Operations
Other Conflicts
Defense Policy / Programs
News Reports

Current Operations

• Iraq: Joint Tikrit Raid Only Partially Successful RFE/RL 29 Sep 2003 -- U.S. troops and Iraqi police today staged their largest-ever joint operations in the city of Tikrit in an effort to detain those responsible for attacks on U.S. forces.
• 4TH INFANTRY DIVISION SOLDIERS CAPTURE ABDUCTION SUSPECTS CENTCOM Release 29 Sept 2003-- Soldiers from the 4th Infantry Division captured three individuals who are suspected in the abduction of two US servicemen in June.
• Improving security in Iraq varies among experts Army News Release 29 Sept 2003-- Unguarded borders and Iraqi extremists are the greatest challenges facing the American military in Iraq, a panel of experts concluded at the 2003 Eisenhower National Security Conference held Sept. 25-26.

• Former Diplomat Says U.S. Has Historical Responsibility For Liberia Washington File 29 Sept 2003-- The United States has a special responsibility to help solve the problems of Liberia, the troubled West African nation long connected to it through history and culture, says a retired U.S. ambassador who spent much of his 30-year diplomatic career in Africa.
• PENTAGON/LIBERIA VOA 29 Sept 2003-- The three ship U-S naval group supporting West African peacekeeping operations in Liberia since August has begun withdrawing from the waters off Monrovia

• Lord Robertson meets President of the Afghan transitional Authority NATO 29 Sep 2003 -- Lord Robertson and President Karzai met for 90 minutes in Scotland on Sunday 28 September. They discussed Lord Robertson's visit to Kabul last week and a range of issues relating to the future of NATO's International Security Assistance Force (ISAF) mission.
• US forces to remain in Afghanistan for up to 8 more years: report IRNA 29 Sep 2003 -- American forces, based in Afghanistan, could be staying for up to eight more years in the war-stricken country, the European edition of the US military daily Stars and Stripes reported Monday.
• Afghanistan: UN Says Violence Signals Need To Expand ISAF RFE/RL 29 Sep 2003 -- United Nations officials in Afghanistan say recent attacks in different parts of the country signal a critical need to expand the International Security Assistance Force (ISAF) beyond Kabul Province. NATO, which currently heads the UN-mandated ISAF mission, is now examining the feasibility of such an expansion.
• Afghanistan: Five Reported Dead In Factional Fighting In North RFE/RL 29 Sep 2003 -- An Afghan official says at least five people were killed and two wounded in factional fighting yesterday in Afghanistan's northern Balkh Province.
• AFGHANISTAN FACTIONAL FIGHTING VOA 29 Sept 2003-- Factional fighting between rival northern Afghan commanders left at least five soldiers dead and two injured Sunday

Other Conflicts

• Indian forces encounter still on in Gurez in J&K; 15 bodies found IRNA 29 Sep 2003 -- Indian security forces Monday said the encounter with militants in Gurez sector of Baramulla district in Jammu and Kashmir (J&K) was still on and at least 15 bodies of militants, who tried to infiltrate into the Indian territory, have been found, local media reported here on Monday.
• U.S., UK, Colombia, Mexico Share Data on Explosives Incidents Washington File 29 Sept 2003-- The Justice Department's Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF) has begun sharing a new database on arson and explosives with officials in Britain, Colombia and Mexico.
• CONGO/EXILE VOA 29 Sept 2003-- One of The Democratic Republic of Congo's most popular politicians has returned home after almost two years of self-imposed exile. Etienne Tshisekedi, who was once prime minister and opponent of dictator Mobuto Sese Seko, was greeted by thousands of supporters who expect him to run for election in two years
• State's Burns Urges Arab Reforms "From Within" Washington File 29 Sept 2003-- Stressing the need for Arab governments and societies to enact democratic and economic reforms "from within," Assistant Secretary of State for Near Eastern Affairs William Burns warned of the "hard reality" of the 21st century that countries which "adapt, open up and seize the economic initiative will prosper" while those that do not "will fall further and further behind."
• State's Burns Describes Four Challenges in the Middle East Washington File 29 Sept 2003-- Nothing is more important for the United States today in the Near East than "getting Iraq policy right," says Assistant Secretary of State for Near Eastern Affairs William J. Burns.
• IVORY COAST/UNREST VOA 29 Sept 2003-- The rebel New Forces in Ivory Coast have lifted a nighttime curfew imposed on their stronghold city of Bouake following a period of unrest
• Russia: Court Challenges Unprecedented Compensation Award For Chechen War Veteran RFE/RL 29 Sep 2003 -- Russian authorities have been waging war in Chechnya for four years. And for nearly as long, they've been fighting a second battle -- in courtrooms, where war veterans are seeking redress for failing to receive compensation for their time served in the breakaway republic. Earlier this month, a judge granted an unprecedented award to one Russian soldier. But the state is fighting the decision, and the veteran is still a long way from seeing any of his money.

Defense Policy / Programs

• Navy Names New Amphibious Assault Ship Makin Island 29 Sep 2003 -- The U.S. Navy has selected the name Makin Island for its next amphibious assault ship, which honors the daring raid carried out by Marine Corps Companies A and B, Second Raider Battalion, on Japanese-held Makin Island, in the Gilbert Islands, Aug. 17-18, 1942.
• Transcript: Under Secretary of Defense for Personnel and Readiness David S.C. Chu Briefing 29 Sep 2003 -- Also participating; Ms. Norma J. St. Claire, Director, Joint Requirements and Integration, OUSD(P&R); Mr. Steven Ehrler, DoN Program Executive Officer for Information Technology (PEO-IT); and Captain V.E. Carpenter, USN, Joint Program Manager. "Good afternoon. Today, we have an on-the-record briefing on a initiative -- a transformation initiative to combine the military pay and personnel system. Dr. Chu will introduce the subject and the speakers, but unfortunately, Dr. Chu has a pressing appointment -- won't be able to stay for the entire briefing. So, after he makes his introductions, he's going to leave and Ms. St. Claire will take over."
• 'Horizontal Fusion' Makes Troops Less Vulnerable, More Lethal AFPS 29 Sept 2003-- The Defense Department's unquenchable quest to make troops less vulnerable and more lethal has led to a concept called "horizontal fusion."
• SIDEBAR: What is hard and soft power? Army News Release 29 Sept 2003-- The U.S. needs to develop a strategy to make soft and hard power compliment each other, Dr. Joseph Nye Sept. 25 said.
• Eisenhower Series discusses power in an unpredictable world Army News Release 29 Sept 2003-- Applying hard or soft power during a crisis is akin to the differences between bridge and poker, said Dr. Joseph Nye during his remarks on the first day of the Eisenhower Series lectures in Washington Sept. 25
• Big E's Support From the Shore Navy Newsstand 29 Sept 2003-- As USS Enterprise (CVN 65) prepares for its upcoming deployment, keeping the crew supplied with materials, mail and personnel is a critical mission. The Sailors assigned to the "Big E" beach detachment are the ones tasked with making it happen.
• Hospital Ship Holds Training for New Crew Navy Newsstand 29 Sept 2003-- Nearly 100 Sailors regularly assigned to the National Naval Medical Center deployed to Navy Hospital Ship USNS COMFORT (T-AH 20) Sept. 15-16 for a regular pierside practice exercise.
• 1/1 polishes battle skills in Singapore Marine Corps News 29 Sept 2003-- During a brief stop at Singapore, 1st Light Armored Reconnaissance (LAR), Company B and Company C Marines of Battalion Landing Team 1/1, 13th Marine Expeditionary Unit, had a chance to polish their combat skills in training sites across the island, Sept. 20.
• Marines in Beirut, Part I: 32d MAU Goes Ashore Marine Corps News 29 Sept 2003-- When the military arm of the Palestine Liberation Organization (PLO) began lobbing artillery shells against Jewish settlements in the northern Israeli province of Galilee from positions inside Lebanon, they brought to fruition long-simmering tensions in the region. The ensuing Israeli response was as swift and violent as it was predicable.
• BLT 1/6 Marines learn to deliver a less-than-lethal punch Marine Corps News 29 Sept 2003-- In the near future, on a rubble and litter-strewn street in some desolate Third World country, a Marine from the 22d Marine Expeditionary Unit may be faced with the hardest decision of his or her life; how best to deal with an unruly, angry, and potentially violent mob heading toward their position.
• First Raptor arrives at Tyndall AFPN 29 Sept 2003-- The first operational F/A-22 Raptor was delivered to the Air Force's F/A-22 schoolhouse here Sept. 26.

News Reports

• SHAPE News Morning Update SHAPE 29 Sep 2003 -- France calls U.S. timeline `a step forward' but still wants quick transfer of power to Iraqis / Top official sees likely NATO engagement in Iraq / Afghan constitution sees presidential system / Karzai holding private talks with NATO chief in Scotland / Kosovo's government seeks parliamentary approval for talks with Serbia
• SHAPE News Summary & Analysis SHAPE 29 Sep 2003 -- Stars and Stripes interview Newsweek interview / U.S.-led consortium wins NATO contract to study anti-missile options / NATO deployment in Iraq "not yet thinkable": new Alliance chief / Police force for Macedonia (sic) will boost EU / NATO military expected to present plans for expanding peacekeeping role in Afghanistan

• Lugar Sees Need to Turn Burma from Its "Dangerous Course" Washington File 29 Sept 2003-- This byliner by Senator Richard G. Lugar, Republican senator from Indiana and chairman of the Senate Foreign Relations Committee, first appeared in the Washington Post September 28 and is in the public domain. No republication restrictions
• AL-QAIDA/MUSHARRAF/REACT VOA 29 Sept 2003-- Pakistan has dismissed a threat against its president by the al-Qaida terrorist network, saying the war against "terrorism will continue."
• AL-QAIDA TAPE VOA 29 Sept 2003-- Two Arabic television stations broadcast a tape Sunday allegedly made by the number-two leader of the terrorist group al-Qaida
• U.N. Has "Vital Role" in U.S. Foreign Policy, Holmes Says Washington File 29 Sept 2003-- The United Nations plays a vital role in U.S. foreign policy, U.S. Assistant Secretary of State for International Organization Affairs Kim R. Holmes says.
• RUSSIA / FIONA HILL VOA 29 Sept 2003-- Russian President Vladimir Putin and President Bush held private talks last week at Camp David