• Military Menu                       

• Introduction
• Systems
• Facilities
• Agencies
• Industry
• Operations
• Countries
• Hot Documents
• News
• Reports
• Policy
• Budget
• Congress
• Links

• WMD
• Intelligence
• Homeland Security
• Space

Operations
Defense Policy / Programs
Defense Industry
Other Conflicts
News Reports

Current Operations

• Military Strikes Target ISIS Terrorists in Syria, Iraq AFPS 04 May 2018 -- Combined Joint Task Force Operation Inherent Resolve and its partners continued to strike Islamic State of Iraq and Syria targets in designated parts of Syria and Iraq between April 27-May 3, conducting 27 strikes consisting of 35 engagements, Combined Joint Task Force Operation Inherent Resolve officials reported today.
• Truman Strike Group Conducts Aviation Ops in Support of OIR NNS 04 May 2018 -- The Harry S. Truman Carrier Strike Group (HSTCSG) commenced air operations May 3, 2018, in support of Operation Inherent Resolve (OIR).
• US Navy Begins Sorties Against Daesh Targets in Syria - Navy Sputnik 04 May 2018 -- The Harry Truman aircraft carrier strike group (HSTCSG) began air operations this week from the Eastern Mediterranean against the Daesh terrorist group in Syria, the US Navy announced in a press release.
• US-Led Coalition to Reduce Forces in Iraq VOA 04 May 2018 -- The U.S.-led coalition against the Islamic State (IS) said Friday that a small number of its forces might leave Iraq following a decision to shut down its ground forces command headquarters, known as the Combined Joint Forces Land Component Command (CJFLCC).
• Taliban seize Kohistan district in northern Afghanistan Press TV 04 May 2018 -- Taliban have seized a district in a remote area of northern Afghanistan following several days of fierce fighting in the wake of the group's annual spring offensive that began last month.

Defense Policy / Programs

• US will not decrease forces in South Korea: Bolton Press TV 04 May 2018 -- US National Security Adviser John Bolton says that President Donald Trump has not asked the Pentagon for options to reduce American forces deployed to South Ko
• Trump Did Not Ask Pentagon for Options on Reducing Forces in S Korea - Bolton Sputnik 04 May 2018 -- US President Donald Trump did not ask the Pentagon to give him options for reducing the number of US troops stationed in South Korea, despite media reports to the contrary, US National Security Adviser John Bolton said in a statement on Friday.
• Cybercom Now a Combatant Command, Nakasone Replaces Rogers AFPS 04 May 2018 -- U.S. Cyber Command became the nation's 10th unified combatant command today and Army Gen. Paul M. Nakasone replaced Navy Adm. Michael S. Rogers as commander, and as director of the National Security Agency and Central Security Service, at Fort Meade, Maryland.
• China Denies Firing Lasers at US Planes in Djibouti VOA 04 May 2018 -- China is denying accusations that it fired military-grade lasers at U.S. planes landing at Camp Lemonnier, in the East African nation of Djibouti.
• Navy to Christen Littoral Combat Ship Cincinnati DoD 04 May 2018 -- The Navy will christen its newest Independence-variant littoral combat ship (LCS), the future USS Cincinnati (LCS 20), during a 10:00 a.m. CDT ceremony Saturday, May 5, in Mobile, Alabama.
• DoD Offers to Host New NATO Command DoD 04 May 2018 -- The U.S. Department of Defense announced today that it has officially offered to host the proposed NATO Joint Force Command for the Atlantic at its naval facilities in Norfolk, Virginia.
• CNO Announces Establishment of U.S. 2nd Fleet NNS 04 May 2018 -- Chief of Naval Operations, Adm. John Richardson, announced the establishment of U.S. 2nd Fleet during a change of command ceremony for U.S. Fleet Forces Command (USFF) in Norfolk, May 4.
• US Navy Re-Launches Second Fleet to Address 'Russian Threats' in North Atlantic Sputnik 04 May 2018 -- The United States has announced plans to re-establish the Second Fleet in the northern Atlantic Ocean following the publication of the country's new National Defense Strategy, "which makes it clear that we're back in an era of great power competition" with, among other threats, Russia, Chief of Naval Operations Admiral John Richardson said Friday.
• Navy Completes Lightweight Torpedo Defense Mission Module Testing NNS 04 May 2018 -- The Littoral Combat Ship (LCS) Mission Modules (MM) program announced the successful completion of two days of at-sea testing of the AN/SLQ-61 Lightweight Tow (LWT) Torpedo Defense Mission Module (TDMM), May 2.
• Future USS Thomas Hudner Completes Acceptance Trials NNS 04 May 2018 -- The future USS Thomas Hudner (DDG 116) successfully completed acceptance trials May 3 after spending a day underway off the coast of Maine.
• Columbia Visits Yokosuka During Routine Patrol NNS 04 May 2018 -- Los Angeles-class attack submarine USS Columbia (SSN 771) arrived in Yokosuka, May 4, for a routine visit during its deployment to the Indo-Pacific.
• US Navy Joins 30-Plus Nations for Multinational Exercise Komodo NNS 04 May 2018 -- The U.S. Navy is scheduled to join more than 30 nations, May 4-9, for the Multinational Exercise Komodo on and in the waters near Lombok Island, Indonesia.
• Deputy Secretary General visits Bulgaria and meets with EU Defence Ministers NATO 04 May 2018 -- NATO Deputy Secretary General Rose Gottemoeller is in Sofia today and tomorrow (4-5 May 2018) to discuss NATO's response to current security challenges, Bulgaria's contributions to the Alliance, and NATO-EU cooperation.
• UK and allies stand united in face of intensifying threats UK MOD 04 May 2018 -- Nine nations come together for Joint Expeditionary Force live demonstration
• Germany - C-130J and KC-130J Aircraft DSCA 04 May 2018 -- The State Department has made a determination approving a possible Foreign Military Sale to Germany of three (3) C-130J-30 aircraft and three (3) KC-130J aircraft for an estimated cost of $1.40 billion. The Defense Security Cooperation Agency delivered the required certification notifying Congress of this possible sale today.
• Remarks by President Trump Before Marine One Departure The White House 04 May 2018
• Remarks by President Trump Before Air Force One Departure The White House 04 May 2018
• Remarks by President Trump Aboard Air Force One en route Dallas, Texas The White House 04 May 2018

Defense Industry

• DoD News: Contracts for May 04, 2018

Other Conflicts

• 4 May 2018 - Daily Press Briefing by the Office of the Spokesperson for the Secretary-General United Nations 04 May 2018
• US to China: 'Consequences' for Militarization of South China Sea VOA 04 May 2018 -- The United States is warning China of "consequences" regarding its militarization in the South China Sea, amid reports of new weapons deployments there.
• US warns China of 'consequences' for 'militarization' of South China Sea Press TV 04 May 2018 -- The White House has warned of "consequences" for what it called militarization of the South China Sea, following reports that Beijing had installed missiles on three outposts in the hotly contested region.
• Yemeni official: US collaborating in killing Yemeni people IRNA 04 May 2018 -- Head of the Yemeni Supreme Revolutionary Committee accused the US of collaborating in the aggression on the Arab country and killing Yemeni people.
rea.
• UAE forces land in Socotra amid rift with Saudi-led forces Press TV 04 May 2018 -- Residents and authorities on Yemen's Socotra island say the UAE is boosting its military presence in the world heritage site as divisions widen among a Saudi-led war "coalition".
• Yemen facing new cholera outbreak as rainy season begins Press TV 04 May 2018 -- Months after being ravaged by a deadly cholera outbreak that killed thousands of people, Yemen is now faced with the risk of a second wave of the disease as a new rainy season approaches.
• OPCW Spokesperson's Statement on Fact-Finding Mission Deployment to Douma OPCW 04 May 2018 -- The initial deployment of the Fact-Finding Mission (FFM) to gather facts in Douma, Syrian Arab Republic is complete.
• Egypt says sending Arab troops to Syria is a possibility Press TV 04 May 2018 -- Egypt says talks are underway with officials from "various countries" to consider a US proposal to form an Arab army and replace the American military forces in Syria.
• Militants give up arms under Homs evacuation deal Press TV 04 May 2018 -- Militants around Syria's third city of Homs have begun surrendering their weapons to the government and Russian forces as part of an evacuation deal with Damascus.
• UN Inspectors 'Planning To Exhume' Bodies Of Syrian Gas Victims RFE/RL 04 May 2018 -- Media are reporting that global chemical-weapons inspectors will take the unprecedented step of exhuming some bodies of victims in the Syrian town of Douma as they work to verify an alleged chemical attack last month.
• Syrian Army Cuts Daesh Stronghold South of Damascus in Two Sputnik 04 May 2018 -- The Syrian army is currently engaged in flushing out the remaining jihadist militants holed up in Damascus' neighborhoods and suburbs.
• Egypt Doesn't Plan to Send Troops to Syria – Foreign Ministry Sputnik 04 May 2018 -- Egypt does not plan on sending its troops to foreign countries, including Syria, the Egyptian Foreign Ministry said amid plans by Arab countries to deploy their forces in the country.
• Another Group of Militants Preparing to Leave Southern Damascus - Source Sputnik 04 May 2018 -- Buses that will transport the second group of militants and their family members to the north of Syria began to arrive in the settlements of Babbela, Beit Sahem and Yalda, located in the south of Damascus, an informed source told Sputnik on Friday.
• Syria Army enhances its points in southern Damascus IRNA 04 May 2018 -- Units of Syrian Arab Army advanced in the depth of al-Hajar al-Aswad area amid collapse among terrorists.
• 68 Iraqi civilians killed in terror attacks in April: UN IRNA 04 May 2018 -- The United Nations Assistance Mission for Iraq (UNAMI) reported that terrorist attacks and violence have claimed the lives of 68 Iraqi civilians in April.
• UNICEF Says War In Eastern Ukraine Takes 'Devastating Toll' On Education RFE/RL 04 May 2018 -- The United Nations Children's Fund (UNICEF) says the war between government forces and Russia-backed separatists in eastern Ukraine has taken a "devastating toll" on the region's educational system, forcing more than 200,000 children to learn in "militarized environments."
• Ukraine: 200,000 children forced to learn in bullet-riddled classrooms UN News 04 May 2018 -- Some 200,000 girls and boys in eastern Ukraine are commuting to schools whose classroom walls are often riddled with bullets, and playgrounds scattered with metal remnants of war.
• Children bear the brunt as violence escalates in Gaza - UNICEF UN News 04 May 2018 -- Highlighting the devastating impact of the humanitarian crisis and increasing violence on Gaza's children, the United Nations Children's Fund (UNICEF) has called on all parties with influence on the ground to prioritize their protection.

News Reports

• Pashinian Tells Russia, U.S., EU, Georgia He's Working To Settle Crisis RFE/RL 04 May 2018 -- Armenian opposition leader Nikol Pashinian has met with the ambassadors of Russia, the United States, Georgia, and the European Union, and informed them that he is working to settle the country's political crisis.
• OPCW Spokesperson's Statement on Amount of Nerve Agent Used in Salisbury OPCW 04 May 2018 -- In response to questions from the media, the OPCW Spokesperson stated that the OPCW would not be able to estimate or determine the amount of the nerve agent that was used in Salisbury on 4 March 2018.
• Czech Government Says Nerve Agent Mentioned By Zeman Not Novichok RFE/RL 04 May 2018 -- The Czech-made nerve agent that President Milos Zeman described in a television interview as Novichok is of a different type than the toxin Britain says was used to poison a former spy, the Czech Foreign Ministry said in a statement on May 4.
• OPCW Unable to Determine Amount of Nerve Agent in Salisbury - Organization Sputnik 04 May 2018 -- The Organization for the Prohibition of Chemical Weapons stated the nerve agent allegedly used in Salisbury for the Skripal poisoning was of high purity and resistant to weather conditions.
• OPCW Chief Says Large Dose of Nerve Agent Used in Salisbury – Reports Sputnik 04 May 2018 -- A large dose of toxin was used to poison a former Russian spy and his daughter in England, the head of the international chemical weapons watchdog told US media.
• Briefing by Foreign Ministry Spokesperson Maria Zakharova, Moscow, May 4, 2018 Russia Ministry of Foreign Affairs 04 May 2018
• Navalny Backers Detained Ahead of Inauguration Protests VOA 04 May 2018 -- Russian police have detained supporters of opposition politician Alexei Navalny, raiding their homes and detaining them on the streets of various Russian cities ahead of Saturday protests against President Vladimir Putin, whose new term starts Monday.
• Kim Jong Un Meets FM of China KCNA 04 May 2018 -- Kim Jong Un, chairman of the Workers' Party of Korea and chairman of the State Affairs Commission of the Democratic People's Republic of Korea, Thursday met Wang Yi, state councilor and foreign minister of the People's Republic of China who is on a visit to the DPRK.
• Chinese FM, DPRK top leader discuss ties, issues on Korean Peninsula People's Daily 04 May 2018 -- China supports and congratulates on the successful completion of the inter-Korean summit last month, which has brought beneficial opportunities for a political solution to the Korean Peninsula issue, visiting Chinese State Councilor and Foreign Minister Wang Yi said on Thursday.
• Trump says summit date, location with N Korea have been set Press TV 04 May 2018 -- US President Donald Trump says he has decided about the date and venue for his summit with North Korean leader Kim Jong-un and the details will be announced soon.
• Trump Says Time, Place Set For Meeting With North Korean Leader RFE/RL 04 May 2018 -- U.S. President Donald Trump says the time and place for his landmark meeting with North Korean leader Kim Jong Un has been set, although he declined to reveal the details.
• Trump: Time, Place Set for N. Korea Summit VOA 04 May 2018 -- Pressed by reporters Friday on Air Force One about his upcoming summit with North Korean leader, U.S. President Donald Trump declined to reveal specifics.
• Seoul, Beijing to Cooperate to Achieve Peace Treaty Between Koreas Sputnik 04 May 2018 -- China and South Korea will cooperate closely in order to reach a permanent peace treaty between Seoul and Pyongyang, the press service of the South Korean presidential office said Friday.
• EU envoy to occupied lands defends JCPOA IRNA 04 May 2018 -- The European Union Ambassador to the occupied lands of Palestine Emanuele Giaufret reiterated support to JCPOA, saying that the agreement is worth preserving.
• Iran rules out possibility of renegotiating nuclear deal People's Daily 04 May 2018 -- Iran's Foreign Minister Mohammad Javad Zarif on Thursday ruled out renegotiating the 2015 Iranian nuclear deal or holding talks over its missile program.
• US withdrawal from Iran nuclear deal could lead to war: Macron Press TV 04 May 2018 -- French President Emmanuel Macron has warned that a possible US withdrawal from Iran's nuclear deal could lead to a war.
• Russia says any changes to Iran nuclear deal unacceptable Press TV 04 May 2018 -- Russia's Foreign Ministry says Moscow will continue to honor its commitments under the landmark 2015 nuclear deal Iran made with major world powers for as long as other countries abide by their obligations, the Interfax news agency reports.
• Rosatom begins work at phase 2 of Bushehr power plant Press TV 04 May 2018 -- Russia has begun "soil stabilization" work on the site of Phase 2 of the Bushehr Nuclear Power Plant in southern Iran, Russian state nuclear agency Rosatom has said.
• Marx's theory still shines with truth: Xi People's Daily 04 May 2018 -- Two centuries on, despite huge and profound changes in human society, the name of Karl Marx is still respected all over the world and his theory still shines with the brilliant light of truth, Chinese President Xi Jinping said Friday.
• Indian Court Reopens ISRO Espionage Case; Compensates Acquitted Scientist Sputnik 04 May 2018 -- Acquitted scientist Nambi Narayanan, in his autobiography, has pointed a finger at the US and Europe, claiming that the espionage case was produced out of thin air by the police at the behest of some foreign spies to derail India's collaboration with Russia in developing cryogenic rocket engines.
• Iraq's top Shia cleric warns against voting for 'corrupt' legislators Press TV 04 May 2018 -- Iraq's prominent Shia cleric, Grand Ayatollah Ali al-Sistani, has urged eligible voters in the Arab country not to cast their ballots in favor of "corrupt" lawmakers during next week's national elections.
• Summit in France Marks End to Basque Separatist Group ETA VOA 04 May 2018 -- International negotiators held a peace conference Friday to mark the dissolution of the Basque separatist group Euskadi Ta Askatasuna (ETA), after its 60-year fight for an independent Basque state in northern Spain and southern France.
• Onetime Mao Secretary Takes Aim at Xi VOA 04 May 2018 -- Li Rui, who was Mao Zedong's secretary in the late 1950s, celebrated his 101st birthday in a hospital ward recently, feted by "almost all of my friends in and outside Beijing" who sent greetings or visited.
• China to Use Soviet Engine to Power Its First Reusable Space Rocket Sputnik 04 May 2018 -- China is developing its first space rocket with a reusable first stage that could see its trial launch as early as 2020, SpaceNews reported, citing a senior Chinese rocket designer.
• Majority of Taiwanese think China is unfriendly: poll CNA 04 May 2018 -- Nearly 80 percent of Taiwanese people think China is unfriendly toward Taiwan, following a setback for Taiwan in a diplomatic tug-of-war with the mainland, according to the results of a survey released Friday.
• Taiwan's ties with diplomatic allies stable: foreign minister CNA 04 May 2018 -- Foreign Minister Joseph Wu (吳釗燮) said Friday that ties between Taiwan and its diplomatic allies, including the Holy See, are stable.
• Lai reiterates 'nuclear-free' goal by 2025 CNA 04 May 2018 -- Premier Lai Ching-te (賴清德) reiterated on Friday the government's determination to eliminate nuclear power from Taiwan's energy mix by 2025.
• Campaigning Underway in Burundi Ahead of Referendum VOA 04 May 2018 -- Burundi has officially kicked off campaigning ahead of the May 17 referendum, with government officials telling people to vote "yes" to the constitutional changes.