Operations
Defense Policy / Programs
Defense Industry
Other Conflicts
News Reports

Current Operations

• OIF/OEF/OND Casualty Update 18 Sep 2012 [PDF]
• U.S. Says "Small Minority" Behind Mideast Protests AFRICOM 18 Sep 2012 -- Pending the final results of an investigation, the Obama administration believes the attack that killed four American diplomats in Libya on September 11, 2012 grew out of a spontaneous protest in Benghazi that a handful of well-armed extremists were able to exploit and escalate.
• Sudanese President Firm against Allowing U.S. Troops RIA Novosti 18 Sep 2012 -- Sudanese President Omar al-Bashir has confirmed that his country will not allow US troops, reiterating that Sudan is capable of providing security at American and other foreign diplomatic missions.
• Force Arrests Taliban Leader Linked to Camp Bastion Attack AFPS 18 Sep 2012 -- An Afghan and coalition security force today arrested one of the Taliban leaders behind the Sept. 14 Camp Bastion attack.
• ISAF clarifies information on partnering with ANSF NATO 18 Sep 2012 -- Recent media coverage regarding a change in ISAF's model of Security Force Assistance to the Afghan National Security Forces is not accurate.
• ISAF Officials: Reports on Partnering Change ‘Not Accurate’ AFPS 18 Sep 2012 -- Recent media coverage regarding a change in the International Security Assistance Force model for assisting Afghanistan’s security forces “is not accurate,” ISAF officials said.
• Hammond: 'No change of policy in Afghanistan' UK MOD 18 Sep 2012 -- Defence Secretary Philip Hammond addressed the House of Commons in response to reports that NATO's policy regarding ISAF and Afghan troops working together has changed.
• Afghan, NATO Servicemen to Continue Joint Operations RIA Novosti 18 Sep 2012 -- Afghan servicemen will keep conducting joint operations with NATO on the battalion, brigade and corps level, Gen. Zahir Azimi, a spokesman for the country’s Defense Ministry.
• NATO Curbs Joint Afghan Patrols Over Attack Fears VOA 18 Sep 2012 -- NATO commanders in Afghanistan are scaling back some joint patrols with Afghan forces, following a spike in the number of 'insider attacks' on international soldiers.
• Coalition Suspends Joint Operations With Afghan Forces RFE/RL 18 Sep 2012 -- The NATO-led international coalition in Afghanistan says a decision to curtail joint operations with Afghan forces is a "temporary" response to a "current threat."
• Coalition Remains Resolute Despite Insider Threat, Chairman Says AFPS 18 Sep 2012 -- The insider threat will not lessen the coalition’s resolve to accomplish its objectives in Afghanistan, Army Gen. Martin E. Dempsey said.
• Afghanistan Surge Achieved Its Mission, Dempsey Says AFPS 18 Sep 2012 -- The 33,000-man surge of U.S. forces into Afghanistan has achieved the goal set for it, and it will end on schedule at the end of the month, the chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff said.
• Afghanistan Suicide Bombing Linked to Anti-Islam Film VOA 18 Sep 2012 -- A suicide bomber has killed at least 12 people in an attack on a mini-bus carrying foreigners near the Afghan capital.
• 12 Killed In Afghan Suicide Bombing RFE/RL 18 Sep 2012 -- Afghan militants have claimed responsibility for a suicide car-bomb attack near the international airport in Kabul that killed 12 people, including at least eight foreigners.
• Kabul Suicide Blast Kills 12 RIA Novosti 18 Sep 2012 -- At least 12 people were killed in a suicide bomb attack on a minibus near the Afghan capital of Kabul.
• 1 SCOTS depart on Afghanistan deployment UK MOD 18 Sep 2012 -- Soldiers from 1st Battalion The Royal Regiment of Scotland have departed their base to deploy to Afghanistan.
• With run phase complete, 81st CA Battalion set sights on deployment Army News 18 Sep 2012 -- While deployed, the battalion will not be focused on any one area, rather throughout the entire country of Afghanistan, working within 20 areas.
• First week of RARO 12 wraps up AFNS 18 Sep 2012 -- The first week of live training at Ramstein Rover 2012 ended Sept. 16 here.
• Division West trains Maine Army National Guard MPs Army News 18 Sep 2012 -- The 488th Military Police Company of the Maine Army National Guard is training as Soldiers prepare to head to Afghanistan.
• Miami Army Reserve Soldiers return from Afghanistan Army News 18 Sep 2012 -- The 841st Engineer Battalion honored approximately 100 U.S. Army Reserve Soldiers returning from Afghanistan with a Welcome Home Ceremony here at Miami Dade College North Campus, Sept. 16.

Defense Policy / Programs

• Secretary Panetta and Chinese Defense Minister General Liang Guanglie hold a Joint News Conference, China DoD 18 Sep 2012
• Panetta: Navy Will Invite China to Pacific Rim Exercise AFPS 18 Sep 2012 -- Defense Secretary Leon E. Panetta and his Chinese counterpart, Defense Minister Gen. Liang Guanglie, told reporters today they see progress and room for growth in the two nations’ military relationship.
• Panetta Calls for Expanded Military Ties with China VOA 18 Sep 2012 -- U.S. Defense Secretary Leon Panetta is calling on China to expand its military relations with the United States to avoid miscalculations as Beijing develops its armed forces and extends its influence in the Asia Pacific region.
• U.S., Turkish Leaders Discuss Syrian War, Region AFPS 18 Sep 2012 -- U.S. and Turkish leaders have a similar view of events in Syria and agreed to work together on that and other regional issues, the chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff said.
• Donley talks sequestration, explains AF budget plans AFNS 18 Sep 2012 -- The threat of sequestration continues to overhang "all budget decisions across the federal government," said Secretary of the Air Force Michael Donley here Sept. 17.
• Chief of Staff Looks Back, Ahead as Air Force Observes 65th Birthday AFPS 18 Sep 2012 -- The chief of staff of the Air force saluted the men and women of the force today, the 65th birthday of the service, by saying air power starts with heroic airmen who just “keep coming.”
• Minju Joson Accuses U.S. of Pursuing Nuclear Policy KCNA 18 Sep 2012 -- At a NATO summit in May the U.S. reportedly forced the German government to agree with it to keep the U.S. forces' nuclear weapons deployed in the country.
• USS Enterprise to Inactivate After 51 Years of Service NNS 18 Sep 2012 -- After 51 years of distinguished service, the aircraft carrier USS Enterprise will inactivate on Dec. 1, 2012, in a ceremony to be held at Norfolk Naval Station, in Norfolk, Va.
• Fort Worth (LCS 3) Arrives in Galveston for Commissioning Ceremony NNS 18 Sep 2012 -- The littoral combat ship Fort Worth arrived at the Port of Galveston, Monday, Sept. 17 in preparation for her commissioning ceremony, Sept. 22.
• USS Ashland Successfully Completes Sea Trials after CNO Availability NNS 18 Sep 2012 -- USS Ashland successfully completed sea trials, Sept. 16 in Norfolk, Va., marking the end of its recent Chief of Naval Operations maintenance availability.
• Peleliu Amphibious Ready Group, 15th Marine Expeditionary Unit Depart for Deployment NNS 18 Sep 2012 -- More than 4,000 Sailors and Marines assigned to the Peleliu Amphibious Ready Group and the 15th Marine Expeditionary Unit departed San Diego for deployment Monday, Sept. 17.
• US and China Team Up for Counter-Piracy Exercise NNS 18 Sep 2012 -- USS Winston S. Churchill and other U.S. Navy assets participated in a counter-piracy exercise with elements of the Chinese People's Liberation Army (Navy) near the Horn of Africa, Sept. 17.
• ISR chief stresses importance of turning data into information AFNS 18 Sep 2012 -- DCGS collects information from many layers, ranging from space sensors to air platforms, cyber networks and other sources.
• NSSA's Towed Array Cables Supply Chain Strengthened NNS 18 Sep 2012 -- Norfolk Ship Support Activity's (NSSA) Submarine Towed Array Branch identified a shortage of critical outboard cables used for submarine towed arrays and found an alternative source for the cables and will have cables ready as early as Sept. 30.
• Jackal Stone Promotes Special Operations Partnerships AFPS 18 Sep 2012 -- The scenario for the Jackal Stone 2012 special operations exercise taking place in Croatia reads like a Hollywood thriller.
• Multinational communication exercise evolves through years AFNS 18 Sep 2012 -- Combined Endeavor has evolved from a workshop consisting of 10 nations working together to conduct point-to-point radio testing to more than 40 countries analyzing fully converged networks with command and control systems integration.
• 44th Expeditionary Signal Battalion engages NATO signal partners at Exercise Combined Endeavor 12 Army News 18 Sep 2012 -- 44th Expeditionary Signal Battalion shared wires and wisdom with over 1,000 communication professionals from up to 40 NATO partners at Combined Endeavor 12.
• USNS Henson completes Sail Morotai 2012 NNS 18 Sep 2012 -- USNS Henson, with its embarked scientific staff from the U.S. Naval Oceanographic Office, joined naval ships from Indonesia, Australia and Singapore in a formation exercise near Morotai Island, Indonesia, Sept. 15.
• New satellite comm. system helps Corps of Engineers ship stay connected Army News 18 Sep 2012 -- In the Battlefield or on a CONUS based ship, communications capabilities that are the same regardless of where you are located are important to conducting smooth day-to-day operations.
• New Defense Health Headquarters Opens in Virginia AFPS 18 Sep 2012 -- Top leaders in Army, Navy and Air Force medicine are now housed under one roof for the first time to direct the future of military medicine to stay relevant, strong and effective for service members in harm's way.
• Yard Boss Blames Boilers for India Carrier Trials Snags RIA Novosti 18 Sep 2012 -- Sea trials of an Indian Navy aircraft carrier refitted by a Russian shipyard were unsuccessful due to design failures in the vessel's boilers.
• Joint press point with the NATO Secretary General and the President of Albania NATO 18 Sep 2012
• Typhoon squadron stands up in Scotland UK MOD 18 Sep 2012 -- One of the oldest squadrons in the Royal Air Force, 1 (Fighter) Squadron, has returned to active service at RAF Leuchars in Fife as a Typhoon unit.
• KCNA Commentary on S. Korean Drills KCNA 18 Sep 2012 -- The south Koreans are stepping up military show-down with the DPRK after creating the touch-and-go situation on the Korean Peninsula by staging joint military drill Ulji Freedom Guardian.
• Iran Returns Russian-Built Sub to Persian Gulf RIA Novosti 18 Sep 2012 -- Iran returned a Russian-built Project 877 class (NATO Kilo) diesel-electric submarine to the waters of the Persian Gulf following a refit.
• Submarine, warship launched into Persian Gulf waters IRNA 18 Sep 2012 -- The domestic made heavy submarine, 'Tareq-901,' and Sahand warship were launched into the Persian Gulf waters upon a verdict by Supreme Leader of the Islamic Revolution Ayatollah Ali Khameneion.
• Five Permanent UN Representatives Support Mongolia's Nuclear-Weapon-Free Status US Dept. of State 18 Sep 2012
• Press Briefing by Press Secretary Jay Carney, 9/18/2012 The White House 18 Sep 2012
• U.S. Department of State Daily Press Briefing, September 18, 2012 US Dept. of State 18 Sep 2012
• Secretary Clinton Remarks With Mexican Secretary of Foreign Relations Patricia Espinosa After Their Meeting US Dept. of State 18 Sep 2012

Defense Industry

• DoD News: Contracts for September 18, 2012

Other Conflicts

• Daily Press Briefing by the Office of the Spokesperson for the Secretary-General, 18 September 2012 United Nations 18 Sep 2012
• UN-Arab League envoy visits Syrian refugees in Turkey, Jordan UN News Centre 18 Sep 2012 -- The Joint Special Representative of the United Nations and the League of Arab States on the Syrian crisis Lakhdar Brahimi visited refugee camps in Turkey and Jordan.
• UN Syria Envoy Visits Refugees in Turkey VOA 18 Sep 2012 -- The international envoy for Syria says he hopes for peace in the war-torn country and an early return home for Syrian refugees.
• International Support For The Syria Justice And Accountability Center US Dept. of State 18 Sep 2012
• Turkish Polls Show Waning Support for Ankara's Syria Policy VOA 18 Sep 2012 -- A recent opinion poll in Turkey found that only 18 percent of Turks back their government's support for the Syrian opposition.
• Regional Powers Discuss Syrian Crisis RFE/RL 18 Sep 2012 -- Regional powers have met to discuss the crisis in Syria.
• Russia Urges UN Approval of Syria Communique RIA Novosti 18 Sep 2012 -- Russia continues to call on the UN Security Council to approve the Geneva statement of the Action Group for Syria.
• Syria Rebels Offer Bounty for Assad RIA Novosti 18 Sep 2012 -- The rebel Free Syrian Army has offered a $25 million reward for the capture, dead or alive, of Syrian President Bashar al-Assad.
• FM spokesman denies Iran's military presence in Syria, Lebanon IRNA 18 Sep 2012 -- Foreign Ministry spokesman Ramin Mehmanparast denied Iran's military presence in Syria and Lebanon.
• Japan: Chinese Ships Enter Territorial Waters VOA 18 Sep 2012 -- Japan's Coast Guard says at least two Chinese government vessels have entered territorial waters near Japanese-controlled islands, as a dispute escalates on the sensitive anniversary of Japan's invasion of China.
• China Sends Warships to Disputed Islands RIA Novosti 18 Sep 2012 -- Two of eleven Chinese patrol craft cruising the waters off two disputed islands between China and Japan have entered what Tokyo claims as its territorial waters.
• Taiwan Seeks Peacekeeper Role in Island Dispute VOA 18 Sep 2012 -- A tiny group of islands in the East China Sea has shaped up as a flashpoint between Beijing and Tokyo.
• Taiwan FM for peace amid Diaoyutais tension CNA 18 Sep 2012 -- Taiwan FM Timothy Yang called for peace Tuesday amid rising tension over the disputed Diaoyutai Islands in East China Sea.
• Panetta Urges Calm Over China-Japan Islands Dispute RFE/RL 18 Sep 2012 -- U.S. Secretary of Defense Leon Panetta is in Beijing, urging calm as tensions between Japan and China over a group of disputed islands continue to grow.
• Taiwan Coast guard denies tip-off about Diaoyutais protest CNA 18 Sep 2012 -- Taiwan's Coast Guard Administration denied that it had been informed of plans by some fishermen to sail to the disputed Diaoyutai Islands.
• Mali, ECOWAS, Not on Same Page on Military Intervention VOA 18 Sep 2012 -- West African regional bloc ECOWAS says it is gearing for an eventual military intervention mission to Mali.
• Somali Militants on the Defensive in Kismayo VOA 18 Sep 2012 -- Somali civilians and military officials say al-Shabab militants have been exiting Kismayo in recent days, fearing an impending onslaught by Somali forces, African Union troops and allied militaries.
• UN welcomes troop handover to regional group combating Lord’s Resistance Army UN News Centre 18 Sep 2012 -- The United Nations welcomed the handover of 2,500 soldiers to an African Union regional task force established to hunt down members of the Lord’s Resistance Army.
• Conflicting Claims Circulate About Boko Haram Spokesperson's Condition VOA 18 Sep 2012 -- After recent reports that security forces killed the spokesperson for the group, Abu Qaqa, and arrested two other militants, the government is wary to claim a victory.
• Sudanese Rebels Appeal for US Aid VOA 18 Sep 2012 -- Malik Agar, the Chairman of the Sudan People's Liberation Movement-North (SPLM-N), was in Washington D.C. last week leading a delegation meeting with U.S. officials over the urgent need for humanitarian access in Sudan's Blue Nile and Southern Kordofan states.
• DR Congo: UN appeals for nearly $40 million to assist civilians uprooted by conflict UN News Centre 18 Sep 2012 -- The United Nations refugee agency appealed for just under $40 million to help almost half a million civilians displaced by conflict in the Democratic Republic of the Congo.
• Nearly $40 Million Appeal to Assist DRC's Displaced VOA 18 Sep 2012 -- The United Nations refugee agency is appealing for nearly $40 million to help almost half a million forcibly displaced civilians in eastern Democratic Republic of Congo and in neighboring Uganda and Rwanda.
• UN Envoy Calls U.S. Consular Attack A 'Wake-Up' Call RFE/RL 18 Sep 2012 -- The outgoing United Nations representative in Libya, Ian Martin, says the deadly attack on the U.S. Consulate in Benghazi last week was a wake-up call for the North African country to improve security.
• Suspected Kurdish Rebels Kill 7 Soldiers In Convoy Attack RFE/RL 18 Sep 2012 -- Security officials say at least seven Turkish soldiers have been killed and nearly 60 injured in a rocket attack on a military convoy in Turkey's southeast.
• Will Tajikistan's Restive East Explode Again? RFE/RL 18 Sep 2012 -- The rugged eastern region of Gorno-Badakhshan in Tajikistan has been the scene of violence in recent months, with about 70 people having been killed in a government operation lasting to late August.

News Reports

• Anti-Islam Film Protests Continue in Asia VOA 18 Sep 2012 -- Protests against an anti-Islam film spread to Thailand, northwestern Pakistan and Indian-controlled Kashmir.
• Egyptian Prosecutors Want Trial For Seven Coptic Christians Linked To Anti-Islamic Film RFE/RL 18 Sep 2012 -- Egypt's general prosecutor has requested that seven Egyptian Coptic Christians who live in the United States face trial in Egypt over an anti-Islam video that has sparked riots across the Muslim world.
• Pakistan Prime Minister directs to block YouTube services IRNA 18 Sep 2012 -- Pakistani PM Ashraf has issued strict instructions to Ministry of Information Technology to block the services of You tube with immediate effect.
• Russia Mulls Ban On YouTube RFE/RL 18 Sep 2012 -- Russia may soon join the growing list of countries blocking or restricting access to YouTube to prevent people from viewing a controversial film that ridicules the Prophet Muhammad.
• Ex-Chinese Police Chief Pleads No Contest as Trial Ends VOA 18 Sep 2012 -- A court in China held a second day of hearings in the case against former Chongqing police chief Wang Lijun.
• Obama Files Trade Case Against China RIA Novosti 18 Sep 2012 -- U.S. President Barack Obama filed a broad complaint against China with the World Trade Organization, accusing the world’s largest automobile producer of $1 billion in illegal subsidies for exports of cars and car parts.
• Iran’s Atomic Energy Organization’s chief confers with Russian counterpart IRNA 18 Sep 2012 -- Director of Iran’s Atomic Energy Organization Fereydoun Abbasi held talks with his Russian counterpart Sergei Kiriyenko.
• Iran's legitimate nuclear rights should be respected: Mehmanparast IRNA 18 Sep 2012 -- Foreign Ministry spokesman Ramin Mehmanparast voiced Tehran's readiness to cooperate with the UN nuclear watchdog.
• Russia and North Korea Agree Debt Write-Off Deal RIA Novosti 18 Sep 2012 -- Russia and North Korea have signed a deal on settlement of the DPRK's $11 billion debts to Russia.
• Agreement on Debt Settlement between DPRK, Russia Signed KCNA 18 Sep 2012 -- An agreement on settling the debt incurred by the loan provided by the former Soviet Union which the DPRK owes to the Russian Federation was signed between the governments of the two countries in Moscow.
• VOA Interview with Aung San Suu Kyi VOA 18 Sep 2012 -- Scott Stearns interviews Aung San Suu Kyi at VOA in Washington D.C.
• Aung San Suu Kyi Says Burma Reforms Not Yet Irreversible VOA 18 Sep 2012 -- The pace of political change in Burma over the past two years is startling: from the end of Aung San Suu Kyi's house arrest, to her election to parliament, to the lifting of most sanctions, to this week's release of more than 500 political prisoners.
• Aung San Suu Kyi Urges Full Burmese Army Support for Reforms VOA 18 Sep 2012 -- Burmese democracy leader Aung San Suu Kyi says the path to her nation's democratic future will not be irreversible until the army voices full support for the process.
• Secretary Clinton Honors Daw Aung San Suu Kyi US Dept. of State 18 Sep 2012
• Clinton Welcomes Burma's Aung San Suu Kyi VOA 18 Sep 2012 -- U.S. Secretary of State Hillary Clinton has welcomed Burma's Aung San Suu Kyi to Washington at the start of the opposition leader's first U.S. visit since her 2010 release from house arrest.
• Clinton Welcomes Suu Kyi In Washington RFE/RL 18 Sep 2012 -- U.S. Secretary of State Hillary Clinton welcomed Burma's opposition leader Aung San Suu Kyi to the State Department on September 18 at the start of Suu Kyi's three-week tour of the United States.
• Yemen’s political transition on track but facing serious challenges – UN envoy UN News Centre 18 Sep 2012 -- Yemen’s democratic transition is on track but faces serious challenges, the United Nations envoy for the country said.
• Pakistani PM Agrees to Court Demand in Corruption Case VOA 18 Sep 2012 -- Pakistani PM Ashraf says his government will comply with a longstanding Supreme Court demand to ask Swiss authorities to reopen a graft case against President Zardari.
• Security Council encourages new Somali president to appoint inclusive government UN News Centre 18 Sep 2012 -- The Security Council expressed its determination to work closely with the new institutions and offices of the Somali authorities.
• UN human rights chief calls on Thailand to take steps towards reconciliation UN News Centre 18 Sep 2012 -- The United Nations human rights chief welcomed the report from the Truth and Reconciliation Commission of Thailand.
• On Russian Decision to End USAID Activities in Russia US Dept. of State 18 Sep 2012
• USAID Spent over $2.7 Bln on Programs in Russia - State Dept RIA Novosti 18 Sep 2012 -- During its operations in Russia, the United States Agency for International Development has spent over $2.7 billion on various programs in Russia.
• No End to U.S.-Russia Reset over USAID Closure - State Dept. RIA Novosti 18 Sep 2012 -- The stopping of USAID’s operations in Russia does not mean an end to the much-heralded reset between Washington and Moscow.
• Moscow Asks Washington to End USAID Programs in Russia VOA 18 Sep 2012 -- Russian President Vladimir Putin has enacted a series of restrictive laws since returning to office in May.
• Moscow Shuts Down USAID Activities In Russia RFE/RL 18 Sep 2012 -- The U.S. Agency for International Development will end its activities in Russia following a decision by Moscow, according to U.S. officials.
• Jailed Ukrainian Ex-Prime Minister To Remain In Clinic For At Least One Month RFE/RL 18 Sep 2012 -- Ukrainian deputy Health Minister Raisa Moiseyenko has said that jailed former Prime Minister Yulia Tymoshenko would stay for at least one more month in a clinic for treatment.