Operations
Defense Policy / Programs
Defense Industry
Other Conflicts
News Reports

Current Operations

• OIF/OEF Casualty Update 03 Dec 2009 [PDF]
• Dec. 2 airpower summary AFNS 03 Dec 2009 -- Coalition airpower integrated with ground forces in Iraq and the International Security Assistance Force in Afghanistan during operations Dec. 2 according to Combined Air and Space Operations Center officials here.
• Afghanistan, Iraq drive landmark defense review AFNS 03 Dec 2009 -- Quadrennial Defense Review under way within the DoD will be unlike any other.
• UK Iraq inquiry gives insight IRNA 03 Dec 2009 -- The Iraq Inquiry gave insight to UK’s policy after being told that Washington believed that Britain would take an active part in the Iraq war even if there were no attempts to solve the crisis through the UN.
• Service members track travel at JBB passenger terminals Army News 03 Dec 2009 -- Just as equipment and sensitive items are tracked for accountability, units with the 13th Sustainment Command (Expeditionary) track and maintain accountability of personnel, both at Joint Base Balad and throughout Iraq every day.
• Air Weapons Team Trains Ground-force Leaders AFPS 03 Dec 2009 -- Today, call for backup can be made a lot quicker and with much more devastating effect through the Army’s joint operations.
• Forces in Afghanistan Detain Militants AFPS 03 Dec 2009 -- Combined Afghan and international forces detained several suspected militants in operations in Afghanistan over the last two days, military officials reported.
• Indiana Soldiers Maintain Forward Operating Base AFPS 03 Dec 2009 -- Indiana National Guard soldiers from the 38th Infantry Division’s Task Force Cyclone ensure Forward Operating Base Salerno is maintained properly.
• Afghanistan surge won't change plans to up dwell time Army News 03 Dec 2009 -- A 30,000 boots-on-the-ground increase in Afghanistan will not change the Army's plans to cut Stop Loss, stabilize deployment lengths or increase dwell time for Soldiers.
• US Officials Say Conditions Will Determine Pace of Afghanistan Withdrawal VOA 03 Dec 2009 -- Key Obama administration officials: July 2011 date President Barack Obama set for beginning a drawdown of US forces from Afghanistan will depend on the progress made.
• Clinton Encouraged By Allied Response to Afghan Buildup VOA 03 Dec 2009 -- Secretary of State Clinton encouraged by the response of American allies to the Obama administration's appeal for additional troops in Afghanistan.
• Pakistanis Don't Like Obama's Afghan Plan VOA 03 Dec 2009 -- Reaction in Pakistan to President Obama's new Afghanistan strategy has been, at best, ambivalent and often hostile.
• Pakistan's Gilani Cautious Over Obama Strategy For Afghanistan RFE/RL 03 Dec 2009 -- Pakistani PM Gilani appeared to give a cool reception to the new US strategy on Afghanistan.
• Gates Re-emphasizes Need for Afghan, Pakistani Engagement AFPS 03 Dec 2009 -- Defense Secretary Gates: US will not turn its back on Afghanistan and Pakistan as it did when the Soviet occupation of Afghanistan ended in 1989.
• Main Afghanistan Threat Remains in South, East, Mullen Says AFPS 03 Dec 2009 -- Many of the extra 30,000 U.S. forces deployed to Afghanistan in the coming months will confront continued enemy threats in the country’s southern and eastern regions.
• Chairman Explains Significance of July 2011 Target AFPS 03 Dec 2009 -- Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff : July 2011 is not a withdrawal date, but a specific target date for beginning to transition security responsibility to Afghan forces.
• White House Sells Afghan Strategy To Lawmakers RFE/RL 03 Dec 2009 -- US lawmakers have closely questioned members of President Barack Obama's cabinet on the details and wisdom of new U.S. plan.
• Top US Officials Questioned on Afghanistan for Day 2 VOA 03 Dec 2009 -- Top U.S. defense and diplomatic officials are facing a second day of tough questioning in the US Congress over President Barack Obama's revised Afghan war strategy.
• Taliban vows stronger resistance in response to U.S. troops surge RIA Novosti 03 Dec 2009 -- The Taliban group has threatened to step up resistance in response to a US decision to send additional troops.
• 20 NATO Countries to Send More Troops to Afghanistan VOA 03 Dec 2009 -- NATO says at least 20 countries plan to increase their troop levels in Afghanistan, following U.S. President Barack Obama's announcement of a 30,000-troop boost to the war-torn nation.
• Interview: U.S. Says Talks Begin On More NATO Troops To Afghanistan RFE/RL 03 Dec 2009 -- Ivo Daalder, the U.S. ambassador to NATO, says he expects NATO allies will heed a call by NATO Secretary-General Anders Fogh Rasmussen to send an additional 5,000 troops to Afghanistan during the next year.
• U.S. expects NATO to send up to 7,000 troops to Afghanistan RIA Novosti 03 Dec 2009 -- US will request its NATO partners to send from 5,000 to 7,000 additional troops to Afghanistan.
• Russia to continue helping U.S. in Afghanistan - Medvedev RIA Novosti 03 Dec 2009 -- President Dmitry Medvedev: Russia would continue to assist the U.S. in its military operation in Afghanistan.
• Afghan Official Says Taliban Gets Support From Inside Iran RFE/RL 03 Dec 2009 -- An official in Afghanistan's western Nimroz Province claims that elements in Iran are providing financial support and weapons to the Taliban.
• Kyrgyz Opposition Figure: U.S.'s Afghan Success Vital For Central Asia RFE/RL 03 Dec 2009 -- A former Kyrgyz government official says U.S. President Barack Obama's Afghan strategy is very important for the stability of Central Asia.
• Logistics Support Gears Up for Afghanistan Surge AFPS 03 Dec 2009 -- President Barack Obama’s call for another 30,000 troops to deploy to Afghanistan came as no surprise to Defense Logistics Agency planners.
• US Army Troops Ready for Afghanistan Deployment VOA 03 Dec 2009 -- Sometime next year US Marines and soldiers will begin deployments to Afghanistan aimed at meeting President Obama's call for an additional troops.
• Pakistani Troops Kill 15 Suspected Militants VOA 03 Dec 2009 -- The Pakistani military says troops have killed 15 suspected militants during operations in the country's volatile northwest.
• At least 15 militants killed in Pakistan's Swat Valley RIA Novosti 03 Dec 2009 -- At least 15 militants were killed and more than 150 captured in a military operation in northwest Pakistan's Swat Valley.
• Pakistani PM says Osama bin Laden not in his country RIA Novosti 03 Dec 2009 -- Osama bin Laden is not in hiding in Pakistan, the country's prime minster said.
• Brown pledges more support for Pakistan's counter terror efforts IRNA 03 Dec 2009 -- PM Brown pledged more support for Pakistan’s counter terrorism efforts after holding talks with PM Gilani.

Defense Policy / Programs

• DoD News: Navy to Christen Submarine Missouri DoD 03 Dec 2009 -- The Navy will christen its newest attack submarine Missouri, Saturday, Dec. 5, during an 11 a.m. EST ceremony at General Dynamics Electric Boat in Groton, Conn.
• Chief of Staff makes first visit to Fort Huachuca Army News 03 Dec 2009 -- Chief of Staff of the Army Gen. George W. Casey Jr. made his first visit to Fort Huachuca Tuesday and Wednesday to receive briefings from the U.S. Army Intelligence Center of Excellence and U.S. Enterprise Technology Command/9th Signal Command. While here, he also visited the Warrior Transition Unit and the Unmanned Aerial Systems Training Battalion.
• Department focuses on F-35 costs, fair tanker competition AFNS 03 Dec 2009 -- Pentagon officials are working to halt spiraling costs in the F-35 Lightning II joint strike fighter aircraft program.
• Department Seeks to Reclaim Acquisition Expertise AFPS 03 Dec 2009 -- DoD is in the throes of a “major in-sourcing initiative” that Deputy Defense Secretary William J. Lynn III said will recapture some of the vital expertise the department had lost.
• COMSUBPAC Announces Changes of Homeport Navy NewsStand 03 Dec 2009 -- Commander Submarine Force U.S. Pacific Fleet Rear Adm. Douglas McAneny announced that USS Emory S. Land. USS City of Corpus Christi. and USS Oklahoma City will be changing homeports during 2010 and 2011.
• USS Nicholas Sets Sail for Africa Navy NewsStand 03 Dec 2009 -- The guided-missile frigate USS Nicholas (FFG 47) departed her homeport at Naval Station Norfolk, Va., for a scheduled deployment Dec. 3.
• Navy to Christen Submarine Missouri Navy NewsStand 03 Dec 2009 -- The Navy will christen its newest attack submarine Missouri, Dec. 5, during an 11 a.m. EST ceremony at General Dynamics Electric Boat in Groton, Conn.
• Navy Announces Contract Award Values for Littoral Combat Ships 3 and 4 Navy NewsStand 03 Dec 2009 -- As a result of the Navy's change in acquisition strategy for the Fiscal Year (FY) 2010 Littoral Combat Ship (LCS) program, the Navy can now release the pricing for LCS 3 and LCS 4 awarded contracts.
• Norfolk Naval Shipyard Completes USS Kearsarge Availability Early Navy NewsStand 03 Dec 2009 -- Norfolk Naval Shipyard (NNSY) returned USS Kearsarge (LHD 3) to the fleet one day early Nov. 18, after completing a 10-month Docking Phased Maintenance Availability (DPMA).
• Future USS New Mexico Successfully Completes Alpha Trials Navy NewsStand 03 Dec 2009 -- Pre-Commissioning Unit New Mexico (SSN 779), the U.S. Navy's newest submarine, successfully completed its initial sea trials, or Alpha Trials, Nov. 26.
• USS Los Angeles Returns from Final Deployment Navy NewsStand 03 Dec 2009 -- USS Los Angeles (SSN 688) returned to Naval Station Pearl Harbor from their last Western Pacific deployment Nov. 19.
• USS Columbus Departs for Western Pacific Deployment Navy NewsStand 03 Dec 2009 -- The Los Angeles-class submarine USS Columbus (SSN 762) departed Naval Station Pearl Harbor for a scheduled deployment to the western Pacific region Nov. 24.
• Pearl Harbor Welcomes USS Texas Navy NewsStand 03 Dec 2009 -- USS Texas (SSN 775), the second Virginia-class submarine to be homeported in the Pacific, arrived at Naval Station Pearl Harbor during an inner-fleet transfer from Groton Submarine Base Nov. 23.
• Rural communications site has global mission AFNS 03 Dec 2009 -- Although it's location in the middle of a cornfield on a quiet country road may seem cutoff from society, in reality the Elkhorn Communication Site reaches beyond almost every border - worldwide.
• 'New Walter Reed' Effort On Track, Officials Say AFPS 03 Dec 2009 -- Realignment of military medical facilities in the national capital region ordered by the Base Realignment and Closure Commission is on track to meet the commission’s deadline.
• New annex dedicated for Marine wounded warriors Army News 03 Dec 2009 -- A ribbon-cutting ceremony opened the Marine Annex at Brooke Army Medical Center Nov. 23.
• Parting shots: MEDDAC steps up H1N1 vaccinations Army News 03 Dec 2009 -- Fort Jackson's fight against H1N1 is in full swing, and all Soldiers are expected to be vaccinated by block leave.
• HIV/AIDS Vaccine Has Promising Results AFPS 03 Dec 2009 -- DoD has been able to accomplish incredible promise in a future vaccine development for HIV and AIDS, a senior official in that effort said today.
• FISC Sigonella Supports Humanitarian Efforts in Africa Navy NewsStand 03 Dec 2009 -- Fleet and Industrial Supply Center (FISC) Sigonella Site Rota personnel loaded more than 140 pallets of material on board HSV 2 Swift Nov. 28 in support of Project Handclasp's humanitarian efforts in eastern Africa.
• Brazilian Air Force Joins P-3 Community Navy NewsStand 03 Dec 2009 -- Logistics and air traffic control cadets from the Brazilian Air Force visited Naval Air Station Jacksonville Nov. 17-22 to get a detailed look at how the US Navy performs logistics and air traffic control involving the P-3 Orion.
• Russia, U.S. could sign new strategic arms deal by yearend - expert RIA Novosti 03 Dec 2009 -- Russia and the United States will most likely sign a new strategic arms reduction treaty by the end of this year.
• Putin reiterates need for military reform to ensure security RIA Novosti 03 Dec 2009 -- Russian PM Putin: The Russian Armed Forces must keep up with modern challenges to reliably ensure national security.
• Lawyers advise British troops on Geneva Conventions IRNA 03 Dec 2009 -- British troops are advised by lawyers on aspects of the Geneva Conventions while serving in overseas theatres.
• Blast at South Korean military facility kills one, injures five RIA Novosti 03 Dec 2009 -- At least one person was killed and five others injured in an explosion at a military facility near South Korean capital, Seoul.
• NATO Foreign Ministers Sift Through Membership Hopefuls RFE/RL 03 Dec 2009 -- NATO FMs gathered to debate whether to hand Membership Action Plans (MAPs) to Montenegro and Bosnia and Herzegovina.
• Russian envoy optimistic over joint threat assessment with NATO RIA Novosti 03 Dec 2009 -- Russia's envoy to NATO has said a new resolution to be considered by the Russia-NATO Council on assessing joint threats to the Euro-Atlantic space could prove to be a breakthrough.
• Russia-NATO draft accords ready for approval - envoy RIA Novosti 03 Dec 2009 -- Ambassadors of Russia and NATO states have approved all three documents drafted for meeting of Russia-NATO Council.
• NATO-Russia Council back on constructive track - envoy RIA Novosti 03 Dec 2009 -- The work of the NATO-Russia Council has been put back on a constructive track.
• NATO meeting to address key issues on alliance's agenda RIA Novosti 03 Dec 2009 -- Foreign ministers from 28 NATO member countries will gather in Brussels on for meeting to discuss a wide range of issues on the alliance's agenda.
• Russia Pushes European Security Proposal RFE/RL 03 Dec 2009 -- Russia is proceeding with a scheduled meeting with NATO on December 4 after threatening to cancel the talks.
• Berlusconi praises Russia's European security initiatives RIA Novosti 03 Dec 2009 -- Italian Prime Minister Silvio Berlusconi said on Thursday he thinks "highly" of the Russian president's European security proposal.

Defense Industry

• DoD News: Contracts for December 03, 2009
• Royal Navy takes delivery of second Type 45 Destroyer BAE Systems 03 Dec 2009 -- protecting UK national and allied and coalition forces against enemy aircraft and missiles. The technology onboard the Type 45 will set new standards in air defence, capable of defending the Type 45 and ships in its company from multiple attacks from even the most sophisticated anti-ship missiles and aircraft.
• Northrop Grumman Reaffirms Interest in Ground-based Midcourse Defense Contract Northrop Grumman 03 Dec 2009 -- Northrop Grumman Corporation (NYSE:NOC) issued this statement about the U.S. Missile Defense Agency's published intent to combine contracts for two elements of the Ground-based Midcourse Defense (GMD) system.
• EADS Defence & Security protects new Australian Amphibious Ships EADS 03 Dec 2009 -- EADS Defence & Security (DS) provides the new "Canberra" class amphibious ships of the Royal Australian Navy with the latest technology identification systems in order to enhance flight safety and situation awareness. Defence Electronics (DE), an integrated activity of DS, has been awarded a contract by BAE Systems to deliver two MSSR 2000 I IFF (= Identification Friend or Foe) systems for the installation onboard LHD1 and LHD2 (LHD = Landing Helicopter Dock) by 2015. Their integration into the Combat Management System is done by SAAB.
• General Dynamics to Modernize Stryker Family of Vehicles General Dynamics 03 Dec 2009 -- The U.S. Army TACOM Lifecycle Management Command has awarded General Dynamics Land Systems a $203 million contract to design the Stryker of the future. The Army announced an initial $42.6 million increment of this award on Nov. 25.
• General Dynamics Awarded $54 Million by U.S. Marine Corps for Additional Combat Operations Centers General Dynamics 03 Dec 2009 -- General Dynamics C4 Systems will produce 24 additional Combat Operations Centers (COCs) for the U.S. Marine Corps under a new $54 million contract modification.
• Northrop Grumman to Upgrade Navigation Systems for U.S. Navy Patrol Craft Northrop Grumman 03 Dec 2009 -- Northrop Grumman Corporation's (NYSE:NOC) Sperry Marine business unit has been awarded contracts to upgrade the navigation systems on three U.S. Navy Cyclone-class patrol craft.

Other Conflicts

• DAILY PRESS BRIEFING BY THE OFFICE OF THE SPOKESPERSON FOR THE SECRETARY-GENERAL United Nations 03 Dec 2009
• Iran, Syria support Palestinians vis-a-vis Israeli occupation IRNA 03 Dec 2009 -- Secretary of Iran’s Supreme National Security Council Saeed Jalili and Syrian President Bashar al-Assad renewed support for the Palestinian resistance to Israeli occupation.
• Ex-AU Official Calls for a Special Summit on Somalia VOA 03 Dec 2009 -- A former African Union (AU) official is calling for an extraordinary summit of African heads of state and government to address the escalating violence in Somalia.
• UN officials deplore latest deadly attack in Somali capital UN News Centre 03 Dec 2009 -- Secretary-General Ban led UN condemnation of suicide attack in Somalia.
• Somali suicide blast kills at least 19, including ministers RIA Novosti 03 Dec 2009 -- At least 19 people including three Cabinet ministers were killed in suicide bombing in Somalia's capital Mogadishu on Thursday, Al Jazeera reported.
• Deadly Suicide Blast Rips Through Hotel in Somalia VOA 03 Dec 2009 -- Deadly hotel bombing in Mogadishu has killed at least 19 people, including three Somali Cabinet ministers.
• SOMALIA: "It is as if they want to kill any hopes of a better future" IRIN 03 Dec 2009 -- Deadly suicide attack killed three ministers in the Transitional Federal Government.
• U.S. Congress Seeks Assurances on Sudan Policy VOA 03 Dec 2009 -- The U.S. Congress got an update Thursday on the Obama administration’s policy on Sudan.
• Analysis: Worrying split among former Burundi rebels IRIN 03 Dec 2009 -- Burundi's Forces nationales de la liberation embroiled in a leadership wrangle that analysts warn could jeopardize the country's fragile peace.
• Citing progress, Ban urges further support for Burundi's peace process UN News Centre 03 Dec 2009 -- The peace process in Burundi has witnessed significant progress in recent months but the country needs help to ensure successful elections.
• Ecuador to consider recognition of Abkhazia RIA Novosti 03 Dec 2009 -- The Abkhaz Foreign Ministry said on Thursday Ecuador would consider the recognition of the former Georgian republic as an independent state.
• OSCE to monitor ceasefire on Armenian-Azerbaijani border RIA Novosti 03 Dec 2009 -- OSCE officials will conduct ceasefire monitoring along a disputed stretch of the border between Armenia and Azerbaijan.
• Top Indian separatist guerrilla leader arrested in Bangladesh IRNA 03 Dec 2009 -- A top Indian separatist guerrilla leader was arrested in Bangladesh and handed over to Indian authorities.
• Putin pledges ruthless fight against Caucasus militants RIA Novosti 03 Dec 2009 -- Russian PM Putin pledged radical measures to end a surge of militant violence in the North Caucasus.
• Ban reports 'solid' progress in UN-backed Cyprus talks, urges parties to forge ahead UN News Centre 03 Dec 2009 -- Greek and Turkish Cypriot sides making headway in the UN-backed talks aimed at reunifying the Mediterranean island.
• UN war crimes courts call for greater efforts to seize indicted ringleaders UN News Centre 03 Dec 2009 -- Top officials of the UN war crimes tribunals called for Serbia’s “critical” cooperation and denounced Kenya for failing to cooperate.
• Prosecutor of UN-backed tribunal meets Lebanese Justice Minister UN News Centre 03 Dec 2009 -- Prosecutor of UN-backed tribunal set up to try the perpetrators of recent political killings in Lebanon met with the country’s Justice Minister.

News Reports

• China Sentences 5 More to Death Over Xinjiang Riots VOA 03 Dec 2009 -- A court in China's western Xinjiang region has announced 5 more people have been sentenced to death for crimes committed during riots in July.
• In Annual Call-In Show, Putin Leaves Open A Return To Presidency RFE/RL 03 Dec 2009 -- Asked whether he would ever exit the political arena and pursue a quiet life, Putin deadpanned: "Don't hold your breath."
• Russia to Fight Terror, Promote Trade VOA 03 Dec 2009 -- Russian Prime Minister Vladimir Putin is vowing harsh action against terrorism, a threat he says has not been eliminated in Russia and elsewhere.
• Putin Will Consider Running for President Again VOA 03 Dec 2009 -- Russian PM Putin will think about running for the Russian presidency again in 2012.
• Russia establishes diplomatic relations with Vatican RIA Novosti 03 Dec 2009 -- Russian President Dmitry Medvedev on Thursday signed a decree to establish diplomatic relations with Vatican City, and met with Pope Benedict XVI.
• Honduran lawmakers refuse to reinstate Zelaya as president RIA Novosti 03 Dec 2009 -- Congress in Honduras has voted against the reinstatement of ousted President Manuel Zelaya for the remainder of his term.
• Soldier Who Shot and Wounded Guinea's Junta Leader Reportedly Arrested VOA 03 Dec 2009 -- Guinea’s security forces on high alert after renegade soldiers shot and wounded the country's military leader Captain Moussa Dadis Camara.
• Troops Fire on Military Leader in Guinea VOA 03 Dec 2009 -- Guinea's Communication Minister Idrissa Cherif says military ruler Captain Moussa Dadis Camara was shot at as his convoy entered an army camp in downtown Conakry.
• Captured British Sailors Tell Their Stories About Time in Iranian Detention VOA 03 Dec 2009 -- Five British yachtsmen who were detained by Iranian authorities say their situation was dealt with in a professional manner.