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News Reports

Current Operations

• Defeat-ISIS/Da'esh Defense Ministerial Joint Statement DoD 08 Jun 2018 -- The text of the following statement is a joint release of defense ministers of Australia, Bahrain, Belgium, Canada, the Czech Republic, Denmark, Estonia, Finland, France, Germany, Hungary, Iraq, Italy, Jordan, Kuwait, Latvia, Lithuania, Morocco, Netherlands, Norway, Portugal, Qatar, Romania, Slovenia, Spain, Sweden, Turkey, the United Arab Emirates, the United Kingdom, the United States and the Secretary General of NATO. They were joined by senior representatives from Albania, New Zealand, Poland, Saudi Arabia and Singapore.
• Coalition Partner Forces Kill 7 ISIS Terrorists in Southern Syria AFPS 08 Jun 2018 -- Coalition trained and backed partner forces killed seven Islamic State of Iraq and Syria terrorists in southern Syria June 4, Combined Joint Task Force Operation Inherent Resolve officials said today.
• U.S. General: Military Operations Against IS To Intensify During Cease-Fire RFE/RL 08 Jun 2018 -- The top U.S. general in Afghanistan said military operations against Islamic State (IS) militants will intensify during a temporary cease-fire announced by the Afghan government.
• Deadly Attacks Across Afghanistan After Cease-Fire Announced RFE/RL 08 Jun 2018 -- Militants have carried out deadly attacks across Afghanistan, a day after the government announced a unilateral cease-fire with the Taliban that will come into effect next week.
• Report Alleges Australian Forces Committed War Crimes In Afghanistan RFE/RL 08 Jun 2018 -- A secret government inquiry has alleged that members of the Australian special forces committed war crimes in Afghanistan, local media said.
• Afghanistan Making Progress Toward Peace, Mission Commander Says AFPS 08 Jun 2018 -- Afghanistan is making progress toward peace even as fighting continues, the commander of NATO's Resolute Support mission, said today.
• UN welcomes temporary ceasefire announcement by Afghan Gov't IRNA 08 Jun 2018 -- United Nations Secretary-General António Guterres has welcomed the week-long ceasefire announced by the Government of Afghanistan with the Taliban and called on the militant group to reciprocate the temporary pause.
• Afghan president declares 9-day truce in country IRNA 08 Jun 2018 -- Afghan President Ashraf Ghani in a message declared a nine-day ceasefire in the country called for in a fatwa issued by Afghan ulama.
• NATO Defence Ministers discuss progress in Afghanistan NATO 08 Jun 2018 -- NATO Defence Ministers today (8 June 2018) concluded a two-day meeting in Brussels with a discussion of the Alliance's training mission in Afghanistan, and its continuing support to the Afghan government and Afghan security forces.
  Left to right: General John W. Nicholson (Commander Resolute Support); NATO Secretary General Jens Stoltenberg; Tariq Shah Bahramee (Minister of Defence, Afghanistan); NATO Deputy Secretary General Rose Gottemoeller
• Australia's special units accused of war crimes in Afghanistan Press TV 08 Jun 2018 -- A report says Australia's special forces have been accused of committing war crimes in Afghanistan and having a "disregard for human life" in the war-torn country.
• US Asks Pakistan to Facilitate Afghan-Taliban Peace Talks VOA 08 Jun 2018 -- The United States has confirmed it is asking Pakistan for help in facilitating the Afghan government's direct peace talks with the Taliban insurgency.
• Attack in Somalia Kills U.S. Service Member, Wounds Others AFPS 08 Jun 2018 -- A U.S. special operations service member was killed and four other U.S. service members and a partner force service member were wounded as the result of an enemy attack during an operation today in Jubaland, Somalia, U.S. Africa Command officials said.

Defense Policy / Programs

• Remarks by Secretary Mattis and Secretary-General Stoltenberg to the Defeat ISIS Coalition, Brussels, Belgium DoD 08 Jun 2018 -- Presenter: Secretary Of Defense James N. Mattis; NATO Secretary-General Jens Stoltenberg
• Air Force orders B-1 safety stand-down AFNS 08 Jun 2018 -- Gen. Robin Rand, the Air Force Global Strike Command commander, ordered a safety stand-down of the B-1B Lancer fleet June 7, 2018.
• All US B-1B Bombers Grounded After Mechanical Failure Causes Emergency Landing Sputnik 08 Jun 2018 -- The US Air Force's Global Strike Command (AFGSC), tasked with overseeing every bomber fleet in the Air Force, ordered a stand-down for all its B-1B Lancers Thursday amid safety concerns with a component of their ejection seats.
• Mattis Stresses Unity in Meeting Collective Security Threats AFPS 08 Jun 2018 -- Threats to collective security have not waned, whether from terrorism or Russia's aggression and hybrid threats, Defense Secretary James N. Mattis said at NATO headquarters in Brussels today.
• Readout of Secretary of Defense James N. Mattis' Meeting with German Minister of Defense Ursula von der Leyen DoD 08 Jun 2018
• Readout of Secretary James N. Mattis' Bilateral Meeting With Turkish Minister of Defense DoD 08 Jun 2018
• Press Conference by Secretary Mattis at the NATO Defense Ministerial, Brussels, Belgium DoD 08 Jun 2018 -- Presenter: Secretary of Defense James N. Mattis
• Truman Strike Group, Carrier Air Wing One Support BALTOPS 2018 NNS 08 Jun 2018 -- Carrier Air Wing One (CVW) 1, embarked aboard the Nimitz-class aircraft carrier USS Harry S. Truman (CVN 75), completed its participation in the annual multinational exercise Baltic Operations (BALTOPS) 2018, June 6.
• Future USS Sioux City (LCS 11) Completes Acceptance Trial NNS 08 Jun 2018 -- The future USS Sioux City (LCS 11) concluded its acceptance trial May 25 after completing a series of graded in-port and underway demonstrations on the Great Lakes for the Navy's Board of Inspection and Survey.
• BALTOPS 2018 Daily Update: June 7 NNS 08 Jun 2018 -- An MH-60S Sea Hawk from the Blue Ridge-class command and control ship USS Mount Whitney (LCC 20), an AW159 Wildcat from the Duke-class Type 23 frigate HMS Monmouth (F235) and two Mk41 Sea Kings from the Type 702 Berlin-class replenishment ship FGS Frankfurt A.M. (A1412) simulated a recuse of four stranded individuals during BALTOPS 2018's first joint personnel recovery exercise.
• BALTOPS 2018 Daily Update: June 6 NNS 08 Jun 2018 -- Eight members of the international media embarked the Blue Ridge-class command and control ship USS Mount Whitney (LCC 20). They received a tour of the ship, watched an air defense exercise and conducted interviews with Vice. Adm. Lisa M. Franchetti, commander, U.S. 6th Fleet and commander, Naval Striking and Support Forces NATO (STRIKFORNATO), and Rear Adm. Guy Robinson, OBE, Royal Navy, deputy commander, STRIKFORNATO.
• Bainbridge Works with German Navy during BALTOPS 2018 NNS 08 Jun 2018 -- The Arleigh Burke-class guided-missile destroyer USS Bainbridge (DDG 96) completed a replenishment-at-sea with the German Berlin-class replenishment ship FGS Frankfurt am Main (A 1412), June 6, during exercise Baltic Operations (BALTOPS) 2018.
• America's use of armed drones increasing: study Press TV 08 Jun 2018 -- A new study reveals that the US use of deadly drones is increasing under President Donald Trump.
• Chinese Hackers Swipe Naval Warfare Secrets from US Firm - Report Sputnik 08 Jun 2018 -- Chinese government hackers have breached the computer networks of a US defense contractor that possesses highly sensitive information on America's undersea warfare plans, it was revealed Friday afternoon.
• Report: Chinese Hackers Breach US Navy Computers VOA 08 Jun 2018 -- Chinese government hackers breached the computer system of a Navy contractor and stole large amounts of sensitive data, The Washington Post reports.
• Top U.S., Russian Generals Discuss European Security, Tensions RFE/RL 08 Jun 2018 -- The top Russian and U.S. generals discussed security in Europe and ways to reduce global tensions during a meeting in Helsinki, the two countries' militaries say.
• NATO's Eastern Flank Seeks Increased Alliance Presence In Region RFE/RL 08 Jun 2018 -- Member countries of NATO's eastern flank, known as the "Bucharest Nine," are calling on the alliance to bolster its presence in their region at the upcoming summit in the face of what they see as Russian "aggression."
• Groups Such As ISIS Cannot Be Allowed To Exist, Mattis Tells NATO AFPS 08 Jun 2018 -- While Iraq has liberated all of its territory once captured and held by the Islamic State of Iraq and Syria, the U.S.-led military campaign against the rogue organization continues in Syria, Defense Secretary James N. Mattis said at NATO headquarters in Brussels today.
• Press conference by NATO Secretary General Jens Stoltenberg following the meeting of the North Atlantic Council (NAC) in Defence Ministers' session NATO 08 Jun 2018
• Italy's pro-Moscow government unnerves NATO Press TV 08 Jun 2018 -- Italy's new pro-Moscow government has caused cracks in NATO as the US-led military alliance is seeking further measures to deter what it calls the Russian threat.
• Annual Han Kuang live-fire drills meet goals: Defense Ministry CNA 08 Jun 2018 -- Taiwan's annual Han Kuang live-fire military drills that tested and boosted Taiwan's defense capabilities ended Friday with all objectives met, the country's defense minister said.
• Turkey will purchase S-400s from Russia to safeguard own security: Interior Min. Press TV 08 Jun 2018 -- Turkish Interior Minister Suleyman Soylu says his country has an unalienable right to protect its own security and will spare no efforts to procure sophisticated Russian-made S-400 anti-aircraft missile systems to achieve such a goal.

Defense Industry

• DoD News: Contracts for June 08, 2018

Other Conflicts

• 8 June 2018 - Daily Press Briefing by the Office of the Spokesperson for the Secretary-General United Nations 08 Jun 2018
• Asia's largest dredger Tiankun begins sea trial, to boost China's capability in island building People's Daily 08 Jun 2018 -- Tiankun, Asia's largest dredger, is expected to begin its first sea trial on Friday, a signal of China's improving capability in island building, Chinese experts said on Thursday.
• Analysts: US Military Moves in South China Sea Little Help to Vietnam, Philippines VOA 08 Jun 2018 -- U.S. B-52 bombers sent over the disputed South China Sea this week will, for lack of a broader foreign policy, fall short of empowering smaller countries to resist China's maritime sovereignty claims, analysts say.
• Yemenis target Saudi positions with ballistic missiles Press TV 08 Jun 2018 -- Missile units of the Yemeni army and volunteer forces from Popular Committees have reported firing domestically-built ballistic missiles that targeted Saudi Arabia's military positions in Najran and Khamis Mushait.
• Saudi's potential attack on Yemen's port of Hudaydah may kill 250,000, UN says Press TV 08 Jun 2018 -- The United Nations humanitarian coordinator in Yemen has warned that a military assault on the vital Yemeni port city of Hudaydah by the Saudi regime and its coalition partners may kill 250,000 people.
• 250,000 people 'may lose everything - even their lives' in assault on key Yemeni port city: UN humanitarian coordinator UN News 08 Jun 2018 -- Any attack on the key port city of Hodeidah in Yemen "will impact hundreds of thousands of innocent civilians" and would entail around 250,000 civilians losing everything - "even their lives" - the UN Humanitarian Coordinator for the war-torn country said on Friday.
• Hezbollah Vows to Leave Syria Only on Assad's Request Sputnik 08 Jun 2018 -- Hezbollah Secretary-General Hassan Nasrallah announced that Hezbollah forces would not withdraw from Syria until the country is "liberated" and its "territorial integrity is restored."
• Daesh Breaches Syrian Army's Defenses in Deir ez-Zor Near Iraqi Border - Reports Sputnik 08 Jun 2018 -- Daesh militants have hit the defenses of the Syrian armed forces with a devastating blow in the southeastern part of Deir ez-Zor province, targeting Abu-Kumal, a strategic border city close to Iraq's Al-Anbar province, Al-Masdar reported. If the Syrian forces lose, they will have to put their military operation on hold.
• Turkey ready to attack northern Iraq: Erdogan Press TV 08 Jun 2018 -- Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan says his country is ready to attack northern Iraq if the Iraqi central government does not take action against Kurdish militants groups there.
• Turkey Reportedly Plans to Establish Joint 'Safe Zone' in Syria, Iraq Sputnik 08 Jun 2018 -- According to the Turkish newspaper Yeni Safak, taking the city of Manbij in northern Aleppo Governorate will be the first step in creating this security zone, which will extend through Idlib, al-Bab and A'zaz in the north-west of Syria, before later being extended through currently Kurdish held territory east of the Euphrates and in northern Iraq.
• As Security Council imposes sanctions on 6 human traffickers in Libya, UN chief calls for more accountability UN News 08 Jun 2018 -- The United Nations Secretary-General, António Guterres, has called for more accountability for human traffickers in Libya, after the UN Security Council on Thursday added six individuals accused of leading smuggling and trafficking networks in the country, to its Sanctions List.
• ICC Appeals Chamber acquits former Congolese Vice President Bemba from war crimes charges UN News 08 Jun 2018 -- The Appeals Chamber of the International Criminal Court (ICC), on Friday, decided to acquit Jean-Pierre Bemba Gombo, former Vice President of the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC) and head of a rebel group in the country, on charges of war crimes and crimes against humanity.
• CAR Violence Spills into Cameroon VOA 08 Jun 2018 -- Robberies and kidnappings are on the rise in eastern Cameroon, as violence from the neighboring Central African Republic spills across the border. Armed groups from the C.A.R. have been stealing supplies and taking dozens of people hostage for ransom.
• Al-Shabab Hits US-Somali Outpost; One American Killed VOA 08 Jun 2018 -- One U.S. special operations soldier was killed and four were wounded when al-Qaida-linked militants attacked an outpost still under construction Friday in southwestern Somalia.

News Reports

• Mueller indicts Russian citizen, files new charges against Manafort Press TV 08 Jun 2018 -- US Special Counsel Robert Mueller has filed new criminal charges against President Donald Trump's former campaign manager Paul Manafort as well as Russian citizen and former Manafort operative Konstantin Kilimnik.
• U.S. Special Counsel Charges Russian Associate Of Ex-Trump Campaign Chief RFE/RL 08 Jun 2018 -- U.S. authorities have indicted a Russian man who was a key associate in Ukraine for President Donald Trump's ex-campaign chief on obstruction of justice and other charges.
• New Charges Filed Against Manafort in Russia Probe VOA 08 Jun 2018 -- The special counsel investigating Russian interference in the 2016 U.S. election escalated the pressure Friday on President Donald Trump's former campaign chairman, Paul Manafort, bringing additional charges against him in connection with several alleged attempts Manafort and a former associate made to influence two witnesses in his case.
• Trump Calls for Russia's Reinstatement to G-7 VOA 08 Jun 2018 -- Russia should be invited back to the summits of leading advanced countries, U.S. President Donald Trump told reporters as he departed the White House for the Group of Seven meeting in Canada.
• Trump Calls For Russia To Rejoin G7, Deepening Divide With U.S. Allies RFE/RL 08 Jun 2018 -- U.S. President Donald Trump has called for readmitting Russia into the Group of Seven (G7) leading industrialized nations, a call that puts him directly at odds with some of the United States' closest allies.
• Trump says Russia shall be invited to G7 meeting Press TV 08 Jun 2018 -- US President Donald Trump has called for the rejoining of Russia to a leading group of industrialized nations prior to his visit to the upcoming G7 summit.
• Mysterious New Spy Radar Appears in Cuba Sputnik 08 Jun 2018 -- A new "signals intelligence" facility appearing in satellite imagery of Bejucal, Cuba, over recent months is capable of signal interception, ballistic missile monitoring and tracking objects in outer space, but analysts are puzzled about who provided the financing to build the facility.
• Jury Convicts Former CIA Officer of Espionage US Dept. of Justice 08 Jun 2018 -- Today, a federal jury convicted Kevin Patrick Mallory, 61, a former Central Intelligence Agency case officer of Leesburg, Virginia, on espionage charges related to his transmission of classified documents to an agent of the People's Republic of China.
• Former CIA Officer Convicted of Spying for China VOA 08 Jun 2018 -- A U.S. jury outside Washington has convicted a former CIA officer on charges that he spied for China.
• North Korea Uses US Tech for 'Destructive Cyber Operations' VOA 08 Jun 2018 -- North Korea's senior leadership has been exploiting loopholes in international sanctions to obtain the U.S. technology that Pyongyang uses to conduct "destructive cyber operations," according to a global cyberthreat intelligence company.
• After Years of Dim Prospects, New Possibilities for N. Korean Economy VOA 08 Jun 2018 -- North Korean leader Kim Jong Un has been signaling his desire to open up the reclusive state's economy, ushering in what some analysts believe could be a "reform and opening up era" similar to what happened in China four decades ago. But how far North Korea is willing to go and what concrete measures it is willing to or could take remain unclear, especially with sanctions still firmly in place.
• Trump says willing to invite DPRK's Kim to U.S. if summit goes well People's Daily 08 Jun 2018 -- U.S. President Donald Trump said Thursday that he is willing to invite Kim Jong Un, the top leader of the Democratic People's Republic of Korea (DPRK), to visit the United States for further talks if their summit negotiations in Singapore go well.
• Talks Held between FMs of DPRK and Singapore KCNA 08 Jun 2018 -- Talks were held between the foreign ministers of the DPRK and Singapore at the Mansudae Assembly Hall on Thursday.
• No prospect for talks with US on new deal: Iran Press TV 08 Jun 2018 -- Iran has vehemently ruled out the possibility of holding talks with the United States on a new agreement, urging Washington to stop its rhetoric of threat in addressing the civilized and great Iranian people and use the language of wisdom and respect instead.
• Macron to Trump: Don't push Iran to leave nuclear deal Press TV 08 Jun 2018 -- French President Emmanuel Macron has called on the US not to push Iran to leave the 2015 nuclear deal as he urged world leaders to stand up to the threat of a new US "hegemony".
• Iran to sue Boeing for unilateral cancellation of deal Press TV 08 Jun 2018 -- Tehran will sue Boeing at international tribunals after the US planemaker said it will not deliver aircraft to Iran in light of American sanctions, an Iranian lawmaker says.
• US Reportedly Sought Saudi Backing Before Trump Quit Iran Nuke Deal Sputnik 08 Jun 2018 -- Shortly before US President Donald Trump announced his decision to withdraw his country from the Iran nuclear deal, the White House reportedly attempted to ensure that Saudi Arabia would help maintain oil prices at a stable level.
• Iran Urges World To Resist U.S. 'Bullying,' Compensate Iran's Losses RFE/RL 08 Jun 2018 -- Iran's top diplomat is asking world powers that remain committed to its 2015 nuclear deal to resist what he called U.S. "bullying tactics" and ensure that Iran is compensated for economic losses that result from U.S. withdrawal from the agreement.
• Chinese Telecom Giant To Pay $1 Billion In Iran Sanctions Case RFE/RL 08 Jun 2018 -- The United States and China have reached a deal that allows the Chinese telecom giant ZTE Corp. to stay in business in exchange for paying an additional $1 billion in fines for having violated U.S. sanctions against Iran and North Korea.
• Foreign investment in Saudi Arabia collapses under bin Salman Press TV 08 Jun 2018 -- Foreign investment in Saudi Arabia has collapsed under Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman and his extensive economic reform agenda, according to new data by the United Nations.
• WHO Cautiously Optimistic About Halting Ebola Spread in DR Congo VOA 08 Jun 2018 -- The World Health Organization (WHO) says it is cautiously optimistic about containing the spread of the Ebola virus in Democratic Republic of Congo, but warns that much work lies ahead. Thirty eight of 62 suspected cases have been confirmed. Of this total number of confirmed cases, 27 people have died.
• Russia's Soyuz MS-09 Spacecraft With 3 Crew Members Docks With ISS Sputnik 08 Jun 2018 -- Russian Soyuz MS-09 spacecraft carrying three crew members has successfully docked with the International Space Station (ISS), a Sputnik correspondent reported from the Mission Control Center.
• Bulgaria Moves To Revive Russian Nuclear Project Suspended In 2012 RFE/RL 08 Jun 2018 -- The Bulgarian parliament has approved a plan to revive the Belene nuclear power plant five years after the Russian project was suspended due to financing problems and concerns about relying too heavily on Russian energy.
• From drought to floods in Somalia; displacement and hunger worsen, says UN UN News 08 Jun 2018 -- After four consecutive poor rainy seasons that brought Somalia to the brink of famine, the country is now seeing near-record rainfall, and with it, flooding that has already displaced hundreds of thousands of people, the UN Children's Fund (UNICEF) said on Friday.