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Current Operations

• OIF/OEF Casualty Update 20 Nov 2008 [PDF]
• MND-C Soldier dies of non-combat related cause
• MND-N Soldier dies in non-combat related incident (Mosul)
• PRESS CONFERENCE: Operational Update: Brig. Gen. Perkins, Nov. 20, 2008 MNF-I 20 Nov 2008 -- Brig. Gen. David Perkins, Multi-National Force - Iraq, provides an update about operations degrading al-Qaeda in Iraq networks
• Nov. 19 airpower summary: KC-10s bring fuel AFNS 20 Nov 2008 -- Coalition airpower integrated with coalition ground forces in Iraq and International Security Assistance Force in Afghanistan during operations Nov. 19, according to Combined Air and Space Operations Center officials here.
• Iraqis, Coalition Kill al-Qaida in Iraq Leaders AFPS 20 Nov 2008 -- Iraqi and coalition forces have struck a severe blow against al-Qaida in Iraq, a senior coalition spokesman said in Baghdad today.
• US: Forces Kill Key Leader of al-Qaida in Iraq VOA 20 Nov 2008 -- A U.S. general in Baghdad says troops have killed a leader of al-Qaida in Iraq, further reducing the terrorist group's ability to carry out attacks.
• Coalition Forces Capture Five Wanted Men, 10 Additional Suspects AFPS 20 Nov 2008 -- Coalition forces captured five wanted men and detained 10 additional suspects during operations targeting terrorist networks throughout Iraq yesterday and today, military officials reported.
• Soldiers Train Iraqi Bomb Disposal Technicians AFPS 20 Nov 2008 -- Multinational Division Baghdad soldiers conducted explosive ordnance training with Iraqi security forces bomb disposal technicians Nov. 16 at this base in southern Baghdad.
• Gates to Meet With Allies, Discuss Afghanistan Mission AFPS 20 Nov 2008 -- Defense Secretary Robert M. Gates arrived here today to encourage a more regional approach to the mission in Afghanistan’s Regional Command South during a two-day meeting of defense ministers from nations contributing the lion’s share of forces there.
• Predator damaged in Afghanistan AFNS 20 Nov 2008 -- An MQ-1 Predator unmanned aircraft system was damaged at approximately 10:15 a.m. Nov. 20 at a base in southern Afghanistan.
• Afghan, Coalition Forces Capture Key Insurgent Leader, Militant AFPS 20 Nov 2008 -- Afghan and coalition forces detained a key insurgent leader in an early morning raid in Afghanistan’s Khowst province yesterday.
• Ohio Guard Closes Communications Gap in Afghanistan AFPS 20 Nov 2008 -- The Ohio Army National Guard's 37th Infantry Brigade Combat Team is making its presence felt in three key areas of Central Command: Kuwait, Iraq and now in Afghanistan.
• Russia approves rail transit for German arms to Afghanistan RIA Novosti 20 Nov 2008 -- Russia has given Germany the go-ahead to use its rail network to transport weapons, military equipment and supplies to Afghanistan, a Foreign Ministry spokesman said on Thursday.
• Russia set to allow Spanish military transit to Afghanistan RIA Novosti 20 Nov 2008 -- Russian President Dmitry Medvedev has signed a decree allowing logistics supplies for Spanish troops in Afghanistan to pass through Russian territory.
• Afghanistan drug production up 150% since 2001 RIA Novosti 20 Nov 2008 -- Opium production in Afghanistan has increased by 150% since a NATO-led security and development mission entered the country in 2001, Russia's Federal Drug Control Service said on Thursday.
• Pakistan Protests Missile Strikes VOA 20 Nov 2008 -- There is a widespread anger and outrage in Pakistan over the latest suspected U.S. missile strike against a terrorist target deep inside the country.

Defense Policy / Programs

• US Judge Orders 5 Guantanamo Detainees Freed VOA 20 Nov 2008 -- A U.S. federal judge has ordered the release of five Algerian detainees at the U.S. prison facility in Guantanamo Bay, Cuba, after nearly seven years in detention without charge.
• Iraqi FM: Parliament May Approve Security Pact With US VOA 20 Nov 2008 -- Iraq's foreign minister says a pact extending the presence of U.S. troops in Iraq has a good chance of gaining parliamentary approval, despite some heated opposition.
• US Lawmakers Debate US-Iraq Security Accord VOA 20 Nov 2008 -- Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice and Defense Secretary Robert Gates were on Capitol Hill Wednesday briefing U.S. lawmakers on the security agreement now being considered by Iraq's parliament.
• Defense Secretary Meets With Obama Transition Team AFPS 20 Nov 2008 -- Defense Secretary Robert M. Gates wrapped up his first session today with President-elect Barack Obama’s transition team leaders, sharing insights about the initial challenges the new defense team will likely face, Pentagon Press Secretary Geoff Morrell said.
• Army Announces Force Structure Action for Fort Bliss Army News Release 20 Nov 2008 -- The Department of the Army announced today, Nov. 20, the planned activations of the 4th Finance Company, the 16th Public Affairs Detachment and the 4th Air Defense Artillery Battery at Fort Bliss
• Legacy radio system retired from Army Guard Army News 20 Nov 2008 -- After more than 50 years in service, the venerable AN/VRC-12 series radio was retired from the Army National Guard in a ceremony Nov. 18 at the Army National Guard Readiness Center.
• New centers helping families of wounded warriors Army News 20 Nov 2008 -- A key component of caring for wounded warriors is taking care of their families. That's why Soldier Family Assistance Centers now thrive at 34 Army installations across the globe, officials said.
• Iraq-bound Marines feel the HEAT USMC News 20 Nov 2008
• Nations Meet to Plan 50th UNITAS; Exercise to Increase Interoperability Navy NewsStand 20 Nov 2008 -- Maritime representatives from 11 countries gathered in Mayport for the UNITAS Gold 2009 Initial Planning Conference Nov. 3-7.
• NSWC Crane Experts in ICAP-III Program Sustainment Engineering Navy NewsStand 20 Nov 2008 -- Crane Division, Naval Surface Warfare Center (NSWC Crane) unveiled a new capability recently to repair several weapons replaceable assemblies (WRAs) within the new EA-6B Prowler Improved Capabilities Systems III (ICAP-III) aircraft.
• Marines conduct first MARSOC HRST Masters course USMC News 20 Nov 2008 -- In a sign of its ever-advancing capabilities, Marines from 1st Marine Special Operations Battalion, U.S. Marine Corps Forces, Special Operations Command conducted the first MARSOC Helicopter Rope Suspension Training Masters course at Camp Margarita, aboard Camp Pendleton, Oct. 27 to Nov. 7
• Non-lethal weapons fielded for familiarization USMC News 20 Nov 2008 -- As the Corps' role in peacekeeping and humanitarian operations continues to grow, so are options for warfighters. Non-lethal weapons provide an important capability to help warfighters meet those demands
• Research into flies' hearing could aid UAS program AFNS 20 Nov 2008 -- A professor of mechanical engineering at the University of Maryland is researching miniature acoustic sensors and sound localization techniques using the hearing mechanisms of flies as a model.
• Grand Forks communicators start 2 major base projects AFNS 20 Nov 2008 -- The 130-person 319th Communications Squadron here is busy preparing Grand Forks Air Force Base for two critical information technology projects for the base and the entire Air Force.
• Battlelab initiative aims to speed KC-10 cargo loading AFNS 20 Nov 2008 -- Though the Air Mobility Battlelab deactivated here Sept. 24, one of its final initiatives shows great potential to help KC-10 Extender crewmembers do their jobs faster and decrease aircraft weight.
• Reserve Affairs Chief Explains New Directive to Guard Leaders AFPS 20 Nov 2008 -- Recent changes in how the military’s reserve components are recognized are larger than any in recent history, a senior Defense Department official said here yesterday.
• Russian Navy to redeploy Kilo class sub in 2011 after repairs RIA Novosti 20 Nov 2008 -- The Vladikavkaz diesel-electric submarine will return to service with Russia's Northern Fleet in 2011 after an extensive overhaul at the Zvezdochka shipyard in north Russia, the company said on Thursday.
• Russia's new strategic submarine to start sea trials by yearend RIA Novosti 20 Nov 2008 -- Russia's first Borey class strategic nuclear submarine will start sea trials by the end of 2008, the Sevmash shipyard said on Thursday.
• Russia, India to hold joint naval drills in Jan. 2009 RIA Novosti 20 Nov 2008 -- Russia and India will conduct joint naval exercises in the Indian Ocean in January next year, a spokesman for Russia's Pacific Fleet said on Thursday.
• Russian warships to regularly patrol waters off Somali coast RIA Novosti 20 Nov 2008 -- Russia will deploy its warships off the coast of East Africa on a regular basis to prevent pirate attacks on merchant ships, the country's Navy commander said on Thursday.
• Daily Press Briefing US Dept. of State 20 Nov 2008
• Press Briefing by Press Secretary Dana Perino The White House 20 Nov 2008

Defense Industry

• DoD News: Contracts for November 20, 2008
• Northrop Grumman Awarded Joint STARS Radar Modernization Contract Northrop Grumman 20 Nov 2008 -- The U.S. Air Force has awarded a risk reduction study contract to Northrop Grumman Corporation (NYSE:NOC) for the E-8C Joint Surveillance Target Attack Radar System (Joint STARS) Radar Modernization program.
• BAE SYSTEMS COMPLETES PRODUCTION OF MINE RESISTANT AMBUSH PROTECTED VEHICLES BAE Systems 20 Nov 2008 -- BAE Systems has completed production of more than 5,000 Mine Resistant Ambush Protected (MRAP) vehicles under existing contracts with the U.S. Army and U.S. Marine Corps.
• SAIC Awarded $24 Million Contract by Naval Air Systems Command SAIC 20 Nov 2008 -- Science Applications International Corporation (NYSE: SAI) today announced it has signed a blanket purchase agreement with the Naval Air Systems Command (NAVAIR) to provide integrated project management services in support of aircraft, munitions, and unmanned aerial vehicles related support programs

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 20 Nov 2008
• PRESS CONFERENCE TO LAUNCH GLOBAL NETWORK OF CHILDREN FORMERLY AFFECTED BY WAR United Nations 20 Nov 2008
• US, Turkey, Iraq Cooperate to Fight PKK VOA 20 Nov 2008 -- The United States, Turkey and Iraq have agreed to form a joint committee to combat Kurdish separatist rebels using bases in northern Iraq to attack Turkey.
• Jordan's King Warns Israel Over Gaza VOA 20 Nov 2008 -- Jordan's King Abdullah has warned Israeli leaders that putting further restraints on Palestinians will create more tension.
• Security Council authorizes boost to UN peacekeeping force in DR Congo UN News Centre 20 Nov 2008 -- The Security Council today authorized a temporary increase of more than 3,000 blue helmets serving with the United Nations peacekeeping mission in the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC) to deal with the violence in the country’s east, which has displaced an estimated 250,000 civilians in recent months.
• Rebels Pull Back in Eastern Congo VOA 20 Nov 2008 -- Rebels in eastern Democratic Republic of Congo have pulled fighters back from three front lines north of the provincial capital, Goma.
• Rebel Leader’s Threat to Take Over DRC Draws Objections from Countrymen VOA 20 Nov 2008 -- Some Congolese are warning renegade army General Laurent Nkunda that they would make life difficult for him if he goes ahead with his threat to take over the country.
• Somali accord with Islamists gives peace new impetus – UN official UN News Centre 20 Nov 2008 -- The recent agreement on political cooperation signed between the Somali Government and an Islamic opposition alliance has given the peace process in the strife-torn country renewed impetus, a senior United Nations official told the Security Council today.
• UN Security Council to Sanction Obstructers of Somali Peace Process VOA 20 Nov 2008 -- The U.N. Security Council has authorized sanctions against any individual or group that obstructs the peace process in war-torn Somalia.
• Top UN official appeals for over $2 billion to fund humanitarian projects in Sudan UN News Centre 20 Nov 2008 -- The top United Nations relief official today called for more than $2 billion for humanitarian projects next year in Sudan, with almost half of the funds being earmarked for the war-torn region of Darfur, where violence has uprooted nearly half the 6 million-strong population.
• International Criminal Court Prosecutor seeks charges against rebels in Darfur UN News Centre 20 Nov 2008 -- The Prosecutor of the International Criminal Court (ICC) today presented evidence against three rebel commanders for their role in last year’s deadly attack against peacekeepers in the war-ravaged Sudanese region of Darfur, vowing that he “will not let such attacks go unpunished.”
• Kosovo At Another Crossroads RFE/RL 20 Nov 2008 -- Nine months after it declared independence, Kosovo is facing a new challenge: the deployment of the European Union's largest civilian mission, EULEX
• Kosovo Fights Serbia -- As Serbia Fights Everybody RFE/RL 20 Nov 2008 -- Thousands of angry Kosovars demonstrated in central Pristina on November 19
• UN tribunal for Rwandan genocide holds discussions on possible referral of trials UN News Centre 20 Nov 2008 -- The Prosecutor of the United Nations tribunal set up after the 1994 genocide in Rwanda has been holding talks with his counterpart inside the African Great Lakes nation on possibly referring tribunal cases to the small Great Lakes country for trial.
• PHILIPPINES: Mindanao civilians take up arms IRIN 20 Nov 2008 -- Loreto Cabaya, mayor of the southern town of Aleosan, an agricultural Christian community of several thousand families in North Cotabato Province, supports arming civilians.
• YEMEN: Tens of thousands beyond reach of aid agencies - rights group IRIN 20 Nov 2008 -- The government's policy of restricting humanitarian access to Saada Governorate, northern Yemen, has left tens of thousands of civilians beyond the reach of aid agencies, the US-based Human Rights Watch (HRW) has said in a new report.
• Talks On Russia-Georgia War Seen As 'Constructive' RFE/RL 20 Nov 2008 -- Officials from Russia and Georgia are cautiously welcoming the November 19 talks in Geneva, which marked the first time the warring sides have met since the armed conflict in early August over the separatist region of South Ossetia

News Reports

• US Considers New Sanctions on Zimbabwe's Mugabe VOA 20 Nov 2008 -- U.S. Ambassador to Zimbabwe James McGee is warning of new targeted U.S. sanctions on Zimbabwe's leadership if there is no early progress toward political power-sharing.
• Saudi Arabia refuses to rule out freeing supertanker by force RIA Novosti 20 Nov 2008 -- Saudi Arabian authorities are currently not considering using force to free a supertanker being held by Somali pirates, but have refused to rule out the option, a Saudi daily said on Thursday.
• Arab States Meet to Discuss Solution to Pirate Attacks VOA 20 Nov 2008 -- Seven Arab states, including Egypt, Yemen, Jordan and Saudi Arabia are meeting in Cairo in a bid to find an effective response to the growing threat of piracy in the Red Sea.
• VOA Interview: Ousted Mauritanian President Says He is Legitimate Leader VOA 20 Nov 2008 -- Mauritania's ousted president Sidi Ould Cheikh Abdallahi says he intends to come back to power and says he will not accept the military coup that overthrew him.