DefenceTalkThe latest in military technology and the addition of up to 450 more U.S. troops announced yesterday will enhance the U.S.-led coalition’s efforts to enable ground forces in the campaign to defeat Islamic State of Iraq and the Levant terrorism in Iraq and Syria, the deputy commander for operations and intelligence for Operation Inherent Resolve […]https://www.defencetalk.com/additional-troops-new-technology-enhance-counter-isil-battle-67341/

DefenceTalkThe United States is seeking greater special forces and naval cooperation with the Gulf states to counter Iran’s “destabilizing activities” in the region, a senior American official said. Defence Secretary Ashton Carter, who arrived in the Saudi capital on Tuesday, will meet his Gulf counterparts on Wednesday. The following day he is expected to join […]https://www.defencetalk.com/washington-seeks-gulf-special-force-naval-cooperation-67288/

DefenceTalkThe United States will send Apache attack helicopters and more troops to Iraq, US Defense Secretary Ashton Carter said in Baghdad Monday, as the coalition weighs retaking second city Mosul from the Islamic State group. President Barack Obama hailed the 2011 withdrawal of American troops from Iraq as a major accomplishment of his presidency, but […]https://www.defencetalk.com/us-to-deploy-more-forces-to-back-iraqs-anti-is-war-67277/

DefenceTalkA new batch of Russia’s Sukhoi Su-25 strike fighters has been delivered to Iraq, spokesman for the Iraqi Defense Ministry Nasir Nouri Mohammed al-Tamimi said on Monday. According to him, “a batch of Su-25 (three aircraft) has arrived in Iraq in accordance with the contract signed with the Russian side.” The Iraqi defense spokesman also […]https://www.defencetalk.com/new-batch-of-russian-strike-fighters-delivered-to-iraq-67272/

DefenceTalkIran’s defence minister poured scorn Saturday on US Secretary of State John Kerry’s accusations that Tehran is “destabilizing” the Middle East, countering that America should get out of the region. The broadside illustrated new tension between Iran and the United States, despite last year’s nuclear deal, with contrasting stances on the conflicts in Yemen and […]https://www.defencetalk.com/iran-says-us-not-tehran-damaging-the-middle-east-67205/

DefenceTalkThe Pentagon will submit proposals to President Barack Obama for strengthening military support to Iraqi forces in the near future, a top US military official said Friday. “We have a series of recommendations that we will discuss with the president in the coming weeks to further enable our support for the Iraqi security forces,” said […]https://www.defencetalk.com/pentagon-to-propose-boosting-us-military-presence-in-iraq-67181/

DefenceTalkSyrian troops entered the ancient city of Palmyra and Iraqi forces launched an offensive against Mosul as pressure mounted on key strongholds of the Islamic State jihadist group. US Secretary of State John Kerry meanwhile held talks with Russia’s President Vladimir Putin and agreed to push for a political settlement in the war torn country, […]https://www.defencetalk.com/isis-under-pressure-as-troops-advance-on-palmyra-mosul-67175/

DefenceTalkThe Islamic State group killed a US marine in a rocket attack in northern Iraq Saturday, the Pentagon said, only the second American combat death in the fight against the militants. “Earlier today a US Marine providing force protection fire support at a recently established coalition fire base near Makhmur in northern Iraq was killed […]https://www.defencetalk.com/us-service-member-killed-in-iraq-pentagon-67102/

DefenceTalkThe State Department has made a determination approving a possible Foreign Military Sale to Iraq for F-16 weapons, munitions, equipment, and logistics support. The estimated cost is $1.950 billion. The Defense Security Cooperation Agency delivered the required certification notifying Congress of this possible sale on January 15, 2016. The Government of Iraq requested a possible […]https://www.defencetalk.com/us-approves-iraq-f-16-weapons-munitions-equipment-and-logistics-support-sale-66507/

DefenceTalkThe State Department has made a determination approving a possible Foreign Military Sale to Iraq of Hellfire missiles and Captive Air Training Missiles, related equipment and support. The estimated cost is $800 million. The Defense Security Cooperation Agency delivered the required certification notifying Congress of this possible sale on January 6, 2016. The Government of […]https://www.defencetalk.com/iraq-requests-hellfire-missiles-and-captive-air-training-missiles-66317/