Operations
Defense Policy / Programs
Defense Industry
Other Conflicts
News Reports

Current Operations

• Afghan Government Says Taliban Process 'On Track' RFE/RL 29 Apr 2012 -- Afghanistan’s U.S.-backed government says talks with the Taliban remain “on track” toward a negotiated settlement of the decade-old Afghan war.
• US spy aircraft kills 3 in NW Pakistan IRNA 29 Apr 2012 -- A US spy aircraft fired missiles on a house in Pakistan's north Waziristan tribal region and killed at least three people on Sunday, tribesmen in the region said.

Defense Policy / Programs

• Al-Qaida Offshoots Are Biggest Terror Threat, Official Says AFPS 29 Apr 2012 -- Core Al-Qaida – the group led by Osama bin Laden – has been surpassed by its affiliates as the biggest terrorist threat to the United States, a senior intelligence official said.
• U.S. Deploys F-22 Stealth Jets in Southwest Asia RIA Novosti 29 Apr 2012 -- The U.S. Air Force has deployed its fifth-generation stealth fighters, F-22 Raptor, in Southwest Asia, the Washington Post newspaper said, citing an Air Force spokesman.
• USS Gunston Hall Departs Albania With Lasting Impressions NNS 29 Apr 2012 -- USS Gunston Hall departed the Republic of Albania, April 27, after a scheduled port visit where the crew participated in numerous events including a reception and a community relations project.
• Arab States Hold War Games as Tensions With Iran Mount VOA 29 Apr 2012 -- Gulf Arab states are beginning two days of joint military exercises, as fears of an armed conflict with Iran continue to grow.
• Taiwan's China policy may cause regional defense changes: former envoy CNA 29 Apr 2012 -- A former Taiwanese diplomat said Sunday that President Ma Ying-jeou's China policy could lead the United States and Japan to alter their defense strategies in the Asian region.
• Russia Destroys 62% of its Chemical Weapons RIA Novosti 29 Apr 2012 -- About 25,000 metric tons of chemical weapons, or 62 percent of Russia's stockpile, have been destroyed by April 29, the day when the International Chemical Weapons Convention came into force.
• Naval power, cause of Iran's strength, Navy commander IRNA 29 Apr 2012 -- Navy Commander Rear Admiral Habibollah Sayyari said here on Sunday that naval power is the main cause of the Islamic Republic's strength.
• Kim Jong Un Visits Exhibition of Military Science and Technology KCNA 29 Apr 2012 -- Supreme Commander of the Korean People's Army Kim Jong Un visited the 26th Exhibition of Military Science and Technology of the KPA.

Defense Industry

Other Conflicts

• Lebanon Halts Ship 'Carrying Arms for Syria Rebels' RIA Novosti 29 Apr 2012 -- The Lebanese navy has intercepted a Sierra Leone-registered ship carrying arms and ammunition reportedly destined for Syrian rebels, al Jazeera television said.
• UN-Appointed Norwegian General Arrives in Syria, Urges End to Violence VOA 29 Apr 2012 -- A Norwegian general appointed by the United Nations to lead an observer mission in Syria has taken command of the operation and called on all sides in the country's year-long conflict to stop the violence.

News Reports

• Saudi Arabia Shelters Bin Laden Widows RIA Novosti 29 Apr 2012 -- Saudi officials confirmed on Sunday that they had sheltered three widows and reportedly eleven children of the late number one terrorist Osama bin Laden, Saudi Press Agency (SPA) reported.
• Political crisis likely to deepen in Pakistan IRNA 29 Apr 2012 -- The decision of Supreme Court convicting the Prime Minister is likely to deepen political crisis in Pakistan as the main opposition party has mounted pressure on the PM Gilani to resign.
• El-Baradei Launches New Egyptian Party RFE/RL 29 Apr 2012 -- Egyptian reform leader Mohamed El-Baradei has launched a new political party he says aims to save the country's democratic movement.
• Egypt Tries to Woo Back Saudi Ambassador VOA 29 Apr 2012 -- Saudi Arabia is reported to be reconsidering the decision to recall its ambassador to Egypt, after leaders in Cairo worked to heal a rift between the Arab neighbors. The Saudis closed their mission in Egypt following anti-Saudi protests there.
• Rights Groups Call on UN Chief to Press Burma on Reforms VOA 29 Apr 2012 -- Human rights groups are calling on United Nations Secretary General Ban Ki-moon to further press Burma's military-backed civilian government to stay the course with reforms.
• Mali Coup Leader Rejects ECOWAS Transition Decree VOA 29 Apr 2012 -- Efforts to restore civilian rule and stability in Mali appear to have hit a snag, as the military junta denounced decisions by the regional bloc ECOWAS on how the country's transition should go forward. The coup leader insists the junta will not be sidelined.