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Operations
Defense Policy / Programs
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News Reports

Current Operations

• OIF / OND / OEF / OIR / OFS Casualty Update 15 Dec 2017[PDF]
• OIR Officials Report Details of Latest Strikes Against ISIS in Syria, Iraq AFPS 15 Dec 2017 -- U.S. and coalition military forces continued to attack the Islamic State of Iraq and Syria between Dec. 11-14, conducting 42 strikes consisting of 53 engagements, Combined Joint Task Force Operation Inherent Resolve officials reported today.
• DOD Releases Report on Enhancing Security and Stability in Afghanistan DoD 15 Dec 2017 -- Today the Department of Defense provided to the Congress the semiannual report "Enhancing Security and Stability in Afghanistan" covering events during the period from June 1, 2017 to November 30, 2017. The report was submitted in accordance with requirements in Section 1225 of the Fiscal 2015 National Defense Authorization Act (NDAA) as amended by Sections 1231 and 1531 of the Fiscal 2016 and Fiscal 2017 NDAA.
• Afghan Ambassador: Taliban Have Devolved But Must Be Brought Into Peace Process VOA 15 Dec 2017 -- The Taliban, known for its extreme Islamic rule before U.S. forces ousted the group from power in Afghanistan, have largely devolved into groups of criminals and terrorists, the country's ambassador to Pakistan says.

Defense Policy / Programs

• Off-Camera Media Availability with Secretary of Defense James N. Mattis DoD 15 Dec 2017 -- Presenter: Defense Secretary Jim Mattis
• Capable and committed': U.S. Army, allies provide collective security, stability in Europe Army News 15 Dec 2017 -- Soldiers with the 10th Combat Aviation Brigade and the 3rd Armored Brigade Combat Team, 4th Infantry Division, recently returned home after a rotational deployment in Europe that was focused on building readiness and improving interoperability between U.S. and allied forces in support of Operation Atlantic Resolve 2017.
• 'Lighter, leaner, better capabilities': speeding combat casualty care Army News 15 Dec 2017 -- Dr. Elliot Botvinick sits in his office on the campus of the University of California, Irvine, holding a tiny device in the palm of his hand. It is smaller than a garage door opener, smaller than a standard business card even, and is so slight and inconspicuous that he might be able to stick one on a passing student without their noticing.
• Total Proficiency: Truman Excels Above, Below Decks During 11-day Underway NNS 15 Dec 2017 -- USS Harry S. Truman (CVN 75) returned to its homeport at Naval Station (NAVSTA) Norfolk after completing carrier qualifications, reactor drills and its Mid Cycle Material Assessment (MCMA) during an 11-day underway.
• U.S. Navy Doctors Return from Humanitarian Mission NNS 15 Dec 2017 -- U.S. Navy doctors recently returned from a month-long humanitarian mission along the Amazon River in Brazil.
• NMRC Researchers Return Home -- USNS Comfort Completes Hurricane Relief Mission in Puerto Rico NNS 15 Dec 2017 -- Two researchers from the Naval Medical Research Center (NMRC) returned from deployment on the Military Sealift Command hospital ship, the USNS Comfort (T-AH-20).
• USS Key West Returns to Guam NNS 15 Dec 2017 -- The Los Angeles-class attack submarine USS Key West (SSN 722) returned to its homeport of Apra Harbor, Guam, on Dec. 15 following a four-month forward-operating period to the Western Pacific.
• Statement by the North Atlantic Council on the Intermediate-Range Nuclear Forces (INF) Treaty NATO 15 Dec 2017 -- For 30 years, the Intermediate-Range Nuclear Forces (INF) Treaty has been crucial to Euro-Atlantic security. By removing an entire class of U.S. and Russian weapons – ground-launched intermediate-range missiles – the Treaty has contributed to strategic stability and reduced the risk of miscalculation leading to conflict. As such, full compliance with the INF Treaty is essential and we remain fully committed to the preservation of this landmark arms control treaty.
• UK military chief says Russia can cut NATO undersea cables Press TV 15 Dec 2017 -- A UK military chief has accused Russia of developing unconventional warfare, saying it could use its developed submarines to attack undersea cables essential to communications between NATO members.
• NATO Levels Missile Accusations Against Moscow, As Treaty Dispute Escalates RFE/RL 15 Dec 2017 -- NATO has accused Russia of developing a missile system in violation of a key Cold War arms treaty, the latest accusation from the West in a dispute that some fear will lead to the treaty's demise.
• US Defense Secretary Optimistic About Improving Somalia Accountability VOA 15 Dec 2017 -- U.S. Secretary of Defense Jim Mattis said Friday that he was optimistic about improving Somali accountability concerning the distribution of American aid to Somali armed forces, much of which was suspended because of corruption concerns.
• China opposes Taiwan-related military clauses signed into U.S. law act People's Daily 15 Dec 2017 -- China on Thursday opposed Taiwan-related terms in the National Defense Authorization Act of the United Statesfor the 2018 fiscal year, which was recently signed into law by President Donald Trump.
• Xi stresses army restructuring to enhance combat readiness People's Daily 15 Dec 2017 -- Chinese President Xi Jinpinghas urged the army to restructure and enhance its combat capability.
• Netherlands to Upgrade Avionics on Chinook Heavy Lift Helicopters Sputnik 15 Dec 2017 -- The Netherlands Ministry of Defense has contracted with Boeing to upgrade six Chinook heavy lift helicopters with an updated avionics system, Boeing said in a press release.

Defense Industry

• DoD News: Contracts for December 15, 2017

Other Conflicts

• 15 December 2017 - Daily Press Briefing by the Office of the Spokesperson for the Secretary-General United Nations 15 Dec 2017
• Protection, well-being of uprooted children must be central to new global migration compact – UNICEF UN News 15 Dec 2017 -- Some 50 million children are on the move worldwide, and if countries follow best practices to ensure their safety and well-being, 2018 could be a landmark year for migrant children the United Nations Children's Fund (UNICEF) said Friday.
• Australia's moves in South China Sea disrupt regional stability: PLA Navy People's Daily 15 Dec 2017 -- The commander of the People's Liberation Army (PLA) Navy on Thursday called for more cooperation and communication with its Australian counterparts, warning that the latter's recent actions in the South China Sea have jeopardized regional stability.
• US claim about Iran missile distraction from al-Quds move: Ansarullah Press TV 15 Dec 2017 -- Renouncing US claims that Iran is supplying it with ballistic missiles, Yemen's Houthi Ansarullah movement says the accusations serve as a distraction from US President Donald Trump's recognition of Jerusalem al-Quds as Israel's capital.
• Saudi warplanes kill more than 50 people in Yemen Press TV 15 Dec 2017 -- More than 50 Yemeni people have been killed in airstrikes by Saudi warplanes on the impoverished country of Yemen, reports said Friday.
• Hostilities flare on Yemen's west coast, sparking new displacement – UN refugee agency UN News 15 Dec 2017 -- As hostilities intensify in frontline areas on Yemen's west coast, the United Nations refugee agency said Friday that it is bracing for further displacement and a spike in humanitarian needs.
• Rohingya refugees face 'multitude of protection risks,' warns UN agency UN News 15 Dec 2017 -- The United Nations refugee agency said on Friday that it is concerned about the deteriorating environment in which Rohingya refugees are living, especially children, who make up 55 per cent of the Rohingya refugee population in Bangladesh.
• We're Back: China Resumes Military Buildup in Disputed Doklam Plateau Sputnik 15 Dec 2017 -- Yes, we're doing this again. The People's Liberation Army (PLA) has begun to build up military forces in the disputed Doklam Plateau, the site of a 10-week standoff between China and India just a couple of months ago.
• Russia regrets EU decision to prolong sanctions Press TV 15 Dec 2017 -- Russia has regretted a decision by the European Union to renew economic sanctions on Moscow over the crisis in Ukraine, the Kremlin says.
• Russia Criticizes EU Decision To Extend Ukraine-Related Sanctions RFE/RL 15 Dec 2017 -- Russia has hit back at a decision by leaders of the European Union to extend for another six months the economic sanctions imposed on Moscow over its "destabilizing" actions in Ukraine.
• Turkey launching initiative to annul US 'disgraceful' decision on al-Quds: Erdogan Press TV 15 Dec 2017 -- Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan says his country is launching an initiative at the United Nations to annul the recent "disgraceful" decision by US President Donald Trump to recognize Israeli-occupied Jerusalem al-Quds as the capital of the Tel Aviv regime.
• Palestinians clash with Israeli forces in West Bank, Gaza Press TV 15 Dec 2017 -- Fresh clashes break out between Tel Aviv forces and Palestinian protesters, who are angry at a US decision to recognize Jerusalem al-Quds as the "capital" of Israel.
• UN Reports Grim Childhood for South Sudan's Kids VOA 15 Dec 2017 -- More than half of South Sudan's children have suffered abuse, trauma and hunger over the past four years of war, the United Nations Children's Fund says.

News Reports

• Trump Bashes FBI Russia Probe, Leaves Open Possible Flynn Pardon VOA 15 Dec 2017 -- U.S. President Donald Trump on Friday bashed the Federal Bureau of Investigation's Russia probe and left open the possibility of a presidential pardon for former national security adviser Michael Flynn, who pleaded guilty to lying to FBI agents.
• Talks Resume to Resolve Venezuela Crisis VOA 15 Dec 2017 -- Representatives of Venezuela's government and opposition coalition returned to the negotiating table Friday in the Dominican Republic to try to resolve the nation's long-running political and economic crisis.
• South Korea, China Make Amends, But THAAD Dispute Lingers VOA 15 Dec 2017 -- For his first state visit to China, South Korean President Moon Jae-in came with an entourage of more than 300 business people, an actress who is wildly popular here and heartthrob boy band EXO, which sings in both Korean and Chinese.
• Putin, Trump discuss "urgent" bilateral issues, Korean Peninsula on phone People's Daily 15 Dec 2017 -- Russian President Vladimir Putin and U.S. President Donald Trump discussed "urgent issues" in bilateral diplomatic relations and the situation on the Korean Peninsula in a phone call Thursday, the Kremlin said in a statement.
• North Korea's nuclear program poses no threat to any country: Pyongyang Press TV 15 Dec 2017 -- North Korea says it will not pose any threat to any country as long as its interests are not infringed upon, disregarding a US call for terminating the Asian country's weapons tests as a pre-condition for negotiations on its nuclear and missile programs.
• International community won't accept nuclear N Korea: Tillerson Press TV 15 Dec 2017 -- US Secretary of State Rex Tillerson has claimed that the international community remains firm on not accepting a nuclear North Korea and a "sustained cessation of North Korea's threatening behavior" was needed before the United States could talk with Pyongyang about its development of nuclear weapons and ballistic missiles.
• Russia 'not ready to strangle' North Korea with more bans Press TV 15 Dec 2017 -- Russia says it is not ready to "strangle" North Korea economically with new stringent sanctions.
• Trump Says Russia 'Not Helping' On North Korea RFE/RL 15 Dec 2017 -- U.S. President Donald Trump says he is not satisfied with Russia's cooperation in efforts to pressure North Korea to give up its nuclear weapons program.
• Trump, Putin Discuss North Korean Crisis While Voicing Mutual Praise RFE/RL 15 Dec 2017 -- Russian President Vladimir Putin and U.S. President Donald Trump discussed the crisis over North Korea's nuclear program in a phone call in which Trump also thanked Putin for praising his management of the U.S. economy.
• Remarks at the UN Security Council Ministerial Meeting on D.P.R.K. US Dept. of State 15 Dec 2017 -- Remarks by Rex W. Tillerson, Secretary of State
• Remarks at the UN Security Council Ministerial Meeting on D.P.R.K. US Dept. of State 15 Dec 2017-- Remarks by Rex W. Tillerson, Secretary of State
• Dangerous rhetoric, overconfidence, increase risk of conflict on Korean Peninsula, UN chief warns UN News 15 Dec 2017 -- United Nations Secretary-General António Guterres said Friday that he is deeply concerned over the risk of military confrontation on the Korean Peninsula, "including as a result of miscalculation."
• Tillerson: All Options on Table to Contain North Korea Threat VOA 15 Dec 2017 -- Secretary of State Rex Tillerson said Friday that North Korea's growing nuclear capabilities were a direct threat to the United States, and that Washington would use "all necessary measures" to defend itself against such aggression.
• US House passes bill scrutinizing Iran plane sales Press TV 15 Dec 2017 -- US lawmakers on Thursday approved a bill that will bring the sales of American planes to Iran under the close scrutiny of the Congress.
• China promotes law-based administration: white paper People's Daily 15 Dec 2017 -- A white paper issued by China's State Council Information Office on Friday said the country has promoted law-based administration to protect the people's legitimate rights and interests.
• Israeli police question Netanyahu again over corruption probe Press TV 15 Dec 2017 -- Israeli police investigators have questioned Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu at his residence in occupied Jerusalem al-Quds again over suspicions he received illegal gifts from a number of wealthy businessmen.
• Moscow Court Convicts Former Economy Minister, Hands Down Eight-Year Prison Term RFE/RL 15 Dec 2017 -- A Moscow court has found former Russian Economy Minister Aleksei Ulyukayev guilty of taking a "large bribe" in a high-profile corruption case and sentenced him to eight years in a strict-regime prison.
• Saudi kingdom has plan to establish ties with Israel, Jubeir says Press TV 15 Dec 2017 -- Amid widespread reports of behind-the-scenes cooperation between Riyadh and Tel Aviv, Saudi Foreign Minister Adel al-Jubeir says the kingdom has a "roadmap" to establish full diplomatic ties with the Tel Aviv regime.
• Russia busts Daesh cell in Saint Petersburg Press TV 15 Dec 2017 -- Russia has dismantled a cell of the Daesh Takfiri terrorist group in Saint Petersburg that was planning to carry out imminent terror attacks in the northern city.
• Zimbabwe's President Appeals for Ruling Party Unity VOA 15 Dec 2017 -- Zimbabwe's President Emmerson Mnangagwa appealed Friday to his ZANU-PF party to unite ahead of next year's elections.