Operations
Defense Policy / Programs
Defense Industry
Other Conflicts
News Reports

Current Operations

• Officials Provide Details of Latest Strikes Against ISIS AFPS 21 Oct 2017 -- U.S. and coalition military forces continued to attack the Islamic State of Iraq and Syria yesterday, conducting 11 strikes consisting of 11 engagements, Combined Joint Task Force Operation Inherent Resolve officials reported today.
• Kabul Suicide Attack Kills at Least 15 Outside Military Academy VOA 21 Oct 2017 -- A suicide blast Saturday outside the Afghan military academy in Kabul killed at least 15 cadets and wounded several others, said the defense ministry.
• Death toll rises to 71 in two Afghan mosques attacks People's Daily 21 Oct 2017 -- As many as 71 people were killed and 83 others wounded, when two separate suicide blasts ripped through two mosques in the Afghan capital Kabul and western Ghor province respectively on Friday evening, sources said Saturday.
• At Least 15 Killed, 4 Wounded in Blast Near Military Academy in Afghan Capital Sputnik 21 Oct 2017 -- Three terrorist attacks were registered in Afghanistan as the security situation in the country has been deteriorating over the past few months.
• Suicide Bombing Kills At Least 15 Afghan Cadets, Defense Ministry Says RFE/RL 21 Oct 2017 -- Afghanistan's Defense Ministry says a suicide bomber killed at least 15 Afghan cadets as they were leaving a military training center in Kabul, late in the afternoon of October 21.
• New Details Emerge About Attack That Killed US Soldiers in Niger VOA 21 Oct 2017 -- New details are emerging about the attack that left four U.S. soldiers dead in Niger as U.S. congressional leaders are demanding answers from the Pentagon. The U.S. Green Berets (special forces), along with four Nigerian soldiers, were killed on October 4 in an ambush in Tongo-Tongo, a village near the border with Mali. On the eve of the attack, about 30 Special Forces, mostly Nigeriens and eight U.S. Green Berets, set off in pickup trucks toward the border village and arrived at night, according to Almou Hassane, mayor of Tongo-Tongo, in the Tondikiwindi district.

Defense Policy / Programs

• USS Monterey Provides Assistance to Vessel NNS 21 Oct 2017 -- The Ticonderoga-class guided-missile cruiser USS Monterey (CG 61) provided assistance to a commercial vessel in distress off the coast of Florida Oct. 20.
• USS Constitution Gets Underway and Celebrates 220 Years NNS 21 Oct 2017 -- USS Constitution and her crew headed underway from the ship's berth in Charlestown, Massachusetts, on Oct. 20, in commemoration of the ship's launching 220 years ago and the U.S. Navy's 242nd birthday.
• Amid national pilot crisis, 1,000 retired US military pilots may be recalled Press TV 21 Oct 2017 -- The United States Air Force may recall as many as 1,000 retired military pilots to tackle an "acute shortage" in its ranks amid a national pilot crisis.
• Japan, Spain Out of Race to Construct Six Diesel-Electric Subs for India Sputnik 21 Oct 2017 -- Russian defense firm Rosoboronexport and Germany's ThyssenKrupp Marine Systems have emerged as the main contenders for India's multi-billion dollar project for manufacturing six diesel-electric propulsion submarines after Spain and Japan opted out of the competition.
• No int'l deal limits countries' missile programs: Military official IRNA 21 Oct 2017 -- Iran's missile program is not negotiable and is a red-line for the Islamic Republic, a top military official said here on Saturday, adding that there is no international contract for limiting the countries' missile programs.
• No int'l deal restricts countries' missile activities: Iran ISNA 21 Oct 2017 -- A high-ranking Iranian military commander says there are no international agreements that set limits on countries' missile power and Iran would accept no such restrictions, either.
• No int'l deal restricts countries' missile activities: Iran Press TV 21 Oct 2017 -- A high-ranking Iranian military commander says there are no international agreements that set limits on countries' missile power and Iran would accept no such restrictions, either.
• Germany approves submarine deal with Israel despite graft probe: Reports Press TV 21 Oct 2017 -- Reports say the German government has secretly given the go-ahead to a controversial deal for the sale of three nuclear-capable submarines to Israel despite an ongoing graft probe into the agreement.
• Watching Pyongyang: Seoul Buys Four Global Hawk Surveillance Drones from US Sputnik 21 Oct 2017 -- The South Korean Air Force (ROKAF) has announced the purchase of four Northrop Grumman RQ-4 Global Hawk unmanned aerial vehicles, advanced drones built on US military contract for surveillance missions.

Defense Industry

Other Conflicts

• Army wins back key town in central Syria IRNA 21 Oct 2017 -- The Syrian armed forces recaptured Al-Quaryatayn town in central Syria from takfiri terrorist group Daesh, Syrian news agency SANA reported.
• SDF won't hand over Raqqah to Syrian government Press TV 21 Oct 2017 -- A US-backed grouping of militants that calls itself the Syrian Democratic Forces (SDF) says the Syrian city of Raqqah, where Daesh terrorists have recently left, will be part of a system of "federal government" in the country's north.
• Syrian Army Reportedly Kicks Out Daesh From Suburbs of Qaryatayn Town Sputnik 21 Oct 2017 -- Syria's central Homs province has been a battlefield in the recent weeks with Islamic radicals repeatedly trying to recapture the areas they had lost to the government forces.
• How US is Playing 'Kurdish Card' in Syria Sputnik 21 Oct 2017 -- The Syrian Democratic Forces (SDF), which are mostly composed of the Kurdish People's Protection Units (YPG), have announced the complete liberation of Raqqa from Daesh with the support of the US. Syrian military analyst, Brigadier General Muhammad Isa, explained to Sputnik what the US might be really after in this area.
• Trump Praises Syrian Democratic Forces for Fall of Raqqa VOA 21 Oct 2017 -- U.S. President Donald Trump has issued a statement praising the Syrian Democratic Forces for recapturing the city of Raqqa from ISIS control.
• Iranian General Reportedly Played Key Role In Swift Takeover Of Iraq's Kirkuk RFE/RL 21 Oct 2017 -- A top Iranian military commander traveled to northern Iraq to urge Kurdish leaders to withdraw from Kirkuk in a move that Kurdish officials said played an important role in enabling Iraq's government to swiftly retake control of the city from Kurds this week.
• State Dept. Urges Baghdad to Limit Movements in Disputed Areas in Kurdistan Sputnik 21 Oct 2017 -- The Department of State has issued a statement urging Iraq to restrict its military forces' movement in northern Iraq.
• UN-brokered talks between Libyan rival factions fail Press TV 21 Oct 2017 -- The United Nations has failed to bridge differences between Libyan rival factions amid efforts aimed at breaking a political stalemate and helping bring about peace and stability in the North African country.
• Traumatized and Needy, Rohingya Children Make Up 60 Percent of Myanmar Refugees VOA 21 Oct 2017 -- Worn down and traumatized, children make up about 60 percent of the Rohingya refugees fleeing what aid groups call ethnic cleansing in Myanmar and heading to difficult conditions and an uncertain future in Bangladesh.
• Israel 'hits Syrian army positions in Golan Heights' Press TV 21 Oct 2017 -- The Israeli military says it has attacked Syrian government artillery positions in the Golan Heights in what, if confirmed, would be another act of aggression against Syrian territory.
• More Than 50 Egyptian Police Killed In Clash With Islamic Militants RFE/RL 21 Oct 2017 -- At least 54 Egyptian policemen, including 20 officers and 34 conscripts, have been killed in a shoot-out during a raid on an Islamic militant hideout southwest of Cairo, security officials said on October 21.
• At Least 54 Egyptian Policemen Killed in Raid on Suspected Militant Hideout Near Cairo VOA 21 Oct 2017 -- At least 54 Egyptian police officers have been killed in a raid on a suspected militant hideout near Cairo, according to security officials.
• 16 Egyptian policemen killed in Friday clashes with militants: Interior Ministry Press TV 21 Oct 2017 -- At least 16 Egyptian policemen have been killed in clashes with armed men during a raid on a suspected militant hideout in the country's Western Desert, according to an official toll.
• UN Security Council strongly condemns terrorist attack in Egypt UN News 21 Oct 2017 -- Condemning "in the strongest terms" the terrorist attack that took place Friday in Egypt's El Wahat desert, the United Nations Security Council underlined the need to bring the perpetrators and sponsors of such "reprehensible acts" to justice.
• At Least 12 Nigerien Troops Killed in Latest Attack VOA 21 Oct 2017 -- Authorities in Niger say at least a dozen paramilitary police have been killed in an attack similar to the one that killed four U.S. Green Beret and four Nigerien troops Oct. 4.
• Somalia Truck Bomb Death Toll Rises to 358 VOA 21 Oct 2017 -- Thousands of Somalis gathered Friday to pray at the site of the country's deadliest bombing. Last Saturday a truck bomb exploded on a busy street in Mogadishu, killing what is now believed to be 358 people.
• US Muslim Leaders Condemn Deadly Mogadishu Attack VOA 21 Oct 2017 -- Muslim leaders in the Washington area have condemned the recent terrorist attack in Mogadishu that killed nearly 400 people and injured 228. Imams and diplomats expressed shock and horror at Friday prayers.

News Reports

• Spanish Prime Minister Says He'll Dismiss Catalonia's Separatist Government VOA 21 Oct 2017 -- Spanish Prime Minister Mariono Rajoy announced Saturday he would dismiss Catalonia's separatist government and call for new elections in an attempt to prevent the semi-autonomous region from declaring its independence.
• Spain to apply article 155 based on Catalan gov't's disobedience: media People's Daily 21 Oct 2017 -- The Spanish government will apply the article 155 of the Spanish constitution based on the Catalan government disobedience, the Spanish news agency EFE reported on Saturday.
• Catalan parliament resists Madrid pressure, vows to defend sovereignty Press TV 21 Oct 2017 -- The parliament in Catalonia has harshly criticized the Spanish government for its intentions to take over the regional powers, saying it would do its utmost to defend sovereignty of the independence-seeking territory.
• Spain to dismiss Catalan government, hold new elections: Prime Minister Press TV 21 Oct 2017 -- Spanish Prime Minister Mariano Rajoy has announced Madrid's decision to dismiss Catalonia's separatist government and hold fresh elections in the region in a bid to prevent Catalan leaders from declaring independence.
• Invoking Article 155 Is 'Worst Attack' on Catalonia in Centuries Sputnik 21 Oct 2017 -- Catalonia's independence bid has thrown Spain into a political crisis and the divisions within the country continue to deepen as Prime Minister Mariano Rajoy aims to remove Catalan leaders and impose direct rule on the region.
• New Thought charts path to future People's Daily 21 Oct 2017 -- A new political theory unveiled at a key congress of China's ruling Communist Party of China has struck a chord with Ling Jihe, a 56-year-old rural entrepreneur in Jiangxi province.
• US Intelligence Keeping Wary Eye on China's President Xi VOA 21 Oct 2017 -- U.S. intelligence officials are closely watching developments during China's 19th Party Congress, calling it a key test for Chinese President Xi Jinping and a telling barometer of what type of relationship Beijing likely will pursue with Washington.
• Chinese Leader's Call for Democracy, Justice, Clashes With Crackdown on Dissent VOA 21 Oct 2017 -- China's increasingly powerful leader Xi Jinping has pledged to make the Communist Party more responsive to public demands and to calls for democracy, fairness and justice in a lengthy address to the 19th Party Congress.
• Repeated nuclear tests at North Korean peak can cause mount to collapse: Report Press TV 21 Oct 2017 -- North Korean Mount Mantap, under which a series of nuclear tests were conducted, appears to have suffered serious geological damage, known as "tired mountain syndrome," a report says.
• India Implements Further Restrictions on Trade With North Korea Sputnik 21 Oct 2017 -- Following tensions between the US and North Korea, bilateral trade between India and North Korea has been on the decline. There was $133.43 million worth bilateral trade the two nuclear powers in 2016-17 as compared to $198.78 million in the previous fiscal.
• US violator of JCPOA: Iran top negotiator IRNA 21 Oct 2017 -- US has not been committed to its obligations enshrined in the nuclear deal reached between Iran and Group 5+1 (the US, Russia, China, France and Britain plus Germany) in July 2015, top Iranian nuclear negotiator said on Saturday.
• JCPOA excellent document for resolving regional, global crises ISNA 21 Oct 2017 -- Iranian deputy foreign minister stressed that Tehran has fully implemented all its commitments under the nuclear deal and the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) verified and confirmed the issue.
• Iran in complete compliance of JCPOA: Russian deputy FM Press TV 21 Oct 2017 -- Russia has stressed that it has no doubt that Iran is in complete compliance to all aspects of the Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action (JCPOA).
• Iran will accept no conditions attached to JCPOA: Leader's aide Press TV 21 Oct 2017 -- A senior Iranian official says the Islamic Republic will not accept the attachment of conditions, particularly those concerning the country's strategic modus operandi, to the 2015 nuclear agreement signed between Iran and the P5+1 group of countries.
• Iran deputy FM warns US on violation of JCPOA: There will be a price to pay Press TV 21 Oct 2017 -- A senior Iranian diplomat has criticized the United States for preventing Iran from benefiting from the 2015 nuclear deal between Tehran and the P5+1 group of countries, warning that such a move "will have its consequences."
• Tehran Says Failure of Iran Nuclear Deal Will End Hopes for Non-Proliferation Sputnik 21 Oct 2017 -- If Iran nuclear deal fails, the non-proliferation treaty (NPT) and the non-proliferation regime will also fail, Iranian Deputy Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi said Saturday.
• Terror Group Jamaat-ul-Ahraar Confirms Chief Is Dead VOA 21 Oct 2017 -- Jamaat-ul-Ahrar, or JuA, a faction of the banned Pakistan Tehreek-i-Taliban (TTP) terror group, confirmed the death on Friday of its chief, Umar Khalid Khorasani.
• Britain will honor financial commitments to EU: May People's Daily 21 Oct 2017 -- British Prime Minister Theresa May reassured her European colleagues Friday by reiterating Britain's financial commitments to the European Union (EU), urging the EU27 to give green light to the second phase of Brexit talks at an early date.
• Poroshenko Vows Push To Create Anticorruption Court By Year's End RFE/RL 21 Oct 2017 -- Ukrainian President Petro Poroshenko has vowed to push for legislation creating an anticorruption court by the end of the year, in an apparent response to demands from Western allies as well as protesters camped outside parliament in Kyiv.
• Duterte says may put police back in charge of drug war Press TV 21 Oct 2017 -- Philippine President Rodrigo Duterte says he may put police back in charge of his trademark campaign on narcotics trade and distribution.
• Maduro warns of repeating elections in states won by opposition Press TV 21 Oct 2017 -- Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro has warned that elections may be repeated in the states won by the opposition if the elected governors refuse to be sworn in before the newly-formed constituent assembly.
• Georgia Exit Polls Indicate Ex-Footballer Kaladze Winning Big In Tbilisi Mayor's Race RFE/RL 21 Oct 2017 -- Exit polls in Georgia are indicating that former AC Milan footballer Kakha Kaladze of the ruling Georgian Dream coalition is far ahead of the pack in the Tbilisi mayor's race and may avoid the need for a runoff.
• Georgians Vote In Municipal Elections RFE/RL 21 Oct 2017 -- Georgians have voted in local and municipal elections, an important test for the ruling Georgian Dream coalition ahead of next year's presidential election.