Operations
Defense Policy / Programs
Defense Industry
Other Conflicts
News Reports

Current Operations

• Transcript: Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, Gen. Richard B. Myers Regional Media Interviews 30 Oct 2003 -- "Well, we've been working for some time, as a matter of fact for over a month, on ways we could accelerate getting Iraqis to fulfill some of the security requirements in the police, what we call the Iraqi Civil Defense Corps, to do infrastructure and facilities protection, border guards and so forth. We've been looking at ways to accelerate that and have made some tentative plans. But the one thing I think is incorrect in all that is that they're going to be trained appropriately. We're not going to skimp on training to get more Iraqis forward. They put themselves in harm's way. Many of them have lost their lives trying to protect the Iraqi people and their country and to forge a new Iraq, and we've got to make sure that they're trained appropriately."
• RICE / FOREIGN POLICY VOA 30 Oct 2003 -- U-S Presidential National Security advisor Condoleezza Rice says recent attacks against aid workers in Baghdad show that the terrorists in Iraq have no regard for innocent live.
• PENTAGON/IRAQ VOA 30 Oct 2003 -- Defense Secretary Donald Rumsfeld insists progress is being made in the reconstruction of Iraq despite an escalation in terrorist bombings.
• IRAQ / ATTACKS VOA 30 Oct 2003 -- Several explosions have rocked Baghdad, causing at least one fire, and earlier in the day a train was disabled by a makeshift bomb.
• Recent Attacks Will Not Break American Will, Says Wolfowitz AFPS 30 Oct 2003 -- Terrorists and former regime gangsters are trying to break the American will with the recent spate of attacks in Iraq, Deputy Defense Secretary Paul Wolfowitz said here Oct. 29.
• Iraq: 'Ramadan Offensive' -- Resistance Stepping Up Attacks As U.S. Searches For A Response (Part 1) RFE/RL 30 Oct 2003 -- In recent weeks, U.S. President George W. Bush and his senior military officials have insisted that the guerrilla war now taking place in Iraq does not require more troops.
• PRESS BRIEFING ON SECURITY COUNCIL MISSION TO AFGHANISTAN United Nations 30 Oct 2003
• U-N/ AFGHANISTAN VOA 30 Oct 2003 -- A Security Council mission is heading to Afghanistan Friday where violence continues to undermine the agreement reached between political factions in December 2001 in Bonn, Germany. German ambassador Gunter Pleuger, who is leading the mission, has set forth an ambitious agenda.
• Demobilization in northern Afghanistan about half way finished, UN says UN News Centre 30 Oct 2003 -- About half the 1,000 ex-soldiers voluntarily disarmed in the northern Afghanistan province of Kunduz have completed the multi-step demobilization programme there, the United Nations Assistance Mission in Afghanistan (UNAMA) said today.
• Struggling Afghanistan Part 3 VOA 30 Oct 2003 -- Although the Taleban are removed from power, they continue to fight the government that replaced them. They are abetted by Pakistani sympathizers, and other foreign countries also complicate life for Afghans and undermine their efforts to achieve a viable peace.
• U-N/ AFGHANISTAN VOA 30 Oct 2003 -- A Security Council mission is heading to Afghanistan Friday where violence continues to undermine the agreement reached between political factions in December 2001 in Bonn, Germany. German ambassador Gunter Pleuger, who is leading the mission, has set forth an ambitious agenda.
• RFE/RL Afghanistan Report, Vol 2, Number 38 30 Oct 2003 -- NATO'S FIRST MISSION TO THE GREATER MIDDLE EAST / NATO CALLS AFGHANISTAN 'THE CHALLENGE.' / GERMANS STUDY DEPLOYMENT TO KONDUZ PROVINCE... / ...WHILE GREECE REJECTS NATO REQUEST FOR FURTHER HELP IN AFGHANISTAN / ISAF COMMANDER SAYS HEAVY WEAPONS MUST BE REMOVED FROM KABUL / UNHCR OFFICIAL SAYS AFGHANISTAN NEEDS MORE MONEY, TROOPS / AFGHANISTAN ACCUSES UN OF EXAGGERATING SECURITY RISKS / LARGE-SCALE MILITARY OPERATION AGAINST NEO-TALIBAN UNDER WAY / TWO CIA OPERATIVES KILLED IN EASTERN AFGHAN PROVINCE... / ...WHILE 20 SUSPECTED AL-QAEDA MEMBERS ARE KILLED IN SAME PROVINCE / AFGHAN ADMINISTRATION AGAIN DENIES RELEASING, HOLDING TALKS WITH FORMER TALIBAN MINISTER / TALIBAN SPOKESMAN DENIES TALKS WITH AFGHAN ADMINISTRATION / PAKISTAN REPORTEDLY BUILDING FENCES TO STOP INFILTRATIONS INTO AFGHANISTAN / AFGHAN INTERIOR MINISTER RESHUFFLES BALKH PROVINCE ADMINISTRATION / PUBLICATION OF DRAFT AFGHAN CONSTITUTION DELAYED... / ...AS HRW WARNS OF THREATS TO AFGHANISTAN'S CONSTITUTIONAL PROCESS... / ...AND URGES KARZAI TO ENSHRINE RIGHTS PROTECTIONS IN DRAFT CONSTITUTION / AFGHANISTAN LEADER IN GLOBAL OPIUM PRODUCTION / AFGHAN WARLORD TO BE TRIED IN UNITED KINGDOM... / ...WHILE AFGHAN COURT WANTS HIM EXTRADITED / MISS AFGHANISTAN: FROM BURQA TO BIKINI / THIS WEEK IN AFGHANISTAN'S HISTORY
• AFGHANISTAN-PAKISTAN: Focus on bilateral border dispute IRIN 30 Oct 2003 -- Senior Pakistani, Afghan and US diplomats and military officials jointly visited the Pakistan-Afghanistan border last Saturday to ascertain where the boundary should lie, according to a US army statement issued from the Bagram airbase in Afghanistan on Wednesday.
• AFGHANISTAN: Poppy cultivation continues unabated IRIN 30 Oct 2003 -- Poppy cultivation in beleaguered Afghanistan continues to grow, despite efforts to curb its spread, a report by the United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime (UNODC) has revealed. In its annual survey, the Vienna-based agency found that opium poppy was now being planted in 28 of the country's 32 provinces.
• Military Personnel to Enter Fire Lines Next Week AFPS 30 Oct 2003 -- About 560 military personnel will enter the fire lines in California around Nov. 3, Pentagon officials said today.
• Northern Command Reports on Firefighting Efforts AFPS 30 Oct 2003 -- As Defense Department aircraft and crews continue their efforts in helping to battle the California wildfires, U.S. Northern Command officials reported today that in 48 missions through Oct. 29, the aircraft had dispersed 129,600 gallons of fire retardant.

Defense Policy / Programs

• TR Celebrates 17th Birthday Navy Newsstand 30 Oct 2003-- The ship that has gone to war more than any other Nimitz-class carrier celebrated its 17th birthday Oct. 16, with a cake-cutting ceremony and early liberty call.
• Coalition Rescues 8 Smugglers in Gulf Navy Newsstand 30 Oct 2003-- Coalition naval forces operating in the North Arabian Gulf rescued eight men Oct. 29 after their tug sank in a detention area set aside for oil smugglers.
• New Plans and Operations Center Exemplifies EUCOM Transformation AFPS 30 Oct 2003 -- With the snip of a ribbon and the smash of a bottle here Oct. 15, U.S. European Command officially opened a new door to the future of joint planning and operations.
• WOLFOWITZ / MIDDLE EAST VOA 30 Oct 2003 -- A top U-S defense official says Muslims must take the lead in battling religious extremism and totalitarian ideologies in the Islamic world. Deputy Defense Secretary Paul Wolfowitz also gave a spirited defense of the Bush Administration's policy in Iraq before a sometimes skeptical university audience in Washington, Thursday.
• Winning War on Terror Means Winning Battle Of Ideas, Wolfowitz Says AFPS 30 Oct 2003 -- In what may be the Defense Department's new battleground in the war on terror, Deputy Defense Secretary Paul Wolfowitz told Georgetown University faculty and students today that the U.S. needs to do a better job of explaining its polices abroad, "because that is part of winning the war on terrorism - the battle of ideas."
• Eight Medical Demonstration Sites Selected 30 Oct 2003 -- Dr. William Winkenwerder Jr., assistant secretary of Defense for health affairs, announced today selection of eight medical sites that will participate in joint demonstrations with Department of Veterans Affairs medical facilities. These demonstrations, mandated by the fiscal 2003 National Defense Authorization Act, will include cooperation in three separate areas: budget and financial management, staffing and assignment, and medical information and information technology systems.
• Mobile Exercises of S. Korean Army Unit Washington File 30 Oct 2003 -- It was announced that the "Lightning" unit of the south Korean army would launch mobile exercises in Inchon and Puchon, Kyonggi Province, between October 28 and 30, according to south Korean KBS.
• Does Russia need NATO, and if so, what kind of NATO? NATO 30 Oct 2003 -- Speech by NATO Secretary General, Lord Robertson
• Robertson: NATO Needs Russia, Russia Needs NATO KCNA 31 Oct 2003 -- Speaking in Moscow October 30, NATO Secretary General Lord Robertson said the terrorist attacks of September 11, 2001, revealed that former adversaries NATO and Russia must now work together "if we are to meet the threats and challenges of the 21st century effectively."
• Russia: Putin Assures NATO's Robertson Of Expanding Cooperation RFE/RL 30 Oct 2003 -- Russian President Vladimir Putin said today during a meeting with visiting NATO Secretary-General Lord George Robertson that Russia remain committed to expanding cooperation with NATO.
• RUSSIA / NATO VOA 30 Oct 2003 -- Outgoing NATO Secretary General George Robertson says Russia and NATO have undergone a "revolutionary" change in relationship from adversaries to partners. Mr. Robertson met with President Vladimir Putin and other top Russian officials during a ceremonial farewell visit to Moscow.
• USS Georgia returns from last strategic deterrent patrol COMSUBPAC Release 30 Oct 2003-- After 18 years of faithful service to the submarine fleet, USS Georgia (SSBN 729) returned to Naval Submarine Base Bangor from her last strategic deterrent patrol marking the end of its career as a Fleet Ballistic Missile submarine (SSBN) on Oct. 30. Since her first strategic deterrent patrol in 1985, USS GEORGIA has performed her mission of strategic deterrence by completing 65 patrols.
• Pakistan says Indian cruise missile Russian-made IRNA 30 Oct 2003 -- The supersonic cruise anti-ship missile tested in Indian state of Oressa on Wednesday was solely developed by Russia and not by India, Pakistan`s Minister for Information and Broadcasting Sheikh Rashid Ahmed said.

Defense Industry

• BAE SYSTEMS Awarded $17.4 Million U.S. Navy Contract To Provide Radio Communications Systems BAE Systems 30 Oct 2003 -- BAE Systems has been awarded a one-year $17.4 million contract by the U.S. Navy to provide engineering and technical support services for radio communications systems for multiple classes of ships. The total value of the contract could reach $54.5 million, if all options are exercised over three years. The contracting agency is the Space and Naval Warfare Systems Center, Charleston, S.C.

Other Conflicts

• DAILY PRESS BRIEFING BY THE OFFICES OF THE SPOKESMAN FOR THE SECRETARY-GENERAL AND THE SPOKESWOMAN FOR THE GENERAL ASSEMBLY PRESIDENT United Nations 30 Oct 2003
• PRESS CONFERENCE BY GENERAL ASSEMBLY PRESIDENT United Nations 30 Oct 2003
• DRC: Vast humanitarian needs found from Uvira to Fizi, South Kivu IRIN 30 Oct 2003 -- A recent humanitarian needs assessment mission conducted jointly by several UN agencies has found widespread humanitarian needs in the region from Uvira to Fizi in South Kivu Province of eastern Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC).
• DRC: MONUC granted access to North Kivu military compounds IRIN 30 Oct 2003 -- The UN peacekeeping mission in the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC) reported on Wednesday that it had been granted access to military compounds in North Kivu Province, which it hoped would enable verification of the alleged presence of Rwandan troops on DRC territory.
• UN envoy warns Security Council that Kosovo still faces serious problems UN News Centre 30 Oct 2003 -- The top United Nations envoy for Kosovo warned the Security Council today that the province was still plagued by problems as it recovers from the war in 1999.
• UN/KOSOVO VOA 30 Oct 2003 -- The top U-N envoy for Kosovo has warned that poor security and inter-ethnic violence continue to plague the province as it recovers from war in 1999. The envoy says fear is still keeping many Kosovars from returning to their homes

• IVORY COAST / TALKS VOA 30 Oct 2003 -- West African leaders are attempting to salvage a faltering peace process in Ivory Coast, where northern-based rebels are refusing to disarm.
• COTE D'IVOIRE: Presidents of Nigeria and Ghana see progress to resolve crisis IRIN 30 Oct 2003 -- The presidents of Nigeria and Ghana flew to Cote d'Ivoire on Thursday to meet President Laurent Gbagbo to discuss ways of ending a five-week-old stand-off with rebels occupying the north of the country and said afterwards they had made progress.
• U.S. Official Pledges Continued U.S. Involvement in Liberia Washington File 30 Oct 2003 -- The United States is "encouraged by the results" in Liberia, says John R. Nay, the director of the Office of Regional and Security Affairs at the U.S. Department of State, and will remain a visible and vocal presence in the peace process in the country.
• Cameroon and Nigeria discuss border dispute during UN commission talks UN News Centre 30 Oct 2003 -- Cameroon and Nigeria held talks over their border dispute during a two-day meeting of the United Nations-chaired Mixed Commission, which finished today in Abuja, Nigeria.
• ETHIOPIA/ERITREA VOA 30 Oct 2003 -- The commission responsible for marking the border between Ethiopia and Eritrea says it has suspended its work indefinitely.
• 48 Israeli pilots, co-pilots ask Sharon not to free Deyrani IRNA 30 Oct 2003 -- 48 reserve Israeli pilots and co-pilots on Wednesday asked the Zionist Regime`s Prime Minister Ariel Sharon not to free one of the Lebanese resistance officials, Mustapha Deyrani.
• Pak Ranger, Indian civilian killed along border in Jammu IRNA 30 Oct 2003 -- A Pakistani Ranger and an Indian civilian have been killed in exchange of fire between Indian and Pakistani troops along the International Border (IB) in Jammu district since Wednesday evening, official sources said in Jammu Thursday.
• BURUNDI/PEACE TALKS VOA 30 Oct 2003 -- The government of Burundi and the country's main rebel group are meeting in South Africa in the hope of completing a peace accord signed in early October.
• DRC-UGANDA: Kampala, Kinshasa keen on regional cooperation, says minister IRIN 30 Oct 2003 -- The governments of the Democratic Republic of the Congo and Uganda are in regular contact over regional cooperation, Ugandan Foreign Minister James Wapakhabulo announced on Thursday.

News Reports

• SHAPE News Morning Update SHAPE 30 Oct 2003 -- NATO's top soldier cool on Afghan force expansion / Rocket hit marks shift in Iraqi guerrilla tactics / Canada to ditch battle tanks, buy lighter vehicles / U.S. mulls shifting experts away from Iraq arms hunt / U.S. senators worried Afghanistan falling apart / Serb special police say ready for Afghanistan / Joint U.S.-Israeli laser that can knock down rockets still four years away from deployment
• SHAPE News Summary & Analysis SHAPE 30 Oct 2003 -- Secretary of State Powell to visit Europe to stress U.S. concerns over ESDP / NATO approves Russian proposals for cooperation in Afghanistan / Huge Afghan opium harvest brings fears of new terrorism / Red Cross and UN to reduce Iraq staffs / President Bush in a hurry to train Iraqis in security duty
• EGYPT/US AMBASSADOR VOA 30 Oct 2003 -- The U-S ambassador in Egypt has angered members of the local press for criticizing what he says is unprofessional reporting and unfair attacks on U-S policies.
• MALAYSIA / MAHATHIR VOA 30 Oct 2003 -- Malyasia's Prime Minister Mahathir Mohamad is set to step down Friday after 22-years in power. Southeast Asia's longest serving head-of-government gave his farewell speech to parliament Thursday
• CHINA/E-U VOA 30 Oct 2003 -- A European Union delegation headed by Italian Prime Minister Silvio Berlusconi is in China for talks on trade and human rights.
• OPEC/OIL VOA 30 Oct 2003 -- The Organization of Petroleum Exporting Countries says it will cut production later this year if the price of oil continues to drop. The statement by the OPEC secretary general comes along with a prediction that there will be more oil on the world market than needed next year.
• PRESS BRIEFING BY UNITED NATIONS DEVELOPMENT FUND FOR WOMEN United Nations 30 Oct 2003
• MOZAMBIQUE: Elections another step forward after violent past IRIN 30 Oct 2003 -- After delays and confusion, Mozambicans finally get to go to the polls on 19 November to vote in municipal elections.
• Japanese SERVIS-1 Satellite Successfully Launched by Eurockot EADS 30 Oct 2003 -- The Institute for Unmanned Space Experiment Free Flyer (USEF) of Tokyo, Japan and Eurockot Launch Services GmbH of Bremen, Germany, today announced the successful launch of the SERVIS-1 satellite at 13:43 UTC from Plesetsk Cosmodrome in Northern Russia using a ROCKOT launch vehicle. After postponement of 1 day because of weather conditions (high winds) the spacecraft was injected into a sun-synchronous orbit of 1000 km altitude. This mission follows on from the successful launch of the previous mission MOM per-formed on 30 June 2003.
• ORBITAL RECEIVES MAJOR ORDER FROM NASA FOR PEGASUS AND TAURUS SPACE LAUNCH VEHICLES Orbital Sciences Corp. 30 Oct 2003 -- Orbital Sciences Corporation (NYSE: ORB) announced today that the National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA) has ordered four space launch vehicles, including two Pegasus® and two Taurus® rockets, for U.S. government scientific satellite missions scheduled to be launched over a two-year period beginning in 2006. The orders were placed under the Small Expendable Launch Vehicles Services (SELVS) contract that was awarded to Orbital by NASA's Kennedy Space Center in 1998.