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Defense Policy / Programs
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News Reports

Current Operations

• OIF/OEF/OND Casualty Update 03 Jan 2012 [PDF]
• Afghan, Coalition Forces Capture Insurgents, Weapons, Drugs AFPS 03 Jan 2012 -- Combined international and Afghan forces captured two Taliban leaders in Afghanistan.
• U.S. Military Dialogue Continues With Pakistan AFPS 03 Jan 2012 -- The U.S. relationship with Pakistan is important, and military dialogue between the countries continues despite recent serious setbacks.
• Taliban Strikes Preliminary Deal for Qatar Office VOA 03 Jan 2012 -- The Afghan Taliban said it has reached a preliminary agreement to open a political office in the Gulf state of Qatar, in a move that could help facilitate peace talks to end the war in Afghanistan.
• Afghan Taliban Publicly Embraces Talks RFE/RL 03 Jan 2012 -- After a decade of insurgency, the Afghan Taliban says it has reached preliminary agreement to set up a "political office" in Qatar and is willing to enter talks.
• TF Duke hands over Khowst, Paktya missions in Afghanistan Army News 03 Jan 2012 -- The 3rd Brigade Combat Team, 1st Infantry Division, Task Force Duke, officially relinquished command of coalition forces in Khowst and Paktya provinces in a ceremony Dec. 31.
• Second Suicide Attack In Kandahar Kills 7 RFE/RL 03 Jan 2012 -- Afghan police say a second deadly suicide bombing on January 3 has killed at least seven people and wounded several others in Afghanistan's southern city of Kandahar.
• Pakistan security agencies, Taliban talks in decisive phase IRNA 03 Jan 2012 -- Pakistani news daily reported that secret talks between Pakistan’s security agencies and the local Taliban have entered a decisive phase.
• 3 die as rocket hit market in NW Pakistan IRNA 03 Jan 2012 -- At least three people were killed and several others injured when a rocket landed at a busy marketplace in a Pakistani tribal region.
• One person dies, 19 injured in blast in NW Pakistan IRNA 03 Jan 2012 -- One person was killed and 19 others injured in a bomb blast in the northwestern Pakistani city of Peshawar.
• White House: Iran Warning on Persian Gulf Shows 'Weakness' VOA 03 Jan 2012 -- The Obama administration is brushing off Iran's warning to keep a U.S. aircraft carrier out of the Persian Gulf, saying it shows the Iranian government's "weakness."
• DOD Seeks Safe Hormuz Passage for All, Official Says AFPS 03 Jan 2012 -- Closure of the strategically important Strait of Hormuz, where Iran has been holding military exercises since Dec. 23, will not be tolerated.
• Despite Iran Warning, US to Keep Ship in Persian Gulf VOA 03 Jan 2012 -- The United States military says it will continue to deploy warships in the Persian Gulf, after Iran warned a U.S. aircraft carrier not to return to the region.
• U.S. Defense Official: Navy To Continue Operations in Persian Gulf RFE/RL 03 Jan 2012 -- A U.S. defense official has been quoted as saying that the US will continue to deploy its warships in the Persian Gulf.
• U.S. flotilla should not return to Strait of Hormuz, warns Iran ISNA 03 Jan 2012 -- The Commander-in-Chief of Iranian Army Major General Ataollah Salehi: US flotilla aircraft carrier should not return to the Strait of Hormuz anymore.
• Political dialogue vital to promote peace and stability in Iraq UN News Centre 03 Jan 2012 -- Secretary-General Ban expressed concern about continuing political tensions in Iraq.
• ACC-KU launches strategic plan, improve warfighters' support Army News 03 Jan 2012 -- Army Contracting Command -- KU recently launched a strategic plan aimed at improving customer satisfaction which directly contributes to the organization's ultimate objective to "improve warfighter mission support."

Defense Policy / Programs

• Guard Bureau Chief Joins Joint Chiefs of Staff AFPS 03 Jan 2012 -- The chief of the National Guard Bureau now is a statutory member of the Joint Chiefs of Staff.
• Aviation, vehicle fatalities decrease in 2011 Army News 03 Jan 2012 -- Now more than ever, leaders from the squad up through the chain of command "get" safety and its importance to the mission.
• Russia to monitor Chechen military's mental health through computer RIA Novosti 03 Jan 2012 -- Russia’s Defense ministry will switch over to computerized tests to assess the mental health of servicemen.
• Defence scientist awarded OBE for front line armour protection work UK MOD 03 Jan 2012 -- A Ministry of Defence scientist has been awarded an OBE in Her Majesty The Queen's New Year's Honours List, in recognition of his world-leading armour protection work.
• Velayat-90 exercises prove Iran's high defense capability: Defense minister IRNA 03 Jan 2012 -- Minister of Defense and Logistics of the Armed Forces Brigadier General Ahmad Vahidi: Velayat-90 military exercises proved high capability of the armed forces to defend the country.
• Navy commander terms Velayat 90 military drills as successful IRNA 03 Jan 2012 -- Navy commander Admiral Habibollah Sayari: Naval forces have successfully conducted the Velayat 90 war games in the Persian Gulf waters.
• Naval drills successfully achieved all planned objectives - official IRNA 03 Jan 2012 -- Spokesman for the Velayat-90 naval war game in Iran’s southern waters: All the planned objectives of the drills were fulfilled.
• Iran ends naval drill with parade ISNA 03 Jan 2012 -- Iran will end naval drill in strategic Strait of Hormuz Tuesday with a parade by units involved in the exercise.
• Iran builds VTOL aircraft for mapping ISNA 03 Jan 2012 -- Iranian scientists built vertical take-off and landing (VTOL) aircraft capable of using non-metric cameras to prepare large-scale maps.
• Closure of Khosravi border due to internal Iraqi conditions IRNA 03 Jan 2012 -- Closure of Khosravi Int'l Border is due tointernal conditions in Iraq, a local official affiliated to Kermanshah provincial governerate, Shahriar Heydari said.
• Press Briefing by Press Secretary Jay Carney, 1/3/2012 The White House 03 Jan 2012
• U.S. Department of State Daily Press Briefing, January 3, 2012 US Dept. of State 03 Jan 2012

Defense Industry

• DoD News: Contracts for January 03, 2012
• CACI Awarded $39 Million Contract to Streamline and Automate Security Clearance Process for Defense Logistics Agency CACI 03 Jan 2012 -- CACI International Inc announced today that it has been awarded a $39 million task order contract to support the Department of Defense (DoD) Defense Logistics Agency (DLA) in developing a standards-based IT system to modernize and streamline the security clearance process.
• Pratt & Whitney Awarded Contract for F135 Engine Production Worth Up To $1.12B Pratt & Whitney 03 Jan 2012 -- The U.S. Department of Defense has awarded Pratt & Whitney an undefinitized contract award (UCA) not to exceed $1,122,306,649 for F135 production engines to power the F-35 Lightning II.
• SAIC Awarded $22 Million Contract by Oklahoma City Air Logistics Center SAIC 03 Jan 2012 -- Science Applications International Corporation (SAIC) announced today it was awarded a prime contract by the Oklahoma City Air Logistics Center (OC-ALC) to provide Instrument Landing System (ILS) modernization services in support of the U.S. Air Force (USAF).

Other Conflicts

• Daily Press Briefing by the Office of the Spokesperson for the Secretary-General, 3 January 2012 United Nations 03 Jan 2012
• UN staff union mourns colleagues killed over past year UN News Centre 03 Jan 2012 -- United Nations staff members have become primary targets of attacks by terrorists and insurgents around the globe.
• Arab League to Hold Review Session on Syria Observers' Work VOA 03 Jan 2012 -- Arab League ministers will meet to review an observer team's assessment of Syrian government pledge to end a crackdown on dissent.
• France Calls for Clarification of Syria Monitor Mission VOA 03 Jan 2012 -- France has expressed concerns about the conditions under which Arab League monitors are carrying out their mission in Syria.
• U.S. fears Syria not living up to Arab League deal RIA Novosti 03 Jan 2012 -- The United States expressed serious concerns about Syria's handling of an Arab League monitoring mission.
• 'Terrorists' Blamed For Syria Pipeline Blast RFE/RL 03 Jan 2012 -- Syria's state news agency says "terrorists" have blown up a gas pipeline in central Syria.
• No Word on Resuming Mideast Peace Process After Meeting VOA 03 Jan 2012 -- Israeli and Palestinian peace negotiators have ended their first official meeting in 15 months without saying if they are prepared to resume the stalled Mideast peace process.
• Ban welcomes meeting between Israeli and Palestinian negotiators UN News Centre 03 Jan 2012 -- Secretary-General Ban commended Palestinian and Israeli negotiators for meeting in Amman, Jordan.
• Israelis, Palestinians Attempt to Salvage Peace Effort VOA 03 Jan 2012 -- Israeli and Palestinian negotiators are set to meet in Jordan for talks aimed at restarting the stalled peace process.
• Palestinians Warn of "New Measures" If Meeting Fails RFE/RL 03 Jan 2012 -- Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas has threatened to take "new measures" against Israel if a much anticipated meeting in Jordan fails to bring a resumption of peace talks.
• Israelis, Palestinians To Meet In Jordan RFE/RL 03 Jan 2012 -- Israeli and Palestinian negotiators are scheduled to hold a face-to-face meeting today in Jordan to discuss the prospects for reviving peace talks that have been stalled for more than a year.
• Press Conference by Deputy Head of United Nations Mission in South Sudan, 3 January 2012 United Nations 03 Jan 2012
• Residents of South Sudan flashpoint town in need of aid after attack - UN official UN News Centre 03 Jan 2012 -- Showdown between the South Sudanese military and thousands of armed tribesmen over the flashpoint town of Pibor has subsided.
• South Sudan: Ban welcomes Government's efforts to protect civilians UN News Centre 03 Jan 2012 -- Secretary-General Ban has spoken with the President of South Sudan, Salva Kiir, to express his appreciation of Mr. Kiir's commitment to protecting civilians.
• Thousands Who Fled S. Sudan Tribal Clashes in Need of Aid VOA 03 Jan 2012 -- South Sudanese who fled inter-tribal fighting in the past few days in Jonglei state are returning to their homes.
• Nigeria Government Rejects Boko Haram's Ultimatum VOA 03 Jan 2012 -- Nigeria's government is calling on residents in the country's northern region to ignore an ultimatum issued by Islamic militant group Boko Haram.
• Church Leader Urges Nigerians to Ignore Latest Militant Threat VOA 03 Jan 2012 -- The Roman Catholic Archbishop of Nigeria's capital, Abuja, is calling on Nigerians to ignore the latest threat of the militant group Boko Haram.
• Turkey To Compensate Iraqi Victims Of Air Strike RFE/RL 03 Jan 2012 -- Turkey's deputy prime minister says his government will compensate the families of 35 civilians mistakenly killed last month in an air strike aimed at Kurdish rebels.
• Turkey to pay compensation to families of Kurds killed in air raid RIA Novosti 03 Jan 2012 -- Turkey has pledged to pay financial compensation to families of Kurds accidentally killed last week in air raid by Turkish Air Forces.
• Iran closes border with Pakistan over military arrest RIA Novosti 03 Jan 2012 -- Iran closed the border with Pakistan on Tuesday after Pakistani border guards detained three Iranian military.
• Iran in talks with Pakistan for release of border guards ISNA 03 Jan 2012 -- Commander of Iranian border security forces Hossein Zolfaghari said the country is in talks with Pakistan for release of the three border guards.
• Commander: Border guards entry into Pakistan unintentional IRNA 03 Jan 2012 -- Iranian Border Guards Commander Brigadier General Hossein Zolfaghari on called on Islamabad to release three Iranian border guards.
• Former Libya Rebel Groups Clash In Tripoli RFE/RL 03 Jan 2012 -- Two former Libyan rebel factions have clashed in central Tripoli, reportedly leaving five fighters dead.
• Japanese Lawmakers Visit Island Also Claimed by China VOA 03 Jan 2012 -- In a move that could escalate a decades-long territorial dispute between China and Japan, several Japanese politicians have been spotted landing on a disputed islet in the East China Sea.

News Reports

• High Level US Diplomat Begins Asia Tour VOA 03 Jan 2012 -- Assistant Secretary of State Kurt Campbell is in Beijing, the first high-level U.S. visit to Northeast Asia since the death of North Korean leader Kim Jong Il.
• U.S. Envoy Visits Far East After Kim Jong Il's Death RFE/RL 03 Jan 2012 -- The United States' top diplomat for Asia has arrived in China on a tour that will also take him to South Korea and Japan to discuss developments in North Korea after the death of Kim Jong Il.
• North Korea Trying to Make Succession Look Solid VOA 03 Jan 2012 -- North Korea's efforts to solidify Kim Jong Un as the communist nation's new supreme leader appear to be intensifying.
• North Koreans Rally in Show of Support for New Leader VOA 03 Jan 2012 -- North Koreans took part in a massive rally in the capital, Pyongyang,to show support for their country's policies and new leader Kim Jong Un.
• France Calls For Tougher Sanctions On Iran RFE/RL 03 Jan 2012 -- French Foreign Minister Alain Juppe is convinced Iran is developing nuclear weapons and called for the EU to impose tougher sanctions on Tehran.
• Iran waiting for date, venue of nuclear talks ISNA 03 Jan 2012 -- Iranian FM Spokesman Mehmanparast: Country is waiting for unveiling date and venue of talks with permanent members of the UNSC plus Germany.
• Egypt Prosecutor Calls Mubarak's Rule Tyranny VOA 03 Jan 2012 -- Egyptian prosecutors are presenting their case against ousted president Hosni Mubarak, accusing him of tyranny during his near 30 year rule.
• Egyptians Vote With Mubarak Back In Court RFE/RL 03 Jan 2012 -- The trial of Egypt's ousted President Hosni Mubarak has resumed as voters in that country go to the polls in the third and final round of elections for the lower house of parliament.
• Egypt Begins Final Round of Lower House Vote VOA 03 Jan 2012 -- With Islamist parties dominating the process, Egyptians in rural areas started voting Tuesday in the third and final round of elections to choose lower house of parliament members.
• Zimbabwe's Ruling Partners Moot Joint Peace Rallies Amid Skepticism VOA 03 Jan 2012 -- Political leaders in Zimbabwe's chronically unstable but somehow enduring power-sharing government have raised the possibility of staging a series of joint rallies.
• Is Hungary Backtracking On Democracy? RFE/RL 03 Jan 2012 -- Tens of thousands of Hungarians have taken to the streets of Budapest over constitutional changes they say dramatically roll back democracy in the country.
• EU Postpones Talks On Financial Assistance For Hungary After Massive Protests VOA 03 Jan 2012 -- The European Union's executive body says it and the International Monetary Fund have no plans yet to resume talks with financially troubled Hungary over multi-billion dollar assistance.
• Pakistani PM announces support for creation of new province IRNA 03 Jan 2012 -- Pakistani Prime Minister Yousuf Raza Gilani on Tuesday expressed support for creation of new province in southern Pakistan.
• Turkish Ex-Military Chief Suspect in Anti-Government Case VOA 03 Jan 2012 -- Turkish media reports say prosecutors have named a former chief of Turkey's military as a suspect in an Internet campaign aimed at destabilizing the country's Islamic-based government.
• Armenian President Pledges Truly Democratic Elections In 2012 RFE/RL 03 Jan 2012 -- President Serzh Sarkisian has assured Armenians that he does not regard the forthcoming parliamentary elections primarily as a means of clinging to power.
• Greece, former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia agree to fresh UN-mediated talks UN News Centre 03 Jan 2012 -- Representatives of Greece and the former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia have agreed to a fresh round of United Nations-mediated talks.
• Six So Far Convicted Under France's Veil Ban RFE/RL 03 Jan 2012 -- French Interior Minister Claude Gueant says six women have been convicted and fined since a ban on face-covering Islamic veils took effect in April.