Operations
Defense Policy / Programs
Defense Industry
Other Conflicts
News Reports

Current Operations

• OIF/OEF/OND Casualty Update 12 Jun 2012 [PDF]
• U.S. Forces Will Retain Self-defense Capability in Afghanistan AFPS 12 Jun 2012 -- U.S. military leaders will take extra steps to ensure innocent Afghan civilians are not killed or hurt in combat operations, but U.S. forces will retain the means of self-defense, Pentagon officials said here today.
• Karzai: Airstrikes in Afghan Civilian Areas 'Absolutely Banned' VOA 12 Jun 2012 -- Afghan President Hamid Karzai says the use of NATO airstrikes in civilian areas is 'absolutely banned,' even when coalition forces are under attack.
• ISAF Joint Command Welcomes New Commander AFPS 12 Jun 2012 -- Army Lt. Gen. James L. Terry today took command of the International Security Assistance Force Joint Command from Army Lt. Gen. Curtis M. Scaparrotti during a change of command ceremony held at the ISAF Joint Command headquarters in Kabul, Afghanistan.
• Pakistan Downplays Stalemate With US on Supply Lines VOA 12 Jun 2012 -- Pakistan is downplaying a breakdown in U.S.-Pakistan negotiations on the re-opening of supply routes to NATO forces in Afghanistan.
• Colorado, New Mexico, Wyoming National Guards battling wildfires AFNS 12 Jun 2012 -- National Guard units are currently battling wildfires in parts of Colorado, New Mexico and Wyoming, deploying approximately 180 Citizen Soldiers and Airmen on state active duty to assist local civilian first responders.

Defense Policy / Programs

• US National Security Leaks Roil Capitol Hill VOA 12 Jun 2012 -- U.S. congressional Democrats and the Obama administration are resisting Republican demands for an independent probe of national security leaks to the news media. U.S. Attorney General Eric Holder sat Tuesday at the center of the growing firestorm on Capitol Hill, where he rejected a call for his resignation.
• DOD News Briefing with George Little and Capt. Kirby from the Pentagon DoD 12 Jun 2012-- Presenter: Pentagon Press Secretary George Little; Deputy Assistant Secretary of Defense for Media Operations Capt. John Kirby
• Commander Seeks Enhanced Deterrent on Korean Peninsula AFPS 12 Jun 2012 -- The commander of U.S. Forces Korea is working to ensure all the capabilities needed to defend South Korea are in place.
• Little Addresses Syria, Pakistan With Reporters AFPS 12 Jun 2012 -- The violence in Syria is 'deplorable and disgusting,' and another indication that the Assad regime has to go, Pentagon Press Secretary George Little told reporters.
• Under SECNAV Discusses New 'Golden Era' of American Seapower at 63rd Current Strategy Forum NNS 12 Jun 2012 -- At the U.S. Naval War College's (NWC) 63nd annual Current Strategy Forum (CSF), Under Secretary of the Navy Robert Work told more than 900 students and invited guests that the U.S. Navy is entering a 'golden era' of seapower during a keynote speech, June 12.
• NAVEUR-NAVAF Holds Talks with Turkish Naval Chief of Intelligence NNS 12 Jun 2012 -- The Deputy Chief of Staff for Strategy, Resources and Plans at Commander, U.S. Naval Forces Europe-Africa, engaged in staff talks with the Turkish Naval Forces Command Chief of Intelligence, at the Naval Support Activity Naples in Naples, Italy, June 12.
• Army to deliver fuel-efficient generators to Afghanistan Army News 12 Jun 2012 -- The U.S. Army will soon field its next generation of operational energy to Afghanistan with a line of leaner, fuel-saving generators expected to transform the way power is delivered to the battlefield.
• Continental Congress authorizes Army Army News 12 Jun 2012 -- When the American Revolutionary War broke out in 1775, the original 13 colonies did not have a shared army, but instead, a collection of independent colonial militias.
• Senior Executive Service Assignment DoD 12 Jun 2012
• CSAF: Balance required to avoid a 'hollow force' AFNS 12 Jun 2012 -- The Air Force chief of staff reinforced the importance of avoiding a 'hollow force' to a group of civic and industry leaders attending the Air Force Association's monthly breakfast here June 11.
• Africom Will Maintain 'Light Footprint' in Africa AFPS 12 Jun 2012 -- The United States has no plans to seek permanent bases in Africa, and, in the spirit of the new defense strategic guidance, will continue to maintain a 'light footprint' on the continent, the top U.S. Africa Command officer said.
• Panetta, Peres Meet on Security Issues, Defense Relationship AFPS 12 Jun 2012 -- Defense Secretary Leon E. Panetta met with Israeli President Shimon Peres yesterday at the Pentagon to discuss security issues of mutual concern and the nations' strong defense relationship, Press Secretary George Little said.
• Panetta Praises U.S.-Turkish Alliance, Pledges More Support AFPS 12 Jun 2012 -- Defense Secretary Leon E. Panetta delivered keynote remarks during the 31st Annual American Turkish Council Conference dinner here last night reaffirming the U.S.-Turkish alliance and pledging further support for shared security goals.
• Helicopters Help Firefighters at Arms Depot Blast Site RIA Novosti 12 Jun 2012 -- Helicopters from Russia's Emergencies Ministry joined firefighting teams on Tuesday at the site of a blaze at a military stores site at the Buzulsky region of Orenburg Province, the Emergencies Ministry said.
• Iran Developing Own Nuclear Powered Submarine RIA Novosti 12 Jun 2012 -- Iran has begun development of its own nuclear-powered submarines, FARS news agency reported on Tuesday quoting the Iranian fleet's deputy commander Vice-Admiral Abbas Zamini.
• Taiwan paying close attention to U.N. arms treaty: foreign ministry CNA 12 Jun 2012 -- Taiwan is paying close attention to developments leading up to the negotiation of an Arms Trade Treaty (ATT) among United Nations member countries, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs said Tuesday, amid worries expressed by scholars that the treaty could make it difficult for the United States to sell weapons to Taiwan.
• Military confirms organization of summer Nansha Camp CNA 12 Jun 2012 -- The Ministry of National Defense confirmed Tuesday that it will organize a summer camp on Nansha Island, a program under its annual military summer camps.
• Warlike Forces' Preparations of War against DPRK KCNA 11 Jun 2012 -- The U.S. imperialists and the south Korean puppet warmongers are busy making preparations of war against the north.
• Service personnel selected for Tranche 2 Redundancy Programme UK MOD 12 Jun 2012 -- Personnel from all three Services will today be notified if they have been selected for redundancy in the second tranche of the Armed Forces Redundancy Programme.
• Su-25 Fighter Jet Crashes in Belarus RIA Novosti 12 Jun 2012 -- A Soviet-era fighter jet crashed in Belarus on Tuesday, killing the man piloting the aircraft, the country's Defense Ministry said.
• Press Gaggle by Principal Deputy Press Secretary Josh Earnest -- Owings Mills, Maryland The White House 12 Jun 2012
• June 12, 2012 - U.S. Department of State Daily Press Briefing US Dept. of State 12 Jun 2012

Defense Industry

• DoD News: Contracts for June 12, 2012
• Russia's Rosoboronexport to Continue Arms Supplies to Syria RIA Novosti 12 Jun 2012 -- Russia's state-controlled arms trader Rosoboronexport intends to fulfill its contract for the supply of armaments to Syria, Rosoboronexport Deputy CEO Igor Sevastyanov said on Tuesday.

Other Conflicts

• 12 June 2012 - Daily Press Briefing by the Office of the Spokesperson for the Secretary-General United Nations 12 Jun 2012
• 12 June 2012 - Press Conference on Annual Report on Children in Armed Conflict United Nations 12 Jun 2012
• Syria: UN observers blocked from entering town of al-Haffeh, fired at upon departure UN News Centre 12 Jun 2012 -- Following repeated efforts, UN observers were unable to reach the Syrian town of al-Haffeh today as angry crowds surrounded their vehicles, stopping them from proceeding any further, after which they were shot at as they departed.
• Clinton Challenges Russia on Syria VOA 12 Jun 2012 -- U.S. Secretary of State Hillary Clinton said Tuesday the U.S. is concerned about reports Russia is sending attack helicopters to Syria.
• Iran cautions foreign powers against military intervention in Syria IRNA 12 Jun 2012 -- Foreign Ministry spokesman Ramin Mehmanparast on Tuesday cautioned foreign powers against military intervention in Syria.
• Annan 'Gravely Concerned' Over Rising Violence In Syria RFE/RL 12 Jun 2012 -- International envoy Kofi Annan says he is "gravely concerned" over rising violence in Syria and reports that civilians are trapped in cities besieged by government forces.
• UN Observers Concerned over Syria Violence Escalation RIA Novosti 12 Jun 2012 -- UN observers in Syria are worried that violence escalates around the Syrian opposition stronghold city of Homs, the UN reported.
• Britain Warns Syria Follows Path of Balkans VOA 12 Jun 2012 -- Britain has warned that Syria risks becoming 'the next Bosnia.'
• Heavy Fighting Continues in Syria VOA 12 Jun 2012 -- Syrian forces continued to attack rebel strongholds Tuesday, with activist groups saying mortar shells hit anti-government protesters in the eastern town of Deir al-Zour, killing 10 people as fighting raged elsewhere.
• Myanmar: UN envoy discusses state of emergency with President UN News Centre 12 Jun 2012 -- The United Nations envoy for Myanmar met today with the country's president and discussed the state of emergency that has been declared in northern Rakhine state following the recent outbreak of violence.
• More Than 20 Killed in Sectarian Violence in Burma VOA 12 Jun 2012 -- More than 20 people have been killed in western Burma's Rakhine State, as international pressure mounts for an end to sectarian fighting between ethnic-Rakhine Buddhists and Rohingya Muslims.
• Burma's Rakhine State Still in Turmoil VOA 12 Jun 2012 -- Continuing tension in Burma's Rakhine state has observers worried the ethnic and sectarian conflict could spread.
• MYANMAR: Rakhine violence sparks concern IRIN 12 Jun 2012 -- Activists and rights groups have expressed strong concern over rising levels of violence in Myanmar's western Rakhine State, in defiance of a state of emergency declared by Burmese President Thein Sein on 10 June.
• UN and partners relocate refugees in South Sudan to relieve overcrowding UN News Centre 12 Jun 2012 -- The United Nations refugee agency and its partners have relocated 8,000 Sudanese refugees from a transit site in the north-east of South Sudan to relieve overcrowding.
• Thousands of Refugees Moved From South Sudanese Border VOA 12 Jun 2012 -- The U.N. refugee agency has moved thousands of Sudanese refugees from crowded transit sites in northern South Sudan to newer camps away from border areas. The refugees were relocated to their new homes following several deaths.
• Security Council calls on Yemenis to reject violence, proceed with peaceful transition UN News Centre 12 Jun 2012 -- The Security Council today called on all sides in Yemen to immediately reject the use of violence to achieve political goals, and demanded the cessation of all actions aimed at undermining the Government of National Unity and the ongoing political transition.
• Yemeni Troops Recapture Southern Cities from Al-Qaida VOA 12 Jun 2012 -- Yemeni officials say government troops have recaptured two al-Qaida strongholds in the country's south after a month-long offensive against the militant group, which seized the areas more than a year ago.
• Analysis: Aid work conundrum in unpredictable Yemen IRIN 12 Jun 2012 -- In the sweltering port city of Aden, about 300km south of Yemen's capital Sana'a, two dozen international NGOs are struggling to meet mounting humanitarian demands caused by a war raging in neighbouring Abyan Governorate where government troops have for a month fought to crush a local Al Qaeda ally, Ansar Al Shariah.
• DR Congo: UN envoy stresses need to end armed mutiny, suffering of civilians UN News Centre 12 Jun 2012 -- It is vital to put an end to the armed mutiny that began in April in the eastern Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC) which has led to a worsening of the security situation and a major displacement of civilians, a senior United Nations official told the Security Council today.
• DRC: Scores killed as Mai-Mai target Kinyarwanda speakers IRIN 12 Jun 2012 -- More than 100 people have been killed and thousands displaced in ethnically motivated massacres in northeastern Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) since mid-May, according to government officials.
• Kenya PM Says Troops Will Take Kismayo by August VOA 12 Jun 2012 -- Kenyan Prime Minister Raila Odinga says Kenyan troops in Somalia will launch a 'final onslaught' on the al-Shabab stronghold, Kismayo by August. Odinga told reporters in Nairobi Tuesday Kenya is seeking international support for the operation.
• Pakistan, India Standoff continues on Glacier Dispute VOA 12 Jun 2012 -- Pakistan and India's latest talks about whether to end decades of a military stand-off on the Siachen glacier ended with both sides failing to reach an agreement.

News Reports

• UN seeks $198 million for humanitarian needs in DPR Korea in 2012 UN News Centre 12 Jun 2012 -- Amid funding concerns for ongoing activities, the United Nations seeks $198 million to address critical humanitarian needs in the Democratic People's Republic of Korea (DPRK) in 2012.
• FM spokesman: Success of Moscow talks depends on 5+1 approach IRNA 12 Jun 2012 -- Foreign Ministry spokesman Ramin Mehmanparast said the success of talks in Moscow depends on the attitude of the 5+1 member states.
• Iran's storage capacity raised to 3mn barrels in Bahregan region IRNA 12 Jun 2012 -- Executive Head of Naval and Overland Facilities' Projects in Bahregan oil region Hamid-Reza Karimi said here Monday there are plans for raising crude storage in this region up to three million barrels.
• Study underway to increase Soroush oil field output IRNA 12 Jun 2012 -- Director of the Research and Technology Department at National Iranian Continental Shelf Oil Company (NICSOC), Jalal Moussavi, said here on Tuesday that output of Soroush oil field in the Persian Gulf will increase, using new technologies.
• Iran to build gas refinery IRNA 12 Jun 2012 -- Chancellor of Amir Kabir University Ali-Reza Rahaie, says Iran will build a gas refinery, using domestic workforce, in cooperation with the National Iranian Gas Company, National Iranian Oil Company, Oil Industry Research Center, universities and entrepreneurs.
• U.S. exempts Taiwan from Iran oil sanctions CNA 12 Jun 2012 -- The United States will exempt seven economies, including Taiwan, from economic sanctions over Iran oil, U.S. Secretary of State Hillary Clinton announced Monday.
• China Defiant on Iran Oil Purchases VOA 12 Jun 2012 -- The Chinese government has indicated it has no plans to change its position on oil purchases from Iran, a day after the United States left Beijing off a list of economies that are exempt from U.S. sanctions on Iranian oil imports.
• Azerbaijani Parliament Grants President Immunity RFE/RL 12 Jun 2012 -- The parliament of Azerbaijan has granted the country's president and his wife lifetime immunity from criminal prosecution for any acts committed while in office.