• Military Menu                       

• Introduction
• Systems
• Facilities
• Agencies
• Industry
• Operations
• Countries
• Hot Documents
• News
• Reports
• Policy
• Budget
• Congress
• Links

• WMD
• Intelligence
• Homeland Security
• Space

Operations
Defense Policy / Programs
Defense Industry
Other Conflicts
News Reports

Current Operations

• OIF/OEF Casualty Update 23 Dec 2010 [PDF]
• Airpower Summary for December 19 AFNS 23 Dec 2010
• Airpower Summary for December 18 AFNS 23 Dec 2010
• Airpower Summary for December 17 AFNS 23 Dec 2010
• Airpower Summary for December 16 AFNS 23 Dec 2010
• Afghanistan Battles Insecurity, Joblessness VOA 23 Dec 2010 -- Growing insecurity and unemployment in Afghanistan is forcing Afghans into the capital, across borders and into the insurgency looking for work.
• Afghan, Coalition Forces Engage Enemy in East, South AFPS 23 Dec 2010 -- Afghan and coalition forces killed numerous insurgent fighters and seized weapons caches in eastern Afghanistan today, military officials reported.
• Afghan air force members distribute supplies to nearby town AFNS 23 Dec 2010 -- Members of the Afghan Air Force and NATO Air Training Command-Afghanistan visited a village north of Kabul Dec. 22 to distribute school supplies and clothes.
• Afghan Political Crisis Simmers Despite Positive Signs RFE/RL 23 Dec 2010 -- Afghan President Hamid Karzai is sending out mixed signals as he prepares to complete the puzzle of Afghanistan's bicameral parliament.

Defense Policy / Programs

• US: Tactical Nuclear Weapons Deal with Moscow Next VOA 23 Dec 2010 -- The Obama administration says limiting U.S. and Russian tactical nuclear weapons will be its next arms control goal after Wednesday's Senate ratification of the new strategic arms reduction treaty with Moscow. U.S. officials say they expect mutual strategic arms inspections, which stopped a year ago, to be underway again by April.
• Russian parliament to consider New START ratification Friday RIA Novosti 23 Dec 2010 -- Russian parliament's lower house, the State Duma, and upper house, the Federation Council, will consider the new arms reduction treaty between Russia and the United States on Friday, top deputies said Thursday.
• Russian parliament to decide on START ratification date, procedure RIA Novosti 23 Dec 2010 -- The lower house of the Russian parliament is to meet later in the day to set a date on the ratification procedure for the new arms pact with the United States, the State Duma said on Thursday.
• Russia yet to see U.S. Senate ratification resolution RIA Novosti 23 Dec 2010 -- Russia is waiting for the text of the U.S. Senate resolution on the ratification of a new strategic arms pact to proceed with its own ratification procedure, Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov said on Thursday.
• Russian lower house may ratify new START treaty on December 24 RIA Novosti 23 Dec 2010 -- Russia's lower house of parliament may ratify a new nuclear arms treaty with the United States on Friday, speaker Boris Gryzlov said on Thursday.
• President Medvedev welcomes START treaty ratification by U.S. Senate RIA Novosti 23 Dec 2010 -- Russian President Dmitry Medvedev welcomes the ratification of a new U.S.-Russian arms reduction deal by the U.S. Senate but believes it could take some time for the Russian lawmakers to study the amendments to the treaty.
• Russian Parliament Could Ratify US Nuclear Treaty Friday VOA 23 Dec 2010 -- Russia's parliament could ratify a new nuclear arms control treaty with the United States as soon as Friday.
• Amos: 'We can save Marines lives and their ability to get back into the fight' USMC News 23 Dec 2010 -- The Commandant of the Marine Corps, Gen. James F. Amos, accompanied by the Corps’ top enlisted Marine, Sergeant Major of the Marine Corps Carlton Kent, visited service members of 1st Marine Logistics Group (Forward) at Camp Leatherneck, Afghanistan, Dec. 23.
• Secretary of the Navy Concludes Six-Country Trip NNS 23 Dec 2010 -- The secretary of the Navy (SECNAV) concluded a seven-day, six-country trip Dec. 22 that included Malta, Afghanistan, Saudi Arabia, Israel, Italy and Algeria.
• USS Frank Cable Scores Above Average During 3M Assessment NNS 23 Dec 2010 -- The submarine tender USS Frank Cable (AS 40) scored above average in a recent Commander, Submarine Force, U.S. Pacific Fleet (COMSUBPAC) Maintenance and Material Management (3M) inspection, Dec. 14.
• USS Frank Cable Participates in Marine Exercise NNS 23 Dec 2010 -- Marines from the 3rd Force Reconnaissance Company conducted visit, board, search and seizure (VBSS) training aboard the submarine tender USS Frank Cable (AS 40) Dec. 10.
• Investigation Completed into HSM-41 Helicopter Incident at Lake Tahoe NNS 23 Dec 2010 -- The command investigation into the inadvertent water landings at Lake Tahoe in September 2010 of two helicopters assigned to Maritime Strike Helicopter Squadron (HSM) 41 was completed Dec. 20.
• Commander, 1st Naval Construction Announces Battle "E" Winners NNS 23 Dec 2010 -- The 1st Naval Construction Division (1NCD) announced the winners of the 2010 Battle "E" Award Dec. 21 in Virginia Beach, Va.
• 'Major Milestone' in Construction Reached at Future Walter Reed NNS 23 Dec 2010 -- Construction at the future Walter Reed National Military Medical Center (WRNMMC) in Bethesda, Md., reached a milestone Dec. 22, as a ribbon cutting ceremony was held for two buildings that will provide care for military personnel and their families.
• US, Peruvian Sailors Dedicate Classroom at Elias Aguirre Romero School NNS 23 Dec 2010 -- The mission commander for Southern Partnership Station (SPS) 2011 joined Peruvian navy engineers Dec. 20 at Elias Aguirre Romero School in Ventanilla, Peru, to cut a ceremonial ribbon and dedicate a 512 square-foot classroom that was jointly built by American and Peruvian Sailors.
• Third Army revolutionizes the R&R process Army News 23 Dec 2010 -- Third Army has accommodated more than one million Servicemembers through the U.S. Central Command Rest and Recuperation leave program as of November at the Army Life Support Area in Kuwait.
• Technicians repair, upgrade cryptographic keys Army News 23 Dec 2010 -- Technicians here are screening and upgrading new cryptographic devices that are replacing several older devices.
• Barksdale sergeant streamlines maintenance process AFNS 23 Dec 2010 -- For Air Force maintainers, the shift is not over until the job is finished. This means every minute counts, and time is wasted every time an Airman has to wait in line for an aircraft part.
• Congress Extends Stop-loss Application Deadline AFPS 23 Dec 2010 -- The deadline for eligible servicemembers, veterans and their beneficiaries to apply for Retroactive Stop Loss Special Pay has been extended to March 4, Defense Department officials announced today.
• NATO Redefines Role, Relationships in 2010 VOA 23 Dec 2010 -- NATO is remaking itself to meet the needs of the future. Yet for 2011, that means continuing the war in Afghanistan. Here's a look at the past year and what lies ahead for the world's oldest military alliance.
• Russia may rejoin NATO anti-terror patrols in Mediterranean RIA Novosti 23 Dec 2010 -- Moscow may resume participation in NATO's Active Endeavour anti-terrorist operations in the Mediterranean Sea, Russian Deputy Foreign Minister Alexander Grushko said on Thursday.
• Iran Reports Attending Meeting With US Navy VOA 23 Dec 2010 -- Iran's official media are reporting that a high-ranking Iranian naval commander attended a meeting on regional piracy where U.S. Navy commanders were present.

Defense Industry

• DoD News: Contracts for December 23, 2010

Other Conflicts

• 23 December 2010 - Daily Press Briefing by the Office of the Spokesperson for the Secretary-General United Nations 23 Dec 2010
• War Rhetoric Rises Between Koreas VOA 23 Dec 2010 -- North and South Korea have increased their rhetoric against one another as the South conducted more military exercises.
• South Korea ends military drills near border with North RIA Novosti 23 Dec 2010 -- South Korea staged on Thursday what it said was its largest-ever military drills amid increasing tensions with the North.
• S.Korea holds live fire military exercises near border with North as tensions continue RIA Novosti 23 Dec 2010 -- South Korea held military live fire exercises near the border with North Korea on Thursday morning, YTN Korean television reported.
• South Korea Stages Huge Show of Force Near DMZ VOA 23 Dec 2010 -- Exactly one month after North Korea bombarded Yeonpyeong island, South Korea's military has staged a brief but large show of force. The country's president told troops his patience with Pyongyang has run out.
• North Korea Threatens 'Holy War' After South's Military Drills RFE/RL 23 Dec 2010 -- South Korea completed a major show of its military strength amid high tensions with rival neighbor North Korea.
• North Korea 'ready for holy war' against South RIA Novosti 23 Dec 2010 -- North Korea warned on Thursday of a "holy war" using its nuclear deterrent, following the largest-ever military drills by the South earlier today.
• Palestinians Seek UN Condemnation of Israeli Settlements VOA 23 Dec 2010 -- With the Middle East peace process in tatters, the Palestinians are taking their struggle to the United Nations.
• UN official cites devastating impact of Israeli demolitions on Palestinian children UN News Centre 23 Dec 2010 -- A senior United Nations official today condemned the demolition of two refugee homes in East Jerusalem, stressing in particular the trauma caused to Palestinian children forced to witness their homes being destroyed.
• ECOWAS Leaders Meet Over Ivory Coast Crisis VOA 23 Dec 2010 -- An official of the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) told VOA several heads of state and government in the sub-region are in Nigeria’s capital, Abuja, to participate in an emergency summit to find ways to resolve the political crisis in Ivory Coast.
• Côte d'Ivoire: UN substantiates reports of killings, torture, arrests and disappearances UN News Centre 23 Dec 2010 -- Human rights officers in Côte d’Ivoire have substantiated allegations of more than 170 killings, hundreds of arrests and dozens of cases of torture, ill treatment and enforced disappearance of people over the past one week, a senior United Nations rights official said today.
• UN: More Than 170 Killed in Ivory Coast Violence VOA 23 Dec 2010 -- A United Nations official says more than 170 people have been killed over the past week in Ivory Coast, which remains locked in a post-election crisis.
• U.N. Human Rights Council Condemns Violence in Ivory Coast VOA 23 Dec 2010 -- The U.N. Human Rights Council passed a resolution Thursday on the political crisis in Ivory Coast. The resolution condemns the violence taking place there, such as killings, abductions, arbitrary detentions, extrajudicial executions and sexual violence.
• Independence Referendum Ballots Arrive in Sudan VOA 23 Dec 2010 -- The ballot papers for a January referendum on southern independence have arrived in Sudan. The United Nations handed over the materials to the referendum commission during a ceremony in the southern capital, starting the final stage of preparations for the vote.
• Russian observers to monitor referendum on Southern Sudan's independence RIA Novosti 23 Dec 2010 -- Russian observers will take part in monitoring a referendum on the independence of Southern Sudan, Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov said on Thursday.
• ETHIOPIA-KENYA: Rebel group wreaks havoc in northeast Kenya IRIN 23 Dec 2010 -- The presence of an Ethiopian rebel group in northern Kenya, coupled with operations by security forces from both countries, has caused numerous casualties and displacement among local residents, who also complain of arbitrary arrests.
• Analysis: Discontent rising in Indonesia's Papua region IRIN 23 Dec 2010 -- Activists in Papua continue to voice their discontent with Indonesia's central government, calling for greater autonomy to help improve the region's socio-economic problems.

News Reports

• Iran's President Seeks Regional Economic Help VOA 23 Dec 2010 -- Iranian President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad is meeting leaders attending a regional economic summit in Turkey, as he seeks economic help under straining international sanctions involving his country's disputed nuclear program.
• IRAQ: Christian IDPs find refuge in Kurdish north IRIN 23 Dec 2010 -- Hundreds of Iraqi Christians are fleeing to the northern semi-autonomous Kurdish region and particularly the town of Ankawa, which has become a safe haven for the country’s Christians, thanks to its special status and privileges granted by the Kurdistan Regional Government (KRG).
• Women 'Disappointed' By Nearly All-Male Iraqi Cabinet RFE/RL 23 Dec 2010 -- Iraqi women legislators and rights activists have expressed disappointment that there is only one woman in the country's new government, RFE/RL's Radio Free Iraq reports.
• US Makes Yemen Assistance Top Priority VOA 23 Dec 2010 -- One year ago, on Christmas Day, al-Qaida operatives in Yemen tried unsuccessfully to take down a U.S. airliner with a suicide bomber, who came to be known afterward as the "underwear bomber." One year later, the United States has substantially increased its financial assistance to Yemen and is trying to stabilize the middle eastern country.
• Terror Fears Increase During European Holiday Season VOA 23 Dec 2010 -- Fears of terrorist attacks in Europe have increased this holiday season following a series of incidents in various European countries, including parcel bombs that exploded in embassies in Rome.
• Press Conference by Mexico upon Conclusion of Security Council Tenure United Nations 23 Dec 2010
• Press Conference by Uganda on Conclusion of Two-Year Security Council Tenure United Nations 23 Dec 2010
• Australia apologises to Indian doctor, admits mistake IRNA 23 Dec 2010 -- Australia Thursday apologised to Indian doctor Mohammad Haneef for wrongly detaining him for 12 days on terror charges in 2007.
• Russia offers India all help to combat terror IRNA 23 Dec 2010 -- Describing warm Indo-Russian ties as 'special' and not merely a 'figure of speech', Russian President Dmitry Medvedev Wednesday assured India all help in its fight against terror.
• 2 Wounded in Rome Embassy Blasts VOA 23 Dec 2010 -- Packages have exploded at the Swiss and Chilean embassies in Rome, wounding two people. Police are checking all embassies in the Italian capital for potential problems.
• When did espionage become so dull? RIA Novosti 23 Dec 2010 -- Hard on the heels of the WikiLeaks scandal comes yet another spy dispute, this time between Russia and Britain. London has expelled a Russian diplomat for what Foreign Secretary William Hague called overstepping the unwritten rules of espionage and Russia has responded tit-for-tat by sending a Brit home.
• Norwegian Paper Says It Has All WikiLeaks Cables VOA 23 Dec 2010 -- A Norwegian newspaper says it has access to all 250,000 classified diplomatic cables originally held solely by WikiLeaks, which the controversial website for weeks has been leaking out to a select number of dailies.
• Pakistan: Intelligence Chief Won't Be Forced to Appear in US Court VOA 23 Dec 2010 -- Pakistani Prime Minister Yousuf Raza Gilani said the chief of Pakistan's Inter-Services Intelligence (ISI) will not be forced to appear in any U.S. court. Gilani made a speech to Pakistan's National Assembly Thursday, over what he called a "sensitive issue."
• UN experts welcome entry into force of treaty on enforced disappearance UN News Centre 23 Dec 2010 -- A landmark treaty to deter enforced disappearances entered into force today with United Nations experts tasked with assisting families determine the fate or whereabouts of the disappeared urging States to ensure the eradication of the crime by bringing those responsible to justice.
• Serbia ships 2.5 tons of nuclear waste to Russia RIA Novosti 23 Dec 2010 -- Serbia has successfully transferred 2.5 tons of highly radioactive nuclear waste to Russia, a statement by the press service of the Serbian government said on Thursday.