Operations
Defense Policy / Programs
Defense Industry
Other Conflicts
News Reports

Current Operations

• Afghanistan operational air update 7 January 2012 UK MOD 16 Jan 2012 -- RAF, Royal Navy and Army Air Corps personnel conducted numerous missions across southern Afghanistan from 1 to 7 January 2012.
• F-15E reaches flying-hour milestone AFNS 16 Jan 2012 -- Checklists were run, hatches checked, bombs loaded and missions briefed, as the crew chiefs, support units, and flyers of F-15E Strike Eagle #89-0487 achieved a milestone 10,000 flying hours Jan. 13.
• Three Killed In Helicopter Crash In Southern Afghanistan RFE/RL 16 Jan 2012 -- NATO has confirmed that a civilian helicopter crashed in southern Afghanistan today.
• Pakistan Taliban Spokesman Denies Leader Is Dead RFE/RL 16 Jan 2012 -- A spokesman for the Pakistani Taliban, Asimullah Mehsud, has denied allegations that the group's leader was killed in a recent U.S. drone strike.
• Pakistan Minister Wants Evidence of Taliban Leader's Death VOA 16 Jan 2012 -- Pakistan's interior minister says he is unable to confirm reports that the leader of the Pakistani Taliban, Hakimullah Mehsud, was killed in a US drone strike.
• Iran says to respond to U.S. message "if necessary" ISNA 16 Jan 2012 -- Iranian Foreign Ministry Spokesman Ramin Mehmanparast said the country would give response to the U.S. message on the Strait of Hormuz, if necessary.
• Tehran 'studying' U.S. letter on Strait of Hormuz RIA Novosti 16 Jan 2012 -- Iran has received and is studying a letter from the U.S. on a potential dispute over the Strait of Hormuz.
• Iran Confirms Receipt Of U.S. Letter On Strait Of Hormuz RFE/RL 16 Jan 2012 -- Iran has confirmed having received a message by the United States regarding the Strait of Hormuz.

Defense Policy / Programs

• Repair, modernization of fire-damaged sub may cost $30 mln RIA Novosti 16 Jan 2012 -- The cost to repair and modernize the Yekaterinburg could total 900 million rubles.
• Russian air force to buy 30 Ka-226 helicopters by 2020 RIA Novosti 16 Jan 2012 -- The Russian Air Force is to acquire up to 30 Kamov Ka-226 light helicopters for courier and communications duties by 2020.
• Russian assault rifle parts found in Urals dump RIA Novosti 16 Jan 2012 -- Police have found functional gun parts at a dumping ground for destroyed Kalashnikov automatic rifles in the Urals republic of Udmurtia.
• Historic RAF squadron disbands UK MOD 16 Jan 2012 -- RAF Linton-on-Ouse bade farewell to a squadron with a long and distinguished history when 207 (Reserve) Squadron held a disbandment parade at the Yorkshire air base.
• Navy captures 13 Somali pirates UK MOD 16 Jan 2012 -- Thirteen Somali pirates were captured on a dhow in the Indian Ocean on Friday by a combination of Royal Navy, Royal Marines and Royal Fleet Auxiliary personnel.
• NATO warship renders assistance to stricken dhow NATO 16 Jan 2012-- Over the weekend, the Italian warship ITS Grecale was tasked by NATO Task Force Commander to render assistance to the Iranian flagged dhow, Tahriri.
• Royal Marines practise Olympic security on Thames UK MOD 16 Jan 2012 -- Royal Marines have joined police on the Thames in London today for a week-long security exercise in preparation for the 2012 Olympics.
• Iran to unveil new maritime patrol aircraft soon ISNA 16 Jan 2012 -- Iran said it would unveil new maritime patrol aircraft soon, taking another step toward national modern defense technology.
• Special Forces Dispatched To Kyrgyz Prison After Unrest RFE/RL 16 Jan 2012 -- Media reports say special security forces have raided a detention facility in the Kyrgyz capital, Bishkek, after unrest broke out at the prison.

Defense Industry

• Raytheon Completes Ship Self-Defense System Deliveries Raytheon 16 Jan 2012 -- Raytheon Company delivered the final Ship Self-Defense System (SSDS MK 2) hardware ship set of its 2010 production contract, completing all system deliveries ahead of schedule. The system is slated for installation and integration onboard the John P. Murtha (LPD 26), providing the ship's U.S. Navy-certified open-architecture combat management system.
• Thales and Aerovisión present FRONTEX with an unmanned aerial vehicle for border control Thales 16 Jan 2012 -- Thales and Aerovisión have given a real flight demonstration of the UAV Fulmar (Unmanned Aerial Vehicle) for the European Agency Frontex, the organism in charge of coordinating the border control operations of the European Union member states.
• Raytheon Receives $51 Million Contract for Patriot Missile Upgrades Raytheon 16 Jan 2012 -- Raytheon Company has been awarded a $51.3 million contract to upgrade Patriot Advanced Capability-2 missiles to the Guidance Enhanced Missile-Tactical (GEM-T) configuration. The U.S. Army Aviation and Missile Command (AMCOM), Redstone Arsenal, Ala., issued the contract as a follow-on to AMCOM's Patriot missile continuous technology refreshment program initiated in 2000.

Other Conflicts

• Daily Press Briefing by the Office of the Spokesperson for the Secretary-General, 16 January 2012 United Nations 16 Jan 2012
• Arab League Struggles As Syrian Violence Mounts VOA 16 Jan 2012 -- Syrian activists say at least five people were killed by pro-government forces, as Arab League monitors struggle to document the violence.
• UN's Ban Urges Security Council to Act 'Seriously' on Syria Crisis VOA 16 Jan 2012 -- UN Secretary-General Ban is urging the Security Council to take "serious" action against Syria.
• UN Chief Urges Security Council To Act As Syria Violence Continues RFE/RL 16 Jan 2012 -- UN Secretary General Ban Ki-moon has called on the Security Council to act with "seriousness" on Syria.
• Rights Activists Say Pro-Government Militiamen Killed 5 in Syria VOA 16 Jan 2012 -- Syrian rights activists say pro-government militia members have killed 5 people and wounded 9 others in the restive city of Homs.
• Car Bombs Kill At Least 12 in Iraq VOA 16 Jan 2012 -- Iraqi authorities say separate car bombings in the north and south of the country have killed at least 12 people and wounded more than 10 others.
• Rodong Sinmun on S. Korean Policy KCNA 16 Jan 2012 -- It is an urgent demand for defending the country's peace and the nation's security to foil the war moves of the south Koreans.
• S. Korean Authorities Accused of Kicking up War Racket KCNA 16 Jan 2012 -- The minister of Defense and other military brass of south Korea are letting loose such bellicose remarks as "strong counteraction" against non-existent "provocation from the north".
• KCNA Dismisses Lee Myung Bak Group's Trumpeting about "Dialogue" KCNA 16 Jan 2012 -- Lee Myung Bak is now pretending to be interested in the north-south dialogue.
• Insecurity Grows at Dadaab Refugee Camps in Kenya VOA 16 Jan 2012 -- OCHA, the office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs, says the situation at the Dadaab refugee camps in Kenya is dire.
• Rights Group Sees Problems in Uganda's First LRA Trial VOA 16 Jan 2012 -- An international rights group is raising concerns about Uganda's first trial of a former leader of the rebel group known as the Lord's Resistance Army.
• Ban calls for more cross-border cooperation in Central Africa to target new threats UN News Centre 16 Jan 2012 -- Secretary-General Ban called for an increase in cross-border cooperation among Central African States to deal with new threats in the region.
• DRC: Rebuilding the lives of children associated with armed groups IRIN 16 Jan 2012 -- A partnership of humanitarian organizations working with community volunteers in South Kivu has helped demobilize thousands of children.
• Ethiopian Regional Leader said to Admit Role in Ethnic Killings VOA 16 Jan 2012 -- The president of a volatile Ethiopian regional state has been fired from his party leadership position after reportedly admitting involvement in a 2003 ethnic massacre.
• 15th round of talks between India, China begins in New Delhi IRNA 16 Jan 2012 -- The 15th round of talks between Special Representatives of India and China kicked off in New Delhi.
• Armenia Confirms New Aliyev-Sarkisian Summit RFE/RL 16 Jan 2012 -- Armenia has officially confirmed reports that Russian President Dmitry Medvedev will soon host another meeting between his Armenian and Azerbaijani counterparts.
• EU Condemns Kosovo Albanian Protest At Border RFE/RL 16 Jan 2012 -- The European Union has condemned a weekend protest by hard-line Kosovo Albanians aimed at preventing the passage of Serbian goods across the border.
• Côte d'Ivoire: UN relief official reviews situation nine months after poll violence UN News Centre 16 Jan 2012 -- A senior UN relief official is in Côte d’Ivoire to assess the humanitarian situation after the bloody post-electoral crisis.

News Reports

• Obama Strategy on Arab Spring Served US Interests VOA 16 Jan 2012 -- President Barack Obama's cautious response to the popular uprisings across the Middle East and North Africa has drawn frequent criticism.
• Islamist Set to Lead Egypt's Next Parliament VOA 16 Jan 2012 -- Egypt's leading political parties have agreed to select a senior Muslim Brotherhood figure as speaker of the country's newly elected parliament.
• West scenarios against Iran propaganda show: Larijani IRNA 16 Jan 2012 -- Western countries' scenarios are propaganda show against IRI regional inspiring role and scientific progresses.
• South Korea, China Call for Cooperation on Sustainable Energy VOA 16 Jan 2012 -- Two of Asia's top leaders have called for more to promote sustainable energy amid fears sanctions on Iran could affect oil supplies.
• Iran makes arrests in scientist assassination RIA Novosti 16 Jan 2012 -- Iran has arrested several people in the killing of a nuclear scientist last week that Tehran blames on Israel and the United States.
• Iran Makes Arrests Over Scientist's Killing RFE/RL 16 Jan 2012 -- Iranian parliament speaker Ali Larijani says that Iran has made several arrests over last week's killing of an Iranian nuclear scientist.
• Iran warns of tough response to terrorist attacks ISNA 16 Jan 2012 -- Iranian Intelligence Minister Heidar Moslehi said the country would give a tough response to terrorist actions.
• Iran advocates nuclear free Middle East, Salehi says IRNA 16 Jan 2012 -- Foreign Minister Ali Akbar Salehi said that the Islamic Republic of Iran is the proponent of the Middle East free from nuclear arms.
• Iran to launch satellite into space early February ISNA 16 Jan 2012 -- Iran plans to launch satellite into space and inaugurate military projects early February, said Iranian Defense Minister Ahmad Vahidi.
• Associated Press Opens News Bureau in North Korea VOA 16 Jan 2012 -- The Associated Press has taken the unprecedented step of opening a full news bureau in North Korea.
• AP Pyongyang Bureau Opens KCNA 16 Jan 2012 -- The Pyongyang Bureau of the Associated Press of the United States was opened with due ceremony at the Korean Central News Agency.
• Pakistani PM Ordered To Appear In Court RFE/RL 16 Jan 2012 -- Pakistan's Supreme Court has declared PM Gilani in contempt and ordered him to testify personally before the court on January 19.
• Pakistan PM Faces Contempt Charges VOA 16 Jan 2012 -- Pakistan's Supreme Court has issued a contempt notice to PM Gilani for failing to follow the court's orders and open a corruption probe into the president.
• PM Gilani to appear before Supreme Court IRNA 16 Jan 2012 -- Pakistani PM Gilani will appear before the Supreme Court on January 19 after the court had issued contempt of court notice to him.
• Myanmar: UN rights expert welcomes release of prisoners of conscience UN News Centre 16 Jan 2012 -- The UN independent expert on the human rights situation in Myanmar welcomed the recent decision by President Thein Sein to grant another amnesty.
• Key US Senator Hails Burmese Reforms VOA 16 Jan 2012 -- A key U.S. senator and backer of Burma's democracy movement says he is impressed with reforms initiated by the country's new, nominally civilian government, but says more needs to be done.
• Taiwan President's Reelection Signals Easing Tensions with Beijing VOA 16 Jan 2012 -- Experts say Taiwan President Ma Ying-jeou's reelection will further cool long-standing military tensions in East Asia.
• MAC urges Beijing to face ROC CNA 16 Jan 2012 -- Taiwan's latest elections show that voters value cross-strait peace and stability but also insist on their right to govern themselves.
• Taiwan to seek better interactions with unofficial allies CNA 16 Jan 2012 -- Taiwan plans to seek more frequent interactions with high-level officials in countries that have no official ties with Taiwan.
• Chinese Revolt Leader Appointed Village Chief VOA 16 Jan 2012 -- A man who led mass protests against land confiscations in a southern China village has been appointed as its head, in a rare move by China's government.
• Kazakh Leader Hails Unity, OSCE Criticizes Parliament Vote VOA 16 Jan 2012 -- Kazakh President Nursultan Nazarbayev says his party's landslide victory in Sunday's parliamentary elections is a sign of national unity and support for his government.
• OSCE Monitors Criticize Kazakh Vote Failings RFE/RL 16 Jan 2012 -- International election monitors say Kazakhstan's parliamentary election failed to meet basic democratic principles.
• OSCE criticizes Kazakh parliamentary polls RIA Novosti 16 Jan 2012 -- The Organization for Security and Co-operation in Europe said that Kazakhstan’s parliamentary elections “did not meet key democratic principles."
• Liberian President Begins Second Term VOA 16 Jan 2012 -- Liberian President Ellen Johnson Sirleaf has taken the oath of office for a second term, promising more reconstruction and reconciliation in a country still recovering from a long civil war.
• Liberian President Begins Second Term Monday VOA 16 Jan 2012 -- Liberian President Ellen Johnson Sirleaf, Africa's first democratically-elected woman president, will be inaugurated Monday to begin her second and final six-year-term.
• UN official reports greater stability in West Africa, but progress remains tenuous UN News Centre 16 Jan 2012 -- Political stability is taking root in West Africa, a senior United Nations envoy told the Security Council.
• Venezuela Says Consulate Officials in US Threatened VOA 16 Jan 2012 -- Venezuela says it is withdrawing its personnel from its consulate in the U.S. city of Miami because the staff there have been threatened.
• El Salvador must address social inequality to consolidate its peace process - Ban UN News Centre 16 Jan 2012 -- Secretary-General Ban called on El Salvador to address its socio-economic inequalities and advance rule of law reform.