Operations
Defense Policy / Programs
Defense Industry
Other Conflicts
News Reports

Current Operations

Defense Policy / Programs

• Carrier Air Wing 5 Departs George Washington NNS 18 Nov 2012 -- The forward-deployed USS George Washington's embarked air wing, Carrier Air Wing 5, conducted their fly off to return to Naval Air Station Atsugi, Japan, Nov. 17.
• George Washington Conducts Ordnance Offload NNS 18 Nov 2012 -- The forward-deployed USS George Washington conducted a 1,333-ton ammunition offload, which signifies the near completion of its 2012 patrol Nov. 18.

Defense Industry

Other Conflicts

• IDF Operation Pillar of Defense - Sunday, November 18 Updates Israel Defense Forces 18 Nov 2012
• Palestinian resistance forces shoot down an Israeli jet over Gaza IRNA 18 Nov 2012 -- The Palestinian resistance movements have shot down an Israeli jet fighter on late Sunday.
• Obama Backs Israel's 'Right To Defend Itself' RFE/RL 18 Nov 2012 -- Palestinian medics say 10 civilians have been killed by an Israeli air strike on a house in Gaza on November 18. Medics said three women, six children, and one man were killed by the attack on a three storey building.
• Fire Exchanges Between Israel, Gaza Militants Continue RIA Novosti 18 Nov 2012 -- Exchanges of fire continue between the Israel Defense Forces (IDF) and militants in Gaza.
• Israel, Gaza Militants Reduce Fire Intensity on Truce Rumors RIA Novosti 18 Nov 2012 -- Israel and Gaza militants reduced the intensify of their rocket fire on Sunday amid increasing rumors of an imminent truce and the completion of the ongoing fighting without the Israeli army's ground operation in the Palestinian enclave.
• One Israeli Injured After Gaza Militants Resume Rocket Fire RIA Novosti 18 Nov 2012 -- Palestinian militants resumed rocket attacks on Israel on Sunday after a night calm, firing several rockets and injuring an Israeli citizen, the Israeli army and health officials said.
• Israel Allows Humanitarian Aid Into Gaza RIA Novosti 18 Nov 2012 -- Israel resumed the supply of goods and humanitarian aid to the Gaza Strip through the sole cargo terminal at the joint border closed since the Israeli military launched an offensive against Palestinian militants, army officials said on Sunday.
• Israel Prepared for 'Expansion' of Gaza Operation - Netanyahu RIA Novosti 18 Nov 2012 -- Israel continued to pound Gaza from air and sea on Sunday, as Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu warned Israeli forces were prepared for a widening of their now five-day old military operation against the Palestinian enclave.
• Israeli Airstrike Kills Nine Members of Family – Medic RIA Novosti 18 Nov 2012 -- At least nine members of the same family were killed in an Israeli airstrike on a house in Gaza on Sunday, a Palestinian medic told RIA Novosti.
• Ban urges immediate end to ongoing violence in Gaza and Israel UN News Centre 18 Nov 2012 -- Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon on Sunday renewed his appeal for an end to the ongoing violence in Gaza and Israel, strongly urging the parties to achieve an immediate ceasefire.
• Israel Threatens to Expand Gaza Offensive VOA 18 Nov 2012 -- Israel's military offensive in the Hamas-ruled Gaza Strip is continuing for a fifth day, and there has been no let up in the Palestinian rocket attacks on southern Israel. In all, at least 53 Palestinians have been killed, including 24 civilians, and three Israeli civilians have also died.
• Obama: Gaza Crisis Poses More Damage to Mideast Peace Efforts VOA 18 Nov 2012 -- President Barack Obama says he continues to work to achieve a negotiated solution to the crisis between Israel, and Hamas in Gaza.
• US Lawmakers Rally Behind Israel VOA 18 Nov 2012 -- U.S. lawmakers are rallying behind Israel, reaffirming its right to self-defense in the face of Palestinian rocket attacks. Some legislators' backing of Israel extends to the possible use of ground forces in Hamas-run Gaza Strip.
• Participants of meeting on Syria agree to continue talks IRNA 18 Nov 2012 -- The Syrian government and opposition forces who have gathered in Tehran to attend the meeting of the national dialogue on Syria reiterated on the necessity of continuation of talks and dialogue, and confront meddling of foreign countries in their affairs.
• UN Security Council Condemns M23 Rebel Attacks in DR Congo RIA Novosti 18 Nov 2012 -- The UN Security Council has strongly condemned new attacks by the M23 rebel group in eastern Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC), the UN reported.
• DRC Rebels Advance to Goma Outskirts VOA 18 Nov 2012 -- The M23 rebels in the Democratic Republic of Congo have advanced to within a few miles of the North Kivu provincial capital, Goma, sending regular army troops fleeing.

News Reports

• Obama Begins Asia Tour RFE/RL 18 Nov 2012 -- U.S. President Barack Obama has begun a tour of three Southeast Asian countries that will include an historic visit to Burma.
• Myanmar Trip 'Not Endorsement' of Regime – Obama RIA Novosti 18 Nov 2012 -- US President Barack Obama defended on Sunday his decision to visit Myanmar, calling his trip there an 'acknowledgment' of progress made toward the establishment of a democratic state.
• Obama Reaffirms Close Links with Thailand, Previews Burma Visit VOA 18 Nov 2012 -- In Bangkok, President Barack Obama and Thai Prime Minister Yingluck Shinawatra have reaffirmed close relations between the United States and Thailand.
• Obama: Burma Trip Not Endorsement of Government VOA 18 Nov 2012 -- U.S. President Barack Obama says his upcoming trip to Burma does not represent an endorsement of the government, but is rather an acknowledgement of the political reform process underway in the country.
• Assistant Attorney General Perez Speaks at the Grand Opening of the Islamic Center of Murfreesboro US Dept. of Justice 18 Nov 2012
• As U.S. Oil Production Soars, How Will It Change The Global Energy Market? RFE/RL 18 Nov 2012 -- For the past five years, progress in extracting gas and oil from shale deposits has been revolutionizing the energy industry in the United States.
• Sierra Leone: Ban lauds peaceful conduct of polls and high voter turnout UN News Centre 18 Nov 2012 -- Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon on Sunday congratulated the people of Sierra Leone for the peaceful and orderly elections held yesterday, the first to be run entirely by the Government since the end of the West African nation's brutal civil war 10 years ago.
• ASEAN Approves Controversial Human Rights Declaration VOA 18 Nov 2012 -- Southeast Asian leaders have signed off on a controversial region-wide human rights declaration in what they say is a landmark moment. But critics say the declaration is insufficient and will give countries an excuse to ignore, rather than protect, human rights.