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News Reports

Current Operations

• OIF/OEF/OND Casualty Update 29 Sep 2011 [PDF]
• Pakistani Leaders Meet to Discuss Allegations of Haqqani Link VOA 29 Sep 2011 -- Leaders of Pakistan’s rival political parties and top military commanders have begun an “all-party conference” in Islamabad to try to formulate a national response to U.S. allegations.
• Pakistan Says U.S. Pressure Must End RFE/RL 29 Sep 2011 -- Pakistani PM Gilani has called on the US to stop blaming Islamabad for regional instability, as Washington stepped up pressure on Islamabad to crack down on militancy.
• Secretary Clinton Remarks With Uzbek Foreign Minister Elyor Ganiev Before Their Meeting US Dept. of State 29 Sep 2011
• With Pakistan Supply Route In Doubt, Washington Looks To Uzbekistan RFE/RL 29 Sep 2011 -- The White House on September 28 confirmed that U.S. President Barack Obama had earlier in the day telephoned Uzbek leader Islam Karimov.
• Pakistan closes Afghan border crossing after blast RIA Novosti 29 Sep 2011 -- Pakistan on Thursday closed a border crossing with Afghanistan used by NATO forces after a bomb hit an oil tanker.
• Combined Force Captures Two Taliban Leaders AFPS 29 Sep 2011 -- A combined Afghan and coalition security force captured two Taliban leaders, detained several suspects and seized hundreds of pounds of heroin in Kandahar province.
• Joint patrols hinder threats to Kandahar AFNS 29 Sep 2011 -- A foot patrol team of international airmen comb through surrounding villages, farm fields and terrain occupying the area's ancient dry lake bed.
• Bomb Kills Three In Herat RFE/RL 29 Sep 2011 -- Reports from Afghanistan say three people, including at least one policewomen, have been killed by a remote-controlled mine in the west of the country.
• UN envoy urges Afghans to seize opportunity for dialogue, despite recent setbacks UN News Centre 29 Sep 2011 -- The United Nations envoy for Afghanistan stressed the need to seize the window of opportunity for dialogue and reconciliation that exists.
• Afghanistan should be neutral after troop withdrawal - Russian official RIA Novosti 29 Sep 2011 -- Afghanistan should become a neutral state after the withdrawal of foreign troops.
• 21 STS Combat Controller awarded Silver Star AFNS 29 Sep 2011 -- When you are an Air Force combat controller in Afghanistan "just doing my job" can make for a very eventful day at the office.
• Scientists bring energy solutions to the desert Army News 29 Sep 2011 -- How to heat and cool in the desert without attempting to heat and cool the desert itself is a question that has to be answered when planning and building camps and operating bases in Afghanistan.
• Iran-Pakistan anti-terror cooperation stressed IRNA 29 Sep 2011 -- Iran and Pakistan agreed to enhance cooperation to combat terrorism.
• Iran-Pakistan to root out terrorism, says Najjar IRNA 29 Sep 2011 -- Iran’s Interior Minister Mostafa Mohammad-Najjar expressed the hope that Iran and Pakistan together will be able to eliminate menace of terrorism.
• DOD News Briefing with Maj. Gen. Perkins via Teleconference from Iraq DoD 29 Sep 2011
• Much Improved Iraq Enjoys Liberty, U.S. Commander Says AFPS 29 Sep 2011 -- American forces’ efforts in Iraq “have given the people of Iraq a huge gift” through the opportunity to enjoy the benefits of a democratic society.
• Suicide Bomber Kills Two, Wounds Scores In Northern Iraq RFE/RL 29 Sep 2011 -- Iraqi police say a suicide bomber detonated his explosives-laden truck near a bank in the northern Iraqi city of Kirkuk.
• 1st Cav. Soldiers discover unexploded Iraqi ordnance Army News 29 Sep 2011 -- 1st Lt. Christopher Morrow of the 1st Cavalry Division, spotted unattended ordnance by the edge of the road outside of Al Kut.
• NATO and Libya - Operational Media Update: 28 Sep 2011

Defense Policy / Programs

• Dempsey Takes Over as Top US Military Officer VOA 29 Sep 2011 -- U.S. Army General Martin Dempsey assumes his post Friday as President Barack Obama’s choice for the new chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff.
• U.S. 2nd Fleet to Disestablish Sept. 30 NNS 29 Sep 2011 -- Commander, U.S. 2nd Fleet will hold a disestablishment ceremony here, Sept. 30, marking the end of 65 years of the organization's service to the fleet.
• ANCDF completes chemical munitions mission Army News 29 Sep 2011 -- Chemical munitions destruction operations at the Anniston Chemical Agent Disposal Facility concluded last week.
• Panetta: DIA ‘Quiet Heroes’ Mark 50th Anniversary AFPS 29 Sep 2011 -- Every day the quiet heroes of the DiA collect, distill and distribute information that helps America’s warriors defeat its enemies.
• New Lakota variant packs punch for Guard Army News 29 Sep 2011 -- Army National Guard pilots from four states are now training on the new Security and Support variant of the Lakota helicopter.
• USS Gary Enters Yard Period NNS 29 Sep 2011 -- USS Gary returned home from a seven-month South Pacific independent deployment in August and began a 112-day yard period Sept. 28.
• 31st MEU departs Okinawa for patrol of Asia-Pacific region USMC News 29 Sep 2011 -- With all cargo and personnel aboard, the 31st Marine Expeditionary Unit departed Okinawa, Japan, for its next patrol of the Asia-Pacific region, Sept. 27.
• “Dragons” of the 31st MEU fly aboard USS Essex (LHD 2) USMC News 29 Sep 2011 -- For almost 20 years, Marines and Sailors of Marine Medium Helicopter Squadron 265 (Reinforced), have supported the 31st Marine Expeditionary Unit.
• Essex Embarks 31st MEU Aviation Combat Element NNS 29 Sep 2011 -- Amphibious assault ship USS Essex (LHD 2) got underway to embark aircraft with the 31st Marine Expeditionary Unit's (MEU's) Aviation Combat Element (ACE) Sept. 27.
• USS Russell Arrives in Gan, Maldives NNS 29 Sep 2011 -- Arleigh Burke-class, guided-missile destroyer USS Russell (DDG 59) arrived in Gan, Maldives, for a port visit Sept. 28.
• Mountain Strike II: 4th BCT trains for Afghanistan Army News 29 Sep 2011 -- 4th Brigade Combat Team, 4th Infantry Division, conducted Mountain Strike II on Fort Carson Sept. 6-16.
• Certification exercise readies 11th Marine Expeditionary Unit for deployment USMC News 29 Sep 2011 -- Marines and sailors from the 11th Marine Expeditionary Unit will be tested on their ability to conduct missions from the sea during their certification exercise.
• First Army shapes full-spectrum simulation exercise Army News 29 Sep 2011 -- More than 350 Soldiers from the Kansas Army National Guard's 35th Infantry Division headquarters are participating in a newly developed seven-day full-spectrum simulations exercise Sept. 20-26.
• APS West Departs The Gambia NNS 29 Sep 2011 -- High Speed Vessel Swift (HSV) 2 departed The Gambia Sept. 27, concluding the final training engagements as part of Swift's role in Africa Partnership Station (APS) West.
• IMCOM Pacific, Korea unite to form a single region Army News 29 Sep 2011 -- The U.S. Army Installation Management Command demonstrated its commitment to efficient operations and a leaner Army when it merged two region commands Sept. 30.
• Officials break ground for Camp Roberts satellite station Army News 29 Sep 2011 -- Leaders of the 514th Signal Company hosted a ground-breaking ceremony at the Camp Roberts Satellite Communications Station.
• NAVFAC Southwest Awards $97 Million Contract for Airfield Construction NNS 29 Sep 2011 -- Naval Facilities Engineering Command Southwest awarded a contract for the design and construction of an aircraft related construction at Marine Corps Air Station Miramar.
• New TRICARE Prime Enrollees Pay Adjusted Annual Fees DoD 29 Sep 2011
• DOD Makes Saving Energy a High Priority AFPS 29 Sep 2011 -- The Defense Department has made saving energy a priority in everything it does, the deputy undersecretary of defense for installations and environment said yesterday.
• Navy Demos SmartGrid Pilot for DoD Official Naval District Washington NNS 29 Sep 2011 -- Naval District Washington officials provided a demonstration of the Navy's SmartGrid Pilot.
• Russia's asymmetrical response to U.S. missile defense RIA Novosti 29 Sep 2011 -- A missile tipped with a newly designed warhead failed during the first test firing near Plesetsk in the north of Russia.
• AK-74 dismissed by the army RIA Novosti 29 Sep 2011 -- Russia's Chief of the General Staff Nikolai Makarov has reported that the country's military have stopped buying the Kalashnikov.
• China Advances Maritime Ambitions With Its Growing Economy VOA 29 Sep 2011 -- China, with its vast territory and agrarian culture, has historically been a continental power.
• Iran’s Armed Forces equipped with advanced missile system IRNA 29 Sep 2011 -- A new advanced medium-range missile system entitled ‘Mersad’ has been delivered to the Islamic Republic of Iran’s air defense units.
• On World Maritime Day, UN warns of high costs of piracy UN News Centre 29 Sep 2011 -- The UN marked World Maritime Day with a warning of the high costs that piracy is imposing on the shipping industry.
• Press Briefing by Press Secretary Jay Carney, September 29, 2011 The White House 29 Sep 2011
• U.S. Department of State Daily Press Briefing, September 29, 2011 US Dept. of State 29 Sep 2011
• Secretary Clinton Remarks With Nigerian Foreign Minister Olugbenga Ashiru After Their Meeting US Dept. of State 29 Sep 2011

Defense Industry

• DoD News: Contracts for September 29, 2011
• ATK Awarded $46.5 Million Ammunition Contract ATK 29 Sep 2011 -- ATK announced that it is being awarded a $46.5 million firm-fixed-price, indefinite-delivery/indefinite-quantity contract for AA40 5.56mm frangible ammunition by the Naval Surface Warfare Center, Crane Division in Crane, Ind.
• Radway Green Modernisation will Improve Delivery of World Class Munitions BAE Systems 29 Sep 2011 -- British troops will benefit from improved delivery of ammunition, thanks to a new £83million munitions factory in Cheshire.
• Lockheed Martin Delivers New HC-130J Personnel Recovery Capability For U.S. Air Force Crew Training Lockheed Martin 29 Sep 2011 -- Lockheed Martin today delivered the first HC-130J Combat King II to the U.S. Air Force's Air Education and Training Command (AETC).
• Lockheed Martin MC-130J Delivers New Capability For U.S. Air Force Special Operations Lockheed Martin 29 Sep 2011 -- Lockheed Martin today delivered the first MC-130J Combat Shadow II to the United States Air Force's Special Operations Command (AFSOC). The aircraft was flown from Lockheed Martin Aeronautics' facility to Cannon Air Force Base, N.M., by Lt. Gen. Eric E. Fiel, commander AFSOC. This aircraft is the first of 20 currently on order.
• SAIC Awarded Contract by U.S. Naval Surface Warfare Center, Carderock Division SAIC 29 Sep 2011 -- Science Applications International Corporation (SAIC) announced today it was awarded a prime contract by the U.S. Naval Surface Warfare Center (NSWC) Carderock Division to provide lifecycle engineering and management solutions in support of the Ship Systems Engineering Station (SSES) Philadelphia.
• Boeing Returns E-4B to US Air Force Service After Scheduled Maintenance Boeing 30 Sep 2011 -- The Boeing Company has successfully completed a regularly scheduled programmed depot maintenance (PDM) on one of the United States' four E-4B National Airborne Command Centers on schedule. The E-4B was returned to home station Offutt Air Force Base, Neb., on Sept. 19.

Other Conflicts

• Daily Press Briefing by the Office of the Spokesperson for the Secretary-General, 29 September 2011 United Nations 29 Sep 2011
• Analysts Examine Alternatives to Palestinian Bid for UN Statehood VOA 29 Sep 2011 -- The United Nations Security Council considerers Palestine's bid for full membership in the world body.
• Palestinian leadership to discuss Quartet's call for Israeli talks resumption RIA Novosti 29 Sep 2011 -- The executive committee of the Palestinian Liberation Organization will gather to discuss appeal to resume Palestinian-Israeli talks.
• Eight of 15 Security Council members 'back Palestinian UN bid' RIA Novosti 29 Sep 2011 -- Eight out of the fifteen members of the UN Security Council are ready to support an independent Palestine joining the United Nations.
• Gadhafi Collapse Raises Concerns Over Arms for Africa al-Qaida VOA 29 Sep 2011 -- The collapse of Moammar Gadhafi's rule is raising concern about the spread of weapons from Libya.
• UN Human Rights Council recommends reinstating Libya’s membership UN News Centre 29 Sep 2011 -- The United Nations Human Rights Council called for the lifting of the suspension of Libya’s membership.
• Interpol puts Gaddafi's son Saadi on wanted list RIA Novosti 29 Sep 2011 -- Interpol has issued an arrest warrant for Saadi Gaddafi, a son of the deposed Libyan leader, at the request of Libya's transitional authorities.
• Interpol Seeks Help in Arresting Saadi Gadhafi VOA 29 Sep 2011 -- Interpol has issued an international alert calling for help in finding and arresting former Libyan leader Moammar Gadhafi's son Saadi.
• Yemen's Saleh Says He Will Not Resign Until Rivals Are Gone VOA 29 Sep 2011 -- Yemeni President Ali Abdullah Saleh says he will not step down as long as his key rivals retain power and influence in the country.
• On the Ground: Yemen Edges Toward Civil War VOA 29 Sep 2011 -- Yemen has seen a spike in violence in recent days triggered in large part by the return of the country’s embattled President Ali Abdullah Saleh.
• Fighting Between Tribal, Government Forces Escalates in Yemen VOA 29 Sep 2011 -- Several people were reportedly killed and others wounded during intense fighting in a northern district of the Yemeni capital, Sana'a.
• At Least 2 Dead as Yemen Clashes Escalate VOA 29 Sep 2011 -- At least two people have been killed in the Yemeni capital, Sana'a, where fierce clashes erupted between forces loyal to President Ali Abdullah Saleh and armed tribesmen.
• U.S. Condemns 'Serb Mob' Violence In Kosovo RFE/RL 29 Sep 2011 -- The United States has condemned what it is calling a "violent attack by a Serb mob" against NATO peacekeepers at a checkpoint in northern Kosovo.
• UN Security Council fails to agree on Northern Kosovo RIA Novosti 29 Sep 2011 -- Member states of the UN Security Council failed to find a common approach to the situation in Northern Kosovo.
• Burundi President: Gatumba Massacre Suspects Arrested VOA 29 Sep 2011 -- Burundi's president says his government has arrested several suspects in the massacre of 36 people at a Gatumba pub, after he had vowed the case would be solved within a month.
• TIMOR-LESTE: Regulating land ownership "key to stability" IRIN 29 Sep 2011 -- One of many growing pains for this country are land disputes, which remain a potentially combustible issue in Timor-Leste.
• Rwanda: UN court upholds 25-year jail terms on two convicted for genocide UN News Centre 29 Sep 2011 -- The United Nations war crimes tribunal for Rwanda upheld 25-year jail terms imposed on a former top military officer and a landowner for genocide.

News Reports

• Readout of Vice President Biden's Meeting with Prime Minister Al-Sabah of Kuwait The White House 29 Sep 2011
• Arab Spring Women Continue Struggle for Equality VOA 29 Sep 2011 -- Saudi women are praising King Abdullah's decision allowing them to vote and run for local office for the first time in elections set for 2015.
• US Condemns Attack on Envoy in Syria VOA 29 Sep 2011 -- The Obama administration has condemned an attack by Syrian government loyalists who hurled tomatoes and stones at U.S. Ambassador Robert Ford.
• Syria Accuses US of Inciting Unrest; US Envoy Attacked VOA 29 Sep 2011 -- Syria increased its criticism of the United States, accusing Washington of inciting violence against security forces.
• Syria Accuses U.S. Of Inciting Violence RFE/RL 29 Sep 2011 -- Syria has accused the United States of inciting violence against its security forces and said it will confront attempts to interfere in its domestic affairs.
• Pro-Assad Protesters Pelt US Ambassador with Eggs, Tomatoes VOA 29 Sep 2011 -- Opposition figure says supporters of President Bashar al-Assad have thrown tomatoes and eggs at the U.S. ambassador to Syria.
• Syrian demonstrators pelt U.S. ambassador with eggs RIA Novosti 29 Sep 2011 -- Supporters of President Bashar al-Assad pelted the U.S. ambassador to Syria with tomatoes and eggs.
• UN Security Council may agree on new Syria draft resolution this week RIA Novosti 29 Sep 2011 -- The UN Security Council may agree this week on the final draft resolution on Syria aimed at stopping the ongoing violence in the country.
• Bahrain Sentences Medical Workers for Treating Protesters VOA 29 Sep 2011 -- A security court in the Gulf state of Bahrain has sentenced 20 doctors and medics to long jail sentences for treating wounded demonstrators during unrest earlier this year.
• Bahrain Sentences Protester to Death VOA 29 Sep 2011 -- A special court in Bahrain has sentenced a protester to death and another to life in prison for killing a policeman.
• Bahrain Sentences Protester To Death, Jails Medics Who Treated Protesters RFE/RL 29 Sep 2011 -- A court in Bahrain has sentenced 20 medics to up to 15 years in prison on charges that include inciting the overthrow of the government and provoking sectarian hatred.
• Egypt's Military Ruler's Civilian Walkabout Causes Stir VOA 29 Sep 2011 -- Egypt's interim leader Field Marshal Mohamed Hussein Tantawi took a walk in downtown Cairo this week, an event that has set off a firestorm of speculation in the media.
• Muslim Brotherhood, Egypt Parties Threaten Poll Boycott RFE/RL 29 Sep 2011 -- Egyptian political parties, including the powerful Muslim Brotherhood, have threatened to boycott legislative elections due to begin in November unless Egypt's military rulers change the election law.
• Egypt's Islamic-Led Bloc Threatens Vote Boycott VOA 29 Sep 2011 -- A coalition led by Egypt's Muslim Brotherhood has threatened to boycott parliament elections scheduled for late November unless the country's military rulers amend a disputed new electoral law.
• Saudi king pardons female driver RIA Novosti 29 Sep 2011 -- Saudi Arabia's King Abdullah has pardoned a woman sentenced to 10 lashes for driving a car, Amira al-Taweel.
• Saudi King Said To Overturn Verdict Against Woman Driver RFE/RL 29 Sep 2011 -- Reports from Saudi Arabia say King Abdullah has revoked a court ruling sentencing a Saudi woman to 10 lashes for breaking the Saudi ban on female drivers.
• Saudi Men Vote in Local Elections VOA 29 Sep 2011 -- Saudi Arabian men are voting Thursday in the country's second-ever nationwide election.
• Saudis Vote In Local Elections RFE/RL 29 Sep 2011 -- Men in Saudi Arabia are voting in local elections, the second-ever nationwide vote in the kingdom.
• Iran Looks East to Bypass Western Sanctions VOA 29 Sep 2011 -- Years of diplomatic pressure and sanctions from the UN and Western powers have so far failed to persuade Iran to give up its nuclear program.
• Judiciary Chief: Officials should stop opining about financial fraud IRNA 29 Sep 2011 -- Judiciary Chief: In order to settle down recent financial fraud file properly officials are advised to stop expressing futile opinions.
• Statement by the Press Secretary on Conviction of Pastor Youcef Nadarkhani The White House 29 Sep 2011
• Lawyer Hopeful For Release Of Iranian Christian Pastor Facing Death RFE/RL 29 Sep 2011 -- The lawyer of Yusef Naderkhani, an Iranian pastor sentenced to death for apostasy, says there is a good chance his client will be acquitted.
• Humanitarian, nuclear issues top discussions between Ban and DPRK UN News Centre 29 Sep 2011 -- Humanitarian concerns, as well as the ongoing nuclear issue, topped discussions.
• WPK Central Committee Hosts Reception for Chinese Party Delegation KCNA 29 Sep 2011 -- The Central Committee of the Workers' Party of Korea hosted a reception for the delegation of the Communist Party of China.
• Aung San Suu Kyi to Meet Burmese Labor Minister VOA 29 Sep 2011 -- A spokesman for Aung San Suu Kyi says the Burmese democracy leader will meet Friday with Labor Minister Aung Kyi.
• Southern African Mediators to Assist Zimbabwe's Election Preparations VOA 29 Sep 2011 -- South Africa says a small regional team arrives in Harare in the next two weeks to help establish conditions for free and fair elections.
• Liberia: UN envoy urges peaceful elections to consolidate recent gains UN News Centre 29 Sep 2011 -- Top United Nations official in the West African country has urged them to remain peaceful and cast their ballots to show the world they are ready to consolidate what has been achieved over the past eight years of stability.
• Peacebuilding efforts dominate talks between Ban and Guinea-Bissau’s premier UN News Centre 29 Sep 2011 -- The implementation of a peacebuilding plan and social and political reforms in Guinea-Bissau were at the centre of discussions between Secretary-General Ban and the PM Gomes Júnior.
• Guinea: Ban calls on authorities to avoid excessive force after deadly protests UN News Centre 29 Sep 2011 -- Secretary-General Ban called on authorities in Guinea to ensure that security forces avoid an excessive use of force and stressed the importance of allowing peaceful protests.
• Uniformed Gunmen Open Fire on Cameroon Bridge VOA 29 Sep 2011 -- Officials and witnesses in Cameroon say gunmen dressed in military uniform and carrying signs opposing Cameroon's longtime president opened fire on a major bridge in the commercial city, Douala.
• Kazakhstan Approves Restrictive Religion Law RFE/RL 29 Sep 2011 -- The upper house of Kazakhstan's parliament has approved a measure to restrict the registration of religious organizations and prohibit unauthorized religious activities.
• Seychelles Holds Parliamentary Election VOA 29 Sep 2011 -- Voters in the Indian Ocean nation of Seychelles begin casting ballots Thursday in a parliamentary election that is being boycotted by the country's main opposition party.
• 'Tricky' European Partnership Summit Kicks Off In Warsaw RFE/RL 29 Sep 2011 -- The Eastern Partnership summit kicks off in Warsaw on September 29 amid fears that the six Eastern neighbors are slipping further away from a European Union that has turned its attention elsewhere.
• EU Vows Support for Belarus Opposition VOA 29 Sep 2011 -- The EU has pledged to continue supporting the opposition in Belarus, in an effort to pressure authoritarian President Lukashenko to launch democratic reforms.
• Azerbaijan Criticized By Council Of Europe Official On Rights RFE/RL 29 Sep 2011 -- A senior Council of Europe official has sharply criticized Azerbaijan's human rights record.
• Ukraine's Tymoshenko Calls Trial a 'Political Lynching' VOA 29 Sep 2011 -- Former Ukrainian PM Tymoshenko has denounced her abuse of power trial as a "political lynching," in her final statement to the court.
• Tymoshenko rules out asking for pardon RIA Novosti 29 Sep 2011 -- Ukrainian former Prime Minister Yulia Tymoshenko said at an ongoing trial on Thursday that she would not ask for a pardon if found guilty.
• Chavez Denies Rumors of Health Setback VOA 29 Sep 2011 -- Venezuelan President Hugo Chavez is denying a newspaper report that he had been rushed to the hospital with kidney failure linked to his treatment for an undisclosed form of cancer.