Operations
Defense Policy / Programs
Defense Industry
Other Conflicts
News Reports

Current Operations

• Pakistan, NATO generals against militants' safe havens IRNA 30 Jun 2012 -- Top NATO and Pakistan army generals have agreed to ensure that both Pakistan and Afghanistan's territory is no longer used as safe haven for cross border attacks.
• Pakistani security forces kill 6 militants in cross border attack IRNA 30 Jun 2012 -- Pakistani security forces have killed at least six militants in cross border attack in North Western Pakistan, local media report on Friday.
• AF deploys remaining MAFFS to fight fires AFNS 30 Jun 2012 -- Beginning Saturday, June 30, eight military C-130 aircraft, each equipped with the U.S. Forest Service's Modular Airborne Fire Fighting System (MAFFS) will be operating out of Peterson Air Force Base, Colo., to assist with firefighting efforts in the Rocky Mountain Region.
• Federal Agencies Partner to Combat Western Wildfires AFPS 30 Jun 2012 -- The U.S. Forest Service, Department of the Interior, Department of Defense, the Federal Emergency Management Agency and other federal organizations continue to ramp up efforts to protect life, public safety and aid in community recovery in response to devastating wildfires in Colorado and other western states.
• More firefighting aircraft activated for Colorado effort AFNS 29 Jun 2012 -- Beginning June 30, eight military C-130 Hercules aircraft, each equipped with the U.S. Forest Service's Modular Airborne Fire Fighting System, will be operating out of Peterson Air Force Base, Colo., to assist with firefighting efforts in the Rocky Mountain region.
• Commander to Oversee Colorado Wildfire Response AFPS 29 Jun 2012 -- A National Guard dual-status commander has been recently appointed to support wildfire response and relief efforts in Colorado, according to Defense Department and National Guard officials.

Defense Policy / Programs

• RIMPAC Units Continue to Arrive in Hawaii NNS 30 Jun 2012 -- Naval surface forces from five different nations began arriving in Hawaii June 28, in preparation for the upcoming Rim of the Pacific (RIMPAC) maritime exercise.
• Portuguese Submarine Arrives in Groton NNS 30 Jun 2012 -- Portugal marked its first trip to the 'Submarine Capital of the World' when it arrived at Naval Submarine Base New London in Groton, June 30.
• Russian Warships Arrive at U.S. Pearl Harbor for Joint Drills RIA Novosti 30 Jun 2012 -- A group of Russia's Pacific Fleet warships has arrived at the U.S. Pearl Harbor naval base to take part in the Rim of the Pacific international drills, a fleet spokesman said on Saturday.
• U.S. Missile Defense Plans Hinder New Arms Cuts - Russia RIA Novosti 30 Jun 2012 -- Russia will not start a new round of talks on further arms reductions until Washington changes its stance on the global deployment of U.S. missile defenses, especially in Europe, a senior Russian diplomat said.

Defense Industry

Other Conflicts

• Powers Agree Plan For Syrian Transitional Government RFE/RL 30 Jun 2012 -- World powers and neighbors of Syria have agreed on a road map for political transition to end 16 months of bloodshed but left open the question of whether President Bashar al-Assad can take part.
• International Conference on Syria Opens in Geneva RIA Novosti 30 Jun 2012 -- An international conference on Syria intended to discuss all viable mechanisms of ensuring a ceasefire in the Middle Eastern country started its work in Geneva on Saturday.
• UN-backed Action Group agrees on measures for peaceful transition in Syria UN News Centre 30 Jun 2012 -- The United Nations-backed Action Group on Syria today forged an agreement outlining the steps for a peaceful transition in the Middle Eastern country, while strongly condemning the continued and escalating violence that has taken place there over the past 16 months.
• World Powers Agree on Syria Transition VOA 30 Jun 2012 -- The United States, Russia and other world leaders have agreed on a plan for a transitional government of national unity in Syria that they hope will pave the way for an end to the violence that has killed more than 15,000 people during the 16-month uprising. The plan, drafted by International Envoy Kofi Annan, lays out a number of steps that, if followed, could lead to the Syrian people democratically determining their own future. But it also leaves open the question of whether Syrian President Bashar al-Assad can be part of the transitional government.
• Islamists Attack Timbuktu World Heritage Site RIA Novosti 30 Jun 2012 -- A religious shrine in Timbuktu, Mali, has been damaged in an attack by Islamists, news agencies reported.
• Militants Destroy Timbuktu Islamic Shrines VOA 30 Jun 2012 -- In northern Mali, members of the Islamic militant group Ansar Dine are systematically destroying mausoleums and revered Muslim tombs in Timbuktu. UNESCO has listed the historic city as a World Heritage site for its ancient mosques and shrines.
• S. Sudan Oil Shutdown Chokes Economy VOA 30 Jun 2012 -- Brave or reckless, South Sudan's decision to shut down its oil production to protest the north has had disastrous consequences for its citizens. The country's economy came to a jarring halt in January, when it shut down oil production due to a trade dispute with Sudan.

News Reports

• Morsi Sworn In as Egypt's New President VOA 30 Jun 2012 -- Mohamed Morsi was sworn in as Egypt's fifth president Saturday, in a low-key ceremony before the country's Supreme Constitutional Court. Later, he addressed supporters and top officials at Cairo University.
• Egypt's Military Transfers Power After Morsi Sworn In RFE/RL 30 Jun 2012 -- Islamist Mohammed Morsi has been sworn in as Egypt's first freely elected civilian president, and Egypt's military has formally transferred power to him.
• Assange Refuses to Surrender to British Police RIA Novosti 30 Jun 2012 -- WikiLeaks founder Julian Assange has declined to comply with an extradition notice and will remain in the Ecuadorian embassy in London while his request for asylum is being processed, BBC reported citing Assange's representative.