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News Reports

Current Operations

• OIF/OEF/OND Casualty Update 21 Oct 2011 [PDF]
• Remarks by the President on Ending the War in Iraq The White House 21 Oct 2011
• Obama: All U.S. Troops Out of Iraq by Year’s End AFPS 21 Oct 2011 -- All U.S. service members will leave Iraq by the end of the year, President Barack Obama announced today.
• Statement by Secretary Panetta on Iraq DoD 21 Oct 2011
• Secretary Notes 'Responsible End' to Iraq Mission AFPS 21 Oct 2011 -- Defense Secretary Leon E. Panetta said President Barack Obama's announcement today that all U.S. troops would leave Iraq by year's end was 'a real turning point from the last 10 years of war.'
• Obama Announces End Of Iraq War, Full Troop Withdrawal By Year-End RFE/RL 21 Oct 2011 -- U.S. President Barack Obama has declared an end to the U.S. war in Iraq.
• Obama: All US Troops to Leave Iraq by Year's End VOA 21 Oct 2011 -- President Barack Obama has announced that all U.S. troops will be withdrawn from Iraq by the end of the year.
• U.S. to withdraw all troops from Iraq by year-end – Obama RIA Novosti 21 Oct 2011 -- All American troops will be withdrawn from Iraq by the end of December 2011, U.S. President Barack Obama said.
• US enriched uranium weapons caused Fallujah cancer, study finds IRNA 21 Oct 2011 -- The cause of congenital anomaly and cancer in Fallujah, Iraq, has been identified as Uranium from US weapons systems.
• Operation Fluffy Pillow supports return of 416th Army News 21 Oct 2011 -- Single Soldiers assigned to the 416th Transportation Company arrived home from their deployment to Kuwait in support of Operation New Dawn.
• Clinton Urges Pakistan to Crack Down on Haqqani Militants VOA 21 Oct 2011 -- Secretary of State Hillary Clinton and other top U.S. officials pressed Pakistani leaders to do more against militant groups during the second day of her visit to Islamabad.
• Zardari tells Clinton US criticism undermines terror war IRNA 21 Oct 2011 -- President Zardari told the visiting US Secretary of State Hillary Clinton that public criticism of Pakistan's role undermines its common struggle against militancy in the region.
• US Confirms Talks with Militant Haqqani Network VOA 21 Oct 2011 -- U.S. Secretary of State Hillary Clinton has confirmed that the United States has reached out to the militant Haqqani network in a bid to end the violence in war-torn Afghanistan.
• Clinton describes Haqqani network threat to Pakistan, Afghanistan IRNA 21 Oct 2011 -- The US Secretary of State, Hillary Clinton, termed the Taliban-linked Haqqani network as a serious threat to both Afghanistan and Pakistan.
• Clinton Tells Pakistan To Deny Insurgents Safe Havens, Acknowledges Haqqani Meeting RFE/RL 21 Oct 2011 -- Visiting U.S. Secretary of State Hillary Clinton has told Pakistan that the United States expects it to deny Afghan insurgents safe havens.
• Clinton Intensifies Pressure on Pakistan to Tackle Insurgents VOA 21 Oct 2011 -- U.S. Secretary of State Hillary Clinton says the United States is looking to Pakistan to "take strong steps" to deny Afghan insurgents safe havens.
• US presses Pakistan to target Taliban sanctuaries IRNA 21 Oct 2011 -- US Secretary of State Hilary Clinton on Friday asked Pakistan to act against Afghan militants and target Taliban sanctuaries.
• Militants Grab Headlines - Again - As Clinton Visits Pakistan RFE/RL 21 Oct 2011 -- As U.S. Secretary of State Hillary Clinton and senior Pakistani civilian and military leaders convened this week.
• Numerous Insurgents Killed in Afghanistan Airstrike AFPS 21 Oct 2011 -- A precision airstrike killed numerous insurgents today during a combined Afghan and coalition operation in the Tarnek wa Jaldak district of Afghanistan’s Zabul province.
• Afghan air force detachment graduates first security forces class AFNS 21 Oct 2011 -- Five students at the Afghan air force detachment in Herat graduated from the first security forces Level 3 training course there recently.
• Clinton Arrives For First Tajikistan Visit RFE/RL 21 Oct 2011 -- U.S. Secretary of State Hillary Clinton has arrived in the Tajik capital on her first official visit to that country, the poorest of Central Asia's former Soviet republics.
• US-Pakistan Tensions Could Harm Regional Security VOA 21 Oct 2011 -- India has expressed hopes that U.S. differences with Pakistan over Islamabad's alleged support to insurgents will be resolved amicably.
• Pakistani military commanders review strategy IRNA 21 Oct 2011 -- Pakistan’s military commanders have discussed their strategy against the backdrop of high-level US delegation’s arrival in Pakistan.
• PAKISTAN: Reluctant to return IRIN 21 Oct 2011 -- The Geneva-based Internal Displacement Monitoring Centre says there are currently around 980,000 displaced persons in Pakistan.
• NATO and Libya - Operational Media Update: 20 Oct 2011
• North Atlantic Council Statement on Libya NATO 21 Oct 2011 -- The North Atlantic Council met today with Operation UNIFIED PROTECTOR partners to assess the situation in Libya.
• NATO, Partners Agree to End Libya Mission AFPS 21 Oct 2011 -- The NATO operation in Libya will end Oct. 31, Secretary General Anders Fogh Rasmussen said today.
• Hammond - proud of Armed Forces' role in Libya UK MOD 21 Oct 2011 -- Defence Secretary Hammond has spoken to the press following the death of Colonel Gaddafi.
• 'Squippers' packing a punch on Op ELLAMY UK MOD 21 Oct 2011 -- Behind the scenes on Operation ELLAMY a small team of 'squippers' works around the clock to ensure all the aircraft survival equipment is fit for purpose.
• III MEF assesses flooding in Thailand USMC News 21 Oct 2011 -- A humanitarian assistance survey team departed for Bangkok, Thailand, to assess the flooded areas and determine potential humanitarian assistance and disaster relief support requirements Oct. 15.

Defense Policy / Programs

• No missile defense cooperation without guarantees – Lavrov RIA Novosti 21 Oct 2011 -- Moscow will not cooperate with NATO on a joint European missile defense network until it receives legally binding guarantees .
• Events in Iraq, Libya Showcase American Leadership AFPS 21 Oct 2011 -- Events in Libya and Iraq this past week emphasize the Obama administration has renewed American leadership in the world, President Barack Obama said in his weekly address to the nation today.
• 72nd Expeditionary Signal Battalion partners with German Signaleers in training exercise Army News 21 Oct 2011 -- Disasters can happen at any moment. When lives are in danger, military forces need to be able to quickly coordinate efforts to help people. One unit in 5th Signal Command was given a great opportunity to train with the German Army to prepare for quick reactionary force operations with the host nation.
• End of an era: Anniston celebrates the end of Chemical Demil Army News 21 Oct 2011 -- Not many operations finish ahead of schedule and under budget, but the destruction of chemical munitions at Anniston Chemical Agent Disposal Facility here accomplished just that.
• Media Availability with Secretary Panetta en route to Bali, Indonesia DoD 21 Oct 2011-- Presenter: Secretary of Defense Leon E. Panetta
• I MEF (FWD) conducts pre-deployment training USMC News 21 Oct 2011 -- Marines and sailors with I Marine Expeditionary Force (FWD) are cycling through a pre-deployment training program at Camp Pendleton, to prepare them for a spring-time deployment.
• USS Makin Island, West Coast Amphibs Ready for Deployments, Blue/Green Exercises NNS 21 Oct 2011 -- Later this year, the Navy will deploy one of its newest, most efficient and most capable amphibious assault ships, USS Makin Island (LHD 8).
• USS Mustin Arrives in Thailand NNS 21 Oct 2011 -- Guided-missile destroyer USS Mustin (DDG 89) arrived in Laem Chabang Oct. 21 for a port visit and to participate in community service events to strengthen ties between the U.S. and the Kingdom of Thailand.
• U.S., Canadian Navies Complete Mine Countermeasures Exercise NNS 21 Oct 2011 -- The United States Navy and the Royal Canadian Navy completed a four-day, bi-lateral mine countermeasures exercise (MCMEX) off the coast of Southern California Oct. 20.
• Panetta on Asia Trip to Reassure Allies VOA 21 Oct 2011 -- U.S. Secretary of Defense Leon Panetta is on his way to Asia where he plans to offer reassurance to allies in the region.
• Services Announce Recruiting Numbers For Fiscal 2011 AFPS 21 Oct 2011 -- All four active-duty services and five of the six reserve components met or exceeded their recruiting goals for fiscal 2011.
• Website Promotes Cultural Awareness Education AFPS 21 Oct 2011 -- A new Defense Department Internet portal promotes education in cultural differences to support mission readiness.
• Air Combat Element arrives in Philippines USMC News 21 Oct 2011 -- Marine Medium Helicopter Squadron 265 (Rein) arrived in the Republic of the Philippines to participate in the annual Amphibious Landing Exercise, Oct. 20.
• Apache battalion prepares for battlefield Army News 21 Oct 2011 -- The qualification tables marked 1st Battalion, 2nd Aviation's final live-fire events before deploying to Afghanistan battlefields.
• U.S. missile cruiser visits Ukraine’s Sevastopol port RIA Novosti 21 Oct 2011 -- A U.S. missile cruiser arrived in the Ukrainian port of Sevastopol on an official visit which local authorities tried to kept secret to avoid protests.
• FISTERS train hands-on, qualify on laser device Army News 21 Oct 2011 -- Responsible for watching and obtaining accurate grid coordinates to effectively call for fire strikes on an enemy, being off just a hair could mean the difference between killing the enemy or hitting an innocent local.
• Press Briefing by Denis McDonough, Tony Blinken and Jay Carney, October 21, 2011 The White House 21 Oct 2011
• October 21, 2011 - U.S. Department of State Daily Press Briefing US Dept. of State 21 Oct 2011

Defense Industry

• DoD News: Contracts for October 21, 2011
• Defender sets sail on maiden voyage BAE Systems 21 Oct 2011 -- Defender, the fifth Type 45 destroyer built by BAE Systems, has today set sail from the company's Scotstoun shipyard to embark on her first stage sea trials off the west coast of Scotland.
• Boeing Completes Delivery of RAAF Super Hornets Ahead of Schedule Boeing 21 Oct 2011 -- Four new Boeing F/A-18F Super Hornets joined the Royal Australian Air Force (RAAF) Super Hornet fleet at RAAF Base Amberley today, completing delivery of all 24 RAAF Super Hornets ahead of contract schedule.
• DCNS: Gowind OPV L’Adroit made available to French Navy DCNS 21 Oct 2011-- Less than two years after construction began, the Gowind offshore patrol vessel L’Adroit, an innovative maritime safety & security platform, has been made available to the French Navy.
• General Dynamics Awarded $1 Billion to Upgrade LAV III Vehicles by Government of Canada General Dynamics 21 Oct 2011 -- The Honourable Rona Ambrose, Minister of Public Works and Government Services and Minister for Status of Women, and the Honourable Julian Fantino, Associate Minister of National Defence, announced today that the Government of Canada has awarded a contract valued at C$1.064 billion (US$1.052 billion) to General Dynamics Land Systems-Canada to incorporate a comprehensive upgrade package into the Canadian Army’s fleet of LAV III combat vehicles.

Other Conflicts

• 21 October 2011 - Daily Press Briefing by the Office of the Spokesperson for the Secretary-General United Nations 21 Oct 2011
• Press Conference by Special Rapporteur on Promotion, Protection of Human Rights, Fundamental Freedoms While Countering Terrorism, 21 October 2011 United Nations 21 Oct 2011
• Counter-terrorism must never be used as excuse to curb human rights – UN expert UN News Centre 21 Oct 2011 -- The fight against terrorism must never be used as a pretext for abusing basic human rights or silencing the opposition.
• Gadhafi Burial Delayed VOA 21 Oct 2011 -- Libyan officials say they will delay the burial of ex-leader Moammar Gadhafi as they investigate the circumstances of his death Thursday in his hometown Sirte.
• Libya: UN human rights office calls for probe into Qadhafi’s death UN News Centre 21 Oct 2011 -- The United Nations human rights office called for a probe into Muammar Qadhafi’s death.
• UN Human Rights Office Urges Qaddafi Probe, NATO Mission Set To End RFE/RL 21 Oct 2011 -- The UN human rights office says there needs to be a full investigation into the circumstances of Qaddafi's death.
• Moscow questions NATO attack on Gaddafi RIA Novosti 21 Oct 2011 -- NATO actions preceding the death of former Libyan leader Muammar Gaddafi should be scrutinized for their compliance with international law, Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov said.
• African Union Largely Silent About Gadhafi's Death VOA 21 Oct 2011 -- The African Union has remained largely silent about the death of Libyan leader Moammar Gadhadfi, who once led the alliance and served as its largest benefactor.
• Africans Shed Few Tears for Gadhafi VOA 21 Oct 2011 -- The reaction to the death of former Libyan leader Moammar Gadhafi has been mostly subdued across sub-Saharan Africa.
• Zimbabwe Government Objects to Manner in Which Gadhafi Died VOA 21 Oct 2011 -- The government of Zimbabwe - or at least the part of it controlled by President Robert Mugabe's ZANU-PF - condemned the killing of former Libyan leader Moammar Gadhafi.
• China Calls For Speedy, Inclusive Political Transition in Libya VOA 21 Oct 2011 -- China is calling for an inclusive political transitional process in Libya, as soon as possible, following the death of former leader Moammar Gadhafi.
• Statement by the Press Secretary on the Passage of UN Security Council Resolution 2014 The White House 21 Oct 2011
• Amid rising violence in Yemen, Security Council calls for speedy transition of power UN News Centre 21 Oct 2011 -- The Security Council called on all sides to quickly implement a regional plan for an orderly transition of power.
• UN Council Calls For Power Transfer in Yemen VOA 21 Oct 2011 -- The U.N. Security Council has condemned the Yemeni government for its crackdown on dissents and urged President Ali Abdullah Saleh to transfer power.
• UN Security Council Calls For Power Transfer In Yemen RFE/RL 21 Oct 2011 -- The United Nations Security Council have unanimously passed a resolution urging Yemen's government and opposition to quickly reach a deal that would end President Saleh's 33 years in power.
• UN Security Council to Vote on Resolution Condemning Yemen VOA 21 Oct 2011 -- The U.N. Security Council is expected to vote on a resolution that condemns the Yemeni government for its crackdown on dissent and urges President Saleh to transfer power.
• UN Security Council To Vote On Yemen Resolution RFE/RL 21 Oct 2011 -- The United Nations Security Council is expected to vote late on October 21 on a draft resolution condemning the violence and human rights violations in Yemen.
• Yemen’s Hunger for Qat Could Create National Thirst VOA 21 Oct 2011 -- Whether Yemen resolves its leadership stalemate or plunges into civil war, the country has another growing problem on its hands - one that could rot the country from within.
• Somalis fleeing insecurity at home find more insecurity in Yemeni ‘haven’ – UN UN News Centre 21 Oct 2011 -- Some of the nearly 200,000 Somalis who have sought refuge in Yemen are now considering going back home.
• Turkey, Iran to Cooperate Against Kurdish Rebels VOA 21 Oct 2011 -- The Turkish military is pressing ahead with its air and ground offensive against Kurdish militants in northern Iraq, as Ankara sought support from neighboring Iran in its fight against the rebels.
• Turkish Warplanes Bomb Rebel Bases In Iraq, Ankara Seeks Iranian Support RFE/RL 21 Oct 2011 -- Turkish jets continued bombing Kurdish rebel bases in northern Iraq overnight on October 20-21, as Ankara sought backing from Iran in its campaign against the insurgents.
• Child Soldiers – The Life After VOA 21 Oct 2011 -- With U.S. forces now helping in the hunt for LRA rebels in Central Africa, closure may be at hand for thousands of former child soldiers.
• Kenya's al-Shabab Crackdown Nets Cleric, 2 Doctors VOA 21 Oct 2011 -- Kenya has arrested a Muslim cleric and two doctors with alleged ties to al-Shabab militants in neighboring Somalia, where Kenya's military has continued to pursue al-Shabab insurgents.
• KENYA: Inter-ethnic clashes result in deaths, school closures IRIN 21 Oct 2011 -- A flare-up in inter-ethnic fighting between communities in the northern Kenyan region of Isiolo over pasture and water has left at least 14 people dead.
• Pinpointing Khartoum's Atrocities In Sudan's Southern Kordofan State VOA 21 Oct 2011 -- The latest reports from Sudan’s Southern Kordofan state paint a dire picture.
• UN-backed peace talks seek to end violent ethnic clashes in South Sudan UN News Centre 21 Oct 2011 -- Two ethnic communities that had previously engaged in violent attacks in South Sudan took part in a series of United Nations-backed peace talks.
• Pakistan wants to take India dialogue process forward: FM IRNA 21 Oct 2011 -- Pakistani FM Khar told the top Indian envoy that her country is keen to take the Dialogue Process forward in a sustained and result-oriented manner.
• Taiwan: No timetable for peace pact referendum CNA 21 Oct 2011 -- Premier Wu: No timetable for initiating a referendum on a possible peace pact with China.
• Signing of nuclear safety pact defends Taiwan's sovereignty: MAC CNA 21 Oct 2011 -- The signing of a nuclear safety pact with China has not downgraded Taiwan's national sovereignty.
• Greek Cypriot and Turkish Cypriot leaders meet ahead of talks with UN chief UN News Centre 21 Oct 2011 -- The leaders of the Greek Cypriot and Turkish Cypriot communities discussed questions about the executive and citizenship.
• Kyrgyzstan Extradites Alleged Terrorist To Russia RFE/RL 21 Oct 2011 -- The Kyrgyz authorities have extradited to the Russian Federation a Russian citizen wanted for alleged terrorism.
• UN Legal Chief Wraps Up Visit to Cambodia’s Tribunal VOA 21 Oct 2011 -- The head of the United Nations’ Office of Legal Affairs wrapped up her visit to Cambodia’s troubled Khmer Rouge tribunal.

News Reports

• Gadhafi Death Has Repercussions for Arab Spring VOA 21 Oct 2011 -- The killing of Libya's ex-leader Moammar Gadhafi may prove a cautionary tale to autocrats in the region who face uprisings of their own.
• Qaddafi's Death Fuels Syrian Protests, 13 Killed RFE/RL 21 Oct 2011 -- Reports say protesters poured into the streets of cities across Syria after weekly Muslim prayers on Friday to demand the ouster of President Bashar al-Assad's regime.
• Rights Activists: Syrian Forces Kill 13 Protesters VOA 21 Oct 2011 -- Rights activists say Syrian security forces killed at least 13 demonstrators Friday.
• Moscow slams Western draft resolution on Syria RIA Novosti 21 Oct 2011 -- The Western draft resolution on Syria could provoke a Libyan scenario in the country, Russian Prime Minister Sergei Lavrov said.
• UN Report Highlights Iran's Secret Executions RFE/RL 21 Oct 2011 -- The UN report has accused Tehran of conducting more than 300 secret executions at a prison in the country's second-largest city.
• Tunisia can again be Arab Spring pioneer with elections – UN rights chief UN News Centre 21 Oct 2011 -- The United Nations human rights chief called on Tunisia to once again pioneer the path forward to full democracy when it holds elections for a constituent assembly this Sunday.
• Campaigning Wraps Up in Tunisia VOA 21 Oct 2011 -- Campaigning is winding down in Tunisia on Friday as voters prepare to cast ballots in what will be the first elections since the revolution that topped former President Zine el-Abidine Ben Ali in January.
• Russia seeks to revive Iran Six talks – Lavrov RIA Novosti 21 Oct 2011 -- The negotiating process of the Iran Six on a draft Security Council resolution to expand sanctions against Iran has halted.
• US-North Korean Diplomats to Resume Nuclear Talks VOA 21 Oct 2011 -- U.S. and North Korean diplomats are set to meet next week in Geneva to discuss North Korea's controversial nuclear program.
• UN aid chief urges world to not ‘turn our backs’ on DPR Korea UN News Centre 21 Oct 2011 -- The Democratic People’s Republic of Korea cannot feed its people for the "foreseeable future."
• State Department Official Promotes US Foreign Policy on African Tour VOA 21 Oct 2011 -- U.S. Assistant Secretary of State for African Affairs Johnnie Carson has arrived in Rwanda, as a part of a three-nation African tour.
• Police Crack Down on Kampala Protesters VOA 21 Oct 2011 -- Ugandan police have been cracking down this week on the political opposition and protesters ahead of Saturday's latest "Walk to Work" rally.
• Guatemala, Morocco, Pakistan and Togo elected to Security Council UN News Centre 21 Oct 2011 -- Guatemala, Morocco, Pakistan and Togo will serve as non-permanent members of the 15-member Security Council in 2012-13.
• Pakistan Wins Seat On UN Security Council RFE/RL 21 Oct 2011 -- Pakistan has been elected as a nonpermanent member of the United Nations Security Council for a two-year term beginning in January.
• Russia may exonerate Katyn victims – Lavrov RIA Novosti 21 Oct 2011 -- Moscow is ready to consider the exoneration of thousands of Polish officers, police and civilians killed by the Soviet secret police in 1940 in the Katyn massacre.
• Venezuela's Chavez Declares He's Cancer-Free RFE/RL 21 Oct 2011 -- Venezuelan President Hugo Chavez has declared that his treatment for cancer has been successful, and that he no longer has the disease.