Operations
Defense Policy / Programs
Defense Industry
Other Conflicts
News Reports

Current Operations

• OIF/OEF/OND Casualty Update 26 Jul 2012 [PDF]
• Afghan Special Ops Unit Captures Explosives Expert AFPS 26 Jul 2012 -- An Afghan special operations unit, supported by coalition troops, arrested a Haqqani network explosives expert in Khost province.
• Task Force Protector Continues Security Force Assistance Army News 26 Jul 2012 -- Service members assigned to Task Force Protector continue to partner with Afghan National Army military police to further the transfer of facilities of the Detention Facility in Parwan to the government of Afghanistan.
• New York Army National Guard Signal Soldiers Prepare for Afghanistan at Fort Drum Army News 26 Jul 2012 -- More than 450 New York Army National Guard Signal Soldiers are spending three weeks here honing their skills for a deployment to Afghanistan later his year.
• Pakistan Temporarily Shuts NATO Supply Route VOA 26 Jul 2012 -- Pakistani officials have temporarily shut the country's northwestern border into Afghanistan due to security concerns, following a deadly attack on a NATO truck earlier this week.
• Former Afghan Bank Chief Gets 20-Year Jail Sentence RFE/RL 26 Jul 2012 -- The former head of an Afghan government-owned bank has been sentenced to 20 years in prison for embezzling millions of dollars.
• Corruption A Cost Of Life For Ordinary Afghans RFE/RL 26 Jul 2012 -- Afghanistan's status of one of the world's most corrupt countries is well-documented and features prominently in high-level discussion about foreign investment in the country.
• Eight Killed In Blast In Northwestern Pakistan RFE/RL 26 Jul 2012 -- Up to eight people are reported to have been killed and others injured in a bomb explosion in northwestern Pakistan, near the Afghanistan border.
• Pakistan Bombing Kills 8, Injures 21 RIA Novosti 26 Jul 2012 -- Eight people have been killed and 21 others injured when a blast ripped through a market area in northwestern Pakistan.
• Bomb kills 7, injures 20 in Pakistan's tribal region IRNA 26 Jul 2012 -- A bomb blast at a marketplace in a Pakistani tribal region killed at least seven persons, officials said.

Defense Policy / Programs

• Deputy Secretary Carter Delivers Remarks to Troops at Camp Humphreys DoD 26 Jul 2012
• Readout of Deputy Secretary Carter’s Visit to the Republic of Korea DoD 26 Jul 2012
• Carter Visits DMZ, U.S. Troops at End of Asia-Pacific Tour AFPS 26 Jul 2012 -- Deputy Defense Secretary Ashton B. Carter got a close look at some of North Korea’s forces and spoke to some 300 of the U.S troops stationed in South Korea to deter them.
• DOD News Briefing with George Little from the Pentagon DoD 26 Jul 2012
• Panetta To Visit The Middle East Next Week AFPS 26 Jul 2012 -- Defense Secretary Leon E. Panetta will travel to Middle East next week with stops in several nations that have seen governments toppled in the Arab Spring, including key ally Egypt.
• U.S., Poland Work on SM-3 Interceptors Deployment - Pentagon RIA Novosti 26 Jul 2012 -- Washington and Warsaw keep closely discussing the deployment of a US new-generation ballistic missile defense interceptor site in Poland by 2018.
• Officials Describe Threats to U.S., Steps Taken to Counter Them AFPS 26 Jul 2012 -- Internal and external threats to the United States are legion, and the Defense Department is partnering with industry and the international community to defend against them.
• Navy Closer to Unmanned Aircraft Operation on Carriers NNS 26 Jul 2012 -- The Navy's Unmanned Combat Air System Demonstration program conducted a series of unmanned air vehicle surrogate recoveries and launches aboard the aircraft carrier USS Harry S. Truman.
• Misawa F-16s resume flying AFNS 26 Jul 2012 -- The 35th Fighter Wing plans to resume flying operations July 26, 2012 following a five-day review of the wing's F-16s.
• George Washington Returns to Yokosuka for Mid-Patrol Break NNS 26 Jul 2012 -- The U.S. Navy's only forward-deployed aircraft carrier returned to its forward-operating port at Fleet Activities Yokosuka, July 26, to conclude the first half of its 2012 patrol.
• CVN 77 Begins Planned Incremental Availability NNS 26 Jul 2012 -- USS George H.W. Bush transited the Elizabeth River to Norfolk Naval Ship Yard in Portsmouth, Va., July 25.
• USS Hopper Begins Major Maintenance Period at Pearl Harbor NNS 26 Jul 2012 -- USS Hopper entered dry dock at Pearl Harbor Naval Shipyard and Intermediate Maintenance Facility for a major maintenance period, July 18.
• McRaven: Special Operations More Than Just Combat AFPS 26 Jul 2012 -- The nation expects special operations forces to be successful every time they are called upon, but they’re not wholly about combat.
• Rapid Equipping Force displays new technology at Pentagon Army News 26 Jul 2012 -- When Soldiers in the field have an immediate need for a new technology or piece of equipment, they don't have time to wait for it: They need it now.
• Military Judge Fines Hasan for Contempt AFPS 26 Jul 2012 -- A military judge here ruled that an Army psychiatrist accused in a November 2009 shooting rampage is in contempt for his failure to comply with an order to appear in court clean-shaven and within Army grooming standards.
• Highly Skilled People Are Key to Cyber Defense, Leaders Say AFPS 26 Jul 2012 -- Having the right people in the right places with the right training is the best defense against any attack.
• Cybercom Chief: U.S. Unprepared for Serious Cyber Attacks AFPS 26 Jul 2012 -- Commander of US Cyber Command: The United States is not adequately prepared for a serious cyber attack.
• General says ARCYBER progresses, prepares for cyberspace future Army News 26 Jul 2012 -- The Army's top cyberspace warrior told Congress that the work of the Army Cyber Command adds to national security.
• USAF Initiates voluntary limited loadmaster recall AFNS 26 Jul 2012 -- Air Force Reserve and Air National Guard loadmasters may be eligible to apply for a limited period recall to extended active duty.
• All Faiths Contribute to U.S. Strength, Panetta Says AFPS 26 Jul 2012 -- The United States and its military are stronger today because of the service and sacrifice of people of all faiths, including Muslim Americans, Defense Secretary Leon E. Panetta said.
• Russian Warships in Mediterranean ‘not Engaged in Syria Tasks’ RIA Novosti 26 Jul 2012 -- Russian warships in the Mediterranean are preparing for naval drills due in September.
• Russian Warships Will Not Enter Syria Port – Navy Chief RIA Novosti 26 Jul 2012 -- Russia’s navy chief said that a flotilla of Russian warships off the coast of Syria would not dock at a port leased by Moscow in the violence-stricken Middle East country.
• Russia to Build New Aircraft Carrier After 2020 RIA Novosti 26 Jul 2012 -- Russia will begin building new aircraft carriers after 2020, Russian navy chief Viktor Chirkov said, in a major boost to Moscow's ability to deploy air power abroad.
• Russia to Lay Down Fourth Borei Class Sub July 30 RIA Novosti 26 Jul 2012 -- Russia's fourth Borei class (Project 955A) ballistic missile submarine will be officially laid down at a ceremony on July 30.
• Putin Lauds Russian Aerospace Defenses RIA Novosti 26 Jul 2012 -- Russian President Vladimir Putin lauded the nation's aerospace defenses, warning other states to have no doubts concerning Russia's nuclear weapons’ capability.
• Cameron Says Olympic Security Is Top Priority RFE/RL 26 Jul 2012 -- British Prime Minister David Cameron says that measures to protect the Olympics constitute the biggest security operation in Britain's peacetime history.
• PM thanks military personnel for Olympics role UK MOD 26 Jul 2012 -- During a visit to HMS Ocean, which is moored on the Thames, Prime Minister David Cameron paid tribute to all the military personnel on duty over the Olympic period.
• Armed Forces helping deliver Olympics security UK MOD 26 Jul 2012 -- Taking the lead for security on British soil is of course the responsibility of the police.
• TA trains in Italy UK MOD 26 Jul 2012 -- Territorial Army (TA) soldiers are in Italy, learning how to adapt to the changing nature of conflict.
• Dozens Of States Call For Stronger Arms Trade Treaty As Second Draft Released RFE/RL 26 Jul 2012 -- Nearly 80 countries have jointly released a statement condemning as too weak a second draft Arms Trade Treaty circulated among UN member states 24 hours before the negotiations are to conclude.
• Press Briefing by Press Secretary Jay Carney, 7/26/12 The White House 26 Jul 2012
• U.S. Department of State Daily Press Briefing, July 26, 2012 US Dept. of State 26 Jul 2012

Defense Industry

• DoD News: Contracts for July 26, 2012

Other Conflicts

• Daily Press Briefing by the Office of the Spokesperson for the Secretary-General, 26 July 2012 United Nations 26 Jul 2012
• West, Russia Trade Words Over Syria RFE/RL 26 Jul 2012 -- Russia and Western powers have sparred verbally over Syria as both sides accused the other of impeding efforts to end the conflict in the country.
• US Warns of Syrian Government Preparations for Aleppo Massacre VOA 26 Jul 2012 -- The United States on Thursday warned that Syrian government forces appear to be preparing to massacre civilians in the city of Aleppo.
• Syrian Rebels Claim To Control Half Of Aleppo RFE/RL 26 Jul 2012 -- Fighting between government forces and rebels has been continuing in Syria's two largest cities – the capital, Damascus, and Aleppo.
• Syrian Troops Continue Crackdown on Aleppo Rebels RIA Novosti 26 Jul 2012 -- After regaining control of Damascus, the Syrian army has continued a large-scale offensive to force rebels out of the northern city of Aleppo.
• Al-Qaida Role in Syria Should Not be Exaggerated AFPS 26 Jul 2012 -- While there may be some extremists among the Syrian rebels, al-Qaida is not establishing a strong footprint in the country.
• Erdogan Says Turkey Could Act Against 'Terrorist' Group in Syria RFE/RL 26 Jul 2012 -- In a warning to Kurdish militants, Turkish Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdogan says Turkey could act against any "terrorist" organization in northern Syria it sees as a threat.
• UN peacekeeping chief says decision to halve Syria observer force only temporary UN News Centre 26 Jul 2012 -- The United Nations is not packing up and going home, the world body’s top peacekeeping official told reporters in the Syrian capital.
• IRI Veep: Syrians would resist firmly against enemies’ conspiracies IRNA 26 Jul 2012 -- IRI First Vice President Mohammad-Reza Rahimi said despite massive ongoing invasion of major powers, Syrian nation would resist firmly against conspiracies of enemies.
• Australia Urged to Defuse South China Sea Tensions VOA 26 Jul 2012 -- Australia has been urged to do more to help ease tensions in the South China Sea.
• Taiwan urges Japan to refrain from 'nationalizing' Tiaoyutais CNA 26 Jul 2012 -- Taiwan's Ministry of Foreign Affairs said it has conveyed its concern to Japan over its reported plan to nationalize the Tiaoyutai Islands in the East China Sea.
• UN Extends Mandate Of Iraq Mission RFE/RL 26 Jul 2012 -- The Security Council has extended the mandate of the United Nations Assistance Mission for Iraq for another 12 months.
• UN calls for cooperation to find solutions to relocate Iranian exiles in Iraq UN News Centre 26 Jul 2012 -- The United Nations refugee agency called for cooperation, patience and understanding among all parties involved in finding solutions for the 3,200 Iranian exiles residing in Camp Ashraf in Iraq.
• UN calls for immediate action to avert humanitarian disaster in Mali UN News Centre 26 Jul 2012 -- The United Nations called for immediate action to tackle Mali’s current humanitarian crisis which is driven by food insecurity, malnutrition, population displacement and widespread insecurity.
• DRC Rebels Advance in North Kivu Province VOA 26 Jul 2012 -- The M23 rebel group in the Democratic Republic of Congo has defeated the government army in another series of clashes.
• Explainer: Violence In Tajikistan's Badakhshan Province A Legacy Of The Civil War RFE/RL 26 Jul 2012 -- Government forces have recently clashed with armed groups in Tajikistan's remote Gorno-Badakhshan Autonomous Province, a mountainous region along the Afghan border that has existed largely outside Dushanbe's control for decades.
• Tajik President Delivers Ultimatum To Fighters In East RFE/RL 26 Jul 2012 -- Tajikistan's President Emomali Rahmon has demanded that members of armed groups who clashed with government forces this week be disarmed and brought to justice.
• Security Council grants one-year extension for UN peacekeepers in Côte d’Ivoire UN News Centre 26 Jul 2012 -- The Security Council extended the mandate of the United Nations peacekeeping mission in Côte d’Ivoire and the French forces that support it until 31 July 2013.
• UN Renews Peacekeepers in Ivory Coast VOA 26 Jul 2012 -- The United Nations Security Council voted unanimously to extend the mandate for the U.N. peacekeeping operation in Ivory Coast for another year.
• Thousands Flee Ethnic Clashes in Northeast India VOA 26 Jul 2012 -- Thousands of people are pouring into relief camps in northeastern India, where ethnic clashes have killed at least 41 people in the last week.
• OPT: EU pressure for aid change in Area C IRIN 26 Jul 2012 -- As demolition orders continue to threaten the work of humanitarian organizations in Israeli-controlled Area C in the West Bank, the European Union and humanitarian agencies are pressing to change the rules of the aid game.
• Transdnestr Leader Denies ‘Federation’ Talks with Moldova RIA Novosti 26 Jul 2012 -- The president of the Moldovan breakaway republic of Transdnestr, Yevgeny Shevchuk, dismissed reports concerning his talks with Moldovan Prime Minister Vladimir Filat on the creation of a federative state.
• World must learn from Srebrenica massacre and stop bloodshed in Syria – UN chief UN News Centre 26 Jul 2012 -- Secretary-General Ban paid his respects to the victims of Srebrenica and called on the world to learn the lessons from the 1995 massacre and stop the ongoing bloodshed in Syria.
• UN Chief Honors Srebrenica Dead RFE/RL 26 Jul 2012 -- Ban Ki-moon has become the first United Nations secretary-general to visit the site of the Srebrenica massacre in Bosnia-Herzegovina.

News Reports

• US, China Trade Accusations on Human Rights VOA 26 Jul 2012 -- Annual human rights talks between the United States and China have produced few visible results, partly because of a difference in how each nation views civil liberties.
• Gu Kailai's Fall from Grace VOA 26 Jul 2012 -- In China, the announcement of murder charges against the wife of one of China’s most prominent politicians left many unanswered questions about a case that remains highly sensitive.
• Bo Xilai's Wife Charged with Murder VOA 26 Jul 2012 -- Chinese prosecutors have charged the wife of disgraced former official Bo Xilai and a family employee with the murder of a British businessman.
• Beijing Warns Government Critics on Web VOA 26 Jul 2012 -- Beijing's police chief has threatened "severe punishment" against Internet users who "attack" China's Communist Party.
• Baqeri evaluates talks with Ashton’s deputy “positive” IRNA 26 Jul 2012 -- Deputy Secretary of IRI Supreme National Security Council Baqeri evaluated outcome of his talks with EU Foreign Policy Chief Catherine Ashton’s Deputy Helga Schmidt as positive.
• Diplomats: Next round of Iran-G5+1 talks to be held in Istanbul IRNA 26 Jul 2012 -- It was announced here that next round of Iran-G5 + 1 nuclear negotiations would be held in Istanbul.
• Iran, Israel Trade Accusations Over Bulgaria Bombing RFE/RL 26 Jul 2012 -- Iran has called Israeli allegations that it was responsible for suicide bombing of a bus carrying Israeli tourists in Bulgaria "baseless."
• Iran’s UN Envoy Says Israel behind Bus Blast in Bulgaria RIA Novosti 26 Jul 2012 -- Iran’s UN envoy Mohammad Khazaee said that it was Israel that plotted and carried out a terrorist attack on an Israeli tourist bus in Bulgaria last week.
• KPA Service Personnel Vow to Remain Loyal to Kim Jong Un KCNA 26 Jul 2012 -- An oath-taking meeting of service personnel of the Korean People's Army took place before the Victorious Fatherland Liberation War Memorial Tower.
• Revelation of N. Korean Leader's Wife Denotes Break with Tradition VOA 26 Jul 2012 -- The revelation that North Korea's leader is married is raising questions about the announcement's significance.
• UN envoy reaffirms commitment to assist Myanmar in reconciliation efforts UN News Centre 26 Jul 2012 -- The United Nations top envoy for Myanmar reiterated his commitment to assist the country in its national reconciliation and reform efforts, in the wake of the deadly violence which took place in the state of Rakhine last month.
• SUDAN: Who's who in the opposition IRIN 26 Jul 2012 -- Recent weeks have seen demonstrators take to the streets of Khartoum to protest against the rising cost of living and call for an end to the 23-year rule of President Omar al-Bashir.
• Kenyan Court Rules MRC Can Register as Political Party VOA 26 Jul 2012 -- The Mombasa Republican Council, better known as the MRC, has been banned in Kenya since 2010.
• KENYA: Early drought prompts conflict IRIN 26 Jul 2012 -- Parts of northeastern Kenya, which are experiencing an early drought after poor March-May long rains, have seen deadly clashes over water and pasture.
• Somalia's Assembly to Debate Controversial Constitution VOA 26 Jul 2012 -- After months of wrangling and postponement in Somalia, an 825-member constituent assembly will have the final word on the country's new constitution.
• Ex-Defense Minister: Ethiopia Faces Political ‘Crisis’ VOA 26 Jul 2012 -- Ethiopia does not have a firm leadership succession plan if Prime Minister Meles Zenawi is no longer able to head the government, according to a former defense minister.
• Unity, common purpose vital to resolve Guinea-Bissau political crisis – UN officials UN News Centre 26 Jul 2012 -- United Nations officials stressed the need for all actors in Guinea-Bissau to work together to restore constitutional order following this year’s coup d’état.
• Ghana's New President Tapped to Run in December Poll VOA 26 Jul 2012 -- Ghana's ruling party has named newly-installed President John Mahama as its candidate for the coming presidential election.
• Kazakh Security Forces Seal Off Center Of Restive Oil Town RFE/RL 26 Jul 2012 -- Kazakh security forces and police have sealed off the center of the western town of Zhanaozen, amid a renewal of tensions in the town where security forces shot dead at least 16 people in December.
• Kazakh Border Guard Recants Murder Confession RFE/RL 26 Jul 2012 -- The military prosecutor's office in Kazakhstan has confirmed that Kazakh border guard Vladislav Chelakh has recanted his earlier confession of killing of 14 fellow soldiers and a forest ranger.
• UN panel pays out $1.3 billion in reparations for Iraq’s invasion of Kuwait UN News Centre 26 Jul 2012 -- The United Nations Compensation Commission made $1.3 billion available to six successful claimants.
• U.S. Criticizes Russian Foreign Agent NGO law RIA Novosti 26 Jul 2012 -- The Russian media freedom climate has worsened since the Duma passed laws enabling Internet censorship and requiring organizations receiving international funding to label themselves as "foreign agents," Michael Posner, the U.S. Assistant Secretary of State for human rights, said.