Operations
Defense Policy / Programs
Defense Industry
Other Conflicts
News Reports

Current Operations

• OIF/OEF/OND Casualty Update 16 Apr 2012 [PDF]
• Afghan Attack Response Shows Improved Forces, Leaders Say AFPS 16 Apr 2012 -- Challenges will continue in Afghanistan, but the response to recent attacks points to the maturation of Afghan security forces, U.S. defense leaders said.
• Official Dismisses Comparison of Kabul Attacks, Tet Offensive AFPS 16 Apr 2012 -- A few terrorist attacks does not make yesterday’s combat in Afghanistan’s capital of Kabul the “Taliban Tet Offensive,” the Pentagon’s top public affairs official said.
• Afghan Forces Respond to Coordinated Attacks AFPS 16 Apr 2012 -- Afghan forces responded to a series of attacks in the Afghan capital of Kabul and in a few outlying provinces yesterday, military officials reported.
• Pentagon: Haqqani Network Behind 18-Hour Afghan Assault VOA 16 Apr 2012 -- The Pentagon said the Pakistani-based militant Haqqani network was likely behind the coordinated attacks across Afghanistan.
• As Afghan Smoke Clears, Suspicion Falls On Haqqani Network RFE/RL 16 Apr 2012 -- Guns fell silent and Afghans returned to the streets in the capital and other cities targeted in daring weekend attacks by militants.
• Afghan Forces Repel 18 Hour Attack in Kabul VOA 16 Apr 2012 -- After early morning explosions and heavy gunfire on Monday shook the Afghan capital and three other Afghan provinces, the Ministry of Interior says fighting that began a day earlier has now ended.
• Afghan Attacks Show NATO Failure - Karzai RIA Novosti 16 Apr 2012 -- Afghan President Hamid Karzai said a coordinated attack on the country’s capital Kabul and three provinces on Sunday were a failure on the part of NATO and domestic intelligence forces.
• Kabul Fighting 'Over' RIA Novosti 16 Apr 2012 -- Fighting between Taliban militants and security forces in the Afghan capital of Kabul ended on Monday, after more than 18 hours of intense gunfire and rocket attacks.
• In wake of Afghanistan attacks India asks forces to be vigilant IRNA 16 Apr 2012 -- Noting that the situation in Afghanistan-Pakistan region continues to be a cause of concern, India’s Defence Minister A K Antony asked the armed forces to be more vigilant.
• Briefing: Living in the Kabul bubble IRIN 16 Apr 2012 -- A sustained attack by militants on Afghanistan’s parliament and various targets in the diplomatic zone on 15 April temporarily shut down the capital, Kabul.
• UN condemns deadly weekend raids by insurgents in Afghanistan UN News Centre 16 Apr 2012 -- Secretary-General Ban and the United Nations mission in Afghanistan strongly condemned the coordinated attacks carried out against the country’s institutions and international organizations.
• 3d ESC Soldiers deploy to Afghanistan Army News 16 Apr 2012 -- More than 150 Soldiers from the 3d Sustainment Command (Expeditionary) departed Fort Knox April 15 for a nine-month deployment to Afghanistan in support of Operation Enduring Freedom.
• Analysis: Pakistan's Parliament Takes Stand on US Ties VOA 16 Apr 2012 -- Relations between the United States and Pakistan have been in a downward spiral, reaching a low point after U.S. warplanes mistakenly attacked a border outpost in November.
• Pakistani Authorities Search for Escaped Prisoners VOA 16 Apr 2012 -- Authorities in northwest Pakistan are looking for more than 300 inmates who escaped from a prison after Taliban militants raided the facility.

Defense Policy / Programs

• Panetta, Dempsey Say Pentagon Feels Sequestration’s Shadow AFPS 16 Apr 2012 -- The shadow of sequestration is being cast over the Defense Department, and members of Congress must act to dissipate it, Defense Secretary Leon E. Panetta said.
• Navy Names Zumwalt Class Destroyer USS Lyndon B. Johnson DoD 16 Apr 2012
• Future USS Somerset Launched NNS 16 Apr 2012 -- The future USS Somerset (LPD 25) launched April 14 from Huntington Ingalls Industries' Avondale Shipyard, marking a key milestone in the ship's construction process.
• F-35 training center begins formal training AFNS 16 Apr 2012 -- While celebrating each F-35 Lightning II arrival, the integrated joint strike fighter training team also recently opened the doors for the first Air Force certification courses on the logistical support behind the nation's newest weapons platform.
• Barksdale Airmen test alternative jet fuel AFNS 16 Apr 2012 -- Airmen here assisted the Air Force's Alternative Fuels Certification Program staff in evaluating a new jet fuel blend known as alcohol-to-jet, March 26-30, 2012.
• Truman Reaches Major Propulsion Plant Milestone NNS 16 Apr 2012 -- Sailors assigned to the USS Harry S. Truman along with Norfolk Naval Shipyard partners reached its propulsion plant production completion date April 7.
• Going 'Gray' Army News 16 Apr 2012 -- A company of 1st Infantry Division Soldiers responsible for operating and maintaining an unmanned aerial system considered a "game-changer" downrange was officially activated.
• MRAP has future in Army with clearance, prepositioning Army News 16 Apr 2012 -- The mine-resistant, ambush-protected vehicle has a future in the Army, said service officials, though it won't be part of an "MRAP brigade."
• U.S. Army Hosts Third Network Integration Evaluation Army News 16 Apr 2012 -- The U.S. Army will host a Network Integration Evaluation Industry Observation Day on June 1, 2012 at Fort Bliss, Texas, and White Sands Missile Range, NM.
• New Rapid Fielding Initiative for brigade combat teams Army News 16 Apr 2012 -- The Army's Rapid Fielding Initiative (RFI) is the process by which new equipment is distributed to Soldiers either at home station or in a theater of operations. Traditionally, the fielding is conducted by a contracted workforce under Program Executive Soldier -- Soldier Protection and Individual Equipment (PM-SPIE).
• Nebraska (Gold) Returns Home to Bangor after Patrol NNS 16 Apr 2012 -- The USS Nebraska, with its Gold Crew aboard, returned home to Naval Base Kitsap-Bangor April 12 after a 70-day strategic deterrent patrol.
• 25th ID Soldiers train with ROK Army in South Korea Army News 16 Apr 2012 -- Soldiers from the 1st Battalion, 21st Infantry Regiment participated in a combined live-fire training exercise with Republic of Korea Soldiers from the 11th Infantry Division here April 13 as part of Exercise Foal Eagle 2012.
• USS Independence Conducts First Panama Canal Transit NNS 16 Apr 2012 -- Littoral combat ship USS Independence conducted the ship's first Panama Canal transit April 15 while underway to her homeport of San Diego.
• Continuous improvement and accountability drive SWCS training development Army News 16 Apr 2012 -- In 2010, training developers at Fort Bragg were directed to organize a class that would train female Soldiers to join cultural support teams and support special-operations units in Afghanistan.
• Marines provide African Lion with logistical support USMC News 16 Apr 2012 -- Exercise African Lion is an U.S. African Command sponsored, Marine Forces Africa-led exercise.
• Space Command officials eliminate flight suit, jackets AFNS 16 Apr 2012 -- Air Force Space Command officials announced April 13 that Airmen assigned to the command will cease wearing flight suits, the green flight jacket and the A-2 Leather Jacket by the end of the fiscal year.
• President Obama to Award Medal of Honor The White House 16 Apr 2012
• Panetta, Dempsey Announce Initiatives to Stop Sexual Assault AFPS 16 Apr 2012 -- The Pentagon’s top civilian and military leaders took their campaign to stop sexual assault in the military to Capitol Hill today, where they announced new initiatives to combat the problem.
• Russia Says U.S., NATO Must Change Position On Missile Shield RFE/RL 16 Apr 2012 -- Russian Deputy FM Grushko has called for the US and NATO to change their position on a missile-defense system.
• Some 40 Russian Bombers Exercise Near Japan Frontier RIA Novosti 16 Apr 2012 -- About 40 strategic bombers will participate in five-day drills in Russia’s Maritime Territory near the Japanese border.
• Belarus, Russia to Stage Airborne Assault Drills RIA Novosti 16 Apr 2012 -- Russian and Belarusian airborne assault forces will conduct a three-day joint tactical exercise, the Russian Defense Ministry said.
• Russia To Set Up Arctic Border Posts RFE/RL 16 Apr 2012 -- The daily "Izvestiya" reports that Russia's border service plans to establish 20 new Arctic border posts.
• Opening remarks by the NATO Spokesperson, Oana Lungescu, at the press briefing on the upcoming Ministerial meetings NATO 16 Apr 2012
• Air, land and sea forces combine for Exercise Joint Warrior UK MOD 16 Apr 2012 -- A tri-Service and multinational military exercise, with a total of 8,000 personnel taking part, begins this week at locations around the UK.
• India To Test Intercontinental Missile RFE/RL 16 Apr 2012 -- India is reportedly set to test-fire a new long-range nuclear-capable missile this week.
• India PM: Center, States Must Unite Against Terror VOA 16 Apr 2012 -- Prime Minister Manmohan Singh sought to reassure chief ministers of India's states he is on their side in securing the country's internal security.
• U.S. Department of State Daily Press Briefing, April 16, 2012 US Dept. of State 16 Apr 2012

Defense Industry

• DoD News: Contracts for April 16, 2012

Other Conflicts

• Daily Press Briefing by the Office of the Spokesperson for the Secretary-General, 16 April 2012 United Nations 16 Apr 2012
• Syria Cease-fire Poses New International Challenges VOA 16 Apr 2012 -- The Syrian government’s decision to partially implement the peace plan endorsed by the Arab League and the United Nations creates new challenges for world and regional leaders.
• Advance team of UN observers arrives in Syria to report on cessation of violence UN News Centre 16 Apr 2012 -- The first group of six United Nations unarmed monitors tasked by the Security Council to report on the implementation of a full cessation of armed violence in Syria has arrived in the capital, Damascus.
• Annan Plan 'Last Chance' for Syria – Opposition Figure RIA Novosti 16 Apr 2012 -- Professor Aref Dalila, head of Syria’s internal opposition: UN and Arab League envoy Kofi Annan’s plan is the last chance to normalize the political situation in Syria and the country’s authorities should not miss it.
• Syrian Clashes Continue as UN Monitors Begin Mission VOA 16 Apr 2012 -- The first six members of a U.N. observer team began work in Damascus as activists said Syrian government troops continued to shell Homs.
• Cease-Fire Erodes As First UN Monitors Arrive RFE/RL 16 Apr 2012 -- A fragile cease-fire in Syria appears to be quickly eroding, with violence reported even as an advance team of UN monitors arrived in the country.
• First UN Monitors Arrive in Syria RIA Novosti 16 Apr 2012 -- The first six United Nations monitors have arrived in Damascus as part of a peace plan designed to end 13 months of bloodshed in Syria.
• Syrian Opposition Delegation Heads to Moscow RIA Novosti 16 Apr 2012 -- Representatives of the Syrian National Coordination Committee, an internal opposition bloc, will arrive in Moscow on a three-day visit.
• Philippines, US Begin Military Exercises as Standoff With China Continues VOA 16 Apr 2012 -- Thousands of United States and Philippine troops kicked off joint military exercises against the backdrop of a standoff in the South China Sea, between the Philippines and China.
• Report: Al Qaida Finding Fertile Ground in Africa VOA 16 Apr 2012 -- From eastern shores of Somalia to western borders of Mali, there has been an upsurge in Islamist violence across Africa.
• UN chief renews call for immediate end to Sudan-South Sudan hostilities UN News Centre 16 Apr 2012 -- Secretary-General Ban reiterated his deep concern over continuing hostilities between Sudan and South Sudan.
• Sudan ‘At War’ With Neighbor, Says Ruling Party Official VOA 16 Apr 2012 -- A prominent member of Sudan’s ruling National Congress Party says the country is officially in a state of war with South Sudan.
• Latest Bombings Kill 5 in South Sudan VOA 16 Apr 2012 -- South Sudan says Sudanese warplanes have bombed several areas near the two countries' volatile border, killing five people.
• Côte d’Ivoire: UN peacekeeping chief discusses security situation with premier UN News Centre 16 Apr 2012 -- The head of United Nations peacekeeping met with the Prime Minister of Côte d’Ivoire during a visit to the West African country.
• Report: Congo's Security Sector Reform is Vital VOA 16 Apr 2012 -- A new report directed by the U.S.-based Eastern Congo Initiative is calling for more political will inside the Democratic Republic of Congo and more help from outside to effectively reform the country's security sector, after years of failure.
• Georgia May Break Open Sky Treaty – Foreign Ministry RIA Novosti 16 Apr 2012 -- Georgia’s refusal to fulfill its obligations to Russia under the 1992 Open Skies Treaty violates Moscow’s rights and may break the treaty, Russian Foreign Ministry spokesman Alexander Lukashevich said on Monday.
• Volatile Chechnya Marks Third Anniversary Of 'Peace' RFE/RL 16 Apr 2012 -- The Chechen Republic in Russia's restive North Caucasus region is marking a Day of Peace, commemorating the third anniversary of the officially announced end of counterterrorist operations in the volatile republic.

News Reports

• Security Council strongly condemns DPR Korea’s satellite launch attempt UN News Centre 16 Apr 2012 -- The Security Council strongly condemned the attempted launch by the Democratic People’s Republic of Korea of a so-called ?application satellite.’
• UN Security Council Expands North Korea Sanctions VOA 16 Apr 2012 -- The U.N. Security Council has “strongly condemned” North Korea’s failed rocket launch and unanimously agreed to expand sanctions against the increasingly isolated nation.
• UN Security Council Condemns N. Korea Rocket Launch RIA Novosti 16 Apr 2012 -- The UN Security Council strongly condemned North Korea’s rocket launch last week, calling it a serious violation of UN resolutions.
• Asia Diplomats Ponder Response to North Korea's Missile Activities VOA 16 Apr 2012 -- Diplomats in Asia are pondering their next responses to North Korea after attempted launch last week of a multi-stage rocket.
• UN Security Council 'Strongly Condemns' North Korea Rocket Launch RFE/RL 16 Apr 2012 -- The UN Security Council has "strongly condemned" North Korea's failed rocket launch.
• Turkey's Role in Iran Nuclear Talks Could Diminish VOA 16 Apr 2012 -- The latest talks on Iran's controversial nuclear program, held in Istanbul April 14, were viewed as productive by the participants.
• Clinton: 'Burden' on Iran to Show Seriousness in Nuclear Talks VOA 16 Apr 2012 -- U.S. Secretary of State Hillary Clinton has dismissed Iran's offer to resolve international concerns about its nuclear program if the West starts lifting sanctions.
• West Cautious as Iran Says Ready to Resolve Nuclear Concerns VOA 16 Apr 2012 -- Iran's foreign minister says Tehran is ready to resolve concerns over its nuclear program in exchange for an easing of sanctions.
• Iran Hints It's Open To Discussing Enrichment Levels RFE/RL 16 Apr 2012 -- Iranian Foreign Minister Ali Akbar Salehi says Iran will not give up its right to enrich uranium but hinted that the level of its enrichment is open to discussion.
• Germany highlights road map for Iran talks ahead of Baghdad meeting IRNA 16 Apr 2012 -- The five UN veto powers plus Germany will 'soon' hold expert-levels talks with Iran geared at preparing for next month's meeting in Baghdad, German foreign ministry spokesman Andreas Peschke told the press here Monday.
• Iran, G5+1 talks held in positive atmosphere: EU's Ashton IRNA 16 Apr 2012 -- European Union’s Foreign Policy Chief Catherine Ashton said that Iran and the Group 5+1 (five permanent members of UN Security Council plus Germany) held nuclear talks in a positive atmosphere in the Turkish resort city of Istanbul.
• Salehi: IR Iran, G5+1 achieve common understanding IRNA 16 Apr 2012 -- Foreign Minister Ali Akbar Salehi said that Islamic Republic of Iran and the Group 5+1 have reached a common understanding in Istanbul.
• G5+1 acknowledged Iran's right to peaceful nuclear energy: Ryabkov IRNA 16 Apr 2012 -- Russian Deputy Foreign Minister Sergei Ryabkov said on Sunday that the Group 5+1 has confirmed the entitlement of the Islamic Republic of Iran to peaceful nuclear energy based on non-proliferation treaty (NPT).
• Russian Foreign Ministry describes Iran, G5+1 talks as constructive IRNA 16 Apr 2012 -- Russian Foreign Ministry in an statement on Sunday announced that the Saturday's talks between Iran and G5+1 were held in a constructive atmosphere and based on mutual respect.
• Iran doctrine:Nuclear energy for all, nuclear weapon for no one IRNA 16 Apr 2012 -- Supreme National Security Council Secretary Saeed Jalili, by referring to Iran abilities in using peaceful nuclear energy, said Iran can be a successful model for all countries for motto of 'Nuclear energy for all, nuclear weapons for no one.'
• Iran Central Bank Issues Warning After Major Credit-Card Hack RFE/RL 16 Apr 2012 -- Iran's central bank has urged all credit- and debit-cardholders in the country to change their personal identification code numbers to increase the security of their transactions.
• Detained Russian, Kazakh Nationals Freed In Iran RFE/RL 16 Apr 2012 -- Two Russian and two Kazakh nationals detained in Iran earlier this month have been freed.
• Iran Releases Detained Russians RIA Novosti 16 Apr 2012 -- Iran has released two detained Russians, but their health is “unsatisfactory,” the Russian Foreign Ministry said on Monday.
• Iran Begins Pumping Caspian Water To Desert RFE/RL 16 Apr 2012 -- Iran's President Mahmud Ahmadinejad has launched the first phase of a project aimed at pumping water from the Caspian Sea to a desert city in Iran's central region.
• Chinese Media Warn Against Rumors in Bo Xilai Scandal VOA 16 Apr 2012 -- The scandal surrounding disgraced politician Bo Xilai continues to reverberate in China.
• India, Pakistan Take Steps to Boost Trade VOA 16 Apr 2012 -- India and Pakistan have inaugurated a new trading post on the heavily militarized Attari-Wagah border between the two countries.
• Ban voices concern over deepening political crisis in Guinea-Bissau UN News Centre 16 Apr 2012 -- Secretary-General Ban voiced grave concern over the fact that the leaders of last week’s coup have continued to deepen the political crisis through their declared plans to establish a transitional government.
• Guinea-Bissau Coup Leaders Announce Transitional Council VOA 16 Apr 2012 -- In Guinea Bissau, opposition politicians are expected to announce the leaders of a new transitional government, which will reserve a prominent role for the military personnel who seized control of the country last week.
• Sierra Leone Ruling Party Official Defends Arms Import VOA 16 Apr 2012 -- The Secretary-General of the ruling Sierra Leone All People’s Congress party said the government of President Ernest Bai Koroma is committed to holding free, fair, and non-violent elections in November.
• Ghana Police Arrest Legislator for ‘Law Breaking’ Rhetoric VOA 16 Apr 2012 -- Ghana’s deputy information minister has sharply denied the arrest of an opposition lawmaker is politically motivated.
• UN congratulates Timor-Leste for peaceful and orderly run-off poll UN News Centre 16 Apr 2012 -- Secretary-General Ban and his top envoy in Timor-Leste have congratulated the people of the country on the successful holding of the second round of the presidential election.
• European Court 'Could Not' Rule on Russia's Katyn Investigation RIA Novosti 16 Apr 2012 -- The European Court of Human Rights said on Monday it could not consider complaints over Russia's investigation into the 1940 Katyn massacre.
• News Analysis: Government Promises 'New Armenia' As Vote Nears RFE/RL 16 Apr 2012 -- The international community is watching the current campaign intently, waiting to see if Armenia can make a qualitative breakthrough in governance.