Operations
Defense Policy / Programs
Defense Industry
Other Conflicts
News Reports

Current Operations

Defense Policy / Programs

• US Names 55 Guantanamo Detainees Cleared for Release VOA 22 Sep 2012 -- The list represents about a third of the 167 terrorist suspects still in detention at Guantanamo more than 11 years after the 2001 terrorist attacks on the United States.
• U.S.-Russia Commission Discusses New START Implementation RIA Novosti 22 Sep 2012 -- A U.S.-Russia commission has completed a regular meeting in Geneva on the implementation of the New START deal.
• Bulava Tests Postponed Due to Software Glitches RIA Novosti 22 Sep 2012 -- Software glitches in the automated launch control system on board the Borey class strategic submarines has caused a new delay in scheduled tests of the Bulava submarine-launched ballistic missile (SLBM), Defense Minister Anatoly Serdyukov said.
• Kyrgyz Air Base May Soon Host Russian Strategic Bombers RIA Novosti 22 Sep 2012 -- The overhauled airfield at the Russian air base in Kyrgyzstan will be able to accommodate Russian strategic bombers in six months, but their deployment in the Central Asian state needs thorough consideration, Russian Defense Minister Anatoly Serdyukov said.
• Russia, Tajikistan Close to Signing New Military Base Deal RIA Novosti 22 Sep 2012 -- Russia and Tajikistan are 'very close' to signing an agreement extending Russia's lease of a military base in the Central Asian state, Russian First Deputy Prime Minister Igor Shuvalov said.
• Russia 'Ready' to Export Su-30 Fighters to Africa RIA Novosti 22 Sep 2012 -- Russia is ready to sell Su-30s and other modern fighter jets to African countries, state-controlled arms exporter Rosoboronexport said on Saturday.
• Belarus to Boost Air Defense with New Russian Warplanes RIA Novosti 22 Sep 2012 -- Belarus will receive modern Russian-made combat jets to protect the airspace over the borders of the Russia-Belarus Union State, Belarusian President Alexander Lukashenko said.

Defense Industry

Other Conflicts

• Syrian Troops, Rebels Clash Near Jordan Border RFE/RL 22 Sep 2012 -- Syrian activists say government troops and forces fighting against President Bashar al-Assad's regime have clashed near the border with Jordan.
• Fighting Continues in Syria; Rebels Move Command Center VOA 22 Sep 2012 -- Government and opposition forces waged fierce battles across Syria on Saturday, as the rebel Free Syrian Army announced it was moving its command center from Turkey to Syria.
• Ministry urges rationality, peace among anti-Japan protesters CNA 22 Sep 2012 -- The Ministry of Foreign Affairs (MOFA) on Saturday urged rationality and and peace among demonstrators set to protest in Taipei on Sunday against Japan's recent purchase of the disputed Diaoyu Islands.
• Georgia, South Ossetia Both Claim Preparations For New Hostilities RFE/RL 22 Sep 2012 -- Meeting earlier this week with the co-chairmen of the ongoing Geneva talks on the security and human rights repercussions of the August 2008 war, two senior South Ossetian politicians accused Georgia of engaging in a new military buildup that they fear presages a new attack on their breakaway region.
• Somalia: UN official 'outraged' by killing of member of parliament UN News Centre 22 Sep 2012 -- A United Nations official today strongly condemned the killing of Mustafa Haji Maalim, a member of Somalia's new parliament, and called for an independent investigation on the crime and for the perpetrators to be brought to justice.

News Reports

• U.S. Senate Rejects Proposal To Suspend Aid To Pakistan, Egypt, Libya RFE/RL 22 Sep 2012 -- The U.S. Senate has rejected by a vote of 81 to 10 a proposal to suspend foreign aid to the governments of Pakistan, Egypt, and Libya in response to recent attacks on U.S. interests in those countries.
• Iran to take temporay control of Bushehr power plant by next 3 months IRNA 22 Sep 2012 -- Vice-President and head of the Atomic Energy Organization of Iran (AEOI) Fereydoun Abbasi said on Saturday that Iran will take temporary control of Bushehr power plant by the next three months based on latest estimates.
• No one dares to attack Iran, IRGC commander IRNA 22 Sep 2012 -- Commander of the Islamic Revolution Guards Corps (IRGC) Major General Mohammad Ali Jafari said Saturday that today no one dares to attack the Islamic Republic of Iran.
• Eight-year Sacred Defense resulted in Iran's independence, official IRNA 22 Sep 2012 -- Secretary of Iran's Expediency Council Mohsen Rezaei said Friday evening that the eight-year Sacred Defense (1980-1988) made the Islamic Republic independent and powerful in the world.
• Nobody allowed to think of attacking Iran: commander IRNA 22 Sep 2012 -- Nobody is allowed to think of attacking Iran, Commander of the IRGC Aerospace Force Brigadier General Amir Ali Hajizadeh said here on Friday.
• US should not ignore Iran as regional power: defense min. IRNA 22 Sep 2012 -- US should not be heedless of Iran as a regional power in its political calculations, Iranian Defense Minister Brigadier General Ahmad Vahidi said here before Friday sermons.
• Tehran Showcases New Air Defense System RIA Novosti 22 Sep 2012 -- Iran's Islamic Revolution Guard Corps (IRGC) has unveiled its latest air defense system, Press TV reported on Saturday.
• Iran Navy to Expand Presence to South Pole RIA Novosti 22 Sep 2012 -- Iran's Navy is planning to extend its presence in international waters near the South Pole, Navy chief Rear Adm. Habibollah Sayyari said on Saturday.
• US Lawmaker Blames Iran for Cyber Attacks on US Banks VOA 22 Sep 2012 -- The head of the U.S. Senate Homeland Security Committee says he believes Iran is behind cyber attacks this week on U.S. banks.
• At Least 10 Dead After Libyan Protesters Expel Islamist Militia From Bases RFE/RL 22 Sep 2012 -- Libyan protesters have ousted a jihadist militia from its headquarters and seized other paramilitary bases in Benghazi in clashes that left at least 10 people dead.
• Militia Bases Stormed in Libya RIA Novosti 22 Sep 2012 -- At least one person has been killed and 20 others injured in the eastern Libyan city of Benghazi after police and demonstrators stormed militia bases, al Jazeera television reported.
• No-confidence motion against Chen Cabinet fails CNA 22 Sep 2012 -- A no-confidence motion launched by two opposition caucuses against Premier Sean Chen failed to pass the 113-seat Legislative Yuan on Saturday.
• Fate of Bo Xilai to be revealed soon: Hong Kong daily CNA 22 Sep 2012 -- The fate of former Chongqing Communist Party of China chief Bo Xilai will soon be known, a Hong Kong newspaper reported Saturday.