Operations
Defense Policy / Programs
Defense Industry
Other Conflicts
News Reports

Current Operations

• Reports: Afghan, Pakistani Militants Unite to Fight US-led Troops in Afghanistan VOA 02 Jan 2012 -- Reports from Pakistan say al-Qaida and Afghan Taliban leaders have asked Pakistani militants to stop targeting Pakistani security forces.
• Personnel scanners provide added level of security in Afghanistan Army News 02 Jan 2012 -- The scanner is a Product Manager Force Protection Systems item that is managed in theater by the Program Manger Guardian liaison officer and PM FPS.
• 8 militants killed in clashes in NW Pakistan IRNA 02 Jan 2012 -- Pakistan security forces have killed eight militants in north western tribal region.
• 606 died in Pakistan's 41 suicide attacks in 2011 IRNA 02 Jan 2012 -- A total of 51 suicide bombers were used in 41 suicide attacks in Pakistan in 2011, killing 606 and injuring over a thousand.
• 113th Sustainment Brigade Assumes Mission in Kuwait Army News 02 Jan 2012 -- The Tennessee Army National Guard's 230th Sustainment Brigade transferred command to the North Carolina Army National Guard's 113th Sustainment Brigade.
• Iraqi Civilian Deaths Increase In 2011 RFE/RL 02 Jan 2012 -- A U.K.-based nongovernmental organization has issued figures that suggest the number of civilians killed in Iraq in 2011 was slightly higher than a year earlier.

Defense Policy / Programs

• Russia to modernize 60 MiG-31 interceptors by 2020 RIA Novosti 02 Jan 2012 -- The Russian Air Force will receive over 60 modernized MiG-31 Foxhound interceptor aircraft by 2020.
• Paris considers 'bad signal' Iran's missile tests RIA Novosti 02 Jan 2012 -- France considers Iran’s test of a long-range missile as “a bad signal”, Foreign Ministry spokesman Bernard Valero said.
• Iran Test-Fires Missile RFE/RL 02 Jan 2012 -- An Iranian naval commander says Iran has successfully test-fired two 200-kilometer-range missiles during naval exercises near the Strait of Hormuz.
• Iran to test fire missiles in southern naval exercise ISNA 02 Jan 2012 -- Iranian Deputy Army Commander Brigadier General Moussavi said the country would test fire upgraded "Qader" missile.
• Iran successfully fires long-range coast-to-sea missile IRNA 02 Jan 2012 -- Iran successfully fired the long-range coast-to-sea missile called 'Qader' during the ongoing Velayat-90 war games.
• Iran test fires ultra-advanced Noor missile successfully IRNA 02 Jan 2012 -- The Iranian naval forces on Monday test fired its ultra-advanced surface-to-surface Noor missile at the last phase of Velayat-90 military drill successfully.
• Foreign observers to join Iran's naval exercise in Strait of Hormuz ISNA 02 Jan 2012 -- Observers from Iran's allies are to join the naval exercise underway in the Strait of Hormuz, southern Iran.

Defense Industry

Other Conflicts

• Arab League Sees Progress in Syria Mission; Snipers Remain VOA 02 Jan 2012 -- Arab League Secretary-General Nabil El Arabi: Arab League observer mission to Syria has made progress.
• Arab League Says Snipers Still Threaten Syrian Cities VOA 02 Jan 2012 -- The Arab League chief says snipers and gunfire remain a threat in Syrian cities despite the presence of League monitors.
• Gunfire In Syria Cities Said To Continue As Arab League Chief Cites Pullback RFE/RL 02 Jan 2012 -- Arab League chief Nabil al-Arabi says the Syrian military has withdrawn its forces from cities around the country.
• Arab Parliament urges pullout of Arab League monitors from Syria RIA Novosti 02 Jan 2012 -- The Arab Parliament has called for the immediate withdrawal of the Arab League’s monitoring mission in Syria.
• S. Korean President Predicts 'Big Changes' on Dealings with North VOA 02 Jan 2012 -- South Korea's president is predicting "big changes" on the peninsula following last month's death of Kim Jong Il.
• S. Korea President: Window Still Open For Better Ties With North RFE/RL 02 Jan 2012 -- South Korea's President Lee Myung-bak says he continues to see an opportunity for better relations with North Korea.
• Seoul hopes for reduction in tensions between Koreas RIA Novosti 02 Jan 2012 -- South Korean President Lee Myung-bak said his country is ready to improve relations with North Korea.
• South Sudan, UN Deploy Troops to Curb Ethnic Clashes VOA 02 Jan 2012 -- South Sudan and the United Nations have increased their troop presence in troubled Jonglei state in a bid to contain tribal clashes in the area.
• Wounded in Southern Somalia Have Difficulty Reaching Medical Facilities VOA 02 Jan 2012 -- The International Committee of the Red Cross reports that ongoing fighting in Somalia's Middle Juba region is preventing many wounded people from reaching medical facilities.
• Hamas prime minister in Turkey honors nine flotilla victims IRNA 02 Jan 2012 -- Palestinian Prime Minister Ismail Haniyeh paid tribute to nine Turkish nationals who were martyred in Israeli military attack on Gaza-bound Mavi Marmara aid ship in May 2010.

News Reports

• Iran's Currency Slumps on Sanctions Fears VOA 02 Jan 2012 -- Reports from Iran say the nation's currency has slumped to a record low against the U.S. dollar.
• Prosecutors to Sum Up in Mubarak Case VOA 02 Jan 2012 -- Egyptian prosecutors will soon present their final arguments in the trial of former President Hosni Mubarak.
• Mubarak Trial Resumes In Cairo RFE/RL 02 Jan 2012 -- Egypt's ousted President Hosni Mubarak has been wheeled into court on a stretcher for the resumption of his trial for the deaths of protesters during the Arab Spring uprising that eventually ousted him.
• Mubarak's trial to be held every day RIA Novosti 02 Jan 2012 -- Trial of Egypt's ex-president Hosni Mubarak his sons and former interior minister will be held every day.
• Opposition protest in Yemen leaves three people dead RIA Novosti 02 Jan 2012 -- At least three people have died in fresh clashes between anti-regime protesters and security forces loyal to President Ali Abdullah Saleh.
• In Burma, Visiting Dignitaries Line Up to Ride Crest of Change VOA 02 Jan 2012 -- Burma's pro-democracy leader Aung San Suu Kyi met with billionaire American philanthropist George Soros.
• Clash At Demolition Of Mosque In China RFE/RL 02 Jan 2012 -- Fighting broke out between police and a large group of Muslims in northwestern China after authorities demolished a mosque.
• Pope Benedict to Visit Cuba in March VOA 02 Jan 2012 -- Roman Catholic Church officials say Pope Benedict XVI will be in Cuba March 26 to 28 following a visit to Mexico.
• Tens of Thousands Protest New Constitution in Hungary VOA 02 Jan 2012 -- Tens of thousands in Budapest have protested against Hungary's new constitution, which they believe will weaken democratic institutions.
• France Pressured Over Attack on Congolese Official VOA 02 Jan 2012 -- French authorities are searching for suspects in a violent attack on the Democratic Republic of Congo's Senate president in Paris.