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Current Operations

• OIF/OEF Casualty Update 12 Nov 2009 [PDF]
• Airpower Summary: November 9 AFNS 12 Nov 2009
• Airpower Summary: November 10 AFNS 12 Nov 2009
• Airpower Summary: November 11 AFNS 12 Nov 2009
• Soldiers Build Partnership With Iraqi Police AFPS 12 Nov 2009 -- Soldiers of the 57th Military Police Company have spent the past three months building a partnership with the Iraqi police in this Maysan province city to improve their ability to govern and secure the local populace.
• Marines welcome Iraqi Air Force USMC News 12 Nov 2009 -- The Iraqi Ministry of Defense directed that one detachment of helicopters from 4th Squadron, Iraqi Air Force, be located at Camp Al Taqaddum, Iraq, in order to provide a rotary wing transportation capability to the Anbar Operations Command, a command center for all Iraqi security forces in Iraq's Al Anbar province
• Marines ‘go green’ in Iraq USMC News 12 Nov 2009 -- Marines and sailors aboard Camp Al Taqaddum, Iraq, are doing their part to protect the local environment by focusing on the proper disposal of all hazardous material aboard the base
• Task Force to Focus on Afghan Roadside Bomb Threat AFPS 12 Nov 2009 -- Defense Secretary Robert M. Gates has created a new task force to enhance existing department efforts to counter the threat from roadside bombs, the No. 1 killer in Afghanistan.
• Forces in Afghanistan Capture Terrorism Suspects AFPS 12 Nov 2009 -- Afghan and international forces in Afghanistan today captured a sought-after Taliban commander following a firefight in Afghanistan’s Ghazni province, and also captured a Haqqani terrorist group leader in another area, military officials reported.
• Obama Orders Revisions to Afghan Options VOA 12 Nov 2009 -- A senior White House official says U.S. President Barack Obama is calling on his national security team to revise the options for the U.S. war strategy in Afghanistan.
• Reports: US Ambassador to Kabul Expresses Caution About More Troops VOA 12 Nov 2009 -- The U.S. ambassador to Afghanistan has reportedly expressed in writing his concerns about deploying additional American troops to the country. Media reports quote U.S. officials as saying the ambassador is deeply concerned about Afghan government corruption and mismanagement that has fueled the Taliban's rise.
• Marines, Afghan soldiers hunt Taliban USMC News 12 Nov 2009 -- Afghan National Army soldiers and Marines with Weapons Company, 1st Battalion, 5th Marine Regiment, conducted an operation to clear out compounds in Norzai, Afghanistan, Nov. 6
• 1/5 Marines provide clean water to Afghans, keep area safe USMC News 12 Nov 2009 -- Marines with 1st Battalion, 5th Marine Regiment, recently funded a well construction project to provide clean water for local Afghans
• U.S. Afghan Envoy Expresses Doubts About Possible U.S. Troop Surge RFE/RL 12 Nov 2009 -- Karl Eikenberry, the U.S. ambassador to Kabul, reportedly has raised serious concerns to President Barack Obama about increasing the number of U.S troops in Afghanistan.
• U.S. Special Inspector: Afghan Corruption A 'Mix' Of External, Internal Factors RFE/RL 12 Nov 2009 -- As the United States' special inspector-general for Afghanistan reconstruction (SIGAR), Arnold Fields has the arduous task of preventing the "waste, fraud, and abuse" of U.S. funds appropriated for Afghanistan
• AFGHANISTAN: Over 2,000 civilians killed in first 10 months of 2009 IRIN 12 Nov 2009 -- Armed conflict in Afghanistan claimed the lives of over 2,000 civilians from January to October 2009, and the numbers are rising, according to the UN Assistance Mission in Afghanistan (UNAMA).
• AFGHANISTAN: Polio drive targets up to eight million IRIN 12 Nov 2009 -- The sixth and last polio immunization campaign in 2009 begins on 15 November across Afghanistan: Up to eight million under-five children are expected to receive the oral vaccine, according to the Ministry of Public Health (MoPH).
• German Defense Minister in Kabul to Meet Afghan, NATO Leaders VOA 12 Nov 2009 -- Germany's defense minister is in Afghanistan for talks with Afghan President Hamid Karzai and the top NATO commander, U.S. General Stanley McChrystal.

Defense Policy / Programs

• Hasan Charged with 13 Counts of Murder AFPS 12 Nov 2009 -- Military prosecutors have charged Army Maj. Nidal Malik Hasan with 13 counts of premeditated murder in the Nov. 5 attack at Fort Hood, Texas.
• US Army to Charge Alleged Fort Hood Shooter with Premeditated Murder VOA 12 Nov 2009 -- U.S. Army officials say they intend to charge the alleged gunman in last week's shooting rampage at Fort Hood -- Major Nidal Malik Hasan -- with 13 counts of premeditated murder.
• Americans Aid Salvadoran Flood Victims AFPS 12 Nov 2009 -- American personnel based in Central America are deploying to aid flood victims in El Salvador, U.S. Southern Command officials said today.
• Battlefield Success Depends on Technology Development AFPS 12 Nov 2009 -- It takes an average of more than six and a half years from the time a Defense Department program is first funded to when it becomes operational, the department’s No. 2 official said today.
• Secretary Gates Remarks to the Employees of Oshkosh Corporation DoD 12 Nov 2009 -- Presenter: Secretary of Defense Robert M. Gates
• Media Availability with Secretary Gates Enroute to Oshkosh, Wisconsin DoD 12 Nov 2009 -- Presenter: Secretary of Defense Robert M. Gates
• Media Availability with Secretary Gates from Oshkosh, Wisconsin DoD 12 Nov 2009 -- Presenter: Secretary of Defense Robert M. Gates
• Gates Gives Pep Talk to M-ATV Production Plant Workers AFPS 12 Nov 2009 -- Defense Secretary Robert M. Gates got a firsthand look today at production of the newest all-terrain vehicles slated for Afghanistan, and praised the modern-day Rosie the Riveters he credited with saving American lives.
• Federal Officials Pledge Support for Hiring Veterans AFPS 12 Nov 2009 -- Senior federal officials today pledged their support of President Barack Obama’s directive to increase the hiring of military veterans.
• Reintegration begins Army News 12 Nov 2009 -- During the past several months, U.S. Army Garrison Grafenwoehr has welcomed home Soldiers from 18th Combat Sustainment Support Brigade and 172nd Infantry Brigade
• Spartan Brigade Trained in COINSOC Army News 12 Nov 2009 -- Major General Anthony Cucolo, Task Force Marne Commanding General, along with senior leaders from Multi-National Force-Iraq and Multi-National Corps-Iraq, spoke to leaders of the 2nd Heavy Brigade Combat Team, 3rd Infantry Division while they attended the Counterinsurgency School in Taji, Iraq, Nov. 6-7.
• New commander, CSM take reins of 18th CSSB Army News 12 Nov 2009 -- Lt. Col. Reed Hudgins assumed command of the 18th Combat Sustainment Support Battalion from the unit's outgoing commander, Lt. Col. Christopher Roscoe, during a change of command ceremony at the Grafenwoehr Physical Fitness Center, Oct. 22
• Fort Stewart's Warrior Restoration Center Open for Business Army News 12 Nov 2009 -- Fort Stewart and Winn Army Community Hospital took another step forward in the treatment of Soldiers when the Warrior Restoration Center was officially opened, Nov. 3
• IFPEX Preps Stewart-Hunter Leaders for Emergencies Army News 12 Nov 2009 -- Fort Stewart and Hunter Army Airfield leaders trained how to properly respond to emergency situations during an Installation Force Protection Exercise conducted at Stewart's Crisis Management Center, Nov. 9-10
• Multi-national partnership grows during PA exchange Army News 12 Nov 2009 -- Members of the Third Army/U.S. Army Central Public Affairs Office hosted their public affairs counterparts from the Tajikistan and Kyrgystan armies during an exchange between the partner nations Oct. 19 through 23 in Washington, D.C.
• Fort Bragg no-mow areas protect environment Army News 12 Nov 2009 -- Like the wildflowers that grow on Fort Bragg? More could be coming to an area near you as the number of no-mow zones is set to increase
• RIA-JMTC launches field fuel testing system support website Army News 12 Nov 2009 -- The Rock Island Arsenal Joint Manufacturing and Technology Center Mobile Maintenance unit is making the job of a military fuel tester a little bit easier
• Soldiers receive hazardous materials training Army News 12 Nov 2009 -- Soldiers with the Chemical, Biological, Radiological, Nuclear Reconnaissance Platoon, 2nd Brigade Combat Team, 82nd Airborne Division recently received additional hazardous material detection and containment equipment
• New tracking technology tested at Fort Bragg Army News 12 Nov 2009 -- Soldiers with 3rd Battalion, 27th Field Artillery (HIMARS) drove their high mobility artillery rocket system out of an Air Force C-17 Globemaster III on Pope Air Force Base, Oct. 22, with a new advancement that will get them into the fight fa
• Four-month telework test underway for garrison Army News 12 Nov 2009 -- Fort Belvoir's Plans, Analysis and Integration Office launched a Telework Test Pilot Program for its garrison civilian employees Sunday.
• Arsenal's Era of Mass Construction Army News 12 Nov 2009 -- the small renovations and facility upgrades -- that are limited to $750,000 for a new construction project and $2 million for laboratory revitalization projects.
• Strike Group Commander Joins Canadian Navy for Remembrance Day Navy NewsStand 12 Nov 2009 -- Commander, Carrier Strike Group 3 visited Canadian Sailors aboard HMCS Algonquin (DDG 283) to join them for their Remembrance Day service Nov. 10.
• DET X-Ray Completes a Variety of Tasks Navy NewsStand 12 Nov 2009 -- When the need arises Sailors from Beach Master Unit 2, Assault Craft Unit 2 and Amphibious Construction Battalion 2 based at Naval Amphibious Base Little Creek in Norfolk, Va., come together to form DET X-Ray, which embarks USS Wasp (LHD 1) and other ships to assist with vital operations.
• Essex Embarks 31st MEU Navy NewsStand 12 Nov 2009 -- The forward-deployed amphibious assault ship USS Essex (LHD 2) onloaded more than 1,100 Marines assigned to the 31st Marine Expeditionary Unit (MEU) Nov. 12 in preparation for Annual Exercise (ANNUALEX) 21G with the Japanese Maritime Self-Defense Force (JMSDF).
• USS Carl Vinson Security Forces Train for Underway Navy NewsStand 12 Nov 2009 -- USS Carl Vinson's (CVN 70) Security Department conducted a series of drills Nov. 5-10, in preparation for the ship's upcoming homeport change.
• Enterprise Completes Man Overboard Drill Navy NewsStand 12 Nov 2009 -- Crew members aboard USS Enterprise (CVN 65) successfully completed their first man overboard drill in almost two years Nov. 4 in preparation to return to the fleet.
• Marines Celebrate 234th Birthday Navy NewsStand 12 Nov 2009 -- Marines from the "Death Rattlers" of Marine Strike Fighter Squadron (VMFA) 323 celebrated the Marine Corps' 234th birthday aboard USS John C. Stennis (CVN 74), Nov. 11.
• Essex ESG Begins Bilateral Exercise with JMSDF Navy NewsStand 12 Nov 2009 -- Amphibious Squadron 11, USS Essex (LHD 2) and USS Tortuga (LSD 46) with embarked Marines got underway from White Beach Naval Facility in Okinawa, Japan, Nov. 12 for an exercise with the Japan Maritime Self Defense Force.
• NAVFAC Hawaii Prepares for Emergencies with New Facility Navy NewsStand 12 Nov 2009 -- Naval Facilities Engineering Command (NAVFAC) Hawaii completed its new Emergency Management Control Center (EMCC) Oct. 27, after a yearlong upgrade of an existing building.
• Airmen decrease base threats with random antiterrorism measures AFNS 02 Nov 2009 -- All Airmen are responsible for protecting against terrorism, but the 332nd Expeditionary Security Forces Squadron Airmen here have it down to a science -- through random antiterrorism measures.
• Rise of the cyber wingman AFNS 12 Nov 2009 -- Every day, malicious code, worms, botnets and hooks attack Air Force computers hardware, software and the Internet. They infiltrate classified information and compromise national security. In response, Air Force officials are stepping up their mission to defend cyberspace.
• Gates Lashes Out at Leakers AFPS 12 Nov 2009 -- Defense Secretary Robert M. Gates today condemned a spate of leaks regarding both the Afghanistan strategy deliberations and last week's shootings at Fort Hood, Texas, threatening to fire anyone in the Defense Department he finds is involved.
• Sri Lanka Military Chief Resigns VOA 12 Nov 2009 -- Government officials in Colombo confirm the chief of Sri Lanka's armed forces has quit his post, but are not commenting on speculation he is poised to challenge the island nation's president in an upcoming election. The war hero would give popular incumbent President Mahinda Rajapaksa a serious challenge.
• Progress made in military procurement talks with U.S., France: MND CNA 12 Nov 2009 -- The Ministry of National Defense (MND) has taken a "hard" stance in recent military procurement talks with the United States and France, and concrete progress has been made, Vice Minister of National Defense Chao Shih-chang reported Thursday
• MND think-tank on drawing board CNA 12 Nov 2009 -- The Ministry of National Defense (MND) is planning to establish a think-tank to facilitate studies on the cross-strait situation, and particularly on a proposed mechanism to foster mutual trust between the military on both sides, an MND official said Thursday
• U.S. scholar: arms deal with Taiwan could be bargaining chip CNA 12 Nov 2009 -- On the eve of a visit to China by U.S. President Barack Obama, a U.S. scholar said proposed U.S. arms sales to Taiwan could serve as leverage to ease tension across the Taiwan Strait
• Russia, U.S. arms talks run into problems RIA Novosti 12 Nov 2009 -- Ongoing arms cuts talks between Russia and the U.S. have seen differences on inspection and verification procedures, the chief of the General Staff said on Thursday.
• Russian military to get 30 new ICBMs, 3 nuclear subs in 2010 RIA Novosti 12 Nov 2009 -- Russia's Armed Forces are to receive 30 new ground and sea-launched ballistic missiles, three nuclear submarines, and an assortment of other weapons, the Russian president said on Thursday.
• Russian nuclear sub starts sea trials after overhaul RIA Novosti 12 Nov 2009 -- A Russian Delta-IV class Karelia nuclear submarine has started sea trials following lengthy modernization at the Zvezdochka shipyard in northern Russia, the company said.
• S-300 missile deliveries to Iran under review — Russian official RIA Novosti 12 Nov 2009 -- Russia is still considering the possible deliveries of advance air defense systems to Iran and will not freeze the contract as a concession to the United States, a government official said.
• NATO jets shadow Russian bombers over Pacific RIA Novosti 12 Nov 2009 -- Two Russian Tu-95 Bear strategic bombers that carried out a routine patrol flight over the Pacific Ocean were shadowed by 'regular' NATO fighters, the Defense Ministry said on Thursday
• U.S. Department of State Daily Press Briefing US Dept. of State 12 Nov 2009
• Gaggle by Press Secretary Robert Gibbs aboard Air Force One en route Anchorage, Alaska The White House 12 Nov 2009

Defense Industry

• DoD News: Contracts for November 12, 2009
• BAE SYSTEMS PRECISION TARGETING SYSTEM BEGINS FINAL TESTING; COMPANY DECLARES SYSTEM READY FOR PRODUCTION BAE Systems 12 Nov 2009 -- BAE Systems has entered the final phase of testing on its Advanced Precision Kill Weapon System (APKWS), a technology that increases the accuracy and cost-effectiveness of airborne weapon systems.
• Boeing Receives Contract to Develop Miniature Weapon Technology Boeing 12 Nov 2009 -- The Boeing Company [NYSE: BA] received a $500,000 U.S. Air Force Research Laboratory contract on Sept. 30 for the first phase of a program to demonstrate miniature weapon technology for use on unmanned airborne vehicles (UAV).
• Lockheed Martin Sonar Array System for Spain’s S-80 Diesel Electric Submarines Completes In-Water Testing Lockheed Martin 12 Nov 2009 -- Lockheed Martin [NYSE: LMT] successfully completed in-water testing of a new cylindrical array sonar system for Spain’s S-80 class diesel electric submarines at the U.S. Navy’s Underwater Test Facility at Seneca Lake, N.Y.
• U.S. Navy Commissions USS Makin Island: Hybrid LM2500 Gas Turbine, Electric Drive Propulsion to Save Millions in Fuel, Maintenance Costs GE Marine 12 Nov 2009 -- GE Marine reports that the United States Navy commissioned its new LHD 8 ship USS Makin Island on October 24, 2009 in San Diego, California. The USS Makin Island is the first U.S. Navy amphibious assault ship to feature a unique hybrid propulsion system that relies on two LM2500+ gas turbines or two diesel electric motors.
• Oshkosh Corporation Hosts Defense Secretary Gates Oshkosh 12 Nov 2009 -- Oshkosh Corporation (NYSE:OSK) today welcomed Defense Secretary Robert Gates to tour its MRAP All Terrain Vehicle (M-ATV) production facility in Oshkosh. Secretary Gates also met with and addressed employees who are manufacturing the new vehicles that protect the U.S. Warfighters and allow troops to take the fight to remote areas of the rugged Afghan terrain.
• Raytheon awarded $197 million for LPD 17 program Raytheon 12 Nov 2009 -- Raytheon Company (NYSE: RTN) has been awarded a $197 million U.S. Navy contract for life-cycle engineering and support of the LPD 17 class, the Navy's next generation of amphibious warfare ships.

Other Conflicts

• Daily Press Briefing by the Office of the Spokesperson for the Secretary-General United Nations 12 Nov 2009
• N. Korea calls sea clash with S. Korea "a conspiracy" RIA Novosti 12 Nov 2009 -- North Korea said Thursday that the recent exchange of gunfire between its patrol boat and a South Korean warship was not an accident but the result of a "conspiracy" in an attempt to escalate tension in the region.
• S. Korea Will Be Forced to Pay Dearly for Armed Provocation KCNA 12 Nov 2009 -- The south Korean forces will be forced to pay dearly for the grave armed provocation perpetrated by them in the waters of the north side in the West Sea of Korea on November 10. This warning is served by papers Thursday in signed commentaries.
• S. Korea beefs up defenses after sea clash with N. Korea RIA Novosti 12 Nov 2009 -- South Korea has deployed a new destroyer to enhance the protection of its western sea border following a recent exchange of gunfire between one of its warships and a North Korean patrol boat, the Yonhap news agency reported.
• N. Korea Says South Will Pay 'Expensive Price' for Naval Clash VOA 12 Nov 2009 -- North Korea says South Korea will pay "an expensive price" for firing at a North Korean patrol boat on Tuesday.
• Progress Made In Eradicating Antipersonnel Landmines VOA 12 Nov 2009 -- A new report finds significant progress has been made in eradicating antipersonnel landmines since the Mine Ban Treaty came into force 10 years ago. The International Campaign to Ban Landmines has issued its 11th annual Landmine Monitor Report showing the use, production and stockpiling of these weapons has gone down dramatically.
• Ban urges countries to strengthen protection of civilians from cluster bombs UN News Centre 12 Nov 2009 -- Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon today urged States to remain focused on strengthening the protection of civilians from the inhumane and indiscriminate impact of cluster munitions, in a speech to the parties to the Convention on Certain Conventional Weapons (CCW).
• SIERRA LEONE: War-wounded get micro-grants IRIN 12 Nov 2009 -- Some 20,000 people wounded in Sierra Leone's war are receiving micro-grants as part of efforts to rebuild lives and livelihoods in the still fragile country.
• DR Congo: amid alleged army atrocities, UN cites civilian protection as top priority UN News Centre 12 Nov 2009 -- The top priority for the United Nations peacekeeping mission in the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC) is the protection of civilians from abuse, be it from the Government forces that it is mandated to support or armed rebel groups, a senior official said today.
• Young people in Chadian refugee camps need hope for better future, says UN official UN News Centre 12 Nov 2009 -- The top humanitarian official in Chad called for urgent attention to be paid to providing a better life for young men and women languishing in camps for refugees and displaced persons, warning that the alternatives for them would be prostitution or violence.
• UN war crimes tribunal reduces sentence of convicted former Bosnian Serb general UN News Centre 12 Nov 2009 -- The Appeals Chamber of the United Nations tribunal set up to deal with the worst crimes committed during the Balkan wars of the 1990s today cut four years off the 33-year sentence imposed on a former Bosnian Serb army general who commanded much of the siege of Sarajevo.
• Karadzic set to appeal against court-appointed lawyer RIA Novosti 12 Nov 2009 -- Former Bosnian Serb leader Radovan Karadzic has notified the International Criminal Tribunal that he would appeal the court's decision to appoint a lawyer to defend him in the court.
• DRC-CONGO: Come back home, DRC government urges refugees IRIN 12 Nov 2009 -- The Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) has urged its citizens who recently fled inter-ethnic clashes in the western DRC province of Equateur and sought refuge in the Republic of Congo, to return home, saying calm has been restored in their villages.
• SUDAN: The Nuba Mountains - straddling the north-south divide IRIN 12 Nov 2009 -- The Nuba Mountains, a former frontline region in Sudan’s north-south civil war remain tense, years after the 2005 north-south peace agreement, local leaders and analysts say.
• LAOS: Scrap metal income courts UXO danger IRIN 12 Nov 2009 -- A close look at this river bank village on the Ho Chi Minh trail bordering Vietnam reveals details which belie its tranquility.
• YEMEN: Most IDPs shun official camps IRIN 12 Nov 2009 -- Reports from various UN agencies operating in northern Yemen indicate that many people displaced by fighting between Houthi-led insurgents and government forces would rather live with host families or in informal camps then in official camps for internally displaced persons (IDPs).

News Reports

• Main points of Medvedev's state of the nation address RIA Novosti 12 Nov 2009 -- Russian President Dmitry Medvedev delivered his second state of the nation address to both houses of parliament in the Grand Kremlin Palace on Thursday.
• Kremlin Calls for Sweeping Modernization of Russia VOA 12 Nov 2009 -- Russian President Dmitri Medvedev is calling for sweeping economic, social, political, and military modernization of his country. In his second annual State of the Nation address, the Kremlin leader said Russia must become a society of smart, free and responsible people - instead of an archaic society in which a few think and decide for all.
• Medvedev says Russia must rise higher on civilization ladder RIA Novosti 12 Nov 2009 -- President Dmitry Medvedev's second state of the nation address sounded more like a report by a business leader at a large economic conference
• Russia to produce new nuclear reactors by 2014 - Medvedev RIA Novosti 12 Nov 2009 -- Russia will produce next-generation nuclear reactors and new types of nuclear fuel by 2014, Russian President Dmitry Medvedev said on Thursday.
• Russia must adopt new ideas to regain superpower status - Medvedev RIA Novosti 12 Nov 2009 -- President Dmitry Medvedev said he was firmly convinced that Russia could once more achieve superpower status by adopting new ideas.
• Russia to be modernized using democratic values - Medvedev RIA Novosti 12 Nov 2009 -- Modernization of Russia in the 21st century will be based on values and institutions of democracy, the Russian president said on Thursday.
• Dmitry Medvedev makes state-of-the-nation address RIA Novosti 12 Nov 2009 -- Russian President Dmitry Medvedev started making his annual address to the Russian Federal Assembly (parliament) on November 12 at noon Moscow time (9:00 GMT).
• Russian President Repeats Call For Massive Modernization RFE/RL 12 Nov 2009 -- Addressing Russian political leaders in the Kremlin's ornately gilded grand palace today, President Dmitry Medvedev repeated a call for a Soviet-style modernization program that would transform the country into a great power
• Revolutions Of '89: The Moscow Spring RFE/RL 12 Nov 2009 -- It was the spring of 1989, the Soviet Union's first democratically elected legislature was in session
• School Officials Cite Prevention in Curbing H1N1 Flu AFPS 12 Nov 2009 -- When it comes to H1N1 flu, the Department of Defense Education Activity’s primary focus is to prevent a serious outbreak in any of its 191 schools worldwide.
• TRICARE offers no-cost H1N1 vaccine Army News 12 Nov 2009 -- Immunizations against the H1N1 virus will soon be available, and people are eager to take precautions
• More urgent H1N1 treatment needed for at-risk groups with flu symptoms, UN warns UN News Centre 12 Nov 2009 -- Immediate H1N1 antiviral treatment for people in at-risk groups with flu symptoms is vital for saving lives, according to updated United Nations guidelines released today, calling for greater urgency than earlier recommendations.
• Experts Answer H1N1 Questions Online AFPS 12 Nov 2009 -- Experts did their best to answer questions and allay fears over H1N1 flu and the associated vaccine during a Nov. 10 online town-hall meeting hosted by the Military Health System.
• Taiwan, China still in talks on titles of MOU signatories CNA 12 Nov 2009 -- The two sides of the Taiwan Strait are still in talks on the titles to be used by the signatories of a proposed memorandum of understanding (MOU) for bilateral cooperation on financial supervision, a senior Taiwanese official said Thursday
• Taiwan lawmakers concern about Obama's upcoming China visit CNA 12 Nov 2009 -- Ruling Kuomintang Legislator Chang Hsien-yao expressed concerns Thursday on whether U.S. President Barack Obama's visit to China next week would adversely impact the U.S. sale of advanced weapon systems to Taiwan.
• Armenian Opposition Leader Backs President On Turkey RFE/RL 12 Nov 2009 -- Armenian opposition leader Levon Ter-Petrossian has signaled his readiness to recognize the legitimacy of President Serzh Sarkisian and attacked nationalist critics of Yerevan's ongoing rapprochement with Turkey, RFE/RL's Armenian Service reports
• Clinton Vows Support for Philippine Typhoon Recovery, Anti-Terrorism Fight VOA 12 Nov 2009 -- Secretary of State Hillary Clinton Thursday vowed continued U.S. support for the Philippine government's fight against al-Qaida-linked militants and the country's recovery from a series of devastating storms in the last six weeks.
• Thasksin Delivers Speech in Phnom Penh VOA 12 Nov 2009 -- Thailand's former prime minister, Thaksin Shinawatra, continued a controversial visit to Cambodia with a speech to economists and businessmen Thursday, during which he managed to take a swipe at his political opponents.