Operations
Defense Policy / Programs
Defense Industry
Other Conflicts
News Reports

Current Operations

• OIF/OEF/OND Casualty Update 31 Oct 2011 [PDF]
• Study Finds No Evidence of Health Problems From Burn Pits AFPS 31 Oct 2011 -- An Institute of Medicine study released today found no evidence between exposure to burn pits in Iraq and Afghanistan and long-term health problems.
• U.S. Will Maintain Ties, Presence in Persian Gulf AFPS 31 Oct 2011 -- The United States will maintain a forward-deployed presence in the Persian Gulf region, Pentagon Press Secretary George Little said.
• Combined Forces Kill 10 Insurgents in Afghanistan AFPS 31 Oct 2011 -- Afghan and coalition forces killed 10 insurgents, detained one suspect and seized three weapons caches during operations across Afghanistan.
• Three UN refugee agency staff killed in Afghan suicide attack UN News Centre 31 Oct 2011 -- Three employees of the UN refugee agency were killed and two others wounded in an attack near the world body’s compound in southern Afghanistan.
• Attack Near UN Offices in Southern Afghanistan Kills 5 VOA 31 Oct 2011 -- The UN' refugee agency says three of its employees are among the five people killed in a suicide bombing in the southern Afghan city of Kandahar.
• Three UN Employees Killed In Afghan Bombing RFE/RL 31 Oct 2011 -- The UN' High Commissioner for Refugees said three Afghans working for the agency were killed in a suicide bombing in the southern Afghan city of Kandahar.
• Tajikistan Seals Border With Afghanistan to Block Radicalism VOA 31 Oct 2011 -- As instability spreads in Afghanistan, neighboring Tajikistan seeks to hold the line at the border.
• German FM to attend Afghan conference in Istanbul IRNA 31 Oct 2011 -- German Foreign Minister Guido Westerwelle is to take part in the Afghanistan conference in Istanbul aimed at 'improving regional cooperation.'
• Kyrgyz Presidential Election Winner Against U.S. Military Presence RFE/RL 31 Oct 2011 -- Former Kyrgyz PM Atambaev, who has declared victory in the October 30 presidential election, says he opposes the use by the US of the military transit center at Manas airport.
• Press Conference on Signing of Memorandum of Understanding between United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime, United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees, 31 Ocotber 2011 United Nations 31 Oct 2011
• PAKISTAN: Children paying high price for blasts IRIN 31 Oct 2011 -- According to the South Asian Terrorism Portal there have been 37,765 fatalities as a result of terrorist violence in Pakistan since 2003.
• Last Air Mission of Unified Protector concluded NATO 31 Oct 2011 -- At midnight Libyan time, a NATO Airborne Early Warning and Control Aircraft (AWACS) conlcuded the last flight of Operation Unified Protector.
• NATO Secretary General makes historic Libya trip NATO 31 Oct 2011 -- Anders Fogh Rasmussen is making an historic visit to Libya, the first ever of a NATO Secretary General.
• NATO Chief in Libya as 7-Month Mission Ends VOA 31 Oct 2011 -- NATO's top official has arrived in Tripoli for talks with Libyan authorities on the final day of the alliance's seven-month bombing campaign.
• Visiting NATO Chief Hails End Of Libya Mission RFE/RL 31 Oct 2011 -- NATO Secretary-General Anders Fogh Rasmussen has praised Libyans for their "courage, determination, and sacrifice" during the uprising against the late Muammar Qaddafi.
• NATO chief makes unannounced visit to Libya RIA Novosti 31 Oct 2011 -- NATO Secretary General Anders Fogh Rasmussen made an unannounced visit to Libya on Monday, a NATO spokesman said in Brussels.

Defense Policy / Programs

• Secretary Clinton Remarks at the 2011 Annual Conference on U.S.-Turkey Relations US Dept. of State 31 Oct 2011
• Clinton Highlights Turkey's Growing Economic Leadership VOA 31 Oct 2011 -- Secretary of State Hillary Clinton emphasized Turkey's growing role in the Middle East and beyond in remarks.
• KCNA on US-S. Korean Exercises KCNA 31 Oct 2011 -- The S. Korean military kicked off the exercises 2011 Hoguk with the U.S. in south Korea and there took place the 43rd south Korea-U.S. annual security consultative meeting.
• Navy Researchers Fire 1,000th Shot on Laboratory Electromagnetic Railgun NNS 31 Oct 2011 -- Scientists at the Naval Research Laboratory hit a materials research milestone in Electromagnetic Railgun program.
• Tooele continues support to the Navy RAM certification Army News 31 Oct 2011 -- A specialized team from the US Navy, Rolling Airframe Missile Program returned to Tooele Army Depot to complete phase three, Production Readiness Review.
• CCAD Returns Third OH-58D Armed Scout Helicopter to the Fight Army News 31 Oct 2011 -- A needed OH-58D Kiowa Warrior was returned to the fight.
• PEO Soldier trainers offer integrated training at Fort Polk Army News 31 Oct 2011 -- Night vision sights, thermal weapons systems, and laser aiming pointers.
• Air Force BDU officially history AFNS 31 Oct 2011 -- In 2006, the Airman Battle Uniform became authorized for wear and a date was set for final phase-out of the woodland camouflage-patterned BDU's.
• 442nd legacy takes Soldiers from 'enemy aliens' to heroes Army News 31 Oct 2011 -- On Dec. 7, 1941, 5,000 Nisei (second-generation Japanese Americans) had been drafted to serve in the U.S. Army.
• 544th Trans. Det. cases guidon, deactivates unit Army News 31 Oct 2011 -- The 544th Transportation Detachment held its deactivation ceremony on the Missing Man Field, here, Oct. 21.
• 70 years takes Camp Smith from hospital to headquarters USMC News 31 Oct 2011 -- Camp H.M. Smith is home to U.S. Marine Corps Forces, Pacific, the largest field command in the Marine Corps, but in March 1941, Congress approved Aiea as the site, not for a headquarters, but for a place to build a naval hospital.
• Guard Provides Aid in Wake of Snowstorm AFPS 31 Oct 2011 -- Massachusetts Gov. Deval Patrick mobilized the National Guard on Oct. 29 in response to a severe snowstorm.
• Russian 'Slave-Labor' Soldier Charged With Desertion RFE/FL 31 Oct 2011 -- A Russian soldier who claims he spent more than a decade in forced labor has been officially charged with desertion.
• MND confident of getting Lafayette money withheld by France CNA 31 Oct 2011 -- Taiwan's Ministry of National Defense will be able to claim the remaining portion of damages awarded to Taiwan in Lafayette warship deal.
• Taiwan Military prosecutors start probe into arsenal blast CNA 31 Oct 2011 -- Military prosecutors have begun a probe into the cause of an Oct. 28 arsenal blast that left two people dead and six injured.
• Kim Jong Il Inspects KPA Unit 789 KCNA 31 Oct 2011 -- General Secretary Kim Jong Il inspected KPA Unit 789.
• U.S. Department of State Daily Press Briefing, October 31, 2011 US Dept. of State 31 Oct 2011

Defense Industry

• DoD News: Contracts for October 31, 2011
• CACI Awarded $350 Million in Previously Unannounced Intelligence Contracts CACI 31 Oct 2011 -- CACI International Inc announced today that it has been awarded approximately $350 million in previously unannounced contracts with federal government clients in the Intelligence Community (IC).
• ATK Awarded Contract for Third Low-Rate Initial Production (LRIP) Lot of Advanced Anti-Radiation Guided Missiles (AARGM) ATK 31 Oct 2011 -- ATK announced that it has been awarded a $54.4-million contract by the U.S. Navy for a third lot of low-rate initial production (LRIP) Advanced Anti-Radiation Guided Missiles (AARGM).
• BAE Systems Celebrates the Production of 15 Million MOLLE Components BAE Systems 31 Oct 2011 -- BAE Systems has completed the production of more than 15 million Modular Lightweight Load Carrying Equipment (MOLLE) components in support of Department of Defense (DoD) contracts primarily for the U.S. Army and the Defense Logistics Agency.
• Boeing Receives Contract to Upgrade B-1 Bomber Avionics Software Boeing 31 Oct 2011 -- The Boeing Company has received a follow-on contract from the U.S. Air Force for additional upgrades of the B-1 bomber fleet's avionics software.
• CACI Awarded $139 Million Delivery Order to Support Special Communications for U.S. Navy CACI 31 Oct 2011 -- CACI International Inc announced today that it has been awarded a $139 million delivery order to continue its support for the Special Communications Requirements Division (SCRD) of the U.S. Naval Air Warfare Center-Aircraft Division.
• Northrop Grumman Awarded $124 Million Contract for Counter-Rocket, Artillery and Mortar Systems Northrop Grumman 31 Oct 2011 -- Northrop Grumman Corporation has received a $124 million award to provide personnel for expanded operations of Counter-Rocket, Artillery and Mortar (C-RAM) sense-and-warn systems in Afghanistan and Iraq.
• ATK and Air Force Successfully Test New Large Class Stage III Rocket Motor ATK 31 Oct 2011 -- ATK and the United States Air Force successfully tested ATK's newly developed Large Class (92-inch diameter) Stage III solid rocket motor at the Air Force's Arnold Engineering Development Center (AEDC) in Tennessee.
• Northrop Grumman Advances Weather Forecasting With ATMS Instrument Launch on NPOESS Preparatory Project Mission Northrop Grumman 31 Oct 2011 -- Northrop Grumman Corporation marks a key milestone in weather forecasting with the launch of the Advanced Technology Microwave Sounder (ATMS) on the NPOESS Preparatory Project (NPP) mission, providing weather forecasters with improved information on the distribution of moisture and temperature in the atmosphere.

Other Conflicts

• Daily Press Briefing by the Office of the Spokesperson for the Secretary-General, 31 October 2011 United Nations 31 Oct 2011
• Current efforts to stem piracy off Somali coast must be strengthened – UN official UN News Centre 31 Oct 2011 -- It is vital that Member States strengthen efforts to tackle piracy off the Somali coast.
• Niger: Saif al-Islam Gadhafi Would be Transferred Over to ICC VOA 31 Oct 2011 -- The International Criminal Court is trying to arrange the surrender of Saif al-Islam Gadhafi.
• Libya's NTC Elects Interim Premier RFE/RL 31 Oct 2011 -- Libya's National Transitional Council has elected Abdel-Rahim el-Keeb, as the new head of a transitional government.
• UNESCO Vote for Palestinians Stirs Debate VOA 31 Oct 2011 -- Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas won a smaller victory when the Paris-based United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization gave Palestinians a seat.
• U.S. Cuts UNESCO Funding After Palestine Membership Vote RFE/RL 31 Oct 2011 -- The United States says it will immediately cut off funding to the United Nations Educational, Scientific, and Cultural Organization in response to a vote granting Palestine membership.
• UNESCO votes to admit Palestine as full member UN News Centre 31 Oct 2011 -- The United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization voted to admit Palestine as a full member of the Paris-based agency.
• UNESCO Grants Palestinians Full Membership VOA 31 Oct 2011 -- Israeli government: Vote by the United Nations cultural agency to accept the Palestinians' bid as a full member would harm efforts to revive Arab-Israeli peace talks.
• Palestinians Admitted To UNESCO As Full Member RFE/RL 31 Oct 2011 -- The United Nations' cultural agency has given the Palestinians full membership in the body, in a move likely to boost their bid for recognition as a state at the UN.
• UNESCO grants membership to Palestine RIA Novosti 31 Oct 2011 -- The UN Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization voted in favor of the Palestinian Autonomy's accession bid.
• Analysts Predict More US Suicide Bombers in Somalia VOA 31 Oct 2011 -- Africa analysts say they are not surprised that a recent suicide bomber for the al-Shabab extremist movement in Somalia has been identified as a U.S. citizen.
• Kenya, Somalia Request International Help to Fight Al-Shabab VOA 31 Oct 2011 -- More than two weeks after Kenyan troops first crossed the border into Somalia in pursuit of al-Shabab militants, the leaders of the two nations are calling for backup.
• Somalia Famine Refugees Joined by Others Fleeing Insecurity VOA 31 Oct 2011 -- Kenya's military offensive against Islamic extremists in southern Somalia is sparking concern about a fresh exodus of Somali refugees to camps in Ethiopia.
• UN war crimes tribunal jails Serb leader again over contempt of court UN News Centre 31 Oct 2011 -- The United Nations war crimes tribunal for the Balkan conflicts of the 1990s today sentenced the leader of the Serb Radical Party to 18 months in jail after finding him guilty of contempt of court for a second time.

News Reports

• Arab League Awaits Syria's Reply on Crackdown VOA 31 Oct 2011 -- The Arab League is waiting for Syria to respond to a proposed plan that would end the country's deadly crackdown on an opposition uprising.
• Iran demands apology from US for alleged plot to kill Saudi envoy IRNA 31 Oct 2011 -- The Islamic Republic of Iran has demanded apology from the US Administration over assassination attempt allegation.
• Iran says sanctions have had no effect on "peaceful N-work" ISNA 31 Oct 2011 -- The Head of Atomic Energy Organization of Iran Fereydoon Abbasi said sanctions have had no effect on Iran's peaceful nuclear work.
• Tunisia Testing Newfound Freedom of Expression VOA 31 Oct 2011 -- Tunisia's revolution has exploded longstanding curbs to free expression. Media, civil society groups and political parties are flowering.
• Statement by the President on the Presidential Elections in Kyrgyzstan The White House 31 Oct 2011
• Secretary Clinton Statement on Presidential Elections in the Kyrgyz Republic US Dept. of State 31 Oct 2011
• Kyrgyzstan PM Leads Presidential Vote VOA 31 Oct 2011 -- Kyrgyzstan's PM Atambayev is poised to become president after taking a commanding lead in the country's first presidential election since last year's bloody uprising ousted the government.
• Atambaev Poised To Become Next Kyrgyz President RFE/RL 31 Oct 2011 -- Kyrgyzstan's former prime minister, Almazbek Atambaev, is poised to become president after winning by a sizable margin in the October 30 election.
• Almazbek Atambaev: A Political Chameleon In Kyrgyz Fashion RFE/RL 31 Oct 2011 -- Almazbek Atambaev, leader of Kyrgyzstan's Social Democratic Party, looks set to become the country's fourth president after cruising to a comfortable first-round victory on October 30.
• Kim Jong Il Meets Chinese Ambassador to DPRK KCNA 31 Oct 2011 -- General Secretary Kim Jong I, Monday met Liu Hongcai, Chinese ambassador to the DPRK.
• KCNA on Japan Issue of Comfort Women KCNA 31 Oct 2011 -- A senior official of the Japanese Foreign Ministry asserted "it is the consistent stand of the Japanese government that the issue of claim had already found a complete and final solution."
• Liberian Election Chief Resigns, Urges Opposition to Take Part in Runoff VOA 31 Oct 2011 -- The former chairman of Liberia’s National Elections Commission says he hopes his resignation will encourage the opposition to participate in the November 8th runoff election.
• Cameroon President Biya to Be Sworn in Tuesday VOA 31 Oct 2011 -- Cameroon’s President Paul Biya is scheduled to be sworn in at the National Assembly in the capital, Yaoundé.
• Cameroon President Begins 30th Year in Power Amid Fraud Allegations VOA 31 Oct 2011 -- Cameroon's President Paul Biya starts his 30th year in office this week.