Operations
Defense Policy / Programs
Defense Industry
Other Conflicts
News Reports

Current Operations

• OIF/OEF/OND Casualty Update 20 Mar 2012 [PDF]
• Allen Urges Congress to Stay the Course in Afghanistan AFPS 20 Mar 2012 -- “Stay the course in Afghanistan” was the message Marine Corps Gen. John R. Allen delivered to the House Armed Services Committee today.
• Allen: Troops Will Accomplish Afghan Mission AFPS 20 Mar 2012 -- Recent incidents have been deplorable, but they will not stand in the way of accomplishing goals in Afghanistan, the International Security Assistance Force commander said.
• Gen. Allen: Afghan Mission 'On Track' Despite Violence VOA 20 Mar 2012 -- The top U.S. and NATO commander in Afghanistan, U.S. Marine Corps General John Allen, says coalition forces remain on track to deny al-Qaida safe haven in the country, despite recent setbacks.
• Top US Commander: US-Afghan Ties Strong Despite Setbacks VOA 20 Mar 2012 -- The commander of U.S. and NATO forces in Afghanistan says ties between coalition and Afghan forces remain strong and that the military campaign is on track, despite recent setbacks.
• Stavridis: Afghanistan Strategy Remains on Track AFPS 20 Mar 2012 -- NATO’s top military officer said he’s confident the strategy there is succeeding and will continue to bear fruit.
• U.S. Commander Says Afghan Security Handover On Track RFE/RL 20 Mar 2012 -- The senior U.S. commander in Afghanistan says the planned withdrawal of U.S. forces from the country by the end of 2014 is proceeding on schedule.
• Undersecretary Urges Continuing Counterterrorism Effort AFPS 20 Mar 2012 -- As the counterterrorism strategy is succeeding, now is not the time to abandon the fight in Afghanistan.
• Afghan transition process on track despite recent violent incidents – UN envoy UN News Centre 20 Mar 2012 -- The transition process in Afghanistan remains on track despite recent tragic incidents, the United Nations envoy to the country said.
• Security Council Members Express Support For Afghan Mission RFE/RL 20 Mar 2012 -- Security Council members have expressed support for a continued United Nations presence in Afghanistan ahead of a planned vote on a renewal of the UN mission's mandate.
• How Ready Is The Afghan Army? RFE/RL 20 Mar 2012 -- On paper, the Afghan National Army looks strong enough to secure the country almost immediately.
• Suspect in Afghan Killings Claims ‘Memory Loss’ – Media RIA Novosti 20 Mar 2012 -- A U.S. soldier accused of killing 16 civilians in house-to-house shooting spree in southern Afghanistan a week ago told his lawyers that he had no recollection of the incident.
• US, Taliban Talks ‘Unproductive’ without Afghan Govt. - Lavrov RIA Novosti 20 Mar 2012 -- Attempts by the United States to engage in dialogue with the Taliban without the Afghan government are unproductive, Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov said.
• San Diego-based Marines assume aviation command in Afghanistan USMC News 20 Mar 2012 -- More than 3,000 Marines with the 3rd Marine Aircraft Wing (Forward) officially assumed aviation responsibilities in Regional Command Southwest.
• Logistics Marines meet with Afghan counterparts, discuss challenges USMC News 20 Mar 2012 -- The staff of 1st Marine Logistics Group (Forward) met with their Afghan National Army counterparts.
• Second wave of Stryker soldiers returns Army News 20 Mar 2012 -- More than 4,000 soldiers of 1-25th deployed one year ago in support of Operation Enduring Freedom and today, about 200 came home, with the rest to follow in the coming weeks.
• RAF Tornado squadron home from Afghanistan UK MOD 20 Mar 2012 -- 12(B) Squadron personnel were reunited with loved ones on Sunday, 18 March, after a four-month deployment to Kandahar Airfield in Afghanistan.
• US Lawmakers Reject Pakistani Calls to End Drone Strikes VOA 20 Mar 2012 -- American lawmakers are rejecting renewed calls by Pakistan for an end to U.S.-sponsored drone strikes in the country.
• U.S. Endorses Ties Based On 'Mutual Respect' With Pakistan RFE/RL 20 Mar 2012 -- The U.S. State Department says it supports calls by Pakistani lawmakers for "mutual respect" between the two countries.
• Pakistan Parliament Demands End to US Drone Strikes VOA 20 Mar 2012 -- A Pakistani government commission tasked with ending a four month freeze in relations with the Washington has demanded an end to U.S.-sponsored drone strikes in the country.
• Pakistani Commission Wants Halt Of U.S. Drone Strikes, Apology RFE/RL 20 Mar 2012 -- A Pakistani parliamentary commission has called for an end to U.S. drone-missile strikes targeting Islamist militants inside Pakistan.
• Pakistani parliament demands US apology over border attacks IRNA 20 Mar 2012 -- Pakistani parliament opened debate to reevaluate the country’s relationship with the United States.

Defense Policy / Programs

• F-35 Reaches Critical Juncture After Strong Year, Official Says AFPS 20 Mar 2012 -- The F-35 Lightning II joint strike fighter program made strong progress in its development last year, a defense official said.
• Soldiers on the High Seas: Coordinating Ground Forces Aboard Abraham Lincoln NNS 20 Mar 2012 -- Army personnel will be embarked to help coordinate Carrier Air Wing 2 air support for Operation Enduring Freedom.
• Enterprise Sailors Conduct Missile Upload NNS 20 Mar 2012 -- Sailors aboard USS Enterprise conducted an ammunition upload for multiple weapons systems used in shipboard defense March 15-17.
• Topeka Visits Yokosuka during Western Pacific Deployment NNS 20 Mar 2012 -- Los Angeles-class fast attack submarine USS Topeka arrived at Fleet Activities Yokosuka March 20.
• DOD Announces Recruiting and Retention Numbers for Fiscal 2012, Through Febraury DoD 20 Mar 2012
• Army Publishes 2012 Annual Report to Congress on Business Transformation Army News 20 Mar 2012 -- Under Secretary of the Army Joseph Westphal released the Army's 2012 Annual Report to Congress on Business Transformation highlighting accomplishments and future actions planned to transform the Institutional Army.
• New York Army National Guard Troops Train at Mississippi Airport for Possible Overseas Mission Army News 20 Mar 2012 -- Some New York Army National Guard troops have shifted gears from communications to security in preparation for their upcoming deployment to Bahrain.
• DOD Develops Cyberspace Rules of Engagement AFPS 20 Mar 2012 -- Whether by land, sea or air, Defense Department leaders have long crafted rules of engagement to determine how, where and when forces can attack the enemy.
• DOD, VA Partnership Key in Treating Brain Trauma, Panelists Say AFPS 20 Mar 2012 -- The Defense and Veterans Affairs departments are using their partnered programs to identify and treat traumatic brain injury, representatives of both departments said.
• Judge Advocate General training now centralized in Virginia Army News 20 Mar 2012 -- With the activation of Company J, 244th Quartermaster Battalion, 23rd QM Brigade, QM School, in a ceremony March 19 at Fort Lee, the consolidation of all legal training to central Virginia is complete.
• AF extends retroactive stop loss application window AFNS 20 Mar 2012 -- Airmen eligible for the Retroactive Stop Loss Special Pay Program who did not apply before the fall deadline will have another opportunity to do so.
• Russia to Spend 2.8% GDP on Defense As 'Conflict Risk Rises' RIA Novosti 20 Mar 2012 -- Russia will spend at least 2.8 percent of GDP on defense over the next eight years, President Dmitry Medvedev said.
• Medvedev Vows to Counter European Missile Shield RIA Novosti 20 Mar 2012 -- Russia’s outgoing President Dmitry Medvedev said the country must be prepared to respond by 2017-2018 to deployment of a missile shield in Europe.
• Bulava Missile in for More Tests RIA Novosti 20 Mar 2012 -- A series of test launches for the Bulava intercontinental missile are planned for the summer, a source at the Russian Navy said.
• Submarines: The Quiet Bulwark of the Russian Navy RIA Novosti 20 Mar 2012 -- The Russian submarine fleet is marking its 106th anniversary perhaps not in the best of shapes.
• Russia Seals S-400 Missile Supply Deal RIA Novosti 20 Mar 2012 -- Moscow-based missile manufacturer Avangard has signed a contract to supply Russia's defense ministry with missiles for its new S-400 air defense systems.
• Russian Air Force Adopts New Cruise Missile RIA Novosti 20 Mar 2012 -- A new cruise missile has entered service with the Russian Air Force’s strategic long-range arms division, Defense Minister Anatoly Serdyukov said.
• Russia Agrees to Pay More for Crimea Airbase RIA Novosti 20 Mar 2012 -- Russia has offered to pay $2 million a year for the use of a training airbase in Ukraine’s Crimea, up from $700,000.
• Countering WMD threats in the maritime environment NATO 20 Mar 2012 -- NATO places a high priority on preventing the proliferation of weapons of mass destruction (WMD) and defending against chemical, biological, radiological and nuclear threats.
• RFA Wave Knight returns from 11-month deployment UK MOD 20 Mar 2012 -- Royal Fleet Auxiliary tanker Wave Knight has been welcomed home to Portland as she returned from 11 months away, east of Suez.
• Armed Forces train for Olympics air security UK MOD 20 Mar 2012 -- UK Armed Forces air assets and personnel are this week training for their vital role providing air security for the Olympic Games.
• China's maritime expansion could go beyond Taiwan CNA 20 Mar 2012 -- China's maritime power is expected to expand to the South China Sea, beyond Taiwan and as far as Africa.
• Japan to Deploy Interceptors to Counter North Korean Launch RIA Novosti 20 Mar 2012 -- Japan will deploy missile interceptors on a southern island chain ahead of a planned North Korean satellite launch.
• EU top arms supplier to Saudi Arabia: German weekly IRNA 20 Mar 2012 -- The European Union is the top arms supplier to Saudi Arabia, Der Spiegel quoted a report published by the European Commission.
• Press Briefing by Press Secretary Jay Carney, 3/20/12 The White House 20 Mar 2012
• U.S. Department of State Daily Press Briefing, March 20, 2012 US Dept. of State 20 Mar 2012

Defense Industry

• DoD News: Contracts for March 20, 2012

Other Conflicts

• Daily Press Briefing by the Office of the Spokesperson for the Secretary-General, 20 March 2012 United Nations 20 Mar 2012
• On regional tour, Ban salutes Indonesia’s commitment to UN peacekeeping UN News Centre 20 Mar 2012 -- Secretary-General Ban hailed Indonesia’s regular contribution of troops to United Nations peacekeeping missions.
• 'Speak with one voice' to address Syrian crisis – Ban UN News Centre 20 Mar 2012 -- Secretary-General Ban stressed that the international community must continue to "speak with one voice" to find a solution to the Syrian crisis.
• Russia Prepared to Back Annan's Syria Plan VOA 20 Mar 2012 -- Russia said it is prepared to support a U.N. Security Council resolution that would endorse a peace plan for Syria drafted by international envoy Kofi Annan.
• Russia Ready to Back Annan Proposals on Syria in Security Council RIA Novosti 20 Mar 2012 -- Russia is ready to support a UN Security Council resolution on Syria based on UN and Arab League envoy Kofi Annan’s proposals.
• Moscow, Damascus Deny Warship Reports Ahead Of UN Talks RFE/RL 20 Mar 2012 -- Russia and Syria have denied reports that a pair of Russian warships with a team of special forces on board has arrived in Syria.
• Russia Denies Warship Report, MEP Demands Syria Inquiry RIA Novosti 20 Mar 2012 -- Moscow has denied media reports that a Russian warship has arrived in Syria, while a senior member of European parliament demanded an inquiry into the allegations.
• UN Chief Says Situation In Syria 'Intolerable' RFE/RL 20 Mar 2012 -- UN Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon has said the situation in Syria is "unacceptable and intolerable."
• No Russian Asylum Proposal for Syria’s Assad - Lavrov RIA Novosti 20 Mar 2012 -- Moscow has not told Syrian President Bashar al-Assad to leave Syria and take refuge in Russia, Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov said.
• EU Set To Tighten Sanctions Against Iran, Syria RFE/RL 20 Mar 2012 -- European Union foreign ministers are expected to ramp up sanctions against Iran and Syria when they meet in Brussels on March 23.
• EU to Blacklist Assad's Wife RIA Novosti 20 Mar 2012 -- Asma al-Assad, the wife of Syrian President Bashar al-Assad, will be added to the EU sanctions list at a meeting of the EU foreign ministers on March 23.
• Israeli Violation of Lebanese Airspace Unacceptable - Russia RIA Novosti 20 Mar 2012 -- The violation of Lebanese airspace by the Israeli Air Force is unacceptable, Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov said on Tuesday after a meeting with his Lebanese counterpart.
• Arab League Summit Provides Test for Beleaguered Baghdad VOA 20 Mar 2012 -- Wracked by militant attacks, political divisions, sectarian tensions, and economic troubles, Iraq is expected to host Arab leaders.
• Explosions Across Iraq Kill Dozens VOA 20 Mar 2012 -- A series of bombs struck close to a dozen Iraqi cities as people went to work Tuesday morning.
• At Least 45 Killed In Series Of Blasts Across Iraq RFE/RL 20 Mar 2012 -- Some 45 people were reported killed and more than 200 others injured in a series of bombings across Iraq.
• Al-Shabab Attacks Somalia's Presidential Palace VOA 20 Mar 2012 -- For two nights in a row, al-Shabab militants have attacked Somalia's presidential palace with mortars, killing five people and injuring many more.
• UN refugee agency alarmed by resumption of mortar attacks in Somalia UN News Centre 20 Mar 2012 -- The United Nations refugee agency expressed concern over the resumption of mortar attacks in the Somalia capital of Mogadishu.
• Death Sentence Against Darfur Rebels Will Deepen Sudan Crisis, Says JEM VOA 20 Mar 2012 -- A leading member of the Darfur-based Justice and Equality Movement has condemned as illegal a Sudan court ruling that sentenced six members of the group to death.
• UN refugee agency steps up assistance to thousands uprooted by Mali conflict UN News Centre 20 Mar 2012 -- The United Nations refugee agency is increasing its assistance to the tens of thousands of Malians who have been uprooted by the fighting between the army and Tuareg rebels.
• Libya Presses For Extradition of Former Intelligence Chief VOA 20 Mar 2012 -- Libya's deputy prime minister is meeting with authorities in Mauritania to urge them hand over Moammar Gadhafi's intelligence chief.
• Rights Groups Say Burmese Abuses Continue in Kachin State VOA 20 Mar 2012 -- Rights groups say Burmese military abuses continue in northern Kachin state including torture, rape, and deliberate attacks on civilians.
• U.S. Envoy Says Armenia, Azerbaijan 'Closer Than They Think' On Nagorno-Karabakh RFE/RL 20 Mar 2012 -- U.S. Ambassador Robert Bradtke says Armenia and Azerbaijan are "probably closer to an agreement than they think" in the longstanding dispute over the status of Nagorno-Karabakh.
• Armenia Says Army Officer Killed By Azerbaijani Sniper RFE/RL 20 Mar 2012 -- Armenia's Defense Ministry says that a military officer has been killed by a sniper on the border with Azerbaijan.
• Confusion Surrounds Reported Troop Deployment To Daghestan RFE/RL 20 Mar 2012 -- Reports of the deployment to Daghestan of some 20,000 Russian troops from the Russian military base at Khankala on the outskirts of Grozny have elicited contradictory comments from senior regional officials.
• Russian Authorities In North Caucasus Deny Mass Regional Troop Redeployment RFE/RL 20 Mar 2012 -- The leader of Russia’s Chechen Republic, Ramzan Kadyrov, has denied reports of a massive redeployment of Russian Interior Ministry troops from Chechnya to the neighboring region of Daghestan.
• KENYA: Conflict fears as wildfires destroy pasture, cause displacement IRIN 20 Mar 2012 -- Wildfires have destroyed large tracts of grassland in northern Kenya, giving rise to fears of conflict between pastoralist communities amid an already serious food security crisis.
• Cambodian War Crimes Tribunal Under Pressure After Judge Resigns VOA 20 Mar 2012 -- Observers following Cambodia's Khmer Rouge war crimes tribunal say this week's resignation of a key judge after only four months on the job risks tarnishing the legacy of the tribunal itself and the possibility of future trials.
• Peru Cancels British Ship Arrival Over Falkland Islands Dispute VOA 20 Mar 2012 -- Peru has canceled a scheduled visit by a British naval warship to show its support for Argentina in its long-standing dispute with Britain over control of the Falkland Islands.

News Reports

• Secretary Clinton Statement on Significant Reductions of Iranian Crude Oil Purchases US Dept. of State 20 Mar 2012
• Russia Warns Iran Could Produce Nuclear Weapons If Attacked RFE/RL 20 Mar 2012 -- Russia's foreign minister says there is no evidence Tehran has made the "political decision" to produce nuclear weapons.
• Aggression Towards Iran Damages Non-Proliferation RIA Novosti 20 Mar 2012 -- An aggressive stance against Iran only threatens nuclear non-proliferation instead of supporting it.
• Leader Says Iran Will Hit Back At Any Attack by U.S., Israel RFE/RL 20 Mar 2012 -- Iran's supreme leader has warned that his country will hit back at any attack by the United States or Israel.
• Iran will respond to any attack with equal measure: Leader IRNA 20 Mar 2012 -- Supreme Leader of Islamic Revolution Ayatollah Seyed Ali Khamenei said Iran does not have atomic bomb and won't make it.
• Remarks of President Obama Marking Nowruz The White House 20 Mar 2012
• Obama Calls for Understanding Between Iranians, Americans AFPS 20 Mar 2012 -- As Iran and other nations celebrate Nowruz - the Persian New Year - President Barack Obama called for understanding between Americans and Iranians.
• Obama Nowruz Message Calls For Lifting of Iran's 'Electronic Curtain' VOA 20 Mar 2012 -- U.S. President Barack Obama has used a message marking the Persian New Year, Nowruz, to call for the lifting of what he called the "electronic curtain" around Iran.
• U.S. Moves To Lift 'Electronic Curtain' Dividing U.S., Iranian People RFE/RL 20 Mar 2012 -- U.S. President Barack Obama says the United States "seeks a dialogue" with the Iranian people and called on Tehran to stop blocking its citizens' access to information.
• Nine Iranians Injured In Grenade Attack In Yerevan RFE/RL 20 Mar 2012 -- Officials in Armenia's capital, Yerevan, say 10 people - including nine Iranian nationals and an Armenian - were injured in a grenade explosion at a nightclub.
• Press Briefing by Senior Administration Officials on the President's Upcoming Trip to the Republic of Korea -- Via Conference Call The White House 20 Mar 2012
• North Korea Invites IAEA Inspectors to Return VOA 20 Mar 2012 -- North Korea considers its February 29 agreement with the United States still in effect.
• North Korea Invites IAEA Inspectors To Return RFE/RL 20 Mar 2012 -- North Korea has invited United Nations nuclear inspectors to return.
• Washington Welcomes N. Korea Invitation of Nuclear Experts RIA Novosti 20 Mar 2012 -- The United States has welcomed North Korea’s move to invite UN nuclear experts to resume monitoring its nuclear program.
• KCNA on Japanese "Abduction Issue" KCNA 20 Mar 2012 -- Matsubara, minister in charge of "abduction issue" of Japan, said Japan can look into the humanitarian aid issue only when the "abduction issue" makes progress.
• Bahrain: UN calls for probe into alleged excessive use of force against protesters UN News Centre 20 Mar 2012 -- The United Nations human rights office voiced concern over the alleged excessive use of force against protesters.
• Serious human rights violations committed during DR Congo elections – UN report UN News Centre 20 Mar 2012 -- Serious human rights violations, including killings, disappearances and arbitrary detentions, were committed by Congolese and security forces during last year’s presidential and legislative elections in the DRC.
• UN: DRC Security Forces Killed 33 During Elections VOA 20 Mar 2012 -- The U.N. human rights office says Democratic Republic of Congo security forces killed at least 33 people during the country's election period late last year.
• Ban congratulates people of Guinea-Bissau for peaceful presidential election UN News Centre 20 Mar 2012 -- Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon today commended the people of Guinea-Bissau for taking part in a peaceful and orderly polling process in their country’s weekend presidential election.
• Malawi Charges Ex-President’s Son for Inciting Violence VOA 20 Mar 2012 -- In Malawi, the police say Atupele Muluzi, a Member of Parliament and son of former President Bakili Muluzi, has been charged with inciting violence after he was arrested.
• Coptic Pope Laid to Rest as Transition Looms VOA 20 Mar 2012 -- Religious, political and military leaders gathered to pay tribute to the late Coptic patriarch Shenouda III.
• Ukraine's Tymoshenko Accused Of 'High Treason' RFE/RL 20 Mar 2012 -- A majority in the Ukrainian parliament has voted to accuse jailed former Prime Minister Yulia Tymoshenko of committing "high treason."
• Cold War Era Legislation Could Hinder US-Russia Trade VOA 20 Mar 2012 -- A relic of the Cold War era between the United States and Soviet Union could soon be an obstacle to improving trade between the U.S. and Russia.