Operations
Defense Policy / Programs
Defense Industry
Other Conflicts
News Reports

Current Operations

• OIF/OEF/OND Casualty Update 16 Feb 2012 [PDF]
• DOD Identifies Unit for Upcoming Afghanistan Rotation DoD 16 Feb 2012
• Combined Force Kills Several Insurgents AFPS 16 Feb 2012 -- An Afghan and coalition security force killed several insurgents during a search for a Taliban leader in the Shirin Tagab district of Afghanistan’s Faryab province.
• Lincoln Begins Air Missions in Support of Operation Enduring Freedom NNS 16 Feb 2012 -- The Abraham Lincoln Carrier Strike Group launched its first combat sorties this deployment in support of Operation Enduring Freedom, Feb. 16.
• Envoy: Pakistan Not Taking Sides in Afghanistan Peace Efforts VOA 16 Feb 2012 -- Pakistan's new ambassador to the United States, Sherry Rehman, says Islamabad will support Afghan-led peace initiatives, but will not align itself with any particular side in the conflict.
• Pakistan, Afghanistan, Iran Focus on Regional Peace VOA 16 Feb 2012 -- The leaders of Iran and Afghanistan are in Pakistan for a trilateral summit on facilitating peace with the Afghan Taliban.
• Afghan, Pakistani Leaders Discuss Peace Efforts RFE/RL 16 Feb 2012 -- Pakistan's president has publicly backed efforts to seek reconciliation with the Taliban in a bid to end the war in Afghanistan, now in its 11th year.
• Trilateral summit in Islamabad to boost regional peace: Salehi IRNA 16 Feb 2012 -- Development of regional peace and security is one of the main subjects of trilateral summit of Iranian, Afghan and Pakistani high-ranking officials.
• Afghan, Pakistani presidents vow to fight terrorism IRNA 16 Feb 2012 -- Afghan President Hamid Karzai and his Pakistani counterpart Asif Ali Zardari identified terrorism and extremism as common challenges that require a common approach and close co-operation for effective handling.
• Karzai assured of Pakistan support to Afghan peace process IRNA 16 Feb 2012 -- Prime Minister Yusuf Raza Gilani Thursday assured the visiting Afghan President Hamid Karzai that Pakistan will support any Afghan-led peace process.
• Karzai Says Kabul, Washington In Contact With Taliban RFE/RL 16 Feb 2012 -- Afghan President Hamid Karzai has been quoted as saying there have been secret contacts between the United States and Afghan governments and the Taliban.
• Ban calls for concerted efforts to combat scourge of illicit drugs in Afghanistan UN News Centre 16 Feb 2012 -- Secretary-General Ban called for concerted efforts to help Afghanistan extricate itself from the scourge of drugs.
• UN Chief Says Afghan Opium Trade Growing Stronger RFE/RL 16 Feb 2012 -- United Nations Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon says the world is failing to eradicate the drug trade in Afghanistan, where opium production has grown by 61 percent in the past year.
• Russia wants Active NATO in Fight on Afghan Drugs RIA Novosti 16 Feb 2012 -- Russia is calling on NATO for enhanced anti-drug efforts between it and the post-Soviet security alliance, Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov said on Thursday.
• Spartan Soldiers see 'Visible Progress' along Afghan highway Army News 16 Feb 2012 -- Spartan Soldiers from 710th Brigade Support Battalion have significantly improved the lives of Afghan citizens living across Zharay and Maiwand districts.
• NMCB 7 Detachment PASAB: Providing Support in Task Force Spartan Area of Operations NNS 16 Feb 2012 -- Seabees assigned to Naval Mobile Construction Battalion 7 Detachment PASAB begin multiple projects in support of Task Force Spartan.
• NCR 22 Assumes Authority in CENTCOM AOR; Operations Begin NNS 16 Feb 2012 -- The 30th Naval Construction Regiment, Task Force Forager, transitioned to the 22nd NCR, Task Force Stethem.
• 1st MLG takes over logistics operations in Afghanistan USMC News 16 Feb 2012 -- 2nd Marine Logistics Group (Forward) relinquished their responsibilities in Regional Command Southwest to 1st Marine Logistics Group (Forward) in a transfer of authority ceremony here, Feb. 15.
• Twin U.S. Missile Strikes Target Militants In Northwest Pakistan RFE/RL 16 Feb 2012 -- Pakistani intelligence officials say two suspected U.S. drone missile attacks have killed more than 10 people in North Waziristan.
• 5 die in US drone strike in NW Pakistan IRNA 16 Feb 2012 -- An American spy aircraft fired missiles into a house in Pakistan’s North Waziristan tribal region early Thursday and killed 5 people.
• Sterett Completes Strait of Hormuz Transit NNS 16 Feb 2012 -- USS Sterett led the ships of Carrier Strike Group 9 during a routine, scheduled transit through the Strait of Hormuz to the North Arabian Sea, Feb. 14.
• 10-Year US Counterterror Support Paying Off: Philippine Military VOA 16 Feb 2012 -- The Philippine military says its efforts against militant groups with ties to major terrorist networks are paying off, thanks to a decade of U.S. counterterrorism support.
• Friends, Family welcome home 1-58th Army News 16 Feb 2012 -- Family and friends of 1-58th Airfield Operations Battalion gathered at Cairns Army Airfield to welcome Soldiers home from their deployment Feb. 5.

Defense Policy / Programs

• U.S. Faces Broad Spectrum of Threats AFPS 16 Feb 2012 -- The United States and its allies face a broad spectrum of national security threats from terrorism, nuclear proliferation and cyber attacks.
• Budget Proposal Strengthens Nuclear Modernization, Official Says AFPS 16 Feb 2012 -- The Defense Department’s budget proposal would strengthen the nation’s nuclear weapons enterprise and modernization.
• Panetta, Dempsey: Sequestration Would Defeat Defense Strategy AFPS 16 Feb 2012 -- The Defense Department’s senior leaders strongly warned Congress that doubling defense spending cuts would leave the military without a workable strategy to counter staggering global threats.
• Financial Official Says Strategy Drove Budget Request AFPS 16 Feb 2012 -- The fiscal 2013 defense budget request sent to Congress Feb. 13 is a product of the defense strategic guidance President Barack Obama and Defense Secretary Leon E. Panetta outlined last month.
• Press Conference with Secretary of Defense Leon Panetta and German Minister of Defense Thomas de Maiziere DoD 16 Feb 2012
• Panetta, de Maizière Discuss Afghanistan, Syria, Iran AFPS 16 Feb 2012 -- Defense Secretary Leon E. Panetta and German Defense Minister Thomas de Maizière responded to reporters’ questions on Afghanistan, Syria, Iran and Israel following a bilateral Pentagon meeting.
• Defense Department Media Background Briefing on U.S. Force Posture in Europe Going Forward, the Pentagon Press Briefing Room DoD 16 Feb 2012
• Navy Names Forward Deployed Ships to Rota, Spain DoD 16 Feb 2012
• Panetta Outlines U.S. Troop Changes in Europe AFPS 16 Feb 2012 -- Defense Department officials announced details of planned changes in the U.S. military presence in Europe.
• U.S., Canadian forces participate in airborne exercise AFNS 16 Feb 2012 -- U.S. and Canadian service members conducted Joint Operations Access Exercise 12-01 here Feb. 10-13.
• Peleliu Completes Iron Fist 2012 NNS 16 Feb 2012 -- USS Peleliu conducted beach and flight operations Feb. 13, to conclude the seventh annual exercise Iron Fist 2012 off the coast of San Clemente Island, with elements from 15th Marine Expeditionary Unit and the Japanese Ground Self-Defense Force.
• Crash Dynamics Lab a tool to save lives Army News 16 Feb 2012 -- A ceremony was held to unveil the new U.S. Army Combat Readiness/Safety Center Crash Dynamics Lab Feb. 14.
• Fort Lee graduates first class of Stryker maintainers Army News 16 Feb 2012 -- Twenty Soldiers are making history by being the first to graduate from the brand new Stryker Systems Maintainer military occupational specialty.
• Key marks closure for Kilbourne Army News 16 Feb 2012 -- Members of United States Army Europe, 5th Signal Command, Installation Management Command Europe and others came together to mark the closure of the center and Kilbourne Kaserne.
• Russia to Put More RS-24 Missiles on Combat Duty in 2012 RIA Novosti 16 Feb 2012 -- A second regiment of the Teikovo Missile Division in central Russia will be fully equipped with Yars mobile ballistic missile systems.
• Russia Must Build Two Variants of 5G Fighter RIA Novosti 16 Feb 2012 -- Russian aircraft manufacturers must develop at least two competitive prototypes of a fifth-generation fighter jet.
• Russian Arms Designer Warns of Problems With Defense Orders RIA Novosti 16 Feb 2012 -- The current standoff between arms makers and the Defense Ministry over the pricing and quality of weaponry for the Russian military may continue to disrupt state defense orders in 2012.
• Mistral Warships for Russia to Get Russian Weaponry RIA Novosti 16 Feb 2012 -- The Mistral class amphibious assault ships built in France for the Russian Navy will be equipped with Russian-made weaponry.
• Russia Sets Weapons Export Record RFE/RL 16 Feb 2012 -- An official responsible for Russia's foreign arms sales says the country set a weapons export record in 2011despite competition from China and the loss of some Arab clients.
• NATO Secretary General Anders Fogh Rasmussen: Greece and NATO: Building security when times are tough NATO 16 Feb 2012
• Israeli-origin Indian Navy’s UAV crashes near Visakhapatnam IRNA 16 Feb 2012 -- An Israeli-origin unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV) of the Indian Navy Thursday crashed near Visakhapatnam in Andhra Pradesh state, while on the way back from an exercise.
• IAF to induct latest Russian armed helicopters IRNA 16 Feb 2012 -- India will induct its latest Mi-17 V5 armed helicopters from Russia that will greatly enhance its capabilities to carry troops and cargo at higher altitudes.
• Inshore patrol vessel for coast guard commissioned IRNA 16 Feb 2012 -- Indian Coast Guard Ship Rajshree first of 8 inshore patrol vessels equipped with state-of-the-art weaponry, advanced communication and navigational equipment.
• India Holds Large-Scale Drill for a Potential Disaster VOA 16 Feb 2012 -- India's capital has held its first ever large-scale drill for a potential disaster.
• UN officials call for comprehensive arms trade treaty to improve civilian safety UN News Centre 16 Feb 2012 -- The heads of several United Nations bodies with humanitarian, human rights and development mandates called for a comprehensive arms trade treaty.
• U.S. Department of State Daily Press Briefing, February 16, 2012 US Dept. of State 16 Feb 2012

Defense Industry

• DoD News: Contracts for February 16, 2012
• Boeing and US Air Force Mark Delivery of 1st Re-winged A-10 Thunderbolt II Boeing 16 Feb 2012 -- Boeing and the U.S. Air Force on Feb. 15 celebrated the rollout of the first re-winged A-10 Thunderbolt II in a ceremony at Hill Air Force Base. Boeing is under contract with the Air Force to deliver 233 wing sets through 2018.
• 250TH C-130J Super Hercules Built Is Delivered Lockheed Martin 16 Feb 2012 -- The 250th C-130J Super Hercules built at the Lockheed Martin facility here was delivered to Dyess Air Force Base, Texas
• Raytheon's JLENS Proves Tracking Capabilities During Test Raytheon 16 Feb 2012 -- Raytheon Company's Joint Land Attack Cruise Missile Defense Elevated Netted Sensor System (JLENS) recently completed Demonstration Test 1 (DT-1), proving its ability to track targets and integrate with fire control and tactical data link systems.

Other Conflicts

• Syrian University Town Could Hold Key to End to Conflict VOA 16 Feb 2012 -- The ongoing uprising in Syria has left one of the country's largest cities a city divided.
• U.S. Officials Say Al-Qaeda Likely Behind Syria Bombings RFE/RL 16 Feb 2012 -- Director of US National Intelligence: Al-Qaeda's branch in Iraq was likely behind a series of recent bombings against Syrian targets.
• General Assembly demands Syria halt violence without delay UN News Centre 16 Feb 2012 -- The General Assembly today strongly condemned the continued “widespread and systematic” human rights violations by the Syrian authorities.
• UN Calls on Syrian President to Step Down VOA 16 Feb 2012 -- The United Nations General Assembly has overwhelmingly passed a resolution demanding Syrian President Bashar al-Assad step down.
• Syria Human Rights Investigation Mired in Politics VOA 16 Feb 2012 -- Human rights groups say they have documented cases of abuse by Syrian government forces against the country's civilian population.
• Syrian Military Crackdown Widens VOA 16 Feb 2012 -- Syrian government troops widened their offensive against opposition strongholds throughout the country Thursday with heavy weaponry.
• Syrian President Orders Constitutional Referendum VOA 16 Feb 2012 -- Syrian President Bashar al-Assad has ordered a constitutional referendum later this month.
• EU Urges Russia to Halt Syria Arms Sales RIA Novosti 16 Feb 2012 -- The European Parliament on Thursday adopted a resolution strongly urging Russia to immediately stop selling arms and military equipment to Damascus.
• Russian Duma Chairman to Visit Syria for Talks RIA Novosti 16 Feb 2012 -- Chairman of the State Duma International Affairs Committee Alexei Pushkov has said he will travel to Damascus to get familiar with the situation in the country and hold talks with the Syrian leadership.
• Russian UN Envoy Concerned With Embassies’ Closure in Syria RIA Novosti 16 Feb 2012 -- The closure of European and Arab embassies in Damascus could mean possible preparations for a foreign military intervention in Syria.
• Switzerland Closes Its Embassy in Syria RIA Novosti 16 Feb 2012 -- Switzerland has decided to close its embassy in Damascus and called on all Swiss citizens to immediately leave Syria.
• UN Chief Sees Possible Crimes Against Humanity In Syria RFE/RL 16 Feb 2012 -- UN Secretary-General Ban: Potential crimes against humanity are taking place in Syria.
• Al-Qaeda Leader Killed In Yemen, Sparking Deadly Clashes RFE/RL 16 Feb 2012 -- Reports say a leading Al-Qaeda operative in Yemen has been killed in a family dispute, and that an ensuing battle has left at least 16 other tribesmen dead.
• Analysis: Humanitarian needs grow as violence escalates in northern Yemen IRIN 16 Feb 2012 -- Houthi-led Shia rebels are becoming more assertive and expanding the area under their control especially in the northwestern Yemeni governorate of Hajjah.
• Iranian Dissidents In Iraq Agree To Move To New Camp RFE/RL 16 Feb 2012 -- The leader of an exiled Iranian opposition group says she has agreed to start relocating residents.
• Iraq Inquiry Blames Sunni Vice President For Attacks RFE/RL 16 Feb 2012 -- An Iraqi investigation panel says death squads under the command of Sunni Vice President Tariq al-Hashemi were behind years of fatal attacks on security officials and Shi'ite pilgrims.
• Islamist Extremists Claim Responsibility For Nigeria Jailbreak RFE/RL 16 Feb 2012 -- Gunmen have stormed a prison in central Nigeria, killing one warden and freeing up to 200 prisoners.
• Gunmen Storm Nigeria Prison, 118 Inmates Escape, 1 Dead VOA 16 Feb 2012 -- At least 118 inmates have escaped from a Nigerian prison, after gunmen bombed their way inside and killed a guard during a shootout.
• Libyan Militias Accused of Targeting African Migrants VOA 16 Feb 2012 -- A human rights group says armed militias in Libya are fueling instability and committing rights abuses with impunity.
• Amnesty Accuses Libyan Militia Groups Of Committing Abuses RFE/RL 16 Feb 2012 -- Amnesty International says some of the militia groups who helped topple Muammar Qaddafi are now responsible for some of the country's worst rights abuses.
• Kosovo-Serbia Talks Continue, As Kosovo Serbs Reject Pristina's Authority RFE/RL 16 Feb 2012 -- European Union-brokered talks between Serbia and Kosovo are set to resume.

News Reports

• Daily Press Briefing by the Offices of the Spokesperson for the Secretary-General and the Spokesperson for the General Assembly President, 16 February 2012 United Nations 16 Feb 2012
• Israel plot to blame Iran for Bangkok bomb blast fails IRNA 16 Feb 2012 -- The efforts by the Zionist’s officials, Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu in particular, to blame Iran for the Bangkok bomb blast came to nothing.
• Police Say Thailand Bombers Targeted Israeli Diplomats VOA 16 Feb 2012 -- Thai authorities say three Iranians have been arrested in connection with this week's explosions in Bangkok.
• Panetta Cites ‘Red Lines’ Iran Should Avoid AFPS 16 Feb 2012 -- The nation is open to reaching diplomatic solutions with Iran, but is keeping all options on the table in case clear-cut “red lines” are crossed.
• US: Iran Unlikely to Initiate Conflict in Nuclear Dispute VOA 16 Feb 2012 -- A top U.S. intelligence official says Iran would respond if attacked for its nuclear activities, but is unlikely to initiate or intentionally provoke a conflict.
• U.S. Slaps Sanctions On Iranian Intelligence Ministry RFE/RL 16 Feb 2012 -- The U.S. Treasury Department has slapped sanctions on Iran's main intelligence organization.
• Europe Evaluates Sanctions on Iran VOA 16 Feb 2012 -- The European Union has responded with a shrug to Iran's threat to cut off oil exports to some EU members several months before an EU embargo on Iranian oil takes effect.
• US Senators Warn Latin America on Iran Ties VOA 16 Feb 2012 -- U.S. senators are warning Latin American nations against deepening financial and military ties with Iran.
• Iranians Suffer as Sanctions Begin to Bite RIA Novosti 16 Feb 2012 -- Tough new sanctions imposed by the United States and the European Union have sent prices for basic foodstuffs soaring on the streets of Tehran.
• US Dismisses Iranian Nuclear Advancement Claims as 'Hype' VOA 16 Feb 2012 -- The United States has downplayed Iran's claims of advances in its nuclear program.
• Israel Calls for Additional Sanctions on Iran VOA 16 Feb 2012 -- Israel's defense minister Ehud Barak has called for increased sanctions on Iran.
• Israeli Defense Chief Says Iran Exaggerating Nuclear Progress RFE/RL 16 Feb 2012 -- Israel's defense minister has dismissed as exaggerations Iran's latest announcements of major advancements in the Islamic republic’s nuclear program.
• Israel to Use All Means to Stop Iran’s Nuclear Program RIA Novosti 16 Feb 2012 -- Israel supports the use of all possible ways to stop Iran’s nuclear program, the country's ambassador to Russia Dorit Golender said.
• Tehran 'Ready' For Talks On Nuclear Program RFE/RL 16 Feb 2012 -- Iran has told world powers it is ready to resume stalled nuclear talks at the "earliest" opportunity.
• Iran Warns of Counter-Strike if Attacked by West RIA Novosti 16 Feb 2012 -- Iran will counter any Western military action against it, Iran’s ambassador to Moscow said.
• IR Iran's Ground Forces fully prepared to defend country: Commander IRNA 16 Feb 2012 -- Commander of the IR Iran's Army's Ground Forces Brigadier General Ahmad Reza Pourdastan said the ground forces are fully prepared to defend the country's borders.
• Iran ready to share nuclear science with other nations: president IRNA 16 Feb 2012 -- Iran rejects nuclear monopoly and is ready to share peaceful nuclear knowledge with other nations based on IAEA rules and regulations.
• North Korea Marks Late Leader's Birth Anniversary VOA 16 Feb 2012 -- North Korea is marking what would have been the 70th birthday of Kim Jong Il, who died in December.
• KPA Three Services Meet at Kumsusan Memorial Palace KCNA 16 Feb 2012 -- Servicepersons of the three services of the Korean People's Army met at the Kumsusan Memorial Palace, the sacred temple of Juche.
• Kim Jong Un Pays Homage to Kim Jong Il KCNA 16 Feb 2012 -- Kim Jong Un, supreme commander of the Korean People's Army and supreme leader of the Workers' Party of Korea and the people, visited the Kumsusan Palace of the Sun.
• Chinese VP Concludes US Visit Friday in Los Angeles VOA 16 Feb 2012 -- Chinese Vice President Xi Jinping concludes his U.S. visit in Los Angeles, with events expected to underscore the two nations' economic and cultural ties.
• ECOWAS Tackles Piracy, Elections, Food Crisis VOA 16 Feb 2012 -- Piracy, elections, and a food crisis are topping the agenda at the summit of the Economic Community of West Africa States, now underway in Nigeria's capital, Abuja.
• Poor Turnout at Marches Against Senegal's Wade VOA 16 Feb 2012 -- Senegal's protest movement held another march against President Abdoulaye Wade and his bid for a third term.
• More Liberian Refugees Returning Home VOA 16 Feb 2012 -- Dozens more Liberian refugees living as exiles in West Africa are finally returning home this week, before a June deadline that takes away their refugee status.
• Reelected Turkmen President Vows Reforms RFE/RL 16 Feb 2012 -- Turkmenistan’s authoritarian leader Gurbanguly Berdymukhammedov, who was reelected on February 12 with 97 percent of the vote, has vowed to lay the foundations for a multiparty system and free media.
• Ban discusses reconciliation and regional issues with Kyrgyz Foreign Minister UN News Centre 16 Feb 2012 -- The reconciliation process in Kyrgyzstan, regional cooperation and peace efforts in Afghanistan were the focus of discussions between Secretary-General Ban and Kyrgyz FM Kazakbaev.
• UN Chief Hails Kyrgyzstan's "Peaceful Transfer" Of Power RFE/RL 16 Feb 2012 -- The UN Secretary General Ban Ki-moon has praised Kyrgyzstan's political transition.
• At end of Haitian visit, Security Council focuses on police reform and living conditions UN News Centre 16 Feb 2012 -- Police reform and the living conditions of Haitians who remain displaced after the January 2010 earthquake were the focus of the final day of the Security Council’s four-day visit.
• European Parliament Criticizes Russian Elections RFE/RL 16 Feb 2012 -- The European Parliament has expressed concern over the disputed Russian State Duma elections in December, but stopped short of calling for their annulment.
• What If Scotland Chooses Independence? RFE/RL 16 Feb 2012 -- The date's not yet set, but Scots are on the verge of being asked if they want independence from the United Kingdom.