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Defense Policy / Programs
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News Reports

Current Operations

• OIF/OEF Casualty Update 08 Nov 2004 [PDF]
• DoD Identifies Army Casualty
• DoD Identifies Army Casualty
• DoD Identifies Marine Casualty
• SOLDIER KILLED IN SMALL ARMS ATTACK IN EASTERN BAGHDAD
• DoD Identifies Army Casualty

• Transcript: DoD Briefing - Iraq Security Forces and Multinational Forces Offensive Actions in Fallujah, Iraq 08 Nov 2004 -- Gen. George Casey, Commander, Multinational Force Iraq and Bryan Whitman, Deputy Assistant Secretary of Defense for Public Affairs
• Transcript: Secretary of Defense Rumsfeld Press Briefing 08 Nov 2004 -- Secretary of Defense Donald H. Rumsfeld
• FALLUJAH BATTLE VOA 08 Nov 2004 -- Thousands of U.S. and Iraqi troops have begun a long-awaited ground offensive to retake the Iraqi city of Fallujah from terrorists and insurgents. The top U.S. military commander in Iraq predicts the battle that could become one of the toughest ground combat operations of the Iraq war may last for days. Even so, U.S. military officials do not see the assault on Fallujah as the final showdown for the Iraqi insurgency.
• 'Operation Al Fajr' Begins to Retake Fallujah AFPS 08 Nov 2004 -- American and Iraqi forces are in combat against terrorists and insurgents in the rebel Iraqi city of Fallujah, Army Gen. George W. Casey Jr. said today.
• Iraqi, U.S. Troops Begin 'Al Fajr' Operation in Fallujah AFPS 08 Nov 2004 -- Iraqi and U.S. forces began their long-awaited assault today against insurgents in Fallujah, Iraq, in an operation dubbed "Al Fajr," the Iraqi word for dawn.
• FALLUJAH BATTLE VOA 08 Nov 2004 -- U.S. forces have been bombarding the Iraqi city of Fallujah with heavy artillery and air strikes to soften up the rebel stronghold as marines, army units and Iraqi soldiers entered Fallujah in what is expected to be a major assault. Iraq's Prime Minister Iyad Allawi has given the go-ahead for multinational forces to take the city which has been a base for Sunni insurgents for months.
• Iraq: U.S. Troops Surround Al-Fallujah As Offensive Preparations Continue RFE/RL 08 Nov 2004 -- There was heavy fighting today on both the eastern and western fringes of Al-Fallujah as U.S. forces encircled the insurgent-held city over the past 24 hours. Al-Fallujah's main hospital was seized overnight by U.S. troops and their Iraqi allies. Intense U.S. air and artillery strikes continue to target suspected insurgent positions in what is being described as a "preparatory phase" of for a ground assault that the Iraqi interim prime minister now says he has authorized.
• Multi-National Forces Detain Roadside Bomb Cell, Collect Weapons MNF-I/MNC-I 08 Nov 2004 -- Multi-National Forces from 1st Brigade, 25th Infantry Division (Stryker Brigade Combat Team) detained 13 people for anti-Iraqi activities and collected a variety of weapons and munitions during the last 48 hours in northern Iraq.
• Insurgents Targeting Iraqi Families, Children MNF-I/MNC-I 08 Nov 2004 -- Terrorist groups in Fallujah and Ramadi have increased their use of intimidation tactics and violence against innocent Iraqi citizens. Many brave Iraqi citizens have stepped forward to inform Multi-National Forces of these actions.
• U.S. Forces Storm Western Outskirts Of Al-Fallujah RFE/RL 08 Nov 2004 -- U.S. soldiers in Iraq continue to shell the rebel-held city of Al-Fallujah after taking control of the main hospital on the western edge and securing two bridges over the Euphrates River leading to the inner city.
• U.S., Iraqi Troops Fight Insurgents In Al-Fallujah RFE/RL 08 Nov 2004 -- U.S. and Iraqi forces have battled insurgents on the outskirts of Al-Fallujah ahead of an expected offensive on the Iraqi rebel stronghold.
• 'Operation Al Fajr' Begins to Retake Fallujah AFPS 08 Nov 2004 -- American and Iraqi forces are in combat against terrorists and insurgents in the rebel Iraqi city of Fallujah, Army Gen. George W. Casey Jr. said today.
• Iraqi, U.S. Troops Begin 'Al Fajr' Operation in Fallujah AFPS 08 Nov 2004 -- Iraqi and U.S. forces began their long-awaited assault today against insurgents in Fallujah, Iraq, in an operation dubbed "Al Fajr," the Iraqi word for dawn.

• Marines Do Heavy Lifting for Coalition in Afghanistan AFPS 08 Nov 2004 -- With coalition forces stationed throughout Afghanistan, logistical support is one of the most important factors in supporting the fight against terrorism. While there is more than one way to push the necessary supplies to remote forward operating bases, the Marines of Heavy Marine Helicopter Squadron 769 used their CH-53 Sea Stallion helicopters to keep everything moving.
• RFE/RL Afghanistan Report, Vol 3, Number 40 08 Nov 2004 -- KIDNAPPING IN KABUL: BY WHOM AND FOR WHAT? / WITH KARZAI'S WIN, FOCUS SHIFTS TO FUTURE CABINET / KARZAI FORMALLY WINS AFGHAN PRESIDENCY AMIDST COMPLAINTS / KABUL DAILY SAYS AFGHANS 'REAL WINNER' IN ELECTION DESPITE PROBLEMS / KARZAI CALLS ANTINARCOTIC WAR HIS TOP PRIORITY / POLITICAL PARTIES WANT CABINET FREE OF 'CRIMINALS.' / KABUL PAPER WARNS AGAINST TALKS WITH TALIBAN... / ...AS GOVERNMENT SPOKESMAN DENIES TALKS WITH MILITIA / DESPITE ADVANCES, RIGHTS EXPERT RAISES ALARM AT INSECURITY / RELIGIOUS COUNCIL CONDEMNS ABDUCTION / FOUR SENTENCED FOR KILLING CHINESE WORKERS IN NORTHEAST / CONFUSION OVER CLASHES IN SOUTH / U.S. SOLIDER KILLED IN SOUTHEAST / NATIONAL ARMY KILLS ONE AT CHECKPOINT TO SOUTHERN CITY / THIS WEEK IN AFGHANISTAN'S HISTORY

Defense Policy / Programs

• Weekend Warriors No More AFPS 08 Nov 2004 -- The term "weekend warriors" no longer applies to today's National Guardsmen and reservists, the Defense Department's top reserve affairs official said.
• Army Issues Updated Combat Gear to Deployed Soldiers AFPS 08 Nov 2004 -- As the battlefield of the 21st century evolves, so does the equipment that keeps soldiers in the fight. And so do the methods for getting that equipment to the soldiers.
• Ford Returns After Five-month Deployment Navy NewsStand 08 Nov 2004 -- USS Ford (FFG 54) returned to Naval Station Everett Nov. 5, after spending more than five months deployed with the USS John C. Stennis (CVN 74) Strike Group.
• Halyburton Supports Counter-Drug Operations Navy NewsStand 08 Nov 2004 -- USS Halyburton (FFG 40) pulled into Manta, Ecuador, for a scheduled port visit in November, more than a month after setting sail from Mayport, Fla., marking an end to a successful first month of a scheduled six-month deployment.
• Vandegrift Part of First PSI Exercise in East Asia Navy NewsStand 08 Nov 2004 -- USS Vandegrift (FFG 48) participated in a multinational exercise involving the U.S. Navy and Coast Guard, along with ships from Japan, France and Australia in Sagami Bay, Japan, south of Tokyo, Oct. 26.
• Navy Drops First 500-Pound JDAM in Combat Navy NewsStand 08 Nov 2004 -- Strike Fighter Squadron (VFA) 34 of Carrier Air Wing 17, currently embarked aboard USS John F. Kennedy (CV 67), dropped the Navy's first two 500-pound Joint Direct Attack Munitions (JDAM) during combat operations in Iraq Oct. 29.
• GPS satellite blasts off from Cape Canaveral AFPN 08 Nov 2004 -- A Delta II launch vehicle carried a Global Positioning System satellite nearly 11,000 miles above Earth from here Nov. 6.

• The future of the transatlantic security partnership NATO 08 Nov 2004 -- Speech by NATO Secretary General, Jaap de Hoop Scheffer

• White House Daily Briefing, November 8 Washington File 08 Nov 2004 -- Arafat, Iraq, gay marriage, president's agenda, evangelical supporters, terrorism, United Nations, administration changes, national intelligence director, Middle East, Prime Minister Blair, North Korea, Chief Justice Rehnquist, tax bill, debt limit
• State Department Noon Briefing, November 8 Washington File 08 Nov 2004 -- Climate change/Arctic Council's commitment, Powell/participates at Bi-National Commission with Mexico, Armitage travels to Near East Asia and South Asia, Cote d'Ivoire, Israel/Palestinians, Greece, Macedonia, United Arab Emirates, Iran, Iraq, Mexico

Defense Industry

• Switzerland Buys Combat Vehicle Simulators From Land Systems Hgglunds BAE Systems 08 Nov 2004 -- Land Systems Hgglunds has received an order from Switzerland for CV90 combat vehicle training simulators. The equipment will consist of chassis and turret trainers and will be used for training of crew and technical staff.
• ATK Rocket Motors and Composites Help Launch Global Positioning Satellite Aboard Boeing Delta II Rocket ATK 08 Nov 2004 -- ATK (NYSE: ATK) solid propulsion and composite technologies supported Saturday’s successful launch of a Boeing Delta II rocket from Cape Canaveral Air Force Station, Fla. The launch successfully placed into orbit the 13th Class IIR satellite for the U.S. Air Force’s Global Positioning System (GPS IIR-13) constellation. All 25 of the current GPS satellites were launched with the help of ATK rocket motors.

Other Conflicts

• DAILY PRESS BRIEFING BY THE OFFICE OF THE SPOKESMAN FOR THE SECRETARY-GENERAL AND THE SPOKESMAN FOR THE GENERAL ASSEMBLY PRESIDENT United Nations 08 Nov 2004
• IVORY COAST / VIOLENCE VOA 08 Nov 2004 -- The head of the French rapid reaction force in Ivory Coast, whose armored vehicles took up positions near the residence of President Laurent Gbagbo, says France has no intention of overthrowing the government.
• U.S.-IVORY COAST VOA 08 Nov 2004 -- The United States is pressing Ivory Coast President Laurent Gbagbo to rein-in his supporters after a surge in violence in the west African country triggered by government air strikes against rebels last week. Secretary of State Colin Powell spoke to Mr. Gbagbo Saturday.
• IVORY COAST / VIOLENCE VOA 08 Nov 2004 -- Dozens of French tanks have deployed near the presidential residence in the Ivory Coast commercial capital, Abidjan, where shooting has broken out. This follows two-days of massive anti-French protest and looting in Abidjan and attacks by the Ivorian military on rebel positions in the north of the country.

• NIGERIA-SUDAN: Darfur talks deadlocked over no-fly zone IRIN 08 Nov 2004 -- Peace talks in the Nigerian capital, Abuja, between the Sudanese government and rebels from the western region of Darfur were deadlocked over a proposal to create a no-fly zone in the troubled area, delegates and mediators said.
• DRC-RWANDA: Government, UN troops deploy to sensitise foreign fighters in Walungu IRIN 08 Nov 2004 -- Approximately 3,260 Congolese and an undisclosed number of UN troops began deploying on Monday to Walungu Territory, in South Kivu Province of the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC), to sensitise foreign armed groups to abide by a disarmament process and return home, military officials said.
• COTE D IVOIRE: France denies trying to topple President, diplomatic efforts continue IRIN 08 Nov 2004 -- France sought on Monday to reassure thousands of angry Ivorian demonstrators that it was not trying to topple President Laurent Gbagbo, after a weekend of mob violence forced more than 2,000 foreigners to flee their homes.
• US/IRAQ/MIDEAST VOA 08 Nov 2004 -- The Bush administration is facing major challenges in the foreign-policy arena.
• Middle East: Squabble Disrupts PLO Effort To Show United Front RFE/RL 08 Nov 2004 -- Yasser Arafat, Palestinian leader for most of the last 40 years, is very ill. That much -- but not much more -- is known. Nearly everything else surrounding the 75-year-old Arafat's situation remains shrouded in uncertainty. That includes whether three Arafat aides would visit him in his hospital today near Paris, or whether they would be deterred by Arafat's wife's objections.
• ARAFAT / PALESTINIANS VOA 08 Nov 2004 -- Palestinian leaders say they will go ahead with their trip to Paris to consult with French doctors about Yasser Arafat's health, despite vehement objections by Mr. Arafat's wife.
• LEBANON/RECONSTRUCTION VOA 08 Nov 2004 -- Fifteen years after the end of its civil war, Lebanon is pushing forward with ambitious programs to rebuild a nation torn by more than 15 years of sectarian strife, an Israeli invasion and 20-year occupation of its border area. Beirut's luxurious new city center that has risen from the rubble of war has come to symbolize the country's rebirth. But it also sparks complaints of mismanagement, corruption and a neglect of basic services for the rest of the country.

News Reports