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Current Operations

• OIF/OEF Casualty Update 21 Sep 2006 [PDF]
• MND-B Soldier killed by roadside bomb
• DoD Identifies Marine Casualty

• CENTAF releases airpower summary for Sept. 21 AFPN 21 Sep 2006 -- U.S. Central Command Air Forces officials have released the airpower summary for Sept. 21.
• Baghdad Attacks Kill 8 Iraqis, Italian Troops Handover Province VOA 21 Sep 2006 -- Iraqi security officials say six policemen and two civilians were killed in two separate attacks in Baghdad Thursday.
• Transcript: DoD News Briefing with Lt. Gen. Eikenberry from the Pentagon 21 Sep 2006 -- Presenter: Commander, Combined Forces Command Afghanistan, Lt. Gen. Karl Eikenberry
• Army General Nominated to be International Security Assistance Force Commander in Afghanistan Army News Release 21 Sep 2006 -- The Secretary of Defense announced Sept. 21 that the President has nominated Gen. Dan K. McNeill for reappointment to the grade of general with assignment as Commander, International Security Assistance Force, North Atlantic Treaty Organization, Afghanistan.
• Challenge in Afghanistan Not Military in Nature, General Says AFPS 21 Sep 2006 -- Though violence and crime continue to hinder progress, the challenge in Afghanistan isn’t military in nature, the commander of coalition forces serving in that country said here today.
• General Explains Decision to Refrain From Targeting Taliban Funeral AFPS 21 Sep 2006 -- Much has been made in recent days of an aerial photograph taken in Afghanistan that reportedly shows hundreds of Taliban fighters attending a funeral and the decision to refrain from wiping out the gathering militarily.
• Controlling Drug Trade Key to Afghanistan’s Success, General Says AFPS 21 Sep 2006 -- Afghanistan’s illicit drug trade has to be brought under control for the country to succeed, the commander of coalition forces in the country said here today.
• NATO Makes Big Gains In Afghanistan, But Threats Remain AFPS 21 Sep 2006 -- NATO forces have given the Taliban a good thrashing in the extremist group’s traditional home in southern Afghanistan, but threats to that nation’s long-term stability remain, NATO’s supreme allied commander in Europe told a Senate committee here today.
• Enterprise Strike Group Continues Missions in Afghanistan Navy NewsStand 21 Sep 2006 -- Aircraft assigned to Carrier Air Wing (CVW) 1 stationed aboard USS Enterprise (CVN 65) continued their support of International Security Assistance Force (ISAF) troops on the ground as part of Operation Enduring Freedom (OEF) from Sept. 12 through Sept. 19.
• Violence in Afghanistan is at its most severe since the fall of the Taliban in 2001: Annan UN News Centre 21 Sep 2006 -- The upsurge in violence in Afghanistan over the past few months represents a “watershed” and is the most severe threat to the country’s transition to peace since the fall of the Taliban in 2001, United Nations Secretary-General Kofi Annan warns today, urging greater military and diplomatic efforts to counter the insurgency.
• NATO Commander: Security, Reconstruction Keys to Afghan Success VOA 21 Sep 2006 -- NATO's top commander says more than a military solution is needed for success in Afghanistan.
• Bush Would Send US Forces Into Pakistan to Hunt for bin Laden VOA 21 Sep 2006 -- President Bush says he would authorize U.S. forces to track down Osama bin Laden inside Pakistan if he received reliable intelligence about where the al-Qaeda leader is hiding.
• Analysis: Karzai Asks Pakistan For Help cfr.org 21 Sep 2006 -- Terrorism sees, in the prosperity of the Afghan people, its ultimate defeat,” Afghan President Hamid Karzai told the UN General Assembly Wednesday
• Troop Levels in Afghanistan To Remain Steady Through February Washington File 21 Sep 2006 -- The commander of U.S. forces in Afghanistan says he expects troop levels there to remain steady until February 2007.
• NATO Supreme Commander Praises Progress of Afghan Army Washington File 21 Sep 2006 -- Afghanistan’s national army is the brightest spot in country’s new democracy, NATO’s supreme commander says.
• NATO Ministers Discuss Importance of Afghan Mission Washington File 21 Sep 2006 -- Taking advantage of the opening of the 61st U.N. General Assembly to prepare for their summit later this year, NATO foreign ministers reaffirmed the importance of the mission in Afghanistan and emphasized the need to link security with economic development efforts, NATO Secretary-General Jaap de Hoop Scheffer said September 21.

Defense Policy / Programs

• White House, Senate Republicans Reach Deal on Detainee Bill VOA 21 Sep 2006 -- The Bush administration and Senate Republicans have reached a deal on legislation relating to how terrorism suspects are treated and tried by the United States
• General: What Constitutes ‘Outrages on Personal Dignity’? AFPS 21 Sep 2006 -- Detainee treatment and interrogation operations at Guantanamo Bay, Cuba, are fully compliant with the Detainee Treatment Act and Common Article 3 of the Geneva Conventions -- at least as best as U.S. military leaders understand Common Article 3, the general with overall responsibility for operations there said yesterday.
• Former President Clinton Speaks Out Against White House Terror Legislation VOA 21 Sep 2006 -- Former U.S. President Bill Clinton has voiced his opposition to anti-terrorism legislation backed by the White House, saying it would be wrong to approve torture for terrorism suspects.
• Transcript: Media Availability with Secretary Rumsfeld at the Senate Armed Services Committee 21 Sep 2006 -- Presenter: Secretary of Defense Donald H. Rumsfeld, Chairman, Joint Chiefs of Staff Gen. Peter Pace and Commander, Combined Forces Command-Afghanistan, Lt. Gen. Karl W. Eikenberry
• Transcript: Media Availability with Secretary Rumsfeld at the House Armed Services Committee 21 Sep 2006 -- Presenter: Secretary of Defense Donald H. Rumsfeld and Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff Gen. Peter Pace
• C-130 modernization program passes key milestone AFPN 21 Sep 2006 -- The first C-130 Avionics Modernization Program aircraft, designated H2, successfully completed its first flight Sept. 19 in San Antonio. The flight represented a key milestone in the most comprehensive C-130 avionics modernization effort to date.
• Upgraded KC-135 Stratotankers integral to joint force AFPN 21 Sep 2006 -- The Air Force's KC-135 Stratotanker fleet celebrates 50 years this month of enhancing fighter, bomber and cargo aircraft missions.
• U.S. Commander Concerned Over Venezuela’s ‘Exporting of Instability’ AFPS 21 Sep 2006 -- The Venezuelan government’s anti-U.S. stance is “bigger than a nuisance,” the outgoing commander of U.S. military operations in Latin American said here yesterday.
• Mine Warfare Ships Return After PANAMAX 06 Navy NewsStand 21 Sep 2006 -- USS Heron (MHC 52) and USS Warrior (MCM 10) returned to Naval Station Ingleside Sept. 13, after five weeks of mine countermeasure operations during PANAMAX 06, an exercise off the coast of Panama designed to counter potential terrorist attacks against shipping or canal infrastructure.
• USS Saipan, HM-15 Mark Historical Exercise Navy NewsStand 21 Sep 2006 -- The amphibious assault ship USS Saipan (LHA 2) along with Helicopter Mine Countermeasures Squadron (HM) 15 “Blackhawks,” successfully conducted a mine countermeasure exercise in the Persian Gulf, Sept. 19.
• Blue Ridge Expands Horizons Navy NewsStand 21 Sep 2006 -- The U.S. 7th Fleet flagship, USS Blue Ridge (LCC 19), conducted tests to expand its wind-envelope for recovering H-60-class helicopters from Aug. 23 to Sept. 1.
• USNS San Jose Trains Sailors with 'Ship-Ardy' Navy NewsStand 21 Sep 2006 -- Military Sealift Command combat stores ship USNS San Jose's (T-AFS 7) military detachment discovered a unique way of training Sailors for the Navywide advancement exam in September.
• NAVELSG Trains for Deployment Navy NewsStand 21 Sep 2006 -- About 240 Sailors prepared for deployment as part of Navy Expeditionary Logistics Support Group (NAVELSG) Forward ECHO to provide cargo-handling logistics support for Operation Iraqi Freedom, Sept. 18, at NAVELSG headquarters in Williamsburg, Va.
• Chinese Navy Departs San Diego After Goodwill Port Call Navy NewsStand 21 Sep 2006 -- The People’s Liberation Army (Navy) ships Qingdao (DDG 113) and Hongzehu (AOR 881) departed San Diego after a three-day port visit, Sept. 20.
• U.S., Chinese Navies Complete SAREX Together Navy NewsStand 21 Sep 2006 -- The Chinese crew of the People’s Liberation Army (Navy) (PLA(N)) destroyer Qingdao (DDG 113) and U.S. Navy Sailors from the USS Shoup (DDG 86) and Torpedo Weapon Recovery Vessel Swamp Fox (821) conducted a Search and Rescue Exercise (SAREX) off the coast of Southern California Sept. 20.
• DoD Cuts Ribbon on Joint Intelligence Resource Center AFPS 21 Sep 2006 -- In keeping with the high-tech nature of intelligence collection today, officials snipped a ribbon in cyberspace to open U.S. Strategic Command’s Joint Functional Component Command for Intelligence, Surveillance and Reconnaissance here Sept. 13.
• WMD-CST Teams Certified for Maryland, Mississippi 21 Sep 2006 -- The Department of Defense notified Congress today that certification has been completed for the Weapons of Mass Destruction Civil Support Teams (WMD-CST) of the Maryland and Mississippi National Guard.
• TRANSCOM ‘Blocks and Tackles’ for Military Touchdowns, General Says AFPS 21 Sep 2006 -- Providing for the Defense Department’s transportation needs isn’t the sexiest of military endeavors, the commander of U.S. Transportation Command readily admits.
• Russia, Kyrgyzstan set to conduct antiterrorism exercise RIA Novosti 21 Sep 2006 -- Russia and Kyrgyzstan will hold a joint antiterrorism exercise in the Central Asian republic in early October, the Kyrgyz Defense Ministry said Thursday.
• Daily Press Briefing US Dept. of State 21 Sep 2006
• Press Gaggle by Dana Perino The White House 21 Sep 2006
• Press Briefing by Teleconference with National Security Advisor Steve Hadley The White House 22 Sep 2006

Defense Industry

• DoD News: Contracts for September 21, 2006

Other Conflicts

• Olmert's Approval Rating Plummets Amid Criticism of Lebanon War VOA 21 Sep 2006 -- Israeli Prime Minister Ehud Olmert's approval rating has plummeted in the wake of the war in Lebanon
• German navy departs for Lebanon mission IRNA 21 Sep 2006 -- The German navy left Thursday the northern port city of Wilhelmshaven for Lebanon where they will join the UN peacekeeping mission.
• Lebanon’s President calls for efforts to reinvigorate Middle East peace initiatives UN News Centre 21 Sep 2006 -- Addressing the General Assembly in New York today, the President of Lebanon decried the devastation wrought by Israel on his country but said there is now a new opportunity for peace that must be exploited.
• US Lawmakers Call for Urgent Action on Darfur VOA 21 Sep 2006 -- Members of Congress are calling on the Bush administration to step up efforts to press the Sudanese government to allow a U.N. peacekeeping force in Darfur.
• Annan welcomes extension of African Union mission in Darfur UN News Centre 21 Sep 2006 -- Secretary-General Kofi Annan today welcomed the extension of the African Union Mission currently deployed in Darfur, Sudan, until the end of the year, but reiterated the need for a United Nations peacekeeping operation to help restore peace and stability in the war-torn region, a step so far rejected by the Government.
• SUDAN: AU mission extended with Arab League and UN support IRIN 21 Sep 2006 -- The African Union (AU) peacekeeping mission in Sudan will be extended until December 31, with regional and United Nations support, Burkina Faso’s President and current AU President, Blaise Comparoré, announced today after a high-level meeting with AU Peace and Security Council members.
• SUDAN: Darfur peace accord on verge of collapse – UN envoy IRIN 21 Sep 2006 -- A top United Nations envoy warned on Thursday that the Darfur peace agreement was on the verge of collapse and lambasted the Darfur Ceasefire Commission (CFC), which is responsible for monitoring and implementing the accord.
• CHAD: New fronts open in eastern fighting IRIN 21 Sep 2006 -- Columns of soldiers, helicopter gun-ships and tanks have been blasting rebel strongholds in eastern Chad this week, military sources said.
• UGANDA: ICC indictments against rebels should stay, says President IRIN 21 Sep 2006 -- President Yoweri Museveni's insistence that indictments against Lord's Resistance Army (LRA) commanders should not be rescinded until they sign a peace deal could discourage the rebels from coming out of the bush, local leaders in northern Uganda said.
• OPT: Quartet meeting brings ray of hope IRIN 21 Sep 2006 -- Key leaders behind the Middle East peace process have welcomed drives toward a Palestinian national unity government that could potentially accept conditions for a Western-imposed embargo to be lifted.
• Mideast Quartet Endorses Palestinian Leader's Efforts Washington File 21 Sep 2006 -- The Quartet for Middle East peace September 20 endorsed the efforts of Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas to form a government of national unity and recognized the need to continue humanitarian aid to the Palestinian people.
• Israeli Strikes Kill at Least 5 Palestinians in Gaza, Including Young Mother VOA 21 Sep 2006 -- Palestinians say two Israeli attacks in the Gaza Strip Thursday killed at least four people, including a young mother of three children.

News Reports

• Declaring candidacy for Security Council, Venezuela anticipates US opposition UN News Centre 21 Sep 2006 -- During an address to the United Nations General Assembly, President Hugo Chávez Frías of Venezuela announced his country’s bid for a non-permanent seat on the Security Council and predicted strong opposition from the United States.
• Somalia Probes Deadly Bombings VOA 21 Sep 2006 -- Officials of Somalia's transitional government in Baidoa are reportedly expecting experts from the United States to help investigate Monday's deadly car bombings
• With King's Support, Thai Coup Leader Could Win Support of People VOA 21 Sep 2006 -- General Sondhi Boonyaratglin, leader of this week's military coup in Thailand, was made Thai army commander last year by the man he has now thrown out of power, Prime Minister Thaksin Shinawatra
• US Reviewing Thailand Aid Following Coup VOA 21 Sep 2006 -- A senior State Department official says the United States is reviewing aid to Thailand following the military coup that toppled the government of Prime Minister Thaksin Shinawatra
• US Lawmakers Troubled by Military Coup in Thailand VOA 21 Sep 2006 -- The military coup in Thailand has provoked strong reaction from members of U.S. Congress who have viewed the country as an important example of democracy in East Asia and a key ally of the United States.
• Thai Coup Leaders Tighten Control Over Media Outlets VOA 21 Sep 2006 -- Thai military leaders who ousted Prime Minister Thaksin Shinawatra two days ago in a bloodless coup are tightening their control over the country, by banning political party meetings, barring the creation of new parties, and placing restrictions on the media.
• Hungarian Opposition Postpones Rally Due to Security Concerns VOA 21 Sep 2006 -- Hungary's main opposition party has called off a planned rally in Budapest because of security concerns, after three nights of anti-government rioting in the capital.
• UN Calls for Marshall Plan for Africa VOA 21 Sep 2006 -- A U.N. development agency report says the current system of providing aid to Africa is not working, and calls for a Marshall Plan-style system to replace it.