Operations
Other Conflicts
Defense Policy / Programs
News Reports

Current Operations

• ACC, PACAF airmen team up, build bombs PCAFNS 24 Apr 2003 -- The munitions storage area here has been busier than normal over the past 6 weeks to support the rise in operations tempo incurred with the arrival of bombers.

• USS Shiloh, Mobile Bay Return Home After 9 Months Navy NewStand 24 Apr 2003 -- The crews of the Ticonderoga-class cruisers USS Shiloh (CG 67) and USS Mobile Bay (CG 53) will return to port April 25 after carrying out a series of combat operations and Tomahawk cruise missile launches, completing its vital role in Operation Iraqi Freedom.
• Bomber group heads home USAFE 24 Apr 2003 -- After dropping 3.2 million pounds of explosives and 9 million leaflets during 120 combat sorties, more than 1,000 airmen are packing up and going home from this forward operating location.

• RFE/RL Afghanistan Report, Vol 2, Number 14 24 Apr 2003 -- AFGHANISTAN'S NEW DRAFT CONSTITUTION: A SNEAK PREVIEW / FOUR AFGHAN SOLDIERS KILLED IN CLASH ALONG PAKISTAN BORDER... / ...AND AFGHAN BORDER GUARDS CLASH WITH PAKISTANI FIGHTERS / AFGHAN LEADER VISITS ISLAMABAD AMID TENSIONS... / ...THAT COULD BE LINKED TO ELEMENTS WITHIN PAKISTAN'S INTELLIGENCE SERVICE / AFGHAN LEADER EXPECTS PAKISTAN TO PREVENT BORDER INCURSIONS... / ...BUT DOWNPLAYS RECENT BORDER CLASHES / AFGHANISTAN, PAKISTAN DISCUSS BILATERAL TRADE / EIGHT PEOPLE KILLED IN WEEK'S CLASHES IN NORTHERN AFGHANISTAN... / ...PROMPTING KARZAI TO DISPATCH DELEGATION TO INVESTIGATE CLASHES, BRING COMMANDERS TO KABUL... / ...AS CEASE-FIRE IS REACHED, AID AGENCIES PULL OUT / CLASHING AFGHAN FORCES PULL OUT OF MAYMANA / DOSTUM COMMANDER KILLED IN AMBUSH / PASHTUNS FLEEING HARASSMENT, PERSECUTION IN AFGHANISTAN / AFGHAN, U.S. OFFICIALS DISCUSS NEW NATIONAL ARMY... / ...AND AFGHAN PAPER SAYS INCREASED VIOLENCE ILLUSTRATES NEED FOR DISARMAMENT / REGIONAL COMMANDERS AGREE TO SUPPORT FORMATION OF AFGHAN NATIONAL ARMY... / ...AS RIVAL NORTHERN WARLORDS MEET / KABUL DAILY CALLS FOR END OF WARLORDISM / NATO TO TAKE OVER COMMAND OF PEACEKEEPING FORCE IN AFGHANISTAN / 100 KILLED, 500 INJURED BY LAND MINES EVERY MONTH IN AFGHANISTAN / SOME 200 HOMES DESTROYED IN EARTHQUAKE IN NORTHEASTERN AFGHANISTAN / FEDERALISM REJECTED AT MAZAR-E SHARIF SEMINAR / AFGHANISTAN APPLIES TO JOIN WTO / FOREIGN MINISTER DENIES AFGHANISTAN SEEKING TIES WITH ISRAEL / THIS WEEK IN AFGHANISTAN'S HISTORY

Other Conflicts

• Saddam's Removal Will Encourage Israeli-Palestinian Talks, Indyk Says Washington File 24 Apr 2003 -- The removal of Saddam Hussein's regime in Iraq has created new opportunities for peace between Israelis and Palestinians, according to Martin Indyk, a former assistant secretary of state for Near Eastern affairs during the Clinton administration.
• Intensified UN employment projects could help address insecurity in Afghanistan UN News Centre 24 Apr 2003 -- The United Nations is helping the Government of Afghanistan to create employment opportunities, particularly in the rural areas, which could go a long way towards addressing current security problems in the country, a UN official said today in Kabul.
• Senior UN envoy condemns suicide attack in Israel UN News Centre 24 Apr 2003 -- The senior United Nations envoy for the Middle East peace process, Terje Roed-Larsen, strongly condemned today's suicide bombing attack in the Israeli town of Kfar Sava, which left one person dead another at least another 13 people wounded, several seriously.
• INDONESIA/ACEH VOA 24 Apr 2003 -- The Indonesian government says it is canceling peace talks with separatists from Aceh Province. The talks were intended to salvage Aceh's peace process, which may now be on the verge of collapse.
• PALESTINIAN POLITICS VOA 24 Apr 2003 -- After bitter disputes, much wrangling, and enormous international pressure a new Palestinian government has been formed under the leadership of Prime Minister Mahmoud Abbas. It is now up to the Palestinian legislature to confirm the government, and that is likely to happen early next week. After that the hard part begins; reining in the militants and moving back to the negotiating table while at the same time satisfying the demands of average Palestinians for law and order and better daily lives.
• SRI LANKA REBELS VOA 24 Apr 2003 -- In Sri Lanka, Tamil Tiger rebels are withdrawing from a meeting on humanitarian issues, days after they suspended peace talks with the government. Western countries are urging the rebels to return to the negotiating table.
• ISRAEL/BOMBING VOA 24 Apr 2003 -- A member of Palestinian leader Yasser Arafat's Fatah faction carried out a suicide bombing that police said killed one Israeli and wounded 10 others. In a separate incident, in the West Bank, Israeli soldiers shot dead two Palestinians, including one teenager.
• PHILIPPINES / ATTACK VOA 24 Apr 2003 -- Fresh violence has erupted in the southern Philippines (Thursday) after Muslim separatist rebels attacked police and military installations - killing at least 12 people.
• ISRAEL/BOMBING VOA 24 Apr 2003 -- A suspected Palestinian suicide bomber blew himself in the central Israeli town of Kfar Saba this morning (Thursday), killing a security guard and injuring at least 10 other people. There has so far been no official claim of responsibility, but Palestinian sources say a group linked to Yasser Arafat's Fatah movement may have been behind the attack.

Defense Policy / Programs

• USS HARRY S TRUMAN Battle Group return and USS THEODORE ROOSEVELT deployment rationale U.S. Atlantic Fleet 24 Apr 2003 -- The Navy recently announced the May 2003 return of USS Harry S. Truman Battle Group. Some family members have recently inquired as to reasons for bringing the USS Harry S. Truman Battle Group home before USS Theodore Roosevelt Battle Group. Both of these Atlantic Fleet Battle Groups recently participated in combat operations in Iraq.
• DEFENSE PROGRAM IMPLEMENTATION PLAN APPROVED 24 Apr 2003 -- Under Secretary of Defense for Acquisition, Technology and Logistics (AT&L) Pete Aldridge today approved a detailed plan to implement a new management structure for the Chemical and Biological Defense Program. Programmatic responsibilities for the Office of the Secretary of Defense, the Joint Staff, Army, Defense Threat Reduction Agency (DTRA) and a newly named joint program executive officer are included in the new plan.
• NCO retraining programs begin AFPN 24 Apr 2003 -- The Air Force recently began the voluntary phase of its fiscal 2003 and 2004 noncommissioned officer retaining programs.
• Roche, Jumper to speak at academy graduation AFPN 24 Apr 2003 -- Air Force officials announced April 23 that Dr. James Roche, secretary of the Air Force, and Gen. John Jumper, Air Force chief of staff, will speak at this year's Air Force Academy grauation.
• Navy Elevated Causeway System to Lend Big Hand to Big Operation Navy NewStand 24 Apr 2003 -- In the minds of many, the 'shock and awe' to be remembered from Operation Iraqi Freedom will not be the result of any air campaign; nor will it be of any large explosion causing the destruction of troops or military headquarters.
• Forging the 22nd MEU's 'Blue-Green' Team USMC News 24 Apr 2003 -- The 22nd Marine Expeditionary Unit (MEU) recently took one of its first steps in the long phase of preparation for its upcoming deployment when members of the unit's primary staff made a liaison visit to Naval Amphibious Base Little Creek, Virginia.
• More than your average rescue squad USMC News 24 Apr 2003 -- While working back on Marine Corps Air Station Iwakuni, Japan, Crash Fire Rescue provides instant fire-fighting service during emergencies on the airfield.
• ASF Marines increase readiness USMC News 24 Apr 2003 -- To assist with ongoing force protection measures, the Provost Marshal's Office requires the help of specially-trained service members from units aboard the Station.
• Red Lions roar into Iwakuni USMC News 24 Apr 2003 -- The Marine Heavy Helicopter Squadron 363 Red Lions arrived here April 9 for a six-month tour under the Unit Deployment Program.

• EASTERN EUROPE/DEFENSE VOA 24 Apr 2003 -- NATO member Poland has signed a military agreement with Russia, just days after it reached what is believed to be Eastern Europe's largest defense deal with the United States. Poland's moves are part of a complex balancing act being performed by several Central and Eastern European countries.

News Reports

• SHAPE News Morning Update SHAPE 24 Apr 2003
• SHAPE News Summary Analysis SHAPE 24 Apr 2003
• U-S-NIGERIA VOA 24 Apr 2003 -- The United States Thursday urged Nigerian authorities to fully investigate complaints of fraud from last Saturday's voting that election officials said returned incumbent President Olusegun Obasanjo to power by a big margin.
• Annan stresses universality and indivisibility of human rights UN News Centre 24 Apr 2003 -- Secretary-General Kofi Annan told the top United Nations human rights body today that its mission was more important than ever in an era when "war, terror and the threat of political violence have become a much greater part of many peoples' lives," an era when "inaction is not an option."
• Mine Action Organizations Collaborate to Help Landmine Victims Washington File 24 Apr 2003 -- Lincoln Bloomfield, special representative of the president and secretary of state for mine action, praised the work of three non-governmental organizations in aiding landmine victims at a reception at the State Department April 23 especially honoring Grapes for Humanity.
• U.N. Appeals for $84 Million to Address Haitian Humanitarian Crisis Washington File 24 Apr 2003 -- The United Nations has issued an emergency appeal to the international community for $84 million to support efforts by U.N. development and humanitarian agencies and the United States to help the poorest of Haiti's 8.3 million people.
• OPEC / OIL VOA 24 Apr 2003 -- The Organization of Petroleum Exporting Countries, OPEC, says it will increase its official production quotas but reduce the actual amount of oil on the global market.
• WHO/SARS VOA 24 Apr 2003 -- The World Health Organization says Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome is under control in Vietnam. W-H-O also says its warning on travel to Toronto is justified.
• ASIA / SARS VOA 24 Apr 2003 -- Governments in Asia are trying desperately to contain outbreaks of Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome, or SARS, by invoking quarantines and sealing off hospitals where the disease appears to be spreading.
• SAF/WINNIE VOA 24 Apr 2003 -- Controversial South African politician Winnie Madikizela-Mandela has been found guilty on dozens of charges of theft and fraud. Madikizela-Mandela now faces a possible 15-year jail term.
• ZIMBABWE/TOBACCO VOA 24 Apr 2003 -- The annual Zimbabwe tobacco auctions, which are key to the nation's economy, are under way. But the prospects are gloomy because of a drastic reduction in this season's crop production.
• ZIMBABWE FUNERAL VOA 24 Apr 2003 -- Zimbabwean police have privately burried an opposition activist they allegedly tortured to death. The burial followed the arrest of about 50 people late Wednesday at a memorial for the man.
• ASIA/SARS VOA 24 Apr 2003 -- Beijing is sealing off one of its largest hospitals and, the Hong Kong government quarantined more residents exposed to Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome.
• JAPAN / CULT VOA 24 Apr 2003 -- In one of the most high profile criminal trials in Japanese history, prosecutors have requested the death sentence for the leader the Aum Shinrikyo cult. Final arguments were heard in Tokyo Thursday where doomsday guru Shoko Asahara has been on trial for seven years for masterminding the 1995 sarin gas attack on the Tokyo subway system.
• CAMBODIA / THAILAND VOA 24 Apr 2003 -- Thailand's ambassador has returned to the Cambodian capital - three months after relations were severely strained by anti-Thai riots in Phnom Penh.
• THAILAND SARS BACKPACKERS VOA 24 Apr 2003 -- Tourism in Southeast Asia is reeling from the effects of the virus that causes Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome. But relatively untouched Thailand is still attracting intrepid backpackers.