Operations
Defense Policy / Programs
Defense Industry
Other Conflicts
News Reports

Current Operations

• OIF/OEF/OND Casualty Update 02 Feb 2012 [PDF]
• Defense Secretary Leon Panetta Press Gaggle DoD 02 Feb 2012
• Combined Force Captures Taliban Commander AFPS 02 Feb 2012 -- An Afghan and coalition security force captured a Taliban leader and detained an additional suspected insurgent during an operation in Helmand province.
• White House Struggles to Clarify Obama Afghanistan Strategy VOA 02 Feb 2012 -- The White House faced additional questions on U.S. and NATO discussions about potentially ending combat operations in Afghanistan by the middle of next year.
• Panetta: NATO Ministers Agree Afghan Transition on Track AFPS 02 Feb 2012 -- NATO defense ministers meeting all agreed on a clear message: as the transition to Afghan security lead proceeds.
• Transition to Afghan Control a Prudent Step, Officials Say AFPS 02 Feb 2012 -- A transition to Afghan security lead in the country in 2013 is a prudent step, but one that doesn’t change the December 2014 deadline for NATO to end combat operations in the country.
• NATO Ministers Review US, French Plans to End Afghanistan Combat Role VOA 02 Feb 2012 -- NATO defense ministers are gathering in Brussels for a long-scheduled meeting.
• NATO Chief: Afghan Timeline Unchanged VOA 02 Feb 2012 -- NATO Secretary General Anders-Fogh Rasmussen says the coalition's timeline for the security transition in Afghanistan still stands.
• NATO Chief Says Afghan Troops To Take Lead By Mid-2013 RFE/RL 02 Feb 2012 -- NATO Secretary-General Anders Fogh Rasmussen says he expects Afghan forces to take full responsibility for security in the country by mid-2013.
• NATO Defense Ministers Discuss Afghanistan Withdrawal VOA 02 Feb 2012 -- NATO defense ministers are meeting in Brussels to discuss possible changes to the alliance's strategy in Afghanistan.
• Khar Says Pakistan Willing To Push Militants Into Afghan Peace Talks RFE/RL 02 Feb 2012 -- Pakistan's FM says her country is ready to push the Taliban and other insurgent groups to enter negotiations to end the war in Afghanistan.
• Pakistan's Foreign Minister Visits Afghanistan to Boost Relations VOA 02 Feb 2012 -- Pakistan says it is willing to push Afghan insurgents to make peace, if asked to do so by the Afghan government.
• Panetta Says Afghan Combat Missions To End In 2013 RFE/RL 02 Feb 2012 -- U.S. Defense Secretary Leon Panetta says U.S. and other foreign troops in Afghanistan hope to end their combat mission as soon as mid-2013.
• Afghan refugees need right conditions to return home, stresses UN official UN News Centre 02 Feb 2012 -- The United Nations refugee chief today thanked the Pakistani Government for its generosity towards Afghans who have sought refuge in the country.
• Pakistani minister says terrorist outfit disturbs Karachi peace IRNA 02 Feb 2012 -- Pakistan’s Interior Minister A Rehman Malik has said a terrorist organization is trying to destabilize peace in Karachi.
• USFF Requests Volunteers for Afloat Forward Staging Base NNS 02 Feb 2012 -- U.S. Fleet Forces Command beagn requesting volunteers from USFF activities to man the soon-to-be redesignated USS Ponce for operations in the U.S. Central Command Area of Responsibility.

Defense Policy / Programs

• Dempsey: Military Balance Requires Closures, Realignments AFPS 02 Feb 2012 -- The Defense Department needs another round of base realignments and closures if the military is to retain its balance.
• Amphibious Construction Battalion 2 Supports Bold Alligator Water, Fuel Needs NNS 02 Feb 2012 -- Amphibious Construction Battalion 2 deployed Jan. 31 to support Exercise Bold Alligator units with vital water and fuel transfers.
• 31st MEU elements embark USS Germantown for Cobra Gold 2012 USMC News 02 Feb 2012 -- Following the lead of the USS Tortuga, Marines and Sailors of the 31st Marine Expeditionary Unit embarked the USS Germantown en route to the Kingdom of Thailand, Feb. 2.
• New Satellite Data Helping Navy Forecasters Do a Better Job NNS 02 Feb 2012 -- The Naval Meteorology and Oceanography Command Chief of Staff said new atmospheric and ocean satellite systems and their data are helping the Navy provide new and better tools for warfighters.
• Initiative brings Travis into 2012 AFNS 02 Feb 2012 -- Born out of the Electronic Flight Bag Initiative for aircrew and intended to cut down on inefficiencies, the Digital Air Wing Initiative is now in effect here.
• Military Health System Has Courage to Change, Official Says AFPS 02 Feb 2012 -- Defense Department’s top health affairs official spoke not about the undisputed excellence of the system and its caregivers, but rather about the need for more collaboration, transformation and organizational courage.
• Director Sees Room for Growth in Trauma Training Program AFPS 02 Feb 2012 -- Program director already sees potential to expand it to ensure trauma-care expertise gained during a decade of conflict isn’t lost as combat operations draw down.
• New first aid kit being developed at Natick Army News 02 Feb 2012 -- The new Individual First Aid Kit, or IFAK, being developed at the Natick Soldier Systems Center eventually will be carried by every Soldier in a combat environment.
• Navy Engineers Develop New Smart Magazines for the DOD Lock Program NNS 02 Feb 2012 -- The Department of Defense's Lock Program is conducting tests this week to improve the physical security of explosives magazines in use throughout the Navy and other armed forces.
• DOD Begins Prorating Imminent Danger Pay AFPS 02 Feb 2012 -- Service members now will receive imminent danger pay only for days they actually spend in hazardous areas.
• Russia, NATO May Hold Missile Defense Drills in March RIA Novosti 02 Feb 2012 -- Russia and NATO are planning to hold joint computer-simulated missile defense exercises in Germany in March.
• Russian Arms Exporter Reports $11 Billion In Sales In 2011 RFE/RL 02 Feb 2012 -- Russian state-run arms exporter Rosoboroneksport has reported sales of $11 billion in 2011.
• Russia to Build 6 Submarines Annually – Deputy PM RIA Novosti 02 Feb 2012 -- Russia will start producing six submarines and one aircraft carrier annually starting in 2013, Deputy Prime Minister Dmitry Rogozin said.
• Disposal of Russian Third Generation Nuclear Subs Suspended RIA Novosti 02 Feb 2012 -- Russia has decided to suspend the planned disposal of third-generation strategic nuclear submarines currently in service with the Navy.
• Fire-damaged sub will cost $16.5 mln. to repair – Rogozin RIA Novosti 02 Feb 2012 -- The cost to repair the Yekaterinburg will total about 500 million rubles.
• No S-400 Missile Exports Before 2015 RIA Novosti 02 Feb 2012 -- Russia has no plans to export S-400 Triumf air-defense systems before 2015 and may not start deliveries to Belarus and Kazakhstan until after 2014.
• HMS Daring becomes first Type 45 to pass through the Suez Canal UK MOD 02 Feb 2012 -- HMS Daring, the first of the Royal Navy's new Type 45 air defence destroyers, passed through the Suez Canal on 30 January 2012.
• HMS Brocklesby rewarded for part in Libya mission UK MOD 02 Feb 2012 -- HMS Brocklesby has been awarded the accolade of Britian's best minehunter for its work in the waters off Libya last year.
• MOD announces bidder shortlist for UK training estate contract UK MOD 02 Feb 2012 -- The Defence Infrastructure Organisation (DIO) has published details of the four bidders shortlisted for a new national contract to manage its UK training estate.
• India, China, Japan coordinating in anti-piracy operations IRNA 02 Feb 2012 -- India, China and Japan have started implementing a new mechanism to coordinate the movement of their warships in the Gulf of Aden to provide protection to cargo vessels from sea brigands.
• Iran to Increase Defense Budget RIA Novosti 02 Feb 2012 -- President Ahmadinejad: Iran’s budget for the new fiscal year starting on March 20 should be cut by 5.6 percent and defense spending more than doubled.
• Press Briefing by Press Secretary Jay Carney, 2/2/12 The White House 02 Feb 2012
• U.S. Department of State Daily Press Briefing, February 2, 2012 US Dept. of State 02 Feb 2012

Defense Industry

• DoD News: Contracts for February 02, 2012
• Japan Maritime Self-Defense Force Orders Northrop Grumman's Airborne Laser Mine Detection Systems Northrop Grumman 02 Feb 2012 -- The Japan Maritime Self-Defense Force has purchased four helicopter-mountable, laser mine detection systems to help protect its coastline and the daily maritime traffic coming in and out of the country's ports.
• Raytheon, US Navy Complete JSOW C-1 Developmental Testing Raytheon 02 Feb 2012 -- The U.S. Navy completed developmental testing (DT) of the Raytheon Company Joint Standoff Weapon C-1. The conclusion of DT brings U.S. and allied warfighters one step closer to being able to engage moving ships as far as 60 nautical miles (70 statute miles) away with an air-launched weapon.
• Raytheon Awarded $38.1 Million Contract for Missile Defense System Raytheon 02 Feb 2012 -- Raytheon Company has been awarded a $38.1 million contract to provide engineering support to the Command, Control, Battle Management, and Communications (C2BMC) program for the Missile Defense Agency.

Other Conflicts

• Daily Press Briefing by the Office of the Spokesperson for the Secretary-General, 2 February 2012 United Nations 02 Feb 2012
• UN Talks on Syria Stall Again VOA 02 Feb 2012 -- Ambassadors to the United Nations Security Council have failed to reach agreement on a draft European-Arab resolution to end the bloodshed in Syria.
• US Says Syria's Assad Turns to Iran to Keep Power VOA 02 Feb 2012 -- U.S. officials say Iran is increasingly active in backing Syrian President Bashar al-Assad's campaign of violence against his own people.
• UN Envoys Debate Revised Syria Text; Hama Marks 1982 Massacre VOA 02 Feb 2012 -- Diplomats at the United Nations are discussing the latest version of a European-Arab plan to end the Syrian crisis.
• New Syria Resolution Watered Down RIA Novosti 02 Feb 2012 -- UN Security Council diplomats have toned down a resolution on Syria in a move apparently aimed at overcoming Russia’s opposition to an earlier draft.
• UN Security Council Still Discussing Syrian Resolution VOA 02 Feb 2012 -- U.N. Security Council diplomats continue talks aimed at convincing Russia to support a resolution that endorses an Arab League plan.
• Amnesty International Blasts Russia’s Stance on Syria RIA Novosti 02 Feb 2012 -- Human rights organization Amnesty International advised Russia against blocking international efforts to end ongoing violence in Syria.
• Syria Tightens Security On 30th Anniversary Of Hama Massacre RFE/RL 02 Feb 2012 -- Opposition activists in Syria say government troops deployed in flashpoint areas across the country to prevent protests marking the 30th anniversary of a massacre in the central province of Hama.
• Russia Says Weapons Sales To Syria Will Continue RFE/RL 02 Feb 2012 -- Russian Deputy Defense Minister Anatoly Antonov says Moscow will not stop selling weapons to Syrian President Bashar al-Assad's regime, one of Russia's top arms customers.
• Visiting Gaza, Ban reiterates commitment to plight of Palestinians UN News Centre 02 Feb 2012 -- Secretary-General Ban travelled to the Gaza Strip, where he underlined his commitment to continue working for peace and stability in the Middle East.
• Palestinian Protesters Throw Shoes at UN Chief VOA 02 Feb 2012 -- Palestinian protesters, angered by the policies of U.N. Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon, threw shoes, sticks and stones at his convoy as he entered the Gaza Strip for a brief visit.
• Yemen: UN relief chief welcomes release of seven humanitarian workers UN News Centre 02 Feb 2012 -- The top United Nations humanitarian official voiced relief today that seven aid workers abducted earlier this week in Yemen have now all been released unharmed.
• Open Questionnaire of the Policy Department of the National Defence Commission of the DPRK KCNA 02 Feb 2012 -- The Policy Department of the National Defence Commission of the Democratic People's Republic of Korea issued open questionnaire to the south Korean authorities.
• Officials of Policy Department of DPRK NDC Interviewed KCNA 02 Feb 2012 -- A press conference took place here today as regards the issue of the open questionnaire of the Policy Department of the National Defence Commission of the DPRK.
• Statement by the Press Secretary on Aerial Bombardments in Southern Kordofan and Blue Nile States The White House 02 Feb 2012
• South Sudan: UN relief chief sees ‘terrible situation’ in troubled Jonglei state UN News Centre 02 Feb 2012 -- The United Nations relief chief visited areas in South Sudan hit by recent ethnic violence and met some of the victims of a vicious cycle of raids and reprisal attacks.
• Britain Vows to Step Up Fight Against Somali Terrorism, Piracy VOA 02 Feb 2012 -- In a visit to Somalia's capital of Mogadishu Thursday, British Foreign Secretary William Hague promised to step up the fight against terrorism and piracy.
• Britain Names New Ambassador to Somalia VOA 02 Feb 2012 -- Britain has appointed its first ambassador to war-torn Somalia in more than two decades.
• Philippine Military Strike Kills Three Top-Ranking Terrorists VOA 02 Feb 2012 -- The Philippine military says it has killed three of southeast Asia's top Islamist militants in a U.S.-backed air raid on the remote southern island of Jolo.
• Philippines Kills 15 Al Qaeda-Linked Militants RFE/RL 02 Feb 2012 -- Reports from the Philippines say military forces have killed 15 alleged militants from Al-Qaeda-linked groups.
• Police Say 300 Militants Operate in Dagestan RIA Novosti 02 Feb 2012 -- At least 12 militant groups made up of up to 300 people operate in the Russian North Caucasus republic of Dagestan.
• Colombia's FARC Rebels Put Off Plans to Free Hostages VOA 02 Feb 2012 -- Colombian rebels say they are putting off plans to free six hostages held for more than 10 years because of what they say is military activity in the area.
• Lebanon: UN-backed tribunal to try four men accused of Hariri killing in absentia UN News Centre 02 Feb 2012 -- The UN-backed independent tribunal set up to try suspects in the 2005 assassination of former Lebanese prime minister Rafiq Hariri announced it will try four men accused of carrying out the crime in absentia.

News Reports

• Israeli Minister Says Military Action May Be Needed Against Iran RFE/RL 02 Feb 2012 -- Israel's defense minister says there is growing international awareness that military action against Iran's nuclear program will have to be considered.
• Iran Can Produce Four Atom Bombs – Israeli Intelligence RIA Novosti 02 Feb 2012 -- Iran has four tons of 20 percent enriched uranium, enough to make four crude nuclear bombs in a year.
• US: Iran Keeping Open Option to Develop Nuclear Weapons VOA 02 Feb 2012 -- Top U.S. intelligence officials say Iran is keeping open the option to develop nuclear weapons, but has not yet made the decision to build a bomb.
• U.S. Senate Committee Backs Iran Sanctions RFE/RL 02 Feb 2012 -- A U.S. Senate committee has approved a package of proposed sanctions against Iran, pushing the legislation one step closer to becoming law.
• Germany Seeks China's Help on Iran VOA 02 Feb 2012 -- German Chancellor Angela Merkel is urging China to help the international community persuade Iran to abandon any ambitions it may have for nuclear weapons.
• Merkel Seeks Chinese Support On Iran Nuclear Position RFE/RL 02 Feb 2012 -- German Chancellor Angela Merkel has urged China to persuade Iran to be more "open and transparent" about its nuclear program.
• Euro Parliament Urges Russia to Back Iran Sanctions RIA Novosti 02 Feb 2012 -- The European parliament on Thursday called on Russia and China to back UN Security Council sanctions against Iran and cease assisting its nuclear activities.
• US Lawmakers: Iran's Latin America Ties Pose Threat to US VOA 02 Feb 2012 -- Members of a U.S. congressional panel expressed concern Thursday that Iranian President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad's ties to several Latin American leaders could pose a threat to U.S.
• Pakistani PM says will appear in court in contempt case IRNA 02 Feb 2012 -- Pakistani PM Gilani announced in the parliament that he would appear before the Supreme Court in a contempt proceedings on February 13.
• Pakistan to Indict Prime Minister for Contempt VOA 02 Feb 2012 -- Pakistan’s Supreme Court has announced that it plans to indict Prime Minister Yousuf Raza Gilani on February 13 for contempt of court.
• Pakistan Supreme Court To Charge Prime Minister With Contempt RFE/RL 02 Feb 2012 -- Pakistan's Supreme Court has announced it intends to indict Prime Minister Yusuf Raza Gilani on contempt charges.
• Pakistani court sets to indict PM Gilani in contempt case IRNA 02 Feb 2012 -- Pakistan’s Supreme Court ordered indictment of Prime Minister Yusuf Raza Gilani in contempt proceedings.
• Self-Immolations in China's Tibetan Areas Mark Shift in Tibet Movement VOA 02 Feb 2012 -- Since last March, at least 16 Tibetans, mostly monks and nuns, have set themselves on fire in protest.
• Iraq Court Confirms Death Sentences For Church Attack RFE/RL 02 Feb 2012 -- An Iraqi appeals court has confirmed death sentences for three men convicted of a 2010 attack on a Syrian Catholic church in Baghdad.
• Egyptians Blame Military for Soccer Bloodshed VOA 02 Feb 2012 -- Egypt has begun three days of mourning for the victims of the worst soccer violence in the nation's history.
• Egyptian Protesters Denounce Military, Security Forces After Soccer Disaster VOA 02 Feb 2012 -- Thousands of Egyptians in Cairo have protested to denounce the country's military rulers and security forces for failing to prevent a soccer riot that killed 74 people and injured hundreds more in the northern city of Port Said.
• Egyptians Protest Security Failure That Caused Soccer Disaster VOA 02 Feb 2012 -- Egyptian activists are taking to the streets to protest the failure of police to prevent violence at a soccer match that left at least 74 people dead and hundreds injured in the northern city of Port Said.
• Burma's Aung San Suu Kyi Postpones Political Rally VOA 02 Feb 2012 -- Burmese democracy leader Aung San Suu Kyi has postponed a political trip to the central city of Mandalay because she could not get permission to hold a campaign rally at a local football stadium.
• Swedish Prosecutors Argue Case Against Assange RFE/RL 02 Feb 2012 -- Swedish prosecutors told Britain's Supreme Court that a bid to extradite WikiLeaks founder Julian Assange to Sweden is valid.
• African Union Considers Future Leaders After Election Failure VOA 02 Feb 2012 -- The African Union is looking for fresh leadership after this week's contest for the AU Commission chairmanship ended without a winner.
• UN official voices concern about possible excessive use of force by Senegalese forces UN News Centre 02 Feb 2012 -- The UN human rights chief voiced concern about the possible use of excessive force by Senegalese authorities amid protests that have erupted ahead of presidential election .
• Some Senegal Candidates to Begin Campaigning VOA 02 Feb 2012 -- Two leading opposition candidates in Senegal have said they will start campaigning on Sunday to dislodge President Abdoulaye Wade from power.
• UN invites all Congolese to avoid violence, resolve poll disputes peacefully UN News Centre 02 Feb 2012 -- UN encouraged all actors to use legal channels for resolving any disputes and refrain from the use of force or violence.
• Ethiopia’s anti-terrorism laws must not be misused to curb rights – UN UN News Centre 02 Feb 2012 -- A group of independent UN human rights experts spoke out against the ongoing use of anti-terrorism laws to curb freedom of expression in Ethiopia.
• Turkey Seeks Life Sentence for Ex-Military Chief VOA 02 Feb 2012 -- Turkish prosecutors are seeking life imprisonment for a former army chief in an alleged plot to topple the government of Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdogan.
• Estonia May Recognize Nazi Veterans as ‘Freedom Fighters’ RIA Novosti 02 Feb 2012 -- Estonia could officially recognize on February 24 WWII veterans who fought against the Soviet Union as “freedom fighters.”
• New Transdniester Head Says Hard Currency Reserves Missing RFE/RL 02 Feb 2012 -- Yevgeny Shevchuk, the newly-elected leader of the breakaway Moldovan territory of Transdniester: Almost all of Transdniester's currency reserves disappeared under the administration of his predecessor, Igor Smirnov.
• Convicted Arms Dealer Bout’s Sentencing Delayed RIA Novosti 02 Feb 2012 -- A court in New York postponed the sentencing of Russian national Viktor Bout, who was found guilty of arms trafficking last November.