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Defense Policy / Programs
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News Reports

Current Operations

• OIF / OND / OEF / OIR / OFS Casualty Update 22 Jan 2018 [PDF]
• US Considers Sending 1,000 More Troops to Afghanistan in Spring - Reports Sputnik 22 Jan 2018 -- The United States is pondering increasing the number of its military personnel in Afghanistan by 1,000 more troops this spring, Washington Post newspaper reported, citing the sources in the US military.

Defense Policy / Programs

• Mattis in Southeast Asia, Amid Fresh US Focus on China VOA 22 Jan 2018 -- Just days after unveiling a new Pentagon strategy that prioritizes the U.S. geopolitical rivalry with China, Defense Secretary Jim Mattis is getting a chance to start implementing it.
• Press Gaggle by Secretary Mattis En Route to Indonesia DoD 22 Jan 2018 -- Presenter: Secretary of Defense James N. Mattis
• New Army theater sustainment methods to be evaluated at JMRC Army News 22 Jan 2018 -- It might not be sexy, but battles cannot be won without proper sustainment plans. For the first time, the Army Logistics University from Fort Lee, Virginia, taught the Theater Sustainment Planners Course (TSPC) at the Joint Multinational Readiness Center in Hohenfels, Germany, Jan. 8-19, where approximately 20 bserver-Coach/Trainers (O-C/T's) learned new methods of planning and sustainability.
• U.S. Marine, U.S. Army artillery units work side by side in Okinawa USMC News 22 Jan 2018 -- Okinawa-based Marines and North Carolina-based Soldiers rehearsed a simulated fire support exercise at the III Marine Expeditionary Force Combined Arms Staff Trainer building on Camp Hansen, Okinawa, Japan, Jan. 8-19, 2018.
• Pacific Partnership 2018 Planning Conference Concludes NNS 22 Jan 2018 -- Pacific partnership staff and partner nation representatives met onboard USNS Mercy (T-AH 19), Jan. 16-19, for the final planning conference leading to Pacific Partnership 2018.
• HST Completes Force Protection Exercise NNS 22 Jan 2018 -- Sailors aboard USS Harry S. Truman (CVN 75) successfully completed a two-day Force Protection Exercise (FPEX) while pier-side, Jan. 18.
• Truman Conducts FST-GC Exercise NNS 22 Jan 2018 -- The Harry S. Truman Carrier Strike Group has taken another step in its pre-deployment work-up cycle, completing the Fleet Synthetic Training - Group Commander (FST-GC) exercise Jan. 19.
• Boxer Completes Light Off Assessment NNS 22 Jan 2018 -- The crew of amphibious assault ship USS Boxer (LHD 4) successfully executed a light off assessment (LOA), Jan. 19, moving one step closer to going back to sea by demonstrating they are ready and able to safely operate the ship's engineering plant.
• Mississippi Visits Yokosuka for the 2nd Time During Current Deployment NNS 22 Jan 2018 -- The Virginia-class attack submarine USS Mississippi (SSN 782) arrived at Fleet Activities Yokosuka, Jan. 22 for a routine visit as part of its deployment to the Indo-Asia-Pacific region.
• USS Mount Whitney Hosts U.S. Ambassador to Malta, Maltese Officials NNS 22 Jan 2018 -- The Blue Ridge-class command and control ship USS Mount Whitney (LCC 20) hosted U.S. Ambassador to Malta, Honorable G. Kathleen Hill, Adm. James Foggo III, commander, Naval Forces Europe/Naval Forces Africa, and Maltese officials for a dinner and tour, Jan. 19.
• Flying too High: Norway Finds US Spy Planes 'Inept' at Seeing Illegal Fishing Sputnik 22 Jan 2018 -- Despite being touted as the best possible replacement for the decades-old Orion surveillance aircraft, the procurement of Poseidon 9-8A has been heavily criticized by several Norwegian parties. To add insult to injury, the pricey aircraft were found to be not so great at discovering illegal fishing, their primary task.
• NATO Deputy Secretary General begins visit to Turkey NATO 22 Jan 2018 -- NATO Deputy Secretary General Rose Gottemoeller began a two-day visit to Turkey on Monday (22 January 2018) with a visit to the mausoleum of Mustafa Kemal Atatürk in Ankara.
• Dynamic security threats and the British Army: Chief of the General Staff General Sir Nicholas Carter KCB CBE DSO ADC Gen UK MOD 22 Jan 2018 -- Speech given at The Royal United Services Institute
• Britain No Match For Russia's Military, U.K. Army Chief Says RFE/RL 22 Jan 2018 -- Britain would struggle to match Russia's military capabilities on the battlefield, the head of the U.K. army will say in a speech on January 22.
• UK Army Chief Calls for More Military Spending to 'Keep Up With UK Adversaries' Sputnik 22 Jan 2018 -- UK Chief of General Staff Gen. Nick Carter is calling on his government to increase military spending to keep up with "UK adversaries," such as Russia, North Korea, Iran and China, to protect the country from hybrid warfare allegedly practiced by these hostile states, The Guardian reported, citing excerpts from his speech.
• Defense Cuts Leave Britain Vulnerable to Russia, Army Chief Says VOA 22 Jan 2018 -- Britain's army chief is warning that the country's military is in a perilous state with its ability to respond to threats, primarily from a newly resurgent Russia.
• Chinese Foreign Ministry Slams US Defense Strategy as 'Cold War Mentality' Sputnik 22 Jan 2018 -- On Friday, the Pentagon released the new US National Defense Strategy. Among other issues, the document listed Russia and China as security threats to the United States, while long-term strategic competition with Beijing and Moscow was among the key priorities for Washington.
• PLA Navy deploys 'new type of electronic warfare aircraft' People's Daily 22 Jan 2018 -- The People's Liberation Army (PLA) Navy's South China Sea Fleet deployed a "new type of electronic warfare aircraft" in its recent combat maneuvers, a move to greatly enhance the navy's capabilities in modern warfare to safeguard the country's sea rights, said Chinese military experts.
• India's first indigenous aircraft carrier to join navy by 2020: official People's Daily 22 Jan 2018 -- India's first indigenous aircraft carrier, INS Vikrant, is expected to be handed over to the navy by 2018 and commissioned by October 2020, a senior Indian official said Friday.
• Iran 'will not negotiate on its missile program' Press TV 22 Jan 2018 -- Iran says it will not negotiate on its missile program with European countries, reiterating that its defensive missile activities are off-limits.
• During drills, Iranian forces warn off US-led coalition battleships Press TV 22 Jan 2018 -- The Iranian Army has warned off two US-led coalition battleships during the first day of military exercises involving ground, naval, and aerial forces in southern Iran.
• Iranian Warplanes Warn Off '2 Coalition Vessels' - Admiral Sputnik 22 Jan 2018 -- Iran's army is holding a massive military drill in the country's south and southeastern areas, involving all military units.
• Japan Holds First Missile Attack Evacuation Drill Since WWII Sputnik 22 Jan 2018 -- Evacuation drills of the population in the event of the launch of a ballistic missile took place for the first time on Monday in the Bunk area of the Japanese capital.

Defense Industry

Other Conflicts

• 22 January 2018 - Daily Press Briefing by the Office of the Spokesperson for the Secretary-General United Nations 22 Jan 2018
• UN flag no longer offers 'natural' protection to peacekeepers, says report on mission casualties UN News 22 Jan 2018 -- The United Nations should change the way it does business in high-security risk peacekeeping operations, as the UN flag no longer offers 'natural' protection to mission personnel, according to a new report, which calls for better training for 'blue helmets,' more technology and greater freedom to respond to the threat posed by armed groups.
• Seoul Voices Protest Over Tokyo's Statement on Disputed Dokdo Islands Sputnik 22 Jan 2018 -- South Korea expressed its regret in a statement on Monday over Japan's recent territorial claims with regard to a disputed island group in the Sea of Japan, called Dokdo by the Koreans and Takeshima by the Japanese.
• Dozens of Saudi mercenaries killed as Yemeni forces hit base in Ta'izz Press TV 22 Jan 2018 -- Dozens of Saudi-sponsored militiamen loyal to Yemen's resigned president, Abd Rabbuh Mansur Hadi, have been killed and scores of others sustained injuries when Yemeni army forces fired a domestically-manufactured ballistic missile at their base in the country's southwestern province of Ta'izz.
• Emirati-backed group 'to oust Saudi-backed Yemen government' Press TV 22 Jan 2018 -- A group of Yemeni militants backed by the United Arab Emirates (UAE) has pledged to "overthrow" the "government" of a former Yemeni president whom Saudi Arabia has been attempting to prop up as the leader of the war-stricken country.
• At least seven killed after Saudi jets bomb Yemen's Sa'ada Press TV 22 Jan 2018 -- Saudi warplanes have conducted fresh airstrikes against the impoverished country of Yemen, leaving seven people, including five children and a woman, dead and five others injured in the northwestern Province of Sa'ada.
• Iran closely monitoring Turkey's operation in Syria's Afrin ISNA 22 Jan 2018 -- Iran's foreign ministry spokesman says the country is concerned about and closely watching Turkey's ongoing operation in Syria's Afrin, and hopes that the operation would be immediately terminated so as to prevent the deepening of crisis in northern Syria.
• EU's Mogherini 'extremely worried' about Turkish offensive in Syria Press TV 22 Jan 2018 -- The European Union foreign policy chief has expressed grave concern about Turkey's military operation against Kurdish militants in northern Syria, saying she would seek urgent talks with officials in Ankara.
• Turkey in agreement with Russia over operations in Syria's Afrin: Erdogan Press TV 22 Jan 2018 -- Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan says Turkey has reached an agreement with Russia over Ankara's latest military operation against US-backed Kurdish militants in northern Syria, vowing that his country would not retreat a step from the ongoing operation.
• Turkey 'Won't Step Back' From Syria Operation RFE/RL 22 Jan 2018 -- Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan has vowed there will be no stepping back in its operation against a Kurdish-run enclave in northern Syria that has stoked concern among Ankara's allies.
• UN Security Council Sets Session On Turkey's Operation In Syria RFE/RL 22 Jan 2018 -- The United Nations Security Council is set to discuss the humanitarian situation in Syria's Afrin region after Turkish troops and warplanes led a military operation in the Kurdish-run enclave.
• EU's Mogherini 'Extremely Worried' About Turkish Op in Syria's Afrin Sputnik 22 Jan 2018 -- Ankara has been conducting Operation Olive Branch in Afrin since Saturday in order to bring security along the Turkish borders under control.
• Turkey's New Syrian Offensive Divides Global Community Sputnik 22 Jan 2018 -- The recently launched Turkish military operation against Kurdish militia forces entrenched in the Afrin district of Syria has already left dozens killed and wounded on both sides, according to various sources. The global community is looking upon the new crisis from a number of different perspectives.
• Turkish Army Launches Operation in Syria's Azaz to the East of Afrin - Reports Sputnik 22 Jan 2018 -- On Saturday, the Turkish leadership announced a military campaign in Syrian Kurdish-controlled Afrin, with the operation on the ground starting the following day.
• Iran Calls on Turkey to Immediately End Olive Branch Operation Sputnik 22 Jan 2018 -- At least nine people, including six civilians were killed as a result of the Turkish airstrikes carried out on Saturday under the military operation in Syria's northwestern Afrin district, a source in Afrin's local authorities told Sputnik on Sunday.
• Turkey Steps Up Offensive Against Syrian Kurdish Militia VOA 22 Jan 2018 -- Turkish forces shelled northern Syria on Monday, pressing a campaign to push Kurdish militia out of the Afrin area, while officials said the operation will be over quickly.
• Civilian Casualties Reported as Turkey Intensifies Operation Against Syrian Kurds VOA 22 Jan 2018 -- Turkey's military operation against the People's Protection Units (YPG), a U.S.-backed Syrian Kurdish militia, has entered its third day with reports of growing civilian casualties.
• US-Backed SDF Considering Sending Reinforcements to Afrin Amid Turkish Op Sputnik 22 Jan 2018 -- On Saturday, the Arab-Kurdish Syrian Democratic Forces (SDF), supported by the United States, issued a statement expressing readiness to defend themselves and the Kurdish people against the Turkish military operation.
• Rocket Hits Turkish Camp Where FSA Troops Located, 12 Injured - Reports Sputnik 22 Jan 2018 -- Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan vows attackers to pay a heavy price as missile hits Turkish camp.
• Syrian Kurds Force Turkish Army to Retreat From its Territory - Representative Sputnik 22 Jan 2018 -- During the fighting, the Syrian Kurds forced Turkish troops and Ankara-backed rebels to retreat from their territory, representative of the Syrian Kurdistan in Moscow, Rodi Osman, told RIA Novosti.
• Russia: US actions in Syria either provocative or ill-informed Press TV 22 Jan 2018 -- Russia has slammed US actions in Syria that "encourage separatist sentiments among Kurds" as either a provocation or ill-informed after Turkey launched a major operation against US-backed militants in the Arab country.
• Syrian Troops Start Op to Eliminate Nusra Front Militants in Idlib - Russian MoD Sputnik 22 Jan 2018 -- Syrian government troops and local militia units have started the operation to eliminate al-Nusra Front terrorists, who have been surrounded in the eastern part of Idlib province, the Russian Defense Ministry said.
• Rohingya citizenship, safety need addressing before repatriation: UN Press TV 22 Jan 2018 -- The UN refugee chief says more time is needed to prepare the return of Rohingya Muslim refugees in Bangladesh to western Rakhine state in Myanmar.
• Rohingya repatriations won't begin Tuesday as planned: Bangladesh Press TV 22 Jan 2018 -- Bangladesh has postponed the gradual repatriation of hundreds of thousands of Rohingya Muslims to Myanmar, which was slated to being Tuesday, amid concerns that the refugees could be coerced into leaving.
• Start of Rohingya Repatriation to Myanmar Delayed VOA 22 Jan 2018 -- The gradual repatriation of Rohingya Muslim refugees to Myanmar from Bangladesh, previously set to begin Tuesday, has been delayed.
• Kazakhstan Defends Offer To Host Ukraine Peace Talks RFE/RL 22 Jan 2018 -- Kazakhstan has responded to Belarusian criticism of Kazakh President Nursultan Nazarbaev's offer to move the venue of peace talks on Ukraine from Minsk to Astana.
• Recognition of Palestine is 'a way to respond' to Trump's move on al-Quds Press TV 22 Jan 2018 -- Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas will call on the EU to officially recognize the state of Palestine during a Monday meeting with the bloc.
• UN agency for Palestine refugee launches global funding push after US aid cuts UN News 22 Jan 2018 -- The United Nations Relief and Works Agency for Palestine Refugees in the Near East (UNRWA) launched on Monday a global fundraising campaign to sustain resources for its education, health and other assistance programmes.
• US Jerusalem Decision in Focus as Pence Visits Israel VOA 22 Jan 2018 -- U.S. Vice President Mike Pence said Monday it was an honor "to be in Israel's capital, Jerusalem," highlighting a U.S. decision to recognize the city as he met with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu.
• Pence: US Embassy Will Move to Jerusalem in 2019 VOA 22 Jan 2018 -- U.S. Vice President Mike Pence said Monday that the United States would move its embassy in Israel to Jerusalem by the end of 2019.

News Reports

• Lavrov Says Western 'Russophobia' Worse Than During Cold War RFE/RL 22 Jan 2018 -- Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov says the level of what he described as "Russophobia" in Western countries is higher than it was at the peak of the Cold War.
• Moscow Court Orders Closure Of Key Navalny Campaign Foundation RFE/RL 22 Jan 2018 -- A court in Moscow has ordered the closure of a foundation that has been bulwark of opposition politician Aleksei Navalny's presidential campaign.
• Xi: Revising Constitution is significant People's Daily 22 Jan 2018 -- General Secretary of the Communist Party of China (CPC) Central Committee Xi Jinping has called the revision to China's Constitution a significant event in the political life of the CPC and the country.
• Iran can set security policy for region: Iran ISNA 22 Jan 2018 -- Iranian foreign minister Mohammad Javad Zarif in a memo published by the Financial Times emphasized that Iran can set a post-Isis security policy for the region.
• JCPOA breakdown to entail chaos in international relations: Lavrov ISNA 22 Jan 2018 -- The breakdown of the Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action (JCPOA) on Iran's nuclear program, as well as failure on other international agreements will inevitably entail a turmoil in international affairs, Russian foreign minister Sergey Lavrov said in an interview with the Kommersant daily on Sunday.
• Pence Calls Iran Nuclear Deal 'Disaster,' Warns Of U.S. Withdrawal RFE/RL 22 Jan 2018 -- U.S. Vice President Mike Pence has reiterated that the United States will "withdraw" from the Iran nuclear deal with world powers unless the agreement is "fixed."
• Mike Pence Says US Will Never Allow Tehran to Develop Nuclear Weapons Sputnik 22 Jan 2018 -- The US vice president has arrived in Israel to have talks with the state leadership and deliver a speech in the country's parliament amid high tensions over President Trump's decision to recognize Jerusalem as the capital of Israel.
• Iran Moves to Lessen Revolutionary Guard Presence in Economy Sputnik 22 Jan 2018 -- Iran Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei has instructed the Revolutionary Guard Corps to decrease its investment participation in the state economy, raising the possibility that some of the organization's holdings may be privatized.
• US company signs deal to extract gas from Iraqi oilfield Press TV 22 Jan 2018 -- Iraq has signed an agreement with Orion Gas Processors to let the American energy company process some of its natural gas.
• Duterte says not seeking to change constitution to stay longer in office Press TV 22 Jan 2018 -- Philippine President Rodrigo Duterte has rejected claims that he and his allies are seeking a way for him to stay in office beyond his current term.
• Secretary-General extends mandate of UN-backed Lebanon tribunal for three more years UN News 22 Jan 2018 -- United Nations Secretary-General António Guterres extended for another three years the mandate of the tribunal set up to try those accused of carrying out the February 2005 attack in Beirut, which killed 22 people, including the former Prime Minister of Lebanon, Rafiq Hariri, and injured many others.
• Guterres urges Congolese security forces to exercise restraint amid reports six people killed in protests UN News 22 Jan 2018 -- Amid disturbing reports that at least six people were killed on Sunday during political protests in the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC) United Nations Secretary-General António Guterres has urged Congolese security forces to respect the people's right to free speech and freedom of assembly.
• Liberia: UN welcomes new President's inauguration as another achievement on country's road to success UN News 22 Jan 2018 -- George Weah was inaugurated on Monday as the new President of Liberia, where the United Nations is set to close its peacekeeping mission in a few weeks after a successful 15-year presence in the West African country.