Operations
Other Conflicts
Defense Policy / Programs
News Reports

Current Operations

• OIF/OEF Casualty Update 22 Dec 2003 [PDF]

• 101ST AIRBORNE, MOSUL POLICE OPEN NEW MAIN STATION CENTCOM Release 22 Dec 2003-- The 101st Airborne Division (Air Assault) opened a new downtown police headquarters in Iraq's second largest city Sunday. The police headquarters will now serve as a nexus for the 4,200 policemen in Mosul, just seven months after it had been thoroughly looted following the defeat of Saddam Hussein in April.
• PENTAGON/WEAPONS VOA 22 Dec 2003 -- U-S military units leaving Iraq in the coming weeks will take their decontamination equipment with them and soldiers will turn in personal protective gear against chemical or biological weapons attack. Coupled with word that the man leading the search for Iraq's stockpile of weapons of mass destruction may soon leave his post, The weapons hunt appears to be winding down.
• Iraq: U.S. Troops Capture Former Iraqi General RFE/RL 22 Dec 2003 -- The U.S. military today said it has detained a former Iraqi general suspected of recruiting anticoalition fighters in Iraq.
• TASK FORCE "ALL AMERICAN" CONDUCTS OFFENSIVE OPERATIONS CENTCOM Release 22 Dec 2003-- Soldiers from Task Force "All American" continue missions aimed at assisting local Iraqis in the reconstruction effort and stopping violence in the Al Anbar province.
• OPERATION RIFLES FURY, OFFENSIVE OPERATIONS NET WEAPONS, HIGH VALUE TARGETS CENTCOM Release 22 Dec 2003-- Soldiers from Task Force "All American" continue missions aimed at assisting local Iraqis in the reconstruction effort and to stop violence in the Al Anbar province.

Other Conflicts

• Burundi: UN Security Council backs emerging peace process UN News Centre 22 Dec 2003 -- The United Nations Security Council today reiterated its full support for the nascent peace process in Burundi, approving the Secretary-General's request to renew the mandate of the country's UN peace-building office and increase its resources.
• U-N / LIBERIA VOA 22 Dec 2003 -- The United Nations Security Council has adopted a resolution (Monday) to renew sanctions, including an arms embargo, against Liberia for another year.
• Mandate of UN's Israel-Syria disengagement force extended through next June UN News Centre 22 Dec 2003 -- The Security Council today extended the mandate of the United Nations peacekeeping force established in 1974 to maintain the ceasefire between Israeli and Syrian forces in the Golan Heights.
• IVORY COAST / REBELS VOA 22 Dec 2003 -- Rebels in Ivory Coast say they are rejoining a power-sharing government, after receiving assurances President Laurent Gbagbo will implement a stalled January peace deal.
• ISRAEL / EGYPT VOA 22 Dec 2003 -- Palestinian Muslim worshipers have assaulted visiting Egyptian Foreign Minister Ahmed Maher at the Al-Aqsa Mosque in Jerusalem. Mr. Maher, who is reported to have been lightly injured, was taken to an Israeli hospital.
• ISRAEL/PALESTINIANS VOA 22 Dec 2003 -- Thirteen fighters in Israel's most celebrated commando unit have publicly refused to serve in the West Bank and Gaza Strip, saying the army's operations there are immoral. The Israeli army has downplayed the significance of the protest, saying the views of this group are at odds with the vast majority of soldiers posted in the territories.
• Bhutan captures key Indian separatist armoury as military offensive continues IRNA 22 Dec 2003 -- Bhutan has captured a key Indian separatist armoury and seized a huge array of weapons and ammunition as the military offensive to oust rebels from the kingdom entered its eight day Monday, officials said.
• Indian separatist accuses Bhutanese troops of rape and torture IRNA 22 Dec 2003 -- Indian separatists have accused Bhutanese troops of raping women and torturing surrendered and injured rebels as the military offensive to oust militants from the kingdom entered its eighth day Monday.
• IVORY COAST / REBELS VOA 22 Dec 2003 -- Rebels in Ivory Coast are meeting in their northern stronghold to discuss whether to rejoin a power-sharing government. One of the leaders is urging the rebels to return to the government.

Defense Policy / Programs

• State Department Noon Briefing, December 22, 2003 Washington File 22 Dec 2003 -- Libya, Israel/Palestinians, Department/worldwide caution notice, Iran, Pakistan, Venezuela, China/Taiwan, Iraq
• Bush Meets At White House with Homeland Security Council Washington File 22 Dec 2003 -- President Bush discussed the nation's security December 22 at a White House meeting with his Homeland Security Council -- the group of high level officials that coordinates the policies and functions of the U.S. government relating to the security of the country.

• V CORPS' 54TH ENGINEER BATTALION GATHERS TO HONOR ITS IRAQI FREEDOM ACCOMPLISHMENTS V Corps Release 22 Dec 2003-- After a deployment in Iraq of almost a year, the Soldiers of V Corps' 54th Engineer Battalion, 130th Engineer Brigade, returned home recently, and gathered to honor their unit and individual accomplishments during Operation Iraqi Freedom at a ceremony at Warner Barracks in Bamberg, Germany Dec. 18.

• FALCON Phase 1 Contractors Selected VOA 22 Dec 2003 -- Nine contractors have begun work to place a small satellite or other payload weighing about 1,000 pounds into a low Earth orbit.
• Comptroller's Vision Helps Advance Transformation Efforts AFPS 22 Dec 2003 -- Dov Zakheim, undersecretary of defense (comptroller) and the Defense Department's chief financial officer, often refers to DoD as America's largest corporation. And during a recent interview, he did not hesitate to characterize that reference as a vision that can be a bit overwhelming at times.

• Israeli defense minister arrives in Delhi IRNA 22 Dec 2003 -- Israeli Defense Minister, Amos Yaron, arrived here Monday morning on a two-day official visit to work out the schedule for the first joint services by two countries to be held early next year.
• Earthquake hits Vandenberg AFPN 22 Dec 2003-- The base felt the effects of the preliminary magnitude 6.5-earthquake that rocked central California on Dec. 22 at 11:15 a.m. A 30th Space Wing emergency response team reacted to the quake.

News Reports

• SHAPE News Morning Update SHAPE 22 Dec 2004 -- Lord Robertson says Europe must change approach to defence / Libya to abandon banned weapons / France says it was aware of arms talks with Libya / U.S. military to step up aid in risky Afghan regions / Hamas leader endorses the Iraqi resistance as a "point of strength" for Palestinians / Gulf leaders begin summit that will focus on terrorism and educational reform / First Arab League delegation to visit Iraq / Suspected assassins of Serbian prime minister go on trial
• SHAPE News Summary & Analysis SHAPE 22 Dec 2004 -- French Armed Forces Chief of Staff on ESDP, NRF / Afghan constitution talks restart despite rocket attack / Commentary hails Libya's weapons decision as " transatlantic success"

• ISRAEL/EGYPT VOA 22 Dec 2003 -- Egypt has invited Israeli Prime Minister Ariel Sharon to visit Cairo soon for his first meeting with President Hosni Mubabak. The invitation was made public at the end of a visit to Jerusalem by Egypt's Foreign Minister.
• GUINEA / ELECTION VOA 22 Dec 2003 -- Guinea's ailing president appears headed for another term, following a peaceful presidential election Sunday that was boycotted by most of the opposition.
• ZIMBABWE / TALKS VOA 22 Dec 2003 -- For the first time in more than four months, officials from Zimbabwe's ruling Zanu P-F party and the opposition will meet Tuesday to see whether a process of formal negotiations can begin. The meeting follows a visit to Zimbabwe last week by South African president Thabo Mbeki.