Operations
Defense Policy / Programs
Defense Industry
Other Conflicts
News Reports

Current Operations

• US drone strike leaves five dead in central Yemen Press TV 08 Oct 2017 -- At least five people have lost their lives after a US unmanned aerial vehicle carried out a strike in the central Yemeni province of Ma'rib.
• DoD Ready to Respond After Hurricane Nate AFPS 08 Oct 2017 -- Defense Department personnel stand ready to respond in the Gulf Coast for any request for assistance following Hurricane Nate.
• Distributing Food, Water Remains Top Priority, Puerto Rico Governor Says AFPS 08 Oct 2017 -- The distribution of food and water remains the top priority in Puerto Rico following the devastation from Hurricane Maria, Gov. Ricardo Rossello said today at a news conference in San Juan.
• USS New York Departs Mayport for Potential Assistance Following Hurricane Nate NNS 08 Oct 2017 -- USS New York (LPD 21), along with components of Fleet Surgical Team (FST) 8, Helicopter Maritime Strike Squadron (HSM) 40 and HSM 46 departed Naval Station Mayport, Florida, Oct. 7, to support the Gulf coast region if assistance is requested in the wake of Hurricane Nate.

Defense Policy / Programs

• US drone strike leaves five dead in central Yemen Press TV 08 Oct 2017 -- At least five people have lost their lives after a US unmanned aerial vehicle carried out a strike in the central Yemeni province of Ma'rib.
• Iran's IRGC to treat US troops like Daesh if blacklisted Press TV 08 Oct 2017 -- The chief commander of the Islamic Revolution Guards Corps (IRGC) says Iran will treat US troops like Daesh terrorists who will have to move their military bases farther from Iran's borders if Washington blacklists his force.
• IRGC Chief Suggests Missile Strike If U.S. Bolsters Iran Sanctions RFE/RL 08 Oct 2017 -- The head of Iran's Islamic Revolutionary Guards Corps (IRGC) has suggested that U.S. military forces in the Middle East could be in danger of an Iranian missile attack if Washington imposes new sanctions against Tehran.
• Iran Revolutionary Guards Vow to Designate US Army as Equivalent to Daesh Sputnik 08 Oct 2017 -- The chief of the Iran Revolutionary Guards has reportedly vowed to equate the US Army with Daesh if the US puts them on the terror group list.
• Iran Warns US of Possible Missile Attack If It Imposes New Sanctions VOA 08 Oct 2017 -- The chief of Iran's powerful Revolutionary Guards is warning regional U.S. military bases in the Mideast would be at risk of an Iranian missile attack if Washington imposes new sanctions against Tehran.
• Defense ministry sets preliminary 2018 budget at NT$327.8 billion CNA 07 Oct 2017 -- The Ministry of National Defense has drafted a budget of NT$327.8 billion (US$10.79 billion) for 2018, much of which is dedicated to strengthening Taiwan's ability to defend itself in potential conflicts in the region, according to a ministry report.

Defense Industry

Other Conflicts

• Turkish army's reconnaissance team crosses into Syria as part of Idlib offensive Press TV 08 Oct 2017 -- A small army reconnaissance team from Turkey has reportedly crossed the border into Syria's northwestern province of Idlib ahead of a planned deployment of the Ankara-backed so-called Free Syrian Army (FSA)'s forces in the largely militant-held region.
• Syrian Army encircles Daesh terrorists in Mayadin Press TV 08 Oct 2017 -- Syria's Army and its allies have encircled the Takfiri terror group of Daesh in the city of al-Mayadin in the country's northeastern Dayr al-Zawr Province.
• Turkey 'Working With Russia' Amid Idlib Operation - Prime Minister Sputnik 08 Oct 2017 -- The Turkish prime minister has commented on coordinating actions with Moscow in the wake of the Turkish President's announcement of his country's launching a military operation in Syria's Idlib, currently under the control of the al-Nusra Front terrorist group.
• Syrian Operation: Russia 'Turns the Tide of War', Expands Its Role in Mideast Sputnik 08 Oct 2017 -- It has been two years since Russia launched its military campaign in Syria, which initially faced skepticism and criticism in the West. Over this period of time, Moscow has not only significantly contributed to fighting terrorism and stabilizing the situation Syria, but also proved its political role in the Middle East, a geopolitical analyst said.
• Syrian Army Encircles Daesh in Eastern Syria's Al Mayadin Sputnik 08 Oct 2017 -- The Syrian armed forces and its allies reportedly encircled Daesh militants in the city of Al Mayadin in Eastern Syria.
• Hamas: Armed wing not up for negotiation with Fatah Press TV 08 Oct 2017 -- The Palestinian resistance movement Hamas says the fate of its military wing, the Ezzedeen al-Qassam Brigades, is not up for discussion during the upcoming reconciliation talks with its rival party, Fatah.
• Nigeria to try 2,300 Boko Haram militants Press TV 08 Oct 2017 -- Nigeria is going to try more than 2,300 suspected members of the Takfiri Boko Haram militant group in unprecedented mass trials behind closed doors.

News Reports

• Trump Says He Won't Move Embassy To Jerusalem For Now, Rips Iran RFE/RL 08 Oct 2017 -- U.S. President Donald Trump said in a television interview he will not proceed for now with his pledge to move the American Embassy to Jerusalem, and he declined to specify his plans in regard to the landmark nuclear deal with Iran.
• US Lawmakers Eye Tougher Sanctions Against Hezbollah VOA 08 Oct 2017 -- Members of the U.S. Congress are seeking new tools to stop the flow of cash to the militant group Hezbollah in hopes of reducing its ability to recruit, raise funds and carry out propaganda.
• MP: Iraq's partition Iran, Turkey, Iraq red-line IRNA 08 Oct 2017 -- Chairman of the Iranian Parliament's National Security and Foreign Policy Commission Alaeddin Boroujerdi said on Sunday that disintegration of Iraq is deemed as red-line for Iran, Turkey and Iraq.
• Iraq to prosecute 100 European Daesh members Press TV 08 Oct 2017 -- Iraq is to prosecute at least 100 European Daesh terrorists, most of whom face the death penalty, says Belgium's ambassador to the country.
• Erbil, Baghdad Agree on Lifting Anti-Kurdish Sanctions Sputnik 08 Oct 2017 -- The Kurdish Regional Government and Baghdad have agreed to de-escalate the tensions over the recent Kurdish autonomy independence referendum and engage in a dialogue.
• KDP Media: Kurd Leader Barzani, Iraqi Speaker Meet VOA 08 Oct 2017 -- Iraqi parliament speaker Salim al-Jabouri has met with Kurdish president Masoud Barzani, two weeks after Kurds in Iraq voted in a symbolic referendum for independence, Kurdish media reported.
• Trump says "only one thing will work" with DPRK People's Daily 08 Oct 2017 -- US President Donald Trump said Saturday that "only one thing will work" with the Democratic People's Republic of Korea (DPRK) after past talks with Pyongyang had yielded no results.
• Trump rejects diplomacy with N Korea, hints at military action Press TV 08 Oct 2017 -- US President Donald Trump has rejected diplomatic means for dealing with North Korea's escalating missile and nuclear weapon testing, suggesting that a military response is the only option against Pyongyang.
• Trump Says 'Only One Thing Will Work' In Dealing With North Korea RFE/RL 08 Oct 2017 -- U.S. President Donald Trump says "only one thing will work" in dealing with North Korea, but he did not make clear what that would be.
• Sweet Nepotism: Kim Jong Un Promotes Younger Sister to DPRK Inner Circle Sputnik 08 Oct 2017 -- DPRK head Kim Jong Un has promoted his younger sister Kim Yo Jong to a position of political authority within the country's ruling party.
• Kim Jong-un Says North Korean Nukes 'Protecting Sovereignty' Amid US 'Threats' Sputnik 08 Oct 2017 -- Amid US President Donald Trump's promises to "do what needs to be done" with regard to North Korea as "only one thing will work" hinting at a possible military action against Pyongyang, Kim Jong-un has praised the country's nuclear weapons as a means of "safeguarding peace" on the Korean Peninsula.
• S Korea, US Allegedly Increase Surveillance of N Korea Sputnik 08 Oct 2017 -- South Korea and the United States are on alert after a Russian lawmaker's warning about Pyongyang's ballistic missile test-firing and are maintaining heightened reconnaissance using U-2S, RC-800 and RF-16 planes.
• DPRK Condemns US War on Terror as Pretext for World Building Sputnik 08 Oct 2017 -- Pyongyang has accused Washington of using its ongoing War on Terror to manipulate governments and other entities around the world.
• North Korea's Kim Calls Nuclear Weapons Program a 'Treasured Sword' VOA 08 Oct 2017 -- North Korean leader Kim Jong Un is defiantly calling his country's nuclear weapons program a "treasured sword" to protect it against aggression, even as U.S. President Donald Trump and Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe continue to pressure his regime.
• Germany Moves Against Berlin Hostel Paying Rent to North Korea VOA 08 Oct 2017 -- As Germany moves to implement sanctions against North Korea's nuclear weapons program, its efforts seem to be at odds with a private business in Berlin.
• Iran will give response fitting Trump's stance on JCPOA: Zarif Press TV 08 Oct 2017 -- Iranian Foreign Minister Mohammad Javad Zarif says the Islamic Republic will give a "response fitting" any stance adopted by US President Donald Trump on the landmark nuclear agreement reached between Iran and the P5+1 group of countries more than two years ago.
• Iranian Judiciary Confirms Nuclear Negotiator Imprisoned On Spying Charges RFE/RL 08 Oct 2017 -- Iran's judiciary has confirmed that a dual-national member of the Iranian team that negotiated a 2015 nuclear deal with world powers has been sentenced to five years in prison after being convicted of espionage.
• U.S. Ambassador To Russia Cites Ukraine As Key To Improving Ties RFE/RL 08 Oct 2017 -- The new U.S. ambassador to Russia says restoring Ukrainian sovereignty over all its territory will be a key issue in his dealings with Moscow as he begins his tenure amid a period of high tensions between the two world powers.
• Spanish Prime Minister Vows to Prevent Catalan Independence Sputnik 08 Oct 2017 -- Spanish Prime Minister Mariano Rajoy has announced that the Spanish government will prevent the unilateral declaration of independence by the country's northeastern autonomous from becoming a reality.
• Catalonians Rally in Barcelona to Protest Push for Secession From Spain VOA 08 Oct 2017 -- Catalonians are rallying in Barcelona to protest the Catalan government's push for secession from Spain.
• Madrid won't rule out blocking Catalonia independence: Spanish PM Press TV 08 Oct 2017 -- Spanish Prime Minister Mariano Rajoy has said that Madrid would not rule out suspending Catalonia's autonomous status if its leaders declare independence.
• In Catalonia, large group of demonstrators oppose independence Press TV 08 Oct 2017 -- Hundreds of thousands of people have led a protest march in Barcelona, the capital of Spain's semi-autonomous Catalonia region, against a campaign for independence of the region from the mainland.