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Operations
Defense Policy / Programs
Defense Industry
Other Conflicts
News Reports

Current Operations

• Combined Joint Task Force-Operation Inherent Resolve Press Briefing by Col. Ryan via Video conference from Baghdad, Iraq DoD 17 Oct 2018 -- Presenter: Colonel Sean J. Ryan, spokesman, Combined Joint Task Force-Operation Inherent Resolve; Commander Sean Robertson, Pentagon spokesman
• US Says Committed to Syria, Iraq Beyond Anti-IS Efforts VOA 17 Oct 2018 -- U.S. officials said Tuesday they will keep working to stabilize areas they helped liberate from Islamic State in Syria and Iraq.
• Threat From Violent Extremism Not Gone, Could Reemerge, Top U.S. General Says RFE/RL 17 Oct 2018 -- The security threat from violent extremist groups has not been eliminated despite a recent shift in Washington's focus to what it sees as growing threats from China, Russia, and Iran, the top U.S. military officer has warned.
• Suspected Bombing Kills Afghan Parliament Candidate VOA 17 Oct 2018 -- A candidate in Afghanistan's upcoming parliamentary election was killed Wednesday in a bombing attack on his campaign office, officials in Afghanistan's Helmand province say.
• Afghan election candidate killed in bombing at his office Press TV 17 Oct 2018 -- A bombing in southern Afghanistan has killed an Afghan candidate for the upcoming parliamentary elections in the war-torn country, with Taliban terrorists claiming responsibility for the deadly attack.
• Afghan Candidate Killed In Blast Claimed By Taliban RFE/RL 17 Oct 2018 -- An Afghan candidate has been killed in an explosion in his office in the southern province of Helmand, officials said, as violence escalates ahead of the October 20 parliamentary elections.
• NATO convoy attacked near US base outside Afghan capital Press TV 17 Oct 2018 -- A bomber has killed two Afghan civilians and wounded at least three foreign troops in an attack near the largest US military base near the Afghan capital, Kabul, local officials say.
• US strike 'kills 60' in Somalia amid its increasing Africa presence Press TV 17 Oct 2018 -- The United States claims that at least 60 militants were killed in Somalia in a "precision airstrike" that purportedly targeted their positions in the East African country last week.

Defense Policy / Programs

• New players bring novel approaches to the Army's network modernization goals Army News 17 Oct 2018 -- It's not business as usual as the Army turns to non-traditional industry vendors to help modernize its tactical network.
• RDECOM at the forefront of creating a more modern, lethal Army Army News 17 Oct 2018 -- Senior leaders from U.S. Army Research, Development and Engineering Command, or RDECOM, discussed the theme of "ready today, more lethal tomorrow" at the Association of the U.S. Army's annual meeting Oct. 8-10 here, billed as the largest land warfare trade show in North America.
• U.S. Navy Divers Recover Oil from Wrecked WWII Prinz Eugen NNS 17 Oct 2018 -- U.S. Navy divers from Mobile Diving Salvage Unit (MDSU) 1 aboard USNS Salvor (T-ARS 52) completed removal of fuel oil from the capsized World War II German cruiser, Prinz Eugen, at Enubuj Island in Kwajalein Atoll, Marshall Islands, Oct. 15.
• Ukrainian Air Force Confirms Death of US Serviceman in Su-27 Crash Sputnik 17 Oct 2018 -- The Ukrainian Air Force has confirmed that a member of the US Air National Guard was among two crew members who died in a recent crash of a Ukrainian Su-27 fighter jet in the Vinnytsia Region in west-central Ukraine.
• Pentagon Confirms Death Of U.S. Airman In Ukrainian Fighter Jet Crash RFE/RL 17 Oct 2018 -- The U.S. military has confirmed that a California-based airman was killed in the crash of a two-seat Ukrainian fighter jet during a joint exercise with NATO air forces in Ukraine.
• Army Reserve preparing to fight on a new battlefield Army News 17 Oct 2018 -- "We've been fighting a certain type of way for the last 17 years and the next fight may look very different," said Chief of the Army Reserve Lt. Gen. Charles D. Luckey during a panel, Oct. 9.
• Readout of Secretary of Defense James N. Mattis' Meeting with Vietnam Minister of National Defense Ngo Xuan Lich DoD 17 Oct 2018
• SMWDC Mine Warfare Division Certified as Theater Mine Warfare Commander NNS 17 Oct 2018 -- Commander, U.S. 3rd Fleet recently certified Naval Surface and Mine Warfighting Development Center's (SMWDC) Mine Warfare Division as the Theater Mine Warfare Commander (MIWC).
• Jam-Resistant US Military Satellite Blasts Off From Cape Canaveral Sputnik 17 Oct 2018 -- A $1.8 billion US Air Force communications satellite hitched a ride aboard a United Launch Alliance Atlas 5 rocket in the early morning hours of Wednesday as it blasted off from Florida's Cape Canaveral.
• US Marines land in Iceland in initial phase of exercise Trident Juncture NATO 17 Oct 2018 -- Around 90 US Marines from the 24th Marine Expeditionary Unit landed at Keflavík on Wednesday (17 October 2018), marking the initial phase of NATO's Exercise Trident Juncture 2018 in Iceland. The main phase of Trident Juncture will start in Norway on October 25. Arriving by MV-22 Osprey and CH-53 Sea Stallion helicopters from the USS Iwo Jima, the Marines practised securing the airfield and key infrastructure, in cooperation with the Icelandic Police.
• Beijing Voices 'Solemn Concerns' After US Navy Research Vessel Docks in Taiwan Sputnik 17 Oct 2018 -- This week, Beijing expressed its "solemn concerns" to Washington after a US Navy research vessel docked in Taiwan's port city of Kaohsiung at a time when tensions between China and the US continue to grow over trade issues and China's expansion in the Indo-Pacific.
• China's Secret H-20 Stealth Bomber to Be Revealed in 2019 - Reports Sputnik 17 Oct 2018 -- China's Hong-20 long-range stealth bomber is reportedly going to be unveiled publicly for the first time during the 70th anniversary of the People's' Liberation Army-Air Force in 2019.
• Iran's Revolutionary Guards Claims Killed 'Mastermind' Behind Ahvaz Attack RFE/RL 17 Oct 2018 -- Iran's Islamic Revolutionary Guards Corps (IRGC) claims it has killed the "mastermind" behind an attack on a military parade in the southwestern Iranian city of Ahvaz last month that left 24 people dead.
• Britain secretly training Saudi air force: Report Press TV 17 Oct 2018 -- Britain's Royal Air Force (RAF) has been training Saudi Arabian air force crew over the past four years as part of a secret deal, a report says.
• UAE Shows Keen Interest in India's Homegrown Fighter Jet Tejas Sputnik 17 Oct 2018 -- Tejas has around 50% locally developed content, while the engines are American, radar, helmet display and laser pod of Israeli make and Russia has supplied the missiles.
• Secretary Pompeo's Meeting With Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan US Dept. of State 17 Oct 2018
• Secretary Pompeo's Meeting With Turkish Foreign Minister Cavusoglu US Dept. of State 17 Oct 2018
• Remarks to the Traveling Press US Dept. of State 17 Oct 2018
• Remarks to Traveling Press US Dept. of State 17 Oct 2018
• Remarks to Traveling Press US Dept. of State 17 Oct 2018
• Senior State Department Official Previewing Secretary Pompeo's Upcoming Travel to Panama and Mexico US Dept. of State 17 Oct 2018 -- Special Briefing by Senior State Department Official

Defense Industry

• DoD News: Contracts for October 17, 2018

Other Conflicts

• 17 October 2018 - Daily Press Briefing by the Office of the Spokesperson for the Secretary-General United Nations 17 Oct 2018
• US drones spy on S-300 Missile System at Syrian coasts IRNA 17 Oct 2018 -- The US reconnaissance drones were observed spying on the Russia-made sophisticated S-300 missile defense system used by the Syrian army near the country's coastal areas.
• UNSC urged to investigate int'l coalition's crimes in Syria IRNA 17 Oct 2018 -- Syria's Permanent Representative to the UN said the illegal Int'l Coalition committed a new crime against the Syrians by bombing Hajin city in Deir Ezzor province with internationally-banned white phosphorous, causing the martyrdom and injury of scores.
• UN Syria envoy de Mistura to step down at end of November Press TV 17 Oct 2018 -- The UN Special Envoy for Syria Staffan de Mistura has announced that he would resign at the end of November for "family" reasons.
• Russia Wants White Helmets Removed From Syria 'as Soon as Possible' - Envoy Sputnik 17 Oct 2018 -- Damascus and Moscow have accused militants and the White Helmets of staging several provocations involving chemical weapons to influence public opinion and justify foreign intervention in Syria.
• Veteran UN Syria Envoy to step down, pledges to work 'until the last hour' for peace UN News 17 Oct 2018 -- The United Nations Special Envoy for Syria, told the Security Council on Wednesday that he is stepping down at the end of next month, after four years and four months on the job
• US Envoy: 'Some' Militants Have Withdrawn From Syria's Idlib VOA 17 Oct 2018 -- A senior U.S. official says some, but maybe not all, militant rebel holdouts have pulled out of the demilitarized zone in Syria's Idlib province, two days after the deadline to leave.
• Russian Foreign Ministry Refutes Allegations of Moscow's Meddling in Libya Sputnik 17 Oct 2018 -- Russia acts in strict accordance with the UN Security Council's decisions on Libya and does not interfere in the situation in this country, Maria Zakharova, the spokeswoman for the Russian Foreign Ministry, said Wednesday.
• Imminent demolition of Palestinian village could be 'war crime': ICC IRNA 17 Oct 2018 -- The Prosecutor mandated to oversee Occupied Palestinian Territory for the International Criminal Court stated Wednesday that her office is keeping "a close eye" on the planned demolition of a Palestinian village in West Bank by Israeli authorities.
• ICC prosecutor 'alarmed' by Gaza violence Press TV 17 Oct 2018 -- The International Criminal Court's chief prosecutor Fatou Bensouda says she is "alarmed" by violence at the border between the besieged Gaza Strip and the Israeli-occupied territories, threatening to take an action.
• US Envoy to UN: 'Palestinians are not UN Member State or Any State at All' Sputnik 17 Oct 2018 -- The State of Palestine remains unrecognized by numerous UN members and holds non-member observer status at the organization since November 2012. The US is one of roughly 50 states that refuse to recognize Palestine, demanding it engage in negotiations with Israel to achieve a lasting peace.
• West Bank: 'imminent' demolition of Palestinian village could be 'war crime' – ICC Prosecutor UN News 17 Oct 2018 -- The Prosecutor mandated to oversee the Occupied Palestinian Territory for the International Criminal Court (ICC) stated on Wednesday that her office is keeping "a close eye" on the planned demolition of a Palestinian village in the West Bank by Israeli authorities, warning that, according to international law, it could constitute a "war crime".
• India police say four killed in Kashmir shootout Press TV 17 Oct 2018 -- A gun battle has reportedly erupted between Indian troops and suspected militants in the disputed Himalayan region of Kashmir, killing at least four people.

News Reports

• Trump Dismisses Impact Of Russian Hackers On 2016 Election RFE/RL 17 Oct 2018 -- U.S. President Donald Trump has dismissed the impact of Russian hackers' actions on the result of the 2016 U.S. presidential election, claiming that their number was very small and that some of them backed his opponent, Hillary Clinton.
• Briefing by Foreign Ministry Spokesperson Maria Zakharova, Moscow, October 17, 2018 Russia Ministry of Foreign Affairs 17 Oct 2018
• Ingushetia Activist Says Protest Against Chechnya Border Deal Will Continue RFE/RL 17 Oct 2018 -- A leading activist in Russia's North Caucasus region of Ingushetia says a demonstration against a border deal with Chechnya will continue despite the authorities' refusal to extend permission for the rally past October 17.
• Russian opposes new US anti-Iran sanctions IRNA 17 Oct 2018 -- Russian Deputy Foreign Minister Sergey Ryabkov voiced his country's opposition to US sanctions against Iran, saying that US seems to be taking every opportunity to exert pressure on countries that do not follow its policies.
• Russia firmly slams US sanctions against Iran ISNA 17 Oct 2018 -- Moscow firmly opposes expansion of the US sanctions against Tehran as it appears that Washington takes every opportunity to exert pressure on countries it dislikes, Russian deputy Foreign Minister Sergey Ryabkov told Sputnik.
• Russia denounces new US sanctions on Iran businesses Press TV 17 Oct 2018 -- Russian Deputy Foreign Minister Sergei Ryabkov has repudiated new US sanctions on Iran's businesses, saying Washington appears to be taking every opportunity to exert pressure on countries it dislikes.
• Iran calls US new sanctions clear insult to legal, international mechanisms ISNA 17 Oct 2018 -- Iranian Foreign Ministry spokesman stressed on Wednesday that US new invalid sanctions against Iran are clear insult to legal and international mechanisms and show the spitefulness of the government of America toward the Iranian people.
• Iran slams US 'addiction to sanctions' after new bans target key banks Press TV 17 Oct 2018 -- The United States is becoming increasingly addicted to sanctions, Iranian Foreign Minister Mohammad Javad Zarif has warned, after Washington imposed fresh sanctions on a number of Iranian entities.
• Iran must not look to West on path of progress: Leader Press TV 17 Oct 2018 -- Leader of the Islamic Revolution Ayatollah Seyyed Ali Khamenei says the Iranian nation should look to countries in the East on its path of scientific progress, because relying on Western states will not contribute to the country's growth.
• Iran Calls Latest U.S. Sanctions 'Blind Vindictiveness' RFE/RL 17 Oct 2018 -- Tehran has called the latest round of U.S. sanctions against Iran an "insult" to the international order that stems from "blind vindictiveness" against the Iranian nation.
• Trump Wants Audio, Video Evidence From Turkey About Missing Saudi Journalist, 'If It Exists' VOA 17 Oct 2018 -- U.S. President Donald Trump said Wednesday he wants audio and video intelligence from Turkey "if it exists" regarding the disappearance of a U.S.-based Saudi journalist whom Turkish officials say was killed and dismembered by Saudi agents inside Riyadh's consulate in Istanbul.
• European Governments Wrestle with Khashoggi Quandary VOA 17 Oct 2018 -- European governments – in addition to the U.S. – appear perplexed about what action to take in response to the disappearance of Saudi journalist Jamal Khashoggi, who vanished two weeks ago after entering his country's consulate in Istanbul.
• On Capitol Hill, More Scorn on Saudi Arabia Over Khashoggi VOA 17 Oct 2018 -- U.S. lawmakers heaped more criticism on Saudi Arabia Wednesday amid fresh news reports suggesting that missing journalist Jamal Khashoggi met a grisly death at the Saudi consulate in Turkey earlier this month.
• Pompeo: Saudis Declined to Discuss Facts Surrounding Missing Journalist VOA 17 Oct 2018 -- U.S. Secretary of State Mike Pompeo said Wednesday that when he met with Saudi leaders they did not want to talk about any of the facts involving the disappearance of a U.S.-based Saudi journalist Turkish officials say was killed and dismembered by Saudi agents inside Riyadh's consulate in Istanbul, a charge denied by the Saudis.
• Trump: Saudi Arabia criticism makes the nation 'guilty until proven innocent' People's Daily 17 Oct 2018 -- According to CNN, President Donald Trump defended Saudi Arabia in an interview Tuesday, suggesting the wave of criticism the Middle Eastern kingdom has received over a missing Saudi journalist is premature.
• Saudi Arabia $100 million to US as missing journalist mystery deepens Press TV 17 Oct 2018 -- Saudi Arabia has delivered a previously promised $100 million to the United States as Secretary of State Mike Pompeo landed in Riyadh to discuss the fate of dissident journalist Jamal Khashoggi, who went missing after visiting the kingdom's consulate in Turkey's largest city of Istanbul more than two week ago.
• Turkish, Saudi investigators enter consul's residence in Istanbul as Khashoggi remains missing Press TV 17 Oct 2018 -- Saudi Arabia and Turkey have reportedly sent investigative teams to inspect the Saudi consul general's residence in the Turkish city of Istanbul, as the kingdom struggles to convince the world that it had nothing to do with the mysterious disappearance of dissident journalist Jamal Khashoggi.
• Missing journalist case: Turkey waiting for permission to search Saudi consul's house Press TV 17 Oct 2018 -- Turkey says it is waiting for an agreement to enter and search the Saudi consul's residence in Istanbul as it continues to investigate the case of dissident Saudi journalist Jamal Khashoggi, who disappeared after walking into the kingdom's mission there.
• Guilty until proven innocent: Trump defends Saudi Arabia Press TV 17 Oct 2018 -- US President Donald Trump has once again risen to the defense of the Saudi government over the mysterious disappearance of dissident journalist Jamal Khashoggi, saying that pinning the blame on Riyadh before knowing all the facts is yet another case of "guilty until proven innocent."
• World 'deserves to know the truth' behind Kashoggi disappearance: UN human rights chief UN News 17 Oct 2018 -- United Nations human rights chief Michele Bachelet said on Wednesday that she was open to an independent, UN-led investigation into the fate of Saudi journalist Jamal Kashoggi, if joint efforts by Turkey and Saudi Arabia, fail to uncover the facts.
• 'Guilty Until Proven Innocent': Trump Sticks Up For Saudi Arabia Again Sputnik 17 Oct 2018 -- US President Donald Trump rose to the defense of Riyadh again on Tuesday, as the case of missing Saudi columnist Jamal Khashoggi looms large.
• Treasury Targets Iraq-based Money Services Business Supporting ISIS US Treasury 17 Oct 2018 -- The U.S. Department of the Treasury's Office of Foreign Assets Control (OFAC) imposed sanctions today on Afaq Dubai, an Iraq-based money services business (MSB) that has been moving money for the Islamic State of Iraq and Syria (ISIS). Today's designation follows action taken by the Department of Defense–announced on October 11–against a key ISIS financial facilitation group.
• Text of a Notice on the Continuation of the National Emergency with Respect to Significant Narcotics Traffickers Centered in Colombia The White House 17 Oct 2018
• Text of a Letter from the President to the Speaker of the House of Representatives and the President of the Senate The White House 17 Oct 2018
• China Inches Closer to Launching Gravitational Wave-Detecting Satellite Sputnik 17 Oct 2018 -- China is preparing to launch the first of three satellites that will help researchers in their mission to detect gravitational waves.
• U.S. reiterates support for Taiwan's participation in Interpol CNA 17 Oct 2018 -- Washington on Wednesday reiterated its support for Taiwan's meaningful participation in world bodies, including Interpol, this time with the United States Department of Justice (DOJ) giving a clear statement on the issue.
• U.S. supports Taiwan's meaningful participation in Interpol CNA 17 Oct 2018 -- The United States supports Taiwan's meaningful participation in international organizations, Interpol included, a U.S. State Department spokesperson said Tuesday.
• China should not block Taiwan's Interpol bid: interior minister CNA 17 Oct 2018 -- Interior Minister Hsu Kuo-yung (徐國勇) reiterated on Wednesday the government's desire to participate in a meaningful way in Interpol by stressing the need for international cooperation in fighting drug smuggling.
• Taiwan wants to invite China's top cross-strait negotiator to visit CNA 17 Oct 2018 -- The Straits Exchange Foundation (SEF) is willing to invite the head of its counterpart in China to visit Taiwan this year, as 2018 is a milestone for the two organizations, a spokeswoman for the SEF said Wednesday.
• Greek PM Vows To 'Safeguard' Deal With Macedonia Amid Government Turmoil RFE/RL 17 Oct 2018 -- Greek Prime Minister Alexis Tsipras has vowed to "safeguard" a name-change agreement with Macedonia after his foreign minister, who negotiated the deal, stepped down amid internal government strife.
• Serbian Leader: We Will 'Protect Our People' Should UN Pull Out Of Kosovo RFE/RL 17 Oct 2018 -- Serbian President Aleksandar Vucic has warned of the dangers should the United Nations follow through on a reported U.S. call for an "exit strategy" for the UN peacekeeping mission in Kosovo.
• Georgian Prosecutors: Saakashvili 'Authorized' 2008 Killing Of Opposition Tycoon RFE/RL 17 Oct 2018 -- Georgian prosecutors have accused former President Mikheil Saakashvili of authorizing a plot to kill an opposition politician who died in Britain in early 2008 -- a charge he immediately rejected.
• WHO: Ebola in DRC Is Not a Global Health Emergency VOA 17 Oct 2018 -- An emergency committee convened by the World Health Organization has decided that the Ebola outbreak in eastern Democratic Republic of the Congo does not constitute a public health emergency of international concern.