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Defense Policy / Programs
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News Reports

Current Operations

• Iraq, US Challenged as Final US Troop Withdrawal Looms VOA 17 Dec 2010 -- The United States declared the end of its combat mission in Iraq in August and is to withdraw its remaining troops by the end of 2011.
• UN Agency Reports 'Exodus' of Iraqi Christians VOA 17 Dec 2010 -- The U.N. refugee agency says there has been what it calls an "exodus" of Iraqi Christians from Baghdad and Mosul.
• UN refugee agency voices dismay at Sweden's forcible repatriation of Iraqis UN News Centre 17 Dec 2010 -- The United Nations refugee agency deplored Sweden’s decision this week to forcibly repatriate a group of 20 Iraqis.
• Partnered Forces Target Taliban in Helmand AFPS 17 Dec 2010 -- A partnered Afghan and International Security Assistance Force patrol killed several insurgents during an operation targeting two Taliban leaders in Afghanistan’s Helmand province.
• DOD Identifies Units for Upcoming Afghanistan Rotation DoD 17 Dec 2010
• Pentagon Spokesman Addresses Strategy Review, Budget AFPS 17 Dec 2010 -- The coalition has the right strategy backed by the right resources to succeed in Afghanistan, the chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff said here today.
• Chairman Says Afghanistan Strategy, Resources Now Match AFPS 17 Dec 2010 -- The coalition has the right strategy backed by the right resources to succeed in Afghanistan, the chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff said.
• Petraeus: All Strategy Aspects Contribute to Progress AFPS 17 Dec 2010 -- All aspects of the U.S. strategy in Afghanistan have contributed to significant progress over the past six months, the commander of U.S. and coalition forces said.
• Obama: Progress in Afghanistan, But Gains Fragile VOA 17 Dec 2010 -- President Obama pointed to progress in Afghanistan, and cooperative efforts with neighboring Pakistan.
• Kyrgyzstan's PM Hints U.S. Base To Close In Four Years RFE/RL 17 Dec 2010 -- Almazbek Atambaev told parliament the transit center at the Bishkek airport operated by U.S. forces to support operations in Afghanistan would remain for four more years.
• CV-22 accident investigation board results released AFNS 17 Dec 2010 -- Air Force Special Operations Command officials released the results of their investigation into the CV-22 Osprey accident April 9, near Qalat, Afghanistan.
• US Enjoy Confident Pakistan to Strike Insurgents VOA 17 Dec 2010 -- Washington's ambassador to Pakistan says the United States is confidents Pakistan will launch an anti-insurgency offensive in its border region.
• President Obama calls Zardari over Afghan policy review IRNA 17 Dec 2010 -- President Obama called President Asif Ali Zardari and apprised the Pakistan President of the salient features of the just concluded US policy review on Afghanistan.
• Is Pakistan Looking The Other Way On U.S. Drone Strikes? RFE/RL 17 Dec 2010 -- Authorities in Pakistan claim two U.S. missile strikes have killed dozens of suspected militants in the Khyber tribal agency.
• Drone Attacks Kill More Than 54 In Pakistan's Khyber RFE/RL 17 Dec 2010 -- Pakistani security officials say three separate U.S. missile attacks today killed at least 54 suspected militants in Pakistan's northwestern Khyber region near the Afghan border.
• Suspected U.S. Missile Attacks Kill 25 In Pakistan's Northwest RFE/RL 17 Dec 2010 -- Pakistani security officials say three separate U.S. missile attacks have killed at least 25 suspected militants.
• Deadly US Missiles Target Pakistani Militant Bases VOA 17 Dec 2010 -- Suspected U.S. missile strikes have killed at least 24 people in the Khyber region of northwestern Pakistan, where such strikes are rare.
• 24 die in US drone strikes in Pakistan IRNA 17 Dec 2010 -- US drone aircraft launched three attacks in a Pakistani tribal region on Friday and killed 24 people.
• Rockets kill 6 in NW Pakistan IRNA 17 Dec 2010 -- Rockets fired from unknown direction struck a house in northwest Pakistan and killed at least 6 people and injured several others.

Defense Policy / Programs

• Japan's PM in Okinawa to Discuss US Military Base VOA 17 Dec 2010 -- Japanese Prime Minister Naoto Kan has visited the southern island of Okinawa amid tensions with residents about the relocation of a U.S. military base.
• Department Prepares for 'Don't Ask' Repeal AFPS 17 Dec 2010 -- The Defense Department is preparing for passage of a law that overturns the ban on gays serving openly in the military, a Pentagon spokesman said today.
• Officials award production contract for fourth advanced frequency satellite AFNS 17 Dec 2010 -- The Military Satellite Communications Systems Directorate announced Dec. 17 the award of contract modification to Lockheed Martin Space Systems for production of the fourth Advanced Extremely High Frequency satellite.
• 300 take part in virtual battle AFNS 17 Dec 2010 -- More than 300 joint warfighters converged in a virtual battlespace for a four-day exercise ending Dec. 16.
• Marines rebuild training area after devastating typhoon USMC News 17 Dec 2010 -- Months after Typhoon Kompasu, Marines with 9th Engineer Support Battalion helped reconstruct a damaged portion of the Jungle Warfare Center.
• Cyber Crime Center's Digital Challenge Spans Globe AFPS 17 Dec 2010 -- Every year since 2006, the Defense Department’s Cyber Crime Center has held an international, online event.
• Intrepid Center Provides New Level of Warfighter Care AFPS 17 Dec 2010 -- National Intrepid Center of Excellence at the National Naval Medical Center set out to provide a new level of care for warfighters suffering traumatic brain injuries and psychological disorders.
• 15 cents: how much it costs to get a plane in the air AFNS 17 Dec 2010 -- It may cost thousands of dollars per hour to keep planes in the air, but sometimes it might be a little screw, worth only a few cents, that determines whether or not an aircraft will get off the ground in the first place.
• Lakin discharged, sentenced to six months Army News 17 Dec 2010 -- The Army doctor who disobeyed direct orders from his superiors, refusing to deploy until he saw proof of President Obama's American birth, was sentenced to six months in prison and discharge from the Army Thursday.
• Retention boon leads to changes Army News 17 Dec 2010 -- Soldiers planning to re-enlist may see their options reduced, according to a recent Army memorandum. The changes took effect Tuesday.
• Airfield installs state-of-the-art solar lights Army News 17 Dec 2010 -- Fort Campbell Army Airfield's new solar lighting system offers a state-of-the-art solution to enhance troop training and reduce power consumption at the same time.
• Army Periodic Health Assessment pilot program instituted for demobilizing 53rd IBCT Army News 17 Dec 2010 -- The Army has initiated a pilot program intended to improve and transform the way it meets the healthcare needs of Soldiers, ensuring they reach maximum medical readiness to support future deployments.
• Peleliu ARG Returns From Deployment NNS 17 Dec 2010 -- Peleliu Amphibious Ready Group (PEL ARG) returns to San Diego Saturday Dec. 18 after a seven-month deployment to the 7th and 5th Fleet areas of responsibility, conducting humanitarian relief in Pakistan and counter piracy operations off the Horn of Africa.
• Fleet Anti-terroism Marines Complete Weapons Training Aboard GTMO NNS 17 Dec 2010 -- Marines assigned to the Marine Corps Security Force Company Guantanamo Bay, Cuba, completed pre-deployment weapons training at the Granadillo Range aboard Naval Station Guantanamo Bay (GTMO), Cuba, Dec. 15.
• NRL Launches Nano-Satellite Experimental Platforms NNS 17 Dec 2010 -- Two Naval Research Laboratory Naval Center for Space Technology designed and built nano-satellites were launched from Cape Canaveral Air Force Station, Dec. 8, as secondary payloads on a Space Exploration (SpaceX) Technologies, Inc., Falcon 9 launch vehicle.
• Nimitz Enters Dry-Dock at Puget Sound for Docking Planned Incremental Availability NNS 17 Dec 2010 -- USS Nimitz (CVN 68) completed its move from Naval Base Kitsap – Bremerton, Wash., to its dry-dock at the Puget Sound Naval Shipyard and Intermediate Maintenance Facility Dec. 16, to begin its Docking Planned Incremental Availability (DPIA).
• Blue-Green Team Completes Amphibious Exercise Bold Alligator 2011 NNS 17 Dec 2010 -- Commander, Expeditionary Strike Group Two (ESG 2), and Commander, 2nd Marine Expeditionary Brigade (2nd MEB) successfully completed Bold Alligator 2011, Dec. 16.
• U.S. Navy Security Team Completes Info Exchange with Peruvian Sailors NNS 17 Dec 2010 -- Sailors assigned to a Navy security training team wrapped up a two-week subject matter expert exchange with sailors from the Peruvian navy security force in Callao, Peru, Dec. 17.
• USS Maine Blue Crew Recognized for Long Patrol NNS 17 Dec 2010 -- The Blue Crew of the Trident ballistic missile submarine USS Maine (SSBN 741) was honored Dec. 16 by the commander of Submarine Group 9 for completing a 105-day strategic deterrent patrol – one of the longest patrols in recent history for a Bangor-based SSBN.
• VA Seeks to Eliminate Claims Processing Backlog, Official Says AFPS 17 Dec 2010 -- The Veterans Affairs Department is on its way to eliminating its claims-processing backlog within four years.
• Arms race: Less money for real problems RIA Novosti 17 Dec 2010 -- The nature of modern warfare demands that Russia's air and space defense be under unified command.
• Russia to keep Satan ballistic missiles in service until 2026 RIA Novosti 17 Dec 2010 -- Russia will continue to deploy SS-18 Satan ICBM as part of the country's nuclear arsenal until at least 2026.
• Russia adds 2 Topol-M ballistic missiles to nuclear deterrent RIA Novosti 17 Dec 2010 -- Russia's Strategic Missile Forces (SMF) have deployed two additional Topol-M silo-based missile systems.
• Russian Black Sea Fleet to join NATO naval drills in 2011 RIA Novosti 17 Dec 2010 -- The Russian Black Sea Fleet will take part for the first time in NATO's Bold Monarch exercise next year.
• Russia lays down new frigate for Black Sea Fleet RIA Novosti 17 Dec 2010 -- The Yantar Shipyard in the Baltic exclave of Kaliningrad will start the construction of the first Krivak IV class frigate for Russia's Black Sea Fleet.
• Beijing denies Japanese accusations of military non-transparency RIA Novosti 17 Dec 2010 -- China dismissed as "irresponsible" Japanese accusations that the Communist country's program of military development is not transparent.
• Azerbaijan arms production up 260% year-on-year RIA Novosti 17 Dec 2010 -- Azerbaijan increased the production of arms and military equipment 260% in 2010, year-on-year, Defense Industry Minister Yaver Dzhamalov said.
• December 17, 2010 - U.S. Department of State Daily Press Briefing US Dept. of State 17 Dec 2010

Defense Industry

• DoD News: Contracts for December 17, 2010
• Dragon Roars Home Marking The End of a Successful Year for Type 45 BAE Systems 17 Dec 2010 -- Dragon, the fourth Type 45 destroyer, has completed her first stage sea trials, demonstrating the ship’s outstanding capability and marking the end of a highly successful year on the Type 45 programme.
• Northrop Grumman, U.S. Army Complete Warfighter-Centered Design Exercises for the Integrated Air and Missile Defense Battle Command System Northrop Grumman 17 Dec 2010 -- The U.S. Army and Northrop Grumman Corporation (NYSE:NOC) have completed a series of warfighter-centered design exercises for the Integrated Air and Missile Defense Battle Command System (IBCS). The exercises are part of the IBCS development plan that incorporates a disciplined focus on the needs and limitations of the soldier in order to improve and shorten decision and execution cycles when using the system.
• U.S. Army Orders More Than 3,700 Oshkosh Defense Trucks and Trailers for the National Guard Oshkosh 17 Dec 2010 -- Oshkosh Defense, a division of Oshkosh Corporation (NYSE:OSK), will supply more than 3,700 Family of Medium Tactical Vehicles (FMTV) trucks and trailers to the U.S. National Guard under a new delivery order from the U.S. Army TACOM Life Cycle Management Command (LCMC). The National Guard uses the FMTV fleet to transport soldiers, equipment and supplies in support of its broad tactical operations during times of peace and war.
• Euro Hawk(R) Unmanned Aircraft Shows Stamina With 30-Hour Flight Northrop Grumman 17 Dec 2010 -- Euro Hawk®, the premier unmanned aircraft system (UAS) for the German Air Force, successfully proved its long endurance capability with a 30.3-hour flight over Edwards Air Force Base, Calif. Built by Northrop Grumman Corporation (NYSE:NOC) and EADS Deutschland GmbH, operating through Cassidian, the defence and security division of EADS, the high-flying UAS took off Dec. 1 at 4:47 p.m. PST and landed Dec. 2 at approximately 10:59 p.m. PST.

Other Conflicts

• Press Conference by Austria on Two-Year Tenure on Security Council United Nations 17 Dec 2010
• Looking back, Ban calls 2010 'a big year for the United Nations' UN News Centre 17 Dec 2010 -- Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon called 2010 “a big year for the United Nations,” with progress on issues from biodiversity to electoral support in Iraq and Afghanistan.
• U.S. Troops to Observe South Korean Live-fire Drills AFPS 17 Dec 2010 -- US trainers and observers will be present for South Korean live-fire artillery drills planned to start tomorrow.
• US: 'No Justification' for Response to ROK Exercises VOA 17 Dec 2010 -- United States: No justification for North Korea to take military action if South Korea goes ahead with planned artillery exercises.
• Russia concerned by N.Korea's threat over S.Korean-U.S. drills RIA Novosti 17 Dec 2010 -- Russia's Foreign Ministry expressed its concern to North Korea's ambassador Kim Jong-Jae over promise to use military force.
• N. Korea Says Live-Fire Drill Will Prompt Another Attack VOA 17 Dec 2010 -- North Korea has issued a fresh threat to retaliate if South Korea goes ahead with its latest planned artillery exercise in the Yellow Sea.
• North Korea warns South over 'madcap' drills RIA Novosti 17 Dec 2010 -- North Korea warned South Korea over plans to hold live-fire drills, saying its response would be "deadlier" than shelling in November.
• New Study Predicts Tensions Over Middle East Water Shortages VOA 17 Dec 2010 -- Though disputes over water have come close to triggering wars between nations of the region in the past, diplomats intervened to keep tensions to a minimum.
• Uruguayan general named chief of UN observer mission in India and Pakistan UN News Centre 17 Dec 2010 -- Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon today appointed Major-General Raul Gloodtdofsky Fernandez of Uruguay as head of the United Nations mission in India and Pakistan.
• China's top negotiator with Taiwan to arrive for high-level talks CNA 17 Dec 2010 -- China's top negotiator with Taiwan is scheduled to arrive in Taipei next Monday for a new round of talks.
• Southern Sudan Focuses on January Referendum VOA 17 Dec 2010 -- Voter registration for the referendum on independence in southern Sudan was widely praised, despite a few concerns. Now the south prepares for its January 9th, 2011 vote.
• Côte d'Ivoire: Ban demands outgoing president step down after election defeat UN News Centre 17 Dec 2010 -- The United Nations ramped up its efforts to resolve the violent post-electoral crisis in Côte d’Ivoire.
• UN: Ivory Coast at Dangerous Turn VOA 17 Dec 2010 -- UN Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon the situation in Ivory Coast has taken a dangerous turn, as incumbent president Laurent Gbagbo continues to refuse to accept defeat.
• Ivory Coast Tense Amid Political Showdown VOA 17 Dec 2010 -- Ivory Coast's main city is quiet but tense, as fears loom that a political power struggle will spark more deadly clashes.
• UNHCR Says More Refugees Fleeing Ivory Coast VOA 17 Dec 2010 -- The United Nations refugee agency reports the number of people fleeing Ivory Coast continues to rise.
• Geneva talks hampered by Georgia's 'non-constructive' stance RIA Novosti 17 Dec 2010 -- Participants in the latest Geneva security talks have failed to achieve any progress due to Georgia's "non-constructive" position.
• Liberia: UN demands Government take action to freeze former warlord's assets UN News Centre 17 Dec 2010 -- For the fourth consecutive year, the Security Council demanded that the Liberian Government “make all necessary efforts to fulfil its obligations” to freeze the assets of former president Charles Taylor.
• CAMBODIA: Rights groups protest at order to close UN refugee site IRIN 17 Dec 2010 -- The Cambodian government has ordered the closure of a UN site holding dozens of Montagnard refugees from Vietnam.
• Security Council urges Iraq to fulfil pledges to Kuwait stemming from 1990 invasion UN News Centre 17 Dec 2010 -- The Security Council today called on Iraq to fulfil the commitments it has made to find Kuwaiti or third country nationals, property and archives lost in Saddam Hussein’s invasion of his small neighbour more than 20 years ago.

News Reports

• IAEA awaiting deal to send nuclear inspectors back to N.Korea RIA Novosti 17 Dec 2010 -- The IAEA will send inspectors to monitor North Korean nuclear facilities once it reaches an agreement with Pyongyang.
• U.S. says uninvolved in court proceedings against WikiLeaks founder RIA Novosti 17 Dec 2010 -- The United States is not involved in court proceedings underway in Britain against WikiLeaks founder Julian Assange.
• WikiLeaks Chief Condemns 'Smear Campaign' VOA 17 Dec 2010 -- WikiLeaks founder Julian Assange says he is the victim of a "very successful smear campaign," after being freed on bail by a London court over sexual assault allegations.
• US Fears Biowarfare Stemming From India VOA 17 Dec 2010 -- U.S. officials fear lax security at Indian laboratories could result in a biological terror attack, with fatal diseases like anthrax spreading worldwide.
• Ministry arrests 8 masterminding Dec. 15 bombing in Chabahar IRNA 17 Dec 2010 -- Intelligence Ministry: 8 terrorists, involved in the December 15 terrorist bombing in Chabahar were arrested by the ministry officials.
• Pakistan condemns suicide attack in Iran IRNA 17 Dec 2010 -- Pakistan strongly condemned the cowardly terrorist attack in the Iranian port city of Chabahar on December 15.
• Funerals Held in Iran for Mosque Bombing Victims VOA 17 Dec 2010 -- Iranian state media say funerals have been held for 39 people who were killed when suicide bombers targeted a Shi'ite religious ceremony.
• Kyrgyz parliament approves new coalition government RIA Novosti 17 Dec 2010 -- Kyrgyzstan's parliament voted to accept the structure of the new coalition government, which vowed to follow through on reforms designed to build parliamentary democracy in the country.
• Kyrgyzstan Approves New Government RFE/RL 17 Dec 2010 -- Kyrgyzstan has approved a new government, ending more than two months of political uncertainty following parliamentary elections and effectively initiating Central Asia's first parliamentary democracy.
• Former Kyrgyz Officials' Trial Postponed RFE/RL 17 Dec 2010 -- The trial of two former Kyrgyz officials in connection with unrest in the south of the country in May has been postponed until next week.
• UN official urges troubled West African States to learn from successful Guinea poll UN News Centre 17 Dec 2010 -- The successful elections that put Guinea back on the path to democracy last month is an example that other West African countries facing political instability can emulate.
• Dwindling funding could leave Pakistan flood survivors without aid UN News Centre 17 Dec 2010 -- The UN and its partners warned that humanitarian needs remain enormous amid dwindling resources.
• EU Report Warns Against Losing Ground With U.S. RFE/RL 17 Dec 2010 -- European Union foreign policy chief Catherine Ashton has called on European leaders to develop a coherent, common foreign policy in order to prevent the United States from turning away from Europe.
• As Belarus Votes, World Outside Settles On Lukashenka As The Devil It Knows RFE/RL 17 Dec 2010 -- Television viewers in Belarus treated to an unusual: Alyaksandr Lukashenka speaking Belarusian.
• Haiti: Ban appeals for more funds to fight cholera, sets up panel to probe its origins UN News Centre 17 Dec 2010 -- Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon today appealed to the world for more funds to fight the cholera epidemic in Haiti that has already killed more than 2,400 people and infected nearly 110,000 others, 55,000 of whom had to be hospitalized.
• Kosovo PM Named in Human Organ Scandal VOA 17 Dec 2010 -- In a political bombshell for the Balkans, Kosovo's Prime Minister Hashim Thaci has been named in a European report as the head of a 'mafia-like' crime organization - accused of drug dealing, assassinations and organ smuggling. The allegations threaten to derail Kosovo's efforts to gain fully-recognized independence and could have a major impact on the country's relations with the West.