Operations
Defense Policy / Programs
Defense Industry
Other Conflicts
News Reports

Current Operations

• OIF/OEF/OND Casualty Update 18 Apr 2012 [PDF]
• Afghan, Coalition Forces Kill 1 Insurgent, Detain 5 Others AFPS 18 Apr 2012 -- Afghan and coalition forces killed one insurgent and detained five suspects during operations in eastern Afghanistan.
• Statement by the Press Secretary on the Los Angeles Times Story DoD 18 Apr 2012
• Panetta Rejects Conduct Shown in 2010 Troop Photos AFPS 18 Apr 2012 -- Defense Secretary Leon E. Panetta strongly rejects the conduct depicted in 2010 photos of soldiers posing with corpses of insurgent suicide bombers in Afghanistan.
• New Photos Show US Soldiers Posing With Afghan Insurgent Remains VOA 18 Apr 2012 -- U.S. Defense Secretary Leon Panetta is promising an investigation, after an American newspaper published photos of U.S. soldiers holding what appear to be the body parts of an Afghan insurgent.
• U.S. Condemns Behavior Of U.S. Troops Shown In New Afghan Photos RFE/RL 18 Apr 2012 -- The U.S. government said it "strongly rejects" the conduct of several U.S. soldiers shown in photographs apparently abusing the corpses of suspected Afghan militants.
• New Photos Show US Soldiers Posing With Afghan Insurgent Remains VOA 18 Apr 2012 -- Photographs showing U.S. soldiers posing with the remains of suicide bombers is drawing condemnation from top U.S. and NATO officials.
• Media Availability with Secretaries Clinton and Panetta at the NATO Ministerial DoD 18 Apr 2012
• Clinton, Panetta: NATO Partners Committed to Afghanistan AFPS 18 Apr 2012 -- Meetings provided a clear sense of NATO’s ongoing commitment to the security mission in Afghanistan up to and beyond 2014.
• NATO Conference Focuses on Post-2014 Afghanistan AFPS 18 Apr 2012 -- NATO Secretary General Anders Fogh Rasmussen today emphasized support to Afghanistan beyond 2014 in remarks opening a conference of the alliance’s defense and foreign ministers here.
• NATO: Members Ready For 'Concrete' Financing Of Afghan Forces RFE/RL 18 Apr 2012 -- NATO Secretary-General Anders Fogh Rasmussen has said a number of alliance countries have announced "concrete financial contributions" to help sustain Afghan forces after the international forces' planned withdrawal.
• NATO Pledges Commitment to Afghanistan Despite Costs VOA 18 Apr 2012 -- NATO said it will not abandon Afghanistan to its enemies despite the financial costs.
• NATO Ministers To Discuss Afghan Withdrawal RFE/RL 18 Apr 2012 -- NATO ministers have gathered in Brussels for two days of talks that are expected to focus on the planned military withdrawal from Afghanistan.
• Afghan Authorities Eye Taliban In Suspected Girls School Poisoning RFE/RL 18 Apr 2012 -- Officials in Afghanistan's northeastern province of Takhar believe the Taliban was responsible for the suspected poisoning this week of more than 140 schoolgirls and their female teachers.
• Kabul's New Peace Negotiator Causes Stir RFE/RL 18 Apr 2012 -- Ever since the September assassination of Burhanuddin Rabbani, the former Afghan president and leader of the Afghan High Peace Council, the presidentially appointed body tasked with negotiating with the Taliban had been looking for the perfect replacement.
• Airdrops could play key role in eventual Afghanistan transition AFNS 18 Apr 2012 -- During 2011, mobility Airmen airdropped more than 80 million pounds of cargo for troops deployed throughout austere locations in Afghanistan.
• Aircraft ramp expanded at Kandahar Airfield Army News 18 Apr 2012 -- The 451st Air Expeditionary Wing received 38 acres of strategic and tactical ramp space with the completion of a U.S. Army Corps of Engineers construction project.
• 2nd Supply Battalion welcomes home last-remaining Afghanistan deployers USMC News 18 Apr 2012 -- The last-remaining Marines and sailors attached to 2nd Marine Logistics Group’s 2nd Supply Battalion returned home April 18.
• Pakistan postpones reopening of NATO supply line IRNA 18 Apr 2012 -- Pakistan has postponed decision of the restoration of supply line for U.S-led NATO forces in Afghanistan until the U.S. gives positive response to the country's demands and conditions.
• Bin Laden Family Deportation From Pakistan Delayed RFE/RL 18 Apr 2012 -- The planned deportation of Osama bin Laden's family from Pakistan has been postponed due to what a lawyer for the family said was a delay in the preparation of legal documents.
• Osama family completes jail term, faces deportation IRNA 18 Apr 2012 -- Osama bin Laden's three widows and two eldest daughters Wednesday completed their 45-day sentence for living in Pakistan illegally and could be deported any time.

Defense Policy / Programs

• Opening statement by NATO Secretary General Anders Fogh Rasmussen at the North Atlantic Council Meeting in Defence Ministers Session NATO 18 Apr 2012
• Arrival statement by NATO Secretary General Anders Fogh Rasmussen prior to the NATO Foreign Affairs and Defence Ministers meetings at NATO Headquarters NATO 18 Apr 2012
• Press conference by NATO Secretary General Anders Fogh Rasmussen following the North Atlantic Council Meeting in Defence Ministers Session - Opening statement NATO 18 Apr 2012
• Press point by NATO Secretary General Anders Fogh Rasmussen following the joint North Atlantic Council meeting in Foreign Affairs and Defence Ministers session NATO 18 Apr 2012
• NATO Defence Ministers plan for NATO Forces 2020 NATO 18 Apr 2012 -- NATO Defence Ministers discussed the best way to make sure that NATO has the modern capabilities it needs for the coming decade and beyond at their meeting at Alliance headquarters on 18 April.
• NATO defence and foreign ministers prepare Chicago summit NATO 18 Apr 2012 -- The defence and foreign ministers of NATO’s 28 member states gathered at the Alliance’s headquarters in Brussels on 18 April, 2012 for two days of talks to prepare the forthcoming NATO Summit in Chicago.
• NATO Members Discuss Greater Defense Integration Before Chicago Summit VOA 18 Apr 2012 -- NATO's chief is urging members to coordinate their security policies more closely in this period of budget cuts.
• FACT SHEET: Release of National Security Report on Revising U.S. Export Controls on Satellites The White House 18 Apr 2012
• DOD Announces Release of Section 1248 Report - Space Export Control Policy Reform Supported DoD 18 Apr 2012
• Report Urges Lifting Some Satellite Export Controls AFPS 18 Apr 2012 -- Officials from the Defense and State departments released a report that urges Congress to move communications and some remote-sensing satellites off the tightly controlled U.S. Munitions List and into the commercial enterprise.
• Budget Request Aligns Science With Strategy, Official Says AFPS 18 Apr 2012 -- The Defense Department’s fiscal 2013 budget request maintains science and technology spending in accordance with President Barack Obama’s strategic guidance for a smaller, leaner, more flexible and agile military.
• Future USS Mississippi Successfully Passes Sea Trials, On Track for Summer Commissioning NNS 18 Apr 2012 -- Pre-Commissioning Unit Mississippi, the nation's newest and most advanced nuclear-powered attack submarine, arrived April 17 at General Dynamics Electric Boat.
• Columbus Visits Yokosuka during Western Pacific Deployment NNS 18 Apr 2012 -- USS Columbus arrived at Fleet Activities Yokosuka April 19 for a visit as part of its deployment to the western Pacific.
• DESRON 26, US Ships Begin Joint Warrior 12-1 NNS 18 Apr 2012 -- Commander, Destroyer Squadron 26, USS Forrest Sherman, and the USNS Leroy Grumman are participating in a multinational exercise off the coast of Scotland.
• Moroccans, Marines prep for final exercise at Exercise Africa Lion 2012 USMC News 18 Apr 2012 -- Marines of BLT 1/2nd Marines and Moroccan Armed Forces service members teamed up to rehearse the final exercise for Exercise Africa Lion 2012.
• Beyond the Horizon exercise begins in Honduras Army News 18 Apr 2012 -- U.S. Army South and the Honduran military kicked off the Beyond the Horizon Honduras 2012 exercise April 16, in a ceremony at a remote forward operating base near Naco, Honduras.
• USS Nitze Completes PASSEX with Egyptian Ship NNS 18 Apr 2012 -- USS Nitze participated in a passing exercise with Egyptian Navy corvette ship El Suez (F941), April 6.
• Army Releases March Suicide Data DoD 18 Apr 2012
• Army Research Drives Brain Injury Science AFPS 18 Apr 2012 -- With $633 million and 472 active research projects on traumatic brain injury alone, the Army is driving the science behind this neglected public health problem that affects everyone from kids on the sports field to service members in Afghanistan.
• Army Refines Medical Management of Concussion AFPS 18 Apr 2012 -- Over the past 20 months, the Army has been working to refine the way it tracks and treats the most common form of battlefield brain injuries - concussion, also called mild traumatic brain injury, or mTBI.
• Russia to Deliver More Air Defense Systems to Belarus RIA Novosti 18 Apr 2012 -- Russia will continue deliveries of Tor-M2 air defense systems to Belarus in 2012, Defense Minister Anatoly Serdyukov said.
• Russia’s Yak-130 Joins Philippine Combat Trainer Tender RIA Novosti 18 Apr 2012 -- Russia has decided to join a tender on the delivery of six light fighter jets to the Philippines with its new Yakovlev Yak-130 Mitten combat trainer.
• Russia, Morocco Pledge Stronger Military Ties RIA Novosti 18 Apr 2012 -- Russia and Morocco have agreed to strengthen bilateral military-technical cooperation, Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov said.
• Blast Hits Lithuanian Military Unit During Demining Exercise RIA Novosti 18 Apr 2012 -- A blast ripped through a Lithuanian military unit in Vilnius during demining exercise, with conflicting reports on casualties and the number of injuries.
• India cannot be target for regime based restrictions: Foreign Secretary IRNA 18 Apr 2012 -- India said it cannot be the target of regime based restrictions and pitched for full membership of export control entities, including the Nuclear Suppliers Group.
• NATO Says India Poses No Missile Threat RIA Novosti 18 Apr 2012 -- NATO does not consider India as a missile threat despite the country’s advanced missile development program, NATO Secretary General Anders Fogh Rasmussen said.
• Taiwan debuts self-made drone in war games CNA 18 Apr 2012 -- A drone aircraft developed by Taiwan was debuted during the annual Han Kuang exercises, the country's most important war games involving its three branches of armed forces.
• U.S. Department of State Daily Press Briefing, April 18, 2012 US Dept. of State 18 Apr 2012

Defense Industry

• DoD News: Contracts for April 18, 2012

Other Conflicts

• Daily Press Briefing by the Office of the Spokesperson for the Secretary-General, 18 April 2012 United Nations 18 Apr 2012
• Head of UN peacekeeping discusses cooperation with senior official of West African bloc UN News Centre 18 Apr 2012 -- The United Nations top peacekeeping official had discussions with a senior official of the sub-regional bloc of West African States on issues of mutual interest between the two organizations.
• Despite Truce, Syrian Forces Continue Attack on Homs VOA 18 Apr 2012 -- Syria's nearly week-old cease-fire continued to deteriorate as a bombing killed six Syrian law enforcement officers and government forces renewed shelling in the flashpoint Homs region.
• Syrian Foreign Minister Rejects Call For More UN Monitors RFE/RL 18 Apr 2012 -- Syrian Foreign Minister Walid Muallem says that 250 is a "reasonable and logical" number of UN observers to monitor his country's cease-fire.
• UN Finds Human Rights Violations by Syria Opposition RIA Novosti 18 Apr 2012 -- A UN commission has found serious human rights violations have been committed by Syria's opposition movement.
• EU Threatens Syria with New Sanctions RIA Novosti 18 Apr 2012 -- The European Union is working on a new set of sanctions against Syria, EU foreign policy chief Catherine Ashton said.
• United States Wants Tough Sanctions against Syria RIA Novosti 18 Apr 2012 -- The United States is pushing for tough sanctions against Syria, U.S. State Department spokesman Mark Toner said.
• Russia Concerned Over Attempts to ‘Privatize’ Annan Plan RIA Novosti 18 Apr 2012 -- Moscow is concerned over attempts by self-proclaimed structures to “privatize” interntaionally approved efforts to end the Syrian conflict.
• Ship Allegedly Carrying Arms to Syria Stopped for Inspection RIA Novosti 18 Apr 2012 -- The Turkish maritime authorities stopped a German-owned, Bermuda-flagged vessel for inspection following reports that it may be transporting Iranian weapons to Syria in violation of a European Union arms embargo.
• Pakistan Army Chief Calls for Demilitarization of World Highest Battleground VOA 18 Apr 2012 -- Pakistan’s powerful military chief has made a rare call for the demilitarization of the Siachen Glacier.
• Iran condemns PGCC statement regarding Iranian islands IRNA 18 Apr 2012 -- Foreign Ministry spokesman Ramin Mehmanparast deplored the repetition of unfounded claims regarding the three Iranian islands of Abu Musa, Lesser and Greater Tunbs by the Persian Gulf Cooperation Council.
• Gulf Bloc United Over Island Dispute With Iran RFE/RL 18 Apr 2012 -- Persian Gulf Arab states say they stand united in a territorial dispute between Iran and the United Arab Emirates.
• UN envoy condemns eviction of Palestinian families from East Jerusalem homes UN News Centre 18 Apr 2012 -- A senior United Nations official has condemned the eviction of two Palestinian families from their homes in East Jerusalem and called for an end to such violations of international law.
• Israel Frees Palestinian Prisoner After 2-Month Hunger Strike RIA Novosti 18 Apr 2012 -- Israeli authorities freed Palestinian detainee Hader Adnan who launched a 66-day hunger strike against his administrative arrest.
• Bashir Seeks to 'Liberate' South Sudan VOA 18 Apr 2012 -- Addressing a youth rally, Bashir threatened to overthrow the government of South Sudan.
• Moscow Urges Pullout of S.Sudan Troops from Border Area RIA Novosti 18 Apr 2012 -- Moscow is concerned by the explosive situation in the border area between Sudan and South Sudan and insists that all South Sudanese troops be pulled out from the Heglig area.
• Philippine position on Bajo de Masinloc (Scarborough Shoal) and the waters within its vicinity Philippines Department of Foreign Affairs 18 Apr 2012 -- Background on the Bajo de Masinloc (Panatag) incidentBajo de Masinloc is an integral part of the Philippine territory.
• Disputed Tiaoyutai Islands not for sale: Interior Ministry CNA 18 Apr 2012 -- Taiwan's sovereignty over the Tiaoyutai Islands is unquestionable, and the Tokyo governor's remark that his city intends to purchase the archipelago is nothing more than the governor's personal opinion.
• YEMEN: Rising landmine death toll in Hajjah Governorate IRIN 18 Apr 2012 -- Mines and other explosive remnants of war have killed 27 people and injured at least 36 in the last two months in Hajjah Governorate, northwestern Yemen.
• Abkhazia Slams U.S. for Deterring Country’s Recognition RIA Novosti 18 Apr 2012 -- Abkhaz Foreign Minister Vyacheslav Chirikba accused the United States of blackmailing countries whose governments were ready to recognize the breakaway Georgian republic as an independent state.
• Second Suspect in Abkhaz Assassination Attempt Commits Suicide RIA Novosti 18 Apr 2012 -- Abkhazia’s Prosecutor General’s Office has confirmed that a second suspect in an attempt to assassinate the Georgian breakaway republic's president committed suicide.
• OSCE Welcomes New Steps In Transdniester Talks RFE/RL 18 Apr 2012 -- The Organization for Security and Cooperation in Europe has welcomed the outcome of the latest round of negotiations between Moldova and its breakaway Transdniester region.

News Reports

• South Korea to Continue Aid to North Despite Rocket Launch VOA 18 Apr 2012 -- South Korea is to continue providing humanitarian aid to its impoverished neighbor, with whom it remains technically at war.
• US Lawmakers Call for Tougher Approach to North Korea VOA 18 Apr 2012 -- A U.S. congressional panel has held a hearing called "North Korea After Kim Jong Il: Still Dangerous and Erratic."
• IAEA Unlikely to Send Delegation to North Korea VOA 18 Apr 2012 -- The U.S. ambassador to the United Nations says the world body stands ready to take further action against North Korea if that country continues to pursue missile launches or nuclear tests.
• Pyongyang Says No Longer Bound By Agreement With U.S. RFE/RL 18 Apr 2012 -- North Korea has rejected a rebuke by the United Nations over its failed long-range rocket launch.
• North Korea Breaks Off Agreement with US VOA 18 Apr 2012 -- The International Atomic Energy Agency says it is now unlikely to send a delegation to North Korea, after Pyongyang stated it is no longer bound by an agreement with the United States not to test missiles and nuclear devices.
• KPA: S. Korea Will Face Stern Punishment KCNA 18 Apr 2012 -- A spokesman for the Supreme Command of the Korean People's Army on April 18 issued the following statement.
• FM Spokesman: Iran optimistic about future of talks with G5+1 IRNA 18 Apr 2012 -- FM spokesman Mehmanparast said that Iran is optimistic about future of talks with G5+1 recently held in Istanbul, Turkey.
• Swiss Extend Iran Sanctions, Exempt Central Bank RFE/RL 18 Apr 2012 -- The Swiss government says it has extended financial sanctions against Iran by freezing the assets of 11 more companies and individuals.
• Iranian Lawmakers Submit Letter Criticizing Ahmadinejad RFE/RL 18 Apr 2012 -- A group of Iranian lawmakers has submitted a letter to the parliament speaker criticizing President Mahmud Ahmadinejad.
• Burmese Pro-Democracy Leader Prepares for Historic Overseas Trip VOA 18 Apr 2012 -- Burma's democracy leader Aung San Suu Kyi is expected to make her first trip overseas in 24 years.
• US Removes Ban on Charity Activities in Burma VOA 18 Apr 2012 -- This week the United States relaxed some long-standing economic sanctions on Burma, in hopes of encouraging additional reforms after landmark elections earlier this month.
• EU to Allow Myanmar to Export Goods at Discount RIA Novosti 18 Apr 2012 -- The EU will abolish 20-year sanctions against Myanmar and include the country into its generalized system of preferences, EU foreign policy chief Catherine Ashton said.
• Ousted Mali Leader at Senegal Embassy in Bamako VOA 18 Apr 2012 -- Senegalese President Macky Sall says Mali's ousted leader Amadou Toumani Toure is being sheltered at Senegal's embassy in Bamako, Mali.
• Malians Denounce Arrests by Junta VOA 18 Apr 2012 -- Malians are protesting the arrest of several leading political and military figures by the junta that is supposed to be stepping aside for civilian leaders.
• Ban voices concern over arrests of public officials in Mali UN News Centre 18 Apr 2012 -- Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon voiced concern over a fresh wave of arrests of high-ranking public officials in Mali.
• US Consulate Reportedly Shielded Bo Aide, Delivering Him to Beijing VOA 18 Apr 2012 -- U.S. officials in China are reported to have held a former Chongqing police chief so he could be handed over to Beijing authorities rather than local police.
• Xinhua warns against power abuse after Bo's removal CNA 18 Apr 2012 -- China's state-run Xinhua News Agency warned against power abuses by leading officials after the recent removal of Bo Xilai from his posts in the Communist Party of China.
• Taiwan President Wraps Up Tour of Africa VOA 18 Apr 2012 -- Taiwan's president wrapped up a 12-day, 3-country tour of Africa aimed at reaffirming Taipei's diplomatic links to the continent in the face of Beijing's increasing influence in Africa.
• Demonstrations Planned as Racing Event Heads for Bahrain VOA 18 Apr 2012 -- The motor racing Formula One Grand Prix heads to Bahrain this weekend, a year after it was cancelled because of violent anti-government protests and a government crackdown.
• Cuba Reforms Economy in Effort to Preserve Political System VOA 18 Apr 2012 -- President Barack Obama faced criticism from other leaders at the Summit of the Americas in Colombia for insisting on democratic reforms in Cuba before the United States will lift its 50-year-old economic embargo against the island nation.
• Drive to Restore Presidential Term Limits Gains Momentum in Uganda VOA 18 Apr 2012 -- Pressure is mounting on Uganda’s President Yoweri Musevi to retire after his current term ends in 2016.
• Violence in port city claims 8 lives IRNA 18 Apr 2012 -- At least eight people were killed and dozens sustained injuries in different firing incidents in port city of Karachi.
• ICC Chief Prosecutor Visits Libya To Discuss Qaddafi's Son RFE/RL 18 Apr 2012 -- ICC chief prosecutor Luis Moreno-Ocampo has arrived in the Libyan capital, Tripoli, to follow up on the case of Muammar Qaddafi's captured son, Seif al-Islam.
• NIGERIA: Urgent need for police reform IRIN 18 Apr 2012 -- Chidi Odinkalu, chair of Nigeria’s National Human Rights Commission, was summoned for an interview with police yesterday over remarks he made in March about the judiciary and the police.
• Zimbabwe President Wants Elections to End Coalition Government VOA 18 Apr 2012 -- Zimbabwe’s President Robert Mugabe marked the country's 32 years of independence by calling on a committee that is drafting a new constitution to speed up the process so polls can be held.
• Zimbabwe's Indigenization-themed Festivities Irk MDC VOA 18 Apr 2012 -- Zimbabwe celebrates 32 years of independence from Great Britain, but already the mood surrounding planned festivities appears tainted by disagreements within the country’s coalition government.
• Rwandan Opposition Leader Withdraws From Trial VOA 18 Apr 2012 -- Jailed Rwandan opposition leader Victoire Ingabire, charged with terrorism and denying the 1994 Rwanda genocide, withdrew from her trial in dramatic fashion this week.
• Tymoshenko to Miss Court Hearing over Poor Health RIA Novosti 18 Apr 2012 -- Jailed Ukrainian ex-PM Tymoshenko has refused to attend a preliminary court hearing into her other criminal case, citing poor health.
• Putin’s Presidency to ‘Bring No Foreign Policy Changes’ RIA Novosti 18 Apr 2012 -- The return of PM Putin to the post of Russia’s president he held in 2000-2008 will not cause serious changes in the country’s foreign policy.
• PACE Election Criticism ‘Logical’ - Russia RIA Novosti 18 Apr 2012 -- The report by a delegation of monitors from the Parliamentary Assembly of the Council of Europe on Russia’s presidential elections is realistic while its criticism is logical.
• First Round of French Presidential Elections Set for Sunday VOA 18 Apr 2012 -- France holds presidential elections on Sunday and voters have a wide range of candidates to choose among - from the man they know, incumbent Nicolas Sarkozy, to the extremes of left and right.