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08/25/2017

JETS airdropped at Bragg to test suitability, reliability, survivability

JETS airdropped at Bragg to test suitability, reliability, survivability. By Leon Price, Test Officer, Airborne and Special Operations Test Directorate, U.S. Army Operational Test Command Public Affairs August 23, 2017. FORT BRAGG, N.C. -- Forward observers, experts in calling for fires directing artillery and mortar fire onto enemy targets, hit the mark in testing a new piece of targeting equipment here recently. http://bit.ly/2vojMKe

08/17/2017

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08/17/2017

The White House Press Secretary Sarah Huckabee Sanders' statement said "Since the start of this Administration, President Trump has asked that Maduro respect Venezuela’s constitution, hold free and fair elections, release political prisoners, cease all human rights violations, and stop oppressing Venezuela’s great people" It continued, "The Maduro regime has refused to heed this call, which has been echoed around the region and the world. Instead Maduro has chosen the path of dictatorship...President Trump will gladly speak with the leader of Venezuela as soon as democracy is restored in that country." Click link to read more...http://www.globalsecurity.org/military/ops/venezuela.htm

08/17/2017

Free Government Research Library of White Papers, Magazines, Reports, and eBooks

The #1 Resource for Free Government Research, White Papers, Reports, Case Studies, Magazines, and eBooks. http://globalsecurity-whitepapers.tradepub.com/

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08/17/2017

"The Hwasong-12 rockets to be launched by the KPA (Korean People's Army) will cross the sky above Shimane, Hiroshima and Koichi Prefectures of Japan. "They will fly 3,356.7 kilometers for 1,065 seconds and hit the waters 30 to 40 kilometers away from Guam." KPA Commander General Kim Rak-gyom http://www.globalsecurity.org/military/ops/korea-crisis.htm

08/17/2017

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07/30/2015

The US Department of Defense publicly released on 29 July 2015 the 'Report on National Security Implications of Climate-Related Risks and a Changing Climate' that it submitted to Congress the day prior. The report responds to the request by the Senate Committee on Appropriations for information on the National Security Implications of Climate Change.

The report reinforces the fact that global climate change will have wide-ranging implications for U.S. national security interests over the foreseeable future because it will aggravate existing problems such as poverty, social tensions, environmental degradation, ineffectual leadership, and weak political institutions that threaten domestic stability in a number of countries. The report finds that climate change is a security risk because it degrades living conditions, human security, and the ability of governments to meet the basic needs of their populations. Communities and states that are already fragile and have limited resources are significantly more vulnerable to disruption and far less likely to respond effectively and be resilient to new challenges.

The report concludes the department is already observing the impacts of climate change in shocks and stressors to vulnerable nations and communities, including in the United States, the Arctic, Middle East, Africa, Asia, and South America.

Read the full report on GlobalSecurity.org:
http://www.globalsecurity.org/jhtml/jframe.html#http://www.globalsecurity.org/military/library/report/2015/national-implications-of-climate-change_150724.pdf

07/14/2015

On 13 July 2015, the United Nations released its latest report on the Protection of Civilians in the Armed Conflict in Iraq. The report, the result of a joing effort by by the Office of the UN High Commissioner for Human Rights (OHCHR) and the UN Assistance Mission for Iraq (UNAMI) covers the period from 11 December 2014 to 30 April 2015.

According to the report, "from 1 January 2014 through to the end of April 2015, UNAMI/OHCHR recorded at least 44,136 civilian casualties (14,947 killed and 29,189 wounded) in the armed conflict in Iraq. During the reporting period, 1 December 2014 to 30 April 2015, a minimum of 10,768 civilian casualties resulted from the ongoing violence, including at least 3,345 persons killed and 7,423 wounded. Baghdad was the worst affected governorate, with a minimum of 5,724 civilian casualties (1,586 killed and 4,138 wounded) followed by Anbar and Diyala governorates."

In addition, "the hostilities continue to cause massive displacement of civilians. From January 2014 through 25 April 2015, a total of 2,834,676 persons had become internally displaced in Iraq, including an estimated 1.3 million children."

The report also notes that the situation facing civilians in so-called Islamic State in Iraq and the Levant(ISIL)-controlled territory remains dire with many of those perceived to be opposed to the extremist group's ideology being murdered, often in "grim public spectacles"; with ISIL "committing violations of international humanitarian law and gross human rights violations and abuses, with an apparent systematic and widespread character. In some instances, these may amount to war crimes, crimes against humanity, and possibly genocide."

Although the report widely focuses on the crimes perpetrated by ISIL extremists, it also documents violations committed by the Iraqi Security Forces and affiliated forces, including indiscriminate airstrikes and shelling as well as actions of reprisal against civilians.

The full report is available on GlobalSecurity.org
http://www.globalsecurity.org/jhtml/jframe.html#http://www.globalsecurity.org/military/library/report/2015/iraq-civilians_unami-ohchr_20141211-2050430.pdf

07/01/2015

On 01 July 2015, the US chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff released the 2015 edition of the US National Military Strategy. The document provides the blueprint for how the military will use its forces to protect and advance U.S. national and security interests.

The 2015 NMS continues the call for greater agility, innovation, and integration. It reinforces the need for the U.S. military to remain globally engaged to shape the security environment and to preserve our network of alliances. It echoes previous documents in noting the imperative within our profession to develop leaders of competence, character, and
consequence. But it also asserts that the application of the military instrument of power against state threats is very different than the application of military power against non-state threats.

It "addresses the need to counter revisionist states that are challenging international norms as well as violent extremist organizations (VEOs) that are undermining transregional security. We are working with allies and partners to deter, deny, and – when necessary – defeat potential state adversaries. Concurrently, we are leading multiple coalition efforts to disrupt, degrade, and defeat VEOs. Central to these efforts is strengthening our global network of allies and partners."

The full document is available on GlobalSecurity.org:
http://www.globalsecurity.org/jhtml/jframe.html#http://www.globalsecurity.org/military/library/policy/dod/2015-national-military-strategy.pdf

06/22/2015

On 22 June 2015, the UN Independent Commission of Inquiry on the 2014 Gaza conflict released its report on the possible commission of war crimes in Gaza during the 2014 conflict between Israel and Palestinian armed groups in the enclave.

The report suggests that possible war crimes were committed by both Palestinian and Israeli armed sides during the conflict.

According to the report, the 2014 hostilities saw a "huge increase" in the firepower used in Gaza with Israeli forces conducting more than 6,000 airstrikes and firing approximately 50,000 tank and artillery shells at targets within the enclave. The explosion of force used by Israel ultimately resulted in 1,462 Palestinian civilian casualties, a third of which were children. At the same time, the Commission reported that Palestinian militants had also fired 4,881 rockets and 1,753 mortars towards Israel in July and August of last year, killing 6 civilians and injuring at least 1,600 people.

The full Report of the detailed findings of the Commission of Inquiry on the 2014 Gaza Conflict is available on GlobalSecurity.org:
http://www.globalsecurity.org/jhtml/jframe.html#http://www.globalsecurity.org/military/library/report/2015/2014-gaza-conflict-report_unhrc20150622.pdf

This follows the 14 June 2015 publication by Israel of its own findings on Operation Protective Edge, ostensibly aimed at preemptively countering the UN report. That report can also be accessed here:http://www.globalsecurity.org/jhtml/jframe.html#http://www.globalsecurity.org/military/library/report/2015/protective-edge_2014-gaza-conflict_report20150614.pdf

06/19/2015

On 19 June 2015, the US State Department issued the Country Reports on Terrorism 2014, which reviews the state of terrorism worldwide and provides an overview of the nature and the scope of the terrorist threat. The review is meant to enable the US to assess its effectiveness and best calibrate its strategy and response.

According to the report, the number of terrorist attacks worldwide increased by 35 percent in 2014, with an 81% increase in the number of fatalities. The report also noted that more than 9,400 people were abducted by terrorists in 2014, three times as many as in 2013. The increase in total fatalities was in part a result of certain attacks that were exceptionally lethal. In 2014 there were 20 attacks that killed more than a hundred people, compared to only two such attacks in 2013.

Notably, despite significant blows to al-Qaida’s leadership, weak or failed governance continued to provide an enabling environment for the emergence of extremist radicalism and violence, notably in Yemen, in Syria, Libya, Nigeria, and Iraq. The report notes the continued evolution of the Islamic State of the Iraq in the Levant, ISIL; the emergence of self-proclaimed ISIL affiliates in Libya, Egypt, Nigeria, and elsewhere; and tens of thousands of foreign terrorist fighters who are exacerbating the violence in the Middle East, imposing a continued threat to their own home countries.

The full 'Country Reports on Terrorism 2014' is available on GlobalSecurity.org:
http://www.globalsecurity.org/security/library/report/2015/c-rprt-terrorism_2014.htm

06/18/2015

On 18 June 2015, The United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees(UNHCR) released the latest edition of its annual Global Trends Report: World at War report.

The report details how in region after region, the number of refugees and internally displaced people is on the rise. Globally, one in every 122 humans is now either a refugee, internally displaced, or seeking asylum. In the past five years, at least 15 conflicts have erupted or reignited: eight in Africa (Côte d'Ivoire, Central African Republic, Libya, Mali, northeastern Nigeria, Democratic Republic of Congo, South Sudan and this year in Burundi); three in the Middle East (Syria, Iraq, and Yemen); one in Europe (Ukraine) and three in Asia (Kyrgyzstan, and in several areas of Myanmar and Pakistan).

Per the report: "The year 2014 has seen continuing dramatic growth in mass displacement from wars and conflict, once again reaching levels unprecedented in recent history. one year ago, UNHCR announced that worldwide forced displacement numbers had reached 51.2 million, a level not previously seen in the post-World War II era. Twelve months later, this figure has grown to a staggering 59.5 million, roughly equalling the population of Italy or the United Kingdom. Persecution, conflict, generalized violence, and human rights violations have formed a ‘nation of the displaced’ that, if they were a country, would make up the 24th largest in the world."

The full report is available on GlobalSecurity.org:
http://www.globalsecurity.org/jhtml/jframe.html#http://www.globalsecurity.org/military/library/report/2015/global-trends_world-at-war_unhcr2015.pdf

06/17/2015

On 16 June 2015, the US Department of Defense released its inaugural "Report on Enhancing Security and Stability in Afghanistan" to Congress. The report, covering the period from December 1, 2014 to May 31 2015, replaces the previous reporting requirement for reports on "Progress toward Security and Stability in Afghanistan."

This report "includes a description of the strategy of the United States for security and stability in Afghanistan, a current and anticipated threat assessment, as well as a description and assessment of the size, structure, strategy, budget, and financing of the Afghan National Defense and Security Forces. This inaugural report is the first in a series of reports required every 180 days through fiscal year 2017 and was prepared in coordination with the Secretary of State. (...) This report covers efforts to enhance security and stability in Afghanistan from December 1, 2014, through May 31, 2015."

The full report is available on GlobalSecurity.org:
http://www.globalsecurity.org/jhtml/jframe.html#http://www.globalsecurity.org/military/library/report/2015/afghanistan-security-stability_20150616.pdf

06/15/2015

On 14 June 2015, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu was presented with a report on the State of Israel's position regarding Operation Protective Edge. The report focuses on the 2014 Gaza Conflict and aims to present 'detailed factual and legal information regarding the intensive hostilities that took place from July 7 to August 26, 2014 between the State of Israel and Hamas and other terrorist organisations operating in the Gaza Strip'.

It "includes an assessment of the events leading up to the 2014 Gaza Conflict, describing the overall objectives for Israel and the rationale behind Israel’s strategic decisions. The Report presents Israel’s legal positions concerning the conduct of hostilities, examples of military targets and individuals targeted by the Israel Defense Forces (“IDF”) during the Conflict, statistics concerning the amount of humanitarian aid that entered the Gaza Strip with Israel’s facilitation, details regarding the costs borne by Israel’s civilian population as a result of the 2014 Gaza Conflict, and information revealing the unlawful activities of Hamas and other terrorist organisations."

The release of the report also precedes and is aimed to counter an upcoming UN Human Right Council report on the same conflict.

The full report, titled "The 2014 Gaza Conflict: Factual and Legal Aspects" is available on GlobalSecurity.org:
http://www.globalsecurity.org/jhtml/jframe.html#http://www.globalsecurity.org/military/library/report/2015/protective-edge_2014-gaza-conflict_report20150614.pdf

06/13/2015

On 12 June 2015, Pentagon officials released the Defense Department's first law of war manual, culminating a multiyear, combined effort to compile legal principles governing warfare.

The law of war manual is the product of a multiyear effort by military and civilian lawyers across the DoD who sought to develop a department-wide resource for military commanders, legal practitioners, and other military and civilian personnel on the international law principles governing armed conflict.

This manual is an institutional publication and reflects the views of the Department of Defense, rather than the views of any particular person or DoD component.

The full DoD Law of War Manual is accessible on GlobalSecurity.org:
http://www.globalsecurity.org/jhtml/jframe.html#http://www.globalsecurity.org/military/library/policy/dod/law-of-war-manual_june-2015.pdf

06/02/2015

On 01 June 2015, the UN Human Rights Monitoring Mission in Ukraine released the tenth report on the human rights situation in Ukraine. The report covers the period of 16 February to 15 May 2015 and details the human rights violations and abuses that persist in eastern Ukraine, including shelling, executions, arbitrary and illegal detentions, torture, ill-treatment, human trafficking and the lack of justice and accountability, as well as deprivation of economic and social rights that are deeply affecting the five million people living in the conflict-affected areas.

The report goes on to state that while there has been a notable decrease in indiscriminate shelling after the adoption of the 12 February Package of Measures for the Implementation of the Minsk Agreements, shelling has nonetheless not stopped, nor have armed hostilities between Ukrainian armed forces and armed groups.

The report estimates that between mid-April 2014 and 30 May 2015, at least 6,417 people, including at least 626 women and girls, have been documented as killed and 15,962 as wounded in the conflict zone of eastern Ukraine.

The full Report on the human rights situation in Ukraine - 16 February to 15 May 2015, is accessible on GlobalSecurity.org:
http://www.globalsecurity.org/jhtml/jframe.html#http://www.globalsecurity.org/military/library/report/2015/ukraine-rights-report10_ohchr_20150601.pdf