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Defense Policy / Programs
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News Reports

Current Operations

• OIF/OEF Casualty Update 13 Nov 2008 [PDF]
• MND-B Soldier dies of non-combat related injury
• U.S. Soldier dies in non-combat related incident
• Nov. 12 airpower summary: Reaper hits target AFNS 13 Nov 2008 -- Coalition airpower integrated with coalition ground forces in Iraq and the International Security Assistance Force in Afghanistan during operations Nov. 12, according to Combined Air and Space Operations Center officials here.
• Coalition Forces Target al-Qaida Networks, Capture 10 Suspects AFPS 13 Nov 2008 -- Coalition forces killed one terrorist, captured four suspected terrorists and detained six additional suspects during operations today targeting al-Qaida in Iraq's financial, explosives and leadership networks, military officials reported.
• Seabees Pave the Way for Warfighters in Gulf Navy NewsStand 13 Nov 2008 -- Members of Naval Mobile Construction Battalion (NMCB) 4's Alfa Company are preparing to start several paving projects at military bases in the northern region of Kuwait to improve road conditions for Sailors, soldiers and civilians.
• NMCB 4 Seabees Renovate to Rejuvenate Service Members Navy NewsStand 13 Nov 2008 -- Personnel from Naval Mobile Construction Battalion (NMCB) 4's Charlie company completed the renovation of a base chapel on Camp Arifjan, Kuwait, Nov. 5, providing U.S. and coalition service members a safe place to rest and reflect during deployment.
• Air support unites Airmen, Soldiers in Afghanistan AFNS 13 Nov 2008 -- Pennsylvania National Guard Soldiers now assigned to the Kapisa and Parwan Provincial Reconstruction Team meet Airmen responsible for close-air-support missions and toured the Bagram Airfield flightline to see the aircraft up close Oct. 28.
• Citing civilian deaths, UN urges end to ‘senseless’ violence in Afghanistan UN News Centre 13 Nov 2008 -- The United Nations Assistance Mission in Afghanistan (UNAMA) has unequivocally condemned three recent attacks that have resulted in numerous civilian deaths and injuries, and called for an end to the “senseless” violence that is plaguing the country.
• Afghan Commandos Capture Explosives Expert AFPS 13 Nov 2008 -- Afghan national security forces, assisted by their coalition partners, captured enemy bomb expert Badshah Khel in the Sabari district of Afghanistan’s Khowst province last night, military officials reported.
• Mounting Violence Threatens Vital Pakistan/Afghanistan Link RFE/RL 13 Nov 2008-- The border areas linking northwestern Pakistan with eastern Afghanistan have seen a significant increase in violence of late, threatening Kabul's control over its share of the vital region
• Afghanistan Suicide Bombing Targets US Military Convoy VOA 13 Nov 2008 -- U.S. officials and local police in eastern Afghanistan say a suicide bomber has killed at least 11 people and wounded 74 others in an attack aimed at a U.S. military convoy
• Terrorist attacks kill US soldier, 18 Afghan civilians IRNA 13 Nov 2008-- Terrorists on Thursday attacked an American military convoy in Eastern Afghanistan killing one US soldier and 18 civilians
• Most Britons want troops withdrawn from Afghanistan IRNA 13 Nov 2008-- More than two-thirds of Britons think UK troops should leave Afghanistan within a year, according to a new poll carried out for the BBC
• AFGHANISTAN: Unexploded ordnance poses threat to returnees IRIN 13 Nov 2008 -- Masto Khan's two children died and another was seriously injured in an explosion at a returnees' settlement in Afghanistan in October. He and his family had come there, after living in exile in Pakistan for six years.

Defense Policy / Programs

• Kinetic Energy Interceptor Team Conducts Successful First Stage Rocket Motor Test MDA 13 Nov 2008 -- Air Force Lieutenant General Henry "Trey" Obering, Missile Defense Agency director, announced today the completion of a successful static fire test of the Kinetic Energy Interceptor (KEI) first stage rocket motor
• Army looking at new carbines as follow-on to M-4 Army News 13 Nov 2008 -- Army and industry leaders gathered Thursday to exchange information about the latest advances in small-arms technology.
• Press Conference with Secretary Gates from Talinn, Estonia DoD 13 Nov 2008 -- Presenter: Secretary of Defense Robert M. Gates
• Gen McCoy assumes command of AF Global Logistics Support Center AFNS 13 Nov 2008 -- The commander of Air Force Materiel Command installed a new commander for the Air Force Global Logistics Support Center Nov. 13 in ceremonies at Scott Air Force Base, Ill.
• Realistic Training Preps Marines on Boxer for Real-World Scenarios Navy NewsStand 13 Nov 2008 -- Marines from the 13th Marine Expeditionary Unit (MEU) conducted humanitarian assistance operations (HAO) training during simulated exercises at Marine Corps Base Camp Pendleton Nov. 3-7.
• Blue Ridge Damage Control Teams Demo Capability During Critical Assessment Navy NewsStand 13 Nov 2008 -- USS Blue Ridge (LCC-19) completed its light off assessment (LOA) Nov. 6 after successfully demonstrating readiness in lighting off and steaming its boilers following the ship's restricted availability (SRA) period.
• Nato Defense Ministers Meet in Estonia VOA 13 Nov 2008 -- NATO defense ministers are meeting in Estonia to discus closer cooperation with Ukraine and other Eastern European countries - a move likely to anger Russia.
• Gates Notes Ukraine’s Progress, Hopes for Change in Russia AFPS 13 Nov 2008 -- Ukraine is making progress, but still has a long way to go before becoming a full member of NATO, Defense Secretary Robert M. Gates said today.
• NATO Defense Ministers Discuss Ukraine AFPS 13 Nov 2008 -- Defense Secretary Robert M. Gates and his fellow NATO defense ministers are getting down to business today in consultations on Ukraine’s course toward membership in the alliance.
• Prospects For Ukraine In NATO Remain Dim In Tallinn RFE/RL 13 Nov 2008-- Defense ministers from NATO states and Ukraine met in the Estonian capital, Tallinn, to discuss Kyiv's prospects for eventual membership in the alliance
• NATO membership plan would add stability to Ukraine - minister RIA Novosti 13 Nov 2008 -- Ukraine's defense minister told a NATO gathering on Thursday that an action plan paving the way to alliance membership would help curb political instability in the country, Ukrainian media reported.
• US Rejects Russian Offer to Scrap European Missiles VOA 13 Nov 2008 -- The Bush administration Thursday dismissed as not credible a Russian offer to forego deployment of missiles near Poland, if the United States drops its European missile defense plan.
• Gates Criticizes Latest Russian Missile Threats VOA 13 Nov 2008 -- U.S. Defense Secretary Robert Gates has rejected an offer by Russia's president not to deploy offensive missiles near its borders with NATO allies if the United States will cancel plans for missile defense system partly based in Europe.
• U.S. rejects Russia's offer to scrap missile plans RIA Novosti 13 Nov 2008 -- U.S. Defense Secretary Robert Gates dismissed on Thursday Russia's proposal that the two countries abandon their plans to deploy missiles in Central Europe.
• Abkhazia, Russia in talks on Black Sea Fleet base - minister RIA Novosti 13 Nov 2008 -- Russia and Abkhazia are in talks on establishing a permanent Russian naval presence in the disputed Georgian republic, the Abkhazian foreign minister said on Thursday.
• Russia's Lavrov to discuss European security treaty in Portugal RIA Novosti 13 Nov 2008 -- Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov will take to Portugal next week Russia's proposal to sign a pan-European security treaty, a Foreign Ministry spokesman said on Thursday.
• Crew member caused tragedy on Russian nuclear sub RIA Novosti 13 Nov 2008 -- A crew member activated without permission a fire safety system on board the Russian nuclear submarine Nerpa, causing the deaths of 20 people, investigators said on Thursday.
• Russia considers opening Black Sea Fleet base in Abkhazia RIA Novosti 13 Nov 2008 -- Russia is considering opening a base for its Black Sea Fleet in Abkhazia, a lawmaker and former fleet commander said on Thursday.
• Ban urges States to make full use of treaty on certain conventional weapons UN News Centre 13 Nov 2008 -- Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon has urged States parties to make full use of a global agreement on certain convention weapons that seeks to protect civilians from the effects of hostilities, in an address to a meeting taking place in Geneva ahead of the 25th anniversary of the treaty’s entry into force.
• Daily Press Briefing US Dept. of State 13 Nov 2008
• Press Gaggle by Deputy Press Secretary Gordon Johndroe The White House 13 Nov 2008

Defense Industry

• DoD News: Contracts for November 13, 2008
• Boeing Demonstrates Advanced Networking Capabilities at Fort Dix Exercise Boeing 13 Nov 2008 -- The Boeing Company [NYSE: BA] achieved numerous network-centric successes this summer during the U.S. Army's C4ISR On-The-Move (OTM) Event 08 at Fort Dix, N.J.
• Boeing's Missile Defense Work Adds $246 Million a Year to Alaska Economy Boeing 13 Nov 2008 -- The Boeing Company [NYSE: BA], through its work on the Ground-based Midcourse Defense (GMD) missile defense program, contributed more than $246 million to Alaska's economy in 2007 and supported more than 700 direct and indirect jobs, according to a University of Alaska Fairbanks study released today.
• Boeing Selected to Compete for UK Defense Logistics Information Services Sustainment and Transformation Boeing 13 Nov 2008 -- Boeing [NYSE: BA] subsidiary Boeing Defence UK Ltd. has been invited by the United Kingdom's Ministry of Defence (MOD) to compete for the 10-year Future Logistics Information Services (FLIS) delivery partner contract.
• Northrop Grumman Announces the FIRESTRIKE(tm) Laser, World's First Weaponized Solid-State Laser for U.S. Military Services Northrop Grumman 13 Nov 2008 -- Northrop Grumman Corporation (NYSE:NOC) today introduced the FIRESTRIKE(tm) laser, a ruggedized, high-energy, solid-state laser designed as a line replaceable unit (LRU) for battlefield applications, ready for order now.
• U.S. Air Force Accepts First Lockheed Martin SBIRS HEO System For Operations Lockheed Martin 13 Nov 2008 -- The first Space Based Infrared System (SBIRS) Highly Elliptical Orbit (HEO-1) payload and ground system, built by a Lockheed Martin [NYSE: LMT] team, has been accepted for operations by the U.S Air Force.

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 13 Nov 2008
• Continued border closures force UN to suspend food aid to 750,000 Gazans UN News Centre 13 Nov 2008 -- The United Nations agency assisting Palestinian refugees was forced to suspend food distributions to half of Gaza’s 1.5 million residents today since continued border closures have prevented the delivery of vital supplies for over a week.
• UN reports second day of relative calm in strife-torn eastern DR Congo UN News Centre 13 Nov 2008 -- The strife-torn eastern region of the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC) has remained relatively calm over the past two days apart from two skirmishes between Government troops and the PARECO/Mayi Mayi militia, the United Nations reported today.
• Darfur: Egyptian troops arrive to boost strength of joint UN-African Union force UN News Centre 13 Nov 2008 -- More than 160 Egyptian personnel arrived in Darfur today as part of a large battalion that will boost the strength of the joint United Nations-African Union force deployed earlier this year in an attempt to quell the fighting and humanitarian suffering in the strife-torn Sudanese region.
• SUDAN: Cautious optimism over Darfur ceasefire call IRIN 13 Nov 2008 -- The Sudanese government’s announcement of a ceasefire in Darfur would not alone solve a crisis that has lasted nearly six years and left hundreds of thousands of people dead - but it offered a glimmer of hope, analysts said.
• BURUNDI: No peace without prosperity - analysts IRIN 13 Nov 2008 -- Poverty, selfish political interests and inadequate economic development are the underlying causes of the political crisis gripping Burundi, according to political analysts.
• EU's Kosovo Mission In Doubt After Rejection Of UN Proposal RFE/RL 13 Nov 2008-- The fate of the European Union mission in Kosovo is once again in doubt after officials in Pristina on November 12 rejected revisions they say will threaten the territorial integrity of their newly declared state
• Islamists Impose Sharia Law on Somali Port Town VOA 13 Nov 2008 -- Islamist insurgents have moved to impose Sharia law in a key Somali port town they seized Wednesday.

News Reports

• UN envoy hails European Union’s anti-piracy force off Somali coast UN News Centre 13 Nov 2008 -- More than 160 Egyptian personnel arrived in Darfur today as part of a large battalion that will boost the strength of the joint United Nations-African Union force deployed earlier this year in an attempt to quell the fighting and humanitarian suffering in the strife-torn Sudanese region.
• ZIMBABWE: Violence returns as talks flounder IRIN 13 Nov 2008 -- Zimbabwean President Robert Mugabe's government is launching another wave of attacks against the Movement for Democratic Change (MDC), a spokesman for the opposition party told IRIN, after a much vaunted power-sharing deal appeared to be on the verge of collapse.
• Saudi King Promotes 'Theological Diplomacy' At UN Forum RFE/RL 13 Nov 2008-- Seven years ago, a group of mostly Saudi terrorists hijacked airliners and flew them into New York's World Trade Center and the Pentagon
• EU Unveils Plans To Battle 'Vicious Cycle' Of Energy Dependency RFE/RL 13 Nov 2008-- Increasing political and economic instability in the world is forcing the EU to move up plans to reduce its vulnerabilities, chief among which is its growing dependency on outside energy suppliers
• Karzai Caught Between Foreign Donors, Afghan Voters On Death Penalty RFE/RL 13 Nov 2008-- Afghan President Hamid Karzai has signed nine execution orders that have been carried out at Afghan prisons during the past week
• Iranian Diplomat Kidnapped in Northwestern Pakistan VOA 13 Nov 2008 -- Unidentified gunmen in Pakistan have abducted an Iranian diplomat after killing his security guard in Peshawar.