• Military Menu                       

• Introduction
• Systems
• Facilities
• Agencies
• Industry
• Operations
• Countries
• Hot Documents
• News
• Reports
• Policy
• Budget
• Congress
• Links

• WMD
• Intelligence
• Homeland Security
• Space

Operations
Defense Policy / Programs
Defense Industry
Other Conflicts
News Reports

Current Operations

• OIF / OND / OEF / OIR / OFS Casualty Update 23 Oct 2017[PDF]
• Military Strikes Continue Against ISIS in Syria, Iraq AFPS 23 Oct 2017 -- U.S. and coalition military forces continued to attack the Islamic State of Iraq and Syria, conducting 25 strikes consisting of 28 engagements between Oct. 21-22, Combined Joint Task Force Operation Inherent Resolve officials reported today.
• UK steps up role as the fight against Daesh evolves UK MOD 23 Oct 2017 -- UK forces deployed at Al Asad Air Base will train further forward and provide increased force protection for UK personnel in and around coalition bases as Daesh continues its retreat across Iraq and Syria.
• Tillerson Makes Surprise Visit To Afghanistan To Discuss New U.S. Strategy RFE/RL 23 Oct 2017 -- U.S. Secretary of State Rex Tillerson has paid an unannounced visit to Afghanistan for talks with Afghan leaders on the new U.S. strategy to end the 16-year war.
• US secretary of state makes surprise visit to Afghanistan Press TV 23 Oct 2017 -- US Secretary of State Rex Tillerson has landed in Afghanistan in a brief, unannounced trip to discuss Washington's new war strategy with Afghan President Ashraf Ghani, according to the American embassy.
• Tillerson Makes Unannounced Visit to Iraq, Afghanistan VOA 23 Oct 2017 -- U.S. Secretary of State Rex Tillerson made a previously unannounced visit Iraq, hours after a similar trip to Afghanistan.
• Press Availability at Bagram Airfield, Afghanistan US Dept. of State 23 Oct 2017-- Press Availability by Rex W. Tillerson, Secretary of State
• Department of Defense Press Briefing by General Dunford in the Pentagon Briefing Room DoD 23 Oct 2017 -- Presenter: Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff Marine Corps Gen. Joe Dunford
• Villagers Suspected of Luring Green Berets into Niger Ambush VOA 23 Oct 2017 -- A local official and an analyst say residents of the Niger village where four Green Beret soldiers were killed this month may have delayed the soldiers while an ambush was set up and helped to lead the victims into a deadly trap.

Defense Policy / Programs

• Anchorage Conducts HIMARS Shoot During Dawn Blitz 2017 NNS 23 Oct 2017 -- The High Mobility Artillery Rocket System (HIMARS) was fired from the flight deck of the San Antonio-class amphibious transport dock ship USS Anchorage (LPD 23) during Dawn Blitz 2017 Oct. 22.
• US preparing to put nuclear bombers back on 24-hour alert: Report Press TV 23 Oct 2017 -- The US Air Force is preparing to place its fleet of B-52 bombers rigged with nuclear weapons on 24-hour alert for the first time since 1991 amid escalating tensions with North Korea.
• Cold War Revisited: US Reportedly Preparing to Put B-52 Bombers on 24-Hour Alert Sputnik 23 Oct 2017 -- The US Air Force could put its B-52 bombers back on 24-hour alert, Defense One reported citing the USAF chief of staff. The report emerged amid the ongoing tensions over North Korea's nuclear and missile program.
• Army lab works to improve mobility in cold weather operations Army News 23 Oct 2017 -- Mobility and maneuverability experts know that movements on the battlefield can be severely impacted by winter conditions. Frozen and thawing ground, snow and ice significantly affect the performance of both wheeled and tracked vehicles. With a long history of supporting the warfighter on the battleground, researchers at the Cold Regions Research and Engineering Laboratory have been providing solutions to a broad range of terrain and mobility challenges.
• Army developing lasers that pierce fog, dust to destroy targets Army News 23 Oct 2017 -- A lot of people think that high-energy lasers, or HELs, can't penetrate fog, rain and dust, said Thomas Webber. That's just plain wrong.
• A strong OPFOR makes a strong army Army News 23 Oct 2017 -- When the U.S. Army's 45th Infantry Brigade Combat Team assumed the Joint Multinational Training Group-Ukraine mission in January the Combat Training Center development staff was tasked with growing a small group of Ukrainian soldiers into a formidable opposing force.
• United States–Japan–Republic of Korea Defense Ministerial Meeting Joint Press Statement DoD 23 Oct 2017
• Readout of Secretary of Defense Jim Mattis' ASEAN Informal Meetings DoD 23 Oct 2017
• Readout of Secretary of Defense Mattis' Meeting with Japanese Minister of Defense Onodera DoD 23 Oct 2017
• Readout of Secretary of Defense Mattis' Meeting with Republic of Korea Minister Song DoD 23 Oct 2017
• Marine Corps Air Station Iwakuni expands its refueling capabilities USMC News 23 Oct 2017 -- U.S. Marines with Logistics Department Fuels Division conducted the first hot refuel utilizing the new Aircraft Direct Fueling System with Marine Aerial Refueler Transport Squadron (VMGR) 152 at Marine Corps Air Station Iwakuni, Japan, Oct. 19, 2017.
• Future USS Ralph Johnson to be Commissioned in Charleston NNS 23 Oct 2017 -- On Oct. 19, Secretary of the Navy Richard V. Spencer announced the newest Arleigh Burke-class guided-missile destroyer, Pre-Commissioning Unit Ralph Johnson (DDG 114), will be commissioned during a ceremony Saturday, March 24, 2018 in Charleston, South Carolina.
• Panel showcases talent, provides glimpse into Army cyber operations Army News 23 Oct 2017 -- The Army Cyber Command is recruiting a variety of cybersecurity talent from industry, government and academia to bolster the service's cyber teams.
• Russian Aerospace Forces to Receive S-500 Air Defense Systems in Several Years Sputnik 23 Oct 2017 -- A Russian Aerospace Forces official has revealed the time of the next-generation S-500 system's debut.
• Czech Republic - UH-1Y Utility Helicopters DSCA 23 Oct 2017 -- The State Department has made a determination approving a possible Foreign Military Sale to the Czech Republic for UH-1Y utility helicopters. The estimated cost is $575 million. The Defense Security Cooperation Agency delivered the required certification notifying Congress of this possible sale on October 11, 2017.
• Iran, Syria Make Plans for Closer Military Cooperation VOA 23 Oct 2017 -- Iran and Syria are developing even closer defense ties as is evident in the recently concluded visit to Damascus by Chief of Staff of the Iranian Armed Forces Major General Mohammad Bagheri, analysts say.
• Iran reaffirms all countries' rights to acquire conventional arms IRNA 23 Oct 2017 -- Iran's missile program has been developed to meet its defense and security needs and all countries are entitled to the right of acquiring conventional weapons, Deputy Permanent Representative of the Islamic Republic of Iran to the Uni
• No one can talk about Iran's military power: Rouhani ISNA 23 Oct 2017 -- Iranian President Hassan Rouhani stressed that no one can talk about the military power of Iran.
• Iran's missile program not open to negotiation: UN envoy Press TV 23 Oct 2017 -- Iranian Deputy Ambassador to the United Nations Es'haq Al-e Habib says the country's missile program is not open to negotiation and will continue with strength and according to the Islamic Republic's national defense agenda.
• Iraqi PM slams Tillerson's remarks on Hashd al-Sha'abi Press TV 23 Oct 2017 -- Iraqi Prime Minister Haider al-Abadi's media office has criticized meddlesome comments made by US Secretary of State Rex Tillerson regarding the country's Popular Mobilization Units or Hashd al-Sha'abi.
• Tillerson In Iraq After Baghdad Dismisses Call For Iran-Backed Militias To 'Go Home' RFE/RL 23 Oct 2017 -- U.S. Secretary of State Rex Tillerson has arrived in an unannounced visit to Iraq after the Shi'ite-led government dismissed his call for Iranian-backed militia fighters who helped Baghdad defeat Islamic State (IS) extremists to "go home."
• Germany approves sale of three Thyssenkrupp submarines to Israel Press TV 23 Oct 2017 -- German authorities have officially confirmed the sale of three modern submarines to Israel despite persisting claims about a conflict of interest in the deal.
• Taiwan to increase spending to improve defense ability: President CNA 23 Oct 2017 -- President Tsai Ing-wen (蔡英文) told a delegation from a Washington-based think tank on Monday that Taiwan will continue to increase military spending as it works to strengthen its national defense capabilities.
• Chinese military activities near Taiwan closely monitored: MND CNA 23 Oct 2017 -- The military is closely monitoring any movements of Chinese military planes or navy vessels near Taiwan as part of their far-sea training activities and has response measures in place, Ministry of National Defense (MND) spokesman Chen Chung-ji (陳中吉) said Monday.
• Exercise Cambrian Patrol testing the best from around the world UK MOD 23 Oct 2017 -- Exercise Cambrian Patrol is an annual test of troop's military skills. It is seen by many as the most challenging event of its kind that there is.

Defense Industry

• DoD News: Contracts for October 23, 2017

Other Conflicts

• 23 October 2017 - Daily Press Briefing by the Office of the Spokesperson for the Secretary-General United Nations 23 Oct 2017
• Famine can be a war crime and should be prosecuted, says independent UN rights expert UN News 23 Oct 2017 -- Famine can constitute a war crime or crime against humanity, an independent United Nations human rights expert today said, noting that more civilians die from hunger and disease related to conflicts than in direct combat.
• Suspected al-Qaeda-linked terrorists kill 4 UAE-backed forces in southern Yemen Press TV 23 Oct 2017 -- At least four UAE-backed forces, loyal to Yemen's former President Abd Rabbuh Mansur Hadi, have been killed and several others have sustained injuries after a number of terrorists launched a bomb attack against their military camp in southern Yemen.
• More than 11 million Yemeni children in dire need of aid, warns UN Press TV 23 Oct 2017 -- The UN Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (OCHA) has warned that more than 11 million Yemeni children are in dire need of relief aid as a result of Saudi Arabia's aggression against the impoverished country.
• Syrian army makes new advances on Daesh lines south of Dayr al-Zawr Press TV 23 Oct 2017 -- The Syrian army has advanced deeper into the southern outskirts of the eastern city of Dayr al-Zawr, which is partially held by Daesh terrorists, pushing the Takfiri outfit further toward total defeat in the oil-rich province, a monitoring group reports.
• Erbil Urges Baghdad to 'Immediately' Withdraw Troops From Kurdistan Territories Sputnik 23 Oct 2017 -- Iraqi Kurdistan sticks to a peaceful resolution of the current confrontation with Baghdad.
• India Appoints New Envoy to Kashmir VOA 23 Oct 2017 -- India has appointed a new envoy to Kashmir in the hope of promoting peace in the troubled region.
• Accountability for Human Rights Abuses in Rakhine State, Burma US Dept. of State 23 Oct 2017-- Burma in recent years has emerged from a half-century of authoritarian rule and undertaken a significant transition to an open, democratic society. The U.S. Administration supports this transition and the elected civilian government as important means to achieve peace, stability, and prosperity in the interests of all peoples of Burma and the U.S.-Burma partnership.
• UN opens key fundraising conference for Rohingya refugees Press TV 23 Oct 2017 -- The United Nations has opened a major fundraising conference aimed at securing aid for nearly one million persecuted Rohingya Muslim refugees in Bangladesh.
• Rohingya crisis: Donors pledge $344 million at UN-backed conference to support aid efforts UN News 23 Oct 2017 -- A United Nations-supported humanitarian conference today raised more than $344 million to fund critical relief programmes for Rohingya refugees and host communities in Bangladesh.
• 14 killed after three bombers blow up explosives in northeast Nigeria Press TV 23 Oct 2017 -- A triple bomb attack in northeastern Nigeria has left 14 people dead and more than a dozen others injured, authorities say.
• Egypt bombs militants smuggling weapons from Libya Press TV 23 Oct 2017 -- Egypt says a convoy of suspected militants smuggling weapons from neighboring Libya has been neutralized as the military steps up operations to hunt those behind a recent deadly attack on police forces in the southwest of the capital Cairo.
• United Nations condemns arrest of Congo opposition members Press TV 23 Oct 2017 -- The United Nations has called on authorities in the Democratic Republic of the Congo to release the opposition members recently arrested amid a crackdown on dissent by President Joseph Kabila's government.
• Philippine defense chief declares end to Daesh siege on Marawi Press TV 23 Oct 2017 -- The Philippine defense chief has declared an end to the five-month operation aimed at liberating the southern city of Marawi, which was under a siege by Daesh-affiliated militants.
• Army Officer Allegedly Behind South Sudan Killing, Rapes Found Dead VOA 23 Oct 2017 -- A South Sudanese army officer who oversaw soldiers accused of killing a journalist and raping at least five international aid workers last year has died in his jail cell, according to the army.
• Central African Republic's message to UN: 'The only thing we want is peace' UN News 23 Oct 2017 -- It was once known as the 'Bridge of Death,' the frontline between warring factions in the capital of the Central African Republic (CAR). Legendary tales were shared of the bridge being drenched in blood, with even Government security forces scared to set foot on it.

News Reports

• Catalan authorities won't follow orders from Madrid: Official Press TV 23 Oct 2017 -- A senior Catalan official says all institutions, inducing police, will only follow orders from democratically-elected regional government of Catalonia if Spain moves to impose direct rule on the separatist region.
• Who Will Blink First – Barcelona or Madrid? VOA 23 Oct 2017 -- Catalan separatists are devising nonviolent plans to resist the imposition of direct rule by Madrid.
• Elections in Iraq's Kurdistan region delayed as parties fail to present candidates Press TV 23 Oct 2017 -- Iraq's Kurdistan Regional Government (KRG) has decided to postpone elections for the region's presidency and parliament as political parties still grapple with the aftermaths of a controversial independence referendum held in the semi-autonomous territory nearly a month ago.
• Russia 'committed' to Iraq despite Kurdish oil ties: Lavrov Press TV 23 Oct 2017 -- Russia's Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov says Moscow is committed to Iraq's territorial integrity after the Kurdistan Regional Government (KRG) held a controversial plebiscite on secession.
• Moscow Calls On Iraqi Kurds To Act In Cooperation With Baghdad RFE/RL 23 Oct 2017 -- Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov has said that Moscow respects the aspiration of Iraqi Kurds to seek to assert their identity, but added that this must be done in "dialogue" with the federal government in Baghdad.
• All enemy's plans for Middle East defeated: IRGC commander Press TV 23 Oct 2017 -- The commander of the Islamic Revolution Guards Corps (IRGC)'s Ground Force says all enemy's plans for the Middle East region have been defeated, urging the country's military forces to boost their power and readiness to deter the enemy.
• North Korea Insults 'Lunatic' Trump For Preparing 24-Hour Nuke Patrols Sputnik 23 Oct 2017 -- Following a bombshell report late Sunday evening that the US is preparing to put its B-52 nuclear bombers on 24-hour alert, a North Korean editorial blasted US President Donald Trump as a "hooligan" and a "lunatic."
• Japan's ruling LDP wins majority in lower house election amid opposition splitting-up People's Daily 23 Oct 2017 -- Japan's ruling camp grouped by Prime Minister Shinzo Abe's Liberal Democratic Party (LDP) and its junior partner, the Komeito Party, has won a two-thirds "super majority" in Sunday's lower house election, according to vote counting results reported by public broadcaster NHK.
• Japan's PM vows to 'deal firmly' with N Korea immediately after he won elections Press TV 23 Oct 2017 -- Japan's Prime Minister Shinzo Abe has promised to "deal firmly" with North Korea, immediately after he won a landslide "super-majority" in the snap elections he had called, for an increased mandate to deal with the "crises" facing his country.
• Japanese PM Extends Power in Snap Election VOA 23 Oct 2017 -- As expected, Japanese Prime Minster Shinzo Abe's ruling coalition won a decisive victory in Sunday's early election to extend its hold on power, and to continue efforts to lift constraints on the military imposed by the country's pacifist constitution.
• CPC's governance wisdom leading China to bigger role in global development People's Daily 23 Oct 2017 -- China, under the leadership of the Communist Party of China (CPC), has in recent years served as a stabilizing factor and source of wisdom in a world troubled with uncertainties and challenges.
• Xi Consolidates Power as New China Leadership Line-up Revealed Sputnik 23 Oct 2017 -- As a five-yearly leadership shake-up is underway in Beijing, President Xi Jinping is expected to fill the ruling Communist Party's apex of decision-making, the Politburo Standing Committee, with trusted allies.
• Report: Russia Implicates Browder In Magnitsky 'Murder' Probe, Citing Widely Mocked MI6 'Expose' RFE/RL 23 Oct 2017 -- In April 2016, the head of Russia's powerful Investigative Committee instructed his subordinates to examine the potential "complicity" of U.S.-born British businessman William Browder - once Russia's largest portfolio investor - in the "murder" of his former employee, Sergei Magnitsky.
• Department of Justice Expands Fight Against MS-13 Street Gang VOA 23 Oct 2017 -- U.S. Attorney General Jeff Sessions on Monday formally designated the El Salvador-based street gang known as MS-13 as a priority for a Department of Justice program that combats drug trafficking and money laundering.
• Turkish President Attacks Washington VOA 23 Oct 2017 -- U.S. and Turkish diplomats continue talks on resolving a dispute over recent visa curbs, as Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan steps up his rhetoric against Washington. Bilateral relations are set to be further strained by an upcoming court case over Iranian sanction busting involving Turkish citizens.
• OSCE Gives Georgia Vote Generally High Marks, Says 'Fundamental Freedoms' Respected RFE/RL 23 Oct 2017 -- The Organization for Security and Cooperation in Europe (OSCE) has generally given high marks to the October 21 municipal elections in Georgia.
• Preliminary Results Show Need For Mayoral Runoffs In Kosovo RFE/RL 23 Oct 2017 -- Preliminary results in Kosovo's municipal elections indicate that runoffs will be needed to decide the winning candidates in mayoral races in major cities throughout the Balkan country.
• UN, African Union pledge to help Kenya ensure credible rerun of presidential poll UN News 23 Oct 2017 -- The heads of the United Nations and the African Union have expressed their organizations' commitment to assist Kenya in ensuring a credible and transparent process in the forthcoming rerun of the recent presidential election.