Joint Chiefs of Staff > Media

Syrian Democratic Forces troops assault through a target objective during a react-to-contact training event in Deir el-Zour province, Syria.

Feb. 15, 2019

Acting Secretary Pleased With Progress of Coalition to Defeat ISIS

WASHINGTON — Acting Defense Secretary Patrick M. Shanahan said he is pleased with the progress of the coalition to defeat the Islamic State of Iraq and Syria, and he reiterated America’s steadfast support for the effort.

Marine Corps Gen. Joe Dunford, chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, meets with his counterpart Turkish Army Gen. Yasar Güler, chief of the Turkish General Staff, at the Turkish General Staff building in Ankara, Turkey, Jan. 8, 2019.

Jan. 25, 2019

Readout of Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff Gen. Dunford’s Phone Call with Chief of the Turkish General Staff Gen. Yasar Guler

Joint Staff Spokesperson Col. Patrick S. Ryder provided the following readout: Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff Gen. Joseph F. Dunford, Jr. spoke today with Chief of the Turkish General Staff Gen. Yasar Guler.

Jan. 9, 2019

Correction to the record

A story posted online today by a U.S. media outlet incorrectly reported that Gen. Dunford told his Turkish counterpart during meetings in Ankara yesterday that U.S. observations posts in Syria would remain in place indefinitely.

National Security Adviser John Bolton and Marine Corps Gen. Joe Dunford, chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, meet with Turkish National Security Adviser Ibrahim Kalin at the Presidential Complex in Ankara, Turkey, Jan. 8, 2019.

Jan. 8, 2019

Readout of Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff Gen. Dunford's Visit to Turkey

Joint Staff Spokesperson Col. Patrick S. Ryder provided the following readout: Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff Gen. Joseph F. Dunford, Jr. traveled to Turkey Jan. 7-8 to accompany National Security Advisor Amb. John Bolton to a meeting in Ankara with senior Turkish government officials.

Marine Corps Gen. Joe Dunford, chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, meets with Russian Army Gen. Valery Gerasimov, Chief of the General Staff of the Armed Forces of Russia, at Königstedt Manor in Helsinki, Finland, June 8, 2018.

Jan. 4, 2019

Readout of Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff Gen. Dunford’s Phone Call with Russian Chief of the General Staff Gen. Gerasimov

Joint Staff Spokesperson Col. Patrick S. Ryder provided the following readout: Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff Gen. Joseph F. Dunford, Jr. spoke with Chief of the Russian General Staff Gen. Valery Gerasimov by telephone today.

Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff Gen. Joe Dunford greets Chief of the Turkish General Staff Gen. Yasar Guler today outside of the Pentagon in Washington D.C., Oct. 15, 2018.

Nov. 2, 2018

Readout of Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff Gen. Dunford's Phone Call with Chief of the Turkish General Staff Gen. Yasar Guler

Joint Staff Spokesperson Col. Patrick S. Ryder provided the following readout: Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff Gen. Joseph F. Dunford, Jr. spoke Nov. 1 by phone with Chief of the Turkish General Staff Gen. Yasar Guler.

Soldiers wave to residents during a patrol.

Sept. 8, 2018

Russian-Led Idlib Offensive Would Be Humanitarian Disaster, Dunford Says

NEW DELHI — The consequences of a Russian-Syrian regime offensive into Idlib, Syria, against terrorists hiding there would almost certainly be a humanitarian disaster, the chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff said.

June 8, 2018

Readout of Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff Gen. Dunford's Meeting with Russian Chief of the General Staff Gen. Gerasimov

Joint Staff Spokesperson Col. Patrick S. Ryder provided the following readout: Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff Gen. Joseph F. Dunford, Jr. and Russian Chief of the General Staff Gen. Valery Gerasimov held a meeting June 8 in Helsinki, Finland.

Marine Corps Gen. Joe Dunford talks while sitting at a rectangular table with U.S. and Russian officials.

June 7, 2018

Dunford to Discuss Deconfliction With Russian Counterpart in Helsinki

WASHINGTON — The chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff is meeting with his Russian counterpart in Helsinki to discuss the deconfliction of coalition and Russian operations in Syria, the state of U.S.-Russia military relations and other topics, a defense official said.

A bomber separates from the boom of another aircraft.

April 19, 2018

Strikes Successful Against Syrian Chemical Weapons, DoD Officials Say

WASHINGTON — The strikes last week against Syria’s chemical weapons arsenal were successful in degrading that country’s chemical weapons, research and storage facilities, the Pentagon’s chief spokesperson said.