Operations
Defense Policy / Programs
Defense Industry
Other Conflicts
News Reports

Current Operations

• Pakistan Allows U.S. Supply Containers Into Afghanistan RIA Novosti 19 May 2012 -- Pakistan has allowed four shipping containers destined for the U.S. embassy in Kabul to cross into Afghanistan for the first time since it closed its borders for shipments six months ago, the Dawn newspaper reported.

Defense Policy / Programs

• Readout of Secretary Panetta's Meeting with French Minister of Defense Jean-Yves Le Drian DoD 18 May 2012
• Panetta Discusses Cooperation With French Defense Minister AFPS 19 May 2012 -- Defense Secretary Leon E. Panetta met today with newly appointed French Defense Minister Jean-Yves Le Drian to discuss Afghan transition prior to the upcoming NATO Summit, a senior Pentagon spokesman said.
• USS New York hosts VIPs Abroad NNS 19 May 2012 -- The amphibious transport dock ship USS New York (LPD 21) hosted a combined two-day distinguished guest open house on board while in port in Naples, Italy, May 1-2.
• China has not abandoned military option in Taiwan Strait: U.S. report CNA 19 May 2012 -- The latest U.S. military report on China's military power indicated that Beijing continues to view the use of force as an important point of leverage in its relations with Taiwan and has maintained its heavy ballistic missile deployment targeting Taiwan, despite warming ties between the two sides.
• Taiwan needs more advanced high-performance jets: defense ministry CNA 19 May 2012 -- Taiwan needs high-performance jet fighters that are more advanced than its existing fleet, the Ministry of National Defense said Friday, after it was reported that the U.S. House of Representatives voted in agreement to sell F-16 C/D jets to Taiwan to address the disparity in air power across the Taiwan Strait.
• U.S. House votes to sell 66 new fighter jets to Taiwan CNA 19 May 2012 -- The U.S. House of Representatives voted Friday in favor of the government selling 66 new fighter-jets to Taiwan to help the island close its military gap with China.
• U.S. report on China's military build-up a 'reminder': defense ministry CNA 19 May 2012 -- An assessment report recently released by the U.S. Pentagon on China's growing military strength serves as a reminder that Taiwan should boost its military power, Taiwan's Ministry of National Defense (MND) said Saturday.
• Imminent launching of Fajr satellite, sign of Iran's might, defense minister IRNA 19 May 2012 -- Minister of Defense Brigadier General Ahmad Vahidi said the imminent launching of Fajr satellite indicates Iran's authority and high scientific potential.
• Press Gaggle by Ben Rhodes, Deputy National Security Advisor for Strategic Communications Aboard Air Force One, 5/19/12 The White House 19 May 2012
• Press Briefing by Press Secretary Jay Carney; Mike Froman, Deputy National Security Advisor for International Economics; and Deputy National Security Advisor for Strategic Communications Ben Rhodes The White House 19 May 2012

Defense Industry

Other Conflicts

• Presence of observers in Syria has 'calming effect' in areas deployed – UN official UN News Centre 18 May 2012 -- Amid ongoing violence in parts of Syria, the presence of UN military observers on the ground has had an overall calming effect in their areas of deployment in the Middle Eastern country, the head of the UN observer force said today.
• Russia Calls for Solving Syrian Crisis by 'Forceps', Not 'Ax' RIA Novosti 19 May 2012 -- Russia will call its partners at the G8 summit for 'not to try to cut the Syrian crisis knot by ax' but 'use a forceps' to solve the conflict, Chairman of the Foreign Affairs Committee in Russia's Federation Council Mikhail Margelov said on Saturday.
• Car Bomb Hits Syria City RIA Novosti 19 May 2012 -- At least nine people were killed and some 100 others injured after a car bomb exploded in the eastern Syrian city of Deir Ezzor on Saturday, al Jazeera television reported.
• Syria Blames Terrorists for Car Bombing VOA 19 May 2012 -- A car-bomb exploded outside a Syrian state security compound in the eastern oasis town of Deir el-Zour Saturday, killing nine people and wounding 100 others. Syrian TV accused terrorists of the blast, which appears to have been the second major attack against a government security building in just under 10 days.
• UN envoy in Somalia concerned over violent clashes in Hargeisa UN News Centre 19 May 2012 -- The United Nations envoy in Somalia, Augustine P. Mahiga, today expressed concern over recent violent clashes in the northern city of Hargeisa, located in Somaliland, between Somaliland security forces and citizens which allegedly resulted in the deaths on both sides.

News Reports

• Obama: G8 To Combine Sanctions, Diplomacy In Iran Talks RFE/RL 19 May 2012 -- U.S. President Barack Obama says the leaders of the Group of Eight (G8) remain committed to using a combined approach of sanctions and diplomacy to push Iran to show its nuclear program is peaceful.
• G8 Leaders: Iran Must Assure World Over Nuke Program RIA Novosti 19 May 2012 -- The leaders of the G8 nations meeting at Camp David on Friday-Saturday agreed that Iran needed to take concrete steps to prove the claim that its nuclear program was peaceful, a U.S. official said.
• 3 Charged with Terrorism Ahead of NATO Summit VOA 19 May 2012 -- Three protesters, arrested amid tight security ahead of the NATO summit in Chicago, have been charged with terrorism for possession of explosive devices.
• U.S. delegation upbeat about continued cooperation with Taiwan CNA 19 May 2012 -- Former White House Chief of Staff William Daley said Saturday that he expects Taipei and Washington to continueeconomic and political cooperation in President Ma Ying-jeou's second term.
• First Private Cargo Ship Launch to ISS Aborted RIA Novosti 19 May 2012 -- A U.S. firm aborted on Saturday the lift-off of the first commercial cargo ship to the International Space Station (ISS) after an engine cut-off, NASA said.
• SpaceX Rocket Launch Aborted VOA 19 May 2012 -- A technical problem has forced the company SpaceX to abort what would have been the first launch of a privately owned capsule to the International Space Station.
• G8 Leaders Tackle Economic Worries On Second Day Of Talks RFE/RL 19 May 2012 -- Leaders of the major world economies have kicked off talks on the second day of a Group of Eight (G8) summit overshadowed by the eurozone debt crisis.
• Blind Chinese Activist Thanks US, China VOA 19 May 2012 -- Blind Chinese dissident Chen Guangcheng has arrived in the United States, saying he is gratified that the Chinese government showed 'restraint and calm' in dealing with his situation.
• Thousands Mark Thailand Red Shirt Crackdown VOA 19 May 2012 -- BANGKOK -- Tens of thousands of pro-government 'Red Shirt' supporters took to the streets of Bangkok Saturday on the second anniversary of deadly clashes between protestors and security forces that left over 90 people dead. Divisions are emerging between protestors and the government over a proposed amnesty bill that is intended to foster national reconciliation.