Operations
Defense Policy / Programs
Defense Industry
Other Conflicts
News Reports

Current Operations

• OIF/OEF/OND Casualty Update 09 Aug 2012 [PDF]
• Combined Force Arrests Taliban-affiliated Insurgent AFPS 09 Aug 2012 -- In the Andar district of Afghanistan’s Ghazni province, an Afghan and coalition security force arrested a Taliban-affiliated insurgent.
• Secretary Clinton Statement on Death of USAID Officer in Afghanistan US Dept. of State 09 Aug 2012
• U.S. Condemns Killing Of Aid Worker In Afghanistan RFE/RL 09 Aug 2012 -- The U.S. State Department has condemned a suicide attack in eastern Afghanistan's Konar Province that killed a USAID employee, 3 ISAF soldiers, and one Afghan civilian.
• Afghan Soldier Killed After Firing on NATO Troops VOA 09 Aug 2012 -- NATO troops have killed an Afghan soldier who tried to gun down coalition service members at a military base in eastern Afghanistan.
• Afghan Soldier Killed In Attack On NATO Troops RFE/RL 09 Aug 2012 -- NATO says an Afghan soldier was killed as he tried to gun down a group of international troops in the country's east.
• Afghan Soldier Attacks NATO Troops RIA Novosti 09 Aug 2012 -- An Afghan soldier on Thursday attacked a group of NATO international security assistance force (ISAF) soldiers in the Lagman province, eastern Afghanistan.
• Pakistan May Free Taliban's Military Chief for Talks RIA Novosti 09 Aug 2012 -- Pakistan may free the Taliban’s top military commander, Mullah Abdul Ghani Baradar, to give impetus to Afghanistan's ongoing reconciliation efforts with the Taliban.
• Eisenhower, CVW-7 Commence OEF Missions NNS 09 Aug 2012 -- Carrier Air Wing 7, embarked aboard USS Dwight D. Eisenhower, began flying the first combat sorties in support of Operation Enduring Freedom, Aug. 9.
• Personal Security Detachment allows general to travel USMC News 09 Aug 2012 -- The Personal Security Detachment, 1st Marine Logistics Group, is a specific group tasked with escorting Brig. Gen. John J. Broadmeadow, Commanding General, 1st MLG (Fwd), to all areas of operation throughout Helmand Province, Afghanistan.
• Taliban Threatens To Kill Pakistani Politician-Cricket Star Imran Khan RFE/RL 09 Aug 2012 -- The Taliban has threatened to kill a Pakistani cricket star-turned-politician if he holds a planned march to their tribal stronghold.
• US Navy: 10 Iranian sailors rescued IRNA 09 Aug 2012 -- The US Navy announced that it has rescued 10 sailors alleged to be Iranians from a boat in the Sea of Oman while it caught fire.
• U.S. Navy Saves Iranians From Burning Boat RFE/RL 09 Aug 2012 -- The U.S. Navy says one of its vessels in the Persian Gulf has rescued a crew of Iranian sailors from a burning boat.

Defense Policy / Programs

• Remarks by Secretary Panetta at Niagara Falls Air Reserve Station, N.Y. DoD 09 Aug 2012
• Panetta: National Guard, Reserve Key to Defense Strategy AFPS 09 Aug 2012 -- Defense Secretary Leon E. Panetta told the airmen and soldiers based at Niagara Falls Air Reserve Station today their service is critical to the defense strategy.
• JASSM-ER nears operational employment AFNS 09 Aug 2012 -- The 337th Test and Evaluation Squadron is scheduled to complete the final-phase of operational testing for the Joint Air-to-Surface Standoff Missile - Extended Range in late August.
• F-35 Completes First Airborne Weapons Separation NNS 09 Aug 2012 -- The F-35 Lightning II accomplished a significant test milestone Aug. 8 when the aircraft successfully released a weapon in flight.
• Navy Begins Construction on Next Amphibious Assault Ship NNS 09 Aug 2012 -- Huntington Ingalls Industries started fabrication of the eleventh LPD 17 San Antonio class ship, LPD 27, Aug. 6, following the Navy award of the detail design and construction contract July 27.
• General Carlisle takes command of Pacific Air Forces AFNS 09 Aug 2012 -- Gen. Herbert Carlisle took command of Pacific Air Forces from Gen. Gary North in a change of command ceremony here Aug. 3.
• Pilot becomes Guard's first F-35 instructor pilot AFNS 09 Aug 2012 -- An Airman became the Guard's first F-35 Lightning II instructor pilot recently at Eglin's multi-service, multi-national F-35 Integrated Training Center.
• Carrier Air Wing 11 Departs USS Nimitz NNS 09 Aug 2012 -- The squadrons of Carrier Air Wing 11 embarked on board the USS Nimitz for the Rim of the Pacific 2012 exercises left for their home stations beginning with the fly off Aug. 8.
• Aircraft Carrier Elevator Wire Ropes Service Life Extended NNS 09 Aug 2012 -- Naval Sea Systems Command Engineering Directorate recently extended the service life for wire ropes associated with aircraft carrier elevators for all Enterprise-class, Nimitz-class and Gerald R. Ford-class aircraft carriers.
• USS Olympia Conducts Western Pacific Deployment NNS 09 Aug 2012 -- USS Olympia departed for a scheduled Western Pacific deployment, Aug. 8.
• USS Louisville Completes WESTPAC NNS 09 Aug 2012 -- USS Louisville returned to Joint Base Pearl Harbor-Hickam after completing a six-month deployment to the Western Pacific region, Aug. 8.
• New RHIBS for Security Forces Underway Training NNS 09 Aug 2012 -- The Center for Security Forces announces Aug. 9 the procurement of four new rigid-hull inflatable boats, as part of its continuing effort to provide high-value waterborne security training to the fleet.
• Center for Security Forces Announces ARG/MEU VBSS Boat Crew Training Development NNS 09 Aug 2012 -- The Center for Security Forces announced Aug. 7, that a job duty task analysis to examine Amphibious Readiness Group/Marine Expeditionary Unit Visit, Board, Search and Seizure Boat Crew training is scheduled for Sept. 18-20.
• Navy Reduces Costs While Refurbishing Deep-Dive Rigs NNS 09 Aug 2012 -- The U.S. Navy achieved successful open-water validation dives July 2012 on MK 16 MOD 1 Underwater Breathing Apparatus' electronic circuitry to extend service life into the next decade for a world-class unique diving rig capable of extreme depths in open sea water.
• U.S. Army South, Colombian army along with 17 partner nations kick-off PANAMAX 2012 Army News 09 Aug 2012 -- U.S. Army South, along with armed and security forces from 17 nations, officially kicked-off the annual U.S. Southern Command sponsored Fuerzas Aliadas PANAMAX exercise.
• Hilton Field upgrades set to begin Army News 09 Aug 2012 -- Renovations to Hilton Field, where Basic Combat Training graduations take place, are expected to begin this fall.
• Hunter gets new Army National Guard Readiness Center Army News 09 Aug 2012 -- About two hundred guardsmen, spouses, children, military and civilian community members gathered inside the new Georgia Army National Guard Readiness Center.
• Army Announces $7B Multiple Award Task Order Contract Request for Proposal Army News 09 Aug 2012 -- The Army announced a $7 billion Multiple Award Task Contract, Request for Proposal which will help the Army procure reliable, locally generated, renewable and alternative energy through Power Purchase Agreements for up to 30 years.
• Indonesia Says ‘No, Thanks’ to More Sukhoi Fighters RIA Novosti 09 Aug 2012 -- Indonesia will buy no more Sukhoi fighter jets from Russia, opting instead for U.S. F-16s.
• UK Army Reserves build IED search facility UK MOD 09 Aug 2012 -- Army reservists from Wales are thinking like Taliban bomb-makers in order to build a realistic improvised explosive device (IED) search facility to train soldiers about to deploy to Afghanistan.
• UK soldiers train for operations after Afghanistan UK MOD 09 Aug 2012 -- The Field Training Unit has launched the Urban Operators Instructors Course to drill troops in skills and tactics for environments far removed from the dusty expanses of Helmand province.
• UK MOD investigates reports of Service personnel body part retention UK MOD 09 Aug 2012 -- The Ministry of Defence is investigating reports that forensic material belonging to Service personnel killed in action has been retained beyond the time it was required to be used as evidence.
• India's nuclear capable Agni-II missile successfully test fired IRNA 09 Aug 2012 -- India successfully test-fired its medium-range nuclear capable Agni-II missile with a strike range of 2,000 km as part of a user trial by the Army.
• India Test-Fires Agni-2 Missile RIA Novosti 09 Aug 2012 -- India successfully test-fired an Agni-2 nuclear-capable ballistic missile for the third time.
• Taiwan MND revokes Navy's decision to demerit officials CNA 09 Aug 2012 -- The Ministry of National Defense revoked the Navy's decision to punish certain officials responsible for warships going off course during a military drill in July.
• Kazakhstan to Start Universal Defense Training RIA Novosti 09 Aug 2012 -- Kazakhstan is to introduce universal military training for all adult citizens, according to a government decree published by the country’s official press.
• U.S. Department of State Daily Press Briefing, August 9, 2012 US Dept. of State 09 Aug 2012

Defense Industry

• DoD News: Contracts for August 09, 2012

Other Conflicts

• Daily Press Briefing by the Office of the Spokesperson for the Secretary-General, 09 August 2012 United Nations 09 Aug 2012
• Security Council reaffirms role of preventive diplomacy for stability in Central Asia UN News Centre 09 Aug 2012 -- The Security Council has voiced its support for the role that preventive diplomacy and early warning mechanisms play in settling disputes peacefully.
• US Sees No Renewal of UN Observers in Syria VOA 09 Aug 2012 -- The mandate for the United Nations observer mission in Syria expires August 19.
• Ban urges united action at group meeting in Tehran UN News Centre 09 Aug 2012 -- UN Secretary-General Ban reiterated his call for the international community to work together to resolve the ongoing crisis in Syria.
• Syrian Rebels Refute Regime Claims, Say Still Hold Southern Gateway To Aleppo RFE/RL 09 Aug 2012 -- Syrian government troops and rebels against President Bashar al-Assad's regime continue to fight for control of the country's largest city of Aleppo.
• Fierce Fighting Grips Aleppo VOA 09 Aug 2012 -- Syrian government forces continued their aerial attacks against the besieged commercial center of Aleppo, driving many rebels from the southernmost district of the city in a fierce assault.
• Syria's Assad Appoints New Prime Minister RFE/RL 09 Aug 2012 -- Syrian President Bashar al-Assad has appointed a new prime minister.
• Bosnian Serbs Call On Foreign Minister To Resign Over Syria Vote RFE/RL 09 Aug 2012 -- Bosnian Serbs have called on the country's foreign minister to resign for instructing Bosnia's representative at the United Nations to support the latest General Assembly resolution condemning the Syrian regime.
• Kidnapper of 4 Iranians in Lebanon condemns kidnapping of 48 pilgrims IRNA 09 Aug 2012 -- Inhumane nature of Syrian dissidents’ move in kidnapping 48 pilgrims is so evident that head of Lebanese Flange Party Samir Geagea, whose group kidnapped 4 Iranian diplomats here 30 years ago, condemned the move.
• Moscow Urges Egypt to Ensure Tourist Safety in Sinai RIA Novosti 09 Aug 2012 -- Russia expects the Egyptian authorities to ensure an adequate level of security for tourists in the course of the antiterrorist operation on the Sinai Peninsula.
• Renewed Clashes Between Gunmen, Egyptian Police Reported In Sinai RFE/RL 09 Aug 2012 -- Egyptian state television is reporting renewed clashes between security forces and suspected Islamist militants in Egypt's Sinai Peninsula.
• Egyptian Police, Armed Men Clash in Sinai VOA 09 Aug 2012 -- Egyptian police have clashed with armed men in the Sinai peninsula, a day after military airstrikes killed 20 suspected militants in the area.
• DRC Will Not Negotiate with M23 Rebels VOA 09 Aug 2012 -- The Democratic Republic of Congo says it will not negotiate with rebel group M23, made up of former soldiers now fighting the army in North Kivu province.
• UN humanitarian chief urges more support of people fleeing violence in eastern DR Congo UN News Centre 09 Aug 2012 -- The UN top humanitarian official today called for greater support for people displaced by fighting in the eastern Democratic Republic of the Congo.
• Secretary Clinton Remarks Following Expanded Meeting with Nigerian President Goodluck Jonathan And the National Security Council US Dept. of State 09 Aug 2012
• Clinton Offers Aid to Nigerian Security Forces Against Boko Haram VOA 09 Aug 2012 -- U.S. Secretary of State Hillary Clinton stopped in Nigeria Thursday as part of her 11-day, nine-country Africa tour.
• Clinton Presses Nigeria's President on Security VOA 09 Aug 2012 -- US Secretary of State Hillary Clinton has urged Nigeria's president to adopt new strategies to halt escalating violence.
• OPT: Renewed barrier construction threatens Palestinian heritage IRIN 09 Aug 2012 -- Palestinian communities in the West Bank have expressed alarm at widely reported news that Israel will resume the construction of its “separation wall” after a five-year delay.
• India, Pakistan reaffirms to seek an amicable solution to Siachen issue IRNA 09 Aug 2012 -- India and Pakistan have reaffirmed their resolve to seek an amicable solution to the Siachen issue but no consensus could be arrived at during the recent Defence Secretary-level talks.
• COTE D'IVOIRE: Desperation after last IDP refuge razed IRIN 09 Aug 2012 -- On the morning of 20 July, after an attack that killed four people around Duékoué, a town in Côte d'Ivoire's turbulent west, a huge crowd surrounded the nearby Nahibly camp hosting 5,000 internally displaced people.
• Analysis: Chad IDPs face homecoming hurdles IRIN 09 Aug 2012 -- Efforts to find “durable solutions” for many of the tens of thousands of internally displaced people in eastern Chad by the end of 2012 are being frustrated by poor conditions in IDPs’ home villages as well as by heavy rains.
• Five Policemen, Three Militants Killed in Dagestan RIA Novosti 09 Aug 2012 -- At least five police officers and three militants were killed in a shootout in Russia’s North Caucasus Republic of Dagestan.
• Eight Killed In Daghestan Shoot-Out RFE/RL 09 Aug 2012 -- Officials say five policemen and three militants in a shoot-out with suspected armed militants in the Daghestan region in Russia's volatile North Caucasus.
• 'I Spoke to Putin After Conflict Began,' Medvedev Insists RIA Novosti 09 Aug 2012 -- Prime Minister Dmitry Medvedev insisted he first spoke with then-Prime Minister Vladimir Putin on the evening of August 8, 2008, apparently contradicting Putin’s own comments a day earlier about communcation between the two leaders.

News Reports

• Saudi Arabia 'to Shoot Down' Iran-Bound Israeli Planes RIA Novosti 09 Aug 2012 -- Saudi Arabia has threatened to shoot down any Israeli aircraft over its airspace en route to or from Iran.
• Trial to Spotlight Bo's Chongqing Security Chiefs VOA 09 Aug 2012 -- A scandal that ruined the career of prominent Chinese Communist Party leader Bo Xilai has widened to include four of his former security chiefs.
• Gu Kailai Murder Trial Ends in China Without Verdict VOA 09 Aug 2012 -- China's most politically explosive trial in recent memory ended in a matter of hours when Gu Kailai did not object to murder charges against her.
• No Verdict in Gu Kailai Murder Trial VOA 09 Aug 2012 -- China's most politically explosive trial in recent memory ended in a matter of hours when Gu Kailai, the wife of disgraced Chinese politician Bo Xilai, did not object to the murder charges against her.
• US, Vietnam Launch Agent Orange Cleanup VOA 09 Aug 2012 -- The United States and Vietnam’s defense ministry have launched the first cleanup operation to rid a former air base of a toxic dioxin left from the Vietnam war.
• Humanitarian needs growing for thousands of displaced persons in Myanmar – UN UN News Centre 09 Aug 2012 -- A United Nations senior official warned that the humanitarian needs faced by over half a million internally displaced persons in Myanmar are rapidly growing.
• Secretary Clinton Statement on Seating of the Libyan General National Congress US Dept. of State 09 Aug 2012
• UN welcomes Libya’s transfer of power UN News Centre 09 Aug 2012 -- The United Nations welcomed Libya’s peaceful transfer of authority from the National Transitional Council to the newly elected National Congress.
• Libyan Transitional Council Hands Power To New Assembly RFE/RL 09 Aug 2012 -- Libya's ruling council has handed power to a newly elected national assembly -- the country's first peaceful transition of power in modern history.
• Libya’s Ruling Council Passes Reins to New Assembly RIA Novosti 09 Aug 2012 -- Libya’s National Transitional Council has handed over power in the country to a newly elected congress in a symbolic ceremony marking the first peaceful transition of power in Libya in more than 40 years.
• Taiwan, China ink investment, customs pacts CNA 09 Aug 2012 -- Taiwan and China signed an investment protection pact and a customs cooperation agreement, a move that is expected to remove more trade barriers between the two sides.
• Taiwan, China begin talks on new pacts CNA 09 Aug 2012 -- Taiwan and China began their latest round of high-level talks, in which an investment protection pact and a customs cooperation agreement were expected to be sealed later in the day.
• US Calls for Urgency in Sudan-South Sudan Talks VOA 09 Aug 2012 -- The United States encouraged both sides to return to the negotiating table to resolve their outstanding issues.
• ZIMBABWE: Divisions over a new constitution IRIN 09 Aug 2012 -- After three years in the making, Zimbabwe’s proposed 150-page draft constitution was deemed unacceptable by President Robert Mugabe’s ZANU-PF party and rejected by civil society.
• Japan Marks Nagasaki Atomic Bombing Anniversary VOA 09 Aug 2012 -- Japanese officials are calling for a move away from nuclear power as the nation marks the 67th anniversary of the U.S. atomic bombing of the city of Nagasaki.
• U.S. Concerned over Swedish Envoy’s Expulsion from Belarus RIA Novosti 09 Aug 2012 -- The United States has expressed deep concern over Minsk’s decision to force the Swedish ambassador to leave Belarus.
• Ukrainian Prosecutors to charge Tymoshenko on Aiding Murder RIA Novosti 09 Aug 2012 -- The Ukraine Prosecutor General’s Office will bring new charges against jailed former Prime Minister Yulia Tymoshenko in connection with her alleged involvement in the murder of Ukrainian lawmaker and businessman, Yevhen Shcherban, in 1996.
• Ukraine’s Language Fight May Backfire on Yanukovych VOA 09 Aug 2012 -- Ukrainian President Viktor Yanukovych has signed a law that restores many privileges to Russian, a language that was favored in the Soviet era.
• UN food price index registers rise in prices for the first time after three months UN News Centre 09 Aug 2012 -- The United Nations today reported a climb in global food prices after experiencing a decline over the past three months.