Operations
Defense Policy / Programs
Defense Industry
Other Conflicts
News Reports

Current Operations

• ISAF Condemns ‘Despicable’ Suicide-bomber Attack AFPS 14 Jul 2012 -- The International Security Assistance Force condemned today’s "senseless and cowardly" suicide-bomber attack at a wedding in Afghanistan’s northern Samangan province.
• Karzai Orders Probe into Wedding Blast VOA 14 Jul 2012 -- Afghanistan's president has ordered a probe into the suicide bombing at a wedding reception in a northern province, saying "the enemies of Afghanistan once again targeted innocent civilians."
• Suicide Bomber Kills 23 in Northern Afghanistan VOA 14 Jul 2012 -- A suicide bomber blew himself up in the middle of a wedding party in Afghanistan's northern Samangan province Saturday, killing a regional commander and 22 other people.
• Suicide Bomb Attack Kills Afghan Commander RFE/RL 14 Jul 2012 -- Authorities in northern Afghanistan say at least 17 people have been killed, including prominent ethnic Uzbek lawmaker Ahmad Khan Samangani, by a suicide bomber who posed as a guest at a wedding reception.
• Taliban Kill Mayor of Shindand RIA Novosti 14 Jul 2012 -- Taliban fighters shot dead the mayor of the Afghan city of Shindand.

Defense Policy / Programs

• Overseas extension incentives changes ahead AFNS 14 Jul 2012 -- Airmen stationed at overseas long tour locations who extend their tour Aug. 1 or later may be eligible for incentives, Air Force Personnel Center officials said.
• Enterprise Conducts Mass Casualty Drill NNS 14 Jul 2012 -- The aircraft carrier USS Enterprise (CVN 65) conducted a mass casualty drill July 13 as part of a continued commitment to mission readiness.
• VAQ-132 Begins Deployment Aboard NAF Misawa NNS 14 Jul 2012 -- Electronic Warfare Squadron (VAQ) 132 arrived at Naval Air Facility Misawa, July 14, 2012, and will begin a six-month deployment in support of U.S. 7th Fleet.
• Aerospace Forces to Carry Out First S-400 Firings RIA Novosti 14 Jul 2012 -- Russia's Aerospace Defense Forces will carry out their first test-firings of the new S-400 air defense missile system from August 10-16.
• Waging any conflict in Persian Gulf sign of West's stupidity IRNA 14 Jul 2012 -- IRGC Navy Commander Rear Admiral Ali Fadavi said on Saturday that the Islamic Republic of Iran is in full control of the Strait of Hormuz and Persian Gulf region.
• UN Takes Heat For Contracting Out Security RFE/RL 14 Jul 2012 -- Could the United Nations' use of private military and security companies actually put UN personnel at greater risk?
• Press Gaggle by Press Secretary Jay Carney Aboard Air Force One The White House 14 Jul 2012

Defense Industry

Other Conflicts

• UN Monitors Visit Site Of Tremseh Massacre RFE/RL 14 Jul 2012 -- A UN spokeswoman says UN observers have visited the central Syrian village of Tremseh where up to 200 people were reportedly killed by government forces on July 12.
• UN Says Deadly Attack Targeted Syrian Opposition VOA 14 Jul 2012 -- United Nations observers investigating a deadly attack on a Syrian village say they have found signs that the assault targeted the homes of specific opponents of the regime.
• Still Time to Avoid Civil War in Syria – Hollande RIA Novosti 14 Jul 2012 -- There is still time to find a political solution of the Syrian crisis and avoid a civil war in the country, French President Francois Hollande said.
• Mali Poses Regional Threat, AU Says VOA 14 Jul 2012 -- The African Union Peace and Security Council says the strengthening grip of Islamist militants in northern Mali poses a serious threat to regional stability.
• At Least Five Killed In Nigeria Suicide Attack RFE/RL 14 Jul 2012 -- At least five people have been killed in a suspected suicide bomb attack outside a mosque in northeast Nigeria.
• Kidnapped Red Cross Worker Freed In Yemen RFE/RL 14 Jul 2012 -- A spokesman for the International Committee of the Red Cross says that a French Red Cross worker who was kidnapped in Yemen nearly three months ago has been released.
• Russia Condemns OSCE Report on Georgia RIA Novosti 14 Jul 2012 -- The acceptance of a report on Georgia by the Parliamentary Assembly of the Organization for Security and Cooperation in Europe demonstrates its reluctance to recognize the new realities the Russian Foreign Ministry said.

News Reports

• Tehran Confident It Can Circumvent EU Oil Embargo RFE/RL 14 Jul 2012 -- The Iranian Oil Ministry says it has developed plans designed to ensure that tightened sanctions against Iranian oil exports will be ineffective.
• Background Briefing En Route to Cairo US Dept. of State 14 Jul 2012
• Clinton Reaffirms Support for Egyptian Transition VOA 14 Jul 2012 -- U.S. Secretary of State Hillary Clinton is in Cairo, where she met with President Mohamed Morsi to discuss Egypt's economy and regional security.
• Washington Backs Egypt’s Democratic Transition – Clinton RIA Novosti 14 Jul 2012 -- The United States supports Egypt’s transition to democracy but Egyptians themselves should decide on their future, U.S. Secretary of State Hillary Clinton said.
• U.S. Official Anticipates Close Relations With Tripoli RFE/RL 14 Jul 2012 -- U.S. Deputy Secretary of State William Burns was in the Libyan capital for security talks following the country's historic elections.
• Turkish Police Clash with Kurdish Protesters VOA 14 Jul 2012 -- Police in southeastern Turkey used tear gas and water cannons to drive back Kurdish protesters hurling stones at them Saturday, at a rally in support of a Kurdish militant leader.
• At Least 10 Police Officers Injured In Turkish Bomb Attack RFE/RL 14 Jul 2012 -- At least 10 police officers have been injured by a roadside-bomb explosion in eastern Turkey.
• Chavez Says Election Loss May Spark Civil War in Venezuela RIA Novosti 14 Jul 2012 -- Venezuelan President Hugo Chavez said that a civil war could break out in the country if he loses presidential elections in October.