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News Reports

Current Operations

• OIF/OEF Casualty Update 14 Dec 2010 [PDF]
• 1st TSC's five-Soldier petroleum team supports military's big-picture fuel mission Army News 14 Dec 2010 -- Since 2001, petroleum professionals, both military and civilian, have been meeting fuel demands for Operations Enduring Freedom, Iraqi Freedom and New Dawn.
• Afghan, Coalition Forces Kill, Detain Insurgents AFPS 14 Dec 2010 -- Afghan and coalition forces today killed more than 10 Taliban fighters during an operation in northern Afghanistan, military officials reported.
• Mullen Discusses Surge Successes in Afghanistan AFPS 14 Dec 2010 -- Navy Adm. Mike Mullen" Though the last of the U.S. surge troops only reached Afghanistan last month, they already are achieving successes.
• 'No Surprises' In White House Afghan Policy Report VOA 14 Dec 2010 -- President Barack Obama will speak publicly on Thursday about his administration's review of U.S. policies in Afghanistan and Pakistan.
• Envoy Post to Remain After Holbrooke's Death VOA 14 Dec 2010 -- State Department: Post of US envoy for Pakistan and Afghanistan will be continued following the death of the job's first occupant, Richard Holbrooke.
• Holbrooke Death Leaves Vacuum at Center of Afghan Policy VOA 14 Dec 2010 -- The sudden death of Ambassador Richard Holbrooke comes at a crucial moment in U.S. policymaking in South Asia.
• Richard Holbrooke Difficult to Replace, Say Leaders in South Asia VOA 14 Dec 2010 -- Leaders in Pakistan and Afghanistan says they are deeply sorrowed by the sudden death of Richard Holbrooke.
• Mullen: Region Will Feel Loss of Holbrooke AFPS 14 Dec 2010 -- Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff: The death of Ambassador Richard C. Holbrooke will be felt in the Afghanistan and Pakistan region.
• Command in Afghanistan engages in mentoring to subcontractors Army News 14 Dec 2010 -- A new contracting initiative by a command in southwest Afghanistan shows promise of serving as a model for the rest of Afghanistan.
• UN completes 200,000th home for returning Afghan refugees UN News Centre 14 Dec 2010 -- The United Nations refugee agency said it has now built 200,000 homes for returning refugees and internally displaced persons in Afghanistan.
• Mullen Meets With Pakistanis to Align Interests, Goals AFPS 14 Dec 2010 -- The chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff is in Pakistan today on his 21st visit to a key ally in the war against extremists in Central Asia.

Defense Policy / Programs

• Senate working on ratification of arms treaty RIA Novosti 14 Dec 2010 -- The US Senate will begin debates on the ratification of a new arms reduction treaty with Russia as soon as it finalizes debates on various tax issues.
• Missile defense test delayed AFNS 14 Dec 2010 -- The Missile Defense Agency ground-based interceptor flight test, scheduled for Dec. 14, has been delayed due to poor weather conditions downrange.
• Russia optimistic over U.S. talks on European shield RIA Novosti 14 Dec 2010 -- Russia believes the first meeting of the Russian-NATO working group on the European missile-defense program will be successful.
• China Military Buildup Could 'Upend' Asian Security, says US Official VOA 14 Dec 2010 -- A senior U.S. defense department official says China's military buildup could turn the Asian regional security balance upside down.
• Japan, US Reach Agreement on Military Hosting VOA 14 Dec 2010 -- Japan says it has agreed to continue spending $2.2 billion a year to cover some of the cost of hosting U.S. forces in the country.
• KCNA on Japan and Nuclear Weapons KCNA 14 Dec 2010 -- According to the declassified diplomatic document of the Japanese Foreign Ministry, the then Foreign Minister of Japan Kosaka and U.S. Secretary of State Rusk worked out a document at the talks held in November 1961.
• Soldiers test smart phones in field exercise Army News 14 Dec 2010 -- Phase II of "Connecting Soldiers to Digital Applications" kicked off Dec. 8, with a field exercise in which Soldiers from the Army Evaluation Task Force tested smart-phone technology.
• USS Milius Returns to San Diego Navy NewsStand 14 Dec 2010 -- The USS Milius will return to San Diego Dec. 16 after an independent six-month deployment to the 5th and 7th Fleet Area of Responsibility.
• Crommelin Returns to Hawaii Navy NewsStand 14 Dec 2010 -- The Pearl Harbor-based USS Crommelin returned from a five-month western Pacific deployment Dec. 14.
• US, French Warships Conduct Surface Warfare Exercise in Arabian Sea Navy NewsStand 14 Dec 2010 -- The USS Halsey and French Navy frigate FS Tourville participated in a joint gunnery exercise in the Arabian Sea.
• Officials complete GPS software upgrade ahead of schedule AFNS 14 Dec 2010 -- Officials with the 2nd Space Operations Squadron have completed their sustainment software release for the GPS operational control segment ground system ahead of schedule.
• Computers to replace paper technical orders on Robins AFB flightline AFNS 14 Dec 2010 -- Within the next four years, laptop computers will be as important to aircraft mechanics here as wrenches and screwdrivers.
• School Brigade Says Bittersweet Farewell Army News 14 Dec 2010 -- BRAC to the Future presented yet another opportunity for the leadership of the 59th Ordnance Brigade and its Ordnance Munitions and Electronics Maintenance School to say farewell to a community that will always hold a special place in the organization's history.
• Russia's armed forces to spend $10 bln to go digital by 2012 - General Staff Chief RIA Novosti 14 Dec 2010 -- The Russian armed forces are to spend $10 billion on new digital communications by 2012.
• Russia's 2010 arms sales total $10 bln RIA Novosti 14 Dec 2010 -- Forecasts indicate that Russia has sold $10 billion worth of arms and military equipment this year.
• Russia to start building unified air and space defense system in 2011 RIA Novosti 14 Dec 2010 -- Russia is planning to build the basis for a unified air and space defense base in 2011 to protect the country from missiles.
• Western military district gets first Iskander tactical missile system RIA Novosti 14 Dec 2010 -- The first Iskander tactical surface-to-surface ballistic missile system has entered service with the Russian Army's Western Military District.
• Russian army not interested in Wikileaks revelations RIA Novosti 14 Dec 2010 -- The General Staff of the Russian Armed Forces will not base its policies on a recent batch of Wikileaks cables.
• Hundreds Of Russian Soldiers Hospitalized In Siberia RFE/RL 14 Dec 2010 -- The Military-Prosecutor's Office in the south-central Russian region of Kemerovo has launched an investigation after some 250 soldiers were hospitalized.
• Russian Defense Ministry denies report of hazing in West Siberian garrison RIA Novosti 14 Dec 2010 -- The Russian Defense Ministry's Airborne Forces have denied reports of a severe beating of a conscript at a military base in Russia's West Siberian city of Omsk.
• Ukraine to draw up new military doctrine in near future RIA Novosti 14 Dec 2010 -- Ukraine will develop a new national security concept and a new military doctrine in the near future.
• IAF helicopter crashes, 8 defence personnel injured IRNA 14 Dec 2010 -- Eight defence personnel, including three crew members, were injured when an Indian Air Force helicopter crashed.
• Armenia Approves Army Modernization Plan RFE/RL 14 Dec 2010 -- Armenian President Serzh Sarkisian and his National Security Council have approved a five-year plan to modernize the armed forces.
• Armenian Military Launches Hotline For Complaints RFE/RL 14 Dec 2010 -- Armenia's Defense Ministry has launched a hotline for reporting complaints, following a recent surge of violent incidents and non-combat deaths.
• Press Briefing by Press Secretary Robert Gibbs, 12/14/2010 The White House 14 Dec 2010
• U.S. Department of State Daily Press Briefing, 12/14/10 US Dept. of State 14 Dec 2010

Defense Industry

• DoD News: Contracts for December 14, 2010
• ATK Awarded $4.5 Million Contract for U.S. Air Force High-Speed Anti-Radiation Missile (HARM) Control Section Modification Program ATK 14 Dec 2010 -- ATK (NYSE: ATK) announced that it has been awarded a $4.5-million contract from the U.S. Air Force for the limited production phase of the High-Speed Anti-Radiation Missile (HARM) Control Section Modification (HCSM) program.
• DARPA Awards Lockheed Martin $7 Million Contract to Produce Laser Enhanced Sniper Systems Lockheed Martin 14 Dec 2010 -- Lockheed Martin [NYSE: LMT] was awarded a $6.9 million contract by the Defense Advanced Research Projects Agency (DARPA) for multiple One Shot laser-based sniper systems that improve accuracy and reduce the possibility of detection.
• Northrop Grumman, Navy Prove Fire Scout Ready for Unrestricted Flights Off USS Halyburton Northrop Grumman 14 Dec 2010 -- In preparation for deployment early next year, Northrop Grumman Corporation (NYSE:NOC) and the U.S. Navy have verified that the MQ-8B Fire Scout vertical unmanned aircraft system is functionally compatible with communications systems on board the USS Halyburton (FFG-40).
• Northrop Grumman-Built STSS Demonstration Satellites Show 'Force Multiplier' Capability in Aegis Campaign Test Northrop Grumman 14 Dec 2010 -- The Space Tracking and Surveillance System (STSS) Demonstration satellites recently showed the ability of the space-based sensors to maximize defended areas through earlier tracking of missiles, thus allowing quicker launches by interceptors, known as a "force multiplier" capability. The two missile defense satellites, built by Northrop Grumman Corporation (NYSE:NOC) as the prime contractor and Raytheon Company (NYSE:RTN) as the sensor payload provider, observed an Aegis test Oct. 6 involving two missile launches within hours of each other from the Pacific Missile Range Facility, Hawaii.
• First night time launch of Sagem’s AASM guided weapon with infrared terminal guidance Sagem (Safran group) 14 Dec 2010 -- Sagem (Safran group) and French defense procurement agency DGA have successfully performed the first night time launch of the 250 kg AASM modular air-to-ground weapon with infrared terminal guidance, as part of export evaluation tests.

Other Conflicts

• Daily Press Briefing by the Office of the Spokesperson for the Secretary-General, 14 December 2010 United Nations 14 Dec 2010
• Ban marks 50th anniversary of UN declaration that helped propel decolonization UN News Centre 14 Dec 2010 -- Secretary-General Ban commemorated the 50th anniversary of the UN Declaration that helped to make virtual doubling possible.
• Reports Suggest Additonal N. Korea Nuclear Facilities VOA 14 Dec 2010 -- South Korea says it is looking into reports there may be additional uranium enrichment facilities in North Korea.
• China Says North Korea Agrees on Need to Ease Tensions VOA 14 Dec 2010 -- China says a top diplomat forged an agreement with North Korea on easing tensions on the Korean peninsula.
• KCNA on US Secretary of State KCNA 14 Dec 2010 -- The U.S. secretary of State was recently reported to have asserted that an arms race would be sparked off within the year due to the nuclear program of the DPRK.
• KCNA on S. Korean Minister of Unification's Remarks KCNA 14 Dec 2010 -- South Korean Minister of Unification Hyon In Thaek talking about the Yonphyong Island shelling incident.
• KCNA on Yonphyong Island Shelling KCNA 14 Dec 2010 -- The south Korean authorities have misled public opinion by asserting that the recent case of the Yonphyong Island shelling occurred due to the DPRK.
• North Korea Ignores Russian Criticism of Yeonpyeong Attack VOA 14 Dec 2010 -- North Korea has issued a report about its foreign minister's latest talks with Russian officials that ignores Russian criticism.
• DPRK FM Spokesman on Talks between DPRK and Russia KCNA 14 Dec 2010 -- A spokesman for the DPRK Foreign Ministry gave answer to a question put by KCNA as regards the talks held between foreign ministers of the DPRK and Russia in Moscow.
• KCNA on Japanese Policy KCNA 14 Dec 2010 -- The preservation of peace and stability in Northeast Asia has become a main concern of the international community.
• UN Envoy: Two-State Mideast Solution Under Threat VOA 14 Dec 2010 -- The UN Middle East envoy says the prospects for a two-state solution to the Israeli-Palestinian conflict could begin to evaporate next year.
• Senior UN official calls for substantive mediation in Middle East peace efforts UN News Centre 14 Dec 2010 -- Senior United Nations official: Substantive third-party mediation between Israel and the Palestinians is crucial.
• US Envoy Meets Palestinian President VOA 14 Dec 2010 -- U.S. envoy George Mitchell says the United States is determined to persevere in its efforts to negotiate peace between Israelis and Palestinians.
• Hamas Rally Celebrates 23rd Anniversary VOA 14 Dec 2010 -- Thousands of Hamas supporters rallied in Gaza City Tuesday to celebrate the 23rd anniversary of the Palestinian militant group.
• High-level Taiwan-China talks scheduled CNA 14 Dec 2010 -- Top negotiators representing Taiwan and China are scheduled to hold their sixth meeting since 2008 in Taipei Dec. 20-22.
• New U.S. Darfur Envoy Receives Cool Reception in Khartoum VOA 14 Dec 2010 -- Senior Member of National Congress Party: Washington’s newly-appointed envoy to Darfur is unlikely to help President Omar Hassan al-Bashir’s government.
• Continuing violence in Central African Republic sparks Security Council's concern UN News Centre 14 Dec 2010 -- The Security Council voiced serious concern over the security situation in the Central African Republic.
• DR Congo: UN warns of possible holiday-season attacks by Ugandan rebels UN News Centre 14 Dec 2010 -- The UN peacekeeping mission in the DRC voiced concern at the possibility of renewed attacks by the LRA.
• Eastern Congo: Fear of Another Christmas Massacre Spreads VOA 14 Dec 2010 -- Nearly 20 humanitarian organizations are calling on the U.N. and international community to prevent another Christmas massacre in the eastern DRC.
• Chadian civilian protection force will need continued assistance after UN leaves - envoy UN News Centre 14 Dec 2010 -- Chadian security forces entrusted with protecting civilians will need continued international assistance after the United Nations mission withdraws at the end of the year.
• Nepal Prez calls special Parliament session from December 19 IRNA 14 Dec 2010 -- Nepal President has called a special session of Parliament from December 19.
• Georgia ready to work with Russia on bomb attacks RIA Novosti 14 Dec 2010 -- The Georgian government is ready to cooperate with Russia in investigating a series of terrorist attacks in the country.
• OSCE to hold monitoring of Nagorny Karabakh ceasefire RIA Novosti 14 Dec 2010 -- Officials from the OSCE will conduct a regular monitoring of the contact line between Armenian and Azerbaijani troops.
• Pressure Mounts on Ivory Coast President to Step Down VOA 14 Dec 2010 -- In Ivory Coast, the government of internationally recognized president, Alassane Ouattara, says it will take control of state institutions by the end of the week.
• Ivory Coast's Ouattara Asks Bank to Cut Off Gbagbo VOA 14 Dec 2010 -- The internationally recognized president of Ivory Coast is putting new pressure on incumbent Laurent Gbagbo to hand over power.
• Number of Ivorian refugees arriving in Liberia rises to 3,500 - UN agency UN News Centre 14 Dec 2010 -- The number of refugees entering Liberia from Côte d’Ivoire has risen to about 3,500.
• Ingush president says some 30 militants still active in republic RIA Novosti 14 Dec 2010 -- Over 30 militants are still registered as active in Ingushetia, the president of the North Caucasus republic said.
• Security Council extends UN mission in Cyprus despite Turkey's negative vote UN News Centre 14 Dec 2010 -- The Security Council today extended the mandate of the UN peacekeeping mission that has been in place in Cyprus since 1964.
• INDONESIA: NGOs allege government impunity in Papua IRIN 14 Dec 2010 -- The right to be free from torture is recognized in Indonesia's constitution, but not its penal code, giving police and security forces little incentive to rein in excessive violence, say activists.
• Kenya Post-Election Violence Indictments Hailed as Important Step VOA 14 Dec 2010 -- International Criminal Court’s decision to name six key suspects in Kenya's 2008 post-election violence.
• Extensions granted to judges serving on UN war crimes tribunals UN News Centre 14 Dec 2010 -- The Security Council extended the terms of several judges serving on the United Nations tribunals.

News Reports

• Statement by Secretary Gates on Richard Holbrooke DoD 14 Dec 2010
• Leaders Pay Tribute to Holbrooke AFPS 14 Dec 2010 -- Defense Department leaders today joined the president, vice president, secretary of state and others in mourning the death of U.S. Ambassador Richard C. Holbrooke.
• World Reacts to Ambassador Richard Holbrooke's Death VOA 14 Dec 2010 -- U.S. special envoy to Afghanistan and Pakistan Richard Holbrooke died Monday at the age of 69 after undergoing heart surgery.
• Sarajevo Marks 15 Years Since End of Balkans War VOA 14 Dec 2010 -- Fifteen years ago, the Dayton Peace Accords ended a vicious inter-ethnic war in the former Yugoslavia that left 100,000 people dead and spawned the worst atrocities in Europe since World War II.
• Balkans Express Sorrow Over Holbrooke's Death VOA 14 Dec 2010 -- US.diplomat Richard Holbrooke played a key role in negotiating peace deals that brought an end to the wars in the former Yugoslavia during the 1990s.
• Richard Holbrooke, US Diplomat, Dies in Washington VOA 14 Dec 2010 -- US diplomat Richard Holbrooke died Monday at the age of 69, following surgery for a ruptured aorta, while serving as special U.S. envoy to Afghanistan and Pakistan.
• Mottaki Doomed By Personal Animus, Not Political Visions RFE/RL 14 Dec 2010 -- One of Manuchehr Mottaki's last acts before being suddenly axed as Iran's foreign minister was to express solidarity with British students who he said had been "brutally suppressed" by police while protesting against tuition fee hikes.
• Iran Says No Changes From Foreign Minister's Ouster VOA 14 Dec 2010 -- Iran says there will be no changes in its nuclear and foreign policies, following the firing of Foreign Minister Manouchehr Mottaki.
• Iran would not let enemies take advantage of domestic developments IRNA 14 Dec 2010 -- Foreign Ministry spokesman Ramin Mehmanparast said here on Tuesday that change of officials has no impact on Iran’s nuclear policies.
• WikiLeaks Founder Assange Granted Bail, Remains in Jail VOA 14 Dec 2010 -- WikiLeaks founder Julian Assange has been granted bail by a British court but will remain behind bars as Sweden's lawyer appeals.
• Assange bailed by London court IRNA 14 Dec 2010 -- WikiLeaks founder Julian Assange was bailed, a week after being detained in London on a European Arrest Warrant.
• WikiLeaks founder Assange freed on bail - TV RIA Novosti 14 Dec 2010 -- WikiLeaks founder Julian Assange was freed on bail on Tuesday by the London City of Westminster Magistrates' Court.
• WikiLeaks Founder Assange Granted Bail VOA 14 Dec 2010 -- WikiLeaks founder Julian Assange has been granted bail by a British court. The bail was set at $315,000 (200,000 British Pounds).
• WikiLeaks Prompts Kenyan Leaders' Push for Recall of US Envoy VOA 14 Dec 2010 -- One week after WikiLeaks exposed several classified assessments of Kenya's leaders, United States Ambassador Michael Ranneberger is being accused by prominent politicians of meddling in Kenya's affairs, with many calling for the envoy's removal.
• 2011-2012 Plan for Exchange between DPRK and Russia Inked KCNA 14 Dec 2010 -- A 2011-2012 plan for exchange between the foreign ministries of the DPRK and Russia was signed in Moscow on Monday.
• Talks between DPRK and Russia FMs Held KCNA 14 Dec 2010 -- Talks between DPRK Foreign Minister Pak Ui Chun and Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov took place in Moscow on December 13.
• N. Korean Defectors Take Bigger Role in Helping Others VOA 14 Dec 2010 -- The number of North Korean refugees reaching South Korea continues to rise.
• Trees are North Korea Latest Weapons Against Hunger, Floods VOA 14 Dec 2010 -- North Korean farmers are planting fruit and nut trees on hillsides to produce food and prevent erosion.
• The Balkans Look To 2011 With Cautious Optimism RFE/RL 14 Dec 2010 -- There's an ethnically mixed village in Kosovo called Rabovce which, like most towns in the region, has a small football stadium.
• Key Islamic Party Quits Pakistan Government RFE/RL 14 Dec 2010 -- Pakistan's most prominent Islamic politician has withdrawn his party from the coalition government.
• Venezuela's Chavez Edges Closer to Getting Decree Law VOA 14 Dec 2010 -- Venezuela's National Assembly has voted to approve a request by President Hugo Chavez to allow him to enact laws by decree for one year.
• Venezuela's Chavez Seeks Decree Powers for 1 Year VOA 14 Dec 2010 -- Venezuelan President Hugo Chavez has asked his country's Congress to grant him special powers to enact laws by decree for one year.
• Former Kyrgyz President's Nephew Appeals Verdict RFE/RL 14 Dec 2010 -- Kyrgyzstan's Chui Oblast Court will review on December 20 the appeal by Sanjar Bakiev of the 10-year prison term he received last month.
• Niger Looks Toward January Elections After Kidnappings VOA 14 Dec 2010 -- Insecurity brought on by al-Qaida kidnappings in Niger is threatening to compromise the country's elections, set for January, and its return to civilian rule.
• Orbital Submits Proposal for NASA's Commercial Crew Development Program Orbital Sciences Corp. 14 Dec 2010 -- Orbital Sciences Corporation (NYSE: ORB) today announced that it has submitted a proposal to the National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA) in response to the Commercial Crew Development-2 contract solicitation.