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News Reports

Current Operations

• OIF/OEF Casualty Update 18 May 2010 [PDF]
• Air Force team transfers base security AFNS 18 May 2010 -- More than 280 security contractors arrived May 9 to aid in the U.S. Air Force drawdown in Iraq.
• Iraqi training refresher course caters to prior servicemembers AFNS 18 May 2010 -- More than 1,025 prior Iraqi airmen are participating in a three-week Basic Military Training Top Off program at the Iraqi Air Force Training School.
• UK Iraq inquiry hears US evidence on war IRNA 18 May 2010 -- Members of Britain's Iraq Inquiry committee arrived in US to speak to officials and military officers from the current and former administrations.
• Iraqi Appeals Court Reinstates Nine Legislators Accused Of Ba'athist Ties RFE/RL 18 May 2010 -- An Iraqi appeals court has reinstated nine legislators whose March election wins were disqualified because of alleged Ba'athist ties.
• Bucca water treatment project starts flowing Army News 18 May 2010 -- With the first shovel-full out of the ground, the U.S. military started a two-week project that will create a network of pipe linking the water and wastewater treatment facilities on Camp Bucca.
• International Forces Investigate Kabul Car Bomb AFPS 18 May 2010 -- Six International Security Assistance Force servicemembers and numerous Afghan civilians killed when a bomb detonated near an international convoy.
• Afghanistan: top UN envoy speaks out against deadly Kabul attack UN News Centre 18 May 2010 -- Top UN official in Afghanistan strongly condemned deadly attack in the capital, Kabul, which claimed more than one dozen lives.
• Kabul Blast Kills at Least 18, Including US Soldiers VOA 18 May 2010 -- A suicide car bomber hit a NATO convoy in Kabul Tuesday killing at least 18 people and wounding more than 50 others.
• ANSF-ISAF Partnership Stabilizing Southern Badghis Province USMC News 18 May 2010 -- Since October 2009, Afghan National Security Forces (ANSF) have partnered with a team of 4th Brigade, 82nd Airborne Division and U.S. Marine Corps Special Operations Forces to establish security and support an Afghan government presence in Muqor district, Badghis Province.
• Afghanistan PRTs Get Support From Liaison Officers Navy NewsStand 18 May 2010 -- There are 13 U.S. provincial reconstruction teams (PRTs) operating within Afghanistan's borders as of May 15.
• Suicide Bomber Strikes in Kabul, 5 US Soldiers Killed VOA 18 May 2010 -- A suicide car bomber hit a NATO convoy in Kabul Tuesday killing at least 18 people and wounding more than 50 others.
• Deadly Suicide Car Bomb Rocks Afghan Capital RFE/RL 18 May 2010 -- At least 18 people have been killed in a suicide car bombing in the capital, Kabul, including 12 civilians and six international troops.
• Suicide bomber kills a least 16 in Afghanistan RIA Novosti 18 May 2010 -- A suicide car bomber attacked the heavily fortified Afghan capital early on Tuesday, killing at least three people and wounding 21.
• Pay Raises, Training Combat Afghan Corruption AFPS 18 May 2010 -- Corruption has constituted a viable threat in Afghanistan for some time, but measures are being taken there to help keep Afghan officials honest.
• Karzai: West Understands Need For Taliban Talks RFE/RL 18 May 2010 -- Afghan President Karzai: Western leaders are starting to realize the war in Afghanistan cannot be won militarily.
• Washington says satisfied with opened Russia's routes for Afghan operations RIA Novosti 18 May 2010 -- The US satisfied by the way Russia provided its air cargo route for American efforts in Afghanistan.
• Search Continues In Rugged Terrain For Afghan Plane RFE/RL 18 May 2010 -- Searches in Afghanistan are resuming for an airplane carrying at least 43 passengers and crew feared crashed in mountainous terrain.
• Search for Downed Afghan Plane Resumes VOA 18 May 2010 -- The search has resumed for a passenger plane that crashed in the mountains of northern Afghanistan.
• Marines deploy effective artillery to Afghanistan USMC News 18 May 2010 -- For most of the Marines with Battery L, 3/11th Marines, the place they were headed only existed in the news and rumor mill.
• As Afghan Opium Blight Spreads, Farmers' Lives Wilt RFE/RL 18 May 2010 -- Aziz Ahmad is a deeply worried man. With two wives and seven children at home, the 30-year-old farmer depends entirely on his opium-poppy crop to make a living.
• Deadly Bomb Attack Strikes Northwest Pakistan VOA 18 May 2010 -- Officials in northwest Pakistan say a bomb planted on a bicycle exploded in the town of Dera Ismail Khan Tuesday, killing at least 12 people.
• Police officer, 11 other people die in bomb attack in Pakistan IRNA 18 May 2010 -- A senior police officer and 11 other people were killed in a bomb attack in Pakistan’s northwest.
• Pakistani Taliban 'commander' surrendered IRNA 18 May 2010 -- Police in Pakistan said that a Taliban commander, wanted for his involvement in terrorist activities, surrendered to the authorities in the eastern Punjab provincey.
• Clashes leave 32 militants, 1 Pakistani soldier dead IRNA 18 May 2010 -- Nearly 32 militants and a Pakistani soldier were killed as clashes continued in a tribal region.
• Pakistan's Government Must Respond To Taliban Lawlessness RFE/RL 18 May 2010 -- Last week, Taliban fighters cut off the hands of three accused thieves in Pakistan's Orakzai tribal agency.

Defense Policy / Programs

• Statement to the Senate Foreign Relations Committee Regarding the New START Treaty DoD 18 May 2010
• The New START Treaty - Opening Remarks Before the Senate Committee on Foreign Relations US Dept. of State 18 May 2010
• Mullen Calls Treaty Ratification 'Right Thing to Do' AFPS 18 May 2010 -- Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff: New Strategic Arms Reduction Treaty with Russia is "the right thing for us to do."
• Gates, Clinton Urge Senate to Ratify Nuke Treaty AFPS 18 May 2010 -- Defense Secretary Gates urged the Senate to ratify the pact between the United States and Russia.
• Russia, U.S. determined to ratify new arms treaty soonest RIA Novosti 18 May 2010 -- Top Russian and US diplomats expressed their desire to complete the ratification of arms reduction treaty as soon as possible.
• Strike, stabilize, rebuild: Quantico Viper trains reserve Marines for deployment USMC News 18 May 2010 -- Marines at Quantico rolled toward a foreign town on 7-ton trucks. As they approached the perimeter an improvised explosive device took out one of the vehicles and insurgents opened fire on the Marines. The Marines dismounted and stormed the town in fire teams. Methodically they broke in and controlled each building, until the town was secure.
• ATG Marines make civil affairs road ready USMC News 18 May 2010 -- Civil Affairs teams from the 11th Marine Regiment trained Tuesday through Friday on basic convoy operations, said 1st Lt. Javier Gonzalez, an officer instructor with ATG, from Des Plaines, Ill.
• Commander, Fleet Forces Command Pays Tribute to US Merchant Mariners Navy NewsStand 18 May 2010 -- The commander of U.S. Fleet Forces (USFF) praised generations of U.S. merchant mariners for their contributions to the nation's defense at a ceremony attended by more than 200 people including government and industry leaders during Military Sealift Command's (MSC) National Maritime Day observance at the Washington Navy Yard in Washington, D.C., May 18.
• Third Army delivers aid to flood-stricken Tajikistan Army News 18 May 2010 -- Third Army Soldiers responded over the weekend to a request for assistance from the government of Tajikistan, due to flooding there which has killed at least 22 people, left 50 missing, injured 200 and displaced more than 2,000 from their homes.
• Louisiana Guard continues work to protect shoreline Army News 18 May 2010 -- Soldiers of the Louisiana National Guard's 1023rd Vertical Engineer Company, 528th Engineer Battalion continued laying out water diversion system materials, May 14, near Venice, La., in the southwest pass of the Mississippi River Delta.
• Digital Medical Record System Migrates to Afghanistan Network, Usability and Support Boosted Army News 18 May 2010 --This spring, the 7th Theater Tactical Signal Brigade and the Medical Communications for Combat Casualty Care (MC4) program completed the first successful migration of the Army's electronic medical record (EMR) system onto the Afghanistan enterprise network.
• FRA mission fast-paced, close to the action Army News 18 May 2010
• Philippine Army, Navy Explosive Techs Dispose of Hazardous Material Navy NewsStand 18 May 2010 -- Anti-explosive experts from Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) worked together with Joint Special Operations Task Force - Philippines (JSOTF-P) personnel to dispose of more than 2,000 pounds of unexploded ordnance in Sirawai Municipality, Philippines.
• Curtis Wilbur Sailors Experience Shimoda, Participate in 71st Black Ship Festival Navy NewsStand 18 May 2010 -- The Arleigh Burke-class guided-missile destroyer USS Curtis Wilbur (DDG 54) steamed out of Shimoda Harbor May 17.
• Seabees Assist USAID in Timor-Leste Navy NewsStand 18 May 2010 -- Seabees from Naval Mobile Construction Battalion (NMCB) 11 helped clean up U.S. Agency for International Development (USAID) offices following a fire in Dili, Timor-Leste, May 13.
• NSHS Portsmouth Holds Disestablishment Ceremony Navy NewsStand 18 May 2010 -- The U.S. Navy's first Hospital Corps School was officially disestablished May 14, during a ceremony at Naval Medical Center Portsmouth, Va.
• USS Ronald Reagan Underway for Sea Trials Navy NewsStand 18 May 2010 -- USS Ronald Reagan (CVN 76) departed Naval Air Station North Island for sea trials May 18.
• Navy Freeing up Aviation Training Pipeline Navy NewsStand 18 May 2010 -- In an effort to reduce and stabilize the current wait time for training, the Navy is seeking to decrease the number of officers in the Aviation Preflight Indoctrination (API) student pilot pre-load.
• GW Carrier Strike Group Departs for Carrier Qualifications Navy NewsStand 18 May 2010 -- The George Washington Carrier Strike Group centered on the Navy's only permanently forward-deployed aircraft carrier, USS George Washington (CVN 73), departed Fleet Activities Yokosuka, Japan May 18 to conduct carrier qualifications in preparation for its upcoming annual deployment cycle.
• U.S. Army Europe - Building Partnerships and Alliances Army News 18 May 2010 -- Headquartered in Germany, US Army Europe is US European Command's Army Service Component Command.
• Black Sea Rotational Force officially kicks off USMC News 18 May 2010 -- Marines and Sailors of Black Sea Rotational Force 2010 officially kicked off their 3-month engagement in the Black Sea region.
• 86th AW supports AFAFRICA in Flintlock 10 AFNS 18 May 2010 -- Flintlock 10 is a U.S. Africa Command-sponsored exercise conducted by the Special Operations Command Africa's Joint Special Operations Task Force - Trans Sahara.
• Making way for the future: Brig receiving new facilities USMC News 18 May 2010 -- The Naval Consolidated Brig aboard Marine Corps Air Station Miramar is undergoing a $27 million expansion project.
• Coordinator Provides Update on Oil Spill Response AFPS 18 May 2010 -- Nearly a month has passed since the explosion and fire aboard the drilling rig Deepwater Horizon began a major oil spill.
• Louisiana Guard Airlifts Sandbags in Oil Spill Response AFPS 18 May 2010 -- The Louisiana National Guard started joint operations with 1st Battalion, 244th Aviation Regiment by filling one of 16 breaches.
• Russia, US mull joint production of An-124 transport planes RIA Novosti 18 May 2010 -- The US is considering a Russian proposal on the joint production of An-124 Condor heavy-lift transport aircraft.
• Moscow expects U.S. reaction to missile defense system by year end RIA Novosti 18 May 2010 -- US reaction to Russia's proposal of a European missile defense system will be clear by the end of the year.
• Russia would welcome Ukraine into CSTO post-Soviet security bloc RIA Novosti 18 May 2010 -- Russia would welcome Ukraine taking a role in the CSTO, but any decision to participate must be made by Kiev alone.
• Medvedev Says Ukraine Welcome In Regional Security Bloc RFE/RL 18 May 2010 -- Russian President Medvedev says Ukraine is welcome to join a Russia-dominated security bloc of former Soviet republics.
• Russia will not use Sevastopol base to stage war RIA Novosti 18 May 2010 -- Medvedev: Russia has no plans to use a naval base in Ukraine's Crimea to stage attacks against other countries.
• Russian warship to escort 5 merchant vessels in Gulf of Aden RIA Novosti 18 May 2010 -- Russia's Marshal Shaposhikov destroyer will escort a commercial convoy through pirate-infested waters off the Somali coast.
• Ukraine parliament allows NATO participation in drills RIA Novosti 18 May 2010 -- The Ukrainian parliament on Tuesday permitted NATO troops to participate in drills in the former Soviet republic in 2010.
• Locally-built missile fast boat squadron launched CNA 18 May 2010 -- Taiwan's first squadron of 10 missile fast boats, built by CSBC Corporation, Taiwan, launched.
• Press Gaggle by Deputy Press Secretary Bill Burton en route Youngstown, Ohio The White House 18 May 2010
• May 18, 2010 - U.S. Department of State Daily Press Briefing US Dept. of State 18 May 2010

Defense Industry

• DoD News: Contracts for May 18, 2010
• SAIC Awarded Contract by Defense Intelligence Agency to Support Combatant Commands, Service Intelligence Agencies SAIC 18 May 2010 -- Science Applications International Corporation (SAIC) (NYSE: SAI) today announced that it has been awarded a new contract by the Defense Intelligence Agency (DIA) to support the DIA DoD Intelligence Information System (DoDIIS) Enterprise, Combatant Commands and Service Intelligence Agencies with information technology (IT) services. The multiple award, indefinite-delivery/indefinite-quantity (IDIQ) contract has a one-year base period of performance, four one-year options, and a ceiling value of $6.6 billion for all awardees. This is the largest contract ever awarded by DIA.
• 1st Boeing GPS IIF Spacecraft Ready for Launch from Cape Canaveral Boeing 18 May 2010 -- Boeing [NYSE: BA] announced today that the first of 12 Global Positioning System (GPS) IIF navigation spacecraft that the company is building for the U.S. Air Force has successfully completed prelaunch testing. The satellite, GPS IIF-1, is scheduled for a May 20 launch aboard a United Launch Alliance Delta IV rocket from Cape Canaveral Air Force Station in Florida.
• BAE Systems Announces Agreement to Acquire Atlantic Marine BAE Systems 18 May 2010 -- BAE Systems today announced it has entered into a definitive agreement to acquire Atlantic Marine Holding Company (Atlantic Marine) from JFL-AMH Partners, LLC, a portfolio company of the private equity firm J.F. Lehman & Company for a cash consideration of $352 million.
• Northrop Grumman Awarded $152 Million Contract for U.K. Ministry of Defence Large Aircraft Infrared Countermeasures Systems Spares and In-Service Support Northrop Grumman 18 May 2010 -- Northrop Grumman Corporation (NYSE:NOC) has been awarded a contract by the U.K. Ministry of Defence (MoD) to provide in-service support for Large Aircraft Infrared Countermeasures (LAIRCM) used by the U.K. Armed Forces in current operations. The $152 million, three-year contract will include spares, repairs, logistic maintenance, engineering, sustainment and training.

Other Conflicts

• 18 May 2010 - Daily Press Briefing by the Office of the Spokesperson for the Secretary-General United Nations 18 May 2010
• Quick progress in new Israeli-Palestinian talks vital to thwart spoilers - UN envoy UN News Centre 18 May 2010 -- Senior UN official warned that rapid progress is vital in light of multiple challenges.
• PA's Fayyad urges end to Israeli siege of Gaza IRNA 18 May 2010 -- The Prime Minister of the Palestinian Authority Salam Fayyad called for lifting the Israeli siege of Gaza.
• Somali Prime Minister Disputes Firing VOA 18 May 2010 -- Somalia's prime minister says the president does not have the right to fire him, a day after the president announced he had done just that.
• Indian army kills 11 militants in 'Thunder Storm' operation IRNA 18 May 2010 -- The Indian army claimed a major victory saying it had busted a militant hideout in operation in north Kashmir.
• Karabakh Army Figure Was In Iran, But Rejects Political Meddling Charge RFE/RL 18 May 2010 -- A former commander of the Nagorno-Karabakh armed forces has confirmed that he recently visited Iran.
• Moldova Asks Russia To Withdraw Troops From Transdniester RFE/RL 18 May 2010 -- The Moldovan government asked the Russian Federation to help resolve the Transdniester conflict by withdrawing its troops and ammunition.
• Moldova Hopeful Of Russia-Ukraine Commitment On Transdniester RFE/RL 18 May 2010 -- Moldovan PM Filat hopeful Russia and Ukraine will reaffirm their intention to resolve the Transdniester conflict.
• SRI LANKA: One year later, "some kind of peace" IRIN 18 May 2010 -- As Sri Lanka marked the first anniversary of its victory over the Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam (LTTE), many internally displaced people (IDPs) are still battling to rebuild their lives.
• LIBERIA: Sexual violence projects could suffer post-UNMIL IRIN 18 May 2010 -- Humanitarian workers in Liberia worry that as the UN and NGOs scale down aid operations, the fight against sexual violence will suffer, given a limited capacity in national institutions to take it on.

News Reports

• Iran nuclear fuel deal could be a positive step, says Ban UN News Centre 18 May 2010 -- Secretary-General Ban: Onitiative by Brazil and Turkey regarding nuclear fuel for an Iranian reactor could be a positive step.
• Clinton: Big Powers Agree on Iran Sanctions Resolution VOA 18 May 2010 -- Secretary of State Clinton: The US and other major powers have agreed on a draft resolution for new UN sanctions against Iran.
• US Sends Iran Sanctions Draft to UN VOA 18 May 2010 -- Secretary of State Clinton: US and other major world powers have agreed on a draft resolution that could impose a fourth round of United Nations sanctions on Iran.
• Clinton: U.S., China, Russia Agree Iran Sanctions Draft Resolution RFE/RL 18 May 2010 -- US Secretary of State Clinton: US, Russia, and China have reached agreement on a "strong draft" UN resolution against Iran.
• U.S., Russia, China agree on new UN Security Council resolution on Iran - Clinton RIA Novosti 18 May 2010 -- US Secretary of State Hillary Clinton: US, Russia and China have agreed on a new UN Security Council resolution on Iran.
• Russia says talks on Iran productive; urges measures RIA Novosti 18 May 2010 -- Russia says the talks on the controversial Iranian nuclear program proceed in the right direction, but the UN Security Council must make the decision as soon as possible.
• Turkey Urges West To Drop Talk Of New Iran Sanctions RFE/RL 18 May 2010 -- Turkey's FM Davutoglu has called on Western powers not to endanger the chances of a nuclear fuel swap deal with Iran by threatening new sanctions.
• IAEA Wants Iran Uranium Deal In Writing RFE/RL 18 May 2010 -- UN' nuclear watchdog agency wants in writing Iran's agreement to a deal under which Tehran will send low-enriched uranium abroad.
• World awaiting positive reaction of Vienna Group to Tehran Agreement IRNA 18 May 2010 -- FM spokesman Mehmanparast: International community expects Vienna Group to adopt a rational and positive response to Tehran Declaration on fuel swap.
• Iran has objective guarantee for fuel deal- spokesman IRNA 18 May 2010 -- Iran's FM Spokesman Mehman-Parast: Iran has got “objective guarantee” for its nuclear fuel swap.
• Iran optimistic about implementing tripartite agreement IRNA 18 May 2010 -- FM Spokesman Mehman-Parast: Islamic Republic of Iran is quite optimistic about implementing provisions of the tripartite agreement signed by Iran, Turkey and Brazil on May 17.
• Iranian Deputies Want Opposition Leaders Charged With Crimes RFE/RL 18 May 2010 -- Scores of Iranian parliament deputies have signed an open letter to the head of the judiciary demanding swift legal action.
• Mothers Of U.S. Hikers Heading To Iran RFE/RL 18 May 2010 -- Sarah Shourd, Shane Bauer, and Josh Fattal -- were detained last July during what families say was a hiking trip.
• 3 US Mothers to Visit Children Held in Iran VOA 18 May 2010 -- The Iranian government has granted temporary visas to the mothers of 3 Americans who have been held since July, after crossing into Iran from Iraq.
• Iranian Assassin Heads Home From France VOA 18 May 2010 -- An Iranian man convicted of killing the country's last prime minister under the late Shah is heading home, following his release from a French prison.
• France Releases Killer Of Exiled Former Iranian Prime Minister RFE/RL 18 May 2010 -- A French court has ordered the release of an Iranian man convicted of killing exiled former Iranian Prime Minister Shapour Bakhtiar nearly two decades ago.
• Calderon to Make State Visit to Washington VOA 18 May 2010 -- Mexican President Calderon will be in Washington for a state visit that will include an address to a joint session of Congress.
• Kyrgyz interim government braces for new opposition riots RIA Novosti 18 May 2010 -- Supporters of Kyrgyzstan's ousted president are preparing to provoke a new round of unrest in the Central Asian state.
• Kyrgyz Protesters Want Kazakhstan, Russia, U.S. To Help Extradite Bakiev RFE/RL 18 May 2010 -- Relatives of those killed during uprising calling on Kazakhstan, Russian, and US to help extradite former President Bakiev from Belarus.
• Bakiev's Former Chief Of Staff Under House Arrest In Kyrgyzstan RFE/RL 18 May 2010 -- The chief of staff of former President Kurmanbek Bakiev has been transferred from a detention center to his home where he will be under house arrest.
• Ousted Osh Mayor, Deputy Blamed For Unrest In Kyrgyzstan RFE/RL 18 May 2010 -- A criminal case has been opened against the former mayor of the southern Kyrgyz city of Osh.
• Jailed 'Religious Extremists' Released In Kyrgyzstan RFE/RL 18 May 2010 -- Kyrgyz officials have released 18 people who had been jailed on charges of being Islamic extremists.
• Thai Government Hardens Stance, Refuses Negotiations Until Protesters Disperse VOA 18 May 2010 -- The Thai capital, Bangkok, is relatively quiet, despite authorities refusing to negotiate with anti-govenrment protesters until they end their nine-week occupation of a central commercial area.
• Thai Government Rejects Talks with Red Shirts VOA 18 May 2010 -- The Thai government appears to have rejected a proposal for talks to end days of conflict in Bangkok that have cost at least 37 lives.
• VP Choice Opens Way for Jonathan to Run in 2011 VOA 18 May 2010 -- Nigeria's national assembly begins consideration of a new vice president.
• Saudi Arabia Frees 2 German Children Kidnapped in Yemen VOA 18 May 2010 -- Saudi security forces have freed two German children kidnapped in Yemen last year.
• Yemen Court Sentences Somali Pirates to Death VOA 18 May 2010 -- A court in Yemen's capital, Sana'a, has sentenced six Somali pirates to death and six more to 10 years in jail for hijacking a Yemeni ship.
• Remaining non-self-governing territories must have full freedom of choice, Ban says UN News Centre 18 May 2010 -- Secretary-General Ban: The world’s 16 remaining territories that still do not govern themselves must have complete freedom in deciding their future status.
• UN agency seeks to step up effectiveness of food delivery in crisis zones UN News Centre 18 May 2010 -- In a bid to ensure that the hungriest and most vulnerable people in crises are fed, the United Nations World Food Programme (WFP) is tapping into the expertise of those at the forefront of business, humanitarian aid and technology.
• British Coalition Governments' Effectiveness Debated VOA 18 May 2010 -- For the first time in almost 70 years Britain has a coalition government and its leaders are calling it a new kind of politics for Britain.