16 May 2018 Military News

Operations
Defense Policy / Programs
Defense Industry
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News Reports

Current Operations

OIF / OND / OEF / OIR / OFS Casualty Update 16 May 2018 [PDF]

Afghan Forces 'Push Back Taliban' From Western City Of Farah RFE/RL 16 May 2018 -- Afghan government forces have pushed back the Taliban from the capital of Farah Province in western Afghanistan, close to the Iranian border, officials say.

Defense Policy / Programs

Air Force Science and Technology 2030 campaign: Your ideas will shape the Air Force of tomorrow AFNS 16 May 2018 -- The Air Force Research Laboratory continues its support of the Air Force Science and Technology 2030 initiative and joined with Indiana University to host a listening forum at the university's Bloomington, Indiana campus May 10-11, 2018.
6th ARS in-flight refueling section recognized as best in Air Force AFNS 16 May 2018 -- Nearly three dozen Airmen of the 6th Air Refueling Squadron's in-flight refueling section at Travis Air Force Base, California, had quite a year in 2017. The section was responsible for offloading 50 million pounds of fuel to more than 4,000 receiver aircraft and supporting missions around the globe.
101st Airborne remains ready, lethal for any fight with artillery training Army News 16 May 2018 -- As the sun was setting and the blades of grass cut through the wind, Soldiers secured a tactical perimeter while remaining vigilant of their surroundings for any enemy movement.
USS Milwaukee Fires Missiles, Kicks Off LCS Missile Module Developmental Testing NNS 16 May 2018 -- The Freedom variant littoral combat ship USS Milwaukee (LCS 5) conducted a live-fire missile exercise off the coast of Virginia May 11.
Air Force Cyber Mission Force teams reach 'full operational capability' AFNS 16 May 2018 -- Air Forces Cyber announced today all Air Force Cyber Mission Force teams achieved full operational capability May 11, 2018.

US, South Korea Push Ahead with Defensive Military Exercises VOA 16 May 2018 -- North Korean threats to step away from denuclearlization talks are not slowing down planned military exercises between the United States and South Korea.

NATO Aims to Stay Capable, Agile to Meet Threats AFPS 16 May 2018 -- NATO continues "to adapt, to strengthen its deterrence and defense, and to ensure it meets its core objectives of protecting the population and territory of the alliance," Czech Gen. Petr Pavel, the chairman of NATO's Military Committee, said here today.
NATO Must Adapt, Alliance's Military Committee Chairman Says AFPS 16 May 2018 -- The world situation is highly volatile, and NATO must be adaptable and constantly ready to respond to any threat or challenge, the chairman of the alliance's Military Committee said here today.

Putin orders S-500 production, nuclear forces boost Press TV 16 May 2018 -- Russian President Vladimir Putin has ordered his military commanders to prepare the S-500 missile system for mass production and boost the country's strategic nuclear forces.
Putin Says New Russian Missiles, Bombers To Be Deployed This Year RFE/RL 16 May 2018 -- Russian President Vladimir Putin has touted new weapons that he says are ready for deployment, stating that they will significantly increase Russia's military capabilities and "ensure a strategic balance for decades."

New Defense Bill Seeks $7.5 Billion for Taiwan, US to 'Push Back on China' Sputnik 16 May 2018 -- A bill recently reintroduced on Capitol Hill seeks to increase US defense spending by $1.5 billion per year over the next five years to support Taiwan's defense posture toward China.

New stealth jets set to arrive home in Britain UK MOD 16 May 2018 -- Britain's next generation of fighter jets will start arriving at their new home early next month, the Defence Secretary has announced.

Defense Industry

DoD News: Contracts for May 16, 2018

Other Conflicts

16 May 2018 - Daily Press Briefing by the Office of the Spokesperson for the Secretary-General United Nations 16 May 2018

Saudi jet fighters bombard NW Yemen IRNA 16 May 2018 -- Saudi Arabia jet fighters bombarded Sahar town in Saada city, northwestern Yemen on Wednesday morning.

OPCW: Chlorine Likely Used in Syria Attack VOA 16 May 2018 -- The Organization for the Prohibition of Chemical Weapons said Wednesday its investigators have determined chlorine was likely used in a February attack in northern Syria.
Syrian Army continues to advance in al-Hajar al-Aswad IRNA 16 May 2018 -- Syrian Arab Army units, baked by the Syrian Air Force, continued on Tuesday the military operation against terrorist groups in the remaining area of northern part of al-Hajar al-Aswad neighborhood, clearing new buildings in the area from terrorists.
Statement stresses commitment to Syria territorial integrity IRNA 16 May 2018 -- Astana platform's Guarantor States (Russia, Iran and Turkey) affirmed commitment to Syria's sovereignty and territorial integrity, calling for need to avoid all steps that would prejudice these principles and undermine achievements of Astana process.
Syria Army announces liberation of new areas in Homs, Hama IRNA 16 May 2018 -- The General Command of the Army and Armed Forces announced that the armed forces, in cooperation with the allied forces, cleared a sprawling area of 1,200 square kilometers in northern Homs and Hama's southern countryside.
Government forces regain full control of central Syria as militants surrender Press TV 16 May 2018 -- The Syrian government forces have regained full control over central Syria after the Takfiri militants agreed to leave the militant-held final pockets in the region as part of an evacuation deal with Damascus.
Chlorine gas probably used in attack in Syria's Idlib: OPCW Press TV 16 May 2018 -- The Organisation for the Prohibition of Chemical Weapons (OPCW) says poisonous chlorine gas was "likely used as a chemical weapon" in an attack earlier this year in Syria's northwestern Idlib Province, the major stronghold of Takfiri militants active in the country.
Syria warring sides, mediators close 9th round of peace talks in Astana Press TV 16 May 2018 -- The ninth round of crisis resolution talks between the Syrian government and armed opposition, mediated by Iran, Russia and Turkey, has come to an end in Astana, building a positive outlook for momentous follow-up negotiations.
Syrian Army Liberates Dozens of Towns in Central Syria as Militants Surrender Sputnik 16 May 2018 -- Units from the Syrian Army and other government forces have been looking to build on their impressive territorial gains in Damascus' East Ghouta region, via operation Damascus Steel, and are continuing to oust Daesh* terrorists from their remaining positions in south Damascus.
Syria: UN-backed watchdog says chemical weapon 'likely used' in February attack UN News 16 May 2018 -- Deadly chlorine gas was likely used in an attack that took place in a Syrian town in rebel-held Idlib last February, said the United Nations-backed chemical weapons watchdog on Wednesday.
UN envoy 'encouraged' by latest talks on avoiding 'worst-case scenario' in Syria's Idlib UN News 16 May 2018 -- The United Nations Special Envoy for Syria on Wednesday detailed his most recent efforts to revive stalled peace talks which could end the brutal conflict that has been raging there for more than seven years.

Turkey, Israel expel envoys as ties sour over Gaza bloodshed Press TV 16 May 2018 -- Turkey and Israel have expelled their envoys amid growing tensions between the two sides over the killing of dozens of Palestinians in the Gaza Strip at the hands of the Tel Aviv regime's forces.
Erdogan Says Will Stand By Palestinians, Won't Allow Israel to Steal Jerusalem Sputnik 16 May 2018 -- Turkish President Receipt Tayyip Erdogan said Wednesday that if Israel's actions are allowed, the world would be thrown into chaos.
UNICEF delivers medical supplies to Gaza in wake of deadly protests UN News 16 May 2018 -- Two truckloads of urgently needed medical supplies have been delivered to Gaza, where scores of Palestinians were injured during demonstrations along the border fence with Israel earlier this week.

Uganda's International Crimes Division Struggling VOA 16 May 2018 -- It has been 10 years since Uganda set up its International Crimes Division. The ICD is a court meant to try cases involving war crimes, crimes against humanity and genocide, all of which have allegedly happened on Ugandan soil during the past 30 years. However, the effectiveness of this court to provide justice is still under question.

News Reports

Senate Intel Completes Review of Intelligence Community Assessment on Russian Activities in the 2016 U.S. Elections Senator Burr 16 May 2018 -- Senator Richard Burr (R-NC), Chairman of the Senate Select Committee on Intelligence, and Senator Mark Warner (D-VA), Vice Chairman of the Senate Select Committee on Intelligence, today held a closed hearing to complete its review of the Intelligence Community Assessment (ICA) on "Assessing Russian Activities and Intentions in Recent US Elections."
U.S. Senate Panel Finds Russia Worked To Aid Trump In Election RFE/RL 16 May 2018 -- The U.S. Senate Intelligence Committee says it agrees with an assessment by the country's intelligence agencies that Russia meddled in the 2016 presidential election with the goal of hurting the candidacy of Democrat Hillary Clinton and to help Donald Trump.
Senate Panel Agrees: Russia Meddled in 2016 Election VOA 16 May 2018 -- Senate Intelligence Committee Chairman Richard Burr said Wednesday that his committee's investigation had shown Russia interfered in the 2016 U.S. presidential election to help Donald Trump, affirming findings of the U.S. intelligence community.

Lobbyist Claims Trump Jr. 'Lost Interest' During Key Meeting With Russian Lawyer RFE/RL 16 May 2018 -- A Russian-American lobbyist has told congressional investigators that U.S. President Donald Trump's eldest son seemed uninterested and bored by information brought by a Russian lawyer at a critical meeting during the 2016 presidential election campaign.
U.S. Judge Refuses To Dismiss Case Against Trump's Ex-Campaign Chairman RFE/RL 16 May 2018 -- A U.S. judge has refused to dismiss Special Counsel Robert Mueller's case against President Donald Trump's former campaign chairman, Paul Manafort, on the grounds that it has nothing to do with alleged Russia meddling in the 2016 election.
US Justice Dept., FBI investigating Cambridge Analytica: Report Press TV 16 May 2018 -- A new report says the US Justice Department and the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) have launched an investigation into Cambridge Analytica, a now-defunct British company embroiled in the data scandal gripping Facebook.

EU's Tusk Hits Out At Trump's 'Capricious' Policies Amid Iran Split, Trade Dispute RFE/RL 16 May 2018 -- European Council President Donald Tusk has slammed "the capricious assertiveness" of the United States under President Donald Trump, who he said has "rid Europe of all illusions."

Trump, Uzbek Leader Hold White House Talks VOA 16 May 2018 -- U.S. President Donald Trump and Uzbekistan's reformist leader, President Shavkat Mirziyoyev, met Wednesday at the White House, with security in central Asia, the fight against terrorism, trade deals and human rights in Uzbekistan high on the agenda.
Uzbekistan's Mirziyoev Meets Trump In 'Historic' White House Visit RFE/RL 16 May 2018 -- U.S. President Donald Trump has held talks with Uzbek counterpart Shavkat Mirziyoev in the White House, as the Central Asian leader looks to raise the profile of a country long isolated by the repressive rule of his predecessor.

Briefing by Foreign Ministry Spokesperson Maria Zakharova, Kerch, May 16, 2018 Russia Ministry of Foreign Affairs 16 May 2018
Kremlin Critics Could Face Prosecution For 'Enabling' Western Sanctions RFE/RL 16 May 2018 -- Kremlin opponents could face criminal prosecution under new Russian legislation proposing possible prison sentences for Russians who adhere to or promote international sanctions targeting Moscow, one of the bill's authors said on May 16.
President Signs Decree To Restructure Russian Government RFE/RL 16 May 2018 -- Russian President Vladimir Putin has signed a decree restructuring the government.
US Envoy for Ukraine Anticipates Russian Return to Talks VOA 16 May 2018 -- Amid rumors among Russian media outlets that Moscow's top envoy to Ukrainian peace negotiations has resigned, the top U.S. interlocutor says he expects Russia to return to the table with a peacekeeping proposal.

Three Florida Men Sentenced for Conspiring to Provide Material Support to ISIS US Dept. of Justice 16 May 2018-- Gregory Hubbard, aka, Jibreel, 54, of West Palm Beach, Florida; Dayne Antani Christian, aka, Shakur, 33, of Lake Park, Florida; and Darren Arness Jackson, aka, Daoud, 53, of West Palm Beach, were sentenced to prison today for conspiring to provide material support to the Islamic State of Iraq and al-Sham (ISIS), a designated foreign terrorist organization.
State Department Terrorist Designations of ISIS in the Greater Sahara (ISIS-GS) and Adnan Abu Walid al-Sahrawi US Dept. of State 16 May 2018 -- The Department of State has designated ISIS in the Greater Sahara -- also known as ISIS-GS -- as a Foreign Terrorist Organization under section 219 of the Immigration and Nationality Act. The Department has also designated ISIS-GS and its leader, Adnan Abu Walid al-Sahrawi, as Specially Designated Global Terrorists (SDGTs) under section 1(b) of Executive Order (E.O.) 13224.
Treasury and the Terrorist Financing Targeting Center Partner Together to Sanction Hizballah's Senior Leadership US Treasury 16 May 2018 -- Today, the seven member nations of the Terrorist Financing and Targeting Center (TFTC) took significant actions to disrupt an Iranian-backed terrorist group by designating the senior leadership of Lebanese Hizballah. The U.S. Department of the Treasury's Office of Foreign Assets Control (OFAC) in partnership with the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, the co-chair of the Terrorist Financing Targeting Center (TFTC), and the other TFTC member states – the Kingdom of Bahrain, the State of Kuwait, the Sultanate of Oman, the State of Qatar, and the United Arab Emirates (UAE) – designated members of Hizballah's Shura Council, the primary decision-making body of Hizballah. Specifically, OFAC, together with Gulf partners, designated Hasan Nasrallah, the Secretary General of Hizballah. OFAC and the TFTC nations further designated Naim Qasim, Muhammad Yazbak, Husayn Al- Khalil, and Ibrahim al-Amin al-Sayyid pursuant to Executive Order (E.O.) 13224, which targets terrorists and those providing support to terrorists or acts of terrorism. In addition, TFTC Member States also designated the following key Hizballah-affiliated individuals and entities: Talal Hamiyah, Ali Youssef Charara, Spectrum Group, Hasan Ebrahimi, Maher Trading, Hashem Safieddine, Adham Tabaja, Al-Inmaa Group, and Al-Inmaa Engineering and Contracting, all of whom were previously designated by the U.S.

S.Korea expresses regrets over DPRK's suspension of high-level talks People's Daily 16 May 2018 -- South Korea on Wednesday expressed regrets over the Democratic People's Republic of Korea (DPRK)'s decision to suspend the scheduled high-level inter-Korean talks.
S Korea, US to Go On With Drills Despite Pyongyang Suspending Talks – Ministry Sputnik 16 May 2018 -- The South Korean Defense Ministry said Wednesday that Seoul would continue its joint military exercise with the United States, despite North Korea's unilateral decision to suspend high-level inter-Korean talks over the drills.
Seoul Regrets Pyongyang's Decision to Suspend High Level Inter-Korean Talks Sputnik 16 May 2018 -- South Korea expressed regret over Pyongyang's unilateral decision to cancel the inter-Korean high levell talks which were planned for May 16, the Seoul's Unification Ministry Said.
Trump 'We'll Have to See' if Summit with N. Korea Takes Place VOA 16 May 2018 -- President Donald Trump says "we'll have to see" if his planned summit next month with North Korean leader Kim Jong Un takes place after Pyongyang expressed sharp reservations about U.S. demands that it dismantle its nuclear weapons program.
US Lawmakers Unperturbed by North Korean Threat to Cancel Summit VOA 16 May 2018 -- U.S. lawmakers of both parties have told VOA they are not surprised by North Korea's threat to cancel an upcoming summit between President Donald Trump and Kim Jong Un.
KCNA Commentary Urges U.S. to Stop Introducing Nuclear Strategic Assets KCNA 16 May 2018 -- The U.S. and south Korea are staging the large-scale 2018 Max Thunder air combat drill (from May 11 through 25).
DPRK says to suspend high-level talks with ROK over ROK-U.S. drills People's Daily 16 May 2018 -- In view of the recently provocative acts such as the Republic of Korea (ROK)-U.S. joint military drills, the Democratic People's Republic of Korea (DPRK) has no choice but to suspend high-level talks with the ROK planned for Wednesday, the official KCNA said on Wednesday.
Trump gives non-commital response on N Korea's threat to cancel summit Press TV 16 May 2018 -- US President Donald Trump has reacted to North Korea's threats to cancel a planned summit with Kim Jong-un.
White House 'Still Hopeful' U.S.-North Korea Summit Will Happen RFE/RL 16 May 2018 -- The White House has said it is "still hopeful" that a planned summit between North Korean leader Kim Jong Un and U.S. President Donald Trump will go ahead, despite Pyongyang's threat to cancel the historic event.
Trump Insists on Denuclearization Amid Threat of Kim Talks Being Canceled Sputnik 16 May 2018 -- US President Donald Trump stated that it was not clear whether the planned summit between him and North Korean leader Kim Jong-un would still take place, but vowed to insist on the denuclearization of the Korean Peninsula.
White House 'Still Hopeful' Meeting Between Trump, Kim to Take Place Sputnik 16 May 2018 -- The White House is still hopeful that the Singapore summit between US President Donald Trump and North Korean Leader Kim Jong-un will go ahead as planned on June 12, Spokesperson Sarah Huckabee Sanders said in an interview on Wednesday.
KCNA Blasts U.S. and S. Korea for Staging Large-scale Military Drill against DPRK KCNA 16 May 2018 -- KCNA made public the following report on May 16:

Europe, Iran Work to Save Nuclear Deal VOA 16 May 2018 -- European and Iranian foreign ministers are working to salvage the nuclear deal, after President Donald Trump pulled the U.S. out of the pact.
Zarif insists on securing Iran's benefits from JCPOA ISNA 15 May 2018 -- Iran's Minister for Foreign Affairs, Mohammad Javad Zarif on Tuesday described his meeting with EU Foreign Policy Chief Federica Mogherini as a good and constructive meeting.
Rouhani: No one can bring Iranian nation to its knees IRNA 16 May 2018 -- President Hassan Rouhani said on Wednesday that the Islamic Republic of Iran has always resisted against the plots masterminded by the enemies, the US in particular, and no one can bring this great nation to its knees.
Iran condemns US sanctions against CBI governor IRNA 16 May 2018 -- The world reactions to the US withdrawal from the JCPOA showed their defeat and new sanctions imposed on Iran and putting Iran's Central Bank chief's name aims at compensating for that, said the spokesman of the Iranian foreign ministry on Wednesday.
Press release on multilateral JCPOA talks in Brussels ISNA 16 May 2018 -- The foreign ministers of Iran and the E3 (France, Germany, and the UK) as well as the EU foreign policy chief have issued a statement on the result of their talks in Brussels regarding the Iran nuclear deal.
Germany's Merkel joins European allies in reaffirming support for Iran nuclear deal Press TV 16 May 2018 -- Germany has joined its European allies in reaffirming support for the Iran nuclear deal in defiance of the US that pulled out of the landmark agreement last week.
US blacklisting of CBI chief meant to derail nuclear deal talks: Tehran Press TV 16 May 2018 -- Tehran has strongly condemned Washington for imposing sanctions on the Central Bank of Iran's chief over a week after the US withdrawal from the 2015 nuclear deal, saying such moves are meant to derail the ongoing negotiations to save the now six-party agreement.
Merkel: Germany Remains Committed To Iran Nuclear Deal RFE/RL 16 May 2018 -- Canceling a nuclear agreement between world powers and Iran would be wrong, German Chancellor Angela Merkel has said, adding that the U.S. withdrawal from the deal was among several pieces of "troubling news" that had occurred recently.
European Leaders To Discuss Ways To Shield Firms From U.S. Sanctions On Iran RFE/RL 16 May 2018 -- European Union leaders at a summit in Sofia are expected to discuss measures that the bloc might take to shield European companies from renewed U.S. sanctions on Iran.
EU May Use 'Blocking Statute' to Respond to Possible New US Anti-Iran Sanctions Sputnik 16 May 2018 -- Shortly after its withdrawal from the Iran nuclear deal, also known as the Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action (JCPOA), Washington promised to reinstate restrictive measures against Tehran that were scrapped as a result of the agreement.

Turkish Banker Sentenced To 32 Months In Iran Sanctions Case RFE/RL 16 May 2018 -- A U.S. judge has sentenced a Turkish banking executive to 32 months in prison after his conviction for evading sanctions on Iran in a case has strained relations between Washington and Ankara.
US Court Sentences Turkish Banker in Iran Sanctions Case VOA 16 May 2018 -- A U.S. federal court has sentenced a Turkish banker to 32 months in prison for helping Iran evade American trade sanctions.

Xi stresses centralized, unified leadership of CPC Central Committee over foreign affairs People's Daily 16 May 2018 -- Xi Jinping, general secretary of the Central Committee of the Communist Party of China (CPC), on Tuesday called for enhancing the centralized and unified leadership of the CPC Central Committee over foreign affairs and opening up new prospects of major-country diplomacy with Chinese characteristics.
Trump: US Has 'Little to Give' in Trade Talks with China VOA 16 May 2018 -- President Donald Trump says the United States has "little to give" in contentious trade talks with China, and Beijing has a lot to give, because he says the United States for years has been losing trade battles with China.

US identifies suspect in major leak of CIA hacking tools Press TV 16 May 2018 -- US prosecutors have identified a suspect in last year's leak of CIA hacking tools, but have been unable to bring charges against him due to insufficient evidence.

Pakistan Envoy: No Country Can Accuse Us of Not Taking Action Against Terrorists VOA 16 May 2018 -- Pakistan is the one country in the region that has done the most against terrorism, and no country can accuse Pakistan of not doing enough against terrorism and extremism, Aizaz Ahmad Chaudhry, Pakistan's outgoing ambassador to the U.S., told VOA.

Saudi crown prince goes into hiding since last month's attack on royal palace Press TV 16 May 2018 -- Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman has not been seen in public since heavy gunfire and explosions reported from outside the royal palace in the Saudi capital Riyadh late last month.

Canada says position on Taiwan designation unchanged CNA 16 May 2018 -- The Canadian government said Tuesday its long-standing position on Taiwan's designation has not changed, and it does not want to see China place pressure on private enterprises to change the name of Taiwan.

Scottish parliament decisively rejects May's EU withdrawal bill Press TV 16 May 2018 -- The Scottish parliament has decisively voted against the United Kingdom's legislation on departure from the European Union (EU), placing London on course for a major constitutional dispute with Edinburgh and the further postponement of Brexit.

Kenya's president approves controversial cyber-crimes law Press TV 16 May 2018 -- Kenyan President Uhuru Kenyatta has approved a controversial law against the online publications of inappropriate content, a move which critics say would enable the leadership in the Horn of Africa country to further tighten their grip on journalists and opposition activists.

Malaysia's Anwar released after royal pardon Press TV 16 May 2018 -- Prominent Malaysian politician and former deputy prime minister Anwar Ibrahim has been released from prison following a royal pardon, paving the way for his return to national politics.

Venezuela's Maduro vows economic change if re-elected Press TV 16 May 2018 -- Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro says that if he is re-elected in the presidential vote next week, he will transform Venezuela's economy, which has been in a state of near collapse during his presidency.

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