Operations
Defense Policy / Programs
Defense Industry
Other Conflicts
News Reports

Current Operations

• OIF/OEF Casualty Update 14 Oct 2009 [PDF]
• Oct. 13 airpower summary: F-16s eliminate threat to friendly forces AFNS 14 Oct 2009 -- Coalition airpower integrated with ground forces in Iraq and ISAF troops in Afghanistan during operations.
• Transcript: DoD News Briefing with Press Secretary Geoff Morrell from the Pentagon DoD 14 Oct 2009 -- Presenter: Pentagon Press Secretary Geoff Morrell
• Iraqis Arrest Bribery Suspect, Extortionist's Associate AFPS 14 Oct 2009 -- Iraqi security forces, working with U.S. advisors, apprehended a bribery suspect and an associate of an alleged extortionist yesterday in Mosul, Iraq.
• Syria-Iraq Dispute Colors Regional Security Conference VOA 14 Oct 2009 -- Tense relations between Iraq and Syria set the backdrop for a meeting on Iraqi security.
• 'Advise and Assist' Brigade Helps Bridge Project AFPS 14 Oct 2009 -- On a floating bridge beside the stump of a modern concrete highway span under construction here, two middle-aged men talk through an interpreter about the job before them.
• Airmen train, advise, assist Iraqi helicopter pilots AFNS 14 Oct 2009 -- Air Force pilots from the 721st Air Expeditionary Advisory Squadron here train, advise and assist Iraqi helicopter pilots around the clock, helping the Iraqis further develop their air force.
• 16th Sust. Bde. returns to Germany Army News 14 Oct 2009 -- Headquarters and Headquarters Company, 16th Sustainment Brigade returning to Germany following a 15-month deployment in support of OIF.
• Press Secretary Cites Candor on Afghan Troop Levels AFPS 14 Oct 2009 -- Pentagon Press Secretary Morrell: DoD officials have been straightforward about the number of U.S. troops flowing into Afghanistan.
• More Troops Needed, Says Afghan Diplomat VOA 14 Oct 2009 -- Afghanistan's ambassador to the US has called for President Obama to adopt a clear counterinsurgency strategy for his country.
• Britain to Send 500 More Troops to Afghanistan VOA 14 Oct 2009 -- British Prime Minister Gordon Brown has announced plans to send an additional 500 troops to Afghanistan.
• Airstrike Targets Militant Hideouts in Pakistan VOA 14 Oct 2009 -- Intelligence officials say Pakistani fighter jets have bombed militant targets along the Afghan border, killing at least nine insurgents.
• McChord Airmen complete second humanitarian airlift to American Samoa AFNS 14 Oct 2009 -- C-17 touched down at Pago Pago International Airport on Oct. 10, delivering Federal Emergency Management Agency cargo.
• McChord Airmen provide humanitarian airlift to Indonesia AFNS 14 Oct 2009 -- Airmen from the 7th Airlift Squadron completed their second humanitarian airlift mission in just over a week Oct. 9.

Defense Policy / Programs

• Congress finishes work on authorization bill AFNS 14 Oct 2009 -- Congress has reached agreement on a $680.2 billion National Defense Authorization Bill for fiscal 2010.
• Unified Quest 09 Results Army News 14 Oct 2009 -- Unified Quest is the Army's continuing study of the future security environment designed to isolate and frame issues vital to current and future force development.
• Gay Activists Highlight Debate over US Military Policies VOA 14 Oct 2009 -- During demonstrationsl, current and former service members urged U.S. lawmakers to repeal both a 1993 "Don't Ask Don't Tell" policy.
• Gates Trip to Focus on Pacific, NATO Afghanistan Mission AFPS 14 Oct 2009 -- Defense Secretary Gates will kick off trip with a change of command ceremony at U.S. Pacific Command.
• Minot missile wing commander relieved AFNS 14 Oct 2009 -- Commander of the 91st Missile Wing at Minot Air Force Base, N.D., was relieved of command Oct. 14 due to loss of confidence in his ability to command.
• 78th 'Lightning' Division says goodbye to Camp Kilmer Army News 14 Oct 2009 -- Soldiers of the 78th "Lightning" Division said goodbye Oct. 5 to the Sgt. Joyce Kilmer Army Reserve Center and Camp Kilmer.
• Hanscom officials kick off combat support system AFNS 14 Oct 2009 -- Logistics leaders to discuss the initial setup of Release 1 of the Expeditionary Combat Support System.
• Marines, Sailors Join Coalition in Exercise AFPS 14 Oct 2009 -- US Marines and sailors were part of a 4-nation coalition that stormed the beaches near here during a major amphibious assault demonstration.
• BATARG, 22nd MEU Demonstrates Amphibious Capabilities During Bright Star Navy NewsStand 14 Oct 2009 -- Coalition forces along with Marines and Sailors stormed Egyptian beaches near Alexandria.
• Bataan ARG/22MEU Participate in Bright Star 2009 Navy NewsStand 14 Oct 2009 -- Bataan Amphibious Ready Group and 22nd Marine Expeditionary Unit began participation in an Egyptian and US Central Command-sponsored exercise.
• Operation Bright Star begins Army News 14 Oct 2009 -- Military units from around the world formed a common front to begin a multi-national military exercise near the Egyptian coastal town of Alexandria.
• Bonhomme Richard ARG/11th MEU Arrives in Timor-Leste for MAREX-09 Navy NewsStand 14 Oct 2009 -- USS Bonhomme Richard arrived in Savu Sea to conduct a multilateral exercise in cooperation with the government of Timor-Leste.
• U.S. and Brazilian Navies Work Together During Joint Warrior Navy NewsStand 14 Oct 2009 -- Ships led by Commander, Destroyer Squadron (DESRON) 24 are working alongside the Brazilian Navy during Exercise Joint Warrior 09-2.
• Shinseki Pledges Better Support for Veterans AFPS 14 Oct 2009 -- The Veterans Affairs Department continues its efforts to provide the best support possible to the nation’s military veterans.
• Gates to Welcome Chinese General AFPS 14 Oct 2009 -- Defense Secretary Robert M. Gates will welcome China’s second-ranking military officer to the nation’s capital Oct. 24.
• Clinton Emphasizes Cooperation In U.S.-Russia Relations RFE/RL 14 Oct 2009 -- US Secretary of State Clinton: Some officials in both the US and Russia are stuck in the thinking of the Cold War era.
• U.S. sees no reason for missile shield in Georgia - Clinton RIA Novosti 14 Oct 2009 -- US Secretary of State Hillary Clinton: Washington sees no reason to deploy elements of its missile shield in Georgia.
• Russia says questions remain over U.S. missile-defense plans RIA Novosti 14 Oct 2009 -- Recent developments in U.S. missile shield plans are positive, but Moscow still has a number of questions.
• Georgia downplays Russia statement on preventive nuclear strikes RIA Novosti 14 Oct 2009 -- Georgia: Russia's decision to include preemptive nuclear strikes in its revised military doctrine is mostly a political move.
• Changes in nuclear part of Russian military doctrine unnecessary - analyst RIA Novosti 14 Oct 2009 -- Russian military expert: Revised military doctrine must keep provisions on the use of nuclear weapons intact.
• Russia's new military doctrine allows pre-emptive nuclear strikes RIA Novosti 14 Oct 2009 -- Russia's new military doctrine does not rule out pre-emptive nuclear strikes against potential aggressors.
• Further tests of Bulava missile delayed until end of Oct. RIA Novosti 14 Oct 2009 -- Next test-launch of Russia's Bulava missile has been postponed until at least the end of October.
• Russia calls for new European security body despite thaw with U.S. RIA Novosti 14 Oct 2009 -- Russia will continue to promote the idea of creating a new pan-European security body.
• Putin pushes SCO countries to form energy forum RIA Novosti 14 Oct 2009 -- Russian PM Putin reiterated a proposal that Shanghai Cooperation Organization member states form an energy forum.
• Shanghai Cooperation Organization Summit Concludes in Beijing VOA 14 Oct 2009 -- Shanghai Cooperation Organization member states agreed to work together to combat the global economic crisis and find ways to increase cooperation on financial issues.
• UN to sign cooperation deal with post-Soviet security group RIA Novosti 14 Oct 2009 -- Collective Security Treaty Organization expects to sign a deal with the UN that would allow for joint peacekeeping and counter-terrorism operations.
• Russia, India hold talks on military cooperation RIA Novosti 14 Oct 2009 -- The 9th meeting of the Russia-India intergovernmental commission on military-technical cooperation opened on Wednesday in Moscow.
• Russia eyes Brunei as potential arms buyer RIA Novosti 14 Oct 2009 -- Russia's state arms exporter Rosoboronexport expressed the hope on Wednesday that it could initiate military-technological cooperation with the sultanate of Brunei.
• Activists Urge EU Not To Lift Uzbekistan Arms Embargo RFE/RL 14 Oct 2009 -- Rights activists calling on the European Union not to lift its last sanction against Tashkent.
• Interpol: Crime Syndicates Helping Somali Pirates VOA 14 Oct 2009 -- International police officials say Somali pirates are getting significant help from organized crime.
• U.S. Department of State Daily Press Briefing US Dept. of State 14 Oct 2009
• Briefing by White House Press Secretary Robert Gibbs, 10/14/09 The White House 14 Oct 2009

Defense Industry

• DoD News: Contracts for October 14, 2009
• EADS Defence & Security to support Thai rescue services in crisis situations by supplying a mobile field hospital EADS 14 Oct 2009 -- EADS Defence & Security (DS) will supply the Royal Thai Air Force with its “TransHospital” type of field hospital system, which is designed to provide quick medical care for injured persons in areas without medical facilities.
• EADS Defence & Security signs contract to extend ACROPOL network for Paris Fire Brigade EADS 14 Oct 2009 -- EADS Defence & Security was awarded a contract by the French Ministry of the Interior to extend the radio communications network of the French Police.
• General Dynamics Receives $62 Million For Submarine Support Work General Dynamics 14 Oct 2009 -- The U.S. Navy has awarded General Dynamics Electric Boat $61.8 million to extend two existing contracts for submarine modernization and maintenance and reactor-plant planning yard work.
• Northrop Grumman Celebrates 60 Years in Marine Radar Northrop Grumman 14 Oct 2009 -- Northrop Grumman Corporation's (NYSE:NOC) Sperry Marine business unit is marking a major milestone in the history of the company's leadership in radar technology with the celebration this year of the sixtieth anniversary of the launch of its first marine radar.
• SAIC Awarded $32 Million Task Order to Support Space and Naval Warfare Systems Center Atlantic SAIC 14 Oct 2009 -- Science Applications International Corporation (SAIC) (NYSE: SAI) today announced that it has been awarded a task order by the Space and Naval Warfare Systems Center (SPAWARSYSCEN) Atlantic to support the Tactical Command and Control (C2) Division by providing counter improvised explosive device (C-IED) training services.
• Boeing's 3rd Wideband Global SATCOM Satellite Shipped to Cape Canaveral Boeing 14 Oct 2009 -- Boeing [NYSE: BA] announced today that the third Wideband Global SATCOM (WGS) satellite built for the U.S. Air Force was shipped on Sept. 28 to Cape Canaveral Air Force Station, Fla., where it will be tested and prepared for a November launch.
• Rheinmetall Defence to equip Hungarian Army with command and control systems Rheinmetall Defence 14 Oct 2009 -- The Hungarian Army has contracted with Rheinmetall Defence to supply it with tactical command and control systems. The company has signed a five year-framework contract with the procurement agency of the Hungarian Ministry of Defence.

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 14 Oct 2009
• Israel, Palestinians must refrain from increasing tensions - top UN official UN News Centre 14 Oct 2009 -- Worrying developments on the ground have increased tensions in the Israeli-Palestinian conflict over the past month.
• Russia urges Israel to end Gaza blockade RIA Novosti 14 Oct 2009 -- Russia urges Israel to end the blockade on the Gaza Strip and to meet its obligations under a United Nations resolution.
• Bashir's Sudan Party Discounts SPLM Parliamentary Threats VOA 14 Oct 2009 -- National Congress Party has accused the Sudan People's Liberation Movement of acting in bad faith.
• Aid Agencies Seek Temporary Halt to Congo Military Offensive VOA 14 Oct 2009 -- Coalition of aid groups has urged UN to suspend its support for the DRC army if civilians' lives and property cannot be safeguarded.
• Georgian Official Denies FSB Charges Of Al-Qaeda Ties RFE/RL 14 Oct 2009 -- Georgian official has denied accusations by Moscow that Tbilisi has cooperated with Al-Qaeda and other Islamic insurgents.
• No pressure on Belarus over S.Ossetia, Abkhazia - minister RIA Novosti 14 Oct 2009 -- Russia is not putting pressure on Belarus to recognize Abkhazia and South Ossetia.
• Turkish premier links Armenia ties to progress on Karabakh RIA Novosti 14 Oct 2009 -- Turkey's PM: Country will be normalizing relations with Armenia in parallel with the settlement process in Nagorny Karabakh.
• Governance tops UN-backed talks between Cypriot leaders UN News Centre 14 Oct 2009 -- Greek Cypriot and Turkish Cypriot leaders met today to continue discussions on governance, focusing on the executive.
• Rwandan Genocide Suspect Pleads Not Guilty VOA 14 Oct 2009 -- Rwanda's former deputy intelligence chief Idelphonse Nizeyimana sits in the dock at the International Criminal Tribunal.
• Former Rwandan intelligence chief pleads not guilty in UN war crimes court UN News Centre 14 Oct 2009 -- Former Rwandan intelligence chief entered a plea of not guilty.
• UN war crimes trial of Karadžic to start later this month after appeal rejection UN News Centre 14 Oct 2009 -- Genocide trial of former Bosnian Serb leader Radovan Karadžić before UN war crimes tribunal will start on 26 October.

News Reports

• IRAQ: War remnants, pollution behind rise in cancer deaths? IRIN 14 Oct 2009 -- In the late 1990s 22-year-old Manal Sabir Abdullah from Basra was diagnosed with lung cancer.
• Five countries set to run unopposed for non-permanent Security Council seats UN News Centre 14 Oct 2009 -- General Assembly expected to elect Bosnia and Herzegovina, Brazil, Gabon, Lebanon and Nigeria as non-permanent members of the Security Council.
• Honduran president's ouster is 'coup d'état,' UN Secretariat reaffirms UN News Centre 14 Oct 2009 -- Recent Honduran media report implying that UN Department of Political Affairs does not consider the ouster of President Zelaya as a coup d’état is inaccurate.
• EU: Guinea's Military Ruler Must Stand Trial VOA 14 Oct 2009 -- A senior EU official says Guinea's military ruler should be tried for crimes against humanity in connection with a deadly crackdown on protesters last month.
• Burmese Court Charges US Citizen With Fraud VOA 14 Oct 2009 -- A Burmese court has charged an American citizen with fraud and forgery more than a month after arresting him on suspicion of inciting unrest.
• Russian, Armenian Presidents Praise Turkey Deal RFE/RL 14 Oct 2009 -- Russian FM Lavrov: Turkish and Armenian parliaments should quickly ratify and put into practice their historic agreement.
• U.S. hopes Armenian, Turkish parliaments will ratify protocols RIA Novosti 14 Oct 2009 -- The United States hopes that agreements signed between Armenia and Turkey will be ratified by their parliament.
• Kenya Invites ICC Prosecutor for Talks November 3 VOA 14 Oct 2009 -- Kenya has invited the International Criminal Court's chief prosecutor for talks on trying the main suspects in last year's post-election violence.
• Russian opposition party urges nationwide vote recount RIA Novosti 14 Oct 2009 -- Russia's LDPR party called for a recount of the results regional elections, which were won by a landslide by the ruling party.
• Only United Russia, Communists elected to Moscow city assembly RIA Novosti 14 Oct 2009 -- Just two parties have been elected to the Moscow City Duma.
• As Clinton Continues Russia Tour, Many Ask: Why Kazan? RFE/RL 14 Oct 2009 -- US Secretary of State Clinton will spend several hours in the city of Kazan on her second and final day of a Russia tour.
• Clinton: Russian Rights Record Threatens Progress VOA 14 Oct 2009 -- US Secretary of State Clinton: Attacks on journalists and human rights defenders in Russia is a "great concern."
• Clinton Meets Russian Rights Activists, Criticizes Violations RFE/RL 14 Oct 2009 -- U.S. Secretary of State Hillary Clinton has met with Russian rights activists and independent journalists in Moscow, RFE/RL's Russian Service reports.
• New charges could be filed in Arctic Sea case RIA Novosti 14 Oct 2009 -- New charges could be filed in the case of the Arctic Sea dry cargo ship's seizure.