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News Reports

Current Operations

• OIF / OND / OEF / OIR / OFS Casualty Update 11 Jul 2018 [PDF]
• NATO Pledges Support For Afghanistan, Amid Uptick In Fighting With Taliban RFE/RL 11 Jul 2018 -- NATO leaders reaffirmed the alliance's support for its mission in Afghanistan, as the country grapples with a stubborn Taliban insurgency and threats from other extremist groups.
• Militants attack govt. office in Afghan city, at least 10 killed Press TV 11 Jul 2018 -- Armed militants in Afghanistan have attacked an office of the education department in the eastern city of Jalalabad near the Pakistani border.
• 'Russia, Iran, China, Pakistan intelligence chiefs discuss Daesh threat in Afghanistan' Press TV 11 Jul 2018 -- Moscow says the heads of intelligence services of Russia, Iran, China and Pakistan have sat down in Islamabad for talks on the rising threat of Daesh in Afghanistan after the Takfiri terrorist group lost its strongholds in Iraq and Syria.
• UK Nearly Doubles Forces in Afghanistan at US Behest Amid NATO Summit Sputnik 11 Jul 2018 -- The British government has revealed that it is planning to reinforce the country's troops in the war-torn Middle East country, whose army is still struggling to counter Daesh* and Taliban* terrorists, who have claimed hundreds of victims.

Defense Policy / Programs

• Air Force Showcasing Lethality Series Briefing DoD 11 Jul 2018 -- Presenter: Senior Master Sergeant Norris Agnew, U.S. Air Force Public Affairs; Master Sergeant Rob Gutierrez; Master Sergeant Thomas Gunnell
• DoD IT Efforts Focus on Warfighter, Competitive Edge, CIO Says AFPS 11 Jul 2018 -- The Defense Department's information technology efforts are focused on maintaining the warfighters' edge and supporting national defense priorities, DoD's chief information officer said here today.
• SPMAGTF-SC conducts deck landing qualifications aboard Gunston Hall USMC News 11 Jul 2018 -- Southern Command's aviation detachment conducted deck landing qualifications with two CH-53E Super Stallion helicopters aboard the USS Gunston Hall off the coast of Belize, July 7.
• U.S. Marine Leadership Visits USS Gunston Hall as part of Southern Seas 2018 Deployment NNS 11 Jul 2018 -- Maj. Gen. Helen G. Pratt, commanding general, 4th Marine Logistics Group (MLG), U.S. Marine Corps Reserve and the U.S. Marine Corps' first female sergeant major, Sgt. Maj. Lanette N. Wright, 4th MLG visited USS Gunston Hall (LSD 44) to meet with embarked Marines from the Special-Purpose Marine Air-Ground Task Force-Southern Command (SPMAGTF-SC), July 10.
• Arleigh Burke Arrives in Rota, Spain NNS 11 Jul 2018 -- The guided-missile destroyer USS Arleigh Burke (DDG 51) arrived in Rota, Spain, for a scheduled port visit, July 9.
• Remarks by President Trump and Chancellor Merkel of Germany After Pull-Aside Meeting The White House 11 Jul 2018
• Trump attacks Germany on opening day of NATO summit Press TV 11 Jul 2018 -- US President Donald Trump has launched an extraordinary tirade against Germany for its support for one of Europe's most contentious energy developments, calling the country "captive of Russians."
• Trump continues to criticize European allies ahead of NATO summit People's Daily 11 Jul 2018 -- U.S. President Donald Trump continued to criticize European allies on the eve of the North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO) summit in Brussels.
• NATO Summit Overshadowed by Defense Spending Spat VOA 11 Jul 2018 -- Sharp divisions over who should pay for Europe's defense have overshadowed the opening of the NATO summit in Brussels, after U.S. President Donald Trump accused European allies of taking advantage of American taxpayers.
• NATO Heads of State and Government take decisions to keep North America and Europe safe and secure NATO 11 Jul 2018 -- Allied Heads of State and Government met in Brussels on Wednesday (11 July 2018) and agreed to further strengthen NATO's defence and deterrence, step up its role in the fight against terrorism and share the burden of security more fairly. Speaking on the first day of the Summit at NATO Headquarters, Secretary General Jens Stoltenberg said, "The decisions we have made today show that Europe and North America are working together. NATO is delivering and we are determined to keep our almost one billion citizens safe and secure."
• Remarks by NATO Secretary General Jens Stoltenberg at the Summit flag ceremony NATO 11 Jul 2018
• 7 Allies plan to acquire maritime munitions together NATO 11 Jul 2018 -- Seven NATO Allies are signing a Letter of Intent on Multinational Cooperation for the Provision of Maritime Battle Decisive Munitions (MBDM) in Brussels during the NATO Summit (11 and 12 July 2018). Under this agreement, Belgium, France, Italy, Netherlands, Poland, Portugal, and Spain plan to combine munitions purchases in order to achieve economies of scale – and thus lower prices. The potential establishment of common warehousing solutions could lower costs even further. The plan covers a broad range of munition types, including surface-to-air and surface-to-surface missiles, torpedoes, and gun shells.
• Doorstep statement by NATO Secretary General Jens Stoltenberg at the start of the NATO Summit Brussels NATO 11 Jul 2018
• Remarks by NATO Secretary General Jens Stoltenberg at a meeting with the President of the United States, Donald J. Trump NATO 11 Jul 2018
• ''NATO Engages: The Brussels Summit Dialogue'' - Remarks by NATO Secretary General Jens Stoltenberg at the Security Conference held on the margins of the NATO Summit Brussels NATO 11 Jul 2018
• NATO Issues Strong Statement On Spending, Russia, Amid Discord And Trump Criticism RFE/RL 11 Jul 2018 -- NATO has pledged a commitment to "fair burden-sharing," invited Macedonia to begin membership talks, and criticized Russia, as the alliance held a contentious summit marked by discord between Washington and its European allies.
• In Strong Statement, NATO Criticizes Russia, Pledges 'Fair Burden-Sharing' in Defense Spending RFE/RL 11 Jul 2018 -- NATO leaders have pledged an "unwavering commitment" to meeting defense spending targets, and criticized Russia for actions it says have reduced security in Europe and elsewhere.
• White House Confirms Trump Asked NATO Members to Increase Defense Spending to 4% Sputnik 11 Jul 2018 -- The NATO summit held in Brussels July 11-12 is off to a rocky start with Trump blasting European allies for not fulfilling their commitment to spend 2 percent of GDP to defense.
• Remarks by President Trump and NATO Secretary General Jens Stoltenberg at Bilateral Breakfast The White House 11 Jul 2018
• Remarks by President Trump and NATO Secretary General Jens Stoltenberg Upon Arriving at Bilateral Breakfast The White House 11 Jul 2018
• 'US must explain military presence near Russia borders' Press TV 11 Jul 2018 -- Russia's defense minister says the US accuses his country of "aggression," while its own military is advancing closer and closer to Russian borders, calling on Washington to explain why its military bases are edging closer to Russian soil.
• Russia's "Aggressive Actions" Undermine Euro-Atlantic Security - NATO Sputnik 11 Jul 2018 -- A two-day summit of NATO members convened earlier in the day in Brussels to discuss the challenges that rise before the bloc.
• NATO Invites Macedonia to Launch Membership Talks VOA 11 Jul 2018 -- NATO has officially invited Macedonia to initiate membership talks aimed at having the former Yugoslav republic join the Brussels-based North Atlantic alliance.
• NATO Formally Invites Macedonia To Begin Membership Talks RFE/RL 11 Jul 2018 -- NATO has formally invited Macedonia to begin membership talks on joining the North Atlantic alliance.
• China Bolstering Africa Expansion by Selling Arms to the Continent Sputnik 11 Jul 2018 -- China continues to solidify its positions in Africa, where in addition to its investment activities and so-called railway diplomacy, Beijing is steadily increasing arms sales.
• French Military Helicopter Crashes in Cote d'Ivoire, Pilot Dead - Army Sputnik 11 Jul 2018 -- French officer died in the crash of a helicopter in Cote d'Ivoire during joint French-Ivorian training, the French Army said Wednesday.
• Fighter Jet Crashes in Southeastern Iran Over Technical Fault - Reports Sputnik 11 Jul 2018 -- An F-4 Phantom II fight jet of the Iranian Air Force crashed in the southeast of the country on Wednesday over a technical fault, the Iranian Students' News Agency (ISNA) reported.
• Training jet crashes in southeastern Iran IRNA 11 Jul 2018 -- A training F-4 jet of Iran's Air Force Wednesday crashed in southeastern Iran, a local official said.
• Turkey to take delivery of first batch of S-400 systems in late 2018: FM Press TV 11 Jul 2018 -- Turkish Foreign Minister Mevlut Cavusoglu says his country will take delivery of the first batch of advanced S-400 air defense missile systems from Russia by late next year.

Defense Industry

• DoD News: Contracts for July 11, 2018

Other Conflicts

• 11 July 2018 - Daily Press Briefing by the Office of the Spokesperson for the Secretary-General United Nations 11 Jul 2018
• As Planet Heats Up, Conflicts Do Too VOA 11 Jul 2018 -- As the planet heats up from the effects of climate change, so, too, can conflicts.
• Fragile countries risk being 'stuck in a cycle of conflict and climate disaster,' Security Council told UN News 11 Jul 2018 -- Climate change ­– and the shortages of water and food that come from it – is becoming increasingly linked to conflict, a senior United Nations official told the Security Council on Wednesday, warning that countries most vulnerable to drought and crop failure are also most vulnerable to conflict and fragility.
• Meteorological Organization: Climate Change Causing Extreme Weather VOA 11 Jul 2018 -- The World Meteorological Organization warns the floods, heatwaves and other extreme weather conditions gripping many parts of the world are likely to continue as a consequence of accelerating climate change.
• Iran has key role in Syria's stability: Russia's Defense Minister ISNA 11 Jul 2018 -- In an interview with Il Giornale newspaper, Russian Defense Minister Sergei Shoigu commented on Iran's key role in Syria's stability.
• Syria air defenses repel Israeli airstrike on Quneitra Press TV 11 Jul 2018 -- Syrian military air defenses have repelled an Israeli attack on the country's Quneitra province, Syrian state media report.
• Turkish forces 'neutralize' 18 PKK terrorists in Turkey, hit their bases in Iraq Press TV 11 Jul 2018 -- Turkish security and gendarmerie forces have "neutralized" more than two dozen members of the Kurdistan Workers' Party (PKK) militant group when they carried out a string of counter-terrorism operations in the country's southeastern provinces of Diyarbakir, Sirnak and Osmaniye.
• Libya to resume oil exports from east Press TV 11 Jul 2018 -- Libya's National Oil Corporation has announced that the country is resuming oil exports from four terminals in the eastern oil crescent.
• Rohingya cannot become 'forgotten victims,' says UN chief urging world to step up support UN News 11 Jul 2018 -- Painting a grim picture of villages being burned to the ground and other "bone-chilling" accounts he heard from Rohingya refugees who fled violence in Myanmar, the UN chief has called on the world to answer their calls for help with real action.
• NATO accuses Russia of destabilizing eastern Ukraine Press TV 11 Jul 2018 -- NATO has once again accused Russia of what it sees as destabilizing eastern Ukraine as members of the Western military alliance gather for a summit in Brussels.
• Anxious Ukraine Holds Its Breath Ahead Of Trump-Putin Summit RFE/RL 11 Jul 2018 -- Aboard Air Force One on June 29, U.S. President Donald Trump suggested he may consider recognizing Russia's claim to Crimea, which was forcibly annexed from Ukraine in 2014.
• UN: Israel demolished 197 Palestinian structures in occupied West Bank in 2018 Press TV 11 Jul 2018 -- The United Nations Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (OCHA) says Israeli authorities demolished 197 Palestinian structures in West Bank during the first half of 2018 as the Tel Aviv regime presses ahead with its land expropriation policies in the occupied territories.
• UN applauds Ethiopia-Eritrea rapprochement Press TV 11 Jul 2018 -- The United Nations Security Council (UNSC) has hailed the rapprochement between ex-foes Eritrea and Ethiopia but has not offered to review the sanctions on the former country after expressions of concern by a number of council members.

News Reports

• Why Europe Will Ignore Trump's Wrath Over Nord Stream 2 Sputnik 11 Jul 2018 -- There are clear signs that European countries are unlikely to tear up their energy cooperation agreements with Russia, regardless of Donald Trump's vocal dissatisfaction, especially when it comes to the Nord Stream 2 project, which involves all the major European gas and oil giants.
• Jens Stoltenberg Says Nord Stream 2 Not NATO's Business Sputnik 11 Jul 2018 -- The statement was made in response to Donald Trump's furious attack on Germany's plans to build the pipeline, which is expected to transport Russian gas across the floor of the Baltic Sea.
• British Man Exposed To Nerve Agent No Longer In Critical Condition RFE/RL 11 Jul 2018 -- A British man poisoned with the Novichok nerve agent is no longer in a critical condition, the hospital treating him said.
• Pakistan Hosts Unusual Meeting of Regional Spymasters VOA 11 Jul 2018 -- Pakistan hosted an unprecedented meeting Wednesday of heads of intelligence agencies from Russia, China and Iran to discuss counterterrorism cooperation, with particular focus on the buildup of Islamic State in turmoil-hit Afghanistan.
• Potato vs Pompeo: Kim Jong Un Reportedly Visited Farm Instead of US Diplomat Sputnik 11 Jul 2018 -- During US Secretary of State Mike Pompeo's recent visit to North Korea, which a anonymous White House source has said went "as bad as it could have," Kim Jong Un reportedly blew off the diplomat in favor of a trip to a potato farm.
• Visiting North Korea, UN relief chief spotlights funding shortfall to meet humanitarian needs UN News 11 Jul 2018 -- The United Nations is seeking to raise $111 million to meet humanitarian needs in the Democratic People's Republic of Korea (DPRK), where millions of people face malnutrition, a shortage medicines, and lack of access to safe drinking water, the Organization's top relief official said on Wednesday.
• China Rebuffs Trump's Blame in North Korea Denuclearization Fallout VOA 11 Jul 2018 -- China refused to take the blame for a setback in North Korea's path toward denuclearization as bilateral talks between Washington and Pyongyang went sour during U.S. Secretary of State Mike Pompeo's visit there over the weekend.
• Pakistan against US-Saudi efforts to destabilize Iran: Report Press TV 11 Jul 2018 -- The Pakistani government has reportedly opposed efforts by the administration of US President Donald Trump and the Saudi regime to destabilize Iran, a media report says.
• Iran reports major drop in gasoline imports Press TV 11 Jul 2018 -- Iran has reported a major plunge in its imports of gasoline in a move that many believe could strengthen the country against the upcoming US sanctions.
• US softens stance on Iran sanctions amid warnings Press TV 11 Jul 2018 -- The United States has softened its stance on new Iran sanctions after warnings that a possible face-off between the two countries would push oil prices back into the triple digits.
• Pompeo to press European allies over Iran on NATO summit sidelines Press TV 11 Jul 2018 -- US Secretary of State Mike Pompeo is reportedly set to meet with senior British, French and German officials on the sidelines of a NATO summit in an attempt to persuade them to join Washington in pressuring Iran.
• China warns US against proposed tariffs on $200b worth of goods People's Daily 11 Jul 2018 -- The latest proposed tariffs by the United States on $200 billion worth of Chinese imports will hurt globalization and undermine the world economic order, said an official of China's Ministry of Commerce on Wednesday.
• US to impose extra tariffs on $200bn of Chinese imports Press TV 11 Jul 2018 -- Washington says it has decided to impose 10 percent tariffs on an extra $200 billion worth of Chinese imports after efforts to negotiate a solution to the trade dispute failed to reach an agreement.
• China Jolted by US Tariffs on Chinese Imports VOA 11 Jul 2018 -- China expressed shock Wednesday at the Trump administration's decision to prepare 10-percent tariffs on another $200 billion of Chinese imports covering thousands of products, the latest move in an escalating trade war between the world's two largest economies.
• Pakistan suicide blast death toll surges to 20 IRNA 11 Jul 2018 -- The death toll in a suicide attack in Pakistan's north western city of Peshawar, which claimed the life of a political party leader has increased to 20, local media reported.
• China Sounds Alarm as US-Taiwan Relations Test New Highs VOA 11 Jul 2018 -- China's protests this month over a surge in relations between its rival Taiwan and the United States may prompt eventual retaliation by nervous officials in Beijing, analysts say.
• Greece, Russia to expel diplomats amid Macedonia dispute Press TV 11 Jul 2018 -- Greece and Russia, two countries that have enjoyed warm relations over the past years, have decided to expel diplomats over a dispute about Macedonia.
• Djibouti's New Free-Trade Zone Creates Opportunities, Deepens Dependency VOA 11 Jul 2018 -- In a ceremony last week attended by heads of state from across East Africa, Djibouti inaugurated what it says will become the largest free-trade zone on the continent.