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Defense Policy / Programs
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News Reports

Current Operations

• OIF / OND / OEF / OIR / OFS Casualty Update 04 Oct 2017[PDF]
• Inherent Resolve Strikes Target ISIS in Syria, Iraq AFPS 04 Oct 2017 -- U.S. and coalition military forces continued to attack the Islamic State of Iraq and Syria yesterday, conducting 39 strikes consisting of 40 engagements, Combined Joint Task Force Operation Inherent Resolve officials reported today.
• Air Force Team Fuels Aerial Defeat-ISIS Fight AFPS 04 Oct 2017 -- Comprised of active-duty, guard and reserve aircrew service members, the men and women of the 340th Expeditionary Air Refueling Squadron help project combat power by providing agile, effective air refueling in line with the objectives of the Combined Forces Air Component Command and Combined Joint Special Operations Air Component.
• DoD Official: Military Effort is One Part of Defeat ISIS Campaign AFPS 04 Oct 2017 -- The end of the Islamic State of Iraq and Syria is in sight, but the military effort is only one part of the coalition campaign to defeat ISIS, a Defense Department official told a House Armed Services subcommittee yesterday.
• U.S. Defense Chief Says To Try 'One More Time' To Work With Pakistan On Afghanistan RFE/RL 04 Oct 2017 -- U.S. Defense Secretary Jim Mattis says the United States will try "one more time" to work with Pakistan before turning to other measures over Islamabad's alleged support for militant groups operating in Afghanistan.
• Hospital Ship Arrives in Puerto Rico, DoD Works on Commodity Distribution AFPS 04 Oct 2017 -- Defense Department personnel continue to arrive in Puerto Rico to help the island recover from Hurricane Maria, with roughly 10,000 DoD members working with commonwealth officials across the island, Gov. Ricardo Rossello said during a news conference in San Juan today.
• USNS Comfort Arrives in Puerto Rico to Aid Maria Relief Efforts AFPS 04 Oct 2017 -- The Military Sealift Command hospital ship USNS Comfort arrived here yesterday to assist in humanitarian relief efforts in the wake of Hurricane Maria.

Defense Policy / Programs

• Army's 'Ghost Brigade' enhances readiness alongside global partners at home Army News 04 Oct 2017 -- During the month of September, two battalions from the 1-2 Stryker Brigade Combat Team trained with Indian and Japanese armed forces to enhance interoperability and to increase the brigade's readiness.
• USNS Spearhead Transports JTF-LI Troops from Sint Maarten to Martinique NNS 04 Oct 2017 -- Expeditionary fast transport vessel USNS Spearhead (T-EPF 1) picked up Joint Task Force Leeward Islands (JTF-LI) personnel at Philipsburg, Sint Maarten, Sept. 29.
• NAVSUP Fleet Logistics Center Yokosuka Awards Contract for F/A-18 Induction to Iwakuni NNS 04 Oct 2017 -- Naval Supply Systems Command (NAVSUP) Fleet Logistics Center (FLC) Yokosuka awarded a contract to NIPPI Corporation Sept. 20 for planned maintenance interval (PMI) requirements of F/A-18 and EA-18G aircraft inducted at Marine Corps Air Station (MCAS) Iwakuni.
• Outgoing DIA Director to Workforce: 'Keep Telling Truth to Power' AFPS 04 Oct 2017 -- "Keep telling truth to power" was the only advice the outgoing director of the Defense Intelligence Agency had for his successor and for the DIA workforce during a change of directorship ceremony here yesterday.
• US P-3 Orion Surveillance Aircraft Spied on Chinese Researchers Near Guam Sputnik 04 Oct 2017 -- A group of Chinese researchers working partly on behalf of the People's Liberation Army Navy (PLA-N) near the US territory of Guam was being watched by US surveillance aircraft, the South China Morning Post reports.
• Long-Range Aviation Exercises Begin in Russia - Defense Ministry Sputnik 04 Oct 2017 -- According to Russian Defense Ministry, a unit of Russia's Long-Range Aviation has started exercises involving over 20 aircraft.
• Dutch defense minister quits over troops' death in Mali Press TV 04 Oct 2017 -- The Netherlands' caretaker Defense Minister Jeanine Hennis has resigned over failures by her ministry that led to the death of two Dutch soldiers in a United Nations (UN) peacekeeping mission in Mali.
• Japan - AIM-120C-7 Advanced Medium-Range Air-to-Air Missiles (AMRAAMs) DSCA 04 Oct 2017 -- The State Department has made a determination approving a possible Foreign Military Sale to Japan for AIM-120C-7 Advanced Medium-Range Air-to-Air Missiles (AMRAAMs). The estimated cost is $113 million.
• India's Lone Nuclear Submarine Damaged; Lying Idle for One Month Sputnik 04 Oct 2017 -- The Russian-made INS-Chakra is the Indian Navy's only operational nuclear attack submarine. The INS-Arihant, poised to be India's second nuclear submarine, has cleared trials but is awaiting final clearance from the Indian Navy.
• Turkey Opens First-Ever African Base in Somalia to Fight Al-Shabaab Sputnik 04 Oct 2017 -- Turkey has opened its first overseas military base on the African continent, a large training facility in Somalia meant to train East African soldiers to better combat Islamic terrorism.
• Serbia Received All Six Russian MiG-29 Fighter Jets as Part of Military Aid Sputnik 04 Oct 2017 -- Two MiG-29s arrived on Wednesday from Russia to Belgrade, thereby completing the delivery of six fighters within the framework of the Russian military-technical assistance to Serbia, the Tanjug news agency reported citing its own source in the country's Defense Ministry.
• Azerbaijani warships depart for Iran on friendly visit ISNA 04 Oct 2017 -- G-122 and G-124 patrol ships of the Azerbaijani Naval Forces departed for Iran on a friendly visit on October 3, the Azerbaijani defense ministry reported.
• 'The Killer Is Still Waiting': Two Decades On, Land Mines Still Wreaking Havoc In Bosnia RFE/RL 04 Oct 2017 -- It's been more than two decades since the war in Bosnia-Herzegovina ended, but Plamenko Priganica knows the enemy still lurks in the Majevica hills near his home in Tuzla.
• Department Press Briefing - October 4, 2017 US Dept. of State 04 Oct 2017

Defense Industry

• DoD News: Contracts for October 04, 2017

Other Conflicts

• Despite Common Threat in Beijing, Other South China Sea Rivals Still Spar Among Selves VOA 04 Oct 2017 -- Four Southeast Asian countries and Taiwan, all of which lay claims to the contested, resource-rich South China Sea, are still grappling with incidents among themselves despite a focus on their common rival, China.
• Russia accuses US of supporting, 'flirting with' Daesh in eastern Syria Press TV 04 Oct 2017 -- Russia has accused the US forces of providing intelligence to the Daesh Takfiri terrorists in eastern Syria, saying Washington is clearly "flirting" with the terrorist group.
• Syrian forces oust Daesh Takfiris from all of Hama province: Monitoring group Press TV 04 Oct 2017 -- A so-called monitoring group says Syrian army soldiers, supported by allied fighters from popular defense groups, have flushed Daesh Takfiri militants out of their last positions in the western-central province of Hama as they continue to make territorial gains across the war-ravaged Arab country.
• Hezbollah commander killed in clashes with Daesh in Syria Press TV 04 Oct 2017 -- The Lebanese Hezbollah resistance movement says one of its senior commanders has been killed during clashes with Takfiri Daesh terrorists in central Syria.
• US involved in 'bloody provocations' against Russian forces in Syria: Lavrov Press TV 04 Oct 2017 -- The Russian foreign minister has slammed the US for pursing a "double standard" approach towards the fight against terror in Syria, saying Washington encourages "bloody provocations" against Russian and Syrian government forces.
• Russia to Support Armed Groups Fighting Nusra Front in Syria's Idlib - Lavrov Sputnik 04 Oct 2017 -- Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov has said that Russia would provide military assistance to groups fighting against the Nusra Front, a terrorist group also known as Jabhat Fatah al-Sham, in the Syrian province of Idlib, as the US-led coalition has failed to act decisively against the group.
• Al Nusra Leader in Critical Condition Following Russian Airstrike - MoD Sputnik 04 Oct 2017 -- Russia's Aerospace Forces have critically wounded HTS leader and former Al Nusra Front 'emir' Abu Mohammad al-Julani in Syria.
• Report: Sarin Gas Used in Syria Prior to Khan Sheikhun Attack VOA 04 Oct 2017 -- Syrian forces used sarin gas in an attack on an opposition-held town in March, five days before a deadly attack on Khan Sheikhun that drew a response from the U.S. military, according to a chemical watchdog group.
• Iraqi Army, Allied Shiite Forces Enter IS-held Hawija VOA 04 Oct 2017 -- The Iraqi army and members of the Shiite Popular Mobilization Forces (PMF) have entered the town of Hawija in an operation to oust Islamic State from its last stronghold in northern Iraq, commanders on the ground told VOA.
• Iraqi army soldiers, allies take back more areas near Hawijah from Daesh Press TV 04 Oct 2017 -- Iraqi army forces, backed by allied fighters from the Popular Mobilization Units, have fully liberated more areas near the strategic northern town of Hawijah from the clutches of Daesh militants, as they have launched a final assault to retake the terrorists' last bastion in the country's oil-rich northern province of Kirkuk.
• Iraqi Army Launches Offensive to Free Daesh-Held Hawija in Kirkuk - Reports Sputnik 04 Oct 2017 -- Iraq's army has reportedly launched an operation to drive Daesh militants out of the town of Hawija located in the country's north. At the same time, a Shia militia group has announced it had taken control of the town.
• Libya: UN Mission condemns deadly bombing in Misrata UN News 04 Oct 2017 -- Condemning an attack against a court house in the Libyan city of Misrata, the United Nations Support Mission in Libya (UNSMIL) underscored that those behind the incident must be held accountable.
• Three killed as militants stage deadly attack on court in Misrata Press TV 04 Oct 2017 -- Heavily-armed men have attacked a court complex in the Libyan city of Misrata, killing at least three people and wounding nearly three dozen others.
• Myanmar atrocities against Rohingya may be crimes against humanity: UN rights committees Press TV 04 Oct 2017 -- The United Nations committees for women's and children's rights say atrocities against Rohingya Muslims "at the behest of the military" in Myanmar may constitute crimes against humanity.
• Rohingya refugees living in 'dire' conditions, senior UN officials warn, appealing for assistance UN News 04 Oct 2017 -- The human tragedy unfolding in southern Bangladesh is staggering in its scale, warned two senior United Nations officials today as they wrapped up a mission to the Cox's Bazar with calls for a "significant increase in assistance" for the hundreds of thousands of Rohingyas have settled in the area after fleeing violence in neighbouring Myanmar.
• Islamic State Claims Responsibility for Attack in Somalia VOA 04 Oct 2017 -- Islamic State militants have claimed responsibility for an attack in the Somali town of Bosaso.

News Reports

• US Senate Panel Provides Update on Russia Probe VOA 04 Oct 2017 -- The Senate Intelligence Committee revealed it is continuing to investigate whether elements of President Donald Trump's campaign colluded with Russia to sway the 2016 U.S. election, while warning that Russian meddling could expand and threaten future elections.
• U.S. Senate Committee Agrees Russia Meddled In Election, Still Probing Collusion RFE/RL 04 Oct 2017 -- A U.S. Senate committee says there is a consensus that Russia interfered in the 2016 presidential election but is still investigating whether there was any collusion between Moscow and the Trump campaign team.
• Remarks at a Press Availability US Dept. of State 04 Oct 2017 -- Remarks by Rex W. Tillerson, Secretary of State
• Tillerson Refutes Resignation Rumors, Affirms Support for Trump VOA 04 Oct 2017 -- U.S. Secretary of State Rex Tillerson has denied reports that he is on the verge of stepping down and strongly reaffirmed his support for President Donald Trump and his foreign policies. The comments came after a bombshell news report detailing tensions between Trump and Tillerson.
• Briefing by Foreign Ministry Spokesperson Maria Zakharova, Moscow, October 4, 2017 Russia Ministry of Foreign Affairs 04 Oct 2017
• Taiwan to redefine its role in Asia: presidential advisor CNA 04 Oct 2017 -- Taiwan's New Southbound Policy is the country's "regional strategy for Asia," as the country used to identify itself only with Northeast Asia but now wants to integrate itself more deeply into the South and Southeast Asia regions, presidential advisor Michael Hsiao (蕭新煌) said Tuesday.
• No official response to alleged Chinese plans to invade Taiwan CNA 04 Oct 2017 -- The administration of President Tsai Ing-wen (蔡英文) has made no response to claims by a China affairs analyst that China will invade Taiwan by 2020, a Presidential Office spokesman said Wednesday.
• Taiwan to see if Taiwanese elected to CPC National Congress legal CNA 04 Oct 2017 -- The government will look into whether Lu Li-an (盧麗安), a China-based Taiwanese woman who has been elected to attend the upcoming 19th National Congress of the Communist Party of China (CPC), has violated Taiwanese law, the Mainland Affairs Council (MAC) said Wednesday.
• European Security Agencies on Manhunt for Commando Group VOA 04 Oct 2017 -- European security agencies are on a manhunt for nine militants - six Moroccans, two Syrians and an Iraqi. They are believed to have landed in Italy last month via Greece with plans to mount terror attacks in Europe.
• Greece Backs Extradition Of Russian To U.S. Over Bitcoin Fraud RFE/RL 04 Oct 2017 -- A Greek tribunal has approved a U.S. request for the extradition of a Russian cybercrime suspect, the second such order made against a Russian citizen by a European court this week.
• Russia remains committed to Iran nuclear deal: Putin Press TV 04 Oct 2017 -- Russian President Vladimir Putin says his country will continue to support the 2015 Iran nuclear deal because the Islamic Republic has honored all of its commitments.
• Putin Says He's Still Undecided Whether To Seek Reelection RFE/RL 04 Oct 2017 -- Less than six months before Russia's next election, President Vladimir Putin says he has not yet decided whether to seek a new six-year term.
• Saudi King Salman in Russia on historic visit Press TV 04 Oct 2017 -- Saudi Arabia's King Salman has arrived in the Russian capital, Moscow, on a first such visit by a monarch in the kingdom's history.
• Turkish president arrives in Tehran for talks with Iranian officials Press TV 04 Oct 2017 -- Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan has arrived in the Iranian capital, Tehran, for discussions with the country's senior officials on issues of bilateral and regional significance.
• Turkey court hands down life sentence to 34 over plot to kill Erdogan Press TV 04 Oct 2017 -- A court in Turkey has sentenced 34 people to life in prison for attempting to assassinate President Recep Tayyip Erdogan during the failed coup of 2016.
• Dozens Sentenced to Life in Prison Over Failed Turkey Coup VOA 04 Oct 2017 -- A Turkish court on Wednesday sentenced 34 people to life in prison for plotting to assassinate President Recep Tayyip Erdogan during a coup attempt last year.
• Iran, Turkey aim to create peace, stability, security in region IRNA 04 Oct 2017 -- Iran and Turkey aim at maintaining peace, stability and security in the region, Iranian President Hassan Rouhani said.
• Rouhani: Iran, Turkey anchors of stability in Middle East Press TV 04 Oct 2017 -- Iranian President Hassan Rouhani says Iran and Turkey are "anchors of stability" in the Middle East region, and fighting terrorism is top on the agenda of the two countries.
• Jail term upheld for ex-Iranian nuclear negotiator: Report Press TV 04 Oct 2017 -- An appeals court has upheld a five-year prison sentence handed down to a former member of the Iranian nuclear negotiation team found guilty of espionage.
• Tillerson working to keep US in Iran deal: Report Press TV 04 Oct 2017 -- US Secretary of State Rex Tillerson has reportedly been working on a plan to keep the United States in a 2015 multilateral nuclear deal with Iran despite vociferous rhetoric against the agreement by his boss, President Donald Trump.
• Russia Concerned With N Korean Nuke Tests, Warns Against Escalation - Putin Sputnik 04 Oct 2017 -- Russian President Vladimir Putin has said that Moscow is concerned with North Korea's continuing nuclear tests but noted that "belligerent rhetoric" surrounding the problem may lead to unwanted escalation, calling on the parties to hold direct talks.
• US Intelligence Officials Call North Korean Leader 'Very Rational' VOA 04 Oct 2017 -- Despite Kim Jong Un's repeated provocations and willingness to engage in heated rhetoric, top U.S. intelligence officials say the North Korean leader is not crazy.
• Meeting In Tehran, Iranian And Turkish Presidents Stress Opposition To Kurdish State RFE/RL 04 Oct 2017 -- The presidents of Iran and Turkey say their countries will take steps to ensure that borders in the region remain unchanged following last week's independence referendum in Iraq's autonomous Kurdish region.
• Erdogan Accuses Israel's Mossad of Supporting Iraqi Kurdistan Referendum Sputnik 04 Oct 2017 -- Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan said on Wednesday that Israel's intelligence agency Mossad supported Iraqi Kurdistan's referendum on independence as only Israel would recognize the Kurdish administration.
• Closing Border With Iraq Will 'Damage Interests' of Iran and Turkey Sputnik 04 Oct 2017 -- Iran has said it had closed border checkpoints with Iraqi Kurdistan in response to its referendum and in respect to the sovereignty and territorial integrity of the neighboring country. Salih Meleomer, an advisor to the Prime Minister of the Kurdistan Regional Government told Sputnik the move could damage the interests of both Turkey and Iran.
• China offers wisdom in global governance People's Daily 04 Oct 2017 -- With its own development and becoming increasingly closer to the center of the world stage, China has been injecting positive energy into the international community in pursuit of better global governance over recent years.
• Trump expels 15 Cuban diplomats from US over mysterious health attacks Press TV 04 Oct 2017 -- US President Donald Trump has ordered the expulsion of 15 Cuban diplomats from the country, escalating his response to a series of mysterious health "attacks."
• Embattled Venezuelan President Thanks Putin For 'Political, Diplomatic Support' RFE/RL 04 Oct 2017 -- Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro, who is facing international isolation amid unrest in the Latin American country, has thanked his Russian counterpart for backing him.
• Putin Supports Maduro Trying to Improve Relations With Opponents Sputnik 04 Oct 2017 -- Russian President Vladimir Putin emphasized on Wednesday the achievements made by Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro in improving relations with the opposition.
• Catalonia to Declare Independence From Spain 'Within Days' VOA 04 Oct 2017 -- Despite a warning from Spain's King Felipe VI about the threat to national stability, the leader of the Catalan regional government is vowing to press ahead with an independence declaration within days.
• 'Kleptocracy Tour' Spotlights Nigerian Corrupt Money Funneled Through Britain VOA 04 Oct 2017 -- Anti-corruption activists hoping to shine a light on the hundreds of millions of dollars funneled through London every year are organizing tours of properties allegedly bought with dishonest money.
• UK 'prepared' if Brexit negotiations with EU fail: May Press TV 04 Oct 2017 -- UK Prime Minister Theresa May says Britain's government wants Brexit negotiations to succeed but is preparing for a scenario in which they might fail.