Operations
Defense Policy / Programs
Defense Industry
Other Conflicts
News Reports

Current Operations

• NATO and Libya - Operational Media Update: 11 Jun 2011
• NATO engages pro-Qadhafi forces on north-west coast of Libya NATO 12 Jun 2011 -- Anti-Qadhafi sentiment is increasing in Libya as a growing number of Libyans demand the right to choose their own future. Along the north-west coast of Libya between Tripoli and the Tunisian border Libyans long tired of Qadhafi rule are challenging his legitimacy openly, and in doing so, are under threat of attack.
• 319th MI Battalion continues progress at Kandahar inland customs depot Army News 12 Jun 2011 -- Soldiers assigned to 319th Military Intelligence Battalion, 525th Battlefield Surveillance Brigade, partner with and mentor Afghan Customs Police at the Kandahar Inland Customs Depot and Forward Operating Base Walton.
• Marine light attack helicopter squadron answers call to duty USMC News 12 Jun 2011 -- The commanding officer of Marine Light Attack Helicopter Squadron 269 received a phone call from his higher headquarters in May. More attack helicopters were needed to support Marines and their coalition partners in southwestern Afghanistan in preparation of the fighting season.

Defense Policy / Programs

• ACU changes make Velcro optional, patrol cap default headgear Army News 12 Jun 2011 -- The voice of the Soldier has been heard: the Army announced the patrol cap will replace the black wool beret as the default headgear for the Army combat uniform.
• George Washington Begins Summer Patrol NNS 12 Jun 2011 -- George Washington Carrier Strike Group (GWCSG), centered around the Navy's only full-time forward-deployed aircraft carrier, USS George Washington (CVN 73), returned to sea to begin their summer patrol, June 12.
• Sharp says ROK-U.S. alliance ready to fight, win Army News 12 Jun 2011 -- The senior U.S. military commander in South Korea told the Senate Armed Services Committee that the Republic of Korea-United States alliance is ready to confront and defeat any aggression against South Korea.
• Russia expresses concern over U.S. warship Black Sea visit RIA Novosti 12 Jun 2011 -- Russia's Foreign Ministry voiced concerns on Sunday over the entry of a U.S. guided missile cruiser into the Black Sea for naval exercises with Ukraine.
• MND forms task force to monitor South China Sea as tension rising CNA 12 Jun 2011 -- The Ministry of National Defense (MND) has formed a special task force to monitor the situation in the South China Sea as tension is escalating in the disputed waters, military spokesman Lo Shao-ho said Saturday.

Defense Industry

• Russian-Indian JV to develop Brahmos-2 hypersonic missile RIA Novosti 12 Jun 2011 -- The Russian-Indian joint venture Brahmos Aerospace will start developing a new Brahmos-2 hypersonic missile this year, Brahmos Aerospace Director Alexander Maksichev said on Sunday.

Other Conflicts

• Fighting Continues in Libya, Creeps Toward Capital VOA 12 Jun 2011 -- Forces loyal to Libyan leader Moammar Gadhafi have hammered rebels in the west with heavy weapons, as separate fighting creeps toward the capital, Tripoli.
• Sudan: UN chief voices alarm over escalating violence in Southern Kordofan UN News Centre 12 Jun 2011 -- Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon has voiced alarm over escalating violence in the Sudanese state of Southern Kordofan, where thousands of people have been displaced, and urged all parties involved in the conflict to cease hostilities and work with the United Nations and humanitarian agencies to assist civilians affected by the fighting.
• Dispute Jeopardizes Palestinian Unity Deal VOA 12 Jun 2011 -- A Palestinian unity agreement signed with much fanfare last month has run into trouble.
• Lawmaker calls for marines to be stationed on South China Sea islet CNA 12 Jun 2011 -- A ruling party legislator has called on the government to redeploy marines on Taiping Island in the South China Sea, where the Taiwan coast guard is now stationed, as claims by neighboring countries have grown louder recently.

News Reports

• Clinton: Death of Embassy Bombing Suspect Big Blow to al-Qaida VOA 12 Jun 2011 -- U.S. Secretary of State Hillary Clinton says the death of a man suspected of organizing the 1998 bombings of American embassies in Kenya and Tanzania is a significant blow to al-Qaida.
• U.K. foreign secretary pushes for UN resolution on Syria RIA Novosti 12 Jun 2011 -- British Foreign Secretary William Hague on Sunday urged the UN to send a 'clear message' to the Syrian government by issuing a resolution condemning brutal measures against anti-regime protesters.
• Syrian Government Forces Retake Parts of Restive Northern Region VOA 12 Jun 2011 -- Syrian Army units have reportedly broken through the defenses of the restive, but mostly deserted, northern town of Jisr al Shaghour, after intense shelling by tanks and field artillery. Meanwhile in Libya, rebel fighters have reportedly stepped up their pressure on supply lines into the capital Tripoli.
• IAEA board breached charter by Iran referral to UN Security Council IRNA 12 Jun 2011 -- Ambassador and Permanent Representative to IAEA Ali-Asghar Soltanieh said on Sunday that the IAEA Board of Governors breached charter of the body by referral of Iranian nuclear program to the United Nations Security Council.
• US, biggest violator of NPT: Iran's FM IRNA 12 Jun 2011 -- Foreign Minister Ali-Akbar Salehi here on Sunday termed the United States as the biggest violator of the Non-Proliferation Treaty (NPT), adding the US is the only country that has used nuclear weapons against other states.
• Iran to transfer enrichment to Fordo site ISNA 12 Jun 2011 -- Iranian Foreign Minister Ali Akbar Salehi said on Sunday the country intends to transfer nuclear enrichment process to Fordo nuclear facility.
• Iran begins 2nd int'l nuclear Disarmament Conference ISNA 12 Jun 2011 -- Iran kicked off the second International Nuclear Disarmament Conference on Sunday in presence of officials and representatives of over 40 countries.
• Nukes, apparent crime against humanity: Iran FM Deputy ISNA 12 Jun 2011 -- Employment of nuclear weapons is apparent crime against humanity, said Iranian Deputy Foreign Minister for Legal and International Affairs Mohammad Mehdi Akhound-Zadeh on Sunday.
• Iran urges chemical weapons annihilation by late April 2012 ISNA 12 Jun 2011 -- Iran called for annihilation of chemical weapons by April 29, 2012.
• CIA chief Panetta leaves without Pakistan deal IRNA 12 Jun 2011 -- Chief of the US Central Intelligence Agency (CIA), Leon Panetta left Islamabad after meeting with Pakistan's army chief and intelligence head but without a deal on resetting the relationship between the spy agencies, it was reported Sunday.
• Egypt detains alleged Israeli spy RIA Novosti 12 Jun 2011 -- Egyptian authorities have detained an alleged Israeli agent over reported engagement in espionage during the popular revolution in the country, official news agency Mena said on Sunday.
• Taliban Denies Involvement in Pakistan Bombings VOA 12 Jun 2011 -- The Taliban has denied responsibility for twin bombings at a crowded market in Pakistan's Peshawar city that killed at least 35 people and wounded more than 100 others late Saturday.