Operations
Defense Policy / Programs
Defense Industry
Other Conflicts
News Reports

Current Operations

• OIF/OEF/OND Casualty Update 18 May 2012 [PDF]
• Combined Force Seizes Opium Cache AFPS 18 May 2012 -- An Afghan and coalition security force discovered a drug cache of opium during a patrol in the Nahr-e Saraj district of Afghanistan's Helmand province yesterday, military officials reported.
• CLR-37 deploys to Afghanistan USMC News 18 May 2012 -- More than 100 Marines with Combat Logistics Regiment 37 gathered on Kadena Air Base to deploy to Afghanistan May 13.

Defense Policy / Programs

• Press Briefing on 2012 DOD Report to Congress on 'Military and Security Developments Involving the People's Republic of China' DoD 18 May 2012 -- Presenter: Acting Deputy Assistant Secretary of Defense (East Asia) David Helvey
• Report Depicts China's Military Progress, Strategic Thinking AFPS 18 May 2012 -- The Defense Department's 2012 Military and Security Developments Involving the People's Republic of China report details China's growing military capabilities, and points to areas of cooperation between the United States and China, a senior DOD official said here today.
• NAS Whidbey Island's Air Reconnaissance Squadron Disestablishes NNS 18 May 2012 -- Sailors, their families, and DoD personnel attended the Fleet Air Reconnaissance Squadron (VQ) 2 disestablishment ceremony in Hangar Bay 6 at Naval Air Station Whidbey Island (NASWI), May 17.
• JBSA-Randolph to test run new PCS process AFNS 18 May 2012 -- Starting at the end of May and going through February 2013, officials here will help test a new procedure to centralize steps military members take to get their permanent change of station orders and other actions prior to out-processing.
• Summit to Highlight NATO's Evolving Capabilities AFPS 18 May 2012 -- The Defense Department's top NATO expert said there are three big agenda items and one strategic priority that will occupy center stage at the alliance's May 20-21 summit in Chicago.
• NATO General Outlines Summit Topics, Alliance Changes AFPS 18 May 2012 -- NATO's plan for military operations in Afghanistan up to and beyond 2014 will be the top agenda item at the organization's May 20-21 summit in Chicago, a senior NATO official said.
• U.S. European Command, NATO Boost Cyber Defenses AFPS 18 May 2012 -- Preparing a good defense to deter cyber attacks ranks among his top concerns, Navy Adm. James G. Stavridis, the commander of U.S. European Command, told the Pentagon Channel and American Forces Press Service.
• Air Force vice chief nominated to be next USAFE commander AFNS 18 May 2012 -- Defense Secretary Leon E. Panetta announced May 11 that the president has nominated Air Force Vice Chief of Staff Gen. Phil Breedlove to be the next U.S. Air Forces in Europe commander.
• Locklear: Pacom's Priorities Reflect New Strategic Guidance AFPS 18 May 2012 -- With clear direction from President Barack Obama and Defense Secretary Leon E. Panetta, the new U.S. Pacific Command chief said he's using the new strategic guidance as a roadmap as he sets priorities and engages with the region.
• Pakistan PM says NATO summit's invitation unconditional IRNA 18 May 2012 -- Prime Minister Yusuf Raza Gilani has said that NATO's invitation for May 20-21 Chicago summit is not conditioned to opening up of transit route for the alliance's supplies to Afghanistan.
• Russian Convicted of Passing Military Secrets RIA Novosti 18 May 2012 -- Sverdlovsk regional court on Friday sentenced an employee at a Russian defense firm to eight years in prison for passing secrets on the latest Russian weapons to a foreign intelligence service, the press service of the court reported.
• Russia Floats Out Large Landing Ship RIA Novosti 18 May 2012 -- The Yantar shipyard in the Russian exclave of Kaliningrad floated out on Friday a new large landing ship for the Russian Navy.
• Russian Paras Fire 'Green Beret' Weapons in U.S. RIA Novosti 18 May 2012 -- Russian paratroopers have started small arms firing exercises at Fort Carson, Colorado, prior to the first ever joint anti-terror exercises with the U.S. Special Forces in America, Defense Ministry spokesman Col. Alexander Kucherenko said on Friday.
• Ammunition Depot Fire in Far East Injures One RIA Novosti 18 May 2012 -- One person has been injured in an ammunition depot fire in the Primorsk Territory, Russia's Emergencies Ministry said on Friday
• U.S. Congress to debate sale of F-16 fighters to Taiwan CNA 18 May 2012 -- The U.S. House of Representatives is scheduled to debate Thursday and Friday a proposal to provide Taiwan with new F-16 fighter jets, Rep. Phil Gingrey said.
• May 18, 2012 - U.S. Department of State Daily Press Briefing US Dept. of State 18 May 2012

Defense Industry

• DoD News: Contracts for May 18, 2012

Other Conflicts

• 18 May 2012 - Daily Press Briefing by the Office of the Spokesperson for the Secretary-General United Nations 18 May 2012
• Syrian Protesters Rally in Northern Flashpoint City VOA 18 May 2012 -- Thousands of protesters are taking to the streets in the northern Syrian city of Aleppo in what opposition activists are saying is one of the biggest demonstrations since the anti-government uprising began 15-months-ago.
• UN Chief Blames al-Qaida for Syria Attack VOA 18 May 2012 -- Syria braced for opposition protests on Friday as U.N. officials expressed concern that al-Qaida may have played a role in recent attacks that have further strained a fragile cease-fire.
• SRI LANKA: Thousands missing three years after war ends IRIN 18 May 2012 -- Three years after the government of Sri Lanka declared an end to decades of civil conflict with separatist rebels, thousands of people are still missing, according to the UN and Sri Lankan activists.
• SOMALIA: Mogadishu on the up IRIN 18 May 2012 -- It is Friday morning in Mogadishu and Lido beach presents a scene reminiscent of seaside towns around the world. At the top of the beach, women sit with their wares, selling water and ice-lollies from cool-boxes. The middle-beach is dominated by young men playing football using driftwood as goalposts. At the water's edge, boys and girls, the latter heedless of their long flowing garments, hurl themselves into the waves or bob on the surface like apples.

News Reports

• Taiwan-China affairs laws need reform: president CNA 18 May 2012 -- President Ma Ying-jeou said Friday that current laws on cross-Taiwan Strait affairs need an overhaul amid the changing relations between Taiwan and China.
• Supreme Leader: Movements started by Islamic revolution will continue IRNA 18 May 2012 -- Supreme Leader of the Islamic Revolution Ayatollah Seyyed Ali Khamenei said the movement started by the Islamic revolution in Iran will continue.
• UN Nuclear Watchdog Chief to Visit Tehran VOA 18 May 2012 -- The United Nations' top nuclear official will travel to Tehran on Sunday for talks with senior Iranian officials as speculation mounts about a possible breakthrough on Iran's controversial nuclear program.
• Japan Launches South Korean Satellite Into Orbit VOA 18 May 2012 -- Early Friday, Japan successfully launched a South Korean satellite. The historical accomplishment puts the Japanese in the same arena as European and Russian entities in the lucrative commercial space launch business.
• Analysis: Division and stasis in Guinea-Bissau IRIN 18 May 2012 -- On 16 May a transition pact brokered by the Economic Community Of West African States (ECOWAS) and signed by all parties except the majority PAIGC [African Party for the Independence of Guinea and Cape Verde] - officially nominated Manuel Serifo Nhamadjo as Interim President of Guinea-Bissau for one year
• Security Council imposes travel ban on Guinea-Bissau coup leaders UN News Centre 18 May 2012 -- The Security Council today imposed a travel ban against five military officers who seized power from the civilian government in Guinea-Bissau last month, and urged Member States to ensure that the sanctioned individuals do not enter or transit through their territories.
• MALAWI: Bumpy road to economic recovery IRIN 18 May 2012 -- A sizeable devaluation of Malawi's currency, aimed at reinvigorating the economy and wooing back international donors, has triggered steep increases in the price of basic goods and pushed many Malawians deeper into poverty.
• SWAZILAND: IMF walks away from the kingdom IRIN 18 May 2012 -- The International Monetary Fund (IMF) has withdrawn its advisory team from Swaziland, saying it is unable to support the government's proposed financial reform programme.
• UN envoy to take part in regional meeting on Mali, Guinea-Bissau political crises UN News Centre 18 May 2012 -- As part of the United Nations' ongoing efforts to ensure the full restoration of constitutional rule in Mali and Guinea-Bissau, the Secretary-General's Special Representative for West Africa, Said Djinnit, will participate in an upcoming regional meeting on the political crises in the two countries.
• US Move to Suspend Burma Sanctions Draws Mixed Reaction VOA 18 May 2012 -- The United States' suspension of some economic sanctions against Burma has sparked mixed reaction from analysts and rights groups. Some argue that sanctions should have been lifted long ago. But others point out that rights violations in Burma continue, and fear Washington may be moving too fast.
• Record Number of Africans Flee to Yemen VOA 18 May 2012 -- A record number of African refugees and migrants have arrived in Yemen this year. Most are from Ethiopia. U.N. refugee agency spokesman Andrej Mahecic says more people are crossing the Red Sea and Gulf of Aden to get to Yemen.