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Operations
Defense Policy / Programs
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News Reports

Current Operations

• OIF/OEF/OND Casualty Update 16 Dec 2011 [PDF]
• Turkey Playing Increasing Role in Iraq VOA 16 Dec 2011 -- With the U.S. withdrawal, Turkey is now being seen by Washington as playing a potential key role in Iraq.
• Panetta: Campaign to Establish Sovereign Iraq Was ‘Worth It’ AFPS 16 Dec 2011 -- Defense Secretary Leon E. Panetta said that the United States is united in leaving the war and said, ultimately, the effort has been worth it.
• In Baghdad's Green Zone, a Pronounced Absence VOA 16 Dec 2011 -- As U.S. forces conclude their withdrawal from Iraq this month, nowhere will the change be more evident than in the heavily fortified compound in central Baghdad known as the Green Zone.
• Austin Lauds Seasoned, Adaptable Force AFPS 16 Dec 2011 -- Back in March 2003, Army Gen. Lloyd J. Austin III gave orders for the 3rd Infantry Division’s lead elements to cross the border into Iraq to launch Operation Iraqi Freedom.
• Combined Force Kills Taliban Leader AFPS 16 Dec 2011 -- A combined Afghan and coalition security force killed Malawi Sahib, a Taliban leader, during an operation in the Baraki Barak district of Afghanistan’s Logar province.
• Pakistani PM says a big NO to unilateral action IRNA 16 Dec 2011 -- PM Gilani: Pakistan is in the process of deciding terms of engagement with the US, NATO and ISAF and declared that ‘no unilateral actions inside Pakistan or against Pakistan’ will be allowed.
• NATO Admits Afghan Local Police Abuses VOA 16 Dec 2011 -- A NATO military report says some members of a U.S.-trained police force in Afghanistan have committed human rights abuses, but that overall the force has been effective.
• Russia, India back Afghan control handover RIA Novosti 16 Dec 2011 -- Russia and India have said they back handing security affairs over to Afghanistan, putting Kabul in charge of its own security forces.
• Laughlin AFB graduates Afghanistan's newest pilots AFNS 16 Dec 2011 -- Three Afghan air force lieutenants will soon be returning to Afghanistan with silver wings after graduating from Specialized Undergraduate Pilot Training.
• Pakistan Army Chief: Memo Scandal Attempt to Lower Morale VOA 16 Dec 2011 -- Pakistan's army chief: Memo that accused the military of plotting to overthrow the president was an attempt to lower the military's morale.
• Pakistani President not to submit reply in memo case IRNA 16 Dec 2011 -- Pakistani Attorney General, Maulvi Anwarul Haq, has said that President Asif Ali Zardari will not file his reply in memo gate scandal.
• Pakistani Group Says It's Mediating Between Taliban, Government RFE/RL 16 Dec 2011 -- A pro-Taliban religious group in northern Pakistan says it is mediating between the government and the Tehrik-e-Taliban Pakistan.
• 7 militants killed in clashes in NW Pakistan IRNA 16 Dec 2011 -- Pakistani security forces killed 7 militants in northern western tribal region.

Defense Policy / Programs

• Enterprise Works Up to Deployment NNS 16 Dec 2011 -- Aircraft carrier USS Enterprise (CVN 65) wrapped up a two-week underway in the Atlantic Ocean Dec. 16, completing many qualifications needed for its upcoming deployment.
• Pilots Qualify Aboard USS Enterprise NNS 16 Dec 2011 -- New pilots assigned to the 'Gladiators' of Strike Fighter Squadron (VFA) 106 and the 'Greyhawks' of Carrier Airborne Early Warning Squadron (VAW) 120 conducted their first flight deck qualifications aboard aircraft carrier USS Enterprise (CVN 65) Dec. 6-14.
• VP-1 Conducts Bilateral Training with Japanese Counterparts NNS 16 Dec 2011 -- Patrol Squadron (VP) 1 conducted bilateral training Dec. 13, with Japan Maritime Self-Defense Force (JMSDF) P-3 squadron, VP-2.
• USS Albuquerque Returns from Western Pacific Deployment NNS 16 Dec 2011 -- Friends and families of Sailors aboard the Los Angeles-class, fast-attack submarine USS Albuquerque (SSN 706) welcomed home the submarine's crew Dec. 15, following a six-month deployment to the western Pacific.
• NMCB 4 Completes the Musa Qal'eh Crossing NNS 16 Dec 2011 -- In a crowd of dignitaries and elders, the Musa Qal'eh crossing built by Naval Mobile Construction Battalion (NMCB) 4 was blessed and declared open to the public in a ceremony held atop the roadway Dec. 9.
• Amphibious-Southern Partnership Station 2012 Concludes Subject Matter Expert Exchanges with Guatemala NNS 16 Dec 2011 -- Sailors and Marines attached to a Special Purpose Marine Air Ground Task Force (SPMAGTF) completed 13 days of subject matter expert exchanges (SMEE) in support of Amphibious-Southern Partnership Station (AMPHIB-SPS) 2012, in Puerto Barrios and Puerto Santo Tomas, Guatemala, Dec. 9.
• U.S. Senate Passes Defense Bill That Targets Pakistan Aid, Iran RFE/RL 16 Dec 2011 -- The US Senate has passed a $662 billion defense bill, which includes measures that would suspend some U.S. aid to Pakistan and imposes sanctions targeting Iran's central bank.
• Panetta Praises Turkey for Leadership in Region and Beyond AFPS 16 Dec 2011 -- Defense Secretary Leon E. Panetta praised Turkish leaders for their leadership in the region at a time of sweeping change.
• U.S. conducts 12 START inspections in Russia in 2011 RIA Novosti 16 Dec 2011 -- U.S. inspection teams have conducted 12 inspections of Strategic Missile Forces facilities in Russia.
• START Treaty Ushered in New Nuclear Era VOA 16 Dec 2011 -- In 1991, the so-called "Cold War" between Moscow and Washington underwent a historic transformation with the START treaty.
• Pretrial Begins for Alleged Document Leaker AFPS 16 Dec 2011 -- The Article 32 hearing for the soldier allegedly involved in leak of classified material got under way in a crowded military courthouse.
• Wikileaks Suspect Appears in US Military Court VOA 16 Dec 2011 -- A defense attorney called for the presiding officer to withdraw from the case of a U.S. Army soldier accused of leaking classified documents.
• U.S. WikiLeaks Suspect Soldier To Face Military Hearing RFE/RL 16 Dec 2011 -- US Army soldier suspected of being behind biggest leak of classified U.S. documents in history is due to make his first court appearance.
• UN Forces Commander to South Sudan Speaks to Members of U.S. Africa Command AFRICOM 16 Dec 2011 -- Nigerian Army Major General Moses Bisong Obi, Force Commander of United Nations Mission to South Sudan visited U.S. Africa Command Headquarters.
• KC-10 cargo load training facility opens doors AFNS 16 Dec 2011 -- The new KC-10 cargo load training facility was officially opened at a ribbon cutting ceremony Dec. 16.
• Russia, U.S. Special Forces to hold joint counterterrorism drills RIA Novosti 16 Dec 2011 -- Joint Russian-U.S. counterterrorism exercises involving special forces of the two states will be held in May 2012.
• Russia to build 100-ton ICBM to penetrate US missile defenses RIA Novosti 16 Dec 2011 -- Russia will develop a new liquid-propellant intercontinental ballistic missile to overcome US missile defense.
• Russia’s Strategic Missile Forces to get 4G control systems RIA Novosti 16 Dec 2011 -- Russia’s Strategic Missile Forces will receive advanced automated command-and-control systems.
• Russia to build two military posts in disputed Kuril Islands RIA Novosti 16 Dec 2011 -- The Russian Federal Agency for Special Construction will build two military posts in the disputed Kuril Islands.
• Senior Russian Defense Ministry official demoted after badminton hype RIA Novosti 16 Dec 2011 -- The head of the Russian Defense Ministry sports directorate, Alexander Shchepelev, was demoted, apparently over badminton hype.
• Russia welcomes India’s SCO membership bid RIA Novosti 16 Dec 2011 -- Russia welcomes India’s intention to join the Shanghai Cooperation Organization and calls on member states to speed up the accession process.
• Russia to lease Nerpa nuclear submarine to India by yearend RIA Novosti 16 Dec 2011 -- Russia will lease its Nerpa nuclear submarine to India by the end of the year.
• Russia Sells India More Fighter Jets RFE/RL 16 Dec 2011 -- Russia has signed a deal to provide India with 42 fighter jets.
• Upgraded Army Lynx helicopter fleet complete UK MOD 16 Dec 2011 -- The last of 22 upgraded Lynx support helicopters has been handed over to the Army Air Corps on budget and three months ahead of schedule.
• U.S. Department of State Daily Press Briefing, December 16, 2011 US Dept. of State 16 Dec 2011

Defense Industry

• DoD News: Contracts for December 16, 2011
• BAE Systems Wins Role on Services Contract Supporting U.S. Joint Improvised Explosive Device Defeat Organization BAE Systems 16 Dec 2011 -- BAE Systems will provide a range of services to support the U.S. Department of Defense’s Joint Improvised Explosive Device Defeat Organization (JIEDDO) as part of a new indefinite delivery/indefinite quantity support contract. The company will participate in bids for a series of task orders over the next five years. The total potential value is approximately $900 million for all companies involved.
• General Dynamics Announces Early Termination of HSR Waiting Period for Proposed Acquisition of Force Protection General Dynamics 16 Dec 2011 -- General Dynamics announced today that the U.S. Department of Justice has granted early termination of the waiting period required by the Hart-Scott-Rodino (HSR) Antitrust Improvements Act in connection with its $5.52-per-share cash tender offer to purchase the outstanding shares of common stock of Force Protection, Inc./li>
• Lockheed Martin Delivers U.S. Navy’s First Mobile User Objective System Satellite Lockheed Martin 16 Dec 2011 -- Lockheed Martin delivered the U.S. Navy’s first Mobile User Objective System (MUOS) satellite to Cape Canaveral Air Force Station, Fla., on December 15, where it will be prepared for a Feb. 16, 2012 liftoff aboard an Atlas V launch vehicle.
• Raytheon Awarded $685.7 Million for New Patriot Systems for Taiwan Raytheon 16 Dec 2011 -- Raytheon Company has received a $685.7 million Foreign Military Sales (FMS) contract for additional new fire units of the combat-proven Patriot Air and Missile Defense System for Taiwan.

Other Conflicts

• 16 December 2011 - Daily Press Briefing by the Office of the Spokesperson for the Secretary-General United Nations 16 Dec 2011
• Press Conference on Annual Assembly of States Parties to International Criminal Court United Nations 16 Dec 2011
• Syrian Forces Kill 17; Huge Protests in Homs VOA 16 Dec 2011 -- Activists say Syrian security forces killed at least 17 people as more than 200,000 protesters rallied against President Bashar al-Assad's government.
• Russia Circulates New UN Draft On Syria RFE/RL 16 Dec 2011 -- Russia has distributed to the 14 other United Nations Security Council members the draft of a new resolution aimed at pressuring the Syrian regime.
• Russia proposes surprise Syria resolution RIA Novosti 16 Dec 2011 -- The United States has said it is prepared to work with Russia on a draft resolution it proposed to the UN Security Council on the crisis in Syria.
• Yemen’s new Government taking steps to restore peace and stability – UN envoy UN News Centre 16 Dec 2011 -- Yemen’s new Government has taken steps to restore peace and stability in the country, the United Nations special envoy for the country said.
• Remarks by the President at the 71st General Assembly of the Union for Reform Judaism The White House 16 Dec 2011
• Obama Responds to Republican Criticisms on Support for Israel VOA 16 Dec 2011 -- In an address to the largest North American Jewish organization, President Barack Obama said the United States is fully committed to Israel.
• Analysis: Revisiting the rules of war in Israel/oPt IRIN 16 Dec 2011 -- Israeli threats of a second large-scale attack on the occupied Palestinian territory raise pressing questions of international humanitarian law.
• South Sudan: UN envoy hails Vice-President’s appeal for reconciliation in Jonglei UN News Centre 16 Dec 2011 -- Appeal by the country’s Vice-President Riek Machar to communities in the troubled Jonglei state to refrain from violence and to immediately engage in talks on reconciliation and peaceful coexistence.
• Somalia: UN expert urges greater efforts to tackle violence against women UN News Centre 16 Dec 2011 -- An independent UN human rights expert called for greater efforts to improve the plight of women in Somalia, thousands of whom remain extremely vulnerable to discrimination and violence.
• UN Denounces 'Privatization' of Violence Against Somali Women VOA 16 Dec 2011 -- The United Nations’ Special Rapporteur on Violence Against Women Rashida Manjoo spoke to reporters in Nairobi about her just-concluded mission to Somalia.
• ICC Prosecutor Says Gadhafi's Death May Be War Crime VOA 16 Dec 2011 -- The ICC chief prosecutor says there are "serious suspicions" that the death of Libyan leader Moammar Gadhafi was a war crime.
• ICC Prosecutor: Qaddafi's Death Could Be War Crime RFE/RL 16 Dec 2011 -- The chief prosecutor of the ICC says he has "serious suspicions" that the death of Libyan leader Muammar Qaddafi might be a war crime.
• Chinese officials warn of perils of denying '1992 consensus' CNA 16 Dec 2011 -- Chinese officials reaffirmed that "the 1992 consensus" is the bedrock of cross-Taiwan Strait consultations.
• Russian convoy with aid for Kosovo resumes its way RIA Novosti 16 Dec 2011 -- A Russian Emergencies Ministry convoy carrying humanitarian aid has resumed its way.
• German Chancellor Merkel To Visit Kosovo RFE/RL 16 Dec 2011 -- German chancellor Angela Merkel is expected to visit Kosovo on December 19.
• ICC orders release of Rwandan rebel leader after dismissing charges UN News Centre 16 Dec 2011 -- Judges at the ICC ordered the release of a Rwandan rebel leader after dismissing war crimes charges related to deadly fighting in the far east of the neighbouring Democratic Republic of the Congo in 2009.
• Bolivia to sue Chile in The Hague over access to sea RIA Novosti 16 Dec 2011 -- Bolivian President Evo Morales said that his country will file a lawsuit to the International Criminal Court in The Hague against Chile in February 2012, demanding to return an access to the Pacific Ocean.
• Transdniester Leader Out Of Presidential Runoff RFE/RL 16 Dec 2011 -- Moldova's breakaway Transdniester region has announced it will hold a presidential runoff on December 25.
• Transdnestr presidential runoff due Dec. 25 RIA Novosti 16 Dec 2011 -- The second round of voting in presidential polls in the breakaway Moldovan republic of Transdnestr will take place on December 25.

News Reports

• Egyptian Protesters, Military Police Clash in Cairo VOA 16 Dec 2011 -- In Cairo, violent clashes between protesters and Egyptian military police began early Friday morning and grew larger throughout the afternoon.
• Clashes Between Military Police And Protesters Injure 50 In Cairo RFE/RL 16 Dec 2011 -- Activists say that at least 50 people have been injured in Cairo during clashes between police and antigovernment protesters.
• China's Leaders Increasingly Challenged by Social Unrest VOA 16 Dec 2011 -- Over the past year, China’s leadership has faced growing eruptions of public discontent.
• Chinese Village Ejects Authorities in Rare Revolt VOA 16 Dec 2011 -- Villagers embroiled in a land dispute in managed to do what so many others have not: force the Chinese Communist Party out of their neighborhood.
• Radioactive isotopes seized from passenger on Moscow-Tehran flight RIA Novosti 16 Dec 2011 -- Customs officers at Moscow's Sheremetyevo airport seized nuclear isotopes from a passenger on a flight to Tehran.
• Russian Customs Seize Iran-Bound Radioactive Material RFE/RL 16 Dec 2011 -- The Russian customs service says it has seized radioactive material in the luggage of a passenger bound for Tehran.
• Russia: Sanctions, pressures on Iran not a right solution IRNA 16 Dec 2011 -- Russian FM spokesman Lukashevich: Moscow believes pressure and sanctions is not the solution to settle country’s nuclear case.
• UN welcomes news that stricken Japanese plant is now stable UN News Centre 16 Dec 2011 -- The UN nuclear watchdog welcomed Japan’s announcement that it had successfully stabilized the reactors at the Fukushima Daiichi nuclear power plant.
• Radioactive Cleanup in Japan Could Last Decades VOA 16 Dec 2011 -- Japan is breathing a slight sigh of relief after official word the crippled reactors at the Fukushima-1 plant are now in a "cold shutdown" state.
• Japan Declares Stricken Nuclear Plant Stable VOA 16 Dec 2011 -- Japan's government has announced that the reactors at plant crippled by the March 11th tsunami have achieved conditions of "cold shutdown."
• Japan Says Fukushima Reactors Now Stable RFE/RL 16 Dec 2011 -- Japan formally announced that it has regained full control over the leaking reactors at its Fukushima nuclear plant, signaling that the crisis there is over.
• Former Top Kyrgyz Security Official Taken Into Custody RFE/RL 16 Dec 2011 -- The former chief of the Kyrgyz State Committee for National Security has been taken into custody after he unexpectedly showed up in court where he was being tried in absentia.
• Thai Royalists Protest Against US, UN ‘Interference’ VOA 16 Dec 2011 -- A group of Thai royalists has protested at the United States Embassy and United Nations office in Bangkok over what they say is interference in Thailand’s internal affairs.
• Moldovan Parliament Fails To Elect President RFE/RL 16 Dec 2011 -- Parliament speaker and interim president Marian Lupu, the only candidate, won 58-3, but did not receive the two-thirds of the vote required because of a Communist boycott.
• Russian investigators open first probe into alleged poll fraud RIA Novosti 16 Dec 2011 -- A probe has been launched in the southern Russian city of Krasnodar into allegations of ballot stuffing at a polling station during the December 4 parliamentary elections.
• Statement by the Press Secretary on the President's Phone Call with Russian President Medvedev The White House 16 Dec 2011
• Russia admitted to WTO; Jackson-Vanik set to terminate RIA Novosti 16 Dec 2011 -- WTO trade ministers on Friday accepted Russia’s bid to join the World Trade Organization.
• Russia admitted to WTO RIA Novosti 16 Dec 2011 -- WTO trade ministers on Friday accepted Russia’s bid to join the World Trade Organization, the Kremlin press service said.
• Russia Joins World Trade Organization RFE/RL 16 Dec 2011 -- The World Trade Organization has accepted Russia as a WTO member after 18 years of negotiations.