Operations
Defense Policy / Programs
Defense Industry
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News Reports

Current Operations

• OIF/OEF/OND Casualty Update 23 May 2012 [PDF]
• DOD News Briefing with Gen. John Allen from the Pentagon DoD 23 May 2012 -- Presenter: Gen. John R. Allen, Commander, International Security Assistance Force
• Allen Anticipates Much Summer Activity in Afghanistan AFPS 23 May 2012 -- The commander of NATO and U.S. forces in Afghanistan candidly told reporters today his assessment will largely set the course for operations there after the drawdown of U.S. surge forces and before the end of NATO's combat role in 2014.
• Allen: U.S.-Pakistan Military Negotiations 'Very Positive' AFPS 23 May 2012 -- Military-to-military talks between the U.S. and Pakistan, which recently resumed after a lapse, are going well, the commander of NATO and U.S. forces in Afghanistan said today.
• Afghanistan Engineer District-North Contracting Officials award $43.77 million in April Army News 23 May 2012 -- The contracts awards will fund projects to support troop housing in Bagram, security and provincial response companies for the Afghanistan National Police (ANP), an Afghan military hospital and a new Ministry of Interior supply point.
• PRT Kapisa works toward legacy of sustainment AFNS 23 May 2012 -- In the wake of the U.S. draw down in Afghanistan, many Provincial Reconstruction Teams are preparing for transition of projects to Afghan control.
• Combined Force Detains Taliban Leader AFPS 23 May 2012 -- An Afghan-led, coalition-supported security force detained a Taliban leader during an operation in the Dasht-e Qal'ah district of Afghanistan's Takhar province today, military officials reported.
• US drone strike kills 5 in North Waziristan IRNA 23 May 2012 -- At least five people were killed and several others injured when a U.S. spy aircraft fired missiles on a house in Pakistan's North Waziristan tribal area early Wednesday, local media reported.
• Pakistani FM terms US drones strikes unlawful, illegal IRNA 23 May 2012 -- Pakistan Foreign Minister Hina Rabbani Khar said that US drones strikes on Pakistani soil are 'unlawful, illegal and counterproductive', a media report has said.
• Kyrgyzstan Allows NATO Transits RIA Novosti 23 May 2012 -- Kyrgyzstan has signed an agreement with NATO to allow the transit of military cargo to and from Afghanistan, the Foreign Ministry in Bishkek announced on Wednesday.

Defense Policy / Programs

• Defense, State Leaders Urge Senate to Ratify Law of the Sea Treaty AFPS 23 May 2012 -- In the strongest terms possible, defense and diplomatic leaders urged the Senate today to ratify the Law of the Sea Convention.
• US Congress Ponders International Sea Treaty VOA 23 May 2012 -- The Obama administration says the United States should join a global maritime treaty known as the Law of the Sea Convention. The convention has bipartisan support on Capitol Hill, but is unlikely to advance before the November general election.
• Air Force, NATO fly to protect Iceland's air sovereignty AFNS 23 May 2012 -- Airmen from Nevada to Germany are currently deployed here to conduct Icelandic air policing missions until June 7.
• Army develops lighter, fuel-efficient generator Army News 23 May 2012 -- U.S. Army engineers were recognized for their collaborative efforts with small business to develop a transportable 100 kW generator that is 3,150 pounds lighter than those currently in theater.
• ARL scientists prove light can get to a target through obscurants with virtual ghost imaging Army News 23 May 2012 -- U.S. Army Research Laboratory scientists outlined their feasibility study of virtual ghost imaging through turbulence and obscurants using Bessel beam illumination in an Applied Physics Letters paper published Feb. 10.
• USARIEM Soldiers shine during training exercise Army News 23 May 2012 -- Soldiers from the U.S. Army Institute of Environmental Medicine participated in an exercise where they faced roadside bombs, reacted to attacks and defeated the enemy all while never leaving Natick Soldier Systems Center in Natick, Mass.
• Officials Announce Government Mobile Device Initiative AFPS 23 May 2012 -- The U.S. government's top information and technology officials today announced a mobile device initiative that's part of an agency-wide modernization effort.
• USS New Orleans Arrives in Hong Kong for Port Visit NNS 23 May 2012 -- The amphibious transport dock ship USS New Orleans (LPD 18) and embarked Marines assigned to the 11th Marine Expeditionary Unit (MEU) arrived in Hong Kong for a port visit, May 23.
• Seabees 'Can Do' for Pacific Partnership 2012 NNS 23 May 2012 -- Seabees from Amphibious Construction Battalion 1 out of Coronado, Calif. joined the Pacific Partnership 2012 (PP12) team to support engineering and civic-action projects in Indonesia, the Philippines, Vietnam and Cambodia during the five-month deployment.
• USS Makin Island Underway Following Malaysia Port Visit NNS 23 May 2012 -- The amphibious assault ship USS Makin Island (LHD 8) is underway following a four-day port visit to Sepangar, Malaysia, May 18-21.
• DOD Combats Counterfeit Parts Threat AFPS 23 May 2012 -- The Defense Department is resolute in its fight against counterfeit parts and has implemented steps to stop them from entering the supply chain and eliminating those already in, Pentagon Press Secretary George Little told reporters yesterday.
• Panetta Meets with Acting Iraqi Minister of Defense AFPS 23 May 2012 -- Defense Secretary Leon E. Panetta met for the first time with his Iraqi counterpart, acting Iraqi Defense Minister Dr. Sadun al-Dulaymi, Pentagon Press Secretary George Little said yesterday.
• Army, Air Force Mount Renewable Energy Push AFPS 23 May 2012 -- The Army and Air Force are committed to developing one billion watts of renewable energy on their installations by 2025, senior leaders from both services announced yesterday.
• F-35B lifts off for first flight at Eglin USMC News 23 May 2012 -- An F-35B Lightning II made its first flight at Eglin Air Force Base today, two months after 2nd Marine Aircraft Wing officially introduced the Marine Corps' fifth generation fighter to the world at the 33rd Fighter Wing.
• Russia Test Fires New Ballistic Missile RIA Novosti 23 May 2012 -- Russia's Strategic Missile Forces test-fired a new prototype ballistic missile from the Plesetsk Cosmodrome in Arkhangelsk Region on Wednesday, Defense Ministry spokesman Vadim Koval said, but did not name the new weapon.
• Seven Injured as Russian Plane Crash Lands at Czech Airport RIA Novosti 23 May 2012 -- At least seven people were injured after a Russian military plane caught fire as it was landing at an airport east of Prague on Wednesday, an emergency official said.
• Russia Turns on New Missile Warning Radar RIA Novosti 23 May 2012 -- Russia placed its new Voronezh-M long-range missile warning radar on duty in the Irkutsk region of Siberia on Wednesday, marking a major increase in its missile early warning system capability..
• Moldova May Benefit From NATO Missile Defense – Minister RIA Novosti 23 May 2012 -- Moldova may become an indirect partner in construction of a European missile shield and receive missile warning data from radars deployed in neighboring Romania, Moldovan Defense Minister Vitalie Marinuta said on Wednesday.
• Indian Army pilot killed in Siachen glacier crash IRNA 23 May 2012 -- An Indian Army pilot was killed and another injured today when the Cheetah helicopter they were flying crashed on the Siachen Glacier, the world's highest battlefield.
• Indian Aircraft Carrier Sea Trials Postponed Until June RIA Novosti 23 May 2012 -- Sea trials of the Admiral Gorshkov aircraft carrier being overhauled for the Indian navy at the Sevmash shipyard in northern Russia have been postponed until the beginning of June, the shipyard said on Wednesday.
• Taiwan designs its own digital military camouflage uniform CNA 23 May 2012 -- Culminating a project to design its own military camouflage clothing, Taiwan's Ministry of National Defense has chosen one of four uniforms developed to be used for its three forces, ministry officials said Tuesday.
• UK and Saudi Arabia agree deal on officer and aircrew training UK MOD 23 May 2012 -- The United Kingdom and Saudi Arabia have reached agreement for the UK to support a programme that will provide the Royal Saudi Air Force (RSAF) with cutting-edge officer and aircrew training.
• May 23, 2012 - U.S. Department of State Daily Press Briefing US Dept. of State 23 May 2012
• Press Gaggle by Press Secretary Jay Carney en route Colorado Springs, CO, 5/23/12 The White House 23 May 2012

Defense Industry

• DoD News: Contracts for May 23, 2012

Other Conflicts

• 23 May 2012 - Daily Press Briefing by the Office of the Spokesperson for the Secretary-General United Nations 23 May 2012
• Syria Opposition Must Adhere to Annan Plan - Lavrov RIA Novosti 23 May 2012 -- Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov on Wednesday again urged Syria's opposition disparate groups to comply with a UN-brokered ceasefire and end all violence.
• Six Dead in Syria, Government Shelling Intensifies VOA 23 May 2012 -- Activists say Syrian government forces have pounded targets in the opposition stronghold of Rastan, and at least six people have been killed elsewhere, during violence related to the country's anti-government unrest.
• Somalia on Track to End Failed State Status VOA 23 May 2012 -- Somalia's main political entities have ended three days of often-heated talks, saying they remain committed to a political process leading to a post-transitional government by August.
• Philippines Looks to US Treaty in China Dispute VOA 23 May 2012 -- A tense naval standoff stemming from competing territorial claims between China and the Philippines is throwing a spotlight on an obscure treaty between Manila and Washington. But contemporary political considerations may trump the decades-old agreement.
• Mediation plays vital role in preventing conflicts, settling disputes – UN officials UN News Centre 23 May 2012 -- Mediation is a valuable and effective tool for conflict prevention and the peaceful settlement of disputes, top United Nations officials stressed today, while also highlighting the need to strengthen the world body, which plays a central role in such efforts.
• Russia Backs Sri Lanka On War Probe Calls RIA Novosti 23 May 2012 -- Attempts to force an international probe on Sri Lanka, into civilian deaths and rights abuses during the final months of the island nation's civil war, are unacceptable, Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov said on Wednesday at a meeting with his Sri Lankan counterpart Gamini Lakshman Peiris.
• Somalia: UN calls for efforts to minimize civilian casualties in military operation UN News Centre 23 May 2012 -- As military forces make their way into Somalia's Afgooye corridor, the United Nations top humanitarian official for the east African country today reiterated his call for efforts to be made to minimize the impact of conflict on civilians.

News Reports

• Pakistani Doctor Jailed for Helping CIA in Bin Laden Hunt VOA 23 May 2012 -- Government officials say the Pakistani doctor who helped the United States track down Osama bin Laden has been sentenced to 33 years in prison for treason.
• Iraq denies alleged news on stockpiling Iranian uranium IRNA 23 May 2012 -- Iraqi government spokesman Ali al-Dabbagh here on Wednesday denied alleged news on possible stockpiling of Iran's uranium in Iraq.
• Lavrov: Moscow opposes US sanctions against Iran IRNA 23 May 2012 -- Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov said on Wednesday that his country is against the US unilateral sanctions against Iran.
• Salehi: Iran hopes to receive good news from Baghdad IRNA 23 May 2012 -- Foreign Minister Ali-Akbar Salehi said on Wednesday that Iran is optimistic about Baghdad talks, hoping to hear good news from there today or tomorrow.
• Iran has upper hand in Baghdad talks in light of Supreme Leader's Fatwa IRNA 23 May 2012 -- The Supreme Leader's Fatwa prohibiting possession of nuclear arms helped Iranian negotiating team have upper hand in Baghdad nuclear talks with Group 5+1 in upholding the international decision on disarmament.
• Iran offers five-pivot package of proposals to G5+1 in Baghdad IRNA 23 May 2012 -- Iranian delegation to nuclear talks led by Secretary of Supreme National Security Council Saeed Jalili on Wednesday offered a five-pivot package of proposals to representatives of Group 5+1 led by European Union foreign policy chief Catherine Ashton.
• World Powers Present Iran With Nuclear Concerns At Baghdad Meeting RFE/RL 23 May 2012 -- Six world powers, meeting with Iran in the Iraqi capital, Baghdad, have presented a proposal addressing concerns about Iran's pursuit of 20 percent uranium enrichment.
• Iran Ready for Dialogue on Nuclear Program – Lavrov RIA Novosti 23 May 2012 -- Moscow expects Tehran to cooperate with the 'Group of Six' global negotiators on the Iranian nuclear program and urges the U.S. White House against supporting new sanctions against the Islamic Republic, Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov said on Wednesday.
• Iran, World Powers Trade Proposals at Nuclear Talks VOA 23 May 2012 -- Iran and world powers exchanged proposals Wednesday at a Baghdad meeting aimed at resolving international concerns about potential military dimensions to the Iranian nuclear program.
• Egyptians Vote For A President RFE/RL 23 May 2012 -- Egyptians are casting ballots in the first presidential elections since veteran ruler Hosni Mubarak was ousted from power in a popular uprising last February.
• Explainer: What Is At Stake In Egypt's Presidential Election? RFE/RL 23 May 2012 -- Two days of voting began on May 23 in the first round of Egypt's presidential election - a ballot that comes 15 months after longtime ruler Hosni Mubarak was ousted by Egypt's Arab Spring uprising.
• Egyptians Vote in Historic Presidential Election VOA 23 May 2012 -- Millions of Egyptians stood in long lines Wednesday to cast ballots in the first presidential election since President Hosni Mubarak resigned last year amid massive protests.
• Mali Coalitions Compete for Government Control VOA 23 May 2012 -- A Malian political coalition opposed to the March 22 coup is calling for those behind Monday's attack on the nation's interim civilian president, Diouncounda Traore, to be held accountable. Meanwhile, a pro-junta coalition continues to call for Traore's resignation.
• 'Friends of Yemen' Pledge $4 Billion in Aid VOA 23 May 2012 -- International donors have pledged $4 billion in aid to Yemen to help the impoverished state boost the fight against Islamist militants and develop the Yemeni economy.
• No visible effects detected on workers in Japan nuclear plant, UN assessment finds UN News Centre 23 May 2012 -- The preliminary findings of a major United Nations assessment into the accident at Japan's Fukushima Daiichi nuclear power plant last year found that although several workers in the plant had been exposed to radiation, no visible effects have been reported.