Operations
Defense Policy / Programs
Defense Industry
Other Conflicts
News Reports

Current Operations

• OIF/OEF/OND Casualty Update 24 Sep 2012 [PDF]
• Marines Charged in Desecration Incident Face Trial AFPS 24 Sep 2012 -- Charges against two Marines were referred to trial by courts-martial Sept. 21 for their alleged involvement in urinating on deceased Taliban fighters and for posing for unofficial photographs with human casualties in Afghanistan.
• Combined Force Kills 2 Insurgents, Seizes Heroin AFPS 24 Sep 2012 -- An Afghan and coalition security force killed two insurgents and seized several pounds of heroin during an operation in search of a Taliban leader in the Zharay district of Afghanistan's Kandahar province today, military officials reported.
• Allen: Surge Bought Time for Afghan Forces to Grow, Mature AFPS 24 Sep 2012 -- The goal of the just-completed U.S. troop surge in Afghanistan was not to defeat the Taliban, but to provide Afghan security forces the time needed to develop, the commander of NATO forces in the country said today.
• Running toward gunfire: Marines, British forces repel insurgents attacking Camp Bastion USMC News 24 Sep 2012
• Outgoing Governor of Helmand thanks British forces UK MOD 24 Sep 2012 -- The outgoing Governor of Helmand province, Gulab Mangal, has thanked ISAF forces for their service and sacrifices in Afghanistan during his four years in office.
• US drone kills 4, injures dozens in Pakistan's tribal region IRNA 24 Sep 2012 -- An American spy aircraft killed at least four people in Pakistan's North Waziristan tribal region late Monday, tribesmen said.

Defense Policy / Programs

• Navy Announces Research Vessel to be Named in Honor of Neil Armstrong DoD 24 Sep 2012-- Secretary of the Navy Ray Mabus announced today that the first Armstrong-class Auxiliary General Oceanographic Research (AGOR) ship will be named Neil Armstrong.
• Pentagon Official Explains Asia-Pacific Focus AFPS 24 Sep 2012 -- The entire U.S. government has made a concerted effort to improve U.S.-China relations while implementing the tenets in the defense strategic guidance, a senior Pentagon official said here today.
• Panetta Discusses Efforts to Tackle Suicide AFPS 24 Sep 2012 -- In an interview with a North Carolina newspaper, Defense Secretary Leon E. Panetta voiced concern over suicide rates throughout the military and acknowledged the complexity of the issue.
• Guard Enlisted Leader Stresses Support Available AFPS 24 Sep 2012 -- National Guardsmen should know that they are never alone, even when they are away from their units, the National Guard Bureau's senior enlisted leader said in a Sept. 21 interview.
• Congress told IEDs will remain 'weapon of choice' for decades Army News 24 Sep 2012 -- Improvised explosive devices, and the networks that use these asymmetric weapons, will remain an enduring threat to U.S. forces and the nation for decades to come, the Defense Department's top counter-IED official told lawmakers Sept. 20.
• Soldiers learn survival skills during Keris Strike 2012 Army News 24 Sep 2012 -- Sixty-five service members participating in the Keris Strike 2012 exercise went into the. Panti Forest Reserve Sept. 20 with members of the Malaysian Armed Forces for a demonstration of survival and tracking skill.
• Odierno visits Soldiers in southern Afghanistan Army News 24 Sep 2012 -- Army Chief of Staff Gen. Raymond T. Odierno visited the Regional Command (South) area of operations in Afghanistan, including Forward Operating Base Zangabad, near the horn of Panjwai, Sept. 18.
• 5/25 FA supports brigade exercise with 'steel rain' Army News 24 Sep 2012 -- Soldiers of 5th Battalion, 25th Field Artillery, 4th Brigade Combat Team, 10th Mountain Division, supported a field training exercise by conducting fire missions at Peason Ridge Sept. 15-17.
• U.S. Army Europe aims to save taxpayers $1 billion Army News 24 Sep 2012 -- The U.S. Army Europe's G4 aims to resolve equipment shortages for deploying units with potential savings estimated in excess of $1 billion for U.S. taxpayers and the Army.
• Pennsylvania Wraps Up ERO, Completes Sea Trials Early NNS 24 Sep 2012 -- USS Pennsylvania (SSBN 735) pulled into to Naval Base Kitsap-Bangor Sept. 19, successfully completing her sea trials, one day early, after a 46-month engineered refueling overhaul (ERO) at Puget Sound Naval Shipyard and Intermediate Maintenance Facility, Bremerton.
• UNITAS Atlantic 2012 Participants Exchange Subject Matter Experts NNS 24 Sep 2012 -- Naval forces participating in UNITAS Atlantic 2012 conducted subject matter expert exchanges with other participating nations for the duration of UNITAS Atlantic 53-12 multinational exercise hosted by U.S. 4th Fleet.
• Submarine Squadron 19 Holds Change of Command NNS 24 Sep 2012 -- Submarine Squadron 19 held a change of command ceremony at Naval Base Kitsap-Bangor Sept 21.
• UNITAS Multinational Ships Rehearse Refueling At Sea NNS 24 Sep 2012 -- Eleven multinational warships participating in a maritime exercise hosted by U.S. 4th Fleet practiced replenishing at sea with U.S. supply ship USNS Patuxent (T-AO 201) and Canadian supply ship HMCS Preserver (AR-8) in the Caribbean as part of UNITAS Atlantic (LANT), Sept. 23.
• Protection from biological agents is Army scientist's mission Army News 24 Sep 2012 -- Biological agents remain a persistent threat to America and its Soldiers. U.S. Army scientists are researching new technologies to counter bioweapons in order to keep the nation safe.
• Lancers, Falcons share South Dakota skies AFNS 24 Sep 2012 -- The skies above Ellsworth Air Force Base, S.D., are routinely filled with B-1 bombers, but during Sept. 17 to 21, base bombers shared the airspace and ramp area with several South Dakota Air National Guard F-16s during a Guard training exercise.
• 'Multidimensional' approach to energy initiative AFNS 24 Sep 2012 -- A panel of energy experts met at the Air Force Association's Air and Space Conference and Technology Exposition Sept. 17 to discuss the service's progress in meeting the Defense Department's energy goals.
• Australian Army, US Marines combine arms during urban operations USMC News 24 Sep 2012 -- Marines were positioned and camouflaged throughout a tree line. They waited patiently for their Australian partners to arrive before executing an assault at the urban operations training facility at Mount Bundy Training Area, Northern Territory, Australia, Sept. 5.
• Corps changes deployment training USMC News 24 Sep 2012 -- Since 2001, the Combat Center has provided comprehensive and collaborative training for combat operations in the Middle East. Training exercises have evolved from the Combined Arms Exercise to what is known today as Enhanced Mojave Viper.
• Chinese Navy Gets First Aircraft Carrier RIA Novosti 24 Sep 2012 -- China's first aircraft carrier, an overhauled former Soviet vessel, has been formally handed over to China's navy, local media reported on Monday.
• Putin Demands New Plan for Defense Industry Overhaul RIA Novosti 24 Sep 2012 -- Russian President Vladimir Putin on Monday urged the government to draft a new defense industry modernization program that includes increased private investment and improved social benefits for employees.
• Canadian Inspectors Set for Surveillance Flights over Russia RIA Novosti 24 Sep 2012 -- A group of Canadian observers will conduct a series of inspection flights over Russia under the Open Skies Treaty starting on Monday, the Russian Defense Ministry said in a statement.
• HMS Edinburgh embarks on final voyage UK MOD 24 Sep 2012 -- Type 42 destroyer HMS Edinburgh left Portsmouth today, Monday 24 September, on her final deployment, to conduct routine operations across the Atlantic.
• Top commander: West concerned about emergence of new Islamic power IRNA 24 Sep 2012 -- Supreme Leader's Advisor and Top Military Assistant Brigadier General Yahya Rahim Safavi said on Monday western powers are concerned about the emergence a new Islamic power in the world.
• Iran Upholds Right to 'Self-Defense' RIA Novosti 24 Sep 2012 -- Iran will defend itself against any potential attack, President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad said in an interview with CNN airing on Monday.
• German opposition warns of controversial Saudi tank deal IRNA 24 Sep 2012 -- Germany's largest opposition party, the Social Democratic Party (SPD), warned against the planned sale of hundreds German-made combat tanks to Saudi Arabia, saying it violated the country's export guidelines.
• NATO signs cooperation accord with Iraq NATO 24 Sep 2012 -- NATO on Monday (24 September 2012) signed a cooperation agreement with Iraq which will foster closer security ties and help Iraq build up its security institutions.
• Poland Eyes $4 Bln Missile Modernization Program RIA Novosti 24 Sep 2012 -- Polish President Bronislaw Komorowski has submitted a defense bill to parliament designed to initiate the comprehensive modernization of the country's missile defense system, the presidential staff said on Monday.
• States to press for early entry into force of treaty banning nuclear tests at UN event UN News Centre 24 Sep 2012 -- Senior government officials will press for the early entry into force of the Comprehensive Nuclear-Test-Ban Treaty (CTBT) when they meet later this week at United Nations Headquarters in New York, where the treaty first opened for signature 16 years ago today.
• Press Briefing by Press Secretary Jay Carney, 09/24/2012 The White House 24 Sep 2012

Defense Industry

• DoD News: Contracts for September 24, 2012

Other Conflicts

• 24 September 2012 - Daily Press Briefing by the Office of the Spokesperson for the Secretary-General United Nations 24 Sep 2012
• UN online platform allows countries to share post-conflict experiences and knowledge UN News Centre 24 Sep 2012 -- The United Nations has launched an online platform that will allow countries to share their post-conflict transition experiences, and learn from policies and peacebuilding strategies put in place by nations who have undergone similar changes.
• At UN summit, world leaders highlight key role of rule of law in preventing war UN News Centre 24 Sep 2012 -- World leaders today called on all states to recommit to the rule of law as a fundamental factor in preventing war at a United Nations summit that stressed the universality of humanitarian law and the importance of the International Criminal Court (ICC).
• Despite 'very grim' situation in Syria, UN-Arab League envoy sees glimmer of hope UN News Centre 24 Sep 2012 -- The Joint Special Representative of the United Nations and the League of Arab States on the Syrian crisis, Lakhdar Brahimi, today announced that while the situation in Syria continues to be 'very grim,' a solution may be forthcoming.
• UN Envoy: No Plan Yet for Saving Syria VOA 24 Sep 2012 -- Reform is not enough for Syria, it needs change, according to new U.N.-Arab League special envoy, Lakhdar Brahimi. The envoy made the remarks after briefing the Security Council Monday on his recent trip to the region.
• Syrian Opposition Calls For End To Violence RFE/RL 24 Sep 2012 -- Syria's internal opposition has called on both the government and armed rebels to stop violence immediately at a rare meeting in Damascus.
• Taiwan Fishing Vessels Head for Disputed Islands RIA Novosti 24 Sep 2012 -- Over 70 Taiwanese fishing vessels are heading for two disputed islands in the East China Sea to protest their nationalization by the Japanese government, Kyodo News reported.
• Taiwan not to partner with China in Diaoyutais row: CGA head CNA 24 Sep 2012 -- The head of the Coast Guard Administration (CGA) said Monday Taiwan will not partner with China in protecting its fishing rights in regions near the disputed Diaoyutai Islands.
• Military is prepared for fishermen's Diaoyutais voyage: minister CNA 24 Sep 2012 -- The military has response measures in place for contingencies that could arise from a scheduled visit by dozens of Taiwanese fishing boats to the waters near the disputed Diaoyutai Islands Monday afternoon, Defense Minister Kao Hua-chu said.
• 75 fishing vessels to join protest voyage to Diaoyutais CNA 24 Sep 2012 -- At least 75 Taiwanese fishing ships will sail to the disputed Diaoyutai Islands Monday afternoon to protest Japan's nationalization of the island chain and assert Taiwan's fishing rights in the region, according to the event's organizers.
• Taiwanese boats on way to Diaoyutais to assert fishing rights CNA 24 Sep 2012 -- Up to 100 Taiwan fishing boats, escorted by 10 coast guard ships, embarked on a protest voyage Monday toward the hotly disputed Diaoyutai Islands that organizers said was aimed at asserting local fishermen's rights to operate in what they described as their 'traditional fishing grounds.'
• Diaoyutais dispute to take toll on Taiwan-Japan military ties CNA 24 Sep 2012 -- Defense Minister Kao Hua-chu said Monday Taiwan will temporarily suspend military exchanges with Japan amid disputes over the Diaoyutai Islands in the East China Sea.
• Presidents of Sudan, South Sudan Continue Negotiations VOA 24 Sep 2012 -- The presidents of Sudan and South Sudan are meeting for a second day as they try to resolve issues left from the two countries' split last year.
• Mali Crisis Persists Six Months After Coup VOA 24 Sep 2012 -- Mali remains mired in uncertainty six months after a military coup derailed what was a relatively stable, but some say faltering, democracy and paved the way for al-Qaida-linked Islamist militants to seize the northern half of the country.
• MALI: Struggling to deliver aid to rebel-held north IRIN 24 Sep 2012 -- Sparse rainfall in 2011 triggered food alerts for Mali which went out well before the start of the rebellion in the north in January, and the coup d'état in Bamako in March. This year, the rains have been better but the warnings from the north, in particular, remain stark particularly for food insecurity and malnutrition.
• DRC: Thousands of displaced out of reach IRIN 24 Sep 2012 -- Weather conditions and continued insecurity are hampering aid agencies' efforts to reach hundreds of thousands of people displaced by armed conflict in eastern Democratic Republic of Congo.

News Reports

• Iran Nuclear Tensions Key Topic at UN Assembly VOA 24 Sep 2012 -- A key topic at this week's session of the United Nations General Assembly is Iran's alleged development of nuclear weapons and the threat by Israel and the United States to use military force to stop it.
• Competition limited in Belarus elections as many democratic rights not respected, international observers say OSCE 24 Sep 2012 -- Many OSCE commitments on citizen's democratic rights to associate, to stand as candidates and to express themselves freely were not respected in yesterday's parliamentary elections in Belarus, concluded the international observers from the OSCE Office for Democratic Institutions and Human Rights (ODIHR) and the OSCE Parliamentary Assembly (OSCE PA).
• Belarus Vote Totally Shuts Out Opposition RFE/RL 24 Sep 2012 -- Parties loyal to President Alyaksandr Lukashenka have swept weekend legislative elections in Belarus, according to preliminary results posted by the Central Election Commission.
• OSCE Slams Belarus Vote As 'Not Competitive From The Start' RFE/RL 24 Sep 2012 -- The Organization for Security and Cooperation in Europe (OSCE) says it has 'serious concerns' over weekend parliamentary elections in Belarus in which not a single opposition candidate won a seat in parliament.
• North Korea May Allow Farmers to Keep More Produce VOA 24 Sep 2012 -- North Korea may soon allow farmers to keep more of their produce, in a move to increase agricultural production. It would be a major reform by the country's young new leader, Kim Jong Un, who has promised to boost North Korea's ailing economy.
• Ex-Police Chief Gets 15 Years in China VOA 24 Sep 2012 -- A court in China has sentenced former police chief Wang Lijun to 15 years in prison. Wang's flight to a U.S. consulate in southern China, earlier this year, helped expose one of the Communist party's biggest political scandals in decades.
• Clinton: Extremists Threaten New Democracies in North Africa, Mideast VOA 24 Sep 2012 -- U.S. Secretary of State Hillary Clinton says new democracies in North Africa and the Middle East are threatened by extremists exploiting old divisions. Clinton is meeting with foreign leaders before the U.N. General Assembly.
• Morocco must do more to eradicate torture, says UN rights expert UN News Centre 24 Sep 2012 -- While a culture of human rights is emerging in Morocco, the authorities must do more to eradicate torture and ill-treatment, says an independent United Nations human rights expert.
• MADAGASCAR: The hunt for Remenabila IRIN 24 Sep 2012
• WHO: SARS-Like Illness Surfaces in Qatari Man VOA 24 Sep 2012 -- The World Health Organization says a Qatari man is critically ill in a London hospital after displaying symptoms similar to the deadly SARS virus.