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Defense Policy / Programs
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News Reports

Current Operations

• OIF/OEF Casualty Update 08 Oct 2010 [PDF]
• Airpower Summary for October 03 AFNS 08 Oct 2010
• Airpower Summary for October 02 AFNS 08 Oct 2010
• 13 Die in Afghan Blast VOA 08 Oct 2010 -- Local police say a powerful bomb blast in northern Afghanistan has killed at least 13 people, including a provincial governor. A local government spokesman says at least 30 people were wounded in the explosion.
• Coalition Condemns Afghanistan Mosque Killings AFPS 08 Oct 2010 -- The International Security Assistance Force condemned today’s brutal attack by insurgents at a mosque in Afghanistan that killed 12, including the governor of Kunduz, and wounded 18 others, military officials reported.
• Colonel Outlines Construction Hurdles in Afghanistan AFPS 08 Oct 2010 -- Getting a construction project up and running -- estimating costs, approving budgets, working with area governments to ensure every aspect of the project meets myriad specifications – is thorny enough stateside. Yet, the construction projects U.S. Army Col. Mike Wehr oversees in Afghanistan can be difficult for those reasons, and then some.
• Senate Says U.S. Security Contractors Funnel Cash To Taliban RFE/RL 08 Oct 2010 -- A new investigation by the U.S. Senate's Armed Services Committee into private contractors in Afghanistan has concluded that some American funds spent for security have instead been funneled to warlords, Taliban operatives, and even Iranian intelligence.
• Provincial Governor, 19 Others Die in Afghan Blast VOA 08 Oct 2010 -- Local police say a powerful bomb blast in northern Afghanistan has killed at least 20 people, including a provincial governor. A local government spokesman says at least 30 people were wounded in the explosion.
• Tough Realities Plague Planned 2011 US Drawdown From Afghanistan VOA 08 Oct 2010 -- The U.S.-led war in Afghanistan has now entered its 10th year and President Barack Obama is hoping that next July will mark the beginning of its end. That is when, under the administration's Afghan strategy, U.S. troops are scheduled to begin withdrawing from the country.
• Iran rejects claim of transfer of 19 tons of explosives to Afghan Nemroz Prov. IRNA 08 Oct 2010 -- Iran's Embassy to Kabul on Friday dismissed reports that 19 tons of explosives were transferred to Nemroz Province customs office southwest of Afghanistan through Iran.
• US army chief vows to avoid attacks on Pakistani forces IRNA 08 Oct 2010 -- The US Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, Adm. Mike Mullen has assured Pakistan army chief that foreign forces in Afghanistan will avoid any attack on troops in Pakistani territory.
• Pakistan says no decision to restore NATO supplies IRNA 08 Oct 2010 -- Pakistan said on Thursday that no decision has been taken to restore supplies to NATO forces in Afghanistan and a decision will be taken after the security situation is improved.
• How Secure Is NATO's Supply Line In Pakistan? RFE/RL 08 Oct 2010 -- For almost a week now, there have been almost daily attacks on NATO's supply line through Pakistan.

Defense Policy / Programs

• Remarks by the President Announcing the Departure of General Jim Jones, National Security Advisor The White House 08 Oct 2010
• DoD News: Defense Secretary Robert Gates Statement on National Security Advisor DoD 08 Oct 2010
• Obama Praises Jones’ Tenure as National Security Advisor AFPS 08 Oct 2010 -- Retired Marine Gen. Jim Jones is stepping down as National Security Advisor and will be replaced by his deputy, Tom Donilon, President Barack Obama announced at the White House today.
• 298th SMC C&E Shop keeps eyes, ears of Soldier going Army News 08 Oct 2010 -- Soldiers with the 298th Support Maintenance Company, 13th Combat Sustainment Support Battalion, 3rd Sustainment Brigade, 103rd Sustainment Command (Expeditionary), communications and electronics shop focus their efforts to ensure Soldiers are ready for critical missions.
• Army EOD technicians train with South Korean units Army News 08 Oct 2010 -- As a plague spreads through a major city, the only thing standing between millions of people and the antidote is a room full of explosive booby-traps.
• Training the millennial generation, changes to initial entry training Army News 08 Oct 2010 -- Being innovative, understanding the new generation of Soldiers entering our Army, and continuing to advance training roused a crowd of more than 200 participants in the Initial Military Training Conference held in St. Louis, Mo. 4-7 October. Organized by the 108th Training Command, and led by the office, deputy commanding general for Initial Military Training, the four-day conference focused on revisions in programs of instruction, initiatives for everything from nutrition to sexual harassment, reinforcing cadre training, integrating technology, and further developing training to better assist the millennial generation learner.
• Changes continue at Joint Base Lewis-McChord Army News 08 Oct 2010 -- A week has passed since Joint Base Lewis-McChord final operational capability began, and it\'s also been the first week of Network Enterprise Center support for telephone and computer networks on McChord Field.
• Expeditionary Warfare Conference speakers focus on challenge USMC News 08 Oct 2010 -- Commander, U.S. Fleet Forces Command, Adm. John C. Harvey presented his opening night speech Oct. 4, 2010 at the Expeditionary Warfare Conference illustrating how America’s expeditionary forces could be crippled without adequate Mine Countermeasures support.
• Firepower Conference addresses IED defeat mission Army News 08 Oct 2010 -- Picatinny was host to a national group of engineers, first responders, and industry and defense leaders during the 35th Annual National Defense Industrial Association (NDIA) Firepower Conference Sept. 28.
• Tiny Particles, Huge Impact: Nanotechnology brings capability to the warfighter Army News 08 Oct 2010 -- To the ordinary person, it may seem like nothing more than a simple powder. To engineers here at the Armament Research, Development and Engineering Center (ARDEC), this tiny substance has the potential to do some extra-ordinary things for our warfighters.
• Army, Air Guard meet end strength for FY 2010 Army News 08 Oct 2010 -- During the 2010 fiscal year, the Army and Air National Guard met their end strength goals, National Guard officials announced here today.
• Fort Rucker flight simulation passes 250,000 hours Army News 08 Oct 2010 -- Flight School XXI students recently surpassed a quarter-million hours in TH-67 Creek flight simulation, according to Directorate of Simulation officials.
• DBIDS installation on schedule Army News 08 Oct 2010 -- Fort Sam Houston is currently installing the Defense Biometrics Identification System or DBIDS at all gates. An enhanced identity authentication and force protection system, DBIDS was installed at Lackland and Randolph Air Force Bases last year as mandated by Department of Defense.
• 14th MI Battalion conducts warrior training Army News 08 Oct 2010 -- The 14th Military Intelligence Battalion conducted Warrior Tasks and Battle Drill Training Sept. 14-17, the first major training event after a year overseas.
• Military Sealift Command Reconfigures Tanker Fleet Navy NewsStand 08 Oct 2010 -- The fleet of tankers operated by the U.S. Navy's Military Sealift Command (MSC), is being reconfigured to meet fuel requirements in support of U.S. forces worldwide.
• Bataan Shines Through ULTRA-E Navy NewsStand 08 Oct 2010 -- Sailors aboard the multipurpose amphibious assault ship USS Bataan (LHD 5) earned their engineering operational certification Oct. 6 during a Unit Level Training Assessment, Engineering (ULTRA-E).
• NSWC Port Hueneme Provides Testing Support for New Missile Navy NewsStand 08 Oct 2010 -- The test event, conducted by NSWC Port Hueneme and a government contractor, was in support of the development of the SM-3 Block IIA, a cooperative development program with the Japanese Maritime Self Defense Force with sponsorship from the U.S. Missile Defense Agency.
• Carrier Strike Group 9 Units Arrive in Malaysia Navy NewsStand 08 Oct 2010 -- USS Abraham Lincoln (CVN 72) and USS Shoup (DDG 86) arrived in Port Klang, Malaysia Oct. 8 where more than 5,000 Sailors will visit the city of Kuala Lumpur and surrounding areas, experiencing first-hand, Malaysia's rich culture and history.
• NAVFAC Southwest Contracts Multipurpose Facilities at Camp Pendleton Navy NewsStand 08 Oct 2010 -- Naval Facilities Engineering Command (NAVFAC) Southwest awarded a $124.3 million contract Sept. 28 to Webcor and R.A. Burch, of Ramona, Calif., for the design and construction of multiple operational and community facilities aboard Marine Corps Base Camp Pendleton.
• Global Maritime Partnerships Game Focuses on International Information Sharing Navy NewsStand 08 Oct 2010 -- The Naval War College's (NWC) War Gaming Department hosted a Global Maritime Partnerships (GMP) Game here Oct. 3-8.
• USS McClusky Changes Command at Sea Navy NewsStand 08 Oct 2010 -- USS McClusky (FFG 41) held a change of command ceremony at sea Oct. 8. Cmdr. Mark A. Lakamp turned over command of the guided missile frigate to Cmdr. Darren Glaser.
• Transcript: DOD News Briefing with Secretary Gates and Republic of Korea Defense Minister Kim DoD 08 Oct 2010 -- Presenter: Secretary of Defense Robert M. Gates and Republic of Korea Minister of National Defense Kim Tae-young
• Expeditionary center takes UDM training on the road AFNS 08 Oct 2010 -- Officials are expanding the capability of the U.S. Air Force Expeditionary Center here for training unit deployment managers by deploying mobile training teams across the Air Force.
• Airmen, Portuguese officials hone fuel spill response skills AFNS 08 Oct 2010 -- At the aftermath of the oil spill in the Gulf of Mexico, Airmen geared up and prepared for future challenges that could occur at the coastal and ship docking area here during a week-long joint fuel spill response training exercise from Sept. 27 to Oct. 1 here.
• U.S.-South Korea Alliance Remains Strong, Leaders Say AFPS 08 Oct 2010 -- The United States and South Korea are ready to counter any instability caused by a leadership succession in North Korea, Defense Secretary Robert M. Gates and his South Korean counterpart said here today.
• General Calls for Better Suicide Prevention Efforts AFPS 08 Oct 2010 -- The military must address the stress wearing down the force and work to end the stigma surrounding mental health care to combat rising suicide rates, the chair of the Department of Defense Task Force on the Prevention of Suicide said today.
• ISR leader passes torch to new generation AFNS 08 Oct 2010 -- The morning of Sept. 30 saw 20 officers receive intelligence specialty badges upon graduating from the Air Force intelligence officer course here.
• Air Force officials offer cross commissioning opportunities AFNS 08 Oct 2010 -- To obtain the right balance of skills across the total force, Air Force officials will begin offering alternative commissioning options for specified career fields, officials said Oct. 7.
• Motor transport Marines gather from around the world USMC News 08 Oct 2010 -- Coming from across the country, some even as far as Japan and Hawaii, Marines with I, II, and III Marine Expeditionary Forces met at Marine Corps Base Camp Lejeune, N.C., during September to test two new vehicles the Marine Corps is researching.
• Alliance Chief Introduces 'NATO 3.0' RFE/RL 08 Oct 2010 -- NATO Secretary-General Anders Fogh Rasmussen has showcased NATO's new strategic concept as a "blueprint" for the alliance's third coming.
• No need for new European security treaty - NATO chief RIA Novosti 08 Oct 2010 -- NATO sees no need for a new Russian-backed security system in Europe, the alliance's secretary general said on Friday.
• Moscow security meeting to focus on closer NATO-Russia ties IRNA 08 Oct 2010 -- High-level decision-makers from the US, European Union and Russia are to discuss prospects for promoting closer ties between NATO and Russia during a Munich Security Conference offshoot meeting in Moscow, a German official said here Thursday evening.
• Next test launch of troubled Bulava missile due late October RIA Novosti 08 Oct 2010 -- The next test launch of Russia's troubled Bulava ballistic missile is preliminarily set for late October, a source in the test commission said Friday.
• Russia, India create joint venture to produce transport aircraft RIA Novosti 08 Oct 2010 -- Russia and India have signed an agreement on the creation of a joint venture to develop and manufacture a multifunctional transport aircraft, the Russian Defense Ministry said on Friday.
• October 8, 2010 - U.S. Department of State Daily Press Briefing US Dept. of State 08 Oct 2010

Defense Industry

• DoD News: Contracts for October 08, 2010
• Rheinmetall at AAD: Leopard 2 steals the show in South Africa Rheinmetall Defence 08 Oct 2010 -- Marking the African debut of the Leopard 2A4, Rheinmetall Defence of Germany took advantage of Africa Aerospace & Defence 2010 (AAD) in Cape Town to put the world's finest main battle tank through its paces. Daily live presentations on a special test track proved to be a major draw, with the Leopard 2A4's excellent mobility in rough terrain clearly impressing the crowd.

Other Conflicts

• 8 October 2010 - Daily Press Briefing by the Office of the Spokesperson for the Secretary-General United Nations 08 Oct 2010
• UN war crimes tribunals appeal to General Assembly for resources, staffing support UN News Centre 08 Oct 2010 -- The United Nations tribunals trying those alleged to have committed atrocities in the former Yugoslavia and Rwanda are making good progress in completing their work, but their efforts are being hampered by a lack of resources and the departure of some of their most experienced staff, the heads of the two bodies said today.
• UNHCR Urges More Countries to Help Resettle Refugees VOA 08 Oct 2010 -- The United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees, Antonio Guterres, is appealing to wealthy countries to shoulder more of the global refugee burden that now is overwhelmingly borne by developing countries. The UNHCR has just wrapped up its annual refugee conference in Geneva.
• Senior UN official urges ‘burden sharing’ in caring for the internally displaced UN News Centre 08 Oct 2010 -- The burden of caring for the world’s 43 million internally displaced persons (IDPs) should be shared by the entire international community and not just the developing countries where 80 per cent of those uprooted from their homes live, the United Nations refugee chief said today.
• Israel Kills Two Hamas Commanders in West Bank Raid VOA 08 Oct 2010 -- Israel has settled scores with Palestinian militants who were held responsible for a deadly attack. The incident occurred at a crucial point in the peace process.
• Arab League Chief Describes Peace Talks as 'Negative' VOA 08 Oct 2010 -- Arab League chief Amr Moussa says the Middle East peace process between Israel and the Palestinians is stalled and will need new direction.
• In Darfur, Security Council sounds alarm on increased violence UN News Centre 08 Oct 2010 -- The Security Council delegation visiting Sudan travelled to the war-ravaged region of Darfur today, expressing its concern over increased strife, civilian protection, sexual violence and the illegal flow of weapons, while the search continues for an abducted staff member of the joint United Nations-African Union peacekeeping mission there.
• UN Security Council Visits Darfur VOA 08 Oct 2010 -- The U.N. Security Council delivered a message of concern about growing violence during a visit to the Darfur region of Sudan on Friday, and called for all parties to participate in the peace process.
• Several Southern Sudanese Delegates Quit North-South Abyei Talks VOA 08 Oct 2010 -- Several southern Sudanese delegates have given up on crucial north-south talks on the disputed Abyei region, accusing the Khartoum government of refusing to negotiate seriously. However, that lead negotiators at the Addis Ababa talks are pressing forward in an attempt to break a deadlock on several contentious issues.
• ICC to Resume Congolese Warlord Trial VOA 08 Oct 2010 -- The International Criminal Court on Friday reversed an order to release alleged Congolese warlord Thomas Lubanga. The trial can now resume.
• DR Congo warlord’s trial to resume, ICC appeals chamber rules UN News Centre 08 Oct 2010 -- The appeals chamber of the International Criminal Court (ICC) today reversed an earlier decision to suspend the case against a notorious Congolese warlord, ruling that his trial will resume.
• DR Congo: UN calls for full probe into death of man in military detention UN News Centre 08 Oct 2010 -- The United Nations peacekeeping mission in the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) today called on the Government to launch a “transparent and impartial” investigation into the death of a man detained in a military camp for throwing stones at President Joseph Kabila’s motorcade.
• Clinton To Push For Regional Peace, Euro-Atlantic Integration On Balkan Tour RFE/RL 08 Oct 2010 -- U.S. Secretary of State Hillary Clinton will embark on a three-day trip to the Balkans on October 11 in an effort to underscore U.S. commitments to regional peace and increased Euro-Atlantic integration for Bosnia-Herzegovina, Serbia, and Kosovo.
• Kosovo: UN shutters lead-contaminated camp for displaced persons UN News Centre 08 Oct 2010 -- The United Nations mission in Kosovo (UNMIK) has demolished a controversial settlement inhabited by uprooted members of the Roma community, which was contaminated with lead from a nearby plant.
• Over 1 million Somalis affected by expulsion of aid organizations, UN reports UN News Centre 08 Oct 2010 -- Over 1 million people in Somalia have been affected by the expulsion by Al Shabaab militants of international organizations that provide support in areas such as agriculture and livelihoods, health, nutrition, water, sanitation and hygiene, the United Nations reported in its latest update.
• Abkhazia slams Clinton over Russian troop withdrawal statement RIA Novosti 08 Oct 2010 -- Abkhazia reacted furiously on Friday to a statement by U.S. Secretary of State Hillary Clinton calling for the withdrawal of Russian troops from Abkhazia and South Ossetia.
• Four months after Kyrgyzstan violence, UN refugee agency reports strides UN News Centre 08 Oct 2010 -- The United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR) said today that good progress has been made to help the displaced and returnees four months after violence rocked southern Kyrgyzstan.
• KENYA: Hundreds displaced in northeast clashes IRIN 08 Oct 2010 -- At least 600 families have been displaced in inter-clan clashes over land in Kenya’s northeastern district of Garissa, say officials. The clashes, between the Abdalla and Awdag sub-clans of the Ogaden left two people dead and some houses burned.

News Reports

• Jailed Chinese Dissident Wins Nobel Peace Prize RFE/RL 08 Oct 2010 -- World leaders and NGOs have praised the Nobel Committee's awarding of the Peace Prize to Chinese dissident Liu Xiaobo. The Chinese government, meanwhile, cracked down on celebrations and censored news of the prize.
• Jailed Chinese Activist Awarded Nobel Peace Prize VOA 08 Oct 2010 -- The imprisoned Chinese human rights activist Liu Xiaobo has been awarded the Nobel Peace Prize. In bestowing the honor on a prominent dissident, the Norwegian Nobel Committee in Oslo has issued an explicit challenge, calling on China to respect political rights as it rises toward economic great-power status
• China Outraged Over Nobel Peace Prize Selection VOA 08 Oct 2010 -- China has lashed out at the Nobel Peace Prize committee after it awarded this year's prize to jailed Chinese dissident Liu Xiaobo, who has long called for political reform in the country.
• Ban hopes Nobel peace award to China’s Liu will not detract from global rights agenda UN News Centre 08 Oct 2010 -- Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon voiced the hope today that any differences over the awarding of this year’s Nobel Peace Prize to Liu Xiaobo of China, which Beijing has opposed, would not detract from promoting the human rights agenda globally or from the prize’s prestige.
• Amano stresses 'int'l diplomacy' key to resolving Iran nuclear issue IRNA 08 Oct 2010 -- Head of the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) Yukiya Amano here on Friday emphasized 'international diplomacy' was key to resolving the ongoing impasse over Iran's nuclear program.
• Iraq's Kurdish Bloc Looks For Coalition Offer RFE/RL 08 Oct 2010 -- A top Iraqi Kurd politician says the Kurds will join forces with whichever national political bloc proves "most responsive" to their demands, RFE/RL's Radio Free Iraq reports.
• Iraq 'Won't Reach UN's Development Goals On Time' RFE/RL 08 Oct 2010 -- A senior Iraqi official says the government is working hard to reach its UN Millennium Development Goals (MDG) but is unlikely to reach all of them by 2015, RFE/RL's Radio Free Iraq (RFI) reports.
• Many refugees reluctant to return to Iraq, UN survey finds UN News Centre 08 Oct 2010 -- Most Iraqi refugees living in Syria are reluctant to permanently return to their home country, according to a survey carried out by the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR).
• Krygyzstan Votes for Parliamentary Democracy VOA 08 Oct 2010 -- In Kyrgyzstan, people vote Sunday in the kind of election that is rare in the post-Soviet space. No one knows who is going to win.
• Pakistan: UN and partners deliver nearly 170,000 tons of food to flood survivors UN News Centre 08 Oct 2010 -- United Nations agencies and their humanitarian partners have delivered almost 170,000 tons of food to millions of people affected by the severe floods that first hit the country in late July, and are preparing to distribute seeds and fertilizer ahead of the planting season in an effort to enable 4.2 million people to feed themselves again.
• Competitive Devaluation Of Currencies Seen As Looming Danger RFE/RL 08 Oct 2010 -- This weekend's annual meeting of the International Monetary Fund (IMF) in Washington looks set to become a battleground over the question of currency values, particularly what the United States views as the artificially low rate of the Chinese currency, the yuan.
• Bomb Blasts Enter Nigerian Presidential Campaign VOA 08 Oct 2010 -- Nigeria's independence day bomb blasts have become an issue in the country's presidential campaign with an investigation into one of the leading candidate's campaign manager and calls for the president's resignation.
• James Webb Space Telescope Sunshield Passes Launch Depressurization Tests to Verify Flight Design Northrop Grumman 08 Oct 2010 -- NASA's James Webb Space Telescope continues to make significant progress, successfully completing a series of sunshield vent tests that validate the telescope's sunshield design. Northrop Grumman Corporation (NYSE:NOC) is leading Webb's design and development effort for the space agency's Goddard Space Flight Center. Tests were conducted the last week of August in vacuum chambers at Northrop Grumman Aerospace Systems' Redondo Beach facility.
• Sozyuz TMA-20 launch may be put off until 2011 RIA Novosti 08 Oct 2010 -- The launch of the Soyuz TMA-20 manned spacecraft may be postponed until 2011 due to a transportation accident, a source said on Friday.
• Russia's Soyuz TMA-M spacecraft blasts for ISS from Baikonur RIA Novosti 08 Oct 2010 -- Russia's Soyuz TMA-M spacecraft blasted off on Friday for the International Space Station (ISS) from the Baikonur space center in Kazakhstan.
• India, Japan hold 2nd round of Nuclear talks ahead of PM visit IRNA 08 Oct 2010 -- Signifying an important movement forward ahead of Prime Minister visit to Tokyo, India and Japan on Friday held the second round of talks for a civilian atomic cooperation pact that will pave the way for sale of advanced technology by Japanese majors.
• Russia, Ukraine to set up uranium enrichment JV - Rosatom RIA Novosti 08 Oct 2010 -- Moscow and Kiev intend to establish a Russia-based joint venture on uranium enrichment, the head of the state nuclear corporation Rosatom said on Friday.
• Ukrainian parliament votes for equal presidential, lawmaker terms RIA Novosti 08 Oct 2010 -- Ukraine's parliament has voted to amend the country's constitution to make the presidential term of office the same as the amount of time a deputy is elected for - 5 years.
• American military bases in Germany step up terror warning IRNA 08 Oct 2010 -- American military bases in the southern German state of Rhineland-Palatinate have stepped up their terror alert levels amid media reports of a possible terrorist attack by a wanted militant German-Turkish Islamist, press reports said here on Friday.
• Terror suspect not radicalised at London university, inquiry finds IRNA 08 Oct 2010 -- A Nigerian graduate, accused of trying to blow up a transatlantic airliner, was not radicalised while he was a student at a UK university, an independent inquiry has found.