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Operations
Defense Policy / Programs
Defense Industry
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News Reports

Current Operations

• OIF/OEF Casualty Update 15 Dec 2010 [PDF]
• Letter from the President Regarding the Consolidated War Powers Report The White House 15 Dec 2010
• Airpower Summary for December 12 AFNS 15 Dec 2010
• Airpower Summary for December 11 AFNS 15 Dec 2010
• Airpower Summary for December 10 AFNS 15 Dec 2010
• Airpower Summary for December 09 AFNS 15 Dec 2010
• Airpower Summary for December 08 AFNS 15 Dec 2010
• Airpower Summary for December 07 AFNS 15 Dec 2010
• Fact Sheet: UN Security Council High Level Meeting on Iraq The White House 15 Dec 2010
• Remarks by the Vice President at a Meeting of the United Nations Security Council The White House 15 Dec 2010
• UN Security Council Ends Saddam Hussein-Era Sanctions Against Iraq RFE/RL 15 Dec 2010 -- The UN Security Council has lifted a major sanctions program on Iraq in a move aimed at restoring the country to the international standing it occupied before 1990 invasion of Kuwait.
• UN lifts major sanctions against Iraq RIA Novosti 15 Dec 2010 -- The UN Security Council adopted three resolutions to end sanctions imposed against Iraq during the Saddam Hussein era.
• Iraq: Security Council ends several war-related mandates UN News Centre 15 Dec 2010 -- The Security Council ended United Nations mandates on Iraq stemming from the 1991 and 2003 wars.
• UN Security Council Lifts Some Restrictions On Iraq VOA 15 Dec 2010 -- The United Nations Security Council has lifted restrictions prohibiting Iraq from pursuing a civilian nuclear program.
• Gator Brigade leaves desert, New Hampshire National Guard Fires Brigade takes over Army News 15 Dec 2010 -- Florida's largest National Guard Unit is coming home after a year-long deployment to Kuwait.
• Route clearance in Iraq goes high-tech Army News 15 Dec 2010 -- Soldiers of 1st Platoon, E/1-68th Armor have made improvements in route clearance in Basra, Iraq.
• Big bang: US, Iraqi explosives disposal teams destroy cache Army News 15 Dec 2010 -- Specialists from the 8th Iraqi Army conducted a joint demolition with Soldiers from the 75th Ordnance Company.
• Iraq Heightens Security for Ashura VOA 15 Dec 2010 -- Iraqi officials have increased security in the holy city of Karbala where tens of thousands of pilgrims are gathering for Ashura, one of the most important holy days for Shi'ites.
• Iraqi border station opens modern housing facility Army News 15 Dec 2010 -- The 3rd ACR, ISF, and the Wasit Provincial Reconstruction Team held a ribbon cutting ceremony on Dec. 2, opening the new Zurbatiyah Point of Entry force housing facility.
• DOD News Briefing with Col. Martindale via Teleconference from Afghanistan DoD 15 Dec 2010
• Afghan, Coalition Forces Kill, Detain Insurgents AFPS 15 Dec 2010 -- Afghan and coalition forces killed and detained several insurgents and found a number of weapons stockpiles in southern Afghanistan.
• Commander Describes Nature of Eastern Afghanistan Fight AFPS 15 Dec 2010 -- Terrain and population make the fight against extremists in eastern Afghanistan different from the fights in other parts of the country.
• Obama to Speak on Accomplishments, Challenges in Afghanistan, Pakistan VOA 15 Dec 2010 -- President Obama will speak about the status of U.S. and NATO efforts in Afghanistan.
• US Afghan Strategy Review Expected To Show Modest Gains Amid Daunting Challenges RFE/RL 15 Dec 2010 -- The Obama administration's long-awaited review of U.S. strategy in Afghanistan will be released on December 16.
• Intelligence Reports Cast Doubts on Afghan Strategy VOA 15 Dec 2010 -- Two new intelligence reports are raising questions about the U.S. Afghan war policy, just as President Barack Obama plans to release a review of American strategy.
• Afghan withdrawal not based on desperate hope, says Hague IRNA 15 Dec 2010 -- British Foreign Secretary Hague has denied that plans to transfer security to nascent Afghan forces to allow the withdrawal of Nato troops from Afghanistan was wishful thinking.
• Kandahar Provides Model for Afghan-led Partnership AFPS 15 Dec 2010 -- With Afghan forces leading operations in and around the spiritual home of the Taliban in Afghanistan’s Kandahar province, a new Afghan-led model is emerging for the region.
• Communications Airmen prove vital to Regional Command-West mission AFNS 15 Dec 2010 -- Imagine a small group of elite Soldiers on patrol in the mountains of the northern Herat province of Afghanistan coming under heavy attack by a large group of insurgents.
• Afghan National Civil Order Police provides an example of 'what right looks like' Army News 15 Dec 2010 -- Gen. David Petraeus visited Afghan National Civil Order Police Headquarters in Kabul, Afghanistan.
• Sergeants Major Course a major milestone for ANA Army News 15 Dec 2010 -- The professionalism, discipline and orderly function of a military organization falls a great deal on the responsible shoulders of its senior noncommissioned officers.
• AFGHANISTAN: Humanitarian situation likely to worsen in 2011 - aid agencies IRIN 15 Dec 2010 -- The war in Afghanistan shows no sign of abating and conflict-related misery is set to rise in 2011, aid agencies and analysts warn.
• TAPI Pipeline Signed, Sealed - Not Yet Delivered RFE/RL 15 Dec 2010 -- Top officials from Turkmenistan, Afghanistan, Pakistan, and India signed a deal to build a natural-gas pipeline that promises to change the region's energy fortunes.
• UN officials stress need for coordinated anti-terrorism effort in Central Asia UN News Centre 15 Dec 2010 -- Vigilance and measures that have tightened security in Central Asia have helped keep the threat of terrorism at bay.
• Defense Official: Pakistan Deserves U.S. Respect, Support AFPS 15 Dec 2010 -- Pakistan deserves America’s respect and support for its fight against extremists in the country.
• US drones kill four people in NW Pakistan IRNA 15 Dec 2010 -- US drone aircraft Tuesday fired missiles into Pakistan's North Waziristan tribal region and killed at least four people.
• Taliban kill two Pakistani soldiers IRNA 15 Dec 2010 -- Taliban militants attacked a check point in a Pakistani tribal region and killed two soldiers.
• Gunmen kill 3 custodians of Pakistani shrine IRNA 15 Dec 2010 -- Unidentified gunmen shot dead three custodians of a shrine in the outskirts of the Pakistani northwestern city of Peshawar.

Defense Policy / Programs

• U.S. Senate votes to begin debate on START treaty RIA Novosti 15 Dec 2010 -- The U.S. Senate voted on Wednesday to begin a debate of the START arms reduction treaty with Russia.
• Statement by the Press Secretary on the New START Treaty The White House 15 Dec 2010
• White House accuses U.S. senator of attempt to delay START ratification RIA Novosti 15 Dec 2010 -- Press secretary Gibbs has accused Republican senator DeMint of attempting to delay ratification of a new treaty.
• U.S. Senate may start debates on new START treaty RIA Novosti 15 Dec 2010 -- The US Senate may begin debates on the ratification of a new strategic arms reduction treaty between the USand Russia on Wednesday.
• Pentagon hopes to continue talks on arms cuts with Russia RIA Novosti 15 Dec 2010 -- The United States plans to continue discussions with Russia on further arms cuts, including in conventional weapons.
• Missile Defense Test Conducted MDA 15 Dec 2010 -- The Missile Defense Agency was unable to achieve a planned intercept of a ballistic missile target during a test over the Pacific Ocean.
• Statement by Secretary Robert Gates on Omnibus Bill DoD 15 Dec 2010
• Statement by the President on the House Passage of the Don't Ask, Don't Tell Repeal Act of 2010 The White House 15 Dec 2010
• Statement by Press Secretary Geoff Morrell on House Vote to Repeal 'Don't Ask, Don't Tell DoD 15 Dec 2010
• Gates Urges Congress to Pass Omnibus Appropriation Bill AFPS 15 Dec 2010 -- Defense Secretary Robert M. Gates urged Congress to approve an omnibus appropriation bill.
• House Votes to Repeal 'Don't Ask,' Gates Urges Senate Action AFPS 15 Dec 2010 -- Defense Secretary Robert M. Gates is pleased with House of Representatives vote to repeal the law that bans gays from serving openly in the military.
• DOD Announces Recruiting and Retention Numbers for Fiscal Year-to-Date 2011 Through November DoD 15 Dec 2010
• DOD Evaluates Sexual Harassment and Prevention Response Efforts at the Military Service Academies DoD 15 Dec 2010
• Marines Return to Amphibious Roots AFPS 15 Dec 2010 -- After nearly a decade of fighting in Iraq and Afghanistan, the Marine Corps has been inappropriately branded as a second land army.
• Recruiting, Retention Stay High Throughout Services AFPS 15 Dec 2010 -- Recruitment and retention remained high throughout the services for the first two months of the fiscal year, with only the Air National Guard missing its accessions goal.
• Army looking at VTOL, balloons to meet ISR requirements Army News 15 Dec 2010 -- The Army is investigating unmanned air vehicles that provide persistent stare capabilities and can launch vertically.
• New 'bird' finds home with 76th AS AFNS 15 Dec 2010 -- Members of the 76th Airlift Squadron here A C-37A receieved a C-37A Dec. 7 to help increase the flying capabilities of the distinguished visitor mission.
• Essex Returns to Sasebo Following Patrol of Western Pacific Navy NewsStand 15 Dec 2010 -- The USS Essex arrived in Sasebo, Japan, Dec. 14 after completing a three-and-a-half month patrol of the Western Pacific Ocean.
• Lassen Returns from Final 2010 Underway Navy NewsStand 15 Dec 2010 -- The guided-missile destroyer USS Lassen (DDG 82) returned to Yokosuka, Japan, Dec. 13.
• USS Pasadena Departs for Western Pacific Deployment Navy NewsStand 15 Dec 2010 -- USS Pasadena departed Joint Base Pearl Harbor-Hickam Dec. 14 for a scheduled six-month deployment to the western Pacific region.
• Vigilant Freeze exercise brings MPs together Army News 15 Dec 2010 -- Three military police units were able to combine forces and participate in the Vigilant Freeze exercise at the Joint Multinational Simulation Center in Grafenwoehr, Germany, Nov. 27- Dec. 7.
• 702nd EOD Soldiers part of training package presented by U.S. Ambassador to Estonia Army News 15 Dec 2010 -- Three Soldiers from the 702nd Explosive Ordnance Disposal Company were part of a training and equipment package presented by U.S. Ambassador to Estonia Michael C. Polt here Dec. 9.
• Exercise Sandfisher Commences on Guam, Integrates US, Singapore Amphibious Techniques Navy NewsStand 15 Dec 2010 -- The 3rd Reconnaissance Battalion Marines from Okinawa, Japan, conducted helocast training exercise Sandfisher.
• Doyle Sailors Help Panamanian Orphanage Navy NewsStand 15 Dec 2010 -- Young children surrounded USS Doyle (FFG 39) Sailors as they walked through the newly repaired and repainted rooms of their orphanage, Divino Nino de Hogar Dec. 2.
• National Guard boosting Southwest border security Army News 15 Dec 2010 -- National Guard troops deployed to the U.S. border with Mexico are boosting Border Patrol agents' efforts.
• Army extends public comment period for draft PEIS on proposed aviation growth, realignment and stationing Army News 15 Dec 2010 -- The Army has prepared a draft Programmatic Environmental Impact Statement for the proposed growth, realignment, and stationing of new and existing Army aviation assets.
• ECBC supports BRAC consumable items transfer to Defense Logistics Agency Army News 15 Dec 2010 -- As the engineering support organization for the transfer of most consumable items to the Defense Logistics Agency, the U.S. Army Edgewood Chemical Biological Center at Rock Island Arsenal is establishing dialogue between the organizations.
• Partners Build High-tech Hands for Wounded Warriors AFPS 15 Dec 2010 -- Top scientists and technologists are working with the Defense Advanced Research Projects Agency to give arms and hands back to warriors who lose them in battle.
• Sexual Harassment, Assault Reports Rise at Service Academies AFPS 15 Dec 2010 -- The number of reported sexual harassment and assaults at the armed forces’ three service academies is up from last year.
• AMC commander signs order prohibiting use of spice AFNS 15 Dec 2010 -- Gen. Raymond Johns, Jr., the commander of the Air Mobility Command, signed a general order Nov. 2 prohibiting the use of intoxicating substances, including spice.
• Lesser-known UCMJ offenses AFNS 15 Dec 2010 -- Some Airmen destroy promising careers, and it's not always because they are caught stealing, using drugs or misusing their government computer.
• NPC Launches New Records Review Tool: OMPF-Command View Navy NewsStand 15 Dec 2010 -- NAVADMIN 398/10, released Dec. 15, announces that command leaders can now view their service members' Official Military Personnel File with OMPF-Command View.
• Nevsky and Novomoskovsk: Two submarines for Putin RIA Novosti 15 Dec 2010 -- On December 13, 2010, Vladimir Putin visited Sevmash, a major shipbuilding company in Russia.
• Mistral deal seals Russia-France special relationship RIA Novosti 15 Dec 2010 -- The general purpose Mistral-class amphibious assault ship has been officially declared the winner of a tender held by Russia's Defense Ministry.
• UAE among top three recipients of German arms: gov't report IRNA 15 Dec 2010 -- The United Arab Emirates was among the three leading recipients of German weapons in 2009.
• Two killed in air force training plane crash CNA 15 Dec 2010 -- Two pilots were killed Wednesday when an Air Force Academy T-34 Mentor trainer plane crashed in southern Taiwan during a routine training mission.
• Air force training plane missing CNA 15 Dec 2010 -- An air force T34 Mentor training plane crashed in a remote river valley in Kaohsiung County's Liugui Township Wednesday leaving a flight instructor and a cadet missing as of that afternoon.
• U.S. Department of State Daily Press Briefing US Dept. of State 15 Dec 2010

Defense Industry

• DoD News: Contracts for December 15, 2010
• Lockheed Martin to Provide Operations Support For U.S. Army Target Surveillance System Lockheed Martin 15 Dec 2010 -- Lockheed Martin [NYSE: LMT] operators will be supporting a network of sensor systems that provide improved persistent surveillance for U.S. troops stationed in theater. Lockheed Martin has been awarded a contract to provide operations support for the U.S. Army’s Base Expeditionary Targeting and Surveillance Sensors-Combined (BETSS-C). BETSS-C is a combination of intelligence, surveillance and reconnaissance, battle command, and force protection systems that provide specific targeting, persistent surveillance, and overall force protection capabilities for in theater troops. The total value of this contract is approximately $45 million.
• BAE SYSTEMS WINS £5.5 MILLION INFRA RED SHELL CONTRACT FROM UK MOD BAE Systems 15 Dec 2010 -- BAE Systems has won a contract worth £5.5 million for the 105mm infra-red artillery shell Luma IR from the UK's Ministry of Defence (MoD).
• BAE Systems to Repair Enhanced Small Arms Protective Inserts Under $6.3 Million Award BAE Systems 15 Dec 2010 -- BAE Systems will inspect and repair Enhanced Small Arms Protective Insert (ESAPI) plates for U.S. Army soldiers under a Readiness and Sustainment contract modification valued at $6.3 million from the U.S. Army PEO Soldier. The Readiness and Sustainment work will include inspecting ESAPI plates returning from theater for damage and replacing the outside spall covers, which are used to contain debris upon impact. Upon completion of the scope of work, the plates will be returned to the U.S. Army.
• DCNS presents new-generation support vessels DCNS 15 Dec 2010 -- Speaking to international experts gathered in London on 9 and 10 December for the Afloat Support and Naval Logistics conference*, DCNS gave a presentation on its new-generation BRAVE (Bâtiment RAVitailleur d’Escadre) underway replenishment tanker and support vessel under development for both the French Navy and international customers.
• Fire-X Vertical Unmanned Aircraft Successfully Completes First Flight Northrop Grumman 15 Dec 2010 -- Fire-X, a vertical unmanned air system (VUAS) developed by Northrop Grumman Corporation (NYSE:NOC) and Bell Helicopter, a Textron company (NYSE:TXT), completed its first fully autonomous flight Dec. 10 at Yuma Proving Ground, Ariz., less than one year after development began.
• Lockheed Martin F-35 Program Achieves Overall 2010 Flight Test Target Lockheed Martin 15 Dec 2010 -- On Thursday, Dec. 9, the Lockheed Martin [NYSE: LMT] F-35 Lightning II program team reached its 2010 goal of 394 test flights jointly established by the Joint Strike Fighter Program Office and Lockheed Martin. Since the first flight of the F-35 on Dec.15, 2006, the program has logged a total of 531 flights, expanding the performance envelope of the three F-35 variants and testing the mission systems.
• Lockheed Martin to Demonstrate Full-Scale Intelligent Microgrid Solution at Fort Bliss Lockheed Martin 15 Dec 2010 -- Lockheed Martin [NYSE: LMT] was selected by the U.S. Department of Defense’s Environmental Security Technology Certification Program (ESTCP) to demonstrate an Intelligent Microgrid at a U.S. Army’s Brigade Combat Team complex at Fort Bliss, TX.
• Raytheon to Continue Software Development for the AN/TPY-2 Radar Raytheon 15 Dec 2010 -- The Missile Defense Agency (MDA) awarded Raytheon Company (NYSE: RTN) a $43 million contract modification to continue developing the common X-Band capability software and modeling and simulation capabilities for the AN/TPY-2 radar.

Other Conflicts

• Press Conference by Under-Secretary-General for Peacekeeping Operations, 15 December 2010 United Nations 15 Dec 2010
• S. Korean Minister of Unification's Remarks KCNA 15 Dec 2010 -- South Korean Minister of Unification Hyon In Thaek talking about "the last option" and the like as regards the Yonphyong Island shelling incident.
• KCNA on ROK Minister of Unification KCNA 15 Dec 2010 -- Hyon In Thaek, minister of Unification, an anti-reunification confrontation element.
• South Korea Stages Air Raid Drill VOA 15 Dec 2010 -- South Korea has staged its largest-ever air raid drill.
• KCNA on US-Japanese Military Exercises KCNA 15 Dec 2010 -- Japan together with the U.S. staged the largest-ever joint military exercises from Dec. 3 to 10.
• KCNA on Japanese Policy KCNA 15 Dec 2010 -- Japanese Prime Minister Naoto Kan cried out for "dispatching" the "Self-Defense Forces" in contingency on the Korean Peninsula.
• US Envoy Seeks Restart of Talks During Abbas, Mubarak Meeting VOA 15 Dec 2010 -- US peace envoy George Mitchell, Palestinian leader Mahmoud Abbas and Egyptian President Hosni Mubarak met in Cairo.
• US Envoy, Palestinian President Hold Talks in Egypt VOA 15 Dec 2010 -- Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas and U.S. envoy George Mitchell are holding talks with officials in Egypt.
• U.S. urged not to jeopardize Taiwan's interests in dealings with China CNA 15 Dec 2010 -- Taiwan has urged the United States not to put Taiwan's interests at risk in its engagements with China.
• Taiwan, China Plan Talks as New Tensions Grow VOA 15 Dec 2010 -- Political rivals China and Taiwan will hold their sixth round of formal talks next week, to ease historic tensions.
• Sudan Referendum Commission Denies Referendum Act Violations VOA 15 Dec 2010 -- An official of Sudan’s referendum commission has expressed concern that a Constitutional Court ruling that seeks to dissolve his organization could jeopardize the organization of the scheduled 9th January referendum.
• UN Preparing for Worst Case Scenario in Southern Sudan VOA 15 Dec 2010 -- The United Nations Children's Fund says it is preparing for a worst-case should conflict break out after next month's referendum on independence for Southern Sudan.
• CENTRAL AFRICA: Agencies call for international action against LRA IRIN 15 Dec 2010 -- On Christmas eve two years ago, the Lord’s Resistance Army launched attacks in northeastern Democratic Republic of Congo and Southern Sudan.
• Ouattara Supporters Vow to Take Control of Ivory Coast State Broadcasting VOA 15 Dec 2010 -- A leading member of groups supporting Ivory Coast’s former Prime Minister Alassane Ouattara said they will take over the country’s state broadcaster Thursday.
• Ban deeply concerned over continuing stalemate in Côte d'Ivoire UN News Centre 15 Dec 2010 -- Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon is deeply concerned about the continuing political stalemate in Côte d’Ivoire.
• UN Chief Warns of Possible War in Ivory Coast VOA 15 Dec 2010 -- United Nations chief Ban Ki-moon says he is deeply concerned about the threat of violence in Ivory Coast as a result of that country's continuing political stalemate.
• Abkhaz president moves to strengthen border with Georgia RIA Novosti 15 Dec 2010 -- Abkhaz President Sergei Bagapsh: Intention to start the creation of a full-scale border infrastructure along the Inguri River in the near future.
• Abkhazia to push for refugee registration at Geneva talks RIA Novosti 15 Dec 2010 -- The former Georgian republic of Abkhazia will press for the UN to register Georgian refugees on its territory at security talks in Geneva.
• Nepal: UN calls for rapid accord on Maoist combatants as mission draws to close UN News Centre 15 Dec 2010 -- Top UN official in Nepal has called on the Government and political parties to reach rapid agreement on the reintegration of Maoist army personnel.
• UN-sponsored talks on Cyprus reunification make progress on economic issues UN News Centre 15 Dec 2010 -- Greek Cypriot and Turkish Cypriot leaders made more progress on economic issues and exchanged further ideas on governance and power sharing.
• Statement by President Obama on the International Criminal Court announcement The White House 15 Dec 2010
• ICC prosecutor requests summons against six Kenyans on post-election violence UN News Centre 15 Dec 2010 -- The chief prosecutor of the International Criminal Court requested that the tribunal issue summons against six Kenyan citizens for alleged crimes.
• Kenyan Government Investigation Will Not Stop Hague Trial Says Ocampo VOA 15 Dec 2010 -- The chief prosecutor of the ICC in The Hague, Luis Moreno-Ocampo, says he is asking for charges to be brought against six high-profile suspects.
• 6 Prominent Kenyans Accused of Crimes Against Humanity VOA 15 Dec 2010 -- Three Kenyan ministers are among six high-profile figures accused of crimes against humanity by the prosecutor of the International Criminal Court in The Hague.
• Kenya Reacts as ICC Names Suspects in Election Chaos VOA 15 Dec 2010 -- The International Criminal Court named six high-profile suspects it believes spearheaded the country's political chaos in 2007 and 2008.

News Reports

• Statement by the President on the attack in Chabahar, Iran The White House 15 Dec 2010
• Secretary Clinton on Bombings at Mosque in Chabahar, Iran US Dept. of State 15 Dec 2010
• Ban condemns mosque suicide bombing in Iran UN News Centre 15 Dec 2010 -- Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon condemns in the strongest possible terms the suicide bombing at a mosque in Chabahar, Iran.
• Dozens Killed in Apparent Iranian Suicide Attack VOA 15 Dec 2010 -- Iranian media report suicide bombers have killed at least 41 people in Chahbahar, a mainly Sunni city in troubled Sistan-Baluchistan province.
• Dozens Killed In Suicide Bombing Near Iran Mosque RFE/RL 15 Dec 2010 -- A suicide attack on a mosque in one of Iran's most unstable regions has left at least 38 people dead and dozens more injured.
• Russia, North Korean at odds over nuclear potential RIA Novosti 15 Dec 2010 -- Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov has said that every country has the right to peaceful nuclear energy.
• Kim Jong Il Inspects Taedonggang Eel Breeding Farm KCNA 15 Dec 2010 -- General Secretary Kim Jong Il gave field guidance to the Taedonggang Eel Breeding Farm of KPA Unit 522.
• Assange Remains Behind Bars VOA 15 Dec 2010 -- WikiLeaks founder Julian Assange will remain behind bars until he returns to a London courtroom Thursday.
• Assange brought U.S. to its knees - Fidel Castro RIA Novosti 15 Dec 2010 -- WikiLeaks founder Julian Assange has brought the U.S. "to its knees", former Cuban leader Fidel Castro said.
• WikiLeaks: Namibia Allows Chinese Immigration to Repay Loans VOA 15 Dec 2010 -- The latest WikiLeaks revelations have Namibia in the spotlight.
• Singapore's Lee Quoted Calling Burmese Generals "Stupid" VOA 15 Dec 2010 -- A leaked U.S. diplomatic cable quotes Singapore's founding father Lee Kwan Yew as describing Burma's ruling generals as "stupid" and "dense."
• Pakistan faces political crisis as coalition partner quits IRNA 15 Dec 2010 -- A major partner in the ruling coalition of Pakistan Peoples Party's government announced that it is parting ways with the government.
• Kyrgyz ex-president's brother goes on trial RIA Novosti 15 Dec 2010 -- Akhmat Bakiyev, one of ousted Kyrgyz president Kurmanbek Bakiyev's younger brothers, went on trial Wednesday.
• Former Kyrgyz President's Brother On Trial RFE/RL 15 Dec 2010 -- Ousted Kyrgyz President Kurmanbek Bakiev's brother, Akmat, has gone on trial in connection with ethnic clashes in the country earlier this year.
• Respublika Party Announces Agreement On New Kyrgyz Coalition RFE/RL 15 Dec 2010 -- Three political parties in Kyrgyzstan have agreed to form a governing coalition, two weeks after a previous alliance collapsed amid disagreement.
• US Says Chavez 'Subverting' Popular Will With Move to Rule by Decree VOA 15 Dec 2010 -- US State Department: Venezuelan President Hugo Chavez is subverting the will of the country's electorate by seeking emergency powers.
• Venezuela's Lawmakers OK Chavez Request for Law by Decree VOA 15 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.
• Russia, Seeking to Modernize, Showers West with Smiles VOA 15 Dec 2010 -- Russia spent much of 2010 trying to mend fences with the West.
• EU May Investigate Kosovo PM for Organ Trafficking VOA 15 Dec 2010 -- The European Union says it is open to examining allegations in a report by a European lawmaker that Kosovo's prime minister was involved in organ trafficking.
• Kosovo's Prime Minister Linked To Organ Trafficking By Council Of Europe RFE/RL 15 Dec 2010 -- Draft report by a European investigator has accused Thaci and former commanders of the Kosovo Liberation Army of organizing organ trafficking after the conflict with Serb security forces ended in 1999.