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Current Operations

• OIF / OND / OEF / OIR / OFS Casualty Update 20 Dec 2017[PDF]
• Centcom Officials Provide Update on Recent Counterterrorism Strikes in Yemen AFPS 20 Dec 2017 -- U.S. Central Command officials announced today that U.S. forces have conducted multiple ground operations and more than 120 strikes this year to remove key leaders and disrupt the ability of al-Qaida in the Arabian Peninsula and ISIS-Yemen to use ungoverned spaces in Yemen as a hub for terrorist recruiting, training, and base of operations to export terror worldwide.

Defense Policy / Programs

• Iran condemns new US national security strategy ISNA 20 Dec 2017 -- Iran's foreign ministry spokesman has rapped the US administration's new national security strategy, saying that the document would undoubtedly lead the world towards more insecurity.
• F-35 testers wrap up Weapons Delivery Accuracy tests AFNS 20 Dec 2017 -- Testers from the 461st Flight Test Squadron and F-35 Integrated Test Force completed a major test milestone bringing the F-35 Lightning II's full combat capabilities closer to the battlefield.
• Bismarck, ND Native Accepts Delivery of USNS City of Bismarck NNS 20 Dec 2017 -- Bismarck, North Dakota native 2nd mate Patricia Evenson had the honor of signing the acceptance of the U.S. Navy's newest expeditionary fast transport, USNS City of Bismarck (T-EPF 9), during a delivery ceremony held in Mobile, Alabama, Dec. 19.
• Pentagon to Test Swarming Drones Concept by 2019 - Report Sputnik 20 Dec 2017 -- The Pentagon's secretive Defense Advanced Research Project Agency (DARPA) is planning a demonstration for 2019 of their ability to shoot out swarms of drones from larger transport aircraft and recover them mid-flight, according to a new report.
• Marines say goodbye to the Shadow USMC News 20 Dec 2017 -- Marine Unmanned Aerial Vehicle Squadron 4 prepared the RQ-7B Shadow Unmanned Aircraft System for its final flight during Exercise Steel Knight in Twentynine Palms, California, Dec. 11, 2017.
• NATO Secretary General Stresses Change, European Union Integration AFPS 20 Dec 2017 -- NATO is evolving and adapting to changing times, and part of that evolution must involve the European Union, the alliance secretary general said at the French Ecole Militaire yesterday.
• What is Known About Russia's 5th Gen Husky-Class Stealth Subs Sputnik 20 Dec 2017 -- The first Husky-class submarine is planned to be completed by 2030. The fifth-generation sub will join Russia's fleet of nuclear-powered submarines, many of which are currently being modernized, including with advanced cruise missiles.
• No Ruling the Waves for Royal Navy as Major Warships Remain Tied Up in UK Ports Sputnik 20 Dec 2017 -- For the first time in living memory, Britain has no major warships on operations anywhere in the world, it has been revealed, as one senior defense expert warns UK military might is less than half what it once was.
• Sea Ceptor missile test firing complete at sea UK MOD 20 Dec 2017 -- Firing trials from the first Royal Navy ship to test the new Sea Ceptor air defence system have been successfully completed.
• South Korea ready to delay joint US drills to de-escalate with North: Moon Press TV 20 Dec 2017 -- South Korean President Moon Jae-in says he is ready to postpone joint military drills with the United States in order to reduce tensions with North Korea, provided that the North "stops its provocations."
• South Korea Wants to Postpone US Military Drills Until After Olympics VOA 20 Dec 2017 -- South Korean President Moon Jae-in said on Tuesday that next year's joint military exercises with the United States may be postponed until after the Olympics.
• US claim on Yemen missiles ridiculous charade: Iran defense minister Press TV 20 Dec 2017 -- Iran's Defense Minister Brigadier General Amir Hatami has dismissed as a "ridiculous charade" fresh US allegations that an Iranian missile was used by Yemen's Houthi Ansarullah movement to target Saudi soil.
• Iran Slams US 'Unreasonable' Claims of Involvement in Houthi Missile Attacks Sputnik 20 Dec 2017 -- Iranian Defense Minister Amir Hatami has refuted Washington's allegations about Tehran's involvement in the latest missile attack launched by Yemeni Houthi rebels targeting Saudi Arabia's capital city of Riyadh.
• China's military aircraft spotted again near Taiwan: MND CNA 20 Dec 2017 -- Several Chinese military aircraft were seen flying near Taiwan again on Wednesday, passing through the Bashi Channel to the south then going north before flying over the Miyako Strait that lies between two Japanese islands, the Ministry of National Defense (MND) said.
• China Again Holding Drills Near Disputed Territory of Taiwan Sputnik 20 Dec 2017 -- China has intensified its drills around Taiwan, which it considers part of its territory, after US President Donald Trump signed the National Defense Authorization Act, paving the way for mutual naval visits between Washington and Taipei.
• Transport planes boost PLA abilities People's Daily 20 Dec 2017 -- The People's Liberation Army Ground Force has put two Y-9 transport planes into service, a move that reflects its aspiration to build stronger strategic projection capabilities.
• Study: China to Boost Military Muscle at Sea to Deter Foreign Powers VOA 20 Dec 2017 -- China is widely forecast to bolster its military power next year in the South China Sea to resist Japan, India and the United States, as well as the Asian states that dispute Beijing's maritime claims.
• Pyongyang Denies Biochemical Weapons Development Charges Sputnik 20 Dec 2017 -- The North Korean government has insisted that it does not maintain a biochemical weapons program, despite new reports that Pyongyang's military has started testing the use of an anthrax-based weapon on the tip of an intercontinental ballistic missile.
• India Goes Ahead with $2Bln Purchase of US Predator Drones Sans Weapons Sputnik 20 Dec 2017 -- India is purchasing 22 Predator "B" drones from the US in order to fulfill an urgent demand from the navy. However, since the drones are strictly for reconnaissance, India is simultaneously developing on its own armed drones that can be used for surveillance as well as for precision strikes.
• India Conducts Massive Military Exercise Near Pakistani Border Sputnik 20 Dec 2017 -- Besides conventional warfare, Indian troops are rehearsing responses to chemical and nuclear threats. The drills are aiming to evaluate the capability of the armed forces to strike deep into enemy territory in the event of an integrated air-land battle.
• Japan to procure two destroyers to monitor China's maritime activities People's Daily 20 Dec 2017 -- "The minister of finance approved the allocation of 105.5 billion yen for the procurement of two new destroyers under the fiscal 2018 draft budget, as we need more destroyers for surveillance purposes due to China's maritime expansion and other factors," said Itsunori Onodera, Japan's minister of defense on Tuesday, who added that China has been using the most advanced destroyers for its surveillance activities.
• Military barracks attacked in Venezuela, arms stolen Press TV 20 Dec 2017 -- A group commanded by a rogue former police officer in Venezuela has attacked a military barracks near the capital Caracas, stealing a small amount of weapons.

Defense Industry

• DoD News: Contracts for December 20, 2017

Other Conflicts

• 20 December 2017 - Daily Press Briefing by the Office of the Spokesperson for the Secretary-General United Nations 20 Dec 2017
• As crises become more complex 'prevention must be at the centre of everything we do' - UN chief UN News 20 Dec 2017 -- Today's conflicts are more complex, longer and intractable, and given their changing nature it is necessary to "rethink our approach to how we work and how we work with others," Secretary General António Guterres told the United Nations Security Council on Wednesday.
• UN envoy urges support for efforts to resume political process in Yemen UN News 20 Dec 2017 -- The United Nations envoy for Yemen on Wednesday called for halting violence and supporting efforts to bring warring parties together for the resumption of the political process.
• Fresh Saudi airstrikes leave over dozen civilians dead in Yemen Press TV 20 Dec 2017 -- More than a dozen civilians have been killed and several others injured when Saudi military aircraft carried out separate airstrikes against residential areas across Yemen as the Riyadh regime does not shy away from its atrocious bombardment campaign against its southern neighbor.
• Yemen's Children Risk Death as Fuel Shortage Creates Water Crisis VOA 20 Dec 2017 -- The U.N. children's fund (UNICEF) warns children in Yemen risk death as access to clean water runs out, due to import restrictions of fuel into the country.
• Russian MoD Denies Allegations of Strikes in Syria's Idlib Sputnik 20 Dec 2017 -- The Russian Defense Ministry has denied allegations of carrying out airstrikes in Syria's Idlib province.
• Myanmar blocks UN investigator amid Rohingya crackdown Press TV 20 Dec 2017 -- The United Nations (UN)'s independent investigator on the situation of human rights in Myanmar has been denied access to the country, amid a deadly crackdown on minority Rohingya Muslims there.
• UN Special Rapporteur Will Be Denied Access to Myanmar, Country's Gov't Informed Sputnik 20 Dec 2017 -- The UN Myanmar human rights investigator was set to visit the country in January to review the human rights situation in the country, including abuses against the Rohingya Muslim minority.
• UN rights expert 'disappointed' by Myanmar's decision to refuse visit UN News 20 Dec 2017 -- The United Nations expert on the human rights situation in Myanmar on Wednesday expressed disappointment at the Government's decision to deny her all access to the country and withdraw cooperation for the duration of her tenure.
• Myanmar Bans Special UN Envoy From Visiting Country VOA 20 Dec 2017 -- The United Nation's special human rights envoy to Myanmar says the government is barring her from visiting the country to assess the current situation in the East Asian nation.
• Conflict sharply escalates in east Ukraine: Monitor Press TV 20 Dec 2017 -- A European organization, which monitors the implementation of peace in eastern Ukraine, has warned about a sharp deterioration in the security situation in the region.
• UN Approves Measure Condemning Rights Violations In Russian-Annexed Crimea RFE/RL 20 Dec 2017 -- The UN General Assembly has approved a resolution strongly condemning human rights violations in Russian-annexed Crimea and referring to Russia as an "occupying power" there.
• EU's Mogherini Warns Situation In Eastern Ukraine Deteriorating RFE/RL 20 Dec 2017 -- The European Union's top diplomat has warned that the humanitarian and security situation has "deteriorated abruptly" in eastern Ukraine, where Russia-backed separatists have been fighting Kyiv government forces since 2014.
• Haley: US 'Will Take Note of Each and Every Vote' on Jerusalem VOA 20 Dec 2017 -- U.S. Ambassador Nikki Haley has warned other United Nations envoys that she will be 'taking names' when the U.N. General Assembly holds a rare emergency session on Thursday to consider a resolution rejecting U.S. recognition of Jerusalem as Israel's capital.
• Turkish, Palestinian FMs scold US over Quds decision ahead of UN vote Press TV 20 Dec 2017 -- Turkish Foreign Minister Mevlut Cavusoglu says the United States has been isolated over its recognition of Jerusalem al-Quds as Israel's capital and therefore it is threatening countries that might vote against Washington's move during an emergency session of the UN General Assembly.
• Trumps threatens to cut aid to UN members over Jerusalem al-Quds vote Press TV 20 Dec 2017 -- US President Donald Trump has threatened to discontinue financial aid to countries that vote in favor of a draft United Nations resolution against his decision to recognize Jerusalem al-Quds as Israel's capital.
• US, Israel scramble to block UN General Assembly resolution on Quds Press TV 20 Dec 2017 -- Prior to an emergency UN General Assembly session on Jerusalem al-Quds, the United States and Israel have resorted to pressure tactics and lobbying efforts in an attempt to prevent the world body from adopting a resolution critical of Washington's policy shift on the occupied city.
• Ambassador Haley: 'US Will Be Taking Names' During UN Jerusalem Vote Sputnik 20 Dec 2017 -- US Ambassador to the United Nations Nikki Haley warned that the US will be "taking names" when the UN General Assembly would vote on recognition of Jerusalem as Israel's capital.
• Egyptian President Calls Army, Interior Ministry to Tackle Terrorism in N Sinai Sputnik 20 Dec 2017 -- Egyptian President Abdul Fattah Sisi has ordered the army and police to put an end to terrorism in the northern part of Sinai Peninsula.
• Ceasefire Violation Allegations Keep India-Pakistan Tension Simmering Sputnik 20 Dec 2017 -- India alleges that there has been a two-fold increase in ceasefire violations by Pakistani troops in 2017. Last week, India reportedly turned down the Pakistani foreign minister's request for an independent verification of ceasefire violation allegations.
• Thousands in DR Congo's restive Kasais to benefit from UN food and nutrition efforts, but challenges remain UN News 20 Dec 2017 -- Against the backdrop of severe hunger as a result of conflict in central Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC), the United Nations emergency food relief and food security agencies are stepping up their response to assist more than 100,000 people.
• South Sudan: First UN safe haven for displaced civilians closes UN News 20 Dec 2017 -- The first 'Protection of Civilians' site – a place of refuge and safety set up next to a United Nations base in South Sudan – has been successfully closed after internally displaced families expressed the desire and confidence to return to their homes, the UN mission in the country said Wednesday.
• Fighting Pushes More South Sudanese Into Congo VOA 20 Dec 2017 -- Hundreds of South Sudanese refugees entered the Democratic Republic of Congo this week after South Sudanese government forces captured a rebel base near the border.
• South Sudan's Warring Parties May Sign Cease-fire Friday VOA 20 Dec 2017 -- Members of South Sudan's many warring factions are gathered at a forum in the hope of working out a cease-fire as soon as Friday.
• FEATURE: Curtain falls on UN tribunal's 24-year history of fighting impunity in former Yugoslavia UN News 20 Dec 2017 -- As the United Nations tribunal dealing with atrocities committed during the Balkans conflicts in the 1990s prepares to close its doors on 31 December, top officials say the court has proven skeptics wrong, citing its achievements and its immense contribution to international criminal justice.

News Reports

• Treasury Targets Individuals Involved in the Sergei Magnitsky Case and Other Gross Violations of Human Rights in Russia US Treasury 20 Dec 2017 -- The U.S. Department of the Treasury's Office of Foreign Assets Control (OFAC) today designated five individuals pursuant to the Sergei Magnitsky Rule of Law Accountability Act of 2012 (the Magnitsky Act). In addition, the U.S. Department of State issued its annual submission to Congress on the U.S. Government's actions to implement the law. As a result of today's actions, any property or interests in property of those designated within U.S. jurisdiction are blocked, and transactions by U.S. persons involving the designated persons are generally prohibited.
• US Sanctions Chechen Strongman Kadyrov, 4 Other Russians VOA 20 Dec 2017 -- The United States has financially blacklisted five Russians, including Chechen strongman Ramzan Kadyrov, whom it accused of carrying out deadly repression against people trying to expose government corruption.
• U.S. Sanctions Chechen Leader Kadyrov, Four Others Under Magnitsky Act RFE/RL 20 Dec 2017 -- The U.S. Treasury has hit the leader of Russia's Chechnya region with financial sanctions under the Magnitsky Act, a U.S. law that aims to punish Russians alleged to be involved in human rights violations.
• News Analysis: U.S. Policy Toward Russia Toughens, Despite Trump Talk RFE/RL 20 Dec 2017 -- Statements from the Kremlin and the White House last weekend about thwarting a purported terrorist attack in St. Petersburg seemed to suggest that the United States and Russia were entering a new era of comity and cooperation.
• Briefing Previewing the Annual Report on the Implementation of the Sergei Magnitsky Rule of Law Accountability Act US Dept. of State 20 Dec 2017
• Russia spy agencies foiled 60 terror attacks: Putin Press TV 20 Dec 2017 -- Russian President Vladimir Putin has hailed security and intelligence forces in his country for efforts that foiled more than 60 terrorist attacks.
• EU may punish Poland for 'undemocratic' legal reforms Press TV 20 Dec 2017 -- The European Union (EU)'s executive branch may start an unprecedented disciplinary process against Poland over its judicial reforms, which the EU says are in violation of the bloc's human rights and democratic values.
• Finnish Intelligence Bill May Allow to Put Foreign Diplomats Under Surveillance Sputnik 20 Dec 2017 -- Finland's draft bill on intelligence services may allow conducting surveillance of foreign embassy's employees, Helsingin Sanomat reported on Wednesday.
• Iran: International community should not allow US to undermine JCPOA ISNA 20 Dec 2017 -- Permanent mission of Iran to the United Nations in a statement denounced the US for its blatant violations of the nuclear deal, stressing that the international community should not allow the United States to continue to undermine the multilateral contract.
• Iran urges global action against US bids to undermine nuclear deal Press TV 20 Dec 2017 -- Iran's ambassador to the UN has denounced the US for its blatant violations of the 2015 nuclear deal, saying the world community must stand against Washington's efforts to undermine the multinational pact, which enjoys strong global support.
• U.S. Urges UN To Punish Iran Over Missile Activity; Russia Rules Out Sanctions RFE/RL 20 Dec 2017 -- U.S. Ambassador Nikki Haley has urged the United Nations Security Council to punish Iran for what she called "destabilizing behavior" and "dangerous violations" of UN arms embargoes, but Russia ruled out sanctions and said dialogue is needed.
• U.S. Jury To Begin Deliberating In High-Profile Iran Sanctions Case RFE/RL 20 Dec 2017 -- A U.S. jury in Manhattan is due to begin deliberating on December 20 in a high-profile Iran sanctions trial that has implicated top Turkish officials while straining relations between the United States and its NATO ally.
• Iraqi Kurdistan parliament speaker resigns amid anti-KRG protests Press TV 20 Dec 2017 -- The parliament speaker of Iraq's semi-autonomous Kurdistan has resigned amid fatal protests against the Kurdistan Regional Government (KRG).
• Iraqi Kurdistan Parliament Speaker Resigns Amid Protest in Region - Source Sputnik 20 Dec 2017 -- Yusuf Mohammed Sadiq, the speaker of Iraqi Kurdistan's parliament, has resigned, while the Gorran Movement party and the Kurdistan Islamic Group party withdrew from the regional government amid protests in the autonomy, a source told Sputnik Wednesday.
• Violent Protests Ease in Iraqi Kurdistan, Anger Remains VOA 20 Dec 2017 -- Violent protests eased Wednesday in Iraq's semi-autonomous Kurdish region, but concerns remained that the crisis could grow as opposition politicians quit Parliament and the government cracked down on media accused of fomenting the unrest.
• 2 Opposition Parties Withdraw from Iraq's Kurdish Regional Government VOA 20 Dec 2017 -- Two opposition parties, the Gorran and the Kurdistan Islamic Group (Komal), have withdrawn from Iraq's semi-autonomous Kurdistan Regional Government (KRG), party sources said.
• Taiwan moves to upgrade 'three mini links' with China CNA 20 Dec 2017 -- The National Immigration Agency (NIA) said Wednesday that from next year, it will streamline the process for Chinese nationals traveling via the "three mini links," between mainland China and Taiwan's two offshore counties.
• Turkey court sentences 15 soldiers to life in prison over coup attempt Press TV 20 Dec 2017 -- A Turkish court has handed down life sentences to 15 soldiers for their role in a failed military coup in July 2016, which sparked a wide-scale crackdown.
• Interview: EU Urges Western Balkans, Eastern Partnership Countries To Speed Up Reforms RFE/RL 20 Dec 2017 -- The European Union is urging Western Balkans countries and members of the Eastern Partnership program that have visa-free travel arrangements with the EU to do more to fight organized crime and corruption.
• Trump, Uzbekistan's Mirziyoev Discuss Ties, Regional Security In Phone Call RFE/RL 20 Dec 2017 -- U.S. President Donald Trump has spoken to Uzbek President Shavkat Mirziyoev in a telephone call that focused on security in Central Asia and the prospects for closer ties.