Operations
Defense Policy / Programs
Defense Industry
Other Conflicts
News Reports

Current Operations

• OIF/OEF Casualty Update 10 Apr 2008 [PDF]
• Coalition force Soldier attacked by IED
• DoD Identifies Army Casualty
• DoD Identifies Army Casualty
• DoD Identifies Air Force Casualty
• DoD Identifies Army Casualty
• Army Deployments to CENTCOM Return to 12 Months Army News Release 10 Apr 2008 -- Following President Bush's announcement today, April 10, and as directed by the Secretary of Defense, the U.S. Army will reduce deployment lengths from 15 months to 12 months for all active Army Soldiers deploying to the CENTCOM area of operations, starting on 1 August 2008.
• Coalition Forces Detain Seven in Central, Northern Iraq AFPS 10 Apr 2008 -- Coalition forces detained seven suspected terrorists during operations targeting al-Qaida in central and northern Iraq today.
• Battalion Helps Iraqis Reclaim Freedom, Security, Stability AFPS 10 Apr 2008 -- The Raider Brigade Combat Team has a new ally in its mission to help the Iraqi government and Multinational Division Baghdad soldiers build upon the predominately Sunni community of Doura in Baghdad's Rashid district.
• Top US Military Officer 'Deeply Concerned' About Afghanistan VOA 10 Apr 2008 -- The top U.S. military officer says he is concerned about the security situation in Afghanistan, and the United States will not be able to do much to help until it can reduce its troop presence in Iraq
• 101st Airborne Takes Over for 82nd Airborne in Afghanistan AFPS 10 Apr 2008 -- On the 101st day of 2008, the headquarters of the 101st Airborne Division officially became Combined Joint Task Force 101 and took command of NATO's Regional Command East sector of Afghanistan from the 82nd Airborne Division.

Defense Policy / Programs

• President Bush Discusses Iraq The White House 10 Apr 2008
• Bush Orders Shortened Tours, Pause in US Troop Withdrawals from Iraq VOA 10 Apr 2008 -- President Bush has ordered a suspension of U.S. troop withdrawals from Iraq after July and shortened tours for incoming troops.
• Petraeus Gives High Marks to Maliki's Anti-terror Offensive AFPS 10 Apr 2008 -- Iraqi security forces acquitted themselves well, in view of their relative inexperience, in recent fighting against terrorists and criminals in the southern part of the country, including Basra, as well as in parts of Baghdad, the top U.S. military officer in Iraq said here today.
• Gates: Reduced Iraq Violence Enables Exit of Surge Forces AFPS 10 Apr 2008 -- Sharply decreased violence in Iraq has set the stage for the departure of the remaining surge forces by the end of July, Defense Secretary Robert M. Gates testified before the Senate Armed Services Committee here today.
• As Iraqi Progress Update Closes, Dialogue Remains Open AFPS 10 Apr 2008 -- The top U.S. military commander in Iraq presented Congress a comprehensive Iraq progress update in a grueling two days that comprised nearly 20 hours of testimony.
• Petraeus: Conditions on Ground to Dictate Troop Withdrawals AFPS 10 Apr 2008 -- After the last of the surge brigades leaves Iraq this summer, future troop withdrawals will be based on conditions on the ground and will be evaluated continuously, the top U.S. commander in Iraq said in a recent television interview.
• Analysis: The Next President and the 'Surge' Cfr.org 10 Apr 2008 -- The "new way forward" in Iraq is now a waiting game. In testimony before the U.S. Congress on April 8 and 9, Gen. David H. Petraeus, the coalition commander in Iraq, called for an open-ended suspension (AP) of troop withdrawals scheduled to begin this summer
• Democrats, Republicans Respond to Bush Decisions on Iraq VOA 10 Apr 2008 -- Democrats are criticizing President Bush's latest decisions on military deployments in Iraq, based on recommendations of the U.S. military commander and senior U.S. diplomat in the country
• US Lawmakers Seek Vote on Troop Pact With Iraq VOA 10 Apr 2008 -- U.S. lawmakers are calling on the Bush administration to submit any deal on future U.S. troop operations in Iraq to Congress for approval
• Iraqi Refugee Crisis Focus of US Lawmaker's Attention VOA 10 Apr 2008 -- The Iraqi refugee crisis was a focus of attention again on Capitol Hill and Washington this week
• US Defense Chief Hopes for Further Iraq Withdrawals This Year VOA 10 Apr 2008 -- U.S. Defense Secretary Robert Gates says he no longer holds out the hope that the U.S. troop level in Iraq will be down to 100,000 by the time the Bush administration leaves office in January
• Bleak assessment of Iraq IRNA 10 Apr 2008 -- The recommendation by the top American commander in Iraq to suspend troop reductions reflects a bleak assessment of Iraq in terms of responsibility of the occupying forces to guarantee security of the country under occupation.
• Petraeus Report Means Large US Troop Presence in Iraq Will Remain VOA 10 Apr 2008 -- In congressional testimony this week, the top U.S. military and civilian officials in Iraq reported what they called "real" but "fragile" progress, and urged caution in any discussion of further U.S. troop withdrawals, beyond the end of the surge in July
• Petraeus, Crocker Pressed on US Commitment to Iraq VOA 10 Apr 2008 -- Lawmakers have pressed the top U.S. military commander in Iraq, General David Petraeus, and U.S. Ambassador Ryan Crocker, about the duration of the U.S. military presence in Iraq, and political progress by the Iraqi government
• Recruiting and Retention Numbers for March 2008 10 Apr 2008 -- The Department of Defense announced today its recruiting and retention statistics for the active and reserve components for the month of March.
• Services See Strong Showing for March Recruiting AFPS 10 Apr 2008 -- All military services met or exceeded their recruiting goals for March, Defense Department officials reported today.
• Airmen help flooding recovery efforts AFPN 10 Apr 2008 -- Airmen from McEntire Joint National Guard Base, S.C., recently provided satellite imagery to assist state and federal agencies in relief efforts following flooding in Missouri and Arkansas.
• NorthCom, Homeland Security Refine Relationship AFPS 10 Apr 2008 -- The Department of Homeland Security and U.S. Northern Command plan to refine their existing intelligence relationship, a top DHS intelligence official said during a recent visit to NorthCom's headquarters here.
• Air Force engineers work 'outside the wire' every day AFPN 10 Apr 2008 -- As part of a Provincial Reconstruction Team it is common to go "outside the wire" to do work.
• Euro-NATO committee has eyes on future AFPN 10 Apr 2008 -- The spring Euro-NATO Joint Jet Pilot Training Program's Steering Committee completed its weeklong discussions April 4 regarding the future of the program, including its syllabus, budget and infrastructure.
• Special tactics recruiting takes flight AFPN 10 Apr 2008 -- The Air Force's ongoing need to fill critically manned special tactics positions -- particularly combat controllers and pararescuemen -- has brought about a unique initiative between officials from Air Force Recruiting Service and Air Force Special Operations Command.
• Gates Tests Phone Connection with China AFPS 10 Apr 2008 -- Defense Secretary Robert M. Gates tested a defense telephone link to China for the first time, making a call to his counterpart there this morning.
• Cold-Weather Clothing System Increases Survivability, Comfort Army News 10 Apr 2008 -- Weather is among many challenges Soldiers face in Afghanistan and depending upon the season, the temperature in the rugged mountain nation can range from -20 degrees Fahrenheit to well above 100 F.
• Vice Chief Addresses Army's Readiness at House Hearing Army News 10 Apr 2008 -- Operational requirements and lack of training time between deployments have affected the Army's preparedness for the full spectrum of military missions, Gen. Richard A. Cody told Congress Wednesday, but added that Soldiers are making a difference in Iraq due to their determination and resiliency.
• Chief Outlines Army's Construction Request Army News 10 Apr 2008 -- The chief of staff of the Army visited Capitol Hill Wednesday to discuss the Army's 2009 military-construction budget and how its planned building projects are essential to helping the Army rebalance itself.
• NMIOTC Forges Understanding in Phoenix Express 2008 Navy NewsStand 10 Apr 2008 -- The North American Treaty Organization's (NATO) Maritime Interdiction Operational Training Centre (NMIOTC) is proving to be the meeting ground for several service members from different nations as they work together to improve maritime interdiction operations (MIO) capabilities during Exercise Phoenix Express 2008 (PE 08).
• Nassau Hosts Phoenix Express Medical Professionals Navy NewsStand 10 Apr 2008 -- USS Nassau (LHA 4) hosted foreign military medical professionals from ten countries on the first full day of training during Exercise Phoenix Express 2008 (PE 08)April 9.
• Keating: Engagement With China May Clarify Its Military Intentions AFPS 10 Apr 2008 -- China's military expansion raises questions and concerns, so the best way to get a clear sense of what China is up to and why is to engage with its leaders, the commander of U.S. Pacific Command said here today.
• PaCom Chief Lauds U.S.-Indonesian Ties, Urges Closer Cooperation AFPS 10 Apr 2008 -- The top U.S. military officer in the Pacific pledged today to continue working to build on the United States' solid military-to-military relationship with Indonesia through exercises, military exchanges and information sharing.
• Port Royal, Hopper, Ingraham Visit Phuket, Thailand Navy NewsStand 10 Apr 2008 -- Guided-missile cruiser USS Port Royal (CG 73), guided-missile destroyer USS Hopper (DDG 70) and guided-missile frigate USS Ingraham (FFG 61) "set sail" concluding a successful port visit to Phuket on April 7.
• Tarawa Hosts Coalition Leadership in Djibouti Navy NewsStand 10 Apr 2008 -- Amphibious assault ship USS Tarawa (LHA 1) welcomed aboard coalition leaders from Pakistan, France, Ethiopia, Egypt and the U.S., April 1.
• Russia, Poland in deadlock over missile shield IRNA 10 Apr 2008 -- Russia and Poland have failed again to reach an agreement over the proposed US missile base in Central Europe, Russia's Foreign Ministry said on Wednesday.
• Indonesia expects 3 new Russian Flanker fighters by October RIA Novosti 10 Apr 2008 -- Indonesia is expecting the delivery of three Su-family fighters from Russia by October this year, the Air Force chief said.
• Press Gaggle by Dana Perino The White House 10 Apr 2008
• Daily Press Briefing US Dept. of State 10 Apr 2008

Defense Industry

• DoD News: Contracts for April 10, 2008
• SAIC Awarded Contracts by Australia's Defence Materiel Organisation SAIC 10 Apr 2008 -- Science Applications International Corporation (NYSE: SAI) today announced it has been awarded two contracts by the Australian Defence Materiel Organisation (DMO) to support the Joint Electronic Fuels Management (JEFM) Project.
• DCNS wins major contract to deliver heavyweight torpedoes DCNS 10 Apr 2008 -- DCNS has won a key contract to deliver, integrate and maintain of about hundred of heavyweight torpedoes. This success further strengthens the group’s position with a view to forming a new entity that will be a world leader in underwater weapons.

Other Conflicts

• DAILY PRESS BRIEFING BY THE OFFICES OF THE SPOKESPERSON FOR THE SECRETARY-GENERAL AND THE SPOKESPERSON FOR THE GENERAL ASSEMBLY PRESIDENT United Nations 10 Apr 2008
• Gunmen Attack Darfur Peacekeepers, Steal ID Cards VOA 10 Apr 2008 -- Gunmen have attacked a United Nations-African Union police patrol in Sudan's Darfur region, about two kilometers north of a refugee camp.
• Rights Group Warns Attacks Threaten Sudanese Census VOA 10 Apr 2008 -- The New York-based organization Human Rights Watch has warned that the Sudanese government may be using militia groups on the border between northern and southern Sudan to disrupt or influence the national census scheduled to take place later this month
• Sudan: two more transport workers murdered delivering UN food aid UN News Centre 10 Apr 2008 -- A truck driver and his assistant been murdered delivering food aid in Southern Sudan, bringing to five the number of people killed in attacks on transports of the United Nations World Food Programme (WFP) in Sudan in less than three weeks, the agency announced today.
• SUDAN: Attacks on drivers affecting food deliveries IRIN 10 Apr 2008 -- Recent attacks on trucks contracted by the UN World Food Programme (WFP) to transport food to Darfur and Southern Sudan have slowed down deliveries and affected the UN agency's ability to support returnees, the agency warned.
• Ugandan Rebel Leader Delays Signing Peace Deal VOA 10 Apr 2008 -- Ugandan rebel leader Joseph Kony has delayed signing a peace deal with the Ugandan government.
• UGANDA: Government to focus on rebuilding the north IRIN 10 Apr 2008 -- The Ugandan government will concentrate on rehabilitating the war-ravaged north of the country, it said before the anticipated signing of a peace agreement with the rebel Lord's Resistance Army (LRA).
• Backgrounder: Palestinian Islamic Jihad cfr.org 10 Apr 2008
• CHAD: UN mission set to train police for the east IRIN 10 Apr 2008 -- The training of 77 national police commanders for a special force to provide security in refugee camps, sites for displaced Chadians and towns in eastern Chad, is set to start on 14 April, according to a spokesman for the UN Mission in Central African Republic and Chad (MINURCAT).
• Kosovo: Envoy Says New Constitution For All Communities RFE/RL 10 Apr 2008 -- On April 7, Pieter Feith, who is the international civilian representative in Kosovo, spoke to Arbana Vidishiqi of RFE/RL's South Slavic and Albanian Languages Service.
• Bush Administration Counsels Carter Not to Meet With Hamas VOA 10 Apr 2008 -- The Bush administration says it has counseled former President Jimmy Carter against having a meeting with the head of the militant Palestinian group Hamas
• ISRAEL-OPT: Attack on border crossing, strike, affect Gaza fuel supplies IRIN 10 Apr 2008 -- An attack by Palestinian militants on 9 April on the Nahal Oz crossing, through which fuel is transported from Israel into the Gaza Strip, left two employees of the Dor Alon fuel company dead and caused the closure of the crossing.
• Russia says agreement needed on peacekeepers' status in Abkhazia RIA Novosti 10 Apr 2008 -- The status of peacekeepers in the Georgian-Abkhazian conflict zone should not be changed without the agreement of all parties involved, Russia's Foreign Minister said on Thursday.
• Turkish army kills 11 Kurdish rebels RIA Novosti 10 Apr 2008 -- Turkish troops have killed 11 Kurdish militants in the Tunceli province in the southeast of the country in a series of anti-terrorist raids, local authorities said on Thursday.

News Reports

• US Finds Serious Flaws in Burma's Draft Constitution VOA 10 Apr 2008 -- The U.S. State Department said Thursday Burma's new draft constitution provides little hope for real change in the military-ruled Southeast Asian country
• Mugabe, Tsvangirai Both to Attend Summit on Zimbabwe Election Crisis VOA 10 Apr 2008 -- Spokesmen for Zimbabwe's president and opposition leader say both men will attend an emergency summit of southern African leaders intended to address the political crisis in Zimbabwe.
• After Two Delays, Nepal Holds National Election VOA 10 Apr 2008 -- Millions of voters in Nepal braved threats of violence and harsh terrain to cast ballots in a historic election to choose a 601-member national assembly that is to write a constitution.
• Dalai Lama Says China Has No Right to Silence Protesters VOA 10 Apr 2008 -- Tibet's spiritual leader, the Dalai Lama, has reiterated his support for the Beijing Olympic Games, but says authorities in China have no right to demand that critics end peaceful demonstrations against China's actions in Tibet
• ZIMBABWE: Post election violence increasing IRIN 10 Apr 2008 -- The prospect of a second round of the presidential poll, even though the result has not been officially released, is leading to increasing tensions throughout Zimbabwe and the fear of greater violence.
• EGYPT: Can bread subsidies continue in their present form? IRIN 10 Apr 2008 -- Some 500 political activists and textile workers were arrested and dozens of others injured during clashes with police in the Nile Delta city of Al-Mahalla Al-Kobra on 6 April in protests over high bread prices, said eyewitnesses.
• ASIA: Fear of shortages as rice prices keep rising IRIN 10 Apr 2008 -- As food prices continue to skyrocket throughout Asia, many governments are intervening to try to stabilise their domestic rice prices for fear of acute shortages and possible food riots
• Serbia: So Close, Yet So Far For Belgrade's EU Dreams RFE/RL 10 Apr 2008 -- The European Union is racing against time -- and some of its own member states -- to create incentives for Serbian voters to choose a Western future when they go to the polls for parliamentary elections on May 11.
• U.S. tried to remove Russian arms dealer from Thailand - brother RIA Novosti 10 Apr 2008 -- U.S. officials tried to take Viktor Bout, a Russian arms dealer recently arrested in Thailand, to the U.S. without the move being sanctioned by a court, his brother said on Thursday.
• Moscow to protect rights of Russian arms dealer in Thailand RIA Novosti 10 Apr 2008 -- Russia has said it will attempt to protect the rights of a suspected illegal arms dealer being held in custody in Thailand at the request of the U.S., a Foreign Ministry spokesman said on Thursday.