Operations
Defense Policy / Programs
Defense Industry
Other Conflicts
News Reports

Current Operations

• Oct.16 airpower summary: C-130s sustain operations in Southwest Asia AFNS 17 Oct 2009 -- Coalition airpower integrated with ground forces in Iraq and ISAF in Afghanistan during operations.
• US Military Cancels Deployment of Army Brigade to Iraq VOA 17 Oct 2009 -- The U.S. Defense Department says that it's cancelling the deployment of a 3,500-member Army brigade to Iraq in January, amid "improving security."
• Bomb Kills Four Iraqi Soldiers In Falluja RFE/RL 17 Oct 2009 -- A roadside bomb has killed at least four Iraqi soldiers near the western town of Falluja and a truck bomb in another western city destroyed a main bridge linking Baghdad to Syria and Jordan, police said
• Runoff Vote Possible in Disputed Afghan Presidential Election VOA 17 Oct 2009 -- International pressure was mounting Saturday, as Afghans waited for the release of a report by a United Nations-backed panel, which could lead to a runoff vote following the country's disputed presidential election.
• Pakistani Military Launches Ground Offensive into South Waziristan VOA 17 Oct 2009 -- Pakistani officials say the military has launched its much anticipated ground offensive against the Taliban in the South Waziristan tribal region bordering Afghanistan.
• Pakistan begins attack on Taliban stronghold RIA Novosti 17 Oct 2009 -- Pakistan forces began on Saturday an offensive against Taliban militants in the country's South Waziristan area, regional media said.

Defense Policy / Programs

• JBB Passport Program provides worldwide experiences Army News 17 Oct 2009 -- Although the Army can fly Soldiers to countries throughout the world when they take leave, only 10 percent of service members travel to places outside of the United States, said Capt. Desha Platt
• MCAT 104 Supports Exercise Natural Fire Navy NewsStand 17 Oct 2009 -- Five Sailors will make an enormous difference in the lives of Ugandan civilians as Maritime Civil Affairs Team (MCAT) 104 supports the upcoming U.S. Africa Command (AFRICOM) and U.S. Army Africa exercise Natural Fire (NF) '10 Oct. 16-25.
• SWCC Complete MCADS Drop Complete with 3rd SFG Wounded Warriors Navy NewsStand 17 Oct 2009 -- Special Warfare Combatant-craft Crewmen (SWCC) and parachute riggers from Special Boat Team (SBT) 20 completed another successful Maritime Craft Aerial Delivery System (MCADS) drop Oct. 14.
• Demolitions Clear Way for Fleet Readiness at Pearl Harbor Navy NewsStand 17 Oct 2009 -- In Hawaii, the Navy's Demolition Footprint Reduction Program is a high priority. The goal is to reduce infrastructure inventory by 20 percent as part of the Navy Shore Vision 2035.
• MRAP All Terrain Vehicles Arrive for C4I Integration Navy NewsStand 17 Oct 2009 -- The next generation of Mine Resistant Ambush Protected (MRAP) vehicles, the MRAP All Terrain Vehicles (M-ATVs), are now arriving at Space and Naval Warfare Systems Center (SSC) Atlantic.
• Iraq set to buy Russian weaponry RIA Novosti 17 Oct 2009 -- A military delegation from Iraq will visit Moscow in the near future to discuss the purchase of Russian weaponry, an Iraqi parliament member has said.

Defense Industry

Other Conflicts

• Palestinian leadership praises UN vote on Gaza crimes report RIA Novosti 17 Oct 2009 -- Both rival Palestinian factions have hailed the UN endorsement of a report of an international investigation mission, which holds both Israel and Palestinian militants responsible for war crimes in Gaza.
• Israel Faces Growing Pressure After UN War Crimes Vote VOA 17 Oct 2009 -- Israel is facing growing international pressure after the United Nations Human Rights Council approved the Goldstone Report, which accuses the Jewish state of war crimes against Palestinians.
• New US Policy to Offer Incentives, Pressure for Sudan VOA 17 Oct 2009 -- U.S. President Barack Obama will soon unveil a new policy for Sudan that takes a softer approach than the president called for during his campaign for the White House.

News Reports

• U.S. Permits Visit By Senior North Korean Official RFE/RL 17 Oct 2009 -- The United States says it will allow a senior North Korean official to visit this month, a move analysts said could be a first step toward talks between the two on ending Pyongyang's nuclear programs
• U.S. issues visas to North Korean officials RIA Novosti 17 Oct 2009 -- The U.S. Department of State has granted a senior North Korean government official and his delegation a permission to attend two international conferences in the United States.
• Australian Muslims Found Guilty of Terror Plot VOA 17 Oct 2009 -- An Australian court has convicted five Muslim men of plotting to commit an act of terrorism. The men were found guilty of stockpiling bomb-making instructions and purchasing explosive chemicals in pursuit of what prosecutors called "violent jihad." Each face a maximum sentence of life in prison.
• Health Officials Warn of Sicker Swine Flu Patients VOA 17 Oct 2009 -- The World Health Organization has warned doctors to brace for a possible wave of very sick H1N1 swine flu patients.
• Safety of H1N1 Vaccine, Hospital Readiness Worry Americans VOA 17 Oct 2009 -- Countries in the northern hemisphere are starting to distribute the H1N1 flu vaccine as part of a massive immunization program against the viral pandemic. Parents and some professionals are concerned about the safety of the vaccine, while some doctors question the ability of hospitals to handle serious cases.
• West African Leaders Impose Arms Embargo on Guinea VOA 17 Oct 2009 -- West African leaders are imposing an arms embargo against the military government in Guinea following last month's killing of opposition demonstrators.
• West African States Order Arms Embargo on Guinea VOA 17 Oct 2009 -- West African nations have ordered an arms embargo on neighboring Guinea and accused the military government of carrying out "atrocities" during a bloody crackdown on protesters last month.
• Kosovo Lawmakers Ratify Border Deal With Macedonia RFE/RL 17 Oct 2009 -- Kosovo's parliament has ratified an agreement ending an eight year dispute with Macedonia over a border region used by gunmen and smugglers
• Czech President Suggests He Won't Block Lisbon Treaty RFE/RL 17 Oct 2009 -- Czech President Vaclav Klaus opened the way to resolve his last-minute objection to the European Union's Lisbon reform treaty, saying the charter had progressed too far for him to block it
• Zelaya Sets Monday Deadline for Agreement VOA 17 Oct 2009 -- Deposed Honduran President Manuel Zelaya has given the de facto government until Monday to consider his counter-proposal for ending the country's political crisis.
• Zelaya: Honduran Coup Talks Suspended VOA 17 Oct 2009 -- Deposed Honduran President Manuel Zelaya says talks on ending the stand-off stemming from his ouster have broken down.
• Botswana's Ruling Party Poised to Win Vote VOA 17 Oct 2009 -- The ruling party of Botswana's president, Ian Khama, appeared to be headed for a solid victory in Friday's peaceful general elections.