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Operations
Defense Policy / Programs
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News Reports

Current Operations

• OIF/OEF Casualty Update 08 Dec 2005 [PDF]
• TASK FORCE BAGHDAD SOLDIER KILLED
• DoD Identifies Army Casualty
• MARINE KILLED IN ACTION IN RAMADI
• DoD Identifies Army Casualty
• DoD Identifies Army Casualty

• Operations Update, Dec. 8, 2005 MNF-I 08 Dec 2005
• Operations Update (Elections), Dec. 8, 2005 MNF-I 08 Dec 2005 -- PRESS CONFERENCE WITH MEMBERS OF THE INDEPENDENT ELECTORAL COMMISSION OF IRAQ TOPIC: DECEMBER 15TH ELECTIONS
• CENTAF releases airpower summary AFPN 08 Dec 2005 -- U.S. Central Command Air Forces officials released today's airpower summary.
• Weapons cache uncovered, 14 suspects caught Army News 08 Dec 2005 -- Just a week after a huge cache of mortars was uncovered near the northern Iraqi city of Kirkuk, another large terrorist cache was discovered Dec. 6 near the neighboring city of Tuz.
• Roadside Bomb Claims Soldier; Suicide Bomber Kills 19 Civilians AFPS 08 Dec 2005 -- A Task Force Baghdad soldier was killed today when a convoy he was riding in struck an improvised explosive device in eastern Baghdad, military officials said.
• Combined effort successful in two separate searches MNF-I 08 Dec 2005 -- Iraqi Soldiers and Police along with U.S. troops, successfully conducted two separate operations that resulted in the capture 14 suspected terrorists early Dec. 8.
• Suicide Bomber Blows Up Crowded Bus in Baghdad VOA 08 Dec 2005 -- A suicide bomber has killed at least 30 people and wounded nearly 20 others on a bus in Baghdad
• Baghdad Suicide Bomber Kills At Least 30 RFE/RL 08 Dec 2005 -- A suicide bomber has killed at least 30 people and injured many others in Baghdad today, Iraqi police report.

• Transcript: News Briefing with Lt. Gen. Karl Eikenberry 08 Dec 2005 -- Presenter: Army Lt. Gen. Karl Eikenberry, commanding general, Combined Forces Command-Afghanistan
• New Insurgent Tactics in Afghanistan Show Weakness, General Says AFPS 08 Dec 2005 -- As Afghanistan's security forces grow and the country's political process moves forward, the Taliban has suffered major setbacks and has begun using more roadside and suicide bombs out of desperation, the U.S. commander in Afghanistan said here today.
• NATO Will Expand Security Forces in Afghanistan Washington File 08 Dec 2005 -- NATO foreign ministers agreed December 8 to expand the alliance's International Security Assistance Force mission in Afghanistan by deploying 6,000 more troops into the southern region, according to a NATO communiqué.
• Defense Department Report, December 8: Update on Afghanistan Washington File 08 Dec 2005 -- The commander of coalition forces in Afghanistan says quality is being emphasized over quantity in the ongoing development of Afghan army and police forces.
• NATO Approves Plan to Expand Afghan Force VOA 08 Dec 2005 -- NATO foreign ministers have approved a plan to expand the alliance's peacekeeping force in Afghanistan into the volatile southern part of the country next year.
• Afghan Forces Now Able to Take Fight to Taliban, says Coalition Commander VOA 08 Dec 2005 -- The commander of coalition forces in Afghanistan says Afghan forces have improved to the point that, working with coalition troops, they can take the fight to Taliban insurgents in areas the insurgents have controlled in the past.
• NATO To Expand Presence In Afghanistan RFE/RL 08 Dec 2005 -- NATO foreign ministers will today formally endorse an expansion of NATO's peacekeeping operations in Afghanistan, a spokesman for the alliance says.
• AFGHANISTAN: New parliament to meet IRIN 08 Dec 2005 -- Following the appointment of 34 presidential appointees to the 102-seat Meshrano Jirga (the upper house of parliament), Afghanistan's new national assembly is scheduled to convene on 19 December for the first time in more than three decades, an official said on Wednesday.

Defense Policy / Programs

• Pentagon Addresses Responsibility to Prevent Abuse by Other Forces VOA 08 Dec 2005 -- U.S. Defense Secretary Donald Rumsfeld has asked for a review of rules covering the responsibility of U.S. troops to stop abuse by other armed forces, when they see it or hear about it.

• Rumsfeld Dismisses Resignation Rumors AFPS 08 Dec 2005 -- Defense Secretary Donald H. Rumsfeld isn't planning to leave his job anytime soon, he said here today.

• Air Force releases new mission statement AFPN 08 Dec 2005 -- The realities of the world have changed dramatically since the creation of the Air Force in 1947 and continue to change almost daily.
• Product center finishes $250 million comm program AFPN 08 Dec 2005 -- The Global Information Grid Systems Group installed an emergency communications system at Minot Air Force Base, N.D, the last of 50 identical systems of a more than $250 million program.
• Joint enlisted PME becomes reality AFPN 08 Dec 2005 -- The enlisted force will now have the same opportunity as the officer corps to receive joint professional military education throughout their careers.
• USASOC reorganizes, welcomes new commander Army News 08 Dec 2005 -- The U.S. Army Special Operations Command said farewell to the commander who led its transformation to a 21st Century fighting force, and welcomed his successor in a ceremony at Meadows Memorial Field Dec. 6.
• Transcript: Secretary Rumsfeld and Gen. Pace Stakeout at Capitol Hill 08 Dec 2005 -- Presenter: Secretary of Defense Donald H. Rumsfeld and Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, General Peter Pace
• Transcript: Secretary Rumsfeld and Gen. Pace Stakeout at Capitol Hill 08 Dec 2005 -- Presenter: Secretary of Defense Donald H. Rumsfeld and Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, General Peter Pace
• HSL-41 Receives Navy's First MH-60R Helicopters Navy NewsStand 08 Dec 2005 -- Helicopter Anti-Submarine Squadron (Light) (HSL) 41 was the first squadron to receive two of the Navy's new MH-60R Seahawk helicopters here Dec. 5.

• TWO KIDD-CLASS DESTROYERS ARRIVE AT SUAO NAVAL BASE FROM THE U.S. CNA 08 Dec 2005 -- Two of the four Kidd-class destroyers that Taiwan purchased from the United States in 2003 arrived at the northeastern military base of Suao Thursday.

• Euro-Atlantic Partnership Council Meets During NATO Ministerial Washington File 08 Dec 2005 -- The Euro-Atlantic Partnership Council (EAPC) met in Brussels, Belgium, December 8 during the NATO Ministerial to discuss a range of issues, including developments in Afghanistan and Kosovo, and increased cooperation with countries in the Caucasus and Central Asia.

• NATO Chief Says Rice Cleared the Air on Detainees Washington File 08 Dec 2005 -- Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice, praising NATO's role as a trans-Atlantic forum for political dialogue, said there was a serious discussion on questions concerning the war on terrorism and detainee policy during the NATO foreign ministers' meeting December 8 in Brussels, Belgium.
• NATO Chief: Rice 'Cleared the Air' on Detainee Charges VOA 08 Dec 2005 -- Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice has briefed NATO and European Union colleagues on the Bush administration response to allegations the CIA has abused terrorism suspects and had secret detention sites in Europe.
• NATO: Ministers Discuss U.S. Terror 'Dilemma' RFE/RL 08 Dec 2005 -- Today's meeting of NATO foreign ministers in Brussels was overshadowed by the controversy that has erupted in Europe over allegations that the United States is using unlawful tactics in the fight against terrorism.
• Rice Assures NATO US Respects Rule of Law VOA 08 Dec 2005 -- U.S. Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice says great democracies have an obligation to respect the rule of law.

• White House Briefing, December 8 Washington File 08 Dec 2005 -- Patriot Act, Bush/Austrian Chancellor's meeting, Bush meeting with congressional leaders, aviation security, Iraq/American hostage, Iraqi elections, Howard Dean comments, McCain amendment, Hurricane Katrina, speeches to soldiers, economic data, Iraq poll numbers
• State Department Briefing, December 8 Washington File 08 Dec 2005 -- Geneva Convention/new red crescent emblem, Assistant Secretary Welch's visit to Near East, Iraq, Iran, Croatia, ASEAN Summit, China, Libya, Egypt, Europe, Africa, Venezuela, Greece, Belarus, Islamic Summit

Defense Industry

• EADS: A400M Contract Confirms Asia-Pacific Strategy EADS 08 Dec 2005 -- Malaysia's joining the A400M programme is a further boost for the global industrial development of EADS as well as for the Malaysian Industry. On Thursday, the Malaysian government signed a contract at the Langkawi International Maritime and Aerospace Exhibition LIMA ’05 for the purchase of four A400M military airlifters. In April 2005, South Africa also joined the European transport aircraft programme.
• Raytheon APKWS II Team Demonstrates Fuze and Warhead Technology Raytheon 08 Dec 2005 -- A Raytheon Company-led team completed a series of sled and arena and fuse sled tests, successfully demonstrating a low-cost lethality solution for its Advanced Precision Kill Weapon System II (APKWS II) design.
• France awards BOA demonstrator contract to Thales, Giat Industries and Sagem Défense Sécurité Sagem (Safran group) 08 Dec 2005 -- The French defence ministry on 8 December 2005 announced the award by the French defence procurement agency (Délégation Générale de l’Armement) of the concept design and demonstrator contract for the BOA1 cooperative fighting system to Thales, Giat Industries and Sagem Défense Sécurité, the members of a partnership formed for this programme.
• Northrop Grumman Supports Successful Aegis Ballistic Missile Defense Test Northrop Grumman 08 Dec 2005 -- Northrop Grumman Corporation (NYSE:NOC) played a key role in the successful test of the Aegis ballistic missile defense system last month by supporting the technical preparation and launch of the medium-range target missile that provided an interceptor opportunity for this sea-based ballistic missile defense system.

Other Conflicts

• DAILY PRESS BRIEFING BY THE OFFICES OF THE SPOKESMAN FOR THE SECRETARY-GENERAL AND THE SPOKESPERSON FOR THE GENERAL ASSEMBLY PRESIDENT United Nations 08 Dec 2005
• Israeli Strike Kills Two Militants in Northern Gaza VOA 08 Dec 2005 -- Three Palestinian militants and an Israeli have been killed in a fresh wave of violence in the West Bank and Gaza Strip.
• Israeli Political Realignment and Prospects for Peace in the Middle East VOA 08 Dec 2005 -- Over the past month, Israel has witnessed enormous political change and a realignment of its major political parties. Prime Minister Ariel Sharon left the conservative Likud Party to form Kadima, a new centrist party, which is favored to win in the upcoming March election.
• US Lawmakers Press Palestinian Leader to Bar Hamas from January Election VOA 08 Dec 2005 -- A bipartisan group of lawmakers in Congress is urging Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas to exclude Hamas from next month's parliamentary elections.
• Israeli Strike Kills Two Militants in Northern Gaza VOA 08 Dec 2005 -- Israeli forces stepped up their push against Palestinian militants today (Thursday), killing two suspects and wounding at least 10 other people in a missile strike in the Gaza Strip.

• Top UN officials sent to Ethiopia and Eritrea after latter's request to oust UN staff UN News Centre 08 Dec 2005 -- Following the UN's rejection yesterday of Eritrea's request for the pullout of personnel of specified nationalities, Secretary-General Kofi Annan has decided to send two top United Nations officials to the Horn of Africa to assess the situation on the ground and suggest next steps to improve it, a spokesman for the world body said today.
• UN Awaits Eritrean Response Over Expulsion Order VOA 08 Dec 2005 -- The United Nations' mission observing the tense border between Eritrea and Ethiopia says it is waiting to hear back from the Eritrean government about its recent order to expel members of the mission from the United States, Canada, and European countries.
• ERITREA-ETHIOPIA: Staff expulsion may cripple operations, warns UNMEE IRIN 08 Dec 2005 -- The Eritrean government decision to expel 180 members of the United Nations Mission in Ethiopia and Eritrea (UNMEE) may cripple peacekeeping operations in the Horn of Africa, a senior UN official said.

• Russia Calls For Emergency Meeting On South Ossetia RFE/RL 08 Dec 2005 -- Russia has called for an emergency meeting of the Joint Control Commission (JCC) that is responsible for monitoring the 1992 ceasefire agreement between Georgia and its separatist republic of South Ossetia.
• Georgia Says No South Ossetia Meeting On The Agenda RFE/RL 08 Dec 2005 -- Tbilisi thwarted a Russian proposal to hold an emergency meeting concerning the monitoring of the 1992 ceasefire agreement between Georgia and its separatist republic of South Ossetia.

• U.S. Welcomes Arrest of Accused Croatian War Criminal Washington File 08 Dec 2005 -- The United States congratulated Croatian and Spanish authorities for their efforts in the arrest of General Ante Gotovina, who was indicted in 2001 by the International Criminal Tribunal for the former Yugoslavia (ICTY) for alleged war crimes against Serbs in Croatia.
• Top Croatian War Crimes Suspect Arrested in Spain VOA 08 Dec 2005 -- The chief prosecutor of the United Nations War Crimes Tribunal for the former Yugoslavia has announced the arrest in Spain of fugitive Croatian General Ante Gotovina, who is third on the tribunal's most wanted list
• Top Croatian War Crimes Suspect Arrested in Spain VOA 08 Dec 2005 -- Fugitive Croatian war crimes suspect General Ante Gotovina has been arrested in Spain.
• Fugitive Croat General Gotovina Arrested In Spain RFE/RL 08 Dec 2005 -- The chief United Nations war crimes prosecutor says fugitive Croatian war crimes suspect Ante Gotovina has been arrested in Spain.

• NIGERIA-SUDAN: Darfur talks stumble over fresh rebel demands IRIN 08 Dec 2005 -- Negotiations to end Sudan's Darfur conflict have hit new snags in the Nigerian capital, Abuja, after rebels set out new conditions for peace, including a demand for the vice presidency.
• SUDAN: Darfur situation becoming increasingly hostile - aid workers IRIN 08 Dec 2005 -- The humanitarian environment in the western Sudanese region of Darfur is becoming increasingly hostile and clashes between various groups continue to flare up, aid workers warned.

• Nepal's king reshuffles his cabinet IRNA 08 Dec 2005 -- Nepal's King Gyanendra, four days after returning home from a foreign tour, announced a major reshuffle of his cabinet to counter the latest challenge of a united front by political parties and Maoists.
• NATO To Keep 'Robust' Force In Kosovo RFE/RL 08 Dec 2005 -- NATO has said it will remain a "robust" force in Kosovo during UN-mediated talks on the future status of the breakaway Serbian province.

News Reports

• FBI Agents Testify At Georgian Trial RFE/RL 08 Dec 2005 -- In Tbilisi today, FBI officers testified at the trial of a man accused of throwing a hand grenade at the presidents of the United States and Georgia , George W. Bush and Mikheil Saakashvili, during a 10 May public appearance in Tbilisi.

• LEBANON: Venue for Hariri trials still undecided IRIN 08 Dec 2005 -- Debate this week among Lebanese politicians was ongoing over the venue for the trials of Syrian officials suspected of the assassination of former Lebanese Prime Minister Rafik Hariri.
• PRESS CONFERENCE ON ZIMBABWE BY UN EMERGENCY RELIEF COORDINATOR United Nations 08 Dec 2005
• EGYPT: Opposition cries foul in final voting day IRIN 08 Dec 2005 -- In a highly charged conclusion to an already dramatic month of parliamentary elections, the runoffs for the third and final round of voting were marked by violent clashes between voters and security forces, charges of widespread election fraud and the arrest of an opposition party chief.
• Egypt's Muslim Brotherhood Enjoys Unprecedented Election Success VOA 08 Dec 2005 -- In Egypt, the outlawed Muslim Brotherhood has won a record number of seats in parliament after a chaotic month-long election marred by violence and voter intimidation.

• Sea Launch awarded SPACEWAY 3 contract by Hughes Network Systems Boeing 08 Dec 2005 -- Sea Launch has received a firm contract award from Hughes Network Systems, LLC (HNS) for the launch of the SPACEWAY™ 3 communications satellite, projected for early 2007.