Operations
Defense Policy / Programs
Defense Industry
Other Conflicts
News Reports

Current Operations

• OIF/OEF/OND Casualty Update 20 Jun 2011 [PDF]
• NATO and Libya - Operational Media Update: 19 Jun 2011
• Libya Says NATO Killed 15 Civilians In Air Strike RFE/RL 20 Jun 2011 -- Libyan officials say 15 civilians, including three children, were killed in a NATO attack on a building west of the capital, Tripoli.
• NATO Confirms Libyan Claim of New Airstrike VOA 20 Jun 2011 -- NATO confirmed a Libyan government claim of an early-morning airstrike on a compound of a close associate to Libyan leader Moammar Gadhafi.
• NATO Strikes Military Command and Control Node NATO 20 Jun 2011 -- NATO is aware of allegations that a NATO strike targeted a residential building in the vicinity of Sorman, west of Tripoli, in the early hours of Monday morning.
• Italy warns 'NATO credibility at stake' over botched Libya air raid IRNA 20 Jun 2011 -- Italian FM Frattini warned that NATO's credibility was 'at stake' over its botched air raid over Tripoli.
• NATO Says Air Strike May Have Killed Civilians RFE/RL 20 Jun 2011 -- NATO says one of its air strikes in the Libyan capital of Tripoli went astray and may have killed civilians.
• Libya intervention may cost hundreds of millions, UK admits IRNA 20 Jun 2011 -- The cost of Britain's military intervention in Libya could run 'into the hundreds of millions' of pounds for taxpayers.
• Roadside Bomb Wounds 7 in Baghdad VOA 20 Jun 2011 -- Iraqi officials say a roadside bomb has exploded near a French embassy convoy in Baghdad.
• French Embassy Car Hit By Roadside Bomb In Baghdad RFE/RL 20 Jun 2011 -- Iraqi police said a roadside bomb hit a French Embassy convoy traveling through Baghdad.
• Iraqi mortar crews build confidence, prepare for Operation Iron Lion Army News 20 Jun 2011 -- Soldiers assigned to 1st Battalion, 10th Brigade, 3rd Iraqi Army Division, conducted a mortar live fire exercise.
• 402nd AFSB helps equip advise & assist troops Army News 20 Jun 2011 -- The 402nd Army Field Support Brigade is often called upon to fulfill unique missions.
• Obama to Announce Afghan Withdrawal Plans Wednesday VOA 20 Jun 2011 -- The White House says President Barack Obama will announce his decision on the size and pace of a U.S. troop drawdown in Afghanistan on Wednesday.
• Security Force Kills, Captures Insurgents AFPS 20 Jun 2011 -- A combined Afghan and coalition security force killed several insurgents and detained two suspected insurgents during a security operation in Helmand province.
• Afghan, coalition forces bring security to eastern Afghanistan Army News 20 Jun 2011 -- Afghan National Security Forces and US Soldiers worked to bring security to the province’s newest district.
• US Envoy Warns Afghan Leaders Against Criticizing West VOA 20 Jun 2011 -- The U.S. ambassador to Kabul, Karl Eikenberry, has warned Afghanistan's leaders against criticizing Western efforts to stabilize their country.
• Germany not venue for US-Taliban talks: official IRNA 20 Jun 2011 -- German foreign ministry spokesman Andreas Peschke denied reports that his country had been the venue for talks between the US and Taliban.
• First round of Iran-Afghanistan security talks held in Tehran IRNA 20 Jun 2011 -- The first round of Iran-Afghanistan joint security commission meeting was held in Tehran.
• Seabees from NMCB 3 Transfers Authority to NMCB 4 in Afghanistan NNS 20 Jun 2011 -- Naval Mobile Construction Battalion Three and NMCB Four turned over construction operations as one of two Seabee battalions in Afghanistan.
• MCTP trains I Corps for Afghanistan mission Army News 20 Jun 2011 -- Observer/trainers from Mission Command Training Program's Operations Group Delta partnered with U.S. Joint Forces Command to conduct a mission rehearsal exercise.
• MCTP with 82nd Airborne Division; prep for deployment to Afghanistan Army News 20 Jun 2011 -- Mission Command Training Program Operations Group Alpha personnel assisted the "All-American" Division to replace the 10th Mountain Division, which is currently in Afghanistan.
• US special envoy due in Islamabad IRNA 20 Jun 2011 -- A senior US diplomat arrived in Islamabad as part of efforts to defuse tension with Pakistan and revive the strategic dialogue.
• Pakistan losses $67.93bn due to anti-militants drive IRNA 20 Jun 2011 -- Pakistan’s economy has suffered direct and indirect losses of up to $67.93 billion due to operations against violent militants since 2001.
• Suspected US Drone Attack Kills 11 in Pakistan VOA 20 Jun 2011 -- Pakistani officials say U.S. drones fired missiles at a vehicle and house in northwest Pakistan, killing at least 11 militants, including Afghans.
• US missiles kill 7 in Pakistan IRNA 20 Jun 2011 -- US spy planes fired missiles into a Pakistani tribal region on Monday, killing at least seven suspected militants.
• At Least Six Killed In Pakistan Strikes RFE/RL 20 Jun 2011 -- Suspected U.S. missile strikes today hit a vehicle and a house in Pakistan's lawless tribal district of Kurram, which borders Afghanistan's eastern province of Paktia.
• Bomber kills anti-Taliban peace committee head in Pakistan IRNA 20 Jun 2011 -- A suicide bomber blew his explosive-laden vehicle outside the head of a pro-government peace body and killed him and two other people.
• 4 die as militants attack pro-govt tribesmen IRNA 20 Jun 2011 -- Armed militants attacked houses of pro-government tribesmen in a Pakistani tribal region and killed four people.
• Several injured in Pakistan's blast IRNA 20 Jun 2011 -- Several people were injured in a bomb blast in the southwestern Pakistani city of Quetta on Monday.

Defense Policy / Programs

• No Agent Orange found in water near Camp Carroll Army News 20 Jun 2011 -- No traces of Agent Orange were found during water sampling tests on the wells in the community adjacent to Camp Carroll, the Joint Investigation Team announced June 16, 2011.
• Facts about Former Military Dictator's Introduction of Defoliant Disclosed KCNA 20 Jun 2011 -- It has been disclosed that the Park Chung-Hee military dictatorial forces were involved in the case of defoliant spraying in the late 1960s.
• U.S., Japan May Announce Readjustment in Relocation Timeline AFPS 20 Jun 2011 -- There will probably be a readjustment of the timeline for relocation of U.S. troops in Japan, said senior administration officials.
• Summer of change: 2-338th moves colors, changes leadership Army News 20 Jun 2011 -- A battalion of local soldiers has experienced two major changes in the past few weeks--they’ve moved their battalion and welcomed a new leader.
• Navy, Marines Work Together During Exercise Northern Edge 2011 NNS 20 Jun 2011 -- U.S. Marine Aerial Refueler Transport Squadron 452 from Stewart Air National Guard Base, N.Y., conducted refueling evolutions with Navy jets in the Joint Pacific Alaska Range Complex, June 15.
• Navy Explores Military Medical Partnerships with Vietnam NNS 20 Jun 2011 -- The Navy's top medical corps officer discussed areas of mutual interest with senior military officials of the government of Vietnam during their visit to the United States, June 15.
• U.S. Navy Welcomes Partners, Kicks off FRUKUS 2011 NNS 20 Jun 2011 -- Ships from Russia, France and the United Kingdom arrived at Naval Station Norfolk to participate in FRUKUS 2011 with the U.S. Navy off the coast of Virginia, June 20.
• Black Sea Marines Transcend Language Barriers to Teach Counterinsurgency USMC News 20 Jun 2011 -- US Marines and Bulgarian and Serbian soldiers officially kicked off training.
• SecAF visits Airmen at Aviano AB AFNS 20 Jun 2011 -- Secretary of the Air Force Michael Donley visited here June 16 and 17 to meet with Airmen and tour the installation.
• Navy Dive Southern Partnership Station 2011 a Success in Barbados NNS 20 Jun 2011 -- U.S. Navy divers from Mobile Dive and Salvage Unit 2 Company 23, concluded a two-week training evolution with multinational Caribbean divers in Barbados, June 17.
• USS Guardian Participates in Training, Community Service in Thailand NNS 20 Jun 2011 -- Sailors from USS Guardian conducted mine warfare training with the Royal Thai Navy and participated in a community service project during a visit to Chuk Samet, Thailand June 4-6.
• Task Force Delivers 'Human Message' To Haiti AFPS 20 Jun 2011 -- Stepping off the Black Hawk helicopter here, the scene is similar to that of many forward operating bases in Afghanistan.
• AFNORTH officials increase wildfire suppression support AFNS 20 Jun 2011 -- Air Forces Northern officials deployed two additional C-130 Hercules and an emergency planning liaison officer to support wildfire suppression efforts in the Southwestern US.
• FISC Jacksonville Opens New Aviation Fuels Facility NNS 20 Jun 2011 -- Fleet and Industrial Supply Center Jacksonville and Commander, Defense Logistics Agency officially opened the new Aviation Fuels Facility at Naval Station Mayport, Fla., with a ribbon cutting, May 31.
• Center Works to Optimize Warfighters' Performance AFPS 20 Jun 2011 -- What are warfighters to believe about the best way to improve their performance, particularly in combat?
• NY Guard aviators retrieve stranded boat from brink of Niagara Falls Army News 20 Jun 2011 -- New York State Office of Parks and Recreation officials worried that the boat would be swept over the falls, damaging the natural wonder and interfering with navigation.
• Russian warship joins NATO drills in North Atlantic RIA Novosti 20 Jun 2011 -- Russia's Admiral Chabanenko destroyer from the Northern Fleet will make a port call at the U.S. naval base of Norfolk.
• France transfers sensitive warship technology to Russia RIA Novosti 20 Jun 2011 -- France has transferred to Russia all the technology it asked for under a $1.7-billion deal for two French-built Mistral class amphibious assault ships.
• Russian Helicopters, Italy's AugustaWestland to sign 20 mln euro JV deal RIA Novosti 20 Jun 2011 -- Russian Helicopters and Italy's AugustaWestland plan to sign a 20 million euro joint venture deal to assemble AW139 helicopters in Russia.
• China's 5G fighter 'a showoff' RIA Novosti 20 Jun 2011 -- China's fifth-generation fighter program is more for effect than substance.
• Indian Navy to procure new multi role helicopters IRNA 20 Jun 2011 -- The Indian Navy is looking to procure more such choppers for carrying out anti-submarine warfare and Special Forces' operations.
• Hostility On The Homefront RFE/RL 20 Jun 2011 -- Pakistan's powerful military has often been strengthened by its ability to repel outside criticism.
• Kazakh Officials Confirm Inmate Protest, Deny Troops Sent In RFE/RL 20 Jun 2011 -- Kazakh officials have confirmed that inmates at a maximum security prison near Almaty staged a protest late last week, but denied that security forces were brought to the penitentiary.
• Press Briefing by Press Secretary Jay Carney, 6/20/2011 The White House 20 Jun 2011
• U.S. Department of State Daily Press Briefing, June 20, 2011 US Dept. of State 20 Jun 2011

Defense Industry

• DoD News: Contracts for June 20, 2011
• Unmanned Aircraft Demonstrates Refined Flight Control Capabilities in National Airspace GE Aviation 20 Jun 2011 -- AAI Unmanned Aircraft Systems, an operating unit of Textron Systems, a Textron Inc. (NYSE: TXT) company, and GE Aviation announced today that the Shadow Tactical Unmanned Aircraft System (TUAS) has completed a flight demonstration using the GE Flight Management System (FMS), a four-dimensional trajectory FMS certified for use in manned commercial aircraft.
• Israel Aerospace Industries' Heron UAS Has Reached Full Operational Capability Under the German Armed Forces in Afghanistan Israel Aerospace Industries 20 Jun 2011 -- The German Air Force recently announced that the 'Heron', Israel Aerospace Industries (IAI)' advanced unmanned aerial system (UAS), has achieved full operational capability (FOC) under its activities in Afghanistan.
• MBDA announces the first submarine launch of SCALP Naval, France's future cruise missile EADS 20 Jun 2011 -- The first submarine launch as part of the SCALP Naval / MdCN (Missile de Croisière Naval) programme was carried out successfully by the French DGA (Direction Générale de l'Armement) at its Ile du Levant missile test centre in the Mediterranean on 8th June 2011.
• Strong Portfolio and Technology Highlight GE's Military Prowess GE Aviation 20 Jun 2011 -- GE's vast portfolio of military engines, upgrade initiatives and technology programs has it well positioned for continued growth and an exciting future.
• India To Acquire C-17s Exclusively Powered By Pratt & Whitney F117 Engines Pratt & Whitney 20 Jun 2011 -- Pratt & Whitney, a unit of United Technologies Corp. (NYSE: UTX), today announced that India's Ministry of Defence has signed a Letter of Offer and Acceptance with the U.S. government to acquire 10 Boeing C-17 Globemaster III airlifters exclusively powered by four Pratt & Whitney F117 engines. According to the agreement, India will take delivery of its C-17s in 2013 and 2014.
• Pratt & Whitney Delivers First F135 Spare Engine to Eglin Air Force Base for F-35 Training Operations Pratt & Whitney 20 Jun 2011 -- Pratt & Whitney has delivered the first F135 spare engine to the U.S. Air Force at Eglin Air Force Base in Florida to support F-35 Lightning II training operations to begin this summer. Eglin's 33rd Fighter Wing is a joint unit with Air Force, Navy and Marine squadrons that will conduct F-35 training for their respective services as well as the eight F-35 program international partners. Lockheed Martin is scheduled to deliver the first F-35A aircraft to Eglin AFB in the coming weeks. Pratt & Whitney is a United Technologies Corp. (NYSE: UTX) company.
• U.S. Air Force and Pratt & Whitney Complete First F117 Overhaul at Oklahoma Maintenance Facility Pratt & Whitney 20 Jun 2011 -- With the assistance of Pratt & Whitney representatives, Airmen at Tinker Air Force Base in Oklahoma City, Okla., recently completed repairs on the first F117 engine at the base's new F117 Heavy Maintenance Center. Four Pratt & Whitney F117 engines power the C-17 which serves the strategic airlift and mobility and humanitarian needs of the U.S. Air Force, United Kingdom's Royal Air Force, the Royal Australian Air Force, UAE Air Force and other international partners. Pratt & Whitney is a business unit of United Technologies Corp. (NYSE:UTX).
• United Arab Emirates Air Force Receives First Pratt & Whitney-powered C-17 Aircraft Pratt & Whitney 20 Jun 2011 -- The United Arab Emirates Air Force recently received its first C-17 Globemaster III, powered exclusively by four Pratt & Whitney F117 engines. The UAE Air Force is slated to receive a total of six C-17s by 2012. Pratt & Whitney is a United Technologies Corp. (NYSE:UTX) company.
• Raytheon Completes First Radar Upgrade for Taiwan Raytheon 20 Jun 2011 -- Raytheon Company (NYSE: RTN) has delivered the first Configuration-3 radar set to Taiwan. The upgrade was completed 11 months ahead of the original program plan requested by the Taiwan Air Force.
• Raytheon Partners with NAMMO for Second Source of AMRAAM Motors Raytheon 20 Jun 2011 -- Raytheon Company (NYSE: RTN) and the Norwegian defense company NAMMO are in the process of qualifying an alternate rocket engine for the AIM-120 Advanced Medium Range Air-to-Air Missile. The new motor will be interchangeable with the AMRAAM propulsion system and will maintain the same performance as the current one.
• SAIC Awarded Contract by U.S. Army Medical Research and Materiel Command SAIC 20 Jun 2011 -- Science Applications International Corporation (SAIC) (NYSE: SAI) announced today it was awarded a follow-on contract by the U.S. Army Medical Research and Materiel Command (USAMRMC) to provide scientific and other support services to the Congressionally Directed Medical Research Programs (CDMRP). The single award, indefinite-delivery/indefinite-quantity contract has a two year base period of performance, three one-year options, and a contract ceiling of more than $61 million if all options are exercised. Work will be performed primarily in Frederick, Md.
• Brazilian Navy Signs Agreement To Acquire Additional S-70B™ Aircraft Sikorsky 20 Jun 2011 -- Sikorsky Aircraft Corp. announced today at the Paris Air Show that the Brazilian Navy has signed an agreement with the U.S. Government to acquire two additional Sikorsky S-70B™ maritime helicopters via the Foreign Military Sales (FMS) process. Sikorsky is a subsidiary of United Technologies Corp. (NYSE:UTX).
• Sikorsky Aerospace Services Announces Teaming Agreement with Saab to Support Sweden's BLACK HAWK Helicopters Sikorsky 20 Jun 2011 -- Sikorsky Aerospace Services announced today the signing of a teaming agreement at the Paris Air Show with the Swedish defence and security company Saab to support the fleet of 15 UH-60M helicopters recently purchased by the Swedish Defense Materiel Administration (FMV). Sikorsky Aerospace Services (SAS) is the aftermarket division of Sikorsky Aircraft Corp., a subsidiary of United Technologies Corp. (NYSE:UTX).
• Bushmaster order a vote of confidence in Australian industry Thales 20 Jun 2011 -- Thales Australia has signed a contract to supply another 101 Bushmaster vehicles to the Australian Department of Defence.
• Second Meads Launcher Passes Key Acceptance Test Lockheed Martin 20 Jun 2011 -- The Medium Extended Air Defense System (MEADS) successfully passed another hardware milestone when its second Launcher Platform Group (LPG) completed formal acceptance testing during March in Dello, Italy.
• Raytheon to Provide Airborne Processing for Missile Defense Application Raytheon 20 Jun 2011 -- Raytheon Company (NYSE: RTN) has received a $10 million contract to provide advanced airborne data processing for the Missile Defense Agency.

Other Conflicts

• Daily Press Briefing by the Office of the Spokesperson for the Secretary-General, 20 June 2011 United Nations 20 Jun 2011
• Poor countries host 80 per cent of world's refugees, UN report shows UN News Centre 20 Jun 2011 -- An estimated 80 per cent of the world’s refugees now live in developing countries.
• Libyan Rebel Leader to Visit China VOA 20 Jun 2011 -- NATO says an accidental strike by its forces may have killed civilians in the Libyan capital, Tripoli.
• Libyan opposition leader to visit China RIA Novosti 20 Jun 2011 -- Chairman of the Executive Board of the Libyan opposition National Transitional Council Mahmoud Jibril will visit China on June 21-22.
• Libyan Opposition Leader To Visit China RFE/RL 20 Jun 2011 -- China says Libya's opposition leader will visit this week in a fresh setback for Libyan leader Muammar Qaddafi.
• In Yemen, Thousands Demand Saleh's Family Vacate Key Posts VOA 20 Jun 2011 -- Yemenis are demonstrating in Sana'a to demand that relatives of embattled President Ali Abdullah Saleh vacate key posts and leave.
• Yemeni President to return to Sanaa Friday - media RIA Novosti 20 Jun 2011 -- Yemeni President Ali Abdullah Saleh is expected to return to Sanaa on Friday after undergoing medical treatment in Saudi Arabia.
• Secretary Clinton Statement on Agreement To Withdraw Forces from the Abyei Area of Sudan US Dept. of State 20 Jun 2011
• Sudan: UN chief welcomes deal on temporary arrangements for disputed Abyei UN News Centre 20 Jun 2011 -- Secretary-General Ban welcomed the agreement in Sudan to demilitarize the disputed area of Abyei.
• Sudanese Parties Sign Abyei Border Deal VOA 20 Jun 2011 -- North and South Sudan have reached a landmark agreement outlining the status of the disputed Abyei border region.
• Rodong Sinmun on S. Korean Authorities' Remarks KCNA 20 Jun 2011 -- South Korean Ministry of Unification: South Korea would not "gloss over" the "Cheonan" warship case and the Yonphyong Island shelling incident.
• S. Korea Accused of Lobbying Anti-DPRK Act KCNA 20 Jun 2011 -- The DPRK condemned South Korea for their ongoing attempt to lobby "north Korean human rights act".
• Somali power struggle could intensify as premier quits IRIN 20 Jun 2011 -- The 19 June resignation of Somali Prime Minister Mohamed Abdullahi Mohamed could prompt an intensified power struggle.
• India-Pakistan Talks to Focus on Terrorism VOA 20 Jun 2011 -- India says talks this week with South Asian rival, Pakistan, will likely focus on concerns regarding terrorism.
• Singapore Urges Beijing to Spell Out China Sea Claims VOA 20 Jun 2011 -- Singapore is urging China to spell out its territorial claims in the South China Sea with more precision.
• DRC: Militias and the displaced IRIN 20 Jun 2011 -- Bandits, militias, and alleged abuses by the army are causing access problems for aid workers trying to help large concentrations of IDPs in northwestern DRC.
• Tajik Forces Kill, Capture Prison Escapees And Suspected Militants RFE/RL 20 Jun 2011 -- Tajik officials say an escapee from a high-profile jailbreak last year and a suspected insurgent have been killed by security forces in east-central Tajikistan.
• Sri Lanka rejects US court summons IRNA 20 Jun 2011 -- Sri Lanka has rejected a US court summons served on President Mahinda Rajapaksa over a USD 30 million damages suit against him.

News Reports

• US: Action, Not Words Needed from Syria's Assad VOA 20 Jun 2011 -- U.S. officials say the international community, and more importantly the Syrian people, are growing weary of the Syrian leader's promises.
• Reactions Varied to Syrian Speech and Actions VOA 20 Jun 2011 -- Syrian President Bashar al-Assad spoke again to his people in what appears to have been his latest effort to quell protests.
• EU foreign policy chief Ashton says disappointed by Assad's speech RIA Novosti 20 Jun 2011 -- The European Union's foreign policy chief was disappointed by a speech delivered by President Bashar al-Assad of Syria.
• Syrian President Puts Himself At Center Of Road Map For Reforms RFE/RL 20 Jun 2011 -- Embattled President Bashar al-Assad today announced a road map for the future of Syria.
• Syrian President Says 'Saboteurs' Exploiting Legitimate Reform VOA 20 Jun 2011 -- Syrian President Bashar al-Assad says "saboteurs" are trying to exploit legitimate calls for change.
• Syrian president blames protests on 'saboteurs' RIA Novosti 20 Jun 2011 -- Syrian President Bashar al-Assad said on Monday that the unrest in his country was caused by a small group of "saboteurs."
• Russia to urge Syria opposition to talk to government RIA Novosti 20 Jun 2011 -- Russian FM Lavrov: Russia will call on the Syrian opposition to negotiate with the ruling authorities.
• Medvedev opposes Libya-style resolution on Syria RIA Novosti 20 Jun 2011 -- Russian President Medvedev: Moscow will use its veto rights in the UN Security Council to prevent the adoption of a resolution on Syria similar to the one passed against Libya.
• Lawyer: Egypt's Mubarak Has Cancer VOA 20 Jun 2011 -- A lawyer for Egypt's former president, Hosni Mubarak, says the hospitalized ex-leader has stomach cancer.
• Tunisian Ex-President Sentenced To 35 Years In Jail RFE/RL 20 Jun 2011 -- A Tunisian court has sentenced ousted President Zine al-Abidine Ben Ali and his wife to 35 years in prison each for theft and other charges.
• Tunisia's Ousted President Says He Was Tricked Into Leaving VOA 20 Jun 2011 -- Tunisia's ousted president Zine el-Abidine Ben Ali said he was tricked into leaving his country for Saudi Arabia.
• IAEA verifies Bushehr nuclear plant safety, says Iran ISNA 20 Jun 2011 -- The Head of Atomic Energy Organization of Iran has verified safety of the country's Bushehr nuclear power plant.
• Iran adopting legal procedure to accede to Nuclear Safety Convention IRNA 20 Jun 2011 -- Iranian VP and the head of AEOI Abbasi declared Iranian decision to adopt legal procedure for the accession to the Nuclear Safety Convention.
• Ahmadinejad says Iran to launch satellites 35,000 km away from earth ISNA 20 Jun 2011 -- Iranian President Ahmadinejad: Country plans to launch bigger satellites to the altitude of 35,000 kilometers.
• Iran Sets Hearing Date for American Hikers VOA 20 Jun 2011 -- The Iranian lawyer for three American hikers accused of spying in Iran said the Tehran government has informed him of the date for his clients' new court hearing.
• Japan Ventilates Damaged Nuclear Reactor Building VOA 20 Jun 2011 -- Japanese officials have fully opened a door to the building housing one of the Fukushima nuclear plant's damaged reactors.
• UN nuclear watchdog chief outlines safety steps UN News Centre 20 Jun 2011 -- The head of the UN atomic energy agency outlined measures he said could be quickly implemented to improve nuclear safety globally.
• IAEA head suggests checks on every 10th nuclear plant RIA Novosti 20 Jun 2011 -- International Atomic Energy Agency head Yukiya Amano suggested conducting safety checks on every tenth nuclear power plant in the world in the next three years.
• IAEA Urges Nuclear Plant Risk Checks RFE/RL 20 Jun 2011 -- The head of the UN's nuclear agency called on countries with nuclear power plants to carry out a "thorough and transparent risk assessment" of all their reactors within 18 months.
• Bakiev Lawyer Loses Bid To Replace Prosecutors At Trial RFE/RL 20 Jun 2011 -- Kyrgyzstan's Military Court has turned down a request by the lawyer of ousted President Kurmanbek Bakiev to change the prosecutors at her client's trial in absentia.
• Burma's Aung San Suu Kyi to Speak to US Congress Via Video VOA 20 Jun 2011 -- Burmese opposition leader Aung San Suu Kyi will deliver remarks to members of the U.S. Congress on recorded video Wednesday, during which she will discuss her country's elections last year.
• Thailand Opposition Party Confident 2 Weeks Before Election VOA 20 Jun 2011 -- Thailand's opposition Pheu Thai Party says it is confident of an electoral victory, with opinion polls giving the party a lead over the governing Democrat Party.
• Malawi Government Security Vehicles Fuel Controversy VOA 20 Jun 2011 -- The spokesman for Malawi's president Bingu Wa Mutharika denies that tensions between the president and Vice President Joyce Banda led to the removal of two vehicles from her security fleet.
• EU Tightens Belarus Sanctions RFE/RL 20 Jun 2011 -- The European Union has once again expanded asset freezes and travel bans on Belarusians linked to President Alyaksandr Lukashenka’s regime.
• EU tightens screws on Belarus RIA Novosti 20 Jun 2011 -- European foreign ministers expanded sanctions against Belarus' authoritarian leader Alexander Lukashenko over a violent postelection crackdown.
• France Set to Extradite Noriega to Panama VOA 20 Jun 2011 -- France says it will begin proceedings to extradite former Panamanian dictator Manuel Noriega to his home country.