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News Reports

Current Operations

• OIF/OEF/OND Casualty Update 17 May 2011 [PDF]
• NATO and Libya - Operational Media Update: 16 May 2011
• NATO Ups Siege on Libya With Bombs, Leaflets VOA 17 May 2011 -- NATO is stepping up pressure on the Libyan government's strongholds with targeted aerial attacks and psychological warfare operations.
• NATO Airstrikes Pound Libyan Government Buildings VOA 17 May 2011 -- Russia has called on Libya to comply with a United Nations Security Council resolution and withdraw its armed forces from civilian areas.
• RAF and Navy strike targets in Tripoli UK MOD 17 May 2011 -- Missiles fired by the Royal Navy and RAF struck targets in Libya's capital Tripoli last night that are closely involved in the repression of the Libyan people by Colonel Gaddafi's regime.
• Hague backs NATO change to attack Libya's infrastructure IRNA 17 May 2011 -- Foreign Secretary William Hague expressed support for Britain's army chief General Sir David Richards in controversially calling to step up the bombing campaign in Libya to include country's infrastructure but denied it was outside the UN mandate.
• Reintegration In Afghanistan Hinges On Fate Of Turncoat Taliban RFE/RL 17 May 2011 -- Only weeks ago, Mullah Noorul Aziz was thick in the fight against Afghan and U.S. forces, leading more than 600 Taliban fighters across the deserts, mountains, and river valleys of southern Afghanistan to plant land mines and carry out ambushes.
• Combined Force Captures Taliban Suspect AFPS 17 May 2011 -- A combined Afghan and coalition force captured a Taliban roadside bomb facilitator, along with several other suspected insurgents, in the Panjwai district of Afghanistan's Kandahar province yesterday, military officials reported.
• Joint engineering effort builds bridges between US Army, Marines USMC News 17 May 2011 -- In early February, Marines from the 3rd Light Armored Reconnaissance Battalion found themselves in a difficult predicament with a vehicle stuck in the rising waters of Afghanistan's Helmand River.
• NATO Helicopters Fire on Pakistani Troops VOA 17 May 2011 -- Pakistani officials say NATO helicopters crossed into Pakistan and fired on troops, wounding two soldiers in an incident that drew a strong protest from the Pakistani military.
• USS Bulkeley Protects M/V Artemis Glory From Pirates NNS 17 May 2011 -- USS Bulkeley (DDG 84) responded to a mayday message from M/V Artemis Glory which reported it was being attacked by pirates while transiting the Gulf of Oman at 10:35 a.m. (local), May 16.

Defense Policy / Programs

• Frayed US-Pakistani Ties Probed on Capitol Hill VOA 17 May 2011 -- Former U.S. national security advisor Marine General James Jones says the future of U.S.-Pakistani relations is being decided in the aftermath of the killing of Osama bin Laden, and says Pakistan must change its behavior if frayed ties are to be salvaged.
• White House Launches U.S. International Cyber Strategy AFPS 17 May 2011 -- White House officials yesterday launched a strategy that the administration says unifies U.S. engagement with international partners on a range of cyber issues for the first time.
• DoD News: Senior Executive Service Announcement DoD 17 May 2011
• McConnell's 349th ARS named best Air Force air refueling unit AFNS 17 May 2011 -- The 349th Air Refueling Squadron has been named the most outstanding air refueling squadron in the Air Force.
• VMR Belle Chasse Detachment returns from Central Command deployment USMC News 17 May 2011 -- The first of 20 Marine Transport Squadron Belle Chasse Marines returned home from a six-month tour supporting Operations Enduring Freedom and New Dawn in Afghanistan and Iraq, May 11.
• F-35C Test Aircraft Exceeding Test and Evaluation Goals NNS 17 May 2011 -- Naval Air Systems Command announced May 17 that the test aircraft for the carrier variant of the F-35 Joint Strike Fighter have exceeded test and evaluation program goals so far this year.
• SECNAV Visits USS John C. Stennis NNS 17 May 2011 -- The Secretary of the Navy (SECNAV) Ray Mabus visited the aircraft carrier USS John C. Stennis (CVN 74) May 16, off the coast of Southern California.
• U.S. Embassy in Uruguay Hosts Reception Aboard USS Boone NNS 17 May 2011 -- The U.S. Embassy in Uruguay hosted a reception aboard guided-missile frigate USS Boone (FFG 28) during the ship's port visit to Montevideo, Uruguay, as part of Southern Seas 2011, May 13.
• George H.W. Bush Carrier Strike Group enters 6th Fleet NNS 17 May 2011 -- Ships and embarked squadrons from George H.W. Bush Carrier Strike Group (CSG) entered U.S. 6th Fleet's Area of Responsibility (AOR), May 16.
• Blue Ridge Hosts JS Hatakaze Operations Crew NNS 17 May 2011 -- The radio and combat information center crew from the Japan Maritime Self-Defense Force ship JS Hatakaze (DD 171) visited U.S. 7th Fleet's command ship, USS Blue Ridge (LCC 19), to tour Operations Department spaces during a subject matter expert exchange May 17.
• DISPOSAL FACILITY DEST
• Experimental solar shade in Djibouti provides constant power Army News 17 May 2011 -- The silence of nonpolluting solar energy at work will someday replace the hum of muffled generators in remote field locations.
• Thach Departs Uruguay to Continue Partnership Mission NNS 17 May 2011 -- USS Thach (FFG 43) departed Montevideo, Uruguay, May 16 after a completing its partnership and humanitarian mission there in support of Southern Seas Deployment 2011.
• China Downplays Report on Illegal North Korean Missile Shipments VOA 17 May 2011 -- Chinese officials are downplaying a U.N. report that accuses North Korea of continuing to export banned ballistic missile technology. On Tuesday, Chinese officials refused to engage allegations that the illegal shipments went through China.
• FM spokesman refutes any missile cooperation with N Korea IRNA 17 May 2011 -- The spokesman for the Foreign Ministry rejected Tuesday any missile cooperation with North Korea, calling it as propaganda conducted by some western states.
• India pushes for nuclear triad - paper RIA Novosti 17 May 2011 -- India's Nuclear Command Authority (NCA) has discussed the country's progress toward creating a fully-fledged nuclear triad, the Times of India said on Tuesday.
• Russian high-ranking officials sacked over state defense order RIA Novosti 17 May 2011 -- The Russian government has dismissed a number of military and defense industry officials for their poor performances in implementing the country's ambitious arms procurement program in 2010, the Kremlin said on Tuesday.
• Missile defense cooperation best way to ease Russia's concerns - U.S. official RIA Novosti 17 May 2011 -- Moscow's participation in the European missile defense is the best way to ease Russia's concern about the project, a high-ranking U.S. Department of State official told RIA Novosti on Tuesday.
• Taiwan planning to replace aging torpedoes: Defense News CNA 17 May 2011 -- Taiwan's military plans to budget US$860 million to purchase new Mk54 and Mk48 torpedoes to replace its aging U.S.- and German-made ones, the U.S.-based Defense News reported Monday.
• Press Briefing by Press Secretary Jay Carney, 5/17/2011 The White House 17 May 2011
• May 17, 2011 - U.S. Department of State Daily Press Briefing US Dept. of State 17 May 2011
• ROYS LAST MUSTARD AGENT-FILLED BULK CONTAINER Army News 17 May 2011 -- Workers at the Tooele Chemical Agent Disposal Facility (TOCDF) yesterday destroyed the last of 6,399 mustard agent-filled bulk containers originally stored at the U.S. Army's Deseret Chemical Depot (DCD).

Defense Industry

• DoD News: Contracts for May 17, 2011
• BAE SYSTEMS OASYS DELIVERING SMALLEST THERMAL MONOCULAR AVAILABLE BAE Systems 17 May 2011 -- BAE Systems OASYS recently completed its 2,000th delivery of the StalkIR™, one of the highest performing and smallest thermal monoculars available. The device provides warfighters with an effective surveillance tool to detect improvised explosive devises (IEDs) and other threats on the battlefield.
• BAE Systems Plc Reaches Civil Settlement With U.S. Department Of State In Connection With Earlier Settlement With U.S Justice Department BAE Systems 17 May 2011 -- The Company and the U.S. Department of State have reached a civil settlement in connection with violations of the US defence export control regulations that were the subject of the company's earlier settlement with the United States Justice Department, announced by the Company on 5th February 2010.
• Boeing KC-767 Tankers for Italian Air Force Formally Enter into Service Boeing 17 May 2011 -- The first two Boeing [NYSE: BA] KC-767 advanced aerial refueling tankers for the Italian Air Force (ItAF) formally entered into service today during a public ceremony near Rome.
• CASSIDIAN to modernise air defence training of German Armed Forces EADS 17 May 2011 -- Cassidian, the defence and security division of EADS, will modernise the STINGER air defence training system of the German Armed Forces, thus increasing the protection of German soldiers.
• Northrop Grumman's Rotorcraft Technology Contributes to U.S. Navy's Successful Test Bed Flight Northrop Grumman 17 May 2011 -- Northrop Grumman Corporation's (NYSE:NOC) Digital Avionics Suite technology was recently used for the first time in the successful flight of a UH-1N helicopter that serves as an avionics test bed for future rotary wing hardware and software developments.
• Sagem wins contract to supply second-generation fire control computers for French artillery Sagem (Safran group) 17 May 2011 -- Following a competitive call for tenders, the new-generation ballistic computer offered by Sagem (Safran group) was chosen by French defense procurement agency DGA to outfit all control stations in the French army's Atlas* artillery system.

Other Conflicts

• 17 May 2011 - Daily Press Briefing by the Office of the Spokesperson for the Secretary-General Unite Nations 17 May 2011
• Libya to honor UN resolution if NATO ends airstrikes - Russia RIA Novosti 17 May 2011 -- Libya is ready to comply with UN Security Council resolutions if NATO ends its airstrikes and the rebels cease hostilities, Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov said on Tuesday.
• Hundreds of refugees returning to Libya to attempt boat passage to Europe – UN UN News Centre 17 May 2011 -- The United Nations refugee agency today reported that hundreds of people who had entered Tunisia after fleeing the conflict in neighbouring Libya have now returned intending to board boats and travel to Europe.
• Obama, Jordan's King Discuss Mideast Developments VOA 17 May 2011 -- At the White House on Tuesday, U.S. President Barack Obama and Jordan's King Abdullah discussed the popular uprisings in the Middle East and efforts to move Israeli-Palestinian peace efforts forward.
• UN relief chief urges end to Israeli policies of evictions and demolitions UN News Centre 17 May 2011 -- The top United Nations humanitarian official today urged Israel to end its evictions policy after visiting communities in East Jerusalem where residents have been forced from their homes to make way for Israeli settlements, even as other residents face the prospect of having their houses and schools demolished.
• Netanyahu Gives No Hint of Concessions to Palestinians VOA 17 May 2011 -- Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu is scheduled to travel to Washington this week in an effort to muster U.S. support for Israel in the face of political changes in the Arab world and rising pressure from the Palestinians.
• ISRAEL-SYRIA: Golan's Druze community divided over protests IRIN 17 May 2011 -- When thousands of Palestinian refugees gathered on the Syrian border with Israel near the Israeli-occupied Golan Heights recently, local villagers were stunned. It was the first time in more than 20 years that there had been trouble on this border.
• Former Army Chief Convicted in 1994 Rwandan Genocide VOA 17 May 2011 -- The International Criminal Tribunal today (Tuesday) sentenced former Rwandan army chief Augustin Bizimungu and ex-paramilitary chief of the gendarmerie Augustin Ndindiliyimana to 30 years in prison for their part in the 1994 genocide. Ndindiliyimana was released because of time served and because the tribunal said he had limited command over his men and was opposed to the killing.
• UN official urges continued support for Burundi's peacebuilding efforts UN News Centre 17 May 2011 -- Burundi is making commendable efforts to consolidate its post-conflict peacebuilding process, the United Nations top official in the central African country told the Security Council today, calling on the international community to continue supporting its steps towards sustainable development.
• Tensions and insecurity persist in western Côte d'Ivoire, UN reports UN News Centre 17 May 2011 -- Security in Côte d'Ivoire's biggest city, Abidjan, is improving and commercial activities such as retail trade and banking are resuming, but tensions remain high in other parts of the country, notably the west, where outbreaks of violence have been recorded, the United Nations reported today.
• Sudan restricts movement of aid workers in Darfur, UN reports UN News Centre 17 May 2011 -- Sudanese authorities have announced that they are immediately restricting the movement of humanitarian workers operating in the south of the war-torn Darfur region because of ongoing military operations and security threats, the United Nations reported today.
• KENYA-SOMALIA: Endless stream of refugees IRIN 17 May 2011 -- Facilities in refugee camps in northeastern Kenya have been stretched to the limit, aid workers say, as more and more Somali refugees flee the conflict at home.
• Judges hearing Karadžic case at UN war crimes tribunal visit Sarajevo UN News Centre 17 May 2011 -- Judges at the United Nations tribunal conducting the genocide trial of the wartime Bosnian Serb leader Radovan Karadžic today began a five-day site visit to Sarajevo, the subject of a notorious and protracted siege during the Balkan conflicts of the 1990s.

News Reports

• US, EU Warn of New Steps Soon Against Syria VOA 17 May 2011 -- The United States and European Union are warning of new action against the Syrian government in the coming days if it does not halt its crackdown against protesters. Secretary of State Hillary Clinton and EU chief diplomat Catherine Ashton discussed Syria and efforts to get Iran back to big-power nuclear talks.
• Assad Family Grip on Syria Hampers Reform VOA 17 May 2011 -- Syrian President Bashar al-Assad's crackdown on anti-government protesters has been leavened with at least verbal concessions to reform. But given the history of the country, the government and his family, some political analysts believe those promises will never be fulfilled.
• Mubarak to apologize to Egyptian people - paper RIA Novosti 17 May 2011 -- Former Egyptian president Hosni Mubarak said on Tuesday he will apologize to his country for violently suppressing an anti-government uprising at the beginning of the year, the al-Shorouk daily said.
• YEMEN: Timeline of protests since 5 April 2011 IRIN 17 May 2011 -- Several hundred people have been killed or injured since the start of a nationwide revolt against the 32-year rule of President Ali Abdullah Saleh in the first week of February 2011. Below is a timeline of key events from 5 April to the present:
• Iran FM says Bushehr nuclear facility started up ISNA 17 May 2011 -- Iranian Foreign Minister Ali Akbar Salehi said on Tuesday the country's Bushehr nuclear plant has been started up.
• Japan Revises Plan to Bring Fukushima Reactors Under Control VOA 17 May 2011 -- Tokyo Electric will step up measures to prevent groundwater contamination at the stricken Fukushima nuclear-power plant amid worries that highly radioactive water is leaking from the core of at least one reactor.
• Endeavour to dock with ISS on Wednesday RIA Novosti 17 May 2011 -- The U.S. space shuttle Endeavour is scheduled to dock with the International Space Station at 2.15 pm Moscow time (10:15 GMT) on Wednesday, Russian Mission Control said.
• Space shuttle Endeavour takes off on final mission RIA Novosti 17 May 2011 -- The U.S. space shuttle Endeavour took off on its penultimate mission (STS-134) on May 16 after having been postponed several times due to additional engineering preparations and malfunctions at the launch site in Florida.
• Endeavour Crew Prepares for Space Station VOA 17 May 2011 -- The crew on the U.S. space shuttle Endeavour is getting ready for Wednesday's docking at the International Space Station.
• Calling Taiwan a 'province of China' totally unacceptable: MOFA CNA 17 May 2011 -- Taiwan's Health Minister Chiu Wen-ta told a World Health Organization (WHO) official Monday that calling Taiwan a province of China - as it did in a September, 2010 letter - was 'totally unacceptable,' according to the Ministry of Foreign Affairs.
• Details of new round of cross-strait talks not yet decided: SEF CNA 17 May 2011 -- Cross-Taiwan Strait negotiators have not yet decided when and where the next round of high-level talks between Taiwan and China will take place, Taiwan's top negotiator with China, Chiang Pin-kung, said Tuesday.
• No U.N. agency should determine Taiwan's position: U.S. CNA 17 May 2011 -- U.S. Secretary of Health and Human Resources Kathleen Sebelius said Tuesday that no organization of the United Nations has a right to unilaterally determine Taiwan's status.
• Cold war ends, now OK to advocate communism in Taiwan CNA 17 May 2011 -- A Legislative Yuan committee approved on Monday an amendment that negates the ban on people for advocating communism or the idea of splitting the national territory.
• Security Council urges Haiti's new Government to ensure stability and rule of law UN News Centre 17 May 2011 -- The Security Council today urged Haiti's new Government to focus on the critical tasks of rebuilding the country and ensuring stability and rule of law in the Caribbean nation as it congratulated the country's people for conducting elections peacefully.
• NIGERIA: Nailing the perpetrators of violence IRIN 17 May 2011 -- Following post-election violence in which an estimated 800 people were killed and 65,000 displaced, according to Human Rights Watch, state prosecutors need to follow through on arrests to try perpetrators and seek justice, rather than initiating new commissions of inquiry that will go nowhere, say civil society and human rights groups.
• Burma Frees Prisoners as US Renews Sanctions VOA 17 May 2011 -- Burma began releasing thousands of prisoners Tuesday under a limited clemency program that will have little impact on the nation's political prisoners.
• IMF's Poorer Beneficiaries Look At Scandal And Ask: Time For Fund To Change Its Ways? RFE/RL 17 May 2011