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Defense Policy / Programs
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News Reports

Current Operations

• OIF/OEF Casualty Update 23 Jul 2009 [PDF]
• PRESS CONFERENCE: Brig. Gen. Lanza, MNF-I, Oct. 12, 2009 MNF-I 23 Jul 2009 -- Brig. Gen. Stephen Lanza, director, CJ-9, Multi-National Force - Iraq, holds a News Briefing to discuss the MNF-I security environmen/li>
• July 22 airpower summary: F-15s provide overwatch AFNS 23 Jul 2009 -- Coalition airpower integrated with coalition ground forces in Iraq and the International Security Assistance Force in Afghanistan during operations July 22, according to Combined Air and Space Operations Center officials here.
• On the Ground: Forces Mark Training Milestones in Iraq AFPS 23 Jul 2009 -- U.S. forces helped their Iraqi counterparts celebrate a few training milestones this week.
• Iraqi Fusion Cell brings U.S., Iraqi intelligence-gathering to new heights MNF-I 23 Jul 2009-- One part of the greater effort to transition the security of Diyala province out of the hands of Coalition forces and into those of the Iraqi Security Forces is located on Forward Operating Base Gabe, a small section of FOB Lion, located just outside of the Diyala provincial capital city of Baqubah
• Gulf Region Division begins consolidation of engineer districts MNF-I 23 Jul 2009 -- The Gulf Region Division, U.S. Army Corps of Engineers in Iraq began its transformation as part of the responsible drawdown of U.S. forces in Iraq when it discontinued two of its three subordinate districts July 20 and merged them into the Gulf Region district, or GRd
• US Vice President Says Afghan War 'Worth the Sacrifice' VOA 23 Jul 2009 -- U.S. Vice President Joe Biden said the war in Afghanistan is worth the sacrifice, and he warned of more casualties in the future.
• Afghan TV Presidential Debate to Proceed Without Karzai VOA 23 Jul 2009 -- Afghan television is set to broadcast a presidential debate, even as President Hamid Karzai says he is boycotting the event and one of the scheduled participants threatens to withdraw.
• Afghan Citizens Drive Military Success in Afghanistan, Pentagon Official Says AFPS 23 Jul 2009 -- Coalition efforts on the ground in Afghanistan and the Afghan people’s willingness to turn their backs on the insurgency will be the most decisive measures for success there, the Pentagon’s head of special operations said today.
• Counterinsurgency in Afghanistan Requires New Thinking AFPS 23 Jul 2009 -- International forces in Afghanistan must garner popular support among residents to defeat the insurgency, the director of counterinsurgency training there said yesterday.
• Nearly 400,000 displaced Pakistanis returning home, says UN official UN News Centre 23 Jul 2009 -- Almost 400,000 people, out of the more than 2 million who escaped Government-militant clashes in northwest Pakistan, have now returned to their homes, the top United Nations relief official in the country announced today.
• Pakistani Taliban Spokesman Claims Swat Valley Leader is Alive, Unharmed VOA 23 Jul 2009 -- A spokesman for the Taliban in Pakistan says the group's Swat Valley leader, Maulana Fazlullah, is alive and denies reports that he was wounded.

Defense Policy / Programs

• Military Monitors Potential North Korean Weapons Proliferation AFPS 23 Jul 2009 -- The U.S. military plays a role in the monitoring of North Korean actions that may violate a U.N. Security Council resolution that prohibits North Korea from weapons proliferation, a senior Pentagon official said here today.
• US Asia Commander says N. Korea, China Chief Concerns VOA 23 Jul 2009 -- The commander of U.S. forces in Asia said North Korea will continue to be at the top of his successor's list of concerns after their change-of-command in October, but that other issues, including the continuing growth of China's military, will also need attention. The commander, Admiral Timothy Keating, spoke with VOA Pentagon Correspondent Al Pessin on Thursday.
• With Al-Maliki At The White House, Obama Says Iraqi Withdrawal On Schedule RFE/RL 23 Jul 2009 -- Iraqi Prime Minister Nuri al-Maliki held talks on July 22 at the White House with President Barack Obama to discuss a range of issues, including the transition of U.S. troops out of the country and what comes next in U.S.-Iraqi relations.
• Gates, Maliki Discuss U.S.-Iraqi Security Partnership AFPS 23 Jul 2009 -- Defense Secretary Robert M. Gates and Iraqi Prime Minister Nouri al-Maliki discussed Iraq security issues when the two met at the Pentagon late this afternoon
• Transcript: DoD News Briefing with Lt. Gen. Deptula and Col. Mathewson from the Pentagon DoD 23 Jul 2009 -- Presenter: Lt. Gen. David Deptula, Deputy Chief of Staff for ISR and Col. Eric Mathewson, Director, Air Force UAS Task Force
• DoD News: Force Structure Actions at Fort Bliss Announced DoD 23 Jul 2009 -- The Department of the Army announced today the planned activation of the 3rd Infantry Brigade Combat Team, 1st Armored Division, at Fort Bliss, Texas
• DoD News: Force Structure Actions at Fort Carson Announced DoD 23 Jul 2009 -- The Department of the Army announced today the planned activations of the 46th Engineer Detachment, 615th Engineer Company, and the 52nd Engineer Battalion Headquarters at Fort Carson, Colo
• Recovery Act Contract Awarded to Repair Enlisted Quarters at Camp Pendleton Navy NewsStand 23 Jul 2009 -- Naval Facilities Engineering Command (NAVFAC) Southwest awarded MTM Construction Inc,. from City of Industry, Calif., a $579,659 Recovery Act funded contract task order July 17 to repair and renovate bachelor enlisted quarters (BEQ) at Marine Corps Base Camp Pendleton in Oceanside.
• First Gun Fired at Dahlgren in 1918 Returns Home Navy NewsStand 23 Jul 2009 -- A World War I era seven-inch 45 caliber tractor mounted gun fired on base more than 90 years ago was transported from the Quantico Marine Corps base back to its original home at Naval Surface Warfare Center (NSWC)Dahlgren July 20.
• Electrical Team Performs Repairs to Brine Pump Navy NewsStand 23 Jul 2009 -- Electrician's mates (EM) aboard USS George Washington (CVN 73) completed repairs of an important pump that is key to mission readiness and morale July 19.
• Helo Squadron Showcases Agility During Talisman Saber Navy NewsStand 23 Jul 2009 -- Helicopter Mine Countermeasures Squadron 14 (HM-14) seeks out and eliminates any threats to U.S. vessels and is one of two units of its kind in the U.S. Navy.
• Post-9/11 GI Bill Offers Transferability of Educational Benefits to Dependents Navy NewsStand 23 Jul 2009 -- The chief of naval personnel announced July 11 transferability policies and application procedures for the Post-9/11 Veterans Education Assistance Act, or GI Bill.
• C-17 aircrew delivers RAAF fire truck during Talisman Saber 2009 AFNS 23 Jul 2009 -- C-17 Globemaster III aircrew maneuvering below canyon walls, landed on a remote dirt runway to deliver a team of Australian and U.S. firefighters, along with a 23-ton fire truck July 19 during a mission in Northern Australia.
• AMC commander: Rodeo beneficial for all participants AFNS 23 Jul 2009 -- Air Mobility Rodeo 2009 brings not only a serious competition, but also a plethora of shared knowledge and lessons learned, said the commander of Air Mobility Command.
• Officials Seek Extended Authority for Quality-of-life Construction AFPS 23 Jul 2009 -- An extension of a law that authorizes minor and quick construction of military facilities would give servicemembers better options in child care and fitness centers, a Pentagon official told a congressional panel yesterday.
• Unmanned Aircraft Take on Increased Importance AFPS 23 Jul 2009 -- The U.S. military’s expanded overseas use of unmanned aircraft highlights the increased importance of such aerial platforms to current and future military operations, senior Air Force officers said here today.
• Aeromedical evacuation knowledge shared in Indonesia AFNS 23 Jul 2009 -- Indonesian and U.S. military members, along with local doctors, finished three days of training on aeromedical evacuation procedures as part of Operation Pacific Angel 2009 here July 20.
• CCAF: A powerful weapon system in recruiting arsenal AFNS 23 Jul 2009 -- The Community College of the Air Force staff helps Air Education and Training Command officials accomplish their educational mission by attracting young men and women before they enter Basic Military Training.
• New GI Bill Transfer Options Take Effect Aug. 1 AFPS 23 Jul 2009 -- The Post-9/11 GI Bill takes effect Aug. 1, but in the meantime, servicemembers may submit a request to transfer benefits to their spouses and children now.
• Lawmakers: US Government Broadcasters Crucial to Soft Power Outreach VOA 23 Jul 2009 -- U.S. lawmakers have told the directors of two U.S. - government funded international broadcasting stations, that they have an important role in projecting "soft power" to foreign audiences
• New design bureau may take over failing Bulava missile - analyst RIA Novosti 23 Jul 2009 -- Further development of Russia's failure-prone Bulava ballistic missile could be assigned to another design bureau if the project remains in the works, a Russian military expert said on Thursday.
• Biden Backs Georgia's NATO Ambitions, Urges Democratic Reforms RFE/RL 23 Jul 2009 -- U.S. Vice President Joe Biden has said Washington fully supports a "united" Georgia during a visit to Tbilisi but added that its leaders must do "much more" to strengthen democracy.
• Biden Supports Georgia's NATO Aspirations VOA 23 Jul 2009 -- Vice President Joe Biden has expressed support for the NATO aspirations of Georgia, but rejects any military option for re-integration of that country's two breakaway regions recognized as independent by Russia.
• U.S. Department of State Daily Press Briefing US Dept. of State 23 Jul 2009
• Press Gaggle by Robert Gibbs En Route Cleveland, OH The White House 23 Jul 2009

Defense Industry

• DoD News: Contracts for July 23, 2009
• Boeing Defence Australia Completes 50,000 Flight-Support Hours for Bell 206B-1 Kiowa Boeing 23 Jul 2009 -- Boeing Defence Australia (BDA), a wholly owned subsidiary of The Boeing Company [NYSE: BA], today announced it has completed 50,000 flight support hours for the Australian Defence Force's fleet of 19 Bell 206B-1 Kiowa helicopters.
• Boeing Awarded Production Contract for US Air Force AWACS Block 40/45 Upgrade Boeing 23 Jul 2009 -- The Boeing Company [NYSE: BA] today announced that it has received a $44 million Low-Rate Initial Production (LRIP) contract for the Block 40/45 upgrade of the U.S. Air Force Airborne Warning and Control System (AWACS) fleet.
• Lockheed Martin Meets Key Milestones For Navy Submarine Communications Program Lockheed Martin 23 Jul 2009 -- Lockheed Martin’s [NYSE:LMT] team developing a Communications at Speed and Depth (CSD) capability for U.S. Navy submarines has successfully completed the system requirements review.
• Northrop Grumman Performs Successful SABR Fit-Check Aboard F-16 Fighter At Edwards Air Force Base Northrop Grumman 23 Jul 2009 -- Northrop Grumman Corporation's (NYSE:NOC) newest active electronically scanned array (AESA) fighter sensor, the Scalable Agile Beam Radar (SABR), has been successfully installed on a U.S. Air Force F-16 at Edwards Air Force Base, Calif.
• Northrop Grumman Contributes Expertise to Military Exercise Demonstrating Increased Sharing of Reconnaissance Information Northrop Grumman 23 Jul 2009 -- Northrop Grumman Corporation (NYSE:NOC) is playing a major role in Empire Challenge 09 (EC 09), a joint military exercise to demonstrate how U.S. and coalition forces can better work together to collect, analyze and share reconnaissance information.
• Thales awarded UK submarine engineering contract Thales 23 Jul 2009 -- Thales UK has been awarded a three-year contract by the UK Min­istry of Defence (MoD) to continue its provision of specialised engineering supportto the Royal Navy’s (RN’s) submarine fleet.
• Arrow Missile Defense Test Conducted in the US Israel Aerospace Industries 23 Jul 2009 -- The following announcement was issued by Israel's Ministry of Defence spokesman on July, 23th, 2009

Other Conflicts

• DAILY PRESS BRIEFING BY THE OFFICE OF THE SPOKESPERSON FOR THE SECRETARY-GENERAL United Nations 23 Jul 2009
• UN mission condemns deadly attacks by rebels in eastern DR Congo UN News Centre 23 Jul 2009 -- The United Nations peacekeeping mission in the Democratic Republic of the Congo has deplored an attack this week by Rwandan rebels on Congolese armed forces in the DRC’s far east that has left at least 16 civilians dead.
• Immigration and citizenship the focus of latest UN-backed Cyprus talks UN News Centre 23 Jul 2009 -- Immigration, asylum and citizenship issues topped the agenda during today’s round of the ongoing United Nations-backed talks between Greek Cypriot and Turkish Cypriot leaders on the possible reunification of the Mediterranean island.
• NAMIBIA: Congolese refugees trapped in no-man's-land IRIN 23 Jul 2009 -- A 41-strong contingent of refugees from the Democratic Republic of Congo have been stranded in the no-man's-land between Botswana and Namibia for more than two weeks after a dispute with Namibian authorities.
• Opposition’s efforts to topple Somali Government must not succeed – Ban UN News Centre 23 Jul 2009 -- Repeated attempts to overthrow Somalia’s Transitional Federal Government (TFG) are a source of deep concern, Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon said in a new report, calling on the international community to continue its support for the struggling Horn of Africa nation.
• Nepal’s peace process is stagnating, top UN envoy warns UN News Centre 23 Jul 2009 -- The peace process in Nepal has stagnated, the top United Nations envoy to the South Asian nation said today, as the Security Council extended the world body’s mission there for an additional six months.
• UN urges donors to provide $200 million for over 500,000 displaced in Chad UN News Centre 23 Jul 2009 -- The United Nations today called for an additional $200 million to provide aid to more than half a million people uprooted by violence in Chad and the neighbouring Central African Republic (CAR) and Darfur region of western Sudan, as demand mounts for humanitarian assistance.
• Assembly President warns on doctrine to intervene on war crimes, atrocities UN News Centre 23 Jul 2009 -- The principle of ‘responsibility to protect,’ the international understanding to intervene to stop atrocities from taking place, could pose a threat to national sovereignty, General Assembly President Miguel D’Escoto warned today.
• UN tribunal reverses contempt of court conviction of former Kosovo minister UN News Centre 23 Jul 2009 -- The United Nations war crimes tribunal set up in the wake of the Balkan conflicts of the 1990s today overturned the conviction of Kosovo’s ex-minister of culture, youth and sports for contempt of court for trying to intimidate a trial witness, but upheld the conviction on the same charge of one of his political advisers.
• Biden: No Georgian Military Option for Reclaiming Breakaway Regions VOA 23 Jul 2009 -- U.S. Vice President Joe Biden has pledged support for Georgia's territorial integrity, but rejected military action for reintegrating two Georgian breakaway regions that Russia now recognizes as independent countries.
• SOMALIA: Feeding centres closed amid heavy fighting IRIN 23 Jul 2009 -- Ongoing conflict in Mogadishu, Somalia's capital, has led to the closure of many feeding centres across the city, putting pressure on already crowed camps for internally displaced persons (IDPs) as more and more people flee their homes, say local officials.
• KENYA: Resource battle kills 20 in north IRIN 23 Jul 2009 -- Large numbers of security forces have been deployed to a town in northern Kenya after 20 people died in July alone during clashes.

News Reports

• Musavi Says Green Movement Charter In The Works RFE/RL 23 Jul 2009 -- Iranian opposition leader Mir Hossein Musavi has said he is working on the charter of a new political front that would lay the groundwork for a large-scale social movement
• Mousavi's Brother-in-law Detained in Iran's Election Crackdown VOA 23 Jul 2009 -- The wife of defeated Iranian presidential candidate Mir Hossein Mousavi says her brother was among the hundreds arrested during massive opposition protests following Iran's disputed election.
• Congress Ratchets Up US Pressure on Iran VOA 23 Jul 2009 -- The chairman of a key U.S. House of Representatives committee has signaled his intention to move ahead with sanctions legislation targeting Iran's refined petroleum sector, if Iran does not take up the U.S offer of direct talks on its uranium enrichment program.
• Guinea-Bissau: Ban calls for peaceful conduct of presidential election run-off UN News Centre 23 Jul 2009 -- Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon today urged voters in troubled Guinea-Bissau to participate peacefully in Sunday’s second round of presidential elections and called on both candidates to respect the final result and to settle any disputes through legal means.
• Withdrawals, Protests Mar Kyrgyz Election RFE/RL 23 Jul 2009 -- Protesters and police in Kyrgyzstan clashed and candidates withdrew from the race on the day of a snap presidential election that was expected to end in a landslide for incumbent Kurmanbek Bakiev
• The Other Reset RFE/RL 23 Jul 2009 -- U.S. Vice President used a single story from the founding decades of the American republic in Kyiv and Tbilisi to drive home a point about the progress and promise of the popular revolutions that swept pro-Western forces into power in Ukraine and Georgia earlier this decade
• Biden Pledges U.S. Support For Georgia RFE/RL 23 Jul 2009 -- U.S. Vice President Joe Biden has reiterated Washington's support for Georgia a year after its military was crushed during a five-day war with Russia
• Arab Health Ministers Impose Age Limits on Hajj to Limit Flu VOA 23 Jul 2009 -- Arab health ministers, meeting in Cairo, have agreed to impose restrictions on this year's Muslim pilgrimage to Mecca in a bid to control the spread of the H1N1 swine flu virus. The ministers are forbidding those under age 12 and over age 65 from participating.
• Judge Accepts Mumbai Gunman's Confession, Trial to Continue VOA 23 Jul 2009 -- Days after a Pakistani gunman captured in last year's terror strikes in Mumbai made a dramatic confession in an Indian court, a judge has ordered his trial to continue - despite his admission of guilt.
• Saakashvili says Georgia's future lies with U.S. RIA Novosti 23 Jul 2009 -- Georgian President Mikheil Saakashvili said on Thursday his country was under threat and its security could only be ensured through cooperation with the United States.
• U.S.-Russia reset will not be at Georgia's expense - Biden RIA Novosti 23 Jul 2009 -- Any improvement in U.S.-Russian relations will not harm Georgia, and the United States will never recognize Abkhazia or South Ossetia as independent states, the U.S. vice president said on Thursday.
• Kyrgyzstan Opposition Candidate Demands Repeat Vote VOA 23 Jul 2009 -- Kyrgyzstan's main opposition candidate says he is pulling out of the country's presidential election due to massive voter fraud.
• Mediator Seeks Zelaya's Return to Honduras by Friday VOA 23 Jul 2009 -- The chief mediator in the Honduras crisis talks is proposing that ousted President Manuel Zelaya return to the Central American nation as its leader by Friday.
• Zimbabwe's Tsvangirai to Meet South Africa's Zuma on Unity Government Breaches VOA 23 Jul 2009 -- Prime Minister Morgan Tsvangirai's office and independent monitors are accusing President Robert Mugabe's ZANU-PF Party loyalists of hundreds of breaches of the political agreement that led to Zimbabwe's inclusive government.