Operations
Defense Policy / Programs
Defense Industry
Other Conflicts
News Reports

Current Operations

• OIF/OEF/OND Casualty Update 19 Jun 2012 [PDF]
• Combined Force Captures Taliban Leader AFPS 19 Jun 2012 -- An Afghan and coalition security force detained a Taliban leader in the Nad ?Ali district of Helmand province.
• Militants Attack NATO, Afghan Bases in Kandahar VOA 19 Jun 2012 -- Militants attacked international and Afghan security forces in southern Afghanistan on Tuesday, two days after gunmen in police uniforms opened fire on NATO troops, killing a service member.
• At Least 19 Killed In Afghan Attacks RFE/RL 19 Jun 2012 -- At least 11 Afghans, seven militants, and one NATO soldier have been reported killed in a series of attacks and clashes in southern Afghanistan.
• Afghan Transition Remains On Track, Officials Say AFPS 19 Jun 2012 -- Despite the threat of insider attacks in Afghanistan, coalition forces continue to apply pressure against insurgents in the country.
• Washington Hails Russia’s Contribution to Afghan Mission RIA Novosti 19 Jun 2012 -- The United States recognizes Russia’s contribution to building a better future for the Afghan people.
• Two Charged Over Afghan Mosque Suicide Bombing RFE/RL 19 Jun 2012 -- Afghan authorities say two men have been charged in connection with a suicide bombing that killed dozens of worshippers last year outside a Shi’ite shrine in Kabul.
• Texas Agribusiness Development Team V set to return home from Afghanistan Army News 19 Jun 2012 -- Mmembers Texas Agribusiness Development Team V-FOB Ghazni signal the end of their tour.
• Corps completes Gamberi $5 million flood control project Army News 19 Jun 2012 -- The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers completed a $5 million flood control project constructed to protect the Afghanistan National Army 201st Corps garrison at Gamberi from devastation.
• Afghan Refugees in Pakistan Anxious as Year-End Looms VOA 19 Jun 2012 -- One out of every four refugees in the world is from Afghanistan, and 95 percent of them live either in Iran or Pakistan.

Defense Policy / Programs

• Obama Extends National Emergency Over Russian Nuke Material RIA Novosti 19 Jun 2012 -- U.S. President Barack Obama has ordered a one-year extension of the U.S. national emergency over Russian atomic material suitable for use in nuclear weapons.
• United States, New Zealand Sign Defense Cooperation Arrangement DoD 19 Jun 2012
• DOD News Briefing with George Little and Capt. Kirby from the Pentagon DoD 19 Jun 2012
• Remarks by Deputy Secretary of Defense Carter at Joint Base Charleston DoD 19 Jun 2012
• Dempsey Looks to Future in Time of Budget Constraints AFPS 19 Jun 2012 -- As fiscal constraints reshape priorities, the military will become a leaner force but one still able to provide the nation’s leaders with options, the chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff said.
• Army Leaders Discuss Mission Command Army News 19 Jun 2012 -- Some of the US Army's top leaders, and military officers from around the globe met to discuss the emergence of the Army's newest and arguably most significant warfighting function.
• Security Leaders Briefed on New U.S. Africa Strategy at Africa Center Seminar ACSS 19 Jun 2012 -- The Africa Center for Strategic Studies opened its annual Senior Leaders Seminar on June 18, 2012, in Arlington, Virginia.
• Ham: Africa Presents Opportunity, Challenges AFPS 19 Jun 2012 -- For decades, Africa was arguably the most overlooked continent on the globe, with U.S. military involvement there shared among three combatant commands and engagement activities episodic at best.
• U.S. Marines and Sailors Participate in Crisis Response Training, Prepare to Support U.S. Africa Command AFRICOM 19 Jun 2012 -- Special Purpose Marine Air-Ground Task Force-12.2 prepared to provide limited support in the event of a crisis in the U.S. Africa Command area of responsibility.
• DOD Will Meet ‘Aggressive’ Efficiency Goals, Spokesman Says AFPS 19 Jun 2012 -- The Defense Department “is on target to meet the aggressive efficiency goals set in the fiscal year 2012 budget.”
• Exercises demonstrate Global Strike flexibility, capability AFNS 19 Jun 2012 -- Air Force Global Strike Command Airmen participated in two major exercises this month.
• Republic of Korea Navy Assumes Command of Combined Task Force 151 NNS 19 Jun 2012 -- Combined Task Force 151 held a a change of command ceremony aboard British Royal Fleet Auxiliary Fort Victoria, June 18.
• Bradley Urban Survivability Kits installed a month early, 20 percent under budget Army News 19 Jun 2012 -- Bradley A3 Fighting Vehicles assigned to units stationed in the Republic of Korea became the latest in the fleet to receive the Bradley Urban Survivability Kit III upgrades.
• U.S., S. Korea to Hold Big Firepower Strike Drills KCNA 19 Jun 2012 -- The U.S. and the south Korea plan to stage joint firepower strike drills in Phochon, Kyonggi Province on June 22.
• Company Command Posts bring mission command to battlefield edge Army News 19 Jun 2012 -- NIE 12.2 wrapped up on June 8 and was the third and largest in an ongoing series of evaluations utilizing the 2nd Brigade, 1st Armored Division (2/1 AD) to assess the network's performance.
• USS Nimitz Coordinates Counter Narcotics Seizure NNS 19 Jun 2012 -- The crew of the aircraft carrier USS Nimitz coordinated efforts with USS Princeton, Helicopter Sea Combat Squadron 6, Helicopter Maritime Squadron 75, and the Mexican navy to retrieve 186 bales of marijuana.
• 3/25 Marines learn convoy tactics from Estonians during Saber Strike USMC News 19 Jun 2012 -- Marines of K/3/25th Marines learned life-saving convoy operations tactics from the Estonian army during a two-week multi-national combined exercise during Saber Strike 2012.
• Golden Coyote: Soldiers train with Navy, Royal Engineers Army News 19 Jun 2012 -- Members of the Army Reserve's 486th Engineer Company, the Navy Reserve's Expeditionary Medical Facility Dallas One, and the Corps of Royal Engineers came together during the South Dakota National Guard's Golden Coyote exercise.
• Training the trainer: Reserve Marines share proven tactics with Caribbean troops USMC News 19 Jun 2012 -- Marines from Headquarters Company, 23rd Marine Regiment, 4th Marine Division, participated in training with a coalition of law enforcement and defense personnel from a host of Caribbean nations.
• Soldier Missing from Korean War Identified DoD 19 Jun 2012
• Polish AF flies in Red Flag for first time AFNS 19 Jun 2012 -- It is not only the first time they have participated in Red Flag, but also the first time a Polish crew on a C-130 crossed the North Atlantic to the East Coast and from there to Alaska.
• U.S. Army Europe names USACE built Mission Command Center Army News 19 Jun 2012 -- The new Gen. John Shalikashvili Mission Command Center will be the new home for most of the staff of U.S Army Europe.
• USS Essex Commanding Officer Relieved NNS 19 Jun 2012 -- The commanding officer of USS Essex was relieved of command June 18, by Commander, Expeditionary Strike Group 3, Rear Adm. Gerard Hueber, due to loss of confidence in his ability to command.
• Rogozin in Climbdown Over Long-Range Bomber RIA Novosti 19 Jun 2012 -- Russia's Deputy Prime Minister Dmitry Rogozin said he was in favor of development of the PAK DA long-range bomber for the country's air force.
• Anti-Missile Radar in S.Russia To Go on Combat Duty by Yearend RIA Novosti 19 Jun 2012 -- A new-generation Voronezh-DM class anti-missile radar will enter combat duty around the end of the year.
• Russia to Double Armenia Base Contract Staff RIA Novosti 19 Jun 2012 -- Russia will double the number of contract personnel at its military base in Armenia, a senior official said.
• Defense Ministry to mass produce `Dehlavieh’ anti-armor weapons IRNA 19 Jun 2012 -- Minister of Defense and Armed Forces Logistics, Brigadier General Ahmad Vahidi, unveiled his Ministry’s plan to mass produce new generation of anti-armor weapons in the near future.
• U.S. Department of State Daily Press Briefing, June 19, 2012 US Dept. of State 19 Jun 2012

Defense Industry

• DoD News: Contracts for June 19, 2012

Other Conflicts

• Daily Press Briefing by the Office of the Spokesperson for the Secretary-General, 19 June 2012 United Nations 19 Jun 2012
• Press Conference by Goodwill Envoy for United Nations Refugees Agency, 19 June 2012 United Nations 19 Jun 2012
• Syria: chief UN observer says suffering of civilian population getting worse UN News Centre 19 Jun 2012 -- The suffering of the Syrian people is getting worse amid escalating violence in the country, the head of the United Nations mission there said.
• UN Syria Chief: Violence Impeded Mission’s Work VOA 19 Jun 2012 -- The head of the U.N. monitoring mission in Syria said he suspended patrols by observers because of security concerns.
• UN Members Differ on Conditions for Withdrawing Syria Observers VOA 19 Jun 2012 -- U.N. diplomats say Syria's increasing violence is forcing them to consider an early end to the country's U.N. observer mission.
• Syrian Army is Capable Military Force, Say Experts VOA 19 Jun 2012 -- Fighting between heavily armed Syrian government troops and lightly-equipped opposition forces continues as diplomatic efforts seem to make little headway.
• Syria Conflict Puts Hezbollah Ally in Delicate Position VOA 19 Jun 2012 -- The conflict in Syria is having a spillover effect on many of its neighbors and placing some allies of the Syrian government in a delicate position.
• UN Observers Chief To Brief Security Council On Syria RFE/RL 19 Jun 2012 -- The head of the United Nations observer mission in Syria, General Robert Mood, is set to brief the UN Security Council.
• Syria Says Ready to Evacuate Civilians From Bombarded Homs VOA 19 Jun 2012 -- Syria says it is ready to act on a U.N. appeal to evacuate civilians from the rebellious central city of Homs.
• Syrian Authorities Ready to Evacuate Trapped Civilians RIA Novosti 19 Jun 2012 -- Syrian authorities are ready to evacuate civilians trapped in regions occupied by militants and armed anti-government groups without preconditions.
• Russia Resupplying Base in Syria, DOD Spokesman Says AFPS 19 Jun 2012 -- Defense Department spokesman said three other Russian vessels will carry supplies and possibly troops to the Russian naval base at the Syrian port of Tartus.
• Russian Ship Suspected of Carrying Arms to Syria Turns Back VOA 19 Jun 2012 -- A cargo ship believed to be carrying Russian-made attack helicopters has been halted on its way to Syria after its insurance coverage was withdrawn.
• Russian Ship ‘Carrying Arms' to Syria 'Turns Back' - Hague RIA Novosti 19 Jun 2012 -- British Foreign Secretary William Hague: A Russian cargo ship reported to be carrying arms to Syria has changed its course and is returning home.
• Russian Ship Stopped Over Suspected Arms Shipment to Syria VOA 19 Jun 2012 -- A British insurance company has cancelled insurance for a Russian ship it believes is carrying munitions to Syria, effectively halting the vessel unless another insurer agrees to cover it.
• British Insurer Pulls Cover on Russian Arms Ship RIA Novosti 19 Jun 2012 -- A British marine insurer has withdrawn cover from a Russian ship believed to be carrying overhauled combat helicopters to Syria, after finding out there were weapons on-board.
• Moscow Denies Sending Warship to Syria RIA Novosti 19 Jun 2012 -- The Russian Defense Ministry denied media reports that it is sending a warship from the Baltic Sea Fleet to Syria and it also dismissed reports of upcoming foreign military exercises in the Middle Eastern country.
• Warship Heads for ‘Test’ as Navy Denies Syria Role RIA Novosti 19 Jun 2012 -- A Russian amphibious landing ship, the Caesar Kunikov left the Black Sea port of Sevastopol for what a a Black Sea Fleet officer said was a routine exercise at a training base.
• Putin, Obama Urge Syria Peace But no Deal on Assad RIA Novosti 19 Jun 2012 -- Russian President Vladimir Putin and U.S. President Barack Obama made a joint call for an immediate cessation of the violence in Syria.
• Obama, Putin Discuss Syria Crisis At G20 RFE/RL 19 Jun 2012 -- U.S. President Barack Obama and Russian President Vladimir Putin have met on the sidelines of the G20 summit in Mexico in their first bilateral talks since Putin returned for a third term in May.
• Explainer: Why Is Access To Syria's Port At Tartus So Important To Moscow? RFE/RL 19 Jun 2012 -- More than its weapons sales to the regime of Syrian President Bashar al-Assad, Russia's greatest strategic and geopolitical interest in Syria is the use of a deep-water port at Tartus.
• Nigeria Cleric Blames Poor Security for Violence VOA 19 Jun 2012 -- In Nigeria, a prominent Muslim cleric in Kaduna State says the government is to blame for the lack of adequate security preceding the weekend bombings of three churches and the rioting that followed.
• Christian, Muslim Clashes in Nigeria Leave 3 Dead VOA 19 Jun 2012 -- Fresh sectarian violence has flared in two northern Nigerian cities, after church bombings and rioting killed at least 50 people on Sunday.
• UN rights chief concerned over civilian safety as fighting continues in DR Congo’s east UN News Centre 19 Jun 2012 -- The United Nations human rights chief expressed deep concern over the safety of civilians living in the eastern Democratic Republic of the Congo.
• UNCHR: Rights Violators in DRC Among World's Worst VOA 19 Jun 2012 -- The U.N.'s top human rights official has singled out five leaders of a mutiny in the Democratic Republic of Congo, saying they may be among the worst perpetrators of human rights abuses in the world.
• Security Council welcomes resumption of talks between Sudan and South Sudan UN News Centre 19 Jun 2012 -- Noting a reduction in violence in the shared border area between Sudan and South Sudan, the United Nations Security Council has welcomed the resumption of negotiations between the two countries.
• UN agency starts flying in emergency aid for refugees in South Sudan UN News Centre 19 Jun 2012 -- The United Nations refugee agency said today it has started a new emergency aid airlift for refugees in South Sudan who have fled conflict and related food shortages in neighbouring Sudan.
• UN Airlifts Emergency Aid to South Sudan VOA 19 Jun 2012 -- The U.N. refugee agency is airlifting emergency aid for 50,000 refugees who have fled conflict and food shortages in Sudan’s Blue Nile State.
• UNHCR Tries to Count Somalia's Displaced VOA 19 Jun 2012 -- As the United Nations prepares to mark World Refugee Day Wednesday, the U.N. refugee agency is struggling to put exact figures to the number of internally displaced people inside Somalia.
• AFRICA: Donor fatigue forces WFP to cut refugee rations IRIN 19 Jun 2012 -- The UN World Food Programme has halved food rations to refugees living in camps in at least four African countries citing a funding shortfall.
• Eight Turkish Soldiers, 10 Kurdish Rebels Killed In Clashes RFE/RL 19 Jun 2012 -- Reports from Turkey say Kurdish rebels attacked Turkish military units in southeastern Turkey on June 19, sparking clashes in which 10 rebels and eight Turkish soldiers died.
• Kurdish Rebels Kill Turkish Troops RIA Novosti 19 Jun 2012 -- At least eight Turkish soldiers were killed and 16 others injured in an ambush by Kurdish rebels.
• U.S., France, Russia Issue Statement On Nagorno-Karabakh RFE/RL 19 Jun 2012 -- The United States, France, and Russia have issued a joint statement calling on Armenia and Azerbaijan to take "decisive steps" to resolve the long-running conflict over the Azerbaijani separatist region of Nagorno-Karabakh.
• UN responds to humanitarian needs in Myanmar following recent violence UN News Centre 19 Jun 2012 -- United Nations relief agencies are responding to the humanitarian situation in Myanmar’s northern Rakhine state, in the wake of violence there which had displaced thousands of people.
• Warning of renewed deadlock, UN official urges further Israeli-Palestinian talks UN News Centre 19 Jun 2012 -- A top United Nations official stressed the need for Israelis and Palestinians to renew dialogue and make real progress towards the two-State solution.
• Two Gaza Palestinians Killed in Israeli Airstrike RIA Novosti 19 Jun 2012 -- Two Palestinians were killed following an Israeli air attack on the Gaza Strip, a hospital employee said.
• Blast kills Five, injures 69 in SW Pakistan IRNA 19 Jun 2012 -- At least Five people were killed while 69 others injured in a powerful blast occurred near a university in south western city of Quetta.
• Grenades Thrown At NATO On Border With Serbia RFE/RL 19 Jun 2012 -- The NATO-led KFOR force said unknown attackers threw two grenades at NATO barracks at the tense border between Kosovo and Serbia.
• Former Serbian Police Jailed Over Croatia Crimes RFE/RL 19 Jun 2012 -- Serbia's war crimes court has convicted four former police officers of crimes committed against civilians during the 1991-95 war in Croatia and sentenced them to up to 20 years in prison.
• Charles Taylor to Appeal Sentence VOA 19 Jun 2012 -- Former Liberian president Charles Taylor plans to appeal his conviction for war crimes and crimes against humanity.

News Reports

• G20 Leaders Declaration The White House 19 Jun 2012
• Remarks by President Obama and President Hu Jintao of China before Bilateral Meeting The White House 19 Jun 2012
• Joint Statement by the United States and Canada The White House 19 Jun 2012
• Iran Nuclear Talks End With Little Progress VOA 19 Jun 2012 -- Two days of tough talks over Iran's nuclear program ended Tuesday in Moscow without a date set for a new round.
• Istanbul to Host Next Iran-Six Nuclear Talks July 3 RIA Novosti 19 Jun 2012 -- New talks over Iran’s nuclear energy ambitions between Iran and the Group 5+1 will be held in Istanbul on July 3.
• Iran, World Power Nuclear Talks Suspended RFE/RL 19 Jun 2012 -- Talks between officials from Iran and world powers on Iran's nuclear program have been suspended.
• Nuclear talks in Moscow wrap up its work IRNA 19 Jun 2012 -- Nuclear negotiation between Iran and Group 5+1 in Moscow wrapped up its work after two days of intensive talks to remove disputes and discuss bilateral proposals.
• G5+1 asks for more time to mull Iran's package of proposals IRNA 19 Jun 2012 -- G5+1 has called for more time to answer Iran’s requests in connection with the Baghdad proposed package.
• Iran Moscow Talks Continue RIA Novosti 19 Jun 2012 -- Talks over Iran’s nuclear energy ambitions have resumed between Iran and the Group 5 +1, in Moscow, after earlier reports suggested that they had ended.
• Iran Nuclear Talks Continue After Fruitless First Day RFE/RL 19 Jun 2012 -- Iran and other world powers are holding talks for a second day on Iran's nuclear program.
• Egypt's Mubarak Reported in Serious Condition VOA 19 Jun 2012 -- Egyptian media are reporting another serious health crisis for former Egyptian President Hosni Mubarak.
• Egypt's Mubarak Reported Clinically Dead VOA 19 Jun 2012 -- Former Egyptian president Hosni Mubarak, the man long seen as the symbol of stability in the Middle East but who was ousted in a popular uprising, has died after suffering a stroke in prison.
• Mass Protests in Egypt; Mubarak Suffers Stroke VOA 19 Jun 2012 -- Tens of thousands of Egyptians have packed Cairo's Tahrir Square to protest the ruling military's bid to grab new powers, while ex-president Hosni Mubarak was moved to a military hospital from prison after reportedly suffering a stroke.
• Will Muslim Brotherhood Lead Egypt's Next Revolution? VOA 19 Jun 2012 -- Egypt’s Muslim Brotherhood says its activists, along with other Egyptians, are taking to the streets to protest a series of recent rulings by the country’s Supreme Constitutional Court and subsequent decrees by the ruling Supreme Council of the Armed Forces.
• Court Postpones Egypt Brotherhood Dissolution Case to September RIA Novosti 19 Jun 2012 -- An Egyptian court postponed consideration of a lawsuit calling for the dissolution of the country’s largest and most influential Islamic political force.
• Egypt: Ban looks forward to early handover of authority to civilian government UN News Centre 19 Jun 2012 -- Secretary-General Ban has voiced his strong support for Egypt’s transition to fully meet the legitimate expectations of its people.
• Pakistan's Supreme Court Ousts Prime Minister VOA 19 Jun 2012 -- Pakistan's highest court has declared Prime Minister Yousaf Raza Gilani ineligible for office, throwing the country into a new round of political turmoil.
• High Court Disqualifies Pakistani PM From Holding Office RFE/RL 19 Jun 2012 -- Pakistan's highest court has declared Prime Minister Yusuf Raza Gilani “disqualified” from holding office.
• Pakistan Supreme Court Disqualifies Prime Minister RIA Novosti 19 Jun 2012 -- Pakistan’s Supreme Court on Tuesday disqualified Yousuf Raza Gilani from the post of prime minister.
• President Obama Announces Presidential Delegation to the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia to Offer Condolences for the Passing of Crown Prince Nayif bin Abd al-Aziz Al Saud The White House 19 Jun 2012
• Secretary of Defense Leon E. Panetta’s Statement on Saudi Arabia Trip DoD 19 Jun 2012
• Panetta to Lead Presidential Delegation to Saudi Arabia AFPS 19 Jun 2012 -- Defense Secretary Leon E. Panetta will lead a delegation representing the United States to offer its sympathies to the kingdom of Saudi Arabia following the death of Crown Prince Nayif bin Abd al-Aziz Al Saud, the White House announced today.
• Blind Chinese Dissident Settles Into Life in US VOA 19 Jun 2012 -- Chinese activist Chen Guangcheng is spending his days being tutored in English and the basics of the U.S. democratic and legal system.
• Burma President Promises 'Second Wave' of Reforms VOA 19 Jun 2012 -- Burmese President Thein Sein has promised what he calls a "second wave of reforms" aimed at developing the impoverished country's long-stagnant economy.
• Aung San Suu Kyi Returns to Britain VOA 19 Jun 2012 -- Burmese democracy leader Aung San Suu Kyi continues her whirlwind European tour Tuesday in Britain, where she will reunite with family after leaving the country nearly a quarter century ago.
• Iraq Taps Its Oil Riches, But Risks Deter Big Investment VOA 19 Jun 2012 -- Nine years after the U.S.-led invasion, the Iraqi government says the country is emerging as a global energy giant.
• Obama's Pick For Iraqi Envoy Withdraws From Consideration RFE/RL 19 Jun 2012 -- U.S. President Barack Obama's nominee to be the next U.S. ambassador to Iraq has withdrawn his name from consideration.
• Kyrgyz Authorities Cry Foul As Children Sent Abroad To Bangladeshi Madrasahs RFE/RL 19 Jun 2012 -- Few figures are available as to how many Kyrgyz children have been sent to Bangladesh or what conditions they may be living in.
• 11 Kazakh Border 'Deserters' Found RFE/RL 19 Jun 2012 -- Kazakh border officials say 11 conscripts who went missing from their post on the Kazakh-Chinese border have been found alive.