Operations
Defense Policy / Programs
Defense Industry
Other Conflicts
News Reports

Current Operations

• OIF/OEF Casualty Update 12 Oct 2007 [PDF]
• DoD Identifies Army Casualties
• DoD Identifies Army Casualty
• Press Briefing: Col. J.B. Burton, Oct. 12, 2007 MNF-I 12 Oct 2007 -- SUBJECT: REMARKS BY COLONEL J. B. BURTON, COMMANDER, MULTI-NATIONAL BRIGADE-BAGHDAD TO THE PENTAGON PRESS CORPS
• Oct. 11 airpower summary: C-17s provide 'best option' for force resupply AFPN 12 Oct 2007
• The 'So What' factor puts Oct. 10 airpower summary in perspective AFPN 12 Oct 2007
• Coalition Air Strike in Iraq Claims Lives of Terrorists, Civilians AFPS 12 Oct 2007 -- A coalition air strike yesterday that killed terrorists also claimed the lives of a large number of innocent victims, military officials said.
• Coalition, Iraqi Forces Work to Halt Cycle of Violence in Baghdad AFPS 12 Oct 2007 -- Coalition and Iraqi forces in northwestern Baghdad have stopped the cycle of violence there, and Iraqi citizens are resuming their lives in safe and secure neighborhoods, a coalition commander in the area said today.
• Car Bomb in Baghdad Kills 4, Wounds 15 VOA 12 Oct 2007 -- Iraqi officials say a Baghdad car bomb has killed four people and wounded 15 more. In northern Iraq, a bomb in a cart full of toys has killed one child and wounded another 13
• U.S. Soldiers Training Iraqi Mechanics Army News 12 Oct 2007 -- Iraqi soldiers began learning basic vehicle maintenance for their Humvees in a new step toward self-sufficiency this week.
• Canada Weighs Future of Afghan Mission VOA 12 Oct 2007 -- Canadian Prime Minister Stephen Harper is seeking recommendations on how to handle the military's mission in Afghanistan amid growing parliamentary opposition.
• Troops Seize Weapons, Thwart Insurgents in Afghanistan AFPS 12 Oct 2007 -- Coalition and Afghan forces seized a weapons cache and thwarted an insurgent ambush in Afghanistan recently, military officials said.
• AFGHANISTAN: Over 155 civilians killed in suicide attacks, fighting in September IRIN 12 Oct 2007 -- Over 155 Afghan civilians died in ground military operations, aerial strikes and suicide attacks by Taliban insurgents, US, NATO and Afghan government forces in September alone, the Afghanistan Independent Human Rights Commission (AIHRC) has told IRIN.

Defense Policy / Programs

• Surgeon General's Office Applies Business Transformation to In-Processing Army News 12 Oct 2007 -- The speed-up started out with the idea it took too long to get new staffers ready for their work in the Army Office of the Surgeon General.
• Army Building its Civilian Bench for Mobility Army News 12 Oct 2007 -- A new DOD directive will emphasize mobility for civilian employees and training an expeditionary workforce ready to deploy to hot spots like Iraq and Afghanistan.
• Exhibits Maker Builds Model IEDs for Soldier Training Army News 12 Oct 2007 -- Ruben Zunega has spent the last 32 years making everything from full-scale plastic tanks to 3-D topographical maps. But his latest project might just be his most important.
• Second Fleet Holds Groundbreaking Ceremony for Experimental Maritime Operations Center Navy NewsStand 12 Oct 2007 -- Commander 2nd Fleet, Vice Adm. Marty Chanik participated in a groundbreaking ceremony for the new Maritime Headquarters with Maritime Operations Center-Experimental (MHQ with MOC-X) held at 2nd Fleet headquarters in Norfolk, Oct. 10.
• New U.S. Command To Take Broad, Inclusive Approach to Africa Washington File 12 Oct 2007 -- The new U.S. regional military command for Africa, an integrated defense, diplomatic and economic organization, will enhance U.S. efforts to advance security and prosperity in Africa, U.S. officials say.
• New JCS chairman visits Bagram AFPN 12 Oct 2007 -- The military's top servicemember visited here Oct. 7 to check on operations in Afghanistan and hear the concerns of military members.
• Hill fighter squadron excels with Total Force Integration mission AFPN 12 Oct 2007 -- Being the Air Force's first Total Force Integration fighter association, gives the phrase "one team, one fight" a whole new meaning for Hill Air Force Base's 388th and 419th Fighter Wings.
• U.S., Russian Leaders Agree to Meet Again AFPS 12 Oct 2007 -- U.S. and Russian foreign affairs and defense leaders made no major breakthroughs during what they're calling their first "two-plus-two" talks on strategic security, but they agreed to meet again in Washington in six months.
• US, Russia Fail to Resolve Strategic Differences in Moscow Talks VOA 12 Oct 2007 -- The U.S. secretaries of state and defense and their Russian counterparts say experts from the two countries will seek to narrow differences over a series of strategic issues that the ministers failed to resolve during face to face talks in Moscow
• Guard Works to Bring Back Prior-Service Soldiers AFPS 12 Oct 2007 -- The Army National Guard has launched a new recruiting effort that officials hope will tap into a market that has steadily decreased since the war on terror began -- prior-service soldiers.
• Navy Launches Cutting Edge Rich-Media Web Site Navy NewsStand 12 Oct 2007 -- On the eve of its 232 birthday, the Navy has introduced a new, user-friendly Web site which will better serve its Sailors, their families and the public
• SPAWAR Pacific Holds Change of Command Ceremony Navy NewsStand 12 Oct 2007 -- U.S. Space and Naval Warfare Systems (SPAWAR) Facility Pacific Guam held a change of charge ceremony Oct. 5.
• Navy F/A-18A+ Crashes Off Virginia Coast, Pilot Recovered Navy NewsStand 12 Oct 2007 -- A Navy F/A-18A+ Hornet crashed off the coast of Virginia Oct. 11 during a routine training operation.
• French Frigate Vendémiaire Visits U.S. Naval Base Guam Navy NewsStand 12 Oct 2007 -- French Frigate Vendémiaire (F734) made its way into Apra Harbor on U.S. Naval Base Guam, Oct. 1, to take on fuel and supplies before continuing its tour of Asia.
• Lukashenko says Russian arms exporter breaks delivery terms RIA Novosti 12 Oct 2007 -- The Belarusian president accused Russia's state-controlled arms exporter Rosoboronexport of delaying deliveries and failing to honor its contractual obligations.
• Russia, U.S. fail to agree on key issues at defense talks RIA Novosti 12 Oct 2007 -- The U.S. and Russia failed to resolve a missile defense dispute at Friday's talks in Moscow between the countries' foreign and defense ministers, but agreed to resume negotiations in Washington next April.
• Russia, U.S. Fail To Bridge Differences Over Missile Defense RFE/RL 12 Oct 2007 -- U.S. Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice and Defense Secretary Robert Gates held a series of so-called "two-plus-two" meetings in Moscow today with their Russian counterparts, Sergei Lavrov and Anatoly Serdyukov.
• Missile Defense Tops Agenda at Gates, Rice Meeting with Russian Leaders AFPS 12 Oct 2007 -- U.S. plans to base missile defense radar and interceptors in Poland and the Czech Republic and Russia's opposition to those plans were at the heart of talks between U.S. and Russian leaders here this morning.
• Russia refuses to back down on U.S. missile shield, CFE RIA Novosti 12 Oct 2007 -- Russia refuses to change its position on U.S. plans to deploy missile defense elements in Europe and demands on an arms reduction treaty, a senior Defense Ministry official said on Friday.
• Putin warns U.S. against rushing missile deals with Europe RIA Novosti 12 Oct 2007 -- Russia's president said he hoped the U.S. would not rush to finalize missile defense agreements with Europe until talks with Russia were over.
• U.S. needs Europe missile shield but will view Putin offer -Rice RIA Novosti 12 Oct 2007 -- The United States secretary of state said Washington needs to pursue a missile shield in Central Europe but is willing to consider other potential locations as well.
• Putin Tells Rice, Gates Not to Push Missile Defense VOA 12 Oct 2007 -- Russian President Vladimir Putin has warned the United States to back off plans for a missile defense system in eastern Europe and warned that his country might withdraw from a key missile treaty.
• Daily Press Briefing US Dept. of State 12 Oct 2007
• Press Gaggle by Tony Fratto The White House 12 Oct 2007

Defense Industry

• DoD News: Contracts for October 12, 2007
• Rheinmetall wins major orders for NBC reconnaissance equipment and electronics totalling over €80 million Rheinmetall Defence 12 Oct 2007 -- The defence technology arm of Rheinmetall AG of Düsseldorf has recently booked orders worth over €80 million for military vehicle electronics and NBC reconnaissance equipment.

Other Conflicts

• Sudan: Ban Ki-moon concerned at SPLM suspension of participation in Government UN News Centre 12 Oct 2007 -- United Nations Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon today voiced concern about the decision by the Sudan People's Liberation Movement to suspend its participation in the Government of National Unity.
• Sudan Peace Accord at Risk as SPLM Pulls Out of Unity Government VOA 12 Oct 2007 -- A Kenyan diplomat, who helped negotiate the signing of the Comprehensive Peace Agreement between the Sudanese government and southern rebels two years ago, is urging Khartoum to quickly implement key elements of the agreement to avert another crisis in the troubled country
• LEBANON: Palestinians return to desolate, dangerous camp IRIN 12 Oct 2007 -- The first Palestinian families displaced by 15 weeks of intense fighting between the army and Islamist militants that left much of north Lebanon's Nahr al-Bared refugee camp in ruins have begun returning home to start rebuilding their lives.
• DRC: Army recaptures villages as Nkunda appeals for new ceasefire IRIN 12 Oct 2007 -- Dissident Congolese general Laurent Nkunda has called for a fresh ceasefire, claiming that the army's artillery fire in North Kivu province was hitting civilians.
• ERITREA: Interview - President says border issues "must be resolved" IRIN 12 Oct 2007 -- IRIN interviewed President Isaias Afewerki in Asmara, on 1 October
• Palestinian Negotiator Reports Progress in Talks With Israel VOA 12 Oct 2007 -- A senior Palestinian official says there is serious progress in new peace talks with Israel

News Reports

• Burma's Military Government Announces Death of Hardline Prime Minister VOA 12 Oct 2007 -- State media in Burma say the country's hard-line prime minister, Soe Win, is dead after a long illness
• Burma Rejects UN Statement Deploring Recent Crackdown VOA 12 Oct 2007 -- Burma's military government has rejected a United Nations Security Council statement deploring the recent military crackdown on pro-democracy protesters, and calling for a genuine dialogue with opposition icon Aung San Suu Kyi.
• United Nations Security Council Reprimands Burma VOA 12 Oct 2007 -- The United Nations Security Council has released its first formal statement on Burma, criticizing the military government's violent crackdown on pro-democracy demonstrators
• Former US Vice President Gore, UN Panel, Win Nobel Peace Prize VOA 12 Oct 2007 -- Former U.S. Vice President Al Gore and a U.N. panel on climate change have been awarded the 2007 Nobel Peace Prize for their efforts to educate the public on the threat of global warming