Operations
Defense Policy / Programs
Defense Industry
Other Conflicts
News Reports

Current Operations

• 'Erroneous' air raid kills 10 Afghan soldiers in Helmand Press TV 01 Oct 2017 -- Ten members of Afghanistan's security forces have been killed in an airstrike during an offensive against the Taliban militants in the southern province of Helmand.
• Afghan Security Forces Mistakenly Killed In Air Strike RFE/RL 01 Oct 2017 -- Afghan officials say 10 members of the country's security forces were killed after the Afghan Air Force mistakenly dropped bombs on their position in the southern province of Helmand.
• DoD Boosts Personnel Aiding Hurricane Relief Efforts in Puerto Rico AFPS 01 Oct 2017 -- The number of DoD personnel deployed to help their fellow citizens in Puerto Rico jumped from around 4,600 to around 6,400 members, Gov. Ricardo Rossello said during a San Juan news conference today.
• DoD Continues to Provide More Response Capacity to Puerto Rico AFPS 01 Oct 2017 -- The Defense Department continues to deploy more response capacity to Puerto Rico to support the Federal Emergency Management Agency's need for a commodities distribution network able to reach isolated communities and sustained medical support for the island's residents, Army Lt. Col. Jamie Davis, a Pentagon spokesman, said in a statement this morning.

Defense Policy / Programs

• Bahrain Surface Force Staffs Merge, Provides Better Support to 14 Ships NNS 01 Oct 2017 -- Rear Adm. Jesse A. Wilson, Jr., commander, Naval Surface Force Atlantic (COMNAVSURFLANT), participated in a ceremony to recognize the establishment of commander, Naval Surface Squadron (CNSS) 5 at Naval Support Activity Bahrain, Oct. 1.
• NAVFAC Southeast Awards Hurricane Irma Repair Contracts NNS 01 Oct 2017 -- Naval Facilities Engineering Command (NAVFAC) Southeast awarded two task orders, totaling over $16 million, Sept. 28, to URS Group, Inc. of Morrisville, North Carolina, to repair Navy and Marine Corps facilities that were damaged in Florida and Georgia when Hurricane Irma made landfall in Florida, Sept. 9 and 10 respectively.
• Russia Denies Ukrainian Allegations It Left Troops In Belarus RFE/RL 01 Oct 2017 -- Russia has denied allegations from Ukraine that it left troops behind in Belarus after staging military exercises there, despite Moscow's pledge not to do so.
• China's J-20 stealth fighters put into service CNA 01 Oct 2017 -- China's most advanced Chengdu J-20 stealth fighter has been officially commissioned into service, the country's defense ministry has recently confirmed for the first time, making China the second nation in the world, after the United States, to have an operational fifth-generation fighter jets.
• Afghan President, Pakistan Army Chief Discuss Cooperation In Kabul RFE/RL 01 Oct 2017 -- Afghan President Ashraf Ghani has met with Pakistan's army chief Qamar Javed Bajwa in Kabul as part of the Pakistani general's visit aimed at repairing the strained ties between the neighboring states.
• Pakistan's Army Chief Concludes 'Constructive' Afghan Talks VOA 01 Oct 2017 -- Pakistan's military chief, General Qamar Javed Bajwa, held "candid and "constructive" talks with Afghan leaders on bilateral relations and ways to enhance mutual cooperation to fight terrorism.

Defense Industry

Other Conflicts

• 3,000 people killed in September in Syria: Report Press TV 01 Oct 2017 -- More than 3,000 people, including nearly 1,000 civilians, have been killed during the past month of foreign-sponsored militancy in Syria, making September the deadliest so far in the year, a report says.
• Syrian forces make fresh gains on southern border with Jordan: Report Press TV 01 Oct 2017 -- Syrian army soldiers and allied fighters have reportedly managed to liberate nine positions from the grip of Takfiri terrorists along the country's southern border with Jordan.
• 2350 terrorists killed by Russian airstrikes in Syria over 11 days Press TV 01 Oct 2017 -- Russian airstrikes in Syria have killed around 2,350 terrorists and injured some 2,700 more over 11 days, says Russia's Defense Ministry.
• Syrian Army Reportedly Engaged in Fierce Fighting Against Daesh in Homs Sputnik 01 Oct 2017 -- According to a Sputnik source, the Syrian army and their allies are engaged in fierce fighting with the Daesh terror group near the town of al-Quaryatayn in the province of Homs.
• Russia Puts Not Only Military, But Political Efforts in Syria - Commander Sputnik 01 Oct 2017 -- September 30 marks the second anniversary of the Russian counterterrorism campaign in Syria which is defined not only by significant success on the battlefield but also by diplomatic victories.
• HRW Says Iran Recruiting Afghan Children To Fight In Syria RFE/RL 01 Oct 2017 -- Human Rights Watch says Iran's Islamic Revolutionary Guards Corps (IRGC) has been recruiting Afghan immigrant children living in Iran to fight in the conflict in Syria.
• Iran Accused of Recruiting Afghan Children to Fight in Syria VOA 01 Oct 2017 -- An international rights defender has accused Iran of committing war crimes by recruiting and sending Afghan immigrant children "as young as 14" to fight in Syria alongside government forces.
• Iraqi army, allies recapture over dozen villages near Hawijah Press TV 01 Oct 2017 -- Iraqi government forces and allied fighters from Popular Mobilization Units have established control over more than a dozen villages near the northern town of Hawijah.
• 'Sheikh of snipers' killed in battle to retake Hawijah Press TV 01 Oct 2017 -- Iraq's Hashd al-Sha'abi says the group has lost a valued sharpshooter during the battle to retake the northern town of al-Hawijah from the Takfiri terror group of Daesh.
• Islamic State Militants Attempt Ambush in Mosul VOA 01 Oct 2017 -- Mosul's Old City is covered in rubble and virtually abandoned. Entire blocks are destroyed and many families still haven't found the bodies of their relatives under the crushed buildings.
• World Food Programme: International community should 'rally' for Rohingya relief Press TV 01 Oct 2017 -- The World Food Programme (WFP) says the international community should "rally" for the relief operation for Rohingya Muslim refugees who have fled violence in Myanmar's Rakhine state.
• In Bangladesh, UN food relief agency chief urges support amid massive Rohingya influx UN News 01 Oct 2017 -- The head of the United Nations food relief agency called today for an end to the "horrors" driving Rohingyas by the tens of thousands from their homes in Myanmar into neighboring Bangladesh.
• US, Bangladesh Officials to Meet, Focus on Rohingya Crisis VOA 01 Oct 2017 -- U.S. and Bangladeshi officials will meet in Washington for talks this week focusing on regional security challenges, with the South Asian country dealing with an influx of Rohingya fleeing violence in Myanmar

News Reports

• Trump lashes out at Puerto Rico capital mayor for complaining about Hurricane Maria relief efforts People's Daily 01 Oct 2017 -- U.S. President Donald Trump on Saturday lashed out at the mayor of Puerto Rico's capital San Juan, after the latter complained about the lagging relief efforts in the wake of Hurricane Maria.
• Despite Progress, Half of Storm-hit Puerto Ricans Lack Clean Water VOA 01 Oct 2017 -- Puerto Rico's governor, Ricardo Rossello, said Sunday that the number of Puerto Ricans in shelters following Hurricane Maria has decreased significantly.
• Violence erupts as pro-independence Catalans vote to secede from Spain Press TV 01 Oct 2017 -- Hundreds of people in Catalonia have been injured in violent clashes with police in the wake of a controversial referendum held in Spain's autonomous region on seceding from the European country.
• Mild chaos as Catalans try to vote in banned referendum Press TV 01 Oct 2017 -- People in Catalonia have begun attempting to vote at some schools and other facilities in Catalonia that have been designated as polling stations in a banned referendum on secession from Spain.
• Catalan Officials Say 90 Percent Vote For Independence In Banned Referendum RFE/RL 01 Oct 2017 -- The leader of Catalonia opened the door to a unilateral declaration of independence after regional officials said more than 90 percent of Catalans voted in favor of a split from Spain in a referendum called illegal by national authorities in Madrid.
• Early Results Show Overwhelming Support for Catalonia Independence VOA 01 Oct 2017 -- Catalonia's government said early Monday that preliminary results show that 90 percent of voters in Sunday's referendum want the region to declare its independence from Spain.
• Spain: Catalonia Independence Referendum Is a 'Farce' VOA 01 Oct 2017 -- Spain wants to bring a halt to Sunday's independence referendum in Catalonia, calling it a "farce."
• S. Korea says in close cooperation with U.S. on DPRK communication channels People's Daily 01 Oct 2017 -- South Korea's presidential Blue House said on Sunday that it was closely cooperating with the United States to keep communication channels with the Democratic People's Republic of Korea (DPRK).
• Trump: Tillerson 'Wasting His Time' Negotiating With North Korea VOA 01 Oct 2017 -- U.S. President Donald Trump appeared to undercut his top diplomat Sunday, saying Secretary of State Rex Tillerson is "wasting his time" trying to negotiate with North Korea's leader.
• Trump: Tillerson 'wasting his time' trying to negotiate with North Korea Press TV 01 Oct 2017 -- US President Donald Trump has suggested that direct communications with North Korea will not resolve the nuclear standoff with Pyongyang, saying that Secretary of State Rex Tillerson is "wasting his time" by trying to negotiate with North Korean leader Kim Jong-un.
• US diplomatic channels with N Korea not 'open forever' Press TV 01 Oct 2017 -- The United States diplomatic channels with North Korea are not "open forever," says the US State Department.
• Diplomatic Channels Open for DPRK Now, but Not 'Forever' - US State Department Sputnik 01 Oct 2017 -- US State Secretary Rex Tillerson acknowledged that there were open channels for communications with North Korean leader, however, Pyongyang is not willing to engage in a negotiation process. Now Trump's administration is sending a clear message to North Korea.
• US Has Channels to DPRK, but Pyongyang Not Interested in Talks Sputnik 01 Oct 2017 -- Turns out that, despite mounting tensions between Washington and Pyongyang, the United States actually has direct channels for communication with the North Korean regime, however, Pyongyang has shown no interest in talks.
• Trump issued directive ordering military, diplomatic bids against N Korea: Sources Press TV 01 Oct 2017 -- US President Donald Trump issued a directive early in his administration outlining a strategy of pressure against North Korea involving multiple government agencies that led to the use of military cyber-capabilities, administration officials say.
• Europeans Intensify Lobbying to Preserve Iran Deal VOA 01 Oct 2017 -- Iranian diplomats say they expect President Donald Trump to abandon the international deal restricting Tehran's nuclear activities. They are intensifying their lobbying of European governments, especially the signatories to the agreement, France, Britain and Germany, hoping they can dissuade the U.S. administration from repudiating the agreement.
• We don't need EU membership anymore: Turkey's president Press TV 01 Oct 2017 -- Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan says Ankara no longer needs to join the European Union, but will not unilaterally quit the stalled talks on accession to the 28-nation bloc.
• President Xi meets U.S. secretary of state People's Daily 01 Oct 2017 -- Chinese President Xi Jinping met with visiting U.S. Secretary of State Rex Tillerson Saturday, discussing U.S. President Donald Trump's state visit to China later this year.
• Nasrallah: Secession of Iraqi Kurdistan threat to entire region IRNA 01 Oct 2017 -- Lebanese Secretary General Seyyed Hassan Nasrallah pointed to the plot hatched to divide the region by separation of Iraqi Kurdistan Region, describing it a threat to the entire region.
• Netanyahu Denies Israeli Involvement in Iraqi Kurdistan Referendum Sputnik 01 Oct 2017 -- Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu reputiated the Turkish claims of Israeli involvement in the Kurdish referendum in Iraq.
• Banned Militant Leader Sues Pakistan's FM for Defamation VOA 01 Oct 2017 -- A militant group leader in Pakistan is suing the country's foreign minister for his remarks at an Asia Society event last week in New York.
• Effectiveness of New Southbound Policy highlights Taiwan's role CNA 01 Oct 2017 -- The effectiveness of Taiwan's New Southbound Policy has been becoming more and more apparent, according to a Ministry of Foreign Affairs (MOFA) report, with continuous exchanges increasingly highlighting Taiwan's role in the Asia-Pacific region.
• 7 shot dead as Cameroon Anglophone protest for independence Press TV 01 Oct 2017 -- Police and the military in Cameroon have shot dead at least seven Anglophone people as member of the community continue protesting for independence from the majority Francophone nation.