Operations
Defense Policy / Programs
Defense Industry
Other Conflicts
News Reports

Current Operations

• OIF/OEF/OND Casualty Update 24 Aug 2012 [PDF]
• Combined Forces Detain Insurgents, Seize Weapons AFPS 24 Aug 2012 -- An Afghan and coalition security force detained several suspected insurgents and seized multiple weapons and ammunition during an operation in Ghazni province.
• 3 Afghan Soldiers Killed in Insurgent Attack VOA 24 Aug 2012 -- Authorities say insurgents have kidnapped and killed three Afghan soldiers in eastern Afghanistan.
• Afghan Public Protection Force to Protect NATO Bases RIA Novosti 24 Aug 2012 -- The Afghan Public Protection Force is ready to provide security for NATO military bases throughout the country.
• DOD Identifies Units For Upcoming Afghanistan Rotation DoD 24 Aug 2012
• 'Black Rats' prepare to continue Afghanistan transition process UK MOD 24 Aug 2012 -- Members of 4th Mechanized Brigade are finalising their training ahead of their deployment to Afghanistan this autumn as the UK's Task Force Helmand on Op HERRICK 17.
• Grafenwoehr welcomes 172nd Soldiers home Army News 24 Aug 2012 -- With much formality, U.S. Army Garrison Grafenwoehr marked the official return of the 172nd Infantry "Blackhawk" Brigade from Afghanistan.
• PAKISTAN: Afghan refugees weigh their dwindling options IRIN 24 Aug 2012 -- The first Afghan refugees came to Pakistan when the war in Afghanistan started in the late 1970s.
• Suspected US Drone Attack Kills 18 in Pakistan VOA 24 Aug 2012 -- Security officials in Pakistan say missiles fired from a U.S. drone have killed at least 18 suspected militants in the country's northwest.
• Pakistani Officials Say 16 Militants Killed In Three Drone Strikes RFE/RL 24 Aug 2012 -- Officials in Pakistan say three suspected U.S. drone strikes have killed at least 16 suspected militants in the North Waziristan tribal district on the Afghan border.

Defense Policy / Programs

• Ulchi Freedom Guardian Promotes Stability on Korean Peninsula AFPS 24 Aug 2012 -- As the United States and South Korea observe the 59th anniversary of the armistice that brought an unofficial end to the Korean War, their forces are sharpening their defensive capabilities through the Ulchi Freedom Guardian exercise.
• Spokesman for Korean Anti-Nuke Peace Committee on US KCNA 24 Aug 2012 -- The report "Radioactive warfare" worked out by the FBI on April 20, 1951 has been recently discovered.
• Sailors: Early Deployment Tough, but ‘We’re Needed’ AFPS 24 Aug 2012 -- In July, the crew of the aircraft carrier USS John C. Stennis learned their ship would deploy four months earlier than planned, and to a different part of the world than expected. Less than two months later, they report they’re ready to go.
• CVN 77 Starts Planned Incremental Availability NNS 24 Aug 2012 -- USS George H.W. Bush transited the Elizabeth River to Norfolk Naval Ship Yard in Portsmouth, Va., July 25, marking the beginning of the ship's four-month planned incremental availability period.
• PCU North Dakota Reaches another Milestone; Launches its Crest NNS 24 Aug 2012 -- Pre-Commissioning Unit North Dakota launched its ship crest, an emblem that will be associated with the Virginia-class submarine during its entire service to the nation, Aug. 24.
• Army seeks 'operational energy' solutions for NIE 13.2 Army News 24 Aug 2012 -- The Army, through the System of Systems Integration Directorate, is seeking interested industry and government sources with mature solutions to support the Army's "operational energy" capability gap.
• Air Force's newest air advisor publication leverages 'best practices' AFNS 24 Aug 2012 -- The Air Force's newest tactics, techniques and procedures publication, AFTTP 3-4.5 Air Advising, became an official document.
• Bonhomme Richard ARG and 31st MEU Strengthen Bilateral Partnership with Japan NNS 24 Aug 2012 -- Members of the Japan Ground Self Defense Force embarked aboard USS Bonhomme Richard and USS Tortuga to train alongside Marines from the 31st Marine Expeditionary Unit, Aug 22.
• USS Columbus Completes Deployment to Western Pacific Region NNS 24 Aug 2012 -- Friends and families of the crew from USS Columbus gathered at the submarine piers to welcome back the submarine as it returned to Joint Base Pearl Harbor-Hickam.
• USS Jason Dunham Departs Greece NNS 24 Aug 2012 -- USS Jason Dunham departed Souda Bay, Greece, after a scheduled four-day port visit, Aug. 22.
• HSV Swift Departs Nigeria Following Africa Partnership Station Visit NNS 24 Aug 2012 -- High-Speed Vessel Swift completed a weeklong visit to Lagos, Nigeria, in support of Africa Partnership Station 2012, Aug. 24.
• B-52s bring persistent airpower to Exercise Pitch Black 12 AFNS 24 Aug 2012 -- The 69th Expeditionary Bomb Squadron took to the skies of Australia's Northern Territory as the lone U.S. Air Force unit flying in Exercise Pitch Black 12.
• UK and US carry out air tanking exercise UK MOD 24 Aug 2012 -- Air Force personnel from the UK and the US have carried out a joint training exercise to improve the way NATO carries out air-to-air refuelling.
• Aircraft Relocated in Preparation for Tropical Storm Isaac AFPS 24 Aug 2012 -- Pentagon officials say the military has moved aircraft out of the way of the possible path of Tropical Storm Isaac.
• National Guard Prepares For Tropical Storm Isaac AFPS 24 Aug 2012 -- National Guard Coordination Center officials are stepping up efforts to prepare for the possibility that Tropical Storm Isaac, now in the Caribbean, could strengthen and affect the U.S mainland.
• Navy Promotes First African-American Female Three-Star Officer NNS 24 Aug 2012 -- Vice Adm. Michelle Janine Howard has been a trail-blazer throughout her entire career.
• CG unfurls new ACC-APG colors Army News 24 Aug 2012 -- Aberdeen Proving Ground, Md., gathered Aug. 6 to witness the official uncasing of the organizational colors during a ceremony officiated by Maj. Gen. Camille M. Nichols, ACC commanding general and Steven R. Bryant, ACC-APG deputy director.
• CG unveils ACC-Warren's new flag, recognizes workforce Army News 24 Aug 2012 -- Maj. Gen. Camille M. Nichols, commanding general, Army Contracting Command, visited Army Contracting Command- Warren July 20 to unveil and present its new unit flag, meet with its leadership and host a town hall.
• NMCB 24 Commanding Officer Relieved of Duty NNS 24 Aug 2012 -- Cmdr. Franklin Fernandez, USNR, commanding officer, Naval Mobile Construction Battalion (NMCB) 24 was relieved by Capt. Roger Motzko, Commodore, 3rd Naval Construction Regiment.
• Russia Won't Buy Foreign Tanks - Deputy PM RIA Novosti 24 Aug 2012 -- The Russian Federation will not make large-scale purchases of foreign armored vehicles, Deputy Prime Minister Dmitry Rogozin said.
• Warships, Fighter Jets, S-400 to 'Protect Russia APEC Summit' RIA Novosti 24 Aug 2012 -- Warships, warplanes as well as S-400 missile defense systems will be deployed to protect the leaders of the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation forum during a summit in Russia's Far East next month.
• Russia Denies Finnish Airspace Violation RIA Novosti 24 Aug 2012 -- The Russian Defense Ministry denied Russian planes violated Finnish airspace.
• Kim Jong Il's Feats in Building DPRK into Military Power KCNA 24 Aug 2012 -- Leader Kim Jong Il visited the Seoul Ryu Kyong Su Guards 105th Tank Division of the Korean People's Army on August 25, Juche 49 (1960), which signaled the beginning of the Songun (military-first) leadership in the DPRK.
• Korean Youth Volunteer to Join or Rejoin KPA KCNA 24 Aug 2012 -- Upon receiving the order given by Supreme Commander Marshal Kim Jong Un, young people in the DPRK volunteer to join or rejoin the Korean People's Army to wipe out enemies.
• Statues of Kim Il Sung and Kim Jong Il Erected at Ministry of People's Armed Forces KCNA 24 Aug 2012 -- Statues of Generalissimos Kim Il Sung and Kim Jong Il were erected at the Ministry of the People's Armed Forces on the occasion of August 25 when Kim Jong Il started the Songun revolutionary leadership.
• National Meeting Marks Anniversary of Kim Jong Il's Start of Songun Revolutionary Leadership KCNA 24 Aug 2012 -- A national meeting was held at the April 25 House of Culture on Friday to mark the 52nd anniversary of leader Kim Jong Il's start of the Songun revolutionary leadership.

Defense Industry

• DoD News: Contracts for August 24, 2012
• Russian Domestic Flights Not for Foreign Aircraft - Rogozin RIA Novosti 24 Aug 2012 -- Foreign aircraft companies should be pushed out of Russia’s domestic flights market, Russian Deputy Prime Minister Dmitry Rogozin said.

Other Conflicts

• Daily Press Briefing by the Office of the Spokesperson for the Secretary-General, 24 August 2012 United Nations 24 Aug 2012
• Why Worry About Syria's WMD? RFE/RL 24 Aug 2012 -- Syria is the first country with weapons of mass destruction to be ripped apart by civil war.
• Syrian Crisis Escalates, Refugee Exodus Swells VOA 24 Aug 2012 -- Syrian army bombardments killed at least 21 people in a Damascus suburb Friday and anti-government protests broke out in several other cities.
• Ban reiterates support for new UN-Arab League envoy on Syrian crisis UN News Centre 24 Aug 2012 -- Secretary-General Ban reiterated his support for the new Joint Special Representative of the United Nations and the League of Arab States on the Syrian crisis, Lakhdar Brahimi.
• Damascus Says Ready To Work With Brahimi RFE/RL 24 Aug 2012 -- The Syrian government says it is ready to work with the new international envoy for the country, Lakhdar Brahimi.
• Syrian Opposition May Be Ready for Dialogue - Moscow RIA Novosti 24 Aug 2012 -- The Syrian opposition has realized the need to find a way out of the dead end of military confrontation, raising hopes that the crisis in Syria can be resolved peacefully.
• Chechen Rebels Not Flocking to Syria – Experts RIA Novosti 24 Aug 2012 -- The death of a legendary Chechen warlord's son in Syria prompted speculation that Russia’s Islamist insurgents may be rushing to join a jihad against President Bashar al-Assad.
• UNHCR Says Syria Exodus Tops 200,000 RFE/RL 24 Aug 2012 -- The UN High Commissioner for Refugees says more than 200,000 Syrians have now fled to neighboring countries to escape the country's civil war.
• Aleppo No Longer A Safe Haven For Syrian-Born Armenians RFE/RL 24 Aug 2012 -- Gevorg Payasian's father, Asatur, was just 15 years old when he was forced to flee his home in the ancient city of Ayntap in what is now southeastern Turkey.
• Turkish Opposition Says Government Ignoring Presence of al-Qaida VOA 24 Aug 2012 -- Turkish political opposition members are claiming that Turkish authorities are turning a blind eye to Islamic militants based in Turkey who are crossing over the border to join the opposition fighting the Assad government in Syria.
• Clashes in Lebanon hampering relief operations to assist refugees UN News Centre 24 Aug 2012 -- The deteriorating security situation in Lebanon this week has made it increasingly difficult to provide assistance to thousands of Syrians seeking asylum in the neighbouring country.
• US Fears Spillover of Syrian Conflict Into Lebanon VOA 24 Aug 2012 -- Sectarian violence in Syria is spilling across the Lebanese border with new clashes Friday in Tripoli.
• New Sectarian Clashes Break Out in Lebanon VOA 24 Aug 2012 -- Another round of sectarian fighting broke out in Lebanon's northern coastal city of Tripoli, overnight, between residents of a Sunni Muslim district and their Alawite neighbors.
• Clashes Resume in Northern Lebanese City RIA Novosti 24 Aug 2012 -- Clashes between Sunnis and Alawites resumed on Friday in the northern Lebanese city of Tripoli.
• Twenty-One Dead In Clashes With Kurdish Rebels RFE/RL 24 Aug 2012 -- Five more suspected Kurdish rebels have been reported killed in clashes with Turkish forces in southeast Turkey.
• Japan Increases Rhetoric Against S. Korea Over Island Dispute VOA 24 Aug 2012 -- Japan's top government officials and lawmakers are continuing to turn up the heat on two neighboring countries with claims on islands that Japan considers its own.
• Mogadishu Safer, but Still Dangerous VOA 24 Aug 2012 -- Today whoever visits Somalia's capital will tell you how significantly security has improved in the city.
• Somalis in Baidoa Expect More from New Government VOA 24 Aug 2012 -- In Baidoa, residents are grateful for the security, but wonder why aid has been so slow to follow.
• South Sudan refugee health situation worsening, says UN agency UN News Centre 24 Aug 2012 -- The United Nations refugee agency today voiced alarm about the health situation of more than 100,000 refugees spread out across two states in South Sudan.
• Protesters in Tajikistan Return Home RIA Novosti 24 Aug 2012 -- Protesters in the eastern Tajik town of Khorog have cleared out of the central square that was the site of three days of mass protests calling for government troops to withdraw from the region after an accord with the government was reached.
• Five Things To Know About The Aga Khan RFE/RL 24 Aug 2012 -- When an influential warlord at the center of recent bloody clashes in Tajikistan's eastern Gorno-Badakhshan region surrendered to authorities earlier this month, he claimed he did so to comply with a call by the Aga Khan.

News Reports

• IAEA-Iran Talks Break Up Without Agreement RFE/RL 24 Aug 2012 -- Talks between the United Nations' nuclear watchdog and Iran aimed at resolving concerns about Iran's atomic program have broken up without an agreement.
• Soltaniyeh: Negotiations positive, some Iran-IAEA gaps bridged IRNA 24 Aug 2012 -- Iran’s Ambassador and Permanent Representative at IAEA Ali-Asghar Soltaniyeh said egotiations were positive and some gaps between two sides were bridged.
• IAEA, Iran Discuss Access to Nuclear Sites VOA 24 Aug 2012 -- United Nations nuclear agency officials are meeting in Vienna with representatives from Iran over access to a nuclear site the U.N. agency suspects was used for research related to nuclear weapon development.
• IAEA Holds Talks With Iran RFE/RL 24 Aug 2012 -- Officials from the UN nuclear watchdog and Iran hold a fresh round of talks on Teheran's controversial nuclear program.
• Iran, IAEA start new round of talks IRNA 24 Aug 2012 -- Iran and the International Atomic Energy Agency began a new round of talks.
• Iranian Opposition Leader Musavi Back Home After Heart Scare RFE/RL 24 Aug 2012 -- Iranian opposition leader and former Prime Minister Mir Hossein Musavi has reportedly been transferred back to his Tehran home following hospitalization one day earlier.
• Iran Hosts Non-aligned Summit Despite Sanctions VOA 24 Aug 2012 -- Beginning on Sunday, representatives of nearly 120 nations will convene in Iran's capital for the summit of the Non-Aligned Movement.
• Pakistan Struggles to Protect Religious Minorities VOA 24 Aug 2012 -- Authorities in Pakistan have come under growing criticism for being unable to protect the rights of religious minorities.
• China is Important Campaign Issue for Obama, Romney VOA 24 Aug 2012 -- China has become an increasingly important issue in the United States presidential election, with both President Barack Obama and challenger Mitt Romney pledging to take a strong stand against the rapidly growing Asian power.
• China Tightens Security Ahead of Power Transfer VOA 24 Aug 2012 -- Chinese authorities are tightening security in Beijing as the city prepares to host the Communist Party's 18th National Congress that will usher in the next generation of leaders.
• Acting Ethiopian PM Reassures Diplomats VOA 24 Aug 2012 -- Ethiopia's acting prime minister is meeting with diplomats in Addis Ababa to assure them the country will have a smooth transfer of power.
• Analysis: Taming hate speech in Kenya IRIN 24 Aug 2012 -- Five years after 1,300 Kenyans were killed and more than half a million displaced in the wake of a presidential election, one of the triggers of that violence, the inflammatory language of politicians, remains a serious threat to peace and stability.
• Kenya Red Cross: Clashes Signal Violent Election Year VOA 24 Aug 2012 -- The head of Kenya's Red Cross says ethnic clashes across the country in recent months are an early indication that pre-election violence will be worse than in the past.
• English Stallion Overthrows Kyrgyz Prime Minister RFE/RL 24 Aug 2012 -- Officially, it was allegations of corruption and its mishandling of a shrinking economy that brought the ruling Kyrgyz coalition down this week.
• Kyrgyz Government Officially Dismissed After Coalition Collapse RFE/RL 24 Aug 2012 -- Prime Minister Omurbek Babanov's Respublika party and President Almazbek Atambaev’s Social Democratic Party -- without a governing majority.
• Kyrgyz President Sacks Government RIA Novosti 24 Aug 2012 -- Kyrgyzstan's President Almazbek Atambayev signed a decree on Friday sacking the government, the state press-service said.
• Secretary-General welcomes progress in Liberia, urges reconciliation UN News Centre 24 Aug 2012 -- Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon has applauded the political and social progress in Liberia’s post-conflict recovery.
• YEMEN: Women die as violence impedes antenatal care in Abyan IRIN 24 Aug 2012 -- Despite the government’s insistence that stability has improved since it regained territory taken by militants last year, insecurity remains a key problem in Abyan.
• Gaddafi’s Son to Stand Libyan Trial in September RIA Novosti 24 Aug 2012 -- Saif al-Islam, the second son of Libya’s late leader Muammar Gaddafi, will go on trial in September in the Libyan town of Zintan.
• Togo’s Opposition Coalition Vows More Protests VOA 24 Aug 2012 -- An offocial of a coalition of opposition parties and civil society groups, known as “Let’s Save Togo,” says the group will not enter into dialogue with the government unless it is certain that such talks will result in a meaningful outcome.
• Bishkek Recalls Ambassador To Belarus Over Bakievs RFE/RL 24 Aug 2012 -- Kyrgyzstan's Foreign Ministry said on August 24 that it has recalled its ambassador to Belarus, Erik Asanaliev, "for consultations."
• Kyrgyz Ambassador Recalled from Minsk RIA Novosti 24 Aug 2012 -- Kyrgyzstan recalled its ambassador to Belarus for consultations on Friday after images of the wanted former Kyrgyz president’s brother made near a restaurant in Minsk appeared on the internet.
• More Than 360 Candidates Registered For Belarus Elections RFE/RL 24 Aug 2012 -- Belarus's Central Election Commission says 362 candidates have been registered to compete in the upcoming parliamentary elections.
• Human Rights Council Members Question Pussy Riot Sentence RIA Novosti 24 Aug 2012 -- Members of the Russian Presidential Human Rights Council said in a statement they question the lawfulness of the sentence handed down to three members of the female punk group Pussy Riot.
• U.S. to Share Katyn Massacre Data With Poland RIA Novosti 24 Aug 2012 -- The United States has promised to provide Poland with archive material related to the execution of Polish officers near Katyn in 1940.
• Arafat's Remains to Be Checked for Polonium RIA Novosti 24 Aug 2012 -- The widow of Yasser Arafat has given her approval for a Swiss radiation laboratory to examine the former Palestinian leader's body to see if he was poisoned.