Operations
Defense Policy / Programs
Defense Industry
Other Conflicts
News Reports

Current Operations

• Combined Force Arrests Taliban Operative AFPS 19 Nov 2012 -- An Afghan and coalition security force arrested a Taliban suicide attack operative in Afghanistan’s Kandahar province.
• Karzai Accuses US of Violating Detainee Pact VOA 19 Nov 2012 -- Afghan President Hamid Karzai is accusing the United States of violating an agreement to transfer more than 3,000 prisoners at a controversial military prison to the Afghan government.
• Afghan President Says U.S. Violating Prison Pact RFE/RL 19 Nov 2012 -- Afghan President Hamid Karzai says U.S. forces continue to capture and hold Afghans in violation of an agreement signed between the two countries.
• 2/7 Marines provide security for Operation Golden Gate USMC News 19 Nov 2012 -- Combat engineers man their heavy equipment, pushing thousands of pounds of earth around while building and improving an area vital to the progression of southern Afghanistan.
• Georgia Vows Post-ISAF Support For Afghan Security RIA Novosti 19 Nov 2012 -- The Georgian military will continue its assistance to Afghanistan’s security forces after the withdrawal of NATO troops from the war-torn Central Asian country in 2014.
• U.S. Treasury Targets Hizballah Commander With Sanctions Over U.S. Deaths In Iraq RFE/RL 19 Nov 2012 -- The United States has imposed sanctions on a Hizballah commander blamed for attacks against U.S. forces in Iraq.

Defense Policy / Programs

• Remarks at a Ceremony to Name the Newest Virginia-Class Submarine in the Pentagon Briefing Room DoD 19 Nov 2012
• Secretary of the Navy Ray Mabus Names the Next Virginia-Class Submarine USS Delaware with Dr. Jill Biden as the Sponsor DoD 19 Nov 2012
• Jill Biden Sponsors New Attack Sub USS Delaware AFPS 19 Nov 2012 -- Wherever the USS Delaware goes after she is launched in 2018, a “piece of my heart will go with her,” said Dr. Jill Biden.
• Safety paramount as F-22 investigation continues AFNS 19 Nov 2012 -- The pilot of a F-22 Raptor, assigned to the 43rd Fighter Squadron, safely ejected as the jet crashed Nov. 15 around 3:30 p.m. on Tyndall Air Force Base, Fla., one-quarter mile east of the drone runway.
• 563rd Rescue Group receives first combat ready HC-130J Combat King II AFNS 19 Nov 2012 -- Making its Air Force debut, the first combat ready HC-130J Combat King II touched down on Davis-Monthan Air Force Base, Arizona.
• Southern Command Change of Command Ceremony DoD 19 Nov 2012
• Panetta Praises Outgoing, Incoming Southcom Commanders AFPS 19 Nov 2012 -- Defense Secretary Leon E. Panetta commended the lasting accomplishments of the former commander of U.S. Southern Command today and welcomed a new, but familiar, officer to lead the combatant command.
• Dempsey Lauds Old, New Southern Command Leaders AFPS 19 Nov 2012 -- In presiding at the change-of-command ceremony at U.S. Southern Command in Miami, Army Gen. Martin E. Dempsey said he thought of the words he saw on a monument at the Antietam battlefield, “Not for themselves, but for their country.”
• Army awards new expanded defense communications contract Army News 19 Nov 2012 -- The Army has awarded a new, expanded defense contract, which will enable the acquisition of hardware, software, services and data in support of the PEO C3T mission over a 5 year ordering period.
• USS Frank Cable Completes Weapons Transfer NNS 19 Nov 2012 -- The USS Frank Cable completed weapons transfers with the USS Oklahoma City while moored outboard, Nov. 16.
• Greeneville Visits Singapore during Western Pacific Deployment NNS 19 Nov 2012 -- The Los Angeles-class fast attack submarine USS Greeneville (SSN 772) arrived in Singapore Nov. 19, for a visit as part of its deployment to the Western Pacific.
• VMM-263 Conducts "Operation Sundown" USMC News 19 Nov 2012 -- Marines with Marine Medium Tiltrotor Squadron 263, and Marine Corps Forces Special Operations Command Marines conducted “Operation Sundown” Nov. 15.
• Special-Purpose MAGTF Africa Trains for Evacuation Operations USMC News 19 Nov 2012 -- Marines and sailors with Special-Purpose Marine Air-Ground Task Force Africa conducted noncombatant evacuation operations training by setting up an evacuation control center aboard Marine Corps Base Camp Lejeune, N.C., Nov. 8, 2012.
• Exercise Vigilant Pacific 2012 Army News 19 Nov 2012 -- VIGPAC is an annual multi-lateral exercise to train counterintelligence and human intelligence professionals.
• DOD Announces Recruiting and Retention Numbers for Fiscal 2012 DoD 19 Nov 2012
• Fort Bragg Soldiers to generate power for Hurricane Sandy victims Army News 19 Nov 2012 -- The aftermath of Hurricane Sandy has affected the lives of millions of Americans and continues to leave some without power, fuel or the means to commute to work.
• NMCB-11 Completes Disaster Recovery Mission in New Jersey, New York NNS 19 Nov 2012 -- Ninety Seabees assigned to Naval Mobile Construction Battalion 11 are returning home after spending the past two weeks providing disaster response support in New Jersey and New York.
• US 10th Fleet Commanders' Conference Emphasizes Readiness NNS 19 Nov 2012 -- Commander, U.S. Fleet Cyber Command/U.S. 10th Fleet hosted 10th Fleet leaders from around the world, Nov. 7 - 9 at the 2012 commanders' conference.
• US 10th Fleet Cyber Warriors Support Exercise CYBER FLAG 13-1 NNS 19 Nov 2012 -- U.S. Fleet Cyber Command/U.S. TENTH Fleet cyber warriors supported exercise CYBER FLAG 13-1.
• NAVFAC Pacific Completes Building Renovations in Thailand, Enhances Regional Security NNS 19 Nov 2012 -- Naval Facilities Engineering Command Pacific completed renovations in early October on the Bangkok Organized Crime Task Force building for the Royal Thai Police in Bangkok, Thailand.
• Defense and Industry Narrow Communication Gap AFPS 19 Nov 2012 -- As a cost- and time-saving measure, Defense Department officials have developed an experimental website to help government and industry stay up-to-date on developing projects that support the warfighter.
• Scandals Highlight Ethics Lapses in Military VOA 19 Nov 2012 -- Several recent scandals involving members and former members of the U.S. military have prompted Defense Secretary Leon Panetta to order a review of ethics-training programs.
• Russia Developing 200-km Range Rocket System RIA Novosti 19 Nov 2012 -- Russia is developing new long-range multiple-launch rocket systems with improved guidance that could allow them to strike targets up to 120 miles away.
• Russian Military Police ‘Up and Running’ RIA Novosti 19 Nov 2012 -- Russia’s military police force is already functional and formation of the new service will be completed in 2014.
• Russia Vows to Continue Anti-Piracy Mission off Somali Coast RIA Novosti 19 Nov 2012 -- Russia will keep its naval task force in the Gulf of Aden as part of an international effort to fight sea piracy off the Somali coast.
• HMS Blyth leads NATO exercise in Turkey UK MOD 19 Nov 2012 -- Sandown Class mine countermeasures vessel HMS Blyth recently took part in a NATO exercise in the Bay of Izmir in Turkey, successfully locating dummy mines while coming under simulated attack.
• RFA Argus works with Dutch Navy UK MOD 19 Nov 2012 -- The British and Dutch navies joined forces in the war on drugs when RFA Argus met up with the Netherlands frigate HNLMS Van Amstel in the Caribbean.
• China advertises weapons with simulated attack on Taiwan CNA 19 Nov 2012 -- A video played at a show in Zhuhai in southern China to promote China's weapons systems simulated the bombing of military bases in Taiwan.
• KCNA Commentary on Japan's Drone Development Plan KCNA 19 Nov 2012 -- Recently Japan announced a drone development plan allegedly to "cope with the north's ballistic missile threat."
• Kim Jong Un Inspects Training Ground of Horse Riding Company of KPA KCNA 19 Nov 2012 -- Supreme Commander of the Korean People's Army Kim Jong Un inspected the training ground of a horse riding company under KPA Unit 534.
• UN Deputy Secretary-General flags need for ‘multi-dimensional’ approach to combating piracy UN News Centre 19 Nov 2012 -- The United Nations Deputy Secretary-General, Jan Eliasson stressed the need to address the causes of piracy with a “multi-dimensional approach.”
• U.S. Department of State Daily Press Briefing US Dept. of State 19 Nov 2012

Defense Industry

• DoD News: Contracts for November 19, 2012

Other Conflicts

• Daily Press Briefing by the Office of the Spokesperson for the Secretary-General, 19 November 2012 United Nations 19 Nov 2012
• Readout of the President's Call with President Morsi of Egypt The White House 19 Nov 2012
• IDF Operation Pillar of Defense - Monday, November 19 Updates Israel Defense Forces 19 Nov 2012
• IAF aborts airstrikes in an effort to protect civilians Israel Defense Forces 19 Nov 2012 -- Like in all operations, the IDF has taken the utmost care to protect uninvolved civilians during Operation Pillar of Defense.
• Power Plays In The Israel-Gaza Conflict RFE/RL 19 Nov 2012 -- The conflict between Israel and Hamas is the most intense fighting in Gaza since the Arab Spring uprisings began to change the dynamics of regional politics in the Middle East.
• Israel Pounds Gaza as Diplomacy Intensifies VOA 19 Nov 2012 -- As diplomacy intensifies to stop the cross-border attacks between Israel and the Gaza Strip, Palestinian medical workers say more than 19 people were killed by Israeli air strikes.
• Civilian death toll in Gaza continues to rise, UN agency warns UN News Centre 19 Nov 2012 -- The civilian death toll in Gaza has continued to rise since the new wave of violence between the territory and Israel intensified last week.
• Gaza Death Toll Reaches 95 As Fighting Rages RFE/RL 19 Nov 2012 -- Israeli air strikes have killed 18 Palestinians on November 19, bringing the Gaza death toll to at least 95 as Israel's campaign against militants in the Hamas-ruled enclave continued for a sixth day.
• Gaza Death Toll Rises as UN Chief Seeks Truce RIA Novosti 19 Nov 2012 -- The death toll in Gaza climbed to at least 90 as Israel continued to strike targets within the Palestinian enclave and UN Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon headed to Egypt to attempt to secure a ceasefire.
• Israeli Airstrikes Wreck Palestine Stadium RIA Novosti 19 Nov 2012 -- Israeli airstrikes have left the Palestine Stadium in the Gaza Strip in ruins as a bombing campaign on the enclave entered its sixth day.
• Gaza Crisis Puts Strain on US-Turkey Relationship VOA 19 Nov 2012 -- The deepening crisis over Gaza is straining Turkish-U.S. relations, with Ankara calling on Washington to rein in Israel.
• Khalid Mashaal: Palestinians not to forget Iran’s support for resistance IRNA 19 Nov 2012 -- Head of Hamas Politbureau Khalid Mashaal speaking at a press conference said that Palestinian nation would never forget their Iranian brethren’s staunch support for Palestinian resistance.
• PA Requests Emergency Arab League Summit RIA Novosti 19 Nov 2012 -- The Palestinian Authority in the West Bank urged the Arab League to hold an emergency summit to discuss Israel’s military operation against Gaza.
• Indirect Israeli-Palestinian Ceasefire Talks Underway in Cairo RIA Novosti 19 Nov 2012 -- Informal talks between an Israeli representative and Palestinian factions are underway in Cairo.
• Iranian, Egyptian presidents call for int'l consensus against Israel IRNA 19 Nov 2012 -- Iranian President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad and Egyptian President Mohammad Mursi reiterated the need for bringing about an international consensus on preventing the continuation of Israeli aggressions on Gaza.
• Minister: Israel Faces 'Unprecedented' Cyberattack over Gaza RIA Novosti 19 Nov 2012 -- Israel had to repel millions of cyberattacks on government websites since the start of its operation in Gaza.
• OPT: Gaza hospitals need more drugs IRIN 19 Nov 2012 -- The nurses at Shifa hospital in the Gaza Strip have seen bombing casualties before, but never on this scale.
• NATO Secretary General comments on Turkey and the Middle East NATO 19 Nov 2012
• NATO Ready to Protect Turkey from Syrian Missiles VOA 19 Nov 2012 -- NATO chief Anders Fogh Rasmussen says the alliance would consider a request from Turkey to deploy Patriot anti-missile batteries along its border with Syria.
• EU Endorses Syrian Opposition RFE/RL 19 Nov 2012 -- The newly formed Syrian opposition coalition has received backing from the European Union, a potentially significant vote of confidence for a movement seeking to gain recognition.
• EU Recognizes Syrian Anti-Assad Coalition RIA Novosti 19 Nov 2012 -- The 27 members of the European Union recognized on Monday the broad opposition coalition created in Syria earlier this month as a legitimate representative of the Syrian people.
• Syrian Islamist Groups Reject Opposition Coalition RFE/RL 19 Nov 2012 -- Hard-line rebel groups in northern Syria have rejected the newly formed opposition coalition.
• Iranian ambassador unveils peace plan to Syrian opposition groups IRNA 19 Nov 2012 -- Iran unveiled a peace plan to Syrian opposition groups to stop bloodshed and go ahead with democratic process and free and fair election to form national reconciliation government.
• Dy FM: Follow-up committee on Syrian national dialogue formed IRNA 19 Nov 2012 -- Deputy Foreign Minister for Arab and African Affairs Hossein Amirabdollahian said a follow-up committee on Syrian national dialogue has been formed during the Tehran meeting.
• 2nd day of Syrian National Dialogue opens in Tehran IRNA 19 Nov 2012 -- The second day of meeting on Syrian National Dialogue opened behind the closed doors in the Iranian capital.
• Syrian Pro-Government, Opposition Groups Meet in Tehran RIA Novosti 19 Nov 2012 -- Syrian government representatives and opposition political parties are taking part in a peace conference in the Iranian capital Tehran to find a negotiated solution to the 21-month-old crisis in Syria.
• Syrian Refugees in Jordan Get 1,500 Saudi Caravans RIA Novosti 19 Nov 2012 -- Saudi Arabia on Monday delivered 1,500 trailers and 160 tents to house Syrian refugees at the Zaatari refugee camp in Jordan's Mafraq district.
• Iranian Kurds Fight Discrimination, Hope for Change VOA 19 Nov 2012 -- The Kurdish minority in Iran has for decades suffered discrimination and many Kurds have been thrown into prison and executed for seeking equal rights from the Islamic government in Tehran.
• Islamists Take Northern Mali Town from Secular Rebels VOA 19 Nov 2012 -- Residents in northern Mali say Islamic rebels have taken the town of Menaca from secular Tuareg rebels.
• South China Sea Dispute Flares at ASEAN Summit VOA 19 Nov 2012 -- Regional leaders at a summit of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations have again raised disagreements over the South China Sea.
• Yemen: Ban welcomes progress with democratic transition, says process must be ‘irreversible’ UN News Centre 19 Nov 2012 -- United Nations Secretary-General Ban urged Yemen to build on progress made over the last twelve months since the signing of a historic transition agreement.
• UN Security Council to Consider Sanctions on M23, Other DRC Rebels VOA 19 Nov 2012 -- France plans to introduce a U.N. resolution sanctioning M23 rebels and others in the Democratic Republic of Congo, where the United Nations has warned of a dangerous escalation of violence in the eastern part of the country.
• DRC Urges Sanctions on Rwanda for Support of M23 Rebels VOA 19 Nov 2012 -- The Democratic Republic of Congo’s Information Minister has called on the international community to impose sanctions on Rwanda, following the latest fighting with the M23 rebel group.
• New fighting in eastern DR Congo adds to already dire humanitarian situation – UN UN News Centre 19 Nov 2012 -- Fresh clashes in eastern Democratic Republic of the Congo between fighters with the rebel 23 March Movement and the national army have forced thousands to flee again.
• New Fighting After DRC Rejects Rebel Demand for Talks VOA 19 Nov 2012 -- New fighting has broken out near the Congolese city of Goma, after the Democratic Republic of Congo government dismissed a demand for peace talks from rebel group M23.
• DRC Minister: Army Controls Goma Despite Reported Rebel Advances VOA 19 Nov 2012 -- Democratic Republic of Congo Information Minister Lambert Mende said government forces are in complete control of the eastern city of Goma.
• Delayed Implementation of Agreements by Sudan and South Sudan US Dept. of State 19 Nov 2012
• Colombia's FARC Announce Cease-Fire, Begin Peace Talks VOA 19 Nov 2012 -- Colombia's leftist FARC rebels have announced a two-month unilateral cease-fire as the rebel group and Colombian government resumed peace talks in Havana.
• Colombia, FARC Seek End to Conflict VOA 19 Nov 2012 -- Colombia and the leftist Revolutionary Armed Forces of Colombia, or FARC, sit down together Monday in Havana for talks aimed at ending Latin America's longest running insurgency.
• Three Suspected Militants Killed in North Caucasus RIA Novosti 19 Nov 2012 -- Three suspected militants were killed and four law-enforcers were injured in a counter-terrorism operation in Russia’s North Caucasus Republic of Kabardino-Balkaria.

News Reports

• Remarks by President Obama at the University of Yangon The White House 19 Nov 2012
• Remarks by President Obama and President Thein Sein of Burma After Bilateral Meeting The White House 19 Nov 2012
• Remarks by President Obama and Daw Aung San Suu Kyi The White House 19 Nov 2012
• Press Gaggle by Press Secretary Jay Carney and Deputy National Security Advisor Ben Rhodes The White House 19 Nov 2012
• Analysis: How real are Myanmar’s reforms? IRIN 19 Nov 2012 -- The visit of US President Barack Obama to Myanmar on 19 November has renewed international interest in the country’s democratic reforms, but also skepticism about their impact on the lives of ordinary Burmese.
• China Watching Obama's Burma Visit VOA 19 Nov 2012 -- U.S. officials say the president's visit recognizes the decision by Burmese leaders to embark on a path of reform and democratization after decades of repression.
• Obama's Historic Burma Speech Mostly Well Received VOA 19 Nov 2012 -- President Barack Obama's speech at Burma's Rangoon University has been mostly welcomed as inspirational and supportive of political reforms, though some criticized his comments on the country's western Rakhine state as inaccurate.
• Obama: Burma's Journey an Example for Asia, World VOA 19 Nov 2012 -- In a historic visit to Burma, U.S. President Barack Obama has acknowledged the beginning of reforms, saying the United States will support democracy efforts, economic development and efforts at national reconciliation.
• U.S. President Pays Historic Visit To Burma RFE/RL 19 Nov 2012 -- U.S. President Barack Obama has met with Burmese opposition leader Aung San Suu Kyi during a historic trip to Burma (also known as Myanmar).
• U.S. Institutional Support for ASEAN US Dept. of State 19 Nov 2012
• Fact Sheet: The U.S.-ASEAN Expanded Economic Engagement (E3) Initiative The White House 19 Nov 2012
• Fact Sheet: U.S.-ASEAN Leaders Meeting The White House 19 Nov 2012
• Obama Presses Cambodia PM on Human Rights VOA 19 Nov 2012 -- U.S. President Barack Obama has voiced concerns about Cambodia's human rights record in what U.S. officials described as a "tense" meeting with Cambodian Prime Minister Hun Sen.
• Obama to Promote US Interests at ASEAN Summit VOA 19 Nov 2012 -- U.S. President Barack Obama is using his first trip abroad since winning re-election to push for renewed U.S. interests on trade and economic development in Asia.
• UN official welcomes ASEAN commitment to human rights, but concerned over declaration wording UN News Centre 19 Nov 2012 -- The United Nations human rights chief welcomed the renewed commitment by leaders of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations to universal human rights norms.
• Tibetan Dies in Self-Immolation in China's Qinghai Province VOA 19 Nov 2012 -- Tibetan sources told VOA that a Tibetan man has died after setting himself on fire near a monastery to protest Chinese rule in the western province of Qinghai.
• Iranian engineers innovate fueling upgrade in Bushehr power plant IRNA 19 Nov 2012 -- A team of engineers from Amir Kabir Technical University of Tehran innovated fueling upgrade in Bushehr power plant.
• Former Leader Of Pakistan's Largest Islamic Party Escapes Suicide Attack RFE/RL 19 Nov 2012 -- The former leader of Pakistan's largest Islamic party has escaped unhurt after a suicide bomb attack in the Mohmand tribal region.
• KENYA: Another bloody Sunday IRIN 19 Nov 2012 -- People appearing to be of Somali origin were attacked for their perceived association with Al-Shabab, a Somali insurgency group that has repeatedly targeted Kenya because of its military involvement in Somalia.
• Kenya Begins 30-Day Voter Registration VOA 19 Nov 2012 -- Kenyan President Mwai Kibaki has officially launched a nationwide voter registration campaign for the March 4 general elections.
• Observers Praise Sierra Leone Elections VOA 19 Nov 2012 -- European observers are praising Sierra Leone's elections as peaceful and well-organized, though they expressed concern about post-election unrest.
• Kadyrov Picks New Quarrel With Ingushetian Counterpart RFE/RL 19 Nov 2012 -- For a period of six weeks this summer, Chechen Republic head Ramzan Kadyrov and his Ingushetian counterpart, Yunus-Bek Yevkurov, engaged in a protracted and acrimonious public polemic.
• Russian Opposition Activist Loses Appeal Of Fine RFE/RL 19 Nov 2012 -- The Ulyanovsk regional court has upheld a fine against Sergei Udaltsov, the coordinator of Russia's Left Front opposition movement.
• Russia's Jailed Pussy Riot Members Change Lawyers VOA 19 Nov 2012 -- The two jailed members of the Russian all-female punk band Pussy Riot have replaced their legal team.
• Head Scarves To Be Banned In Some Russian Schools RFE/RL 19 Nov 2012 -- Russia's multiethnic region of Stavropol will introduce a dress code that bans religion-related clothing in schools.
• Belarus Human Rights Center Staff Facing Eviction RFE/RL 19 Nov 2012 -- The staff of a prominent human rights organization in Minsk is being evicted from its office.
• Lukashenko Fired KGB Chief Over 'Unhealthy' Climate RIA Novosti 19 Nov 2012 -- Belarusian President Alexander Lukashenko said he fired the country’s KGB chief over an “unhealthy moral and psychological atmosphere” in the state security body.
• Kazakh Border Guard Trial Starts RFE/RL 19 Nov 2012 -- The trial of border guard Vladislav Chelakh, who is accused of killing 15 people, has started in Kazakhstan.
• UN court rules Colombia has sovereignty over islands claimed by Nicaragua UN News Centre 19 Nov 2012 -- The principal judicial organ of the United Nations, the International Court of Justice ruled that Colombia, and not Nicaragua, has sovereignty over seven disputed islands in the Caribbean Sea.