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Breaking Defense contributor James Kitfield spokewithGen. Joe Dunford, chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, during Dunfords swing throughJapan, Singapore, Australia, Wake Island, and Hawaii. BD readers know that Defense Secretary Jim Mattis promised Sen. John McCain yesterday that America would get a new Afghan strategy by mid-July. In this second part of Kitfields interview, Dunford talks Turkey, Kurds, Daesh (ISIS) and whether the US will boost the number of troops stationed in Afghanistan. Read on! The Editor.

BD: Just while you were meeting with your Asian counterparts in Singapore and Sydney, Australia, there were terrorist attacks claimed by the Islamic State of Iraq and Syria (ISIS) in London, Melbourne, and Kabul. What are we and our allies doing to try and contain the threat from ISIS foreign fighters returning to their home regions and launching attacks?

Dunford: One of the issues we talked about with our allies is that there are three pieces of connective tissue that unites these terrorist groups: the flow of foreign fighters, the flow of resources, and a common ideology. And we need to cut that connective tissue. A primary way we are doing that is through a broad intelligence and information sharing network that we have established with the members of the anti-ISIS coalition, who all share a common view of this threat of ISIS foreign fighters.

A critical part of that effort is Operation Gallant Phoenix, an intelligence sharing arrangement that started out with eight or so countries, and has since expanded to 19nations who have committed to sharing this intelligence. Were in the process of trying to expand that initiative to even more countries. Gallant Phoenix allows allied nations not only to share intelligence on the foreign fighter threat, but also to get that information back to their law enforcement and homeland security agencies so they have visibility on the movement of foreign fighters in order to deal with this challenge.

BD: Is the United States annihilation battle plan in Iraq and Syria that youve spoken of also designed to contain the foreign fighter threat?

Dunford: Yes. When Secretary Mattis looked at our anti-ISIS campaign, he concluded that in some instances we were essentially just pushing the enemy from one location to another. He asked me and the military chain-of-command to make a conscious effort not to allow ISIS fighters to just flee from one location to another, but rather to deliberately seek to annihilate the enemy. That was the commanders intent, and our commanders on the ground have tried to meet that goal of annihilating the enemy in order to mitigate the risk of these terrorists showing up someplace else.

BD: Has that worked in the battles to retake Mosul and Raqqa, the twin capitals of ISIS self-proclaimed caliphate in Iraq and Syria?

Dunford: Were certainly emphasizing it to a greater degree, and having some success. But I would never claim that means that all enemy fighters are being killed. One tactic they have adopted is to mix in with the civilian population, and that makes targeting them very difficult. We cant just indiscriminately bomb people who are leaving these cities. Even with this annihilation battle plan, we have to be very careful about civilian casualties.

BD: How do you see ISF and coalition operations unfolding after Mosul is recaptured?

Dunford: Well, we will obviously take our cue from [Iraqi Prime Minister Haider] Abadi, who will decide on the sequence of operations after Mosul is recaptured. But there are some major areas where ISIS is still present that are under consideration. Iraqi Security Forces will still need to clear ISIS out of territory west of Mosul to the Syrian border, for instance, and there are also pockets of ISIS fighters southeast in Kirkuk Province and in the middle Euphrates River Valley. Of course its going to take the Iraqis some time to regenerate their forces after the battle for Mosul, so our plan is to continue keeping pressure on those ISIS forces until the main ISF forces are ready again.

BD: How have you handled Turkeys objections to the U.S. decision to arm the SDF, which include Kurdish forces that Ankara views as terrorists?

Dunford: I will tell you that the coalition is also enthusiastic about the growth of the SDF. [U.S. special envoy Brett] McGurk has led the effort to empower an Arab component of the SDF that will provide security and governance in Raqqa after the operation to recapture the city is finished, which answers some of Turkeys concerns.

Weve made other assurances to Turkey, including making sure the arming and equipping of the SDF is done in a way that is narrowly focused on its ability to recapture Raqqa. Were also helped the Turkish military rebuild after the challenges theyve faced in recent months, and were sharing intelligence with Ankara about the [Iraqi Kurdish terrorist group] PKK. Secretary Tillerson is also working very closely with his Turkish counterpart to make sure that the Geneva Process is front and center in our negotiations about Syrias future, which also addresses Turkish issues. So we have done everything we could to address Turkish concerns, and I personally have made on the order of nine visits to Turkey to speak with my counterpart there. I think the Turks appreciate that.

BD: What is the status of the Astana Plan that Turkey signed last month with Russia and Iran, which calls for the creation of four de-escalation zones in Syria?

Dunford: Well, the United States was an observer at those talks, but we decided not to formally participate in a process which includes Iran as a guarantor. Secretary Tillerson has said publicly that we welcome any agreement that results in a cessation of hostilities, but we believe the Geneva Process and not Astana is the right vehicle for reaching a political solution in Syria. And while there was some indication of reduced violence in some areas after the Astana Plan was signed, we also saw the Syrian regime conduct major offensive operations in one of the de-escalation zones just in recent days. So its fair to say that negotiations for a ceasefire remain a work in progress.

BD: Speaking of Iran, have you seen any letup in its destabilizing activities in the region?

Dunford: No, I havent seen any change in Irans behavior. The Republican Guards Quds Force continues to exert a malign influence in Iraq and Syria through proxy forces and militias, and in Lebanon through Lebanese Hezbollah. Irans support for [Shiite rebels] in Yemen has also been unhelpful, and Tehran continues to pose a threat to close allies like Israel and Jordan. So mitigating the malign influence of Iran remains a major U.S. objective in the region.

In talking about Iran its also important to zero in on one of the most important issues for the United States, and thats freedom of navigation in the Straits of Hormuz and the Bab-el-Mandeb. By harassing U.S. and international maritime activities in the Persian Gulf and supplying advanced anti-ship cruise missiles to Houthi rebels in Yemen on the Red Sea coast, Iran is posing a threat to two waterways that are absolutely crucial to global commerce. Since the 1970s and [President Jimmy Carters Carter Doctrine], the United States has been committed to keeping those vital waterways open.

Jim Mattis testifies before SASC

BD: Will you recommend a troop increase for Afghanistan to President Trump, and why is Afghanistan still important after U.S. forces have spent more than 15years fighting there?

Dunford: Because there are still roughly 17 extremists groups operating in and around Afghanistan. From personal experience, and from reading the intelligence and talking to my commanders on the ground, I have absolutely no doubt that, if given the space to reconstitute and grow stronger, those organizations will follow through on their intent to attack the United States and the West. They are already doing it inside Afghanistan. So we continue to need an effective counterterrorism platform and posture in that region, and the Afghan government has proven to be a good counterterrorism partner. The United States, our NATO allies and coalition partners, and the Afghans themselves are fighting together against a common enemy.

As for troop numbers, were analyzing what is necessary to enable the Afghan Security Forces to take the fight to the enemy. One of my greatest concerns is the number of casualties that they experienced in 2015 and 2016. They need additional medical personnel and medevac capability. They also need additional airpower, because that is the greatest asymmetric advantage they have over the Taliban. We need to help the Afghan Security Forces be able to deliver aviation at the right time and place. They also need more trainers and educators and help with maintenance. So those are the areas we are looking at to possibly prop up our support, based on the lessons of 2015 and 2016.

BD: It sounds like you are going to support General Nicholsons request for more forces (in Afghanistan)?

Dunford: I havent taken a public position yet because I havent had a chance to talk with the president on the issue. So Ill make my recommendation to him first. But its fair to say that based on what weve learned in the past two years, I believe we need to make some adjustments to our force posture.

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CJCS Dunford Talks Turkey, Iran, Afghan Troop Numbers & Daesh - Breaking Defense

Qatar's diplomatic row with its Arab neighbors triggered a rush to the shops over fears of scarcity of food supplies.

A top Iranian official says the country stands fully ready to answer the food requirements of Qatar much beyond its current needs.

Abbas Maroufan, the deputy for domestic trade of the Government Trading Corporation of Iran, was quoted by media as saying that Iran could support the food requirements of 10 countries like Qatar.

Maroufan emphasized that Iran had no problem in answering Qatars food needs, stressing the Islamic Republic would quickly do so as soon as there was a request to the same effect from Doha.

Iran started to export food to Qatar immediately after the Persian Gulf country came under a blockade earlier this month by Saudi Arabia and several of its allies as a result of a row over regional politics.

Officials in Tehran over the past week said at least five planeloads of food supplies each weighing 100 tonnes had been sent to Qatar.

On Wednesday, Iran said it had sent a ship with 180 tonnes of fruits and vegetables to the Persian Gulf emirate.

Irans media said the shipment was made on Tuesday from the countrys southern port of Bandar Lengeh in Hormozgan Province.

Officials had already said it would take a maximum 12 hours for a ship to reach Qatar from Irans southern ports.

Other reports said Iran was also looking into exporting dairy products to Qatar and certain negotiations to the same effect were underway.

Officials have been quoted by media as saying that Iran could ship at least 45 tonnes of dairy products to Qatar.

Read more:
'Iran can supply food to 10 states like Qatar' - Press TV

Iranian forces have killed two suspected members of an armed Sunni Muslim group in southeastern Iran and arrested five others, a minister said, accusing Saudi Arabia of "sponsoring terrorists" in the country.

"A group of seven terrorists who wanted to attack a barracks in Chabahar (in Sistan Baluchistan province) was dismantled,"Intelligence Minister Mahmoud Alavi said late on June 14.

Two of the five people arrested were from "a neighboring country," and "unfortunately, an intelligence agent was also killed," he said. Iranian state media said the suspects were members of the militant Ansar al-Furqan group.

Sistan-Baluchistan province, which borders Afghanistan and Pakistan, has seen repeated attacks by Sunni militants against security forces.

A second "terrorist group" was broken up in Iranian Kurdistan in the northwest, Alavi said, without elaborating.

"Saudi Arabia is sponsoring terrorist groups in Iran," he said.

Iranian leaders have accused Saudi Arabia of involvement in twin attacks in Tehran on June 7 on the parliament and a religious shrine, although the Islamic State has claimed responsibility.

After the assaults, dozens of suspects were arrested in Tehran and in the northwestern provinces of Kermanshah, Kurdistan,and West Azerbaijan, as well as in Sistan-Baluchistan.

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Iranian Forces Kill Two, Arrest Five Sunni Muslim Militants In Southeast Iran - RadioFreeEurope/RadioLiberty

It's part of a broader measure that would enforce new sanctions against Russia and strengthen existing ones. Video provided by Newsy Newslook

Sen. Bob Corker, R-Tenn., chairman of the Senate Foreign Relations Committee(Photo: AP Photo, Mark Humphrey)

WASHINGTON The Senate voted overwhelmingly Thursday to place new sanctions on Iran and Russia, setting up a possible confrontation with the Trump administration as it attempts to improve relations with Moscow.

Republican and Democratic senatorssaid the sanctions, approved by a vote of 98-2,are needed to punish Iran for its recent flurry of ballistic missile tests and human rights abuses and to show Russia that its interference in last years presidential election and its aggression in Syria will not be tolerated. Voting no were Republican Sen. Rand Paul of Kentucky and Sen. Bernie Sanders, I-Vt.

It truly is astounding what Iran continues to do around the world, said Tennessee Sen. Bob Corker, the Republican chairman of the Senate Foreign Relations Committee. For a people that are capable of so much, their foreign policy is shockingly counter to their own interest.

We see destabilizing act after destabilizing act from missile launches, to arms transfers, to terrorist training, to illicit financial activities, to targeting Navy ships and detaining American citizens the list goes on and on.

And its past time for us to take steps to protect the interests of the United States and our allies.

Regarding Russia, Corker said the sanctions send a strong message to Russian President Vladimir Putin while ensuring the Trump administration has the flexibility it needs for its ongoing talks with the Kremlin.

The White House has not said whether President Trump would veto the legislation but has sent signals that it opposes the bill partly because the measure prohibits Trump from unilaterally suspending or terminating the sanctions. Under the legislation, Congress would have the authority to review and potentially disapprove any attempt by Trump to lift the sanctions.

After Thursday's vote, the White House said it is still reviewing the new Russian sanctions legislation.

The new Iran sanctions also have raised concerns among top officials who served in former president Barack Obamas administration. Theyfearthe sanctionscould jeopardize the landmark nuclear deal struck with Tehran in 2015.

Corker, however, said Irans rogue behavior has escalated since the agreement was implemented and that the sanctions would give the Trump administration tools for holding Tehran accountable.

Read more:

Senate approves sanctions against Russia for meddling in presidential election, other abuses

Bob Corker, other senators back new sanctions on Iran

Tillerson to discuss Syria crisis with Russian counterpart

The bill, which awaits an uncertain future in the House, imposes mandatory sanctions on people involved with Irans ballistic missile program and those who do business with them. It also applies terrorism sanctions to the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps and enforces an arms embargo.

The Russian provisions, which resulted from bipartisan talks involving several committees, strengthen existing sanctions against key sectors of Russias economy and impose new sanctions on those engaged in cyber activity on behalf of the Russian government.

The legislation also puts in place new sanctions against Russia over human rights abuses and against those who suppliedweapons to the regime of Syrian president Bashar Hafez al-Assad.

Sen. Bill Nelson, D-Fla., said the sanctions strengthen the U.S.s hand against Putin, whose campaign to influence the U.S. election struck at the very core of our democracy and simply must not be permitted.

U.S. intelligence officials have warned that Putin and his accomplices will continue to meddle in future elections in the United States and Europe, Nelson said.

Beware, Nelson warned. Theyve laid the groundwork for next years (congressional) elections to try to interfere.

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Senate votes to punish Russia and Iran over election interference, aggression - USA TODAY

Secretary of State Rex Tillerson testifies on Capitol Hill in Washington, June 13, 2017, before the Senate Foreign Relations Committee. CREDIT: AP Photo/Jacquelyn Martin

The new U.S. policy towards Iran includes regime change, according to Secretary of State Rex Tillerson.

Tillerson was asked on Wednesday whether the United States supports regime change inside Iran. He replied in the affirmative, saying that U.S. policy is driven by relying on elements inside of Iran to bring about peaceful transition of that government.

He made the comments in a hearing on the 2018 State Department budget before the House Foreign Affairs Committee. Rep. Ted Poe (R-TX) asked Tillerson about U.S. policy towards Iran, including whether the U.S. government would sanction the Iranian Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) and whether the U.S. supported a philosophy of regime change.

They are doing bad things throughout the world, on behalf of terrorism and destroying human rights of many people, Poe said, referring to the IRGC. Id like to know what the policy is of the U.S. toward Iran. Do we support the current regime? Do we support a philosophy of regime change, peaceful regime change? There are Iranians in exile all over the world. Some are here. And then theres Iranians in Iran who dont support the totalitarian state. So is the U.S. position to leave things as they are or set up a peaceful long-term regime change?

Well our Iranian policy is under development, Tillerson replied. Its not yet been delivered to the president, but I would tell you that we certainly recognize Irans continued destabilizing presence in the region, their payment of foreign fighters, their export of militia forces in Syria, in Iraq, in Yemen, their support for Hezbollah. And we are taking action to respond to Irans hegemony. Additional sanctions actions have been put in place against individuals and others.

We continually review the merits both from the standpoint of diplomatic but also international consequences of designating the Iranian Revolutionary Guard in its entirety as a terrorist organization, he added. As you know, we have designated the Quds [Force]. Our policy towards Iran is to push back on this hegemony, contain their ability to develop obviously nuclear weapons, and to work toward support of those elements inside of Iran that would lead to a peaceful transition of that government. Those elements are there, certainly as we know.

Trumps foreign policy team is filled with hawks on Iran, but Tillerson is the first administration official to advocate for regime change in his official capacity.

The Iranian government was quick to condemn Tillersons remarks. On Thursday, Iranian Foreign Ministry spokesman Bahram Qassemi called Tillersons comments interventionist, in gross violation of the compelling rules of international law, unacceptable and strongly condemned.

Since the 1950s, the United States tried to meddle in Iranian affairs by different strategies such as coup dtat, regime change, and military intervention. Qassemi said, referring to U.S. involvement in the 1953 coup in Iran, dubbed Operation AJAX by the CIA. These efforts have all failed, Qassemi said, adding that the new U.S. government was confused and could be easily manipulated by wrong information.

Tillersons focus on nuclear weapons in his comments on Wednesday are notable, given that he has previously acknowledged that Iran is in full compliance with the Iranian nuclear agreement (as has the International Atomic Energy Agency).

Last week, Iran suffered an attack claimed by the Islamic State that killed at least 17 people and injured dozens. The White House response implied that Iran deserved the attack. We grieve and pray for the innocent victims of the terrorist attacks in Iran, and for the Iranian people, who are going through such challenging times, the statement read. We underscore that states that sponsor terrorism risk falling victim to the evil they promote.

The next day, Rep. Dana Rohrabacher (R-CA), a vocal Trump supporter, praised the attack in Tehran and suggested that the United States should work with the Islamic State to counter Iran.

On Thursday, the Senate passed an Iran sanctions bill, despite former Secretary of State John Kerrys warning that new sanctions could threaten the Iranian nuclear agreement.

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Tillerson calls for regime change in Iran - ThinkProgress