Operations
Defense Policy / Programs
Defense Industry
Other Conflicts
News Reports

Current Operations

• President Notes Progress in Iraq's Schools During Weekly Radio Address AFPS 18 Oct 2003 -- President Bush used his weekly radio address to the nation today to speak of progress in Iraqi schools and to characterize the oppression the country suffered under Saddam Hussein's misrule.
• AFGHANISTAN/CANADA VOA 18 Oct 2003 -- Canadian Prime Minister Jean Chretien says, for the time being, his country will not be sending troops beyond the Afghan capital, Kabul, despite plans to expand peacekeeping operations into violent, rural Afghanistan.

Defense Policy / Programs

• Bush Pledges Common Cause with Philippines to Defeat Terror, Build Freedom Washington File 18 Oct 2003 -- President George W. Bush pledged that the United States and the Philippines would remain steadfast in their determination to defeat terrorism, alleviate poverty and strengthen democracy in Asia and throughout the world in an address to the Philippine Congress on October 18.
• U.S., Philippines Strengthen Security Ties in Joint Statement Washington File 18 Oct 2003 -- Presidents Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo and George W. Bush reaffirmed the long-standing U.S.-Philippine alliance and shared commitment to "peace, security, and prosperity" in a joint statement issued October 18 at the conclusion of the first state visit of a U.S. president to the Philippines in more than 30 years.
• Myers Says U.S. Needs Patience, Commitment, Will to Win AFPS 18 Oct 2003 -- America's highest-ranking military officer visited the beginnings of his Air Force career and spoke to ROTC cadets and the trustees of Kansas State University about the war on terrorism.
• Pak-made.s ubmarine to be armed soon - agency IRNA 17 Oct 2003 -- Pakistan-made submarine Augusta 90b "Sa`ad is likely to be equipped with weapons soon, a local news agency reported.
• US says EU defence plan a threat to NATO IRNA 18 Oct 2003 -- The US has demanded an emergency meeting of NATO (North Atlantic Treaty Organisation) over fears that EU`s defence ambitions will undermine the trans-Atlantic alliance.

Defense Industry

• Lockheed Martin-Built Titan II Successfully Launches Military Weather Satellite From Vandenberg Air Force Base Lockheed Martin 18 Oct 2003 -- A Lockheed Martin-built Titan II launch vehicle successfully placed the Defense Meteorological Satellite Program (DMSP) Block 5D-3 spacecraft into orbit this morning for the U.S. Air Force.

Other Conflicts

• ISRAEL PALESTINIANS VOA 18 Oct 2003 -- Three Palestinians, including a senior commander of the militant group Hamas, have been killed during an Israeli Army raid in the southern Gaza Strip.

• LIBERIA/REBELS VOA 18 Oct 2003 -- The commander of the United Nations peacekeeping mission in Liberia has called on rebel groups and militias to adhere to the peace accord signed in August this year. The call comes after more fighting has been reported in the Liberian countryside.

News Reports

• SWAZILAND/ELECTION VOA 18 Oct 2003 -- Voters in Swaziland are choosing a new parliament. The tiny landlocked country is the last absolute monarchy in sub-Saharan Africa, and the legislature has little power.
• POWELL / APEC / BURMA VOA 18 Oct 2003 -- U-S Secretary of State Colin Powell pressed Thailand and its neighbors Saturday to do more to promote democratic change in Burma, starting with the release of detained opposition leader Aung San Suu Kyi. Mr. Powell held bilateral meetings in Bangkok Saturday in advance of the APEC Pacific rim summit meeting.
• SWITZERLAND / ELECTION VOA 18 Oct 2003 -- In Switzerland's parliamentary elections, attention is focused on an anti-immigrant party that looks set to make gains in Sunday's voting.
• BUSH / PHILIPPINES VOA 18 Oct 2003 -- President Bush and Philippine President Gloria Arroyo have agreed to increase military cooperation to fight terrorism in South-East Asia. Mr. Bush spoke to the Philippine Congress where he reinforced U-S support for the country's democracy following a failed military revolt earlier this year.