Operations
Defense Policy / Programs
Defense Industry
Other Conflicts
News Reports

Current Operations

• OIF/OEF/OND Casualty Update 01 Aug 2012 [PDF]
• DOD News Briefing with Brig. Gen. Putt from the Pentagon DoD 01 Aug 2012 -- Presenter: Deputy Commanding General of V U.S. Corps, Director, Afghan National Security Forces Development, International Security Assistance Force Joint Command Brig. Gen. Thomas E. Putt
• Combined Force Detains 2 Taliban Insurgents AFPS 01 Aug 2012 -- An Afghan and coalition security force detained two suspected Taliban insurgents and seized explosives during an operation in Baghlan province.
• Afghan Force Development Director Outlines Priorities AFPS 01 Aug 2012 -- With Afghanistan’s army and police forces working more independently at the kandak, or battalion, level and below, coalition efforts increasingly are aimed at developing Afghan capabilities at higher unit levels.
• Pakistan-U.S. ink MoU on NATO supply routes IRNA 01 Aug 2012 -- Pakistan and the United States signed a Memorandum of understanding regarding the formal restoration of supply routes for NATO forces in Afghanistan.
• Putin Backs Russia’s Support of NATO Afghan Operation RIA Novosti 01 Aug 2012 -- Russian President Vladimir Putin reaffirmed that Russia would continue its support of the NATO military operation to ensure order and security in the troubled Central Asian country.
• Combat Logistics Battalion 5 cases colors in Afghanistan, heads home to prepare for next mission USMC News 01 Aug 2012 -- Marines and sailors with Combat Logistics Battalion 5, 1st Marine Logistics Group (Forward) stood proudly during a casing of the colors ceremony.
• 22nd Naval Construction Regiment Transfers Authority in Afghanistan NNS 01 Aug 2012 -- U.S. Navy Seabees assigned to the 22nd Naval Construction Regiment, Task Force Stethem, took part in a Transfer of Authority ceremony at Kandahar Air Field.

Defense Policy / Programs

• Iron Dome System Demonstrates U.S-Israeli Partnership AFPS 01 Aug 2012 -- After passing through an orchard of fruit-laden apple trees and passing fields of corn and vegetables, it’s jarring to come across a rocket launcher.
• DOD News Briefing with Maj. Gen. Lyon from the Pentagon DoD 01 Aug 2012
• USS Abraham Lincoln Concludes Eight-Month Deployment NNS 01 Aug 2012 -- The Nimitz-class aircraft carrier USS Abraham Lincoln (CVN 72) is scheduled to arrive in its new homeport at Naval Station Norfolk Aug. 7, following an eight-month deployment to the U.S. Navy's 5th, 6th and 7th Fleet areas of responsibility.
• Air Force Assures F-22 Readiness Following Extensive Testing AFPS 01 Aug 2012 -- The F-22 Raptor fighter jet, officials have “determined with confidence” the source of previously unexplained physiological incidents.
• Carter Describes Possible Unintended Effects of Sequestration Law AFPS 01 Aug 2012 -- While the Defense Department can foresee the harmful effects of sequestration, the nature of the legislative mechanism makes it impossible to devise a plan that eliminates or substantially mitigates those effects.
• Strait of Malacca Stands as Model of Multilateral Cooperation AFPS 01 Aug 2012 -- U.S. Pacific Command is holding up a multinational partnership in the Asia-Pacific region as a model for the type of cooperation the command is working to promote to deal with transnational threats.
• MCoE still targets 'squad' strategy Army News 01 Aug 2012 -- Fort Benning installed a new command team this summer, but strengthening the dismounted tactical small unit remains a top objective at the Maneuver Center of Excellence, the Infantry School's assistant commandant said.
• Major changes on way for signal in Europe Army News 01 Aug 2012 -- With the Army looking to cut $1 billion from its information technology budget, major changes are on the way for 5th Signal Command over the next three years.
• US, Poland develop partnership through Screaming Eagle AFNS 01 Aug 2012 -- Airmen from the 435th Air Ground Operations Wing and 86th Airlift Wing continue to train with Polish military members in Exercise Screaming Eagle IV.
• USS Nitze Trains with HMCS Charlottetown NNS 01 Aug 2012 -- U.S. Navy Sailors aboard USS Nitze participated in a series of training exercises with Royal Canadian Navy frigate HMCS Charlottetown, July 27.
• 773rd Civil Support Team conducts annual CBRN training Army News 01 Aug 2012 -- USAR 7th Civil Support Command's 773rd Civil Support Team conducted their annual training July 17-28.
• Air Force awards massive energy-saving project at Tinker AFNS 01 Aug 2012 -- Air Force leaders awarded an Energy Savings Performance Contract here Aug. 1.
• Iran to Drop $4-bln Claim if Russia Delivers S-300 Missiles: Envoy RIA Novosti 01 Aug 2012 -- Iran will withdraw its $4-billion lawsuit against Russia if it delivers S-300 air-defense systems to the Islamic republic, the Iranian ambassador to Russia said.
• Russian Shipyard Starts Metal Cutting for Mistral RIA Novosti 01 Aug 2012 -- Russia’s Baltic Shipyard has started metal cutting for the hull of the first Mistral class amphibious assault ship being built in France for the Russian Navy.
• Professionals in Russian Airborne Forces to Double by 2017 RIA Novosti 01 Aug 2012 -- The number of professional servicemen in the Russian Airborne Forces is expected to reach 20,000 in the next five or seven years, more than double the current 9,500 troops.
• One Sailor Killed, 4 Injured as Shell Explodes in Baltic Fleet RIA Novosti 01 Aug 2012 -- One Navy serviceman was killed and four injured when a shell detonated during an exercise in Russia’s Baltic Fleet.
• HMS Daring returns from maiden deployment UK MOD 01 Aug 2012 -- HMS Daring returned to her home in Portsmouth today after completing her maiden operational deployment to the Middle East.
• Trial flight of Taiwan's anti-submarine aircraft goes smoothly CNA 01 Aug 2012 -- The first in a batch of submarine-hunting aircraft for Taiwan has recently successfully completed its trial flight.
• Taiwan to acquire two mine hunting ships soon CNA 01 Aug 2012 -- Taiwan is beefing up its naval defense capabilities with the acquisition of two minehunters from the United States soon.
• Navy Commander: Enemies cannot even think about attacking Iran IRNA 01 Aug 2012 -- Commander of Iran's Navy Rear Admiral Habibollah Sayyari said that the Islamic Republic's international status has prevented enemies of even thinking about any attack against the country.
• Azerbaijan to Host Radar Stations to Combat Smuggling RIA Novosti 01 Aug 2012 -- Seven radar stations will be sited along Azerbaijan’s Caspian Sea coast, the U.S. Department of State said in its country report on terrorism for 2011.
• Belarus Special Forces to Receive Ultralights by 2015 RIA Novosti 01 Aug 2012 -- Belarusian special forces will be equipped with ultralight aircraft and unmanned aerial vehicles by 2015.
• Uzbekistan Refrains from Joining Military Blocs – Foreign Policy Strategy RIA Novosti 01 Aug 2012 -- Uzbekistan’s lower house of Parliament passed President Islam Karimov's new foreign policy strategy, which rules out Tashkent’s membership in any military alliances and bans foreign military bases on Uzbek territory.
• Uzbek Parliament Approves Document Rejecting Membership In Military Alliances RFE/RL 01 Aug 2012 -- Uzbekistan's parliament has approved President Islam Karimov's new foreign policy strategy that rejects Tashkent’s membership in any military and political blocs.
• U.S. Department of State Daily Press Briefing US Dept. of State 01 Aug 2012
• Press Gaggle by Press Secretary Jay Carney en Route Mansfield, OH, 8/1/12 The White House 01 Aug 2012

Defense Industry

• DoD News: Contracts for August 01, 2012
• VEB Grants Sukhoi $1 Bln for SSJ-100 Upgrade RIA Novosti 01 Aug 2012 -- Russia's national development bank Vnesheconombank is to loan $1 billion to aircraft-builder Sukhoi until 2024 to further develop its Sukhoi Superjet 100 regional airliner.

Other Conflicts

• Daily Press Briefing by the Office of the Spokesperson for the Secretary-General, 01 August 2012 United Nations 01 Aug 2012
• Syrian Rebels Execute Assad Loyalists in Aleppo VOA 01 Aug 2012 -- Syrian rebels have executed four men identified by activists as members of a pro-government tribe in the northern city of Aleppo.
• Syria's Assad Urges Forces To Fight, As Aleppo Battle Rages RFE/RL 01 Aug 2012 -- Syrian President Bashar al-Assad has praised his forces for their efforts against what he called "criminal terrorist gangs."
• Assad: Army Engaged in Fight for Syria's Fate VOA 01 Aug 2012 -- Syrian President Bashar al-Assad says his army is engaged in a battle against rebels that will determine the fate of the country.
• Turkey Supplies Syrian Rebels With Air Defense Missiles RIA Novosti 01 Aug 2012 -- Turkey has supplied Free Syrian Army rebels with nearly two dozen man-portable air defense systems.
• Syria: as UN prepares food relief for Aleppo, renews call for restraint in fighting UN News Centre 01 Aug 2012 -- The UN observer mission in the country renewed its call for the Government and the opposition to refrain from further violence.
• UN General Assembly to Meet on Syria VOA 31 Jul 2012 -- The United Nations General Assembly is to meet to discuss a Saudi resolution expressing grave concern with the violence in Syria and condemning the Security Council's lack of action.
• Could The Syrian Crisis Create An Alawi Ministate? RFE/RL 01 Aug 2012 -- If President Bashar al-Assad's regime is defeated in Syria's war, where will it go? One possibility is to the mountains - to create a ministate of its own.
• United States Trying to Make Assad Step Down - State Dept. RIA Novosti 01 Aug 2012 -- The United States is continuing its efforts to have Syrian President Bashar al-Assad resign, State Department spokesman Patrick Ventrell said.
• Ivory Coast Pushes for UN Military Action in Mali VOA 01 Aug 2012 -- Ivory Coast President Alassane Ouattara is making a renewed push for U.N.-backed military intervention in Mali, to stem the advance by Islamist rebel forces linked to al Qaeda.
• Civilian Casualties Rise in DRC Conflict VOA 01 Aug 2012 -- Civilian casualties are growing in the conflict in eastern Democratic Republic of Congo, according to the medical charity Doctors Without Borders.
• Briefing: Why is Iraq still so dangerous? IRIN 01 Aug 2012 -- Assessments of security trends in Iraq vary wildly depending on who you speak to, how you count the statistics, and which period of time you study.
• July Bloodiest Month In Iraq In Two Years RFE/RL 01 Aug 2012 -- The Iraqi Health Ministry says that militants killed 325 Iraqis in July making it the bloodiest month in two years.
• Russian North Caucasus Still Unstable - State Dept. RIA Novosti 01 Aug 2012 -- Russia’s North Caucasus is still unstable, with terrorist attacks committed there due to interethnic rivalry, separatism and other reasons.
• Two Police Injured in Dagestan Bomb Blast RIA Novosti 01 Aug 2012 -- Two police officers were injured on Wednesday afternoon in a bomb blast in Derbent, a city on the Caspian Sea coast of Russia’s North Caucasus Republic of Dagestan.

News Reports

• Joint Press Conference with Secretary Panetta and Minister Barak in Israel DoD 01 Aug 2012
• U.S., Israeli Leaders United Against Iranian Nuke Efforts AFPS 01 Aug 2012 -- If diplomatic efforts and economic sanctions fail, the United States has military options to stop Iran from developing nuclear weapons.
• Panetta, Israeli Leaders Warn Iran VOA 01 Aug 2012 -- U.S. Defense Secretary Leon Panetta and Israeli leaders warned Iran that time is running out to resolve disputes over its controversial nuclear program.
• Panetta Says Military Force Still Option Against Iran RFE/RL 01 Aug 2012 -- U.S. Defense Secretary Leon Panetta has warned Iran that "all options," including military force, are on the table to stop it from acquiring nuclear weapons.
• Iranian Nuke Program Dominates Panetta’s Talks in Israel AFPS 01 Aug 2012 -- Iranian nuclear ambitions dominated discussions between Defense Secretary Leon E. Panetta and Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu.
• Majlis studies connection of scientists assassination with CIA IRNA 01 Aug 2012 -- Majlis Spokesman of National Security and Foreign Policy Commission said that new aspects of connections between terrorist network that assassinated Iranian nuclear scientists with CIA and Mossad was discussed in the commission.
• Abbasi dismisses cyber attack on IAEO computers IRNA 01 Aug 2012 -- Vice-President and head of Iran's Atomic Energy Organization Fereidoun Abbasi dismissed any cyber attack on IAEO computers.
• Secretary Clinton Remarks on Building Sustainable Partnerships in Africa US Dept. of State 01 Aug 2012
• Clinton: America Wants Sustainable Partnerships in Africa VOA 01 Aug 2012 -- U.S. Secretary of State Hillary Clinton says America wants sustainable partnerships with African nations.
• Concern about Camp Ashraf US Dept. of State 01 Aug 2012
• Ban calls for peaceful completion of transfer of Iranian exiles from Iraqi camp UN News Centre 01 Aug 2012 -- Secretary-General Ban urged all parties to avoid violence and work together to peacefully conclude the transfer of the remaining Iranian exiles residing in a camp in Iraq.
• South Korea Rejects North's Terrorism Allegations VOA 01 Aug 2012 -- South Korea is calling “ridiculous” a North Korean claim that activists based in Seoul are behind alleged acts of sabotage in the North.
• UN officials welcome ‘historic’ approval of new constitution for Somalia UN News Centre 01 Aug 2012 -- The overwhelming approval of a Provisional Constitution for Somalia by the representative body convened for that purpose was hailed by UN officials.
• Somali Leaders Approve New Constitution VOA 01 Aug 2012 -- Somalia's National Constituent Assembly has overwhelmingly approved a new draft constitution, in a critical step toward ending the country's long political transition.
• Muslim Protests in Ethiopia Reveal Religious Fault Lines VOA 01 Aug 2012 -- An Ethiopian Muslim protest movement has quieted down since the arrests of key organizers two weeks ago in Addis Ababa.
• Rights Group Slams Burmese Military on Rohingya Violence VOA 01 Aug 2012 -- A new report on the sectarian violence in Burma’s Western Rakhin State is accusing Burma’s military of participating in attacks on ethnic Rohingya and doing little to stop violence that killed at least 78 people and displaced tens of thousands.