Operations
Defense Policy / Programs
Defense Industry
Other Conflicts
News Reports

Current Operations

• OIF/OEF Casualty Update 07 Mar 2005 [PDF]

• Iraqi Troops Flush Samarra of Insurgents, Weapons AFPS 07 Mar 2005 -- Iraqi security forces have netted 54 suspected insurgents, several vehicles, a weapons cache with 37 large mortar and artillery rounds, and an assortment of rifles and rocket launchers in the first three days of an anti-insurgent operation.
• Insurgents Launch Attacks On Iraqi Soldiers, Police RFE/RL 07 Mar 2005 -- In a series of deadly attacks by insurgents in Ba'qubah, north of Baghdad, police and medical officials say at least 10 policemen and Iraqi soldiers were killed, while nearly twice that many were wounded.
• Number of insurgent detainees mounting MNF-I/MNC-I 07 Mar 2005 -- Multi-National Forces detained 10 individuals suspected of insurgent activity during operations in northern Iraq March 6 and 7.
• IED class improves Soldiers safety Army News 2005 -- A special Army unit in Iraq now has the mission to teach Soldiers about improvised explosive devices.
• Marines cut into insurgents ability to operate USMC News 07 Mar 2005 -- In the middle of the night, the Marines of Heavy Equipment Platoon, Company C, 2nd Combat Engineer Battalion, Regimental Combat Team 7 did some town renovations to Husaybah, Iraq, by demolishing several buildings used by insurgents.
• Marines help Iraqi government improve border USMC News 07 Mar 2005 -- Marines from C Company, 2nd Combat Engineers Battalion, Regimental Combat Team 7, improved the international border between Iraq and Syria near the town of Husaybah by building a massive dirt barricade.
• 1st Battalion, 5th Marines, arrives at Ar Ramadi USMC News 07 Mar 2005 -- The Marines trudged up the steps of the idling 757 passenger aircraft that would soon carry them away from California.
• 3/4 goes on the offensive USMC News 07 Mar 2005 -- The residents of the small city of Halabisah, Iraq, slept comfortably in their homes during the quiet early morning hours of March 1, unaware of the silent force closing in around them.
• HMM-166 Marines reflect on combat deployment accomplishments USMC News 07 Mar 2005 -- Activated September 13, 1985 in Tustin, Calif., the youngest CH-46 helicopter squadron in the Marine Corps experienced their first combat tour in Iraq recently.
• Deployment marks first combat tour for MWHS-2 USMC News 07 Mar 2005 -- Since 1955, Marines and sailors of Marine Wing Headquarters Squadron 2 have been performing command and staff functions necessary to accomplish the 2nd Marine Aircraft Wing mission.

• SUMMARY OF COALITION WINTER RELIEF TO AFGHANS CENTCOM 07 Mar 2005 -- Over the past several months, members of the U.S.-led coalition in Afghanistan have been helping Afghans cope with one of the coldest winters on record by delivering humanitarian aid throughout the country. Following is a brief summary of those events
• Challenges Face Afghanistan, U.S. Anti-Drug Cooperation AFPS 07 Mar 2005 -- Two new reports outline the challenges ahead as the United States supports Afghanistan President Hamid Karzai's crackdown on illegal drug production, which threatens the country's long-term stability.
• Violent Contacts Down in Afghanistan, Commander Says AFPS 07 Mar 2005 -- Violent contacts between coalition forces and enemy fighters in Afghanistan are declining in number, a senior commander of forces there said today.
• Protest In Southeastern Afghan City Turns Violent RFE/RL 07 Mar 2005 -- At least five Afghan policemen and one protester were injured today when a demonstration near the Kandahar provincial governor's residence turned violent.
• RFE/RL Afghanistan Report, Vol 4, Number 8 07 Mar 2005 -- AFGHANISTAN'S NATIONAL HUMAN DEVELOPMENT REPORT: GLASS HALF FULL OR HALF EMPTY / POWERFUL COMMANDER GETS HIGH-RANKING MILITARY POST / AFGHAN PARLIAMENTARY ELECTIONS POSTPONED / NEW REPORT SAYS HEROIN PRODUCTION IN AFGHANISTAN ON THE RISE / HOW WOULD PERMANENT U.S. BASES IN AFGHANISTAN IMPACT REGIONAL INTERESTS? / PILGRIMAGE INVESTIGATION LEADS TO SUSPENSION OF AFGHAN MINISTERIAL OFFICIALS / NEO-TALIBAN TALKS AND COUNTER-TALKS CONTINUE / FORMER MUJAHEDIN LEADER VOWS TO CONTINUE JIHAD IN AFGHANISTAN / RESEARCH GROUP CALLS FOR GETTING DDR BACK ON TRACK / KABUL DEPLOYS TEAMS TO VERIFY PROVINCIAL COUNTERNARCOTICS EFFORTS / EASTERN AFGHAN PROVINCE FORMS LOCAL COUNCIL / AFGHAN MINISTER SAYS DEATH TOLL DUE TO WEATHER EXAGGERATED / PAKISTAN BEGINS FIRST CENSUS OF AFGHAN REFUGEES / THIS WEEK IN AFGHANISTAN'S HISTORY

Defense Policy / Programs

• Defense Department Aims for 'Clean Audits' by 2008 AFPS 07 Mar 2005 -- The Pentagon's inspector general has let contracts that will help the department track its money, IG officials said.
• Detainee Cases Making Their Way Through U.S. Federal Courts AFPS 07 Mar 2005 -- U.S. national security officials hope an April hearing before the U.S. Court of Appeals will resolve issues concerning detainees at Guantanamo Bay, Cuba, after two District of Columbia District Court judges issued opposing rulings in January.
• Detainee Transfer Announced 07 Mar 2005 -- The Department of Defense announced today that it transferred three detainees from Guantanamo Bay (GTMO), Cuba, to France for prosecution. This transfer increases the number to 211 detainees who have departed GTMO.
• Defense Dept. Report, March 7: New Detainees Sent to France Washington File 07 Mar 2005 -- The Defense Department announced March 7 that it transferred three more detainees from U.S. military custody in Guantanamo Bay, Cuba, to France.
• General Moseley testifies on C-130 fleet, readiness AFPN 07 Mar 2005 -- U.S. Representatives questioned the condition of the C-130 Hercules fleet during a hearing of the House Armed Services Committee subcommittee on readiness March 3.
• PERSCO Airmen count 'boots on the ground' AFPN 07 Mar 2005 -- In any combat environment, having "boots on the ground" can be the deciding factor in an operation. The mission for counting those boots at deployed locations falls on the Personnel Support for Contingency Operations Airmen.
• Blue Ridge, 7th Fleet Enjoy Liberty in Malaysia Navy NewsStand 07 Mar 2005 -- USS Blue Ridge (LCC 19) departed Port Kelang, Malaysia, March 6 after a three-day port visit.
• Navy Commissions Latest High-tech Destroyer Navy NewsStand 07 Mar 2005 -- The Navy commissioned its most advanced guided-missile destroyer to date, USS Nitze (DDG 94), in a ceremony at Naval Station Norfolk, Va., March 5.
• Marauders return from western Pacific USMC News 07 Mar 2005 -- More than 200 sailors from Navy Strike Fighter Squadron 82 returned to Marine Corps Air Station Beaufort, March 1, after a five-month deployment to the western Pacific.
• HMM-161 reaches decade-long milestone USMC News 07 Mar 2005 -- Ten years is a substantial length of time and a lot can be accomplished in such an extended period.

• Transcript: Announcement of Nomination of John Bolton as U.S. Ambassador to the UN US Dept. of State 07 Mar 2005
• RICE / BOLTON / UN VOA 07 Mar 2005 -- President Bush is nominating Undersecretary of State John Bolton to be the next U.S. Ambassador to the United Nations. Mr. Bolton, a favorite of political conservatives, has been the Bush administration's top arms control official.
• UN/BOLTON REACT VOA 07 Mar 2005 -- United Nations diplomats are reacting cautiously to the appointment of John Bolton as Washington's next envoy to the world body.

• State Department Briefing, March 7 Washington File 07 Mar 2005 -- Rice/Bolton appointment, Rice/phone calls, Iraq/Italy, Syria, U.S. policy/rendition of suspects, Bolivia, Moldova, China, North Korea, Sudan
• White House Daily Briefing, March 7 Washington File 07 Mar 2005 -- President's schedule, Bush/National Defense University speech, U.S. Ambassador to United Nations, Lebanon/Syrian troop withdrawal, Osama bin Laden, enemy combatants, Social Security/reform, Italian journalist shooting, human rights

Defense Industry

• BAE SYSTEMS PLC PROPOSED ACQUISITION OF UNITED DEFENSE INDUSTRIES, INC. United Defense Industries 07 Mar 2005 -- BAE Systems plc ("BAE Systems" or the "Company") announces that its wholly-owned U.S. subsidiary, BAE Systems North America, Inc. ("BAE Systems North America"), has entered into a definitive merger agreement to acquire United Defense Industries, Inc. [PDF]

Other Conflicts

• DAILY PRESS BRIEFING BY THE OFFICE OF THE SPOKESMAN FOR THE SECRETARY-GENERAL United Nations 07 Mar 2005
• SPECIAL MILITARY OPERATION UNDER WAY TO WIPE OUT BANDITS IN SOUTHERN CHECHNYA RIA Novosti 07 Mar 2005 -- Over the past two days, the Defense Ministry's special units have been carrying out a combat operation against the militants entrenched in Chechnya's Vedeno and Nozhai-Yurt districts, a well-informed source in the headquarters of the Joint Group of Forces in the North Caucasus told RIA Novosti.
• DOUBLE MILITANTS WHO HELPED PREPARE BESLAN TERROR ACT DETAINED IN CHECNHYA RIA Novosti 07 Mar 2005 -- Twelve militants who made part of the doubling group when the Beslan terrorist act was prepared have been detained in Chechnya, RIA Novosti was told by Chechen Interior Ministry spokesman Ruslan Atsayev.
• Chechen Leader Gives Exclusive Interview To RFE/RL RFE/RL 07 Mar 2005 -- Aslan Maskhadov supplied extensive answers on 4 March to questions submitted two weeks earlier via the Internet by RFE/RL's North Caucasus Service. The Russian text of the interview was also posted on 4 March on the pro-Maskhadov website chechenpress.co.uk.
  
  
• PRESS BRIEFING ON SOMALIA United Nations 07 Mar 2005
• SOMALIA: Defence experts discuss proposed peacekeeping mission IRIN 07 Mar 2005 -- Defence experts from several East African countries started a two-day meeting on Monday in Entebbe, Uganda, to discuss the proposed deployment of an African Union (AU) peacekeeping force to Somalia, a Ugandan military spokesman told IRIN.
• Security Council notes need to expand UN presence in Somalia UN News Centre 07 Mar 2005 -- Calling on United Nations Member States to support war-battered Somalia's Transitional Federal Government, the Security Council today said it would welcome an incrementally expanding role for the world body in the Horn of Africa country.
• SOMALIA / PEACEKEEPINGVOA 07 Mar 2005 -- Military officials from seven east African states met in Uganda Monday to begin two days of talks on deploying regional peacekeepers in war-ravaged Somalia. The plan has come under intense criticism from some Somalis, who fear the presence of peacekeepers could ignite more violence in the lawless country.
  
  
• UN/ DARFUR VOA 07 Mar 2005 -- U.N. Secretary General Kofi Annan is urging the Security Council to move faster to deal with what he calls the "appalling situation" in Sudan's Darfur region. Mr. Annan has asked for more peacekeepers on the ground in Darfur.
• Concerned at 'appalling' state of Darfur, Annan urges Security Council to beef up force UN News Centre 07 Mar 2005 -- Concerned that the world is not moving fast enough to deal with the "appalling situation" in Sudan's Darfur region, with reports of killing, rape and burning still flowing in, United Nations Secretary-General Kofi Annan today summoned Security Council members to a meeting to press for a beefed up international force on the ground.
  
  
• LIBERIA: Lack of funds delays formation of new army IRIN 07 Mar 2005 -- Liberia's transitional government is desperately seeking the funds needed to disband its existing army before it can form a new national force, Defence Minister Daniel Chea said on Monday.
• SIERRA LEONE: Third war crimes trial starts, AFRC leaders in dock IRIN 07 Mar 2005 -- Three leaders from a military junta accused of causing "pain and agony beyond human description" during Sierra Leone's civil war, stood in the dock on Monday as the country's third and final war crimes trial got underway.
• ISRAEL / PALESTINIANS VOA 07 Mar 2005 -- Palestinian gunmen opened fire on an Israeli military post, near a religious shrine in the West Bank city, Hebron, Monday, wounding two border policemen and threatening a fragile Israeli-Palestinian ceasefire.

News Reports

• INDONESIA MALAYSIA DISPUTE VOA 07 Mar 2005 -- Indonesia and Malaysia have agreed to hold talks about an offshore oil field claimed by both countries.

• US / SYRIA / LEBANON VOA 07 Mar 2005 -- The Bush administration Monday dismissed Syria's two-stage plan to withdraw its forces from Lebanon and said there should be a full and immediate pullout. Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice meanwhile is talking with European officials about ways to help the Beirut government assert authority over the entire country.
• BUSH/SYRIA VOA 07 Mar 2005 -- The Bush administration says Syria's plan for a two-stage troop withdrawal from Lebanon does not go far enough.
• LEBANON / SYRIA VOA 07 Mar 2005 -- Syria and Lebanon have agreed that Syrian troops will redeploy to Lebanon's eastern Bekaa Valley by the end of March. The announcement falls short of international demands for a total Syrian pullout, as we hear from
• Middle East: Lebanon's Political Future Remains Unclear RFE/RL 07 Mar 2005 -- The leader of Lebanon's powerful Hizballah movement has warned that a complete withdrawal of Syrian troops from Lebanon under international pressure would be dangerous. Hizballah's Sheikh Hassan Nasrallah said such a move could lead to chaos in Lebanon, where a political vacuum has emerged following the departure of Prime Minister Omar Karami's pro-Syrian government. Meanwhile, opponents of pro-Syrian President Emile Lahoud fear he might use the political impasse to appoint an emergency government -- or even a military regime.
• Middle East: Syrian, Lebanese Announcement On Redeployment Falls Short Of International Demands RFE/RL 07 Mar 2005 -- The presidents of Syria and Lebanon have agreed to a redeployment of Syrian troops into Lebanon's eastern Bekaa Valley. But their plan delays for up to one month a decision about how long or how many Syrian troops will remain in that eastern part of Lebanon, near the Syrian border. Today's decision in Damascus calls for the first stage of a Syrian troop redeployment toward Lebanon's eastern border to take place by the end of March.
• US / SYRIA-LEBANON VOA 06 Mar 2005 -- The Bush administration says it is skeptical of Syria's pledge to redeploy troops stationed in Lebanon.