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Operations
Defense Policy / Programs
Defense Industry
Other Conflicts
News Reports

Current Operations

• Iraqi, Coalition Troops Discover Bombs, Detain Criminals AFPS 16 Feb 2009 -- Iraqi security forces and Multinational Division Baghdad soldiers discovered an improvised explosive device.
• Italian Police Training Iraqi Forces RFE/RL 16 Feb 2009 -- The Italian police, or carabinieri, are providing Iraqi forces special training in rapid-response operations, security details, and riot control.
• At Least 8 Killed in Baghdad Minibus Bombings VOA 16 Feb 2009 -- Iraqi police say roadside bombs in Shi'ite areas of Baghdad have killed eight people and wounded 24 others.
• Iraq Has Processed 1,500 Former U.S. Detainees RFE/RL 16 Feb 2009 -- Iraqi authorities have processed the cases of more than 1,500 detainees under their control in accordance withm US-Iraq security pact.
• Afghan, Coalition Forces Kill Taliban Leaders, Detain Suspect AFPS 16 Feb 2009 -- Afghan and coalition forces killed two Taliban leaders and detained a suspected weapons facilitator in operations.
• Afghan, Coalition Forces Kill Taliban Commander VOA 16 Feb 2009 -- Afghan and coalition military forces: Precision airstrike killed a key Taliban commander in western Afghanistan, near the Turkmenistan border.
• Kyrgyzstan Wants Out Of U.S.-Led Coalition Agreement RFE/RL 16 Feb 2009 -- The Kyrgyz government has announced that it wants to cancel an agreement it has with a group of countries fighting in Afghanistan.
• Kyrgyzstan submits U.S. airbase closure bill to parliament RIA Novosti 16 Feb 2009 -- The Kyrgyz government submitted to parliament a bill terminating deals with all countries which use base at Manas.
• Suspected US Drone Strikes Taliban Target in Pakistan VOA 16 Feb 2009 -- Security official in Pakistan: Suspected US drone fired missiles at a building used by Taliban militants in Pakistan's Kurram tribal region.
• Doubts Over Implementation Of Shari'a Law In Pakistani Region RFE/RL 16 Feb 2009 -- Islamists and officials from Pakistan's North West Frontier Province have reached an agreement to impose Shari'a law.
• Pakistan Agrees to Islamic Law in Tribal Area VOA 16 Feb 2009 -- Authorities in Pakistan have agreed to introduce Islamic law in a restive northwestern region in a bid to stop a spreading Taliban insurgency.
• Talking To The Taliban RFE/RL 16 Feb 2009 -- US and its NATO partners under increasing pressure to confront the question of whether to talk with the Taliban.
• Afghanistan Is A Failed State, But Not Beyond Saving RFE/RL 16 Feb 2009 -- Speaking at the recent Munich Security Conference, Afghan President Hamid Karzai expressed optimism about Afghanistan.

Defense Policy / Programs

• Obama Decision on Afghan Troop Level Coming Soon VOA 16 Feb 2009 -- Spokesman for US President Obama says a decision on how many additional troops will be sent to Afghanistan will be made shortly.
• U.S. Interests Face Challenges in Europe, Intelligence Chief Says AFPS 16 Feb 2009 -- Russia's perceived strengths and its policies, tensions in Eurasia, Caucasus and Central Asia, and instability in the Balkans all pose challenges to US interests in Europe.
• US, India, Pakistan Face 'Common Threat' VOA 16 Feb 2009 -- The global threat from Islamic militant groups based in the region was on top of the agenda of U.S. envoy Richard Holbrooke.
• Clinton Begins Asian Trip with Stop in Japan VOA 16 Feb 2009 -- Hillary Clinton is in Tokyo on the first stop of her First overseas trip as U.S. Secretary of State.
• Clinton in Asia on First Trip as US Secretary of State VOA 16 Feb 2009 -- Hillary Clinton arrives Monday in Japan, the first of four stops in Asia - her first official foreign travel as secretary of state.
• China, U.S. to restart military dialogue soon - media RIA Novosti 16 Feb 2009 -- China and the United States are planning to resume dialogue on defense issues in February.
• U.S.-China military talks will not affect Taiwan ties: MOFA CNA 16 Feb 2009 -- Taiwan Ministry of Foreign Affairs: Confidence that US-Taiwan relations would not be affected by US-China military consultations.
• KCNA on DPRK's Right to Space Development KCNA 16 Feb 2009 -- Recently the U.S. and some other countries claimed that the DPRK is making "preparations for launching long-distance missile."
• N. Korea dismisses rumors of upcoming ballistic missile test RIA Novosti 16 Feb 2009 -- N Korea blasted rumors it was planning long-range missile test, describing possible rocket launch as part of space program.
• No cuts to Russian defense contracts planned for 2009 RIA Novosti 16 Feb 2009 -- State defense contracts will not be subject to cuts this year despite the ongoing financial crisis.
• Russia's state arms exporter has $20 bln in foreign orders RIA Novosti 16 Feb 2009 -- Russian state-controlled arms exporter Rosoboronexport has a foreign orders portfolio of $20 billion.
• Russia to showcase new weaponry at Idex-2009 exhibition RIA Novosti 16 Feb 2009 -- Russian arms producers will display some of their latest models at an international defense exhibition in the UAE.
• Medvedev says Russia ready to supply helicopters to Bolivia RIA Novosti 16 Feb 2009 -- Russian President Medvedev: Moscow was planning to supply a large number of helicopters to Bolivia.
• Iran pins hopes on Russia in its SCO bid - Mottaki RIA Novosti 16 Feb 2009 -- Iran expects to receive the backing of Russia in its bid for full membership of the SCO.
• Kyrgyz Opposition Seeks Closure Of Russian Military Base RFE/RL 16 Feb 2009 -- The People's Revolutionary Democratic Movement has called for the closure of a Russian military base in Kyrgyzstan.
• Danish PM tipped as favorite for NATO top post - source RIA Novosti 16 Feb 2009 -- The Danish prime minister is the most likely candidate for the secretary general post at NATO.
• British-French Nuclear-armed Submarine Collision Disclosed VOA 16 Feb 2009 -- British official: Nuclear-armed submarines from Britain and France collided deep under the Atlantic Ocean earlier this month.
• Georgian Defense Minister Unveils Priorities For 2009 RFE/RL 16 Feb 2009 -- The Georgian Defense Ministry has posted on its website the "Minister's Outlook" or "Vision" for 2009.
• Gaggle with Obama Press Secretary Robert Gibbs Aboard AF1 2-16-09 The White House 16 Feb 2009

Defense Industry

• BAE SYSTEMS AWARDED NAVY CONTRACT FOR ELECTROMAGNETIC RAILGUN BAE Systems 16 Feb 2009 -- BAE Systems has been awarded a $21 million contract from the Office of Naval Research (ONR) to develop an advanced Electromagnetic (EM) Railgun for the U.S. Navy.
• BAE SYSTEMS RECEIVES UK ORDER FOR ADDITIONAL BvS10 VIKINGS BAE Systems 16 Feb 2009 -- BAE Systems has received an additional order for the armoured all-terrain vehicle BvS10 VIKING from the British Ministry of Defence (MoD).
• Northrop Grumman to Provide Relative Navigation Software and Ethernet Access to Navigation System for Air Force Refueling Program Northrop Grumman 16 Feb 2009 -- Northrop Grumman Corporation's (NYSE:NOC) relative navigation solution has been selected by the U.S. Air Force for the Automated Aerial Refueling (AAR) program follow-on contract.
• Northrop Grumman Completes Builder's Sea Trials for USS George H. W. Bush (CVN 77) Northrop Grumman 16 Feb 2009 -- Northrop Grumman Corporation (NSYE:NOC) has completed builder's sea trials of the nation's newest and most advanced nuclear-powered aircraft carrier, USS George H. W. Bush (CVN 77).
• Thales selects degaussing specialists for Lithuanian minehunter contract Thales 16 Feb 2009 -- Following an agreement between the UK Ministry of Defence (MoD) and the Lithuanian Government in November 2008, Thales was named as the prime contractor to reactivate two former Royal Navy Hunt-class mine countermeasures vessels.
• Raytheon's Excalibur 1b Program Completes 45 Flight Tests of Low-Cost Titanium Base Raytheon 16 Feb 2009 -- Raytheon Company fired its 45th low-cost titanium base as part of design testing for the Excalibur 1b precision-guided artillery projectile.
• Raytheon ELCAN Optical Technologies Awarded up to $180 Million for Marine Corps Enhanced Thermal Imaging Program Raytheon 16 Feb 2009 -- The U.S. Navy awarded Raytheon Company a single source indefinite-delivery, indefinite-quantity contract worth up to $180 million to procure, deliver, maintain and provide logistical support to the Medium Range Thermal Bi-Ocular program through 2014.
• Northrop Grumman Team Completes GPS OCX System Design Review Northrop Grumman 16 Feb 2009 -- Northrop Grumman (NYSE:NOC) successfully completed the System Design Review for the Global Positioning System (GPS) Next Generation Operational Control Segment (OCX) program, the final major milestone under the Phase A contract, laying the foundation for a low-risk, cost-effective Phase B contract.

Other Conflicts

• Israel Pounds Gaza Smuggling Tunnels After More Rocket Attacks VOA 16 Feb 2009 -- Israeli warplanes have attacked smuggling tunnels between the Gaza Strip and Egypt, after militants in Gaza fired at least two rockets into southern Israel.
• Israel Takes More Land in West Bank, Expands Settlements VOA 16 Feb 2009 -- Israel says it plans to build 2,500 more housing units in the West Bank - a move likely to make any peace negotiations more difficult.
• Moscow Middle East peace talks will not involve Hamas, Hezbollah RIA Novosti 16 Feb 2009 -- Neither Hamas nor Hezbollah will send delegates to a Middle East peace conference in Moscow.
• Abkhazia seeks renewal of security talks with Georgia RIA Novosti 16 Feb 2009 -- Former Georgian republic of Abkhazia seeking to restart regular security meetings on issues with representatives from Tbilisi.
• PHILIPPINES: Government order to vacate IDP camps raises concerns IRIN 16 Feb 2009 -- Government order for internally displaced to move out of camps on Mindanao island could expose them to grave danger.
• Transdnestr rejects Moldovan proposals on republic's status RIA Novosti 16 Feb 2009 -- Moldova's breakaway republic of Transdnestr has rejected Chisinau's proposals for the future status of the region.

News Reports

• Independent Kosovo Prepares To Mark First Anniversary RFE/RL 16 Feb 2009 -- Newborn state on the eve of its first anniversary.
• Chavez Celebrates End to Venezuela Term Limits VOA 16 Feb 2009 -- President Hugo Chavez is celebrating victory in a referendum to end term limits for elected officials.
• Chavez hails vote to end term limits as 'victory' for Venezuelans RIA Novosti 16 Feb 2009 -- President Hugo Chavez: The Venezuelan people won a great victory in voting to end presidential term limits.
• Ongoing Islamic Conference Discusses Future of Somalia VOA 16 Feb 2009 -- Somalis living in Mogadishu expressing optimism that ongoing talks among different Islamic groups in the country would yield positive results.
• PM's Party in Zimbabwe Asks for Politician's Release VOA 16 Feb 2009 -- The party of Zimbabwe's new prime minister is asking for the immediate release of one of its top officials, Roy Bennett, who faces charges of terrorism, insurgency and banditry.
• MDC Wants Zimbabwe's Unity Government to Release MDC Cabinet Nominee VOA 16 Feb 2009 -- Zimbabwe police say they have dropped treason charges against Roy Bennet of the Movement forDemocratic Chang, but still plan to bring him to court Monday to face other charges.
• Tense Standoff in Madagascar's Capital VOA 16 Feb 2009 -- Police and protesters are in a standoff in Madagascar's capital, as opposition leader Andry Rajoelina moves to put his own government in power.
• Australian Court Hears Case of Suspected Arsonist as Fires Continue to Burn VOA 16 Feb 2009 -- A court in Australia has released the identity of a man accused of lighting a fire in the southeastern state of Victoria.
• Mandela's Campaign Appearance Expected to Boost ANC Chances in South Africa Election VOA 16 Feb 2009 -- South Africa's ruling African National Congress party received a significant boost ahead of this year's election after former President Nelson Mandela announced his support for the party.
• Khmer Rouge Trial to Test Cambodian Justice VOA 16 Feb 2009 -- After more than 30 years of escaping justice, Cambodia is finally set to put former Khmer Rouge leaders on trial for crimes committed during their brutal rule.