Operations
Defense Policy / Programs
Defense Industry
Other Conflicts
News Reports

Current Operations

• OIF / OND / OEF / OIR / OFS Casualty Update 17 Oct 2017[PDF]
• Department of Defense Press Briefing by Colonel Dillon via teleconference from Baghdad, Iraq DoD 17 Oct 2017 -- Presenter: Colonel Ryan Dillon, Combined Joint Task Force-Operation Inherent Resolve Spokesman; Major Adrian Rankine-Galloway, Pentagon Spokesman October 17, 2017
• OIR Spokesman: ISIS Faces Devastating Defeat on 3rd Anniversary of Operations AFPS 17 Oct 2017 -- The Islamic State of Iraq and Syria is now on the verge of a devastating defeat in Raqqa, Syria, the Combined Joint Task Force Operation Inherent Resolve spokesman said today.
• Strikes Continue in Effort to Defeat ISIS in Syria, Iraq AFPS 17 Oct 2017 -- U.S. and coalition military forces continued to attack the Islamic State of Iraq and Syria, conducting three strikes consisting of three engagements in recent days, Combined Joint Task Force Operation Inherent Resolve officials reported today.
• Taliban attacks leave 70 dead, 170 injured in two Afghan provinces Press TV 17 Oct 2017 -- The Taliban militants have launched coordinated attacks on police forces in two neighboring provinces in southern Afghanistan, leaving at least 70 people dead and nearly 170 others injured.
• Four Nations Meet In Oman To Try To Restart Afghan Peace Talks RFE/RL 17 Oct 2017 -- Negotiators from Afghanistan, China, Pakistan and the United States met in Oman on October 16 to try to find ways of reviving peace talks with the Afghan Taliban.
• HRW Gives Kabul, Donors Failing Grade On Afghan Girls' Education RFE/RL 17 Oct 2017 -- Efforts by Kabul and international donors to educate girls in Afghanistan have "significantly faltered in recent years," according to Human Rights Watch (HRW).
• Dozens Killed In Afghan Suicide, Gun Attacks RFE/RL 17 Oct 2017 -- Afghan officials say two separate suicide and gun attacks on government forces have left at least 35 people dead.
• Taliban Target Police in Southern Afghanistan VOA 17 Oct 2017 -- At least 52 people are dead and 200 more wounded in a terrorist attack on a police training center in eastern Afghanistan Tuesday.
• Suspected U.S. Drone Strikes Kill 20 Militants Near Pakistani-Afghan Border RFE/RL 17 Oct 2017 -- Missile strikes by a suspected U.S. drone hit a militant compound in the Kurram tribal region close to the Pakistan-Afghanistan border late on October 16, killing 20 extremists, intelligence officials said.

Defense Policy / Programs

• Nordic Air Chiefs sign letter, develop Arctic Challenge AFNS 17 Oct 2017 -- Defense officials from four Nordic countries signed a letter of intent alongside Gen. Tod D. Wolters, U.S. Air Forces in Europe Air Forces Africa commander, Oct. 16, 2017, in a formal acknowledgment that opens doors to the development of a European flag-level exercise.
• COMPACAF showcases alliance, advances in interoperability at Seoul ADEX AFNS 17 Oct 2017 -- Gen. Terrence J. O'Shaughnessy, Pacific Air Forces commander, spoke of the strength of the U.S.-South Korea alliance amid regional tensions at the 20th International Aerospace Symposium Oct. 16, 2017.
• Operation Cold Steel: more vehicles, weapons, firepower Army News 17 Oct 2017 -- For the U.S. Army Reserve Soldiers participating in Operation Cold Steel II, which kicked off Oct. 12, 2017 at Fort Hunter Liggett, California, the exercise served as more than just a routine crew-served weapons qualification and validation exercise. For these troops, the exercise reaffirmed their ability to train and deploy on short notice and bring combat-ready and lethal firepower in support of the Army and its allies anywhere in the world.
• Army aims to keep supply chain churning, says Gen. Perna Army News 17 Oct 2017 -- The Army relies on industry, as well as its own organic base, to repair and maintain weapons and equipment through the supply chain, said Gen. Gustave F. Perna.
• Doubts Growing US Will Always Defend Asian Allies VOA 17 Oct 2017 -- In South Korea and Japan there is increasing support for the deployment of nuclear weapons to defend against the growing North Korean threat, and due to public concern that the U.S. may no longer be counted on to aid allies with extended nuclear deterrence.
• Government of Greece - Upgrade of F-16 Aircraft to F-16 Block V Configuration DSCA 17 Oct 2017 -- The State Department has made a determination approving a possible Foreign Military Sale to the Government of Greece for an upgrade of F-16 aircraft to an F-16 Block V configuration. The estimated cost is $2.404 billion. The Defense Security Cooperation Agency delivered the required certification notifying Congress of this possible sale on October 16, 2017.
• Largest Ever Indian Army Contingent Reaches Russia for 1st Tri-Service Exercise Sputnik 17 Oct 2017 -- The exercise will be conducted at the 249th Combined Army Range, Sergeevisky and in the Sea of Japan near Vladivostok from October 19-29, 2017.
• Netanyahu at Talks With Shoigu: Israel Will Never Allow Iran's Bases in Syria Sputnik 17 Oct 2017 -- The Israeli Prime minister met with the Russian defense minister to discuss the situation in Syria, as well as the Iran nuclear deal in light of the US decision not to certify the agreement.
• Taiwan resolved to build indigenous defense industry: official CNA 17 Oct 2017 -- Deputy Defense Minister Gen. Chang Guan-chung (張冠群) said Monday that Taiwan is still striving to develop its national defense industry even if doing so is like cracking a hard nut.
• F-35 jet cleared for Carrier take-off, Defence Minister tells Select Committee UK MOD 17 Oct 2017 -- The UK's cutting-edge F-35 fighter jet is now cleared for take-off from HMS Queen Elizabeth following successful trials using the ski-ramp design featured on the UK flagship.
• Department Press Briefing - October 17, 2017 US Dept. of State 17 Oct 2017

Defense Industry

• DoD News: Contracts for October 17, 2017

Other Conflicts

• 17 October 2017 - Daily Press Briefing by the Office of the Spokesperson for the Secretary-General United Nations 17 Oct 2017
• Emirati Apache helicopter crashes in northern Yemen, two pilots killed Press TV 17 Oct 2017 -- A Boeing AH-64 Apache attack helicopter operated by the United Arab Emirates Air Force (UAEAF) has crashed in Yemen's northern province of al-Jawf, killing the two pilots on board, as the Saudi-led coalition presses ahead with its atrocious aerial bombardment campaign against the impoverished Arab country.
• 3,250, including 1,130 civilians, killed in SDF offensive to seize Raqqah: SOHR Press TV 17 Oct 2017 -- A so-called monitoring group says at least 3,250 people dead, more than a third of them civilians, have lost their lives ever since militants from US-backed Syrian Democratic Forces (SDF) launched an operation to retake the northern Syrian city of Raqqah, which served as Daesh Takfiri terrorist group's de facto capital in the war-ravaged Arab country.
• US-backed militants say have taken 'full control' of Raqqah Press TV 17 Oct 2017 -- The so-called Syrian Democratic Forces (SDF), a ragtag grouping of militants backed by the United States, says it has fully taken control of Syria's northern city of Raqqah from Takfiri Daesh terrorists.
• U.S.-Backed Forces Take 'Full Control' Of Raqqa From Islamic State RFE/RL 17 Oct 2017 -- U.S.-backed forces say they took "full control" of the city of Raqqa, long the extremist group Islamic State's main stronghold in Syria, following heavy fighting against a few dozen militants remaining in the city.
• Russian Military May Temporarily Stay in Syrian De-Escalation Zones - Lawmaker Sputnik 17 Oct 2017 -- As the Russian military operation in Syria is "about to conclude," a senior lawmaker has suggested Moscow's presence in the country after active hostilities end.
• US-backed Forces Say IS Ousted From Syria's Raqqa VOA 17 Oct 2017 -- U.S.-backed Syrian Democratic Forces said Tuesday they seized the last remaining areas of Raqqa, Syria, from Islamic State militants and the American-led coalition fighting IS said the city was "on the verge of liberation."
• Iraq Recaptures More Kirkuk Oil Fields VOA 17 Oct 2017 -- Iraqi forces advanced rapidly through the northern reaches of the country Tuesday, recapturing territory and the two largest oil fields from Kurds, virtually ending their hopes for an independent state.
• Kurdish Officials Blame Iran as Disputed Territories Fall to Iraqi Forces VOA 17 Oct 2017 -- Officials of the Kurdistan Regional Government are accusing Iran of playing a key role in the fall of disputed territories in northern Iraq including the oil-rich city of Kirkuk, a claim rejected by Iranian officials.
• Iraqi Forces Seize Kirkuk Oil Fields, Recapture Kurdish Territory VOA 17 Oct 2017 -- Iraqi forces advanced rapidly through the northern reaches of the country Tuesday, recapturing territory and the two largest oil fields from Kurds, virtually ending their hopes for an independent state.
• Iraqi army retakes control of Sinjar IRNA 17 Oct 2017 -- Iraqi army managed to take control of the town of Sinjar in eastern Mosul from the Kurdish forces of Iraqi Kurdistan Democratic Party without any clash with the Kurdish forces early Tuesday.
• IRGC has no role in operations in Kirkuk: Velayati ISNA 17 Oct 2017 -- Iranian Supreme Leader's top adviser emphasized that Iran has no role in the operations in Kirkuk and most of the Kurdish people of Iraq are against the ambitious attempt of Kurdistan Regional Government (KRG) President Masoud Barzani.
• US 'not taking sides' in Iraqi-Kurdish dispute: Trump Press TV 17 Oct 2017 -- The United States is not taking sides in an Iraqi-Kurdish dispute, claims President Donald Trump, as Iraqi forces have taken control of the Kurdish-held city of Kirkuk.
• Iraqi forces reestablish security in Kirkuk after pushing out Kurds Press TV 17 Oct 2017 -- Thousands of civilians have returned to the Iraqi city of Kirkuk after fleeing as government forces pushed Kurdish militants out of the oil-rich city and established security.
• U.S. 'Very Concerned' By Reported Violence Around Kirkuk RFE/RL 17 Oct 2017 -- Prime Minister Haidar al-Abadi says the independence referendum held last month in Iraq's Kurdish autonomous region is "a thing of the past" after government forces seized territory from Kurds across the north of the country.
• Iraqi Forces Take Over Town of Sinjar as Peshmerga Leaves Positions - Reports Sputnik 17 Oct 2017 -- The Iraqi army is still advancing forward in the Kurdish areas, striving for independence.
• Myanmar: Plight of refugees focus of top UN political official's meetings UN News 17 Oct 2017 -- Concluding a visit to Myanmar, the top United Nations political official has underscored the importance of accountability and non-discriminatory rule of law and public safety as part of the comprehensive approach needed to address the fears and distrust among communities in Rakhine.
• Nearly 300 Rohingya villages destroyed in Myanmar's Rakhine, says HRW Press TV 17 Oct 2017 -- Human Rights Watch (HRW) says nearly 300 villages of the persecuted Rohingya Muslim minority have been burned in Myanmar since the outbreak of the latest military offensive in restive Rakhine state.
• WFP shelved Rohingya report under Myanmar pressure: The Guardian Press TV 17 Oct 2017 -- A report has revealed that the UN World Food Program (WFP) withdrew a critical report on spiraling food crisis in Myanmar's Muslim-populated areas under pressure from its government.
• Thousands of Rohingya refugees stranded near Bangladesh-Myanmar border - UN UN News 17 Oct 2017 -- The United Nations refugee agency is concerned about the humanitarian condition of up to 15,000 Rohingya refugees who are stranded in paddy fields near the Bangladesh-Myanmar border.
• Saakashvili leads mass anti-government rally in Ukrainian capital Press TV 17 Oct 2017 -- Former Georgian president and Ukrainian governor Mikhail Saakashvili has led a mass anti-government rally in the Ukrainian capital, Kiev.
• Minor Clashes Reported At Kyiv Anticorruption Demonstration RFE/RL 17 Oct 2017 -- Protesters calling for Ukrainian President Petro Poroshenko to enact anticorruption reforms or step down scuffled with police in front of Ukraine's parliament at a rally organized by firebrand politician Mikheil Saakashvili and other opposition leaders.
• Indian Gov't Ready to Engage in Conflict Resolution Dialogue With Leftist Rebels Sputnik 17 Oct 2017 -- India's Home Minister has said the Union Government is ready to stop the ongoing operation against leftist rebels and integrate them into the mainstream, provided they agree to shun violence.
• Israel approves plans for nearly 1,292 settler units in WB Press TV 17 Oct 2017 -- Israeli authorities have approved plans for construction of 1,292 settler homes in the occupied West Bank, a settlement watchdog NGO reports.
• Duterte declares Marawi free as sporadic clashes continue Press TV 17 Oct 2017 -- Philippines President Rodrigo Duterte has declared the southern city of Marawi liberated from Daesh-linked militants, while the military says it is still fighting a swindling band of militants there.
• Philippine Marawi Liberated From Daesh-Linked Terrorists Sputnik 17 Oct 2017 -- The October 16 military operation in Marawi by government forces successfully terminates a five-month battle for control over the Islamist-held city.
• Philippines' Duterte Declares Marawi Freed From 'Terrorist Influence' VOA 17 Oct 2017 -- Philippines President Rodrigo Duterte has declared the southern city of Marawi "liberated from the terrorist influence" after a five-month battle to retake the southern city from Islamic militants.
• South Sudan's leaders must pull country back from 'impending abyss,' UN peacekeeping chief UN News 17 Oct 2017 -- Amid worsening security and the dire humanitarian and human rights situation in South Sudan, the head of United Nations peacekeeping operations on Tuesday called on the international community to demand that the country's leadership act in a manner that is expected of them.
• Intel Official Says Turkish Military Base Was 'Target' of Somalia Truck Bomb VOA 17 Oct 2017 -- The newly Turkish-built military base in Mogadishu was the original target of Saturday's deadly truck bomb, a senior Somali intelligence official told VOA Somali.
• Mogadishu Ends Search & Rescue, Boosts Relief Efforts VOA 17 Oct 2017 -- The Somali government said search and rescue operations have ended, three days after a massive explosion killed hundreds of people at a busy intersection in Mogadishu.
• UN: Conditions in Central African Republic Continue to Deteriorate VOA 17 Oct 2017 -- The United Nations reports conditions in Central African Republic have continued to deteriorate since a serious outbreak of inter-communal violence in mid-May between the Muslim Seleka and largely Christian anti-Balaka armed groups.

News Reports

• Spain's Constitutional Court Rules Catalonia Independence Referendum Law Illegal Sputnik 17 Oct 2017 -- Madrid is waiting for Catalonia's official explanation of its status following the independence referendum, which the Spanish government considers "illegal," until October 19.
• Madrid jails two Catalan leaders over charges of inciting sedition Press TV 17 Oct 2017 -- Two prominent Catalan independence leaders have been sent to jail by the order of Spain's National Court over suspicion of crimes of sedition.
• Catalan leaders, thousands of people hold rally to protest detention of two leaders Press TV 17 Oct 2017 -- Catalan leaders and thousands of people have held protesting rallies across Catalonia to express their strong dissent against the arrest of two of the autonomous region's prominent leaders by security forces, more than two weeks after the rich region held a controversial referendum on independence in open defiance of the Spanish central government in Madrid.
• Is the Dream Of Kurdish Independence Now Over? VOA 17 Oct 2017 -- The independence dream of Iraq's Kurds may be over. It was felled by a lightening advance by Iraqi counter-terror units, trained and equipped by the United States, and Shi'ite militias, trained and equipped by Iran, who seized the disputed city Kirkuk and its surrounding oilfields after isolated skirmishes and a withdrawal order by Peshmerga commanders.
• Iran top nuclear official stresses 'faithful implementation' of JCPOA IRNA 17 Oct 2017 -- Head of the Atomic Energy Organization of Iran (AEOI) called here on Tuesday for 'faithful implementation' of the July 2015 deal.
• Iran blasts US mindset on Iran Deal IRNA 17 Oct 2017 -- The spokesman of the Iranian government slammed on Tuesday Washington's mindset on Iran nuclear deal, describing it as going to nowhere.
• Warmongers worried by Iran's abidance by JCPOA: Zarif Press TV 17 Oct 2017 -- Iranian Foreign Minister Mohammad Javad Zarif says warmongering powers are concerned about the Islamic Republic's abidance by the landmark 2015 nuclear agreement between Iran and the P5+1 group of countries.
• Renegotiating JCPOA impossible: Iran VP Press TV 17 Oct 2017 -- Iran's vice president for economic affairs has ruled out any possibility of reopening negotiations on a 2015 international nuclear agreement between the Islamic Republic and six other countries.
• Russian, Iranian Diplomats To Discuss Iran Nuclear Deal This Week RFE/RL 17 Oct 2017 -- A senior Russian diplomat says he expects to hold talks with an Iranian counterpart this week to discuss the situation surrounding the Iran nuclear deal following U.S. President Donald Trump's threat to abandon the multinational accord if it is not amended.
• Europe Mulls Policy Response as Trump Repeats Threat to End Iran Deal VOA 17 Oct 2017 -- The European Union's foreign policy chief describes U.S. President Donald Trump's decision not to re-certify Iran's compliance with the 2015 nuclear deal as an "internal U.S. process."
• DPRK slams U.S. for sending warships, nuclear-capable bombers to Korean Peninsula People's Daily 17 Oct 2017 -- The Democratic People's Republic of Korea (DPRK) on Tuesday slammed the United States for sending aircraft carriers and strategic bombers to the Korean Peninsula as the "last-ditch efforts of the U.S. driven to the tight corner" by Pyongyang's nuclear and missile programs.
• US, Japan agree to pile toughest diplomatic pressure on North Korea Press TV 17 Oct 2017 -- The United States and Japan have agreed to pile the toughest possible diplomatic pressure on North Korea amid tensions about Pyongyang's intensified nuclear and weapons program.
• Russia, EU impose fresh sanctions on North Korea Press TV 17 Oct 2017 -- Russia and the European Union (EU) have slapped tougher restrictions on North Korea as part of the international efforts to stop Pyongyang's nuclear weapons program.
• Joint Russia-N Korea Projects Won't Be Frozen, Yet No New Projects - Minister Sputnik 17 Oct 2017 -- A senior Russian official has commented on the prospects of cooperation between Russia and North Korea after sanctions being imposed on Pyongyang by Moscow.
• North Korea Supports Ban on Nuclear Weapons, But to Abandon Them Only After US Sputnik 17 Oct 2017 -- North Korea's deputy permanent representative to the United Nations Kim In Ryong says that Pyongyang supports the idea of a complete ban on nuclear weapons in the world, but intends to keep its nuclear arsenal while the United States is in possession of one.
• First press conference of 19th CPC National Congress held in Beijing People's Daily 17 Oct 2017 -- The 19th National Congress of the Communist Party of China (CPC) will map out overall reform measures concerning the country's political system and other areas, Tuo Zhen, the spokesperson for the 19th CPC National Congress said Tuesday, while introducing the agenda of the upcoming Party Congress, as well as the preparatory work conducted beforehand.
• China Tightens Control as Top Leader Consolidates Power at Party Congress VOA 17 Oct 2017 -- China's Communist Party is set to host a high-level meeting in Beijing that will usher in a much-anticipated reshuffle of the ruling party's top leadership.
• Kaspersky CEO Calls Allegations of Spying on US Citizens 'Groundless Paranoia' Sputnik 17 Oct 2017 -- CEO Eugene Kaspersky dismissed accusations that his company spied on its US customers as lies, and challenged his accusers to reveal how his software was engaging in the alleged activity.
• Russian Elections Chief Says Navalny Cannot Run Until 2028 RFE/RL 17 Oct 2017 -- Russia's top election official says that opposition politician Aleksei Navalny will not be eligible to run for office until about 2028.
• U.S. urged not to sacrifice Taiwan to improve ties with China CNA 17 Oct 2017 -- A Taiwanese official expressed the hope on Tuesday that the United States will not use Taiwan as a bargaining chip or sacrifice ties with Taipei to strengthen relations with Beijing when U.S. President Donald Trump visits China in November.
• EU must give clear answer to Turkey regarding accession bid: Turkish president Press TV 17 Oct 2017 -- Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan says the European Union (EU) must give a clear answer to Ankara regarding Turkey's bid to join the continental bloc, complaining that the EU has so far failed to fully fulfill its financial commitment to the Anatolian country according to the 2015 Turkey-EU refugee deal.
• Nearly dozen rights activists to go on trial in Turkey next week Press TV 17 Oct 2017 -- Turkey will put eleven human rights activists, including two local heads of Amnesty International, on trial next week on charges of affiliation to a movement led by US-based opposition cleric Fethullah Gulen, whom the Ankara government accuses of having masterminded the failed July 2016 coup attempt, and aiding Kurdish and left-wing militants.
• Saakashvili leads mass anti-government rally in Ukrainian capital Press TV 17 Oct 2017 -- Former Georgian president and Ukrainian governor Mikhail Saakashvili has led a mass anti-government rally in the Ukrainian capital, Kiev.
• Minor Clashes Reported At Kyiv Anticorruption Demonstration RFE/RL 17 Oct 2017 -- Protesters calling for Ukrainian President Petro Poroshenko to enact anticorruption reforms or step down scuffled with police in front of Ukraine's parliament at a rally organized by firebrand politician Mikheil Saakashvili and other opposition leaders.
• Kenyatta-Odinga Rivalry Spans Two Generations of Kenyan Politics VOA 17 Oct 2017 -- Kenya's opposition has suspended protests following deadly unrest Monday as the country struggles to finalize a seemingly never-ending presidential election. As tensions rise, some see traces of the decades-long rivalry between two of Kenya's top political families coming to the fore.
• Macedonia's Social Democrats Look To Deliver On European Promise RFE/RL 17 Oct 2017 -- Macedonia's Social Democrats won an unexpectedly large share of the vote in municipal elections that essentially became a referendum on the country's future. That future, at least based on expectations recorded at the local level on October 15, is a European one.
• Kazakh Inspections Take Toll On Both Sides Of Kyrgyz-Kazakh Border RFE/RL 17 Oct 2017 -- Kyyalbek Anarbaev sits in his truck here on the road between Bishkek and Almaty, as a heated political dispute plays out between senior officials in Kyrgyzstan and Kazakhstan.