Operations
Defense Policy / Programs
Defense Industry
Other Conflicts
News Reports

Current Operations

• OIF/OEF/OND Casualty Update 06 Jan 2012 [PDF]
• Combined Forces Capture Insurgent Leaders AFPS 06 Jan 2012 -- Combined Afghan and coalition security forces captured two insurgent leaders in Afghanistan today, military officials reported.
• Afghanistan operational air update 31 December UK MOD 06 Jan 2012 -- RAF, Royal Navy and Army Air Corps personnel conducted numerous missions across southern Afghanistan from 18-31 December 2011.
• Royal Gibraltar Regiment playing its part in Afghanistan UK MOD 06 Jan 2012 -- Members of the Royal Gibraltar Regiment are currently augmenting other units in Afghanistan.
• The 'unstoppable' peace process in Nad 'Ali UK MOD 06 Jan 2012 -- As Nad 'Ali looks to a brighter future, Tristan Kelly reports from the former Taliban stronghold.
• Despite Possible 'Reset,' Pakistan Keeps Afghan Border Closed To NATO RFE/RL 06 Jan 2012 -- Pakistan has blocked NATO supply trucks from entering Afghanistan since November 26, when NATO attacks killed two dozen Pakistani border guards.
• News of Taliban Office Sparks Flurry of Speculation VOA 06 Jan 2012 -- The New Year in war-ravaged Afghanistan has dawned with hopes the country can finally move towards a peace process bringing the bloody conflict there to an end.
• Bomb in Garbage Can Kills Six Afghan Children VOA 06 Jan 2012 -- Afghan police say six children and one man were killed when a bomb hidden inside a garbage can exploded in southern Afghanistan.
• Army acquires recoilless, shoulder-fired weapon Army News 06 Jan 2012 -- The U.S. Army Soldiers in Afghanistan are now firing an 84mm, reusable, recoilless shoulder-fired conventional munition.
• First Transit Center commander reflects on decade of change AFNS 06 Jan 2012 -- When the Transit Center's first commander, then-Brig. Gen. Chris Kelly, landed on Runway 08 at the Manas International Airport on Dec. 16, 2001, he saw potential of what this place could, and should, become.
• Five suspected militants killed in Pakistani tribal region IRNA 06 Jan 2012 -- Pakistani security forces on Friday killed five suspected militants in Orakzai tribal region.
• Pakistan President Says No 'War' With Army RFE/RL 06 Jan 2012 -- Pakistani President Asif Ali Zardari says his civilian government is not at "war" with the country's powerful military, as reports continue to focus on tensions between the two.
• Pakistani Sentenced In U.S. Over Taliban Smuggling Plot RFE/RL 06 Jan 2012 -- Man sentenced to more than four years in jail for trying to smuggle into the country someone he thought was a Pakistani Taliban.
• South Korea Assured of No US Troop Reductions VOA 06 Jan 2012 -- Despite assurances from the U.S. president that Thursday's announced defense cuts will not come at the expense of the Asia-Pacific region, there is some nervousness in South Korea.
• Panetta Commends Team That Rescued Iranian Fishing Vessel AFPS 06 Jan 2012 -- Defense Secretary Leon E. Panetta made a congratulatory phone call to the commander of a U.S. strike group that rescued 13 Iranian sailors from suspected pirates.
• U.S. Announces Rescue Of Iran Sailors From Somalian Pirates RFE/RL 06 Jan 2012 -- US officials say a U.S. Navy ship has rescued 13 Iranians who were being held hostage by Somali pirates in the Arabian Sea.

Defense Policy / Programs

• Panetta: Coming Budget Cuts Demand Careful Balance AFPS 06 Jan 2012 -- The coming round of defense budget cuts will differ from previous drawdowns, “where the threat kind of went away,” Defense Secretary Leon E. Panetta said yesterday.
• Carter: Strategic Guidance is Compass for 2013 Budget AFPS 06 Jan 2012 -- The new defense strategic guidance has set clear priorities in a new decade for those who are finalizing the Defense Department’s 2013 budget request.
• Even With Cuts, Military Will Remain Capable, Official Says AFPS 06 Jan 2012 -- Defense Department officials will use the military strategy guidance that President Barack Obama announced to tie numbers to the department’s fiscal 2013 budget request.
• Strategy Guidance Underscores Asia-Pacific Region AFPS 06 Jan 2012 -- The new defense strategy guidance President Barack Obama announced underscores the growing strategic importance of Asia and the Pacific.
• Presidential Memorandum - Presidential Determination on the Eligibility of South Sudan to Receive Defense Articles and Defense Services The White House 06 Jan 2012
• Panetta, Hammond Discuss Strategy in Pentagon Meeting AFPS 06 Jan 2012 -- Defense Secretary Leon E. Panetta and British Defense Secretary Phillip Hammond talked defense strategy and the way ahead.
• Bataan and Makin Island Amphibious Ready Groups Turnover Duties USMC News 06 Jan 2012 -- Bataan Amphibious Ready Group (ARG) and the 22nd Marine Expeditionary Group (MEU) were relieved of their duties in the U.S. 5th Fleet area of responsibility (AOR) by the Makin Island ARG and the 11th MEU, Jan. 6.
• U.S. Navy Rescues Iranian Fishing Vessel from Pirates in Arabian Sea NNS 06 Jan 2012 -- Forces assigned to the John C. Stennis Carrier Strike Group, rescued an Iranian fishing vessel from pirates in the northern Arabian Sea, Jan. 5.
• USS Missouri Completes PSA and Extended Modernization Ahead of Schedule NNS 06 Jan 2012 -- The crew of USS Missouri (SSN 780) and General Dynamics Electric Boat accomplished two major milestones, a first for the Virginia-class submarine program, by completing the submarine's post-shakedown availability (PSA) sea trials and extended modernization Jan. 6, a month ahead of schedule.
• Lincoln Carrier Strike Group Arrives in Thailand for Port Visit NNS 06 Jan 2012 -- The aircraft carrier USS Abraham Lincoln (CVN 72), accompanied by the guided-missile cruiser Cape St. George (CG 71), arrived in Leam Chebang, Thailand, for a port visit, Jan. 6.
• Research, training improves Medevac Army News 06 Jan 2012 -- Representatives got a glimpse of the future of Army Aviation and a chance to give feedback that may impact the features and form of future Medevac aircraft.
• AFRICOM-Funded Projects Assisting African Partners Develop Capacity to Counter Drug Trafficking AFRICOM 06 Jan 2012 -- US Africa Command's Counternarcotics and Law Enforcement Assistance Division provides about $20 million in annual assistance to African partner nations.
• Office for democracy established in U.S. State Department RIA Novosti 06 Jan 2012 -- The U.S. State Department established the Office of the Under Secretary for Civilian Security, Democracy, and Human Rights.
• Veterinary command inactivates, services remain same Army News 06 Jan 2012 -- Soldiers traveled from across the gulf coast to attend the inactivation ceremony of the Gulf Coast District Veterinary Command.
• Military's Groundbreaking Vaccine Targets Breast Cancer AFPS 06 Jan 2012 -- Military researchers here have developed a cutting-edge cancer vaccine that’s slashing breast cancer recurrence rates and giving some survivors a better shot at a cancer-free future.
• Analysts: Iran's Threats in Gulf Unlikely to Lead to War VOA 06 Jan 2012 -- Iran's recent threat to close the Strait of Hormuz led to a defiant U.S. response.
• Iran To Hold Military Exercises in Persian Gulf Again RFE/RL 06 Jan 2012 -- The Navy Commander of Iran's Revolutionary Guards announced has announced another military exercise in the Straits of Hormuz in February.
• Iran to stage new 'massive' naval drills near Strait of Hormuz RIA Novosti 06 Jan 2012 -- Iran is planning to hold new “massive” naval exercises near the strategic Strait of Hormuz within the next few weeks.
• Velayat-90 maneuvers showed Iran's readiness: Iranian navy commander IRNA 06 Jan 2012 -- Commander of the Islamic Republic of Iran’s Navy Rear Admiral Sayyari: Velayat-90 military maneuvers shows the capabilities and preparedness of Iran’s armed forces.
• Blast Victims Decry Slow Pace Of Reconstruction In Turkmen City RFE/RL 06 Jan 2012 -- Residents of a Turkmen city devastated last year when an ammunition depot blew up have expressed frustration over the lack of reconstruction.

Defense Industry

• DoD News: Contracts for January 06, 2012
• Warner Robins delivers its 1st C-130 Avionics Modernization Program upgrade to Little Rock Air Force Base Boeing 06 Jan 2012 -- Boeing and Warner Robins Air Logistics Center on Jan. 3 marked delivery of the first C-130 Avionics Modernization Program (AMP) aircraft modified by Warner Robins. The aircraft is the fourth to be delivered to Little Rock Air Force Base, Ark.; the first three were modified by Boeing.
• General Dynamics Awarded $60 Million for Abrams Tank Upgrades General Dynamics 06 Jan 2012 -- The U.S. Army TACOM Lifecycle Management Command has awarded General Dynamics Land Systems $60 million under an existing contract to continue upgrading M1A1 tanks to the M1A2 Systems Enhancement Package (SEP) V2 configuration.

Other Conflicts

• 6 January 2012 - Daily Press Briefing by the Office of the Spokesperson for the Secretary-General United Nations 06 Jan 2012
• Syrian Opposition Want UN Role In Arab Mission RFE/RL 06 Jan 2012 -- The Syrian opposition wants the United Nations to help Arab League monitors on the ground in Syria.
• 71 people killed, injured in Damascus explosion IRNA 06 Jan 2012 -- 25 people were killed and 46 others injured in a terrorist explosion that targeted a Syrian police bus.
• Suicide Blast Rocks Syrian Capital VOA 06 Jan 2012 -- Syria says an attacker blew himself at a busy intersection in the capital, Damascus.
• State Media: Suicide Bombing Kills, Wounds Dozens In Damascus RFE/RL 06 Jan 2012 -- Syrian state media say a suicide bombing in central Damascus has killed and injured dozens of people.
• Dozens killed in Damascus bomb blast RIA Novosti 06 Jan 2012 -- At least 26 people were killed and 63 injured when a bomb went off in the Syrian capital of Damascus.
• 11 people killed in Damascus explosion: statement: Interior Min IRNA 06 Jan 2012 -- 11 people were killed and 63 others injured in a terrorist explosion that targeted a Syrian police bus.
• Armed rebels explode Syrian 2nd gas pipeline near Homs in a week IRNA 06 Jan 2012 -- A group of armed rebels here Friday exploded on of Syria’s natural gas pipelines between country’s central Homs city and Idlib in Syria’s northwest.
• No amnesty for gross human rights violations in Yemen, top UN official says UN News Centre 06 Jan 2012 -- The UN human rights chief warned that there must be no amnesty for gross rights violations in Yemen.
• Somalia: UN envoy voices concern about parliamentary infighting UN News Centre 06 Jan 2012 -- The UN envoy for Somalia expressed deep concern over the country’s ongoing political disputes.
• South Sudan: UN launches major aid effort after clashes in troubled region UN News Centre 06 Jan 2012 -- Massive humanitarian operation to bring succour to people affected by inter-ethnic violence in South Sudan’s state of Jonglei.
• UN To Assist Victims Of Ethnic Violence In South Sudan VOA 06 Jan 2012 -- The United Nations is launching a massive humanitarian operation in South Sudan's Jonglei state to assist tens of thousands of victims of recent ethnic violence.
• Another Church Attack in Nigeria Kills 6 VOA 06 Jan 2012 -- The latest in a series of church attacks in northern Nigeria left six dead and 10 wounded outside of Kano on Thursday.
• Six killed in Nigeria church attack RIA Novosti 06 Jan 2012 -- Six people have been killed and 10 others have been injured in an armed attack on a church in northeastern Nigeria.
• UN refugee agency concludes work among displaced in northern Uganda UN News Centre 06 Jan 2012 -- The United Nations refugee agency said today it has concluded relief work among nearly two million internally displaced persons (IDPs) in Uganda, the majority of whom have returned to their villages, after years in camps as an insurrection raged in the country's north.

News Reports

• China Faces Ongoing Tension in Restive Xinjiang VOA 06 Jan 2012 -- China's far northwestern Xinjiang region is settled primarily by the Muslim Uighurs who have long chafed under Chinese rule.
• Tunisia is Tense Ahead of Revolution Anniversary VOA 06 Jan 2012 -- An elderly man is in serious condition after setting himself on fire in southern Tunisia this week - in an apparent attempt to draw attention to the dire economic situation in the North African country.
• Britain to Maintain Sanctions Until Burma Frees Political Prisoners VOA 06 Jan 2012 -- British Foreign Secretary William Hague, on a visit to Burma, says European Union economic sanctions will not change until authorities release all political prisoners.
• British Foreign Secretary Meets Aung Suu Kyi In Myanmar RFE/RL 06 Jan 2012 -- British Foreign Secretary William Hague has held talks with pro-democracy leader Aung San Suu Kyi on a landmark visit to Myanmar.
• Saudi Arabia: UN rights office alarmed at increasing rate of executions UN News Centre 06 Jan 2012 -- The United Nations human rights office expressed alarm today at the significant increase in Saudi Arabia’s use of capital punishment in the past year.
• UN Rights Group Slams Saudi Over Death Penalty VOA 06 Jan 2012 -- The U.N. Human Rights Office is expressing alarm at the significant increase in the use of the death penalty in Saudi Arabia.
• Israeli Society Facing Religious Extremism, Backlash VOA 06 Jan 2012 -- For some time now, Israeli women have been protesting against what they see as efforts by some ultra-Orthodox Jews to exclude them from public spaces.
• Japan plans to set 40-year limit on reactors life span RIA Novosti 06 Jan 2012 -- The Japanese government plans to limit the service life of nuclear reactors to 40 years.
• Turkey's Ex-Military Chief Arrested VOA 06 Jan 2012 -- Turkey's former army chief was arrested on Friday over an alleged plot to topple the government of Turkish Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdogan.
• Former Turkish General Jailed Until Trial RFE/RL 06 Jan 2012 -- A Turkish ex-general has been remanded in custody until his trial for being part of an alleged plot to overthrow the government.
• At 100, South Africa's ANC Still Facing Hurdles VOA 06 Jan 2012 -- South Africa's ruling African National Congress, the ANC, celebrates the centennial of its founding at Mangaung in the Free State province this weekend.
• Russia's election chief says won't resign RIA Novosti 06 Jan 2012 -- The head of Russia’s Central Election Commission, Vladimir Churov, said he would not resign despite demands by many critics.
• Russia's chief election official pledges transparent ballot boxes RIA Novosti 06 Jan 2012 -- About a third of Russian polling places will be fitted out with transparent ballot boxes, which will complicate ballot stuffing.