Operations
Defense Policy / Programs
Defense Industry
Other Conflicts
News Reports

Current Operations

• OIF/OEF/OND Casualty Update 10 Feb 2012 [PDF]
• NATO Commander Visits Regional Command West AFPS 10 Feb 2012 -- NATO’s top military commander conducted an on-site survey of the International Security Assistance Force’s Regional Command West at Camp Arena in Afghanistan’s Herat province.
• Year-on-year violence levels in Afghanistan decrease for first time UK MOD 10 Feb 2012 -- For the first time since 2006 year-on-year violence levels decreased across Afghanistan in 2011.
• France: Afghan Exit Route Via Uzbekistan Costly RFE/RL 10 Feb 2012 -- French Defense Minister Gerard Longuet said that using the route through Uzbekistan to withdraw NATO troops from Afghanistan was too costly.
• Training prepares Soldiers for Afghan equipment retrograde mission Army News 10 Feb 2012 -- With the drawdown of Operation Enduring Freedom soon to start, and the potential for future missions requiring massive re-posturing, 541st CSSB created an RPAT Academy.
• Panetta Calls For New Probe Into U.S. Marine Photo RFE/RL 10 Feb 2012 -- U.S. Defense Secretary Leon Panetta has asked the U.S. Marine Corps to look again at an investigation, which concluded that Marine snipers who posed with a logo resembling a Nazi symbol in Afghanistan should not be disciplined.
• German special envoy on Afghanistan resigns IRNA 10 Feb 2012 -- Germany's special envoy on Afghanistan and Pakistan, Michael Steiner resigned on Friday, less than two years after taking up the post.
• MALS-14 Marines return to their families with open arms USMC News 10 Feb 2012 -- Twenty-one Marines with Marine Aviation Logistics Squadron 14 returned to Marine Corps Air Station Cherry Point after a 7-month deployment to Camp Bastion, Afghanistan.
• Pakistan concerned at US Congress debate on Balochistan IRNA 10 Feb 2012 -- Pakistan said that it has conveyed its concern to the United States at the Congressional hearing on the situation in Balochistan province.
• 11 militants killed in Kurram tribal region IRNA 10 Feb 2012 -- Pakistani forces killed 11 militants in Kurram tribal region on Friday, local media reported.

Defense Policy / Programs

• Pentagon Prepares for Budget Request Rollout AFPS 10 Feb 2012 -- Leaders will provide dollar details Feb. 13 for the Defense Department’s fiscal 2013 budget request.
• Navy Names Littoral Combat Ship Gabrielle Giffords DoD 10 Feb 2012
• Giffords Has Navy Ship Named in Her Honor AFPS 10 Feb 2012 -- Former Arizona Rep. Gabrielle Giffords today heard Navy Secretary Ray Mabus announce that the newest ship in the Navy inventory will be named in her honor.
• Panetta Provides Perspectives From Trip to NATO, Germany AFPS 10 Feb 2012 -- Defense Secretary Leon E. Panetta issued a message providing his perspectives from a trip he took last week to participate in a meeting of NATO defense ministers.
• CVW-1 Wraps-up Underway, Departs Enterprise NNS 10 Feb 2012 -- Sailors and Marines from Carrier Air Wing 1 departed USS Enterprise after successfully completing a 30-day underway period in the Atlantic Ocean Feb. 9.
• NSWC PCD Successfully Runs Biofuel in Multi-Fuel, Outboard Engine NNS 10 Feb 2012 -- Naval Surface Warfare Center Panama City Division (NSWC PCD) scientists and engineers successfully demonstrated the ability to run a small two-cycle outboard engine on biofuel Jan. 24.
• Tri-national Marine force assaults Thai beach USMC News 10 Feb 2012 -- Elements of the 31st Marine Expeditionary Unit alongside forces from the Republic of Korea and Kingdom of Thailand conducted an amphibious assault here, Feb. 10.
• Chafee and Tortuga Support 31st MEU at Cobra Gold 2012 NNS 10 Feb 2012 -- SS Chafee and USS Tortuga are in Sattahip, Thailand, supporting the 31st Marine Expeditionary Unit for Exercise Cobra Gold 2012 Feb. 7-17.
• Marines rehearse for Operation Freedom Banner USMC News 10 Feb 2012 -- Marines representing each element of the Marine air-ground task force gathered to discuss and simulate the embarkation and debarkation process to and from the Republic of Korea during a card exercise here Feb. 1.
• HSV SPS Completes Mission in Peru NNS 10 Feb 2012 -- High Speed Vessel 2 Swift departed Callao, Peru upon the completion of subject matter expert exchanges as part of HSV-Southern Partnership Station 2012, Feb. 9.
• Squadron achieves 90,000 mishap-free flight hours USMC News 10 Feb 2012 -- Four Marines with Headquarters and Headquarters Squadron, Marine Corps Air Station Futenma, flew the final mission required to help the squadron surpass 90,000 mishap-free flight hours late last month, earning accolades for the squadron.
• CO of USS Cowpens Removed NNS 10 Feb 2012 -- Rear Adm. John R. Haley, commander, Carrier Strike Group 5, removed Capt. Robert Marin from command of USS Cowpens Feb. 10 while an investigation into inappropriate personal behavior is conducted.
• Russian Military Officer Jailed For 13 Years For Spying For U.S. RFE/RL 10 Feb 2012 -- Russia's Federal Security Service says a military officer has been convicted of passing missile secrets to the US.
• Russia Convicts Military Officer of Spying For CIA RIA Novosti 10 Feb 2012 -- A Russian military district court sentenced on Friday an engineer at the Plesetsk Space Center in northern Russia to 13 years in prison on charges of state treason.
• Russia May Sell $14 Bln Worth of Weaponry in 2012 RIA Novosti 10 Feb 2012 -- Russia’s arms exports may reach a record $14 billion in 2012.
• Two New Subs For Russian Navy RFE/RL 10 Feb 2012 -- Russian Defense Minister Anatoly Serdyukov said on February 9 that the Russian Navy will get two new nuclear-powered ballistic missile submarines this summer.
• Israel Successfully Tests Missile Defense System RIA Novosti 10 Feb 2012 -- Israel successfully tested its Arrow missile defense system on Friday, the Defense Ministry said.
• India successfully test-fires supersonic interceptor missile IRNA 10 Feb 2012 -- India successfully test-fired its indigenously developed supersonic interceptor missile from the Integrated Test Range off Odisha coast.
• India Tests Ballistic Missile Interceptor RIA Novosti 10 Feb 2012 -- India has test-fired a domestically developed interceptor missile capable of destroying ballistic missiles.
• Taiwan's armed forces should not be confused with PLA: spokesman CNA 10 Feb 2012 -- The government disagrees with any rhetoric that confuses the armed forces of the Republic of China on Taiwan with mainland China's People's Liberation Army.
• U.S. Department of State Daily Press Briefing, February 10, 2012 US Dept. of State 10 Feb 2012

Defense Industry

• DoD News: Contracts for February 10, 2012
• First flight of TORNADO production aircraft with ASSTA 3.0 EADS 10 Feb 2012 -- CASSIDIAN has reached an important milestone in the delivery of the latest capability standard ASSTA 3.0 (Avionics System Software Tornado Ada) for the German Air Force fleet of Tornado combat aircraft.
• Raytheon's CEC Solution Improves Battle Force Anti-air Warfare Capability Raytheon 10 Feb 2012 -- Raytheon Company has received a $67.4 million contract modification from U.S. Naval Sea Systems Command for design and engineering support for the Cooperative Engagement Capability sensor-netting system.
• Lockheed Martin-Built Milstar Satellite Surpasses 10-Year On-Orbit Design Life Lockheed Martin 10 Feb 2012 -- The second Milstar II military communications satellite, built by a Lockheed Martin team for the U.S. Air Force, has surpassed its 10-year design life of on-orbit service, providing our nation's warfighters with secure and reliable communications since its successful launch on Jan 16, 2002.
• Thales awarded contract for Canadian Coast Guard's Flight Following System Thales 10 Feb 2012 -- Thales Canada announced today that it has been awarded a contract by the Canadian Coast Guard (CCG) for a Flight Following System (FFS) to provide improved helicopter tracking. The project includes installing Flight Following Equipment in 22 helicopters, plus 17 helicopter-capable ships.

Other Conflicts

• Daily Press Briefing by the Office of the Spokesperson for the Secretary-General, 10 February 2012 United Nations 10 Feb 2012
• US Releases Declassified Photos of Syrian Military Attacks VOA 10 Feb 2012 -- The Obama administration is releasing declassified images of Syrian military assaults against civilians.
• Continuing Violence in Syria Raises Fears About Future VOA 10 Feb 2012 -- The failure of Western and Arab League efforts to persuade the Syrian government to end its violent crackdown against protesters is raising new fears of what lies ahead.
• General Assembly to discuss latest developments in Syria UN News Centre 10 Feb 2012 -- The General Assembly will meet to discuss the situation in Syria.
• Explosions Rock Northern Syrian City, 28 Dead, 235 Wounded VOA 10 Feb 2012 -- Syrian state television says twin explosions at security compounds in northern Syria Friday killed at least 28 people and wounded 235 others.
• Explosions Rock Northern Syrian City VOA 10 Feb 2012 -- Syrian state television says at least 25 people were killed and 175 others wounded in two explosions in the northern Syrian city of Aleppo.
• Blasts In Syria's Aleppo Kill 28 RFE/RL 10 Feb 2012 -- Syrian state-run media say at least 28 people have been killed and 200 others injured in two car-bomb explosions in the northern city of Aleppo.
• Twin Blasts Kill 28 People in Syria’s Aleppo RIA Novosti 10 Feb 2012 -- Two blasts rocked Syria’s second largest city of Aleppo on Friday morning, killing at least 28 people and wounding 235 more.
• Russia Says Syrian Opposition Bears 'Responsibility' For Ending Crisis RFE/RL 10 Feb 2012 -- Russia's Deputy Foreign Minister Sergei Ryabkov: Syrian opposition now "bears full responsibility" for ending the violence there.
• EU's Ashton Calls On Russia To Rethink Position On Syria RFE/RL 10 Feb 2012 -- European Union foreign policy chief Catherine Ashton has called on Russia to reconsider its position on the crisis in Syria.
• UK Denies Sending Special Forces to Syria RIA Novosti 10 Feb 2012 -- There are no British troops in Syria, the UK Embassy in Moscow said.
• NATO to Stay out of Syrian Conflict RIA Novosti 10 Feb 2012 -- NATO Secretary General Andres Fogh Rasmussen: Alliance would not meddle in the months-long political crisis in Syria.
• Duma Urges UN to Foster Syrian Dialogue RIA Novosti 10 Feb 2012 -- The lower house of Russia’s Parliament, the State Duma, called on the UN Security Council not to take sides in the Syrian months-long conflict.
• Syrian Troops ‘Hunt Militants’ South of Homs RIA Novosti 10 Feb 2012 -- Syria’s pro-government troops pursued “armed terrorist groups” in the western Syrian city of Al-Qusayr on the border with Lebanon.
• Angry Over Syria, Arab World Threatens Russian Boycott RFE/RL 10 Feb 2012 -- Russia and China may have surprised few when they vetoed a draft UN resolution on February 4 condemning the Syrian regime's nearly yearlong crackdown against antigovernment protesters.
• Nigeria Recaptures Top Christmas Bombing Suspect VOA 10 Feb 2012 -- Nigerian authorities have recaptured the top suspect in a Christmas day bombing that killed at least 37 people outside the capital, Abuja.
• Sudan, South Sudan Sign Treaty of Non-Aggression VOA 10 Feb 2012 -- Sudan and South Sudan have signed a security deal aimed at easing tensions that have prompted the presidents of both countries to speak of the prospect of war.
• Ban urges Sudan and South Sudan to make compromises on unresolved disputes UN News Centre 10 Feb 2012 -- Secretary-General Ban voiced concern over the lack of progress in talks to resolve post-independence issues between Sudan and South Sudan.
• Sudan, South Sudan Resume Tense Talks on Oil, Borders VOA 10 Feb 2012 -- Sudan and South Sudan have resumed talks on oil revenue sharing and other issues that have raised bilateral tensions to the boiling point.
• SOUTH SUDAN: Briefing on Jonglei violence IRIN 10 Feb 2012 -- Several clashes involving thousands of combatants in South Sudan's Jonglei state have highlighted the volatility of the world's newest country.
• Returnees Could Present South Sudan's Next Big Crisis VOA 10 Feb 2012 -- The United Nations refugee agency, UNHCR, says up to half a million people could leave Sudan for South Sudan in the coming months.
• SAHEL: Thousands of Touaregs flee into Burkina Faso IRIN 10 Feb 2012 -- At least 8,000 Touaregs fleeing fighting in neighbouring Mali have found refuge in Burkina Faso, having arrived “in a dire humanitarian condition”.
• UNHCR Fears Worst Yet To Come In Mali Crisis VOA 10 Feb 2012 -- The U.N. refugee agency is warning that a growing refugee crisis in northern Mali is still at an early stage, but says the situation is rapidly deteriorating.
• UN agency steps up aid delivery to refugees fleeing conflict in Mali UN News Centre 10 Feb 2012 -- The United Nations refugee agency said it is stepping up the delivery of aid to people affected by the outbreak of conflict in Mali.
• Press Conference by Minister for Foreign Affairs of Argentina, 10 February 2012 United Nations 10 Feb 2012
• Press Conference by Permanent Representative of United Kingdom, 10 February 2012 United Nations 10 Feb 2012
• Argentina Launches Protest at UN over Falklands VOA 10 Feb 2012 -- Argentina’s government lodged a formal protest at the United Nations Friday over what it says is Britain’s “militarization” of the disputed Falkland Islands - known in Argentina as the Malvinas Islands.
• Ban urges dialogue on dispute over Falkland Islands (Malvinas) UN News Centre 10 Feb 2012 -- Secretary-General Ban voiced hope that Argentina and the United Kingdom can avoid escalating their dispute over the Falkland Islands (Malvinas) and resolve their differences through dialogue.
• Former Croatian Official Goes On Trial For War Crimes RFE/RL 10 Feb 2012 -- A former senior Croatian official has pleaded not guilty to charges that he ordered the torture and killing of Serbian civilians during the 1991-95 war.

News Reports

• China Sends Envoy To Iran For Nuclear Talks RFE/RL 10 Feb 2012 -- China has announced it is sending a senior official to Iran for talks on the country's nuclear program.
• EU Seeks India's Help Over Iran Sanctions RFE/RL 10 Feb 2012 -- The European Union has asked India to use its influence to help bring Iran to the negotiating table over its disputed nuclear program.
• EU Pushes India to Sway Iran into Resuming Nuke Talks RIA Novosti 10 Feb 2012 -- The European Union has asked New Delhi to use its influence to draw Iran back into talks over its disputed nuclear ambitions.
• Briefing: The Egyptian revolution one year on IRIN 10 Feb 2012 -- Activists and trade unions have announced 11 February as a day of general strike and civil disobedience in Egypt - in protest against continued military rule.
• Egyptians Protest Against A Year Of Military Rule RFE/RL 10 Feb 2012 -- Thousands of Egyptians marched on the Defense Ministry in Cairo on February 10, demanding that the country's military leaders hand over power.
• YEMEN: Despite its flaws election gives hope IRIN 10 Feb 2012 -- A presidential election to be held on 21 February in Yemen will open the door for a new chapter in the poorest and arguably most fragile country in the Arab world, says new Prime Minister Mohammed Salim Ba-Sindwa.
• Pakistan PM looses appeal against contempt charge IRNA 10 Feb 2012 -- Pakistan Supreme Court rejected an appeal by PM Gilani he filed last week against appearing before the apex court on contempt charges.
• Pakistani High Court Rejects Appeal From Prime Minister RFE/RL 10 Feb 2012 -- Pakistan's Supreme Court has rejected an appeal from PM Gilani, upholding an earlier order that he must appear before the high court next week to answer contempt-of-court charges.
• Press Briefing on the Upcoming Visit of Chinese Vice President Xi Jinping to the United States The White House 10 Feb 2012
• Obama, Chinese Vice President to Meet at White House VOA 10 Feb 2012 -- U.S. President Barack Obama will welcome China’s Vice President Xi Jinping to the White House on Tuesday.
• Human Rights Icons Admonish China for Tibetan Crackdown VOA 10 Feb 2012 -- Tibetan spiritual leader, the Dalai Lama, hosted South Africa's Archbishop Desmond Tutu in the northern Indian city of Dharamsala.
• Burmese Authorities Detain Dissident Monk VOA 10 Feb 2012 -- Authorities in Burma have detained a prominent dissident monk less than a month after he was released from jail along with dozens of other political prisoners.
• Former Maldives President Demands Elections VOA 10 Feb 2012 -- Former Maldives President Mohamed Nasheed is demanding early elections and threatening street protests, as the political crisis in the Indian Ocean nation escalates.
• Zimbabwe Marks Third Anniversary of Unity Government VOA 10 Feb 2012 -- This weekend marks the third anniversary of the formation of Zimbabwe’s unity government, which came into being after the internationally-discredited 2008 presidential election.
• Libya: UN calls for justice after killings of displaced persons UN News Centre 10 Feb 2012 -- The United Nations political mission for Libya tvoiced serious concern over the killing of 7 internally displaced persons.
• UN welcomes charges against army colonel over mass rapes in Guinea UN News Centre 10 Feb 2012 -- A senior United Nations official welcomed the news that a Guinean court has filed charges against an army colonel accused of being responsible for mass rapes in 2009.
• Bosnia Votes In Government, Ending 16-Month Deadlock RFE/RL 10 Feb 2012 -- The Bosnian parliament has voted in a new central government, formally ending a 16-month political crisis that followed the October 2010 elections.
• Spanish judge should not be prosecuted for doing his job, says UN rights office UN News Centre 10 Feb 2012 -- The United Nations human rights office voiced concern at the trial of Judge Baltasar Garzón for probing alleged atrocities committed during Spain’s civil war.