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News Reports

Current Operations

• OIF / OND / OEF / OIR / OFS Casualty Update 11 Oct 2017[PDF]
• Inherent Resolve Strikes Target ISIS in Syria, Iraq AFPS 11 Oct 2017 -- U.S. and coalition military forces continued to attack the Islamic State of Iraq and Syria yesterday, conducting 16 strikes consisting of 22 engagements, Combined Joint Task Force Operation Inherent Resolve officials reported today.
• 29th CAB provides life-saving capability for Operation Inherent Resolve Army News 11 Oct 2017 -- Soldiers from the 29th Combat Aviation Brigade, in slightly over a week's time, established an aeromedical evacuation capability near the Mosul Dam in Iraq.
• Pentagon Blames Islamic State in Deadly Attack on US Forces in Niger VOA 11 Oct 2017 -- The Pentagon said Wednesday that Islamic State fighters were responsible for an attack in southwestern Niger that killed four American soldiers, as new details suggested local villagers might have played a role in the ambush.
• Villagers' Role Questioned in Ambush of US Forces in Niger VOA 11 Oct 2017 -- New details about a firefight that killed four U.S. soldiers in southwestern Niger last week suggest local villagers may have played a role in the attack.
• Quartet to meet in Oman to revive Afghan peace talks with Taliban Press TV 11 Oct 2017 -- The four-nation Quadrilateral Coordination Group (QGC), comprising Afghanistan, China, Pakistan and the United States, are expected to hold a meeting in Oman next week to revive stalled peace talks involving the Taliban militant group.
• Taliban Warns Phone Companies to Shut Down Their Coverage in Ghazni VOA 11 Oct 2017 -- Taliban militants have ordered mobile phone companies to shut down their networks at dark in central Ghazni province, provincial police authorities told VOA.

Defense Policy / Programs

• 75 Years Later, Eagles Still Soar NNS 11 Oct 2017 -- The Eagles of Strike Fighter Squadron (VFA) 115 celebrated their 75th anniversary Oct. 10, aboard the Navy's forward-deployed aircraft carrier, USS Ronald Reagan (CVN 76) with a formation flight.
• U.S., Japan, South Korea sharpen skills with nighttime training AFNS 11 Oct 2017 -- U.S. Air Force, Japan Air Self-Defense Force and South Korean air force units sharpened their combat skills during a sequenced bilateral mission near the Sea of Japan Oct. 10, 2017.
• US bombers conduct firing drill over Korean Peninsula Press TV 11 Oct 2017 -- The US military has flown two supersonic B-1B bombers over the Korean peninsula as part of a combined firing drill with Japan and South Korea in the region, fueling tensions with Pyongyang over nuclear and ballistic missile programs.
• Supersonic US B-1B Bombers Fly Near Korean Peninsula in Drill Sputnik 11 Oct 2017 -- US Air Force, South Korean Air Force and Japanese Air-Self Defense jets conducted a military training exercise over the Sea of Japan Tuesday night, according to a US military statement, to hone their "combat skills."
• U.S. strategic bombers fly over Korean Peninsula in show of force against DPRK People's Daily 11 Oct 2017 -- Two U.S. strategic bombers flew over the Korean Peninsula Tuesday night in an apparent show of force against the Democratic People's Republic of Korea (DPRK), South Korea's Joint Chiefs of Staff (JCS) said Wednesday.
• Trump Rejects Claim He Wanted Big Nuclear Expansion VOA 11 Oct 2017 -- President Donald Trump on Wednesday rejected as "pure fiction" an NBC News report that a few months ago he suggested a tenfold increase in the U.S. nuclear arsenal, and questioned whether it was time to revoke the network's government license to operate.
• Fake Nukes? Trump Denies Calling for 'Tenfold' Increase in Atomic Arsenal Sputnik 11 Oct 2017 -- NBC News has reported that US President Donald Trump said he wanted a "tenfold" increase in the US' nuclear arsenal during a July national security meeting. Trump has denied the story, calling it "pure fiction," and threatened to pursue revoking NBC's license to broadcast.
• On the Record Media Availability with Secretary Mattis en route to MacDill Air Force Base in Tampa, Florida DoD 11 Oct 2017 -- Presenter: Defense Secretary Jim Mattis
• VP-5 Takes Flight Over Devastated Dominica NNS 11 Oct 2017 -- Patrol Squadron (VP) 5 took part in the search and rescue efforts in Dominica after the island nation was devastated by Hurricane Maria in mid-September.
• Army finds promise in durable material for future Soldier combat helmets Army News 11 Oct 2017 -- Army and MIT researchers advanced a unique experimental device to better test the durability of high performance and robust polymeric materials that appear to strengthen themselves under attack by rapid impact.
• Army Chief of Staff urges Soldiers to take responsibility for unit, individual readiness Army News 11 Oct 2017 -- Readiness has always been Chief of Staff of the Army Gen. Mark A. Milley's No. 1 priority. Now he's got the Secretary of Defense underwriting that opinion.
• Army increases transition efforts in Soldier career maps Army News 11 Oct 2017 -- The Army's NCO Professional Development System will soon have a new line of effort to better prepare Soldiers once they decide to leave the service, senior leaders announced Tuesday.
• U.S. Marine Corps and Armed Forces of the Philippines advance sea lift capabilities USMC News 11 Oct 2017 -- For the first time, U.S. Marine amphibious assault vehicles (AAV) embarked and launched on a Philippine Navy sea lift vessel, the BRP Tarlac (LD-601), off the coast of Luzon, Oct. 2-9, in order to expand both militaries' operational support capabilities.
• Russia kicks off major missile drills in Siberia Press TV 11 Oct 2017 -- Russia's Strategic Missile Troops have kicked off large-scale military drills in Southern Siberia, nearly a month after test-firing a long-range intercontinental ballistic missile (ICBM) that renewed a missile dispute with the US.
• Deep Trouble: The Secret History of Soviet and Russian Nuclear Torpedoes Sputnik 11 Oct 2017 -- This week marks the 60th anniversary of the successful test of the T-5, the USSR's first submarine-launched nuclear torpedo. Sputnik looks back at the history of Soviet and Russian nuclear torpedo designs, and what drove naval planners to develop this deadly underwater weapon.
• US THAAD Missile Defense Systems in S Korea Target Russia, China - Moscow Sputnik 11 Oct 2017 -- According to Russian senior diplomat, Washington uses alleged N Korean missile threat as a pretext for deploying THAAD systems close to the borders of Russia and China.
• US Missile Defense Deployment in Romania Threatens Russia - Senior Diplomat Sputnik 11 Oct 2017 -- According to the Russian Foreign Ministry, the US deployment of its missile launchers at a base in Romania violates the Intermediate-Range Nuclear Forces Treaty.
• North Korea's missile program non-negotiable: FM Press TV 11 Oct 2017 -- North Korean Foreign Minister Ri Yong-ho says his country's nuclear program guarantees peace and safety in the region, stressing Pyongyang's missile activities will not be up for negotiations.
• Under the Radar: N Korean Special Forces Master Paraglider Attacks Sputnik 11 Oct 2017 -- According to a South Korean military source, paragliders could be used for surprise nighttime attacks against the military facilities of Seoul and Washington.
• Senior Iranian commander calls for more military drills with Oman Press TV 11 Oct 2017 -- A senior Iranian commander has underlined the need for Iran and Oman to hold more joint military drills in line with efforts to promote bilateral cooperation.
• Military to meet 90% of enlistment goal by 2020: minister CNA 11 Oct 2017 -- The military is expected to reach at least 90 percent of its enlistment target by 2020, Defense Minister Feng Shih-kuan (馮世寬) said Wednesday at a legislative hearing in response to concerns over a shortage of soldiers and military officers.
• Russia to procure Kalashnikov guns to Philippines: Duterte Press TV 11 Oct 2017 -- Philippine President Rodrigo Duterte says Russia is to procure his country with a shipment of Kalashnikov guns, a sign Manila is succeeding in its policy to pivot away from long-time ally Washington.
• Government of the Netherlands - AIM-120 C-7 Advanced Medium Range Air-to-Air Missile (AMRAAM) DSCA 11 Oct 2017 -- The State Department has made a determination approving a possible Foreign Military Sale to the Government of the Netherlands for AIM-120 C-7 Advanced Medium Range Air-to-Air Missiles (AMRAAM). The estimated cost is $53 million.

Defense Industry

• DoD News: Contracts for October 11, 2017

Other Conflicts

• 11 October 2017 - Daily Press Briefing by the Office of the Spokesperson for the Secretary-General United Nations 11 Oct 2017
• Beijing Vows to Boost Defense After US Vessel Sails in Disputed South China Sea Sputnik 11 Oct 2017 -- Beijing has condemned "provocative" actions by Washington after a US destroyer sailed near the disputed Paracel islands in the South China Sea, saying it will beef up its defense to respond to new challenges.
• China warns US warship to leave after it sails near Xisha islands People's Daily 11 Oct 2017 -- Chinese warships have warned a US Navy destroyer to leave after it sailed close to Xisha Islands in South China Sea during a so-called "freedom of navigation" operation, China's Ministry of Foreign Affairs said on Wednesday.
• Philippine Lawmaker Digging Up New Intelligence on Pressure From China VOA 11 Oct 2017 -- A Philippine opposition party legislator has been drawing attention for the release of privileged information that suggests China is infringing on offshore islets that the two countries dispute, a potential threat to a recently strengthened diplomatic relationship.
• US allows terrorists to freely move about near Syria base: Russia Press TV 11 Oct 2017 -- Russia says the US is allowing Daesh to operate "under its nose" in Syria, calling on Washington to explain why terrorists enjoy freedom of movement in a border area where the Americans have a military base.
• Moscow Wants Washington to Explain Why Militants Operate Near US Forces in Syria Sputnik 11 Oct 2017 -- The Russian Defense Ministry has raised the issue of some 300 Daesh terrorists on pickup trucks infiltrating a US-controlled zone in Syria's al-Tanf region.
• Brutal attacks on Rohingya meant to make their return almost impossible - UN human rights report UNOHCHR 11 Oct 2017 -- Brutal attacks against Rohingya in northern Rakhine State have been well-organised, coordinated and systematic, with the intent of not only driving the population out of Myanmar but preventing them from returning to their homes, a new UN report based on interviews conducted in Bangladesh has found.
• UN: Myanmar's 'systematic' crackdown on Rohingya aimed at permanent expulsion Press TV 11 Oct 2017 -- The United Nations says Myanmar's "systematic" crackdown on the persecuted Rohingya Muslim community is aimed at permanently expelling them from their home in Rakhine state.
• UN tells Myanmar's Suu Kyi to halt violence against violence Press TV 11 Oct 2017 -- The United Nations human rights office has urged Myanmar's de facto leader, Aung San Suu Kyi, to halt the persisting violence and discrimination against the Rohingya Muslim minority in the country.
• Attacks against Rohingya 'a ploy' to drive them away; prevent their return - UN rights chief UN News 11 Oct 2017 -- Brutal, well-organized, coordinated and systematic attacks have been carried out against the minority Muslim Rohingya community in Myanmar, with the intention of not just driving them away but also preventing their return, a new United Nations human rights report has revealed.
• Ex-NATO Chief Says Putin's UN Peacekeeper Proposal For Ukraine Needs 'Reshaping' RFE/RL 11 Oct 2017 -- Former NATO chief Anders Fogh Rasmussen says Russia's proposal to send UN peacekeepers to eastern Ukraine is "a Trojan horse" but that it would be worth trying to "reshape" the plan, since it presents the first opportunity in a long time to resolve the conflict.
• Indian troops, Kashmir militants engage in bloody gunfight Press TV 11 Oct 2017 -- Two Indian air force commandos and two suspected militants have been killed in a gun battle in the restive Indian-administered Kashmir region.
• Two Indian Air Force Commandos Killed in Gun Battle With Terrorists in Kashmir Sputnik 11 Oct 2017 -- The Indian Air Force commandoes were working with the Indian Army and the Jammu and Kashmir police for operational experience and training.
• Despite progress on voter registration, DR Congo faces challenges on election timeline - UN envoy UN News 11 Oct 2017 -- The notion that elections would most probably not be held before the end of 2017 has regrettably led to the re-emergence of a climate of political uncertainty and tensions in the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC), a United Nations envoy for that country told the Security Council today.

News Reports

• Madrid Prepares to Impose Direct Rule on Catalonia VOA 11 Oct 2017 -- Spanish Prime Minister Mariano Rajoy Wednesday appeared poised to suspend the semi-autonomy of the country's restive northeast region of Catalonia and close its parliament in a move that risks triggering civil unrest, deepening Spain's worst political crisis since a failed coup four decades ago.
• Madrid Gives Catalonia Until October 16 to Clarify Situation Over Independence Sputnik 11 Oct 2017 -- The Spanish government has given Catalan President Carles Puigdemont five days to clarify whether he actually declared the region's independence or not in his speech devoted to the highly controversial referendum.
• Rajoy rules out negotiation on Catalan secession, issues ultimatum Press TV 11 Oct 2017 -- Spanish Prime Minister Mariano Rajoy has rejected mediation on Catalonia's bid for independence from Spain, giving the region's leaders an ultimatum to make up their mind before Madrid takes action.
• Catalonia declares independence then suspends it for talks with Madrid Press TV 11 Oct 2017 -- The government in Madrid has dismissed Catalan leader Carles Puigdemont's calls for talks after he declared Catalonia's independence from Spain.
• Spanish Government Meets After Catalonia Declares 'Suspended' Independence RFE/RL 11 Oct 2017 -- Spanish Prime Minister Mariano Rajoy has formally demanded that the leader of the autonomous Catalonia region clarify whether independence has been declared.
• Kenya parliament passes controversial election law Press TV 11 Oct 2017 -- The Kenyan parliament has passed an amendment to the country's electoral laws under which a presidential candidate would automatically win a re-run vote if the other one drops out of the race.
• Iraqi Kurdistan Accuses Baghdad of Preparing Military Operation in Kirkuk Sputnik 11 Oct 2017 -- The authorities of Iraqi Kurdistan have said that federal forces are preparing a "major attack" on Kirkuk, a province contested by both Baghdad and Erbil, which has taken part in the referendum despite the backlash from Iraqi authorities.
• Trump: North Korea a 'Problem That Has to Be Solved' VOA 11 Oct 2017 -- U.S. President Donald Trump on Wednesday characterized North Korea as "a problem that has to be solved."
• North Korea Says Trump 'Lit a Fuse of War' VOA 11 Oct 2017 -- North Korea's foreign minister says President Donald Trump "lit a fuse of war" on the Korean peninsula with his threat that the U.S. would "totally destroy" Pyongyang if attacked.
• Some US Officials See Little Downside to Decertifying Iran Nuclear Deal VOA 11 Oct 2017 -- Iran may well make good on some of its threats to lash out at American interests and targets, should U.S. President Donald Trump move forward with decertifying the landmark 2015 Iran nuclear deal.
• International, Domestic Worry Over Expected Decertification Iran Deal VOA 11 Oct 2017 -- President Donald Trump is expected to announce this week that he will no longer certify Iran's compliance with the 2015 Iran nuclear agreement, giving Congress 60 days to decide whether to re-impose U.S. sanctions on Tehran.
• Any violation of JCPOA will be faced with proportionate reaction by Iran: Khoshroo ISNA 11 Oct 2017 -- Ambassador of the Islamic Republic of Iran to United Nations emphasized that Iran will continue implementing its commitments under the nuclear deal and any violation of it will be faced with a proportionate reaction by Iran.
• Iran will show proper reaction if JCPOA violated: Salehi ISNA 11 Oct 2017 -- Iran will show a "proper" reaction to any move aimed at violating or undermining the landmark nuclear agreement it signed with the P5+1 group of countries more than two years ago, Iran's nuclear chief says.
• Key US lawmakers back enforcing Iran nuclear deal, not ending it Press TV 11 Oct 2017 -- Two key US lawmakers in Congress say Washington should work with allies to strictly enforce the Iran nuclear deal rather than pull out of the international agreement.
• Party that scraps JCPOA damages own reputation: Iran Press TV 11 Oct 2017 -- Iranian President Hassan Rouhani has described the 2015 nuclear deal as "a litmus test" for the world community, saying any party that walks away from the multilateral accord would be damaging its own reputation.
• Iran FM briefs MPs behind closed doors on Trump threats against JCPOA Press TV 11 Oct 2017 -- Iranian Foreign Minister Mohammad Javad Zarif has attended a parliamentary session to brief the lawmakers on a range of issues, including recent US threats against the 2015 nuclear deal between Tehran and six world powers.
• China calls for better bilateral ties with South Korea amid missile dispute People's Daily 11 Oct 2017 -- Chinese authorities on Tuesday said they hoped that the new Republic of Korea (ROK) ambassador to China would contribute more to the sound development of bilateral ties, sending a friendly signal amid Seoul's deployment of a US missile defense system.
• 7th plenary session to set agenda People's Daily 11 Oct 2017 -- A key meeting to be held by the Communist Party of China in Beijing on Wednesday will lay the foundation for the Party's upcoming 19th National Congress a week later.
• China's Communist Leaders Seek to Bend Business to Party Will VOA 11 Oct 2017 -- In a year that has seen China's Communist leaders cracking down on "irrational" investments overseas and putting some of the country's biggest dealmakers under tight scrutiny, analysts say a top level political meeting this month is likely to be used to further bend Chinese companies to the party's will.
• Pakistan bars militant-linked MML from elections Press TV 11 Oct 2017 -- Pakistani authorities have refrained from accepting the Milli Muslim League (MML) as an official political party, barring the group from contesting elections.
• Top U.S. Senators Criticize White House For Delay On Russian Sanctions RFE/RL 11 Oct 2017 -- Two leading U.S. senators have accused President Donald Trump's administration of dragging its feet on enforcing a new sanctions law on Russia, saying the White House has failed to provide information related to its defense and intelligence sectors.
• Russia 'may cut number of US diplomats to 300 or fewer' Press TV 11 Oct 2017 -- A Russia Foreign Ministry official says Moscow may order Washington to slash the number of its diplomatic personnel across Russia to 300 people or even fewer in a tit-for-tat measure against the US.
• Russia Again Threatens To Demand Further U.S. Diplomatic Staff Cuts RFE/RL 11 Oct 2017 -- Moscow has repeated a threat to demand further cuts in the number of U.S. diplomatic personnel in Russia.
• Putin Hosts CIS And Eurasian Economic Union Summits In Sochi RFE/RL 11 Oct 2017 -- Leaders of several former Soviet republics gathered in the Russian city of Sochi on October 11 for summits of the Commonwealth of Independent States (CIS) and the Eurasian Economic Union (EES).
• US continues efforts to demonize Hezbollah, says resistance movement official Press TV 11 Oct 2017 -- Washington's move to reward tips about two Hezbollah members goes in line with US "efforts to demonize" the Lebanese resistance movement, says a movement official.
• US offers $12mn reward for tips about two Hezbollah officials Press TV 11 Oct 2017 -- The United States has offered a $12 million bounty for information leading to the arrest of two senior officials from the Lebanese Hezbollah resistance movement.
• Plutonium Production and Shortages Threaten Future NASA Programs Sputnik 11 Oct 2017 -- The US Department of Energy "faces challenges meeting NASA's expected need" for a plutonium isotope required for missions into deep space that could jeopardize new missions altogether, according to a new Government Accountability Office report.
• Taiwan to set up US$3.5 billion fund for New Southbound Policy CNA 11 Oct 2017 -- President Tsai Ing-wen (蔡英文) pledged Wednesday to establish a US$3.5 billion fund to help countries covered by Taiwan's New Southbound Policy with their infrastructure and major development projects.
• Ma acquitted of information leakage charges CNA 11 Oct 2017 -- The Taiwan High Court upheld a lower court decision Wednesday in favor of former President Ma Ying-jeou (馬英九) of the Kuomintang, acquitting him of abetting a leak of classified information relating to the investigation of an opposition lawmaker dating back to 2013.
• Turkey's Erdogan Gets Warm Welcome In Serbia's Mostly Muslim Sandzak Region RFE/RL 11 Oct 2017 -- Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan on October 11 received a warm welcome as he visited a predominantly Muslim region in southwestern Serbia.
• Ankara Calls for Resolution to Turkey-US Tensions VOA 11 Oct 2017 -- Turkey is calling for a normalization of relations with the United States following rising diplomatic tensions between the NATO allies.
• EU States Agree On 'Aspiration' Declaration About Ukraine, Georgia, Moldova RFE/RL 11 Oct 2017 -- EU ambassadors have agreed to recognize the European aspirations of Georgia, Moldova, and Ukraine, according to a draft statement of next months' Eastern Partnership summit seen by RFE/RL.
• Running Scared? Outgoing Kyrgyz President, Allies In 'Panic' Over Successor Battle RFE/RL 11 Oct 2017 -- Critics argue that's what outgoing President Almazbek Atambaev and his allies are trying to do in a desperate bid to help their favored candidate defeat his front-running opposition rival in this weekend's presidential election.