Operations
Defense Policy / Programs
Defense Industry
Other Conflicts
News Reports

Current Operations

• OIF/OEF/OND Casualty Update 25 May 2012 [PDF]
• Afghan AF SF leads first patrol outside Kabul AFNS 25 May 2012 -- Approximately 21 Afghan air force air wing security forces led their first quick reaction force patrol outside the gates of Kabul, Afghanistan, International Airport May 21.
• French President Makes Surprise Afghan Visit RFE/RL 25 May 2012 -- New French President Francois Hollande has made a surprise visit to Afghanistan to discuss his plan to withdraw all French combat troops by the end of the year.
• Hague - we won't abandon Afghan people UK MOD 25 May 2012 -- The international community will not abandon the Afghan people was the clear message sent from the NATO Chicago Summit this week, UK Foreign Secretary William Hague has said.
• French President Defends Afghan Withdrawal Timetable VOA 25 May 2012 -- French President Francois Hollande has defended his plan to withdraw combat troops from Afghanistan by the year's end, during a surprise visit to the restive country Friday.

Defense Policy / Programs

• California BRAC bases now part of recycling revolution AFNS 25 May 2012 -- J.D. Wang, the CEO of a tire recycling company, believes people can recycle anything if they put their minds to it. So it seems fitting that his company is expanding into a recycled building -- once the commissary at the former Norton Air Force Base in San Bernardino, Calif.
• Changes Coming as the Army Expands Use of Early Discharge Authority of Regular Army Enlisted Members DoD 25 May 2012 -- Congress recently amended legislation that expands the services’ authority to separate Regular Army enlisted members from three months to one year prior to their scheduled date of separation, referred to as Expiration Term of Service (ETS).
• U.S. Reaffirms Commitment to Advance Iraq Stability AFPS 25 May 2012 -- The United States reaffirmed its commitment to advance Iraq's stability by training, equipping and enhancing the capacity of its armed forces for defense and counterterrorism, members of the U.S.-Iraq Defense and Security Cooperation Joint Coordinating Committee said yesterday in a joint statement.
• Underwood Conducts Ship-Rider Exchanges with UNITAS Participants NNS 25 May 2012 -- Officers and Sailors from the Peruvian, Chilean, Mexican, Colombian, and U.S. Navy ships participating in UNITAS Pacific (PAC) exchanged ship-riders during the 53rd iteration of these annual naval exercises May 16.
• Underwood Completes UNITAS Pacific Exercise Scenario Phase NNS 25 May 2012 -- The Oliver Hazard Perry-class guided-missile frigate USS Underwood (FFG 36) completed the Exercise Scenario Phase (ESP) of UNITAS Pacific (PAC), May 23.
• Southern Partnership Station Navy Dive Concludes Stop in Guatemala NNS 25 May 2012 -- Mobile Diving and Salvage Unit (MDSU) 2, Company 2-1, deployed aboard the Military Sealift Command rescue and salvage ship USNS Grapple (T-ARS 53), concluded a three-week subject matter expert exchange (SMEE) with Guatemalan divers, May 24.
• USS Makin Island Arrives in Hong Kong for Port Visit NNS 25 May 2012 -- The amphibious assault ship USS Makin Island (LHD 8), along with the embarked 11th Marine Expeditionary Unit (MEU), arrived in Hong Kong May 25 for a port visit.
• Expeditionary Logistics Wargame brings Marines, Navy together to reintegrate, train USMC News 25 May 2012 -- Elements of 2nd Marine Logistics Group will conduct a massive training operation June 11-17, spanning the distance between Camp Lejeune, N.C., and Norfolk, Va.
• Defense Ministry, Shipbuilders Fail to Agree Borey Sub Price RIA Novosti 25 May 2012 -- Russia's Defense Ministry and the United Shipbuilding Corporation failed again to agree final contract terms for delivery of the new Borey class (Project 955) strategic nuclear submarine on Friday, despite the intervention of President Vladimir Putin.
• IAF signs deal for acquisition of 75 Pilatus planes IRNA 25 May 2012 -- The Indian Air Force's (IAF) long pending requirement of basic trainer aircraft can now be met with the acquisition of 75 Pilatus planes starting later this year under a Rs 2,800 crore deal signed on Thursday with the Swiss company.
• Iran Navy saves 2 oil tankers from pirates IRNA 25 May 2012 -- Iran's Navy warships have foiled a pirate attack on two Iranian oil tankers in the international waters, a statement released by Iran's navy Public Relations Department said here on Friday.
• May 25, 2012 - U.S. Department of State Daily Press Briefing US Dept. of State 25 May 2012
• 25 May 2012 - Daily Press Briefing by the Office of the Spokesperson for the Secretary-General United Nations 25 May 2012

Defense Industry

• DoD News: Contracts for May 25, 2012

Other Conflicts

• 50 Syrians Killed in Anti-Assad Clashes VOA 25 May 2012 -- More than 50 people, including 13 children, have been killed in the town of Houla in Homs province, the Syrian Observatory for Human Rights said.
• Strife in Syria Ripples Into Lebanon's Sectarian Divide VOA 25 May 2012 -- TRIPOLI, Lebanon - Some 700 people in the northern Lebanese city of Tripoli staged a rally Friday to demand the release of Sunni Islamist leaders who they said were detained for opposing Syria's President Bashar al-Assad. The demonstration comes amid fears that the conflict in Syria could further enflame sectarian tensions in Lebanon.
• Syrian Forces Blamed for 9 Deaths as Protests Erupt VOA 25 May 2012 -- Syrian protesters launched anti-government rallies on Friday as activists blamed security forces for at least nine deaths in attacks that continue to erode a shaky cease-fire.
• UN agency boosts services for Sudanese refugees in South Sudan UN News Centre 25 May 2012 -- The United Nations refugee agency said today it is expanding relief operations for refugees in the Yida camp in South Sudan, where the number of people fleeing conflict in neighbouring Sudan has risen to more than 35,000.
• Somalia's leaders clear obstacles to ending transitional period - UN official UN News Centre 25 May 2012 -- Leaders in Somalia have agreed to set up a Constituent Assembly that will adopt the East African nation's new constitution in line with an existing roadmap to end the current transitional governing arrangement by an upcoming deadline, the United Nations envoy for the country said today.
• US Condemns Mali Violence VOA 25 May 2012 -- The United States has strongly condemned this week's violence in Mali and called on coup leader Amadou Sanogo and his allies to stand aside and allow for the restoration of civilian rule.
• NEPAL: Divided over federalism IRIN 25 May 2012 -- Just days before Nepal's Constituent Assembly (CA) reaches its fifth deadline to agree on a new constitution on 27 May, the country remains divided over the issue of federalism.

News Reports

• Secretary-General welcomes further talks on Iran's nuclear capabilities UN News Centre 25 May 2012 -- Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon welcomes the recently concluded talks between Iran and the E3+3 grouping – made up of the United Kingdom, the United States, US, China, France, Germany and Russia – his spokesperson said today.
• Jalili: Talks held in good atmosphere IRNA 25 May 2012 -- Secretary of Supreme National Security Council of Iran (SNSCI), Saeed Jalili, said here on Thursday that the Tehran-G5+1 talks were held in a good atmosphere.
• Jalili meets with Ayatollah Sistani IRNA 25 May 2012 -- Secretary of Supreme National Security Council of Iran (SNSCI), Saeed Jalili, met and conferred with Iraqi Religious Leader, Grand Ayatollah Ali Sistani, here on Friday.
• First Privately-Built Capsule Docks With Space Station RFE/RL 25 May 2012 -- The first privately built spacecraft to ever be launched into space has docked with the International Space Station (ISS).
• Islamist Candidate Likely to Face Former PM in Egypt Runoff VOA 25 May 2012 -- Egypt's presidential race appeared headed on Friday to a decisive and polarizing runoff between the Islamist Muslim Brotherhood's candidate and another with strong ties to former President Hosni Mubarak's regime.
• Egypt's Muslim Brotherhood Claims Early Election Lead VOA 25 May 2012 -- CAIRO - As election officials count the vote from Egypt's historic presidential election, the Muslim Brotherhood is claiming its candidate is in the lead. But Mohamed Morsi appears to be just one of several candidates who are doing well in a race that is headed to a run-off.
• Pakistan Parliament Speaker rules PM Gilani can't be disqualified IRNA 25 May 2012 -- Pakistan Parliament's Speaker has ruled that Prime Minister, Yusuf Raza Gilani, cannot be disqualified in the wake of his last month's conviction for contempt of court after he refused to reopen graft cases against President Asif Ali Zardari.
• SAHEL: Sharp price hikes cause alarm IRIN 25 May 2012 -- Unexpectedly sharp price rises in April for local cereals like millet, rice and maize in parts of Mali, Burkina Faso, Niger and Chad mean many vulnerable people in the drought-hit Sahel could find it even harder to get enough to eat.
• UN human rights chief concerned over instability and violations in Guinea-Bissau UN News Centre 25 May 2012 -- The top United Nations human rights official said today she remains concerned over continuing instability in Guinea Bissau, following the coup there last month and reports of human rights violations, including the violent repression of a peaceful demonstration, looting and arbitrary detention of civilians.