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Defense Policy / Programs
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News Reports

Current Operations

• OIF/OEF/OND Casualty Update 15 Nov 2011 [PDF]
• Combined Force Captures Taliban Leaders AFPS 15 Nov 2011 -- A combined Afghan and coalition security force captured two Taliban leaders and detained several suspected insurgents in Helmand province.
• Karzai to Announce Next Phase of Afghan Security Transition VOA 15 Nov 2011 -- Afghan President Hamid Karzai is set to outline Wednesday the second phase of transferring security control from foreign to Afghan forces.
• Survey of Afghans Indicates Security Concerns, Decline in Taliban Support VOA 15 Nov 2011 -- A nationwide survey of more than 6,300 Afghans found security remains a concern.
• Poll: Afghan Support For Taliban Declining RFE/RL 15 Nov 2011 -- 46 percent -- Support for the Taliban among Afghans has reached its lowest point in recent years, according to a survey partly funded by the U.S. government.
• IMF Approves New Credit Program for Afghanistan VOA 15 Nov 2011 -- The International Monetary Fund has approved a nearly $134 million loan for Afghanistan, more than a year after the Kabul Bank crisis prompted the group to suspend its credit program for the country.
• IMF Sets New $134 Million Loan For Afghanistan RFE/RL 15 Nov 2011 -- The International Monetary Fund (IMF) has approved a $134-million loan for Afghanistan after a year of negotiations stalled by a huge banking scandal.
• 378th Combat Sustainment Support Battalion to Conduct Farewell Ceremony Army News 15 Nov 2011 -- The 378th Combat Sustainment Support Battalion conducted a Farewell Ceremony prior to their deployment to Afghanistan.
• Six Reported Killed In Suspected U.S. Drone Strike In Pakistan RFE/RL 15 Nov 2011 -- Security officials say a missile strike by a suspected U.S. drone aircraft has killed at least six suspected militants.
• US drone strike kills 4 in NW Pakistan IRNA 15 Nov 2011 -- At least four people were killed in a US drone strike in northwest Pakistan.
• 16 militants killed in NW Pakistan IRNA 15 Nov 2011 -- Pakistani security forces launched an operation against militant hideouts and killed 16 militants in Orakzai tribal region.
• Panetta, Dempsey: U.S.-Iraq Partnership Will Continue AFPS 15 Nov 2011 -- Iraq and its forces are prepared to cope with the security challenges they will face after U.S. troops withdraw, Defense Department leaders told Congress.
• US Officials Defend Troop Pullout From Iraq VOA 15 Nov 2011 -- The top U.S. military officer says he is concerned about the future of Iraq after the withdrawal of U.S. forces.

Defense Policy / Programs

• Panetta Tells Senators Sequestration Would Devastate DOD AFPS 15 Nov 2011 -- If the Joint Select Committee on Deficit Reduction cannot reach an agreement, the results would be devastating for the Defense Department.
• Obama's Australia Visit Focuses on Regional Security VOA 15 Nov 2011 -- President Barack Obama is continuing his Asia-Pacific trip by heading to Australia for a one day state visit with one of America's five security treaty allies in the region.
• Depot exceeds $1 billion in new work orders Army News 15 Nov 2011 -- For the first time in its history, Tobyhanna Army Depot reached $1 billion in new work orders.
• Expeditionary unit deploys as America's force in readiness USMC News 15 Nov 2011 -- More than 2,300 Marines and sailors with the 11th Marine Expeditionary Unit began a seven-month deployment to the Western Pacific and Middle East regions.
• USS Hopper Completes Deployment, Returns to Homeport NNS 15 Nov 2011 -- USS Hopper returned to homeport Nov. 14, following the completion of a seven-month deployment to the Western Pacific and U.S. Central Command area of responsibility.
• USS Carr Returns from Baltic, Caribbean Deployment NNS 15 Nov 2011 -- USS Carr returned to Norfolk, Va., Nov. 15, after a five-month deployment to the Baltic and Caribbean Seas.
• 2nd ID WARPATH exercise focuses on defending South Korea Army News 15 Nov 2011 -- From Oct. 30 through Nov. 10, the 2nd ID conducted Warpath III, a simulation-based exercise to test the division's mission command strategies and procedures.
• MPs visit prison, prepare for deployment Army News 15 Nov 2011 -- Soldiers from the 13th Military Police Company visited the South Central Correctional Center Wednesday as they prepare for their new combat mission: Internment/Resettlement Operations.
• NIE testing mission command 'on-the-move' Army News 15 Nov 2011 -- The Army is evaluating technologies Soldiers use to communicate on-the-move during the latest in a series of network integration evaluation exercises, or NIEs, being conducted this week.
• Fort A.P. Hill breaks ground for U.S. Army Reserve Center Army News 15 Nov 2011 -- Fort A.P. Hill and community members joined to welcome the post's newest construction project at a groundbreaking ceremony Tuesday.
• Pentagon Monitors Air Force Review of Dover Mortuary AFPS 15 Nov 2011 -- Defense Secretary Leon E. Panetta has directed that the Air Force report back to him in 30 days on disciplinary action taken against employees at the Dover Port Mortuary in Delaware.
• Marines Test New Energy-Efficient Weapon in the War on Trash NNS 15 Nov 2011 -- Marines at Camp Smith, Hawaii, are testing a high-tech trash disposal system that can reduce a standard 50-gallon bag of waste to a half-pint jar of harmless ash.
• Russia’s Su-30MK maker boasts order portfolio for 300 fighters RIA Novosti 15 Nov 2011 -- Russia’s Irkut corporation said on Tuesday it had secured orders for at least 300 Su-30MK fighters and that it had already delivered over half of them.
• Malaysia plans to buy 18 Russian fighter jets RIA Novosti 15 Nov 2011 -- The Malaysian defense ministry plans to buy 18 Russian Su-30MKM fighters fit to carry Russian-Indian BrahMos supersonic cruise missiles.
• Financial Crisis Hits NATO Funding VOA 15 Nov 2011 -- Europe’s economic problems are making it even more difficult for the continent’s governments to fund often unpopular defense programs.
• India successfully test-fires Agni-II Prime nuclear-capable missile IRNA 15 Nov 2011 -- India successfully test-fired an advanced variant of nuclear-capable Agni-II ballistic missile.
• India to match Chinese military infra buildup: Antony IRNA 15 Nov 2011 -- Expressing concern over Chinese military infrastructure buildup, Defence Minister A K Antony said India was working to match it.
• India walks extra-mile for peace with neighbours: Antony IRNA 15 Nov 2011 -- India has always walked the extra mile for the sake of peace and security with its neighbours said Defence Minister, A K Antony.
• Pakistan, China begin joint military exercises IRNA 15 Nov 2011 -- Pakistan and China started Joint Military Exercise near district Jehlum in eastern Punjab province.
• UK to review DU munitions IRNA 15 Nov 2011 -- The British government has ordered a belated review over the controversial use of depleted uranium weapons following a campaign by MPs.
• Navy sub fires first Tomahawk missile UK MOD 15 Nov 2011 -- The first of the Royal Navy's new attack submarines, HMS Astute, has blasted Tomahawk missiles far across the North American skies.
• CPLA Delegation Feted KCNA 15 Nov 2011 -- The General Political Bureau of the Korean People's Army on Tuesday hosted a reception in honor of the high-ranking military delegation of the Chinese People's Liberation Army on a visit to the DPRK.
• Talks between Military Delegations of DPRK, China Held KCNA 15 Nov 2011 -- Talks between the delegation of the Korean People's Army and the high-ranking delegation of the Chinese People's Liberation Army were held in Pyongyang.
• Head of CPLA Delegation's Arrival Speech KCNA 15 Nov 2011 -- Li Jinai, member of the Central Military Commission of the Communist Party of China and director of the General Political Department of the Chinese People's Liberation Army, made public a written speech on his arrival in Pyongyang.
• Chinese Military Delegation Arrives KCNA 15 Nov 2011 -- A high-ranking military delegation of the Chinese People's Liberation Army led by Li Jinai arrived by a chartered plane.
• U.S. Department of State Daily Press Briefing, November 15, 2011 US Dept. of State 15 Nov 2011

Defense Industry

• DoD News: Contracts for November 15, 2011
• General Dynamics Awarded $7 Million Order by U.S. Army for Additional M2 Crew-Served Machine Guns General Dynamics 15 Nov 2011 -- General Dynamics Armament and Technical Products, a business unit of General Dynamics, was awarded a $6.9 million contract by the U.S. Army TACOM Life Cycle Management Command to produce approximately 600 M2 heavy barrel (M2HB) machine guns.
• Northrop Grumman Plays Key Role in Unprecedented Joint Service Air and Missile Defense Demonstration Northrop Grumman 15 Nov 2011 -- Northrop Grumman Corporation's Integrated Air and Missile Defense Battle Command System (IBCS) capabilities played a key role in the Composite Track Network Bridging Capability Demonstration conducted Sept. 27-29.
• TALON Laser-Guided Rocket Goes 3-for-3 in Flight Demonstration Raytheon 15 Nov 2011 -- Raytheon Company and Emirates Advanced Investments (EAI) Group completed an operational demonstration of the TALON Laser-Guided Rocket from AH-64D Apache Longbow helicopters in the United Arab Emirates.
• Raytheon Given Export Approvals for Advanced Maritime Radar Raytheon 15 Nov 2011 -- Raytheon Company has received approval from the U.S. Department of State to export the SeaVue eXpanded Mission Capability (SeaVue XMC) maritime and overland surveillance radar to Morocco. Morocco is the first country cleared for export of this radar with expanded technology.
• Boeing Receives Phase II Contract for High Power Adaptive Optic System Boeing 15 Nov 2011 -- Boeing [NYSE: BA] has received a contract from the U.S. Department of Defense's High Energy Laser – Joint Technology Office (HEL-JTO) to continue development of a prototype High Power Adaptive Optic system.

Other Conflicts

• Daily Press Briefing by the Office of the Spokesperson for the Secretary-General, 15 November 2011 United Nations 15 Nov 2011
• Israel to Invite Bids for 800 Settler Homes VOA 15 Nov 2011 -- The Israeli government said Tuesday it plans to invite bids for the construction of more than 800 new homes in East Jerusalem.
• Middle East Quartet urges Israel, PNA to resume direct talks RIA Novosti 15 Nov 2011 -- The Quartet of mediators in the Middle East peace process called on Israelis and Palestinians to resume direct negotiations.
• UN peacekeeping chief urges Sudan and South Sudan to cease recriminations UN News Centre 15 Nov 2011 -- The head of UN peacekeeping urged the governments of South Sudan and Sudan to refrain from actions and statements that could lead to a further deterioration in their relations.
• Satellite Images Show Sudan Air Power Build-up VOA 15 Nov 2011 -- The Satellite Sentinel Project released new images of an air base in Sudan’s Northern Kordofan State.
• SOMALIA: Thousands cut off by impending conflict, rain IRIN 15 Nov 2011 -- Hundreds of families have fled Afmadow in southern Somalia as Kenyan and Somali government forces close in on it to oust the Al-Shabab militia group.
• Security Lapses Threaten Kenya's Dadaab Refugee Complex VOA 15 Nov 2011 -- The United Nations refugee agency says insecurity continues to affect aid efforts in Kenya's Dadaab refugee complex.
• Tajik Border Guards Reject Uzbek Charges Of Drug Trafficking RFE/RL 15 Nov 2011 -- The Tajik border guard service has denied its personnel engage in drug trafficking.
• Nepalese parties agree to complete army integration by Nov 23 IRNA 15 Nov 2011 -- Nepal's three major parties, including ruling Maoists and opposition NC, sought early implementation of a seven-point power-sharing pact.
• Prominent Victims’ Advocate Quits Khmer Rouge Tribunal VOA 15 Nov 2011 -- A prominent survivor of Cambodia’s Khmer Rouge regime says she has lost confidence in the country’s United Nations-backed war crimes tribunal.
• Kosovo Serbs turn to Russia over Belgrade's negligence RIA Novosti 15 Nov 2011 -- At least 20,000 Kosovo Serbs, who applied for Russian citizenship last week, were acting out of despair and disillusion in Belgrade’s ability to defend the ethnic minority.
• Bosnia and Herzegovina: Security Council hears of political stagnation UN News Centre 15 Nov 2011 -- Bosnia and Herzegovina continues to stagnate politically mainly because of politicians’ reluctance to compromise and engage in dialogue.

News Reports

• Wen to Attend East Asian Summit in Bali VOA 15 Nov 2011 -- China is preparing to face down regional criticism, including its South China Sea territorial claim, later this week at a series of Asian summits.
• Obama Visit to Australia Seen as Part of US Shift toward Asia VOA 15 Nov 2011 -- President Obama will address a joint sitting of the Australian parliament this week on a visit that marks the 60th anniversary of the military alliance between Canberra and Washington.
• Turkish PM: Lost Confidence in Syrian Leadership VOA 15 Nov 2011 -- Turkish Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdogan said his country had lost confidence in the Syrian leadership.
• Security Council deplores attacks against embassies in Syria UN News Centre 15 Nov 2011 -- Security Council members strongly condemned attacks against embassies and consular premises in Syria.
• Saudi Prince: Inevitable Syrian President Will Step Down VOA 15 Nov 2011 -- A senior Saudi prince says it is inevitable that Syrian President Bashar al-Assad will step down.
• U.S. Says Syria's Assad Increasingly Isolated, Should Step Down RFE/RL 15 Nov 2011 -- The United States says Syrian President Bashar al-Assad is increasingly isolated.
• Syria's Homs Pays Heavy Price in Uprising VOA 15 Nov 2011 -- Syria's third-largest city of Homs has paid a heavy price as one of the centers of the country's eight-month old opposition uprising.
• Dozens More Reported Killed In Syria RFE/RL 15 Nov 2011 -- Opposition activists say around 70 people were reported killed in Syria on November 14 as security forces continued their crackdown on antiregime protesters.
• Syrian Activists: 83 People Killed in Anti-Government Uprising VOA 15 Nov 2011 -- A Syrian rights group says government security forces in Syria have killed more than 80 people in the last 24 hours.
• Syrian Opposition Groups Try to Meld Divergent Approaches VOA 15 Nov 2011 -- As the Arab League moves closer to Syria's opposition, differences in both aims and approach among anti-government forces are coming to the fore.
• Syrian opposition dismisses talks with Assad regime RIA Novosti 15 Nov 2011 -- The Syrian opposition has dismissed any talks with President Bashar al-Assad’s regime.
• Lavrov meets Syrian opposition, pushes for peaceful dialogue with Assad RIA Novosti 15 Nov 2011 -- Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov met with the leader of the dissident Syrian National Council.
• Iran Buries Missile Commander Killed In Blast RFE/RL 15 Nov 2011 -- The Iranian regime has buried one of its most faithful sons and a key figure in its national defense, Major General Hassan Moghadam.
• India welcomes Australian PM's announcement on uranium exports IRNA 15 Nov 2011 -- India welcomed Australian Government's move towards reversing its ban on uranium exports to India.
• Australian Leader Backs India Uranium Sales RFE/RL 15 Nov 2011 -- Australia's Prime Minister Julia Gillard has backed the lifting of Australia's ban on uranium sales to nuclear power India.
• 6 Somali Pirates on Trial in Paris VOA 15 Nov 2011 -- France has opened its first Somali piracy trial with six men appearing before a Paris court.
• Kyrgyz President-Elect Resumes Duties As Premier, Inauguration Set For December 1 RFE/RL 15 Nov 2011 -- Kyrgyz President-elect Almazbek Atambaev has resumed the duties of prime minister.
• Britain Demands Release of Burma's Political Prisoners VOA 15 Nov 2011 -- A senior British official has called for the release of all political prisoners in Burma during the first day of his visit to the country.
• Moldovan presidential polls called off over lack of candidates RIA Novosti 15 Nov 2011 -- Presidential elections in Moldova have been canceled after the parties failed to agree on possible candidates.
• Moldova Likely To Postpone Presidential Election RFE/RL 15 Nov 2011 -- Moldova is likely to postpone the election by parliament of a new president after no candidates registered for the vote.
• U.S. says presidential elections in South Ossetia illegitimate RIA Novosti 15 Nov 2011 -- U.S. Department of State Deputy Spokesman Mark Toner said Sunday's presidential elections in Georgia's former republic of South Ossetia were illegitimate.
• Côte d’Ivoire: UN cites security and logistics as challenges for upcoming poll UN News Centre 15 Nov 2011 -- Security and logistics are among the biggest challenges facing Côte d’Ivoire as it prepares for legislative polls next month.
• Liberian Nobel Peace Laureate Ready to Undertake National Reconciliation VOA 15 Nov 2011 -- The woman selected by President Ellen Johnson Sirleaf to help bring about peace and reconciliation in Liberia says she’s prepared for the task.
• Mexico's Lopez Obrador to Run in 2012 Presidential Election VOA 15 Nov 2011 -- Former Mexico City mayor Andres Manuel Lopez Obrador says he will make another run for the presidency in 2012, six years after he narrowly lost the last election.
• Chornobyl Veterans In Ukraine Start Hunger Strike RFE/RL 15 Nov 2011 -- More than 40 veterans of the Chornobyl cleanup have gone on hunger strike in Donetsk to protest planned pension cuts.
• Ukraine parliament drops bill that would free Tymoshenko RIA Novosti 15 Nov 2011 -- The Ukrainian parliament threw out a bill that would have exonerated jailed ex-prime minister Yulia Tymoshenko.
• BANGLADESH: Government shopping for farm land IRIN 15 Nov 2011 -- The government of Bangladesh is looking near and far – from Ukraine to South Sudan – to bolster food security at home.
• Orbital-Built Intelsat 18 Communications Satellite Successfully Completes In-Orbit Testing Orbital Sciences Corp. 15 Nov 2011 -- Orbital Sciences Corporation), one of the world’s leading space technology companies, announced today that the Intelsat 18 satellite has completed its in-orbit testing and has been handed over to the customer, Intelsat S.A
• Training Leaders Raytheon and Petrofac Partner to Provide Water Survival Training at NASA's Johnson Space Center Raytheon 15 Nov 2011 -- Raytheon Technical Services Company LLC (RTSC), a subsidiary of Raytheon Company, and Petrofac Training Services, a member of the Petrofac group, have entered into a strategic partnership to deliver water survival training to the global oil and gas industry.