Operations
Defense Policy / Programs
Defense Industry
Other Conflicts
News Reports

Current Operations

• OIF/OEF/OND Casualty Update 20 Apr 2012 [PDF]
• Afghanistan Helicopter Crash Claims 4 Service Members AFPS 20 Apr 2012 -- Four International Security Assistance Force service members died in a helicopter crash in southern Afghanistan.
• RAF Tornados in seven-hour mission to defend ISAF troops in Afghanistan UK MOD 20 Apr 2012 -- RAF Tornado GR4 aircraft from 617 Squadron have helped to defend US and Afghan forces from an insurgent attack as part of a marathon mission lasting over seven hours.
• NATO Head Asks Russia, China To Help Fund Afghan Security RFE/RL 20 Apr 2012 -- NATO Secretary-General Anders Fogh Rasmussen has called on Russia and China to help fund Afghan security after 2014, when international troops are due to leave the country.
• Tajik President Concerned About Security After Afghanistan Troop Withdrawal RFE/RL 20 Apr 2012 -- Tajikistan's President Emomali Rahmon says NATO troops' withdrawal from Afghanistan in 2014 will affect regional security.
• Combat Logistics Battalion 1 finishes tour in Afghanistan, transfers authority USMC News 20 Apr 2012 -- Marines and sailors with Combat Logistics Battalion 1, 1st Marine Logistics Group (Forward) stood in formation eagerly awaiting the official end of their tour in Afghanistan, April 17.
• Four U.S. Service Members Killed in Afghanistan Helicopter Crash AFPS 20 Apr 2012 -- Defense Department officials said today the four International Security Assistance Force members killed in a helicopter crash in southern Afghanistan yesterday were Americans.
• U.S. Says All Dead In Afghan Helicopter Crash Americans RFE/RL 20 Apr 2012 -- U.S. military officials say all four NATO troops killed in a helicopter crash in southern Afghanistan on April 19 were Americans.
• Americans Feared Dead in Afghan Helicopter Crash VOA 20 Apr 2012 -- U.S. officials said the four people aboard an American Black Hawk helicopter that crashed in southwestern Afghanistan were likely Americans.
• John Kerry to visit Pakistan for apology over NATO strikes IRNA 20 Apr 2012 -- US President Barack Obama is sending his key trouble-shooter to Pakistan later this month in light of new foreign policy guidelines recently approved by parliament.

Defense Policy / Programs

• Presidential Memorandum - Delegation of Reporting Functions Specified in Section 1235(c) of the National Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2012 The White House 20 Apr 2012
• AF officials plan for scheduled downtime to upgrade MilPDS AFNS 20 Apr 2012 -- The Air Force Personnel Operations Agency here is upgrading and transferring the Military Personnel Data System to the Defense Information Systems Agency's Defense Enterprise Computing Center later this year.
• DOD Announces New Teleworking Policy AFPS 20 Apr 2012 -- The Department of Defense today announced a new policy that will promote more teleworking across the civilian workforce, according to a DOD news release.
• Iwo Jima ARG, 24th MEU Complete African Lion NNS 20 Apr 2012 -- The 24th Marine Expeditionary Unit (MEU)in conjunction with the Iwo Jima Amphibious Ready Group (ARG completed joint and bilateral exercise CJCS Exercise African Lion 2012, April 17.
• USS Simpson, U.S. Coast Guard Participate in Cape Verde lead AMLEP Operations NNS 20 Apr 2012 -- Six members comprising a team of Cape Verde's Coast Guard, Maritime and Judicial Police, joined eight members of a U.S. Coast Guard Law Enforcement Detachment (LEDET) and Sailors from the guided-missile frigate USS Simpson (FFG 56), March 27 through April 18, in recent African Maritime Law Enforcement Partnership (AMLEP) operations.
• Spanish, Brazilian Ships Visit Norfolk NNS 20 Apr 2012 -- Spanish frigate SPS Blaz de Leso (F 103) arrived in Norfolk April 16, and Brazilian frigate BNS Independzência (F 44) arrived April 19 to participate in a composite unit training exercise (COMTUEX) with the Carrier Strike Group (CSG) 8.
• Naval Hospital Bremerton Personnel Depart for Pacific Partnership 2012 NNS 20 Apr 2012 -- Throughout the week of April 16-20, approximately 40 staff members from Naval Hospital Bremerton (NHB) have departed to report for Pacific Partnership 2012.
• Army tactical communication network organization reflects on its rich history Army News 20 Apr 2012 -- PM WIN-T reflects back on its own history, with roots in early satellite development that date back more than 60 years.
• Balikatan 2012 officially begins USMC News 20 Apr 2012 -- Balikatan, a Tagalog word meaning “shoulder-to-shoulder,” is an annual bilateral exercise on its 28th iteration and the third humanitarian assistance/disaster relief focused exercise between the two nations.
• Program Brings Together Northwest Africa Leaders and Partners AFRICOM 20 Apr 2012 -- The senior-level strategic symposium, which included participants from Canada, Italy, the Netherlands, and the United States, was designed to synchronize northwest African efforts to address terrorism throughout the region.
• 31st MEU snipers sharpen skills USMC News 20 Apr 2012 -- Snipers with the 31st MEU, III Marine Expeditionary Force take part in the three-week maritime raid force urban sniper course.
• Understanding National Capital Region Security Army News 20 Apr 2012 -- The number of organizations providing security and/or security assistance within the National Capital Region may be hard to comprehend for the average resident.
• VA Increases Mental Health Care Workforce AFPS 20 Apr 2012 -- The U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs will add approximately 1,600 clinicians as well as nearly 300 support staff, to its existing mental health workforce of 20,590, Veterans Affairs Secretary Eric K. Shinseki announced.
• President Obama to Sign Proclamation Designating Fort Ord National Monument The White House 20 Apr 2012
• No Russian-Italian Deal on Missile Defense RIA Novosti 20 Apr 2012 -- Russia failed to sway Italy on NATO’s missile defense shield that is to be deployed in Europe, Russian Defense Minister Anatoly Serdyukov said.
• Russia to Test Fly First Combat Drone in 2014 RIA Novosti 20 Apr 2012 -- Russia will test fly its first domestically-produced strike unmanned aerial vehicle in 2014.
• President wraps up inspection of military exercise CNA 20 Apr 2012 -- President Ma wrapped up his inspection of Taiwan's annual Han Kuang military exercises with a quick tour of a military site in Taoyuan.
• Press Briefing by Press Secretary Jay Carney and Secretary of Education Arne Duncan, 4/20/12 The White House 20 Apr 2012
• U.S. Department of State Daily Press Briefing, April 20, 2012 US Dept. of State 20 Apr 2012

Defense Industry

• DoD News: Contracts for April 20, 2012

Other Conflicts

• Daily Press Briefing by the Office of the Spokesperson for the Secretary-General, 20 April 2012 United Nations 20 Apr 2012
• Government Shelling, Deadly Blasts in Syria Despite Cease-fire VOA 20 Apr 2012 -- Syrian government troops pounded at least three districts in the flashpoint city of Homs, despite an eight-day-old ceasefire.
• Violence Erodes Fragile Syrian Cease-Fire VOA 20 Apr 2012 -- A cease-fire in Syria showed more signs of unraveling as security forces fired shots at protesters and pounded opposition strongholds.
• Annan Spokesman Says Syria Situation 'Not Good' RFE/RL 20 Apr 2012 -- Thousands of Syrians have taken part in protests against President Bashar al-Assad's regime.
• Russia ‘Cooperative’ on Syria – Pentagon Chief RIA Novosti 20 Apr 2012 -- Russia has started interacting with the United States and other countries on the Syria issue, U.S. Defense Secretary Leon Panetta said.
• Syria Ceasefire Efforts in Russia's Interests - Panetta RIA Novosti 20 Apr 2012 -- Russia’s cooperation with the international community to achieve a ceasefire in Syria is in its own interests, U.S. Defense Secretary Leon Panetta said.
• Response plan to help Syrian refugees only 20 per cent funded – UN agency UN News Centre 20 Apr 2012 -- The UN refugee agency said that one month after the United Nations issued an appeal for $84 million to help Syrian refugees, only 20 per cent of the funds had been given.
• Pakistan Zardari says no unilateral troops withdrawal from Siachen IRNA 20 Apr 2012 -- Pakistan's President Zardari ruled out any unilateral withdrawal of troops from Siachen.
• Taiwan reaffirms stance on island group in South China Sea CNA 20 Apr 2012 -- The Ministry of Foreign Affairs reaffirmed Taiwan's position on the South China Sea amid reports of a standoff between the Philippines and China over a disputed island group.
• Patrols on alert for foreign boats near Taiping Island CNA 20 Apr 2012 -- Taiwan's Coast Guard Administration said that it is closely monitoring all foreign vessels near the waters of Taiwan-controlled Taiping Island in the South China Sea.
• Yemeni Military, Al-Qaeda Clash Leaves 'At Least 18 Militants' Dead RFE/RL 20 Apr 2012 -- Yemen's military says its troops have seized control of an Al-Qaeda stronghold, killing at least 18 militants.
• Al-Qaeda Branch Claims Responsibility For Iraq Bomb Spree RFE/RL 20 Apr 2012 -- Al-Qaeda's branch in Iraq has claimed responsibility for a spate of bomb attacks across the country.
• Russian, Iraqi-Kurd Politicians Seek Closer Ties RIA Novosti 20 Apr 2012 -- Russian lawmakers have moved to establish closer ties with Iraq’s autonomous Kurdistan region.
• Ban notes South Sudan's announcement on withdrawal, urges talks UN News Centre 20 Apr 2012 -- Taking note of South Sudan's announcement that it is withdrawing from the oil-producing region of Heglig in Sudan, Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon today urged the Governments of both countries to resume negotiations immediately under the auspices of the African Union High-Level Panel to resolve their outstanding differences.
• On Ground in Heglig, Threat of War Persists VOA 20 Apr 2012 -- About 100 soldiers lay around the shaded grounds of a military hospital, nursing injuries sustained on the frontlines.
• South Sudan Announces Heglig Withdrawal VOA 20 Apr 2012 -- South Sudan has said it will withdraw troops from an oil-rich area it seized last week that is also claimed by Sudan, easing tensions with its former civil war foe and fears of a return to all-out war.
• Sudan Retakes Disputed Oil-Rich Region RIA Novosti 20 Apr 2012 -- The Sudanese Army has retaken Heglig, the main city in the eponymous disputed oil district, a week after the South Sudanese Army entered the area.
• Darfur: UN-African Union mission chief concerned over developments in south UN News Centre 20 Apr 2012 -- The head of the joint UN-AU peacekeeping mission in the western Sudanese region of Darfur expressed serious concern over developments in the region’s south.
• UN official stresses importance of international support for anti-LRA efforts UN News Centre 20 Apr 2012 -- A United Nations official today spoke out on the importance of sustained international efforts to bring the Lord's Resistance Army (LRA) to justice.
• More Malians Flee to Mauritania VOA 20 Apr 2012 -- Doctors Without Borders, also known as MSF, says Malians have been crossing the border since January to escape ongoing fighting.
• Aid Agencies Run Convoys to Northern Mali VOA 20 Apr 2012 -- The first convoy delivering food and medicines to rebel-occupied northern Mali just returned to the capital Bamako.
• Mali Military Junta Releases 22 Detainees VOA 20 Apr 2012 -- Mali's coup leaders said late Thursday they have released 22 political and military leaders from detention.
• Deposed Malian President Arrives in Senegal VOA 20 Apr 2012 -- Ousted Malian president Amadou Toumani Toure has arrived in Dakar with his family.
• UN rights office calls for halt on use of military courts to try civilians in Gaza UN News Centre 20 Apr 2012 -- The UN human rights office expressed serious concern that the de facto authorities in Gaza continue to issue death sentences and carry out executions.
• ICC Says Libya Has Evidence Qaddafi Son Hired Mercenaries RFE/RL 20 Apr 2012 -- Evidence links a captured son of late ruler Muammar Qaddafi to recruiting mercenaries and executing people.

News Reports

• Panetta: China Assisted North Korea Missile Program VOA 20 Apr 2012 -- China has recently joined with other countries in condemning North Korea for a failed missile launch earlier this month.
• Defiant North Korea Holds Anti-South Rally VOA 20 Apr 2012 -- North Korea said a rally was being held in Pyongyang's central square to protest against South Korea's government.
• North Korea Vows to Continue Satellite Launches RIA Novosti 20 Apr 2012 -- North Korea will continue satellite launches for peaceful purposes, a spokesman for the Korean Committee for Space Technology said.
• Iran is entitled to peaceful nuclear energy: Mehmanparast IRNA 20 Apr 2012 -- Iran’s FM Spokesman Mehmanparast said that utilizing nuclear technology for peaceful purposes based on the NPT is the righteous right of Iran.
• Thousands Of Egyptians Demonstrate Against Continued Military Rule RFE/RL 20 Apr 2012 -- Several thousand demonstrators have gathered on Cairo's Tahrir Square to protest the continued political influence of the military and figures from the regime of longtime Egyptian strongman Hosni Mubarak.
• Islamists Turn Popular Rally into Campaign in Cairo RIA Novosti 20 Apr 2012 -- Friday’s joint rally of about 90 parties and movements in Cairo's Tahrir Square has turned into a campaigning event for the country’s Islamist forces.
• Egyptians to Protest Mubarak Ally Return to Power RIA Novosti 20 Apr 2012 -- A mass demonstration with most liberal and Islamist parties and movements participating is expected to be held on Tahrir Square in the Egyptian capital Cairo.
• In Bahrain, Grand Prix Revs Up Amid Protests VOA 20 Apr 2012 -- This year’s Bahrain Formula One Grand Prix has officially started despite anti-government protests and vows that "three days of rage" would coincide with the entire weekend of race-related events.
• Mass arrest of Bahraini protesters at threshold of Formula 1 Car Race IRNA 20 Apr 2012 -- A spokesman of Bahrain Liberation Movement informed about mass arrest of his fellow citizens back in Manama on threshold of 2012 Bahrain Formula 1 Race.
• Protests Erupt Ahead of Bahrain's F1 Race VOA 20 Apr 2012 -- Thousands of protesters have rallied across Bahrain in a bid to use the country's Formula One auto race to draw international attention to their plight.
• Bahrain Rocked By Further Protests Ahead Of Race RFE/RL 20 Apr 2012 -- Antigovernment protests have intensified in Bahrain ahead of this weekend's scheduled Formula One auto race.
• Burmese Opposition Considers Parliament Boycott VOA 20 Apr 2012 -- Burma’s main opposition party says it is considering boycotting the start of next week’s parliament session because of its objection to the wording of the constitutional oath of office.
• Guinea-Bissau Junta Will Not Accept Peacekeepers VOA 20 Apr 2012 -- Guinea-Bissau's military junta says it would not accept the presence of U.N. peacekeeping troops in the country, rejecting a proposal from the ousted ruling party.
• Guinea-Bissau's FM Seeks Peacekeepers Help After Coup VOA 20 Apr 2012 -- Guinea-Bissau's Foreign Minister is calling on the United Nations Security Council to authorize the deployment of peacekeepers into the country to help restore security following last week's military coup.
• Updated Magnitsky Act Introduced in U.S. Congress RIA Novosti 20 Apr 2012 -- An updated bill imposing a visa ban and asset freeze on Russian officials allegedly linked to the death in custody of Russian tax lawyer Sergei Magnitsky in Russia has been introduced in the U.S. Congress.
• French Presidential Candidates Make Final Appeals VOA 20 Apr 2012 -- France's presidential election campaigning neared the end Friday, with President Nicolas Sarkozy apologizing for his mistakes and leading challenger Francois Hollande confident of ousting him.