Operations
Defense Policy / Programs
Defense Industry
Other Conflicts
News Reports

Current Operations

• Combined Force Detains Insurgent, Seizes Firearms AFPS 13 Nov 2012 -- A combined Afghan and coalition security force detained an insurgent during a search for a Haqqani network senior leader in Afghanistan's Paktia province today, military officials reported.
• US Weighing Troop Plans for Post-2014 Afghanistan VOA 13 Nov 2012 -- U.S. Defense Secretary Leon Panetta says the Pentagon and the White House are discussing what presence the U.S. military will have in Afghanistan following the withdrawal of combat troops in 2014.
• From stabilisation to transition in Afghanistan UK MOD 13 Nov 2012

Defense Policy / Programs

• White House: President Has Faith in Allen as Afghan Commander VOA 13 Nov 2012 -- White House Press Secretary Jay Carney says President Barack Obama has faith in General John Allen to continue as commander of U.S. forces in Afghanistan, while he is investigated for alleged "inappropriate communications" with a woman involved in the scandal that led Central Intelligence Agency chief David Petraeus to resign.
• Obama Delays General Allen's NATO Nomination Pending Investigation VOA 13 Nov 2012 -- U.S. President Barack Obama has put his nomination of General John Allen as NATO's supreme commander on hold, pending an investigation into the U.S. commander in Afghanistan's alleged 'inappropriate communications' with a woman involved in the scandal that led to the resignation of Central Intelligence Agency chief David Petraeus.
• DOD Inspector General Investigates ISAF Commander AFPS 13 Nov 2012 -- The Defense Department inspector general has opened an investigation of Marine Corps Gen. John R. Allen, commander of the International Security Assistance Force in Afghanistan, Defense Secretary Leon E. Panetta said today in a statement.
• DOD News Briefing on Better Buying Power 2.0 with Deputy Secretary Carter and Under Secretary Kendall from the Pentagon DoD 13 Nov 2012 -- Presenter: Deputy Secretary of Defense Ashton B. Carter; Under Secretary of Defense for Acquisition, Technology and Logistics Frank Kendall III
• Military Sealift Command's First Mobile Landing Platform Ship Floated from Dry Dock NNS 13 Nov 2012 -- Military Sealift Command's first Mobile Landing Platform ship completed its first float out operation at the General Dynamics NASSCO shipyard in San Diego Nov. 13.
• Navy's First Mobile Landing Platform Launched NNS 13 Nov 2012 -- The first ship of the Navy's new Mobile Landing Platform (MLP) class launched Nov. 13, less than two years since the start of fabrication at the General Dynamics NASSCO shipyard in San Diego.
• USS Nimitz Completes Joint Training Phase NNS 13 Nov 2012 -- USS Nimitz (CVN 68), Carrier Strike Group (CSG) 11 and embarked Carrier Air Wing (CVW) 11 successfully completed Joint Task Force Exercise (JTFEX) Nov. 12.
• Defense Officials Preview 'Better Buying Power 2.0' Initiative AFPS 13 Nov 2012 -- Deputy Defense Secretary Ashton B. Carter today unveiled a proposed new phase of the Defense Department's 'Better Buying Power' initiative that since 2010 has shaped the department's acquisition arm to 'do more without more.'
• Controlled demolitions conducted: PBCDF structure destroyed Army News 13 Nov 2012 -- The Pine Bluff Chemical Agent Disposal Facility completed mass demolition of the last major facility component Oct. 13, using controlled explosive felling technology to demolish the Pollution Abatement System structure. This activity marks the successful completion of a major closure milestone for the facility.
• Army data tracker improves unit readiness evaluations Army News 13 Nov 2012 -- For commanders and senior leaders, knowing the combat readiness status for any particular unit at any given time is basic to mission.
• USACE heads up Air Force infrastructure assessment Army News 13 Nov 2012 -- The Air Force has launched a two-year evaluation of facilities and equipment on bases worldwide to gain a clearer picture of energy and space efficiencies within its inventory.
• IT Plays Central Role in Transcom's New Strategy AFPS 13 Nov 2012 -- Shaping itself for the future as it implements its new five-year strategy, U.S. Transportation Command is maximizing what one of its senior officers calls the ultimate enabler: information technology.
• Senior Executive Service Announcements DoD 13 Nov 2012
• Stavridis: New Aviation Element 'New Step' for U.S., Poland AFPS 13 Nov 2012 -- Lauding the standup of a new aviation detachment in Poland last week as 'a new step in the U.S.-Polish military relationship,'Navy Adm. James G. Stavridis said it exemplifies the two militaries' growing cooperation, which has extended from combat in Iraq, the Balkans, and Afghanistan to European missile defense.
• Businesses Affirm Support of Reserve Component Employees AFPS 13 Nov 2012 -- Employer Support of the Guard and Reserve, a Defense Department agency, announced that representatives from the Associated Builders and Contractors, Coca-Cola Refreshments, McDonald's Corp., Safeway Inc. and Wal-Mart Stores Inc. have signed or will sign statements of support for their National Guard and reserve employees in honor of Veterans Day.
• In Australia, US Renews Focus on Asia-Pacific VOA 13 Nov 2012 -- The United States is making sure there are no doubts about its intentions to remain a major player in the Asia Pacific region ahead of next week's visit by President Barack Obama.
• Exercise Keen Sword 2013 Kicks Off with JSDF Embark aboard George Washington NNS 13 Nov 2012 -- The U.S. Navy's forward-deployed aircraft carrier USS George Washington (CVN 73) hosted the Japan Maritime Self-Defense Force (JMSDF) commander of Escort Flotilla 1, and members of his staff, while the George Washington Carrier Strike Group participates in Keen Sword 2013, Nov. 6.
• NATO-Russia Council holds Cooperative Airspace Initiative exercise NATO 13 Nov 2012 -- A simulated computer-based exercise to test the NATO-Russia Council's Cooperative Airspace Initiative (CAI) Information Exchange System (IES) is taking place on 13-14 November 2012 over three CAI geographical areas of operational interest, Bodø – Murmansk, Warsaw - Kaliningrad and Ankara - Rostov-on-Don.
• Military Academy Relocation Put on Ice RIA Novosti 13 Nov 2012 -- Russian Defense Minister Sergei Shoigu has put on hold the relocation of a medical academy from central St. Petersburg, Public Chamber member Alexander Kanshin said on Tuesday.
• Iran successfully test-fires Hag missile IRNA 13 Nov 2012 -- Iran successfully test-fied mid-rangle missile 'Hag' on the second day of the joint maneuver codenamed 'Defenders of Velayat Sky IIII'.
• Velayat-4 Air Drills sign of Iranian armed forces' exemplary might IRNA 13 Nov 2012 -- Head of Khatam ul-Anbia (P) IRI Military Air Defense Base Ideological-Political Organization said here Monday Huge Velayat-4 Air Drills are sign of Iranian armed forces, including this base's exemplary might.
• Iran Unveils Missile-Launching Hovercraft RIA Novosti 13 Nov 2012 -- Iran has unveiled a domestically designed and manufactured hovercraft capable of launching missiles and aerial drones, the Iranian media reported.
• Iraq Denies US Pressure Over Russia Arms Deal RIA Novosti 13 Nov 2012 -- Iraq denied on Tuesday that its decision to suspend a $4.2-billion arms deal with Russia had been taken after consultations with the United States.
• November 13, 2012 - U.S. Department of State Daily Press Briefing US Dept. of State 13 Nov 2012
• Press Briefing by Press Secretary Jay Carney, 11/13/2012 The White House 13 Nov 2012

Defense Industry

• DoD News: Contracts for November 13, 2012
• Sukhoi to Build Strike, Recon Unmanned Planes RIA Novosti 13 Nov 2012 -- Russian aircraft maker Sukhoi is to focus on creating reconnaissance and strike unmanned air vehicles (UAV) in the near future, United Aircraft Corporation President Mikhail Pogosyan said at the Zhuhai Airshow China exhibition on Tuesday.

Other Conflicts

• 13 November 2012 - Daily Press Briefing by the Office of the Spokesperson for the Secretary-General United Nations 13 Nov 2012
• Delivering aid to displaced Syrians increasingly hazardous, says UN refugee agency UN News Centre 13 Nov 2012 -- The United Nations refugee agency said today that the violence throughout Syria is making the delivery of vital supplies to displaced people increasingly hazardous, while, beyond the Middle Eastern nation’s borders, the number of Syrian refugees continues to climb.
• Gulf Cooperation Council Recognizes Syrian Opposition Bloc RIA Novosti 13 Nov 2012 -- The six-nation Gulf Cooperation Council (GSC) has recognized the newly formed coalition of the Syrian opposition as the 'legitimate representative' of the Syrian people and urged the international community to support this entity.
• Syria Opposition Seeks Recognition As Clashes Rage VOA 13 Nov 2012 -- Deadly fighting continues in Syria, as Arab and European leaders urged the newly united opposition to seek broader support even after it was recognized by the six-nation Gulf Cooperation Council.
• Millions in Syria Have Fled Homes VOA 13 Nov 2012 -- The Syrian Arab Red Crescent estimates 2.5 million people inside Syria have fled their homes and are in need of humanitarian assistance. The United Nations says the number of displaced could rise to four million people.
• UN envoy welcomes Somali parliament's endorsement of new cabinet as an 'important milestone' UN News Centre 13 Nov 2012 -- The United Nations top political official for Somalia today welcomed the recent endorsement by the East African country's parliament of a new cabinet, the so-called Council of Ministers.
• UN refugee agency urges countries to open borders to people fleeing Myanmar's Rakhine state by boat UN News Centre 13 Nov 2012 -- The United Nations refugee agency today called on governments in Southeast Asia to keep their borders open to people fleeing Myanmar by sea, following reports of boats sinking in the Bay of Bengal earlier this month.
• Bosnia and Herzegovina seeing rise in divisive behaviour, Security Council told UN News Centre 13 Nov 2012 -- Political leaders in Bosnia and Herzegovina are failing to produce what they should be 17 years after the signing of the peace agreement that ended fighting in the country and secessionist rhetoric is on the rise, the Security Council heard today.
• Secretary-General condemns incidents in Abyei, urges resolution of disputes through dialogue UN News Centre 13 Nov 2012 -- Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon condemns the series of incidents that occurred in Abyei over the past 48 hours, resulting in the death of a United Nations national staff member and the injury of another, according to his spokesperson.
• Vital to preserve Mali's unity when tackling its political crisis, says UN envoy UN News Centre 13 Nov 2012 -- A top United Nations official today stressed the need to preserve the unity of Mali, which has been divided since rebels took control of the north earlier this year, while at the same time tackling the country's humanitarian and development needs.
• At Yale lecture, Ban reiterates key role of two-state solution in Middle East peace process UN News Centre 13 Nov 2012 -- In a wide-ranging speech to academics and students, United Nations Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon today drew attention to the importance of getting the Middle East peace process back on track and appealed to all parties with influence to inject new life into negotiations.

News Reports

• CIA Denies Petraeus' Mistress Claim It Took Prisoners in Benghazi VOA 13 Nov 2012 -- The U.S. Central Intelligence Agency is denying a claim by former CIA chief David Petraeus' mistress and biographer Paula Broadwell that the agency detained militants in Libya before the September attack on the U.S. Consulate in Benghazi.
• Those involved in Sattar Beheshti's death are accountable IRNA 13 Nov 2012 -- Deputy Commander of the Iranian Police Brigadier General Ahmad-Reza Radan said on Tuesday that those involved in Sattar Beheshti's death are accountable.
• US Court Gives Saudi Man Life Sentence for Terror Plot VOA 13 Nov 2012 -- A Saudi man who came to the United States on a student visa has been sentenced to life in prison for attempting to make a bomb as part of a plot that may have targeted former U.S. President George W. Bush.
• Britain Releases Radical Cleric on Bail VOA 13 Nov 2012 -- British authorities have released radical Muslim cleric Abu Qatada from prison on bail, a day after he won his appeal against deportation to Jordan to face terrorism charges.
• UN Asks Asian States to Accept Burma Refugees VOA 13 Nov 2012 -- The U.N. refugee agency is calling on countries in Southeast Asia to open their borders to people fleeing insecurity and violence in Burma. The UNHCR said it is seriously concerned by the recent drowning of Rohingya Muslims who fled by boat from Burma's Rakhine state in search of a safe haven.
• Haiti: UN warns 1.5 million people could remain at risk of food insecurity in 2013 UN News Centre 13 Nov 2012 -- The United Nations food relief agency today warned that more than 1.5 million Haitians could remain at risk of food insecurity well into 2013 if they do not receive adequate assistance to recover from a series of natural disasters that have hit the country over the past six months, including a drought, Tropical Storm Isaac and Hurricane Sandy.
• Russia Paroles Scientist Jailed For Espionage RIA Novosti 13 Nov 2012 -- A district court in the Siberian city of Krasnoyarsk paroled on Tuesday a Russian physicist who was imprisoned in 2004 for selling classified research data to China.
• Uncooperative Bo Xilai could face death sentence: report CNA 13 Nov 2012 -- Bo Xilai, the disgraced former Chinese Communist Party chief in Chongqing, could face life imprisonment, a death sentence or a suspended death sentence because of his uncooperative attitude since his detention, a Hong Kong newspaper said Tuesday.