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Current Operations

• OIF / OND / OEF / OIR / OFS Casualty Update 18 Oct 2017[PDF]
• Inherent Resolve Strikes Target ISIS in Syria, Iraq AFPS 18 Oct 2017 -- U.S. and coalition military forces continued to attack the Islamic State of Iraq and Syria yesterday, conducting seven strikes consisting of eight engagements, Combined Joint Task Force Operation Inherent Resolve officials reported today.
• Pakistan's Tehreek-i-Taliban Confirms Death of Its Top Leader VOA 18 Oct 2017 -- Pakistan's Tehreek-i-Taliban (TTP) on Wednesday confirmed the death of Umar Mansoor, one of the group's top leaders and who allegedly was responsible for carrying out several deadly attacks in Pakistan.
• Senior Taliban Commanders Reported Killed In Suspected U.S. Drone Strikes RFE/RL 18 Oct 2017 -- A second round of missile strikes by suspected U.S. drones has killed at least 11 more Taliban, including senior commanders, a day after strikes killed 20 militants in the southeastern border region between Pakistan and Afghanistan, officials said.
• McCain Blocks Trump Defense Nominees To Get Afghan War Information RFE/RL 18 Oct 2017 -- U.S. Senate Armed Services Committee Chairman John McCain has said that he'll hold up President Donald Trump's nominees for Defense Department posts until the Pentagon provides more information on its new Afghan war strategy.
• Security Council strongly condemns terrorist attacks across Afghanistan country UN News 18 Oct 2017 -- The United Nations Security Council has strongly condemned a wave of terrorist attacks in Afghanistan that killed at least 70 people and injured more than 200.
• Guardsmen Provide Communication Support to Wildfire Evacuees AFPS 18 Oct 2017 -- Airmen from the California National Guard continue to provide cellphone and internet support to people who fled their homes last week as wildfires raged through California's wine country.
• Kentucky Air Guardsmen Process 7.2 Million Pounds of Aid in Puerto Rico AFPS 18 Oct 2017 -- Thirty-five members of the Kentucky Air National Guard's 123rd Contingency Response Group returned home yesterday after a three-week deployment to San Juan, Puerto Rico, where they processed more than 7.2 million pounds of humanitarian aid for recovery operations following Hurricane Maria.

Defense Policy / Programs

• Army, allies strive for greater interoperability in Europe Army News 18 Oct 2017 -- Next year will be called "the year of integration," where the U.S. will work even harder to improve interoperability with all NATO allies as well as with other partners such as Sweden and Finland, said Lt. Gen. Ben Hodges.
• New Installation Readiness board to examine, prioritize installation readiness Army News 18 Oct 2017 -- The acting secretary of the Army recently authorized formation of an Installation Readiness Board of Directors that will examine and prioritize installation readiness programs and funding, said J. Randall Robinson.
• South Carolina National Guard continues to provide support in Puerto Rico Army News 18 Oct 2017 -- More than 150 South Carolina National Guard Soldiers from five different engineer units in the 59th Troop Command continue providing support in Puerto Rico since packing their chainsaws and boarding aircraft at McEntire Joint National Guard Base in South Carolina over two weeks ago, beginning October 1, 2017. They were requested to assist recovery efforts to help the citizens of Puerto Rico as they struggled to rebuild their communities and their lives in the aftermath of Hurricane Maria that devastated the island.
• Formidable Shield 2017 Concludes with Ship Engaging Supersonic Target NNS 18 Oct 2017 -- Ships from Canada, France, Germany, Italy, the Netherlands, Spain, the United Kingdom, and the United States participated in a successful live-fire integrated air and missile defense (IAMD) scenario, defending against a supersonic target Oct. 17.
• Readout of Secretary of Defense Jim Mattis' Telephone Call with Egyptian Minister of Defense General Sedki Sobhy DoD 18 Oct 2017
• Russia urges US to destroy chemical weapons Press TV 18 Oct 2017 -- After destroying the remainder of its chemical weapons in September, Russia is now calling on the United States and other countries in possession of such weapons to immediately "follow suit" and do away with their stockpiles.
• Russia Testing New Silo-Based Ballistic Missile Sputnik 18 Oct 2017 -- Russian Defense Ministry did not provide details on the missile, saying only that the new silo-based rocket is being tested using Yasny - Kura trajectory.
• Bahrain signs $3.8bn F-16 fighter jet deal with US Press TV 18 Oct 2017 -- Bahrain has concluded a $3.8-billion deal with a US aerospace and military equipment giant to purchase 16 upgraded F-16 fighter jets.
• Bosnian Serb Lawmakers Pass Resolution On 'Military Neutrality' RFE/RL 18 Oct 2017 -- Bosnian Serb lawmakers have passed a nonbinding resolution insisting on the "military neutrality" of Bosnia-Herzegovina's ethnic Serb-dominated entity, as part of an effort to oppose the country's potential membership in NATO.
• Taiwan, U.S. sign MOU on defense affairs CNA 18 Oct 2017 -- Taiwan Defense Industry Association head Han Pi-hsiang（韓碧祥）and U.S.-Taiwan Business Council President Rupert Hammond-Chambers (韓儒伯）signed a memorandum of understanding (MOU) Tuesday to advance U.S. defense cooperation with Taiwan.
• Military advisor: Iran missile might, regional interests non-negotiable IRNA 18 Oct 2017 -- Supreme Leader's senior military adviser Major General Yahya Rahim Safavi said on Wednesday that Iran's missile might and the country's regional interests are non-negotiable.
• 'Quickly Covered Up': Suspicious Suicides Focus Spotlight On Hazing In Belarusian Army RFE/RL 18 Oct 2017 -- Alyaksandr Korzhych was sent to the Pechy military training base northeast of Minsk just months after the 21-year-old was conscripted into the Belarusian armed forces.
• North Korea Building New Ballistic Missile Submarine Sputnik 18 Oct 2017 -- North Korea initiated construction of a new ballistic missile submarine, US intelligence officials told the Diplomat's Ankit Panda October 17.
• French Defense Minister Set to Garner New Contract for Rafale Jets in India Sputnik 18 Oct 2017 -- Dassault Aviation has already expressed its eagerness to set up a manufacturing unit in India. The proposal will be taken up for further discussion during Parley's meeting with India's top officials who are likely to insist on the 'Make in India' model.
• Norway Expands Training Routine With Allies, Paves the Way for More US Troops Sputnik 18 Oct 2017 -- The Norwegian government is determined to increase training with NATO forces on the Nordic country's home turf. This particularly applies to US Marines stationed in the Nordic country on a rotating basis.
• Tillerson Embraces Closer US Ties With India, Calls Out China VOA 18 Oct 2017 -- Secretary of State Rex Tillerson has given a rare, major foreign policy speech outlining the Trump administration's south Asia policy, reaching out to India to counter China in the Indo-Pacific region.
• Remarks on "Defining Our Relationship with India for the Next Century" US Dept. of State 18 Oct 2017-- Remarks by Rex W. Tillerson, Secretary of State and John J. Hamre, CEO for the Center for Strategic and International Studies (CSIS)
• Background Briefing on Secretary Tillerson's Remarks at CSIS US Dept. of State 18 Oct 2017
• Press Briefing by Press Secretary Sarah Sanders The White House 18 Oct 2017

Defense Industry

• DoD News: Contracts for October 18, 2017

Other Conflicts

• Yemen: UNICEF warns conflict shutters one in 10 schools; teachers unpaid for a year UN News 18 Oct 2017 -- The conflict in Yemen – now into its third year – continues to take a toll on millions of children, with their education now under threat, adding to an already long list of bitter hardships including malnutrition, displacement and violence, the United Nations Children's Fund (UNICEF) has warned.
• Syrian army soldiers inflict heavy losses on Daesh in Dayr al-Zawr Press TV 18 Oct 2017 -- Syrian government forces have carried out fresh operations against Daesh Takfiri militants in the war-ravaged Arab country's eastern province of Dayr al-Zawr, inflicting substantial losses on them.
• What Next for Raqqa? VOA 18 Oct 2017 -- They raised a flag in Paradise Square, a notorious traffic circle in which the jihadists had staged brutal public executions, including beheadings, leaving severed heads on display for days afterwards. And then the victors doughnut-spun armored vehicles around in mimicry of how Islamic State militants celebrated their takeover of the city three years ago.
• Kurdish forces withdraw to June 2014 line: Iraqi commander Press TV 18 Oct 2017 -- A senior Iraqi military commander says Kurdish Peshmerga forces have pulled back to the positions they held in June 2014, before the Daesh Takfiri terrorist group swept through the Arab country.
• Divide & Conquer: Daesh Advances Amid Rift Between Baghdad, Kurdish Authorities Sputnik 18 Oct 2017 -- A source from the Iraqi Security Forces has told Sputnik that Daesh militants have taken advantage of the political crisis between Baghdad and Kurdish authorities in Erbil, and have freely advanced into recently liberated villages in Kirkuk province.
• Iraq: Security Council voices concern over reported violence in Kirkuk UN News 18 Oct 2017 -- The Security Council on Wednesday expressed concern over recent reports of violence near the city of Kirkuk in northern Iraq.
• Tillerson: We Hold Myanmar Military Leadership Responsible for Rohingya Crisis VOA 18 Oct 2017 -- U.S. Secretary of State Rex Tillerson said Wednesday he holds the military leadership in Myanmar responsible for the current refugee crisis affecting the country's Rohingya Muslim population.
• Somali president pledges war on Shabab after fatal attack Press TV 18 Oct 2017 -- Somalia's President Mohamed Abdullahi Mohamed has vowed to step up the fight against the al-Shabab Takfiri terrorist group following the weekend truck bombing that claimed the lives of over 300 people in the capital Mogadishu.
• With 'cautious optimism,' UN political official reports positive developments on Middle East peace UN News 18 Oct 2017 -- A senior United Nations political affairs official on Wednesday highlighted at the Security Council some positive developments on the Palestinian-Israeli conflict, particulalry on intra-Palestinian reconciliation efforts.
• UN Chief to Visit Central African Republic VOA 18 Oct 2017 -- The United Nations Secretary-General said Wednesday that the Central African Republic is at a critical moment and everything must be done to ease growing communal tensions and preserve gains to keep the fragile nation on the right path.

News Reports

• U.S. Attorney General Says He Answered Russia-Related Questions 'Honestly' RFE/RL 18 Oct 2017 -- U.S. Attorney General Jeff Sessions insisted he answered truthfully when he earlier said that he had no contacts with "anyone connected to the Russian government" about the 2016 U.S. presidential elections, although he acknowledged he had meetings with the Russian ambassador at the time.
• US Attorney General Grilled on Trump, Russia Probe, Immigration VOA 18 Oct 2017 -- U.S. Attorney General Jeff Sessions on Wednesday declined to discuss his conversations with President Donald Trump concerning the Russia probe and defended the president's immigration agenda in often-heated exchanges with lawmakers on Capitol Hill
• Second federal judge blocks Trump's new travel ban Press TV 18 Oct 2017 -- A second US federal judge has blocked President Donald Trump's newest travel ban, saying it has basically targeted Muslims in violation of the US Constitution.
• White House Condemns Judge's Decision Halting Travel Ban VOA 18 Oct 2017 -- The White House is reacting furiously to a federal judge blocking President Donald Trump's latest executive order that would have banned entry to travelers from several countries beginning Wednesday.
• Iraqi Prime Minister Sees Kurdish Autonomy Referendum Problem as 'Passed Stage' Sputnik 18 Oct 2017 -- Iraqi Prime Minister Haider Abadi announced that he had brought the idea to Iraqi Kurdistan's leadership that the referendum would harm their own interests.
• State Department: Kirkuk Crisis 'Not Over by Any means' VOA 18 Oct 2017 -- Iraq's military said Wednesday its forces recaptured control of more areas from Kurdish fighters, including the Mosul Dam, after carrying out an operation to reclaim the city of Kirkuk and oil fields in the northern part of the country.
• Iraqi Kurdistan vote postponed as 'civil war' looms large Press TV 18 Oct 2017 -- Iraq's Kurdistan Regional Government (KRG) has decided to postpone the presidential and legislative elections in the northern semi-autonomous region amid spiraling tensions with the Baghdad government in the wake of last month's Kurdish independence referendum and a dire "threat of civil war" there.
• Ankara supports united Iraq, Turkish prime minister says Press TV 18 Oct 2017 -- Turkish Prime Minister Binali Yildirim has reiterated his country's unwavering support for united Iraq amid spiraling tensions between the Baghdad government and the Kurdistan Regional Government (KRG) in the wake of last month's Kurdish independence referendum.
• Russian Oil Giant Rosneft Says Signs Production Deal With Iraqi Kurdistan RFE/RL 18 Oct 2017 -- Russian state-owned oil giant Rosneft says it has signed a production-sharing agreement with Iraq's autonomous Kurdistan region worth up to $400 million.
• CPC creates Xi Jinping Thought on Socialism with Chinese Characteristics for a New Era Xinhua 18 Oct 2017 -- The Chinese Communists mainly represented by Xi Jinping have created Xi Jinping Thought on Socialism with Chinese Characteristics for a New Era, leading Party officials said Wednesday.
• CPC opens 19th National Congress, declaring "new era" of Chinese socialism People's Daily 18 Oct 2017 -- The Communist Party of China (CPC) has unveiled the "Thought on Socialism with Chinese Characteristics for a New Era" as the latest step on the journey to building a "great modern socialist country" as its 19th National Congress opened Wednesday.
• CPC promises 'a better life' for its people in key report People's Daily 18 Oct 2017 -- The Communist Party of China has vowed to satisfy the people's desire for "a better life" and written the idea into a key political document, as the latest assertion of the Party's people-centered approach.
• Xi promises 'better life' for Chinese people Press TV 18 Oct 2017 -- Chinese President Xi Jinping has delivered the opening speech of China's 19th Communist Party Congress (CPC), vowing to continue to fight corruption and satisfy the people's desire for "a better life."
• Chinese President Xi Jinping Unveils Country's Development Strategy Sputnik 18 Oct 2017 -- At the 19th National Congress of the Communist Party of China, President Xi Jinping spoke about military strategy, the policy of non-expansion and expressed his opinions on Hong Kong, Macao and Taiwan.
• Xi Lays Out New Vision for Communist China VOA 18 Oct 2017 -- At the opening of a top level political meeting Wednesday, Chinese President Xi Jinping gave a sober assessment of the challenges facing the world's second largest economy and its ruling Communist Party, laying out an ambitious vision that stretches forward to the middle of this century and pledging to build what he called a "modern socialist country" for a "new era."
• Taiwan urges new model for cross-strait ties CNA 18 Oct 2017 -- Leaders on the two sides of the Taiwan Strait should show wisdom, determination and patience to forge a new model for bilateral ties and lay a solid and long-lasting foundation for perpetual peace in the region, the Presidential Office urged Wednesday.
• Xi stresses 'one China principle,' '1992 consensus' at CPC congress CNA 18 Oct 2017 -- Chinese President Xi Jinping (習近平) stressed Beijing's intent to safeguard its "one China principle" and the "1992 consensus" at the 19th Congress of the Communist Party of China (CPC) on Wednesday.
• At UN, US Envoy Cites 'Laundry List' of Iranian Bad Behavior VOA 18 Oct 2017 -- U.S. Ambassador Nikki Haley lashed out Wednesday at Iran for what she called a "laundry list" of bad behavior, and she criticized the U.N. Security Council for not holding Tehran accountable.
• Leader: Europe should avoid meddling into matters of our defense IRNA 18 Oct 2017 -- Supreme Leader of the Islamic Revolution Ayatoallah Seyyed Ali Khamenei said on Wednesday that Europe should avoid meddling into the matters related to Iran's defense.
• Iran will rip nuclear deal to pieces if other party tears it up: Leader ISNA 18 Oct 2017 -- Leader of the Islamic Revolution Ayatollah Seyyed Ali Khamenei has warned that Iran will cut the nuclear deal with six world powers into shreds if the other party chooses to tear it up.
• US traditional allies siding with Iran over nuclear deal: Rouhani ISNA 18 Oct 2017 -- Iranian President Hassan Rouhani stressed that Washington's traditional allies are siding with Tehran over the nuclear deal.
• Warmongers worried Iran abide by JCPOA: Zarif ISNA 18 Oct 2017 -- Iranian foreign minister Mohammad Javad Zarif stressed that warmongers were more worried that Iran abide by the landmark 2015 nuclear agreement than violate it.
• Iran missile might, national interests non-negotiable: Senior official Press TV 18 Oct 2017 -- A senior Iranian official says the Islamic Republic's missile power and its national interests are not up for negotiations.
• Iran will rip nuclear deal to pieces if other party tears it up: Leader Press TV 18 Oct 2017 -- Leader of the Islamic Revolution Ayatollah Seyyed Ali Khamenei has warned that Iran will cut the nuclear deal with six world powers into shreds if the other party chooses to tear it up.
• Rouhani: Washington's traditional allies siding with Tehran over JCPOA Press TV 18 Oct 2017 -- Iranian President Hassan Rouhani has said that Washington's traditional allies are siding with Tehran over the nuclear deal.
• Khamenei Adviser Warns Europeans Not To Try To Add Conditions To Nuclear Deal RFE/RL 18 Oct 2017 -- A top adviser to Iran's supreme leader has warned European governments against trying to negotiate new conditions to keep the 2015 nuclear deal alive.
• 'Rants and Whoppers': Ayatollah Khamenei Dismisses Trump's Remarks on Iran Sputnik 18 Oct 2017 -- Iran's highest ranking leader does not want to dignify certain questions about US President Donald Trump's recent speech that was described by some observers as "bitter," "abusive" and "violent."
• Diplomats Working to Ease US-Turkey Tensions VOA 18 Oct 2017 -- A high-level U.S. delegation led by Deputy Assistant Secretary of State Jonathan Cohen met Wednesday with senior Turkish diplomats to resolve bilateral tensions.
• Venezuelan opposition governors refuse to take oath before assembly Press TV 18 Oct 2017 -- Venezuela's coalition of opposition parties says its newly-elected governors would refuse to be sworn in before the pro-government Constituent Assembly.
• Maduro warns US, EU against new sanctions after election win Press TV 18 Oct 2017 -- Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro has warned the United States and the European Union (EU) against imposing new sanctions on his country over alleged fraud in recent regional elections in which his socialist party claimed a landslide victory.
• Spain PM warns Catalan president to drop secession bid Press TV 18 Oct 2017 -- Spanish Prime Minister Mariano Rajoy has warned the regional president of Catalonia to "act sensibly" and renounce his push for a breakup with Madrid, 24 hours before a final ultimatum comes to an end.
• Catalonia Protesters Demand Release of Separatist Leaders VOA 18 Oct 2017 -- Tens of thousands of people protested Tuesday night in Barcelona against the Spanish government's detention of two Catalan separatist leaders.
• Kyrgyz Prime Minister In Kazakhstan For Border Crisis Talks RFE/RL 18 Oct 2017 -- Kyrgyz Prime Minister Sapar Isakov has arrived in Kazakhstan to discuss the ongoing crisis on the countries' mutual border, where vehicles and people have been stuck in long lines after Kazakhstan tightened customs checks on October 10.
• Kenya Elections Chief Gives 'Yellow Card' to Politicians as Tensions Rise VOA 18 Oct 2017 -- The head of Kenya's electoral commission had tough words for the country's politicians the day after one of his commissioners resigned and fled the country. The resignation casts further doubt on whether the commission can organize a credible re-run of a presidential poll next week.
• Climate change sets the world on fire Deutsche Welle 18 Oct 2017 -- Southern Europe and western parts of Canada and the US have been devastated by wildfires this year. And they're not the only ones - it seems like much of the world is ablaze right now. And this could be the new normal.