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Current Operations

• OIF/OEF/OND Casualty Update 15 Dec 2011 [PDF]
• Letter from the President to the Speaker of the House of Representatives and the President Pro Tempore of the Senate Regarding the War Powers Resolution The White House 15 Dec 2011
• Secretary of Defense Leon E. Panetta: U.S. Forces-Iraq End of Mission Ceremony DoD 15 Dec 2011
• Obama: Troops Bear Burden of Success in Iraq War AFPS 15 Dec 2011 -- After nearly nine years the war in Iraq is ending and U.S. troops are returning home to a nation that should stand by those who fought, President Barack Obama said.
• Panetta, Dempsey to Mark End of Iraq Mission AFPS 15 Dec 2011 -- Defense Secretary Leon E. Panetta arrived to join Army Gen. Martin E. Dempsey, chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, in ceremonies marking the end of the U.S. military mission in Iraq.
• Panetta Concludes Iraq Mission, Noting Service, Sacrifice AFPS 15 Dec 2011 -- Defense Secretary Leon E. Panetta joined Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff Army Gen. Martin E. Dempsey and other U.S. and Iraq leaders in honoring eight years of service and sacrifice.
• Dempsey: Iraq Campaign Was Worth the Cost AFPS 15 Dec 2011 -- The chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff and other top U.S. military leaders observed the official end of U.S. Forces Iraq’s mission.
• US Ends Military Mission in Iraq VOA 15 Dec 2011 -- The U.S. military has formally ended its mission in Iraq.
• US Marks End of Iraq Military Mission VOA 15 Dec 2011 -- U.S. Secretary of Defense Leon Panetta says the dream of an independent and sovereign Iraq is now a reality, as the United States marked the end of its military mission in Iraq.
• U.S. Military Formally Ends Iraq Mission RFE/RL 15 Dec 2011 -- U.S. officials in Baghdad have spoken of the sacrifices made by both Americans and Iraqis at a formal ceremony marking the end of U.S. military operations in Iraq after nearly nine years of war.
• 'Welcome home' signals end of war in Iraq Army News 15 Dec 2011 -- More than 3,000 service members gathered to witness Obama's speech marking the end of the war in Iraq.
• UK remembers 'great suffering' in Iraq war as US withdraws IRNA 15 Dec 2011 -- British Foreign Secretary William Hague said that the withdrawal of the US military forces from Iraq on Thursday closes an 'important chapter in Iraq's recent history.'
• 'Steel Rain' Soldiers home after fastpaced deployment Army News 15 Dec 2011 -- Soldiers from A Battery, 1st Battalion, 94th Field Artillery Regiment can now consider changing its unit motto to "mission accomplished."
• Decision to close MKO’s Ashraf Camp irreversible: Maliki IRNA 15 Dec 2011 -- Iraqi PM al-Maliki said that his government’s decision to close Ashraf Camp of the outlawed anti-Iran Mujahedin-e Khalq Organization will not change.
• Security Council calls for greater Iraqi efforts to resolve post-invasion issues with Kuwait UN News Centre 15 Dec 2011 -- Security Council members called on Iraq to intensify its efforts to clarify the whereabouts of Kuwait’s national archives.
• Combined Force Kills 1 Insurgent, Detains 2 Suspects AFPS 15 Dec 2011 -- A combined Afghan and coalition security force killed one insurgent and detained two suspects during a search for a Taliban leader in Kandahar province.
• Pakistan Downplays Proposed Freeze in US Military Aid VOA 15 Dec 2011 -- Pakistan is playing down the significance of a proposed suspension of hundreds of millions of dollars in U.S. military assistance.
• US freeze of $700m causes another dent in Pakistan's uneasy ties IRNA 15 Dec 2011 -- The United States decision to halt $700 million in aid to Pakistan is another serious blow to the already strained relations between the two allies.
• US responsible if Pakistan fails in terror war: FM IRNA 15 Dec 2011 -- Pakistani Foreign Minister Hina Rabbani Khar on Thursday said that US would be responsible if Pakistan failed in war against terror.
• NATO apology not enough to open supplies: Pakistan IRNA 15 Dec 2011 -- Pakistan army has said that Washington’s apology for the November 26th NATO attack on Army post would not help revive the pre-attack relationship.
• Pakistani spy chief visited Arab states to discuss coup IRNA 15 Dec 2011 -- Mansoor Ijaz has claimed chief of Pakistan's top spy agency visited Arab countries for discussions on a possible coup.
• UK ordered to release prisoner transferred to US custody IRNA 15 Dec 2011 -- The British government has been ordered to secure the release of a Pakistan detainee held since 2004 without charge or trial.
• Afghan Woman, Jailed For Being Raped, Now Says She Wants To Marry Attacker RFE/RL 15 Dec 2011 -- Afghan woman was jailed for "forced adultery" after a relative raped her before subsequently being pardoned amid an international outcry.

Defense Policy / Programs

• Panetta to Reinforce Strong U.S.-Turkey Partnership AFPS 15 Dec 2011 -- Defense Secretary Leon E. Panetta arrived here today to reinforce the United States’ strong relationship with a critical security partner within the region and NATO.
• Lockheed Martin rolls-out final F-22 Raptor AFNS 15 Dec 2011 -- The final F-22 Raptor to be built for the U.S. Air Force, tail number 4195, rolled off the Lockheed Martin Aeronautics assembly line during a ceremony Dec. 13 at the company's Marietta plant.
• LCS Remote Minehunting System Reaches Reliability Milestone NNS 15 Dec 2011 -- The remote minehunting system, a critical component of the mine countermeasures mission package for the littoral combat ship class, completed the first phase of reliability testing.
• Army hits jackpot with Triple 7 Army News 15 Dec 2011 -- Great guns wraps up its look at 100 years of field artillery with a look at the M777, a replacement to the M198 155 mm howitzer.
• Soldiers play key role in fielding lighter machine gun Army News 15 Dec 2011 -- Project Manager Soldier Weapons fielded the first M240Ls to dismounted Army and SOCOM units operating in Afghanistan for an operational assessment in January 2010.
• New system delivers water, fuel to Soldiers Army News 15 Dec 2011 -- A new system promises a more reliable, cost-effective way to transport the vital liquids in sufficient quantities without worrying about retrieving expensive equipment used in the delivery process.
• Air Guard unit provides testing ground for mask development AFNS 15 Dec 2011 -- Develop one aircrew mask that can be used on over 100 different air frames. That is the challenge for researchers assigned to the Joint Service Aircrew Mask-Fixed Wing Program.
• Air Force takes steps to advance contract fraud fight AFNS 15 Dec 2011 -- Air Force officials laid the groundwork to further their fight against procurement fraud and contractor misconduct with the signing of a memorandum of understanding here Dec. 9.
• USS Miami Returns From Five-Month Deployment NNS 15 Dec 2011 -- The families of Sailors assigned to the USS Miami received an early holiday gift this year when the submarine returned to Naval Submarine Base New London.
• Unmanned aircraft systems operations technicians train on Fort Huachuca Army News 15 Dec 2011 -- Fort Huachuca is home to the largest unmanned aircraft system training center in the world.
• USS Makin Island Supports 11th MEU Theater Security Cooperation Missions NNS 15 Dec 2011 -- The USS Makin Island played a major role in supporting theater security cooperation missions in the Asia-Pacific region.
• Silver Eagles fly, come rain or shine USMC News 15 Dec 2011 -- Marine Fighter Attack Squadron 115, also known as the Silver Eagles, practiced different flight scenarios as part of Exercise Wolmi-do Fury, here Dec. 7.
• Marine Forces Europe Conference Plans Black Sea Ops USMC News 15 Dec 2011 -- Marine Forces Europe hosted the final planning conference for Black Sea Rotational Force 12 at their headquarters building aboard United States Army Garrison Stuttgart's Panzer Kaserne, Dec. 12-14.
• Cobalt Dragon prepares unit for threat Army News 15 Dec 2011 -- The ever-present threat of without warning disasters and terrorist attacks necessitates the need for qualified specialists.
• Leading a vehicle-based effort to aid the Common Operating Environment Army News 15 Dec 2011 -- On the dynamic and complex battlefield, the Common Operating Environment will streamline communications between Soldiers in vehicles and higher headquarters.
• Army Releases November Suicide Data DoD 15 Dec 2011
• Navy Updates Purple Heart Award Policy NNS 15 Dec 2011 -- In response to advances in the diagnosis and treatment of mild traumatic brain injuries, the secretary of the Navy discussed updates to the standards and procedures for awarding the Purple Heart Dec. 15, one of the military's most recognized awards.
• Army's first Buddhist chaplain serving 11th Engineer Bn. Army News 15 Dec 2011 -- Capt. Thomas Dyer took something of a unique passageway into the Buddhist faith. But he doesn't want to be stereotyped in his role as an Army chaplain.
• CIO aims to consolidate, close 185 data centers by FY14 Army News 15 Dec 2011 -- Before more than 500 information technology business representatives, the Army's chief information officer said Wednesday the service plans to consolidate data centers and close at least 185 by fiscal year 2014.
• Army suspends commandant of Drill Sergeant School Army News 15 Dec 2011 -- Command Sgt. Maj. Teresa King has been suspended from her duties as commandant of the U.S. Army Drill Sergeant School at Fort Jackson, S.C., pending resolution of an investigation.
• Deputy SECDEF releases memo to employees on possible government shutdown AFNS 15 Dec 2011 -- The Department of Defense could be affected by a possible government shutdown if an omnibus appropriations bill is not approved before the current appropriation expires.
• Classified code mission delayed recognition for Navajo Marines Army News 15 Dec 2011 -- The contributions of the Navajo Code Talkers is one of the main reasons the United States prevailed in World War II, yet they were a group of no more than 400.
• Russia’s participation in NATO summit not decided yet RIA Novosti 15 Dec 2011 -- Russia’s participation in the 2012 Russia-NATO Council summit in Chicago has not been decided yet.
• Russia's Baltic radar to be fully operational by 2014 RIA Novosti 15 Dec 2011 -- Russia’s new anti-missile radar station in the Baltic exclave of Kaliningrad will become fully operational by the middle of 2014.
• Russia, Azerbaijan Discuss Lease Renewal For Radar Station RFE/RL 15 Dec 2011 -- Russian and Azerbaijani officials are in the midst of talks on renewing Moscow's lease on an Azerbaijani radar station.
• India set to get Nerpa nuclear submarine by Jan 2012 IRNA 15 Dec 2011 -- India is expected to receive the much-awaited nuclear powered attack submarine Nerpa from Russia by the end of December on a 10-year lease.
• Russia, India to sign energy, warplane deals RIA Novosti 15 Dec 2011 -- Russia and India are set to sign an array of documents on energy and military-technical cooperation during the Indian prime minister’s visit to Moscow.
• Belarus gets surface-to-air missiles from Russia RIA Novosti 15 Dec 2011 -- Belarus has taken delivery of the first consignment of advanced Tor-M2 antiaircraft missile systems from Russia, Belarusian Defense Minister Yury Zhadobin said.
• HMS York monitors Russian aircraft carrier 'Admiral Kuznetsov' UK MOD 15 Dec 2011 -- HMS York has been activated as the Royal Navy's fleet ready escort, and is monitoring the largest ship in the Russian Navy, the aircraft carrier Admiral Kuznetsov.
• China invited to witness President's Fleet Review IRNA 15 Dec 2011 -- China has been invited to witness the President's Fleet Review in Mumbai on December 20, but no such invitation has been extended to Pakistan.
• Government confirms commitment to the SBAs in Cyprus UK MOD 15 Dec 2011 -- The Government has accepted the recommendations in the Cyprus Review on Sovereign Base Areas and confirmed its enduring commitment to the SBAs in Cyprus.
• IRGC Commander: US was ill-informed on Iran’s electronic might IRNA 15 Dec 2011 -- Revolutionary Guards Commander of Qom Ali ibn-Abitaleb Brigade: US was ill-informed about Iran’s might in electronic field.
• Salehi: Regional countries should not let US misuse their air space IRNA 15 Dec 2011 -- Foreign Minister Ali Akbar Salehi called the incursion of US spy drone to Iran’s air space as an hostile and aggressive act.
• Press Briefing by Press Secretary Jay Carney, 12/15/2011 The White House 15 Dec 2011
• U.S. Department of State Daily Press Briefing, December 15, 2011 US Dept. of State 15 Dec 2011

Defense Industry

• DoD News: Contracts for December 15, 2011
• CASSIDIAN signs simulation contract with Spanish Army EADS 15 Dec 2011 -- Cassidian Spain recently signed a contract for the development of a new constructive simulator architecture for the Spanish Army.
• U.S. Air Force Awards Northrop Grumman $540 Million Joint STARS Support Contract Northrop Grumman 15 Dec 2011 -- The U.S. Air Force has awarded Northrop Grumman Corporation a 30-month, $540 million contract for Total System Support Responsibility (TSSR) of the E-8C Joint Surveillance Target Attack Radar System (Joint STARS) fleet. This covers TSSR period 11.5 to 13 which began May 1, 2011 and concludes on Oct. 31, 2013.

Other Conflicts

• Daily Press Briefing by the Office of the Spokesperson for the Secretary-General, 15 December 2011 United Nations 15 Dec 2011
• Press Conference by Prosecutor of International Criminal Court, 15 December 2011 United Nations 15 Dec 2011
• Hopes Rise for UN Action on Syria VOA 15 Dec 2011 -- Russia proposed a new draft resolution condemning the violence in Syria, giving rise to hopes the U.N. Security Council will end its relative silence.
• 27 Dead After Syrian Government Forces, Defectors Clash VOA 15 Dec 2011 -- Reports from Syria say military defectors killed at least 27 soldiers in intensifying bouts of armed resistance.
• Syrian Army Defectors Reportedly Kill 27 Soldiers VOA 15 Dec 2011 -- Rights activists say Syrian army defectors have killed at least 27 soldiers and security force members.
• Analysis: Challenges aplenty for new Yemeni cabinet IRIN 15 Dec 2011 -- Yemen’s new coalition government has numerous problems to tackle but few resources.
• Nobel Winner Says Yemen Could Face Civil War VOA 15 Dec 2011 -- Nobel Peace Prize winner Tawakkol Karman of Yemen says her country could be pushed into a civil war.
• Iceland Recognizes Palestine RFE/RL 15 Dec 2011 -- Iceland has formally recognized Palestine as an independent state, and is to establish diplomatic relations with it.
• Hamas Marks 24th Anniversary VOA 15 Dec 2011 -- The Palestinian Islamist Hamas movement on Wednesday marked its 24th anniversary with a rally in the Gaza Strip attended by tens of thousands of the group's supporters.
• Somali Parliament Speaker Rejects Ouster Effort VOA 15 Dec 2011 -- The speaker of Somalia's parliament has rejected an effort to oust him from power, in the war-torn country's latest political crisis.
• Joint Statement by the United States and the Republic of South Sudan at the International Engagement Conference for South Sudan The White House 15 Dec 2011
• FACT SHEET: Supporting South Sudan’s Vision for the Future The White House 15 Dec 2011
• Execution of arrest warrants vital for ending crimes in Darfur, says ICC Prosecutor UN News Centre 15 Dec 2011 -- The Prosecutor of the International Criminal Court renewed his call for the arrest and transfer of those alleged to have committed genocide and crimes against humanity in Darfur.
• South Sudanese President Says Country Open for Business VOA 15 Dec 2011 -- South Sudan became an independent nation in July, and it's looking for business.
• Russia, EU agree to unblock aid convoy in Kosovo - Ambassador RIA Novosti 15 Dec 2011 -- Russia and the EU have finally agreed to unblock a Russian Emergencies Ministry convoy carrying humanitarian aid on the border between Serbia and Kosovo.
• Russian humanitarian convoy blocked at Kosovo border RIA Novosti 15 Dec 2011 -- A humanitarian convoy of the Russian Emergencies Ministry remained blocked on the border between Serbia and Kosovo.
• UN tribunal charges former Serb official with contempt for refusal to testify UN News Centre 15 Dec 2011 -- The UN war crimes tribunal for the Balkan conflicts of the 1990s charged a former Serb municipal official with contempt of court.
• UN’s Rwanda tribunal cuts jail terms for two ex-officials convicted of genocide UN News Centre 15 Dec 2011 -- The UN tribunal trying suspects connected to the 1994 genocide in Rwanda reduced the sentences of two former senior officials found guilty in 2008.

News Reports

• Islamists Look to Extend Gains in Egyptian Elections VOA 15 Dec 2011 -- The second phase of Egypt's parliamentary elections continued Thursday, with Islamist parties looking to extend their already overwhelming electoral gains.
• Burma’s Year of Change Raises Hopes VOA 15 Dec 2011 -- U.S. Secretary of State Hillary Clinton’s December visit to Burma was both a reward and encouragement for authorities after a year of unexpected reforms.
• China's Ambassador to Burma Meets Aung San Suu Kyi VOA 15 Dec 2011 -- A Chinese official has held a rare meeting with Burmese opposition leader and Nobel laureate Aung San Suu Kyi.
• New Wave of Burmese Rohingya Take Flight by Sea VOA 15 Dec 2011 -- Human rights groups say hundreds of ethnic Muslim Rohingya refugees from Burma have fled their temporary homes in Bangladesh.
• Iran’s Atomic Energy Organization denies building new nuclear site IRNA 15 Dec 2011 -- Iran’s Atomic Energy Organization denied a lawmaker's statement about construction of new nuclear site in Iran.
• Congo Supreme Court Hears Election Challenge VOA 15 Dec 2011 -- The Democratic Republic of Congo's Supreme Court has begun hearing a lawsuit seeking to annul the presidential election that returned incumbent Joseph Kabila to power.
• Tajikistan Extradites Two Kyrgyz Suspects In Official's Murder RFE/RL 15 Dec 2011 -- Tajik authorities have extradited two Kyrgyz citizens suspected in the killing of a top Kyrgyz official.
• Turkey Warns France Over Armenian Genocide Bill RFE/RL 15 Dec 2011 -- Turkey has reportedly threatened on to recall its ambassador to France and freeze ties with Paris if the French parliament next week passes a bill criminalizing the denial of the Armenian genocide.
• Political Standoff Heats Up Between Rival Papua New Guinea Prime Ministers VOA 15 Dec 2011 -- Papua New Guinea is in the midst of a political standoff, with two rival politicians claiming to be prime minister.
• Presidential Memorandum -- Determinations under Section 1106(a) of the Omnibus Trade and Competitiveness Act of 1988 - Russian Federation The White House 15 Dec 2011
• Putin sees himself main contender in presidential election RIA Novosti 15 Dec 2011 -- Russian PM and leader of the United Russia party Vladimir Putin considers himself the main contender in the presidential elections.
• Putin defends contested election but holds out reforms RIA Novosti 15 Dec 2011 -- PM Putin defended recent elections won by his party that critics charge were unfair.
• Putin Defends Parliamentary Election Results VOA 15 Dec 2011 -- Russian Prime Minister Vladimir Putin has defended the results of the parliamentary elections earlier this month and rejected allegations of voter fraud.
• U.S. Officials Cite 'Nationwide Awakening' In Russia RFE/RL 15 Dec 2011 -- A U.S. State Department official says recent mass protests in Russia could represent a "nationwide awakening" among Russians who want more accountability from their government.
• Russian election protests “came from within” - Clinton RIA Novosti 15 Dec 2011 -- Russian election protests did not come from the outside, U.S. State Secretary Hillary Clinton said in response to Russian PM Putin’s accusations of interfering in Russia’s domestic affairs.
• Putin Affirms Duma Vote In Call-In Show RFE/RL 15 Dec 2011 -- Prime Minister Vladimir Putin has alleged in his annual live call-in show with citizens that some Russians were paid to protest over election fraud.
• Brussels Raises Election Concerns At Russia Summit RFE/RL 15 Dec 2011 -- The European Union used a summit with Russia today to highlight concerns over claims of massive fraud during this month's Russian parliamentary elections.
• Russian prosecutors find no violations in international observers' work RIA Novosti 15 Dec 2011 -- The Russian Prosecutor General's Office said international observers monitoring the December 4 elections in Russia committed no violations.