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Operations
Defense Policy / Programs
Defense Industry
Other Conflicts
News Reports

Current Operations

• Former British PM Testifies Before Iraq Inquiry VOA 21 Jan 2011 -- Former BM Blair pledged his country's support for the 2003 invasion of Iraq despite being told by his gov's top lawyer that attacking would be illegal.
• Blair Returns For Second Round in Iraq Inquiry VOA 21 Jan 2011 -- Britain's former PM Blair has told an inquiry into the Iraq war that he pledged Britain’s support for the U.S.-led invasion a year before the war in Iraq began.
• Blair Tells Panel He Disregarded Legal Advice On Iraq RFE/RL 21 Jan 2011 -- Former British PM Blair has revealed that he pledged support for a military operation against Iraq's Saddam Hussein despite legal concerns.
• Blair arrives early at Iraq inquiry to avoid protests IRNA 21 Jan 2011 -- For the second time, former prime minister Tony Blair arrived over two hours early to avoid the ferocity of protests when being recalled to give evidence to the Iraq war inquiry on Friday.
• Insurgent Roadside Bombs Kill Afghan Civilians AFPS 21 Jan 2011 -- An Afghan child was killed and 12 other Afghans were wounded in insurgent roadside-bomb attacks in southern and eastern Afghanistan.
• TF Falcon: Year in Afghanistan with no losses Army News 21 Jan 2011 -- The leaders of Task Force Falcon returned from Afghanistan in November and told a packed house Jan. 15, how they succeeded there without losing a single Soldier.
• Bin Laden Tape Demands French Leave Afghanistan VOA 21 Jan 2011 -- A man claiming to be al-Qaida leader Osama Bin Laden has said in an audio message that the release of French hostages depends on the withdrawal of French troops from Afghanistan.
• Bin Laden demands France leave Afghanistan, warns of 'high price' RIA Novosti 21 Jan 2011 -- A man believed to be Al Qaeda chief Osama bin Laden has demanded France pull its troops out of Afghanistan, warning the country of a "high price" for its policies.
• Russia, U.S. to discuss Afghan helicopter deal in Washington RIA Novosti 21 Jan 2011 -- Talks on the delivery of Russian helicopters to Afghanistan will take place later this month in Washington.
• Russia to supply Afghanistan with drug crop eradication equipment RIA Novosti 21 Jan 2011 -- Russia is ready to supply Afghanistan with equipment to eradicate illicit drug crops.
• Russian, Afghan Presidents Open Door To Cooperation During Rare State Visit RFE/RL 21 Jan 2011 -- The presidents of Afghanistan and Russia have taken steps to resurrect economic and political ties that have been almost nonexistent since the fall of the Soviet Union.
• Russia hopes new parliament will unify Afghanistan - Medvedev RIA Novosti 21 Jan 2011 -- Russian President Dmitry Medvedev expressed hope on Friday that the new Afghan parliament will help bring the country together and restore full-fledged Afghan statehood.
• Afghan leader says Russia 'important partner,' seeks closer ties RIA Novosti 21 Jan 2011 -- Afghan President Hamid Karzai pledged on Friday to advance economic ties with Russia saying Moscow is an "important partner."
• Russia, Afghanistan Pledge Economic, Diplomatic Cooperation VOA 21 Jan 2011 -- Afghan President Hamid Karzai has made his first official visit to Russia, where he and Russian President Dmitry Medvedev discussed agreements on economic and diplomatic cooperation.
• Afghanistan: UN deeply concerned at delay in parliament's inauguration UN News Centre 21 Jan 2011 -- The UN Assistance Mission in Afghanistan voiced “deep concern and surprise” at the recent call to delay the inauguration of the National Assembly.
• 4th Financial Management Company assumes responsibility Army News 21 Jan 2011 -- Fort Bliss Soldiers from the 4th Financial Management Company officially began their deployment by uncasing their unit guidon and assuming responsibility of financial operations in Regional Command-South from the 126th FM Co. in a transfer of authority ceremony held at Kandahar Airfield, Afghanistan, Jan. 17.
• TF Iron Rakkasan radio connects GIRoA to people in Miri Army News 21 Jan 2011 -- The Afghan government and 3rd Battalion, 187th Infantry Regiment, 3rd Brigade Combat Team, 101st Airborne Division, are expanding their reach with a second Radio in a Box station at the Miri District Center in Andar Province.
• US Places Pakistani Taliban Leader on Terrorist List VOA 21 Jan 2011 -- The United States has placed a leading member of the Pakistani Taliban, Qari Hussain, on a terrorist blacklist.

Defense Policy / Programs

• 3/25 Infantry Division tackles training challenges at NTC Army News 21 Jan 2011 -- There may be fewer palm trees and flowers on Fort Irwin than in Hawaii, but for Soldiers of 3rd Brigade Combat Team, 25th Infantry Division, that's a good thing.
• AH-64 Apache simulator provides valuable training to Fort Bragg pilots Army News 21 Jan 2011 -- Even to the naked eye, there's a world of difference between the Sikorsky UH-60 Black Hawk and Boeing's AH-64D Apache aircraft.
• KC-10 marks 20 years of deployment, nearly 30 years of operations AFNS 21 Jan 2011 -- Jan. 17th was a special day for the KC-10 Extender community. It marked the day KC-10s, aircrews and maintainers have been on continuous deployment for 20 years -- 24 hours a day, seven days a week, 365 days a year -- to Southwest Asia in support of combat operations.
• Joint-service, civilian team makes medical history AFNS 21 Jan 2011 -- In an unprecedented Air Force, Army and civilian medical move, the longest recorded adult extracorporeal oxygenation transport to date was conducted from Hawaii.
• Operational ministry focuses on resiliency AFNS 21 Jan 2011 -- When Chaplain (Capt.) John Boulware arrived here in 2009 as chaplain of the 480th Intelligence, Surveillance and Reconnaissance Wing, his primary objective was to provide spiritual and resiliency care.
• Commander says headquarters' job is to make wings successful AFNS 21 Jan 2011 --
  Air Force Global Strike Command's new top leader addressed his headquarters staff Jan. 12, less than a week after taking command. His message: the headquarters is responsible for ensuring the success of its subordinate units.
• TSP contribution limits set for 2011 AFNS 21 Jan 2011 -- Federal Retirement Thrift Investment Board members announced the 2011 elective deferral limit for regular Thrift Savings Plan contributions will remain $16,500, and TSP catch-up plan contribution limits will remain at $5,500.
• TRICARE Improves Online Communication, Access AFPS 21 Jan 2011 -- Additions to the TRICARE military health plan’s website are giving beneficiaries easier access to their personal health data, more convenient appointment scheduling and better communication with their health care providers, the top TRICARE official reported.
• Personnel use technology to increase efficiency USMC News 21 Jan 2011 -- Editor’s note: This is the second article of an eight-part series on Inside Installation & Environment Division.
• Creditors cannot contact commands USMC News 21 Jan 2011 -- With a few exceptions, a Marine’s creditors are violating California and possibly federal law when they contact a Marine’s chain of command. Marines and their commands need to present a unified front to repel this inappropriate contact. Knowing the rights of Marines will save time for commands and relieve the anxiety of Marines whose creditors threaten the Marines’ careers.
• New exchange modernizes Wilson USMC News 21 Jan 2011 -- The Combat Center’s newest Marine Corps Exchange officially opened at Camp Wilson Jan. 14 to help deal with the large numbers of Marines needing supplies during their Enhanced Mojave Viper training.
• USS Scranton Deploys NNS 21 Jan 2011 -- The Los Angeles fast-attack submarine USS Scranton (SSN 756) departed on a regularly scheduled six-month deployment from Naval Station Norfolk (NSN) Jan. 21.
• USS George H.W. Bush Strike Group Underway for COMPTUEX/JTFEX NNS 21 Jan 2011 -- George H.W. Bush Strike Group departed for its Composite Training Unit Exercise (COMPTUEX) and Joint Task Force Exercise (JTFEX), Jan. 19.
• Guantanamo Hosts Gunston Hall NNS 21 Jan 2011 -- The amphibious dock landing ship USS Gunston Hall (LSD-44) arrived at Naval Station Guantanamo Bay, Cuba, to take on supplies and fuel Jan. 19.
• SECNAV Concludes 10-Day Trip to Colombia, Peru, Argentina, Brazil NNS 21 Jan 2011 -- The secretary of the Navy (SECNAV) concluded a 10-day trip from Jan. 10-19 of engagement and partnership building in South America, which included visits to Colombia, Peru, Argentina and Brazil.
• USS Toledo Returns from Deployment NNS 21 Jan 2011 -- Los Angeles-class attack submarine USS Toledo (SSN 769) returned to Naval Submarine Base New London Jan. 20, following a regularly scheduled deployment.
• Washington Navy Yard Sets Stage for Solid Curtain/Citadel Shield 2011 NNS 21 Jan 2011 -- Naval District Washington is anticipating an increased amount of activity aboard its installations throughout the NDW region when it conducts exercise Solid Curtain/Citadel Shield 2011, Feb. 21-25.
• Republic of Singapore Navy Trains with U.S. Navy NNS 21 Jan 2011 -- Assets assigned to Carrier Strike Group (CSG) 1 and the Republic of Singapore Navy (RSN) participated in an air surface warfare exercise in the South China Sea Jan. 19-20.
• Japan Builds Support for Futenma Move AFPS 21 Jan 2011 -- Japanese Defense Minister Toshimi Kitazawa traveled to Okinawa to build support for the realignment roadmap for U.S. forces based in Japan.
• 3rd MarDiv adds flexibility, firepower in modern six-shooter USMC News 21 Jan 2011 -- The M32A1 launches 40 mm grenades with a maximum effective range of 375 meters.
• Rifle improves rapid target engagement USMC News 21 Jan 2011 -- As a presence in several evolving conflicts around the world, Marines must remain up-to-date on the newest technology in order to defeat the enemy and complete the mission at hand.
• USARAF commander builds relationships in West Africa Army News 21 Jan 2011 -- Maj. Gen. David R. Hogg, commander, U.S. Army Africa, traveled to Ghana, Togo and Benin to visit with key military leaders and land force commanders.
• 3rd MLG Marines, sailors depart USMC News 21 Jan 2011 -- Personnel and equipment from 3rd Marine Logistics Group, III Marine Expeditionary Force, were loaded on a high speed vessel and departed from the Naha Military Port.
• Sweet home Cherry Point: VMA-542 returns from six months overseas USMC News 21 Jan 2011 -- Marine Attack Squadron 542 Marines and Sailors embraced their family and friends upon arrival to Marine Corps Air Station Cherry Point after a six-month deployment, Jan. 11.
• Northern NATO: Tracking polar bears and Russians? RIA Novosti 21 Jan 2011 -- The idea of a mini-NATO was one subject discussed at a summit of Northern European countries in London on January 19-20, 2011.
• S. Korean Navy Frees Crew of Hijacked Chemical Tanker VOA 21 Jan 2011 -- South Korean naval special forces stormed a hijacked ship early Friday and rescued 21 sailors and killed a number of pirates in the Arabian Sea.

Defense Industry

• DoD News: Contracts for January 21, 2011
• BAE SYSTEMS-NORTHROP GRUMMAN TEAM SUBMIT BID FOR AN AFFORDABLE, HIGH-PERFORMING GROUND COMBAT VEHICLE SOLUTION BAE Systems 21 Jan 2011 -- The BAE Systems-Northrop Grumman team submitted a proposal for a U.S. Army Ground Combat Vehicle (GCV) that emphasizes affordability, performance and future scalability.
• Boeing and SAIC Submit Revised Ground Combat Vehicle Proposal to US Army Boeing 21 Jan 2011 -- The Boeing Company [NYSE: BA] has teamed with Science Applications International Corporation (SAIC) [NYSE: SAI] to submit a revised proposal for the technology development phase of the U.S. Army’s Ground Combat Vehicle (GCV) program. The team originally submitted a proposal in May, but the initial Request for Proposal was rescinded and a second request was issued in November.
• SAIC-led Industry Team Continues to Pursue Ground Combat Vehicle Program SAIC 21 Jan 2011 -- Science Applications International Corporation (SAIC) (NYSE: SAI) announced today it will continue to lead a team pursuing the U.S. Army's Ground Combat Vehicle (GCV) program. The SAIC-led team submitted a revised proposal for the technology development phase of the Infantry Fighting Vehicle (IFV) being developed under the GCV effort to the U.S. government. The team originally submitted a proposal in May 2010, but the initial Request for Proposal was rescinded by the Army, and a second RFP issued in November 2010.
• BAE Systems Announces Agreement to Acquire Fairchild Imaging, Inc. BAE Systems 21 Jan 2011 -- BAE Systems today announced that it has entered into a definitive agreement to acquire Fairchild Imaging, Inc., a privately held company specializing in solid-state electronic imaging components, cameras, and systems for aerospace, industrial, medical, and scientific imaging applications. BAE Systems currently owns 8.7% of the equity of Fairchild Imaging and, upon completion of the acquisition for a cash consideration of approximately $86 million, will have acquired all of the remaining outstanding equity.
• 7th Boeing C-17 for Royal Air Force Arrives in United Kingdom Boeing 21 Jan 2011 -- Boeing [NYSE: BA] and its Boeing Defence UK subsidiary today announced the arrival of the Royal Air Force's seventh C-17 Globemaster III airlifter at RAF Brize Norton in Oxfordshire, England. The aircraft was officially delivered on Nov. 16 from Boeing's facility in Long Beach, Calif., and underwent modifications at the company's San Antonio facility before flying to the United Kingdom.
• January 21, 2011 - U.S. Department of State Daily Press Briefing US Dept. of State 21 Jan 2011

Other Conflicts

• 21 January 2011 - Daily Press Briefing by the Office of the Spokesperson for the Secretary-General United Nations 21 Jan 2011
• UN calls for more effective steps to sustain peace in post-conflict countries UN News Centre 21 Jan 2011 -- The Security Council devoted a day-long session to the equally important task of post-conflict peacebuilding.
• US Warns China on North Korea Policy VOA 21 Jan 2011 -- U.S. President Barack Obama is warning the United States may have to redeploy American forces in Asia unless China toughens its stance on North Korea.
• Seoul to propose date for talks with N.Korea next week - Yonhap RIA Novosti 21 Jan 2011 -- Seoul will next week propose a date for working-level talks with North Korea to prepare a high-level defense meeting.
• Koreas Move Toward Military Talks to Defuse Tensions VOA 21 Jan 2011 -- South Korea has accepted North Korea’s offer for military talks because Pyongyang appears willing to discuss provocative acts.
• Russia hails plans for inter-Korean military dialogue RIA Novosti 21 Jan 2011 -- Russia has welcomed plans for North and South Korea to start military talks in an effort to end months of confrontation.
• UN chief voices concern at lack of progress towards Israeli-Palestinian peace UN News Centre 21 Jan 2011 -- Secretary-General Ban very concerned at the lack of progress towards peace between Israel and the Palestinians.
• Palestinian Crowd Confronts French FM in Gaza VOA 21 Jan 2011 -- French Foreign Minister Michele Alliot-Marie got a shocking welcome during a tour of Gaza.
• Referendum Returns Point to Sudan Split VOA 21 Jan 2011 -- Preliminary results show that southern Sudan has overwhelmingly voted to secede from the north.
• Côte d'Ivoire: UN rejects Gbagbo's call to search its vehicles as violation of accord UN News Centre 21 Jan 2011 -- The UN rebuffed efforts by forces loyal to Côte d’Ivoire’s former president to stop and search UN vehicles.
• Ouattara Says Force May Be Needed to Remove Incumbent Ivorian Government VOA 21 Jan 2011 -- The internationally-recognized winner of Ivory Coast's presidential election says military force may now be needed to remove the incumbent government.
• UN Urges Countries Not to Deport Refugees to Ivory Coast VOA 21 Jan 2011 -- The United Nations refugee agency is urging governments not to deport Ivorian refugees back to their country.
• CENTRAL AFRICAN REPUBLIC: Fears of violence before elections IRIN 21 Jan 2011 -- Continuing violence in some regions of the Central African Republic could affect general elections due on 23 January, aid workers and observers warned.
• Ban hopes Central African Republic elections will advance stability UN News Centre 21 Jan 2011 -- Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon voiced the hope today that Central African Republic’s (CAR) delayed presidential and legislative elections, slated for Sunday, will help lay the foundation for stability and development in a country riven by fighting.
• Armenian Soldier Killed In Another Karabakh Skirmish RFE/RL 21 Jan 2011 -- An Armenian soldier was shot dead in continuing truce violations at Armenian-Azerbaijani "line of contact" around the breakaway Azerbaijani region of Nagorno-Karabakh.
• B'desh, India agree to sort out all border problems soon IRNA 21 Jan 2011 -- Bangladesh and India agreed to sort out all problems related to the common border within the next two months, ahead of the planned visit by PM Singh to the country later this year.
• DR Congo: authorities arrest army commander linked to alleged rapes, UN reports UN News Centre 21 Jan 2011 -- The authorities in the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC) have arrested the commander of national army soldiers who allegedly went on a rape and looting spree on New Year’s Day in the eastern part of the country, the United Nations peacekeeping mission said today.
• Japan regrets Russian commission's visit to Kuril Islands RIA Novosti 21 Jan 2011 -- Japanese Chief Cabinet Secretary Yukio Edano expressed deep regret over the visit of a Russian defense ministry commission to one of the disputed South Kuril Islands.

News Reports

• No Reported Progress in Iran Nuclear Talks VOA 21 Jan 2011 -- Representatives from Iran and six world powers have ended a first meeting o discuss Tehran's controversial nuclear program with no reported progress.
• Tehran will not comply with UN resolutions - IAEA envoy RIA Novosti 21 Jan 2011 -- Iran does not intend to abide by with the UN Security Council resolutions against the Islamic Republic.
• Envoy: Iran does not implement UNSC resolutions IRNA 21 Jan 2011 -- Iran's Ambassador and permanent representative in IAEA said that UN Security Council resolutions have been issued in violation of international laws.
• Soltanieh: Iran not to halt uranium enrichment project IRNA 21 Jan 2011 -- Iran’s IAEA envoy, Ali-Asghar Soltanieh, said here on Thursday that Iran will not halt its uranium enrichment project under any condition.
• Iran Six start nuclear talks in Turkey, no breakthrough awaited RIA Novosti 21 Jan 2011 -- The group of international mediators of Iran's controversial nuclear program, known as the Iran Six, started on Friday two days of closed talks with Iranian officials in Istanbul.
• Iran, World Powers Resume Nuclear Talks In Istanbul RFE/RL 21 Jan 2011 -- Iran and major world powers have launched two days of new talks in Istanbul, Turkey, over Tehran's controversial nuclear program.
• Iran nuclear talks get off to positive start - IRNA RIA Novosti 21 Jan 2011 -- Closed talks in Istanbul between the group of international mediators of Iran's controversial nuclear program, known as the Iran Six, and Iranian officials started in a "positive atmosphere".
• Chinese Leader Wraps Up US Visit VOA 21 Jan 2011 -- Chinese President Hu Jintao visited students and business leaders in the central U.S. city of Chicago, wrapping up a four-day visit to the United States.
• AIT chairman to brief Taiwan on Chinese leader's U.S. visit CNA 21 Jan 2011 -- Raymond Burghardt, chairman of the American Institute in Taiwan , will meet with President Ma Ying-jeou.
• Relations Between Washington and Moscow on the Mend VOA 21 Jan 2011 -- Most experts agree that relations between the United States and Moscow are better now than they've been for several years.
• Tunisians Take to Streets to Mourn Slain Protesters VOA 21 Jan 2011 -- A week after protests toppled Tunisian dictator President Zine el-Abidine Ben Ali, Tunisians again took to the streets as the country mourned the victims of weeks of unrest.
• Protests Continue in Tunisia Despite Mourning Period VOA 21 Jan 2011 -- Protests have continued in Tunisia in spite of the start of a three-day period of mourning for the victims of the unrest that led to the former president's ouster.
• Kenya Wins African Support to Defer ICC Prosecutions VOA 21 Jan 2011 -- Several African countries are backing Kenya’s bid to have the International Criminal Court suspend prosecutions of six prominent figures.
• Niger Presidential Candidates Want to Delay Election VOA 21 Jan 2011 -- Niger's presidential candidates are calling on the ruling military junta to delay until February 20, the presidential poll and to dissolve the electoral commission because of problems with local elections held earlier this month.
• Complaints Trail Nigerian Voter Registration VOA 21 Jan 2011 -- In Nigeria, voter registration entered its fifth day Friday, accompanied by wide-spread complaints.
• Obliterating Signatures In Kazakhstan RFE/RL 21 Jan 2011 -- Kazakhstan's Central Election Commission says all of the alleged 5 million signatures supporting a referendum to extend President Nursultan Nazarbaev's rule until 2020 will be destroyed within three months.
• Turkmen President Reiterates Multiparty-System Idea RFE/RL 21 Jan 2011 -- Turkmen President Gurbanguly Berdymukhammedov has urged parliament deputies to accelerate their work on a bill that would allow the establishment of other political parties.
• Russian Arms Dealer's Trial Resumes Amid Calls for Global Arms Treaty VOA 21 Jan 2011 -- Alleged Russian arms dealer Viktor Bout makes a second appearance in a New York court Friday.
• Bout's wife says alleged arms dealer was kidnapped, not extradited RIA Novosti 21 Jan 2011 -- Russian businessman Viktor Bout was extradited from Thailand to the United States last year without the proper procedures being followed.
• Bout pushes for private lawyer RIA Novosti 21 Jan 2011 -- Alleged Russian arms dealer Viktor Bout is in talks with the U.S. authorities on the possibility of bringing in a private lawyer to represent his case.
• 'Troubled' By Minsk Visit, U.S. Senator Urges Coordinated Moves To Counter Belarus Abuses RFE/RL 21 Jan 2011 -- A group of prominent U.S. senators has called for a strong and coordinated response by the United States and European Union to the crackdown on democracy activists following the December reelection of Belarusian President Alyaksandr Lukashenka.
• Belarus President Inaugurated in Isolation VOA 21 Jan 2011 -- Belarus President Alexander Lukashenko was inaugurated Friday for a fourth term.
• U.S. ready to support EU sanctions against Belarus RIA Novosti 21 Jan 2011 -- The United States supports an EU resolution calling for sanctions against the Belarusian leadership and is ready to take similar measures.
• Belarus President Lukashenko takes oath of office fourth time RIA Novosti 21 Jan 2011 -- Alexander Lukashenko was sworn in as president of Belarus for his fourth five-year term after controversial elections.
• Lukashenka Sworn In To Start New Term As Belarusian President RFE/RL 21 Jan 2011 -- Alyaksandr Lukashenka has been sworn in to start a new five-year term as president of Belarus.
• Pakistan: UN envoy stresses need for continuing assistance for flood survivors UN News Centre 21 Jan 2011 -- Pakistan remains in need of humanitarian and early recovery assistance as a result of the devastation wrought by last year’s massive floods, the United Nations special envoy for the country said today after visiting one of the provinces hit hardest by the deluge that affected a total of 20 million people.
• EU Vows To Push Uzbek President On Human Rights During Visit RFE/RL 21 Jan 2011 -- The European Union plans to pressure Uzbek President Islam Karimov to push forward with human rights reforms in his country when he visits Brussels on January 24.
• WikiLeaks: US Ambassador Condemned Evictions of Botswanan Bushmen VOA 21 Jan 2011 -- A human rights group says WikiLeaks has released information showing the U.S. ambassador to Botswana condemned the eviction of Bushmen from the Central Kalahari Game Reserve.