Pentagon chief outlines reforms reflecting new global threats
Washington (AFP) April 5, 2016 -
Defense Secretary Ash Carter outlined Tuesday several broad changes he envisions to make the Pentagon more efficient in combating global threats such as the Islamic State group.
Speaking at the Center for Strategic and International Studies, a Washington think tank, Carter suggested updates to parts of the Goldwater-Nichols Act, a sweeping 1986 Pentagon reform law that restructured America's ...
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Qaeda in Syria confirms death of spokesman
Beirut (AFP) April 6, 2016 -
Al-Qaeda's Syrian affiliate confirmed on Wednesday the death of its spokesman Abu Firas al-Suri in a US air strike earlier this week.
In a statement circulated on Twitter, Al-Nusra Front said Suri and other members "were killed during a Crusader (Western) air strike... on April 3, 2016."
It said the raid had hit a training camp, but did not specify where in Syria.
On Monday, the Pent ...
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Navy funds Boeing procurement of P-8A Poseidon components
Washington (UPI) Apr 6, 2016 -
The U.S. Navy is awarding Boeing a contract modification for acquisition of long-lead items for the manufacture and delivery of P-8A Poseidon aircraft.
The Department of Defense said the modification to a previously awarded P-8A Multi-mission Maritime Aircraft advance acquisition contract - N00019-14-C-0067 – is worth $235,273,721 million.
The long-lead items to be procured by ...
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Obama: Destroying IS group my 'top priority'
Washington (AFP) April 6, 2016 -
US President Barack Obama said Tuesday that destroying the Islamic State (IS) group remains his "top priority" at a time when the jihadist group continues to lose ground in Iraq and Syria.
"We continue to take on their leadership, their financial networks, their infrastructure," Obama said at a meeting with senior military officials in the White House.
"We are going to squeeze them and w ...
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Netanyahu looks to changing Africa for new Israeli allies
Jerusalem (AFP) April 6, 2016 -
Four decades after his brother was killed during a rescue operation in Uganda, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu is embarking on an African mission of his own - but with very different aims.
Galvanised by a growing demand for Israeli security assistance and his government's search for new allies, Netanyahu has put a fresh focus on improving ties with African nations.
Part of his ...
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Qatari royal freed by Iraq kidnappers
Doha (AFP) April 6, 2016 -
A member of the Qatari royal family has been released by kidnappers in Iraq nearly four months after being taken captive while on a hunting trip, Qatar said Wednesday.
A Pakistani national was also released, the Qatari foreign ministry said.
The pair, who have not been named, were among more than 20 people abducted from a desert hunting party close to the Saudi border last December.
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Sagem supplying Patroller drones to French Army
Montlocon, France (UPI) Apr 6, 2016 -
Sagem's Patroller unmanned aerial vehicle has been chosen for the French Army's tactical drone system program.
A total of 14 Patroller UAVs will be supplied to the French Army, which is to begin replacing its Sperwer tactical drones in 2018.
The Tactical Drone System program is under the contracting authority of DGA, the French military procurement agency.
"The French Mini ...
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