• Forum
• Images

• Military Menu                       

• WMD
• Intelligence
• Homeland Security
• Space
• Public Eye

Operations
Other Conflicts
Defense Policy / Programs
News Reports

Current Operations

• U.S. Focus Turns to Afghanistan's Reconstruction AFPS 16 Jan 2003-- The U.S. focus in Afghanistan is shifting to reconstruction and long-term stability, Deputy Defense Secretary Paul D. Wolfowitz stressed throughout his Jan. 15 visit here.
• RFE/RL Afghanistan Report, Vol 2, Number 3 16 Jan 2003 -- AFGHANISTAN'S NEW CONSTITUTION: TOWARDS CONSOLIDATION OR FRAGMENTATION? / AFGHAN PAPER EXPRESSES CONCERN OVER DEVELOPMENT OF NEW CONSTITUTION... / ...AS DRAFT CONSTITUTION TO SAID TO BE READY BY MARCH / HERAT GOVERNOR BANS WOMEN FROM COED LANGUAGE COURSES... / ...AND IS CRITICIZED BY HUMAN RIGHTS WATCH / FORMATION PROCESS OF AFGHAN NATIONAL LOYA JIRGA DELAYED... / ...AS CANADA PREPARES TO PROVIDE SUPPORT FOR AFGHAN ELECTIONS / UN OFFICIAL WANT A COMMISSION ON AFGHAN KILLINGS... / ...AS KABUL ACCEDES TO ICC, WILL SUBMIT CRIMINALS FOR TRIAL... / ...AND U.S. OFFERS TO AID AFGHAN HUMAN RIGHTS COMMISSION... / ...WHILE KABUL WEEKLY REMAINS CONCERNED ABOUT SECURITY SITUATION / ATTEMPTED ATTACK ON DOSTUM FOILED / UNKNOWN GROUP THREATENS FUEL SUPPLIERS TO THE U.S. / HIZB-E ISLAMI ISSUES A NEW COMMUNIQUE / GERMAN HELICOPTER CRASH IN KABUL NOT CAUSED BY TERRORIST ACT / NEW BODY ESTABLISHED TO DEFEND PRESS FREEDOMS IN AFGHANISTAN... / ...WHILE KABUL WEEKLY CRITICIZES PRESS RESTRICTIONS... / ...PROTEST BY AFGHAN JOURNALISTS IMMINENT... / ...AS KABUL PAPER CONDEMNS 'MEDIA WARS.' / AZAL BECOMES THE FIRST COMMERCIAL AIRLINE TO KABUL / AFGHANISTAN'S SOCCER SQUAD GETS WORLD RANKING -- AT LAST / THIS WEEK IN AFGHANISTAN'S HISTORY

• First US fighter jets leave German base for possible war on Iraq KUNA 16 Jan 2003-- U.S. fighter jets took off from the Spangdahlem air base in central Germany Thursday flying to the Middle East region for deployment in preparation for the possible war against Iraq.
• Spangdahlem gets deployment order AFPN 16 Jan 2003-- More than 500 airmen and numerous F-16CJ Fighting Falcons left here Jan. 12 and 16 for a forward-deployed locations to support the unified command as part of a secretary of defense-issued order.
• U.S. sends 600 troops and anti-missile systems to Israel KUNA 16 Jan 2003-- The United States has sent Patriot anti-missile systems and 600 troops to Israel to strengthen its ability to defend itself against missile attack, the New York Times reported Thursday. Officially, the American forces have been sent for an exercise that will tests the ability of American and Israeli missile defenses to work together. But the exercise will mean that American forces will work alongside Israeli military and be in position to help defend Israel against attacks by Iraq's Scud missiles if President Bush decides to take military action against Saddam Hussein.
• "HMS Ark Royal" set for Gulf KUNA 16 Jan 2003-- Britain's most powerful warship was sailing from Scotland Thursday having completed its final domestic preparations for a potential war in the Gulf, the British Royal Navy said.

Other Conflicts

• FRANCE/IVORY COAST VOA 16 Jan 2003 -- Peace talks on Ivory Coast continue in a Paris suburb under a news blackout, but there are reports of sharp differences among the participants
• SRILANKA/RADIO VOA 16 Jan 2003 -- In Sri Lanka, Tamil Tiger rebels have begun beaming radio broadcasts into government-controlled regions for the first time since they began their struggle for a separate homeland nearly two-decades ago. Anjana Pasricha reports the move has raised political controversy in the island nation
• IVORY COAST-FIGHTING VOA 16 Jan 2003 -- Ivory Coast's Defense Minister is accusing rebels of breaking a cease-fire as peace negotiations continue in France
• CONGO / ATROCITIES VOA 16 Jan 2003 -- U-N investigators say they have confirmed reports that rebel groups in northeastern Congo are committing atrocities, including cannibalism, against civilians in the area
• IVORY COAST / FIGHTING VOA 16 Jan 2003 -- Talks to end a four-month-old rebel war in Ivory Coast are due to continue in Paris, after the government and the rebels accused each other Thursday of violating a cease-fire agreement
• SUDAN PEACE TALKS VOA 16 Jan 2003-- The mediator trying to end Sudan's 20-year civil war is hoping to restart talks next week
• IVORY COAST / REGIONAL IMPACT VOA 16 Jan 2003-- West African nations are keeping a close eye on the Ivory Coast peace negotiations under way in France

Defense Policy / Programs

• How Senate Panels Shape U.S. Foreign and Military Policy Washington File 16 Jan 2003-- Armed Services, Foreign Relations and Select Committee on Intelligence
• Wolfowitz, Karzai Discuss Accelerating Afghan Military Training Washington File 16 Jan 2003-- Deputy Defense Secretary Paul Wolfowitz has met Afghan President Hamid Karzai in Kabul to review progress in training the Afghan national army and to discuss ways to accelerate the training.
• Media Availability with New Members of the Senate Armed Service Committee 16 Jan 2003-- Dole: Well, first of all, let me say that I think it's premature right now to be addressing particular bases. Obviously, everything will be presented. We'll look at all of the various options, but I don't want to say today what my decision would be. I think the -- North Carolina has some very, very important bases -- (laughs) -- and obviously, I'm going to want to work with the Pentagon on this. But I'm not going to say today what I would -- what my answer would be on any particular matter. And, you know, I look forward to working with the secretary and to getting the reports.
• Gen. James Jones Becomes First Marine EUCOM Commander; SACEUR Title to Follow AFPS 16 Jan 2003-- U.S. Marine Corps Gen. James L. Jones today became the first Marine to assume command of U.S. European Command here.
• New SASC Members Back Defense Transformation, Base Closures AFPS 16 Jan 2003-- Four new members of the Senate Armed Services Committee today said they support DoD's transformation efforts, noting another round of base closings is necessary.
• 2-2 Infantry searches for unexploded ordnance USAEUR News 15 Jan 2003-- Although the ethnic conflict ended three years ago, the horrible remnants of illegal ordnance and weapons are still found throughout this small province.
• Edwards gets F-16s from 'bone yard' AFPN 16 Jan 2003-- Two F-16 Fighting Falcons joined the test operations facility here recently to help support flight test programs. The aircraft are the first of nine F-16s making their way to Edwards this year.

News Reports

• SHAPE News Morning Update SHAPE 16 Jan 2003
• SHAPE News Summary Analysis SHAPE 16 Jan 2003

• KENYA / CORRUPTION VOA 16 Jan 2003 -- Kenyan President Mwai Kibaki has created a new department within his three-week-old government to deal specifically with the fight against corruption. V-O-A Correspondent Alisha Ryu reports, the move comes as the International Monetary Fund considers resuming financial assistance to the poverty-stricken nation
• U-S / VENEZUELA VOA 16 Jan 2003 -- The Bush administration say it has high hopes that a newly-formed group of six countries can help Organization of American States Secretary-General Cesar Gaviria in his effort to bring about a peaceful end to Venezuela's political crisis
• O-S-C-E/TURKMENISTAN VOA 16 Jan 2003 -- An official of the Organization for Security and Cooperation in Europe has condemned the abuse of the media in Turkmenistan. A report to the O-S-C-E accuses television officials in the former-Soviet republic of using methods comparable to Stalin and Hitler
• CONGRESS / AFRICA VOA 16 Jan 2003 -- Democrats in Congress are introducing legislation to increase food and other aid to Africa. The move comes as the Bush administration proposes extending trade concessions for African countries
• UN / VENEZUELA VOA 16 Jan 2003 -- At the United Nations today (Thursday), Venezuela's embattled president, Hugo Chavez, said he would step down if he is defeated in a referendum. But Mr. Chavez says he is against holding the referendum on February 2, as the opposition is demanding.
• EDITORIAL: LIBYA WRONG PICK FOR RIGHTS BODY VOA 16 Jan 2003 -- Next week, the United Nations Human Rights Commission begins its annual meeting in Geneva. The first order of business will be choosing a chairman. By tradition, the chairmanship of the fifty-three-nation commission rotates yearly among the U-N's five major geographic regions. It is Africa's turn this year, and members of the African regional group have indicated a preference for Libya