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Current Operations

• OIF / OND / OEF / OIR / OFS Casualty Update 06 Oct 2017[PDF]
• Officials Provide Details of Latest Strikes Against ISIS AFPS 06 Oct 2017 -- U.S. and coalition military forces continued to attack the Islamic State of Iraq and Syria yesterday, conducting 44 strikes consisting of 65 engagements, Combined Joint Task Force Operation Inherent Resolve officials reported today.
• Pentagon Says Hurricane Relief Efforts Slow Afghanistan Deployments RFE/RL 06 Oct 2017 -- The U.S. Defense Department says the military's response to the hurricane that hit Puerto Rico is delaying the deployment of forces to Afghanistan and other missions throughout the world.
• Africom Announces Death of 4th Service Member in Niger Attack AFPS 06 Oct 2017 -- The body of another U.S. service member has been recovered from Niger, where an attack occurred Oct. 4 during an advise-and-assist mission, bringing the number of U.S. service members killed to four, U.S. Africa Command's director of public affairs said today.
• U.S. Northern Command Prepares for Tropical Storm Nate AFPS 06 Oct 2017 -- DoD personnel are helping with hurricane relief efforts in Puerto Rico and the U.S. Virgin Islands, and now the department's U.S. Northern Command is preparing for the approach of Tropical Storm Nate, Pentagon officials said today.
• USS Iwo Jima and USS New York Underway NNS 06 Oct 2017 -- Commander, U.S. Fleet Forces, Adm. Phil Davidson, has ordered the amphibious assault ship USS Iwo Jima (LHD 7) and amphibious transport dock ship USS New York (LPD 21), with elements from the 26th Marine Expeditionary Unit, to get underway from their homeport in Mayport Oct. 7.
• USNS Comfort Underway to Provide Aid from the Sea in Puerto Rico NNS 06 Oct 2017 -- The Military Sealift Command hospital ship USNS Comfort (T-AH 20) got underway Oct. 5, to provide aid from the sea in Puerto Rico after completing a planning phase in San Juan with local and federal stakeholders to synchronize efforts to provide humanitarian assistance.

Defense Policy / Programs

• Army looking at the next generation of combat vehicles Army News 06 Oct 2017 -- Soldiers today move about in and conduct combat operations from, among other things, the Stryker, the Bradley, or the Abrams tank. But the Army has started work now to determine what will take Soldiers to the fight in 2035 and beyond.
• US cancels planned war games with Arab allies over Qatar Press TV 06 Oct 2017 -- The United States military has cancelled a number of planned war games with its Persian Gulf Arab allies over their persisting dispute with another key Arab ally, Qatar, in an apparent attempt to press an end to the months-long row.
• Russian Troops Return to Home Bases After Zapad-2017 Drills With Belarus End Sputnik 06 Oct 2017 -- Despite several eastern European states' concerns that Russian military might stay in Belarus after the joint Zapad-2017 war games end, the Russian defense minister has officially announced that troops have returned to their home bases in Russia.
• China donates second batch of military equipment to Philippines to fight terrorists People's Daily 06 Oct 2017 -- The Philippine defense department received on Thursday a second batch of military equipment that China donated to help the Philippines fight terrorism.
• Saudi Arabia - Terminal High Altitude Area Defense and Related Support, Equipment and Services DSCA 06 Oct 2017 -- The State Department has made a determination approving a possible Foreign Military Sale to the Government of Saudi Arabia for Terminal High Altitude Area Defense (THAAD) and related support, equipment and services for an estimated cost of $15 billion. The Defense Security Cooperation Agency delivered the required certification notifying Congress of this possible sale today.
• Flotilla's landmark tour nears end People's Daily 06 Oct 2017 -- The longest journey by a Chinese Navy convoy nears completion, with a flotilla arriving on Wednesday in Thailand, its final stop before heading home.
• Germany's Plan to Replace G36 Assault Rifle Puts US Out of Business Sputnik 06 Oct 2017 -- The German Defense Ministry is looking for a replacement for the obsolete G36 assault rifle for the Bundeswehr. The German government is likely to grant the bid to a domestic gunmaker, excluding US companies from the bidding. Such a policy risks sparking new tensions in the future between Berlin and Washington.
• Indian helicopter crashes near Chinese border, 7 dead Press TV 06 Oct 2017 -- An Indian air force helicopter has crashed in the country's remote northeastern border with China, killing all seven crew members and passengers.
• For India, What China Can Bring to Tibet Matters; Not What it Possesses Sputnik 06 Oct 2017 -- The Indian Air Force has been operating at its lowest combat strength in more than a decade. It is down to 33 squadrons as against a mandated 42 squadrons needed for a simultaneous and collusive two-front war scenario with Pakistan and China.
• Indian Air Force Claims It Can Strike Pak Nuke Sites at Any Given Time Sputnik 06 Oct 2017 -- This IAF claim comes in response to Pakistani Prime Minister Shahid Khaqan Abbasi's statement that Islamabad can use nuclear weapons to thwart any Indian attempt to enter Pakistani territory.
• Seven Dead as Indian Air Force's Mi-17 V5 Chopper Crashes Near China Border Sputnik 06 Oct 2017 -- The accident comes only a day after Indian Air Force (IAF) Chief had expressed concern over depleting fleet due to peacetime accidents.
• Turkey Building Bulletproof Watchtowers Along Syrian Border - Reports Sputnik 06 Oct 2017 -- Turkey reportedly continued efforts to reinforce its border with Syria.
• No More D-Days: Royal Navy Could Lose Amphibious Assault Ships Due to Cuts Sputnik 06 Oct 2017 -- Due to further proposed cuts, the British Royal Navy could lose its amphibious assault ships, and around 1,000 Royal Marines, despite repeated calls from UK officials for increased defense spending.
• UK reiterates support to the fight against Boko Haram UK MOD 06 Oct 2017 -- UK Minister for the Armed Forces Mark Lancaster visited Nigeria this week, marking the strong Defence relationship between the two nations.
• Ukraine's Exploding Munition Depots Give Ammunition To Security Concerns RFE/RL 06 Oct 2017 -- It was dusk when the chain of explosions began, feeding a towering fireball that would force the evacuation of 30,000 locals and send 1,200 firefighters scrambling to the arms depot situated outside the central Ukrainian town of Kalynivka.
• Press Briefing by Press Secretary Sarah Sanders The White House 06 Oct 2017

Defense Industry

• DoD News: Contracts for October 06, 2017

Other Conflicts

• 6 October 2017 - Daily Press Briefing by the Office of the Spokesperson for the Secretary-General United Nations 06 Oct 2017
• Syrian army soldiers, allies enter eastern Daesh-controlled town Press TV 06 Oct 2017 -- Syrian army soldiers and allied fighters from popular defense groups, supported by Russian military aircraft, have marched into a town controlled by members of Daesh Takfiri terrorist group in the country's troubled eastern province of Dayr al-Zawr as they continue to make territorial gains against the militants.
• Syrian forces draw close to Daesh-held al-Mayadin in east Press TV 06 Oct 2017 -- The Syrian army and allied forces have reportedly closed in on the eastern city of al-Mayadin, which is viewed as the current main stronghold of the Daesh terrorist group in the Arab country.
• Syrian Army Completes Anti-Daesh Operation in Eastern Part of Homs Province Sputnik 06 Oct 2017 -- A Sputnik correspondent reported Friday that the Syrian government forces have completed a military operation against Daesh in the eastern part of Syria's Homs province.
• Al-Nusra Front Terror Group May Replace Daesh After its Defeat - Moscow Sputnik 06 Oct 2017 -- A Russian Foreign Ministry official warned against "saving" al-Nusra Front terrorist group, former al-Qaeda affiliate, in Syria as it might one day replace Daesh.
• Pentagon Calls Russian MoD Remarks on US Coalition's Aims in Syria 'Ridiculous' Sputnik 06 Oct 2017 -- The Pentagon has again responded to a statement made by the Russian Defense Ministry earlier this week, accusing the US of supporting terrorists in Syria.
• Syrian Army Enters Largest Daesh Hotbed in Deir ez-Zor Province - General Sputnik 06 Oct 2017 -- The Syrian government forces are conducting a military operation to gain control of the largest Daesh stronghold in the province of Deir ez-Zor after the three-year terrorist siege of Deir ez-Zor city was lifted a month ago.
• September 'deadliest month' of 2017 for Syrians, UN relief official reports UN News 06 Oct 2017 -- Hospitals, ambulances, schools and displaced people escaping violence are being routinely targeted by airstrikes in Syria, resulting in high numbers of deaths and injuries, and making September the deadliest month of the year, according to the United Nations regional relief coordinator for the crisis.
• EU seeks 'de-escalation of tension' in Myanmar amid Rohingya crisis Press TV 06 Oct 2017 -- The European Union has called on Myanmar's authorities to adhere to international human rights obligations and give aid workers access to Rakhine state, which is home to Rohingya Muslims, known by the United Nations as the "most persecuted" minority in the world.
• UN slams Myanmar's denial of access to Rakhine Press TV 06 Oct 2017 -- The United Nations (UN) has slammed Myanmar's refusal to grant humanitarian access to Rakhine State as "unacceptable," saying the flight of terror-hit Rohingya Muslims out of the region continues.
• 145,000 Rohingya children face malnutrition Press TV 06 Oct 2017 -- About 145,000 Rohingya refugee children pouring into Bangladesh to stay safe from a brutal crackdown by the Myanmar government are now at risk of severe malnutrition, a UK charity has warned.
• UN seeks more funds to assist Rohingya amid world's fastest growing refugee crisis UN News 06 Oct 2017 -- United Nations agencies are seeking more funds to cope with the mass exodus of people fleeing violence in Myanmar into Bangladesh, which the top UN aid official described the world's fastest growing refugee crisis.
• Rohingyas: World's Fastest-growing Refugee Crisis VOA 06 Oct 2017 -- Aid agencies warn the mass exodus of Rohingyas is not over. Myanmar has seen more than one-half million refugees flee into neighboring Bangladesh since August 25.
• US Lawmakers Urge Full Media, Aid Access to Myanmar VOA 06 Oct 2017 -- U.S. lawmakers are calling for "full access" by journalists and aid workers to Myanmar's troubled Rakhine state.
• Amid Scuffles And Smoke, Bills On East Ukraine Conflict Advance In Parliament RFE/RL 06 Oct 2017 -- KYIV -- A Ukrainian parliamentary debate on legislation addressing the conflict in the country's east was interrupted by scuffles and a smoke grenade that was tossed into the auditorium.
• Donbass Status Bill to Enhance Kiev's Position on UN Peacekeepers - Poroshenko Sputnik 06 Oct 2017 -- Earlier in the day, Ukraine's parliament adopted on the status of Donbass. President Poroshenko has commented on Kiev's move.
• US Envoy for Ukraine Says Minsk Deal Not Working Efficiently Sputnik 06 Oct 2017 -- The US special representative for Ukraine has commented on the extension of a law on the special status of Donbass, as well as the implementation of the Minsk agreements.
• Senior Administration Officials on Sudan Sanctions US Dept. of State 06 Oct 2017 -- Special Briefing by Senior Administration Officials
• Central African Republic: More aid needed amid deteriorating security, UN relief official warns UN News 06 Oct 2017 -- In spite of humanitarian access to help tackle some of the most critical needs in several Central African Republic (CAR) hotspots, eroding security since the beginning of 2017 has sparked additional needs, the United Nations humanitarian wing reported today.
• Mali: Security Council urges parties to adopt timeline for implementing peace agreement UN News 06 Oct 2017 -- The Security Council today expressed a deep concern over the persistent delays in fully implementing key provisions of the peace agreement between the Government of Mali and the Plateforme and Coordination armed groups, urging the parties to adopt an agreed-upon timeline for implementation.

News Reports

• Campaign Against Nuclear Weapons Wins Nobel Peace Prize RFE/RL 06 Oct 2017 -- The 2017 Nobel Peace Prize has been awarded to the International Campaign to Abolish Nuclear Weapons (ICAN).
• Nobel Peace Prize Awarded to Anti-Nuclear Weapons Group VOA 06 Oct 2017 -- The 2017 Nobel Peace Prize has been awarded to the Geneva-based International Campaign to Abolish Nuclear Weapons, or ICAN. The group consists of about 500 organizations in more than 100 countries that are working toward global nuclear disarmament.
• Group's Nobel Peace Prize win spotlights need to end 'nuclear nightmare' says UN chief UN News 06 Oct 2017 -- Congratulating the International Campaign to Abolish Nuclear Weapons (ICAN) on being awarded today the 2017 Nobel Peace Prize, top United Nations officials said that the recognition is a reminder of the need to grim threats posed by such weapons to humanity.
• Reports: U.S. Special Counsel's Team Met With Author Of Russia Dossier RFE/RL 06 Oct 2017 -- Media reports say U.S. investigators have interviewed a former British spy who compiled a salacious dossier of allegations about purported contacts between U.S. President Donald Trump's campaign and Russia.
• Kremlin says Russia-Saudi military cooperation not directed at 3rd party Press TV 06 Oct 2017 -- Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov has briefed reporters about the peaceful content of recent talks between Russian President Vladimir Putin and King Salman bin Abdulaziz of Saudi Arabia.
• Putin, Salman hold talks behind closed doors in Moscow Press TV 06 Oct 2017 -- Russian President Vladimir Putin and Saudi King Salman have held talks behind closed doors in the Russian capital of Moscow, reportedly discussing bilateral and regional issues.
• Trump Says Iran Not Living Up To 'Spirit' Of Nuclear Deal As Certification Deadline Nears RFE/RL 05 Oct 2017 -- U.S. President Donald Trump has said Iran is not living up to the "spirit" of its nuclear deal with world powers, an assessment that followed media reports that he intends to decertify the landmark 2015 accord.
• Iran nuclear deal one of intl. community's most important achievements: Lavrov Press TV 06 Oct 2017 -- Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov has praised the international nuclear agreement with Iran, known as the Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action (JCPOA), describing it as one of the most important achievements of the international community.
• Russia, EU signal parting ways with US on Iran deal Press TV 06 Oct 2017 -- Russia and the European Union rally behind a 2015 nuclear agreement with Iran after reports that US President Donald Trump is set to decertify the international accord soon.
• Unilateral bans negatively affect global economic cooperation: Iran's UN envoy Press TV 06 Oct 2017 -- Iran's UN envoy has spoken against any imposition of unilateral economic sanctions against world nations, saying such "coercive" restrictive measures would leave a negative impact on developing countries and the entire global economic cooperation.
• EU will not renege on Iran deal commitments even if US does: EU official Press TV 06 Oct 2017 -- The European Union (EU) will not follow the United States if Washington decides to trample on its obligations under a multilateral nuclear deal with Iran, says a European official.
• The Iran Nuclear Deal Explained VOA 06 Oct 2017 -- On October 12, U.S. President Donald Trump is expected to announce whether his administration still finds Iran in compliance with the 2015 nuclear deal. Here's a look at what could happen if he chooses not to certify Tehran's compliance.
• Iran first vice president says his brother detained Press TV 06 Oct 2017 -- Iran's First Vice President Es'haq Jahangiri says his brother has been detained but the official adds that he is not aware of the reasons behind the detention.
• Iranian Court Tightens Restrictions On Ex-President Khatami RFE/RL 06 Oct 2017 -- Iran's Special Clerical Court has tightened restrictions against former President Mohammad Khatami, barring him from all public events for three months.
• Iran reiterates need to preserve Iraq's territorial integrity IRNA 06 Oct 2017 -- Iranian Foreign Minister Mohammad Javad Zarif on Friday underlined the necessity to maintain Iraq's national unity and territorial integrity.
• Iran FM urges maintenance of Iraq territorial integrity, unity Press TV 06 Oct 2017 -- Iranian Foreign Minister Mohammad Javad Zarif has once again stressed the importance of preserving Iraq's national unity and territorial integrity after a controversial independence referendum was held in northern semi-autonomous Kurdistan region.
• Turkey says will continue negotiations with Iran on Iraqi Kurdistan IRNA 06 Oct 2017 -- Turkish Deputy Prime Minister Bekir Bozdag said on Friday that the developments in the Iraqi Kurdistan region are a threat to regional security and that Ankara will continue negotiations with Tehran and international community in this regard.
• Russian Court Leaves Navalny In Jail On Eve Of Protests, Campaign Office Searched RFE/RL 06 Oct 2017 -- MOSCOW -- A Russian court rejected Aleksei Navalny's appeal against a 20-day jail term, and police searched his Moscow presidential campaign office as the Kremlin foe urged supporters to protest nationwide on October 7.
• Putin Continues Regional Reshuffle By Replacing Novosibirsk Governor RFE/RL 06 Oct 2017 -- Russian President Vladimir Putin has dismissed the governor of the Novosibirsk Oblast, Vladimir Gorodetsky, pushing ahead with a reshuffle of regional leaders as the Kremlin gears up for the presidential election in March.
• Al-Qaida Releases Call for Jihadist Unity, Purportedly From Leader VOA 06 Oct 2017 -- Al-Qaida leader Ayman al-Zawahiri is urging followers around the world to unify against what he calls the "international satanic alliance."
• Changing definition of territory needs social consensus: premier CNA 06 Oct 2017 -- Asked if the country needs to modify the way its territory is defined by amending the Constitution, Premier Lai Ching-te (賴清德) said Friday that the issue depended on a social consensus, though he voiced support for constitutional change.
• No information on an imminent cross-strait war: premier CNA 06 Oct 2017 -- Premier Lai Ching-te (賴清德) said during a Legislative hearing Friday that there is no information indicating an imminent conflict across the Taiwan Strait.
• Taiwan's Beleaguered Foreign Relations Find Stable Support in Singapore VOA 06 Oct 2017 -- Singapore's apparent decision this week to sustain a more than 40-year-old military training program with Taiwan, despite pressure from China, is giving Taiwan's embattled foreign policy a rare win in Asia.
• Spain court summons Catalan officials for 'sedition' Press TV 06 Oct 2017 -- Spain's national court has summoned four Catalan officials, including the region's police chief, for a hearing over allegations of sedition against the central government during last month's pro-independence demonstrations in Barcelona.
• Catalan Pro-Independence Leaders Testify in Court Over Alleged Rebellion Calls Sputnik 06 Oct 2017 -- As Madrid has apologized for police violence during the Catalonia referendum, the leaders of Catalan pro-independence groups have appeared in court to testify over suspicions of calls for rebellion and may face up to 15 years of imprisonment if found guilty.
• Cameroon: UN rights office urges dialogue to address decades-long grievances UN News 06 Oct 2017 -- Voicing concern over tensions in Cameroon, the United Nations human rights wing has urged the Government and dissatisfied groups to engage in a meaningful political dialogue to fully address long standing grievances.