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Operations
Defense Policy / Programs
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Other Conflicts
News Reports

Current Operations

• Suicide Bomber Kills In Iraq at Least 50, Wounds 150 VOA 18 Jan 2011 -- A suicide-bomber blew himself up in the midst of a crowd of aspiring police recruits in the Sunni-Arab town of Tikrit.
• Suicide Bomber Kills 50 Outside Iraqi Police Recruiting Center VOA 18 Jan 2011 -- Iraqi officials say a suicide bomber blew himself up in a crowd of police recruits, killing 50 people and wounding at least 150 others.
• Suicide Bomber Kills At Least 50 In Iraq RFE/RL 18 Jan 2011 -- Iraqi officials say a suicide bomber has killed at least 50 people and wounded some 150 others in a crowd of people seeking jobs with Iraq's security forces.
• Blair faces more questioning on legality of Iraq war IRNA 18 Jan 2011 -- Former PM Blair is to be further challenged about the legality of the Iraq invasion when he is recalled for a second time at the inquiry into 2003 war.
• Drawdown brings non-standard equipment mission to Sierra Army News 18 Jan 2011 -- As the stage was set for the Iraq War effort to be drawn down, the creation of the non-standard-equipment mission began.
• UN refugee agency concerned over Sweden's reported plan to deport Iraqis UN News Centre 18 Jan 2011 -- The UN refugee agency voiced concern over reports that Sweden planned to send about 25 Iraqis back to Baghdad.
• UNHCR Urges Sweden Not to Deport Iraqis VOA 18 Jan 2011 -- The UN refugee agency is concerned by reports Sweden plans to forcibly deport 25 Iraqis to Baghdad on Wednesday.
• Afghans, Coalition Broaden Assault on Insurgent Leaders AFPS 18 Jan 2011 -- Coalition and Afghan forces have removed dozens of insurgents from the fight across broad sections of Afghanistan.
• Marine tanks prepare for their first missions in Afghanistan USMC News 18 Jan 2011 -- Marines with Delta Company, 1st Tank Battalion began preparing for upcoming missions.
• Marines say insurgency weakening in northern Marjah USMC News 18 Jan 2011 -- On Jan. 15, 2nd Battalion, 9th Marine Regiment launched Operation Integrity, in Marjah, Helmand province, Afghanistan.
• Marines look to sky for resupply USMC News 18 Jan 2011 -- Marines from Landing Support Platoon, HSC, Combat Logistics Battalion 3 control all helicopter landing zone operations.
• New roads to bring better life to Afghan people USMC News 18 Jan 2011 -- Marines on patrol use little more than rocks and dirt to draw the plans for an upcoming project.
• Black Dragons provide security for PRT medical assessment team Army News 18 Jan 2011 -- Soldiers assigned to B/5-82nd Field Artillery provided security and assistance for the Ninewa Provincial Reconstruction Team.
• AFGHANISTAN: Deminers in the firing line IRIN 18 Jan 2011 -- Taliban insurgents and other armed groups as well as criminal gangs in Afghanistan have been deliberately targeting demining NGOs.
• Iran to End Afghan Fuel Blockade VOA 18 Jan 2011 -- Iran has told the Afghan government it will lift its fuel blockade of Afghanistan.
• Afghans Seek New Fuel Source As Warm Relations With Tehran Turn Frosty RFE/RL 18 Jan 2011 -- President Hamid Karzai of Afghanistan is poised to call on his country's former enemy, Russia.
• Interior minister: Iran paid much for Afghans over past 30 years IRNA 18 Jan 2011 -- Interior Minister Mostafa Mohammad Najjar: Iran has paid a heavy cost over past 30 years for supporting the Afghan refugees in Iran.
• Britain Moves to Ban Pakistani Taliban VOA 18 Jan 2011 -- The British government has moved to designate the Pakistani Taliban as a terrorist group.

Defense Policy / Programs

• Commission to Recommend Lifting Ban on Women in Combat AFPS 18 Jan 2011 -- A commission charged with evaluating Defense Department policies to ensure they promote equal opportunity plans to recommend lifting the ban on women in combat.
• US Nuclear Carrier Fleet's Entry into Northeast Asia KCNA 18 Jan 2011 -- A fleet of the U.S. nuclear-powered carrier Carl Vinson moved to the Northeast Asian region, away from its main duty to defend the U.S. mainland.
• Gunston Hall Departs Mayport for Amphibious-Southern Partnership Station 2011 NNS 18 Jan 2011 -- USS Gunston Hall, along with an embarked U.S. Marine Corps Theater Security Cooperation Task Force and a U.S. Navy staff element from Destroyer Squadron 40, departed Naval Station Mayport.
• Frank Cable Takes Virginia-Class Submarine Alongside NNS 18 Jan 2011 -- For the first time ever, the USS Hawaii moored outboard the submarine tender USS Frank Cable.
• Army expanding UAS fleet, speeding up delivery Army News 18 Jan 2011 -- The Army is speeding up delivery of some of its newer Unmanned Aircraft System assets such as the Gray Eagle.
• USACE builds a new small arm simulator in Israel Army News 18 Jan 2011 -- The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers Europe District is overseeing a nearly $1.7 million, small arms firing simulator project designed to improve the capability and training of the Israeli military.
• Mission Success: Bosnia Herzegovina EOD Unit Army News 18 Jan 2011 -- Over the past five years, the U.S. Army Security Assistance Training Management Organization has assisted Bosnia Herzegovina (BiH) in the formation and training of their first Explosive Ordnance (EOD) Unit.
• Hickam aircrew maximizes training in Guam AFNS 18 Jan 2011 -- It took 23 passes over designated drops zones and a 12-hour tactical duty day of training to finish a single day of airdrop training in Guam.
• RAT helps 493rd EFS get home AFNS 18 Jan 2011 -- After completing their NATO Baltic air policing mission rotation, Airmen from the 493rd Expeditionary Fighter Squadron only have one thing left to do: get home.
• Study shows pre-deployment screening yields benefits Army News 18 Jan 2011 -- An Army study released today found that Soldiers who received extra behavioral-health screening prior to deployment had significantly lower rates of combat stress than those who did not.
• Army STARRS Army News 18 Jan 2011 -- The Army Study to Assess Risk and Resilience in Servicemembers (Army STARRS) is the largest study of mental health risk and resilience factors ever conducted among military personnel.
• First female Soldier promoted to CW5 in N.D. National Guard Army News 18 Jan 2011 -- When Chief Warrant Officer 5 Susan Johnson, a native of Wilton, N.D., enlisted in the Army National Guard in 1980 she never envisioned herself being a pioneer in womens' history.
• BRAC to amplify peak moving season Army News 18 Jan 2011 -- This year's peak moving season is expected to be even busier than usual due to Base Realignment and Closure and officials warn that prior planning is important to avoid stress.
• Tracking Fort Bragg's newest engine Army News 18 Jan 2011 -- Fort Bragg ushered in the new decade with a softer-sounding chug, thanks to USAX 6508, a firebrick red engine designed by the National Railway Equipment Company.
• CONA Schemed T-34s Arrive Aboard NAS Whiting Field NNS 18 Jan 2011 -- Two T-34C "Turbo Mentors" arrived aboard Naval Air Station Whiting Field, Fla., Jan. 13 as part of a line of aircraft that have been repainted to help raise awareness of this year's centennial of naval aviation.
• Sailors, Marines Honored for School Renovations in Ecuador NNS 18 Jan 2011 -- Sailors and Marines supporting Southern Partnership Station (SPS) 2011 were recognized for renovations they performed at a school in Montecristi, Ecuador, during a ceremony hosted by local officials, military leaders and school board staff Jan. 17.
• USS Halsey Sailor Missing at Sea NNS 18 Jan 2011 -- U.S. and British units are searching for a Sailor from USS Halsey (DDG 97) who went missing while the ship was conducting operations in the Gulf of Oman Jan. 18.
• 'Gas-for-fleet' terms to be agreed within 2 months RIA Novosti 18 Jan 2011 -- The Russian and Ukrainian finance ministries will draw up a draft agreement within two months on the extension terms of the lease of the Sevastopol port to Russia.
• Taiwan to check under-performing Sparrow missiles CNA 18 Jan 2011 -- Taiwan Ministry of National Defense will check each and every one of the remaining missiles to find out what went wrong.
• Ma dismisses connection between drill, Hu's U.S. visit CNA 18 Jan 2011 -- President Ma dismissed speculation that air defense exercise was timed to coincide with visit by China's president to US.
• Taiwan Tests Missiles Ahead of China-US Meeting VOA 18 Jan 2011 -- Taiwan has tested several missiles, just as China’s president heads off to visit the United States.
• India asks China to demonstrate sensitivity to core interests IRNA 18 Jan 2011 -- India has said that Asian countries would judge China's 'peaceful rise' not so much by the intentions of its leadership as by their 'actions'.
• KCNA on Japan's Overseas Policy KCNA 18 Jan 2011 -- Recently Japan had confabs for strengthened military cooperation with the U.S., asserting the "need" to tighten the "security alliance".
• Press Briefing by Press Secretary Robert Gibbs, 1/18/2011 The White House 18 Jan 2011
• U.S. Department of State Daily Press Briefing US Dept. of State 18 Jan 2011
• Secretary Clinton Interview With Meredith Vieira of NBC's Today Show US Dept. of State 18 Jan 2011
• Secretary Clinton Interview With George Stephanopoulos of ABC's Good Morning America US Dept. of State 18 Jan 2011
• Secretary Clinton Interview With Erica Hill of CBS's The Early Show US Dept. of State 18 Jan 2011
• Secretary Clinton Interview With Emma Wu of CCTV US Dept. of State 18 Jan 2011

Defense Industry

• DoD News: Contracts for January 18, 2011
• BAE Systems to Support F-35 Mission Planning; Secures Another Data Security Patent BAE Systems 18 Jan 2011 -- BAE Systems has signed a $3.8 million contract to continue supplying the secure operating system that runs the F-35 Joint Strike Fighter's mission-planning software.
• General Dynamics Awarded $44 Million for Saudi Tank Work General Dynamics 18 Jan 2011 -- General Dynamics Land Systems, a business unit of General Dynamics (NYSE: GD), was recently awarded two contracts worth $44 million for the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia’s tank program. The contracts were awarded by the U.S. Army TACOM Lifecycle Management Command on behalf of the Royal Saudi Land Forces. This work is part of a plan by the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia to upgrade its entire fleet of 314 tanks.
• General Dynamics Awarded $177 Million by U.S. Army for Logistics Support General Dynamics 18 Jan 2011 -- General Dynamics Information Technology, a business unit of General Dynamics Corporation (NYSE: GD), has been awarded a contract by the U.S. Army to operate its Supply Support Activity (SSA) in Kuwait. The contract has an initial value of $31.2 million for the first year, with a potential value of $177 million over five years if all options are exercised.
• Lockheed Martin Receives Urban Operations Training System Contract Award Lockheed Martin 18 Jan 2011 -- The U.S. Army’s Program Executive Office of Simulation, Training and Instrumentation awarded Lockheed Martin [NYSE: LMT] an indefinite delivery/indefinite quantity contract to provide Urban Operations Training Systems (UOTS) for the U.S. Army, Army Reserve and National Guard. The award includes an initial $22,000 delivery order with a potential value of $287 million over five years.
• Northrop Grumman Hosts FACE Consortium Meeting to Develop Open Standards for Department of Defense Avionics Systems Northrop Grumman 18 Jan 2011 -- Northrop Grumman Corporation's (NYSE:NOC) Navigation Systems Division will host a meeting of the Future Airborne Capability Environment (FACE) Consortium at their Woodland Hills, Calif., facility this week. The FACE Consortium is a collaborative group of avionics industry and U.S. Army, Navy and Air Force members who are working to develop standards for a common operating environment to support portable capability applications across Department of Defense (DoD) avionics systems.
• Sagem wins contract for 1,175 JIM LR 2 new-generation long-range multifunction infrared binoculars, to be deployed by French armed forces Sagem (Safran group) 18 Jan 2011 -- French defense procurement agency DGA announced that, following international competitive bidding, it had awarded a contract to Sagem (Safran group) for 1,175 JIM LR 2 new-generation long-range multifunction infrared binoculars, intended for the French armed forces. This contract is part of the “JIR-TTA-NG” program to acquire new-generation infrared binoculars for deployment by all services of the armed forces.
• Northrop Grumman Verifies Crosslink Capability Between STSS Demonstration Satellites Northrop Grumman 18 Jan 2011 -- The effectiveness of the Space Tracking and Surveillance System (STSS) Demonstration satellites has been expanded after a communications crosslink was activated and successfully tested by Northrop Grumman Corporation (NYSE:NOC), prime contractor, and Raytheon Company (NYSE:RTN), sensor payload provider.

Other Conflicts

• Daily Press Briefing by the Office of the Spokesperson for the Secretary-General, 18 January 2011 United Nations 18 Jan 2011
• S. Korean Authorities Urged to Carry out Inter-Korean Declarations KCNA 18 Jan 2011 -- To carry out the inter-Korean declarations is the basic way for ending the confrontation between the north and the south.
• US Discouraging Palestinian UN Move on Settlements VOA 18 Jan 2011 -- The Obama administration is actively discouraging an Arab-sponsored move to have Israeli settlement activity in the West Bank condemned and declared illegal by the U.N. Security Council.
• Medvedev Reaffirms Soviet Recognition Of Palestine RFE/RL 18 Jan 2011 -- Russian President Medvedev has stressed during a visit to the West Bank that Russia recognized an independent Palestinian state in 1988 and is not changing that position.
• Medvedev backs creation of Palestinian state RIA Novosti 18 Jan 2011 -- Russian President Dmitry Medvedev reiterated his support for the creation of an independent Palestinian state.
• Russian President in West Bank for Mideast Talks VOA 18 Jan 2011 -- Russian President Dmitry Medvedev has arrived in the West Bank for talks with Palestinian officials focusing on the Middle East peace process.
• Lebanon Tribunal Prosecutor Speaks on Indictments VOA 18 Jan 2011 -- Chief prosecutor for the UN-backed tribunal investigating the murder of former Lebanese Prime Minister Rafiq Hariri: Indictment he filed is the first step to ending impunity in Lebanon.
• Puntland Breaks Away From Somali Government VOA 18 Jan 2011 -- The Puntland region has decided to separate from the Transitional Federal Government of Somalia, dimming hopes for peace and stability.
• Sudan Ruling Party Official Expects Secession Vote Result VOA 18 Jan 2011 -- A senior member of Sudan’s governing National Congress Party (NCP) said his party expects the outcome of the just-ended referendum to be “secession.”
• Sudanese Diaspora Vote Unanimously in Favor of Secession VOA 18 Jan 2011 -- The Southern Sudanese diaspora in Ethiopia has voted almost unanimously in favor of the South’s separation from the North.
• Security Council welcomes 'peaceful' conclusion of voting in South Sudan's referendum UN News Centre 18 Jan 2011 -- The Security Council welcomed the conclusion of voting in the referendum for the self-determination of Southern Sudan.
• Observers Declare Sudan Voting a Success VOA 18 Jan 2011 -- The major organizations monitoring the referendum on independence in Southern Sudan are releasing their findings on the voting process.
• UN envoy urges calm after violence in Sudan's West Darfur UN News Centre 18 Jan 2011 -- The head of the joint UN-AU peacekeeping mission in Darfur, Ibrahim Gambari, called for calm following recent clashes in the town of Nertiti.
• Sudan: Blue Nile State Weighs its Future VOA 18 Jan 2011 -- Sudan’s Blue Nile State did not take part in the just completed independence referendum in Southern Sudan.
• Sudanese Opposition Leader Arrested VOA 18 Jan 2011 -- Sudanese security forces have arrested a top opposition leader who suggested the country is ready for a Tunisia-style uprising.
• Press Conference by Secretary-General's Special Representative for Côte d'Ivoire, 18 January 2011 United Nations 18 Jan 2011
• African Countries Have Mixed Record on Power Succession VOA 18 Jan 2011 -- A new round of diplomacy begins in Ivory Coast this week, as African leaders and international mediators continue to look for a solution to the power stalemate in the country.
• Côte d'Ivoire: Gbagbo loyalists open fire towards UN security patrol UN News Centre 18 Jan 2011 -- Forces loyal to former president of Côte d’Ivoire, Laurent Gbagbo opened fire last night towards UN peacekeepers.
• Peacekeeping Officials: ECOWAS Invasion of Ivory Coast Unlikely VOA 18 Jan 2011 -- Officials at former UN Secretary General Kofi Annan's Peacekeeping Training Center say the threat of a West-Africa-led invasion of Ivory Coast is unlikely.
• AU Envoy Continues Bid to Resolve Ivory Coast Crisis VOA 18 Jan 2011 -- The African Union's mediator to Ivory Coast is set to meet with the internationally recognized winner of the country's November presidential elections.
• Call for Nationwide Strike in Ivory Coast Gathers Little Traction VOA 18 Jan 2011 -- In Ivory Coast, a call for a nationwide strike against incumbent president, Laurent Gbagbo, has failed to spark widespread participation.
• Nigerian Militants Threaten New Attacks VOA 18 Jan 2011 -- Nigeria's main militant group is threatening new attacks, this time against oil and fuel storage facilities.
• Armenia says Nagorny Karabakh will 'never be part of Azerbaijan' RIA Novosti 18 Jan 2011 -- Nagorny Karabakh has no future as part of Azerbaijan, Armenian President Serzh Sargsyan said.
• Azerbaijan: Soldier Killed In Karabakh Skirmish RFE/RL 18 Jan 2011 -- One Azerbaijani soldier has been killed and two Armenian conscripts wounded in skirmishes at the Armenian-Azerbaijani "line of contact".
• Council of Europe Rapporteur Says Azerbaijan Refusing To Grant Him Entry Visa RFE/RL 18 Jan 2011 -- A Council of Europe rapporteur for Azerbaijan says Baku is refusing to issue him a visa.
• PACE postpones decision on future of Russian-Georgian dossier RIA Novosti 18 Jan 2011 -- PACE has postponed the decision on the future of monitoring reports on the outcome of the August 2008 Russian-Georgian war until the end of January.
• Tajik Officials Say Four IMU Suspects Killed In North Last Year RFE/RL 18 Jan 2011 -- A Tajik Interior Ministry official says four suspected members of the banned Islamic Movement of Uzbekistan were killed and some 50 others arrested in northern Tajikistan last year.
• Germany Opens First Rwanda Genocide Trial VOA 18 Jan 2011 -- Germany's first trial related to the Rwandan genocide is underway with a former Rwandan mayor accused of ordering three Tutsi massacres.

News Reports

• A Summit That Won't Be Business As Usual: Obama, Hu Meet In Washington RFE/RL 18 Jan 2011 -- A meeting of the heads of the world’s two biggest economies would make headlines under any conditions.
• Taiwan watchful as China's Hu begins U.S. visit CNA 18 Jan 2011 -- Relations among Taiwan, China and the United States are by no means a "zero-sum" game, and Taiwan hopes Washington will stand firm on its commitment to Taiwan.
• Chinese president's U.S. visit raises alarm on Taiwan-U.S. ties CNA 18 Jan 2011 -- President Ma must urge Washington to strongly reiterate U.S. obligations to Taiwan's security under the Taiwan Relations Act.
• Chinese President Arrives in US for State Visit VOA 18 Jan 2011 -- China’s President Hu Jintao has arrived in Washington for a state visit. Obama administration officials say they will not avoid difficult issues in meetings with Mr. Hu.
• China Sees Hu Visit as Building Trust VOA 18 Jan 2011 -- Chinese President Hu Jintao is on his way to the United States, with a message of the need for Sino-American cooperation, not confrontation.
• White House: China Must Take Steps to Revalue Currency VOA 18 Jan 2011 -- The White House says China must take more steps to allow its yuan currency to strengthen, and says that view is shared by many countries around the world.
• Iran Blames Computer Attack on US VOA 18 Jan 2011 -- Iran's top nuclear negotiator has blamed the United States for a computer virus attack on the nation's disputed nuclear program.
• Iran's invitation for inspection of nuclear sites, encouraging sign IRNA 18 Jan 2011 -- Head of the IAEA Amano termed Iran’s invitation for inspection of its nuclear facilities as an encouraging sign.
• US Sees Political Progress in Tunisia Despite Turmoil VOA 18 Jan 2011 -- The U.S. State Department said Tuesday it thinks Tunisia’s new unity government is making progress toward political reform despite continuing disputes over its make-up. U.S. officials believe the events of the past week in Tunisia, in which authoritarian President Zine el-Abidine Ben Ali was driven from power, have implications for the region.
• Tunisia's Interim Government on Shaky Ground VOA 18 Jan 2011 -- The future of Tunisia's day-old interim government appeared in doubt Tuesday with the resignation of at least four members and fresh protests against it.
• Resignations Hit Tunisia's Coalition as Thousands Protest VOA 18 Jan 2011 -- At least four opposition ministers have quit Tunisia's day-old unity government, aligning themselves with demonstrators who insist democratic change is impossible while so many supporters of the ousted president remain in power.
• Tunisia's Interim President, PM Quit Ruling Party VOA 18 Jan 2011 -- State media reports from Tunisia say the country's interim president and prime minister have resigned from the ruling party of ousted President Zine El Abidine Ben Ali.
• Ministers Resign From Tunisia's New Government VOA 18 Jan 2011 -- Three ministers have resigned from Tunisia's day-old coalition government.
• Tunisia: Ban makes new appeal for end to violence, calls for credible elections UN News Centre 18 Jan 2011 -- Secretary-General Ban urged that all efforts be taken to restore peace and stability in the north African country.
• Kim Jong Il Gives Field Guidance to General Machinery Plant KCNA 18 Jan 2011 -- General Secretary Kim Jong Il gave field guidance to the technologically updated January 18 General Machinery Plant.
• Former Kyrgyz Defense Minister To Sue National Commission RFE/RL 18 Jan 2011 -- A former Kyrgyz defense minister says he will sue a state commission that investigated the ethnic clashes between Uzbeks and Kyrgyz in southern Kyrgyzstan last summer.
• Haiti's Duvalier Charged With Corruption VOA 18 Jan 2011 -- Haitian police escorted former dictator Jean-Claude Duvalier from a luxury hotel in Port-au-Prince Tuesday, two days after Duvalier's surprise return to the country after nearly 25 years in exile.
• Haitian Police Take Ex-Dictator Duvalier to Court VOA 18 Jan 2011 -- Police in Haiti have escorted former dictator Jean-Claude Duvalier from a Port-au-Prince hotel and taken him to court, two days after he made an unexpected return.
• Former Haitian leader's return raises impunity issues, UN human rights office says UN News Centre 18 Jan 2011 -- The return to Haiti of former Haitian leader Jean Claude Duvalier clearly raises issues of impunity and accountability.
• UN: Haiti Needs 'Evidence' to Prosecute Ex-Dictator Duvalier VOA 18 Jan 2011 -- Haiti's chief prosecutor went with a judge and police Tuesday to meet with former dictator Jean-Claude Duvalier, who returned to the country Sunday after 25 years in exile in France.
• European Parliament Set To Condemn Belarus Crackdown RFE/RL 18 Jan 2011 -- The main political groupings in the EP have put together a joint draft resolution condemning the Belarus crackdown.
• Israeli PM Gives Posts to Labor Party Defectors VOA 18 Jan 2011 -- Israeli PM Netanyahu is giving four cabinet posts to former Labor party politicians who resigned from the party under the lead of Defense Minister Ehud Barak.
• 7.2 Quake Hits SW Pakistan VOA 18 Jan 2011 -- A magnitude 7.2 earthquake has rocked southwestern Pakistan.
• Little Damage From Major Pakistan Earthquake RFE/RL 18 Jan 2011 -- Tens of thousands of residents spent the night outside their apartment buildings and homes in southern Pakistan following a huge earthquake in a remote region.
• Massive 7.4 Earthquake Hits Southwestern Pakistan RFE/RL 18 Jan 2011 -- United States Geological Service has reported a major earthquake measuring 7.4 in magnitude in a remote area in southwestern Pakistan.