Operations
Defense Policy / Programs
Defense Industry
Other Conflicts
News Reports

Current Operations

• OIF/OEF Casualty Update 09 Oct 2009 [PDF]
• Oct. 8 airpower summary: B-1B deters enemy action AFNS 09 Oct 2009 -- Coalition airpower integrated with ground forces in Iraq and ISAF in Afghanistan during operations.
• Britain Remembers Iraq Conflict VOA 09 Oct 2009 -- Britain remembered the soldiers and servicemen who served in Iraq at a ceremony formally marking the end of British military involvement in the country.
• US Public Split as Obama Weighs Afghan Strategy VOA 09 Oct 2009 -- Public opinion in the United States remains split on the U.S. role there and on the question of sending additional U.S. troops.
• Obama Faces Momentous Decision on Afghanistan VOA 09 Oct 2009 -- President Obama is grappling with the difficult decision of whether to send even more US troops to Afghanistan.
• UN extends international security force as Afghan violence rises UN News Centre 09 Oct 2009 -- The Security Council has called on Governments to strengthen the NATO-led ISAF in Afghanistan.
• UN Security Council extends ISAF mandate by one year RIA Novosti 09 Oct 2009 -- UN Security Council has extended by one year the mandate of NATO-led forces in Afghanistan, unanimously adopting resolution 1890.
• Forces Reposition From Afghan Outposts, Target Insurgents AFPS 09 Oct 2009 -- NATO’s ISAF have completed their repositioning from two combat outposts in Nuristan province.
• U.S. praises agreement with Russia on Afghan transit RIA Novosti 09 Oct 2009 -- US praised the implementation of an agreement with Russia on military transit to Afghanistan and intends to continue flights.
• Russia strongly condemns Kabul blast RIA Novosti 09 Oct 2009 -- Russia strongly condemns suicide car bombing in Afghanistan's capital of Kabul.
• Afghanistan, Pakistan Congratulate Obama on Nobel Peace Prize VOA 09 Oct 2009 -- Governments of Afghanistan and Pakistan separately congratulated US President Obama for winning the prestigious 2009 Nobel Peace Prize.
• Blast in northwest Pakistan kills 49 RIA Novosti 09 Oct 2009 -- At least 49 people were killed and some 100 were injured in a suspected suicide car bombing by a crowded market in Peshawar.
• Bomb Blasts NW Pakistan Market, Kills 49 VOA 09 Oct 2009 -- Pakistani officials say a suspected suicide bomber exploded a car near the provincial legislative assembly in Peshawar, killing at least 49 people.
• Navy and Marine Helicopters Begin Relief Flights in Indonesia Navy NewsStand 09 Oct 2009 -- Hours after USS Denver and McCampbell arrived offshore, helicopters started flying urgently needed emergency supplies.
• Kadena Airmen Aid Indonesian Recovery AFPS 09 Oct 2009 -- Airmen with the 353rd Special Operations Group supporting humanitarian relief operations near Padang in western Indonesia.
• Navy Ship Provides First Response to American Samoa AFPS 09 Oct 2009 -- USS Ingraham one of the first responders to provide humanitarian relief to victims of a natural disaster in American Samoa.

Defense Policy / Programs

• ICBMs: A strategic umbrella for 50 years AFNS 09 Oct 2009 -- This year marks a major milestone in Air Force history: Dawn of technology that has contributed so greatly to national security for the past 50 years.
• DoD News: Navy Names Ship After Civil Rights Activist Medgar Evers DoD 09 Oct 2009 -- The Navy announced today the newest Lewis and Clark-class dry cargo/ammunition ship (T-AKE) would be named USNS Medgar Evers
• Navy Names Ship After Civil Rights Activist Medgar Evers Navy NewsStand 09 Oct 2009 -- The Navy announced the newest Lewis and Clark-class dry cargo/ammunition ship would be named USNS Medgar Evers.
• Guard retires UH-1 Huey after 50 years of service Army News 09 Oct 2009 -- The UH-1 Iroquois helicopter was officially retired in a ceremony held Oct. 2 by the Army National Guard.
• Training area expands preparing the joint, NATO force Army News 09 Oct 2009 -- Military missions in Iraq and Afghanistan are at a shifting point.
• Global Cooperation Grows Among Navies, Nations AFPS 09 Oct 2009 -- Cooperation is growing between navies and commercial shipping interests in many nations.
• Patrol and Reconnaissance Wing 10 Changes Hands Navy NewsStand 09 Oct 2009 -- Commander Patrol and Reconnaissance Wing 10 held a change of command ceremony on board Naval Air Station Whidbey Island.
• Nimitz Celebrates Its 100,000th Catapult Shot Navy NewsStand 09 Oct 2009 -- USS Nimitz reached a milestone in history when an EA-6B Prowler became the 100,000th aircraft to launch off Catapult Number 1.
• Kearsarge Sailors Ready to Train Navy NewsStand 09 Oct 2009 -- The amphibious assault ship USS Kearsarge (LHD 3) began phase one of Crew Certification Oct. 1, in preparation to get underway this fall.
• DARPA Works Toward DoD Energy Independence AFPS 09 Oct 2009 -- Scientists are working to create energy self-sufficiency for the Defense Department, the nation’s largest single consumer of energy.
• Reaper takes flight at Holloman AFNS 09 Oct 2009 -- The first MQ-9 Reaper to arrive here made its first local flight Oct.1, expanding the capacity for the remotely piloted vehicle formal training unit.
• New U.S.-Russia arms cuts deal to be ready by yearend - ambassador RIA Novosti 09 Oct 2009 -- Washington and Moscow will be able to draft a new strategic arms reduction treaty by the end of the year.
• U.S. must advance strategic arms reduction issue - Medvedev RIA Novosti 09 Oct 2009 -- Russian President Dmitry Medvedev called on Friday on the United States to advance the process of strategic arms reduction.
• Medvedev to meet U.S. secretary of state in Moscow next week RIA Novosti 09 Oct 2009 -- Russian President Dmitry Medvedev will meet with U.S. Secretary of State Hillary Clinton during her visit to Moscow next week.
• Ukraine denies being asked by U.S. to host missile defense elements RIA Novosti 09 Oct 2009 -- President Yushchenko: Ukraine has not received requests from US to host anti-missile facilities on its soil.
• Russia, U.S. to hold missile defense talks in Moscow RIA Novosti 09 Oct 2009 -- Russia and the United States will hold missile defense talks on October 12 in Moscow.
• Russia opposes expansion of nuclear club - Medvedev RIA Novosti 09 Oct 2009 -- Russian President Dmitry Medvedev has said he strongly opposes the appearance of new members of the so-called nuclear club.
• Russian subs successfully test ballistic missiles in Pacific RIA Novosti 09 Oct 2009 -- Two Russian nuclear-powered strategic submarines have test-launched intercontinental ballistic missiles.
• Russian paratroops chief exonerated by military prosecutors RIA Novosti 09 Oct 2009 -- Russian military prosecutors said on Friday they would not press charges against the commander of Russia's Airborne Troops.
• Russian Navy to buy 24 MiG-29K carrier-based fighters RIA Novosti 09 Oct 2009 -- Russia's Navy will buy at least 24 MiG-29K (Fulcrum-D) fighters to be deployed on the Admiral Kuznetsov aircraft carrier.
• Russia Facing Resistance With Allies On CIS's Southern Flank RFE/RL 09 Oct 2009 -- Russia's relations with the three states that make up the southern flank of the CIS have suffered severe setbacks of late.
• Moldovan premier plays down NATO bid talk RIA Novosti 09 Oct 2009 -- Moldova's new prime minster has said that membership of NATO is not a priority for the former Soviet republic.
• U.S. Department of State Daily Press Briefing US Dept. of State 09 Oct 2009
• Briefing by White House Press Secretary Robert Gibbs 10/9/09 The White House 09 Oct 2009

Defense Industry

• DoD News: Contracts for October 09, 2009
• General Dynamics Awarded Contract for Stryker Production General Dynamics 09 Oct 2009 -- The U.S. Army TACOM Lifecycle Management Command has awarded General Dynamics Land Systems a $647 million contract for 352 Stryker vehicles.
• Northrop Grumman and EADS Defence & Security Unveil First Euro Hawk® Unmanned Reconnaissance Aircraft EADS 09 Oct 2009 -- Northrop Grumman Corporation (NYSE: NOC) and EADS Defence & Security (DS) introduced the first Euro Hawk® unmanned aircraft system (UAS) in an unveiling ceremony today at Northrop Grumman’s Palmdale, Calif., facility.
• ATK Propulsion and Composite Technologies Key to Successful Delta II Launch ATK 09 Oct 2009 -- Alliant Techsystems (NYSE: ATK) played a key role in the successful launch of a United Launch Alliance Delta II rocket for The Boeing Company today from Space Launch Complex 2W at Vandenberg Air Force Base, Calif., carrying DigitalGlobe's WorldView-2 commercial satellite.
• Sagem enables CEA’s Military Applications Division to take major step forward in the Megajoule Laser program Sagem (Safran group) 09 Oct 2009 -- Sagem (Safran group) has completed the installation of the mechanical infrastructures for the “amplification section excluding amplifiers” (SAHA) in the first of four laser halls making up the Megajoule Laser* research facility.

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 09 Oct 2009
• Israeli PM: Talks with US Envoy 'Constructive' VOA 09 Oct 2009 -- The office of Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu says his talks Friday with U.S. Middle East envoy George Mitchell were effective and "constructive."
• To Many Palestinians, Obama Nobel Peace Prize Unjustified VOA 09 Oct 2009 -- President Obama has been credited for making the Israeli Palestinian peace process a priority at the start of his administration.
• Some in Mideast Unimpressed by Obama's Actions VOA 09 Oct 2009 -- Many in the Middle East are offering Barack Obama congratulations for winning the Nobel Peace Prize.
• Arab Reaction Overwhelmingly Positive to Obama Nobel Prize VOA 09 Oct 2009 -- Initial reaction in the Arab world - among leaders and the public at large - has been overwhelmingly positive to the news that President Obama is the winner of this year's Nobel Peace Prize.
• Top Somali Insurgent Killed in Mogadishu VOA 09 Oct 2009 -- The Islamist militant group Hizbul Islam confirmed Friday that a top commander has been killed outside the Somali capital Mogadishu.
• Mbeki Panel: Only Sudan Can Solve Darfur's Troubles VOA 09 Oct 2009 -- Former South African President Thabo Mbeki: AU panel on Darfur has concluded that Sudan must take the lead in prosecuting alleged war crimes.
• Don't return home, UN again warns Congolese refugees in Burundi UN News Centre 09 Oct 2009 -- UN refugee agency warned more than 2,000 Congolese in Burundi not to return to the strife-torn east of the DRC.
• Nigerian President Yar'Adua to Meet Militant Leaders Friday VOA 09 Oct 2009 -- Nigeria's President Umaru Musa Yar'Adua is scheduled to meet with militant leaders from the Niger Delta.

News Reports

• France: Nobel Choice Restores US Standing in the World VOA 09 Oct 2009 -- Most European leaders hailed the Nobel committee's choice of President Obama for the peace prize.
• Ban calls awarding of Nobel Peace Prize to US President Obama 'very wise' UN News Centre 09 Oct 2009 -- United Nations leaders warmly praised the awarding of the Nobel Peace Prize to President Barack Obama.
• Obama accepts Nobel Peace Prize as 'call to action' RIA Novosti 09 Oct 2009 -- U.S. President Barack Obama said on Friday he was "surprised and deeply humbled" by his Nobel Peace Prize award, which he called an "an affirmation of American leadership."
• Obama Accepts Nobel Prize as 'Call to Action' AFPS 09 Oct 2009 -- President Obama: Nobel Peace Prize a "call to action" for the international community to work together to confront common challenges.
• Russian senator calls Obama's Nobel prize 'reaction to Bush era' RIA Novosti 09 Oct 2009 -- The decision to award the Nobel Peace Prize to President Barack Obama was an expression of disappointment with the previous U.S. leadership.
• Gorbachev congratulates Obama on Nobel Prize RIA Novosti 09 Oct 2009 -- Former Soviet leader Mikhail Gorbachev congratulated President Obama on his Nobel Peace Prize award, and welcomed the U.S. leader's positive impact on global affairs.
• Obama Peace Prize Win Draws Mixed Reaction VOA 09 Oct 2009 -- The surprise choice of President Barack Obama as this year's Nobel Peace Prize winner has drawn both praise and criticism.
• Muted, Mixed Reaction in Asia to Obama Nobel Peace Prize VOA 09 Oct 2009 -- The surprise announcement that President Barack Obama had won the Nobel Peace Prize brought muted and mixed reaction in Asia.
• Barack Obama Makes History Again with Nobel Peace Prize VOA 09 Oct 2009 -- U.S. President Barack Obama's historic life journey took another extraordinary step Friday when he was named the winner of the 2009 Nobel Peace Prize.
• African Leaders Congratulate President Obama on Peace Prize VOA 09 Oct 2009 -- The unexpected decision to award U.S. President Barack Obama with the 2009 Nobel Peace Prize has gathered praise from a variety of African leaders.
• Kenyans Express Joy, Urgency, at President Obama's Nobel Peace Award VOA 09 Oct 2009 -- Kenyans expressed both elation and a sense of national urgency Friday when it was announced that "son of the soil" Barack Obama won the 2009 Nobel Peace Prize.
• US Reacts to Obama Peace Prize Win VOA 09 Oct 2009 -- In the United States, reaction so far to President Barack Obama's Nobel Peace Prize win has divided along party lines.
• Obama: Surprised, Humbled by Nobel Peace Prize Win VOA 09 Oct 2009 -- U.S. President Barack Obama, in office less than a year, says he is accepting the Nobel Peace Prize as a "call to action."
• Worldwide Surprise Greets Obama Peace Prize Announcement VOA 09 Oct 2009 -- Reaction from around the world has one of surprise following the announcement that U.S. President Barack Obama is the winner of this year's Nobel Peace Prize.
• Barack Obama wins Nobel Peace prize RIA Novosti 09 Oct 2009 -- U.S. President Barack Obama was named winner of the Nobel Peace prize on Friday for his "extraordinary efforts to strengthen international diplomacy and co-operation between peoples."
• Barack Obama Wins Nobel Peace Prize VOA 09 Oct 2009 -- U.S. President Barack Obama has won the 2009 Nobel Peace Prize
• India and the United States in the 21st Century: Reinventing Partnership VOA 09 Oct 2009 -- Teresita Schaffer's book focuses on the two countries' success in forging bilateral relations and seeking common ground on global issues.
• UN human rights experts raise concern over growing use of foreign mercenaries in Honduras UN News Centre 09 Oct 2009 -- Group of independent UN experts voiced concern over the influx of foreign mercenaries in Honduras.
• No Breakthrough as Delegation Leaves Honduras VOA 09 Oct 2009 -- A diplomatic delegation has left Honduras without resolving an ongoing political stalemate over the ouster of President Manuel Zelaya.
• Honduras crisis talks end in stalemate RIA Novosti 09 Oct 2009 -- Talks on ways to resolve a political crisis in Honduras have ended in deadlock after the interim government refused to reinstate ousted president Manuel Zelaya.
• EU, U.S. Diplomats Seek To Ease Bosnia Tensions RFE/RL 09 Oct 2009 -- US Deputy Secretary of State and Swedish FM have urged members of Bosnia-Herzegovina's tripartite Presidency to work together to solve a constitutional crisis.
• Guinea Rights Groups Want Military Brought Before ICC VOA 09 Oct 2009 -- Human rights groupswant members of the military brought before the International Criminal Court.
• Watchdog Wants Halt to Guinea Arms Sales VOA 09 Oct 2009 -- Human rights watchdog is calling for a halt to arms sales to the West African country of Guinea.
• Guinea: UN official fears for witnesses' safety in probe into killing of protesters UN News Centre 09 Oct 2009 -- Top UN human rights official voiced concern over the risks to Guineans if the world body launches an investigation.
• Burmese Democracy Leader Meets Western Diplomats VOA 09 Oct 2009 -- Burma's detained democracy leader Aung San Suu Kyi has been allowed a rare meeting with Western diplomats to discuss sanctions against Burma.
• UN experts sound the alarm for safety of human rights defenders in the Gambia UN News Centre 09 Oct 2009 -- UN independent experts voiced deep concern for the security of human rights defenders attending a meeting in the Gambia.
• CONGO: Post-election clampdown on opposition IRIN 09 Oct 2009 -- Authorities in the Republic of Congo have restricted the movements of several opposition politicians, who claim President Denis Sassou-Nguesso’s July re-election was won through fraud.