Operations
Defense Policy / Programs
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Current Operations

• Influential Afghan Peace Council Member Slain RFE/RL 13 May 2012 -- A former Taliban official who became a negotiator and key member of Afghanistan's High Peace Council has been shot dead in the capital, Kabul.
• UN mission in Afghanistan condemns assassination of peace council member UN News Centre 13 May 2012 -- The United Nations mission in Afghanistan has condemned today's assassination of Maulawi Arsala Rahmani, a senior member of the country's High Peace Council, and stated its continued commitment to supporting the locally-led peace and reconciliation process.
• US Senator: Assassination Reveals Taliban Strategy VOA 13 May 2012 -- The United States and NATO-led international forces have condemned the assassination of a top Afghan peace negotiator. The Taliban denied responsibility for the attack, but a high-ranking U.S. senator says the killing of Afghan High Peace Council member Arsala Rahmani is further evidence of Taliban intentions as American force levels are reduced.
• Afghan Peace Council Member Gunned Down VOA 13 May 2012 -- A top Afghan peace negotiator was assassinated in Kabul on Sunday, dealing a major blow to efforts aimed at ending the decade-long conflict in Afghanistan.
• ISAF Welcomes Third Stage of Security Transition AFPS 13 May 2012 -- The International Security Assistance Force welcomes the release of the Government of the Islamic Republic of Afghanistan's list of areas intended for the third stage of the transition of security responsibility in the country, officials reported today.
• ISAF: Murdered Afghan Official Rejected Insurgents' Agenda AFPS 13 May 2012 -- An influential member of Afghanistan's High Peace Council and Islamic Council member, Moulavi Arsala Rahmani, was murdered while reportedly riding in a vehicle on his way to work today, International Security Assistance Force officials reported.

Defense Policy / Programs

• Military Officials Participate in Pakistan Meetings AFPS 13 May 2012 -- Marine Corps Gen. John R. Allen, commander of the International Security Assistance Force, met with Gen. Sher Muhammad Karimi, Chief of General Staff of Afghan National Army and Gen. Ashfaq Parvez Kayani, Pakistan's Chief of Army Staff, for talks this weekend in Islamabad, Pakistan, military officials reported.
• GW Kicks Off Sea Trials NNS 13 May 2012 -- USS George Washington departed Fleet Activities Yokosuka, Japan, May 12 to conduct sea trials in preparation for the ship's next patrol.
• CSG-1 Makes History in Oceania Maritime Security Initiative NNS 13 May 2012 -- The USS Carl Vinson and Carrier Strike Group became the first carrier strike group to participate in the Oceania Maritime Security Initiative May 7-16 during Vinson's transit in the U.S. 7th Fleet area of operations.
• North Carolina viits Subic Bay during Western Pacific deployment NNS 13 May 2012 -- The USS North Carolina arrived at Subic Bay May 13, as part of her Western Pacific deployment.
• IRGC Navy commander rejects violation of Iran water territories by US IRNA 13 May 2012 -- The Islamic Revolution Guards Corps Navy Commander Ali Fadavi rejected claims of violation of Iran's territorial waters by the US warships.
• Navy commander: Regional security needs no foreign forces IRNA 13 May 2012 -- Navy Commander Admiral Habibollah Sayyari on Sunday said no foreign forces are needed to provide regional security.
• Defense minster: Iran to launch Fajr satellite into space in June IRNA 13 May 2012 -- Defense Minister Brigadier General Ahmad Vahidi on Sunday said Iran is to launch Fajr satellite into space as a national defense project in June.
• Taiwan should cooperate with China on South China Sea: experts CNA 13 May 2012 -- Taiwan should develop a long-term strategic plan to deal with ongoing territorial disputes over the South China Sea and cooperate with China to share natural resources in the area, Taiwanese scholars argued Saturday.
• Taiwan to be rated in new international index on defense integrity CNA 13 May 2012 -- Taiwan will be rated in a new index on government defense integrity compiled by the Berlin-based Transparency International (TI) that gauges 80 countries, the Taiwan branch of the global organization against corruption said recently.

Defense Industry

Other Conflicts

• Uganda Captures a Top LRA Commander VOA 13 May 2012 -- The Ugandan military says it has captured a commander of the Lord's Resistance Army during an operation in the Central African Republic. Caesar Achellam was seized Saturday following a firefight with Ugandan forces.

News Reports

• China, Japan, South Korea Warn North Korea over Nuclear Tests RIA Novosti 13 May 2012 -- China, Japan and South Korea have warned they will not accept new nuclear tests by North Korea, South Korean President Lee Myung-Bak said on Sunday.
• 28 Dead as Yemen Launches Anti-Qaida Assault VOA 13 May 2012 -- Yemeni officials say at least 16 militants and 12 government soldiers were killed Sunday as troops backed by warplanes and heavy artillery launched a major offensive to retake the al-Qaida-held southern city of Zinjibar.
• India, Pakistan soon to set up 'Hotline' between home secretaries IRNA 13 May 2012 -- India and Pakistan will soon set up a hotline between their home secretaries that will facilitate real time information sharing on terrorist threats.
• Defense minister: Caspian Sea is Sea of Peace and Friendship IRNA 13 May 2012 -- Defense Minister Brigadier General Ahmad Vahidi has descrinbed Caspean Sea as a Sea of Peace and Friendship.
• Iranian nation not to give up its legitimate rights under any circumstances IRNA 13 May 2012 -- President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad said on Sunday that dictators and bullying powers should bear in mind that Iranian nation will never give up its legitimate rights under any circumstances.
• Time for putting pressure on Iran is over, Jalili tells M. Rocard IRNA 13 May 2012 -- Secretary of Supreme National Security Council Saeed Jalili said on Sunday that the time is over for the strategy of pressure against Iran.