Operations
Defense Policy / Programs
Defense Industry
Other Conflicts
News Reports

Current Operations

• Combined Force Arrests Taliban Fighter AFPS 23 Oct 2012 -- An Afghan and coalition security force arrested a Taliban fighter in Afghanistan’s Kunduz province.
• Afghan Taliban Commander Reportedly Captured RFE/RL 23 Oct 2012 -- Afghan officials say a high-level Taliban commander in northern Afghanistan, Mullah Abdul Rahman, has been captured in a joint Afghan-NATO operation.
• Commander: Afghan Forces Gaining Capability, Respect AFPS 23 Oct 2012 -- Marine commander in southwestern Afghanistan said the insurgents have failed to put a wedge between the coalition and the increasingly capable Afghan forces preparing to assume full security responsibility there.
• Commander Task Force Helmand reports on HERRICK 16 progress UK MOD 23 Oct 2012 -- Brigadier Doug Chalmers, having recently completed his six-month tour as Commander Task Force Helmand, gave a briefing to media.
• Kabul Rejects U.S. Envoy Statement On Durand Line RFE/RL 23 Oct 2012 -- The Afghan government has strongly rejected a recent statement by the U.S. special envoy for Afghanistan and Pakistan on the boundary dividing the two countries.
• Taliban Kill 10 Afghan Security Personnel VOA 23 Oct 2012 -- Ten Afghan security personnel have been killed in fighting with Taliban militants in the western province of Herat.
• 14th MI Battalion returns from Afghanistan Army News 23 Oct 2012 -- The 14th Military Intelligence Battalion returned here in the early morning of Oct. 21 after deploying to Afghanistan in support of Operation Enduring Freedom one year ago.
• New U.S. Tajik Envoy Downplays Moscow Pact RFE/RL 23 Oct 2012 -- The new U.S. ambassador to Tajikistan says the recent agreement between Dushanbe and Moscow to extend the presence of a Russian military base will not affect Washington's ties with Tajikistan.

Defense Policy / Programs

• Remarks by the President and Governor Romney in the Third Presidential Debate The White House 23 Oct 2012
• Obama, Romney Support for Israel Reassures Jewish Voters VOA 23 Oct 2012 -- U.S. President Barack Obama and his Republican challenger Mitt Romney debated U.S. foreign policy in Florida.
• Obama Debate Language Hints at Nature of China Relationship VOA 23 Oct 2012 -- Since the United States' strategic military refocus on Asia was announced last year, the Obama administration has been careful to point out the so-called pivot to the Pacific is not aimed at containing China.
• Economy Overshadows Debate on Sino-US Relations VOA 23 Oct 2012 -- Sino-American relations loom large over the U.S. presidency, but both the candidates spent the final presidential debate focused more on domestic economic concerns than on China's rise.
• In Pakistan, Obama, Romney Debate Draws Little Notice VOA 23 Oct 2012 -- Pakistan media on Tuesday had yet to feature the event that took place at dawn, Islamabad time.
• Obama, Romney Clash On Foreign Policy In Last Debate RFE/RL 23 Oct 2012 -- U.S. President Barack Obama and his Republican Party challenger Mitt Romney have both vowed to defend Israel and prevent Iran from obtaining nuclear weapons.
• Obama, Romney Battle Over US Influence in Final Debate RIA Novosti 23 Oct 2012 -- US President Barack Obama and Republican challenger Mitt Romney jousted over foreign policy Monday evening during their final debate.
• CSA Remarks at AUSA Eisenhower Luncheon (As Delivered) Army News 23 Oct 2012
• Army, DOD Must Adjust to Budget, Force Structure Changes AFPS 23 Oct 2012 -- The Army will continue to customize its mission objectives based on budget and force structure changes, a senior defense official said here yesterday during the 2012 Association of the U.S. Army’s annual conference.
• McHugh: Army Can Expect Fewer Resources, Same Mission AFPS 23 Oct 2012 -- With budget cuts already in place and more cuts possible next year, the Army can expect fewer resources to accomplish a mission that likely will not shrink, Army Secretary John M. McHugh said.
• Army will prepare for future with regionally aligned forces Army News 23 Oct 2012 -- Future Army forces must be tailored to meet local requirements, must be rapidly deployable at lower echelons, and must be scalable from squad to corps level, said Chief of Staff of the Army Gen. Raymond T. Odierno.
• Leaner Navy Looking at Future Technology, Fleet Size and Sequestration NNS 23 Oct 2012 -- Adm. Mark Ferguson, vice chief of naval operations, headlined the opening of the ONR Naval S&T Partnership Conference and ASNE Expo Oct. 22.
• United States - Republic of Korea Military Committee Meeting DoD 23 Oct 2012
• U.S. Korea Commander Details Conditions on Peninsula AFPS 23 Oct 2012 -- Nowhere in the world is the disparity between freedom and oppression more apparent than on the Korean peninsula, the commander of U.S. and United Nations forces in Korea said.
• Aim behind Tour of Yonphyong Island Area by U.S.-S. Korea "Combined Forces Commander" Disclosed KCNA 23 Oct 2012 -- Commander of the U.S.-south Korea "Combined Forces" Sherman toured Yonphyong Island and area around it shortly ago allegedly to inspect the posture for defence.
• Commander Eyes Army Troop Rotations in Asia-Pacific AFPS 23 Oct 2012 -- Senior Army commander in the Asia-Pacific said he looks forward to opportunities to begin 30- to 45-day rotational deployments that will enable soldiers to train with their counterparts throughout the region.
• Europe Remains Important to New Strategy, General Says AFPS 23 Oct 2012 -- Europe remains important, even as the United States shifts its strategic focus to the Asia-Pacific region, the commander of U.S. Army Europe and 7th Army said.
• New Director Details Elements of DARPA’s Future Success AFPS 23 Oct 2012 -- Breakthrough national security capabilities, a differentiated U.S. technology base and a continued robust Defense Advanced Research Projects Agency are elements of DARPA’s future success.
• MILDEP talks aviation modernization with American Helicopter Society Army News 23 Oct 2012 -- The U.S. Army's Principal Military Deputy - Assistant Secretary of the Army, Acquisition Logistics and Technology, Lt. Gen. Bill Phillips, outlined a handful of key aviation modernization priorities.
• Tobyhanna employees Reset, retrofit mission expands capabilities of critical Army communications systems Army News 23 Oct 2012 -- Technicians here have successfully completed a mission that gives a key Army communications system increased range and frequencies.
• Declassified document shows 'real' flying saucer AFNS 23 Oct 2012 -- The grainy film showed a round ship floating out of a hangar. Its silver, aluminum exterior glinted in the sun as it hovered a few feet off the ground.
• USS Carr Completes Last Underway Replenishment NNS 23 Oct 2012 -- The USS Carr completed the final planned replenishment-at-sea the ship will conduct Oct. 22.
• Army, Joint Staff Team Up for Training, Tech Experiment AFPS 23 Oct 2012 -- Fort Benning, Ga., long known as the home of the U.S. Army’s infantry, also recently served as host for a precedent-setting Army-Joint Staff collaboration aimed at testing new technologies for infantry squad-level training.
• US, Cambodian Navies Kick off CARAT 2012 NNS 23 Oct 2012 -- The U.S. Navy and Royal Cambodian Navy commenced the 3rd annual Cooperation Afloat Readiness and Training Cambodia exercise Oct. 22.
• Army South commander strengthens partnerships in Honduras Army News 23 Oct 2012 -- U.S. Army South's commanding general traveled to Honduras, Oct. 3-5, to conduct an initial visit with the U.S. ambassador, meet with Army South Soldiers and to have discussions with key leaders in the Honduran military.
• Folgore Brigade paratroopers add Italian flavor to Saber Junction 13 Army News 23 Oct 2012 -- More than 35 Italian paratroopers wrapped up training in the Saber Junction 13 multinational exercise at the Vicenza Mission Training Complex on Caserma Ederle Oct. 19.
• Contingency Response Airmen battle elements at JRTC AFNS 23 Oct 2012 -- Airmen from the 621st Contingency Response wing participated in combat exercise "Decisive Action" Oct. 10 through 22 as part of a Joint Task Force here to prepare for future deployments.
• Tribunal Judge Orders Cole Suspect to Appear in Court AFPS 23 Oct 2012 -- The judge in the case of the alleged mastermind of the October 2000 bombing of Navy warship USS Cole ordered the defendant to appear in court.
• Army breast cancer vaccine research achieves multiple milestones Army News 23 Oct 2012 -- Breast cancer is one of the most frequent cancers in the U.S. military, just as it is prevalent in the civilian world.
• RAF station supports electronic warfare exercise UK MOD 23 Oct 2012 -- RAF Leeming has acted as host to personnel from Poland and Turkey who joined British airmen to take part in Exercise Trial Mace XIV.
• Royal Marines face French counterparts in Exercise Corsican Lion UK MOD 23 Oct 2012 -- Royal Marines are further strengthening ties between the militaries of the UK and France as they take part in Exercise Corsican Lion in the Mediterranean.
• More Phalanx systems for Royal Navy UK MOD 23 Oct 2012 -- The Royal Navy is to receive a further five highly-advanced, radar-controlled defence systems to protect Royal Fleet Auxiliary ships.
• China Appoints New Air Force Commander VOA 23 Oct 2012 -- Chinese state-run media said General Ma Xiaotian will take over control of the nation's air force from General Xu Qiliang.
• U.S. Department of State Daily Press Briefing US Dept. of State 23 Oct 2012

Defense Industry

• DoD News: Contracts for October 23, 2012

Other Conflicts

• Daily Press Briefing by the Office of the Spokesperson for the Secretary-General, 23 October 2012 United Nations 23 Oct 2012
• Hopes Dim for Syrian Cease-Fire VOA 23 Oct 2012 -- A Syrian rights group says government warplanes have attacked a strategic rebel-held northern town in the latest setback to international efforts to secure a cease-fire during a Muslim holiday that begins this week.
• Ahead of possible truce, UN refugee agency pre-positions relief supplies to reach more Syrians UN News Centre 23 Oct 2012 -- The United Nations refugee agency said it has pre-positioned thousands of emergency relief supplies in Aleppo in anticipation of a possible truce during Eid al-Adha.
• UN: 100,000 Syrian Refugees In Lebanon RFE/RL 23 Oct 2012 -- The UN refugee agency says there are now more than 100,000 Syrian refugees in Lebanon.
• Lebanon - October 19 Bombings US Dept. of State 23 Oct 2012
• Taiwan concerned by Panama's support of Japanese claim to Diaoyutais CNA 23 Oct 2012 -- The Ministry of Foreign Affairs expressed grave concern over Panama's support for Japan's claim to the disputed Diaoyutai Islands in the East China Sea.
• Resumption of fishery talks with Japan not a done deal: ministry CNA 23 Oct 2012 -- Taiwan and Japan are still negotiating the resumption of bilateral talks on fishing rights, Taiwan's Ministry of Foreign Affairs said.
• KCNA on Japan's Ambition to Grab Tok Islets KCNA 23 Oct 2012 -- The Japanese are escalating their moves to grab Tok islets.
• Pentagon Weighs US Military Options in Mali VOA 23 Oct 2012 -- Pentagon officials on Tuesday neither confirmed nor denied reports that secret talks are under way between the United States and France on plans to bring northern Mali back under the control of the country's central government.
• Many Somalis Still See al-Shabab as Threat VOA 23 Oct 2012 -- A United Nations report this month said half of Somalia’s population wants to leave the country despite security gains and the creation of a new government.
• 2 Killed in Clashes in Sudan's Kordofan Region VOA 23 Oct 2012 -- Insurgents shelled the capital of Sudan's South Kordofan state Tuesday, leaving two children dead and eight people wounded.
• S. Africa, DRC Presidents Sidestep DRC Crisis VOA 23 Oct 2012 -- Congolese President Joseph Kabila and South African President Jacob Zuma held a bilateral meeting that coincides with a rising rebellion in Congo's east.
• DRC's M23 Rebels Under Pressure VOA 23 Oct 2012 -- International pressure is mounting on the M23 rebels in the Democratic Republic of Congo and their alleged backers.
• Congolese Refugees Search for New Homes in Uganda VOA 23 Oct 2012 -- Recent clashes between militia groups in the North Kivu region of the Democratic Republic of Congo have driven more than 3,500 refugees into neighboring Uganda.
• Russian Firm Puzzled by Ship Arrest in Nigeria RIA Novosti 23 Oct 2012 -- A Russian ship seized by Nigerian authorities over the weekend had all necessary documentation for travel in Nigeria’s territorial waters and was not involved in any illegal activity, the owner said on Tuesday.
• At Least Eight Killed In Baghdad Attacks RFE/RL 23 Oct 2012 -- Separate attacks in Shi’ite neighborhoods of Baghdad have killed at least eight people and wounded more than 20 others.
• Most Iranian Exiles Relocated From Northern Iraq Base RFE/RL 23 Oct 2012 -- The United Nations’ special representative for Iraq says 3,000 residents of the camp that's served as a base for an Iranian exile group have moved to a transit site.
• Fresh Outbreak of Communal Violence in Burma's Rakhine State VOA 23 Oct 2012 -- Burmese security forces trying to put an end to clashes pitting Buddhists against Muslims, have moved into a remote area of western Burma.
• Georgian FM Nominee Says Stance On Breakaway Regions Remains Unchanged RFE/RL 23 Oct 2012 -- The woman expected to become Georgia's next foreign minister says the new government's position on Abkhazia and South Ossetia would "remain unchanged."

News Reports

• Moscow to Block Any Bid for Force Against Iran - Lavrov RIA Novosti 23 Oct 2012 -- Russia will scuttle any UN Security Council resolution that could be interpreted as allowing military action against Iran.
• Lavrov: Iran nuclear program under IAEA supervision IRNA 23 Oct 2012 -- Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov said that Iran's nuclear program is under supervision of the International Atomic Energy Agency and inspectors are making regular visits to Iranian nuclear sites.
• Iran Warns Of Oil Export Halt If Hit With More Sanctions RFE/RL 23 Oct 2012 -- Iran's oil minister, Rostam Qasemi, says Tehran will stop exporting oil if Western powers impose any more economic sanctions against that country over its disputed nuclear program.
• Dispute Between Ahmadinejad, Judiciary Festers Over Evin Prison Visit RFE/RL 23 Oct 2012 -- A day after Iran’s judiciary turned down a request by President Mahmud Ahmadinejad to visit Tehran’s Evin prison, the combative president has accused the judiciary of unconstitutional behavior.
• MP says Majlis decided to question President IRNA 23 Oct 2012 -- Spokesman of the Majlis Presiding Board, Abdolreza Mesri said that Majlis decided to question President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad.
• UN Investigator Hits Iran on Human Rights RFE/RL 23 Oct 2012 -- The United Nations special rapporteur for human rights in Iran says the Islamic republic continues to execute hundreds of people each year, and conditions are worsening in the country for religious and ethnic minorities, women and homosexuals.
• Court Delay on Egypt's Constitution Prolongs Uncertainty VOA 23 Oct 2012 -- An Egyptian court has referred to higher judges the question of whether to dissolve the group responsible for drafting the nation's new constitution.
• Lavrov Denies Russia Losing Mideast Influence RIA Novosti 23 Oct 2012 -- The idea that Russia is losing influence in the Arab world as a result of the Arab Spring is "wishful thinking," Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov said.
• Indonesia Experiencing Increase in Religious Intolerance VOA 23 Oct 2012 -- Acts of violence against minority faith communities in Indonesia are rising, casting doubt on the nation's tolerant image and what some have seen as proof that Islam and democracy can coexist.
• Second Tibetan Self-Immolation Strikes Near Historic Monastery VOA 23 Oct 2012 -- For the second time in as many days, an older Tibetan man has set himself on fire to protest Chinese rule in Tibet.
• Over 3,500 Chinese Officials Busted for Bribes in 2010-2011 RIA Novosti 23 Oct 2012 -- Over 3,500 officials from the Communist Party of China were punished for taking bribes in 2010-2011 in line with an anti-corruption regulation introduced two years ago.
• Zimbabwe Constitution Mired In Disputes VOA 23 Oct 2012 -- In Zimbabwe, a two-day conference meant to reach common ground on a draft constitution ended without setting a date for a referendum.
• Questioning the Quota for Arab Women VOA 23 Oct 2012 -- Palestinians voted in local elections this past weekend for time since 2006, and one-fifth of seats are going to women, thanks to a new quota system for municipal councils in the West Bank.
• Qatar's Leader Visits Gaza VOA 23 Oct 2012 -- Qatar's emir has received a hero's welcome in the Gaza Strip as he became the first head of state to visit the Palestinian territory since Islamist Hamas militants took control in 2007.
• Niece, Doctor Charged in Plot to Poison Benin's President VOA 23 Oct 2012 -- A niece and the doctor of Benin's President Thomas Boni Yayi are among three people charged in an alleged plot to poison him by switching his medication.
• Analysis: Political Winter Descends on Russia VOA 23 Oct 2012 -- As gray winter skies descend on Moscow, Russians are adjusting to a political winter.
• Russian Activist Says Signed Plot 'Confession' After Death Threats RIA Novosti 23 Oct 2012 -- A Russian opposition activist under arrest on charges of plotting mass disorder said he confessed because his interrogators threatened him and members of his family.
• Russian Opposition Activist Charged with Plotting Riots VOA 23 Oct 2012 -- Russian investigators say they have charged an opposition activist with plotting riots based on evidence from a television documentary.
• Russian Activist Charged With Preparation Of Mass Disorders RFE/RL 23 Oct 2012 -- Russia's Investigative Committee says Leonid Razvozzhayev, an aide to a State Duma deputy, has been officially charged with plotting mass riots.
• Russian Political Activist Charged Amid UN Concern RIA Novosti 23 Oct 2012 -- A Russian opposition activist was charged with planning mass disorder as the UN agency on refugees demanded an explanation for his disappearance from the Ukrainian capital Kiev.
• Russian Duma Widens Definition Of Treason RFE/RL 23 Oct 2012 -- Russia's lower house of parliament has overwhelmingly approved a new bill widening the definition of high treason in what critics say is part of the Kremlin's crackdown on dissent.
• EU Lawmakers Call For Sanctions On Russians Involved In Magnitsky Case RFE/RL 23 Oct 2012 -- The European Parliament has overwhelmingly approved a proposal recommending common visa-restriction regimes and asset freezes to target Russian officials involved in the death of lawyer Sergei Magnitsky.
• European Parliament Recommends Magnitsky Sanctions RIA Novosti 23 Oct 2012 -- The European Parliament recommended that the Council of the European Union impose sanctions against Russian officials involved in the incarceration of Moscow lawyer Sergei Magnitsky.
• Russia’s Rising Red Dawn RIA Novosti 23 Oct 2012 -- The collapse of the Soviet Union in 1991 appeared to have sounded the death knell for the ideas of Marx and Lenin in Russia.