• Military Menu                       

• Introduction
• Systems
• Facilities
• Agencies
• Industry
• Operations
• Countries
• Hot Documents
• News
• Reports
• Policy
• Budget
• Congress
• Links

• WMD
• Intelligence
• Homeland Security
• Space

Operations
Defense Policy / Programs
Defense Industry
Other Conflicts
News Reports

Current Operations

• OIF/OEF Casualty Update 17 Feb 2009 [PDF]
• DoD News: DoD Identifies Army Casualty
• DoD News: DoD Identifies Army Casualty
• Feb. 15 airpower summary: F-15Es deter enemy fire AFNS 17 Feb 2009 -- Coalition airpower integrated with coalition ground forces in Iraq and ISAF in Afghanistan during operations.
• Transcript: DoD News Briefing with Col. Piatt from Iraq DoD 17 Feb 2009 -- Presenter: Commander, 3rd Brigade Combat Team, 25th Infantry Division U.S. Army Colonel Walter Piatt, Salahuddin Police Chief, Maj. Gen. Hamed Nameq Yaseen Al-Jubouri
• U.S., Iraqi Forces Prevent Grenade Attack, Detain Suspected Criminals AFPS 17 Feb 2009 -- Iraqi and U.S. forces thwarted a convoy attack, detained suspected criminals and seized weapons.
• Police Efforts Lead to Improvements in Iraqi Province AFPS 17 Feb 2009 -- Although police in Iraq’s Salahuddin province still require U.S. military support, they are leading the counterinsurgency effort.
• JET Airmen support Soldiers at forward operating base AFNS 17 Feb 2009 -- Twenty joint expeditionary tasking, or JET, Airmen are building a 64-tent living area for more than 700 Soldiers in one week.
• 'Sons of Iraq' Transition Into New, Long-term Jobs AFPS 17 Feb 2009 -- The transfer of the “Sons of Iraq” civilian security group to Iraqi government controlmoving ahead according to plan.
• U.S. Instructors Train Iraqi Sailors on High-speed Boats AFPS 17 Feb 2009 -- U.S. instructors are training Iraqi sailors how to operate a new, modern boat during a two-week course in Umm Qasr.
• Iran Agrees To Stop Shelling Iraqi Border Areas RFE/RL 17 Feb 2009 -- An Iraqi Kurdish official claims an agreement has been reached with Iran to halt its shelling of Iraqi border areas in pursuit of Kurdish rebels.
• Regional Links Compound Problems in 'Arc of Instability' AFPS 17 Feb 2009 -- A more stable Iraq could counter negative trends in the region from the Middle East to southern Asia.
• DoD Announces Afghanistan Force Deployment DoD 17 Feb 2009 -- Pursuant to President Obama's decision today, Secretary Gates ordered the deployment of two additional combat units, totaling more than 12,000 troops, to Afghanistan
• President Orders 12,000 Soldiers, Marines to Afghanistan AFPS 17 Feb 2009 -- President Obama has ordered a Marine expeditionary brigade and an Army Stryker brigade combat team to Afghanistan.
• Obama Orders More US Troops to Afghanistan VOA 17 Feb 2009 -- President Obama has approved a nearly 50 percent increase in the number of US troops in Afghanistan.
• Security Experts Say Urgent Strategy Change Needed in Afghanistan VOA 17 Feb 2009 -- US and NATO forces in Afghanistan are not likely to defeat the Taliban and other insurgent groups on their own.
• Coalition, Afghan Soldiers Kill Taliban Commanders, Others in Terrorist Sweep AFPS 17 Feb 2009 -- Coalition and Afghan forces have killed 16 insurgents in western Afghanistan.
• Russia ready to boost cooperation with U.S. on Afghan cargo transit RIA Novosti 17 Feb 2009 -- Moscow has potential to broaden cooperation with Washington on non-lethal cargo to the US troops in Afghanistan.
• Kyrgyz parliament to discuss Manas airbase closure on Feb. 19 RIA Novosti 17 Feb 2009 -- The Kyrgyz parliament to discuss on February 19 the termination of deal that allows US to use Manas airbase.
• Kyrgyz Parliament To Debate Fate Of U.S. Base This Week RFE/RL 17 Feb 2009 -- The Kyrgyz parliament will begin debate on the closure of the U.S. air base at Manas Airport on February 19.
• Missile strike kills 30 suspected militants in Pakistan IRNA 17 Feb 2009 -- Suspected US drone fired missiles on a training camp of Taliban militants in a Pakistani tribal region.
• Eighth UK soldier killed in Afghanistan this year IRNA 17 Feb 2009 -- British casualties in Afghanistan continue to mount with the MoD announcing the death of another UK soldier in Helmand province.
• Number of Afghan civilian deaths in 2008 highest since Taliban ouster UN News Centre 17 Feb 2009 -- Number of Afghan civilian casualties in 2008 is the highest recorded since the ouster of the Taliban.
• UN Reports 40 Percent Increase in Afghan Civilian Deaths VOA 17 Feb 2009 -- The United Nations says the number of civilians killed in Afghanistan rose 40 percent last year to a record 2,118 people.
• In Brief: 2,118 civilians killed in Afghanistan in 2008 - UN IRIN 17 Feb 2009 -- Armed hostilities among warring parties killed 2,118 civilians in 2008, marking a significant increase from 2007.
• Pakistan Islamic party seeks clarification in US drone attacks IRNA 17 Feb 2009 -- Islamic party asked government to clarify position on drone attacks after US senator said drones using Pakistani base for strikes.
• Pakistani PM condemns US drone attacks IRNA 17 Feb 2009 -- Pakistani PM Gilani continued condemnation of US drone attacks on the country's tribal region and said the attacks will produce no results.
• NATO Concerned About Pakistani Peace Deal VOA 17 Feb 2009 -- NATO says it is concerned about a peace deal between officials in northwestern Pakistan and Taliban sympathizers.
• Pakistani PM Praises Northwest Peace Deal VOA 17 Feb 2009 -- Pakistani PM Gilani is praising a peace deal with Taliban sympathizers that will impose Islamic law in parts of the volatile northwest.
• Pakistan to set up Islamic courts in insurgency-hit areas IRNA 17 Feb 2009 -- Pakistan is to set up Islamic courts in its insurgency-hit areas in the northwestern country in four to six months.
• Pakistan: UN calls again for immediate release of abducted staff member UN News Centre 17 Feb 2009 -- UN appealed to those holding John Solecki, kidnapped in Pakistan, for his immediate and safe release.
• Pirates Could Be Prosecuted Outside of Kenya, Official Says AFPS 17 Feb 2009 -- Suspected pirates captured in the Gulf of Aden could face separate prosecutions in countries other than Kenya.

Defense Policy / Programs

• Transcript: DoD News Briefing with Gen. Ham from the Pentagon DoD 17 Feb 2009 -- Presenter: Commander, U.S. Army Europe and 7th Army Gen. Carter Ham
• State Department Says Nuclear-Free Korea Remains US Goal VOA 17 Feb 2009 -- State Department: Complete dismantling of North Korea's nuclear program remains goal of Chinese-led negotiations.
• KCNA Denounces U.S. Moves for All-Out War KCNA 17 Feb 2009 -- The U.S. warmongers are gravely threatening the security of the DPRK.
• Clinton Warns North Korea on Missile VOA 17 Feb 2009 -- US Secretary of State Hillary Clinton says North Korea should not carry out plans to test-fire a long-range missile.
• Clinton Pledges Improved Coordination With Japan on Approach Towards N. Korea VOA 17 Feb 2009 -- N Korea was prominent in talks in Tokyo between US Secretary of State Clinton and top Japanese officials.
• U.S. to continue arms sales to Taiwan: U.S. state secretary CNA 17 Feb 2009 -- US Secretary of State Clinton affirmed there will be no change in Washington's policy on arms sales to Taiwan.
• Signs Show Possible Thaw in US-Syrian Relations VOA 17 Feb 2009 -- Key step of sending a new US ambassador to Damascus for the first time in 3 years remains up in the air.
• General Calls for More Troops in Europe AFPS 17 Feb 2009 -- More troops will be needed to adapt to U.S. Army Europe’s evolving missions.
• Army, Air Force overhaul joint ISR training AFNS 17 Feb 2009 -- Group of Army and USAF professionals met to discuss what is needed to ensure America has the best ISR forces.
• Ops officials conduct new warfighter training AFNS 17 Feb 2009 -- Progress continues for the Air Forces Northern Distributed Mission Operations program as first individualized warfighter training event held.
• Financial Crisis May Compound Africa's Problems, Blair Says AFPS 17 Feb 2009 -- Director of national intelligence: While Africa has made gains in recent years, global financial crisis threatens all that progress.
• HSM-70 Leads New Era In Sea Control Navy NewsStand 17 Feb 2009 -- Cmmander of first East Coast helicopter maritime strike squadron to fly the new MH-60R Seahawk passed his unit's commissioning pennant at the HSM-70 establishment ceremony.
• New Predator takes flight in Iraq AFNS 17 Feb 2009 -- The 332nd Air Expeditionary Wing received a new MQ-1 Predator unmanned aircraft and immediately put it into action.
• Southern Partnership Station Arrives in Nicaragua Navy NewsStand 17 Feb 2009 -- High speed vessel Swift arrived in Nicaragua for the first of two instructional evolutions during Southern Partnership Station.
• Teamwork Key to Mahan Sailor's Success as IA in Afghanistan Navy NewsStand 17 Feb 2009 -- Individual augmentee Sailors are engaged in joint and combined operations around the globe.
• NATO Commander Urges Unity Within Alliance AFPS 17 Feb 2009 -- NATO’s supreme allied commander for Europe stressed need for international cooperation and partnership to members of the alliance’s Parliamentary Assembly.
• SCO regional security group considering Iran membership - source RIA Novosti 17 Feb 2009 -- Shanghai Cooperation Organization considering Iran's bid to become a full member of the regional security bloc.
• Iranian defense minister in Moscow 'to talk S-300 missile deal' RIA Novosti 17 Feb 2009 -- Iran's defense minister likely to discuss Russian S-300 air defense systems during meeting with Russian counterpart.
• Najjar holds talks with Russian defense minister IRNA 17 Feb 2009 -- Iranian Defense Minister Najjar: that expansion of ties with Russia is one of Iran's priorities and at the focus of its officials' attention.
• Media exaggerating oil spill off Irish coast - Russian navy RIA Novosti 17 Feb 2009 -- Media reports are exaggerating the scope of an oil spill off the coast of Ireland.
• Russian warship returns to base after Mediterranean tour RIA Novosti 17 Feb 2009 -- The guided missile cruiser Moskva has returned to the Sevastopol base in the Crimea after a tour in the Mediterranean Sea.
• Daily Press Briefing US Dept. of State 17 Feb 2009
• Press Gaggle By Press Secretary Robert Gibbs The White House 17 Feb 2009
• Press Briefing 2/17/09 The White House 17 Feb 2009
• Press Secretary Robert Gibbs Press Gaggle The White House 17 Feb 2009

Defense Industry

• DoD News: Contracts for February 17, 2009
• BAE SYSTEMS AWARDED $25.8 MILLION FOR MILITARY EQUIPMENT BAE Systems 17 Feb 2009 -- The U.S. Department of Defense has awarded BAE Systems two contracts totaling $25.8 million for military equipment.
• General Dynamics NASSCO Awarded Design Contract for Mobile Landing Platform Ship General Dynamics 17 Feb 2009 -- General Dynamics NASSCO, a wholly-owned subsidiary of General Dynamics (NYSE: GD), has been awarded a $3.5 million design contract for the U.S. Navy’s Mobile Landing Ship (MLP) program.
• Lockheed Martin to Upgrade Ship Defense System on Turkish Navy Frigates Lockheed Martin 17 Feb 2009 -- The U.S. Navy recently awarded Lockheed Martin [NYSE: LMT] a contract to upgrade the MK 92 Fire Control System on Turkey’s G-class guided missile frigates.
• Lockheed Martin Completes Italian C-130J Lockheed Martin 17 Feb 2009 -- February 17, 2009 – The Italian Ministry of Defense has confirmed that Lockheed Martin [NYSE: LMT] has met the industrial benefit requirement associated with Italy's acquisition of 22 C-130J aircraft five years ahead of schedule.
• Boeing Delivers 1st Communications Payload to MUOS Prime Contractor Boeing 17 Feb 2009 -- The Boeing Company [NYSE: BA] has delivered the first Legacy Communications payload and the first digital channelizer to Lockheed Martin in support of the U.S. Navy's new Mobile User Objective System (MUOS) communications system.
• Numerex and Savi to Launch GlobalTag Combining GPS, RFID and Satellite Communications Lockheed Martin 17 Feb 2009 -- Numerex Corp. (NASDAQ: NMRX) and Savi, a Lockheed Martin [NYSE: LMT] company, today announced their technology partnership to co-develop what would be the first asset and shipment monitoring device that combines Global Satellite Positioning, active Radio Frequency Identification and Satellite Communications.
• Lockheed Martin-Built DSCS Satellites Achieve Historic Milestone Lockheed Martin 17 Feb 2009 -- A U.S. Air Force/Lockheed Martin [NYSE: LMT] team announced today that the Defense Satellite Communications System (DSCS) III constellation has surpassed 200 years of on-orbit operations, the longest total operational experience of any U.S. military communications satellite constellation.

Other Conflicts

• DAILY PRESS BRIEFING BY THE OFFICE OF THE SPOKESPERSON FOR THE SECRETARY-GENERAL United Nations 17 Feb 2009
• UN: Five Tons of Bombs Missing in Gaza VOA 17 Feb 2009 -- United Nations officials say five tons of bombs are missing from a storage site in the Gaza Strip.
• Lavrov says Egypt has not asked Russia to pressure Hamas RIA Novosti 17 Feb 2009 -- Russian FN Lavrov: Egypt has not asked Russia to put pressure on the Palestinian movement Hamas.
• Egypt says backs Mideast peace conference in Moscow RIA Novosti 17 Feb 2009 -- Egypt says it welcomes a proposed international peace conference on the Middle East in Moscow and is set to contribute to it.
• New round of talks on S. Ossetia, Abkhazia to begin in Geneva RIA Novosti 17 Feb 2009 -- New round of talks on former Georgian republics of S Ossetia and Abkhazia set to begin in Geneva .
• Sri Lanka: growing UN concern as civilians in 'safe zone' come under fire UN News Centre 17 Feb 2009 -- UN called on Sri Lankan Government forces and rebels to refrain from fighting in areas of civilian concentration.
• Sri Lanka Rebels Deny Shooting at Civilians VOA 17 Feb 2009 -- Tamil Tiger rebels have denied accusations by UN that they are shooting at civilians to prevent them from leaving the conflict zone in the north.
• UN Security Council Welcomes Darfur Goodwill Agreement VOA 17 Feb 2009 -- UN Security Council has welcomed agreement between Sudan's government and the country's main rebel group.
• Darfur: UN experts are shown mass graves after recent fighting UN News Centre 17 Feb 2009 -- UN experts have been sent to the scene of recent fighting, where local residents showed them mass graves.
• Darfur Rivals Sign Deal in Doha VOA 17 Feb 2009 -- Sudan and Darfur's most active rebel group, the Justice and Equality Movement, has signed a declaration of good intentions in Doha.
• Sudanese Analyst Pessimistic about Possible Deal between Government and Rebels VOA 17 Feb 2009 -- Qatari PM: Both sides will sign a deal on confidence-building measures Tuesday.
• Over 15,000 Congolese fleeing Ugandan rebel attacks pour into Sudan, UN reports UN News Centre 17 Feb 2009 -- More than 15,000 Congolese have fled to South Sudan since the Ugandan rebel Lord's Resistance Army began attacks in north-east DRC.
• Al-Shabaab Condemns Moves to Stabilize Security Situation in Somalia VOA 17 Feb 2009 -- Al-Shabaab sharply condemned a National Security meeting aimed at improving the security situation in Mogadishu.
• Gunmen Attack Equatorial Guinea Presidential Palace VOA 17 Feb 2009 -- The government of Equatorial Guinea said its forces have repelled an attack by gunmen on the country's presidential palace.
• Nigeria Plays Down Security Fears in Oil Region VOA 17 Feb 2009 -- In the face of the hostage-taking crisis in Nigeria's oil-rich Niger Delta region, the government has pledged to improve security.
• Exiled Chechen Zakayev hopes to return to motherland RIA Novosti 17 Feb 2009 -- Chechen separatist leader Akhmed Zakayev: Resolved to return to Chechnya and "work for a lasting peace" in the region.

News Reports

• Obama Signs $787 Billion Stimulus Plan VOA 17 Feb 2009 -- US President Obama signed a $787 billion economic stimulus bill into law, marking a major victory in his bid to rescue the nation's economy and restore prosperity.
• Will Israeli Politics Set Back Peace Process? VOA 17 Feb 2009 -- FM Livni's Kadima Party has a one seat lead over the Likud Party, led by former PM Netanyahu.
• US Hails Progress, Acknowledges Problems In Independent Kosovo VOA 17 Feb 2009 -- The United States Tuesday hailed progress toward consolidating democracy in Kosovo, now independent for a year.
• Independent Kosovo is One Year Old VOA 17 Feb 2009 -- On February 17, 2008, Kosovo became the newest country in the world by declaring independence from Serbia.
• Kosovo Albanians mark first year of independence from Serbia RIA Novosti 17 Feb 2009 -- Kosovo Albanians are to hold events to mark the first year of their unilateral declaration of independence from Serbia.
• As Economic Crisis Bites, Belarus Tries A Political Thaw RFE/RL 17 Feb 2009 -- "Demonstration of Love" to test whether President Lukashenka serious about new atmosphere of tolerance in Belarus.
• Zimbabwe's MDC Legislator Roy Bennett Faces Weapons Charges VOA 17 Feb 2009 -- Zimbabwe's unity government's designated deputy agriculture minister Roy Bennett has been charged with possessing weaponry, banditry, and attempting to commit terrorism.
• Mugabe, Tsvangirai Hold First Cabinet Meeting VOA 17 Feb 2009 -- Zimbabwe's new unity government held its first Cabinet meeting, with President Mugabe and PM Tsvangirai sitting down as colleagues for the first time.
• Ukraine warns Russian ambassador on possible expulsion RIA Novosti 17 Feb 2009 -- Ukraine has warned Russian Ambassador Chernomyrdin that he could be expelled from the country over "unfriendly and extremely undiplomatic assessments, comments and statements regarding Ukraine and its leadership."
• MADAGASCAR: Deconstructing a crisis: Part One IRIN 17 Feb 2009 -- The power tussle between Madagascar's President and charismatic Andry Rajoelina former mayor of the capital, has already claimed more than 100 lives.
• UN-backed court opens trial against Khmer Rouge official for Cambodian atrocities UN News Centre 17 Feb 2009 -- The first trial of a Khmer Rouge official got underway today at a United Nations-backed tribunal.
• Clinton: US Looking for Better Way to Sway Burma VOA 17 Feb 2009 -- US. Secretary of State Clinton: Washington reviewing its policy on Burma to see if it can find a better way to influence the country's military leaders.
• US Official: Venezuela Referendum 'Fully Democratic' VOA 17 Feb 2009 -- The United States says Venezuelan referendum ending term limits for elected officials took place in a "fully democratic" process.