Operations
Defense Policy / Programs
Defense Industry
Other Conflicts
News Reports

Current Operations

• OIF/OEF/OND Casualty Update 12 Jul 2012 [PDF]
• Combined Force Detains Taliban Weapons Dealer AFPS 12 Jul 2012 -- In the Maidan Shahr district of Afghanistan’s Wardak province, an Afghan and coalition security force detained a Taliban weapons dealer and seized 110 pounds of explosives.
• Mine dogs clear Afghan roads Army News 12 Jul 2012 -- The 49th Engineer Detachment has maintained a constant presence in Afghanistan since 2004, neutralizing the threat of mines and unexploded ordnance in support of tactical operations.
• Karzai Urges Mullah Omar to Join Afghan Political Process VOA 12 Jul 2012 -- Afghan President Hamid Karzai is again urging Taliban fighters, including their fugitive leader Mullah Omar, to lay down their weapons and join the political process.
• Karzai Challenges Taliban Chief To Run For Afghan President RFE/RL 12 Jul 2012 -- President Hamid Karzai has challenged Taliban leader Mullah Omar to take part in Afghanistan's elections.
• Afghan President Calls Again For National Reconciliation RIA Novosti 12 Jul 2012 -- Afghanistan’s President Hamid Karzai repeated his call on the Taliban to put down arms and join the process of national reconciliation in the war-torn central Asian country.
• Afghan Patients Hope for Speedy Red Cross Return VOA 12 Jul 2012 -- Patients in southern Afghanistan are hoping Red Cross workers will soon return to a key hospital, after an explosion there prompted the aid agency to withdraw its foreign staff.
• Airmen face special challenges delivering school supplies AFNS 12 Jul 2012 -- Providing school supplies to local school children doesn't ordinarily involve an armed security detail, vehicle convoy, and four months of planning, but this is Afghanistan.
• NATO Military Supplies Roll Again Through Pakistan VOA 12 Jul 2012 -- NATO military supplies are rolling once again through Pakistan to help the alliance fight the Taliban in Afghanistan, saving an estimated $100 million a month over alternative supply routes.
• Taliban Attacks Pakistan Security Compound VOA 12 Jul 2012 -- Taliban militants killed nine police officers in the second deadly attack on Pakistani security forces less than a week.
• Gunmen Kill At Least Nine Pakistani Security Personnel In Lahore RFE/RL 12 Jul 2012 -- In Pakistan, officials say nine police trainees have been shot dead by gunmen who attacked a building where they were sleeping in the eastern city of Lahore.
• Nine Policemen Killed in Pakistan Gun Attack RIA Novosti 12 Jul 2012 -- At least nine policemen were killed and three more wounded after a group of militants attacked a police building in the eastern Pakistani city of Lahore.

Defense Policy / Programs

• Dempsey Meets With Russian Counterpart at Pentagon AFPS 12 Jul 2012 -- The chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff met with his Russian counterpart at the Pentagon to discuss international security issues and methods to foster military relations.
• Secretary Clinton Press Availability in Phnom Penh US Dept. of State 12 Jul 2012
• Secretary Clinton Remarks at the Top of a Meeting with Korean Foreign Minister Kim and Japanese Foreign Minister Gemba US Dept. of State 12 Jul 2012
• US-ROK-Japan Trilateral Joint Statement US Dept. of State 12 Jul 2012
• U.S.-China Cooperation in the Asia-Pacific Region US Dept. of State 12 Jul 2012
• U.S.-EU Statement on the Asia-Pacific Region US Dept. of State 12 Jul 2012
• Background Briefing at 2012 ASEAN Summit US Dept. of State 12 Jul 2012
• 2012 U.S. Engagement in the ASEAN Regional Forum US Dept. of State 12 Jul 2012
• Locklear: RIMPAC Exemplifies Pacom’s Multilateral Focus AFPS 12 Jul 2012 -- The militaries of 22 nations are participating in the largest-ever Rim of the Pacific exercise.
• Locklear Meets With Australian Military Leaders AFPS 12 Jul 2012 -- The top U.S. officer in the Pacific region spent a full day of meetings with senior Australian military leaders.
• Taiwan maintains close military cooperation with U.S.: MOFA CNA 12 Jul 2012 -- Military cooperation between Taipei and Washington remains close despite Taiwan's exclusion from the U.S.-led Rim of the Pacific Exercise near Hawaii.
• Army gives Royal Canadian Navy subs sight Army News 12 Jul 2012 -- When members of the Royal Canadian Navy learned they would be working closely with American forces participating in the Rim of the Pacific Exercise, or RIMPAC, they didn't anticipate that it would be the U.S. Army.
• Vietnam Welcomes a Fourth Pacific Partnership Mission NNS 12 Jul 2012 -- Military Sealift Command's USNS Mercy and Japanese Maritime Self-Defense Force amphibious ship Oosumi arrived in Vinh, Vietnam, in Nghe An province to begin the humanitarian civic assistance mission known as Pacific Partnership 2012.
• Rodong Sinmun Demands Dismantlement of S. Korea-U.S. "Combined Forces Command" KCNA 12 Jul 2012 -- The United States should make a bold decision to dismantle the south Korea-U.S. "Combined Forces Command".
• DOD News Briefing with George Little and Capt. Kirby from the Pentagon DoD 12 Jul 2012
• Nuclear Deterrence Vital in Complex World, General Says AFPS 12 Jul 2012 -- Deterrence planning and forces must fit today’s unique global security environment, the commander of U.S. Strategic Command said.
• Press Secretary Objects to Congressional Budget Office Forecasts AFPS 12 Jul 2012 -- A Congressional Budget Office analysis suggesting the Pentagon budget will be $123 billion higher than expected over the next five years dismisses many of the proposals the department has made to control costs.
• Natick scientists defend against unseen enemies Army News 12 Jul 2012 -- Doona, a civilian senior research chemist with NSRDEC's Materials and Defense Sciences Division, uses the tools of science to do battle against disease-causing microorganisms.
• JECC Celebrates One Year with US Transportation Command NNS 12 Jul 2012 -- Joint Enabling Capabilities Command celebrated its one year anniversary with U.S. Transportation Command July 1.
• SecAF visits Heavy Airlift Wing in Hungary AFNS 12 Jul 2012 -- Secretary of the Air Force Michael Donley met with Heavy Airlift Wing senior leaders, U.S. Airmen and Boeing contractors.
• USS Jason Dunham Departs Ukraine, Begins Underway Training for Sea Breeze 2012 NNS 12 Jul 2012 -- USS Jason Dunham departed Odessa, Ukraine, July 12, after a four-day port visit in support of Exercise Sea Breeze 2012.
• USS Vicksburg Passes Halfway Point NNS 12 Jul 2012 -- Sailors assigned to USS Vicksburg passed their deployment's halfway point the first week of July.
• Fort Carson MPs train for special reaction team Army News 12 Jul 2012 -- The equivalent of a civilian SWAT team, an SRT is able to respond to dangerous situations and, although individual members of the 759th MP Battalion are certified, Fort Carson has not had its own SRT since January 2011.
• U.S. Army Corps of Engineers Will Dredge Ports Army News 12 Jul 2012 -- US Army Corps of Engineers' Vicksburg District will spend approximately $6.84 million on port dredging in an attempt to keep ports in operation.
• U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, Vicksburg District is Vital to the Economy of Small Ports Army News 12 Jul 2012 -- The U. S. Army Corps of Engineers' Vicksburg District encompasses 68,000 square miles across three states and seven major river basins.
• Former MTI sexual misconduct trial set AFNS 12 Jul 2012 -- The case of a former Air Force military training instructor alleged to have engaged in sexual misconduct and unprofessional relationships with female basic military trainees will go to a general court-martial on July 16.
• Tajikistan Demands Russia Pay $250 Mln Base Rent RIA Novosti 12 Jul 2012 -- Tajikistan wants Moscow to pay at least $250 million a year for the Russian military base deployed in the Central Asian state.
• Additional military support to Olympics security UK MOD 12 Jul 2012 -- Defence Secretary Philip Hammond has confirmed that an additional 3,500 military personnel will be deployed as part of the security arrangements for the 2012 Olympic Games.
• Britain to Provide More Troops for Olympic Security VOA 12 Jul 2012 -- Britain says it is ready to provide extra military personnel to help secure the upcoming Olympic games, after a private contractor reported problems with fielding a large enough force.
• RAF Pumas arrive in Ilford for Olympics role UK MOD 12 Jul 2012 -- RAF Puma helicopters have arrived at Ilford Territorial Army Centre as they prepare for a key role providing air security for the London 2012 Olympic Games.
• IAF's wait for 126 combat aircraft may get longer IRNA 12 Jul 2012 -- The wait for procuring 126 combat aircraft for the Indian Air Force is set to get longer.
• India says progress on for resumption of military supplies to Nepal IRNA 12 Jul 2012 -- India said that progress is being made on the issue of resuming military supplies to Nepal, which were suspended in 2005.
• 5 die in Pakistan army's helicopter crash IRNA 12 Jul 2012 -- Two pilots and three other people were killed in a crash of a Pakistan army helicopter in the country's northern area.
• Taiwan, U.S. companies ink MOU on F-16 upgrades CNA 12 Jul 2012 -- Taiwan's Aerospace Industrial Development Corp. signed a memorandum of understanding with Lockheed Martin to pursue opportunities for Taiwan's F-16 A/B retrofit program.
• Algerian Ship Makes Historic Visit to U.S. NNS 12 Jul 2012 -- The Algerian navy ship ANS Soummam arrived in New York City for a 5-day port visit, marking the first time an Algerian navy ship has ever visited the United States, July 9.
• Not Just For The Military Anymore, Drones Set To Take Off RFE/RL 12 Jul 2012 -- In a few years' time, experts say, people will be less inclined to mistake UAVs hovering over cities like Moscow for UFOs.
• Press Briefing by Press Secretary Jay Carney, 7/12/12 The White House 12 Jul 2012
• U.S. Department of State Daily Press Briefing, July 12, 2012 US Dept. of State 12 Jul 2012

Defense Industry

• DoD News: Contracts for July 12, 2012

Other Conflicts

• Daily Press Briefing by the Office of the Spokesperson for the Secretary-General, 12 July 2012 United Nations 12 Jul 2012
• UN’s peacebuilding tools need to be enhanced, Security Council told UN News Centre 12 Jul 2012 -- The United Nations peacebuilding architecture holds tremendous potential to help countries make the transition from conflict to sustainable peace and development.
• United Nations Focuses on Peace Building VOA 12 Jul 2012 -- United Nations officials and international diplomats called for steps to enhance the effectiveness of a U.N. commission created in 2005 to support peace efforts in countries emerging from conflict.
• Opposition: New Massacre in Syrian Village VOA 12 Jul 2012 -- Syrian opposition activists say government forces have massacred at least 100 people in a village in Hama province.
• US: Defections Weakening Syrian Government VOA 12 Jul 2012 -- The United States says military and diplomatic defections in Syria show a continuing "momentum building" against President Bashar al-Assad.
• Syrian Defections Begin to Mount VOA 12 Jul 2012 -- In the last week, Syria's ambassador to neighboring Iraq and the commander of an elite Syrian Republican Guard unit have defected from President Bashar al-Assad's government.
• Top Syrian Defector Tlas Contacts Opposition RIA Novosti 12 Jul 2012 -- A top general who recently defected President Bashar Assad's regime has established contacts with Syrian opposition, French Foreign Minister Laurent Fabius said.
• Western Powers Propose Syria Ultimatum, Senior Diplomat Defects RFE/RL 12 Jul 2012 -- Western powers have drawn up a new draft United Nations Security Council resolution on Syria.
• UN Syria Resolution ‘Unacceptable’ - Moscow RIA Novosti 12 Jul 2012 -- Moscow objects to a draft resolution on Syria submitted to the UN Security Council by a number of Western nations.
• Syria submits 140 documents to UN on intervention of foreign countries in Syrian domestic affairs IRNA 12 Jul 2012 -- Syria's Permanent Representative to the United Nations Bashar al-Jaafari strongly criticized meddling of foreign countries in Syrian domestic affairs.
• ASEAN Members Fail to Draft South China Sea Statement VOA 12 Jul 2012 -- Southeast Asian ministers have failed to reach a common position on the maritime dispute involving the South China Sea.
• ASEAN Talks Focus on S. China Sea Disputes VOA 12 Jul 2012 -- U.S. Secretary of State Hillary Clinton joined senior South East Asian officials for high-level discussions in Cambodia.
• China Ready to Join South China Sea Talks VOA 12 Jul 2012 -- U.S. Secretary of State Hillary Clinton and Chinese Foreign Minister Yang Jiechi met in Cambodia to discuss how best to resolve territorial disputes in the South China Sea.
• Taiwan: Tiaoyutai, South China Sea issues 'international matters' CNA 12 Jul 2012 -- The disputed South China Sea region and Tiaoyutai Islands in the East China Sea are international issues rather than cross-Taiwan Strait matters.
• U.S.-Japan treaty has no affect on Taiwan's claim over Tiaoyutais CNA 12 Jul 2012 -- A 1960 treaty between the United States and Japan does not affect Taiwan's sovereignty over the disputed Tiaoyutai Islands in the East China Sea.
• Statement by NSC Spokesman Tommy Vietor on Mali The White House 12 Jul 2012
• Presidential Memorandum - Unexpected Urgent Refugee and Migration Needs With Respect to Mali The White House 12 Jul 2012
• US Condemns Destruction of Mali Shrines VOA 12 Jul 2012 -- The United States has joined many in the international community in condemning the destruction of ancient Muslim shrines by Islamic militants in the northern Malian city, Timbuktu.
• United States Donates $10 Million for Refugee Relief in Mali VOA 12 Jul 2012 -- The White House announced it is releasing up to $10 million to go toward emergency relief for displaced refugees in, and migrants from, Mali.
• Amid diverse challenges, continued support for West Africa remains critical – UN envoy UN News Centre 12 Jul 2012 -- While significant progress has been made over the past years in promoting and consolidating peace in West Africa, the continued attention and support of the UN remains critical.
• Pastor Blames Islamic Extremism for Nigeria Violence VOA 12 Jul 2012 -- The President of the Christian Association of Nigeria blames growing insecurity in his country on Islamic extremists who he said aim to create an Islamic state.
• Sambo Dasuki - New Face of Nigerian Security VOA 12 Jul 2012 -- Nigeria’s new national security adviser Colonel Sambo Dasuki took up his post late last month and has been touring the north, calling on leaders to reach out to Boko Haram contacts and convince them to accept peace talks.
• State's Carson Says U.S. Supports a "Stable, Prosperous" Nigeria AFRICOM 12 Jul 2012 -- Assistant Secretary of State Johnnie Carson affirmed the United States' support for "a stable and prosperous Nigeria" while acknowledging significant remaining challenges.
• UN Helicopters Attack Rebel Targets in DRC VOA 12 Jul 2012 -- United Nations helicopters have attacked positions of the rebel group M23 in the eastern Democratic Republic of Congo.
• Somali Refugees May Face Severe Aid Shortages VOA 12 Jul 2012 -- Aid agencies warn that tens of thousands of lives may be at risk as supplies run out at the world’s largest refugee camp.
• One Militant Dead, Two Wounded in Israeli Gaza Strikes RIA Novosti 12 Jul 2012 -- A 23-year-old Palestinian militant was killed and two others wounded in separate Israeli artillery and air strikes on the Gaza Strip.
• SENEGAL: Demining faces slow-down IRIN 12 Jul 2012 -- Removing the landmines from villages, farms and plantations of Casamance in southern Senegal has taken several years to get up to speed.
• Russia, Ukraine Sign Agreement on Maritime Border Delimitation RIA Novosti 12 Jul 2012 -- Russian President Vladimir Putin and his Ukrainian counterpart Viktor Yanukovych signed a preliminary agreement on the delimitation of the maritime border between the two countries in the Kerch Strait.
• Mladic, Accused War Crimes Suspect, Rushed to Hospital VOA 12 Jul 2012 -- Former Bosnian Serb commander Ratko Mladic, on trial for war crimes at The Hague, has been rushed from the courtroom to the hospital.
• Former Bosnian Serb Military Chief Hospitalized At Hague RFE/RL 12 Jul 2012 -- Officials from the war crimes tribunal for the former Yugoslavia say ex-Bosnian Serb army chief Ratko Mladic has been taken to a hospital after complaining of feeling ill at his genocide trial.

News Reports

• Rights Groups Skeptical About Easing Burma Sanctions VOA 12 Jul 2012 -- A broad spectrum of human rights and humanitarian groups are voicing skepticism over the U.S. government’s decision to allow U.S. companies to invest in Burma, including its state-run oil sector.
• Clinton to Meet Burmese President After Sanctions Lifted VOA 12 Jul 2012 -- U.S. Secretary of State Hillary Clinton is scheduled to meet with Burmese President Thein Sein later this week on the heels of an announcement that the United States has formally lifted economic sanctions against the southeast Asian nation.
• Egyptian President Says Has 'Respect' For Court Ruling On Parliament RFE/RL 12 Jul 2012 -- Egypt's new president, Muhammad Morsi, has announced that he will respect a court ruling that overturned his decree ordering the Islamist-dominated parliament to convene.
• Sudan’s President Warns Protesters of ‘Incinerating Summer’ RIA Novosti 12 Jul 2012 -- President of Sudan Omar al-Bashir has warned protesters against further protests and promised them an ?incinerating summer’ instead of the Arab Spring.
• Increasing Sanctions Against Iran US Dept. of State 12 Jul 2012
• US Increases Sanctions on Iran RIA Novosti 12 Jul 2012 -- The Obama administration sought to increase pressure on Iran by imposing additional sanctions against companies and people involved in the country's nuclear and missile programs.
• U.S. Ratchets Up Sanctions Against Iran RFE/RL 12 Jul 2012 -- The U.S. Treasury Department has announced a fresh wave of sanctions against Iran, targeting more than 50 entities tied to the country's procurement, petroleum, and shipping networks.
• US Slaps More Sanctions on Iran VOA 12 Jul 2012 -- The United States is imposing more sanctions on Iran and taking steps to stop Iran from using front companies and banks to evade sanctions.
• Former Iranian Minister Issues Rare Call For Nuclear Referendum RFE/RL 12 Jul 2012 -- Abdollah Nouri, the former interior minister of Iran and a respected reformist cleric, has called on political leaders to hold a referendum on the fate of the country's controversial nuclear program.
• India Begins Paying for Iranian Oil With Local Currency VOA 12 Jul 2012 -- India has begun using its currency to purchase Iranian oil. The move is part of New Delhi's effort to bolster exports to the Middle Eastern nation.
• Pakistani High Court Orders Zardari Cases Reopened RFE/RL 12 Jul 2012 -- Pakistan's Supreme Court has ordered Prime Minister Raja Pervez Ashraf to reopen a corruption probe of President Asif Ali Zardari.
• Decision on New Somali Parliament Delayed VOA 12 Jul 2012 -- A constituent assembly tasked with choosing the members of Somalia's next parliament will not convene on schedule, due to tribal elders' concerns about the country's draft constitution.
• UN human rights official calls for independent investigation into Kazakh clashes UN News Centre 12 Jul 2012 -- The United Nations human rights chief called for an independent international investigation into deadly clashes in the western town of Zhanaozen in Kazakhstan in December last year.
• EU Chides Romanian Prime Minister Over Rule Of Law RFE/RL 12 Jul 2012 -- European Union leaders have reprimanded Romanian Prime Minister Victor Ponta in unusually harsh terms for his government's drive to oust the president and curtail the powers of the judiciary.