Operations
Defense Policy / Programs
Defense Industry
Other Conflicts
News Reports

Current Operations

• OIF/OEF/OND Casualty Update 27 Nov 2012 [PDF]
• Combined Force Detains 3 Insurgents in Kunduz Province AFPS 27 Nov 2012 -- An Afghan-led, coalition-supported security force detained three suspected insurgents during a search for a Taliban leader in the Archi district of Afghanistan's Kunduz province today, military officials reported.
• NATO Failing To Fight Afghan Narcotics - Drug Agency RIA Novosti 27 Nov 2012 -- Russia's anti-drug chief criticized NATO on Tuesday for failing to combat drug-trafficking from Afghanistan.
• Afghans Worry About Iran's Growing Influence VOA 27 Nov 2012 -- As the United States negotiates the scope of its presence in Afghanistan after combat forces leave in 2014, Afghan former officials and analysts are getting concerned that neighboring Iran is also seeking to shape Afghanistan's future.

Defense Policy / Programs

• DOD News Briefing with George Little from the Pentagon DoD 27 Nov 2012 -- Presenter: Pentagon Press Secretary George Little
• Coalition refueling training enhances interoperability, partnerships, mission capabilities USMC News 27 Nov 2012 -- CAMP LEMONNIER, Djibouti -- U.S. Marines from the Marine Aerial Refueler Transport Squadron (VMGR) 352, assigned to the 15th Marine Expeditionary Unit, conducted a refueling training mission with the French forces while flying at 15,000 feet over Djibouti Nov. 22, 2012.
• Navy Awards $14.1 Million to Small Business for Guam Realignment Work NNS 27 Nov 2012 -- Naval Facilities Engineering Command (NAVFAC) Marianas today awarded a $14.1 million dollar firm-fixed price task order to Overland Federal LLC, a small business, for on-going wharf improvements in Apra Harbor at Naval Base Guam.
• US Soldier Accused in WikiLeaks Case Expected to Testify RIA Novosti 27 Nov 2012 -- The US Army private and intelligence analyst charged with sending thousands of classified security documents to the website WikiLeaks is expected to speak publicly about the case for the first time at a pre-trial hearing that begins Tuesday at the Fort Meade Army base in the US state of Maryland.
• MRAP facility completes program ahead of schedule Army News 27 Nov 2012 -- The team effort within the Mine Resistant Ambush Protected Vehicle facility at Red River Army Depot was recently recognized for not only getting the job done but doing it ahead of the time planned for it.
• Troops prepare to keep steady peace in Sinai Army News 27 Nov 2012 -- Current tensions and upheavals, in the Middle East and northern Africa in the wake of the Arab Spring movements, have changed the calculus of international relations and policy for the region. In the midst of this change, it's easy to forget that peace has existed between Israel and Egypt for more than 30 years. One of the tools of that peace is the Multinational Force Observer organization.
• CTF 4-2 takes over for sister brigade in Afghanistan Army News 27 Nov 2012 -- In front of local Afghan provincial government officials and the Regional Command-South command team, 4th Stryker Brigade Combat Team, 2nd Infantry Division unfurled its unit colors and obtained command from its sister brigade, 3rd SBCT, 2nd Inf. Div., during a Transfer of Authority ceremony here, Nov. 24.
• DOD Aids Sandy Recovery, Urges Authorization Bill Passage AFPS 27 Nov 2012 -- The Defense Department continues its assistance with Hurricane Sandy recovery efforts, Pentagon Press Secretary George E. Little said.
• Keen Sword: One team, one fight AFNS 27 Nov 2012 -- For four days, the U.S. and Japan Air Self-Defense Force pilots went through countless briefings and motivational speeches. On Nov. 8, 2012, more than 30 pilots sat in their jets, side-by-side, and waited for the crew chiefs to give them the signal to taxi-out. It was time to take to the skies.
• F-22's success more than 'skin deep' AFNS 27 Nov 2012 -- Many are surprised to discover that the largest organ the human body has is the skin. Skin provides a physical barrier against harmful, external factors. The F-22 Raptor, much like the human body, has a layer of skin called low observable.
• Airmen provide Sailors real-time video for maritime operations AFNS 27 Nov 2012 -- Editor's Note: Actual locations and specific details of the types of aircraft and ships involved were withheld for operational security.
• Deployed structural maintainers 'do it all' AFNS 27 Nov 2012 -- When a homeowner needs to redo a wall, repair the roof, and re-key a lock, several calls must be made.
• Transcom Transforms Command Culture for Future AFPS 27 Nov 2012 -- Motivational speakers and book clubs focused on innovative thinking, emotional intelligence and other trendy topics. Regular sessions where senior leaders sit down with a random group of staffers to share a meal and talk about cultural virtues. Professional development emphasizing 'people skills' as well as job-related ones. And in the planning stages, 'speed dating' arrangements in which employees from different offices will come together to introduce themselves and explain how their jobs fit into the broader mission.
• Senior Executive Service Announcement DoD 27 Nov 2012
• Benfold Leads Joint MCM Defense Exercise NNS 27 Nov 2012 -- Guided-missile destroyer USS Benfold (DDG 65) partnered with Commander, Task Force (CTF) 52 and CTF 55 to conduct five days of mine countermeasures (MCM) operations in the U.S. 5th Fleet Area of Responsibility.
• USS Vandegrift Returns from Deployment NNS 27 Nov 2012 -- The guided-missile frigate USS Vandegrift (FFG 48) will return from its six-month, independent deployment to the Western Pacific Ocean Nov. 28.
• Navy, DoD, Developer Announce Wind Farm Agreement to Preserve Training Mission in South Texas NNS 27 Nov 2012 -- Officials from the Department of Defense (DoD), the Department of the Navy (Navy), E.ON Climate & Renewables North America, LLC (ECRNA), and Petronila Wind Farm, LLC, owned by ECRNA (Petronila Wind), announced a memorandum of agreement (MOA) Nov. 26 to allow the developer to build and operate new wind turbines in Nueces County, Texas, while working to protect the Navy's ability to continue its training mission at NAS Kingsville and NAS Corpus Christi.
• Russia's Caspian Flotilla to Get 3 Assault Ships RIA Novosti 27 Nov 2012 -- The Russian Caspian Flotilla's naval infantry will get three modern Project 11770 Serna amphibious assault ships over the next two years, a Navy representative said on Tuesday.
• Russian Defense Ministry to 'Stay the Course' RIA Novosti 27 Nov 2012 -- The Russian Defense Ministry's new leadership will press ahead with the reforms begun under the previous minister, Anatoly Serdyukov, making some adjustments as needed, a ministry spokesperson said on Tuesday.
• N. Korea May Soon Launch New Long-Range Missile – Media RIA Novosti 27 Nov 2012 -- North Korea may carry out a test launch of a long-range ballistic missile in the next two months, S. Korea's Yonhap news agency reported on Tuesday citing recent intelligence data.
• New Satellite Images Suggest N. Korea Missile Activity VOA 27 Nov 2012 -- A satellite imagery company is reporting increased activity at a North Korean launch site, suggesting a long-range missile test could take place in just weeks.
• Royal Navy's 847 Squadron returns from USA trained and ready to fight UK MOD 27 Nov 2012 -- After a gruelling month-long training package in the hot and arid deserts of Arizona, 847 Naval Air Squadron personnel, along with their Lynx Mk9A aircraft, have made the 6,000-mile (9,700km) return journey to RNAS Yeovilton in Somerset.
• Leeming Expeditionary Air Wing NATO-ready UK MOD 27 Nov 2012 -- An RAF Expeditionary Air Wing (EAW) has been declared ready to support NATO following a series of gruelling tests which culminated in Exercise Agile Eagle held at RAF Waddington in mid-November.
• Spanish Admiral to Lead EU Anti-Piracy Mission RIA Novosti 27 Nov 2012 -- A Spanish admiral was appointed on Tuesday to lead the EU anti-piracy operation in the Gulf of Aden, the Council of the European Union said.
• Russia Delivers First Mi-171 Helicopter to Indonesia RIA Novosti 27 Nov 2012 -- Russia has delivered the first Mi-171 multirole helicopter to Indonesia, Russian Helicopters holding announced on Tuesday.
• UN human rights office concerned over Colombia's military justice reform bid UN News Centre 27 Nov 2012 -- Expressing 'serious concern' over a constitutional reform measure affecting Colombia's military justice system, the United Nations human rights office today called on the country's President and the President of the Congress to reconsider their support for the bid, which could undermine efforts to bring perpetrators of alleged war crimes to justice.
• November 27, 2012 - U.S. Department of State Daily Press Briefing US Dept. of State 27 Nov 2012
• Press Briefing by Press Secretary Jay Carney, 11/27/2012 The White House 27 Nov 2012

Defense Industry

• DoD News: Contracts for November 27, 2012

Other Conflicts

• 27 November 2012 - Daily Press Briefing by the Office of the Spokesperson for the Secretary-General United Nations 27 Nov 2012
• Fighting Rages in Syria; UNHCR Warns of Growing Trauma VOA 27 Nov 2012 -- Activists say Syrian government warplanes targeted an olive press factory near the city of Idlib Tuesday, in the country's north, killing at least 20 people. They say dozens more have been wounded.
• DRC: Civilian population in Masisi at risk IRIN 27 Nov 2012 -- As Masisi, a lush territory in eastern Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC), finds itself surrounded by military elements and mounting conflict, humanitarian agencies grow increasingly concerned about its civilian population.
• UN relief agencies working 'around the clock' to assist displaced in DR Congo UN News Centre 27 Nov 2012 -- Humanitarian agencies and their partners are working 'around the clock' to provide basic services such as water, food and shelter to more than 140,000 people displaced by the recent violence in the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC), the United Nations said today.
• DRC Rebels Hesitate on Plans to Withdraw From Goma VOA 27 Nov 2012 -- The political leader of the M23 rebel movement in eastern Democratic Republic of Congo said the group is ready to withdraw from the city of Goma if Congolese President Joseph Kabila meets their conditions. It is still not clear, however, if the rebels truly intend to leave the city.
• 27 November 2012 - Press Conference by Permanent Observer of Palestine United Nations 27 Nov 2012
• France To Back Palestinian UN Status RFE/RL 27 Nov 2012 -- France says it will vote in favor of upgrading the Palestinian Authority's status at the United Nations from "observer" to "nonmember state."
• Recent crisis underscores urgency of resuming Israeli-Palestinian peace talks – UN envoy UN News Centre 27 Nov 2012 -- The recent escalation of violence underscores the urgent need to get the Israeli-Palestinian peace process back on track, a top United Nations official told the Security Council today, stressing that the status quo is unsustainable.
• UN fund gives $5.3 million to assist displaced persons in Myanmar UN News Centre 27 Nov 2012 -- Some 36,000 people who have been displaced by inter-communal violence in Myanmar's Rakhine state will benefit from an additional $5.3 million in assistance provided by the United Nations Central Emergency Response Fund (CERF), the world body announced today.
• Violence Spiking in South Sudan's Jonglei State VOA 27 Nov 2012 -- Medical aid agency Doctors Without Borders is warning of a marked increase in violence in South Sudan's troubled Jonglei state. The group, known by its French acronym MSF, says rising numbers of women and children are being stabbed, shot, and beaten - with the youngest victim being just four months old.
• UN envoy welcomes progress made by Kosovo and Serbia to normalize relations UN News Centre 27 Nov 2012 -- A senior United Nations official today welcomed the recent steps taken by Kosovo and Serbia to normalize relations, and called on the international community to fully support the dialogue between the two to reach long-term agreements.

News Reports

• Morsi Says Acted Within Rights On Expanded Powers RFE/RL 27 Nov 2012 -- Egyptian President Muhammad Morsi has told his country's top judges he acted within his rights to grant himself expanded powers, but his office also appeared to climb down slightly from the most contentious aspect of his recent decree.
• Egyptians Hold Mass Anti-Morsi Protest in Cairo RIA Novosti 27 Nov 2012 -- Tens of thousands of people converged on Tuesday on Tahrir Square in Cairo to protest the highly-controversial decree that grants Egypt's Islamist President Mohamed Morsi sweeping new powers.
• Protests Rage Against Egyptian Presidential Decree VOA 27 Nov 2012 -- Thousands of protesters in Cairo's Tahrir Square are rallying against Egyptian President Mohamed Morsi, hours after the president told the nation's top judges that elements of his new decree granting himself more powers and authority must stand.
• Iran decries delay for Conference on making Middle East free from nuclear weapons IRNA 27 Nov 2012 -- Iran on Tuesday decried delay for Conference on making the Middle East free from nuclear weapons scheduled to be held in Helsinki, Finland, in December, saying that the US administration has failed to honor its obligations toward Non-Proliferation Treaty.
• Safavi: Iranian nation to successfully overcome all challenges IRNA 27 Nov 2012 -- Advisor to the Supreme Leader for International Affairs, Major General Yahya Rahim Safavi said on Tuesday that Iranian nation will successfully overcome the challenges.
• Caspian Sea security needs no foreign presence, commander IRNA 27 Nov 2012 -- Commander of the Fourth Fleet of Iran's Navy Rear Admiral Khordad Hakimi said Tuesday that the littoral states of the Caspian Sea are capable of providing regional security therefore, there is no need for presence of any foreign troops.
• Two Iranian warships to take side by Sudan coasts Friday IRNA 27 Nov 2012 -- Official Sudan news agency quoted a military commander of Sudan said Monday two Iranian warships are scheduled to take side at Port Sudan on Friday, November 30th.
• Iranian Official: 'We Should Be Ready To Face Nuclear Accidents' RFE/RL 27 Nov 2012 -- A rare expression of concern about Iran’s nuclear sites and their impact on human health has been expressed by the head of the country’s accident and medical emergency center.
• Iran: No Talks with US RIA Novosti 27 Nov 2012 -- Tehran dismissed media reports about secret talks with Washington on Tuesday, saying that the alleged talks were an attempt by US politicians to encourage a bigger turnout in November presidential polls.
• US Lawmakers Reiterate Criticism of Rice Over Benghazi VOA 27 Nov 2012 -- Republican senators say they remain deeply troubled by the Obama administration's initial accounts of the September attack on the U.S. consulate in Benghazi, Libya. The senators spoke after meeting with America's U.N. ambassador, Susan Rice, who has come under fire for statements she made days after the assault that killed four Americans.
• US Family Suing CIA Over 1953 Death RIA Novosti 27 Nov 2012 -- The family of a US government scientist who reportedly jumped to his death nearly 60 years ago now plans to sue the Central Intelligence Agency (CIA) that secretly gave him hallucinogenic drugs, claiming the man was murdered and that the CIA has long covered up the truth about his death, The New York Times reported Tuesday.
• DJIBOUTI: Rising food insecurity fuels migration IRIN 27 Nov 2012 -- Successive years of poor rains have eroded the coping mechanisms of pastoralists in Djibouti's rural regions, even as high food prices and unemployment rates afflict the country's urban areas. These factors are increasing the vulnerability to food insecurity and spurring migration.
• Analysis: What's happening with aid to Bangladesh? IRIN 27 Nov 2012 -- While Bangladesh has made significant efforts to boost aid effectiveness, questions remain over who is benefiting from the US$1.5 billion in foreign aid the country receives annually.
• Arafat's Body Exhumed In Murder Inquiry RFE/RL 27 Nov 2012 -- Palestinian officials say the remains of Yasser Arafat have been reburied soon after samples were taken to be tested for possible signs of poisoning.
• On Central Asian Tour, Ashton Emphasizes 'Shared Security Challenges' RFE/RL 27 Nov 2012 -- European Union foreign-policy chief Catherine Ashton is in the Kyrgyz capital, the first stop of a tour of Central Asia.e
• Sea Launch Postpones Satellite Launch Until Dec. 3 RIA Novosti 27 Nov 2012 -- The Sea Launch consortium has moved the date for the launch of its Zenit-3SL rocket carrying the EUTELSAT-70B satellite 24 hours due to the delayed arrival of the Odyssey platform to the launch site, the company said on Tuesday.