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News Reports

Current Operations

• OIF / OND / OEF / OIR / OFS Casualty Update 31 Aug 2018 [PDF]
• Over 1,000 civilians killed by US-led forces in Iraq and Syria IRNA 31 Aug 2018 -- At least 1,061 civilians have been killed by US-led coalition airstrikes in Iraq and Syria since August 2014 during the fight against Daesh, the coalition reported on Thursday.

Defense Policy / Programs

• Maritime Pre-positioning Ships Squadron Conducts Group Sail with Guam Units AFPS 31 Aug 2018 -- Maritime Pre-positioning Ships Squadron Three successfully conducted its third multiship training exercise, Group Sail, Aug. 19-24, off the coast of Saipan, the Northern Mariana Islands and Guam.
• Network modernization: Innovation in a time of unprecedented opportunity Army News 31 Aug 2018 -- It has been well-documented that advances in technology will heavily influence the character of future warfare. Artificial intelligence, information technology, advanced robotics, more efficient and automated uses of available spectrum, and the ability to leverage investments by commercial industry in low-earth-orbit meshed satellite constellations have the ability to be game-changers in the way we fight.
• Safer, smarter, faster: An interview with Gen. James McConville Army News 31 Aug 2018 -- Since assuming duties as the 36th Vice Chief of Staff of the Army in 2017, Gen. James C. McConville has focused on meeting the Secretary of the Army's and Chief of Staff of the Army's readiness and modernization priorities. A graduate of the U.S. Military Academy, McConville is a master aviator and most recently served as the Deputy Chief of Staff, G-1. In this interview, McConville shares his impressions on the impact the Army's new era of modernization will have on the logistics community.
• Modernizing at the speed of relevance: An interview with Under Secretary of the Army Ryan McCarthy Army News 31 Aug 2018 -- As the 33rd Under Secretary of the Army, Ryan D. McCarthy is leading the way in building readiness for the future. Between his experiences as a proven industry leader and his proud service as an Army Ranger, McCarthy is now transforming the way the Army does business. Army Sustainment Magazine sat down with him to discuss the new Army Futures Command and the role sustainment will play in the Army's modernization efforts.
• Readout of Secretary of Defense Middle East Security Roundtable Discussion DoD 31 Aug 2018
• Ronald Reagan Strike Group, JMSDF Participate in Bilateral Training NNS 31 Aug 2018 -- The Ronald Reagan Strike Group and Japan Maritime Self-Defense Force, Escort Flotilla 4 Battle Group, participated in bilateral training Aug. 31 while underway in the South China Sea.
• Deputy Secretary Discusses Future of Space Force at Space and Missile Systems Center AFPS 31 Aug 2018 -- Space is a contested environment, and the United States must deploy new tools, new capabilities and the right leadership to ensure dominance in that environment , Deputy Defense Secretary Patrick M. Shanahan said recently.
• Worldwide flu outbreak killed 45,000 American Soldiers during World War I Army News 31 Aug 2018 -- In September 1918 there were two killers in the world.
• Belgium, Canada and Germany take up NATO air policing duties NATO 31 Aug 2018 -- Starting in September, Belgian and German fighter aircraft will take responsibility for patrolling the skies as part of NATO's Baltic air-policing mission. Operating out of Siauliai airbase in Lithuania, four Belgian F-16s will lead the mission, with four German Eurofighter aircraft supporting them out of Ämari airbase in Estonia. The detachments replace French, Portuguese and Spanish air force units which have patrolled the Baltic region since May 2018.
• Russia Drills Area in Mediterranean Dangerous for Navigation, Air Traffic - Navy Sputnik 31 Aug 2018 -- Russian military drills in the Mediterranean will involve 26 warships and submarines, as well as 34 combat aircraft, Russian Navy Commander-in-Chief Adm. Vladimir Korolev said. The country's Navy and Aerospace Forces will hold joint large-scale naval exercises in the Mediterranean Sea from September 1 to 8.
• Navy proposes NT$31.6 billion for fast attack missile boats CNA 31 Aug 2018 -- The Navy has submitted a request for NT$31.6 billion (US$1.02 billion) to build 50-ton fast attack missile boats, as part of the national annual defense budget which was submitted for legislative review on Friday.
• AIDC to deliver 66 advanced jet trainers by 2026 CNA 31 Aug 2018 -- Aerospace Industrial Development Corp. (AIDC) is scheduled to deliver 66 advanced trainer aircraft to the government by 2026, the Ministry of National Defense said Friday.
• China Denies Reports It Plans To Set Up Base, Troops In Afghanistan RFE/RL 31 Aug 2018 -- China is denying reports that it plans to deploy troops or establish a military base in Afghanistan, saying it is merely engaged in "normal military and security cooperation" with its neighbor.
• China to Replace Black Hawk Choppers With Harbin Z-20 Sputnik 31 Aug 2018 -- China's People's Liberation Army is preparing to retire its aging UH-60 Black Hawk helicopter fleet in favor of a new, indigenously produced medium-lift chopper: the Harbin Z-20, which will be capable of operating both in high altitudes and off of the country's rapidly expanding naval force.
• Sino-Russian drill set to guard regional peace People's Daily 31 Aug 2018 -- The upcoming joint military exercise between China and Russia, dubbed Vostok-2018 or East-2018, will strengthen their abilities to jointly deal with different types of security threats and safeguard regional peace and security, China's Ministry of National Defense said on Thursday.
• Iran rejects claim it is arming Iraqis to fight US troops IRNA 31 Aug 2018 -- The spokesman for Iran mission to UN Alireza Miryousefi on Thursday described Wall Street Journal's claim that Iran is training and arming Iraqis to fight the Americans as ridiculous, saying that Iran has helped the country purely for the purposes of self-defense against terrorist groups like Daesh.
• Iran self-sufficient in missile technology: Commander IRNA 31 Aug 2018 -- Iran has reached self-sufficiency in surface-to-air missile technology with various ranges, a senior Iranian commander said on Friday.
• Japan's military seeks record spending amid US push Press TV 31 Aug 2018 -- Japan is seeking a record-high spending next year to help pay for US missile systems and warplanes amid calls from Washington to increase purchase of American weapons.

Defense Industry

• DoD News: Contracts for August 31, 2018

Other Conflicts

• 31 August 2018 - Daily Press Briefing by the Office of the Spokesperson for the Secretary-General United Nations 31 Aug 2018
• Saudi base targeted by Yemen ballistic missile IRNA 31 Aug 2018 -- Yemen Army's missile unit targeted a Saudi Arabian military base in south of the country with a ballistic missile late Thursday.
• Lavrov: Syrian gov't has sovereign right over its territory IRNA 31 Aug 2018 -- Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov affirmed that the Syrian government has the sovereign right over its territory, pointing out that Russia supports all efforts to resolve the crisis in Syria in accordance with the UN Security Council resolution 2254.
• Terrorists destroy two bridges in Hama countryside IRNA 31 Aug 2018 -- Terrorist organizations in Hama destroyed during the past few hours two bridges in the northwestern countryside of the province.
• Army destroys fortified points for Daesh in Sweida Badyia IRNA 31 Aug 2018 -- Units of Syrian Arab Army destroyed fortified points for Daesh (ISIS) terrorists in the area of Toloul al-Safa in Sweida Badyia and thwarted terrorists' attempt to flee towards al-Tanf area on the outskirts of the Badyia nearby Syrian-Iraqi border.
• Syrian FM: Syria to combat terrorists in Idleb IRNA 31 Aug 2018 -- Deputy Prime Minister, Foreign and Expatriates Minister Walid al-Moallem said on Thursday that Syria's decision is to combat Jabhat al-Nusra terrorist organization in Idleb, whatever the sacrifices were, but the priority is for of local reconciliations.
• Russia says Syrian army has every right to chase militants out of Idlib Press TV 31 Aug 2018 -- As the Syrian armed forces are preparing to launch a full-scale offensive to retake the northern province of Idlib, Russia says the Syrian troops have the full right to go after and hunt the terrorists out of the last stronghold of militants.
• Turkey says working with Iran, Russia to avoid Idlib 'disaster' Press TV 31 Aug 2018 -- President Recep Tayyip Erdogan says Turkey is working with Iran and Russia as the Syrian army is preparing for a decisive battle to drive terrorists out of the northern Idlib province.
• US Military Makes Preliminary List of Possible Targets in Syria - Reports Sputnik 31 Aug 2018 -- Among the main targets that could be struck if US President Donald Trump were to order a new round of airstrikes in the country are Syrian facilities alleged to be connected with chemical weapons production, CNN reported.
• Syrian FM: Syria to combat terrorists in Idleb IRNA 31 Aug 2018 -- Deputy Prime Minister, Foreign and Expatriates Minister Walid al-Moallem said on Thursday that Syria's decision is to combat Jabhat al-Nusra terrorist organization in Idleb, whatever the sacrifices were, but the priority is for of local reconciliations.
• Syrian Envoy Slams UN Chief for Siding With 'Aggressors' on Idlib Issue Sputnik 31 Aug 2018 -- UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres has said in the statement that there were "growing risks" of a humanitarian disaster in the northwestern province in case of a military operation. The area has become the last safe haven for al-Qaeda and Nusra terrorists after Syrian troops won back most of the country.
• Armed Clashes in Tripoli Take Heavy Toll on Migrants, Refugees VOA 31 Aug 2018 -- U.N. and international aid agencies are working to move refugees and migrants out of harm's way in Libya as local militia and tribal leaders, vying for control of the capital, clash for a fifth day.
• Separatist Leader Zakharchenko Was A Thorn In The Side Of Both Kyiv And Moscow RFE/RL 31 Aug 2018 -- He was a local boy from coal-dusted Donetsk who grew up to be a mine engineer. Aleksandr Zakharchenko quit that life to become a separatist warlord whose Russia-backed insurgents carved out a "republic" roughly the size of the state of Delaware.
• Eleven Casualties in Zakharchenko Assassination Explosion Sputnik 31 Aug 2018 -- Nearly a dozen individuals died or sustained injuries in the explosion at a cafe in downtown Donetsk that killed Donetsk People's Republic leader Alexander Zakharchenko on Friday, a local source tells Sputnik News, among them the republic's finance minister, who is in grave condition.
• Donetsk People's Republic Head Zakharchenko Killed in Bomb Blast Sputnik 31 Aug 2018 -- The Donetsk People's Republic Operational Command said Friday that exits and entrances to Donetsk have been closed following a blast that left the republic's head Alexander Zakharchenko dead and three more injured.
• Pro-Russian Rebel Leader Assassinated in East Ukraine VOA 31 Aug 2018 -- Alexander Zakharchenko, the leader of Russian-backed separatists of the self-proclaimed Donetsk People's Republic was killed on Friday in a blast at a cafe in downtown Donetsk.
• Pro-Russia leader killed in eastern Ukraine Press TV 31 Aug 2018 -- The leader of pro-Russia forces in eastern Ukraine has been killed in an explosion blamed on the government in Kiev.
• Ukrainian Separatist Leader Zakharchenko Killed In Cafe Bombing RFE/RL 31 Aug 2018 -- The leadership of the pro-Russia separatists in eastern Ukraine has been thrown into disarray after the head of the so-called Donetsk People's Republic was killed in an explosion at a cafe designed to honor the separatists.
• Indian court delays ruling on Kashmir autonomous rights Press TV 31 Aug 2018 -- India's Supreme Court has delayed a ruling on Kashmir's autonomous rights until at least January.
• Trump administration to end US funding to UN agency that aids Palestinian refugees Press TV 31 Aug 2018 -- The administration of US President Donald Trump has decided to cancel all US funding to the United Nations aid program for Palestinian refugees, part of a policy to impose maximum pressure on the Palestinians to satisfy Israeli interests and Zonist constituencies in the US.
• US to End UN's Palestinian Refugee Funding - State Department Sputnik 31 Aug 2018 -- The United States will suspend its future contributions to the United Nations agency providing humanitarian assistance to Palestinian refugees, the Department of State said in a press release on Friday.
• On U.S. Assistance to UNRWA US Dept. of State 31 Aug 2018 -- "The Administration has carefully reviewed the issue and determined that the United States will not make additional contributions to UNRWA. When we made a U.S. contribution of $60 million in January, we made it clear that the United States was no longer willing to shoulder the very disproportionate share of the burden of UNRWA's costs that we had assumed for many years."
• US Cuts Funding to UN Agency Helping Palestinian Refugees VOA 31 Aug 2018 -- The Trump administration has cut funding to the U.N. agency that helps Palestinian refugees, calling the organization "irredeemably flawed."
• EU Foreign Ministers Voice Concern Over Possible Kosovo-Serbia Land Swap RFE/RL 31 Aug 2018 -- European Union foreign ministers joined Germany in expressing concerns about a possible territorial exchange between Kosovo and Serbia, warning it could reignite age-old ethnic tensions.
• Ashdown: Kosovo-Serbia Border Changes Would Please Bosnian Serbs, Putin RFE/RL 31 Aug 2018 -- Former EU envoy to Bosnia-Herzegovina Paddy Ashdown says a proposed land swap between Serbia and Kosovo is dangerous and could lead to other border revisions that would inflame ethnic tensions and be used by the Kremlin to justify Russian aggression against Ukraine.
• EU to Support Any Mutually Agreed Deal in Serbia-Kosovo Dispute - Mogherini Sputnik 31 Aug 2018 -- EU foreign policy chief Federica Mogherini refused to comment on the idea of exchanging territories between Serbia and the self-proclaimed Republic of Kosovo, noting that the main outcome of Friday's talks in Vienna was the European Union's readiness to support any mutually agreed solution based on international law.
• Food, security and peace desperately needed in Mali - UN relief chief UN News 31 Aug 2018 -- A senior United Nations relief official has called for greater international attention to the plight of millions in Africa's Mali, where worsening intercommunal violence and armed group attacks are complicating an already complex humanitarian emergency.

News Reports

• Washington Operative Who Lobbied For Ukrainian Party Charged RFE/RL 31 Aug 2018 -- Samuel Patten, a longtime Washington operative and associate of a Russian-Ukrainian man indicted by Special Counsel Robert Mueller, has admitted to lobbying for a Ukrainian political party and failing to register as a foreign agent.
• China Using Fake LinkedIn Accounts to Recruit Americans as Spies - Reports Sputnik 31 Aug 2018 -- Chinese spy agencies are using fake Linkedin accounts to recruit Americans with access to government and commercial secrets, a senior US intelligence official said in an interview.
• South Korea to dispatch special envoys to North to prepare for summit Press TV 31 Aug 2018 -- South Korea will send special envoys to North Korea's capital, Pyongyang, on Wednesday to discuss the details of next month's summit between the leaders of the two countries, a presidential spokesman says.
• South Korea Proposes Reclassifying North Korean Abductees as Missing VOA 31 Aug 2018 -- A proposed South Korean law to reclassify abductees held in the North as "missing persons," is drawing strong criticism from human rights advocates.
• Russian envoy blocks publication of UN report critical of North Korea Press TV 31 Aug 2018 -- Russia has delayed the publication of a report on North Korea by a United Nations Security Council panel, disputing some elements in the official paper.
• Russia Blocking UN Report Finding North Korea Is Violating Sanctions RFE/RL 31 Aug 2018 -- Russia is blocking publication of a United Nations report finding North Korea in violation of UN sanctions limiting its imports of fuel, including through some illegal transfers of oil at sea involving Russian ships, UN diplomats said.
• China to US: You Can't Take Credit for DPRK Successes, Blame Us for Failures Sputnik 31 Aug 2018 -- Following repeated assertions by US President Donald Trump that talks with North Korea are stalling due to China's influence, China fired back on Thursday, doubling down on its commitment to the negotiation process and saying the US shouldn't blame China when talks stall while patting itself on the back for any successes.
• South and North Koreas Prepare for Summit VOA 31 Aug 2018 -- South Korea is sending a special envoy to North Korea next week to discuss the arrangements for a third summit between the two countries' leaders.
• Russia Vetoes UN Security Council Report on North Korea - Envoy to UN Sputnik 31 Aug 2018 -- Russia has vetoed a report on North Korea by a UN Security Council independent panel over differences about its contents, Russian envoy Vassily Nebenzia said Thursday.
• Mogherini says EU will continue backing JCPOA' IRNA 31 Aug 2018 -- High Representative of the European Union for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy Federica Mogherini on Friday reiterated EU's support for Iran nuclear deal known as JCPOA.
• EU will continue efforts to keep Iran nuclear deal alive: Mogherini Press TV 31 Aug 2018 -- European Union's foreign policy chief Federica Mogherini says the 28-nation bloc would continue its work to preserve a 2015 multilateral nuclear agreement Iran signed with the P5+1 group of countries after the US unilateral move to pull out from the deal.
• Iran will remain powerful regional actor despite US demonization: FM Zarif Press TV 31 Aug 2018 -- Iranian Foreign Minister Mohammad Javad Zarif says the Islamic Republic will continue to play a "stable and powerful" act in the region despite US demonization of Iran.
• Iran rejects France's call for talks on missile program, regional policies Press TV 31 Aug 2018 -- Iran has rejected the French foreign minister's call for talks on Tehran's missile program and regional policies, saying the West has left no trust for Iran to sit for talks on non-nuclear issues.
• Tehran: France's Call for Further Talks on Nuke Deal 'Bullying & Excessive' Sputnik 31 Aug 2018 -- Speaking at a meeting of EU Foreign Ministers in Vienna earlier this week, French Foreign Minister Jean-Yves Le Drian said that Iran "cannot avoid negotiations" on a number of issues related to the nuclear deal.
• IAEA report on Iran's compliance with JCPOA IRNA 31 Aug 2018 -- Director General of the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) Yukiya Amano in its latest report on Thursday verified Iran's full compliance with the 2015 international deal known ad JCPOA.
• Zarif urges parties to JCPOA to fulfill economic obligations IRNA 31 Aug 2018 -- Iranian Foreign Minister Mohammad Javad Zarif in a messahe urged all parties to the Iran nuclear deal to fulfill their economic obligations and avoid making extraneous demands.
• For African Countries, China Forum Provides Shot at Better Deals VOA 31 Aug 2018 -- When African leaders meet next week in Beijing for the 2018 Forum on China-Africa Cooperation, they'll strike million- and billion-dollar deals for infrastructure, business and development projects.
• Can China's Big Loans to Africa Continue? VOA 31 Aug 2018 -- Over the past decade, China has extended billions of dollars in loans to African countries, mostly for infrastructure. However, some experts say the global trade war may factor into how China uses its money.
• China to Use Africa Forum to Defend Belt and Road Initiative VOA 31 Aug 2018 -- Beijing's hosting of a massive forum for African leaders and business representatives next week will give Chinese President Xi Jinping a big opportunity to champion his Belt and Road Initiative, even as it faces pushback and criticism.
• Xi greets African leaders on state visits People's Daily 31 Aug 2018 -- China and Cote d'Ivoire should take the building of Belt and Road as an opportunity to seek greater synergy between development strategies and promote high-quality and sustainable development of the two countries, President Xi Jinping said on Thursday.
• China remains Africa's largest trading partner for 9 consecutive years People's Daily 31 Aug 2018 -- China has remained Africa's largest trading partner for 9 consecutive years as major cooperation programs further deepened bilateral economic and trade exchanges, according to a briefing held by China's State Council Information Office on Tuesday.
• US Rallies India to Tackle Pressing Security Issues, Curb Iran Oil Imports VOA 31 Aug 2018 -- The United States is rallying India to tackle pressing security issues, with U.S. Secretary of State Mike Pompeo soon to embark on his first trip to New Delhi as the top U.S. diplomat.
• Iraqi PM sacks Hashd al-Sha'abi head; group calls it 'illegal' Press TV 31 Aug 2018 -- Iraq's Prime Minister Haider al-Abadi has dismissed his national security adviser Falih Alfayyadh from all his positions over what the premier's office called involvement in political and partisan work.
• Iraqi Prime Minister Sacks National Security Aide - Reports Sputnik 31 Aug 2018 -- Iraqi Prime Minister Haider Abadi fired his national security adviser and head of the Shiite militia for lack of impartiality, Falih Alfayyadh, local media said Friday.
• Russia Says Contract To Ferry U.S. Astronauts To ISS Ends In April RFE/RL 31 Aug 2018 -- Russia's contract with the United States to ferry astronauts to the International Space Station (ISS) is due to expire in April, Russia's deputy prime minister for defense and space agency said on August 31.
• International Space Station Crew Repairs Air Leak With Epoxy, Tape RFE/RL 31 Aug 2018 -- Retired Russian cosmonaut Maksim Surayev says a "micro" pressure leak in a compartment of a Russian Soyuz spacecraft docked with the International Space Station (ISS) has been repaired with epoxy resin and tape.
• Saudi Arabia to turn Qatar into island by digging new canal Press TV 31 Aug 2018 -- A high-ranking Saudi official says his country is seriously considering constructing a canal that would turn tiny neighbor Qatar into an island, amid the ongoing Saudi-led diplomatic and trade boycott against the energy-rich Persian Gulf kingdom.