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News Reports

Current Operations

• OIF / OND / OEF / OIR / OFS Casualty Update 26 Feb 2018 [PDF]
• Lithuania Special Operations Forces Deploy to Afghanistan Sputnik 26 Feb 2018 -- The Lithuanian government has increased its support of NATO's Operation Resolute Support mission in Afghanistan following requests from NATO and other allies, the country's Ministry of National Defense announced February 22.

Defense Policy / Programs

• Nuclear Posture Review Looks to Deter War, Policy Chief Says AFPS 26 Feb 2018 -- The goal of the Nuclear Posture Review, unveiled earlier this month, is to deter war, David J. Trachtenberg, deputy undersecretary of defense for policy, said at the Heritage Foundation here today.
• New Trump Nuclear Weapons Policies Not Offensive in Nature - Pentagon Official Sputnik 26 Feb 2018 -- US plans to build new submarine-launched cruise missiles (SLCM) and expand its nuclear arsenal are not offensive in nature and are a continuation of policies going back 70 years, Deputy Under Secretary of Defense for Policy David Trachtenberg said on Monday.
• Upcoming Joint U.S.-Israeli Exercise Aims to Improve Interoperability AFPS 26 Feb 2018 -- More than 2,500 U.S. personnel will take part in a joint exercise with Israel next month aimed at improving interoperability, a Pentagon spokesman told reporters today.
• Exercise Cobra Gold Strengthens Interoperability, Regional Relationships AFPS 26 Feb 2018 -- Some 5,800 U.S. service members, working in Thailand alongside forces from 29 partner nations, have wrapped up one of the largest security cooperation exercises in the Indo-Pacific region.
• USNS Mercy Deploys in Support of Pacific Partnership 2018 AFPS 26 Feb 2018 -- The Military Sealift Command hospital ship USNS Mercy departed its home port of San Diego Feb. 23 in support of the 13th Pacific Partnership mission.
• US Soldiers, European battle group pounce on successful training in Exercise Puma Army News 26 Feb 2018 -- In the below-freezing morning hours, elements of the Battle Group Poland loaded up for the upcoming Exercise Puma, which aimed to test the broader capabilities of this multinational organization over the next four days.
• Any clime and place: 2nd Tank Battalion trains at Fort Stewart USMC News 26 Feb 2018 -- Marines with 2nd Tank Battalion, 2nd Marine Division conduct a deployment for training exercise at Fort Stewart, Georgia, Feb. 5 - 27, 2018.
• SECNAV Visits Truman During Peak of COMPTUEX NNS 26 Feb 2018 -- Secretary of the Navy (SECNAV), the Honorable Richard V. Spencer, visited the Nimitz-class aircraft carrier USS Harry S. Truman (CVN 75) during its composite training unit exercise (COMPTUEX) Feb. 25.
• Readiness enhanced with Army National Guard 4.0 initiative Army News 26 Feb 2018 -- The Army National Guard has undergone a shift in its training approach and many Army Guard Soldiers in certain critical units have seen an increase in yearly training days and requirements.
• Under Secretary of the Army McCarthy shares leadership lessons with officers at Fort Leavenworth Army News 26 Feb 2018 -- Under Secretary of the Army Ryan D. McCarthy and Kansas Sen. Jerry Moran spoke to students of the U.S. Army Command and General Staff College during a visit to Fort Leavenworth, Kansas, Wednesday, Feb. 21. McCarthy's visit was a part of a larger trip, which included briefings from other U.S. Army Combined Arms Center organizations and initiatives.
• Norway Shelves Decision to Join NATO's Missile Shield Sputnik 26 Feb 2018 -- The government study which was expected to provide Norway with guidance in its fateful decision on whether to join NATO's controversial missile defense was expected to be ready before the New Year, but has been delayed.
• Russian Military Developing Long-Range Supersonic Missile-Lobbing Drone Sputnik 26 Feb 2018 -- Designed to infiltrate far into an enemy's territory, the new system will carry both guided and unguided munitions.
• Putin Signs New State Arms Program Focused on Cutting-Edge Weaponry Sputnik 26 Feb 2018 -- Russian Deputy Prime Minister Dmitri Rogozin has said that Russian President Vladimir Putin had signed the country's new state arms procurement program, which includes, among other things, robotics, intelligence systems, UAVs and precision ammunition.
• PLA advanced stealth fighter transforms air force capability: report People's Daily 26 Feb 2018 -- China's air force has marked a great upgrade in its ability to confront threats and even respond first, aviation experts said, as the country's latest stealth jet fighter, the J-20, has joined combat regiments of the People's Liberation Army (PLA).
• India Tests Domestic Drones Modeled After General Atomic's Predator Sputnik 26 Feb 2018 -- The Indian military has finished testing a drone that Indian news reports say will reduce New Delhi's reliance on unmanned aircraft imported from the US and Israel.
• Royal Navy and Royal Marines join major French deployment UK MOD 26 Feb 2018 -- UK maritime forces are taking part in a French naval deployment to the Indian Ocean and Far East.
• Saudi Arabia starts to enlist female soldiers Press TV 26 Feb 2018 -- Saudi Arabia has begun to permit women to join its armed forces as part of the kingdom's Vision 2030 social program.
• Armed and Dangerous: Saudi Women Earn the Right to Serve in the Military Sputnik 26 Feb 2018 -- A sweeping social reform program championed by Saudi Arabia's crown prince has now reached the kingdom's armed forces as Saudi women are eligible for military service.
• Saudi Arabia's King Salman initiates major military reshuffle Press TV 26 Feb 2018 -- Saudi Arabia's King Salman has fired the kingdom's military chief of staff and several other high ranking military officers.
• Royal Order ends services of two senior generals, promotes six, and appoints them in senior posts SPA 26 Feb 2018
• UN Chief: Nuclear Weapons Pose Catastrophic Risks VOA 26 Feb 2018 -- Nuclear weapons pose catastrophic risks to human life and the environment and must be eliminated, U.N. Secretary-General Antonio Guterres told delegates attending the 65-member Conference on Disarmament.
• Press Briefing by Press Secretary Sarah Sanders The White House 26 Feb 2018

Defense Industry

• DoD News: Contracts for February 26, 2018

Other Conflicts

• 26 February 2018 - Daily Press Briefing by the Office of the Spokesperson for the Secretary-General United Nations 26 Feb 2018
• Iran in focus as Security Council mulls rival Yemen resolutions Press TV 26 Feb 2018 -- The UN Security Council is to vote on two rival draft resolutions on Yemen after Russia proposed a measure to counter a UK motion against Iran over Houthi missiles.
• UAE attempting to fragment Yemen by forging regional armies: Official Press TV 26 Feb 2018 -- An official in the government of Yemen's former president says the United Arab Emirates (UAE) is trying to fragment the impoverished country by creating separate "regional and tribal armies" in southern parts of the war-hit country.
• Friendly Saudi airstrike kills 20 Riyadh-backed forces in Yemen: Military source Press TV 26 Feb 2018 -- A friendly airstrike by the Saudi-led coalition ravaging Yemen has killed at least 20 pro-Riyadh mercenaries in the impoverished country, reports say.
• Turkey gains control of border strip inside Syria's Afrin, sends special forces for new fight Press TV 26 Feb 2018 -- The Turkish army has taken control of the outer edge of Syria's northwestern region of Afrin during its ongoing cross-border offensive against the Kurdish People's Protection Units (YPG).
• Turkey to Deploy Special Forces to Syria's Afrin - Deputy PM Sputnik 26 Feb 2018 -- On Saturday, the UN Security Council adopted the resolution stipulating a 30-day ceasefire in Syria. However, Turkish Deputy Prime Minister Bekir Bozdag has said that the truce won't affect Ankara's ongoing operation against terrorists in Afrin.
• Pro-Turkish Kurds to Join Military Operation in Syrian Afrin - Reports Sputnik 26 Feb 2018 -- Ankara stated that the Turkish military operation in Afrin won't be affected by the 30-day nationwide truce in Syria.
• Turkish Army Reportedly Cuts Off Kurdish Troops From Border With Syria Sputnik 26 Feb 2018 -- The Turkish troops in cooperation with the Free Syrian Army (FSA) forces have cut off the troops of the Kurdish People's Protection Units (YPG) from the borders between Turkey and Syria in the course of Ankara's ongoing military operation, local media reported Monday.
• France says Turkey must observe Syria ceasefire in Afrin Press TV 26 Feb 2018 -- French President Emmanuel Macron says Turkey must observe a United Nations Security Council resolution on a month-long ceasefire in Syria including its northwestern region of Afrin where Ankara is waging an offensive against the Kurdish People's Protection Units (YPG).
• Macron to Erdogan: Syrian Ceasefire Must Apply to Afrin Operation Sputnik 26 Feb 2018 -- Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan has discussed the new UN Security Council resolution on the Syrian ceasefire as well as Ankara's operation in Afrin in a phone conversation with his French counterpart Emmanuel Macron on Monday.
• Iran hopes to witness durable implementation of 30-day ceasefire in Syria ISNA 26 Feb 2018 -- Iranian foreign ministry spokesman referred to the 30-day ceasefire in Syria approved by the UN Security Council, expressing hope that the ceasefire would be implemented and led to reduction in violence and beginning of delivering humanitarian aid to the Syrian people.
• Russia dismisses 'bogus' reports of chemical attack in Syria's Eastern Ghouta Press TV 26 Feb 2018 -- Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov has dismissed as "bogus stories" the recent reports of an alleged chemical attack in the militant-held enclave of Eastern Ghouta near Syrian capital city of Damascus, stressing that government forces have attacked foreign-sponsored Takfiri terrorists there.
• Chlorine attack reported in Syria after Russian warning Press TV 26 Feb 2018 -- A suspected new chemical attack has reportedly hit the Damascus suburb of Eastern Ghouta just after Russia warned that militants were planning a gas attack there to pin it on the Syrian government.
• Putin orders daily five-hour ceasefire in Syria's Eastern Ghouta Press TV 26 Feb 2018 -- Russian President Vladimir Putin has ordered the implementation of a daily ceasefire in Syria's Damascus suburb of Eastern Ghouta from Tuesday and the creation of a "humanitarian corridor" through which civilians can leave the militant-held area.
• Putin Orders 'Humanitarian Pause' In Syria's Ghouta RFE/RL 26 Feb 2018 -- Russia says a daily "humanitarian pause" will be introduced in the Syrian rebel-held enclave of eastern Ghouta starting on February 27.
• Russia Proposes Creation of Int'l Commission on Syria's Raqqa - Minister Sputnik 26 Feb 2018 -- Russian Defense Minister Sergei Shoigu commented on the situation in Syria after the adoption of the UN Security Council resolution on Syria that stipulates introduction of a 30-day halt in fighting in the country.
• Militants Preparing Poisonous Agents Provocation in Eastern Ghouta - Moscow Sputnik 26 Feb 2018 -- The leaders of the militant groups are preparing provocation with the use of poisonous substances in the Eastern Ghouta enclave in order to accuse Damascus of using the chemical weapons, the Russian Defense Ministry said late on Sunday.
• Lavrov Calls on US-Led Coalition to Take Steps to Implement UN Syria Resolution Sputnik 26 Feb 2018 -- Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov in phone talks with his German counterpart Sigmar Gabriel on Monday called on members of the US-led coalition to take urgent steps aimed at implementing the recent UN Security Council resolution on Syria, the Russian Foreign Ministry said.
• EU Adds 2 Syrian Ministers to Sanctions List, Total of 257 People Now Targeted Sputnik 26 Feb 2018 -- The Council of the European Union on Monday added the Syrian minister of industry and the minister of information to the anti-Syria sanctions list, bringing the total number of targeted persons to 257, the Council said in a statement.
• 'Hell on earth' in Syria's eastern Ghouta must end - UN chief Guterres UN News 26 Feb 2018 -- Syria's war-battered east Ghouta, the troubled Kasais region in the Democratic Republic of the Congo, and Northern Rakhine state in Myanmar, where violence has sparked a major exodus of Muslim Rohingyas, were all in the spotlight as the Geneva-based Human Rights Council opened its session today, with UN officials warning that these situations spiraled into crisis "because not enough was done, early and collectively, to prevent the rising horrors."
• Syrian refugee children in Jordan deprived of the most basic needs - UNICEF UN News 26 Feb 2018 -- Eighty five per cent of Syrian refugee children in Jordan are living below the poverty line and a staggering 94 per cent of those under five in "multidimensional" poverty, meaning that they are deprived of some of the most basic needs such as education, health or protection, an assessment by the United Nations Children's Fund (UNICEF) has revealed.
• Putin Orders 'Daily Humanitarian Pause' in Airstrikes on Syrian Rebels VOA 26 Feb 2018 -- Russian President Vladimir Putin on Monday ordered a "daily humanitarian pause" in Moscow's airstrikes on Syrian rebels, a five-hour window to let civilians escape from clashes near Damascus.
• UN Chief Guterres Calls for End to Fighting in Syria VOA 26 Feb 2018 -- U.N. Secretary-General Antonio Guterres is criticizing the failure of governments to implement a Security Council resolution for a 30-day cease-fire in war-torn Syria. Addressing the opening of the U.N. Human Rights Council's four-week session, Guterres called for an immediate end to the fighting.
• Iraqis Continue Security, Clearance Operations In Territory Once Held by ISIS AFPS 26 Feb 2018 -- With U.S.-led coalition forces in a supporting role, Iraqi security forces continue security and clearance operations in the campaign to defeat the Islamic State of Iraq and Syria, the director of Pentagon Press Operations, Army Col. Robert Manning told reporters today.
• EU agrees to prepare sanctions on Myanmar generals over Rohingya plight Press TV 26 Feb 2018 -- European Union foreign ministers have agreed to prepare sanctions against senior Myanmar military officers over "serious and systematic" rights abuses against the country's Rohingya Muslim community.
• UN chief calls for 'unfettered humanitarian access' in Myanmar's Rakhine hit by crackdown Press TV 26 Feb 2018 -- The United Nations has called on Myanmar authorities to "ensure unfettered humanitarian access" in Rakhine state, where state-sponsored violence has forced hundreds of thousands of Rohingya Muslims to flee to neighboring Bangladesh.
• Israel approves bill paving way for annexation of West Bank Press TV 26 Feb 2018 -- Israel has approved a bill to expand the jurisdiction of Israeli courts over Area C of the West Bank, paving the way for the annexation of the region.
• South Sudan: A year after averting famine, 'food insecurity outlook has never been so dire,' UN warns UN News 26 Feb 2018 -- One year after famine was declared in parts of South Sudan, three United Nations agencies warned on Monday that without sustained humanitarian assistance and access, more than seven million people in the crisis-torn country– almost two-thirds of the population – could become severely food insecure in the coming months.

News Reports

• Cambodia's Ruling Party Wins All Seats in Senate Election RFA 26 Feb 2018 -- Cambodia’s ruling party won all seats in elections for the country’s Senate at the weekend, just over three months after Cambodia’s Supreme Court dissolved the opposition Cambodia National Rescue Party, disenfranchising thousands of Prime Minister Hun Sen’s political opponents and forcing others into exile.
• Djibouti's ruling party claims majority of parliamentary seats Press TV 26 Feb 2018 -- Djibouti's ruling party has claimed a landslide victory in parliamentary elections, securing almost 90 percent of seats after the opposition largely boycotted the poll.
• Editorial: China's political, institutional advantages People's Daily 26 Feb 2018 -- A proposal on amendments to China's Constitution was officially approved during the second plenary session of the 19th Communist Party of China (CPC) Central Committee.
• US says talks with North Korea must lead to end of nuclear program Press TV 25 Feb 2018 -- The White House has responded to North Korea's willingness to hold talks with the United States, saying any talks with North Korea must lead to a complete end to its nuclear program.
• White House responds to Pyongyang willingness for dialogue People's Daily 26 Feb 2018 -- White House on Sunday issued a statement that said North Korea's willingness to engage in dialogue must lead to an end to Pyongyang's nuclear and missile weapons program.
• Trump hints at talks with North Korea under right conditions Press TV 26 Feb 2018 -- President Donald Trump has given a cautious response to North Korea's offer of being open to negotiate with the United States, saying talks would only occur under "the right conditions."
• Trump: US Willing to Talk With N. Korea Under Right Conditions VOA 26 Feb 2018 -- U.S. President Donald Trump is expressing a willingness to talk with North Korea, but "only under the right conditions," while warning that if Pyongyang doesn't abandon its nuclear weapons and ballistic missile programs there could be a potentially tremendous "loss of lives, numbers that nobody's ever contemplated, never thought of."
• Ukraine Rearrests Alleged Mastermind Of Global Cybercrime Gang RFE/RL 26 Feb 2018 -- Authorities in Ukraine have rearrested the alleged mastermind of an international cybercrime gang that was busted in international raids more than a year ago.
• Turkish President Heads to Africa in Bid to Extend Regional Influence VOA 26 Feb 2018 -- On Monday,Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan starts a five-day visit to northern and West Africa. The tour is the latest effort by Turkey to project its influence across the continent and enhance its global presence. Observers are voicing concerns that the Turkish leader, with his emphasis on Islamist themes, could be stoking regional rivalries and even tensions.
• Turkey formally requests extradition of former PYD leader Press TV 26 Feb 2018 -- Turkey has formally asked Czech authorities to extradite Salih Muslim, a former leader of major Kurdish group the Democratic Union Party (PYD), who has been held in custody.
• Corbyn corners May with Labour Brexit plan Press TV 26 Feb 2018 -- UK Labour leader Jeremy Corbyn has piled more pressure on Prime Minister Theresa May by laying out a Brexit plan that he says would take Britain out of the European Union (EU) while keeping tariff-free access to the bloc's markets.