Operations
Defense Policy / Programs
Defense Industry
Other Conflicts
News Reports

Current Operations

• OIF/OEF/OND Casualty Update 28 Jun 2012 [PDF]
• NATO Ambassador addresses UN Security Council on Afghanistan NATO 28 Jun 2012 -- On 27 June 2012, Ambassador Stephen Evans, NATO Assistant Secretary General for Operations, briefed the United Nations Security Council on the situation in Afghanistan.
• India Presses for More Private Investment in Afghanistan VOA 28 Jun 2012 -- India is encouraging private investors to take advantage of growing opportunities in Afghanistan and help stabilize the war-torn country. But security concerns remain deterrents for many businessmen.
• Combined Force Detains Taliban Leader AFPS 28 Jun 2012 -- An Afghan and coalition security force detained a Taliban leader during an operation in the Kandahar district of Afghanistan's Kandahar province today, military officials reported.
• II (AC) Squadron prepares for Afghan deployment UK MOD 28 Jun 2012 -- One of the oldest fixed-wing flying squadrons in the world has become the latest to complete its pre-deployment training for Afghanistan.
• UK forces help Afghan community rebuild bridge UK MOD 28 Jun 2012 -- A UK military team has helped an Afghan community in Helmand to rebuild a bridge destroyed by Taliban insurgents when they were driven out of the area.
• Strategic Dividends of Iraq Efforts Within Reach, Official Says AFPS 28 Jun 2012 -- Six months after U.S. combat troops withdrew from Iraq, long-term efforts there by the Defense and State departments have put strategic dividends within reach, the chief of staff to the undersecretary of defense for policy said today.
• Panetta Commends Jacoby for Northcom Fire Assistance AFPS 28 Jun 2012 -- In an afternoon call to the commander of U.S. Northern Command, Defense Secretary Leon E. Panetta commended Army Gen. Charles H. Jacoby Jr. for leading the Defense Department's effort to support the fight against Colorado's raging wildfires.
• Army National Guard fights Colorado fires on ground, in air Army News 28 Jun 2012 -- As Colorado continues to fight wildfires throughout the state, the Army is actively offering resources to state, local and federal officials, as well as displaced residents.
• Readout of Secretary Panetta's Call with U.S. NORTHCOM Commander Gen. Chuck Jacoby on Defense Department Support to Fighting the Waldo Canyon Fire DoD 28 Jun 2012 -- BSecretary Panetta received an update today from U.S. Northern Command (NORTHCOM) Commander Gen. Charles H. Jacoby on the status of Defense Department support to the wildfires impacting Colorado Springs and the U.S. Air Force Academy.
• Firefighters continue to battle Colorado Springs blaze AFNS 28 Jun 2012 -- Firefighters continued to battle several fires that burned into the evening hours in Waldo Canyon near here June 27.

Defense Policy / Programs

• DOD News Briefing with Gen. Edward Rice Jr. from the Pentagon DoD 28 Jun 2012 -- Presenter: Commander of Air Education and Training Command Gen. Edward Rice Jr.
• 'Aggressive Action' Follows Sexual Misconduct Charges AFPS 28 Jun 2012 -- The Air Force has charged six basic training instructors with a range of alleged sexual misconduct offenses involving trainees and is investigating similar allegations against six other instructors, the senior officer in charge of Air Force training said today.
• Marines perform moonlight maintenance in Kuwait USMC News 28 Jun 2012 -- The Marines of the 24th Marine Expeditionary Unit maximized mission readiness by working the graveyard shift to avoid the daily heat during a maintenance stand down upon their arrival to Camp Buehring, Kuwait, in June.
• Propulsion flight improves maintenance process on C-130s AFNS 28 Jun 2012 -- Members of the 379th Expeditionary Maintenance Squadron Propulsion Flight have implemented a new process that reduces the propeller maintenance repair cycle time for the C-130 Hercules here.
• Army Conducts Successful Demonstrations of the Ground Based Sense and Avoid System Army News 28 Jun 2012 -- The Product Directorate for Unmanned Systems Airspace Integration (USAIC) conducted a formal two-week demonstration during the weeks of June 4-8 and June 18-22 with a series of vignettes designed to validate the design and functionality of the Army's Sense and Avoid technology.
• Complexity, realism and technology enhances C-IED training Army News 28 Jun 2012 -- A major part of training service members for combat revolves around countering the insurgent's use of Improvised Explosive Devises. IEDs remain the weapon of choice for terrorists, insurgents and criminal networks worldwide.
• DOD Updates Enlistment Priority for Certain Education Credentials DoD 28 Jun 2012
• Army expanding, upgrading Gray Eagle fleet Army News 28 Jun 2012 -- The Army is upgrading its fleet of MQ-1C Gray Eagle Unmanned Aircraft Systems while also advancing plans to equip each 10-15,000 Soldier division with its reconnaissance, surveillance, targeting and acquisition capabilities, officials said.
• Readout of Meeting with Deputy Secretary Ash Carter and Indian Parliamentarians DoD 28 Jun 2012
• George Washington Returns to Busan, Republic of Korea NNS 28 Jun 2012 -- USS George Washington (CVN 73) arrived in Busan, Republic of Korea (ROK) June 27, for a port visit to foster relations with a longstanding ally of the United States.
• FRUKUS 2012 Holds Joint Maneuvering and Aerial Defense Training NNS 28 Jun 2012 -- The multinational training Exercise FRUKUS 2012 conducted its first series of training evolutions, June 27.
• LCS Completes First Stage of Surface Warfare Developmental Testing NNS 28 Jun 2012 -- The U.S. Navy completed the first stage of developmental testing for the Littoral Combat Ship surface warfare mission package, June 24.
• Russia's Second Borey Class Sub to Enter Service by Yearend RIA Novosti 28 Jun 2012 -- Russia's second Borey class strategic submarine, the Alexander Nevsky, will be commissioned by the end of 2012, First Deputy Defense Minister Alexander Sukhorukov said on Thursday.
• New S-400 Long-Range Missile Ready For Service – Official RIA Novosti 28 Jun 2012 -- A new long-range missile for Russia's formidable S-400 air defense system will soon enter service, chief-of-staff of Russia's Air and Missile Defense Command Maj. Gen. Andrei Demin said on Thursday.
• Russian Army to Receive First Indigenous Strike UAV in 2014 RIA Novosti 28 Jun 2012 -- The first domestically-developed strike unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV) will be put in service with the Russian Armed Forces by the end of 2014, a defense industry source said on Thursday.
• Su-27 Fighter Jet Crashes in Karelia RIA Novosti 28 Jun 2012 -- A Russian Air Force Sukhoi Su-27UB fighter jet crashed in the Petrozavodsk district of Russia's northeast Karelia Republic on Thursday morning, although the pilots ejected safely according to Russia's Defense Ministry.
• Russia Will Deliver First Mi-25 Gunships to Syria on Time - Arms Official RIA Novosti 28 Jun 2012 -- The first consignment of three Mil Mi-25 helicopter gunships for Syria has been overhauled and will be delivered to the customer within the contracted time, a senior arms official said on Thursday.
• Turkey Deploys Anti-Aircraft Guns On Syrian Border RIA Novosti 28 Jun 2012 -- Turkey deployed anti-aircraft artillery near its border with Syria on Thursday, amid heightened tensions over the downing of a Turkish warplane by Syrian forces last week, state media reported.
• Turkey Boosts Forces at Syrian Border VOA 28 Jun 2012 -- Turkey said Thursday it is stationing anti-aircraft batteries on its border with Syria following the downing of one of its warplanes.
• MOD announces shortlisted FM bidders for English regions UK MOD 28 Jun 2012 -- Defence Infrastructure Organisation (DIO) has announced the private sector bidders shortlisted for each of three major new prime contracts for the delivery of facilities management to Defence establishments across England from 2014.
• Taiwan to give The Gambia three patrol boats CNA 28 Jun 2012 -- Taiwan will give its West African diplomatic ally The Gambia three more patrol boats to help strengthen its naval defenses, with the delivery set to take place early next year, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs said Thursday.
• July UN Meeting to Discuss Global Arms Trade Treaty VOA 28 Jun 2012 -- Delegates from more than 150 countries are to meet next month (July 2-27) at the United Nations in New York to draft a global arms trade treaty.
• June 28, 2012 - U.S. Department of State Daily Press Briefing US Dept. of State 28 Jun 2012

Defense Industry

• DoD News: Contracts for June 28, 2012
• United Technologies Subsidiary Pleads Guilty to Criminal Charges for Helping China Develop New Attack Helicopter DOJ 28 June 2012

Other Conflicts

• 28 June 2012 - Daily Press Briefing by the Office of the Spokesperson for the Secretary-General United Nations 28 Jun 2012
• UN and partners appeal for $193 million to assist Syrian refugees UN News Centre 28 Jun 2012 -- United Nations humanitarian agencies and their partners today appealed for $193 million to help the growing number of Syrian refugees in Jordan, Lebanon, Turkey and Iraq.
• US: Damascus Violence Is Sign Assad Losing Control VOA 28 Jun 2012 -- The United States says escalating violence in and around Damascus is a result of President Bashar al-Assad assaulting the Syrian people and a sign that he is losing control of the capital.
• Iran Blames Foreigners For Syria Unrest RFE/RL 28 Jun 2012 -- Iran's ambassador to the UN has blamed foreigners for the bloodshed in Syria and denied any Iranian role.
• Annan Calls For Transitional Syrian Government RIA Novosti 28 Jun 2012 -- The UN and Arab League envoy to Syria, Kofi Annan proposed on Wednesday to create an interim Syrian government that would include both opposition figures and those loyal to President Bashar al-Assad, Al Arabiya reported on Thursday.
• Russia Favors Syrian Solution to Political Crisis VOA 28 Jun 2012 -- Russia says Syria needs a period of political transition but has rejected calls for President Bashar al-Assad to relinquish power in a possible formation of a unity government. Meanwhile, there has been a powerful explosion near the country's main court in Damascus.
• Lavrov Denies Moscow Has Backed Syrian Transition Plan RFE/RL 28 Jun 2012 -- Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov has denied reports that Moscow endorsed a Syrian transition plan that includes a call for President Bashar al-Assad to give up power in favor of a national unity government.
• Russia Would Not Support Intervention in Syria – Lavrov RIA Novosti 28 Jun 2012 -- Russia would not lend its support to any plans for outside interference in Syria which may be voiced at the upcoming international conference in Geneva, Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov said on Thursday.
• UN rights chief urges restraint by Sudanese authorities during planned protests UN News Centre 28 Jun 2012 -- The United Nations human rights chief today called on the Sudanese authorities to ensure that protests planned for Friday are allowed to proceed peacefully, without security forces resorting to violent measures and mass arrests as was seen in recent weeks.
• Amnesty International: Arms Imports Fuel S. Sudan Violence VOA 28 Jun 2012 -- In South Sudan both the army and rebel groups have imported weapons from overseas and used them in indiscriminate attacks against civilians, according to a report by Amnesty International published on Thursday. Amnesty says the weapons were imported from China, Ukraine, and neighboring Sudan.
• Islamist Militants Stream into Northern Mali Town After Victory VOA 28 Jun 2012 -- Islamist militants are streaming into the northern Mali town of Gao, one day after ousting a Tuareg rebel group in clashes that killed at least 20 people.
• In Mali, Islamists Oust Tuareg Rebels From Gao VOA 28 Jun 2012 -- Islamist militants have brought more fighters to the northern Mali town of Gao, one day after ousting a Tuareg rebel group in clashes that killed at least 20 people.
• Tension Mounts Between Vietnam, China VOA 28 Jun 2012 -- Vietnam's new Law on the Sea, passed last week, has sparked a fresh round of tensions with China about competing territory in the South China Sea.
• Taiwan 'very careful' on South China Sea issues: U.S. official CNA 28 Jun 2012 -- Taiwan is being cautious in its handling of issues related to the disputed South China Sea, a senior U.S. official said Wednesday.
• Leader of anti-Taliban peace militia, 3 others killed in Pakistan IRNA 28 Jun 2012 -- Chief of an anti-Taliban peace militia and three other volunteers were killed in outskirts of northwestern Pakistani city of Peshawar Wednesday.
• ICTY Drops Genocide Charge Against Karadzic RFE/RL 28 Jun 2012 -- The United Nations war crimes tribunal in The Hague has thrown out one charge of genocide against wartime Bosnian Serb political leader Radovan Karadzic.
• UN war crimes tribunal jails Serb leader for third time over contempt of court UN News Centre 28 Jun 2012 -- The United Nations war crimes tribunal set up in the wake of the Balkan conflicts of the 1990s today sentenced a leader of the Serb Radical Party – already facing trial on charges of crimes against humanity – to two years imprisonment for failure to remove confidential information from his website, in violation of the court's orders.
• Senior UN official calls for probe into latest incident in Kosovo UN News Centre 28 Jun 2012 -- The United Nations envoy for Kosovo has condemned the incidents that occurred there today, particularly the attack on buses carrying a number of children of Serbian nationality, and called on all parties to refrain from actions that could worsen the situation.

News Reports

• Egypt's President-Elect To Sue Iranian Agency Over 'Fabricated' Interview RFE/RL 28 Jun 2012 -- The office of Egyptian President-elect Muhammad Morsi says it will file a lawsuit against Iran's Fars news agency for fabricating an interview with Morsi after the announcement of his victory.
• Background Press Briefing Via Teleconference on Iran Sanctions The White House 28 Jun 2012
• EU Oil Embargo on Iran Goes into Effect Sunday VOA 28 Jun 2012 -- European Union sanctions on Iran's oil industry go into full effect on Sunday, adding to the pressure on Iranian leaders to negotiate a settlement of the international concerns about their nuclear program.
• US Exempts China, Singapore From Iran Oil Sanctions VOA 28 Jun 2012 -- The Obama administration has exempted China and Singapore from economic sanctions against countries that import oil from Iran. The tougher U.S. sanctions took effect Thursday
• All those involved in assassination of nuclear scientists detained: ministry IRNA 28 Jun 2012 -- Intelligence Ministry in a statement said on Thursday that all those involved in the assassination of the Iranian nuclear scientists have been detained.
• WikiLeaks Assange Served Extradition Notice RIA Novosti 28 Jun 2012 -- WikiLeaks founder Julian Assange was served with an extradition notice on Thursday by British police, BBC reported.
• Indian Man Freed After 30 Years in Pakistani Jail VOA 28 Jun 2012 -- An Indian man has been freed after spending more than three decades in a Pakistani prison for spying.
• Assembly President stresses need for strong resolve, action to defeat terrorism UN News Centre 28 Jun 2012 -- The resolve of Member States to implement the United Nations Global Counter-Terrorism Strategy is strong, but it requires action and results if the international community is to defeat this global scourge, the President of the General Assembly said today.
• NEPAL: Timeline of constitution stasis IRIN 28 Jun 2012 -- Nepal's parliament dissolved on 28 May after failing to meet its fourth and final deadline to produce a draft constitution. An empty legislature and a fragmented ruling party now underscore the challenges since the country's decade-long civil war, which killed almost 18,000 according to government estimates, ended in November 2006.
• Analysis: Humanitarian fallout from Nepal's constitutional stalemate IRIN 28 Jun 2012 -- One month after Nepal's prime minister dissolved parliament on 28 May, IRIN takes a look at the humanitarian consequences of the country's ongoing constitutional deadlock and the rapid succession of governments, in which five prime ministers have held office in the past four years.