Operations
Defense Policy / Programs
Defense Industry
Other Conflicts
News Reports

Current Operations

• OIF/OEF/OND Casualty Update 28 Feb 2012 [PDF]
• Afghan and British forces seize Taliban anti-tank weapon UK MOD 28 Feb 2012 -- A joint Afghan and British team recently launched a pre-dawn raid on a Taliban compound, seizing an anti-tank weapon which had been used to target a British base.
• NATO Head Praises Coalition 'Restraint' During Afghan Koran Protests RFE/RL 28 Feb 2012 -- NATO Secretary-General Anders Fogh Rasmussen has praised international coalition forces in Afghanistan for showing "remarkable restraint" during recent violence over the burning of Korans by U.S. troops.
• Four Afghan Officials Arrested On Spying Charges RFE/RL 28 Feb 2012 -- Information has emerged about the arrests of four Afghan officials for allegedly spying on behalf of neighboring Iran and Pakistan.
• Explosion Kills Four Afghan Women, Three Children RFE/RL 28 Feb 2012 -- Local officials say an explosion at a residential compound in Afghanistan's southern Helmand Province has killed four women and three children.
• Defence Ministers visit central Asian countries UK MOD 28 Feb 2012 -- Defence Secretary Philip Hammond is holding talks with the governments of Kazakhstan and Uzbekistan this week to secure supply lines for getting equipment home from Afghanistan when combat operations finish there.
• U.K. Defense Secretary In Uzbekistan For Talks RFE/RL 28 Feb 2012 -- British Defense Secretary Philip Hammond arrived in Tashkent on February 28.
• Remains Of Last Missing U.S. Soldier In Iraq Officially Identified RFE/RL 28 Feb 2012 -- The U.S. military has identified the remains of the last soldier who was missing in Iraq.

Defense Policy / Programs

• Presidential Policy Directive - Requirements of the National Defense Authorization Act The White House 28 Feb 2012
• Presidential Message to Congress - Requirements of the National Defense Authorization Act The White House 28 Feb 2012
• Presidential Memorandum to Congress - Requirements of the National Defense Authorization Act The White House 28 Feb 2012
• Panetta Urges Congress to Put All Federal Spending on Table AFPS 28 Feb 2012 -- The responsibility to reduce the deficit cannot be borne by defense alone, Defense Secretary Leon E. Panetta told the Senate Budget Committee.
• Asia-Pacific Shift Will Improve Relations, Commander Says AFPS 28 Feb 2012 -- The Defense Department’s new strategic shift toward the Asia-Pacific region will solidify longstanding partnerships, build on newer ones, and allow the military to address security challenges in the are.
• KCNA on US Military Policy KCNA 28 Feb 2012 -- The U.S. is making desperate efforts to establish its military domination over the Asia-Pacific region.
• Rodong Sinmun on U.S. New National Defense Strategy KCNA 28 Feb 2012 -- The United States made public a report on a new national defense strategy recently.
• Minju Joson Slams S. Korean Authorities' Saber-rattling KCNA 28 Feb 2012 -- The south Korean authorities are staging large-scale Key Resolve and Foal Eagle joint military exercises together with the US.
• Official: NATO Investment Critical Despite Fiscal Challenge AFPS 28 Feb 2012 -- Fiscal austerity adds to the challenge of building NATO capacity, but identifying priorities and instituting new initiatives will help the alliance meet evolving security threats.
• Building the SOF enterprise through partnerships Army News 28 Feb 2012 -- Company D, 96th Civil Affairs Battalion (Airborne) headquarters and Civil Military Operations Center, or CMOC, formed the nucleus of the Theater Civil Military Support Element, known as TCMSE.
• Air Force issues flight release for Eglin AFB F-35A AFNS 28 Feb 2012 -- Officials at the Aeronautical Systems Center here issued a Military Flight Release today that will allow the F-35A Lightning II fighter to begin initial operations at Eglin Air Force Base.
• Industry ready now for Joint Light Tactical Vehicle Army News 28 Feb 2012 -- Industry bidders will respond March 13 to the most recent government request for solutions to modernize the light tactical vehicle fleet.
• With a Bang, Navy Begins Tests on EM Railgun Prototype Launcher NNS 28 Feb 2012 -- Engineers have fired the Navy's first industry-built electromagnetic railgun prototype launcher at a test facility.
• 110th Chem. Bn. learns to direct force of M107 sniper Army News 28 Feb 2012 -- EOD Specialists of the 110th Chemical Battalion (Technical Escort) from Joint Base Lewis-McChord witnessed the force of the Barrett M107 .50 caliber sniper rifle.
• Panetta, Shinseki Discuss Issues of Common Concern AFPS 28 Feb 2012 -- Defense Secretary Leon E. Panetta welcomed Veterans Affairs Secretary Eric K. Shinseki to the Pentagon for the latest in a series of regular meetings the two secretaries have held on issues of common interest to both departments.
• DOD News Briefing on Dover Port Mortuary Independent Review Subcommittee Report at the Pentagon (1) DoD 28 Feb 2012
• DOD News Briefing on Dover Port Mortuary Independent Review Subcommittee Report at the Pentagon (2) DoD 28 Feb 2012
• Statement by the Press Secretary on Dover Mortuary The White House 28 Feb 2012
• Panel Recommends Changes at Dover Mortuary AFPS 28 Feb 2012 -- A Defense Health Board subcommittee has released a report outlining 20 recommendations aimed at ensuring service members’ remains at Dover Port Mortuary, Del., receive the highest degree of honor, dignity and reverence.
• Improvements Ongoing at Dover, Air Force Officials Say AFPS 28 Feb 2012 -- The Air Force already is adopting many recommendations to improve its mortuary affairs operations at Dover Air Force Base.
• Military Sealift Command Completes Annual Resupply Mission to Antarctica NNS 28 Feb 2012 -- Military Sealift Command-chartered container ship MV Green Wave departed McMurdo Station, Antarctica, Feb. 25, after delivering more than 6.8 million pounds of vital supplies in support of Operation Deep Freeze.
• Navy Dive-Southern Partnership Station 2012 Starts off in Colombia NNS 28 Feb 2012 -- The Colombian navy hosted a welcoming ceremony for Mobile Diving and Salvage Unit (MDSU) 2 in support of Navy Dive-Southern Partnership Station 2012 (ND-SPS 12) in Colombia, Feb. 27.
• Construction changing face of Fort Hood, more work planned Army News 28 Feb 2012 -- With more than $1 billion in funded construction projects, the landscape of Fort Hood is changing to improve the quality of life for Soldiers, their families and civilians.
• Corps to build $100 million water treatment plant Army News 28 Feb 2012 -- The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers and the Barstow Chamber of Commerce held an Industry Day in efforts to attract potential local contractors for a $100-$120 million water plant for Fort Irwin and National Training Center Feb. 22.
• Military Embezzlers 'Traitors' - Minister RIA Novosti 28 Feb 2012 -- Officials embezzling Russia's state defense funds are traitors, the deputy prime minister in charge of the military said.
• Su-30 Caught Fire Before Crash – Investigators RIA Novosti 28 Feb 2012 -- The crew of a Su-30 fighter that crashed in Russia’s Far East reported an engine fire before the crash.
• Su-24 Bombers Resume Flights After Crash RIA Novosti 28 Feb 2012 -- Russia has partially resumed flights of Su-24 Fencer tactical bombers after one of them crashed in Russia’s Urals.
• Russia to Lay Down New Frigate for Navy RIA Novosti 28 Feb 2012 -- The Yantar Shipyard in the Baltic exclave of Kaliningrad will start on Wednesday the construction of a new Krivak IV class frigate for Russia's Black Sea Fleet.
• Russia To Modernize Iconic Kalashnikov Assault Rifle RFE/RL 28 Feb 2012 -- Russia has announced plans to modernize the Kalashnikov AK-47 assault rifle, the mainstay of the Russian Army and weapon of choice for paramilitaries and gangsters around the world.
• Press conference by NATO Secretary General Anders Fogh Rasmussen and Supreme Allied Commander Transformation General Stéphane Abrial at the ACT Seminar NATO 28 Feb 2012
• Introductory remarks by NATO Secretary General Anders Fogh Rasmussen at the National Defence University, Washington DC NATO 28 Feb 2012
• Opening statement by NATO Secretary General Anders Fogh Rasmussen at the press point at the Allied Command Transformation Seminar, Washington DC NATO 28 Feb 2012
• Remarks by NATO Secretary General Anders Fogh Rasmussen at the Allied Command Transformation Seminar, Washington DC NATO 28 Feb 2012
• NATO Head Discusses Afghan Violence, Syria, Chicago Summit AFPS 28 Feb 2012 -- NATO Secretary-General Anders Fogh Rasmussen took questions from reporters about the recent violence in Afghanistan, NATO’s position on the Syrian uprising and the upcoming NATO summit.
• Danish Navy Rescues 16 Hostages From Pirates VOA 28 Feb 2012 -- The Danish Navy says it has freed 16 hostages held by Somali pirates, but two other hostages were apparently killed during the rescue operation.
• Azerbaijan Republic explains arms deal with Zionist regime IRNA 28 Feb 2012 -- Azerbaijan Republic ambassador to Tehran in a meeting with Iran Deputy Foreign Minister in Asia and Pacific Affairs presented explanation concerning arms deal with the Zionist regime.
• Israel to Sell Arms to Azerbaijan RIA Novosti 28 Feb 2012 -- Israel agreed to sell military technology as well as anti-aircraft and missile defense systems to Azerbaijan.
• Latvian SS Veterans Deserve Respect - President RIA Novosti 28 Feb 2012 -- Latvian President Andris Berzins said on Tuesday the nation should bow to its Waffen-SS veterans, many of whom died for their fatherland.
• Press Briefing by Press Secretary Jay Carney, 2/28/12 The White House 28 Feb 2012

Defense Industry

• DoD News: Contracts for February 28, 2012
• CACI Awarded $24 Million Prime Contract to Support U.S. Central Command Communications Initiatives CACI 28 Feb 2012 -- CACI International Inc announced today that it has been awarded a $24 million prime contract to support the United States Central Command (USCENTCOM) with its communications initiatives.
• Northrop Grumman to Upgrade Software for the LN-251 Navigation System on the CH-53K Helicopter Northrop Grumman 28 Feb 2012 -- Northrop Grumman Corporation has been awarded a Phase II contract by the U.S. Navy to modify existing software for the LN-251 embedded GPS/fiber-optic inertial navigation system (INS) on the new CH-53K Super Stallion helicopter.
• Raytheon Demonstrates Enhanced Capabilities for TOW Raytheon 28 Feb 2012 -- Raytheon Company tested a new propulsion system for the Tube-Launched, Optically-Tracked, Wireless (TOW) missile. Developed by ATK, the enhanced system doubles TOW's range and reduces the missile's flight time by one-third.

Other Conflicts

• Daily Press Briefing by the Office of the Spokesperson for the Secretary-General, 28 February 2012 United Nations 28 Feb 2012
• UN Rights Group Slams Syrian Government VOA 28 Feb 2012 -- The U.N.'s top rights official, Navi Pillay, opened an emergency session on the crisis in Syria with a strong condemnation of the government.
• UN rights chief urges immediate humanitarian ceasefire in Syria UN News Centre 28 Feb 2012 -- The United Nations human rights chief said that she is “appalled” at the recent escalation of violence in Syria.
• Dozens Killed in Syria as UN Calls for Cease-Fire VOA 28 Feb 2012 -- Syrian rights groups said government troops killed at least 41 civilians throughout Syria.
• UN Rights Chief Urges 'Humanitarian Cease-Fire' In Syria RFE/RL 28 Feb 2012 -- United Nations human rights chief Navi Pillay says the situation in Syria is "dire."
• Assad Signs Draft Constitution as Violence Continues RIA Novosti 28 Feb 2012 -- Syrian President Bashar al-Assad signed a draft Constitution that was approved a day earlier by nearly 90 percent of voters amid ongoing bloodshed.
• U.S. Calls on Russia, China to Help Ending Syria Violence RIA Novosti 28 Feb 2012 -- The United States urge Russia and China to help convince the Syrian president of ending ongoing violence in the country.
• Moscow Warns Reporters against Visiting Danger Areas in Syria RIA Novosti 28 Feb 2012 -- The Russian Foreign Ministry on Tuesday cautioned all Russian reporters based in Syria against visiting “areas of combat operations.”
• Rodong Sinmun on S. Korean Call for "Dialogue" KCNA 28 Feb 2012 -- The south Korean authorities' recent call for "dialogue" and "contacts" with the DPRK is no more than cosmetic.
• Time for Israeli and Palestinian leaders to get serious about peace talks – UN official UN News Centre 28 Feb 2012 -- The United Nations political chief called on Israeli and Palestinian leaders to get serious about overcoming the current impasse.
• Analysis: Disarmament jitters in South Sudan’s Jonglei state IRIN 28 Feb 2012 -- South Sudan’s plan to start collecting some 20,000 weapons from civilians in Jonglei state in March, by force if necessary, is likely to worsen the volatile security situation there.
• Sudan, China Discuss Oil Dispute VOA 28 Feb 2012 -- Sudan's foreign minister and Chinese leaders have discussed an oil transport fee dispute with South Sudan and the security of Chinese workers.
• SOMALIA: Thousands flee to Mogadishu after Afgoye fighting IRIN 28 Feb 2012 -- A renewed offensive against Al-Shabab insurgents by Somali government forces, backed by Ethiopian, Kenyan and African Union troops, has sparked another influx of civilians to the capital Mogadishu.
• Jundallah claims responsibility for bus attack in Pakistan IRNA 28 Feb 2012 -- Terrorist group Jundallah has claimed the responsibility of an attack on a passenger bus which killed 18 people.
• Gunmen Kill 18 Shi'ites in NW Pakistan VOA 28 Feb 2012 -- Pakistani officials: Gunmen disguised in military uniforms stopped a passenger bus in the northern part of the country and shot dead 18 Shi'ite passengers.
• At Least 18 Killed in Pakistan Bus Attack RIA Novosti 28 Feb 2012 -- At least 18 people were killed and seven injured when gunmen ambushed a passenger bus in Pakistan’s northeastern district of Kohistan.
• Blast in ruling party meeting kills 5 in NW Pakistan IRNA 28 Feb 2012 -- At least five people were killed near the venue of a public meeting of ruling party in Pakistan's northwest Monday, police and hospital sources said.
• CENTRAL AFRICAN REPUBLIC-CHAD: Military offensive creating humanitarian problems IRIN 28 Feb 2012 -- A joint military offensive between the armed forces of the Central African Republic and Chad to oust Front Populaire pour le Redressement from its stronghold is hampering operations to help the displaced.
• EU Ministers Recommend Serbia For Membership Candidacy RFE/RL 28 Feb 2012 -- Senior European Union ministers have recommended that Serbia be accepted for membership-candidate status.

News Reports

• Police Release Two Bangkok Blast Suspects RIA Novosti 28 Feb 2012 -- Police in Thailand have released a married Iranian couple detained for suspected involvement in bombings in Bangkok earlier this month.
• White House Faces Continuing Questions on Iran, Possible Israeli Action VOA 28 Feb 2012 -- The White House says the United States and Israel share the same goal of preventing Iran from acquiring a nuclear weapon.
• Can Diplomacy Solve Iranian Nuclear Crisis? VOA 28 Feb 2012 -- Talk of war over Iran’s nuclear program has escalated in recent weeks, and Israel and the United States have not ruled out military action to keep Tehran from producing a nuclear bomb.
• Clinton: Internal Power Struggle in Iran Over Nuclear Weapons VOA 28 Feb 2012 -- U.S. Secretary of State Hillary Clinton said that there is an internal power struggle in Iran over the country's pursuit of nuclear weapons.
• Iran Accuses West of Double Standard on Nuclear Weapons VOA 28 Feb 2012 -- Iran repeated that it is open to talks on its nuclear program, and it accused the West of a double standard on the nuclear issue.
• Iran Says Confident Nuclear Talks Will Continue RFE/RL 28 Feb 2012 -- Iran's foreign minister says he expects talks with the international community over his country's controversial nuclear program to continue.
• Iran Again Asks For Nuclear Talks With UN VOA 28 Feb 2012 -- Iran repeated assertions that it wants talks with the United Nations nuclear watchdog agency.
• Iran does not rule out IAEA access to its military research sites IRNA 28 Feb 2012 -- Ali Asghar Soltanieh saidthat Iran does not rule out the access of IAEA inspectors to its miltiary research sites.
• Iran envoy: Talks with P5+1 should be free from tension ISNA 28 Feb 2012 -- Iranian ambassador to Italy Mohammad Ali Hosseini said talks with P5+1 should be resumed in a climate free of political tensions, propaganda and precondition.
• Salehi: 23,000 nuclear warheads biggest global threat IRNA 28 Feb 2012 -- Foreign Minister Ali Akbar Salehi said that stockpiling of some 23,000 nuclear warheads by the nuclear states is the biggest threat to the world’s sustainable security.
• Iran Crushing Dissent Before Election VOA 28 Feb 2012 -- Iran is crushing dissent leading up to its March 2 parliamentary elections and has launched a “cyber army” to block Internet and social media communication.
• Senegal Opposition M23 Schedules Alliance Talks VOA 28 Feb 2012 -- Senegalese presidential candidate Cheikh Tidiane Gadio of the Citizen Political Movement Party said he will attend alliance talks with other opposition candidates scheduled Wednesday.
• Nigerian Activists Press US Supreme Court Case Against Shell VOA 28 Feb 2012 -- Nigerian activists and proponents of corporate accountability say they are confident that the giant petroleum firm Shell will face charges in the United States for alleged human rights violations.
• Top UN official in Iraq urges greater inclusion of minorities in society UN News Centre 28 Feb 2012 -- The United Nations top envoy in Iraq has encouraged the country’s Government and members of its civil society to continue promoting and protecting the role of minority groups in Iraqi cultural and political life.
• French Court Overturns French Genocide Denial Law; Turkey Welcomes Ruling RFE/RL 28 Feb 2012 -- France's Constitutional Council has ruled that a law concerning the mass killings of Armenians a century ago violates the country's constitution.
• Critics Say Putin Assassination Plot Tied to Sunday Vote VOA 28 Feb 2012 -- Less than one week before Russia's presidential election, voters are digesting an announcement that police uncovered a plot to kill the main candidate, Prime Minister Vladimir Putin.
• Putin Plot Suspects Unlikely to Be Extradited RIA Novosti 28 Feb 2012 -- The suspects in an alleged plot to assassinate Russian Prime Minister Vladimir Putin will not be extradited to Russia until they serve prison time for crimes committed in Ukraine.
• EU Pulls Ambassadors Out of Belarus VOA 28 Feb 2012 -- European Union members are pulling all their ambassadors from Belarus after its authoritarian government ordered Polish and EU ambassadors out.
• Belarus Expels European Envoys Over New Sanctions; EU Vows To Counter RFE/RL 28 Feb 2012 -- Belarus has asked the Polish and European Union ambassadors to leave the country.
• EU to Recall All Ambassadors from Belarus RIA Novosti 28 Feb 2012 -- European Union states have reached an agreement to recall all their ambassadors from Belarus after Minsk requested the EU and Polish ambassadors to leave the country.
• Experts: Chavez's Diagnosis Weakens Re-Election Chances VOA 28 Feb 2012 -- Venezuelan President Hugo Chavez, 57, is reported to be in good condition following surgery in Cuba to remove a tumor according to Vice President Elias Jaua.
• Venezuela: Chavez in Good Condition After Surgery in Cuba VOA 28 Feb 2012 -- Venezuelan President Hugo Chavez is reported to be in good condition following surgery to remove a tumor.
• ATK to Prepare Orion Abort Motor for 2014 Test Flight of NASA's Orion Capsule ATK 28 Feb 2012 -- ATK today began conversion of the main abort motor for NASA's first Exploration Flight Test of the Orion Multi-Purpose Crew Vehicle slated for 2014 from Kennedy Space Center.