Operations
Defense Policy / Programs
Defense Industry
Other Conflicts
News Reports

Current Operations

• OIF/OEF/OND Casualty Update 22 Oct 2012 [PDF]
• Readout of Deputy Secretary Carter’s Meetings with Afghanistan Minister of Defense and Minister of Interior DoD 22 Oct 2012
• Combined Force Arrests Insurgents, Seizes Afghan Uniforms AFPS 22 Oct 2012 -- A combined Afghan and coalition security force arrested a Taliban leader in Afghanistan’s Nangarhar province.
• Interview: NATO Chief 'Impressed' By Afghan Security Forces RFE/RL 22 Oct 2012 -- NATO Secretary-General Anders Fogh Rasmussen spoke with RFE/RL Radio Free Afghanistan about the challenges facing Afghanistan after 2014 and how the NATO alliance is helping prepare Hamid Karzai for the departure of foreign troops.
• Airmen deploy in support of downed Black Hawk AFNS 22 Oct 2012 -- Two joint inspectors from the 8th Expeditionary Air Mobility Squadron forward deployed to a remote forward operating base in Afghanistan and help with the inspection and movement of a downed UH-60 Black Hawk helicopter.
• King's Royal Hussars return home from Afghanistan UK MOD 22 Oct 2012 -- Soldiers from C Squadron of the King's Royal Hussars have returned home from a demanding but successful deployment as part of 12th Mechanized Brigade in Helmand province, Afghanistan.
• Afghan Air Force pins wings on first fixed-wing class grads Army News 22 Oct 2012 -- Three Afghan students have been writing pages in a chapter of Afghan air force history.
• Pakistani President opposes US drone strikes IRNA 22 Oct 2012 -- President Asif Ali Zardari said he is against US drone strikes in Pakistani tribal regions and said they are not helpful to fight armed militants.
• Pakistan, US to work on counter terrorism, boost border cooperation IRNA 22 Oct 2012 -- American Special Representative Ambassador Marc Grossman says the U.S. will continue to work with Pakistan 'to counter terrorism in the region.’
• Karzai Meets With U.S. Envoy About Pakistan Visit RFE/RL 22 Oct 2012 -- Afghan President Hamid Karzai has met in Kabul with U.S. President Barack Obama’s special envoy for Afghanistan and Pakistan, Marc Grossman.

Defense Policy / Programs

• Final Presidential Debate Displays Differences on Foreign Policy VOA 22 Oct 2012 -- In their final debate before the November 6 U.S. presidential election, President Barack Obama and Republican challenger Mitt Romney battled over foreign policy issues.
• Enterprise Visits Naples for the Last Time NNS 22 Oct 2012 -- In 1962, a brand-new aircraft carrier, USS Enterprise (CVN 65), visited Naples, Italy, for the first time.
• Air Force releases RFP for next search and rescue helicopter AFNS 22 Oct 2012 -- The Office of the Assistant Secretary of the Air Force for Acquisition announced the posting of the Combat Rescue Helicopter Request for Proposal, signaling the official launch of this high priority Air Force acquisition program.
• Guard, Reserve to strengthen regional alignments Army News 22 Oct 2012 -- The National Guard and Reserve, along with First Army will "form an even stronger partnership" at regionally aligning their forces and participating in an integrated training environment
• Research & Development underway for Abrams modernization Army News 22 Oct 2012 -- While every vehicle is designed to have Space, Weight, and Power, or SWaP, margin for incremental improvements, recent upgrades made to the Abrams M1A2 SEP V2 have left little margin for future improvements.
• Army opens competition for Rifleman Radio Army News 22 Oct 2012 -- The U.S. Army has initiated a full and open competition to procure additional quantities of the Rifleman Radio.
• Army launches smart Operational Energy use campaign, identifies 10 initiatives Army News 22 Oct 2012 -- The Army launched "The Power is In Your Hands" campaign today to encourage Soldiers to use energy smarter on the battlefield.
• Army plans easier access to doctrine by 2015 Army News 22 Oct 2012 -- The Army plans to have a new, easy-to-use method for Soldiers to access manuals and other military publications by 2015.
• USS Underwood Conducts Final Replenishment-at-Sea NNS 22 Oct 2012 -- The USS Underwood completed the final replenishment-at-sea the ship will conduct, Oct. 20.
• Bonhomme Richard ARG, 31st MEU Complete PHIBLEX NNS 22 Oct 2012 -- The Bonhomme Richard Amphibious Ready Group and embarked Marines from the 31st Marine Expeditionary Unit departed from Subic Bay, Philippines Oct. 20 after completing the Amphibious Landing Exercise.
• Motions to Resume for Suspect in USS Cole Attack AFPS 22 Oct 2012 -- U.S. military commission proceedings against a suspect in the October 2000 USS Cole bombing and other alleged terrorist attacks are scheduled to resume in Guantanamo Bay, Cuba, tomorrow.
• U.S.: Canadian Gave Secrets To Russia RFE/RL 22 Oct 2012 -- The U.S. ambassador to Canada says a Canadian soldier who pleaded guilty to spying had given both American and Canadian government secrets to Russia.
• Army team destroys old chemical munitions Army News 22 Oct 2012 -- The recovered chemical warfare materiel was found among assembly line workers at a Sea Watch International clam processing plant in Milford, Delaware.
• Service Members, Vets Celebrate Military Legacy of Women AFPS 22 Oct 2012 -- Hundreds of active-duty women and veterans turned out Oct. 20 at the gateway to Arlington National Cemetery to celebrate the legacy of more than 2.5 million women who have served in the nation's military.
• Officials Improve Process for Transition to Civilian Life AFPS 22 Oct 2012 -- Officials from the Defense and Veterans Affairs departments participated in a panel discussion here Oct. 19 on efforts to prepare service members for the transition to civilian life.
• Odierno Shares Views on Military’s Relationship With Media AFPS 22 Oct 2012 -- The biggest challenge in the relationship between the military and the media is working together in an uncertain environment in an age of instant communication, the Army’s chief of staff said here Oct. 19.
• Russia to Commission First Borey Class Nuclear Sub in 2013 RIA Novosti 22 Oct 2012 -- Russia’s first Borey class strategic nuclear submarine will be commissioned in 2013.
• Russian Military to Abandon Munitions Disposal by Explosion RIA Novosti 22 Oct 2012 -- The Russian Defense Ministry is planning to use "safe" industrial technologies rather than explosions in the scrapping of old munitions starting in 2013.
• Taiwan Defense ministry confident of reaching recruiting target by year-end CNA 22 Oct 2012 -- The Ministry of National Defense said it has met 45.75 percent of its annual recruiting target and is on pace to reach its target by the end of the year.
• UN independent experts urge Colombia to reconsider proposed criminal law for military UN News Centre 22 Oct 2012 -- A group of United Nations independent human rights experts called on Colombian authorities to revisit the military criminal law provisions of proposed constitutional reforms.
• SECURITY: Is Africa's maritime strategy all at sea? IRIN 22 Oct 2012 -- The African Union’s deadline for securing the continent’s territorial waters - the world’s last major geographical region without a maritime strategy - has been set at 2050, a target that may prove untenable.
• Pirate Attacks are Down in 2012 VOA 22 Oct 2012 -- Sea piracy has fallen to its lowest level since 2008, including a sharp decline off the coast of Somalia.
• Number of Somali Pirate Attacks Drop VOA 22 Oct 2012 -- A new report on piracy says the number of ships targeted by Somali pirates has dropped to its lowest level since 2009, while hijackings have spread in the Gulf of Guinea.
• U.S. Department of State Daily Press Briefing, October 22, 2012 US Dept. of State 22 Oct 2012

Defense Industry

• DoD News: Contracts for October 22, 2012

Other Conflicts

• Daily Press Briefing by the Office of the Spokesperson for the Secretary-General, 22 October 2012 United Nations 22 Oct 2012
• Press Conference by Under-Secretary-General for Peacekeeping Operations, 22 October 2012 United Nations 22 Oct 2012
• UN peacekeeping chief stresses need for flexibility as missions face new challenges UN News Centre 22 Oct 2012 -- The United Nations top peacekeeper highlighted the need for flexibility and increased coordination among international actors.
• Blast Rips Through Syrian Capital VOA 22 Oct 2012 -- A car bomb exploded in central Damascus, killing 13 people in the Syrian capital as U.N.-Arab League envoy Lakhdar Brahimi pressed President Bashar al-Assad to institute a cease-fire later this week.
• Syrian Conflict Part of Mideast 'Geopolitical Game' – Lavrov RIA Novosti 22 Oct 2012 -- Some countries are apparently interested in fueling violence in Syria as part of a “geopolitical remapping” of the Middle East, Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov said.
• Jordanian Solider Killed as Syrian Conflict Spreads VOA 22 Oct 2012 -- A Jordanian soldier was killed in clashes with armed militants trying to cross the border into Syria as the Arab League downplayed chances for a truce during this week's Eid al-Adha holiday.
• Lebanese Army Urges Calm After Night of Clashes VOA 22 Oct 2012 -- Lebanon's army is urging the country's political leaders to exercise caution when expressing their opinions, in a bid to calm "unprecedented" tensions.
• Lebanese Army Vows to Restore Order Amid Clashes VOA 22 Oct 2012 -- The Lebanese army says it will act decisively to quell unrest linked to the Syrian conflict, as six people were wounded in clashes in southern Beirut following the assassination of a top security official.
• Lebanon: UN official and ambassadors flag support and need for stability following blasts UN News Centre 22 Oct 2012 -- A senior United Nations official and representatives of the five permanent members of the Security Council expressed their support for the Middle Eastern nation.
• U.S. To Help Investigate Beirut Assassination RFE/RL 22 Oct 2012 -- The United States has announced it will help Lebanon investigate the car bombing that killed the country's intelligence chief.
• More Islamist Fighters Deploy in Northern Mali VOA 22 Oct 2012 -- Hundreds of additional Islamist fighters have deployed in northern Mali, as neighboring countries make plans to send troops to the troubled nation.
• Libya: UN chief alarmed by fighting in Bani Walid UN News Centre 22 Oct 2012 -- United Nations Secretary-General is alarmed by the fighting in and around the Libyan city of Bani Walid.
• UN Chief Calls for Peaceful Solution to Bani Walid Conflict RIA Novosti 22 Oct 2012 -- UN Secretary General Ban Ki-moon has called on the parties to an armed conflict in the Libyan city of Bani Walid to start peace talks.
• ROC reaffirms Diaoyutais sovereignty as Japan admits China row CNA 22 Oct 2012 -- Taiwan reiterated its sovereignty over the Diaoyutai Islands in light of reports of an official admission by Japan that it has a sovereignty dispute with China over the island group in the resource-rich East China Sea.
• Additional Humanitarian Assistance to the Crisis in the Horn of Africa US Dept. of State 22 Oct 2012
• M23 Rebels Claim in Indirect Talks with Kinshasa VOA 22 Oct 2012 -- A spokesman for the M23 rebels, who are fighting the Congolese government in the east of the country, said the government of President Joseph Kabila is losing the fight and, therefore, has no choice but to negotiate with the rebels.
• Darfur: Sudanese Government, rebel group affirm commitment to peace process UN News Centre 22 Oct 2012 -- Delegations from the Government of Sudan and the Justice and Equality Movement have signed a declaration affirming their commitment to the ongoing peace process.
• Israel attack on aid vessel violation of human rights: Mehmanparast IRNA 22 Oct 2012 -- Attacking Gaza aid vessel, Estelle, by the occupying force of Zionist regime militants was a clear violation of human rights, Iranian Foreign Ministry Spokesman Ramin Mehmanparast said.
• COTE D'IVOIRE: Crackdown sparks rights abuse allegations IRIN 22 Oct 2012 -- Since a spate of attacks on Côte d’Ivoire’s army and police bases in August, several civilians have been rounded up, beaten and detained for ransom, say rights groups and ex-detainees.
• MYANMAR: Demining moves a step closer IRIN 22 Oct 2012 -- A major Norwegian demining NGO says it is ready to begin mine-clearing in southeastern Myanmar once it receives a green light.
• Chechen Insurgents’ Appeal Circulated in Grozny RFE/RL 22 Oct 2012 -- Over the past six days, some 1,000 copies of an appeal by the Islamic insurgency have been distributed and passed from hand to hand in Grozny.
• Ingushetia Leader Opens Up to Rebels RIA Novosti 22 Oct 2012 -- Yunus-Bek Yevkurov, leader of Russia’s North Caucasus republic of Ingushetia, has set up a hotline to talk to members of the armed opposition who decide to return to a peaceful life, an administration spokesman said on Monday.
• Dozens Detained Amid Kosovo Protest, Skirmishes RFE/RL 22 Oct 2012 -- Police in the capital of Kosovo say 63 people have been detained during an unauthorized protest by nationalists that drew volleys of tear gas from police trying to keep the demonstrators at bay.

News Reports

• Second Reactor At Iranian Nuclear Plant To Be Ready In 2013 RFE/RL 22 Oct 2012 -- The Russian company building Iran's Bushehr nuclear power plant has said the second reactor for the plant will be ready for commissioning in March 2013.
• Soltanieh: Iran not after nuclear arms IRNA 22 Oct 2012 -- Iran's permanent envoy to IAEA, Ali-Asghar Soltanieh, says Iran has never been after nuclear arms and will never do so in the future.
• Iran's President Denied Visit To Evin Prison RFE/RL 22 Oct 2012 -- Iranian President Mahmud Ahmadinejad has reportedly been denied permission to visit Tehran’s notorious Evin prison.
• Iran Detains Potential Suicide Bomber at Border with Afghanistan IRNA 22 Oct 2012 -- Commander of Iranian border guards, Brigadier General Hossein Zolfaqari, announced that his forces have arrested a would-be suicide bomber along the border with Afghanistan.
• Jordan Arrests 11 in Alleged Al-Qaida Plot VOA 22 Oct 2012 -- Jordanian officials say state security forces have arrested 11 people in connection with what they call an al-Qaida-linked plot to bomb shopping centers and attack Western diplomatic posts in the capital, Amman.
• Jordan Says Thwarted Al-Qaeda-Inspired Terrorist Attacks RIA Novosti 22 Oct 2012 -- Jordan’s security services have preempted a series of terrorist attacks against western diplomats, foreign nationals and shopping malls.
• Police Break up Protest Rally in Kuwait RIA Novosti 22 Oct 2012 -- Over 100 people were injured as police in Kuwait broke up a rally of tens of thousands of people protesting electoral law changes that the opposition claimed were a constitutional coup by the government.
• Defying Police, N. Korean Defectors Launch Balloons VOA 22 Oct 2012 -- A group of North Korean defectors have launched balloons carrying 120,000 propaganda leaflets toward their former homeland.
• Bissau Accuses Portugal of Backing Coup Attempt VOA 22 Oct 2012 -- Guinea-Bissau's government has accused Portugal of supporting an alleged coup attempt, after a deadly attack on soldiers in the capital.
• UN condemns attack on Guinea-Bissau military base UN News Centre 22 Oct 2012 -- The United Nations condemns an attack on a military base in Guinea-Bissau which resulted in numerous deaths.
• Burmese Investment Boom Fuels Worries Over Land Grabs VOA 22 Oct 2012 -- The opening of Burma’s economy to foreign investors is leading to conflicts over land confiscation, as politically-connected businessmen seize agricultural lands for development projects.
• Possible Escalation in China's Crackdown Against Autonomous Tibet VOA 22 Oct 2012 -- A Tibetan man who disappeared under mysterious circumstances is presumed dead, and activists are accusing Chinese security forces of orchestrating his murder.
• Report: Tibetan Threatening Self-Immolation Dies Mysteriously VOA 22 Oct 2012 -- A Tibetan man who disappeared under mysterious circumstances is presumed dead, with activists accusing Chinese security forces of orchestrating his murder.
• Tibetan Self-immolates at Labrang Monastery in NW China VOA 22 Oct 2012 -- Another Tibetan has set himself on fire and died to protest Chinese policies in Tibet.
• ICC Trial for Kenya to Proceed Despite Election VOA 22 Oct 2012 -- The trial of four prominent Kenyans, including two presidential candidates, will go ahead in April as planned, even though the trial will take place near Kenya's March 4 general election.
• Castro Disputes Health Rumors VOA 22 Oct 2012 -- Former Cuban leader Fidel Castro has written an article in state media disputing claims he is on his death bed.
• Castro Denies Bad Health 'Rumors' RIA Novosti 22 Oct 2012 -- The leader of the Cuban revolution, Fidel Castro, published an article on Monday denying that his health is deteriorating.
• Russian Officials Cite Confession To Link Georgia To Protest RFE/RL 22 Oct 2012 -- Russian investigators say an aide to a State Duma deputy has signed a statement alleging that a Georgian official financed an opposition demonstration in Moscow in May that ended in scuffles with police.
• Investigators Reject Opposition Detainee Torture Claims RIA Novosti 22 Oct 2012 -- Russia’s Investigative Committee rejected claims that Leonid Razvozzhayev, an ally to opposition figure Sergei Udaltsov, was beaten and tortured.
• Acting Georgian Defense Minister Leaves Country, Calls 'Not To Believe Rumors' RFE/RL 22 Oct 2012 -- Georgia's missing acting Defense Minister Dimitri Shashkin has announced that he decided to leave the country.
• Georgian Speaker Urges End to Anti-Russia ‘Pinpricks’ RIA Novosti 22 Oct 2012 -- Georgia should stop criticizing Russia and creating new problems in bilateral relations, Georgian parliament speaker David Usupashvili said.
• Want To Understand Russia-Ukraine Relations? Follow The Money RFE/RL 22 Oct 2012 -- When Viktor Yanukovych became president of Ukraine in January 2010, it seemed inevitable that Kyiv would drift increasingly into Moscow's orbit.
• Russia Arrests 2nd Opposition Activist, Punk Band Members Sent to Prison VOA 22 Oct 2012 -- Russian investigators say they have arrested a second opposition activist in a crackdown against opponents of President Vladimir Putin.
• Lawyer: Pussy Riot Members Transferred To Prison Camps RFE/RL 22 Oct 2012 -- Two members of the feminist punk performance-art group Pussy Riot who were convicted of religiously motivated hooliganism in August are being transferred to a penal colony to serve the rest of their two-year sentences.
• Detention Of Accused Kazakh Putin Plotter Prolonged RFE/RL 22 Oct 2012 -- A court in Moscow has prolonged until January the pretrial detention of a Kazakh citizen suspected of involvement in a plot to kill Russian President Vladimir Putin.
• Bashkortostan President Dismisses Government In Reform Move RFE/RL 22 Oct 2012 -- The president of the Russian Republic of Bashkortostan has dismissed the republic's government and assumed the responsibilities of prime minister himself.
• Russian Opposition Supporters Elect Leaders Online RFE/RL 22 Oct 2012 -- Supporters of the Russian opposition to President Vladimir Putin have elected new leaders in an unprecedented online vote.
• Russia's Opposition Elects Leaders Online VOA 22 Oct 2012 -- Russia's opposition has held an online election for a 45-member leadership that will be tasked with organizing mass street protests against President Vladimir Putin into a more structured movement.
• Mossad Agents To 'Defend Minsk' RFE/RL 22 Oct 2012 -- Meir Dagan was diagnosed with cancer several months ago and came to Minsk for a liver transplant.