Operations
Defense Policy / Programs
Defense Industry
Other Conflicts
News Reports

Current Operations

• OIF/OEF/OND Casualty Update 11 Jul 2012 [PDF]
• DOD News Briefing with Maj. Gen. Gurganus and Gov. Mangal from the Pentagon DoD 11 Jul 2012
• Afghan-Coalition Force Captures Weapons Smuggler AFPS 11 Jul 2012 -- An Afghan and coalition security force detained a Taliban weapons smuggler in the Zharay district of Afghanistan’s Kandahar province.
• Blocks of Marjah secure, Marine battalion shifts focus to counternarcotics USMC News 11 Jul 2012 -- Operation Psarlay Taba, a partnered counternarcotics operation targeted opium production facilities and narcotics trafficking in the Bari Desert, northwest of Marjah district.
• General, Governor Call Helmand Gains Sustainable AFPS 11 Jul 2012 -- The turnaround in southern Afghanistan’s Helmand province can be traced to the troop surge and the resulting growth and increasing professionalism of Afghan forces.
• 4th Mechanized Brigade to replace 12th Mechanized Brigade in Helmand UK MOD 11 Jul 2012 -- 4th Mechanized Brigade will replace 12th Mechanized Brigade in October 2012 as the lead formation of British troops in Helmand province.
• British forces expand influence in Upper Gereshk UK MOD 11 Jul 2012 -- Task Force Helmand personnel are expanding their sphere of influence in the Upper Gereshk Valley. Report by Richard Long.
• NATO Hands Over Security Of North Afghan Region To Local Forces RFE/RL 11 Jul 2012 -- Afghan security forces have officially taken security responsibility for Konduz Province in northern Afghanistan.
• Afghan Activists Protest Woman's Public Execution VOA 11 Jul 2012 -- Some 150 people took to the streets of Kabul on Wednesday to protest the apparent public execution of a woman that was captured on video.

Defense Policy / Programs

• Detainee Transfer Announced DoD 11 Jul 2012
• Statement by George Little on Length of Congressional Reports DoD 11 Jul 2012
• Locklear: China Visit Represents Positive Step AFPS 11 Jul 2012 -- Top U.S. officer in the Pacific said he’s more convinced after his recent visit there that the two countries can build on common ground as they strive to get their military-to-military relationship back on track.
• Navy Closer to Landing UAV on Aircraft Carrier NNS 11 Jul 2012 -- A team from the Navy Unmanned Combat Air System program office tested communication software for the Unmanned Combat Air System Carrier Demonstration program aboard the USS Harry S. Truman.
• Truman Returns to Naval Station Norfolk After 16-Month Yard Period NNS 11 Jul 2012 -- The USS Harry S. Truman returned to Naval Station Norfolk July 10 after completing sea trials, a four-day underway period to test the carrier's systems and overall mission readiness.
• MQ-8B Fire Scout Training Facility Unveiled at Naval Air Station Jacksonville NNS 11 Jul 2012 -- Northrop Grumman and Helicopter Maritime Strike Wing Atlantic personnel hosted a ribbon-cutting reception July 10 for the new MQ-8B Fire Scout operator training facility at Naval Air Station Jacksonville.
• DOD Must Have Petroleum Fuel Alternatives, Official Says AFPS 11 Jul 2012 -- Smart investing and less reliance on petroleum-based fuels will help ensure an agile, lethal and adaptable combat force, and ultimately, national security.
• ONR Opens a Gateway to Improved Network Data Sharing on Navy Ships NNS 11 Jul 2012 -- An Office of Naval Research universal gateway that gives Sailors access to more accurate, secure, real-time information will be delivered to the fleet in just three years from the project's inception at ONR.
• AFGLSC now part of Air Force Sustainment Center AFNS 11 Jul 2012 -- The Air Force Global Logistics Support Center officially became part of the Air Force Sustainment Center during a ceremony here July 11.
• AF initiates voluntary limited loadmaster recall AFNS 11 Jul 2012 -- Air Force Reserve and Air National Guard loadmasters may be eligible to apply for a limited period recall to extended active duty, Air Force Personnel Center officials announced.
• Seventh AF commander addresses incident near Osan AB AFNS 11 Jul 2012 -- The 7th Air Force commander held a press conference here July 8, 2012, regarding an incident between Osan Air Base's town patrol and Korean citizens in the Songtan entertainment district.
• Minju Joson Discloses Japan's Intention in Expanded Military Activities in Oceans KCNA 11 Jul 2012 -- Japan sent warships to the U.S.-led RIMPAC joint military maneuvers that were kicked off in Hawaii and its surrounding waters on June 29.
• S. Korea-Japan Military Tie-ups under Criticism: Rodong Sinmun KCNA 11 Jul 2012 -- The south Koreans staged a joint naval drill with the United States with the involvement of Japan's "Self-Defence Forces" for the first time in the southern waters off Jeju Island in June.
• 6th Fleet Commander Launches Exercise Sea Breeze NNS 11 Jul 2012 -- The commander of U.S. 6th Fleet commemorated the start of the Ukrainian-led, international maritime exercise Sea Breeze 2012.
• Farragut, Hue City Conducts Exercise with Italian Navy NNS 11 Jul 2012 -- USS Farragut and USS Hue City conducted a series of maneuvers and interoperability drills in a passing exercise with an Italian frigate and submarine July 9-10.
• USS McFaul Arrives in Victoria, Seychelles NNS 11 Jul 2012 -- The USS McFaul arrived in Victoria, Seychelles, for a scheduled port visit.
• US Army's only garrison in the Netherlands cases the colors Army News 11 Jul 2012 -- The only U.S. Army garrison in the Netherlands cased its colors here in a July 11, 2012 ceremony presided by Ms. Kathleen Marin, Regional Director, Installation Management Command Europe.
• Calibration lab gets revamped building in Germany Army News 11 Jul 2012 -- The Test Measurement and Diagnostic Equipment Activity held a ribbon-cutting ceremony June 20 for a newly renovated building which will house its Region Europe headquarters and the Area Calibration Lab.
• Navy Medicine Support Command Hosts Change of Command, Reorganization NNS 11 Jul 2012 -- The Bureau of Medicine and Surgery's command in charge of Navy Medicine education, training, public health, and human resource management hosted a change of command ceremony.
• DOD Releases Cloud Computing Strategy; Designates DISA as the Enterprise Cloud Service Broker DoD 11 Jul 2012
• Kazakhstan, Russia Plan Joint Air-Defense System RFE/RL 11 Jul 2012 -- A high-ranking Kazakh military official says Kazakhstan and Russia are expected sign an agreement to create a joint regional air-defense system.
• Russia, Kazakhstan to Combine Air Defense RIA Novosti 11 Jul 2012 -- Russia hopes to complete talks soon with Kazakhstan on establishing a joint air defense network by 2013, Deputy Air Force Commander Maj. Gen. Pavel Kurachenko said.
• Kyrgyzstan to Raise Rental Fees for Russian Military Bases RIA Novosti 11 Jul 2012 -- Kyrgyzstan plans to raise rental fees Russia has to pay for three of its military bases in the Central Asian country, Kyrgyz Defense Minister Maj. Gen. Taalaibek Omuraliyev said.
• Russia, Italy to Jointly Develop Patrol Aircraft RIA Novosti 11 Jul 2012 -- Russia and Italy are to jointly build and modernize maritime patrol aircraft, after signing a cooperation agreement at the Farnborough Air Show in Britain.
• Russia to Draft New Rules on International Airshow Participation RIA Novosti 11 Jul 2012 -- Russia’s Federal Service for Military and Technical Cooperation and the Defense Ministry will prepare a framework agreement regulating Russia’s participation in international airshows.
• New Wildcat helicopter unveiled UK MOD 11 Jul 2012 -- The Defence Secretary has today unveiled the first of a new fleet of Wildcat helicopters, and confirmed a £250m contract to support them.
• Rodong Sinmun Accuses Japan's Intention to Sign GSOMIA KCNA 11 Jul 2012 -- The Japanese reactionaries were disclosed to have made an earnest attempt to sign the General Security of Military Information Agreement (GSOMIA) with south Korea, sparking off public furor.
• Iran Completes Air-Defense Drills RIA Novosti 11 Jul 2012 -- The Iranian Army has successfully completed three-day air-defense exercises, downing several mock pilotless aircraft.
• Iran outlines views on Arms Trade Treaty IRNA 11 Jul 2012 -- Iran’s Permanent Ambassador to the United Nations Mohammad Khazaee outlined Iran’s views on regulating the Arms Trade Treaty.
• Press Briefing by Press Secretary Jay Carney, 7/11/12 The White House 11 Jul 2012
• U.S. Department of State Daily Press Briefing, July 11, 2012 US Dept. of State 11 Jul 2012

Defense Industry

• DoD News: Contracts for July 11, 2012

Other Conflicts

• Daily Press Briefing by the Office of the Spokesperson for the Secretary-General, 11 July 2012 United Nations 11 Jul 2012
• Another Syrian Official Defects VOA 11 Jul 2012 -- The United States says military and diplomatic defections in Syria show a continuing "momentum building" against President Bashar al-Assad.
• Syria's Iraq Ambassador Defects, Joins Opposition VOA 11 Jul 2012 -- Syria's ambassador to Iraq has defected and joined the opposition to President Bashar al-Assad's rule.
• In report, Ban outlines options for future of UN Supervision Mission in Syria UN News Centre 11 Jul 2012 -- Secretary-General Ban has outlined options for its future orientation.
• Syria: UN-Arab League envoy reiterates need to implement six-point peace plan UN News Centre 11 Jul 2012 -- The Joint Special Envoy for the United Nations and the League of Arab States for Syria, Kofi Annan, reaffirmed the importance of implementing a six-point plan to halt the violence in the Middle Eastern country.
• Syria's Ambassador To Iraq Reportedly Defects RFE/RL 11 Jul 2012 -- Syria's ambassador to Iraq is reported - by Syrian opposition sources - to have defected in protest at the crackdown by President Bashar al-Assad's forces against a 16-month revolt.
• Russian Warships Steam to Syria VOA 11 Jul 2012 -- Two Russian Navy ships entered the eastern Mediterranean Wednesday, steaming toward a Russian Navy base at Tartus, Syria.
• Russian Navy Ready to Break Syria Blockade Says Arms Agency RIA Novosti 11 Jul 2012 -- Russian Navy warships will be sent to defend Russian merchant shipping in the event of a blockade due to the situation in Syria.
• No Russian Embargo on Existing Syria Arms Contacts RIA Novosti 11 Jul 2012 -- Russia has not embargoed its existing arms contracts with Syria, Vyacheslav Dzirkaln, the deputy head of Russia’s Federal Service for Military-Technical Cooperation, said.
• Russia Submits Draft Syria Observer Resolution to UN RIA Novosti 11 Jul 2012 -- Russia has submitted to the UN Security Council a draft resolution proposing that the period of stay for the international observers’ mission in Syria be extended by three months.
• Russia to Oppose UN Sanctions against Syria – Diplomat RIA Novosti 11 Jul 2012 -- Russia will not support a draft resolution brokered by the UN Security Council that authorizes sanctions against Syria if it fails to stop violence.
• Syrian Opposition: No Change in Russian Support of Assad VOA 11 Jul 2012 -- After meeting with Russia's foreign minister, leaders of the Syrian opposition say Moscow's support of Syrian President Bashar al-Assad allows violence in Syria to continue.
• Syrian Opposition Urges UN Security Council Action RIA Novosti 11 Jul 2012 -- The United Nations Security Council should intervene to end the 17-month-long Syria conflict, the leader of the Syrian opposition in exile, Abdul Basset Sayda, said.
• Syrian Opposition Chief Presses Russia To Change Stance RFE/RL 11 Jul 2012 -- The head of Syria's main exiled opposition coalition has met with Russia's foreign minister in a bid to encourage Moscow to curtail its backing for the regime of President Bashar al-Assad.
• Syrian Opposition Group Calls for Revolution RIA Novosti 11 Jul 2012 -- International diplomacy has failed to solve the Syrian crisis, and revolution is the only way to end more than a year of bloodshed in the country, Burhan Ghalioun, a senior member of the opposition Syrian National Council, said.
• Syrian Air Force Conducts Military Drills RIA Novosti 11 Jul 2012 -- The Syrian Air Force has conducted military exercises involving fighter and attack aircraft.
• Blast at Yemen Police Academy Kills 22 VOA 11 Jul 2012 -- Yemeni security officials say a suicide bomber has killed at least 22 people at a police academy in the capital, Sanaa.
• Al-Qaeda Claims Fatal Yemen Suicide Bombing RIA Novosti 11 Jul 2012 -- The Yemeni branch of the al-Qaeda terrorist organization has claimed responsibility for an attack on a police academy in the capital Sanaa on Wednesday which killed at least 20 people.
• Destruction of Muslim Shrines in Timbuktu US Dept. of State 11 Jul 2012
• MALI: Compromise or force in north? IRIN 11 Jul 2012 -- Regional negotiators are now grappling with a complex political and security crisis requiring the quick formation of a credible government and caution over armed intervention.
• AU, Somali Forces Target al-Shabab Training Camp VOA 11 Jul 2012 -- African Union and Somali forces have launched a military operation against what they say is a major training camp for al-Shabab militants outside Somalia's capital.
• In calls to DR Congo and Rwanda leaders, Ban voices concern over M23 renegades UN News Centre 11 Jul 2012 -- Secretary-General Ban expressed grave concern over reports that an armed group of former soldiers in the eastern DRC is receiving external support.
• UN Increases Troop Strength in DRC’s North Kivu Province VOA 11 Jul 2012 -- An official of the United Nations Mission in the Democratic Republic of Congo says the group has sharply increased the number of peacekeeping troops in North Kivu province and its capital, Goma.
• UN Reasserts Mission’s Mandate in DRC VOA 11 Jul 2012 -- The United Nations Stabilization Mission in the Congo is denying accusations that its forces have allowed rebels in eastern Congo to advance unopposed.
• Japan Protests Chinese Ships Near Disputed Islands VOA 11 Jul 2012 -- Japan has lodged a protest with China after three Chinese patrol ships entered waters near a set of disputed islands in the East China Sea.
• Delays, Disputes Beset ASEAN Resolution of South China Seas VOA 11 Jul 2012 -- Senior ministers from Southeast Asia continue to push forward on delicate negotiations on the South China Sea during this week's high-level regional meetings in Cambodia.
• Azerbaijan Stages 'Major Drills' Near Disputed Region RIA Novosti 11 Jul 2012 -- Azerbaijan's armed forces have been staging major military exercises near the Armenian-backed territory of Nagorno-Karabakh, the Azerbaijan military said.
• Press conference by NATO Secretary General Anders Fogh Rasmussen held in Pristina, Kosovo NATO 11 Jul 2012
• North Atlantic Council and partners visit KFOR NATO 11 Jul 2012 -- On 11 July, NATO Secretary General Anders Fogh Rasmussen and the ambassadors of all 28 NATO Allies visited KFOR, together with the ambassadors of partner countries which contribute to the mission.
• Srebrenica Anniversary Marked With Burial Of 520 More Victims RFE/RL 11 Jul 2012 -- A focal point of the July 11 events is a funeral for 520 newly identified victims of the massacre.

News Reports

• Statement by the President on the Easing of Sanctions on Burma The White House 11 Jul 2012
• Message to Congress - Blocking Property of Persons Threatening the Peace, Security, or Stability of Burma The White House 11 Jul 2012
• Executive Order - Blocking Property of Persons Threatening the Peace, Security, or Stability of Burma The White House 11 Jul 2012
• Administration Eases Financial and Investment Sanctions on Burma US Dept. of State 11 Jul 2012
• Presidential Memorandum - Delegation of Certain Functions under Section 570(e) of the Foreign Operations, Export Financing, and Related Programs Appropriations Act, 1997 The White House 11 Jul 2012
• Obama Formally Eases Burma Sanctions VOA 11 Jul 2012 -- President Barack Obama has ordered the easing of U.S. sanctions that have prevented American companies from doing business in Burma, to signal U.S. support for reform steps under way there.
• Obama Eases U.S. Sanctions On Myanmar RFE/RL 11 Jul 2012 -- U.S. President Barack Obama has eased sanctions against Myanmar to allow U.S. companies to invest there, calling the move a "strong signal" of support for political reform in the country.
• First US Ambassador to Burma in 22 Years Arrives in Rangoon VOA 11 Jul 2012 -- The U.S. Embassy in Burma has announced the arrival of Washington's first ambassador to the country in 22 years.
• Secretary Clinton Remarks at the U.S.-ASEAN Ministerial Meeting US Dept. of State 11 Jul 2012
• United States-ASEAN Cooperation 2012 US Dept. of State 11 Jul 2012
• Joint Statement on Secretary Clinton's Official Visit to the Lao People's Democratic Republic (PDR) US Dept. of State 11 Jul 2012
• Clinton Makes Historic Visit to Laos VOA 11 Jul 2012 -- U.S. Secretary of State Hillary Clinton stopped in Laos Wednesday for talks ahead of this week's meeting of South East Asian foreign ministers.
• Clinton Arrives In Laos On Landmark Visit RFE/RL 11 Jul 2012 -- Hillary Clinton has arrived in Laos for a brief but historic trip, becoming the first U.S. secretary of state to visit the communist-run country in 57 years.
• US: 'Important Progress' at Pacific Trade Talks VOA 11 Jul 2012 -- The U.S. says that "important progress" has been achieved during the latest round of talks aimed at crafting a wide-ranging trade pact with eight other Pacific nations.
• US Citizen Jailed for Insulting Thai King Freed by Royal Pardon VOA 11 Jul 2012 -- A U.S. man who was sentenced to 30 months in a Thai prison for insulting the king has been freed by a royal pardon.
• Morsi Says He Will Respect Egyptian Court Ruling VOA 11 Jul 2012 -- Egypt's President Mohamed Morsi says he will respect a court ruling overturning his decision to recall parliament.
• Egyptians Rally in Support of Morsi VOA 11 Jul 2012 -- Thousands of Egyptians have rallied in support of President Mohamed Morsi after the country's highest court overruled his decision to recall parliament.
• Egypt’s Top Court Accused of Political Bias RIA Novosti 11 Jul 2012 -- Egyptian Islamists accused the country’s Constitutional Court of laboring on behalf of the country’s military junta by overruling President Mohamed Morsi’s decision to reinstate parliament.
• Iran Warns Local Media Not To Report On Sanctions Impact RFE/RL 11 Jul 2012 -- Culture Minister Mohammad Hosseini has called on Iran's media to avoid reporting on the impact of international sanctions.
• India insures Iran oil imports IRNA 11 Jul 2012 -- India has authorized state-run insurers to provide limited cover to its ships transporting Iranian crude oil in a bid to prevent any interruption in crude supplies.
• China Reaches Settlement in Forced Abortion Case VOA 11 Jul 2012 -- The Chinese government has reached a cash settlement with the family of a woman forced by local officials to abort her baby.
• Singapore to Relax Mandatory Death Penalty Law VOA 11 Jul 2012 -- The island state Singapore has taken steps to relax its strict death penalty laws following discussion in the country’s parliament this week.
• Security Council welcomes holding of elections in Libya UN News Centre 11 Jul 2012 -- The Security Council has welcomed the holding of Libya’s first national elections this past weekend.
• EGYPT-LIBYA: Misery for stranded refugees IRIN 11 Jul 2012 -- Salloum camp in western Egypt about 5km from the Libyan border is home to about 2,000 refugees, failed asylum seekers and third country nationals.