Operations
Defense Policy / Programs
Defense Industry
Other Conflicts
News Reports

Current Operations

• OIF/OEF Casualty Update 20 Oct 2009 [PDF]
• Oct. 19 airpower summary: Tankers support fighter missions AFNS 20 Oct 2009 -- Coalition airpower integrated with ground forces in Iraq and International Security Assistance Force troops in Afghanistan during operations Oct. 19, according to Combined Air and Space Operations Center officials here.
• Transcript: DoD News Briefing with Brig. Gen Brown From Iraq DoD 20 Oct 2009 -- BPresenter: Deputy Commanding General (Support) 25th Infantry Division Multinational Division-North Brig. Gen. Robert Brown
• Iraqi Police Arrest Seven Terrorism Suspects AFPS 20 Oct 2009 -- Iraqi police, aided by U.S. advisors, arrested seven suspected terrorists today in northern Iraq.
• Patrol deters indirect fire Army News 20 Oct 2009 -- No rockets or mortars were fired into the International Zone or any other forward operating bases around the area, Oct. 18.
• Obama: US Combat Troops Out of Iraq By Next August VOA 20 Oct 2009 -- U.S. President Barack Obama says the United States still plans to remove all its combat troops from Iraq by next August.
• Northern Iraq Sees Security, General Says AFPS 20 Oct 2009 -- Senior U.S. military officer: The security situation in northern Iraq has improved greatly in recent years.
• Iraqi Politicians Blame Poor Coordination For Security Lapses RFE/RL 20 Oct 2009 -- Recent spike in violence in Iraq has been caused by the lack of coordination among security agencies and the growing politicization of law enforcement.
• Cav Soldiers prepare equipment for shipment home Army News 20 Oct 2009 -- Sound of heavy steel treads clanking and the rumble of engines fill the air at the Four Corners staging area at Camp Taji.
• Ali Base assumes 'advise and assist' as additional duty AFNS 20 Oct 2009 -- As the responsible drawdown of forces continues in Iraq, Airmen embraced the additional role of advising and assisting Iraqi army and citizens.
• Forces Kill Militants, Detain Suspects in Afghanistan AFPS 20 Oct 2009 -- Afghan and international security forces killed militants, detained several suspects and seized weapons today in Afghanistan.
• Troops Re-position to Better Protect Afghans AFPS 20 Oct 2009 -- Even as leaders in Washington struggle with the next steps in Afghanistan, troops there are moving to better protect the Afghan people.
• Pentagon Officials Announce 2010 Afghanistan Deployments AFPS 20 Oct 2009 -- Pentagon officials announced additional replacement units scheduled to deploy next year to Afghanistan.
• EOD Units Return Safely Navy NewsStand 20 Oct 2009 -- Sailors, Airmen and Soldiers assigned to Explosive Ordnance Disposal Mobile Unit 3 and Explosive Ordnance Disposal Expeditionary Support Unit 1 returned following deployment to Afghanistan.
• Gates: US Effort Not On Hold During Afghan Election Dispute VOA 20 Oct 2009 -- US Defense Secretary Gates: US and its allies must work with whatever Afghan government emerges from disputed election.
• Afghan Election Runoff Comes With Second Round Of Obstacles RFE/RL 20 Oct 2009 -- Afghan President Karzai has welcomed the Independent Election Commission's announcement that a second-round vote will be necessary.
• UN will do utmost to ensure credible Afghan presidential run-off - Ban UN News Centre 20 Oct 2009 -- Secretary-General Ban pledged the full support of the UN to ensure that Afghanistan’s run-off is as credible as possible.
• Pentagon, White House Await Afghan Election Run-off AFPS 20 Oct 2009 -- President Obama applauded Afghan President Karzai’s consent for a second round of elections next month.
• Statement by President Barack Obama on Afghan Elections The White House 20 Oct 2009
• Obama Congratulates Karzai on Agreeing to Run-off VOA 20 Oct 2009 -- US President Obama has called Afghan President Karzai to personally congratulate him for agreeing to take part in a run-off election on November 7.
• Karzai Endorses Runoff In Disputed Afghan Presidential Election RFE/RL 20 Oct 2009 -- Afghanistan's Independent Election Commission ordered that a presidential runoff election be held on November 7.
• Afghan leader Karzai agrees to November run-off RIA Novosti 20 Oct 2009 -- Afghan President Karzai gave in to international pressure and agreed to take part in a second round of elections on November 7.
• Karzai Decision On UN Recount Expected RFE/RL 20 Oct 2009 -- Afghan President Hamid Karzai is expected to announce shortly how he will "set the stage" for resolving his country's postelection political crisis.
• Afghanistan's Presidential Runoff Set For November 7 VOA 20 Oct 2009 -- Afghan election officials have ordered a second round in voting after a fraud investigation into presidential poll dropped President Karzai's lead below 50 percent.
• UN Chief Learns 'Valuable, Painful' Lessons From Afghan Vote VOA 20 Oct 2009 -- UN secretary-general: Having learned "valuable and painful" lessons, the UN would do its best to assist the Afghan people in having a credible and free second round.
• Focus on Karzai Following Afghan Election Fraud Report VOA 20 Oct 2009 -- Afghan President Karzai is expected to concede that he did not win an outright majority of votes in August's presidential election.
• U.S. says fight against extremism 'shared goal' with Pakistan RIA Novosti 20 Oct 2009 --US trusts the government of Pakistan as both countries have a shared goal of fighting extremism.
• Suicide blasts kill five in Pakistan university RIA Novosti 20 Oct 2009 -- At least 5 people died and dozens wounded when 2 suicide bombers blew themselves up in the Islamic University in Islamabad.
• 6 Killed in Pakistan Suicide Bombings VOA 20 Oct 2009 -- Two suicide blasts at a university in the Pakistani capital have killed at least six people and wound many others, mostly female students.
• Pakistanis Continue to Flee South Waziristan VOA 20 Oct 2009 -- UN refugee agency: Pakistani civilians are fleeing South Waziristan by the thousands following the start of military operations.
• Airmen wrap up relief efforts in Pacific AFNS 20 Oct 2009 -- Airmen providing humanitarian assistance following the recent natural disasters in the Pacific have wrapped up their efforts and are returning home.

Defense Policy / Programs

• Transcript: Press Availability with Secretary Gates En Route From Hawaii to Tokyo DoD 20 Oct 2009 -- Presenter: Secretary of Defense Robert M. Gates
• Academy Assembly guests discuss bridging war, peace AFNS 20 Oct 2009 -- Vice chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff told Class of 2010 cadets that their education will not end at graduation.
• New Commander Says US Commitment to Pacific Will Continue VOA 20 Oct 2009 -- Command of US forces in Asia and the Pacific and Indian Oceans passed to a new commander.
• 4th and 2nd ANGLICO Support Joint Warrior Navy NewsStand 20 Oct 2009 -- Sailors and Marines assigned to the 4th Air Naval Gunfire Liaison Company (ANGLICO) and the 2nd ANGLICO particpated in Exercise Joint Warrior 09-2.
• APS, Seabees Bolster Liberia's Coast Guard Navy NewsStand 20 Oct 2009 -- U.S. Navy Seabee equipment arrived in Monrovia Oct. 17 from amphibious landing craft attached to the Dutch Africa Partnership Station platform HNLMS Johan de Witt (L 801).
• USS Georgia Departs Bahrain after Port Visit Navy NewsStand 20 Oct 2009 -- The Ohio-class submarine USS Georgia departed Bahrain Sept. 28 after a regularly scheduled four-day port visit.
• Troops in Djibouti Get Improved Conditions AFPS 20 Oct 2009 -- Officials at Camp Lemonnier, Djibouti, are working to improve the quality of life and facilities for more than 20 tenant commands.
• EODOSU 10 Holds Groundbreaking for Reserve Operations Facility Navy NewsStand 20 Oct 2009 -- Explosive Ordnance Disposal Operational Support Unit 10 held a groundbreaking ceremony for a new Reserve Operations Facility at Joint Expeditionary Base Little Creek-Fort Story.
• Obama Recognizes Cavalry Troop for Vietnam Gallantry AFPS 20 Oct 2009 -- President Obama paid a long-overdue tribute to the Vietnam War-era soldiers of A/1st Squadron, 11th Armored Cavalry.
• Israel, U.S. to start joint air defense exercises RIA Novosti 20 Oct 2009 -- Israel and the United States will start large-scale joint air defense drills on Wednesday.
• US, East African Nations Begin Major Military Exercise VOA 20 Oct 2009 -- A major military exercise involving five East African nations and the United States is taking place in Uganda.
• German fliers achieve 55,555 flight hours at Holloman AFNS 20 Oct 2009 -- Airmen at the German air force Flying Training Center completed 55,555 Tornado flight hours Oct. 13.
• Cooperation Team-One exchanges ideas with Chilean air force members AFNS 20 Oct 2009 -- Members of 12th Air Force (Air Forces Southern) and the Texas Air National Guard completed 4 days of subject matter exchanges in Santiago, Chile.
• Biden set to brief Poles on new missile defense plans RIA Novosti 20 Oct 2009 -- US VP Biden expected to brief Poland's president and PM on Washington's revised missile defense plans during visit.
• Biden to Visit Poland, Romania, Czech Republic VOA 20 Oct 2009 -- US VP Biden left Washington on a four-day trip that will take him to Poland, Romania and the Czech Republic.
• Gates to Urge Japan to Stand By Existing Security Pacts AFPS 20 Oct 2009 -- Defense Secretary Gates looks forward to building on the strong U.S.-Japan security relationship during meetings with new government.
• Gates: 'No Alternatives' to US-Japan Security Accord VOA 20 Oct 2009 -- US Defense Secretary Gates: Obama administration committed to implementing defense agreement reached by previous American and Japanese governments.
• U.S. rules out creating military bases in Georgia RIA Novosti 20 Oct 2009 -- US will not establish military bases in Georgia but will help the country to modernize its defense system and integrate into NATO.
• U.S. says talks are intensive with Moscow on arms reduction pact RIA Novosti 20 Oct 2009 -- US Department of State: US and Russia in an active phase of drafting a new pact to replace START 1.
• Russia ready to harmonize relations with U.S., NATO - Medvedev RIA Novosti 20 Oct 2009 -- Russian President Medvedev reiterated that Moscow was looking to reset relations with the US and other Western partners.
• Lukashenko signs Belarus up to post-Soviet rapid reaction force RIA Novosti 20 Oct 2009 -- President of Belarus signed documents on joining a post-Soviet regional security bloc's rapid reaction force.
• U.S. Department of State Daily Press Briefing US Dept. of State 20 Oct 2009

Defense Industry

• DoD News: Contracts for October 20, 2009
• Raytheon Insider Threat Solution Receives Federal Validation Raytheon 20 Oct 2009 -- Raytheon Company's (NYSE: RTN) Linux cryptographic module embedded in its government insider threat solution has been awarded federal validation.
• GE Advanced Military Demonstrator Engine Funded for Next Phase of Development Work GE Aviation 20 Oct 2009 -- The U.S. Air Force Research Laboratory has continued funding for GE Aviation's development of a demonstrator engine core and selected critical component risk-reduction activities for the ADaptive Versatile ENgine Technology (ADVENT) program.
• Israel Aerospace Industries Unveils Robotic Platform Designed for Ground Forces at the Seoul International Aerospace and Defense Exhibition, Opening Today (Oct. 20, 2009) Israel Aerospace Industries 20 Oct 2009 -- Israel Aerospace Industries (IAI) is displaying, for the first time REX, a small robotic platform designed to accompany ground forces on operations, at the 2009 Seoul International Aerospace and Defense Exhibition, opening today in Seoul, Korea.

Other Conflicts

• DAILY PRESS BRIEFING BY THE OFFICE OF THE SPOKESPERSON FOR THE SECRETARY-GENERAL United Nations 20 Oct 2009
• UN General Assembly to consider Gaza war crimes by yearend RIA Novosti 20 Oct 2009 -- UN General Assembly will consider by the end of the year a report on Israeli and Palestinian war crimes in Gaza.
• New Obama Strategy on Sudan Draws Cautious Approval from Anti-Genocide Groups VOA 20 Oct 2009 -- Following months of debate, the Obama administration has spelled out a new strategy on Sudan.
• New Sudan Referendum Deal Raises Fresh Challenges VOA 20 Oct 2009 -- North and South Sudan say they have reached a breakthrough deal over the details of southern independence referendum.
• Peacekeepers Report Armed Buildup in Darfur VOA 20 Oct 2009 -- Peacekeepers in Sudan say they are "gravely concerned" by a buildup of both rebel and government forces in North Darfur.
• Increasing attacks on aid workers hampering relief efforts in DR Congo, says UN UN News Centre 20 Oct 2009 -- Sharp rise in attacks on humanitarian workers in the eastern North Kivu province has impeded efforts.
• Pakistani veteran of Somali operation to become new UN military head in Liberia UN News Centre 20 Oct 2009 -- Pakistani general who is a veteran of the United Nations quick reaction force in Somalia set to become the next military head of the UN Mission in Liberia.
• Greek PM Makes First Official Visit to Cyprus VOA 20 Oct 2009 -- Greece and Cyprus have said they support Turkey's bid to become a full member of the EU and needed its help to end the island's decades-old division.
• Calling for more female police, UN officer welcomes new pact with INTERPOL UN News Centre 20 Oct 2009 -- Senior UN official welcomed landmark agreement with the International Criminal Police Organization.

News Reports

• Talks on Fate of Deposed Honduran President Stall VOA 20 Oct 2009 -- Talks to end a nearly four-month-old political crisis in Honduras have again stalled.
• China Protests Dalai Lama's Plans to Visit Arunachal Pradesh VOA 20 Oct 2009 -- China has protested the Dalai Lama's plans to visit a border area in India that both countries claim.
• Russian President Deepens Balkan Ties On Belgrade Visit RFE/RL 20 Oct 2009 -- Russian President Medvedev has sought to deepen Moscow's influence in Serbia during a trip to Belgrade.
• ECOWAS Suspends Niger in Dispute Over Constitution VOA 20 Oct 2009 -- The Economic Community of West African States has suspended Niger for refusing to postpone a legislative election.
• ECOWAS Set to Suspend Niger's Membership VOA 20 Oct 2009 -- The Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) is scheduled to issue a statement, officially suspending Niger as a member.
• Kyrgyz government resigns after president announces reform RIA Novosti 20 Oct 2009 -- Government of Kyrgyz PM Chudinov resigned at an extraordinary Cabinet session following president's sweeping changes.
• Kyrgyz president extends power with overhaul of state structures RIA Novosti 20 Oct 2009 -- Kyrgyz President Bakiyev announced details of a wide-reaching reorganization of the state apparatus.
• Yudhoyono Begins Second Term as Indonesian President VOA 20 Oct 2009 -- Under tight security Indonesian President Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono was sworn in for a second five-year term of office.