Operations
Defense Policy / Programs
Defense Industry
Other Conflicts
News Reports

Current Operations

• Combined Force Arrests Senior Taliban Leader AFPS 05 Nov 2012 -- An Afghan and coalition security force arrested a Taliban senior leader in Afghanistan’s Kandahar province.
• Designation of Haqqani Network Chief of Suicide Operations Qari Zakir US Dept. of State 05 Nov 2012
• U.S. Issues Sanctions Against Haqqani Network Commander RFE/RL 05 Nov 2012 -- The United States has declared the Haqqani network's chief of suicide operations an international terrorist and imposed financial sanctions against him.
• US Soldier Faces Hearing in Afghan Massacre VOA 05 Nov 2012 -- A U.S. Army soldier accused of killing 16 Afghan villagers during a pre-dawn rampage in March is appearing in a military courtroom for the first time Monday.
• European Think Tank Rejects Kabul's Accusation Over Afghan Report RFE/RL 05 Nov 2012 -- The Europe-based International Crisis Group, a private think tank, has denied claims that its recent report on Afghanistan was "politically motivated."
• Afghan Government Considers 'Action' Against Think Tank RFE/RL 05 Nov 2012 -- The Afghan government is considering action against the International Crisis Group, a private think tank based in Brussels.
• Saudi Arabia Positions Itself For Larger Afghan Role RFE/RL 05 Nov 2012 -- Saudi Arabia's support for Afghanistan has been steady but inconspicuous over the years. But that is about to change.
• Afghan National Army Volunteer Centers undergo upgrades to security, feel, functionality Army News 05 Nov 2012 -- The journey for courageous citizens who want to join the Afghan National Army begins at recruitment centers located throughout Afghanistan.
• Division West combines training for Guard, Reserve units headed to Afghanistan Army News 05 Nov 2012 -- Division West's 479th Field Artillery Brigade and 166th Aviation Brigade combined training efforts for two reserve component units that are preparing to deploy to Afghanistan.
• Light Dragoons soldiers welcomed home from Afghanistan UK MOD 05 Nov 2012 -- Overjoyed family and friends welcomed home 45 members of the Light Dragoons to Robertson Barracks in Norfolk last night as they returned from operations in Afghanistan.
• Readout of the President’s Briefing on Response and Recovery Efforts The White House 05 Nov 2012
• Update on the DoD and National Guard Response to Hurricane Sandy DoD 05 Nov 2012
• 'Spartan' aircrew helps bring power to New York AFNS 05 Nov 2012 -- A C-27J Spartan aircraft crew from the 175th Wing, Maryland Air National Guard, flew power generators and other equipment to New York in support of Hurricane Sandy relief efforts.
• Guardsmen send supplies to storm-stricken communities AFNS 05 Nov 2012 -- The Federal Emergency Management Agency tapped the West Virginia Air National Guard's 167th Airlift Wing as a staging area to push out much-needed relief supplies.
• N.Y. Guard Soldiers to assist with election in storm-battered areas Army News 05 Nov 2012 -- New Yorkers who are still without power in the Hudson Valley and on Long Island in the wake of Hurricane Sandy will get some help in casting their votes on Election Day from the New York Army National Guard.
• Army engineers provide emergency power in wake of Hurricane Sandy Army News 05 Nov 2012 -- Soldiers from the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers are providing temporary emergency power in areas of New York, New Jersey and Pennsylvania affected by Hurricane Sandy.

Defense Policy / Programs

• Official Describes Sequestration’s ‘Devastating’ Impact AFPS 05 Nov 2012 -- A senior Pentagon official today reflected on his past service in a hollow military as a precautionary tale to lawmakers to prevent sequestration from devastating the Defense Department’s budget.
• Pentagon Moves to Refine Acquisitions Process, Official Says AFPS 05 Nov 2012 -- The Defense Department continues to do all it can to enhance the defense acquisition process, improving the Pentagon’s buying power and maximizing value for taxpayers’ money, a senior Pentagon official said.
• Transcom Transforms for Changing Global Requirements AFPS 05 Nov 2012 -- Air Force Gen. William M. Fraser III, Transcom commander, said his organization is revolutionizing the way the military deploys, sustains and redeploys its forces around the globe.
• Future USS Arlington Completes Acceptance Trials NNS 05 Nov 2012 -- The future USS Arlington completed acceptance trials Nov. 2, sailing from and returning to Huntington Ingalls Industries' shipyard in Pascagoula, Miss.
• Army Begins Limited User Test of Paladin Upgrade Army News 05 Nov 2012 -- Last week, the U.S. Army began the Limited User Test of the Self-Propelled Howitzer Paladin Integrated Management program.
• Bradley ECPs to Upgrade Vehicle Across the Board Army News 05 Nov 2012 -- Since the Bradley Fighting Vehicle was first introduced to the Army in 1982 it has been constantly modernized; however, the upgrades conducted over the past decade have been particularly taxing to the platform.
• Analysis: Is US action against use of child soldiers on the backburner? IRIN 05 Nov 2012 -- Even armed with political consensus, the US consistently shies away from using the full spectrum of the law, citing national security interests.
• USS Enterprise Returns Home from Final Deployment NNS 05 Nov 2012 -- More than 5,500 Sailors and Marines assigned to the Enterprise Carrier Strike Group arrived in Norfolk, Va., Nov. 4 following a seven-and-a-half-month deployment supporting operations in the Mediterranean and the Arabian Seas.
• 22nd MEU Takes Time To Reset, ID Operational Needs USMC News 05 Nov 2012 -- In the period after deployment but before predeployment training, a Marine Expeditionary Unit typically sends Marines to advanced schools, catches up on annual qualifications or rebuilds their offices with new personnel.
• CTF-55 Conducts Force Interoperability Training NNS 05 Nov 2012 -- Commander, Task Force (CTF) 55 conducted force interoperability training in the Arabian Gulf, Oct. 21-26.
• My unit is going away... Now what? USMC News 05 Nov 2012 -- Marines from 2nd and 3rd Platoon, Company D, Anti-Terrorism Battalion, 4th Marine Division, listened to their future options to continue serving in the Marine Corps.
• Exercise Mavi Balina 2012 Kicks off in Turkey NNS 05 Nov 2012 -- The trilateral training exercise Mavi Balina 2012 (MB12) kicked off in the Eastern Mediterranean Sea off the coast of Turkey, Nov. 5.
• Allied Squadrons Join Forces During US and JMSDF Disaster Relief Drill NNS 05 Nov 2012 -- The U.S. Navy and Japan Maritime Self-Defense-Force (JMSDF) participated in a joint disaster response drill conducted by the Tokyo Metropolitan Government on Kozu Island off the southern coast of Japan, Nov. 1.
• CIA Declassifies Secret Spy Satellite Capsule NNS 05 Nov 2012 -- Declassification recognition event at the Naval Undersea Museum's Jack Murdock Auditorium in Keyport for the deep sea vehicle Trieste II.
• Monthly press conference by the NATO Secretary General NATO 05 Nov 2012
• Pakistani Army Chief Issues Warning In Rare Statement RFE/RL 05 Nov 2012 -- Pakistan's powerful army chief has issued a rare public statement warning against efforts to undermine the country's military.
• River-crossing Drill Staged in S. Korea KCNA 05 Nov 2012 -- The 1st Corps of the south Korean army staged a river-crossing drill in the area of the Rimjin River in Phaju City of Kyonggi Province.
• Taiwan will not share new radar system's data with U.S. CNA 05 Nov 2012 -- Taiwan will not share information gathered by its new early-warning surveillance radar system with the United States.
• Taiwan begins building prototype missile boat CNA 05 Nov 2012 -- A Taiwanese shipbuilding company commissioned by the Navy has begun building a prototype missile boat for Taiwan, as part of the country's efforts to counter the military threat from China.
• Taiwan to buy Perry-class frigates from U.S. CNA 05 Nov 2012 -- Taiwan will purchase two Oliver Hazard Perry-Class frigates from the United States in 2014, as part of its efforts to revive its aging fleet.
• Loyalty tests mandatory for Taiwan military officials abroad CNA 05 Nov 2012 -- Loyalty tests have become compulsory for Taiwan's military officials posted overseas and members of the armed forces who receive training abroad.
• U.S. Department of State Daily Press Briefing, November 5, 2012 US Dept. of State 05 Nov 2012

Defense Industry

• DoD News: Contracts for November 05, 2012

Other Conflicts

• Daily Press Briefing by the Office of the Spokesperson for the Secretary-General, 5 October 2012 United Nations 05 Nov 2012
• International Military Intervention in Syria Remains Unlikely VOA 05 Nov 2012 -- The main Syrian opposition bloc, the Syrian National Council, voted at a meeting in Doha, Qatar, to broaden its ranks.
• Syrian Rebels, Government Troops Clash in Damascus VOA 05 Nov 2012 -- A Syrian activist group says heavy fighting has erupted between rebels and government troops in the capital.
• Observatory: Suicide Car Bomb Kills 50 Syrian Troops VOA 05 Nov 2012 -- A Syrian activist group says a suicide car bomber has killed more than 50 Syrian soldiers in central Hama province.
• Report: Suicide Bomb Kills 50 Syrian Troops VOA 05 Nov 2012 -- A Syrian activist group says a suicide car bomber has killed more than 50 Syrian soldiers and gunmen loyal to President Bashar al-Assad in central Hama province.
• Syria: UN-Arab League envoy calls on Security Council to agree on resolution to help end crisis UN News Centre 05 Nov 2012 -- The Joint Special Representative of the United Nations and the League of Arab States for the crisis in Syria has encouraged the Security Council to turn an agreement reached in June outlining the steps for a peaceful transition in the Middle Eastern country into a resolution aimed at helping to end the ongoing crisis there.
• Lavrov: No Secret Russia-U.S. Talks On Syria RFE/RL 05 Nov 2012 -- Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov says Russia and the United States never held secret discussions about regime change in Syria.
• No Secret US-Russia Talks Over Syria - Lavrov RIA Novosti 05 Nov 2012 -- The United States and Russia have never held secret discussions about possible regime change in Syria, Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov said in Cairo.
• Russia’s Lavrov Speaks against UN Resolution on Syria RIA Novosti 05 Nov 2012 -- Western countries are seeking a UN Security Council resolution on Syria to aggravate the situation in this country and form conditions for changing the ruling regime, Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov said.
• Russian Weapons Supply To Syria Fulfills Old Contract - Lavrov RIA Novosti 05 Nov 2012 -- Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov sought to downplay longstanding criticism of Russia’s weapons trade with Syria.
• ECOWAS to Explore Dual Strategy Against Mali Militants VOA 05 Nov 2012 -- West African allies continue to explore a dual strategy against the al-Qaida-linked Islamist militants who seized northern Mali in April.
• Senior US Diplomat Sees Hope in Somalia VOA 05 Nov 2012 -- U.S. Undersecretary of State Wendy Sherman has praised as “extraordinary” the work Somalia’s new parliament is doing to rebuild the country under difficult circumstances.
• Press Conference on Humanitarian Aid Efforts in Democratic Republic of the Congo, 5 October 2012 United Nations 05 Nov 2012
• Citing ‘monumental’ humanitarian needs, UN official urges greater relief aid for eastern DR Congo UN News Centre 05 Nov 2012 -- A top United Nations relief official urged a greater response to tackle the “monumental” humanitarian needs being experienced in eastern Democratic Republic of the Congo.
• South Sudan’s expulsion of human rights officer a ‘breach of legal obligations’ – UN UN News Centre 05 Nov 2012 -- South Sudan’s decision to expel a United Nations human rights officer constitutes a “breach of the legal obligations” of the Government, the world body’s senior official in the country stressed.
• Security situation remains tense in Myanmar’s Rakhine state, says UN humanitarian agency UN News Centre 05 Nov 2012 -- The security situation in Myanmar’s Rakhine province is still tense after a recent wave of violence which began in October.
• Philippines Muslim Rebel Chief Pursuing Peace After Decades of War VOA 05 Nov 2012 -- In October, the leader of the Philippines' largest Muslim rebel group signed a preliminary peace accord with the government, aimed at ending decades of war that have killed some 120,000 people.
• Daghestan Becomes Hotbed Of North Caucasus Insurgency RFE/RL 05 Nov 2012 -- Analysts say Daghestan has unquestionably deteriorated into the most unstable republic in the North Caucasus, a region wracked by conflict and insurgency.
• EU To Host Fresh Serbia, Kosovo Meeting RFE/RL 05 Nov 2012 -- The European Union's foreign affairs head Catherine Ashton has invited the prime ministers of Serbia and Kosovo for fresh talks.

News Reports

• US Election Results Could Influence Israel's Parliamentary Vote VOA 05 Nov 2012 -- U.S. politics are always important to Israelis because Washington is the country’s biggest ally, its closest international collaborator and its primary supplier of sophisticated military equipment.
• Israeli PM Clashed With Military Over Iran Attack RFE/RL 05 Nov 2012 -- An Israeli television documentary says Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and Defense Minister Ehud Barak were rebuffed by the military when they ordered it in 2010 to prepare for an attack on Iran's nuclear facilities.
• UN Says Iran Not Cooperating In Nuclear Probe RFE/RL 05 Nov 2012 -- The head of the United Nations nuclear watchdog has said Iran is refusing to provide details of its nuclear activities.
• Iran Inaugurates New Naval Base Near Disputed Islands RFE/RL 05 Nov 2012 -- Iranian state TV has reported that Tehran has inaugurated a new naval base to reinforce its authority over three disputed Persian Gulf islands.
• Iran condemns Canadian Gov't for freezing its assets IRNA 05 Nov 2012 -- Foreign Ministry spokesman Ramin Mehmanparast denounced the Canadian government for freezing assets of the Iranian government in Canada.
• China’s New Leaders Facing Pressures to Reform VOA 05 Nov 2012 -- China begins a once-in-decade leadership transition this week when officials meet for the 18th Communist Party Congress.
• Dalai Lama: China Needs Political Reform VOA 05 Nov 2012 -- The Dalai Lama says China's new leader will likely embark on political reforms to leave his mark on the nation the way the current leadership has done with economic reforms.
• China Rebuffs UN for Criticizing Tibet Unrest VOA 05 Nov 2012 -- China has lashed out at U.N. criticism of Beijing's handling of unrest in Tibetan areas, where there have been frequent self-immolations and other protests.
• Explosions Kill Two In Bahrain RFE/RL 05 Nov 2012 -- A series of bomb blasts have killed two people in the Bahraini capital, Manama.
• 2 Killed in Bahrain Blasts VOA 05 Nov 2012 -- Authorities in Bahrain say a series of blasts in the capital has killed at least two people and wounded another.
• Uzbekistan Jails Three Women For Spying For Tajikistan RFE/RL 05 Nov 2012 -- Uzbek officials have announced that three women from the southeastern region of Surhondaryo have been jailed for spying for neighboring Tajikistan.
• Ethiopia Presents New Islamic Council VOA 05 Nov 2012 -- The Ethiopian Islamic Affairs Council has presented their newly elected executive members.
• Ghana Electoral Chief to Meet Presidential Candidates VOA 05 Nov 2012 -- The chairman of Ghana’s Independent Electoral Commission is scheduled to meet all presidential candidates ahead of the December 7 general election.
• Response to Municipal Elections in Nicaragua US Dept. of State 05 Nov 2012
• Nuclear power safer now with new measures following Fukushima Daiichi accident, UN official UN News Centre 05 Nov 2012 -- Head of the United Nations International Atomic Energy Agency told the world body’s Member States that nuclear power is safer than before the disaster.
• South Korea Orders Immediate Shutdown of 2 Nuclear Reactors VOA 05 Nov 2012 -- Suspect replacement parts at South Korea's nuclear plants have prompted the government to order the immediate shutdown of two power-generating reactors.
• Russia, Bulgaria Discuss Belene NPP Project RIA Novosti 05 Nov 2012 -- Russian Prime Minister Dmitry Medvedev and Bulgarian President Rosen Plevneliev discussed the Belene nuclear power plant project.
• Turkey: ‘No Plans’ to Build Nuclear Plant on Bulgaria Border RIA Novosti 05 Nov 2012 -- Turkey has no plans to build a nuclear power plant several kilometers away from its border with Bulgaria, a Bulgarian official said.
• Ukrainian Election Officials Call For Partial Vote Recount VOA 05 Nov 2012 -- Election officials in Ukraine have called for a recount of ballots cast in several districts during last month's vote.
• Ukraine's Opposition Steps Up Threats Of Parliamentary Boycott RFE/RL 05 Nov 2012 -- Ukrainian opposition forces are stepping up threats to boycott the country's new parliament.
• Ukraine Opposition Forces Threaten Call for New Elections RIA Novosti 05 Nov 2012 -- Several hundred opposition protesters took to the streets in Kiev to protest against last week’s allegedly rigged parliamentary elections.
• Tadic Steps Down As Serbian Opposition Leader RFE/RL 05 Nov 2012 -- Serbia's former President Boris Tadic has announced he is stepping down as head of the Democratic Party, the country's largest opposition group.