Operations
Other Conflicts
Defense Policy / Programs
News Reports

Current Operations

• Transcript: Briefing on the First Marine Expeditionary Force in Iraq 09 Sep 2003 -- Participating were Deputy Assistant Secretary of Defense for Public Affairs (Media Operations) Bryan G. Whitman and Marine Corps Lt. Gen. James T. Conway, commanding general, First Marine Expeditionary Force.
• Lead Battalion National Guard Bureau News 09 Sept 2003-- "The Thugs," as they call themselves with a certain sense of pride, have learned about going to war in ways that no street gang could ever imagine.
• ONE 3RD COSCOM SOLDIER KILLED, ONE WOUNDED IN IED ATTACK CENTCOM 09 Sept 2003-- One 3rd Corp Support Command soldier was killed and one was wounded in an improvised explosive device attack on their military vehicle along a major supply route northeast of Baghdad at approximately 5 p.m. on Sep. 9.
• 1st Marine Expeditionary Force Commander Praises Unit, Plans Final Turnover AFPS 09 Sept 2003-- If all goes as planned, the U.S. Marine operational presence in southern Iraq will not be needed after the first week of October, said Marine Lt. Gen. James T. Conway, commanding general of the 1st Marine Expeditionary Force, during a Pentagon briefing here today.

• 44 Service Members Sick with 'Malaria-Like' Symptoms AFPS 09 Sept 2003-- Forty-four service members who have served in Liberia are sick with "malaria-like symptoms," Defense officials announced. Twelve of them have been diagnosed with the disease.
• UNHCR / LIBERIA VOA 09 Sept 2003-- The United Nations says lack of security, law, and order in many parts of Liberia is hampering humanitarian operations in the country
• LIBERIA / PEACEKEEPERS VOA 09 Sept 2003-- In Liberia, a small team from the West African peacekeeping force is investigating new rumors of fighting that have for a second time blocked the deployment of peacekeeping forces beyond the capital

• PAKISTAN / U-S / AFGHANISTAN VOA 09 Sept 2003-- Pakistan wants the United States to do more to bring security and stability to Afghanistan, and has asked for an end to accusations that members of the ousted Taleban are regrouping and organizing attacks from Pakistani territory
• Afghanistan: Anniversary Of Masoud's Death Marked RFE/RL 09 Sept 2003-- Thousands of Afghans today are marking the second anniversary of the assassination of Afghan anti-Taliban leader Ahmed Shah Masoud.

Other Conflicts

• DORAN-MIDDLE EAST VOA 09 Sept 2003-- Dr. Charles Doran, a professor of International Relations at the Johns Hopkins School of Advanced International Studies, discusses the latest developments in the Middle East.
• ISRAEL / BOMBINGS VOA 09 Sept 2003-- A suicide bombing has rocked a café in Jerusalem late Tuesday, killing at least six people and injuring some 40 others. The attack comes just hours after a suicide bombing near Tel Aviv killed at least seven people and injured 15 others. The militant group Hamas has claimed responsibility for the bombings.
• Kashmiri leader asks Pakistan to internationalise Kashmir issue IRNA 09 Sep 2003 -- Chief of Jamaat-i-Islami Azad Jammu & Kashmir (Pakistan-controlled Kashmir) Sardar Ejaz Afzal Khan urged Pakistan Tuesday not to adhere to the dialogue offer by India and fulfil its mission in raising the Kashmir issue on the international forum.
• U.S.: Washington's 'Tepid' Support For Mideast Road Map Complicating Efforts For Peace RFE/RL 09 Sept 2003-- Is the U.S. administration lessening its involvement in the Middle East peace process, thereby favoring Israel? Analysts say that, indeed, appears to be the case.
• ISRAEL / PALESTINIANS VOA 09 Sept 2003-- The Palestinian prime minister nominee, Ahmed Korei, has met with President Yasser Arafat and other political leaders and foreign envoys. Mr. Korei insists he will not accept the position without strong guarantees of support from the international community and changes in Israeli policy towards the Palestinians
• RUSSIA / MIDEAST VOA 09 Sept 2003-- Russia says it is ready to assist Israeli and Palestinian leaders in their search for a political settlement
• State Department on Macedonia Security Crackdown Washington File 09 Sept 2003-- Following is the official answer to a question taken at the September 8 regular State Department briefing; the answer was posted later in the day
• CHILE/SEPTEMBER 11 VOA 09 Sept 2003-- While much of the world will take time this week to reflect on the second anniversary of the September 11th terrorist attacks in the United States, citizens in Chile will pause to remember another historic anniversary, one that also changed the face of their country forever.

Defense Policy / Programs

• USS Santa Fe Deploys COMSUBPAC News 09 Sept 2003-- USS Santa Fe (SSN 763) cast off its mooring lines from the pier on Sept. 9th. The 52nd Los Angeles class attack submarine and its crew are deploying on a routine Western Pacific deployment.
• AF, Chile team up for rescue training Air Combat Command 09 Sept 2003-- Airmen from the 79th Rescue Squadron here and the 38th RQS based at Moody AFB, Ga., teamed up recently to conduct joint search and rescue training with the Chilean air force.
• Weapon adds new dimension to B-2 Air Combat Command 09 Sept 2003-- A weapon being tested by the 72nd Test and Evaluation Squadron here may soon help put fewer American aircrews at risk while increasing the lethal effectiveness of the B-2 Spirit.
• Kunsan F-16C crashes PACAF News 09 Sept 2003-- A U.S. Air Force F-16C Fighting Falcon crashed into the Yellow Sea approximately 56 miles southwest of Kunsan Air Base at 10:05 a.m. Sept. 9.
• INDIA/ISRAEL VOA 09 Sept 2003-- Israeli Prime Minister Ariel Sharon has met Indian leaders for talks that focused on fighting terrorism and expanding bilateral relations. Mr.Sharon is the first Israeli prime minister to visit India since New Delhi established diplomatic ties with Israel 11 years ago
• I-C-B-L / LANDMINES VOA 09 Sept 2003-- A new report compiled by the Nobel prize winning International Campaign to Ban Landmines shows that the global use of antipersonnel landmines fell dramatically last year
• ASIA / LANDMINES VOA 09 Sept 2003-- A new international report Tuesday says anti-personnel landmines still kill or maim thousands of people each year in Asia. While some Asian countries are making progress in clearing mines, others continue to manufacture or use them in armed conflict.
• Billions Needed to Finish War on Terror; Wolfowitz Asks for Congress' Support AFPS 09 Sept 2003-- Explaining why the Pentagon will need billions of dollars to fight and win the war on terrorism, Deputy Defense Secretary Paul D. Wolfowitz told the Senate Armed Services Committee today that "we don't start a job that we can't finish. And when we do start a job, we give it our best. That's the American way."
• Rice Says Rebuilding Iraq Costly but Worth the Price Washington File 09 Sept 2003-- The stabilization and rebuilding of Iraq will be well worth the large sums the Bush administration wants to spend for those purposes, National Security Advisor Condoleezza Rice told foreign reporters in Washington September 9.
• Congress/Iraq Funding VOA 09 Sept 2003-- Members of Congress continue to raise questions about President Bush's request for additional funds for stabilization and reconstruction in Iraq.
• IRAQ-SPENDING VOA 09 Sept 2003-- Top U-S officials called Tuesday for speedy action on President Bush's request for additional funds for military and reconstruction efforts in Iraq and Afghanistan. But the administration rejects the idea that additional U-S forces are needed in Iraq
• Rice: Rebuilding Iraq Will Be Costly, but Freedom Is Priceless Washington File 09 Sept 2003-- The stabilization and rebuilding of Iraq will be well worth the large sums the Bush administration wants to spend for those purposes, National Security Advisor Condoleezza Rice told foreign reporters in Washington September 9.

News Reports

• SHAPE News Morning Update SHAPE 09 Sep 2003 -- British government to take position on draft EU constitution, airing concerns about defense and foreign policy / Annan calls key Iraq meeting in Geneva on Sept 13 / Arab League admits Iraq council to Cairo meeting / Britain sends troops to Iraq, more to come / Albanian army holds first joint military exercise with Britain / Kofi Annan wants radical reforms to cope with security / U.S. spending on Iraq no big boon for defense firms
• SHAPE News Summary & Analysis SHAPE 09 Sep 2003 -- Gen. Jones' forthcoming visit to Bulgaria previewed / Daily notes reactions to Rumsfeld's remarks on ISAF's expansion / Possible scenarios for international involvement in Iraq examined / Renewed violence in Skopje seen as test for Operation Concordia

• INDIA/ISRAEL VOA 09 Sept 2003-- Israeli Prime Minister Ariel Sharon has begun a three-day visit to India by promising to build a closer relationship. The first visit by an Israeli prime minister to India is an important step in strengthening their growing ties
• State Department Noon Briefing, September 9, 2003 Washington File 09 Sept 2003-- Israel/Palestinian, Iraq, Egypt, Powell's trip to Geneva, Powell's calls with Foreign Minister Straw and de Villepin, Powell/closed door meeting with the Senate, United Nations/Iraq, United Nations, France/UN/Libya sanction resolution, Liberia, Iran, Turkey, Koreas/Japan, Visa, Japan