Operations
Defense Policy / Programs
Defense Industry
Other Conflicts
News Reports

Current Operations

• OIF/OEF/OND Casualty Update 19 Oct 2012 [PDF]
• Combined Force Arrests Taliban Leader AFPS 19 Oct 2012 -- An Afghan and coalition security force arrested a Taliban leader in Kunduz province.
• Afghan President Condemns Blast That Killed Wedding Guests VOA 19 Oct 2012 -- A roadside bomb blast has ripped through a minibus in northern Afghanistan, killing at least 19 people who were on their way to a wedding.
• Afghan Bomb Kills At Least 19 Wedding Guests RFE/RL 19 Oct 2012 -- A roadside bomb blast has killed at least 19 people, most of them women and children, on their way to a wedding in northern Afghanistan.
• North Atlantic Council and partner nations restate commitment to Afghanistan NATO 19 Oct 2012 -- NATO Secretary General Anders Fogh Rasmussen, the North Atlantic Council and several ISAF partner nations concluded a three-day visit to Afghanistan.
• ISAF ‘On Track’ to Hand Afghanistan Control by End-2014 RIA Novosti 19 Oct 2012 -- NATO and the Afghan government have confirmed that the International Security Assistance Force will transfer full security responsibility to the Afghan military by the end of 2014.
• Afghanistan security very important to Iran: Official IRNA 19 Oct 2012 -- Afghanistan's security is very important to Iran, Iran’s representative to the International Contact Group (ICG) for Afghanistan Seyyed Mohammad Kazem Sajjadpour said.
• Arrest of Royal Marines - anonymity order UK MOD 19 Oct 2012 -- At a hearing on Monday, the Judge Advocate made an order prohibiting the identification of the five Royal Marines who have been charged and remanded in custody following an incident in Afghanistan in 2011.
• Army Reserves provide relief at Camp Bastion Hospital UK MOD 19 Oct 2012 -- Army reservists are arriving in Afghanistan to begin a three-month deployment running the British field hospital at Camp Bastion.
• Naval Special Warfare Honors Fallen Teammates NNS 19 Oct 2012 -- Disposal Group 1 held a memorial service for two special warfare operators and two explosive ordnance disposal technicians at the Vietnam Unit Memorial Monument aboard Naval Amphibious Base Coronado, Oct. 18.
• Pakistan Divided Over How to Deal with Militant Threat VOA 19 Oct 2012 -- Pakistan's government has failed to gather enough support for a military operation against the extremists believed to be behind the attack.
• Lashkar-e-Jhangvi’s wanted leader arrested in Karachi IRNA 19 Oct 2012 -- A wanted leader of a banned Pakistani extremist group has been arrested in the Pakistani city of Karachi, a senior police officer said.

Defense Policy / Programs

• First Week of Pretrial Hearings Wraps Up For 9/11 Suspects AFPS 19 Oct 2012 -- First week of pre-trial hearings to continue through spring concluded at Naval Air Station Guantanamo Bay, Cuba.
• Rodong Sinmun on S. Korea's "Missile Guidance Agreement" Declaration KCNA 19 Oct 2012 -- The "missile guidance agreement" announced by the south Korean authorities is an open declaration of an all-out war against the DPRK.
• Secretary of Defense Leon E. Panetta Speech at Hampton Roads Chamber of Commerce DoD 19 Oct 2012
• Panetta: Nation Faces ‘Dangerous and Unpredictable’ World AFPS 19 Oct 2012 -- The Hampton Roads area of Virginia has played a vital role in the history of the United States, and of the military in particular, Defense Secretary Leon E. Panetta said.
• Carter Discusses Defense, Security Issues with Iraqi Leaders AFPS 19 Oct 2012 -- Deputy Defense Secretary Ashton B. Carter met with Iraq's prime minster and acting minister of defense to reaffirm the U.S. commitment to strengthening security and defense.
• U.S.-Kingdom of the Netherlands Status of Forces Agreement for Territories in the Caribbean US Dept. of State 19 Oct 2012
• Enterprise Arrives in Naples, Italy for Final Foreign Port Visit NNS 19 Oct 2012 -- USS Enterprise anchored off the coast of Naples, Italy, for its final port visit following seven months at sea, Oct. 16.
• Underway Replenishment Offers Unique Training Aboard George Washington NNS 19 Oct 2012 -- The day began early for USS George Washington Sailors during a replenishment-at-sea with the USNS Pecos, Oct. 18.
• USS Theodore Roosevelt Door Team Nears 100 Percent Completion NNS 19 Oct 2012 -- The non-watertight door team aboard the aircraft carrier USS Theodore Roosevelt is nearing 100 percent completion of the reinstallation of the ship's 1,562 non-tight doors.
• Carter Delivers Message to Troops Aboard USS Eisenhower AFPS 19 Oct 2012 -- Deputy Defense Secretary Ashton B. Carter today joined approximately 5,000 military members aboard the USS Dwight D. Eisenhower to express the Defense Department's gratitude for their service, sacrifice and resiliency.
• Vicksburg Arrives in Lisbon, Portugal NNS 19 Oct 2012 -- USS Vicksburg and USS Porter arrived in Lisbon, Portugal, for a regularly-scheduled port visit Oct. 17.
• U.S. Open to Thais Inviting Burma to Observe Cobra Gold AFPS 19 Oct 2012 -- The United States is open to considering a Thai request to allow a small contingent of Burmese military officers to attend the joint exercise Cobra Gold 2013 as observers.
• US Supports Invitation to Burma for Military Exercises VOA 19 Oct 2012 -- The United States says it will back Burma's attendance as an observer at a major regional military exercise early next year.
• Military training realigned under G1 Army News 19 Oct 2012 -- To reduce redundancies, the Army Contracting Command realigned its training mission from the deputy chief of staff operations G3 to the deputy chief of staff human capital G1 effective Oct. 1.
• Marine rotation finishes tour in Eastern Europe, resets for next year USMC News 19 Oct 2012 -- The 350 Marines and sailors of BSRF 12 returned home Aug. 22, following a deployment that took them from the snow-capped mountains of Georgia to the picturesque Black Sea port of Constanta, Romania.
• NORAD Deputy previews DoD support to 2013 Inauguration Army News 19 Oct 2012 -- NORAD deputy commander was briefed on the mission and capabilities of the Joint Force Headquarters - National Capital Region, the Joint Task Force - National Capital Region 2013 Inaugural plans as well as the mission and capabilities of the U.S. Army Military District of Washington.
• Alaska National Guard conducts three search-and-rescues in three days AFNS 19 Oct 2012 -- The 11th Air Force Rescue Coordination Center is working around the clock to lead search-and-rescue efforts, calling in multiple agencies, including the Alaska Air National Guard, to assist in three separate missions since Oct. 14.
• Historic space jump has Natick ties Army News 19 Oct 2012 -- Last weekend, the world watched as Fearless Felix Baumgartner made his epic descent from a balloon 128,100 feet above the Earth.
• Army Releases September Suicide Data DoD 19 Oct 2012
• Alleged Assault Results in Curfew for U.S. Forces in Japan AFPS 19 Oct 2012 -- An alleged assault of a female Japanese citizen in Okinawa by two U.S. service members Oct. 16 has drawn an apology from the commander of U.S. forces in Japan and imposition of a curfew throughout the country.
• US Imposes Curfew on All American Troops in Japan VOA 19 Oct 2012 -- The commander of U.S. forces in Japan has imposed an nationwide curfew for all military personnel in Japan after the arrest of two American sailors for the alleged rape of an Okinawan woman.
• Pentagon Assists Japan in Rape Case with US Servicemen RIA Novosti 19 Oct 2012 -- Pentagon is “closely cooperating” with the Japanese authorities in investigating the alleged rape of a Japanese woman by two suspected US military servicemen.
• Russia Successfully Tests Intercontinental Missile RFE/RL 19 Oct 2012 -- The Russian Defense Ministry says that an ICBM has been successfully test-fired from Russia's testing ground in Plesetsk.
• India’s CCS clears Rs 8,000 crore missile purchase for Armed Forces IRNA 19 Oct 2012 -- Proposals worth over Rs 8,000 crore for procuring around 10,000 'Invar' missiles from Russia for the Army's T-90 tanks and over 200 air-launched versions of the BrahMos supersonic cruise missiles for the IAF were cleared.
• India Approves $1.5-Bln Russian Missile Buy RIA Novosti 19 Oct 2012 -- The Indian government approved a $1.5-billion deal to buy 200 air-launched variants of the Russian-Indian BrahMos supersonic cruise missile and 10,000 Russian-made Invar anti-tank missiles.
• UK and French troops increase interoperability UK MOD 19 Oct 2012 -- British and French airborne forces took part this week in an exercise to simulate how they would plan and execute a joint mission.
• China holds joint military exercise in East China Sea CNA 19 Oct 2012 -- China held a joint military exercise in the East China Sea to practice what it described as defending its territorial seas and responding to emergencies.
• China developing new type of destroyer with superior stealth CNA 19 Oct 2012 -- China is developing a new type of guided-missile destroyer that is larger and stealthier than its present destroyers.
• Hoguk Exercises to Be Kicked off in S. Korea KCNA 19 Oct 2012 -- The Joint Chiefs of Staff of the south Korean army announced that it would kick off Hoguk exercises throughout south Korea from Oct. 25.
• U.S. Department of State Daily Press Briefing, October 19, 2012 US Dept. of State 19 Oct 2012

Defense Industry

• DoD News: Contracts for October 19, 2012

Other Conflicts

• Daily Press Briefing by the Office of the Spokesperson for the Secretary-General, 19 October 2012 United Nations 19 Oct 2012
• US Considers No-Fly Zone in Syria VOA 19 Oct 2012 -- The Obama administration says it is still considering a no-fly zone for northern Syria as cross-border shelling with Turkey threatens civilians on both sides.
• Syrian Rebels Bogged Down in Aleppo VOA 19 Oct 2012 -- For months, rebels of the Free Syrian Army have been waging battles with government forces in parts of Syria's most populous city, Aleppo.
• Syria: Call for Ceasefire During Eid al-Adha US Dept. of State 19 Oct 2012
• UN chief and head of Arab League call for ceasefire in Syria during Muslim holiday UN News Centre 19 Oct 2012 -- The Secretaries-General of the United Nations and the League of Arab States called on all warring parties in Syria to heed the call for a ceasefire in all its forms during the Muslim holiday of Eid al-Adha.
• International Peace Envoy Brahimi Arrives in Damascus VOA 19 Oct 2012 -- International peace envoy Lakhdar Brahimi arrived in Damascus Friday for talks with Syrian officials on securing a temporary cease-fire in the 19-month-old conflict between Syrian forces and rebel groups.
• Senior UN official concerned over killing of Syrian children amidst ongoing violence UN News Centre 19 Oct 2012 -- A United Nations senior official today expressed serious concern over the killing and maiming of children in Syria, particularly by Government forces.
• As violence continues in Syria, UNICEF reaches out to displaced children UN News Centre 19 Oct 2012 -- Efforts to assist the growing numbers of displaced children in Syria are continuing despite the escalating violence across the country and a large funding gap.
• VOA, BBC Broadcasts Jammed from Syria VOA 19 Oct 2012 -- A satellite provider for Voice of America and the BBC says broadcasts in the Middle East and Europe were deliberately jammed this week by interfering signals coming from Syria.
• Statement by NSC Spokesman Tommy Vietor on Attack in Beirut The White House 19 Oct 2012
• Secretary Clinton Remarks on Acts of Terrorism in Beirut US Dept. of State 19 Oct 2012
• Ban condemns bombing in Lebanese capital, urges national unity UN News Centre 19 Oct 2012 -- United Nations Secretary-General Ban strongly condemns the bomb explosion which struck the Lebanese capital of Beirut.
• Beirut Car Bomb Kills 8, Including Intel Chief VOA 19 Oct 2012 -- A huge car bomb detonated on a residential street in Beirut at Friday rush hour, killing at least eight people including the nation's intelligence chief.
• At Least Eight Killed, Scores Wounded By Beirut Bomb RFE/RL 19 Oct 2012 -- Lebanon's state-run news agency says a powerful car bomb exploded in central Beirut on October 19, killing at least eight people and wounding scores.
• Beirut Bomb Killed Intelligence Chief RIA Novosti 19 Oct 2012 -- A top-ranking Lebanese security officer who died in a massive car bomb blast in Beirut on Friday may have been the intended target of the attack, local media reported.
• Israeli Navy on Alert as Swedish Aid Ship Steams Toward Gaza VOA 19 Oct 2012 -- A high-seas showdown may be taking shape off the coast of the Hamas-ruled Gaza Strip, which is patrolled by the Israeli Navy as a Swedish ship is bent on breaking an Israeli blockade.
• Koreas Trade Threats Over Propaganda Balloons VOA 19 Oct 2012 -- The two Koreas are exchanging threats ahead of a planned launch of balloons in the South Monday to send leaflets to the North.
• N.Korea Threatens to Strike South over Leaflets RIA Novosti 19 Oct 2012 -- North Korea has threatened a military response if South Korean activists air-drop anti-North propaganda leaflets over its territory.
• KPA Western Front Command Notifies S. Korea of Possible Physical Strike at Location of Scattering Leaflets KCNA 19 Oct 2012 -- The Western Front Command of the Korean People's Army released the following notice.
• Ulterior Aims of S. Korean Authorities Laid Bare KCNA 19 Oct 2012 -- Rodong Sinmun on Friday in a bylined article discloses the ulterior aims sought by the south Korean authorities in spreading the fiction about "provocation from the north".
• China, Philippines Hold Talks After Months of Tensions VOA 19 Oct 2012 -- Philippine Foreign Affairs Undersecretary Erlinda Basilio and Chinese Vice Minister Fu Ying held talks to try to build stronger bilateral ties.
• India-China Ties Improve but Strategic Rivalry Not Over VOA 19 Oct 2012 -- Fifty years after India and China fought a brief war, the Asian giants have set aside their bitter decades-long rivalry and trade is booming.
• Symposium on Diaoyutai Islands opens in Taichung CNA 19 Oct 2012 -- A symposium on the disputed Diaoyutai Islands in the East China Sea was held in Taichung, central Taiwan.
• African Leaders Prepare for Military Intervention in Northern Mali VOA 19 Oct 2012 -- High-level delegations from the United Nations, West African bloc ECOWAS, and the African Union met with Malian leaders to develop a coherent strategy for tackling the crisis in northern Mali.
• Mali: any military action should not worsen existing tensions, deputy UN chief tells meeting UN News Centre 19 Oct 2012 -- The international community must help the Malian authorities put in place a credible political process that addresses the underlying causes of the country’s crisis.
• Leaders Discuss Road Map for Mali VOA 19 Oct 2012 -- International leaders meet Friday in Mali's capital to discuss ways of ousting al-Qaida-linked Islamist groups who control the country's north.
• Mali's President Calls for Swift Ouster of Islamists VOA 19 Oct 2012 -- Mali's interim president is calling for swift foreign intervention to retake the country's north from al-Qaida-linked Islamist militants.
• Amid growing food insecurity in Mali, UN agency boosts support UN News Centre 19 Oct 2012 -- The United Nations humanitarian food agency today announced it was intervening in eight regions of Mali with food assistance as part of the world body’s overall efforts to fight the growing humanitarian crisis there.
• At Least 13 Yemeni Soldiers Killed in Militant Attack VOA 19 Oct 2012 -- Yemeni officials say suspected militants killed at least 13 soldiers in a suicide attack on an army base in southern Yemen.
• UN to open new camp in Ethiopia as number of Somali refugees continues to grow UN News Centre 19 Oct 2012 -- The United Nations refugee agency today announced it will open a new camp in Ethiopia as the number of Somalis fleeing conflict and insecurity in their country continues to grow.
• Fleeing Conflict, Somali Refugees Strain Ethiopia VOA 19 Oct 2012 -- The United Nations refugee agency reports the Dollo Ado complex in southeastern Ethiopia cannot keep pace with the continued influx of new refugees from Somalia.
• UN human rights office calls on Sudan to investigate attack on convoy that killed peacekeeper UN News Centre 19 Oct 2012 -- The United Nations human rights office called on Sudanese authorities to launch an investigation to find those responsible for the ambush of one of its convoys earlier this week.
• UN Security Council condemns ‘any and all outside support’ to M23 armed group in eastern DR Congo UN News Centre 19 Oct 2012 -- The United Nations Security Council today reiterated its condemnation of and demand for an end to all external support being provided to armed groups destabilizing the eastern DRC.
• DRC: Doubts mount over Ugandan mediation IRIN 19 Oct 2012 -- Uganda’s mediation to end the fighting in northeastern Democratic Republic of Congo between government troops and M23 “mutineers” has come into question.
• Japanese Foundation to Send Aid to Burma VOA 19 Oct 2012 -- A Japanese philanthropic organization says it is sending $3 million in aid to ethnic groups in Burma, some of which are still engaged in armed conflict with the Burmese government.
• Four 'Pakistani Shi'ite Pilgrims' Killed In Iraq Attack RFE/RL 19 Oct 2012 -- Iraqi officials say four Pakistani Shi'ite pilgrims heading to a shrine in central Iraq have been killed in an attack on their bus.
• Georgian Minister-Designate Sees Leaner, Meaner Army RIA Novosti 19 Oct 2012 -- If Irakly Alasania, deputy prime minister/defense minister-designate, has his way, the Georgian Armed Forces will be downsized but made more mobile and battleworthy, and more deeply integrated into Euro-Atlantic structures.
• Leaders of Serbia, Kosovo Meet For First Time Under EU Auspices RFE/RL 19 Oct 2012 -- The prime ministers of Serbia and Kosovo met face-to-face on October 19 in the first top-level encounter between leaders of the two sides since Kosovo unilaterally declared independence from Serbia.

News Reports

• Survey Finds Many Chinese Support American Ideals VOA 19 Oct 2012 -- A new survey suggests a growing number of Chinese like the very different way the United States chooses its leaders.
• China Interested in US Presidential Campaign VOA 19 Oct 2012 -- As the U.S. presidential election nears, Chinese news web sites and microblogs are following developments in the campaign closely.
• Iran’s Feared Intelligence Ministry Launches Website RFE/RL 19 Oct 2012 -- The country’s Intelligence Ministry has launched a new website with a variety of content apparently aimed at informing, reassuring, and protecting ordinary Iranians.
• Terrorist attack kills 2 people, injures 5 others in SE Iran IRNA 19 Oct 2012 -- A suicide bomber escaping from the security forces detonated his explosives near a mosque in southeastern Iran, killing two people and injuring five others.
• Iranian Suicide Bomber Kills Two RFE/RL 19 Oct 2012 -- A suicide bomber blew himself up close to a mosque in Iran’s southern province of Sistan-Baluchistan, killing two people.
• Pakistan's Supreme Court to Military: Stay Out of Politics VOA 19 Oct 2012 -- Pakistan's Supreme Court says the country's military and intelligence agency should stay out of politics.
• Pakistani Supreme Court Rules Against Intelligence Agencies' Interference In Politics RFE/RL 19 Oct 2012 -- Pakistan's Supreme Court has ordered the intelligence agencies and the presidency to refrain from interfering in politics.
• Doctors: Pakistani Girl Shot by Taliban Is Able to Stand VOA 19 Oct 2012 -- Doctors in Britain said Friday the teenage Pakistani girl who was shot last week by Taliban gunmen is able to stand with help and write.
• Doctors: Wounded Pakistani Girl Improving VOA 19 Oct 2012 -- British doctors treating a Pakistani girl who was shot by the Taliban say she has been able to stand with help for the first time and is also able to write.
• Pakistani Teenager Back On Her Feet RFE/RL 19 Oct 2012 -- British doctors treating Pakistani teenager Malala Yousafzai said she has been able to stand with help for the first time.
• Gains in Pakistan's Polio Battle Threatened VOA 19 Oct 2012 -- World Health Organization officials say Pakistan has made “remarkable” progress in reducing the number of polio cases this year, and believe the country is in the “final stages” of eradicating the disease.
• Egyptians Protest Egypt’s Draft Constitution VOA 19 Oct 2012 -- Egyptians have taken to the streets today to protest what they say are attempts by the ruling Muslim Brotherhood party to control drafting the country’s new constitution.
• Final Georgian Election Results Released RFE/RL 19 Oct 2012 -- Georgia's Central Election Commission has released the final results of the country's October 1 parliamentary elections.
• Details Emerge Of U.S. Charges Against Maksim Bakiev RFE/RL 19 Oct 2012 -- Why does the United States want to arrest the son of a former Kyrgyz president who resides in Britain?
• Pussy Riot Member Takes Case to European Court VOA 19 Oct 2012 -- The only freed member of the anti-Kremlin all-female punk band Pussy Riot has filed a complaint with the European Court of Human Rights.
• Pussy Riot Member Turns to European Human Rights Court RIA Novosti 19 Oct 2012 -- Yekaterina Samutsevich, a member of the anti-Putin punk group Pussy Riot, has lodged a complaint with the European Court of Human Rights.
• Aide to Protest Leader Udaltsov Put on Wanted List RIA Novosti 19 Oct 2012 -- The Russian Investigative Committee has put Leonid Razvozzhayev, an aide to prominent opposition figure Sergei Udaltsov, on the federal wanted list.
• Euro Crisis Fuels Pro-Independence Movements VOA 19 Oct 2012 -- Pro-independence parties have won a series of elections across Europe in recent days, many of them campaigning on anti-austerity platforms.