Operations
Defense Policy / Programs
Defense Industry
Other Conflicts
News Reports

Current Operations

• OIF/OEF/OND Casualty Update 19 Sep 2012 [PDF]
• Combined Force Arrests Senior Insurgent Leader AFPS 19 Sep 2012 -- An Afghan and coalition security force arrested the senior Islamic Movement of Uzbekistan leader for Afghanistan’s Kunduz province in the province’s Qalah-ye Zal district.
• DOD News Briefing with Brig. Gen. Noble from the Pentagon DoD 19 Sep 2012
• Press briefing with NATO Senior Civilian Representative in Afghanistan NATO 19 Sep 2012
• Dempsey: Insider Attacks Won’t Affect NATO’s Afghan Strategy AFPS 19 Sep 2012 -- The chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff stressed again that NATO’s decision to curtail closely partnered operations with Afghan forces because of on-going attacks on the coalition is only a tactical change.
• ISAF Official: Campaign Remains on Track as Surge Winds Down AFPS 19 Sep 2012 -- The International Security Assistance Force’s campaign in Afghanistan is on track to achieve the objectives and timeline NATO set forth at its November 2010 summit, and American surge forces are on schedule to return home by Oct. 1.
• Close co-operation with the Afghan security forces 'fundamental' to success UK MOD 19 Sep 2012 -- The phrases 'green on blue' and 'insider threat' would, a year ago, have rendered a puzzled look on the faces of most members of the public.
• RAF Force Protection Wing defends Camp Bastion during Taliban attack UK MOD 19 Sep 2012 -- Members of No 5 RAF Force Protection Wing, working alongside the US Marine Corps, have spoken about quickly regaining control of Camp Bastion Airfield following an insurgent attack on Friday 14 September.
• More Protests In Afghanistan Over Anti-Islam Film RFE/RL 19 Sep 2012 -- Hundreds of students in the eastern Afghan city of Jalalabad have vented their anger at a film made in the United States that Muslims worldwide say insults the Prophet Muhammad.
• Most decorated infantry battalion returns from Afghanistan USMC News 19 Sep 2012 -- More than 1,100 Marines and sailors serving with 2nd Bn., 5th Marines, returned home the week of Sept. 15-17 from a seven-month deployment to northern Helmand province, Afghanistan.
• MP Soldiers prepare for detainee ops mission Army News 19 Sep 2012 -- Soldiers from the 13th Military Police Company prepare for their deployment to Afghanistan slated for the end of this year.
• Department of Defense Sends Marine Team to U.S. Embassy in Yemen USMC News 19 Sep 2012 -- A Marine Corps fleet antiterrorism security team, called a “FAST team” is now on the ground in Yemen to help with security at the U.S. Embassy in Sanaa.

Defense Policy / Programs

• Air Force officials describe ICBM way-ahead AFNS 19 Sep 2012 -- Intercontinental ballistic missiles gain prominence in the Air Force's nuclear enterprise.
• Secretary Panetta Delivers Remarks to the Engineering Academy of Armored Forces in Beijing, China DoD 19 Sep 2012
• Media Roundtable with Secretary Panetta and Ambassador Locke in Beijing, China DoD 19 Sep 2012
• Readout of Secretary Panetta's Meeting with China's Vice President Xi Jinping DoD 19 Sep 2012
• Panetta, Xi Welcome Closer U.S.-China Military Relations AFPS 19 Sep 2012 -- Defense Secretary Leon E. Panetta and Chinese Vice President Xi Jinping both said that the secretary’s visit to China will advance cooperation between the two nations’ militaries.
• Panetta: U.S., Chinese Troops Can ‘Carry Relationship Forward’ AFPS 19 Sep 2012 -- Defense Secretary Leon E. Panetta told a group of Chinese officers and cadets that the level of cooperation they and their U.S. counterparts achieve will determine much of the Asia-Pacific region’s future stability and prosperity.
• Panetta: US Not Trying to Contain China VOA 19 Sep 2012 -- U.S. Defense Secretary Leon Panetta told Chinese troops that Washington's new strategic military shift toward Asia is not meant to contain the rise of China.
• Statement by George Little on MV-22 Operations Agreement with Japan DoD 19 Sep 2012
• Osprey Cleared to Fly in Japan, Improving Alliance Capabilities AFPS 19 Sep 2012 -- The V-22 Osprey tilt-rotor aircraft is now approved to fly in Japan, Press Secretary George Little said.
• Navy Commissions Littoral Combat Ship Fort Worth DoD 19 Sep 2012
• Peleliu ARG Deploys NNS 19 Sep 2012 -- The Peleliu Amphibious Ready Group and embarked 15th Marine Expeditionary Unit departed from Naval Base San Diego for deployment to the Western Pacific ocean, Sept. 17.
• USS Green Bay Deploys with Peleliu ARG and 15th MEU NNS 19 Sep 2012 -- USS Green Bay departed Naval Base San Diego, Sept. 17 with the Peleliu Amphibious Ready Group and 15th Marine Expeditionary Unit for a scheduled deployment to the Western Pacific.
• 'Teammates wanted' to deliver future AFNS 19 Sep 2012 -- Killer apps, unprecedented success and a budget-requirements conundrum led U.S. Air Force Space Command commander, Gen. William L. Shelton, to announce 'teammates wanted.'
• Remarks by Deputy Secretary of Defense Carter at the Annual Air & Space Conference and Technology Exposition DoD 19 Sep 2012
• DOD, Nation Face Strategic Choices, Deputy Secretary Says AFPS 19 Sep 2012 -- Grappling with the converging forces of strategic history and fiscal necessity, the Defense Department is making choices now that will determine how the nation transitions to the coming era.
• Army announces greatest inventions of 2011 Army News 19 Sep 2012 -- U.S. Army officials announced the winners of its greatest inventions competition Sept. 19.
• USS Carr Offloads Drugs in Costa Rica After Seizure in Caribbean NNS 19 Sep 2012 -- USS Carr offloaded 4,134 pounds of marijuana, worth 4 million dollars recovered during Countering Transnational Organized Crime operations.
• Carter Urges Stepped-up Progress on Cyber Defense AFPS 19 Sep 2012 -- Even as the Defense Department increases investments in cyber capabilities, officials are working to reduce vulnerabilities in their own networks and in those of contractors who build sensitive defense systems.
• Conference Highlights Cyber’s Role in National Defense AFPS 19 Sep 2012 -- The Defense Department is embracing cyber technologies that enhance its combat effectiveness.
• Air Force officials outline cyber capabilities in today's fight AFNS 19 Sep 2012 -- The Air Force's chief information officer discussed the service's cyber capabilities and their importance in the joint fight.
• 36th Wing provides consistent evac support in Asia-Pacific AFNS 19 Sep 2012 -- With tsunami threats recently pervading the Asia-Pacific region, the 36th Wing has been actively exercising its capabilities of providing evacuation support to neighboring bases.
• New Defence Reference Laboratory Commissioned in Nigeria AFRICOM 19 Sep 2012 -- The government of Nigeria commissioned a new Defence Reference Laboratory that was built in partnership with the Department of Defense Walter Reed Program-Nigeria.
• NAVFAC Marianas Awards Task Order for Wharf Improvements at Naval Base Guam NNS 19 Sep 2012 -- Naval Facilities Engineering Command Marianas awarded today an $11.7 million firm-fixed-price task order for repair and modernization of Sierra Wharf at Naval Base Guam.
• NAVFAC Far East Awards Small Boat Basin Dredging Project on Diego Garcia NNS 19 Sep 2012 -- Naval Facilities Engineering Command Far East awarded a $9.9 million contract to perform maintenance dredging on the small boat basin at U.S. Naval Support Facility, Diego Garcia.
• USACE Galveston District awards $8.75 million contract to dredge Sabine-Neches Waterway Army News 19 Sep 2012 -- The US Army Corps of Engineers Galveston District awarded a contract for maintenance dredging of the Sabine-Neches Waterway, Port Arthur Canal, turning basin, junction area and Taylors Bayou in Jefferson and Orange counties, Texas, and Cameron Parish, La.
• DoD and VA to Fund $100 Million PTSD and TBI Study DoD 19 Sep 2012
• VA, DOD to Fund $100 Million PTSD and TBI Study AFPS 19 Sep 2012 -- The Department of Veterans Affairs and the Department of Defense announced they are investing more than $100 million in research to improve diagnosis and treatment of mild Traumatic Brain Injury and Post-traumatic Stress Disorder.
• VA Approves $28 Million in Grants for Homeless Veterans AFPS 19 Sep 2012 -- The Department of Veterans Affairs today announced it has approved $28.4 million in grants to fund 38 projects in 25 states and the District of Columbia that will provide transitional housing to homeless veterans.
• Russian 'Super-Holding' to Build Hypersonic Missile -Rogozin RIA Novosti 19 Sep 2012 -- Russia will set up an aerospace "super-holding" company consisting of missile makers NPO Mashinostroyenie and Tactical Missiles Corporation to develop hypersonic weapon technology.
• Private Military Companies May Appear in Russia – Rogozin RIA Novosti 19 Sep 2012 -- The Russian government’s Military Industrial Commission may consider creating private military companies in Russia, Deputy Prime Minister Dmitry Rogozin said.
• Russian Navy Plans to Assign 30 Helicopters to Each Mistral RIA Novosti 19 Sep 2012 -- Each of the two Mistral class amphibious assault ships being built in France for the Russian Navy will have air wings consisting of 30 Ka-52K and Ka-29 helicopters.
• Russian Military to Receive 2nd Batch of Pantsir-S Systems RIA Novosti 19 Sep 2012 -- Russia’s Aerospace Defense Forces will receive the second batch of Pantsir-S air defense systems by November this year.
• Russian Military Base Starts Maneuvers Near Dushanbe RFE/RL 19 Sep 2012 -- Russian troops have started tactical military exercises at Russia's Lyaur military test field near the Tajik capital, Dushanbe.
• Third Indian Frigate Undergoes Dock Trials in Russia RIA Novosti 19 Sep 2012 -- A Talwar class frigate being built for the Indian Navy at the Yantar Shipyard in Russia’s exclave of Kaliningrad has begun dock trials.
• 19 Russian Firms Take Part in South African Arms Show RIA Novosti 19 Sep 2012 -- Some 19 Russian defense companies led by state-owned hi-tech conglomerate Rostechnologii will showcase their products at an arms show in South Africa this week.
• Ambush sails into base port to begin sea trials UK MOD 19 Sep 2012 -- Ambush, the second of the Royal Navy's potent, new Astute Class attack submarines, sailed into Her Majesty's Naval Base Clyde today to begin sea trials.
• India Tests New Ballistic Missile Capable Of Carrying Nuclear Warheads RFE/RL 19 Sep 2012 -- India said it has successfully test fired its Agni-IV ballistic missile.
• KCNA Commentary on ROK Military Policy KCNA 19 Sep 2012 -- South Korea is conducting an extreme education for soldiers into having the consciousness of confrontation with fellow countrymen.
• Press Briefing by Press Secretary Jay Carney, 9/19/12 The White House 19 Sep 2012
• U.S. Department of State Daily Press Briefing, September 19, 2012 US Dept. of State 19 Sep 2012

Defense Industry

• DoD News: Contracts for September 19, 2012

Other Conflicts

• Security Council demands end to grave abuses committed against children in conflict UN News Centre 19 Sep 2012 -- The Security Council demanded that parties to armed conflict which commit grave abuses against children immediately halt such practices and take special measures to protect children.
• Syrian Rebels Seize Northern Border Crossing VOA 19 Sep 2012 -- Syrian rebels have seized control of a third border crossing with Turkey after fierce battles with government troops, as fighting raged in the key cities of Aleppo and Damascus.
• Brahimi Says Syrian Crisis Worsening RFE/RL 19 Sep 2012 -- The UN-Arab League mediator for Syria, Lakhdar Brahimi, says the Syrian crisis is worsening and threatening to destabilize the wider region.
• Syria War Targets ‘Axis of Resistance’ – Assad RIA Novosti 19 Sep 2012 -- The civil war raging in Syria is targeting not only Damascus but the entire “axis of resistance” formed with its allies.
• Iranian Foreign Minister In Damascus RFE/RL 19 Sep 2012 -- Iranian Foreign Minister Ali Akbar Salehi has arrived in Syria, where he is due to hold talks with his Syrian counterpart Walid al-Moallem.
• Analysis: Donors not walking the talk on humanitarian aid to Syria IRIN 19 Sep 2012 -- Few humanitarian crises receive the attention and engagement of the world that Syria has. States - on both sides of the conflict - have clamoured loudly about the deplorable humanitarian situation there.
• Assad’s Sister Flees Syria to UAE RIA Novosti 19 Sep 2012 -- Bushra al-Assad, the sister of Syrian President Bashar al-Assad, has fled Syria along with her children to the United Arab Emirates.
• Israel Conducts Military Exercise Along Syrian Border RIA Novosti 19 Sep 2012 -- The Israeli Army launched a large-scale training exercise on Wednesday, mobilizing all of its troops to the border with Syria, according to the army’s press office.
• Taiwan Military briefs president on Diaoyutais development CNA 19 Sep 2012 -- President Ma inspected military units and was briefed on developments over the Diaoyutai Islands amid growing tension over the disputed archipelago.
• Chinese Official Justifies Anti-Japan Protests VOA 19 Sep 2012 -- A Chinese official says the recent wave of anti-Japan protests in China involving a territorial dispute reflects a firm resolution by Chinese citizens to safeguard sovereignty.
• Rodong Sinmun on Japan and Tok Islets KCNA 19 Sep 2012 -- The Japanese Foreign Ministry held a press conference recently at the instructions of the Japanese prime minister at which it cried out for the settlement of the Tok Islets issue at the International Court of Justice.
• Kenya Extends Amnesty to al-Shabab VOA 19 Sep 2012 -- Kenyan officials say they are offering amnesty to Kenyans who joined the Somali militant group al-Shabab and are willing to denounce violence.
• Kenyan forces in Somalia to try to minimize impact on civilians – UN humanitarian official UN News Centre 19 Sep 2012 -- Kenyan military troops serving with a UN-backed African Union force in Somalia will endeavour to reduce the potential of civilians being hurt during an ongoing operation.
• UN Presses Kenya on Kismayo Civilian Protection VOA 19 Sep 2012 -- As Kenyan troops close in on the al-Shabab militant stronghold of Kismayo, Somalia, United Nations officials are urging armed forces to try to minimize civilian casualties.
• BURKINA FASO: Stability vital to region IRIN 19 Sep 2012 -- More than a year after civil unrest broke out in Burkina Faso, observers and analysts say despite some progress, and sustained support for President Blaise Compaoré, tension between his government and the population remains.
• Activists Urge US to Push Rwanda Help Bring Peace to DRC VOA 19 Sep 2012 -- Advocacy groups and human rights activists are expressing concern that the United States and other governments are not doing enough to hold Rwanda accountable.
• In meetings with Lebanese leaders, head of UN peacekeeping force praises cooperation UN News Centre 19 Sep 2012 -- The head of the United Nations peacekeeping force in Lebanon met with senior Lebanese Government officials for discussion on a range of issues.

News Reports

• UN independent expert: right of peaceful assembly is not an excuse to commit violence UN News Centre 19 Sep 2012 -- An independent United Nations human rights expert condemned the violence that has been taking place in numerous cities across the world in response to an anti-Islamic film.
• Anti-Islam film protestors enter diplomatic enclave in Islamabad IRNA 19 Sep 2012 -- A lawyers’ rally protesting against the blasphemous film entered the diplomatic enclave in Islamabad and attempted to move towards the US embassy.
• Obama Urges Muslim Nations To Protect Americans RFE/RL 19 Sep 2012 -- U.S. President Barack Obama says Muslim nations must do to protect Americans abroad.
• France Raises Security Over Prophet Muhammad Cartoons VOA 19 Sep 2012 -- Leaders of the Muslim community in France have expressed their anger after a French magazine published caricatures of the Prophet Muhammad.
• Magazine Cartoon Prompts French Embassy Closures VOA 19 Sep 2012 -- France plans to close its embassies, consulates, cultural centers and schools in 20 countries Friday as a precautionary measure after a French satirical magazine published cartoons featuring the Prophet Muhammad.
• French Weekly Publishes Caricatures Of Prophet Muhammad RFE/RL 19 Sep 2012 -- The French satirical weekly "Charlie Hebdo" has published a series of cartoons ridiculing the Prophet Muhammad.
• Rosatom company: Bushehr plant to be commissioned end of this year IRNA 19 Sep 2012 -- Spokesman of Russian State Company ”Rosatom“ Sergey Novikov declared that Bushehr nuclear power plant will be commissioned industrially at the end of this year.
• Secretary Clinton Remarks at the Congressional Gold Medal Ceremony for Daw Aung San Suu Kyi US Dept. of State 19 Sep 2012
• Readout of the President’s Meeting with Burmese Nobel Laureate Aung San Suu Kyi The White House 19 Sep 2012
• Obama Meets With Aung San Suu Kyi VOA 19 Sep 2012 -- President Barack Obama and Burmese opposition leader Aung San Suu Kyi have met for the first time.
• Aung San Suu Kyi Receives Medal, to Meet Obama VOA 19 Sep 2012 -- Burmese democracy leader Aung San Suu Kyi received the Congressional Gold Medal at a ceremony in the U.S. Capitol.
• Taiwan Pres. accepts SEF chairman's resignation CNA 19 Sep 2012 -- President Ma has accepted the resignation of Chiang Pin-kung as chairman of the semi-official Straits Exchange Foundation.
• Taiwan national security adviser to take over as MAC head CNA 19 Sep 2012 -- National Security Adviser Wang Yu-chi will take over as head of Taiwan's Mainland Affairs Council at the end of September.
• Several Fatalities In Pakistan Blasts RFE/RL 19 Sep 2012 -- A number of blasts in Pakistan have caused several fatalities.
• Pakistan hints at opening of graft cases against President Zardari IRNA 19 Sep 2012 -- Pakistani PM Ashraf told the country’s top court that his government has decided to withdraw a letter previously sent to the Swiss authorities for closing graft cases against President Zardari.
• India’s Government Looks for New Support After Ally Withdraws VOA 19 Sep 2012 -- India’s Congress Party-led coalition government is trying to garner new political support after a key ally withdrew support to protest unpopular economic policies.
• IAEA team to conduct safety review of two Indian atomic plants IRNA 19 Sep 2012 -- A team of the UN nuclear watchdog, IAEA, will visit Rajasthan in November to conduct an in-depth operational safety review of two atomic power plants there.
• Hailemariam to Become Ethiopian PM Friday VOA 19 Sep 2012 -- Hailemariam Desalegn will be sworn in as Ethiopia’s new prime minister this Friday. Hailemariam is replacing Ethiopia's late leader Meles Zenawi after a slight delay.
• USAID Shutdown in Russia Will Hurt Civil Society VOA 19 Sep 2012 -- The United States says it will comply with Russia’s request to end all programs of the U.S. Agency for International Development - or USAID - a request the U.S. describes as “regrettable.”
• Russian Democracy Groups Face Tough Times After USAID Ouster VOA 19 Sep 2012 -- Russia has given the United States Agency for International Development until October 1, 2012 to close its operations and leave the country.
• Moscow Says USAID Expelled For Seeking To 'Influence Politics' RFE/RL 19 Sep 2012 -- Russia says it is expelling the U.S. Agency for International Development from the country following what it says were attempts by the mission to influence Russian politics and elections.
• USAID Tried to Affect Russian Politics - Foreign Ministry RIA Novosti 19 Sep 2012 -- Russia told the United States Agency for International Development to cease its activity in Russia because the agency had "tried to affect the course of the political process in the country by its use of grants."
• In Ukraine, New Law On Rallies Raises Fears Of Election Clampdown RFE/RL 19 Sep 2012 -- Requiring organizers to provide advance notice before they hold a rally is standard practice in most democracies and is not usually considered threatening.