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Defense Policy / Programs
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News Reports

Current Operations

• Biden Promises Responsible Drawdown in Iraq AFPS 13 Jan 2011 -- After meeting in Iraq today with its new governmental leaders and with U.S. officials, Vice President Joe Biden promised deployed U.S. service members the United States will draw down its forces in a way that preserves their achievements and honors the sacrifices made there.
• Biden In Baghdad, With Troop Talks On Agenda RFE/RL 13 Jan 2011 -- U.S. Vice President Joe Biden has arrived in Iraq for talks with Iraqi leaders about the future of U.S. troops in the country as they prepare to leave the country at the end of 2011.
• Biden, Iraqi Leaders Discuss Strengthening Bilateral Ties VOA 13 Jan 2011 -- U.S. Vice President Joe Biden held talks with Iraqi Prime Minister Nouri al-Maliki in Baghdad Thursday, just hours after arriving in the Iraqi capital.
• IRAQ: Enforced disappearances - "a long-term challenge" IRIN 13 Jan 2011 -- Asma Al-Haidari, an Amman-based Iraqi human rights analyst and advocate, says the phenomenon of enforced disappearances in Iraq touches the whole population, irrespective of age, gender, ethnicity or religious belief.
• Transcript: DOD News Briefing with Maj. Gen. Terry and Mr. Ensher via Teleconference from Afghanistan DoD 13 Jan 2011 -- Presenter: Commander, Regional Command South Maj. Gen. James Terry and Senior Civilian representative Mr. Henry Ensher
• Coalition Works to Extend Southern Afghanistan Gains AFPS 13 Jan 2011 -- Coalition forces and their civilian counterparts in southern Afghanistan are focused on holding and extending their gains in the area before a likely spring offensive by the Taliban, U.S. leaders there said today.
• Forces in Afghanistan Target Taliban, Haqqani Leaders AFPS 13 Jan 2011 -- Coalition and Afghan forces continued to target Taliban and Haqqani terrorist network operatives in operations conducted yesterday around Afghanistan, military officials reported.
• Navy, Air Force Aircraft Cooperate in OEF Support NNS 13 Jan 2011 -- Aircraft from the USS Abraham Lincoln Strike Group began their fourth month of Operation Enduring Freedom (OEF) support Jan. 12, teaming up with U.S. Air Force KC-135 Stratotanker and the KC-10 Extender tankers to extend their mission endurance to more than 1,000 miles.
• OPFOR battalion marks completion of 5-year mission in Afghanistan Army News 13 Jan 2011 -- Members of the Hohenfels and Grafenwoehr military communities, along with representatives from the Romanian Army, joined together today in Hohenfels, Germany, during a ceremony to officially recognize the completion of the 1st Battalion, 4th Infantry Regiment's 5-year mission in Afghanistan.
• Construction Management Team cases colors, prepares for deployment Army News 13 Jan 2011 -- The 243rd Construction Management Team, 18th Engineer Brigade, cased its colors Jan. 6 at Tompkins Barracks here in preparation for their upcoming deployment to Afghanistan.
• DOD Teachers Take on Mission in Afghanistan AFPS 13 Jan 2011 -- Judy Ryan has taught English as a second language in five countries over the past 15 years, but this is her first year teaching in a war zone.
• AFGHANISTAN: Iran fuel ban hurting the poor, says minister IRIN 13 Jan 2011 -- A sharp rise in fuel prices caused by a recent Iranian fuel export ban, against a backdrop of rising global fuel prices, has bumped up food and medicine prices across Afghanistan, prompting concerns about the welfare of millions of vulnerable Afghans this winter.
• Soldiers test new beta voice-translation smart phones Army News 13 Jan 2011 -- Soldiers from Task Force Currahee are the first in eastern Afghanistan to test the new smart phone, beta-version of a voice language translation program to be fielded in early January.
• Bagram Airfield receives new aircraft fueling system Army News 13 Jan 2011 -- The construction of a new fuel delivery system is in place on the flight line here to quickly refuel aircraft on Bagram Airfield.

Defense Policy / Programs

• Joint Press Conference with Secretary Gates and Minister Kitazawa from Tokyo, Japan DoD 13 Jan 2011 -- Presenter: Secretary of Defense Robert M. Gates and Japanese Minister of Defense Tosihimi Kitazawa
• Gates Wants More Japanese Cooperation on Defense VOA 13 Jan 2011 -- U.S. Defense Secretary Robert Gates discussed realigning the U.S.-Japan "force posture" to respond to the threat from North Korea and potential threats from China, during talks Thursday with Japanese leaders.
• Gates Stresses Need to Prevent North Korean Provocations AFPS 13 Jan 2011 -- Preventing another North Korea provocation of South Korea is in everyone’s interest, Defense Secretary Robert M. Gates said here today.
• Despite Pubic Pledges Of Cooperation, Key Differences Remain Between U.S., Pakistan RFE/RL 13 Jan 2011 -- U.S. and Pakistani leaders publically praised each other and renewed pledges of cooperation during U.S. Vice President Joe Biden visit to Islamabad on January 12.
• DoD News: Tricare Young Adult Program Announced DoD 13 Jan 2011 -- The Department of Defense announced today its introduction of the premium-based Tricare Young Adult Program (TYAP) which extends medical coverage to eligible military family members to the age of 26. Expected to be in place later this spring, TYAP implements the National Defense Authorization Act (NDAA) of fiscal 2011. Premium costs for TYAP are not yet finalized, but the NDAA specifies rates must cover the full cost of the program.
• Full Spectrum Aviation: Resilient and Adaptive for the Future Security Environment Army News 13 Jan 2011 -- Full Spectrum Aviation is the ability to deliver maximum aviation capabilities in the most timely and flexible manner to the warfighter.
• Army exploring emerging technologies Army News 13 Jan 2011 -- The Army is exploring a wide range of cutting-edge technologies such as solar-powered battery chargers, digital mapping technology, alpine goggles with a head-mounted GPS display screen, handheld smartphones for the dismounted Soldier, and more discussed at the International Consumer Electronics Show in Las Vegas, Nev., Jan. 6-11.
• Leaders Discuss Logistics Modernization at FISC Yokosuka NNS 13 Jan 2011 -- The Vice Commander of Naval Supply Systems Command (NAVSUP) and the Deputy Commander of Commander Fleet and Industrial Supply Centers (COMFISCS) teamed up to talk logistics modernization at Fleet Industrial Supply Center (FISC) Yokosuka, Japan through Jan. 13th.
• Enterprise Carrier Strike Group Deploys NNS 13 Jan 2011 -- The Enterprise Carrier Strike Group (CSG) departed its homeport of Norfolk Jan. 13 to embark upon its first deployment since 2007.
• DOD Explores Post-NSPS Personnel Modifications AFPS 13 Jan 2011 -- As the National Security Personnel System fades into history, the Defense Department is exploring new modifications to the personnel system, a DOD official said today.
• Year After Haiti Quake, Gunston Hall Begins New Mission AFPS 13 Jan 2011 -- One year after it was diverted from a maritime security exercise in Africa to respond to the devastating earthquake in Haiti, the USS Gunston Hall left its home port of Norfolk, Va., yesterday for a military cooperation mission in Central and South America and the Caribbean.
• Director Calls Personnel System Transition 'Rewarding' AFPS 13 Jan 2011 -- The Defense Department’s transfer of more than 170,000 civilian employees out of the National Security Personnel System since 2009 has been smooth, the transition’s director said today.
• Southcom Chief Praises Haiti Quake Response AFPS 13 Jan 2011 -- A year after his headquarters staff jumped into action to coordinate the military response to a devastating earthquake in Haiti, Air Force Gen. Douglas Fraser, commander of U.S. Southern Command, offered high praise yesterday for the hard work and dedication they demonstrated.
• Air Guard Team Provides Critical Care Transport AFPS 13 Jan 2011 -- After a six-year hiatus, the Air National Guard is back in the critical care air transport team business.
• Skills-Based Training being tested at Ordnance School Army News 13 Jan 2011 -- Today's dynamic operational environment demands a more versatile maintenance Soldier, one who has the skills to repair and maintain an ever-changing inventory of equipment.
• 18th Engineers partner with German 464th Special Engineer Battalion Army News 13 Jan 2011 -- From ruck marches to shooting competitions, physical fitness tests to sporting events, the 18th Engineer Brigade and the German 464th Special Engineer Battalion have been busy developing an enduring partnership here since August.
• Maritime Civil Affairs Team Delivers Smiles to Ecuadorian Children NNS 13 Jan 2011 -- Sailors assigned to Maritime Civil Affairs Team 207 passed out stuffed animals to kids at a halfway home for endangered youth in Manta, Ecuador, Jan. 12.
• Air Force officials using more green-roof technologies AFNS 13 Jan 2011 -- If they're not providing top cover on Air Force bases already, chances are they will be soon.
• HMM-262 soars to 60,000 hours with no Class A mishaps USMC News 13 Jan 2011 -- Marine Medium Helicopter Squadron 262 (Reinforced), Marine Aircraft Group 36, 1st Marine Aircraft Wing, III Marine Expeditionary Force, recently marked 60,500 flight hours without sustaining any Class A mishaps.
• U.S. military joint-service team steps up for Operation Onward Liberty 2011 USMC News 13 Jan 2011 -- Marine Corps Forces, Africareceived the first wave of new mentors bound for Liberia to participate in Operation Onward Liberty.
• Obama urged to reaffirm U.S. security commitment to Taiwan CNA 13 Jan 2011 -- The four co-chairs of the U.S. Congressional Taiwan Caucus have written to President Barack Obama, urging him not to overlook Taiwan's interests in his upcoming meeting with China's President Hu Jintao.
• Seabees Improve Working Conditions in Guantanamo NNS 13 Jan 2011 -- Thirty-two Seabees from Naval Mobile Construction Battalion (NMCB) 28 Detachment Gold, based in Shreveport, La., have been improving camp conditions at the Seabee compound at Guantanamo Bay, Cuba, in January 2011.
• Dirt turned for new WTU complex Army News 13 Jan 2011 -- The Warrior Transition Unit allows the Army to rehabilitate Soldiers and return them to deploying units.
• High Retention Prompts Officer Selective Early Retirement Board NNS 13 Jan 2011 -- To help offset high retention and low attrition among active duty captains and commanders in the unrestricted line communities, the Navy will conduct a selective early retirement (SER) board in July 2011.
• S. Korea, Japan Improve Military Ties in Face of North Korean Threat VOA 13 Jan 2011 -- South Korea and Japan have held their first talks on creating unprecedented agreements to share military intelligence and equipment. It is something the United States has encouraged because of recent attacks blamed on North Korea and Pyongyang’s continuing nuclear threat. But both Seoul and Tokyo may find it necessary to move cautiously because of historical legacies and concern about how Beijing will react.
• US Nuclear-Powered Carrier Flotilla Enters Ports of S. Korea KCNA 13 Jan 2011 -- U.S. nuclear-power carrier Carl Vinson entered Pusan Port of south Korea on Jan. 11, according to Yonhap News of south Korea.
• Press Briefing by Press Secretary Robert Gibbs, 1/13/2011 The White House 13 Jan 2011
• Press Gaggle by Senator Gillibrand and Representative Wasserman Schultz Aboard Air Force One en route Andrews Air Force Base The White House 13 Jan 2011
• Press Gaggle by Press Secretary Robert Gibbs Aboard Air Force One en route Andrews Air Force Base The White House 13 Jan 2011
• U.S. Department of State Daily Press Briefing US Dept. of State 13 Jan 2011

Defense Industry

• DoD News: Contracts for January 13, 2011
• Boeing Forms Information Solutions Business to Address Growing IT/Cyber Market Boeing 13 Jan 2011 -- Boeing [NYSE: BA] today announced that it has formed a new Information Solutions business to more efficiently offer proven, military-grade, software-based solutions for customers including the Department of Defense, the U.S. Intelligence Community, federal and international governments, and Fortune 1000 customers. John Hinshaw, Boeing's former chief information officer, will lead the new business as its vice president and general manager.
• Thales awarded a Service Contract for Royal Navy's S1850M Volume Search Radar Thales 13 Jan 2011 -- Defence Equipment & Support, the procurement and support organization of the UK Ministry of Defence, signed a contract with BAE Systems and Thales Nederland for the maintenance and support of the seven S1850M volume search radars that were sold to the Royal Navy. Six of these systems are, or will become, operational on the Type 45 class of vessels, while the seventh one serves as a land-based reference model.
• Thales awarded radar electronic support measures systems contract Thales 13 Jan 2011 -- Thales has been awarded a contract from the Defence Materiel Organisation (DMO) of the Netherlands Ministry of Defence to supply APX* radar electronic support measures (RESM) systems to the navies of the Netherlands and Belgium. The contract, which is part of a wider modernisation agreement between the two navies, will supply four APX systems for the M-Class frigates.

Other Conflicts

• 13 January 2011 - Daily Press Briefing by the Office of the Spokesperson for the Secretary-General United Nations 13 Jan 2011
• Côte d'Ivoire: Ban warns of consequences for those attacking UN peacekeepers UN News Centre 13 Jan 2011 -- Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon today warned forces loyal to the outgoing Côte d’Ivoire president, who has refused to step down despite his election defeat, that they will be held accountable for their criminal attacks on United Nations peacekeepers in the country.
• 3 UN Vehicles Burned in Ivory Coast VOA 13 Jan 2011 -- The United Nations says three U.N. vehicles in Ivory Coast have been attacked and burned by youths loyal to incumbent leader Laurent Gbagbo.
• COTE D'IVOIRE: Fresh violence in Abidjan, civilians on the move in the west IRIN 13 Jan 2011 -- Two days of bloody clashes in Abidjan, leaving at least nine dead, have prompted fears of renewed post-electoral violence in Côte d’Ivoire’s biggest city as the political stalemate entered its seventh week. Disputed electoral results have left both incumbent Laurent Gbagbo, and his challenger Alassane Ouattara claiming victory in November's presidential run-off.
• Hamas Deploys Security to Enforce Ceasefire with Israel VOA 13 Jan 2011 -- The Gaza Strip's ruling Hamas movement is sending security forces to the border with Israel to ensure that Gazans comply with a ceasefire.
• UN panel continues tour of polling centres on fifth day of South Sudan referendum UN News Centre 13 Jan 2011 -- The United Nations panel tasked with monitoring the long-awaited referendum on the future status of Southern Sudan continued visiting polling centres in the region today, the fifth day of the week-long exercise.
• South Sudan Aid Agencies Continue Food Aid as Need Declines VOA 13 Jan 2011 -- As voting in southern Sudan’s independence referendum enters its final days, relief officials say at least 1 million people will continue to need food assistance despite an improvement in food security over the past year.
• Self-Confessed Spy Warns Of New Russian-Georgian War RFE/RL 13 Jan 2011 -- A former member of the pro-Georgian South Ossetian leadership has warned that the Georgian leadership needs to embark immediately on talks with Russia to avert a new conflict, RFE/RL's Georgian Service reports.
• Security Council lauds UN preventive diplomacy work in Central Asia UN News Centre 13 Jan 2011 -- The Security Council today expressed its appreciation of efforts by the United Nations regional centre for preventive diplomacy in Central Asia to support countries there to respond to regional challenges, including the situation in Kyrgyzstan, and to find solutions for water and energy management issues through cooperation.
• UN refugee chief and European official begin joint visit to Yemen UN News Centre 13 Jan 2011 -- The United Nations refugee chief arrived in Yemen today along with the European Union’s top humanitarian official to assess assistance to civilians displaced by conflict in the country’s north, as well as challenges posed by the continuing influx of refugees on its shores.

News Reports

• Collapse of Lebanese Government Creates Worries of Deepening Crisis VOA 13 Jan 2011 -- Many Lebanese are worried Thursday that the fall of their national unity government could result in a new crisis in the historically volatile country.
• Israel Warns Hezbollah Against Any Spillover of Violence from Lebanese Crisis VOA 13 Jan 2011 -- As Lebanon's political crisis deepens, Israel is warning the militant Islamist group Hezbollah against any spillover of violence.
• Lebanese President Asks Hariri to Lead Caretaker Government VOA 13 Jan 2011 -- Lebanese Parliament Speaker Nabih Berri says formal consultations on forming a new government are expected to begin Monday.
• Lebanese presidential office officially accepts Gov't collapse IRNA 13 Jan 2011 -- Lebanon's Presidencial office accepted in an official statement Thursday that the government of Prime Minister Saad al-Hariri was collapsed after resignation of more than one third of its cabinet members.
• Foreign envoys to inspect Natanz, Arak nuclear installations IRNA 13 Jan 2011 -- Iran's Permanent Ambassador to the International Atomic Energy Agency Ali Asghar Soltanieh said here on Thursday that inspection of Iran's nuclear installations will be carried out on schedule.
• Iran's nuclear projects to become operational on step-by-step basis IRNA 13 Jan 2011 -- Acting deputy of Iran's Atomic Energy Organization (IAEO) Mohammad Ahmadian said on Thursday a number of national nuclear projects would become operational on a step-by-step basis.
• Russia to push for talks on Iran's nuclear program in Istanbul - Lavrov RIA Novosti 13 Jan 2011 -- Russia will push for talks on Iran's controversial nuclear program at the upcoming meeting of the Iran Six in Istanbul on January 21-22, Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov said on Thursday.
• Britain to review alleged Russian 'spy' case in October RIA Novosti 13 Jan 2011 -- Hearings in the case of alleged Russian spy Katia (Yekaterina) Zatuliveter, detained in Britain in late 2010, is set for October 18-21, a RIA Novosti correspondent reported from London on Thursday.
• Three crew members of UN humanitarian air service abducted in Darfur UN News Centre 13 Jan 2011 -- Three Bulgarian crew members working for the United Nations Humanitarian Air Service (UNHAS) were abducted in Darfur today, just over one month after three of their colleagues were freed after more than a month in captivity.
• Tunisian Security Forces Clash With Youths in Fresh Protests VOA 13 Jan 2011 -- Eyewitnesses say Tunisian security forces have clashed with groups of mostly young protesters in the capital Tunis Thursday, along with scattered reports of clashes in other cities.
• Security Tight as Nigeria's Ruling Party Meets to Choose Presidential Nominee VOA 13 Jan 2011 -- Leaders of Nigeria's ruling party are meeting to choose their presidential candidate amid tight security following a series of bombings.
• KENYA: Resettlement concerns as ICC mulls case against suspects IRIN 13 Jan 2011 -- As the International Criminal Court (ICC) decides whether to charge six prominent Kenyans over the violence that followed the 2007 presidential election, internally displaced persons (IDPs) have expressed concern over their much-delayed resettlement.
• Russia's Lavrov says no swap deals with U.S. on alleged arms dealer Bout RIA Novosti 13 Jan 2011 -- Russia is not discussing with the United States any possible swap deals concerning the alleged Russian arms dealer Viktor Bout, extradited to the United States from Thailand late last year, Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov said on Thursday.
• Niger: UN, African officials assess progress towards democratic poll following coup UN News Centre 13 Jan 2011 -- A joint United Nations-African mission arrived in Niger today to assess progress by the transitional authorities in organizing elections following last year’s coup and a recent wave of arrests.
• Taiwan keeping close watch on China-U.S. summit CNA 13 Jan 2011 -- Taiwan is keeping a close eye on an upcoming meeting between U.S. President Barack Obama and his Chinese counterpart Hu Jintao, and will exchange related information with Washington whenever possible, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs (MOFA) said Thursday.
• Tymoshenko says Ukrainian prosecutors try to cut her public role RIA Novosti 13 Jan 2011 -- Ukrainian opposition leader Yulia Tymoshenko accused prosecutors on Thursday of trying to stifle her political activity by demanding she spend every day in their offices reading the criminal case against her.
• Yanukovych pushes for reforms to Ukraine's state security system RIA Novosti 13 Jan 2011 -- Ukrainian President Viktor Yanukovych has plans to reform the country's state security system, his press service announced on Thursday.
• Commentary: New International Nuclear-Fuel Bank Likely To Find Few Customers RFE/RL 13 Jan 2011 -- When Russia’s quasi-commercial, quasi-strategic nuclear monopoly Rosatom announced the opening of a nuclear fuel bank in remote Siberia last December, it was a milestone in the nuclear age. The goal of the fuel bank is to offer a nuclear fuel supply of last resort to a country denied access to nuclear fuel.
• Russia's Foreign Minister Praises Better Relations With West RFE/RL 13 Jan 2011 -- Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov has praised the emergence of what he calls an increasingly democratic and stable world order, saying less confrontation and more cooperation had created a "new paradigm" in international relations.
• Rodong Sinmun Calls for Global Independence KCNA 13 Jan 2011 -- It is the common task of humankind to achieve global independence.
• South Korean Resident Put in Custody for Praising North KCNA 13 Jan 2011 -- The Seoul District Public Prosecutors' Office detained and indicted an inhabitant for praising the north, according to MBC of south Korea on Jan. 10.
• State Price Bureau to Be State Price Commission KCNA 13 Jan 2011 -- A decree to upgrade the State Price Bureau into the State Price Commission was promulgated.