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Operations
Defense Policy / Programs
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News Reports

Current Operations

• OIF/OEF Casualty Update 05 Dec 2007 [PDF]
• Coalition Forces Soldiers attacked (Tikrit)
• MND-North Soldier attacked
• DoD Identifies Army Casualty
• Press Conference: Secretary of Defense, Dec. 5, 2007 MNF-I 05 Dec 2007 -- Robert M. Gates, Secretary of Defense, gives an Operational Update from Baghdad and answers questions from the media
• Dec. 4 airpower summary: C-130s fleet workhorse AFPN 05 Dec 2007
• Coalition Captures Weapons, Foreign Terrorist Facilitators AFPS 05 Dec 2007 -- Coalition forces detained 10 suspected terrorists during operations today to disrupt al Qaeda operations in central and northern Iraq, military officials reported.
• Transcript: DoD News Briefing with Gen. Conway from the Pentagon Briefing Room, Arlington, Va. 05 Dec 2007 -- Presenter: Commandant of the U.S. Marine Corps Gen. James Conway
• US Marines Not Deploying to Afghanistan VOA 05 Dec 2007 -- The commandant of the U.S. Marine Corps says Marines will not be deployed to Afghanistan, as he had wanted, and will continue to work in western Iraq instead
• Several Militants Killed in Afghanistan Operation AFPS 05 Dec 2007 -- Several militants were killed yesterday during a coalition operation to disrupt foreign-fighter and weapons facilitation networks in Afghanistan's Helmand province, military officials reported.
• Marines Won't Move to Afghanistan for Now, Conway Says AFPS 05 Dec 2007 -- The idea of Marine units moving into Afghanistan to replace Army units is off the table for now, the commandant of the Marine Corps said here today.
• Analysis: India's Northern Exposure cfr.org 05 Dec 2007 -- India's appetite for Afghan nuts and Kabul's love for Bollywood may be reframing the geopolitics of the region
• AFGHANISTAN: UN prepares for repatriation of over half a million refugees IRIN 05 Dec 2007 -- The UN Refugee Agency (UNHCR) has asked for about US$100 million from donors for its Afghan operations in the coming two years, according to UNHCR Global Appeal 2008-2009.
• AFGHANISTAN: Preparations under way for possible natural disasters this winter IRIN 05 Dec 2007 -- A national disaster management commission, comprised of several government and non-government organisations (NGOs) in Afghanistan, has allocated US$2.5 million for possible disaster management operations during the winter months.

Defense Policy / Programs

• Officials stand down F-15 A-D models until further notice AFPN 05 Dec 2007 -- The commander of Air Combat Command directed the stand-down Dec. 3 of all ACC F-15 A through D model aircraft until further notice.
• U.S. Military Meets With Argentine Navy to Plan 2008 Naval Interactions Navy NewsStand 05 Dec 2007 -- U.S. Navy and Marine Corps leaders met with Armada Argentina (Argentine Navy) representatives for the Operational Naval Committee (ONC) Argentina conference Dec. 3-4, to discuss upcoming engagements between the two militaries in 2008.
• USS Tarawa and 11th MEU Provide Medical Aid to Bangladesh Residents Navy NewsStand 05 Dec 2007 -- Sailors and Marines assigned to the amphibious assault ship USS Tarawa (LHA 1) and the 11th Marine Expeditionary Unit (MEU) provided medical aid on Dec. 4 in Bangladesh for those affected by the recent cyclone.
• Cambodians Get Medical Aid, English Lessons from U.S. Military Washington File 05 Dec 2007 -- Providing medical and dental care, teaching English, fixing buildings and strengthening military ties between the United States and Cambodia were among the projects the USS Essex and a Marine expeditionary unit attached to the ship undertook during a recent port visit to Sihanoukville, Cambodia.
• Air Force civilians essential to mission; furloughs last resort AFPN 05 Dec 2007 -- With the Army announcing possibly civilian layoffs this month, Air Force leaders want civilian Air Force members to know they are monitoring the situation closely.
• Kosovo Task Force Prepared for Conflict, Commander Says AFPS 05 Dec 2007 -- As negotiations on Kosovo's "final status" are expected to reach a political stalemate Dec. 10, a top commander in NATO's Kosovo Force said today his troops are prepared for any potential conflict in the breakaway province.
• Top Marine Explains Cut in Purchase of Mine-resistant Vehicles AFPS 05 Dec 2007 -- Improved conditions in Iraq and a desire to remain a light, mobile force caused the Marine Corps cut its order for mine-resistant, ambush-protected vehicles, a decision that included careful assessment of its effect on safety of deployed forces, the commandant of the Marine Corps said here today.
• U.S., China Agree to Strengthen Military Relations AFPS 05 Dec 2007 -- The United States-Peoples' Republic of China annual defense consultative talks ended yesterday with the two nations agreeing to increase military-to-military ties, Pentagon officials said today.
• NTC Opening New Urban Training Site Army News 05 Dec 2007 -- Soldiers will soon begin training on what Fort Irwin officials say will one day be the largest Military Operations in Urban Terrain site in the Army inventory.
• San Antonio Tackles INSURV Navy NewsStand 05 Dec 2007 -- USS San Antonio (LPD 17) went through its Board of Inspection and Survey, or INSURV, inspection Nov. 26-30 at Naval Station Norfolk.
• Final Four MHCs Decommission Navy NewsStand 05 Dec 2007 -- A lone bugler played as Union Jacks and national ensigns were lowered marking the end of service for the final four Osprey-class coastal mine hunters.
• Africa Partnership Station Arrives in Cameroon Navy NewsStand 05 Dec 2007 -- Africa Partnership Station (APS), aboard Amphibious Dock Landing Ship USS Fort McHenry (LSD 43), arrived at Limbe, Dec. 4, marking its fourth port visit of a seven-month deployment.
• US Candidates for President Debate Torture, Public Diplomacy VOA 05 Dec 2007 -- Two Republican Party candidates for U.S. president disagreed sharply last week on the use a controversial interrogation technique known as waterboarding
• Russia's Lavrov gives details on U.S. missile proposal response RIA Novosti 05 Dec 2007 -- Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov said on Wednesday Washington's reply to Russia's missile defense cooperation proposals was a major setback from previous agreements.
• Russia, U.S. set military cooperation goals for 2008 RIA Novosti 05 Dec 2007 -- The U.S. and Russia have signed a memorandum on bilateral military cooperation and the interoperability of their respective Armed Forces for 2008, a U.S. military source said.
• Daily Press Briefing US Dept. of State 05 Dec 2007
• Press Gaggle by Tony Fratto The White House 05 Dec 2007

Defense Industry

• DoD News: Contracts for December 05, 2007
• BAE Systems and Malaysian Ministry of Defence Sign Hawk Agreement BAE Systems 05 Dec 2007 -- BAE Systems and the Malaysian Ministry of Defence have today signed a contract that will see BAE Systems continue to provide support to the Royal Malaysian Air Force's (RMAF) Hawk fleet.
• SAIC Awarded Follow-On Contract to Support Army Program Executive Office - Enterprise Information Systems SAIC 05 Dec 2007 -- Science Applications International Corporation (NYSE: SAI) today announced that it has been awarded a contract under the U.S. Army Space and Missile Defense Command's Warfighter Analysis and Integration Program to provide Biometrics Automated Toolset (BAT) development and operational support to the U.S. Army Program Executive Office -- Enterprise Information Systems.
• Greece set to buy Russian fighting vehicles RIA Novosti 05 Dec 2007 -- Greece plans to buy Russian BMP-3 infantry fighting vehicles, a source close to the negotiations told RIA Novosti on Wednesday.
• Russia to join Malaysian tender to supply armored vehicles RIA Novosti 05 Dec 2007 -- Russia's state-run arms exporter Rosoboronexport will take part in a tender for the supply of armored personnel carriers to the Malaysian army, a company official said on Wednesday.

Other Conflicts

• DAILY PRESS BRIEFING BY THE OFFICE OF THE SPOKESPERSON FOR THE SECRETARY-GENERAL United Nations 05 Dec 2007
• Rice Consults African Leaders on Regional Flashpoints VOA 05 Dec 2007 -- Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice is in Ethiopia's capital, Addis Ababa, for a whirlwind series of meetings with African leaders on a series of regional flashpoints, from Somalia to Darfur to the Great Lakes region
• Press Conference By Prosecutor Of International Criminal Court Following His Meeting With Security Council Concerning Report On Darfur United Nations 05 Dec 2007
• Sudan has failed to cooperate with International Criminal Court, prosecutor says UN News Centre 05 Dec 2007 -- The Sudanese Government is not cooperating with the International Criminal Court (ICC), its Chief Prosecutor said today, calling on the Security Council to send "a strong and unanimous message" to Khartoum to arrest and surrender two men accused of committing war crimes during the conflict in Darfur.
• Darfur: UN, African Union envoys meet with regional partners to peace process UN News Centre 05 Dec 2007 -- The United Nations and African Union Special Envoys for Darfur have met with the regional partners to the peace process in the war-torn Sudanese region to assess the progress so far and try to forge agreement on the way forward.
• Analysis: Kosovo's End Game cfr.org 05 Dec 2007 -- After more than eight years under a UN protectorate, and centuries of ethnic wrangling, Kosovo seems on the verge of settling its political status-sort of
• Holbrooke: Kosovo Independence Declaration Could Spark Crisis cfr.org 05 Dec 2007
• Senior UN envoy certifies election results in Kosovo UN News Centre 05 Dec 2007 -- The top United Nations envoy to Kosovo today certified election results for the Assembly of the Serbian province where ethnic Albanians outnumber Serbs and other minorities by about nine to one.
• Russian Foreign Minister Says West Blocking Progress on Kosovo VOA 05 Dec 2007 -- Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov says Western support for Kosovo's independence is blocking further talks between Serbs and Kosovo Albanians.
• CHAD: Relief workers adapt to fresh violence IRIN 05 Dec 2007 -- With renewed fighting that has killed hundreds of soldiers and rebels in eastern Chad, and signs of more hostilities to come, aid workers there are adjusting how they assist the hundreds of thousands of civilians who depend on aid for their survival.
• CHAD: European force "blocked" for now IRIN 05 Dec 2007 -- The 4,500-strong European force expected to start arriving in Chad and the Central African Republic in November to protect aid workers and some 500,000 displaced civilians is on hold for now.
• 7 soldiers, 35 rebels killed in fresh clashes in Sri Lanka IRNA 05 Dec 2007 -- At least seven soldiers and 28 Tamil Tigers were killed in a series of clashes in restive northern Sri Lanka, the army said in Colombo today.
• Sri Lankan Authorities Criticized for Mass Arrests of Tamil Civilians VOA 05 Dec 2007 -- There is a growing chorus of protest among international and local rights groups over the recent mass arrests of minority ethnic Tamils by Sri Lankan authorities
• SRI LANKA: Critical northern crossing point under pressure IRIN 05 Dec 2007 -- The Omanthai crossing point 190km north of the Sri Lankan capital, Colombo, is the only gateway currently open between areas controlled by the Sri Lankan government and those controlled by the Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam (LTTE), and traffic through this key transit point falls off sharply each time the security situation deteriorates.
• Landis: Syria Key to Middle East Peace Process cfr.org 05 Dec 2007
• Israeli Troops Ready to Move Into Gaza VOA 05 Dec 2007 -- The Israeli military says it has completed plans for a major offensive in the Hamas-controlled Gaza Strip aimed at halting Palestinian attacks.
• ISRAEL-OPT: Gaza's medical sector feeling impact of Israeli sanctions, restrictions IRIN 05 Dec 2007 -- Health officials in the Gaza Strip say they are concerned about hundreds of patients unable to travel to Israel or other countries for vital treatment, and that local hospitals lack essential medical equipment, drugs and fuel.
• DRC Army Takes Back Rebel-Controlled Town VOA 05 Dec 2007 -- Army leaders in the Democratic Republic of Congo say they have taken back the strategic eastern village of Mushake from forces allied to renegade rebel leader Laurent Nkunda
• DRC: Clashes raise fears for 15,000 IDPs IRIN 05 Dec 2007 -- Government forces in the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) claimed to have routed fighters loyal to dissident General Laurent Nkunda from the North Kivu town of Mushake, raising concerns for the safety of 15,000 displaced people in the nearby village of Kilolwire.
• AFRICA: Strengthening security is prerequisite for DRC - Rice IRIN 05 Dec 2007 -- Strengthening the security institutions in the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) is a prerequisite for long-term solutions to the country's problems, the US Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice told the media in the Ethiopian capital, Addis Ababa.
• WFP Considers Future Airlift to North Kivu VOA 05 Dec 2007 -- A senior official of the World Food Program tells VOA the agency might have to airlift food to thousands of people trapped in North Kivu if fighting in the eastern province of the Democratic Republic of Congo goes on for a long time
• Deputy Secretary-General hails new tool to promote peacebuilding in Burundi UN News Centre 05 Dec 2007 -- Applauding Burundi on its commitment to peace after more than a decade of armed conflict, Deputy Secretary-General Asha-Rose Migiro today welcomed the adoption of a new tool that will strengthen the partnership between the United Nations, the West African country and its international partners.
• Ban Ki-moon urges credible dialogue to resolve crisis in Central African Republic UN News Centre 05 Dec 2007 -- Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon has appealed to actors in the Central African Republic (CAR) to engage in national dialogue to end the cycle of political instability and violence that continues to plague the country, pledging the sustained support of the United Nations in this process.
• Turkish Troops Kill 14 Kurdish Rebels Near Iraq Border VOA 05 Dec 2007 -- The Turkish army says its soldiers have killed at least 14 Kurdish rebels in clashes near the border with Iraq.
• Somalia President's Health Fuels Speculation Over Successor VOA 05 Dec 2007 -- Somalia's interim President Abdullahi Yusuf spent a second day in a hospital in the Kenyan capital Nairobi amid growing reports that the 72-uear-old leader is gravely ill.
• Niger Rebels Attack Convoy, Refuse to Negotiate VOA 05 Dec 2007 -- Ethnic Tuareg rebels in Niger say they will not negotiate with the current government because the government will never meet their demands

News Reports

• PRESS CONFERENCE ON UNITED NATIONS GLOBAL COUNTER-TERRORISM STRATEGY United Nations 05 Dec 2007
• Head of UN probe into Hariri assassination 'more confident than ever' of success UN News Centre 05 Dec 2007 -- The head of the United Nations probe into the assassination of former Lebanese prime minister Rafiq Hariri is "more confident and optimistic than ever that the investigation can be concluded successfully," he told the Security Council today, explaining that his team has been able to answer many key questions regarding the February 2005 attack.
• Continuing delays in election of new Lebanese president concern Ban Ki-moon UN News Centre 05 Dec 2007 -- Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon has been holding talks by telephone this week with Lebanon's political leaders to urge them to find a solution to their tense stand-off over the election of a new president.
• Senior EU official says Europe sees Russia as threat RIA Novosti 05 Dec 2007 -- The vice president of the European Commission said on Wednesday that European Union countries unanimously saw Russia as a growing threat.
• BANGLADESH: International cyclone aid tops US$233 million IRIN 05 Dec 2007 -- International assistance to victims of last month's devastating cyclone in Bangladesh has now reached more than US$233 million, a senior UN official has confirmed.
• UGANDA: Ebola kills two doctors as death toll rises to 21 IRIN 05 Dec 2007 -- Two Ugandan doctors who had been helping in the fight against an outbreak of the deadly Ebola virus have died, bringing the death toll to 21, officials said on 5 December.