Operations
Defense Policy / Programs
Defense Industry
Other Conflicts
News Reports

Current Operations

• OIF/OEF Casualty Update 21 Nov 2006 [PDF]
• DoD Identifies Army Casualty
• CENTAF releases airpower summary for Nov. 21 AFPN 21 Nov 2006 -- U.S. Central Command Air Forces officials have released the airpower summary for Nov. 21.
• Raid Targets Suspect Believed to Know Missing Soldier's Whereabouts AFPS 21 Nov 2006 -- A man believed to have first-hand knowledge of a missing U.S. soldier's whereabouts was the target of a raid conducted today in Baghdad's Sadr City neighborhood by special Iraqi army forces, working with coalition advisors.
• Transcript: DoD News Briefing with Army LTG Eikenberry and General Wardak in the Pentagon 21 Nov 2006 -- Presenter: LTG Karl Eikenberry, Commander, Combined Forces Command-Afghanistan and General Abdul Rahim Wardak, Afghan Minister of Defense
• US, Afghanistan Plan Acceleration for Afghan Forces VOA 21 Nov 2006 -- Afghanistan's defense minister and the top U.S. general in the country say they are working on plans to accelerate the growth of Afghanistan's security forces
• Afghan Defense Minister Thanks U.S., Praises Troops, Rumsfeld AFPS 21 Nov 2006 -- Afghanistan's defense minister thanked the United States today for its steadfast support for his country, specifically recognizing the U.S. troops who have served and sacrificed there and outgoing Defense Secretary Donald Rumsfeld.
• Afghan Official Urges Faster Timetable for Training, Equipping Afghan Forces AFPS 21 Nov 2006 -- Afghanistan's security forces are making steady progress toward the goal of being able to defend the Afghan people, but their government, with U.S. and coalition support, hopes to accelerate that process, Afghanistan's defense minister told Pentagon reporters today.
• Afghan Defense Minister Calls For More Help RFE/RL 21 Nov 2006 -- Afghanistan's defense minister has asked for more American and NATO help to equip, train, and arm the country's young army so it carry out more operations on its own.

Defense Policy / Programs

• Aircrews fly scientists, equipment to Antarctica AFPN 21 Nov 2006 -- A McChord Air Force Base, Wash., jet touched down on a sheet of sea ice here Nov. 16 as part of Operation Deep Freeze.
• AFRL awards 'MAJIIC' research contract AFPN 21 Nov 2006 -- The Air Force Research Laboratory Information Directorate awarded a $4,840,528 contract to Raytheon Systems Co. of State College, Pa., Nov. 16.
• Maintainers turn Rivet Joint AFPN 21 Nov 2006 -- It can take the Airmen as little as two hours to recover the RC-135 if little or no maintenance is needed, or 10 hours or more if an overhaul or any particular part must be replaced.
• Bush: Asia, U.S., Share Common Threats, Interests AFPS 21 Nov 2006 -- The U.S. remains committed to Asia, because the two regions face similar threats from terrorism and share economic and security interests, President Bush said at Hickam Air Force Base, Hawaii, today.
• Ronald Reagan Strike Group Returns Following Successful Sustainment Training Period Navy NewsStand 21 Nov 2006 -- The USS Ronald Reagan (CVN 76) Carrier Strike Group, comprised of Ronald Reagan, Destroyer Squadron (DESRON) 7 and Carrier Air Wing (CVW) 14, returned to San Diego Nov. 21 following a 12-day quarterly sustainment training under the Navy's Fleet Response Training Plan (FRTP).
• U.S., China Complete 2nd Phase SAREX Off Southern China Navy NewsStand 21 Nov 2006 -- Following a port visit to Zhanjiang, People's Republic of China, USS Juneau (LPD 10) participated in a bilateral search and rescue exercise (SAREX) with the city's naval namesake, Zhanjiang (DD 165) Nov. 19 that displayed the progress in interoperability and cooperation among the two navies and nations.
• Juneau, 31st MEU Zhanjiang Port Visit Builds American-Chinese Friendships Navy NewsStand 21 Nov 2006 -- Following a three-day port visit, Sailors of USS Juneau (LPD 10) and Marines of the 31st Marine Expeditionary Unit (MEU) departed Zhanjiang Nov. 18 for bilateral exercises in the South China Sea.
• Blue Ridge Celebrates 36th Birthday Navy NewsStand 21 Nov 2006 -- USS Blue Ridge (LCC 19) celebrated its 36th birthday Nov. 14 with a special meal on the mess decks, a quick game of Blue Ridge trivia, and live music provided by the Commander, U.S. 7th Fleet Band.
• Ohio Makes First SSGN Visit to Pearl Harbor Navy NewsStand 21 Nov 2006 -- USS Ohio (SSGN 726) moored at Naval Station Pearl Harbor Nov. 20 marking the first time the newly-converted guided-missile submarine, or SSGN, has visited the historic port.
• NATO Leaders To Discuss Global Missions at Riga Summit Washington File 21 Nov 2006 -- The United States has made great efforts to strengthen diplomatic relations with Europe and is ready to work alongside European governments to outline a global agenda at the upcoming NATO Summit, a top U.S. diplomat says.
• Daily Press Briefing US Dept. of State 21 Nov 2006
• Press Gaggle by Tony Snow and National Security Advisor Steve Hadley The White House 21 Nov 2006

Defense Industry

• DoD News: Contracts for November 20, 2006
• Boeing Delivers Major Upgrade for NATO AWACS Aircraft Boeing 21 Nov 2006 -- Boeing [NYSE: BA] today announced the completion of a major mission system production upgrade for the first NATO Airborne Warning and Control System (AWACS) aircraft under the $1.32 billion Mid-Term Modernisation Programme.
• SkyLite B Mini-UAV - Proves Itself in Extreme Weather Conditions Rafael 21 Nov 2006 -- RAFAEL Armament Development Authority Ltd reveals excellent results for the SkyLite B, mini-UAV in flight demonstrations held in Australia and New Zealand last month.
• EADS Defence & Security Systems Division Completes Major Upgrade for NATO AWACS Aircraft EADS 21 Nov 2006 -- NATO today received its first upgraded Airborne Warning and Control System (AWACS) aircraft under a $1.32 billion Mid-Term Modernization production and retrofit programme
• Magal Receives an Additional $4.5 million Order for the Perimeter Intrusion Detection System along the Northern Border of Israel Magal Security Systems 21 Nov 2006 -- Magal Security Systems, Ltd. (NASDAQ GM: MAGS; TASE: MAGS), today announced it has received a follow-on order of approximately US$ 4.5 million from the Israeli Ministry of Defense (MOD) for the installation of a perimeter intrusion detection system along the northern border of Israel.
• Northrop Grumman to Supply Laser Designators to U.S. Forces Under U.S. Navy Contract Northrop Grumman 21 Nov 2006 -- Northrop Grumman Corporation (NYSE:NOC) has received a contract from the U.S. Navy to supply lightweight, laser target designators for use by U.S. forces in conflicts around the world.
• CACI Awarded $64.5 Million Task Order With U.S. Army Product Manager, Network Operations CACI 21 Nov 2006 -- CACI International Inc (NYSE:CAI) announced today that it has been awarded a new task order, valued at $64.5 million, under the Strategic Services Sourcing (S3) contract, with the U.S. Army Product Manager, Network Operations - Current Force, in Fort Monmouth, NJ. The four-year award (three base years and one option year) expands the technical and engineering support services CACI has provided to this client on other contracts over the past several years. Work will be performed at Ft Monmouth and potentially other Army locations throughout the U.S. and overseas. CACI is one of just seven prime contractors on the S3 program, which has a total estimated ceiling value of $19.25 billion. The award expands CACI's network services area of business.
• Denmark buys state-of-the-art large-calibre ammunition from Rheinmetall Rheinmetall Defence 21 Nov 2006 -- The Danish armed forces are the first to order Rheinmetall's newly developed Pele 120 mm KE round. Pele stands for "Penetrator with Enhanced Lateral Effect". The procurement package includes the modification of existing tank ammunition (the DM 33 A2) in order to improve its effectiveness in modern combat scenarios, including possible military operations in urban terrain. Never attained before, the prime advantage of the Pele system is its pinpoint effectiveness in the target zone, resulting in a drastic reduction in collateral damage.
  
  New tungsten-based 120 mm ammunition with expanded temperature range
• LOCKHEED MARTIN-BUILT DSCS SATELLITES MARK 175 YEARS ON ORBIT Lockheed Martin 21 Nov 2006 -- A U.S. Air Force/Lockheed Martin [NYSE: LMT] team announced today that the Defense Satellite Communications System (DSCS) III constellation, which provides vital communications capabilities to America's military forces worldwide, has surpassed 175-years of on-orbit service.

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 21 Nov 2006
• Nepal government, Maoist finalize peace accord IRNA 21 Nov 2006 -- Nepal's Government and Maoist rebels on Tuesday finalized a peace agreement to end a decade-long insurgency that has claimed over 15,000 lives in the country.
• Nepal Maoists reject Pak's ISI offer to help IRNA 21 Nov 2006 -- Nepal's Maoists have rejected an offer of help by Pakistan's ISI, saying it would not be in the interest of their country, their leader, Prachanda, said.
• Nepalese deal can translate into 'long-term peace,' says UN envoy UN News Centre 21 Nov 2006 -- The United Nations envoy to Nepal welcomed today's signing of a comprehensive peace agreement between the Himalayan country's multi-party Government and the Maoists, saying the pact "promises to convert the ceasefire into long-term peace."
• Nepal Government, Maoist Rebels Strike Landmark Peace Deal VOA 21 Nov 2006 -- Nepal's government and Maoist rebels have signed a peace accord that declares a formal end to a violent insurgency that wracked the country for a decade and killed 13,000 people
• DR Congo: UN soldiers intervene after demonstrators set fire to Supreme Court UN News Centre 21 Nov 2006 -- United Nations peacekeepers in the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC) shot into the air today to disperse supporters of the losing candidate in the presidential elections and restore order after demonstrators opened fire and set the Supreme Court and a police vehicle ablaze in Kinshasa, the capital.
• DRC: Part of the Supreme Court burnt amid gunshots IRIN 21 Nov 2006 -- Part of Congo's Supreme Court was burnt on Tuesday as judges reviewed electoral fraud complaints filed by supporters of presidential contender Jean-Pierre Bemba.
• Senior UN envoy to Somalia welcomes Government's pledge for renewed peace talks UN News Centre 21 Nov 2006 -- The United Nations envoy to Somalia said today that the troubled country's transitional Government has promised to resume dialogue with the leaders of the Union of Islamic Courts after the third round of peace talks was postponed earlier this month.
• Annan describes Sudanese agreement to hybrid force in Darfur as 'turning point' UN News Centre 21 Nov 2006 -- Secretary-General Kofi Annan said today that the Sudanese Government's agreement in principle last week to a hybrid United Nations-African Union (AU) peacekeeping force inside Darfur could become "a turning point" in stemming the spiralling misery in the war-torn region and resolving the deadly conflict.
• International Donors Condemn Sri Lanka Cease-Fire Violations Washington File 21 Nov 2006 -- Members of an international contact group working to achieve a peaceful settlement of the conflict between the Sri Lankan government and the Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam (LTTE) expressed alarm at the rising violence in Sri Lanka, condemned both sides for recent violations of the 2002 cease-fire agreement, and called on them to commit to a structured and sustained peace process.
• Palestinian Rockets Land Near UN Official VOA 21 Nov 2006 -- An Israeli factory worker was critically wounded Tuesday by rockets fired by Palestinian militants in the Gaza Strip.
• French Judge: Rwanda's Kagame Should Be Tried for Triggering Genocide VOA 21 Nov 2006 -- Rwanda has rejected calls from a French judge to indict President Paul Kagame for alleged involvement in the shooting down of his predecessor's plane in 1994.

News Reports

• Rumsfeld Expresses Regret Over Lebanese Assassination AFPS 21 Nov 2006 -- Defense Secretary Donald H. Rumsfeld expressed condolences here over today's assassination of Lebanese Cabinet Minister Pierre Gamayel in Beirut.
• Lebanese Minister Assassinated RFE/RL 21 Nov 2006 -- Britain and the United States have condemned the killing in Beirut of the Lebanese cabinet minister and prominent anti-Syrian politician Pierre Gemayel.
• Annan and Security Council condemn assassination of Lebanese Government minister UN News Centre 21 Nov 2006 -- Secretary-General Kofi Annan and the Security Council expressed shock and condemnation today at the assassination of Lebanon's Industry Minister Pierre Gemayel, calling for restraint from all sides and urging national unity.
• Security Council backs special tribunal for Lebanon to deal with Hariri assassination UN News Centre 21 Nov 2006 -- The Security Council today gave its support to the establishment of a special tribunal to try those alleged responsible for last year's assassination of then Lebanese prime minister Rafik Hariri and 22 others in a massive car bombing in Beirut.
• Gemayel's Death One More Blow to Lebanese Political Dynasty VOA 21 Nov 2006 -- Pierre Gemayel was the scion of a Lebanese political dynasty founded by his grandfather in 1936.
• Bush Condemns Gemayel Assassination VOA 21 Nov 2006 -- President Bush is calling for a complete investigation into the assassination of Lebanese cabinet minister Pierre Gemayel
• Anti-Syrian Lebanese Cabinet Minister Gemayel Shot and Killed VOA 21 Nov 2006 -- Lebanese Cabinet minister and Christian leader Pierre Gemayel was assassinated in a suburb of Beirut Tuesday.
• Backgrounder: The Campaign to Ban Cluster Bombs cfr.org 21 Nov 2006