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Operations
Defense Policy / Programs
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Other Conflicts
News Reports

Current Operations

• OIF / OND / OEF / OIR / OFS Casualty Update 16 Jul 2018 [PDF]
• Coalition Strikes Continue Against ISIS Targets in Syria, Iraq AFPS 16 Jul 2018 -- Combined Joint Task Force Operation Inherent Resolve and its partners have accelerated offensive activity against Islamic State of Iraq and Syria targets in designated parts of Syria and Iraq, Combined Joint Task Force Operation Inherent Resolve officials reported today.
• Afghan President Suggests Taliban Could Join Peace Talks, Despite Rejection RFE/RL 16 Jul 2018 -- Afghan President Ashraf Ghani has dismissed the Taliban's rejection of his offer of peace talks, suggesting that the militant group can still be persuaded to come to the negotiating table.
• US ready for direct talks with Afghan Taliban: Top cmdr. Press TV 16 Jul 2018 -- The United States has expressed readiness to initiate direct talks with the Taliban in an attempt to end a 17-year-old war in Afghanistan, a significant shift in American policy in the conflict-ridden country.
• US, NATO-led Coalition Officials Refute Report of Direct US Talks with Taliban VOA 16 Jul 2018 -- U.S. and NATO-led coalition officials are pushing back on a report that U.S. President Donald Trump has instructed "top diplomats" to pursue "direct talks" with the Taliban in an effort to "jump-start" negotiations with the militant group in the hope of bringing an end to the 17-year war in Afghanistan.
• Deadly Suicide Blast Hits Afghan Ministry Staff VOA 16 Jul 2018 -- A suicide blast claimed by the Islamic State Group killed at least seven people and wounded many others Sunday in Kabul, hours after a U.N. mid-year report warned Afghanistan suffered record levels of civilian casualties.

Defense Policy / Programs

• Press Statement on Harry S. Truman Carrier Strike Group Operations NNS 16 Jul 2018 -- The National Defense Strategy directs us to be operationally unpredictable while remaining strategically predictable. As such, select units from the USS Harry S. Truman (CVN 75) Carrier Strike Group (CSG) will return to Norfolk, Virginia, this week - a direct reflection of the dynamic force employment concept and the inherent maneuverability and flexibility of the U.S. Navy.
• US Navy Launches the Future USS Frank E. Petersen Jr. NNS 16 Jul 2018 -- The future USS Frank E. Petersen Jr. (DDG 121) was launched on July 13 at Huntington Ingalls Industries (HII) shipyard.
• Construction Battalion Maintenance Unit 202 Trains Like They Fight NNS 16 Jul 2018 -- Construction Battalion Maintenance Unit (CBMU) 202 participated in a strategic mobility exercise (STRATMOBEX) on board Joint Expeditionary Base Little Creek-Fort Story, July 9-12.
• USS Gerald R. Ford Begins Post-Shakedown Availability NNS 16 Jul 2018 -- USS Gerald R. Ford (CVN 78) arrived at Huntington Ingalls Industries - Newport News Shipbuilding in Newport News, Virginia, July 15 to begin a yearlong maintenance and upgrade period.
• USS Gerald R. Ford Successfully Sails into Post-Shakedown Availability Period NNS 16 Jul 2018 -- The Navy's newest aircraft carrier, USS Gerald R. Ford (CVN 78), departed Naval Station Norfolk on Sunday, July 15, 2018 to begin a post-shakedown availability (PSA) period at Newport News Shipbuilding in Newport News, Virginia.
• Implementation of the Conventional Arms Transfer (CAT) Policy US Dept. of State 16 Jul 2018 -- On July 13, 2018 the President approved the Implementation Plan he requested as part of the Conventional Arms Transfer (CAT) Policy (NSPM-10). In line with the U.S. National Security Strategy, these documents lay out a whole-of-government strategy to better align our conventional arms transfers with our national security and economic interests.
• UK boosts Africa ties after ministerial visit UK MOD 16 Jul 2018 -- The UK remains determined to bring prosperity and stability to East Africa, defence minister Mark Lancaster has reaffirmed after visiting Uganda.
• Britain to take leading role in next-generation air power, as Defence Secretary launches Combat Air Strategy UK MOD 16 Jul 2018 -- Setting out Britain's determination to remain a world-leader in the combat air sector, Defence Secretary Gavin Williamson has today unveiled a concept model of a brand-new, next-generation fighter jet as he launched a comprehensive strategy with a bold statement of intent for future British air power.
• Defence Minister announces new prosperity framework between UK and Lockheed Martin UK MOD 16 Jul 2018 -- Defence Minister Guto Bebb announced the start of a new relationship between the UK government and Lockheed Martin at Farnborough International Air Show today.
• US trying to persuade Turkey to buy Patriots instead of Russian S-400s: Official Press TV 16 Jul 2018 -- An American official says the United States is engaged in negotiations with Turkey in a bid to sell Patriot surface-to-air missile (SAM) systems to the Ankara government as an alternative to the advanced Advanced S-400 air defense missile systems.
• Israel bolsters Iron Dome, launches strikes on Syria's Aleppo Press TV 16 Jul 2018 -- Israel has targeted a Syrian military site in the Aleppo countryside in a missile attack causing structural damage.
• Israel launches drill simulating capture of Gaza City Press TV 16 Jul 2018 -- Israel has launched a series of war games throughout the occupied territories, including one in southern Israel that will reportedly simulate the capture of Gaza City.

Defense Industry

• DoD News: Contracts for July 16, 2018

Other Conflicts

• 16 July 2018 - Daily Press Briefing by the Office of the Spokesperson for the Secretary-General United Nations 16 Jul 2018
• Yemeni tribes back Houthi forces, vow to defeat Saudi, allies in Hudaydah Press TV 16 Jul 2018 -- Local tribes have gathered in the capital Sana'a to voice their support for the Yemeni army and allied fighters from the Houthi movement in their fight for Hudaydah, which has been under Saudi-led attacks for weeks.
• Can Russia Curb Iran's Growing Influence in Syria? VOA 16 Jul 2018 -- As Syrian President Bashar al-Assad consolidates his power over territories regained from Syrian rebel groups with the help of Iran and Russia, some experts charge that Iranian-backed proxies have started to go beyond their original mandate, which might prompt action from both Assad and Moscow to control Tehran’s growing influence in Syria.
• First batch of terrorists evacuated from Daraa al-Balad IRNA 16 Jul 2018 -- The first batch of terrorists and their families, who rejected the reconciliation agreement, was evacuated from Daraa al-Balad area towards northern Syria.
• Syrian army captures strategic hill overlooking Israeli-occupied Golan Heights Press TV 16 Jul 2018 -- The Syrian army has taken control of a strategic hill that overlooks the Israeli-occupied Golan Heights, as Damascus government forces score fresh gains against remnants of terrorist groups in the country's troubled southwest.
• Bolton: US to stay in Syria as long as Iran is there Press TV 16 Jul 2018 -- US National Security Adviser John Bolton says Washington has no plans to end its military presence in Syria, signaling an about-face in President Donald Trump's plans to pull out troops from the Arab country.
• Syrian Forces Take Strategic Hill Overlooking Israeli-controlled Golan Heights, Syrian TV says VOA 16 Jul 2018 -- Syrian TV said government forces captured a strategic hill overlooking the Israeli-controlled Golan Heights as they continue their drive to retake the last part of southwestern Syria still in rebel hands.
• Eritrea reopens embassy in Ethiopian capital, Addis Ababa Press TV 16 Jul 2018 -- Eritrea has reopened its embassy in Ethiopia after the two African neighbors agreed to end two decades of hostility over of a bloody border war and begin a new era in their relations.
• Eritrea Reopens Embassy in Ethiopia VOA 16 Jul 2018 -- Eritrea has reopened its embassy in Ethiopia.The reopening Monday came a week after the two countries declared an end to two decades of a military stalemate over a border war in which tens of thousands of people died.
• 'Status quo in Libya cannot be sustained', UN Envoy tells Security Council UN News 16 Jul 2018 -- Despite encouraging signs on the political and humanitarian front, efforts must be sustained and intensified in Libya to avoid further "economic collapse, the breakdown of public services, and more frequent and intense outbreaks of violence", said the United Nations Special Envoy for the country on Monday.
• 35k families displaced by Saudi attacks on Hudaydah: UN Press TV 16 Jul 2018 -- Saudi Arabia's ground and air attacks on Yemen's Hudaydah have displaced some 35,000 families so far, says the UN.

News Reports

• Remarks by President Trump and President Putin of the Russian Federation in Joint Press Conference The White House 16 Jul 2018
• SASC CHAIRMAN JOHN McCAIN ON TRUMP-PUTIN MEETING Office of Senator John McCain 16 Jul 2018 -- U.S. Senator John McCain (R-AZ), Chairman of the Senate Armed Services Committee, released the following statement today on President Trump's meeting and press conference with Vladimir Putin in Helsinki:
• Europe can no longer fully rely on US: German FM Press TV 16 Jul 2018 -- Germany says European countries can no longer fully rely on the United States, calling for a unified front against Washington after US President Donald Trump called the 28-member bloc a "foe" with regard to trade.
• Trump, Putin hail 'constructive' summit; say dialogue to continue Press TV 16 Jul 2018 -- US President Donald Trump and his Russian counterpart Vladimir Putin hailed their much anticipated summit in Helsinki, saying they would build up on the meeting to have more dialogue in the future.
• Trump tells Putin he hopes for 'extraordinary relationship' Press TV 16 Jul 2018 -- US President Donald Trump said he hopes for an "extraordinary relationship" with Russian President Vladimir Putin as the two leaders met briefly in front of media on Monday ahead of their historic one-on-one meeting.
• 'Played by Russian spies,' Trump under fire in US over siding with Putin Press TV 16 Jul 2018 -- US President Donald Trump is under fire in his country after a summit with Russian President Vladimir Putin, in which he tried to "get along with" Moscow.
• Trump Hails Summit With Putin, Stirs Anger In Congress RFE/RL 16 Jul 2018 -- Presidents Donald Trump and Vladimir Putin say they took the "first steps" toward mending badly strained ties between the United States and Russia, hailing a summit that critics of Trump described as playing directly into Putin's hands.
• 'Next Question?!' Trump, Putin Demonstrate The Art Of The Dodge RFE/RL 16 Jul 2018 -- Any politicians worth their salt need to know how to duck hard questions from journalists, and U.S. President Donald Trump and Russian President Vladimir Putin amply proved their political worth at the joint press conference following their summit on July 16 in Helsinki.
• And The Winner Is... Analysts Say Putin Was Clear Summit Victor RFE/RL 16 Jul 2018 -- As U.S.-Russian summits go, the just-concluded meeting in Helsinki between U.S. President Donald Trump and Russian leader Vladimir Putin ranked high for drama, but, analysts say, surprisingly low in terms of concrete outcomes.
• Trump Declines to Back US Intel on Russia Meddling VOA 16 Jul 2018 -- Donald Trump, standing alongside Russian President Vladimir Putin, has declared he cannot see any reason to believe Moscow meddled in the election that led to him becoming U.S. president in 2016.
• US Lawmakers Savage Trump's Helsinki Comments VOA 16 Jul 2018 -- U.S. lawmakers of both political parties reacted with shock and dismay on Monday after President Donald Trump failed to support the U.S. intelligence community's conclusions about Russian election meddling during a joint news conference with President Vladimir Putin in Helsinki.
• Russian National Charged in Conspiracy to Act as an Agent of the Russian Federation Within the United States US Dept. of Justice 16 Jul 2018 -- A criminal complaint was unsealed today in the District of Columbia charging a Russian national with conspiracy to act as an agent of the Russian Federation within the United States without prior notification to the Attorney General.
• US Charges Russian Woman With Conspiracy to Infiltrate American Organizations VOA 16 Jul 2018 -- An aide to a top Russian government official under U.S. sanctions was charged on Monday with conspiracy to infiltrate American organizations as part of Moscow's influence operations in the United States.
• Iran's complaint to the International Court of Justice 16 Jul 2018
• Iran's complaint to the International Court of Justice - Request for the Indication of Provisional Measures 16 Jul 2018
• Iran sues US for breaching treaty of amity: Spox IRNA 16 Jul 2018 -- Foreign Ministry spokesman Bahram Qasemi said on Monday that Iran has sued the US for violating international commitment, particularly treaty of amity.
• DM stresses Iran's capacities to defy sanctions IRNA 16 Jul 2018 -- Defense Minister Brigadier General Amir Hatami on Monday underlined Iran's political, social and economic capacities to overcome the sanctions re-imposed by the US.
• Iran sues US for re-imposing sanctions IRNA 16 Jul 2018 -- Iran has filed a complaint on US 're-imposition of unilateral sanctions' with the International Court of Justice, Iranian Foreign Minister said on Monday.
• US exit from JCPOA detrimental to Mideast stability: Lebanon's Aoun Press TV 16 Jul 2018 -- Lebanon's President Michel Aoun says the United States' move to withdraw from a nuclear agreement Iran signed with the P5+1 group of countries in 2015 will have negative impacts on stability in the Middle East.
• US budges in Iran oil sanctions drive, says waivers possible Press TV 16 Jul 2018 -- The United States has made a surprise revelation that could suggest its campaign to bring down Iran's oil exports to zero is based on 'miscalculations' – as Iran had earlier warned.
• Iran files complaint with ICJ over re-imposition of US sanctions: Zarif Press TV 16 Jul 2018 -- Iranian Foreign Minister Mohammad Javad Zarif says the Islamic Republic has lodged a complaint with the International Court of Justice (ICJ) over the United States' "unlawful" move to re-impose "unilateral" sanctions against Tehran.
• Reports Detail Israeli Raid On Iran's Nuclear Documents RFE/RL 16 Jul 2018 -- Israel has revealed new details of how its spy agency smuggled out nuclear documents from Iran earlier this year, although the material does not appear to provide evidence that Iran failed to fulfill its commitments under the 2015 nuclear agreement with world powers.
• China's advantages in a protracted trade war People's Daily 16 Jul 2018 -- How to fight the trade war with the US has been a realistic subject for China. We hold that China should conduct more social mobilization to better inform the public of the trade war and obtain their support so that we can stay strong in action and mentality throughout the trade war.
• Pakistani police open criminal cases against 17,000 members of ex-premier's party Press TV 16 Jul 2018 -- Pakistani police have opened criminal cases against nearly 17,000 members of the former ruling party of ousted prime minister Nawaz Sharif, the Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N), over breaking election rules ahead of the July 25 polls.
• Pakistan's Jailed Ex-PM Appeals 10-Year Sentence RFE/RL 16 Jul 2018 -- Pakistan's jailed former Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif has appealed his 10-year prison sentence, just days after returning to the country ahead of national elections on July 25.
• Turkish journalist acquitted over exposing Ankara's arms aid to Syria militants Press TV 16 Jul 2018 -- A court in Turkey has acquitted a journalist of the center-left and opposition daily newspaper Cumhuriyet, who was being tried for espionage in a case about revealing state secrets by publishing footage of a video showing weapons shipment to pockets of Syria held by foreign-backed terrorists.
• Erdogan on coup anniversary: Turkey 'cut off arms of octopus' Press TV 16 Jul 2018 -- Turkey has marked the second anniversary of a failed coup which President Recep Tayyip Erdogan said had seen the country "cut off the arms of the octopus," referring to US-based cleric Fethullah Gulen.
• Turkey's Erdogan Marks Anniversary Of Coup Attempt With Verbal Attack On Cleric RFE/RL 16 Jul 2018 -- Turkey has commemorated the second anniversary of the thwarting of a coup attempt against the Turkish president and the government during which 250 were killed.
• UN chief condemns violence against civilian protesters in Nicaragua UN News 16 Jul 2018 -- United Nations Secretary-General António Guterres on Monday deplored and condemned the ongoing violence against civilians, including against students, in Nicaragua.
• Reaction Mixed as Cameroon's Biya Prepares to Run Again VOA 16 Jul 2018 -- There have been mixed reactions in Cameroon following President Paul Biya's announcement that he will run for re-election. Biya has been president for 36 years and if he wins another mandate he will be 92 years old by the time his term ends.
• Egyptian Lawmakers OK Controversial Bills on Citizenship, Military Immunity, Media VOA 16 Jul 2018 -- Egypt's parliament passed a series of controversial bills Monday, including one that offers citizenship to foreigners who deposit around $400,000 in a local bank.