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Current Operations

• OIF/OEF/OND Casualty Update 20 May 2011 [PDF]
• NATO and Libya - Operational Media Update: 19 May 2011
• NATO targets Libyan Navy in Tripoli, Al Khums and Sirte NATO 20 May 2011 -- NATO and coalition air assets continued their precision airstrikes against pro-Qadhafi regime forces overnight with a coordinated strike against pro-Qadhafi forces in the ports of Tripoli, Al Khums and Sirte.
• NATO Destroys 8 Libyan Warships VOA 20 May 2011 -- NATO says it has hit eight warships used by forces loyal to Libyan leader Moammar Gadhafi in a series of airstrikes.
• RAF strikes Gaddafi's Navy UK MOD 20 May 2011 -- RAF jets participated in a major NATO strike against Colonel Gaddafi's Navy last night as part of the UK's ongoing support to the NATO-led Operation UNIFIED PROTECTOR, protecting Libyan civilians under threat of attack.
• 1st Cav takes over in Afghanistan Army News 20 May 2011 -- During a pivotal time in the war on terror and in Afghanistan's history, Regional Command-East's command authority shifted from Combined Joint Task Force-101 to CJTF-1.
• ANCOP SWAT ascends to new heights Army News 20 May 2011 -- Members of the 2nd Afghan National Civil Order Patrol Special Weapons and Tactics, or SWAT, team completed three weeks of grueling training with the Kandahar Pathfinder Detachment, 4th Battalion of the 101st Aviation Regiment, and are ready to take their place as the newest elite Afghan security force.
• Task Force delivers S&T efficiencies in Afghanistan Army News 20 May 2011 -- Motivated by its motto to 'empower, unburden and protect the American Warfighter,' the U.S. Army Research, Development and Engineering Command is now delivering real-time science and technology support directly to Warfighters on the battlefield.
• Infantry Soldiers Hold Border Hilltop During Afghanistan Attack AFPS 20 May 2011 -- This week, members of 'Dog' Company maintained their hold on a key hilltop located just meters from the Afghanistan-Pakistan border by winning a 14-hour firefight with insurgents.
• 'Dog' Company Takes Fight to the High Ground AFPS 20 May 2011 -- 'Dog' Company's mission, here near the Pakistan border, is simple: 'climb mountains and kill bad guys.'
• 2nd ANGLICO watches over Georgian forces USMC News 20 May 2011 -- In a combat environment, the word liaison represents a means of communication for ensuring mission accomplishment, which is exactly the mission of 2nd Air-Naval Gunfire Liaison Company.
• Night Owls return to Cherry Point from Afghanistan USMC News 20 May 2011 -- Families cheered and waved as the Marines and Sailors of Marine Unmanned Aerial Vehicle Squadron 2 returned home to Marine Corps Air Station Cherry Point, N.C., from Afghanistan May 14.
• Pakistan Taliban Claims Attack on US Diplomatic Convoy VOA 20 May 2011 -- The Pakistani Taliban say they are responsible for a deadly bomb attack on two U.S. consulate vehicles in the northwestern city of Peshawar. The militant group said Friday's violence was in revenge for the U.S. raid that killed al-Qaida leader Osama bin Laden in Pakistan earlier this month.

Defense Policy / Programs

• USS Avenger Practices Mine Sweeping in the Strait of Malacca NNS 20 May 2011 -- Mine countermeasures ship USS Avenger (MCM 1) Sailors practiced mine countermeasure operations in the Strait of Malacca May 20, in an evolution designed to prepare the crew for real-life contingencies.
• Navy Lays Keel for PCU Minnesota NNS 20 May 2011 -- The Navy celebrated the keel laying of Pre-Commissioning Unit Minnesota at Huntington Ingalls Industries - Newport News Shipbuilding (HII-NNS) in Newport News, Va., May 20.
• USS Avenger Strengthens Partnership With Royal Malaysian Navy NNS 20 May 2011 -- Sailors aboard USS Avenger (MCM 1) sponsored a series of community outreach activities designed to build upon the growing relationship between the U.S. Navy and the Royal Malaysian Navy May, 17-18.
• USS Boise Wins Battenberg Cup NNS 20 May 2011 -- Commander, U.S. Fleet Forces Command (CFFC) announced Los Angeles-class attack submarine USS Boise (SSN 764) has won the 2010 Battenberg Cup Award as the best all-around ship in the U.S. Atlantic Fleet, May 9.
• Stennis AIMD Excels in Maintenance NNS 20 May 2011 -- The USS John C. Stennis (CVN 74) Aircraft Intermediate Maintenance Department (AIMD) received an outstanding grade on their Aircraft Maintenance Inspection (AMI) May 17.
• USS Hopper, Joint Coalition Forces Rescue Pakistani Fishermen NNS 20 May 2011 -- Guided-missile destroyer USS Hopper (DDG 70) assisted the crew of Pakistani flagged fishing vessel Al Sohail May 18.
• Countries, Navies Gather for Africa Partnership Station 2012 Planning Conference NNS 20 May 2011 -- More than 250 military, government and civilian personnel from African, European and South American countries and the United States met in Norfolk the week of May 16 to begin planning for 2012 Africa Partnership Station (APS) engagements.
• Joint Air Operations Center stand-up part of National Level Exercise 2011 AFNS 20 May 2011 -- Kentucky Air National Guard officials stood up a joint air operations center here May 16 to serve as the main command node for all of the state's fixed-wing and rotary aircraft that are participating in the largest earthquake-response exercise in U.S. history.
• Guard Airmen establish air hub for earthquake-relief exercise AFNS 20 May 2011 -- More than 40 members of a contingency response element from the Kentucky Air National Guard's 123rd Airlift Wing operated a key patient-movement hub here as part of National Level Exercise 2011.
• Education is Key in Fight Against PTSD AFPS 20 May 2011 -- Stemming the incidence of post-traumatic stress disorder, or PTSD, requires awareness, education and recognizing its symptoms, a senior military psychiatrist said.
• 409th CSB holds European contracting conference Army News 20 May 2011 -- Army contracting professionals gathered together here, April 18-20, for the European Contracting Conference or EURCON 2011. The event was hosted by the 409th Contracting Support Brigade and marked the first time the entire brigade was brought together as one.
• U.S. Army Corps of Engineers Releases Work Plan for Fiscal 2011 Civil Works Appropriation Army News 20 May 2011 -- The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers (USACE) today released its work plan for the Army Civil Works program through the end of fiscal year 2011 (FY11), May 17, 2011. The work plan details how USACE will execute the $5.065 billion Civil Works appropriation it received on April 15 when President Barack Obama signed Public Law 112-10, the Department of Defense and Full-Year Continuing Appropriations Act, 2011.
• ANCDF COMPLETES TON CONTAINER OPERATIONS Army News 20 May 2011 -- Disposal operations for the 108 bulk containers filled with mustard agent concluded today when the last 'ton container' exited the Anniston Chemical Agent Disposal Facility (ANCDF) Metal Parts Furnace.
• Marines hone marksmanship, tactics during Dynamic Assault USMC News 20 May 2011 -- Reconnaissance Marines are conducting marksmanship training drills as part of the Dynamic Assault Course taught by the Special Operations Training Group on Camp Hansen's Range 16 April 25 to May 27.
• General explains vision, intent USMC News 20 May 2011 -- Lt. Gen. Kenneth J. Glueck Jr., commanding general of III Marine Expeditionary Force and commander of Marine Corps Bases Japan, visited Camp Hansen May 13 to praise III MEF and MCBJ Marines and sailors for their efforts during the recent Operation Tomodachi and to discuss the way ahead for III MEF.
• MCBJ conducts readiness exercise USMC News 20 May 2011 -- Marines and Department of Defense civilians with Marine Corps Bases Japan conducted Exercise Typhoon Ready 11, a typhoon readiness exercise, here May 16-19.
• Astra ballistic flight test carried out IRNA 20 May 2011 -- India on Saturday carried out the ballistic flight test of Astra - Beyond-Visual-Range Air-to-Air Missile - from the Integrated Test Range at Chandipur in Orissa state.
• Military court seeks life sentence for ex-army general CNA 20 May 2011 -- A military court on Friday asked for life imprisonment for an army general who has confessed to spying for China.
• Israeli spy sought details of Russian-Arab military deals - FSB RIA Novosti 20 May 2011 -- The Israeli military attache expelled by Moscow for spying tried to obtain information about Russian military cooperation with Arab and CIS states, the Federal Security Service (FSB) said on Friday.
• U.S. missile defense in Europe 'real threat' to Russia - General Staff RIA Novosti 20 May 2011 -- U.S. plans for a missile defense system in Europe will pose a genuine threat to Russia's nuclear deterrence capability if they are carried out in full, a General Staff official said on Friday.
• Navy commander: Iran strongly deals with terrorism at sea IRNA 20 May 2011 -- Navy Commander Rear Admiral Habibollah Sayyari said on Friday that the Islamic Republic of Iran is to strongly deal with terrorism at international waters.
• May 20, 2011 - U.S. Department of State Daily Press Briefing US Dept. of State 20 May 2011
• Press Briefing by Senior Administration Officials on the President's Trip to Europe The White House 20 May 2011

Defense Industry

• DoD News: Contracts for May 20, 2011

Other Conflicts

• 20 May 2011 - Daily Press Briefing by the Office of the Spokesperson for the Secretary-General United Nations 20 May 2011
• Thousands of Chadians Stranded after Fleeing Libya VOA 20 May 2011 -- In a remote mountain town near the Niger border, nearly 4,000 Chadian migrants are stranded with little food or water. They've traveled a long way to get to Chad, suffering from exposure to searing heat and clouds of dust.
• Obama, Netanyahu: Hamas Not a Partner for Peace VOA 20 May 2011 -- At the White House, U.S. President Barack Obama and Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu have held talks on the troubled Israeli-Palestinian peace process. The two leaders issued statements masking what were likely contentious discussions.
• Obama: U.S., Israel Have 'Differences' On Peace Plan RFE/RL 20 May 2011 -- aMillions of people around the world watched or listened to U.S. President Barack Obama's May 19 speech on the Middle East. But in the hours after he finished, with reactions just starting to pour in, Israeli Prime Minister Binyamin Netanyahu appeared to be the first world leader to offer an official response - and he was less than pleased.
• Palestinian refugees increasingly hit by 'lifestyle' diseases, UN report finds UN News Centre 20 May 2011 -- The United Nations agency helping Palestinian refugees has made progress in immunization and improving children's health, but so-called 'lifestyle' diseases are taking an increasing toll among the refugees because of poverty, unemployment and budget limitations, the agency's annual health report said today.
• Israel rebuffs Obama's 1967 borders call RIA Novosti 20 May 2011 -- Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has rejected U.S. President Barack Obama's call for Israel's 1967 borders to be taken as the starting point for talks on a future Palestinian state.
• UN and diplomatic partners stress urgent need to end Middle East conflict UN News Centre 20 May 2011 -- The United Nations and its diplomatic partners in the search for peace in the Middle East today expressed their support for the urgent need to resolve the conflict between Israel and the Palestinians, voicing their backing of the vision outlined by United States President Barack Obama yesterday.
• Sudan: UN mission condemns 'criminal attack' against its convoy in Abyei UN News Centre 20 May 2011 -- The United Nations peacekeeping mission in Sudan (UNMIS) today strongly condemned an attack against a convoy of its vehicles in the disputed area of Abyei, saying the assault constitutes a serious breach of previous agreements made between the two parties to the conflict there.

News Reports

• In Region, Obama's Cairo II Moment Appears To Fall Flat RFE/RL 20 May 2011
• History Looms Large As Obama Proposes Reform Of Mideast Economies RFE/RL 20 May 2011 -- U.S. President Barack Obama has given his long-awaited speech outlining his administration's response to the extraordinary wave of political change sweeping through the Middle East. He talked about promoting the growth of democratic institutions and pushing ahead with peace talks between Israelis and Palestinians.
• New protests begin in Cairo RIA Novosti 20 May 2011 -- Several new protests kicked off in Cairo on Friday after traditional prayers, RIA Novosti correspondent reported.
• Yemeni President Calls for Early Elections, Protests Continue VOA 20 May 2011 -- Yemen's president called for early elections during a speech to supporters in the capital Sana'a on Friday, as thousands of opponents renewed demands for his immediate resignation.
• South Korea Media: Kim Jong Il Visits China VOA 20 May 2011 -- South Korean media are reporting that North Korean leader Kim Jong Il is visiting China.
• China, Pakistan Tout Close Relations VOA 20 May 2011 -- Pakistan's prime minister has met with Chinese President Hu Jintao in Beijing on the final day of a four-day trip aimed at promoting ties between the two nations. Yousuf Raza Gilani's trip to China follows increased tensions between Pakistan and the United States.
• Protests break out in Syrian towns after Friday prayers RIA Novosti 20 May 2011 -- Protests broke out in several Syrian regions following Friday prayers, local media reported.
• UN working with Lebanon to aid families fleeing unrest in Syria UN News Centre 20 May 2011 -- The United Nations Refugee Agency (UNHCR) and partners are working with the Lebanese government in the border areas of northern Lebanon to provide food and shelter to families who have fled the violence in Syria in recent weeks, an agency spokesperson said today.
• At Least 17 Killed in Syria as Forces Fire on Protesters VOA 20 May 2011 -- At least 17 people were killed in Syria Friday as security forces fired on protesters rallying against President Bashar al-Assad's government.
• India will not trust N-plant safety reviews by vendors: Banerjee IRNA 20 May 2011 -- Seeking to allay apprehensions on the Jaitapur nuclear power project, Atomic Energy Commission Chairman Srikumar Banerjee on Friday said India would do its own safety reviews on the nuclear reactors it plans to purchase from French company Areva.
• Ahmadinejad Rebuked Over Oil Ministry Grab RFE/RL 20 May 2011 -- Iran's powerful Guardians Council has dealt a political blow to President Mahmud Ahmadinejad in a ruling that prevents him from simultaneously serving as caretaker oil minister.
• Russia Attaches Strings To $3 Billion Loan Offer To Belarus RFE/RL 20 May 2011 -- Russia has offered Belarus a desperately needed $3 billion loan, with significant conditions attached, amid talks between President Alyaksandr Lukashenka and Russian Prime Minister Vladimir Putin.
• EU Gears Up To Widen Belarus Sanctions, As Opposition Candidates Sentenced RFE/RL 20 May 2011 -- European Union foreign ministers are set on May 23 to impose travel bans and asset freezes on more people linked to the Alyaksandr Lukashenka's regime in Belarus, but EU member states remain divided over the adoption of economic sanctions on Belarusian companies.
• Belarus opposition activists get suspended sentences RIA Novosti 20 May 2011 -- Two former Belarusian opposition presidential candidates and several election campaign activists were handed two-year suspended sentences on Friday.
• Amnesty International Says Khodorkovsky Not A 'Prisoner Of Conscience' RFE/RL 20 May 2011 -- Amnesty International has ruled not to recognize former Russian oil-tycoon Mikhail Khodorkovsky and his associate Platon Lebedev as prisoners of conscience, RFE/RL's Russian Service reports.
• Taiwan confident in U.S. Congress's support for TRA CNA 20 May 2011 -- A high-ranking Taiwanese official posted in Washington expressed confidence Thursday in the U.S. Congress's firm support for the Taiwan Relations Act (TRA) despite China's efforts to lobby for changes to the law that governs U.S. arms sales to Taiwan.
• Myanmar's release of political prisoners insufficient, UN envoy says UN News Centre 20 May 2011 -- The top United Nations envoy for Myanmar has told the Security Council that while the country has taken small steps in the right direction by releasing some political prisoners and reducing the sentences of others, the measures have been short of expectation and insufficient.
• Interview: EBRD Chief Economist Sees Lessons For Arab World On Economic Transformation RFE/RL 20 May 2011
• Grenada becomes latest country to back International Criminal Court UN News Centre 20 May 2011 -- Grenada has become the latest country to agree to be bound by the International Criminal Court (ICC), the permanent global tribunal tasked with trying people accused of genocide, crimes against humanity and war crimes.
• SOMALIA: Healthcare, education gains as Somaliland marks 20th anniversary IRIN 20 May 2011 -- The self-declared republic of Somaliland has made key improvements in sectors such as health, education and infrastructure in the past two decades, its leaders say, despite its lack of international recognition.