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News Reports

Current Operations

• OIF / OND / OEF / OIR / OFS Casualty Update 12 Feb 2018 [PDF]
• Pentagon Report on Niger Ambush Finds 'Missteps', Need for Stronger Oversight Sputnik 12 Feb 2018 -- The New York Times has reportedly acquired the results of the military investigation into the October ambush of US and Nigerien troops that left four Americans and five Nigeriens dead. The report recommends fewer ground missions and higher required levels of command approval for operations.

Defense Policy / Programs

• DoD Releases Fiscal Year 2019 Budget Proposal DoD 12 Feb 2018 -- Today President Donald J. Trump sent Congress a proposed Fiscal Year (FY) 2019 budget request of $716 billion for national security, $686 billion of which is for the Department of Defense. The National Defense Strategy, which aligns with the National Security Strategy, connects strategy to the FY 2019 budget priorities, enabling the Department to compete, deter, and win.
• President's Fiscal 2019 Defense Budget Request Calls for $686.1 Billion AFPS 12 Feb 2018 -- The president's fiscal year 2019 defense budget request calls for $686.1 billion in spending and will reverse years of military erosion, defense officials said here today.
• Department of Defense News Briefing on the President's Fiscal Year 2019 Defense Budget DoD 12 Feb 2018 -- Presenter: Undersecretary of Defense (Comptroller) David L. Norquist; and Director, Force Structure, Resources and Assessment, Joint Staff, Lieutenant General Anthony R. Ierardi
• Department Of Defense Press Briefing on the Fiscal Year 2019 Air Force Budget DoD 12 Feb 2018 -- Presenter: Air Force Deputy Assistant Secretary for Budget, Major General John M. Pletcher; Carolyn M. Gleason, Deputy for Budget, Office of the Assistant Secretary of the Air Force for Financial Management and Comptroller
• Readout from Secretary Mattis' Meeting with Italian Defense Minister Pinotti DoD 12 Feb 2018
• Officials Highlight Importance of U.S. Security Sector Assistance AFPS 12 Feb 2018 -- U.S. security sector assistance is an important tool to build partner capacity and strengthen regional security, officials said today during a panel discussion at the Center for Strategic and International Studies here.
• Trump Urges DoD to Purchase Twice as Much Military Equipment at Half Price Sputnik 12 Feb 2018 -- US President Donald Trump said on Monday that he is pushing the Department of Defense to double its purchases of military equipment at half the price.
• Mattis Looks to NATO, Future of ISIS Fight AFPS 12 Feb 2018 -- Defense Secretary James N. Mattis left yesterday on a six-day trip to meet with defense leaders from around the world to chart the way ahead against the Islamic State of Iraq and Syria.
• US Soldiers sharpen tactical, anti-terrorism skills in Jordan Army News 12 Feb 2018 -- A radio crackles to life on what seems like another routine security patrol in a remote village. 1st Lt. Brent Lemler, of Bravo Company "Bushmasters," 1st Battalion, 184th Infantry Regiment, keys his hand-held radio and responds.
• Engineers conduct ice bridging, chainsaw operations for emergency preparedness Army News 12 Feb 2018 -- The Alaska National Guard has fortified its longstanding relationship with its local population by striving to be ready in the event of a disaster requiring response.
• US Army, Marines work with partners to help Thai communities in Cobra Gold exercise Army News 12 Feb 2018 -- The Royal Thai, United States, and Indonesian Armed Forces gathered during a pillar raising ceremony for an Exercise Cobra Gold 2018 construction project of a school building at Banthungsohongsa School in Chachoengsao, Kingdom of Thailand, Jan. 31, 2018.
• 299th BSB Conducts Live-Fire Training in Grafenwoehr Army News 12 Feb 2018 -- Leaders from 299th Brigade Support Battalion, 2nd Armored Brigade Combat Team, 1st Infantry Division know Soldiers must maintain fundamental skills.
• Cobra Gold 18 | 1st MAW arrives to Thailand in support of CG18 USMC News 12 Feb 2018 -- U.S. Marines with 1st Marine Aircraft Wing joined forces with service members from seven full participating nations to support the 37th iteration of Exercise Cobra Gold, at various sites in the Kingdom of Thailand, February 13-23, 2018.
• Mississippi Visits Yokosuka During Current Deployment NNS 12 Feb 2018 -- The Virginia-class attack submarine USS Mississippi (SSN 782) arrived at Fleet Activities Yokosuka Feb. 12, for a routine visit as part of its deployment to the Indo-Pacific region.
• NDW Concludes Citadel Shield-Solid Curtain 2018 NNS 12 Feb 2018 -- Naval District Washington (NDW) concluded its participation in the two-week anti-terrorism and force protection exercise Citadel Shield-Solid Curtain (CS-SC) 2018, Feb. 9.
• Lake Champlain Arrives in Guam NNS 12 Feb 2018 -- USS Lake Champlain (CG 57) arrived in Guam for a regularly scheduled port visit, Feb. 12.
• Oak Hill Begins 2018 Deployment NNS 12 Feb 2018 -- Nearly 400 Sailors assigned to USS Oak Hill (LSD 51) departed Joint Expeditionary Base Little Creek-Fort Story, Virginia, Feb. 9, for a scheduled six-month deployment.
• Department of the Navy Releases Fiscal Year 2019 Budget NNS 12 Feb 2018 -- The Department of the Navy released its proposed $194.1 billion (Base and Overseas Contingency Operations (OCO)) budget Feb. 12, for fiscal year (FY) 2019.
• Navy Submits 30-Year Ship Acquisition Plan NNS 12 Feb 2018 -- The Department of the Navy submitted the long-range ship acquisition plan to Congress Feb. 12.
• US Navy Invites Bids to Build More Guided Missile Destroyers Sputnik 12 Feb 2018 -- The US Navy has sent invitations to the private sector to submit bids to build Arleigh Burke-class destroyers, the service's top weapons buyer said last week.
• Navy Installations Command Reserve Force Essential to Exercise Solid Curtain/Citadel Shield NNS 12 Feb 2018 -- Nearly one-hundred members of Navy Reserve units throughout Commander, Navy Installations Command (CNIC) augmented their active duty commands during Exercise Solid Curtain - Citadel Shield 2018, an anti-terrorism/force protection exercise conducted across Navy installations within the continental U.S.
• USS Hopper Returns from 4-month Deployment NNS 12 Feb 2018 -- Guided-missile destroyer USS Hopper (DDG 70) returned to its homeport Joint Base Pearl Harbor-Hickam after a successful four-month deployment, Feb. 9.
• Truman: A City at Sea NNS 12 Feb 2018 -- Weighing more than 90,000 tons, this mighty warship can effortlessly glide through water at more than 30 knots. The self-sufficient, nuclear-powered aircraft carrier USS Harry S. Truman (CVN 75) is a steel marvel.
• Russia tests latest interceptor missile in Kazakhstan Press TV 12 Feb 2018 -- The Russian Defense Ministry has released footage of the testing of its latest interceptor missile which is designed to protect Moscow from nuclear attacks.
• Russia's New Su-25 Jet Will Be Immune to MANPAD Fire – Reports Sputnik 12 Feb 2018 -- Russian engineers have developed a system which ensures 100-percent protection against the heat-seeking warheads of Stinger and Igla MANPADS, Rossiiskaya Gazeta has reported.
• Sweden's New Helicopters Clobbered as 'Biggest Procurement Blunder' Sputnik 12 Feb 2018 -- Sweden's 18 new helicopters have been hailed as a hypermodern, state-of-the-art replacement for those currently in use, but a 17-year delivery delay, combined with ballooning costs, has put a serious damper on their reception .
• China's newest stealth drone takes to the sky for its maiden flight People's Daily 12 Feb 2018 -- China's top aircraft research center on Monday announced the successful test flight of the country's newest stealth drone, a long-endurance unmanned aircraft that can fly under the radar.
• Beijing Poised to Build World's Biggest Test Site for Drone Ships in S China Sea Sputnik 12 Feb 2018 -- The development comes a month after China presented an unmanned vessel, claiming it to be the fastest in the world with a maximum speed of more than 90kmph.
• Alleged Iranian Drone Captured By Israel is 'Copy' of US' Sentinel UAV Sputnik 12 Feb 2018 -- A drone captured by the Israeli Air Force over the weekend, which Israel claims belongs to Iran, is essentially a "copy" of a Lockheed Martin Sentinel drone made for the US Air Force and Central Intelligence Agency that was shot down in Iranian skies in 2011 by Iranian forces.
• Iran defense capability not violating regional security IRNA 12 Feb 2018 -- Commander of Iranian Army's Air Force said on Monday that Iran's defensive capability is not violating regional security, rather it helps to the establishment of security in the strategically important Persian Gulf region.
• Turkey Issues Ultimatum to Washington Ahead of Tillerson Visit VOA 12 Feb 2018 -- Turkey is calling on the Unites States to take concrete steps to address its concerns about American support for a Kurdish militia in Syria or face a breakdown in relations. The stepped up pressure comes ahead of U.S. Secretary of State Rex Tillerson's visit to Turkey next week.
• Defence Secretary hails modern partnership with Australia UK MOD 12 Feb 2018 -- The Defence Secretary Gavin Williamson has visited the regional power with global interests, Australia, to discuss reinforcing the modern partnership, as well as tackling the nuclear threat from North Korea.
• Briefing on the President's Fiscal Year 2019 Budget Request for the U.S. Department of State and USAID US Dept. of State 12 Feb 2018 -- Special Briefing by John J. Sullivan, Deputy Secretary of State, Mark Green, USAID Administrator and Experts
• Department of State and USAID FY 2019 Budget Request US Dept. of State 12 Feb 2018 -- Today, President Trump requested $39.3 billion for the Fiscal Year (FY) 2019 Department of State and U.S. Agency for International Development (USAID) budget.
• Press Briefing by Press Secretary Sarah Sanders The White House 12 Feb 2018

Defense Industry

• DoD News: Contracts for February 12, 2018

Other Conflicts

• 12 February 2018 - Daily Press Briefing by the Office of the Spokesperson for the Secretary-General United Nations 12 Feb 2018
• More than 5,000 child soldiers released in 2017, but tens of thousands still being used in conflict - UN UN News 12 Feb 2018 -- The global commitment to end the use of children in armed conflict led to the release and reintegration of more than 5,000 children in 2017, but tens of thousands of boys and girls are still being recruited, kidnapped, and forced to fight or work for military groups or armed forces at "alarming rates," according to the United Nations.
• Civilians in war-torn Yemen 'under fire on all sides' - UN rights chief UN News 12 Feb 2018 -- Raising alarm over continuing civilian casualties in the midst of increased hostilities in war-ravaged Yemen, the United Nations human rights chief underscored that all parties to the conflict are obliged under international humanitarian law to ensure that civilians are not harmed.
• UN Demands Halt to Turkey Military Targeting Water Supplies in Syria - Spokesman Sputnik 12 Feb 2018 -- Reports of weekend attacks by Turkey's military on water supplies in an offensive against Kurdish units in the Afrin region prompted fresh condemnation from the United Nations, spokesman Stephane Dujarric told reporters on Monday.
• Syrian YPG militants target Turkish reconnaissance drone over Afrin Press TV 12 Feb 2018 -- Militants from the Kurdish People's Protection Units (YPG) have tracked and shot down a Turkish unmanned aerial vehicle in the skies over Syria's northwestern region of Afrin as Ankara government pushes ahead with its cross-border offensive against the US-backed forces.
• Moscow Unaware of Iran's Military Base Near Syrian Palmyra - Deputy FM Sputnik 12 Feb 2018 -- The Russian Foreign Ministry has no information about Iran having a military base near the Syrian city of Palmyra, Russian Deputy Foreign Minister Mikhail Bogdanov said Monday.
• Mattis: Syria Foreign Fighters Should Face Justice at Home VOA 12 Feb 2018 -- The United States wants detained foreign fighters being held by U.S.-backed Syrian Democratic Forces to be turned over to face justice in their home countries. Defense Secretary Jim Mattis is expected to raise the issue during a meeting in Italy with other members of the coalition fighting IS in Iraq and Syria.
• New Wave of International Conflict Complicates Syria War VOA 12 Feb 2018 -- "We are always afraid of being bombed," says 12-year-old Habib, perching on the edge of a park bench bearing the Turkish border town's name, Reyhanli. "But our parents are even more scared."
• Russian Contingent in Syria Has Potential to Deter Terrorism - Kremlin Sputnik 12 Feb 2018 -- Russia's remaining contingent in Syria has the necessary potential needed to deter terrorist activity, Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov said Monday.
• Washington not to contribute funds to Iraq's reconstruction: US officials Press TV 12 Feb 2018 -- The United States will be a main absentee from plans to contribute to Iraq's finances, US officials say as Baghdad seeks to rebuild the country following a devastating battle against the Daesh Takfiri terrorist group.
• Iraqi intelligence official claims Daesh ringleader Baghdadi 'alive' in Syria Press TV 12 Feb 2018 -- A top Iraqi official says the Daesh Takfiri terrorist group's leader Ibrahim al-Samarrai, aka Abu Bakr al-Baghdadi, is "alive" and is being treated in a field hospital in Syria, less than a year after sources announced the death of the notorious ringleader.
• Some four million Iraqi children in need says UNICEF, ahead of investment conference in Kuwait UN News 12 Feb 2018 -- About a quarter of all Iraqi children are living in poverty, and in the wake of more than four years of violence, families are being pushed to "extreme measures" in order to survive, said the United Nations Children's Fund (UNICEF) on Monday, as a major conference on rebuilding the country was set to open tomorrow in neighbouring Kuwait.
• Iran to continue supporting role in post-Daesh Iraq: Spokesman IRNA 12 Feb 2018 -- Iran will continue its constructive and supporting role in Iraq's reconstruction era, Foreign Ministry spokesman said on Monday.
• Iraq Needs $25Bln at First Stage of Recovery After Daesh Defeat – Official Sputnik 12 Feb 2018 -- Iraq needs $25 billion to restore infrastructure and housing after the defeat of the Daesh terrorist group (banned in Russia), the adviser to the country's minister of water resources, Zafir Hussein told Sputnik.
• Iraq Seeks $100 Billion for Post-IS Reconstruction VOA 12 Feb 2018 -- The Iraqi government's hope of raising close to $100 billion to reconstruct areas devastated by the Islamic State group appeared dim Monday, as an international reconstruction conference kicked off in Kuwait.
• Putin Says Spoke With Trump About Israel-Palestinian Situation RFE/RL 12 Feb 2018 -- Russian President Vladimir Putin has spoken by phone with his U.S. counterpart, Donald Trump, about the situation between Israel and the Palestinian Authority, Russian news agencies reported.
• Abbas In Moscow To Seek Support On Jerusalem, Peace Conference RFE/RL 12 Feb 2018 -- Palestinian Authority President Mahmud Abbas arrived in Moscow on February 12 for meetings with President Vladimir Putin as he seeks Russia's support in the face of rising tensions with the United States.
• US, Israel Differ on Whether They Have Discussed Israel Settlement Annexation VOA 12 Feb 2018 -- Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said Monday he has had talks with the United States about the possibility of annexing Jewish settlements in the occupied West Bank, but in a rare note of discord between the staunch allies, the White House said his claim was false.
• Focus on future, prioritize reconciliation for the region, UN envoy urges Western Balkans UN News 12 Feb 2018 -- Concluding a twelve-day visit to Croatia, Montenegro, Serbia and Bosnia and Herzegovina, the United Nations Special Adviser on the Prevention of Genocide called for concerted and sustained efforts to prioritize reconciliation and prevention.
• India, Pakistan Trade Barbs After Attack on Indian Kashmir Army Camp VOA 12 Feb 2018 -- Indian Defense Minister Nirmala Sitharaman Monday accused the Pakistan-based Jaish-e-Mohammed militant group of attacking on an army camp in Indian Kashmir and vowed that "Pakistan will pay for this misadventure."
• Myanmar bulldozing villages in Rakhine to erase Rohingya history, show aerial photos Press TV 12 Feb 2018 -- New aerial pictures of Rakhine state appear to show several bulldozed settlements of the persecuted Rohingya people, giving rise to concerns that Myanmar is wiping out history of the Muslim minority.
• 20,000 UN forces needed to resolve Ukraine's crisis: Report Press TV 12 Feb 2018 -- The United Nations should mull the deployment of some 20,000 peacekeeping forces in Ukraine to help resolve the long-standing crisis in the country's volatile eastern regions, says an official report to be presented at a security conference in Germany.

News Reports

• Trump Budget Request Includes Funds for Border Wall, Military VOA 12 Feb 2018 -- U.S. President Donald Trump is sending a $4.4 trillion budget request to Congress that includes money for a southern border wall and building up the military, but is projected to increase the federal deficit by more than $1 trillion.
• Tillerson: Up to North Korea to Engage in Talks VOA 12 Feb 2018 -- U.S. Secretary of State Rex Tillerson said Monday any possible negotiations with North Korea over its nuclear and ballistic missile programs can only happen if North Korea shows it is ready to engage in meaningful talks.
• Deported Saakashvili Accuses Putin, Poroshenko Of 'Wanting To Get Rid Of Me' RFE/RL 12 Feb 2018 -- Opposition politician Mikheil Saakashvili has accused Russia, Georgia, and Ukraine of "wanting to get rid of" him and urged his supporters to remain calm after he was deported from Kyiv to Poland.
• Ukraine Opposition Leader 'Kidnapped', Deported to Poland VOA 12 Feb 2018 -- Ukraine opposition leader Mikheil Saakashvili has been deported to Poland, officials said Monday, after he claimed to have been kidnapped by "unknown people in masks" in Kyiv.
• Mattis says N Korea cannot drive wedge between US, S Korea Press TV 12 Feb 2018 -- US Secretary of Defense James Mattis says says a temporary warming of relations between North Korea and South Korea could not drive a "wedge" between the United States and South Korea.
• President Rouhani stresses Iran's commitment to nuclear deal IRNA 11 Feb 2018 -- Iranian President Hassan Rouhani said on Sunday that Tehran is committed to its obligations under the nuclear deal reached between Iran and G5+1 (US, UK, Russia, China, France plus Germany) in 2015.
• Russian FSB Detains Ukrainian In Crimea On Suspicion Of Spying RFE/RL 12 Feb 2018 -- Russia's Federal Security Service (FSB) says it has detained a Ukrainian national in Russian-controlled Crimea on suspicion of espionage.
• Belarus Puts Ukrainian Journalist On Trial For Espionage RFE/RL 12 Feb 2018 -- The Supreme Court of Belarus says it has started the trial of a Ukrainian journalist charged with espionage.
• MOFA voices regret after China puts pressure on Taiwan again CNA 12 Feb 2018 -- The Ministry of Foreign Affairs (MOFA) on Monday expressed regret after the Papua New Guinea government ordered Taiwan's representative office in the country to remove the title "Republic of China" from its name under Chinese pressure.
• Tillerson Calls for Transparent, Credible Elections in Egypt VOA 12 Feb 2018 -- U.S. Secretary of State Rex Tillerson began a five-nation visit to the Middle East in Egypt, where he called for next month's presidential elections to be transparent and credible. His talks Monday with his counterpart Sameh Shoukri touched on topics including economic and military cooperation, and the fight against terrorism.
• South African President Zuma given 48 hours to step down Press TV 12 Feb 2018 -- South African President Jacob Zuma has been given 48 hours to leave his post as the head of state following an emergency African National Congress (ANC) party meeting.
• South Africa's Political Crisis Deepens Over Embattled President VOA 12 Feb 2018 -- South Africa's tense political crisis reached a peak Monday as leaders of the ruling African National Congress met to demand President Jacob Zuma's resignation. But after more than a week of unsuccessful negotiations, the opposition vowed that is not the end of the nation's political turmoil and called for early elections to replace Zuma.
• Serbia's Vucic Begins 'Uneasy But Useful' Visit To Croatia RFE/RL 12 Feb 2018 -- The presidents of Croatia and Serbia have pledged to intensify work on border issues, minority rights, and searching for missing persons from their 1990s war in an effort to improve strained bilateral ties.
• Maldives: UN rights experts denounce detention of judges as 'direct attack' on Supreme Court UN News 12 Feb 2018 -- Denouncing the detention of two Supreme Court judges in the Maldives, United Nations human rights experts warned that the independence of the judiciary is under "serious threat" in the country, as is the principle of separation of powers between the State and the courts.