Operations
Defense Policy / Programs
Defense Industry
Other Conflicts
News Reports

Current Operations

• Allen to Examine Afghanistan Force Package AFPS 24 Mar 2012 -- The starting point of analysis for the U.S.-coalition fighting force in Afghanistan in 2013 will be the withdrawal of 23,000 surge troops after this year's fighting season, the International Security Assistance Force commander said yesterday.
• Allen: U.S., Afghanistan Relationship Remains Intact AFPS 24 Mar 2012 -- The relationship between U.S. and Afghan officials remains intact despite some recent negative events in Afghanistan, the commander of the International Security Assistance Force said yesterday.
• Reserve Marines come together, accomplish mission in Afghanistan USMC News 24 Mar 2012 -- Of the more than 200 Marines that make up General Support Motor Transport Company, Marine Air-Ground Task Force Support Battalion 11.2, 1st Marine Logistics Group (Forward), all but six are Reserve Component Marines.
• Pakistan rallies oppose possible restoration of NATO supply route IRNA 24 Mar 2012 -- Rallies were held in Pakistan's major cities on Friday against the possible restoration of supply line for NATO forces in Afghanistan and the speakers warned stiff resistance against any such move.

Defense Policy / Programs

• Navy Concludes Solid Curtain-Citadel Shield 2012 NNS 24 Mar 2012 -- The Navy wrapped up its largest annual security exercise March 23 after a week of training designed to test the service's ability to respond to nation-wide threats to its installations, units, personnel and families.
• USS O'Kane Departs Joint Base Pearl Harbor-Hickam NNS 24 Mar 2012 -- Guided-missile destroyer USS O'Kane (DDG 77) departed Joint Base Pearl Harbor-Hickam for a deployment in the western Pacific March 23.
• Enterprise Completes SHOTEX NNS 24 Mar 2012 -- Medical department Sailors aboard aircraft carrier USS Enterprise (CVN 65) conducted a ship-wide vaccination, or SHOTEX, while on deployment March 19-20.
• Marines demonstrate value in expeditionary administration USMC News 24 Mar 2012 -- The 31st Marine Expeditionary Unit is capable of responding to any contingency that presents itself in the Asia-Pacific region. There are many driving factors that ensure the MEU maintains that capability, but one of the largest may be one of the least recognized.
• India to induct nuclear submarine in April first week IRNA 24 Mar 2012 -- In a major boost to its underwater strike capabilities, India will induct its Russian-origin nuclear-powered submarine 'Nerpa' in the first week of April.

Defense Industry

Other Conflicts

• Annan In Moscow On Syria Peace Mission RFE/RL 24 Mar 2012 -- Syrian peace envoy Kofi Annan has arrived in Moscow as he begins a trip to the Russian and Chinese capitals to discuss the crisis in Syria.
• Moscow Cries Foul over UN Human Rights Resolution on Syria RIA Novosti 24 Mar 2012 -- Russia has sharply criticized the UN Human Rights Council's resolution on Syria, adopted on Friday, saying that it 'went against the international efforts on settling the conflict,' Foreign Ministry said on Saturday.
• Syrian Army Pounds Homs VOA 24 Mar 2012 -- Activists say Syrian forces resumed heavy shelling of the already battered city of Homs on Saturday, as international envoy Kofi Annan arrived in Russia to discuss efforts to mediate an end to the crisis in Syria.
• Mali Coup Leader Calls for Calm VOA 24 Mar 2012 -- The men behind Mali's surprise coup are calling for calm, trying to reassure a wary public faced with looting and growing shortages of food and fuel.
• Tuareg Rebels Threaten Unstable Mali VOA 24 Mar 2012 -- Tuareg rebels continue to push south in Mali, as mutinous soldiers struggle to maintain control of the capital two days after they seized power in a coup that has created more problems than it solved.
• 18 militants killed in clashes in Pakistani tribal region IRNA 24 Mar 2012 -- Pakistani security forces have killed 18 militants in north western tribal region, official sources said on Saturday.

News Reports

• Situation on Korean peninsula, nuclear security feature in Ban's talks in Seoul UN News Centre 24 Mar 2012 -- Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon and the President of the Republic of Korea (ROK), Lee Myung-bak, held talks in Seoul today, focusing on issues such as the situation on the Korean peninsula, global nuclear security and the crisis in Syria.
• Obama Arrives in South Korea for Nuclear Summit VOA 24 Mar 2012 -- U.S. President Barack Obama has arrived in South Korea for the Nuclear Security Summit which starts Monday.
• China mouthpiece reports PLA remark amid speculation CNA 24 Mar 2012 -- A recent report in China that a Chinese official demanded troops unite behind Chinese President Hu Jintao came as the country was speculating about political wrangling within the leadership following the dismissal of the top official in Chongqing City.
• Space Junk Misses ISS RIA Novosti 24 Mar 2012 -- A piece of space debris missed the International Space Station (ISS) on Saturday, forcing its crew members to take shelter in rescue craft, NASA said.
• Passing Debris Forces ISS Crew to Escape Pods VOA 24 Mar 2012 -- Six astronauts at the International Space Station took refuge in escape pods Saturday as a chunk of space debris whizzed by them.
• Ukrainian Doctors Admit Tymoshenko Needs Hospital Care RFE/RL 24 Mar 2012 -- Ukrainian doctors have admitted that jailed former Prime Minister Yulia Tymoshenko is in need of hospital care as her health deteriorates.