Operations
Other Conflicts
Defense Policy / Programs
News Reports

Current Operations

• Media 'circus' arrives at Task Force Tarawa USMC News 14 Mar 2003 -- Twenty-one media representatives from television and newspapers around the world arrived at Camp Ryan recently and received their welcome aboard brief. The brief was held to let the media know what was expected of them, the rules and regulations regarding camp life, journalism ground rules and they also heard from various commanding officers.
• Incirlik supports 'unexpected guests' AFPN 14 Mar 2003 -- People from the 39th Services Squadron here recently transformed an old fitness center into contingency lodging now bedding down nearly 400 deployed troops. But "Motel 39" is just one small piece of the bed-down and feeding operations puzzle.
• New grenade range construction under way USMC News 14 Mar 2003 -- During a regular training year, the Marine Air Ground Combat Center conducts 10 Combined Arms Exercises, two Desert Fire Exercises, Steel Knight and Desert Scimitar exercises using the more than 15 grenade, tank, machine gun, Nuclear Biological Chemical Defense and tactics range areas as training fields.

• RFE/RL Afghanistan Report, Vol 2, Number 9 14 Mar 2003 -- AFGHAN DIPLOMAT OFFERS VIEWS ON PREPARATIONS FOR 2004 ELECTIONS / NEW POLITICAL PARTY FORMED / WOMEN COMPLAIN ABOUT LACK OF PROGRESS... / ...AS WOMEN'S AFFAIRS MINISTER SAYS IMPLEMENTATION OF RIGHTS IS KEY... / ...AND AFGHANISTAN RATIFIES CONVENTION ON WOMEN / WOMEN GET RADIO IN KABUL... / ...AS WELL IS IN BALKH / PRESIDENT'S OPTIMISM MET WITH SKEPTICISM BY U.S. LAWMAKER... / ...WHILE U.S. PRESIDENT APOLOGIZES TO KARZAI... / ...WHO REPORTEDLY WANTS TO REPLACE AMBASSADOR TO WASHINGTON... / ...BUT AMBASSADOR SAYS SUCH REPORTS ARE RIDICULOUS / KARZAI SEES ARMY AS KEY TO SECURITY, NOT AN EXPANDED ISAF / GOVERNOR CHANGE IN FARYAB PROVINCE / COMMANDERS IN BAMYAN PROVINCE HAND OVER THEIR ARMS / JAMIAT-E ISLAMI COMMANDERS CLASH / ROCKETS HIT BAGRAM AIR BASE / FATAL CAR BOMBING IN KANDAHAR / UN VEHICLE ROBBED IN WARDAK PROVINCE / ARRESTS MADE IN CONNECTION WITH ATTACK ON AID-AGENCY PERSONNEL / KABUL RESIDENTS STORM POLICE STATION... / ...LAWYER SAYS DEMONSTRATORS DID NOT THROW GRENADE DURING RIOTING IN KABUL... / ...AS INTERIOR MINISTER MEETS WITH LOCAL RESIDENTS / AMNESTY INTERNATIONAL GIVES ADVICE TO POLICE / IRANIAN STATE RADIO BROADCASTS HEKMATYAR STATEMENT / BIN LADEN REPORTED TO HAVE BEEN IN NIMRUZ PROVINCE / HERAT PLACES RESTRICTIONS ON MUSIC, MOVIES... / ...AND BANS SATELLITE DISHES / SUPREME COURT BANS THE SALE OF RELIGIOUS POSTERS / KANDAHAR GETS INTERNET / AFGHANISTAN, AZERBAIJAN SIGN AIR DEAL / U.S. TO REBUILD 1,000 SCHOOLS IN AFGHANISTAN / THIS WEEK IN AFGHANISTAN'S HISTORY

Other Conflicts

• Transcript: Rice Tells Al Jazeera Mideast Peace Prospects Much Improved Washington File 14 Mar 2003 -- National Security Advisor Condoleezza Rice said she believes that chances for peace between Israelis and Palestinians "have been improving significantly" following the formation of a new Israeli government and what she described as "very positive signs of reform" in the Palestinian Authority.
• Middle East Peace Plan Could Be Delivered in Days, U.S. Official Says Washington File 14 Mar 2003 -- The outline for a path to peace in the Middle East could be formally delivered to Israel and the Palestinians "within a few days" -- just as soon as the Palestinian legislative council confirms a "credible" prime minister with "real authority" -- a senior Bush administration official said March 14.
• Transcript: Bush Set to Present Peace "Road Map" to Israel, Palestinians Washington File 14 Mar 2003 -- President Bush March 14 outlined his vision for peace in the Middle East and said that as soon as a Palestinian prime minister "with real authority" is confirmed, the "road map" for peace will be presented to the Palestinians and Israelis.
• BUSH / MIDDLE EAST VOA 14 Mar 2003 -- President Bush says he will announce a plan for Middle East peace as soon as Palestinians confirm the appointment of a new prime minister who holds substantial authority.
• ARAFAT FUTURE VOA 14 Mar 2003 -- Palestinian leader Yasser Arafat, under pressure from the international community, agreed this week to the creation of the new position of prime minister of the Palestinian Authority, and ceded some of his powers to the new post. In Washington, President Bush called this development a "hopeful moment for progress" in the stalled peace process. He said he would unveil his long-sought "road map" for Middle East peace once a new Palestinian prime minister with real governing authority takes office.
• ISRAEL PALESTINIANS VOA 14 Mar 2003 -- Israeli forces killed at least five Palestinians during a raid on a refugee camp near the West Bank city of Jenin.
• U-S / MIDEAST WRAP VOA 14 Mar 2003 -- President Bush says the long-delayed "roadmap" to a Middle East peace accord will be given to the parties as soon as a Palestinian prime minister with real governing authority takes office. The administration has been under pressure from U-S allies and Arab states to act on the Israeli-Palestinian conflict, as a possible war with Iraq looms.
• MIDEAST/ BUSH/ REACT VOA 14 Mar 2003 -- President Bush's announcement that he would soon unveil a long-sought Middle East peace plan -- a so-called "road map" for peace -- has drawn mixed reactions from Israelis and Palestinians.
• ISRAEL-PALESTINIANS VOA 13 Mar 2003 -- Israeli forces shot dead five members of the militant group Hamas today (Thursday) in the West Bank. The incident came just hours after Israeli soldiers had killed two Israeli armed guards, after mistaking them for Palestinian gunmen.
• ISRAEL PALESTINIANS VOA 14 Mar 2003 -- Israeli forces killed at least six Palestinians during a raid on a refugee camp near the West Bank city of Jenin.
• Annan welcomes Bush's announcement on Middle East road map UN News Centre 14 Mar 2003 -- United Nations Secretary-General Kofi Annan has welcomed today's statement by President George W. Bush of the United States that a plan by the diplomatic Quartet for a settlement to the Middle East crisis will be presented to the Israelis and Palestinians once the Palestinian Prime Minister has been confirmed in office.
• Côte d'Ivoire: Security Council welcomes inaugural meeting of new government UN News Centre 14 Mar 2003 -- Welcoming the first meeting of the Government of National Reconciliation in Côte d'Ivoire, United Nations Security Council members today called on all the parties to participate in subsequent meetings.
• Security Council welcomes indictments handed down by Sierra Leone court UN News Centre 14 Mar 2003 -- The members of the United Nations Security Council today welcomed the indictments handed down by the Special Court for Sierra Leone as the start of a judicial process aimed at bringing to justice those individuals who bear the greatest responsibility for the suffering inflicted on the people of the country throughout 10 years of conflict.
• Security Council extends mandate of UN's Ethiopia-Eritrea mission for 6 months UN News Centre 14 Mar 2003 -- Reaffirming its unwavering commitment to the peace process in Ethiopia and Eritrea, the Security Council today extended for six months the mandate of the United Nations peacekeeping mission to the two countries.

Defense Policy / Programs

• White House Daily Briefing White House 14 Mar 2003
• Transcript: Briefing on Depleted Uranium 14 Mar 2003 -- Today's briefing is on depleted uranium. Depleted uranium is something that I think we have not done a good enough job in making sure that everybody understands what depleted uranium is and what it isn't. And as we go forward, and if there is a conflict in Iraq, I think it's important for everybody to have a good understanding of depleted uranium, because there is an awful lot of misinformation out there about depleted uranium.
• Pentagon Officials Say Depleted Uranium Powerful, Safe AFPS 14 Mar 2003 -- Pentagon officials showed pictures today from the 1991 Gulf War of an Iraqi tank completely destroyed by a 105 mm round made of depleted uranium. The round had pierced the tank's thick armor, leaving only a burned out shell.
• Air Force implements Stop-Loss AFPN 14 Mar 2003 -- The assistant secretary of the Air Force for manpower and reserve affairs has authorized the use of Stop-Loss to retain specific skills needed to meet national security objectives. Effective May 2, 43 officer and 56 enlisted specialties will be affected by Stop-Loss.
• KANSAS CIVIL SUPPORT TEAM CERTIFIED 14 Mar 2003 -- The Department of Defense notified Congress today that the Weapons of Mass Destruction Civil Support Team (WMD-CST) from the Kansas National Guard is now certified.
• DOD ANNOUNCES PLANS TO STIMULATE UNDERGRADUATE RESEARCH 14 Mar 2003 -- The Department of Defense (DoD) today announce plans to award 19 grants, totaling $4.7 million, that will support approximately 650 undergraduate students, in its first annual Awards to Stimulate and Support Undergraduate Research Experiences (ASSURE) Program.
• Carl Vinson Battle Group visits Republic of Korea Seventh Fleet 14 Mar 2003 -- The aircraft carrier USS Carl Vinson (CVN 70) arrived here March 14 for a port visit in conjunction with the commencement of Exercise Foal Eagle, an annually scheduled joint and combined training exercise that began March 4 and will continue through April 2.
• Essex ARG Arrives Off Iwo Jima Coast Navy NewStand 14 Mar 2003 -- The USS Essex (LHD 2) Amphibious Ready Group (ARG) arrived off the coast of Iwo Jima, Japan, recently to support the 58th Anniversary of the Battle of Iwo Jima, which was held March 12.
• AMC vice commander lauds efforts of cargo handlers AMCNS 14 Mar 2003 -- Air Mobility Command's vice commander made it a priority Wednesday to personally thank the men and women here who've been working two weeks nonstop to move 5,000 tons of cargo to the Middle East.
• Air Force leaders explain effect of encroachment AFPN 14 Mar 2003 -- Two Air Force leaders testified before Congress on March 13 about the effects of environmental encroachment on the service's mission.
• Personnel chief promotes initiatives before Congress AFPN 14 Mar 2003 -- The Air Force is facing one of its greatest challenges -- adapting to the new steady state of accelerated operations and personnel tempo, the service's top personnel official told Congress in a March 13 hearing.
• CJTF-HOA EOD planner observes de-mining operations USMC News 14 Mar 2003 -- Gunnery Sgt. Mark "Toby" Tobias, Combined Joint Task Force-Horn of Africa explosive ordinance disposal (EOD) planner, recently conducted an observation of RONCO de-mining operations in Djibouti.
• CJTF-HOA Small Craft Det Teaches Djiboutian soldiers USMC News 14 Mar 2003 -- The Marines of the Combined Joint Task Force - Horn of Africa Small Craft Detachment are sharing their knowledge and helping to cultivate a strong relationship between American and Djiboutian military forces here.
• USS Bremerton (SSN 698) Departs for Western Pacific Deployment COMSUBPAC 14 Mar 2003 -- USS BREMERTON (SSN 698) departed San Diego for a Western Pacific Deployment. Fri., March 14, 2003.
• Liaison officers provide support at the "tip of the spear" TRANSCOM 14 Mar 2003 -- As tensions with Iraq continue, liaison officers from U.S. Transportation Command are supporting U.S. Central Command's war preparations by ensuring troops, their equipment, and supplies get where they are needed, when they are needed.

News Reports

• SHAPE News Morning Update SHAPE 14 Mar 2003
• SHAPE News Summary Analysis SHAPE 14 Mar 2003
• SPECIAL ENGLISH IN THE NEWS #576 - Serbian Prime Minister Zoran Djindjic Murdered VOA 14 Mar 2003 -- Serbian Prime Minister Zoran Djindjic was murdered Wednesday. He was shot outside the government headquarters in Belgrade and died in a hospital. Mister Djindjic was fifty years old.
• ZIMBABWE / UNIVERSITY VOA 14 Mar 2003 -- The Zimbabwe government ordered students at the University of Zimbabwe to vacate the campus Friday. The closure of the school follows months of dispute over pay between university authorities and faculty.
• MORE ASSASSINATION REACT VOA 14 Mar 2003 -- The assassination of Serbia's Prime Minister Zoran Djindjic continues to draw wide reaction in the American press.
• TURKEY / POLITICS VOA 14 Mar 2003 -- Turkey's President Ahmet Necdet Sezer approved a cabinet presented by new Prime Minster Tayyip Erdogan Friday. The action paves the way for a possible second vote on the presence of U-S troops in Turkey.
• VENEZUELA/OPPOSITION VOA 14 Mar 2003 -- Opponents of Venezuelan President Hugo Chavez are struggling to maintain their unity and momentum, more than a month after ending a general strike that halted much of the nation's commercial activity. One political analyst close to the movement remains optimistic.
• ZIMBABWE / TRIAL VOA 14 Mar 2003 -- A second witness has testified that Zimbabwe's opposition leader Morgan Tsvangirai tried to have President Robert Mugabe assassinated. The witness worked for a Canadian consulting firm that the opposition party allegedly tried to hire to carry out the killing.
• ASIA MYSTERY PNEUMONIA VOA 14 Mar 2003 -- Cases of atypical pneumonia are still on the rise in Hong Kong, China and Viet Nam, and a fourth outbreak may have struck Singapore. Health authorities have not identified the agent causing the flu-like illness, but say it is unusual because hospital workers appear to be particularly vulnerable.
• INDIA/BOMB VOA 14 Mar 2003 -- Security is tight in India's financial capital Bombay, a day after a powerful bomb on a train killed 11 people and wounded more than 60 others. Meanwhile, police in the Indian capital say they have defused six bombs found in a plastic bag near a taxi stand at the city's main rail station.
• AUNG SAN SUU KYI VOA 14 Mar 2003 -- V-O-A Burmese Service chief Khin Maung Htay has interviewed Burmese democracy leader Aung San Suu Kyi about her views on U-S policy toward Burma as well as the situation in North Korea.
• EDITORIAL: NORMALCY RETURNS TO AFGHANISTAN VOA 14 Mar 2003 -- A year after the oppressive Taleban were removed from power, Afghanistan is returning to normal. Schools have reopened. The economy is functioning.
• INDONESIA BASHIR SUIT VOA 14 Mar 2003 -- Lawyers for a detained Indonesian cleric suspected of engaging in terrorism have filed a lawsuit against the national police to seek his release. Abu Bakar Bashir's legal team say police are holding him illegally.
• WILLIAM RUGH-MIDEAST VOA 13 Mar 2003 -- Just back from the Middle East, Ambassador William Rugh shares his insights about the feelings of people there to the United States. He believes increased dialogue can overcome the anger and confusion over American foreign policy and build upon a general fondness for the American way of life.
• CHINA NPC: LEADERSHIP CHANGE VOA 14 Mar 2003 -- Chinese President Jiang Zemin is expected to retire Saturday and hand over his position to Vice President Hu Jintao. But many believe that Mr. Jiang will continue to maintain a tight grip on power from behind the scenes.
• WEN PROFILE VOA 14 Mar 2003 -- The man expected to guide China's economy as prime minister, Wen Jiabao, takes office Sunday. Political experts tell Mr. Wen will be less abrasive than his predecessor and more concerned about the problems of ordinary people left behind by China's rapid, but uneven economic growth.
• CHINA NPC: ZHU RONGJI VOA 14 Mar 2003 -- China's Prime Minister Zhu Rongji (JOO Rong-jee) leaves office soon, during the final days of the annual session of the National People's Congress. In his five years as Prime Minister, Mr. Zhu tackled the country's bloated bureaucracy, trying to streamline state firms and clean up bad loans. Zhu Rongji may be a tough act for the country's new prime minister, Wen Jiabao, to follow.
• HU JINTAO PROFILE VOA 14 Mar 2003 -- Chinese Communist Party chief Hu Jintao is to replace 76-year-old Jiang Zemin as the country's president. Mr. Hu became party leader last November, and since then has portrayed himself as an advocate for China's poor and disadvantaged. But it is still not clear how much real power he will wield, or whether his beliefs will translate into policy changes.
• CHINA / NPC / ENVIRONMENT VOA 14 Mar 2003 -- China's environment minister says the country's new leadership will put greater emphasis on curbing the nation's "severe" pollution.
• CHINA NPC: JIANG PROFILE VOA 14 Mar 2003 -- Chinese President Jiang Zemin has confounded critics who said he would not last long in Beijing politics. Thirteen-years later he is still in charge and his ideas are enshrined in the Communist Party's constitution.