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News Reports

Current Operations

• OIF/OEF/OND Casualty Update 03 Dec 2012 [PDF]
• Press briefing with Major General Jim Ferron, Deputy Commanding General, NATO Training Mission-Afghanistan (NTM-A) and Major General M. Zahir Azimi, Afghan lead for the NATO Training Mission, moderated by Chris Riley, NATO Press Officer NATO 03 Dec 2012
• Combined Force Arrests Taliban Leader in Balkh Province AFPS 03 Dec 2012 -- A combined Afghan and coalition security force arrested the senior Taliban leader for eastern Chimtal district in Afghanistan’s Balkh province.
• Kabul Opposes Foreign Prisons In The Country RFE/RL 03 Dec 2012 -- The Afghan National Security Council says foreign countries cannot arrest Afghans or run prisons inside the country.
• US Helicopter Contract 'In Place' Says Russian Arms Firm RIA Novosti 03 Dec 2012 -- Russia's state arms export corporation Rosoboronexport insisted it had not received any formal notification from the US regarding cancellation of a contract for delivery of Russian military helicopters to Afghanistan.
• From NY streets to Afghan skies, NYFD crew saves lives AFNS 03 Dec 2012 -- One crew deployed together with the 26th Expeditionary Rescue Squadron to Camp Bastion, Afghanistan, bringing a unique flavor of New York Fire Departments with them.
• 3rd CAB Cases Colors Army News 03 Dec 2012 -- The 3rd Combat Aviation Brigade opened the next chapter in its history when it cased its colors, Nov. 30, during a ceremony at Hunter Army Airfield, Ga., in preparation for its upcoming deployment to Afghanistan.
• Afghan, US Army NCO's share experience at Bagram conference Army News 03 Dec 2012 -- Five staff sergeants major from the Afghan National Army's 201st Corps visited Bagram Airfield Dec. 2 for a brief conference with their counterparts from the U.S.-led Combined Joint Task Force-1.
• Peace and reintegration future in Afghan's hands Army News 03 Dec 2012 -- Uruzgan provincial and district level leaders, along with members from Combined Team Uruzgan, Uruzgan Provincial Reconstruction Team and Special Operations Task Force Southeast, conducted a vital visit.
• Powerful Afghan Minister Survives Impeachment RFE/RL 03 Dec 2012 -- Afghanistan's lower house of parliament has cleared the country's powerful minister of water and energy of wrongdoing in impeachment proceedings in the capital.
• Family, friends and public welcome soldiers home from Afghanistan UK MOD 03 Dec 2012 -- Soldiers from 3rd Battalion The Yorkshire Regiment, the 1st Battalion Welsh Guards and the 1st Royal Tank Regiment have all taken part in homecoming parades.
• NATO Supports Pakistan in Terrorism Fight VOA 03 Dec 2012 -- NATO's chief says the alliance stands together with Pakistan as the South Asian nation combats the "scourge" of terrorism.
• Pakistani Foreign Minister visits NATO, holds talks with North Atlantic Council NATO 03 Dec 2012 -- NATO Secretary General Anders Fogh Rasmussen welcomed Pakistan’s Foreign Minister Hina Rabbani Khar to NATO headquarters.
• Collaborating Extremist Groups Worry Africom Commander AFPS 03 Dec 2012 -- Extremist groups collaborating in Africa pose a threat beyond the region that extends to Europe and the United States, U.S. Africa Command’s top military officer said.

Defense Policy / Programs

• Remarks by the President at the Nunn-Lugar Cooperative Threat Reduction Symposium The White House 03 Dec 2012
• 20TH Anniversary Cooperative Threat Reduction Symposium DoD 03 Dec 2012
• Remarks by Deputy Secretary Carter at the Cooperative Threat Reduction Symposium at National Defense University, Washington, D.C. DoD 03 Dec 2012
• Panetta Awards Nunn, Lugar Highest Civilian Defense Honors AFPS 03 Dec 2012 -- Defense Secretary Leon E. Panetta recognized the program’s founders with the Defense Department’s highest civilian honor, the Distinguished Public Service Award.
• CVN 77 Back to Sea for Trials NNS 03 Dec 2012 -- The USS George H.W. Bush is conducting sea trials in collaboration with Norfolk Naval Shipyard (NNSY) to train Sailors and ensure operability of equipment and systems, Dec. 3.
• CVN 77 Completes Crew Certification NNS 03 Dec 2012 -- USS George H.W. Bush went through a mandatory certification phase in November to ensure they were combat ready and proficient in fighting the ship.
• CVN 77 Departs Shipyard on Time NNS 03 Dec 2012 -- After four months at Norfolk Naval Shipyard, sailors from the USS George H.W. Bush are headed back out to sea after successfully completing a short-term upgrade and maintenance period, Dec. 1.
• Official Explores Cost-saving Logistics Initiatives AFPS 03 Dec 2012 -- A senior Defense Department official underscored the importance of contractors, industry partnerships and allies at a time of fewer federal dollars and amid a transition to a post-war era.
• Official Discusses Enhanced Sustainability, Cost Reduction AFPS 03 Dec 2012 -- The assistant secretary of defense for maintenance and policy today outlined the issues and challenges facing the maintenance community with consideration to current conflicts and steep costs.
• Partnerships to Remain Keystone of Transcom’s Success AFPS 03 Dec 2012 -- The joint, interagency, international and commercial partnerships that have enabled U.S. Transportation Command to support a decade of wartime operations and other contingencies around the world will remain vital in the post-conflict era.
• Army Black Hawk flies autonomously over California Army News 03 Dec 2012 -- The U.S. Army Research, Development and Engineering Command's Aviation and Missile Center successfully demonstrated low-level autonomous behaviors in a flight over the Diablo Range.
• MK 18 Team Members Earn Two-Star Accolades for Expeditious, Expeditionary Acquisition Support NNS 03 Dec 2012 -- Naval Surface Warfare Center Panama City Division members of the MK 18 Mod 2 team were presented with two-star accolades Nov. 28.
• Fire Scout Breaks Endurance Records on USS Klakring Deployment NNS 03 Dec 2012 -- The Navy's fourth Fire Scout detachment returned to Mayport, Fla., Dec. 1, after achieving several milestones during its five-month deployment aboard USS Klakring (FFG 42).
• 'Raider' women among first in Army to get new tactical vests Army News 03 Dec 2012 -- As members of the female engagement team with 1st Armor Brigade Combat Team, Third Infantry Division, deploying soon, they will be sporting a new piece of gear that only a handful of Soldiers in Afghanistan currently have.
• Beyond the blast: Soldier head protection research moves from ballistic to shock wave threats Army News 03 Dec 2012 -- Ballistics and material research experts told Army senior leadership that novel approaches to basic research are advancing new findings in Soldier head protection solutions.
• NORAD to Conduct Air Defense Exercise in National Capital Region DoD 03 Dec 2012
• U.S., Kuwaitis conduct defensive exercise together Army News 03 Dec 2012 -- The 3rd Infantry Division Soldiers and Kuwaiti troops assigned to the 15th Mubarak Brigade conducted Saweyan Shield, a live-fire exercise, at the Udairi Range Complex near Camp Buehring, Kuwait, Nov. 28.
• U.S. Marines, Kuwait Armed Forces snipers train along-side one another USMC News 03 Dec 2012 -- The U.S. Navy and Marine Corps participated in an annual bilateral training exercise with Kuwaiti Armed Forces Nov. 11-21 called, Eager Mace.
• Reserve Component Sailors Play Key Roles in Submarine Rescue Exercise NNS 03 Dec 2012 -- U.S. Navy Reserve component Sailors played key roles in exercise INDIAEX 2012, the first bilateral submarine rescue exercise between the U.S. and Indian navies.
• Frank Cable Visits Hong Kong NNS 03 Dec 2012 -- USS Frank Cable arrived in Hong Kong's harbor Dec 2. as part of its forward deployment to the Western Pacific region.
• Pilot safe after runway crash AFNS 03 Dec 2012 -- An F-16 ran off the runway today, December 3, 2012 at approximately 2:15 p.m. at Kunsan AB. The pilot is safe and sustained no injuries.
• Navy Announces Outerwear Option, Wear Test Evaluation of Cold Weather Parkas NNS 03 Dec 2012 -- NAVADMIN 360/12 announced the optional wear of the Army double breasted black all-weather coat with all uniforms except the Navy Working Uniform (Type I, II and III) and Physical Training Uniforms, effective immediately.
• ARL technology named 2012 Project of the Year for environmental technology, science Army News 03 Dec 2012 -- A project involving the U.S. Army Research Laboratory's cold spray technology was named one of six environment technology Projects of the Year.
• Secrets of universe revealed thanks to AF research complex AFNS 03 Dec 2012 -- Looking skyward, scientists worldwide now know the universe's size, composition, approximate age and rate of expansion.
• US 4th Fleet Patrol Aircraft, Coast Guard Assists Distressed Vessel NNS 03 Dec 2012 -- The crew of a P-3C Orion aircraft from Patrol Squadron 8 "Fighting Tigers" responded to a vessel in distress while on patrol in the Western Caribbean Sea conducting Operation Martillo counter transnational organized crime operations Nov. 27.
• FSB Opens $250,000 Arctic Uniform Tender RIA Novosti 03 Dec 2012 -- Russia’s Federal Security Service has opened a tender for the design and manufacture of special clothing and footwear for its Arctic frontier guards.
• Foreign Ministers to focus on support for Turkey, partnerships and Afghanistan NATO 03 Dec 2012 -- Turkey’s request for NATO to augment its air defence capabilities, cooperation with key partners Russia and Georgia, and progress in the Afghan mission top the agenda at the two-day December NATO Foreign Ministerial which starts on Tuesday.
• £25m MOD weapons contract sustains 450 UK jobs UK MOD 03 Dec 2012 -- Hundreds of manufacturing jobs in the British defence industry have been secured by a £25m contract for Paveway IV precision weapons for the RAF.
• MOD contracts safeguard hundreds of UK shipyard jobs UK MOD 03 Dec 2012 -- Around 800 jobs in the UK maritime sector have been safeguarded after the MOD extended five maintenance contracts worth a total of £349m.
• MOD helps small firms showcase defence innovation UK MOD 03 Dec 2012 -- The Ministry of Defence has held its first 'Marketplace' event today to give small British businesses the chance to pitch their innovative ideas to some of the world's biggest defence companies.
• HMS Bulwark arrives home after major Mediterranean exercise UK MOD 03 Dec 2012 -- The amphibious warship HMS Bulwark returned to her home base of Plymouth last week after two months with the largest Royal Naval deployment of the year in the Mediterranean.
• Iran flotilla on way to Port Sudan, Navy commander IRNA 03 Dec 2012 -- Navy Commander Rear Admiral Habibollah Sayyari announced Monday that the Iranian flotilla is moving towards Port Sudan.
• Iranian Ground Forces stage drills in Khuzestan IRNA 03 Dec 2012 -- Iranian Ground Forces staged drills in open area of Khuzestan province, spokesman or Ground Forces Brigadier-General Ali Mehrabi said.
• Campaigners Call for End of Landmine Use VOA 03 Dec 2012 -- Campaigners for a mine-free world say they are closing in on their goal and are urging governments to commit to eradicating antipersonnel landmines in years, not decades.
• Press Briefing by Press Secretary Jay Carney, 12/03/2012 The White House 03 Dec 2012
• U.S. Department of State Daily Press Briefing US Dept. of State 03 Dec 2012

Defense Industry

• DoD News: Contracts for December 03, 2012
• Louisiana Town Evacuated After 6 Million Pounds of Explosives Found RIA Novosti 03 Dec 2012 -- Residents in a small town in the state of Louisiana are being evacuated after authorities discovered 6 million pounds of explosives that were allegedly illegally stored by a company that is now the subject of a criminal investigation.

Other Conflicts

• Daily Press Briefing by the Office of the Spokesperson for the Secretary-General, 03 December 2012 United Nations 03 Dec 2012
• Press Conference by Special Representative for Children and Armed Conflict, 03 December 2012 United Nations 03 Dec 2012
• Five new countries endorse UN-backed principles to end use of children in conflict UN News Centre 03 Dec 2012 -- Bolivia, Comoros, Guinea Bissau, Kuwait and Yemen endorsed a set of United Nations principles known as the Paris Commitments.
• Syria Denies It Would Use Chemical Weapons VOA 03 Dec 2012 -- Syria says it will not use chemical weapons against its own people after U.S. Secretary of State Hillary Clinton warned the issue remains a "red line" that would prompt direct American intervention.
• Syria Says It Will Never Use Chemical Weapons Against Own People RFE/RL 03 Dec 2012 -- The Syrian government says it would "never, under any circumstances" use chemical weapons against its own people.
• Clinton Warns Syria About Using Chemical Weapons VOA 03 Dec 2012 -- U.S. Secretary of State Hillary Clinton says the Syrian government's behavior is "reprehensible" and that its actions against the Syrian people are "tragic."
• NATO to Discuss Anti-Missile System for Turkey VOA 03 Dec 2012 -- NATO foreign ministers will discuss sending a missile defense system to Turkey in response to the continuing violence in Syria.
• NATO Experts Select Patriot Missile Sites in Turkey RIA Novosti 03 Dec 2012 -- NATO military experts have selected sites for the deployment of at least three Patriot air defense systems along Turkey's border with Syria.
• Syria: Regime Hits Damascus Outskirts RFE/RL 03 Dec 2012 -- Syrian government warplanes and artillery have been bombarding rebel-held areas on the outskirts of the capital, Damascus.
• Syrian Foreign Ministry Spokesman Defects; UN Pulls Staff VOA 03 Dec 2012 -- Syria's foreign ministry spokesman reportedly has resigned from President Bashar al-Assad's government.
• SYRIA: UN shrinks staff and movement amid insecurity IRIN 03 Dec 2012 -- UN agencies in Syria are relocating and restricting movement of staff due to rising insecurity that is getting closer to the capital.
• Russia, Turkey Resolve to Find Solution on Syria Crisis VOA 03 Dec 2012 -- Russian President Vladimir Putin says his country is working with Turkey to resolve the ongoing crisis in Syria - an issue on which the two countries sharply disagree.
• Putin Reassures Turkey that Syria Is No Threat RIA Novosti 03 Dec 2012 -- Russian President Vladimir Putin reassured Turkey that Syria is too busy dealing with its internal conflict to plan any attack on its neighbors.
• In Jordan, Syrian Refugees Await Assad's Fall VOA 03 Dec 2012 -- In a makeshift kitchen between refugee tents in Jordan, members of an extended family try to recreate some semblance of the life they left in Syria, before war tore apart their homeland.
• ‘Ordinary people are paying the price’ of violence in Syria – UN humanitarian official UN News Centre 03 Dec 2012 -- New methods to reach and assist the Syrian population are required as the situation in the Middle Eastern country continues to deteriorate on a daily basis.
• Recent Israeli Announcements on Settlements US Dept. of State 03 Dec 2012
• UN Chief Warns Israeli Settlements Would Be 'Fatal Blow' RFE/RL 03 Dec 2012 -- United Nations Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon has warned it would be an “almost fatal blow” to peace prospects if Israel builds thousands of new housing units for Jewish settlers on land the Palestinians want for a future state.
• US Joins EU in Pressuring Israel to Reverse Settlement Plans VOA 03 Dec 2012 -- The Obama administration has joined European nations in trying to pressure Israel to reverse plans to build thousands of homes in the occupied areas of East Jerusalem and the West Bank.
• Diplomatic Pressure Mounts on Israeli Settlement Plan VOA 03 Dec 2012 -- Israel says it will not backtrack on a settlement expansion plan that has drawn strong international condemnation.
• European Countries Protest New Israeli Settlements RFE/RL 03 Dec 2012 -- Britain, France, and Sweden are protesting Israel's decision to build 3,000 new homes in the West Bank.
• Germany rips Zionist settlement plans IRNA 03 Dec 2012 -- German government here Monday lambasted Zionist regime for its plans to build 3,000 new homes in occupied West Bank and East Jerusalem.
• Al-Maliki criticizes US for voting against upgrading Palestine status at UN IRNA 03 Dec 2012 -- Palestinian Foreign Minister Riyad al-Maliki here criticized the US for voting against upgrading Palestine status at the United Nations from observer entity to non-member observer state.
• Niger's President Backs Mali Intervention VOA 03 Dec 2012 -- The crisis in northern Mali could enter a new chapter this week.
• Al-Shabab's Removal Prompts Tight Security at Somali Port VOA 03 Dec 2012 -- African Union troops and Somali government forces captured the key port city of Kismayo from militant group al-Shabab in October.
• Congo Troops Enter Goma VOA 03 Dec 2012 -- Democratic Republic of Congo troops have returned to the eastern city of Goma, although rebels who occupied the city for nearly two weeks remain close by.
• Humanitarian situation in eastern DR Congo remains ‘extremely worrying’ – UN official UN News Centre 03 Dec 2012 -- The humanitarian situation in the eastern Democratic Republic of the Congo remains “extremely worrying,” a United Nations official said.
• UN envoy disappointed by suspension of Radio Okapi amid situation in eastern DR Congo UN News Centre 03 Dec 2012 -- The head of the United Nations peacekeeping mission in the Democratic Republic of Congo expressed disappointment at a recent decision to suspend the transmissions of Radio Okapi.
• HK, China activists place Diaoyutais ads in U.S., U.K. newspapers CNA 03 Dec 2012 -- Activists from Hong Kong and China have spent more than 1 million Chinese yuan (US$160,490) to run full page advertisements to state China's sovereignty over the island group.
• Colombia Sets Time Limit for Talks with FARC VOA 03 Dec 2012 -- Colombia's president has set a time limit for peace talks with the rebels of Latin America's longest-running insurgency.
• Kosovo, Albania Call For Probe Of Del Ponte RFE/RL 03 Dec 2012 -- Kosovo's government has accused Carla del Ponte, the former chief prosecutor of the UN war crimes court, of misusing her powers.

News Reports

• Washington Insider Susan Rice Could Face Tough Nomination Battle VOA 03 Dec 2012 -- The U.S. ambassador to the United Nations, Susan Rice, has been touted as a top contender to replace Hillary Clinton as secretary of state.
• Information on the Launch of an Earth Observation Satellite "Kawngmyongsong-3"(2) IMO 03 Dec 2012
• Russia Urges N. Korea to Cancel Rocket Launch VOA 03 Dec 2012 -- Russia is urging North Korea not to go ahead with a planned rocket launch later this month. The statement was issued by the Russian Foreign Ministry.
• Russia Warns Pyongyang Not To Launch Rocket RFE/RL 03 Dec 2012 -- Russia is urging North Korea to cancel its plan to launch a rocket later this month.
• Russia Warns N.Korea Against Rocket Launch RIA Novosti 03 Dec 2012 -- Russia called on North Korea to abandon plans to launch a space rocket later this month, which Pyongyang announced on the weekend.
• China Voices Concern over N.Korea’s Planned Satellite Launch RIA Novosti 03 Dec 2012 -- China has voiced its concern over North Korea’s announced plan to launch a carrier rocket with a satellite later this month, Xinhua news agency reported citing a Foreign Ministry official.
• North Korea's satellite launch will not affect Taiwan CNA 03 Dec 2012 -- North Korea's planned satellite launch will not pose any security threat to Taiwan because of the big distance between the two countries.
• North Korea Launch Plan Alarms Region VOA 03 Dec 2012 -- North Korea's anticipated ballistic missile launch this month is already drawing reaction from its neighbors and the United States.
• Top Judicial Body Overrides Decision To Boycott Egypt Referendum RFE/RL 03 Dec 2012 -- Egypt's highest judicial authority has said it would delegate judges to oversee a referendum on a controversial draft constitution, overriding calls for a boycott.
• Senior Egyptian Judges to Supervise Morsi's Constitutional Referendum VOA 03 Dec 2012 -- Egypt's most senior judges have agreed to supervise a December 15 referendum on a new constitution drafted primarily by Islamists, giving a boost to President Mohammed Morsi, who called the vote.
• FM: Comprehensive political talks with US possible only with S Leader’s permission IRNA 03 Dec 2012 -- Foreign Minister Ali Akbar Salehi said only the Supreme Leader of the Islamic Revolution Ayatollah Ali Khamenei could decide about any comprehensive political talks with the US.
• President: Pressure on IAEA for Iran will get nowhere IRNA 03 Dec 2012 -- President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad said on Monday that putting pressures on International Atomic Energy Agency to provide political statements against Iran will get nowhere.
• Larijani Dismisses Concerns Over Iranian Election Bill RFE/RL 03 Dec 2012 -- Iran’s parliament speaker Ali Larijani has dismissed concerns over the election reform bill that was adopted on December 2.
• Iran's State Prosecutor Says Blogger Was Beaten RFE/RL 03 Dec 2012 -- Iran's state prosecutor has told reporters that blogger Sattar Beheshti, who died in police custody last month, had been beaten.
• Russian President In Turkey For Talks On Syria, Business RFE/RL 03 Dec 2012 -- Russian President Vladimir Putin met with Turkish Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdogan in Istanbul to discuss the conflict in Syria, as well as ways to boost Turkish-Russian business cooperation.
• Reform a Hot Topic in China VOA 03 Dec 2012 -- It has only been a few weeks since China undertook its once-in-a-decade leadership transition, but expectations for change are rising.
• Tibetan Monk Dies From Self-Immolation VOA 03 Dec 2012 -- Tibetan sources tell VOA that another person has set himself on fire in western China as part of a protest against Chinese rule in ethnic Tibetan areas.
• US Accuses Chinese Auditors of Securities Violations VOA 03 Dec 2012 -- The U.S. securities agency is accusing the China-based affiliates of some of the world's largest accounting companies of violating American financial laws.
• Tensions Follow Slaying In Karachi Of Religious Leader RFE/RL 03 Dec 2012 -- Students from a religious seminary have blocked roads and burned cars after the assassination of a senior cleric in the southern Pakistani city of Karachi.
• Pakistan gearing up for general election early next year IRNA 03 Dec 2012 -- Political atmosphere in Pakistan is heating up as all political parties have launched their election campaigns across the country after the ruling Pakistan Peoples Party has assured that there is no chance of delay in general election.
• New representative to U.S. reiterates 'three nos' in bilateral ties CNA 03 Dec 2012 -- Taiwan's new representative to the United States said the country will try to maintain "three nos" in relations with the U.S. -"no surprises, no time lags and no errors."
• Alan Gross Begins Fourth Year of Unjust Imprisonment US Dept. of State 03 Dec 2012
• Secretary Clinton Remarks With Czech Republic Foreign Minister Karel Schwarzenberg US Dept. of State 03 Dec 2012
• US Hopes to Win Czech Nuclear Plant Bid VOA 03 Dec 2012 -- U.S. Secretary of State Hillary Clinton says she is "not shy" about pushing for an American firm to win a nuclear plant construction contract in the Czech Republic.
• Clinton Holds Energy Talks With Czechs RFE/RL 03 Dec 2012 -- U.S. Secretary of State Hillary Clinton has visited Prague on the first leg of a European tour, meeting with Czech leaders for talks on "strengthening Czech energy independence."
• Remarks by President Obama and Prime Minister Borisov of Bulgaria The White House 03 Dec 2012
• Kenya PM, VP Parties to Form Alliance VOA 03 Dec 2012 -- In Kenya, three political parties, including those of Prime Minister Raila Odinga and Vice President Kalonzo Musyoka, plan to officially announce an agreement to form a coalition Tuesday ahead of the March 4 elections.
• Burkina Faso Awaits Election Results VOA 03 Dec 2012 -- Vote counting is underway in Burkina Faso following Sunday's local and legislative elections.
• Forster Promises Ghana ‘Unity Government’ VOA 03 Dec 2012 -- In Ghana, the presidential candidate for the opposition Convention People’s Party (CPP) says Ghanaians should expect a unity government if he wins the December 7 presidential vote.
• Albania Sets Parliamentary Elections RFE/RL 03 Dec 2012 -- Albanian President Bujar Nishani has set June 23, 2013, as the date for the country's next parliamentary elections.
• Ukrainian Government Resigns Following Elections RFE/RL 03 Dec 2012 -- Ukrainian President Viktor Yanukovych has accepted the resignation of Prime Minister Mykola Azarov and his government following the country's recent parliamentary elections.