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News Reports

Current Operations

• OIF/OEF Casualty Update 17 Nov 2008 [PDF]
• DoD News: DoD Identifies Army Casualties
• Transcript: DoD News Briefing with Col. Hort From Iraq DoD 17 Nov 2008 -- Presenter: Commander, 3rd Brigade Combat Team 4th Infantry Division Col. John Hort and Leader, Embedded Provincial Reconstruction Team 3 Theodore Andrews
• Nov. 16 airpower summary: Predator provides armed reconnaissance AFNS 17 Nov 2008 -- Coalition airpower integrated with coalition ground forces in Iraq and International Security Assistance Force in Afghanistan during operations Nov. 16, according to Combined Air and Space Operations Center officials here.
• Coalition Detains Terrorist Suspect, Dismantles Bomb AFPS 17 Nov 2008 -- Coalition and Iraqi troops captured an Iranian-backed militant, seized a weapons cache and dismantled a hidden bomb yesterday in Baghdad, military officials reported.
• Afghanistan's Taliban Reject Offer for Peace Talks VOA 17 Nov 2008 -- Taliban militants on Monday rejected an offer to hold peace talks with Afghan President Hamid Karzai, saying there can be no talks while foreign troops are in the country.
• US Cool to Amnesty for Taliban Leader VOA 17 Nov 2008 -- The Bush administration Monday signaled opposition to an offer by Afghan President Hamid Karzai of safe-passage to Taliban leader Mullah Omar, if he entered peace talks with the Kabul government.
• Afghan, Coalition Forces Kill 38 Militants in Helmand Province AFPS 17 Nov 2008 -- Afghan and coalition forces killed 38 militants Saturday in Afghanistan’s southern province of Helmand, military officials reported.
• Nations Team Up to Train Afghan Doctors AFPS 17 Nov 2008 -- Medical professionals from the United States, Egypt and Korea have partnered to train Afghan doctors.
• Afghan Officials: 7 Killed in Two Bomb Attacks in Kandahar VOA 17 Nov 2008 -- Afghan officials say at least seven people have been killed in two separate bomb attacks Monday in southern Afghanistan's Kandahar province.
• AFGHANISTAN: Drop in fuel, food prices raises hope for food insecure IRIN 17 Nov 2008 -- Food and fuel prices have declined slightly over the past month, prompting some to say this could bode well for the country's eight million chronically food-insecure people.
• Pakistan Intensifies Crackdown on Extremists in Tribal Areas VOA 17 Nov 2008 -- Pakistan is carrying out a sustained military campaign against Islamist extremists in the semiautonomous tribal areas in the northwestern part of the country.

Defense Policy / Programs

• Iraqis Make Positive Step in Allowing U.S. Troops to Stay in New Year AFPS 17 Nov 2008 -- After weeks of struggle to reach an agreement, an important next step has been made for U.S. troops to continue operations in Iraq in 2009, Pentagon spokesman Bryan Whitman said today.
• Military Leaders Feel Comfortable With U.S.-Iraqi Agreement, Mullen Says AFPS 17 Nov 2008 -- All American troops will be out of Iraq by the end of 2011 under the status of forces agreement between the United States and Iraq, the chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff said today.
• US Commits to Iraq Withdrawal by 2011, But Could Seek Extension VOA 17 Nov 2008 -- U.S. officials say the agreement to withdraw all U.S. troops from Iraq in three years, signed in Baghdad Monday, is a firm commitment.
• Iraqi Parliament Debates New US Military Pact VOA 17 Nov 2008 -- Iraq's parliament has begun debate on a new military pact with the United States that was approved Sunday by the country's Cabinet. But Radical Shi'ite cleric Moqtada Al-Sadr, is threatening to torpedo the vote, as Edward Yeranian reports from Cairo.
• Mullen Shocked by Pirate Attack on Supertanker AFPS 17 Nov 2008 -- Navy Adm. Mike Mullen said he was shocked by the piracy of a Saudi Arabian supertanker 450 nautical miles off the coast of Kenya in the Arabian Sea.
• Total In-Flight Simulator makes final flight to museum AFNS 17 Nov 2008 -- A piece of aviation history was retired and transferred to the National Museum of the United States Air Force at Wright-Patterson AFB Nov. 7.
• Airmen provide key support to multinational exercise AFNS 17 Nov 2008 -- A multitude of international aircraft and airmen converged in Southwest Asia through the month of November to participate in an exercise geared toward honing aerial operations while improving relations and interoperability.
• Arnold engineers test Army weapon to evaluate its capability AFNS 17 Nov 2008 -- Arnold Air Force Base engineers conducted an aerodynamic test on the Army's Mid-Range Munition recently that provided a new and critically needed performance evaluation capability for current and potential test customers.
• Chairman: Americans Need Serious Debate About Security Investment AFPS 17 Nov 2008 -- Americans need to have a serious debate about what it takes to defend the United States, said Navy Adm. Mike Mullen during a Pentagon news conference today.
• Army Announces Korea's 1-2 Attack Reconnaissance Battalion re-stations to Fort Carson prior to Fall 2009 Iraq deployment Army News Release 17 Nov 2008 -- The Department of the Army announced today, Nov. 17, the re-stationing of 1-2 Attack Reconnaissance Battalion (ARB) and associated Aviation Intermediate Maintenance (AVIM) structure from the Republic of Korea to Fort Carson, Colo., in March 2009
• FCS Active Protection System in 'Top 50' inventions Army News 17 Nov 2008 -- The Army's new Active Protection System, designed to safeguard Soldiers and vehicles from incoming fire, has been named one of the best inventions of 2008 by Time magazine.
• Helicopter battalion to relocate from Korea to U.S. Army News 17 Nov 2008 -- The 1-2 Attack Reconnaissance Battalion in Korea will relocate to Fort Carson, Colo., in March and then train for deployment to Iraq in the fall of 2009, Army officials announced Monday morning.
• Navy Announces Preference To Homeport Aircraft Carrier In Mayport DoD 17 Nov 2008 -- As part of an environmental impact statement (EIS), the Navy announced today its "preferred alternative" is to homeport a single nuclear powered aircraft carrier (CVN) at Naval Station (NAVSTA) Mayport, Fla
• Department of Defense Releases Selected Acquisition Reports DoD 17 Nov 2008 -- The Department of Defense (DoD) has released details on major defense acquisition program cost, schedule, and performance changes since the June 2008 reporting period
• Department of Defense Launches National Resource Directory For Wounded Warriors, Families And Caregivers DoD 17 Nov 2008 -- The Department of Defense today launched the National Resource Directory, a collaborative effort between the departments of Defense, Labor and Veterans Affairs
• DoD Announces Promotion of Guard’s First Four Star DoD 17 Nov 2008 -- BThe Department of Defense announced today the promotion of Air National Guard Lt. Gen. Craig R. McKinley to the rank of general at a Pentagon ceremony hosted by Secretary of Defense Robert M. Gates
• Russia may use 'overkill' missiles to counter U.S. shield RIA Novosti 17 Nov 2008 -- In addition to deploying tactical missiles near the Polish border, Russia could use precision-guided air-based weapons to counter U.S. missile defense plans, a Russian military expert said on Monday.
• Crew member 'tampered with temperature sensor on Nerpa sub' RIA Novosti 17 Nov 2008 -- The deaths of 20 people on board the Russian nuclear submarine the Nerpa were caused by a crew member entering the wrong data into a temperature sensor, the Kommersant paper said on Monday. (INFOgraphics)
• Indian Air Force plans joint exercise with China IRNA 17 Nov 2008 -- A joint exercise of Indian Air Force (IAF) with its Chinese counterparts has been planned in the near future as part of building strong ties with Republic of China, Air Chief Marshal Fali Homi Major, the chief of IAF air staff, who recently paid a visit to the neighbouring country, said on Monday
• MiG-23 (Trainer) aircraft of Indian Air Force crashes IRNA 17 Nov 2008 -- One MiG-23 (Trainer) aircraft of Indian Air Force Monday crashed near Air Force Station Hashimara in West Bengal state
• China's new missile deployment being monitored: defense minister CNA 17 Nov 2008 -- Minister of National Defense Chen Chao-min said Monday that whatever new types of missiles or weaponry China is deploying along its coastlines opposite Taiwan, they are all a military threat to the island
• Belarus says U.S. paper distorted president's missile comments RIA Novosti 17 Nov 2008 -- Belarus accused the Wall Street Journal on Monday of distorting an interview with President Alexander Lukashenko by claiming he planned to deploy Russian missiles to target the U.S. missile shield in Europe.
• Daily Press Briefing US Dept. of State 17 Nov 2008
• Press Briefing by Press Secretary Dana Perino The White House 17 Nov 2008

Defense Industry

• DoD News: Contracts for November 17, 2008
• General Dynamics Advanced Information Systems to Integrate Ship Mission System for Austal Joint High Speed Vessel General Dynamics 17 Nov 2008 -- The U.S. Navy awarded Austal USA a contract for the detailed design and construction of the Joint High Speed Vessel (JHSV) on Thursday, Nov. 13.
• General Dynamics Awarded F-35 Lightning II Gun System Contracts by Lockheed Martin General Dynamics 17 Nov 2008 -- General Dynamics Armament and Technical Products, a business unit of General Dynamics (NYSE: GD), has been awarded two contracts by Lockheed Martin for the production of GAU-22/A gun systems for the F-35 Lightning II stealth fighter aircraft.
• CH-148 Cyclone Helicopter, Under Development by Sikorsky for the Canadian Forces, Completes First Flight Successfully Sikorsky 17 Nov 2008 -- The first CH-148 Cyclone helicopter, which is being developed by Sikorsky Aircraft Corp. for the Canadian government as a replacement for its long-serving SEA KINGT helicopter fleet, has completed its first flight successfully at Sikorsky's Development Flight Center in Florida
• Boeing Announces New Name, Leader for Australian Defense Operations Boeing 17 Nov 2008 -- The Boeing Company [NYSE: BA] today announced it is changing the name of its Integrated Defense Systems (IDS) business in Australia to Boeing Defence Australia.
• Raytheon to Demonstrate New High-Data Rate Technology at MILCOM Raytheon 17 Nov 2008 -- Raytheon Company (NYSE: RTN) and L-3 Communications are developing new technology that dramatically improves the common operating picture of every soldier on the battlefield.
• Boeing to Add New Technology to US Air Force GPS IIF Ground Segment Boeing 17 Nov 2008 -- Boeing [NYSE: BA] announced today that it will add improved capabilities to its technology for the U.S. Air Force's Operational Control Segment (OCS) satellite ground-control system.
• Northrop Grumman Awarded Rapid Prototyping, Integration and Development Contract Northrop Grumman 17 Nov 2008 -- Northrop Grumman Corporation (NYSE:NOC) has been awarded a contract by the 50th Space Wing supporting the Space Innovation and Development Center's Aerospace Fusion Center (AFC) at Schriever Air Force Base in Colorado Springs, Colo., for the Rapid Prototyping, Integration and Development (RaPID) program.
• Thales Team selected for CIPHER crypto programme assessment phase Thales 17 Nov 2008 -- The CIPHER programme will provide the capability for a security management infrastructure for all grades of devices necessary to meet the needs of UK Ministry of Defence (MoD) and wider government.

Other Conflicts

• DAILY PRESS BRIEFING BY THE OFFICE OF THE SPOKESPERSON FOR THE SECRETARY-GENERAL United Nations 17 Nov 2008
• PRESS CONFERENCE BY GEORGIA United Nations 17 Nov 2008
• DR Congo: UN attack helicopters ready to respond after rebel ceasefire violation UN News Centre 17 Nov 2008 -- United Nations attack helicopters have mounted reconnaissance flights and “are poised to respond to any and all eventualities” in the eastern Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC) after rebel forces violated a ceasefire and seized a number of localities in some of the worst fighting in more than a week.
• Top UN envoy appeals for solidarity among Somali leaders UN News Centre 17 Nov 2008 -- The senior United Nations envoy to Somalia today urged the country’s leaders across all sectors to put aside their differences and unite to consolidate stability in the war-ravaged Horn of Africa nation.
• Eastern Congolese Rebels Said to Make New Gains VOA 17 Nov 2008 -- Rebels in eastern Democratic Republic of Congo said they have seized new territory, despite a ceasefire promise made by rebel leader Laurent Nkunda.
• SOMALIA: “TFG on brink of collapse” IRIN 17 Nov 2008 -- The widening split between Somalia's leaders could lead to the total collapse of the transitional federal government (TFG), a Nairobi-based regional analyst, who requested anonymity, has warned.
• KENYA: UN warns of humanitarian crisis in Dadaab camps IRIN 17 Nov 2008 -- An influx of asylum-seekers fleeing violence in Somalia to the refugee camps in Dadaab in north-eastern Kenya is causing overcrowding that could lead to a humanitarian crisis, UN officials have warned.
• Two strategic towns in LTTE stronghold fall to Sri Lankan forces IRNA 17 Nov 2008 -- Sri Lankan troops made further inroads on Monday into Tiger strongholds capturing the strategic town of Mankulam just adjacent to their prized goal of Kilinochchi
• EU Envoy Says No 'Business As Usual' In Russia-Georgia Talks RFE/RL 17 Nov 2008 -- As part of the EU-brokered cease-fire between Georgia and Russia, the two sides met in Geneva on October 15
• Moscow dismisses reports of drone crash in Georgia RIA Novosti 17 Nov 2008 -- Moscow dismissed reports on Monday by Georgia's Interior Ministry that a Russian drone had crashed on Georgian territory killing two and wounding eight service personnel.
• U.N. Reports Fresh Fighting In Goma VOA 17 Nov 2008 -- The United Nationssays the Democratic Republic of Congo'sarmy and rebels have engaged in what it callsthe worst clashes in a week.

News Reports

• Super Tanker Attacked in Arabian Sea Navy NewsStand 17 Nov 2008 -- A Liberian-flagged very large crude tanker, Sirius Star, was attacked more than 450 nautical miles southeast of Mombasa, Kenya, Nov. 15.
• Kazakh Government Prepares To Impose Elements Of Democracy RFE/RL 17 Nov 2008 -- Two ingredients usually found in a democracy are a parliament with representatives from more than one political party and an unfettered, independent media
• Elections In Turkmenistan Bring Changes, At Least Superficially RFE/RL 17 Nov 2008 -- Turkmenistan has long had a reputation as one of the most authoritarian states in the world, with only one legally registered political party, no independent media, and a documented history of jailing government opponents