other Conflicts

• Peace operations 'not a substitute' for diplomatic efforts, Security Council told UN News 20 Sep 2017 -- United Nations peace operations must be deployed in support of – not in place of – active diplomatic efforts, Secretary-General António Guterres told the Security Council today, as he outlined some critical changes necessary to make these missions more effective.
• One year on, UN officials take stock of efforts to address large movements of refugees, migrants UN News 20 Sep 2017 -- United Nations officials today highlighted the need to continue working together towards more equitable ways to share the responsibility for refugees, as well as achieve safe and orderly migration, at an event to take stock one year after the international community agreed to find solutions to better manage human mobility.
• At General Assembly, Bosnia and Herzegovina stresses central role of UN in preventing war UN News 20 Sep 2017 -- The leader of Bosnia and Herzegovina, a country born two decades ago in the deadliest fighting in Europe since the Second World War, today stressed the centrality of the United Nations in resolving crises before they degenerate into war and the flight of refugees.
• Conflict prevention, migration and terrorism key concerns for EU and member countries at UN UN News 20 Sep 2017 -- On the second day of the United Nations General Assembly's high-level debate, Donald Tusk, President of the European Council, underscored that the UN must rise to address many global challenges, including forced displacement and terrorism.
• Saudi-Led Coalition Sends Artillery Reinforcements to Yemen Sputnik 20 Sep 2017 -- The Saudi-led coalition has sent reinforcements with artillery and rocket launchers to the Yemeni province of Marib, a source familiar with the situation reported.
• Concerned at ongoing rights violations in Yemen, UN advisers back call for international probe UN News 20 Sep 2017 -- As civilians continue to bear the brunt of the conflict in Yemen, two United Nations Special Advisers have voiced their concern over continued allegations of grave human rights abuses and expressed support for the call by the High Commissioner for Human Rights to establish an international investigation.
• Russia says 850 Takfiri militants killed in Syria's Idlib Press TV 20 Sep 2017 -- Russia's General Staff says about 850 Takfiri militants have been killed as the Syrian forces, backed by Russian warplanes, repelled an attack by militants in a "de-escalation zone" in the Syrian province of Idlib.
• US-backed SDF controlling 90% of Syria's Raqqah: Monitor Press TV 20 Sep 2017 -- The so-called Syrian Democratic Forces (SDF), a US-backed group of Kurdish and Arab forces, has reportedly wrested control over 90 percent of the northern Syrian city of Raqqah, which used to serve as the main Daesh stronghold in the country.
• French president stresses Iran's influential role in Syria peace efforts Press TV 20 Sep 2017 -- The French president has emphasized the influential role of Iran in the Syria peace process, saying no "efficient" solution could be found to the six-year-old crisis in the Arab state without the Islamic Republic.
• Russia-Backed Syrian Army Counterattacks al-Nusra Front in Idlib Zone Sputnik 20 Sep 2017 -- Al-Nusra Front terrorists used artillery, tanks and infantry fighting vehicles during their offensive in the Idlib de-escalation zone, the Russian General Staff said on Wednesday.
• Daesh Shelling Iranian Humanitarian Convoy in Syrian Deir Ez-Zor Sputnik 20 Sep 2017 -- The Daesh terrorist group shelled a humanitarian convoy in one of the central streets of Deir ez-Zor. The attack resulted in one of the drivers and at least four civilians were injured.
• Syrian Democratic Forces, Coalition Forces Liberate 80% of Raqqa Sputnik 20 Sep 2017 -- The Syrian Democratic Forces (SDF), along with the anti-Daesh coalition have liberated 80 percent of the city and continue to clear mines and the remaining militants from the city's squares where fighting persists.
• Turkish jets kill three civilians in Iraq: Report Press TV 20 Sep 2017 -- Three civilians have been killed when Turkish fighter jets bombarded Duhok province in Iraq's Kurdistan region, a report says.
• UN offers up new strategy to advance peace, stability in Libya UN News 20 Sep 2017 -- Secretary-General António Guterres today launched a United Nations strategy to help bring about peace and stability in Libya and end a protracted crisis that has caused immense suffering and contributed to instability beyond the country's borders.
• Aung San Suu Kyi appeals to int'l community to help Myanmar find peace People's Daily 20 Sep 2017 -- The State Counsellor of Myanmar Aung San Suu Kyi is calling for international support to bring peace back to her country as Rakhine state in the north has been besieged by violence. But there also comes a warning that too many cooks may spoil the broth.
• UN agency warns Rohingya Muslim refugees 'at mercy' of traffickers Press TV 20 Sep 2017 -- The International Organization for Migration (IOM), a subsidiary agency of the United Nations, has warned about the plight of Rohingya Muslim refugees fleeing violence in Myanmar, saying they are "at the mercy" of human traffickers in Bangladesh and other areas.
• Suu Kyi's speech draws international reactions Press TV 20 Sep 2017 -- World countries continue to hold Myanmar's leader Aung San Suu Kyi responsible over widespread reports of deadly violence and ethnic cleansing against minority Muslims in the Southeast Asian country following her first speech to address the issue.
• Briefing on U.S. Humanitarian Assistance in Response to the Crisis in Rakhine State US Dept. of State 20 Sep 2017 -- Special Briefing by Simon Henshaw, Acting Assistant Secretary, Bureau of Population, Refugees, and Migratione
• US Vice President Condemns 'Terrible Savagery' Against Rohingya Muslims VOA 20 Sep 2017 -- Vice President Mike Pence spoke out, in the strongest terms to date, of any senior U.S. official on the Rohingya crisis, condemning what he termed a "historic exodus" of the Rohingya people from Myanmar to Bangladesh in the face of violent attacks.
• Côte d'Ivoire is inspiring example of UN peacekeeping success, country's leader tells Assembly UN News 20 Sep 2017 -- The President of Côte d'Ivoire, Alassane Ouattara, today cited the success of United Nations peacekeeping operations in his West African country as an inspiration for the world Organization to increase its initiatives.
• Palestinian leader, at General Assembly, calls on 'duty-bound' UN to end Israeli occupation UN News 20 Sep 2017 -- From the podium of the United Nations General Assembly Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas today called on the world Organization to face up to its responsibilities to end Israel's "relentless" occupation ensure the establishment of an independent Palestinian state.

News Reports

• Trump Lawyer Says He And President Did Not Collude With Russia RFE/RL 20 Sep 2017 -- U.S. President Donald Trump's personal lawyer has said that he saw "not a hint" that Trump colluded with Russia during last year's presidential election.
• Trump Says He's Decided Whether US Should Stay in Iran Nuclear Deal VOA 20 Sep 2017 -- U.S. President Donald Trump said Wednesday he has made a decision on whether to pull the United States out of the 2015 international pact curbing Iran's nuclear weapons development.
• Critics of Iran Nuclear Deal Debate the Way Forward VOA 20 Sep 2017 -- During his speech Tuesday to the U.N. General Assembly, U.S. President Donald Trump made his disdain for the nuclear agreement with Iran absolutely clear.
• Iran cautions about destruction of nuclear deal by 'rogue" newcomers IRNA 20 Sep 2017 -- Iranian President Hassan Rouhani said at the UN General Assembly on Wednesday that it will be a great pity if the nuclear agreement were to be destroyed by 'rogue" newcomers to the world of politics.
• Iran unmoved by threats, intimidation: President Rouhani IRNA 20 Sep 2017 -- President Hassan Rouhani on Wednesday said Iran never tolerates threats from anyone and that the new US administration only destroys its own credibility, if it violates its international commitments.
• Iran President slams US for sabotaging Boeing deal IRNA 20 Sep 2017 -- Iranian President Hassan Rouhani said here on Tuesday that the vote of the US House Representatives for preventing sale of aircraft to Iran is the repetition of defeated policies adopted by Washington.
• President Rouhani: JCPOA improves Iran's interaction with world IRNA 20 Sep 2017 -- Iranian President Hassan Rouhani underlined here on Tuesday that the July 2015 nuclear deal created a condition for better interaction between Iran and the region, the EU and other world countries.
• Iranian President Slams Trump's UN Speech, Calling It 'Ignorant, Absurd, Hateful' RFE/RL 20 Sep 2017 -- Iran's president has lashed out at U.S. President Donald Trump, calling his UN speech "ignorant, absurd, and hateful rhetoric" and saying that Tehran would not be the first to abandon the landmark nuclear deal.
• Changes Needed In Iran Nuclear Deal To Win U.S. Support, Tillerson Says RFE/RL 20 Sep 2017 -- U.S. Secretary of State Rex Tillerson said that changes are needed in the 2015 Iran nuclear deal before the administration of President Donald Trump will agree to continue supporting it.
• Iran Does Not Live Up to Terms of Nuclear Agreement - Saudi Arabia Sputnik 20 Sep 2017 -- The Saudi Minister of Foreign Affairs does not believe Iran strictly enforces the nuclear deal.
• At General Assembly, Iran's leader denounces those seeking to rip apart nuclear pact UN News 20 Sep 2017 -- Iranian President Hassan Rouhani, speaking at the same United Nations podium from which the United States yesterday denounced the accord curbing Iran's nuclear programme as one of the 'worst deals ever,' today pledged his country's continued adherence to the pact.
• Ankara Increases Pressure on Iraqi Kurds Before Independence Vote VOA 19 Sep 2017 -- Around 100 Turkish tanks and armored vehicles are massed on the Iraqi-Kurdish border, ostensibly for military exercises, that coincide with a hardening of Ankara's political rhetoric against the independence referendum by Iraqi Kurds.
• Turkey may impose bans on Iraqi Kurdistan if referendum held: Erdogan Press TV 20 Sep 2017 -- Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan has threatened Iraq's semi-autonomous Kurdistan region with sanctions in case it goes ahead with plans to hold an independence referendum.
• Will Kurdish Vote Trigger Yet Another War in Iraq? VOA 20 Sep 2017 -- It is rare for the United States and Iran to agree on anything but this week both Washington and Tehran have been scrambling to try to dissuade the president of Iraqi Kurdistan, Masoud Barzani, from holding a referendum on independence.
• Merkel slams Trump's threat to 'destroy' North Korea Press TV 20 Sep 2017 -- German Chancellor Angela Merkel says US President Donald Trump's threat to "totally destroy" North Korea is wrong, citing economic pressure and diplomacy as the only "appropriate" ways to resolve the conflict.
• Seoul: North Korea must take Trump's threat seriously Press TV 20 Sep 2017 -- South Korea says North Korea must take seriously a recent threat by US President Donald Trump that the US would "totally destroy" the country if it is forced to.
• Xi stresses prevention, control of major risks People's Daily 20 Sep 2017 -- President Xi Jinping on Tuesday stressed the importance of preventing and controlling major risks through the leadership of the Communist Party of China (CPC).
• Panama vows to combat drug trafficking, asks for help to eliminate 'blood money' driving scourge UN News 20 Sep 2017 -- The most effective way to solve problems that affect the world's people is always placing human beings at the centre of all decisions, the President of Panama told the United Nations General Assembly today, stressing that his country, which joins North and South and which is bordered by the Atlantic and Pacific Oceans, would continue to be a beacon of cooperation and understanding.
• Armenia May Scrap Accords On Normalizing Ties With Turkey, Sarkisian Tells UN RFE/RL 20 Sep 2017 -- In his address to the United Nations General Assembly, Armenian President Serzh Sarkisian has said that Yerevan will declare two protocols aimed at normalizing relations with Turkey "null and void" if Ankara does not show any progress toward their implementation.
• Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan Exchange Angry Diplomatic Notes Over Nazarbaev Meeting RFE/RL 20 Sep 2017 -- Kyrgyzstan and Kazakhstan exchanged pointed accusations and diplomatic protests after Kazakhstan's president met with a Kyrgyz presidential candidate, a meeting Bishkek said amounted to meddling in its internal politics.
• Uzbekistan's Mirziyoev Vows Focus On Bringing Prosperity, Improving Rights RFE/RL 20 Sep 2017 -- In his first address to the United Nations General Assembly, Uzbek President Shavkat Mirziyoev has pledged to focus his government on bringing greater prosperity and human rights to his nation and the Central Asian region.
• Africa must be allowed to play rightful role in international affairs, Moroccan Minister tells UN UN News 20 Sep 2017 -- As the high-level segment of the United Nations General Assembly continued today, Nicos Anastasiades, President of Cyprus, spoke extensively about multilateralism as the only way to preserve the planet; peacefully resolve conflicts; end terrorism and extremism; prevent natural disasters and alleviate humanitarian crises around the world.
• Multilateralism is the only clear path for tackling today's challenges, Romania tells UN UN News 20 Sep 2017 -- People across the globe suffer from war, poverty, inequality and injustice, the President of Romania told the United Nations General Assembly today, citing rising tensions over cultural identity and faith along with terrorist attacks, which deepen insecurity.
• Southern African leaders, at General Assembly, call for levelling the economic playing field UN News 20 Sep 2017 -- Warning that Africa is beset by the double scourge of the disparity of the global economy and illicit financial outflows, South African President Jacob Zuma today called on the United Nations to play a central role in tackling both issues, which are major obstacle to full development.
• At UN, Azerbaijan urges respect for Security Council measures; cites support for cultural diversity UN News 20 Sep 2017 -- Addressing the General Assembly, the President of Azerbaijan, spoke about the country's successes in socio-economic development and support of cultural diversity and said that while Security Council resolutions calling for the withdrawal of Armenian troops from its territory have been ignored, Azerbaijan remains an "engaged" Member of the United Nations.
• Addressing Assembly, Portugal highlights need for UN reform, conflict prevention measures UN News 20 Sep 2017 -- Portugal's Prime Minister António Luis Santos da Costa took the podium of the General Assembly to reiterate his country's support of the Secretary-General's agenda, which includes boosting conflict prevention activities and creating a stronger more adaptable world Organization.
• Kenya's Supreme Court Blames Electoral Commission for Nullified Poll VOA 20 Sep 2017 -- The roads around Kenya's Supreme Court were cordoned off Wednesday, and police dispersed protesters from the ruling and opposition parties who had gathered outside.
• Spain seizes Catalonia finances to block independence referendum Press TV 20 Sep 2017 -- The Spanish government has taken control of Catalonia's finances in an attempt to block a banned independence referendum due to be held in the autonomous region early next month.