Operations
Defense Policy / Programs
Defense Industry
Other Conflicts
News Reports

Current Operations

• OIF/OEF/OND Casualty Update 13 Jun 2012 [PDF]
• Brigade Commander Prepares for Afghanistan Deployment AFPS 13 Jun 2012 -- Soldiers with the 2nd Infantry Division's 4th Stryker Brigade Combat Team aren't deploying to Afghanistan this fall to play soccer, but that's the analogy the brigade's commander is using to describe how he'll partner with local Afghan leaders.
• Combined Forces Seize Large Hashish Caches AFPS 13 Jun 2012 -- Combined Afghan-coalition forces seized 1,180 pounds of hashish during operations conducted over the past two days in the Panjwai district of Afghanistan's Kandahar province, military officials reported.
• PAKISTAN: Uncertain future for Afghan refugees as deadline looms IRIN 13 Jun 2012 -- The UN Refugee Agency (UNHCR) is calling on the government of Pakistan not to hastily expel Afghan refugees, even as a deadline for their legal stay in the country approaches.
• Seabees Partner with Squadron, Train Afghan Engineers NNS 13 Jun 2012 -- U.S. Navy Seabees with Naval Mobile Construction Battalion 7 recently partnered with the U.S. Air Force's 443rd Air Expeditionary Advisory Squadron to train and instruct Afghan engineers at the Kandahar Air Wing on Kandahar Airfield.
• US Awaits Pakistan's Decision on NATO Supply Routes VOA 13 Jun 2012 -- Pakistan and the United States appear to be edging closer to a deal on the re-opening of NATO supply routes into Afghanistan, according to comments made by Cameron Munter, the U.S. Ambassador to Pakistan.
• British forces help Afghans repair roads in Nad 'Ali UK MOD 13 Jun 2012 -- British forces have been assisting Afghans in Nad 'Ali to repair local roads that are vital to local commerce, helping to build confidence in the Afghan Government and increase stability.
• Guard Members Battle Western Wildfires AFPS 13 Jun 2012 -- Citizen-soldiers and airmen from five states are working alongside civilian first responders as they continue to battle wildfires in Colorado and New Mexico, according to National Guard officials.

Defense Policy / Programs

• DOD Leaders Strongly Urge Congress to Preserve Budget Request AFPS 13 Jun 2012 -- Defense Secretary Leon E. Panetta cautioned Congress today against dismantling the strategic framework that supports the 2013 defense budget request.
• Panetta Warns of US Defense Budget Disaster VOA 13 Jun 2012 -- U.S. Defense Secretary Leon Panetta says he is very concerned about the possibility of a major cyber attack that he says could paralyze U.S. government and financial systems.
• Reduction Focus Shifts from Nukes to Bio Threats AFPS 13 Jun 2012 -- The 21-year-old program to reduce weapons of mass destruction in the former Soviet Union is shifting focus from nuclear to biological threats and from Russia to Southeast Asia and Africa, the assistant secretary of defense for global strategic affairs told a Senate panel yesterday.
• NATO is Crucial to U.S. Security, Panetta Tells Senators AFPS 13 Jun 2012 -- Defense Secretary Leon E. Panetta told a Senate panel today the NATO alliance is crucial to American security, but that NATO countries need to spend more on defense.
• Service Officials Affirm Commitment to Renewable Energy AFPS 13 Jun 2012 -- Army and Air Force senior leaders said they remain confident that industry partnerships will help develop large-scale renewable energy projects on the services' posts and installations.
• Michigan Visits Yokosuka During Western Pacific Deployment NNS 13 Jun 2012 -- The Ohio-class guided missile submarine USS Michigan (SSGN 727) arrived at Fleet Activities Yokosuka, June 13, for a visit as part of its deployment to the Western Pacific.
• George Washington Celebrates 150,000 Safe Arrested Landings NNS 13 Jun 2012 -- The U.S. Navy's forward-deployed aircraft carrier USS George Washington (CVN 73) celebrated a significant milestone in the ship's history, June 13.
• USNS Henry J. Kaiser Loads Biofuel for RIMPAC 2012's Great Green Fleet Demo NNS 13 Jun 2012 -- Military Sealift Command (MSC) fleet replenishment oiler USNS Henry J. Kaiser (T-AO 187) commenced the load of 900,000 gallons of a 50/50 blend of advanced biofuels and traditional petroleum-based fuel at Defense Fuel Support Point, Manchester, Wash. June 13.
• United States, Republic of Korea and Japanese Naval Exercises Announced DoD 13 Jun 2012 -- The United States, the Republic of Korea and Japan will conduct a two-day, trilateral naval exercise June 21 - 22 in the waters south of the Korean peninsula.
• New Sexual Assault Prevention and Response Director Named DoD 13 Jun 2012 -- The Department of Defense announced today that Maj. Gen. Gary S. Patton will become the new director of the DoD Sexual Assault Prevention and Response Office (SAPRO) in July.
• Panetta: Sense of Urgency Needed to Defend Against Cyber Attacks AFPS 13 Jun 2012 -- The increasing threat of cyber attacks against the nation's computer networks requires a commensurate growth in resources dedicated to protecting them, Defense Secretary Leon E. Panetta told Congress today.
• Readout of Secretary Panetta's Phone Call with Japan's Defense Minister Morimoto DoD 13 Jun 2012
• Air Force launches first special tactics wing AFNS 13 Jun 2012 -- U.S. Air Force Special Operations Command stood up the 24th Special Operations Wing in a ceremony at Hurlburt Field, Fla., June 12 to meet the growing demand for the unique capabilities special tactics Air Commandos provide.
• PACANGEL 12 kicks off in Vietnam AFNS 13 Jun 2012 -- Approximately 58 U.S. military members, along with the Vietnam People's Armed Forces and two non-governmental organizations, Project H.O.P.E. and East Meets West, kicked-off Pacific Angel-Vietnam 12 in Nghe An Province, Vietnam, June 11.
• NATO Secretary General calls for closer ties with Australia NATO 13 Jun 2012 -- Australia and NATO need to forge closer security ties to address common security challenges in the years ahead, NATO’s Secretary General Anders Fogh Rasmussen said in a speech to the National Press Club of Australia.
• HMS Diamond sets sail on maiden deployment UK MOD 13 Jun 2012 -- HMS Diamond set sail from Portsmouth for the Middle East today on her maiden operational deployment.
• HMS Ledbury destroys mine in Mediterranean UK MOD 13 Jun 2012 -- Royal Navy divers from HMS Ledbury have helped to blow up a Second World War mine found off Sardinia's busiest port.
• Fire at Urals Artillery Depot Put Out RIA Novosti 13 Jun 2012 -- Firefighters have finally put out a blaze at an artillery depot in the Urals region that injured one person and left another two missing, emergency services said.
• Russian Military to Get New Pistol RIA Novosti 13 Jun 2012 -- The Russian Armed Forces will take delivery of a new 9-mm handgun to replace the aging Makarov pistol in the next few months, Deputy Prime Minister Dmitry Rogozin said on Wednesday.
• Russia, Israel in UAV Talks RIA Novosti 13 Jun 2012 -- Russia and Israel are negotiating a joint project to build an unmanned aerial vehicle, Russian Deputy Prime Minister Dmitry Rogozin said on Wednesday.
• China Denies Delivery of Missile Launchers to N. Korea RIA Novosti 13 Jun 2012 -- Beijing has denied media reports that a Chinese company allegedly supplied Pyongyang with four ballistic missile launchers last year in a breach of UN sanctions.
• Report: China Shipped Launch Vehicles to N. Korea VOA 13 Jun 2012 -- Japanese officials say China has violated a U.N. embargo by supplying North Korea with vehicles capable of transporting and launching ballistic missiles.
• Belarus Grounds Military Planes over Su-25 Crash RIA Novosti 13 Jun 2012 -- The Belarusian Defense Ministry has suspended flights by military combat aircraft following the recent crash of a Sukhoi Su-25 Frogfoot attack plane, local news agency BELTA reported.
• Pakistan Air Force fighter plane crashes IRNA 12 Jun 2012 -- A Pakistan Air Force (PAF) Mirage fighter aircraft on Tuesday crashed in the country's southwestern Balochistan province, the PAF said.
• June 13, 2012 - U.S. Department of State Daily Press Briefing US Dept. of State 13 Jun 2012
• Press Briefing by Press Secretary Jay Carney, 6/13/12 The White House 13 Jun 2012

Defense Industry

• DoD News: Contracts for June 13, 2012

Other Conflicts

• 13 June 2012 - Daily Press Briefing by the Office of the Spokesperson for the Secretary-General United Nations 13 Jun 2012
• UN emergency fund provides nearly $10 million to boost aid to Syrian refugees UN News Centre 13 Jun 2012 -- The United Nations humanitarian arm has provided nearly $10 million in fresh funding in recent weeks to assist Syrian refugees in Lebanon, Turkey and Jordan.
• US has incurred heavy defeat in Syria despite huge spending IRNA 13 Jun 2012 -- Vice chairman of Chiefs of Staff of the armed forces Brigadier General Masoud Jazayeri said on Wednesday that the US along with its puppet regimes in the region and certain European states have incrred another heavy setback depite spending huge sum to oust the Syrian government.
• Russia Accuses U.S. Of Arming Syrian Opposition Fighters RFE/RL 13 Jun 2012 -- Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov has accused Washington of providing weapons to the Syrian opposition for their fight against pro-government forces.
• U.S. Senator Challenges Pentagon over Russian Arms to Syria RIA Novosti 13 Jun 2012 -- A U.S. Senator has called on the Pentagon to take action against Russia's state arms exporter Rosoboronexport, which he claims is 'arming the Assad regime' in Syria.
• Russia Rejects U.S. Allegations on Arms Deliveries to Syria RIA Novosti 13 Jun 2012 -- Russia dismissed on Wednesday claims by U.S. Secretary of State Hillary Clinton that it was selling attack helicopters to Syria and accused the United States of arming rebels fighting against the rule of Syrian President Bashar al-Assad.
• Russia Defends Arms Sale to Syria, Blasts US VOA 13 Jun 2012 -- Russia on Wednesday defended its sale of arms to Syria and stepped up the rhetoric by accusing the United States of providing weapons to the Syrian rebels.
• Syria: Rebel Enclave 'Cleansed,' Retaken VOA 13 Jun 2012 -- Syrian state television says government forces have retaken control of the rebellious western town of al-Haffeh after a week of heavy fighting that led the United States to warn of a potential massacre.
• Analysis: How close is an African criminal court? IRIN 13 Jun 2012 -- The long-running spat between the African Union (AU) and International Criminal Court (ICC) over perceived bias has prompted the AU to push ahead with plans to form its own Africa-wide criminal court, but analysts believe the move could complicate, rather than enhance, international justice.
• UGANDA: LRA victims rap compensation delay IRIN 13 Jun 2012 -- Jennifer Abalo struggles to support two of her own and two of her late sister's children. She lost her father, sister and two of her children to Lord's Resistance Army (LRA) violence between 1998 and 2004, but like thousands of other victims she has never received any compensation, despite government promises.
• COTE D'IVOIRE: 'Everyone is looking for safety' IRIN 13 Jun 2012 -- Up to a dozen people jostle for space in small houses meant for families of four, but at least they have found refuge in Duékoué, a town near the Liberian border. A new militia attack in Côte d'Ivoire's restive western Tai area left 16 people dead, including seven UN troops, and triggered the displacement of around 300 families from villages to nearby towns.
• UN expert urges continued support for Côte d'Ivoire following deadly attack UN News Centre 13 Jun 2012 -- A United Nations independent human rights expert today urged all Ivoirians and the international community to maintain their support for Côte d'Ivoire's national reconciliation in the aftermath of an attack last week which killed seven UN peacekeepers, eight civilians and one Ivorian soldier.
• Top UN humanitarian official urges lifting of Israeli blockade of Gaza UN News Centre 13 Jun 2012 -- With the Israeli blockade of the Gaza Strip now entering its sixth year, the top United Nations humanitarian official today called for its immediate lifting, citing the devastating impact it has had on the lives and livelihoods of 1.6 million Palestinians living in the area.
• UN expert warns of threat from escalating communal violence in Myanmar UN News Centre 13 Jun 2012 -- A United Nations independent human rights expert today warned that escalating violence among communities in Myanmar's Rakhine state represents a serious threat to the country's future.

News Reports

• West not entitled to make nuclear demand from Iran, Larijani IRNA 13 Jun 2012 -- Majlis Speaker Ali Larijani said on Wednesday that the West has no right to make any nuclear demand from Iran.
• Russian Foreign Minister Visits Tehran RFE/RL 13 Jun 2012 -- The crisis over the Iran's nuclear program and the conflict in Syria are expected to top the agenda of talks on June 13 in Tehran between Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov and Iranian officials.
• Moscow Warns against 'Unilateral Sanctions' on Iran RIA Novosti 13 Jun 2012 -- Russia is opposed to unilateral sanctions against Iran and urges action based on UN resolutions, Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov said on Wednesday.
• After deadly attacks in Iraq, UN envoy calls for root causes of violence to be addressed UN News Centre 13 Jun 2012 -- In the wake of deadly attacks across Iraq, the United Nations top envoy there expressed his shock today and called for the country's Government to address the root causes behind the violence.
• Bombs Kill 72 in Iraqi Cities, Shi'ite Pilgrims Targeted VOA 13 Jun 2012 -- Deadly explosions rocked cities across Iraq Wednesday, killing more than 72 people and wounding nearly 260. The bombings coincided with an annual Shi'ite pilgrimage to honor a revered 8th century religious figure.
• Ukrainian President Accuses Tymoshenko of Aiding Murder RIA Novosti 13 Jun 2012 -- Ukrainian President Viktor Yanukovych said on Wednesday that jailed ex-prime minister Yulia Tymoshenko could have been involved in the killing of Ukrainian lawmaker and businessman, Yevhen Shcherban, in 1996.
• Tunisia Court Gives Ben Ali 20 years for 'Incitement to Murder' RIA Novosti 13 Jun 2012 -- A military court in Tunisia has sentenced ousted president Zine El Abidine Ben Ali to 20 years jail in absentia on charges, including 'incitement to murder', Al-Arabiya said, quoting the TAP news agency.
• NASA Launches Black Hole Hunter VOA 13 Jun 2012 -- The U.S. space agency launched a telescope into space Wednesday that is designed to seek out and study black holes, those still-mysterious celestial bodies that scientists believe lie at the heart of every massive galaxy, including our own Milky Way.