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Defense Policy / Programs
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News Reports

Current Operations

• OIF/OEF Casualty Update 07 May 2009 [PDF]
• May 5 airpower summary: A-10s unleash lethal firepower AFNS 07 May 2009 -- Coalition airpower integrated with coalition ground forces in Iraq and ISAF troops in Afghanistan during operations.
• Troops in Iraq Capture Suspects, Weapons AFPS 07 May 2009 -- Coalition and Iraqi forces swept up weapons and insurgents during three days of operations in Iraq this week, military officials said.
• More Ospreys Will Deploy With Marine Unit, General Says AFPS 07 May 2009 -- After 3 successful deployments, USMC MV-22 Ospreys will begin a global deployment with the 22nd Marine Expeditionary Unit.
• Iran Continues Shelling Kurds In Iraqi Territory RFE/RL 07 May 2009 -- Senior Iraqi Kurdish official: Iran is shelling border villages in northern Iraq despite a warning by the Iraqi government to desist.
• Press Conference with Secretary Gates from Kabul, Afghanistan DoD 07 May 2009 -- Presenter: Secretary of Defense Robert M. Gates
• U.S. Regrets Any Loss of Innocent Lives in Afghanistan, Gates Says AFPS 07 May 2009 -- US, coalition and Afghan government regret even one innocent civilian death, and will do all they can to avoid casualties.
• Afghans protest civilian deaths after NATO airstrike RIA Novosti 07 May 2009 -- Hundreds of Afghans took to the streets protesting civilian deaths after a recent NATO airstrike in the western Afghan province of Farah.
• Angry Crowd Protests Against Civilian Casualties in Afghanistan VOA 07 May 2009 -- Demonstrators threw rocks at government buildings to protest civilian deaths they blame on US air strikes.
• Bagram officials stand up 4 new squadrons AFNS 07 May 2009 -- Bagram Airfield officials have added four new squadrons to their growing list of units during an assumption of command ceremony here May 5.
• Gates' Afghanistan Visit Focuses on Troop Needs AFPS 07 May 2009 -- Defense Secretary Gates visited 2 remote outposts being built to accommodate incoming troops.
• UN expands presence in southern Afghanistan with new office in Uruzgan UN News Centre 07 May 2009 -- UN opened its 19th office in Afghanistan, in Tirin Kot, the capital of the southern province of Uruzgan.
• PAKISTAN: IDPs reluctant to move into camps IRIN 07 May 2009 -- Thousands of people displaced by fighting between government forces and militants in Swat Valley, North West Frontier Province (NWFP), have been pouring into the capital, Islamabad, but many are reluctant to move into camps for "cultural reasons".
• Gates Says Taliban 'Overreached' in Pakistan Offensive AFPS 07 May 2009 -- Defense Secretary Robert M. Gates: Taliban "overreached" in their offensive in Pakistan's Buner district.
• Thousands Flee Pakistan's Swat, But Many More Left Behind VOA 07 May 2009 -- Pakistan's army continues to bomb Taliban positions in the Swat valley and again lifted a curfew to allow residents to flee.
• Thousands flee as Pakistani forces, militants engage in fighting IRNA 07 May 2009 -- Thousands fled for safe places as Pakistani security forces and Taliban-linked militants fought gunbattle in restive Swat Valley.
• Pakistani forces retake emerald mines from Taliban IRNA 07 May 2009 -- Pakistani security forces have retaken emerald mines from Taliban after heaving shelling in Swat valley, killing 35 militants.
• USNS Lewis and Clark Prevents Suspected Piracy Attack Navy NewsStand 07 May 2009 -- At approximately 10:30 local time May 5, Military Sealift Command ship USNS Lewis and Clarkwas approached by suspected pirates off the eastern coast of Somalia.
• US Navy: Cargo Ship Escapes Pirate Attack VOA 07 May 2009 -- The U.S. Navy said one of its cargo ships has evaded a pirate attack off the eastern coast of Somalia.

Defense Policy / Programs

• US House Committee Approves Iraq, Afghanistan War Funding VOA 07 May 2009 -- US strategies in Afghanistan and Pakistan, continuing support for Iraq, and Middle East peace efforts figured highly in debate.
• DoD Releases Fiscal 2010 Budget Proposal DoD 07 May 2009 -- President Barack Obama today sent to Congress a proposed defense budget of $663.8 billion for fiscal 2010
• Transcript: DoD News Briefing with Robert Hale and Vice Adm. Steve Stanley from the Pentagon Briefing Room, Arlington, Va. DoD 07 May 2009 -- Presenter: Under Secretary of Defense Comptroller Robert Hale and Director, Force Structure and Resources, Joint Staff Vice Adm. Steve Stanley
• Defense Department Budget Request Pushes Reform AFPS 07 May 2009 -- The Pentagon's chief financial officer today described the Defense Department's fiscal 2010 funding request as a "reform budget."
• Air Force fiscal 2010 budget reflects rebalanced priorities AFNS 07 May 2009 -- USAF officials announced that its portion of FY10 budget reflects a balanced strategy to prevail in joint fight.
• Defense Department Officials Hope to Create 20,000 Acquisition Jobs AFPS 07 May 2009 -- DoD officials want to increase acquisition jobs by 20,000 over the next five years.
• Senior Civilian Leader Praises Value of UNITAS Navy NewsStand 07 May 2009 -- UNITAS Gold participants learned the value of the exercise and their interoperability from the United States Navy's senior civilian leader May 4.
• Groundbreaking Ceremony Signifies Major Step for Medical Research, Development Navy NewsStand 07 May 2009 -- A groundbreaking ceremony was held May 6 for the new Tri-Service Research Laboratory (TSRL), marking another step forward for Navy Medicine research and development.
• Better-equipped National Guard Still Faces Critical Shortages AFPS 07 May 2009 -- Equipment critical to both domestic and warfighting missions and air sovereignty remain areas of concern for the National Guard.
• Essex Debarks 31st MEU After Successful Spring Patrol Navy NewsStand 07 May 2009 -- The forward-deployed amphibious assault ship USS Essex arrived in Okinawa, Japan, to debark the 31st Marine Expeditionary Unit.
• Nellis to stand up new aircraft maintenance squadron AFNS 07 May 2009 -- Air Force Reserve Command officials will activate a new aircraft maintenance squadron.
• Pinckney Gets SMART Navy NewsStand 07 May 2009 -- The San Diego-based Arleigh Burke-class guided-missile destroyer USS Pinckney began implementing the Shipboard Maintenance and Repair Team program the first week of May.
• Air Force Reserve, Air Guard Maintain Aerial Firefighting Certification AFPS 07 May 2009 -- Air Force Reserve and Air National Guard crews and aerial firefighters participating in a week-long annual certification.
• ARRA Project Will Save Energy, Enhance Security at Camp Lejeune Navy NewsStand 07 May 2009 -- Officer In Charge of Construction Marine Corps Installations East awarded a contract to replace streetlight fixtures at Marine Corps Base Camp Lejeune.
• Transcript: DoD News Briefing with David Altwegg from the Pentagon Briefing Room, Arlington, Va. DoD 07 May 2009 -- Presenter: Executive Director, Missile Defense Agency David Altwegg
• Obama, Lavrov Stress Areas of Agreement VOA 07 May 2009 -- U.S. President Barack Obama and Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov emphasized the positive aspects of the two countries' relationship.
• Hope for Future Highlights Afghanistan, Pakistan Talks AFPS 07 May 2009 -- Providing better lives for future generations a theme as the presidents of Afghanistan and Pakistan met with President Obama.
• US Reassures Arab Countries on Iran Policy VOA 07 May 2009 -- Top US officials are reassuring moderate Arab countries that the Obama administration's effort to improve relations with Iran will not hurt interests.
• Lavrov hopes Russia-NATO Council will resume work soon RIA Novosti 07 May 2009 -- Russian FM Lavrov: Hoped the work of the Russia-NATO Council would be resumed in the near future.
• Expelled NATO diplomats have until mid-May to leave Russia RIA Novosti 07 May 2009 -- Two Canadian diplomats employed at NATO offices in Moscow have been given until mid-May to leave the country.
• Russia rules out cuts to nuclear deterrent budget RIA Novosti 07 May 2009 -- Russia will put the first regiment of new-generation RS-24 intercontinental ballistic missiles into service in late 2009.
• Russia to deploy regiment of RS-24 ballistic missiles in late 2009 RIA Novosti 07 May 2009 -- Russia will put the first regiment of new-generation RS-24 intercontinental ballistic missiles into service in late 2009.
• Russia to show S-400 air defense systems at Victory Day parade RIA Novosti 07 May 2009 -- Russia's advanced S-400 Triumf air defense systems will be displayed in the May 9 Victory Day parade.
• Russian bombers continue routine patrols over Atlantic, Arctic RIA Novosti 07 May 2009 -- A pair of Russian Tu-95 Bear strategic bombers have carried out a routine patrol flight over the North Atlantic and the Arctic.
• CSTO's rapid-reaction force to hold exercises in late summer RIA Novosti 07 May 2009 -- Joint rapid-reaction forces of regional security bloc will hold military exercises in August-September in Kazakhstan.
• France faces huge fine over scandalous Lafayette deal with Taiwan CNA 07 May 2009 -- French government might have to pay Taiwan fines over the scandalous Lafayette frigate deal.
• Taiwan continues to moot trimming, streamlining of armed forces CNA 07 May 2009 -- Ministry of National Defense continuing to trim and streamline in line with policy of making military leaner and meaner.
• Briefing by White House Press Secretary Robert Gibbs, 5-7-09 The White House 07 May 2009

Defense Industry

• DoD News: Contracts for May 07, 2009
• U.S. Army Awards General Dynamics $37 Million Order for Bradley Fighting Vehicle Reactive Armor General Dynamics 07 May 2009 -- The U.S. Army Contracting Command in Picatinny Arsenal, N.J., has awarded General Dynamics Armament and Technical Products an order of approximately $37 million to produce reactive armor tile sets for the Bradley Fighting Vehicle. Deliveries are expected to begin in December 2009.
• French army tests Sagem’s new tactical terminal for direct reception of images from UAV systems Sagem (Safran group) 07 May 2009 -- The French army’s 61st Artillery Regiment recently field tested the new ERS-RVT terminal designed by Sagem, a SAFRAN Group company, for tactical data exchange and direct image reception from the Sperwer UAV (unmanned aerial vehicle) (1).
• Lockheed Martin Delivers 7,000TH Q-70 Combat Computer Server System To The U.S. Navy Lockheed Martin 07 May 2009 -- During a ceremony today, Lockheed Martin [NYSE: LMT] delivered the 7,000th AN/UYQ-70 (Q-70) combat computer server suite to the U.S. Navy’s Command, Control, Computers, Communication and Intelligence Program Executive Office (PEO-C4I) in San Diego.
• Raytheon to Continue Producing ALR-69A(V) Radar Warning Receivers Raytheon 07 May 2009 -- Raytheon Company has been awarded a $7.3 million contract for the continued production of ALR-69A(V) radar warning receiver systems for the Warner Robins Air Logistics Center, Robins Air Force Base, Ga.

Other Conflicts

• DAILY PRESS BRIEFING BY THE OFFICE OF THE SPOKESPERSON FOR THE SECRETARY-GENERAL United Nations 07 May 2009
• Sri Lankan President Vows No Cease-fire as Victory Nears VOA 07 May 2009 -- Sri Lanka's President is adamant there will be no pause in the fighting on the verge of a total battlefield victory.
• Sri Lankan Troops Enter Rebel-Held Village VOA 07 May 2009 -- Sri Lanka's military says troops have pushed into one of the few remaining rebel-held villages.
• Somalia Faces Problems More Critical than Piracy, says New Report VOA 07 May 2009 -- A new report makes recommendations on what the international community should do to help bring peace to Somalia.
• Militia Leaders Say They'll Help the Unsteady Somalia Government VOA 07 May 2009 -- Leaders of an Islamist militia met with Somalia's president and prime minister in Mogadishu, pledging to work with the fragile government.
• CHAD: Adapting emergency food aid to combat malnutrition IRIN 07 May 2009 -- While food aid is vital for tackling malnutrition, it cannot be the sole response when the condition is chronic as in Chad’s western Kanem region, where aid workers have developed a programme to meet both urgent needs and long-term food insecurity.
• Insecurity leads to suspension of UN food distribution in eastern Chad UN News Centre 07 May 2009 -- The United Nations World Food Programme (WFP) says it has temporarily suspended food distribution for some 22,000 Sudanese refugees in eastern Chad owing to a rise in insecurity.
• In Sudan, UN relief chief reiterates regret at ejection of aid groups UN News Centre 07 May 2009 -- The top United Nations humanitarian official today reiterated his disappointment at the Sudanese Government’s decision to expel over a dozen aid agencies from its war-torn region of Darfur earlier this year, while welcoming a “new beginning” in relations with Khartoum.
• Ban encourages peaceful final settlement of dispute over Sudanese town UN News Centre 07 May 2009 -- As legal arguments in the case over Abyei, an oil-rich town straddling northern and southern Sudan, ended today at a United Nations-backed tribunal in The Hague, Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon encouraged the parties to achieve a peaceful final settlement to their dispute.
• Armed groups, weapons still threatening Lebanon's stability, reports UN envoy UN News Centre 07 May 2009 -- Top UN official highlighted the continuing threat posed by the proliferation of weapons and armed groups in the country.
• Kinshasa, Kigali Agree to Seek Alternative Country to Prosecute Rebel Leader VOA 07 May 2009 -- Democratic Republic of Congo and Rwanda considering a neutral country to tryrenegade general Nkunda.

News Reports

• Benin Closely Watching Suspected Swine Flu Case VOA 07 May 2009 -- The World Health Organization is watching a suspected swine flu case in Benin that would, if confirmed, be the first on the African continent.
• Governments Prepare for Possible Flu Pandemic VOA 07 May 2009 -- World Health Organization reported that 22 countries have officially reported a total of more than 1500 cases of Influenza A H1N1 infection.
• Disease Experts Say Flu Threat in Mexico Diminished VOA 07 May 2009 -- In Mexico, authorities say 44 people have now died of the H1N1 influenza-A virus and they are urging caution as life returns to normal.
• Influenza A(H1N1) infections top 2,000 with 44 deaths UN News Centre 07 May 2009 -- Number of people infected with influenza A(H1N1) virus has topped 2,000.
• WHO: Swine Flu Cases Top 2,000 VOA 07 May 2009 -- The World Health Organization says the swine influenza A-H1N1 virus has infected more than 2,000 people worldwide.
• US Health Officials Warn Public to Remain Vigilant Against Flu VOA 07 May 2009 -- Mexican officials lowered the alert level for influenza A H1N1 as the number of cases seems to be ebbing.
• Russian scientists develop tests for A/H1N1 swine flu RIA Novosti 07 May 2009 -- Russian scientists have developed tests to detect the A/H1N1 virus.
• Poland confirms first case of swine flu RIA Novosti 07 May 2009 -- The first case of the A/H1N1 infection has been registered in Poland, the country's RMF FM radio station said.
• Russia lifts pork ban on five U.S. states RIA Novosti 07 May 2009 -- Russia's food safety regulator Rosselkhoznadzor has lifted a ban on pork imports from 5 US states imposed earlier due to A/H1N1 flu virus.
• US: Blackwater Security Firm Ends Operations in Baghdad VOA 07 May 2009 -- US Embassy in Baghdad confirmed security firm once known as Blackwater Worldwide has finished its work in the Iraqi capital.
• Iranian Indicted In U.S. For Allegedly Obstructing Justice RFE/RL 07 May 2009 -- An Iranian man has been indicted in New York City for allegedly destroying documents related to the ownership of office building.
• Medvedev Marks A Year In The Kremlin, But Does He Rule? RFE/RL 07 May 2009 -- Dmitry Medvedev's presidency began one year ago with pomp and ceremony in a glittering Kremlin palace.
• EU Downplays Lukashenka, Voronin Summit Absences RFE/RL 07 May 2009 -- EU's external relations commissioner: Absence of the Belarusian and Moldovan presidents from the Eastern Partnership summit in Prague does not mean the countries do not want to cooperate with the EU.
• EU Seeks to Boost Partnerships With Former Soviet Republics VOA 07 May 2009 -- The European Union is seeking to bolster economic, trade and security ties with six former Soviet states through a key partnership agreement it is offering up at a summit in Prague.
• India Votes in Fourth Phase of General Elections VOA 07 May 2009 -- Fourth round of India's staggered general election saw millions of people cast votes in 7 states and federally-administered capital, New Delhi.
• Georgian opposition gives president three days to start poll talks RIA Novosti 07 May 2009 -- Georgian opposition leaders on Thursday gave President Mikheil Saakashvili three days to meet with them to discuss early elections.
• Georgian Opposition Decries Excessive Force By Police After Clash RFE/RL 07 May 2009 -- Georgia's opposition has complained of the authorities using excessive force after a violent clash between opposition activists and riot police.
• Georgian opposition say 23 hospitalized after clashes with police RIA Novosti 07 May 2009 -- Twenty three people injured in clashes between the police and opposition in Georgia are still in hospital.
• UN Warns of Ties Between Lawless Groups in Somalia and Yemen VOA 07 May 2009 -- For years, criminals have used ports in the Arab world's poorest country, Yemen, as staging areas for trafficking humans, drugs, and weapons.
• Zuma Becomes South African President Saturday VOA 07 May 2009 -- In South Africa preparations are entering the final stages for the inauguration Saturday of President-elect Jacob Zuma.
• Disputed State Election Boosts Possibility of Further Legal Challenges by Nigerian Opposition VOA 07 May 2009 -- Candidate of Nigeria's ruling People's Democratic Party has been declared winner of hotly contested gubernatorial race.
• Potential For Violence Shadows Ethiopia's 2010 Election VOA 07 May 2009 -- Ethiopia's next national election is a year away, but tensions are already increasing.