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Operations
Defense Policy / Programs
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News Reports

Current Operations

• OIF/OEF Casualty Update 26 Aug 2008 [PDF]
• Iraq, Afghanistan airdrops reach all-time high AFPN 26 Aug 2008 -- Resupplying U.S. and coalition forces on the ground is a critical logistical component of combat operations
• Historic day a signature of transition to peace, security in Anbar USMC News 26 Aug 2008 -- The governor and the commanding general of all the Iraqi Security Forces for al-Anbar took full control and responsibility for security from Coalition forces, which has loosened control of the once deadly province.
• Coalition Captures Kataib Hezbollah Suspects, Numerous Others AFPS 26 Aug 2008 -- Coalition forces captured two suspected Kataib Hezbollah associates during operations this morning in Baghdad, military officials reported.
• 28 Dead in Suicide Bombing in Iraq's Diyala Province VOA 26 Aug 2008 -- Police in Iraq say a suicide bomber has killed at least 28 people in the town of Jalula, in violent Diyala province.
• UN Says Disputed US Airstrike Killed 90 Afghan Civilians VOA 26 Aug 2008 -- The United Nations says its investigation into U.S. airstrikes on Friday in western Afghanistan found "convincing evidence" that the operation killed 90 civilians - 60 of whom were children
• Opium cultivation in Afghanistan drops by a fifth, finds UN survey UN News Centre 26 Aug 2008 -- Opium cultivation in Afghanistan has gone down by a fifth as compared to last year, the United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime (UNODC) reported today, attributing the decrease to good local leadership coupled with bad weather.
• UN calls for probe into Afghan civilian deaths in NATO operations IRNA 26 Aug 2008 -- The top United Nations official in Afghanistan Monday called for a thorough investigation of reports that large numbers of civilians were killed during an international military operation in the far west of the country, UN Information Center said on Tuesday.
• Afghan government obliges NATO to get clearance for air strikes IRNA 26 Aug 2008 -- The Afghan government on Monday obliged foreign troops including NATO and the United States not to bomb suspected areas without getting clearance from respective officials to avoid civilian casualties.
• At least 90 civilians killed in recent military operations, says UN UN News Centre 26 Aug 2008 -- An investigation by the United Nations Assistance Mission in Afghanistan (UNAMA) has found that some 90 civilians, including 60 children, were among those killed during military operations in the strife-torn nation's western Herat province last week.
• Afghan Gov't Wants Foreign Troops to Remain in Afghanistan VOA 26 Aug 2008 -- Afghan government officials say they want foreign troops to remain in the country, despite their condemnation of a U.S. air strike that reportedly killed dozens of civilians.
• Ramstein members deliver aid to Georgia AFPN 26 Aug 2008 -- Ramstein Air Base C-130 Hercules aircrews continue to fly to Tbilisi International Airport in Georgia to deliver crucial humanitarian supplies Aug. 26.

Defense Policy / Programs

• Detainee Transfer Announced 26 Aug 2008 -- The Department of Defense announced today the transfer of two detainees from Guantanamo Bay, Cuba, to Algeria
• AFPC commander visits to deployed air bases AFPN 26 Aug 2008 -- The commander of the Air Force Personnel Center visited Airmen and Soldiers here Aug. 25 during a tour to examine some of the personnel issues facing personnelists and servicemembers in the deployed environment.
• Air Force IT Conference kicks off AFPN 26 Aug 2008 -- The Air Force Information Technology Conference kicked off Aug. 25 in Montgomery as members of the 754th Electronics System Group host the week-long seminar for approximately 5,600 government and civilian attendees.
• SouthCom Transformation Promotes New Approach to Regional Challenges AFPS 26 Aug 2008 -- Along with U.S. Africa Command going fully operational Oct. 1, the Defense Department will reach another milestone as U.S. Southern Command completes a major reorganization that also promotes joint, interagency and even private- and public-sector cooperation.
• TransCom Rolls Out New Program for Household Moves AFPS 26 Aug 2008 -- U.S. Transportation Command and the Army's Military Surface Distribution and Deployment Command have announced the initial rollout of a new automated system for movement of servicemembers' and government civilians' household goods.
• Commander, U.S. Naval Forces Europe Visits NAS Sigonella Navy NewsStand 26 Aug 2008 -- The commander of U.S. Naval Forces Europe, Commander Allied Joint Force Command Naples, addressed Naval Air Station (NAS) Sigonella Sailors during an "all hands" call during a visit to the operational side of Sigonella Aug. 25.
• USS Carl Vinson Reopens Wardroom Facility Navy NewsStand 26 Aug 2008 -- The Nimitz-class aircraft carrier USS Carl Vinson (CVN 70) reopened the ship's wardroom facility Aug. 19, after more than three years in overhaul.
• Air Force chief of staff discusses leadership goals AFPN 26 Aug 2008 -- The Air Force chief of staff shared his vision concerning Air Force leadership and discussed his goals for the direction of the Air Force during the Air Force Sergeants Association's Professional Airmen's Conference Aug. 25 in San Antonio.
• U.S.-manned Patriot missile base to be set up in Poland by 2012 RIA Novosti 26 Aug 2008 -- A garrison of 100 U.S. military personnel will be based at an Army Patriot missile battery in Poland due to be established by 2012, a U.S. official said.
• US Remains Open to Dialogue With Moscow on Missile Defense VOA 26 Aug 2008 -- The Bush administration said Monday it remains open to dialogue with Moscow on U.S. European missile-defense plans despite Russia's angry response to the signing of a U.S.-Polish agreement on the issue last week
• Medvedev: Russia Wants NATO Partnership But Criticizes Expansion VOA 26 Aug 2008 -- Russian President Dmitri Medvedev says his country wants a partnership with NATO but warns that alliance expansion would only exacerbate tensions.
• Russia not seeking new Cold War, but not afraid - Medvedev RIA Novosti 26 Aug 2008 -- Russia does not want a new Cold War but is not afraid of one should it occur, the Russian president told the Russia Today international news channel on Tuesday.
• Russia freezes peacekeeping operations with NATO for 6 months RIA Novosti 26 Aug 2008 -- Russia has suspended all peacekeeping operations with NATO for at least six months, the Russian envoy to the military alliance said Tuesday.
• Russia's Offensive in Georgia a Signal to NATO to Stay Away from Its 'Space' cfr.org 26 Aug 2008 -- Interviewee: F. Stephen Larrabee, Corporate Chair in European Security, RAND Corporation
• NATO helps Georgia restore air defenses, ups Black Sea presence RIA Novosti 26 Aug 2008 -- NATO is helping to restore Georgia's air defenses and has deployed 10 warships in the Black Sea, with another eight expected soon, the deputy chief of the Russian General Staff said Tuesday.
• Daily Press Briefing US Dept. of State 26 Aug 2008
• Press Briefing by Tony Fratto The White House 26 Aug 2008

Defense Industry

• DoD News: Contracts for August 26, 2008
• Lockheed Martin-Built Trident Ii D5 Missile Achieves 124 Successful Test Launches In A Row Lockheed Martin 26 Aug 2008 -- The U.S. Navy conducted a successful test launch yesterday of two Trident II D5 Fleet Ballistic Missiles (FBMs) built by Lockheed Martin (NYSE: LMT).
• ATK Completes Second Advanced Anti-Radiation Guided Missile Firing (AARGM) in Eight Day Period ATK 26 Aug 2008 -- Alliant Techsystems (NYSE: ATK) announced today that it will host an AAR-47 Users Conference January 21 and 22, 2009 at its Clearwater, Fla. facility.
• BAE SYSTEMS RECEIVES $43.5 MILLION ORDER FOR MINE RESISTANT AMBUSH PROTECTED VEHICLES BAE Systems 26 Aug 2008 -- BAE Systems has received a $43.5 million order from the U.S. Marine Corps for 40 RG33 Mine Resistant Ambush Protected (MRAP) vehicles: 36 Special Operations Command (SOCOM) variants, two RG33 MRAP Category II 6x6s, and two Category II Heavy Armored Ground Ambulances (HAGA).
• Boeing Awarded US Army Contract for 191 CH-47F Chinook Helicopters Boeing 26 Aug 2008 -- The Boeing Company [NYSE: BA] has been awarded a five-year U.S. Army contract valued at $4.3 billion for 181 CH-47F Chinooks and 10 additional Chinooks under Fiscal Year 2008 supplemental funding.
• Lockheed Martin Awarded $37 Million Contract to Provide Trainers, Simulator to U.S. Army Lockheed Martin 26 Aug 2008 -- Lockheed Martin (NYSE: LMT) will produce a Close Combat Tactical Trainer (CCTT) Reconfigurable Vehicle Simulator and the Reconfigurable Vehicle Tactical Trainer (RVTT/CCTT-RVS) for the U.S. Army, providing Soldiers with the latest skills to defeat adaptive and intelligent adversaries
• Lockheed Martin Improves Health Care Delivery To Canadian Forces With The Successful Integration Of New Laboratory Information System Lockheed Martin 26 Aug 2008 -- Continuing to deliver advanced capabilities to the Canadian Forces Health Information System (CFHIS), Lockheed Martin [NYSE:LMT] today announced the successful implementation of a new Laboratory Information System (LIS) at 14 Canadian Forces medical clinics nationwide.
• Thales successfully demonstrates automatic take-off and landing on the Elbit Hermes 450 Thales 26 Aug 2008 -- Thales and Elbit Systems today announce that an important trial of the Thales MAGIC ATOLS (automatic take-off and landing) system has successfully been achieved on Elbit’s Hermes ® 450 Unmanned Air Vehicle (UAV), demonstrating and validating automatic take-off and landing.
• Australian Aerospace signs ARH Tiger helicopter support contract with Thales Australia Thales 26 Aug 2008 -- Two of Australia's leading defence and aerospace companies, Australian Aerospace and Thales Australia, have signed an important agreement to provide Through Life Support (TLS) for the Australian Army's new fleet of Tiger Armed Reconnaissance Helicopters (ARH).

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 26 Aug 2008
• PRESS CONFERENCE BY GEORGIA United Nations 26 Aug 2008
• PRESS CONFERENCE BY RUSSIAN FEDERATION United Nations 26 Aug 2008
• Statement by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the Russian Federation 26 Aug 2008 -- "Russia has recognized the independence of South Ossetia and Abkhazia, mindful of its responsibility for ensuring the survival of their fraternal peoples in the face of aggressive, chauvinistic policy pursued by Tbilisi."
• President Bush Condemns Actions Taken by Russian President in Regards to Georgia The White House 26 Aug 2008
• Bush Condemns Russia's Recognition of Breakaway Georgian Provinces AFPS 26 Aug 2008 -- President Bush condemned what he called Russia's "irresponsible decision" today to recognize the Georgian regions of South Ossetia and Abkhazia as independent states.
• Hope And Despair On The Streets Of Tbilisi RFE/RL 26 Aug 2008
• Moscow says NATO begins supplying new arms to Georgia RIA Novosti 26 Aug 2008 -- NATO countries are starting new arms deliveries to Georgia, the Russian foreign minister said Tuesday.
• Russia says Abkhazia, S. Ossetia situation different from Kosovo RIA Novosti 26 Aug 2008 -- Russia's foreign minister said on Tuesday that Moscow's decision to recognize Abkhazia and South Ossetia as independent states has no parallel with Kosovo's declaration of independence made earlier this year.
• Western leaders blast Russia for recognizing Abkhazia, S.Ossetia RIA Novosti 26 Aug 2008 -- Foreign leaders spoke out Tuesday against Russia's decision to recognize Abkhazia and South Ossetia, while people in the Georgian breakaway regions greeted the news with raucous celebrations.
• Russia to support Abkhazia, S.Ossetia if they are attacked RIA Novosti 26 Aug 2008 -- Russia will defend Abkhazia and South Ossetia with all necessary support if they come under attack, President Dmitry Medvedev said on Tuesday.
• Despite Movement, Russia Falls Short of Cease-Fire Mandates AFPS 26 Aug 2008 -- Though "significant Russian movements" have taken place in the former Soviet republic of Georgia, Russia still is not living up to the terms of the cease-fire agreement, a senior Defense Department official said here today.
• EU Overwhelmed By Russian 'Cut-And-Thrust' In Georgia RFE/RL 26 Aug 2008 -- Russia is digging in to stay in Georgia, and not just metaphorically.
• What's Next For South Ossetia And Abkhazia? RFE/RL 26 Aug 2008 -- Russian President Dmitry Medvedev's formal decision to recognize Georgia's breakaway republics of Abkhazia and South Ossetia as independent states is unlikely to constitute the final word on the status of either
• Resolving Georgian crisis may be harder after Russian recognition move - Ban UN News Centre 26 Aug 2008 -- The question of recognition of States is a matter for sovereign States to decide, Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon said today after Russia announced that it had recognized the independence of South Ossetia and Abkhazia, two separatist regions in Georgia.
• Georgia says Russia Acting 'Imperialist' VOA 26 Aug 2008 -- Georgians are reacting with a mixture of concern and fury at the Russia's decision to recognize the independence of two separatist territories within Georgia
• More Refugees, Displaced People Return to Georgia VOA 26 Aug 2008 -- The U.N. refugee agency says an increasing number of people are returning to their homes as the situation improves in Georgia
• Russia Recognizes Abkhazia, South Ossetia RFE/RL 26 Aug 2008 -- Russian President Dmitry Medvedev says Russia recognizes Georgia's breakaway regions of Abkhazia and South Ossetia as independent.
• Seven Theses Prompted By Russia-Georgia Conflict RFE/RL 26 Aug 2008 -- The war between Georgia and Russia is sending considerable shockwaves through world politics
• Georgian Official Says West Can Show Russia 'Political Price' Of Noncompliance With Cease-Fire RFE/RL 26 Aug 2008 -- In an exclusive interview with RFE/RL Executive Editor John O'Sullivan, Georgian Reintegration Minster Temur Iakobashvili discusses the state of Russia's withdrawal from Georgian territory, warns of Moscow's intentions in the region and in both "Old" and "New" Europe, and suggests some of the West's options in its relationship with the Kremlin.
• Russia to begin talks on diplomatic ties with S.Ossetia, Abkhazia RIA Novosti 26 Aug 2008 -- President Dmitry Medvedev has issued instructions for Russia's Foreign Ministry to begin work on establishing diplomatic contacts with Abkhazia and South Ossetia, a Kremlin spokesman said Tuesday.
• Russia recognizes Georgia's breakaway republics RIA Novosti 26 Aug 2008 -- Russia's president signed decrees on Tuesday recognizing Georgia's breakaway South Ossetia and Abkhazia as independent states despite warnings by Western leaders not to do so.
• Bush urges Russia not to recognize Georgian rebel regions RIA Novosti 26 Aug 2008 -- U.S. President George W. Bush has urged Russia not to recognize Georgia's two breakaway regions as independent, and has sent his deputy Dick Cheney to Georgia in a show of U.S. support.
• Russia Recognizes Independence of Breakaway Georgian Republics VOA 26 Aug 2008 -- Russian President Dmitri Medvedev has signed decrees granting formal recognition to the Georgian breakaway regions of Abkhazia and South Ossetia
• Georgia Criticizes Russian Parliament Support for Separatists VOA 26 Aug 2008 -- Georgia has dismissed the Russian parliament's vote calling for recognition of the independence of two breakaway Georgian regions
• NIGER: Northern desert conflict disrupts maternal health care IRIN 26 Aug 2008 -- All she saw was blood. Ouma Ibrahim knew it was not normal to have so much blood after delivering her son at home. She consulted a midwife at the nearby Dagamanet Clinic near her Agadez home, who sent her to the regional hospital five kilometres away.
• SUDAN: Volatile IDP site needs a lasting solution, UN IRIN 26 Aug 2008 -- Sudanese police continued to surround one of the largest sites for internally displaced people (IDPs) in Darfur on 26 August, a day after gunfire caused dozens of injuries and, according to some sources, numerous fatalities.
• UN mission in Darfur condemns 'excessive' use of force at displaced camp UN News Centre 26 Aug 2008 -- The joint United Nations-African Union peacekeeping mission in Darfur (UNAMID) today strongly condemned what it called the "excessive, disproportionate use of lethal forces" by Sudanese security forces against civilians during a raid inside a displaced persons' camp in Darfur yesterday.
• Genocide trial of former top Rwandan army officer begins at UN tribunal UN News Centre 26 Aug 2008 -- Prosecutors at the United Nations war crimes tribunal set up in the wake of the 1994 Rwandan genocide have opened the trial of a former senior military officer alleged to have been one of the key architects of the mass killings.
• UN trains first batch of members of joint police unit in disputed Sudanese town UN News Centre 26 Aug 2008 -- The United Nations Mission in Sudan (UNMIS) and the UN Development Programme (UNDP) have completed the first 10-day training session of members of the new joint integrated police unit in Abyei, a town at the centre of an area still contested after the end of the north-south civil war.
• Security Council urges Burundi's Government and rebels to comply with truce UN News Centre 26 Aug 2008 -- The Security Council today welcomed the recent agreement by Government forces and rebels in Burundi to try to dismantle any roadblocks to the revised ceasefire agreement they signed in June.
• Sudan Security Forces Remain Outside Darfur Camp VOA 26 Aug 2008 -- Sudanese security forces have increased their presence outside of a major displaced persons camp in the country's western region of Darfur, a day after entering the camp and engaging in clashes with residents
• Sudanese troops 'prepare raid on Darfur rebel camp' RIA Novosti 26 Aug 2008 -- Sudanese troops are reported to be preparing a raid on a refugee camp in the country's western region of Darfur just 24 hours after dozens of people were killed there in another operation, local media said.
• Rice: Peace Deal Progress Despite Israeli Settlements VOA 26 Aug 2008 -- U.S. Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice says she believes Middle East peace talks are making progress, despite the ongoing expansion of Jewish settlements in the West Bank.
• UN Calls for Release of Underage Former Guerrilla Fighters in Nepal VOA 26 Aug 2008 -- The United Nations has called on Nepal's former Maoist rebels to release child soldiers who were recruited as guerilla fighters during their decade-long campaign to overthrow the monarchy
• Kashmiri Separatists Shift Focus from Militancy to the Marketplace VOA 26 Aug 2008 -- The recent unrest in Kashmir has taken on an economic hue as Kashmir's separatist groups shift their focus from militancy to the marketplace
• RWANDA: Sustainable peace key to post-genocide reconciliation IRIN 26 Aug 2008 -- Almost a decade and a half since Rwanda's genocide, reconciliation efforts are using traditional cultural models to build trust between communities, despite reports of continued targeting of survivors and judges of the "Gacaca" justice system.
• SOMALIA: Conditions getting worse in IDP camps IRIN 26 Aug 2008 -- Conditions for thousands of internally displaced persons (IDPs) camping on the outskirts of the Somali capital Mogadishu are getting worse, with malnutrition cases increasing as more arrive daily, sources told IRIN.
• TIMOR-LESTE: Rights abuses within police, defence forces - UN report IRIN 26 Aug 2008 -- Timor-Leste is at a human rights crossroads and can either choose to build on progress achieved or turn back towards a more violent past, according to a report issued by the UN Integrated Mission in Timor-Leste (UNMIT) and the UN High Commissioner for Human Rights on 21 August.

News Reports

• Analysis: Russia's Arms Control Ripples cfr.org 26 Aug 2008 -- Reverberations from Russia's conflict with Georgia extend in many directions, highlighting the extent of Russian power in its own region and beyond
• The Looming Diplomatic War Between Russia And The West RFE/RL 26 Aug 2008 -- President Dmitry Medvedev has recognized the breakaway Georgian regions of Abkhazia and South Ossetia as independent states
• Thai Protesters Demand Prime Minister Step Down VOA 26 Aug 2008 -- Tens of thousands protesters have rallied outside Thailand's government house in a bid to force Prime Minister Samak Sundarvej from office