Iran in new deal to boost Iraq army
Tehran (AFP) Dec 31, 2014 -
Iran is to help Iraq rebuild its army under an agreement that could formalise Tehran's military support for its neighbour, which remains under assault by the Islamic State (IS) group.
No details of the pact were released but state television said the two sides had "agreed to continue cooperation in the defence arena with the creation of a national army to protect the territorial integrity an ...
more
US adds nine to Iran sanctions blacklist
Washington (AFP) Dec 31, 2014 -
The United States added nine individuals and entities to its Iran sanctions blacklist in a move condemned Wednesday by Tehran as a "blatant violation" of goodwill amid long-running nuclear talks.
The US Treasury named five men from Iran and elsewhere as well as Dubai-based Belfast General Trading for sanctions violations linked to efforts to support the Islamic republic's acquisition of US c ...
more
Turkey receives second A400M transport
Istanbul, Turkey (UPI) Dec 31, 2014 -
The second of 10 A400M tactical transport aircraft has been received by Turkey from from the Airbus.
The receipt of the aircraft was reported by Hurryet Daily News, quoting an announcement of the country's Undersecretariat for Defense Industries.
The A400M Atlas is a four-engine turboprop airlifter introduced into service in 2013. It has a cruise speed of 485 miles per hour and a ...
more
U.S. military seeks new UAV perception technology
Washington (UPI) Dec 31, 2014 -
The U.S. military is seeking the development of enhanced unmanned aerial vehicle technology for autonomous operations within complex indoor spaces.
The technologies would allow small UAVs - small enough to fit through a window - to fly as fast as 45 miles per hour and navigate without the communications from operators while within a building.
"Birds of prey and flying insects e ...
more
USAF inactivating two C-17 squadrons
Scott Air Force Base, Ill. (UPI) Dec 31, 2014 -
Two Air Force squadrons of C-17 transport aircraft are being inactivated over the next two years as a cost-saving measure, the service announced.
The two squadrons - 16 planes in all - are located at Joint Base Charleston, S.C., and Joint Base Lewis-McChord, Wash.
The inactivation, the Air Force said, is based on President Barack Obama's defense budget for fiscal 2015.
" ...
more
US aims to quickly train Iraq forces for anti-IS fight
Taji Base, Iraq (AFP) Jan 01, 2015 -
American and allied soldiers are aiming to rapidly train thousands of Iraqi security personnel in the "bare minimum basics" needed to join the fight against militants who swept Baghdad's troops aside.
The Islamic State (IS) jihadist group spearheaded a major June offensive that overran much of Iraq's Sunni Arab heartland, and while pro-government forces have since regained some ground, swath ...
more
76,000 killed in Syria's deadliest year yet
Beirut (AFP) Jan 01, 2015 -
More than 76,000 people were killed in Syria's brutal conflict in 2014, making it the bloodiest year since the country's war erupted in March 2011, a monitoring group said Thursday.
The almost four-year-old conflict shows no sign of abating, with President Bashar al-Assad making a rare public appearance on a front line for New Year's Eve to bolster the morale of soldiers and pro-government f ...
more
