Operations
Defense Policy / Programs
Defense Industry
Other Conflicts
News Reports

Current Operations

• OIF/OEF/OND Casualty Update 25 Oct 2012 [PDF]
• Pakistan shares info with Afghan gov’t on Taliban presence IRNA 25 Oct 2012 -- Pakistan said that it has handed down dossier about the presence of a senior Taliban leader in Afghanistan to the Afghan government and International Security Assistance Force.
• Taliban leader's presence in Afghanistan denied IRNA 25 Oct 2012 -- Afghan authorities have said that Islamabad has not shared with them any intelligence regarding the presence of fugitive Pakistani Taliban in eastern Afghanistan.
• Suspected Afghan 'Insider Attack' Kills 2 Americans VOA 25 Oct 2012 -- The United States military says it is investigating the deaths of two American service members after a man wearing an Afghan National Police uniform used his weapon against them.
• Afghan Clash Leaves 25 Taliban, 5 Police Dead RFE/RL 25 Oct 2012 -- Officials in Afghanistan's Faryab Province say 25 Taliban fighters, including a senior commander, and five police were killed in a gun battle.
• ISAF and Afghan authorities counter risk of insider attacks NATO 25 Oct 2012 -- Protecting our forces is the primary concern of both NATO and the Afghan government. Insider attacks are a threat not just to troops serving in the International Security Assistance Force but also to Afghan soldiers and police as well as civilians.
• Prospects For Afghan Peace Deal With Taliban Dim, But Not Dead RFE/RL 25 Oct 2012 -- Grand hopes for a comprehensive peace settlement with the Taliban in Afghanistan have not died, but they have dimmed considerably.
• SFA AT mentors ANSF partners in life-saving evacuation Army News 25 Oct 2012 -- For more than three arduous days, Afghanistan National Security Forces, with the help of Security Force Assistant Advisor Team Bluetick, worked to save the life of a severely injured National Directorate of Security Soldier.
• Building the Afghanistan National Army Officers Academy - an investment for ANA leadership Army News 25 Oct 2012 -- A ground breaking ceremony was held to commemorate the establishment of the Afghanistan National Army Officers Academy.
• 10th Sustainment Brigade marks official return home Army News 25 Oct 2012 -- The 10th Sustainment Brigade "Muleskinners" officially marked their return home by uncasing the brigade colors during a ceremony Oct. 17 at Monti Physical Fitness Center.
• Fort Drum welcomes home 7th Engineer Battalion Soldiers Army News 25 Oct 2012 -- Soldiers assigned to 7th Engineer Battalion were greeted by friends and Family Members on Monday at Wheeler-Sack Army Airfield after a yearlong deployment to Afghanistan in support of Operation Enduring Freedom.
• AFGHANISTAN: Winter planning aims to save lives IRIN 25 Oct 2012 -- After last year’s Afghan winter killed dozens of displaced children in urban settlements, government and aid agencies in Afghanistan are preparing themselves for the coming winter.
• Pakistani court issues notice to former president for allowing drone strikes IRNA 25 Oct 2012 -- Pakistani court issued a notice to former President General (retd) Pervez Musharraf for allowing campaign of drone strikes in Pakistan.
• DOD News Briefing with Secretary Panetta and Gen. Dempsey from the Pentagon DoD 25 Oct 2012
• Secretary, Chairman Respond to Reporters on Benghazi Attack AFPS 25 Oct 2012 -- “You don't deploy forces into harm's way without knowing what's going on,” Defense Secretary Leon E. Panetta told reporters.
• Counterpiracy Flagship Comes Under Fire Off Somalia’s Coast AFPS 25 Oct 2012 -- The flagship for NATO’s Ocean Shield counterpiracy mission came under sustained fire from suspected pirates off Somalia’s coast.

Defense Policy / Programs

• Ballistic Missile Defense System Engages Five Targets Simultaneously During Largest Missile Defense Flight Test in History Missile Defense Agency 25 Oct 2012
• Ballistic Missile Defense System Successfully Conducts Largest Missile Defense Flight Test in History NNS 25 Oct 2012 -- The Missile Defense Agency (MDA) successfully conducted the largest, most complex missile defense flight test ever attempted, Oct. 24.
• US to Include S.Korea in its Global Missile Shield - Panetta RIA Novosti 25 Oct 2012 -- The United States will continue expanding its global missile shield in Asia, including in South Korea, to counter a possible missile threat from North Korea, US Secretary of Defense Leon Panetta said.
• DPRK Foreign Ministry Spokesman on US Special Representative's Remarks KCNA 25 Oct 2012 -- A spokesman for the Foreign Ministry of the DPRK gave the following answer as regards invectives made by U.S. Special Representative for North Korea Policy Glyn Davis.
• Life Extension Programs modernize ICBMs AFNS 25 Oct 2012 -- Fifty years ago, officials deployed the first Minuteman III Intercontinental Ballistic Missiles to the missile fields in support of the strategic deterrence mission.
• Panetta: Congress ‘On The Clock’ to Avert Sequestration AFPS 25 Oct 2012 -- Congress “is on the clock” and has critical work to accomplish when the House and Senate come back into session after the Nov. 6 election, Defense Secretary Leon E. Panetta said.
• DOD Official Encourages Private-sector Technology Innovation AFPS 25 Oct 2012 -- The Defense Department has stepped up efforts to encourage private-sector innovation and its adaptation into the federal government, a senior Pentagon official said.
• Industry Partnerships Key to Mobility Strategy, Official Says AFPS 25 Oct 2012 -- The Defense Department's partnerships with industry, particularly in the mobile realm, are essential to its future success.
• ARCYBER working to build joint-info environment Army News 25 Oct 2012 -- The opportunities and challenges cyberspace presents have changed not only the way the world operates, but also the Army, service officials said.
• Panetta: Defense Alliances Key to 21st Century Security AFPS 25 Oct 2012 -- Defense Secretary Leon E. Panetta said today the United States has a national security asset unique in the world: its defense alliances and security partnerships.
• U.S. works with foreign armies to counter IEDs Army News 25 Oct 2012 -- The team at the Asian Pacific Counter-Improvised Explosive Device Fusion Center, here, works diligently with U.S. forces and partner nations to save the lives of civilians and military forces around the world.
• Army partnering for peace, security Army News 25 Oct 2012 -- The Army is working diligently to prevent war in the future through select Army units, partnered with allies and specific nations around the globe; a strategy it terms "regional alignment."
• Ohio Visits Busan during Western Pacific Deployment NNS 25 Oct 2012 -- The USS Ohio arrived in Busan, Korea, Oct. 24, for a visit as part of its deployment to the Western Pacific.
• ROK, US Marines conduct mountain warfare training USMC News 25 Oct 2012 -- Republic of Korea and U.S. Marines participated in a weeklong mountain warfare training exercise at the ROK Marine Corps Mountain Warfare Training Center Oct. 15-19.
• Truman Completes Tailored Ship's Training Availability/FEP NNS 25 Oct 2012 -- The USS Harry S. Truman completed its tailored ship's training availability and a successful final evaluation problem assessment Oct. 24.
• Howitzer FMS begins at Anniston Army News 25 Oct 2012 -- Anniston Army Depot recently began a Foreign Military Sales overhaul for the M198 light towed howitzer.
• Army Releases Sustainability Report 2012 Army News 25 Oct 2012 -- The Assistant Secretary of the Army for Installations, Energy and Environment released the Army Sustainability Report 2012, which describes the Army's sustainability efforts and progress during years 2010 and 2011.
• 4th Inf. Div. meets retention mission Army News 25 Oct 2012 -- 4th Infantry Division officials retained 3,323 Soldiers in fiscal 2012, becoming one of only two divisions in U.S. Army Forces Command to meet its retention mission.
• Soldiers mark activation of 227th MP Detachment at Fort Drum Army News 25 Oct 2012 -- Members of the 91st Military Police Battalion held a ceremony on the Division Hill parade grounds at Fort Drum to recognize the activation of the 227th Military Police Detachment "Centurions."
• CLB-15 celebrates 25th anniversary USMC News 25 Oct 2012 -- USS RUSHMORE- The ship was unusually busy one early morning as the golden sun rose, casting long shadows of Marines standing in formation across the flight deck.
• iRobot mission rolls to Tobyhanna Army Depot Army News 25 Oct 2012 -- Tobyhanna Army Depot's new robotics mission helps warfighters remotely search for improvised explosive devices using either a laptop computer or backpack control system.
• Truman, CVW-3 Sharpen Warfighting Skills NNS 25 Oct 2012 -- The USS Harry S. Truman completed a 24-day underway Oct. 25 that tested the skills of every Sailor and Marine aboard.
• Amphibious Landing Exercise 2013 ends USMC News 25 Oct 2012 -- U.S. and Philippine forces concluded the bilateral Amphibious Landing Exercise 2013 with a closing ceremony at Subic Bay International Airport Oct. 18.
• Marines, French, British forces clear objectives USMC News 25 Oct 2012 -- The enemy never stood a chance as three different countries' elite forces closed in from the air and ground, eliminating anything that stood in their path by displaying seamless integration of their collective efforts into one multilateral company.
• Dolphin 12 Training Concludes in Montenegro AFPS 25 Oct 2012 -- US Navy divers and six bottlenose dolphins wrapped up a month-long exercise yesterday, during which they trained Montenegrin navy divers to locate and clear underwater mines and explosives dating back to World War I.
• Intel Community Seeks New Partnerships AFPS 25 Oct 2012 -- One of the strengths of the intelligence community is that the people within it have a tremendous spectrum of backgrounds.
• National Guard Prepares for Presidential Inauguration AFPS 25 Oct 2012 -- The District of Columbia National Guard is well under way in planning for January’s presidential inauguration.
• Citadel Protect Joins Everett , USS Momsen NNS 25 Oct 2012 -- Anti-terrorism/Force Protection teams from Naval Station Everett coordinated with USS Momsen and a local hospital for the anti-terrorism exercise Citadel Protect, Oct. 25.
• Merger creates the ACC Operations Group Army News 25 Oct 2012 -- The merger of the Army Contracting Command's Deputy Chief of Staff Operations G3 and the Contracting Operations directorate will provide the commanding general a single touch point for operations.
• MiG Plane Maker Big ‘Money Loser’ RIA Novosti 25 Oct 2012 -- Russia’s aircraft making corporation MiG is a loss-making enterprise, parliamentary defense committee head Vladimir Komoyedov said.
• Russia Ready To Start Rearmament RFE/RL 25 Oct 2012 -- The head of the company that manufactures MiG warplanes says he expects the Russian Air Force will start receiving new MiG-35 fighters in 2014.
• Investigators Seize Documents in Russian Defense Department RIA Novosti 25 Oct 2012 -- Officers of the Russian Investigative Committee’s Main Military Investigation Directorate have seized documents in the Defense Ministry’s property department and questioned its officials.
• Defense Company Under Investigation Over Property Scam RIA Novosti 25 Oct 2012 -- Managers in a Russian Defense Ministry property management company are under investigation for alleged embezzlement of up to $100 million, by selling off properties at below market value, Investigative Committee spokesman Vladimir Markin said.
• Italy, Russia Discuss Mini-Sub Cooperation RIA Novosti 25 Oct 2012 -- Russia and Italy have held renewed discussions on joint development of small conventionally-powered submarines.
• Russia-Japan Defense Dialog Broadens RIA Novosti 25 Oct 2012 -- Russian Security Council Chief Nikolai Patrushev, visiting Japan, welcomed the expansion of ties between the two countries.
• Gurkhas Deploy for first time on Exercise Southern Cross UK MOD 25 Oct 2012 -- A group of 40 officers and soldiers from British Forces Brunei (BFB) deployed on the multi-national exercise Southern Cross.
• Blessed bodies of seven sacred defense era pilots arrive in Mash’had IRNA 25 Oct 2012 -- Blessed bodies of seven sacred defense era martyred pilots arrived in Mash’had Wednesday, and were received warmly by people, police, and military force personnel and commanders.
• U.S. Department of State Daily Press Briefing, October 25, 2012 US Dept. of State 25 Oct 2012

Defense Industry

• DoD News: Contracts for October 25, 2012

Other Conflicts

• Daily Press Briefing by the Office of the Spokesperson for the Secretary-General, 25 October 2012 United Nations 25 Oct 2012
• US Denies Russian Allegation of Military Supplies to Syrian Rebels VOA 25 Oct 2012 -- The US is denying a Russian allegation that it is helping supply weapons to rebels fighting embattled Syrian President Bashar al-Assad.
• US Coordinates MANPADS Supplies to Syrian Rebels - Russia RIA Novosti 25 Oct 2012 -- The United States does not supply Syrian President Bashar al-Assad’s opponents with man-portable air defense systems but provides coordination and logistics support to such supplies.
• Ban welcomes reports of Syria ceasefire being observed for Eid holiday – UN spokesperson UN News Centre 25 Oct 2012 -- United Nations Secretary-General Ban has welcomed reported announcements of warring parties in Syria agreeing to observe a ceasefire.
• Syria Declares Eid Cease-Fire Through Monday VOA 25 Oct 2012 -- The Syrian army says it will suspend military operations to mark the Muslim holiday of Eid al-Adha, declaring a cease-fire from Friday morning to Monday.
• Syria Declares Eid Cease-Fire VOA 25 Oct 2012 -- The Syrian army says it will suspend military operations to mark the Muslim holiday of Eid al-Adha, declaring a cease-fire from Friday morning to Monday.
• Both Sides Say Will Observe Syria Cease-Fire RFE/RL 25 Oct 2012 -- The rebel Free Syrian Army says it will observe a cease-fire for the Muslim religious holiday of Eid al-Adha, which begins on October 27.
• Syria Announces Eid al-Adha Holiday Ceasefire RIA Novosti 25 Oct 2012 -- The Syrian military command announced it would cease military operations across the country during the Eid al-Adha holiday, which begins on Thursday and continues through the weekend.
• On eve of proposed truce in Syria, UN ready to provide humanitarian aid to thousands of families UN News Centre 25 Oct 2012 -- The United Nations refugee agency and its partners stand ready to send pre-positioned emergency aid packages to families in previously inaccessible areas of Syria.
• UN Security Council Urges Syria Truce RFE/RL 25 Oct 2012 -- The United Nations Security Council has called on the Syrian government and rebel groups to accept a four-day truce proposal.
• Del Ponte Cites 'Crimes Against Humanity' In Syria RFE/RL 25 Oct 2012 -- Former UN prosecutor Carla del Ponte has said she wants to identify high-level Syrian officials who may have been involved in war crimes.
• Syrian Refugees Struggle in Jordanian Camps VOA 25 Oct 2012 -- Jordan is bearing a huge burden of refugees as the crisis escalates in neighboring Syria.
• Japan Spots Chinese Ships Near Contested Islands VOA 25 Oct 2012 -- Japan says four Chinese government ships entered waters near contested Tokyo-controlled islands in the East China Sea, as a territorial dispute between the two Asian giants drags on.
• UN: Military Operation May Be Needed In Mali VOA 25 Oct 2012 -- A senior U.N. official says the United Nations and several African organizations agree that military action may be necessary to re-establish constitutional order and national unity in Mali.
• Sudan Wants Israel Condemned at UN RFE/RL 25 Oct 2012 -- Sudan is demanding that the United Nations Security Council condemn Israel for an alleged air strike on a weapons factory in Khartoum.
• Iran highlights aggressive nature of Zionist regime citing Israeli air raids on Sudan IRNA 25 Oct 2012 -- Deputy Foreign Minister for Arab and African Affairs Hossein Amir-Abdollahian warned the Muslim states about aggressive nature of Zionist regime, citing Israeli air raids on Sudan.
• Sudan Says Israel Targeted Sudanese Military Capabilities RIA Novosti 25 Oct 2012 -- The government of Sudan condemned an alleged attack of Israeli warplanes on arms factory in Khartoum saying it was targeted to undermine defense capabilities of the sovereign country.
• In meeting, UN and African Union officials flag need for engagement in Darfur for further progress UN News Centre 25 Oct 2012 -- The acting head of UNAMID stressed the importance of the full engagement of the African Union in the Sudanese region to sustain progress towards peace and security.
• After Fierce Attacks, Gaza Truce Takes Hold VOA 25 Oct 2012 -- Israel and Palestinian militants in the Gaza Strip say an informal truce brokered by Egypt has taken hold after days of rocket fire and retaliatory airstrikes.
• Israel, Palestinians Agree Gaza Ceasefire RIA Novosti 25 Oct 2012 -- Palestinian Hamas and Israel reached a ceasefire agreement after three days of violence in and around the Gaza Strip, a Palestinian official said.
• Press Conference by Special Rapporteur on Human Rights In Occupied Palestinian Territory, 25 October 2012 United Nations 25 Oct 2012
• UN independent expert calls for boycott of businesses profiting from Israeli settlements UN News Centre 25 Oct 2012 -- A United Nations independent expert called on the world body’s General Assembly, as well as civil society, to take action against Israeli and international businesses that are profiting from Israeli settlements.
• Press Conference by Special Rapporteur on Human Rights in Myanmar, 25 October 2012 United Nations 25 Oct 2012
• Western Burma Violence between Buddhists and Muslims Rages On VOA 25 Oct 2012 -- The death toll is rising in Burma's western Rakhine state as fighting between Buddhists and Muslims continues.
• MYANMAR: UN calls for urgent action on Rakhine IRIN 25 Oct 2012 -- The UN is calling for urgent action in Myanmar’s troubled Rakhine State as levels of communal violence worsen.
• UN Rights Expert: Endemic Discrimination in Burma VOA 25 Oct 2012 -- The United Nations human rights expert monitoring the situation in Burma has expressed concern over continued sectarian violence between Buddhist and Muslim communities in the country.
• Secretary-General calls for end to lawlessness in Myanmar’s Rakhine state following latest violence UN News Centre 25 Oct 2012 -- United Nations Secretary-General Ban has urged the authorities in Myanmar to take action to bring an end to the lawlessness currently affecting the north of the Asian country’s Rakhine state.
• Armenian, Azerbaijani Foreign Ministers To Meet In France RFE/RL 25 Oct 2012 -- The Armenian and Azerbaijani foreign ministers are scheduled to meet in France on October 27 to discuss the issue of the breakaway Azerbaijani region of Nagorno-Karabakh.
• National Unity 'Top Priority' for Georgia, Says New Leader RIA Novosti 25 Oct 2012 -- Restoration of national unity will remain the priority of the Georgian government under its new administration, prime-minister designate Bidzina Ivanishvili said.
• British FM Says Kosovo Cannot Be Split To Resolve Disputes RFE/RL 25 Oct 2012 -- Britain's foreign secretary has said Kosovo cannot be split along ethnic lines as a way to resolve the dispute over the territory.
• Kazakh Survivor Of Police Special Operation Gets 12 Years In Jail RFE/RL 25 Oct 2012 -- The sole survivor of a special operation in Kazakhstan’s northwestern city of Aqtobe has been found guilty of terrorism and murder and sentenced to 12 years in jail.

News Reports

• Saudi Cyber Attack Seen as Work of Amateur Hackers Backed by Iran VOA 25 Oct 2012 -- Digital security experts say a major August cyber-attack at Saudi Arabia's top oil company appears to be the work of amateur hackers working on behalf of a nation state, and several signs point to Iran as their sponsor.
• Supreme Leader's message to Hajj pilgrims IRNA 25 Oct 2012 -- Full text of the Supreme Leader's message to Hajj pilgrims.
• Judiciary Chief: We never said president cannot visit prisons IRNA 25 Oct 2012 -- IRI Judiciary Chief Ayatollah Amoli Larijani said we have never said that the president cannot visit the country’s prisons.
• N. Korean Supreme People’s Council speaker asks for broader ties with Iran IRNA 25 Oct 2012 -- North Korean Supreme People’s Council Speaker Kim Yong Nam asked here Wednesday for broader ties with Iran.
• N. Korean Army General Executed with Mortar for Drinking RIA Novosti 25 Oct 2012 -- A high-ranking North Korean Army official was reportedly executed with a mortar round for drinking liquor during the 100-day mourning period after Kim Jong-il's death.
• Obama Aide Slams Romney's Tough Talk on China VOA 25 Oct 2012 -- A foreign policy adviser to President Barack Obama says Republican candidate Mitt Romney's pledge to label China a currency manipulator on his first day in office is irresponsible and risks upsetting U.S.-China relations.
• Reward Posters Part of Beijing's Immolation Crackdown VOA 25 Oct 2012 -- Posters are going up in parts of China warning ethnic Tibetans against setting themselves on fire in protest and offering money in exchange for information.
• China Resumes Nuclear Power Plant Construction VOA 25 Oct 2012 -- China says its energy consumption has been growing too quickly in recent years, putting a strain on the country's energy supply as well as on the environment.
• Fiery Tokyo Governor Quits to Form New Party VOA 25 Oct 2012 -- Tokyo Governor Shintaro Ishihara, whose outspoken nationalism has often angered neighboring China, says he is resigning to form a new political party ahead of a general election.
• Press Conference by Special Rapporteur on Freedom of Religion or Belief, 25 October 2012 United Nations 25 Oct 2012
• Addressing Assembly, UN expert urges States to do more to protect the right of religious conversion UN News Centre 25 Oct 2012 -- A United Nations independent expert today urged the international community to consistently respect, protect and promote the human right to freedom of religion or belief in the area of conversion.
• Parliament Approves New Georgian Cabinet RFE/RL 25 Oct 2012 -- Georgia's parliament has confirmed a new government led by billionaire-turned-politician Bidzina Ivanishvili.
• Putin Foe ‘Torture’ Allegations Spark Russia-US Row RIA Novosti 25 Oct 2012 -- Russia accused the United States of hypocrisy as a row grew over allegations that a political activist opposed to the rule of President Vladimir Putin had been abducted and tortured into confessing to a plot to spark mass disorder.
• Ukraine Blames 'Foreign' Security Forces in Russian Activist's Disappearance VOA 25 Oct 2012 -- Ukrainian officials say foreign security agencies are responsible for the disappearance of a Russian opposition activist, who said he was kidnapped and forcibly taken to Moscow.
• Russia's Razvozzhayev Retracts Confession RFE/RL 25 Oct 2012 -- Russian activist Leonid Razvozzhayev has retracted his confession to plotting mass riots, which he allegedly signed in custody.
• Whistle-Blower's Return On Eve Of Elections Sparks Debate In Ukraine RFE/RL 25 Oct 2012 -- For over a year the Ukrainian government has been trying to get its hands on former presidential bodyguard Mykola Melnychenko.