Operations
Defense Policy / Programs
Defense Industry
Other Conflicts
News Reports

Current Operations

• Combined Force Captures Taliban Leader AFPS 27 Mar 2012 -- A combined Afghan and coalition security force captured a Taliban leader during an operation in the Maidan Shar district of Afghanistan's Wardak province today, military officials reported.
• Dempsey: Afghans Must Prevent 'Green-on-Blue' Violence AFPS 27 Mar 2012 -- The United States will do more to prevent attacks on coalition personnel by members of Afghanistan's security forces, but ultimately it will be up to Afghans to stop these tragedies from happening, the chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff said here yesterday.
• Allen: Spring, Summer Operations Will be 'Unique' AFPS 27 Mar 2012 -- Spring and summer will offer 'unique operational conditions' in Afghanistan as the security transition there gains momentum, the commander of the NATO-led International Security Assistance Force said here yesterday.
• British soldiers deliver transition to Nad 'Ali UK MOD 27 Mar 2012 -- British troops in Nad 'Ali have helped Afghan forces take on more of the burden for security in the region, facilitating the process of transition.
• Pakistani Taliban asks MPs not to restore NATO supplies IRNA 27 Mar 2012 -- Pakistani Taliban have warned members of parliament against restoration of supply line for NATO troops in Afghanistan and said they would target MPs and their leaders if they recommended restoration of supplies.
• JTF-North deploys Soldiers to support Border Patrol in N.M., Ariz. Army News 27 Mar 2012 -- Active-duty Soldiers from Fort Hood and Fort Bliss deployed in mid-February to southern New Mexico and southern Arizona to support U.S. Customs and Border Protection border security efforts.

Defense Policy / Programs

• Statement by Pentagon Press Secretary George Little on Iron Dome DoD 27 Mar 2012
• Media Availability with North American Defense Ministers on Threats to North American Security at Cadieux Auditorium, Ottawa, Canada DoD 27 Mar 2012 -- Presenter: Canadian National Defense Minister Peter MacKay, U.S. Secretary of Defense Leon Panetta, Mexican National Defense Secretary General Guillermo Galvan Galvan, and Mexican Navy Secretary Admiral Mariano Synex Mendoza
• Inaugural Meeting of North American Defence Ministers Joint Statement DoD 27 Mar 2012 -- The Honorable Peter MacKay, Canada’s Minister of National Defence, the Honorable Leon E. Panetta, U.S. Secretary of Defense, General Guillermo Galván Galván, Mexican Secretary of National Defence, and Admiral Mariano Francisco Saynez Mendoza, Mexican Secretary of the Navy, met today in Ottawa for the inaugural trilateral meeting of North American Defence Ministers. The Ministers issued the following statement on their meeting:
• CNO Engages Naval Chiefs at DIMDEX 2012 NNS 27 Mar 2012 -- Chief of Naval Operations Adm. Jonathan Greenert attended the Doha International Maritime Defense Exhibition (DIMDEX) 2012 naval exhibition March 26, to engage the maritime defense leadership of the more than 70 nations in attendance at the biennial event.
• MCPON Visits Space and Naval Warfare Systems Command NNS 27 Mar 2012 -- Master Chief Petty Officer of the Navy (MCPON) (SS/SW) Rick D. West visited the Space and Naval Warfare Systems Command (SPAWAR) to speak to Sailors and civilians during an all hands call March 26.
• Cape St. George Completes Port Visit to Dubai NNS 27 Mar 2012 -- Guided-missile cruiser USS Cape St. George (CG 71) concluded a four-day port visit to Dubai, United Arab Emirates, March 17.
• NAVOCEANO Using Airborne Laser to Survey in Belize NNS 27 Mar 2012 -- For almost two months, since early February 2012, the Naval Oceanographic Office (NAVOCEANO) has been using airborne laser and imagery systems to conduct cooperative hydrographic surveys in the coastal waters of Belize.
• Iwo Jima Amphibious Ready Group, 24th Marine Expeditionary Unit Deploy NNS 27 Mar 2012 -- More than 4,000 Sailors and Marines from the Iwo Jima Amphibious Ready Group (IWO ARG) and 24th Marine Expeditionary Unit (24 MEU) departed for deployment from Norfolk and Camp Lejeune, N.C., March 27.
• Ground Breaking Starts Construction of Bridgeport Commissary NNS 27 Mar 2012 -- Naval Facilities Engineering Command (NAVFAC) Southwest and members of the Marine Corps Mountain Training Center (MCMWTC) in Bridgeport, Calif., celebrated the start of construction of a commissary facility with a ground breaking ceremony, March 27.
• NAVFAC Southwest Awards $6.99 Million Dip Tank Cleaning Facility Task Order NNS 27 Mar 2012 -- Naval Facilities Engineering Command (NAVFAC) Southwest awarded a $6.99 million task order, March 21, to Hal Hays Construction Inc. of Riverside, Calif., to design and build a dip tank cleaning facility at Marine Corps Logistics Base (MCLB) Barstow, Calif.
• HSM-77 Saberhawks Earn 2011 Isbell Award NNS 27 Mar 2012 -- The Saberhawks of Helicopter Maritime Strike Squadron (HSM) 77, deployed as part of Carrier Air Wing (CVW) 2 embarked aboard USS Abraham Lincoln (CVN 72), received the 2011 Commander, Naval Air Forces (CNAF) Pacific Capt. Arnold Jay Isbell Trophy, March 8.
• NAVFAC Mid-Atlantic Awards Contracts for Modernization of Portsmouth Naval Shipyard Facilities NNS 27 Mar 2012 -- Naval Facilities Engineering Command (NAVFAC) Mid-Atlantic's Northeast Integrated Product Team (IPT) awarded the second of two modernization contracts for work on buildings 174 and 178 at Portsmouth Naval Shipyard to Environmental Chemical Corp., of Marlborough, Mass., March 19.
• Officials Seek Construction Funds, More BRAC in Budget Hearing AFPS 27 Mar 2012 -- The Defense Department's request for $11.2 billion for military construction and family housing in the fiscal 2013 budget would balance the armed forces' needs with the nation's economic situation, the Pentagon's chief financial officer told the Senate Armed Forces Committee here today.
• U.S. Army Tropic Regions Test Center puts MRAP through its paces Army News 27 Mar 2012 -- During the worst years of the Iraqi insurgency, the Mine Resistant Ambush Protected (MRAP) vehicle was developed to protect American Soldiers from the destructive power of roadside bombs and other improvised explosive devices (IEDs).
• Army secretary to force: 'Good enough no longer good enough' Army News 27 Mar 2012 -- 'Just being good enough is no longer going to be good enough,' said John M. McHugh, secretary of the Army, as he spoke about the Army's new standard for retention.
• President visits Soldiers on DMZ Army News 27 Mar 2012 -- American Soldiers who guard the border here between South and North Korea were surprised, March 25, to get a visit from their commander in chief.
• Army lab developing gas 'plume' detection system to protect Soldiers, first responders Army News 27 Mar 2012 -- A wind monitoring and modeling system being developed by the Army Research Laboratory' s White Sands Missile Range division could one day protect Soldiers and civilians alike from weapons of mass destruction.
• DOD Needs Industry's Help to Catch Cyber Attacks, Commander Says AFPS 27 Mar 2012 -- The Defense Department needs private-sector cooperation in reporting computer network attacks in real time to stop what has been the 'greatest transfer of wealth in history' that U.S. companies lose to foreign hackers, the head of U.S. Cyber Command told a Senate committee today.
• U.S., African nations share techniques in partnership exercise AFNS 27 Mar 2012 -- Ghanaian, Benin, Togolese, Senegalese, Nigerian and U.S. air force members hit the flightline loading, guarding and marshaling aircraft March 21 during the African Partnership Flight 12-2 capstone event here.
• Pararescue Airmen aid avalanche victims AFNS 27 Mar 2012 -- A pararescue Airmen who went to the aid of avalanche victims nearly became a victim himself when the rescue helicopter dragged him and his patient across the steeply sloped mountain March 18.
• Dempsey Highlights Value of Southcom, Africom Missions AFPS 27 Mar 2012 -- The chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff arrived here yesterday for the first part of a two-nation trip to view U.S. Southern Command's mission in South America through the prism of the nation's new defense strategy.
• President Cites Progress at Nuclear Security Summit AFPS 27 Mar 2012 -- While progress has been made toward security and peace, it's 'undeniable' that a nuclear terror threat remains, President Barack Obama said in Seoul, South Korea, today.
• Press Briefing by Press Secretary Jay Carney, Deputy National Security Advisor for Strategic Communication Ben Rhodes, and NSC Director for Nuclear Threat Reduction Shawn Gallagher The White House 27 Mar 2012
• Remarks by President Obama, President Medvedev of Russia, and President Nazarbayev of Kazakstan at Trilateral Announcement The White House 27 Mar 2012
• Remarks by President Obama and Prime Minister Gilani of Pakistan before Bilateral Meeting The White House 27 Mar 2012
• Press Briefing by Deputy National Security Advisor for Strategic Communication Ben Rhodes on President Obama's Bilateral Meeting with Prime Minister Gilani of Pakistan The White House 27 Mar 2012
• U.S., Pakistan Need to 'Get it Right,' Obama Says AFPS 27 Mar 2012 -- President Barack Obama today met with Pakistan's prime minister and said he welcomes the Pakistani parliament's review of the countries' bilateral relationship.
• Obama Wants Pakistan To Respect U.S. Security Needs RFE/RL 27 Mar 2012 -- U.S. President Barack Obama has met with Pakistan's Prime Minister Yusuf Raza Gilani in the highest-level official contact between the two countries since a U.S. commando raid last year killed Al-Qaeda leader Osama bin Laden in Pakistan.
• Obama Calls for 'Balanced' Pakistani Review of Ties With US VOA 27 Mar 2012 -- U.S. President Barack Obama says Pakistan's review of its ties with the United States should not only respect Pakistan's sovereignty but also U.S. security needs.
• Growing Missile Threat Needs Robust Defenses, Official Says AFPS 27 Mar 2012 -- The United States is well protected against the current threat from limited intercontinental ballistic missile attacks, but the threat is growing, underscoring the need for a robust and flexible defense system, a senior Pentagon official said here yesterday.
• Obama Defends 'Flexibility' Comment, Hits Back At Republicans RFE/RL 27 Mar 2012 -- U.S. President Barack Obama has defended private comments he made to Russian President Dmitry Medvedev after opposition U.S. Republicans accused him of planning to give in to Russian demands if reelected.
• Obama Asked Medvedev for 'Space' on Missile Defense RIA Novosti 27 Mar 2012 -- A live microphone has captured U.S. President Barack Obama telling Russian counterpart Dmitry Medvedev he will have more room to negotiate on missile defense after the November election.
• News conference following the Nuclear Security Summit Office of the President of Russia 27 Mar 2012
• Russia to Send New Anti-Piracy Force to Gulf of Aden RIA Novosti 27 Mar 2012 -- A task force from Russia's Northern Fleet, led by the Udaloy class destroyer Vice Admiral Kulakov, will soon depart on an new anti-piracy mission off the Somali coast, the fleet's spokesman Capt. 1st Rank Vadim Serga said on Tuesday.
• Go for time-bound acquistions so as to phase out MiGs: panel IRNA 27 Mar 2012 -- Noting that 50 per cent of MiG fighter aircraft with Air Force have crashed and India is the only country still flying them, a parliamentary Standing Committee has emphasised on time-bound initiatives to acquire new aircraft and phase out old ones.
• Moscow May Help India Build Closed-Cycle Submarines RIA Novosti 27 Mar 2012 -- Russia has offered help India build air-independent (closed cycle) propulsion systems for installation in Amur 1650 class submarines and also to equip future possible joint Indian-Russian built vessels, Viktor Komardin, the deputy head of Rosoboronexport's delegation said at the Defexpo Indian defense show on Tuesday.
• HMS Liverpool's long and eventful career draws to a close UK MOD 27 Mar 2012 -- HMS Liverpool made her final entry into her Portsmouth home yesterday as an eventful 30-year career draws to a close.
• UK commits more troops to Balkans peacekeeping mission UK MOD 27 Mar 2012 -- Up to 120 UK troops are to be made available to the EU-led peacekeeping mission in Bosnia and Herzegovina, it has been announced today.
• China-India military exchanges to help build more trust: China IRNA 27 Mar 2012 -- Days after India and China agreed to have maritime cooperation, Beijing has favoured greater military ties with New Delhi, saying such exchanges would help build more 'confidence and trust' between the two countries.
• Azerbaijan Spent $1.6 Bln on Israeli Arms in 2011 RIA Novosti 27 Mar 2012 -- Azerbaijan purchased a variety of weaponry, including aerial drones and an advanced anti-missile capable radar, from Israel under a $1.6 bln contract signed in 2011, the APA news agency said on Tuesday, citing data provided by the Stockholm International Peace Research Institute (SIPRI).
• Russia Wants Controls on Georgia's Afghan Weapons RIA Novosti 27 Mar 2012 -- Weapons used by Georgian troops in Afghanistan should not be brought to Georgia, the Russian Foreign Ministry's spokesman Alexander Lukashevich said on Tuesday.
• March 27, 2012 - U.S. Department of State Daily Press Briefing US Dept. of State 27 Mar 2012

Defense Industry

• DoD News: Contracts for March 27, 2012

Other Conflicts

• 27 March 2012 - DAILY PRESS BRIEFING BY THE OFFICE OF THE SPOKESPERSON FOR THE SECRETARY-GENERAL United Nations 27 Mar 2012
• SYRIA: Unrest affecting entire communities IRIN 27 Mar 2012 -- As Ramisyah Ali El-Zaabi fled across the Syrian border - scaling a dirt wall, crawling under a fence and dropping to the ground amid gunfire - her eight-month-old daughter slept.
• Syria Accepts UN Peace Plan RIA Novosti 27 Mar 2012 -- The Syrian government has agreed to accept a peace plan proposed by UN and Arab League envoy Kofi Annan, al Jazeera television quoted his spokesman as saying.
• Syrian government accepts UN-Arab League envoy's six-point plan to end crisis UN News Centre 27 Mar 2012 -- The Syrian Government has accepted the six-point plan put forward by the Joint Special Envoy of the United Nations and the League of Arab States, Kofi Annan, who described the move as 'an important initial step' to end the violence and urged President Bashar Al-Assad to put the proposal into effect immediately.
• Annan: Syria Accepts Six-Point Peace Plan VOA 27 Mar 2012 -- U.N.-Arab League envoy on Syria Kofi Annan says the Syrian government accepted his six-point peace plan for ending the year-long crisis. Mr. Annan called the move an 'important initial step.'
• Wounded Rebel Fighters Escape Syria for Treatment VOA 27 Mar 2012 -- The opposition Free Syrian Army is sustaining heavy casualties in its fight with Syrian government forces. The injured said they cannot get treatment in Syria because they would be arrested.
• US Condemns Latest Sudan Border Clashes VOA 27 Mar 2012 -- The United States has strongly condemned renewed military violence between Sudan and South Sudan and called on both sides to end the air strikes and attacks on the ground.
• UN concerned over refugee safety as fighting persists near South Sudan-Sudan border UN News Centre 27 Mar 2012 -- The United Nations refugee agency today voiced concern over recurring fighting near the Yida refugee settlement in South Sudan, close to the border with Sudan, saying the clashes are putting residents of the camp at risk.
• South Sudan, Sudan Clash Along Tense, Disputed Border VOA 27 Mar 2012 -- South Sudan is accusing Sudan of launching a second day of airstrikes on oil-rich territory along their disputed border, one day after a rare direct military confrontation between the two rivals.
• UN calls for respect of civilians and aid agencies as mortar attacks continue in Mogadishu UN News Centre 27 Mar 2012 -- The United Nations refugee agency today called for respect of civilian life and humanitarian agencies in Mogadishu as mortar attacks continued in the Somali capital yesterday, leading to the deaths of three people.
• UN envoy warns of potential risks of lack of progress between Israel and Palestinians UN News Centre 27 Mar 2012 -- The situation between the Palestinians and Israel remains 'uncertain and difficult,' a United Nations envoy told the Security Council today, while warning of the increased risks of an absence of political progress and violence on the ground.
• YEMEN: Behind militia lines in Jaar IRIN 27 Mar 2012 -- At first glance the city of Jaar, in Abyan Governorate near the Gulf of Aden, resembles many Yemeni towns struggling to rebuild after a year of nationwide protests shackled the central government's ability to provide basic services.

News Reports

• World Leaders Call For More Nuclear Security Cooperation RFE/RL 27 Mar 2012 -- World leaders gathered for a nuclear security summit in Seoul, South Korea, have pledged tough action to combat the threat of nuclear terrorism but have agreed no new concrete measures.
• At Seoul summit, Ban outlines steps to defuse global nuclear threat UN News Centre 27 Mar 2012 -- Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon today outlined five areas that deserve greater attention as the world community strives to ensure nuclear security, from curbing terrorism financing to stricter control over fissile materials.
• Nuclear Summit Produces Few Significant Outcomes VOA 27 Mar 2012 -- President Barack Obama on Tuesday sat with the leaders of China, India, Russia and top officials from nearly 50 other countries to try to reduce the threat of nuclear terrorism at the Nuclear Security Summit in Seoul, South Korea.
• Pyongyang Vows to Go Ahead with Satellite Launch RIA Novosti 27 Mar 2012 -- North Korea will not abandon plans to launch an Earth observation satellite in April, the Korean Central News Agency said.
• FSB Accuses West over Cyber Security RIA Novosti 27 Mar 2012 -- Western special services are trying to compromise Russia's cyber security, Army Gen. Sergei Smirnov, first deputy director of the Federal Security Service (FSB), said on Tuesday.
• President vows continued efforts to improve U.S. ties CNA 27 Mar 2012 -- President Ma Ying-jeou said Tuesday his administration will continue working hard to improve relations with the United States while pursuing peace and prosperity in its engagements across the Taiwan Strait.
• Chernobyl Cover Construction to Start in April RIA Novosti 27 Mar 2012 -- Ukraine will begin the construction of a new sarcophagus at the Chernobyl nuclear plant on April 26, the 26th anniversary of the world's worst nuclear disaster, the country's president Viktor Yanukovych said.
• UN atomic agency releases report of new Japan nuclear safety measures UN News Centre 27 Mar 2012 -- The United Nations atomic energy agency today delivered its review of Japan's revised nuclear safety assessment process a year after the country was shaken by one of the world's worst nuclear accidents at the Fukushima Daiichi power plant.
• SUDAN: Feeling the pinch IRIN 27 Mar 2012