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Current Operations

• OIF/OEF Casualty Update 18 Jul 2006 [PDF]
• MND-B SOLDIER KILLED BY ROADSIDE BOMB
• MND-B SOLDIER DIES OF WOUNDS
• DoD Identifies Army Casualty
• DoD Identifies Army Casualty
• DoD Identifies Army Casualty
• CENTAF releases airpower summary AFPN 18 Jul 2006 -- U.S. Central Command Air Forces officials have released the airpower summary for July 18.
• Iraqi Security Forces Catch Insurgent Killers, Kidnappers AFPS 18 Jul 2006 -- Iraqi security forces captured an insurgent-run kidnapping ring and an assassination squad during two separate operations in Baghdad yesterday.
• Bomb Near Iraqi Shrine Kills Scores RFE/RL 18 Jul 2006 -- Over 50 people were today killed in the southern Iraqi city of Al-Kufah when a suicide bomber exploded a bomb in a crowded marketplace.
• More than 50 Iraqis Killed in Suicide Car Bomb Blast in Kufa VOA 18 Jul 2006 -- Iraqi authorities say a suicide car bomber has killed more than 50 people in the predominantly Shi'ite southern city of Kufa.
• US used three Pakistani military bases in anti-Taliban war: official IRNA 18 Jul 2006 -- The US army used three military bases in Pakistan during war on Taliban, the country's top defense official said on Tuesday.
• One Coalition Soldier Killed, 11 Injured in Afghan Fighting AFPS 18 Jul 2006 -- One coalition soldier was killed and 11 others were wounded yesterday during a battle with Taliban extremists in the Tarin Kowt district of Afghanistan's Oruzgan province, military officials reported.
• Operation Preparing To Retake Southern Afghan Districts RFE/RL 18 Jul 2006 -- A U.S. military spokesman in Afghanistan says coalition forces are preparing to launch operations soon to reclaim two districts that were captured by militants on July 16.
• Afghanistan: Proposal To Create Morality Department Causes Concern RFE/RL 18 Jul 2006 -- A proposal to create a Department for the Promotion of Virtue and Prevention of Vice has caused worry and fear among Afghans and human rights groups.
• Taleban Captures District in Southern Afghanistan VOA 18 Jul 2006 -- Afghan officials say scores of Taleban insurgents have captured at least one district in southern Afghanistan after a 16-day standoff with local security forces.
• Transcript: DoD Briefing with Vice Admiral Walsh from Bahrain 18 Jul 2006 -- Presenter: Vice Admiral Patrick Walsh
• Air Force ready to help with Lebanon evacuations AFPN 18 Jul 2006 -- Airmen are ready on the East Coast to fly in at a moment's notice to help with the movement of Americans fleeing the chaos in Lebanon.
• Sea, Air Evacuations Proceed from Lebanon AFPS 18 Jul 2006 -- A contracted ship has docked in Lebanon to evacuate U.S. citizens caught in the fighting there, and U.S. officials have ordered the expeditionary strike group based around the USS Iwo Jima to assist in the effort, DoD officials said here today.
• Navy Task Force Ready for Any Contingency in Lebanon, Admiral Says AFPS 18 Jul 2006 -- While U.S. authorities in Cyprus are expecting to evacuate at least 5,000 Americans from Lebanon, they are preparing for any contingency, the commander of U.S. Naval Forces Central Command said today.
• U.S. Navy Ship Mercy Returns to Indonesia on Aid Mission Washington File 18 Jul 2006 -- The U.S. Navy ship (USNS) Mercy has returned to Indonesia to provide assistance with construction projects and medical care, arriving near Simeulue Island off the west coast of Aceh Province July 12.

Other Conflicts

• Rice Calls for Lebanon-Israel Cease-Fire when Conditions Permit Washington File 18 Jul 2006 -- With ongoing attacks between the Israeli military and Lebanon-based militant group Hizballah intensifying, Bush administration officials said action by three parties – Iran, Syria and Hizballah – is key to resolving the crisis.
• SYRIA: More assistance given to besieged Lebanese IRIN 18 Jul 2006 -- The government has set up four welcoming centres on the Syrian-Lebanese border to receive people fleeing ongoing aerial bombardments by Israel
• Democrats Criticize Bush Over Lebanon Evacuation VOA 18 Jul 2006 -- As the United States intensifies its efforts to get Americans out of Lebanon, the Bush administration has defended the handling of evacuations against criticism from some opposition Democrats in Congress.
• Bush: Syria 'Trying to Get Back Into Lebanon' VOA 18 Jul 2006 -- President Bush says the survival of the Lebanese government is crucial, and says he is concerned Syria appears to be looking for an opportunity to exert its influence once again.
• Lebanon: UN force in south holding its positions during strife UN News Centre 18 Jul 2006 -- The United Nation peacekeeping mission in southern Lebanon reports that, while heavy exchanges of fire continue along the so-called Blue Line between Israel and Lebanon, its troops are maintaining all their positions.
• In Jerusalem, UN team holds ‘intensive and productive’ talks on current crisis – official UN News Centre 18 Jul 2006 -- A member of the United Nations team dispatched to the Middle East to defuse the current crisis said today in Jerusalem that talks with senior Israeli officials were “good, intensive and productive” and the dialogue will continue in the coming days.
• Stabilization force would give Lebanese Government time to organize – Annan UN News Centre 18 Jul 2006 -- Secretary-General Kofi Annan said today that the stabilization force envisaged for violence-torn Lebanon would be much larger than the current 2,000-strong United Nations peacekeeping force already in the south and would give the Government “time to organize and prepare” to extend its authority over all its territory.
• Rice: Conditions in Mideast Not Conducive for Ceasefire VOA 18 Jul 2006 -- Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice says any resolution of the latest crisis in the Middle East cannot be reached hastily, and needs to have what she described as "lasting value."
• Evacuation Not Option For Many Foreign Nationals in Lebanon VOA 18 Jul 2006 -- Western nations are moving to evacuate thousands of their citizens from Lebanon as Israel's air strikes there intensify
• UN Plans Emergency Relief Appeal for Lebanon VOA 18 Jul 2006 -- A senior United Nations official says in the coming days the United Nations will launch a flash appeal for tens of thousands of war victims in Lebanon
• Sudan Says It Will Not Submit to International Pressure VOA 18 Jul 2006 -- The Sudanese government says it will not submit to international pressure to allow a United Nation's peacekeeping force into the war torn region of Darfur.
• No proof for alleged Iranian cooperation with Hezbollah -Lavrov IRNA 18 Jul 2006 -- There is no proof for Iran or Syrian intervention in Israeli war with Hezbollah, Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov said on Tuesday.
• LEBANON: Rights group says Israel, Hizbullah both target civilians IRIN 18 Jul 2006 -- Both Israel and the Lebanese Hizbullah militia – the two protagonists in the current crisis in the Middle East – must desist from targeting civilians, said US-based rights organisation Human Rights Watch (HRW) in a statement.
• LEBANON: Numbers of displaced peoples rise as attacks continue IRIN 18 Jul 2006 -- The number of people displaced countrywide due to ongoing Israeli attacks has been estimated by the government at 65,000, with most seeking shelter in Beirut and in the north of the country.
• Middle East: UN Mulls New International Force For Lebanon RFE/RL 18 Jul 2006 -- UN Secretary-General Kofi Annan is urging the Security Council to establish a security force for southern Lebanon as the crisis there escalates.
• Lebanon Crisis Delays UN On Iran Nuclear Issue RFE/RL 18 Jul 2006 -- Diplomats at the United Nations say the fighting between Israel and Hizballah in Lebanon has postponed Security Council consideration of a draft resolution demanding that Iran halt uranium-enrichment activities.
• Middle East: U.S. Leverage At A Low Point RFE/RL 18 Jul 2006 -- The UN has sent an envoy to Beirut to try to bring a diplomatic end to the violence in Lebanon. So too has the EU, and France is sending both its prime minister and foreign minister
• Over 1,200 Russian, CIS citizens to be evacuated from Lebanon RIA Novosti 18 Jul 2006 -- Russia's foreign minister said Tuesday 1,230 citizens of Russia and other CIS countries would be evacuated from Lebanon in the next two days.
• Russia sends deputy foreign minister to Middle East for talks RIA Novosti 18 Jul 2006 -- Russian Deputy Foreign Minister Alexander Saltanov will leave Wednesday for the Middle East in the wake of the escalating Israeli-Lebanese conflict, the ministry said.
• Russian evacuation from Lebanon slated for July 19 RIA Novosti 18 Jul 2006 -- Most Russians will leave Lebanon, which has been bombed by Israel since last week, on July 19, the Foreign Ministry said Tuesday.
• Israel Pounds Lebanon for Seventh Day VOA 18 Jul 2006 -- Israeli warplanes are pounding Lebanon for a seventh straight day, as Hezbollah rockets continue to hit northern Israel.
• UN Delegation Presents Cease-Fire Ideas to Israel VOA 18 Jul 2006 -- U.N. diplomat Terje Roed-Larson says a U.N. delegation has presented Israel with "concrete ideas" on ways to end the violence between Israel and Hezbollah.
• Governments Intensify Efforts to Evacuate Citizens Trapped in Lebanon VOA 18 Jul 2006 -- Thousands of foreign nationals are fleeing Lebanon, as governments around the world intensify efforts to pull their citizens out of the battered country.
• Middle East Diplomatic Efforts Intensify VOA 18 Jul 2006 -- Diplomatic efforts to end the latest conflict in the Middle East intensified, Tuesday, as United Nations diplomats met with senior Israeli officials in Jerusalem, after holding talks in Beirut
• Annan Says Lebanon, Darfur Need More UN Troops VOA 18 Jul 2006 -- U.N. Secretary-General Kofi Annan says a possible U.N. stabilization force for Lebanon should be larger and have a different mandate than current troops in the region.

• Georgian Parliament Votes To Expel Russian Peacekeepers RFE/RL 18 Jul 2006 -- Georgia's parliament has called for the withdrawal of Russian peacekeeping troops from the breakaway regions of Abkhazia and South Ossetia.
• Georgia ready to sign peace treaty with Abkhazia, S.Ossetia RIA Novosti 18 Jul 2006 -- Georgia's parliamentary speaker said Tuesday the Caucasus state was prepared to sign treaties guaranteeing that will be no resumption of fighting with its breakaway regions.
• Georgia MPs vote to remove Russian peacekeepers RIA Novosti 18 Jul 2006 -- Georgia's parliament voted Tuesday to recommend replacing Russian peacekeepers in two self-proclaimed republics with international contingents after a string of provocative incidents involving Russian diplomats and servicemen.
• Seven Killed as Candidates Campaign in Dangerous Congo VOA 18 Jul 2006 -- As many as seven people were killed late Monday when gunmen opened fire on a campaign rally in eastern Congo
• German army completes Congo troop deployment IRNA 18 Jul 2006 -- The German army has completed the transfer of its main troop contingent for the Congo peacekeeping mission ahead of the July 30 general elections in the African country, DPA reported.
• SUDAN: Peace stalling due to lack of support, says southern leader IRIN 18 Jul 2006 -- The leader of southern Sudan, Salva Kiir Mayardit, has said the implementation of the comprehensive peace agreement (CPA) between the Khartoum government and the former rebel Sudan People's Liberation Movement (SPLA) needed help from the international community if it is to succeed.
• SUDAN: Calls to help AU avert catastrophe in Darfur IRIN 18 Jul 2006 -- Humanitarian organisations on Tuesday sent appeals for the world to fund the African Union (AU) peacekeeping force in the western Sudanese region of Darfur, saying the troops were the only means of averting a catastrophe.
• UGANDA-SUDAN: Juba talks to focus on cessation of hostilities IRIN 18 Jul 2006 -- The Ugandan government and the rebel Lord’s Resistance Army (LRA) will start discussing how to bring an end to hostilities late on Tuesday, a government spokesperson said.
• BURUNDI: Rebels, Gov't resume ceasefire negotiations IRIN 18 Jul 2006 -- Mediators in the ceasefire negotiations between the Burundi government and the Forces nationales de liberation (FNL) rebel group said on Tuesday talks had restarted but were reluctant to comment on the direction they were taking for fear of jeopardising the outcome.
• Backgrounder: Russia's Chechen Resistance cfr.org 18 Jul 2006

Defense Policy / Programs

• USS Alaska Departs Bangor for Final Time Navy NewsStand 18 Jul 2006 -- After 20 years of service in the Pacific Northwest, USS Alaska (SSBN 732) departed Naval Base Kitsap for the final time July 8.
• CENTRIXS Enhances Communication Between Indonesian, U.S. Navies Navy NewsStand 18 Jul 2006 -- A secure, real-time communications system provided vastly increased interoperability between the U.S. and Indonesian navies during the Indonesia phase of Cooperation Afloat Readiness and Training (CARAT) July 11-18.
• SOUTHCOM Commander Visits NAVSO Navy NewsStand 18 Jul 2006 -- Commander, U.S. Southern Command (SOUTHCOM) visited U.S. Naval Forces Southern Command (NAVSO) headquarters here July 14 for command briefings and a facilities tour, as well as a visit to USS John F. Kennedy (CV 67).
• 30th NCR Officially Relocates to CBC Port Hueneme Navy NewsStand 18 Jul 2006 -- Seabees from the 30th Naval Construction Regiment (NCR) officially raised the command’s flag over their new headquarters building at Construction Battalion Center (CBC), Naval Base Ventura County, Port Hueneme, Calif., July 5, heralding in a new era of Pacific Fleet Seabee command and control.
• Iwo Jima ESG Directed to Assist Departure of American Citizens from Lebanon Navy NewsStand 18 Jul 2006 -- U.S. Sailors and Marines from the USS Iwo Jima (LHD 7) Expeditionary Strike Group (ESG) and the 24th Marine Expeditionary Unit (MEU) have been directed to assist in the authorized departure of American citizens from Lebanon.
• SECNAV Visits 'America's Favorite Aircraft Carrier' Navy NewsStand 18 Jul 2006 -- Secretary of the Navy (SECNAV) Donald C. Winter stepped aboard USS Carl Vinson (CVN 70) as part of his visit to the Northrop Grumman Newport News Shipyard July 8 for the island-landing ceremony aboard PCU George H. W. Bush.
• CNO Praises Indonesian, U.S. Sailors as CARAT Phase Closes Navy NewsStand 18 Jul 2006 -- Chief of Naval Operations Adm. Mike Mullen, in the midst of a visit to Southeast Asia, told U.S. and Indonesian navy sailors the maritime security training they practiced together the past week is vital to the world's flow of trade when he spoke prior to the closing ceremony of exercise Cooperation Afloat Readiness and Training (CARAT) here July 18.
• Army Announces National Security Personnel System Organizations Army News Release 18 Jul 2006 -- The Army announced that it will transition more than 14,000 civilian employees to the National Security Personnel System in Spiral 1.2, as part of the Department of Defense new civilian human resource management system.
• Total force at work in RIMPAC AFPN 18 Jul 2006 -- Seven F-15 Eagle fighter jets assigned to the Hawaii Air National Guard fired AIM-7 Sparrow missiles at drones dropped from a Navy F-18 July 16. Pilots fired the missiles in the Pacific Missile Range Facility off the coast of Kauai, Hawaii, as part of the 2006 Rim of the Pacific Exercise, known as RIMPAC.
• 93rd Bomb Squadron is Litening pod combat-capable AFPN 18 Jul 2006 -- The 917th Reserve Wing's 93rd Bomb Squadron here is the first B-52 Stratofortress squadron to complete the training requirements for combat use of the Litening AT targeting pod.
• 45th Space Wing supports successful shuttle mission AFPN 18 Jul 2006 -- The 45th Space Wing provided continued support of the Space Shuttle Discovery from its launch on July 4 to its landing at Kennedy Space Center, Fla., on July 17.
• Press Briefing by Tony Snow The White House 18 Jul 2006
• Daily Press Briefing US Department of State 18 Jul 2006

Defense Industry

• DoD News: Contracts for July 18, 2006
• Talks on Su sales to Venezuela could be positive - Sukhoi head RIA Novosti 18 Jul 2006 -- The head of state-owned Sukhoi aircraft manufacturing holding said Tuesday he hoped the talks on the possible sales of Su aircraft to Venezuela would yield positive results.
• Italy's Alenia Aeronautica buys blocking stake in Sukhoi arm RIA Novosti 18 Jul 2006 -- Italian corporation Alenia Aeronautica has become a minority shareholder with a blocking share in the Sukhoi Civil Aircraft, a subsidiary of the 100% state-owned Sukhoi holding, the company's chief executive said Monday.
• EADS technology protects Georgian VIP helicopters EADS 18 Jul 2006 -- – EADS will equip four VIP helicopters of the Georgian government with its Airborne Missile Protection System (AMPS).

News Reports

• Kyrgyzstan: EU Supportive, But Sees No Light At End Of Tunnel RFE/RL 18 Jul 2006 -- As the only country in Central Asia attempting democratic reforms, Kyrgyzstan today won praise in Brussels at a meeting with senior EU officials.
• Death Toll From Java Tsunami Rises VOA 18 Jul 2006 -- At least 320 people are dead, hundreds are injured and nearly 3,000 have been left homeless by the tsunami that battered the Indonesian island of Java Monday.