Operations
Defense Policy / Programs
Defense Industry
Other Conflicts
News Reports

Current Operations

• OIF/OEF/OND Casualty Update 11 Dec 2012 [PDF]
• Combined Force Arrests Taliban Facilitator AFPS 11 Dec 2012 -- An Afghan and coalition security force arrested a Taliban facilitator and detained two suspected insurgents during an operation in the Nad 'Ali district of Afghanistan's Helmand province today, military officials reported.
• UN Cites Progress In Protecting Afghan Women From Violence, But Not Enough RFE/RL 11 Dec 2012 -- The United Nations says Afghanistan 'still has a long way to go' to fully protect women and girls from violence.
• VP-8 and HMCS Ottawa Coordinate Drug Seizure. Navy NewsStand 11 Dec 2012 -- P-3C Orion aircraft from the 'Fighting Tigers' of Patrol Squadron (VP) 8 and the 'Red Lancers' of VP-10 along with Canadian Frigate Ottawa HMCS (FFH-341) recovered 1,086 kilograms of cocaine, valued in excess of $75 million during an interdiction in the 4th Fleet Area of Responsibility Nov. 29.

Defense Policy / Programs

• Forecast Sees Eroded U.S. Power RFE/RL 11 Dec 2012 -- A new forecast from the U.S. intelligence community says the United States will likely see its superpower status eroded by 2030 as Asian economies become stronger than the economies of North America and Europe.
• National Intelligence Council Forecasts Megatrends AFPS 11 Dec 2012 -- The American Century is drawing to a close, and the U.S. Defense Department will have to be more flexible in dealing with a faster-paced multipolar world, according to the Global Trends 2030 report released yesterday.
• Air Force launches 3rd X-37B Orbital Test Vehicle AFNS 11 Dec 2012 -- In the next installment to improve space capability and further develop an affordable, reusable space vehicle, the Air Force conducted its third X-37B Orbital Test Vehicle launch here on December 11, officials said.
• Panetta Meets With Kuwait's Amir, Stresses Strong Relationship AFPS 11 Dec 2012 -- In a meeting with Kuwait's amir in Kuwait City, Defense Secretary Leon E. Panetta expressed strong confidence in the longstanding U.S.-Kuwaiti defense relationship and in the ability of both countries to work together to address common security challenges in the Gulf region and beyond.
• U.S., Canada Expand Arctic Cooperation, Military Training AFPS 11 Dec 2012 -- The United States and Canada entered into two new agreements that expanded their security relationship by promoting closer cooperation in peacefully opening the Arctic and in expanding their bilateral military training and exercise program.
• DOD Approves $129 Million in Grants for Transportation Improvements and to Replace Schools Located on Military Installations DoD 11 Dec 2012
• Readout of Secretary Panetta's Meeting with Kuwaiti Amir DoD 11 Dec 2012
• Dynamic Dry Dock Identifies New Ways to Fix Ships NNS 11 Dec 2012 -- Dynamic (AFDL 6) reinforced their new partnership with the Army by completing maintenance assistance on the Landing Craft, Mechanized (LCM 8588) at Joint Expeditionary Base Little Creek in Norfolk, Va., Dec. 7.
• TR Conducts Shipwide Readiness Exercise for Damage Control NNS 11 Dec 2012 -- USS Theodore Roosevelt (CVN 71) completed its second readiness exercise Dec. 10, consisting of damage control (DC) olympics, damage control jeopardy, and a general quarters drill as a means to prepare Sailors for operational conditions during the ship's last year of refueling complex overhaul.
• Logistics Tracking Team Monitors Road Shipment Safety, Security AFPS 11 Dec 2012 -- A tractor-trailer loaded with military ammunition destined for Fort Bragg, N.C., skidded off an icy road, spewing its cargo on the remote roadway as the truck slid down an embankment and out of sight.
• Panetta Calls Kuwait Important U.S. Partner AFPS 11 Dec 2012 -- On his first official visit to Kuwait, Defense Secretary Leon E. Panetta said today that the nation is an important partner with a longstanding U.S. bilateral defense partnership.
• DOD Announces Recruiting and Retention Numbers for Fiscal 2013, Through October 2012 DoD 11 Dec 2012 -- The Department of Defense announced today recruiting and retention statistics for the active and reserve components for fiscal 2013, through October.
• Navy Reserve Adjusting to the Reduction in Expeditionary Forces NNS 11 Dec 2012 -- With the end of the Iraq War and the draw down in Afghanistan, the U.S. Navy is reducing the size of the Navy Reserve Expeditionary Force.
• Update to the 2012 Guam and CNMI Relocation Supplemental Environmental Impact Statement NNS 11 Dec 2012 -- The Department of the Navy (Navy) announced that the public scoping period for the Guam and CNMI Military Relocation (2012 Roadmap Adjustments) Supplemental Environmental Impact Statement (SEIS) has ended and preparation of the draft SEIS is underway.
• Q&A: AF chief information officer on Cyber Summit AFNS 11 Dec 2012 -- Air Force leaders held a Cyber Summit in November at Joint Base Andrews, Md., to discuss the Air Force's role in cyberspace and to ensure the mission needs of the Air Force and joint warfighter are being met going forward.
• China commissions largest fisheries patrol vessel CNA 11 Dec 2012 -- China commissioned its largest and most advanced fisheries patrol vessel Tuesday amid escalating disputes with Japan over islands in the East China Sea, according to the country's state-run Xinhua news agency.
• U.S. Warning Systems Detect, Track North Korean Missile Launch AFPS 11 Dec 2012 -- North American Aerospace Defense Command officials acknowledged that U.S. missile warning systems detected and tracked the launch of a North Korean missile at 7:49 p.m. EST.
• North Korea Launches Long-Range Rocket VOA 11 Dec 2011 -- Defying warnings from the United Nations and the United States, North Korea has carried out what it calls a “space launch” but what most of the international community regard as a provocative test of ballistic missile technology.
• North Korea Starts Disassembling Rocket - Agency RIA Novosti 11 Dec 2012 -- North Korea has started disassembling a controversial long-range rocket it had been preparing to launch, citing 'technical problems,' South Korea's Yonhap news agency said on Tuesday.
• N. Korea Reportedly Removes Rocket From Launch Pad VOA 11 Dec 2012 -- North Korea appears to have taken apart and moved its long-range rocket, a day after announcing that technical difficulties had caused a one-week delay of its launch.
• Iran to stage armor war games IRNA 11 Dec 2012 -- Commander of the army's ground forces, Brigadier-General Ahmad Reza Poordastan said on Tuesday that Iran is to conduct armor war games in southeast of the country this year.
• Iran unveils two national helicopters IRNA 11 Dec 2012 -- Iran on Tuesday unveiled two national helicopters.
• FM spokesman: There are no Iranian military experts in N Korea IRNA 11 Dec 2012 -- Foreign Ministry Spokesman Ramin Mehmanparast rejected rumors of presence of Iranian nuclear experts in North Korea.
• Russia Delivers Three Upgraded MiG-29 Fighter Jets to India RIA Novosti 11 Dec 2012 -- The first three MiG-29UPG fighter jets have been delivered to India under a contract to modernize the fleet of MiG-29 aircraft in service with the Indian Air Force (IAF), the MiG aircraft maker said.
• Moscow to Get Updated Missile Defenses - Deputy Minister RIA Novosti 11 Dec 2012 -- Russia's anti-missile defense system covering Moscow and Russia's central industrial regions will be augmented by unspecified new systems in the near future, Deputy Defense Minister Oleg Ostapenko said on Tuesday.
• Russia Confirms Pullout from Gabala Radar in Azerbaijan RIA Novosti 11 Dec 2012 -- The Russian Foreign Ministry confirmed on Tuesday that the Russian army will no longer rent the Gabala radar station in Azerbaijan.
• Russia to Spend $183 Mln on Chemical, Bio Defense in 2013 RIA Novosti 11 Dec 2012 -- Russia will spend over 5.6 billion rubles ($183 million) on improving defense against chemical and biological threats in 2013, a Defense Ministry official said on Tuesday.
• Russia Starts Kalashnikov Merger With New Boss RIA Novosti 11 Dec 2012 -- The Russian government has appointed Konstantin Busygin as the new head of the Izhmash small-arms factory to lead its amalgamation with gun-maker Izhmekh under the Kalashnikov brand, Deputy-Premier Dmitry Rogozin said on Tuesday.
• Putin to Revive Sports Units in Russian Army RIA Novosti 11 Dec 2012 -- President Vladimir Putin is bringing back dedicated sports units in the Russian Army to satisfy the draft requirement while protecting future champions from the full rigors of military service.
• Russia to Send 3 Task Forces on Anti-Piracy Mission in 2013 RIA Novosti 11 Dec 2012 -- Russia will rotate at least three naval task forces on an anti-piracy mission in the Gulf of Aden in 2013, the Defense Ministry said.
• Taiwan donates helicopters to Guatemala for relief efforts CNA 11 Dec 2012 -- Taiwan donated two helicopters and a variety of components to diplomatic ally Guatemala Monday, a move that the Ministry of Foreign Affairs said would help the Central American country to boost its ability to respond to natural disasters.
• December 11, 2012 - U.S. Department of State Daily Press Briefing US Dept. of State 11 Dec 2012
• Press Briefing by Press Secretary Jay Carney, 12/11/2012 The White House 11 Dec 2012

Defense Industry

• DoD News: Contracts for December 11, 2012

Other Conflicts

• 11 December 2012 - Daily Press Briefing by the Office of the Spokesperson for the Secretary-General United Nations 11 Dec 2012
• 11 December 2011 - Press Conference by Office of United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights United Nations 11 Dec 2012
• UN refugee agency receives pledges of $550 million towards $3.92 billion sought for next year UN News Centre 11 Dec 2012 -- Amidst expanding humanitarian crises in the Middle East and parts of Saharan and sub-Saharan Africa, government donors today pledged $550 million towards the work of the UN refugee agency next year.
• Will Friends of Syria Pledge Arms to Rebels? VOA 11 Dec 2012 -- As rebels pile up victories against the Syrian Army of President Bashar al-Assad, U.S. State Department delegates will join many of the 70 member states of the Friends of the Syrian People on Wednesday in Marrakech, Morocco to offer more support for the overthrow of Assad and to shorten a bloody 20-month revolution.
• Nations Supporting Syrian Opposition to Meet in Morocco VOA 11 Dec 2012 -- High-level representatives from nations in the Friends of Syria group are to meet Wednesday in Morocco for the first time since the formation of a new Syrian opposition coalition.
• Islamists Gaining Ground in Syria VOA 11 Dec 2012 -- The small group of Free Syrian Army opposition fighters marched under a hazy sky outside Aleppo, raising their guns in the air, days after the government's Sheik Suleiman base fell into rebel hands.
• Obama: US Now Recognizes New Syrian Opposition Coalition VOA 11 Dec 2012 -- President Barack Obama has announced formal U.S. recognition of the Syrian opposition coalition, calling it the legitimate representative of the Syrian people.
• SYRIA: Healthcare system crumbling IRIN 11 Dec 2012 -- Eid Hanani has not been affected by the bombs, the snipers or the shelling that have engulfed many parts of Syria.
• Number of displaced Syrians registered in region passes half a million – UN refugee agency UN News Centre 11 Dec 2012 -- More than half a million Syrian refugees have now been registered or are awaiting registration in neighbouring countries and North Africa, and the numbers are currently climbing by more than 3,000 per day, the United Nations refugee agency announced today.
• US Labels Syrian Jihadist Group as Terrorists VOA 11 Dec 2012 -- The United States has declared a Syrian Jihadist force as a terrorist organization, while Western powers gathered in Morocco to push international support for Syria's new opposition coalition.
• Moscow Slams Mali PM's Arrest RIA Novosti 11 Dec 2012 -- The arrest of Mali's Prime Minister Cheick Modibo Diarra will destabilize the situation in the African country, the Russian president's point man for Africa said on Tuesday.
• Mali's PM Resigns After Arrest by Junta Soldiers VOA 11 Dec 2012 -- Mali's interim prime minister resigned early Tuesday after being arrested by soldiers loyal to the military junta that overthrew Mali's elected government in March.
• UN Secretary-General and Security Council speak out after arrest of Malian Prime Minister UN News Centre 11 Dec 2012 -- The arrest of Mali's Prime Minister by members of the country's armed forces, which led to his resignation and the dismissal of the Government, has prompted condemnation by the United Nations Security Council and a call by Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon for an end to military interference in politics.
• OPT: Call for freer access to Gaza land and sea IRIN 11 Dec 2012 -- When Jaber Abu Rjaila heard about the recent ceasefire agreement in Gaza, he rushed back to his farmland - for the first time in more than 10 years.
• Briefing: Sri Lanka's ethnic problem IRIN 11 Dec 2012 -- Prospects to improve relations between Sri Lanka's Sinhalese-dominated government and ethnic Tamils remain grim more than three years after the end of a civil war fought along ethnic lines, according to activists, law makers and the UN. The country's balance of power and ethnic polarization look increasingly similar to the situation pre-dating Tamil rebels' protracted separatist struggle, stoking concern about a return to conflict if the country does not manage its ethnic relations differently this time around.
• DRC Refutes M23 Charges of Divisiveness, Rights Violations VOA 11 Dec 2012 -- The Democratic Republic of Congo delegation on Tuesday denied M23 rebel group's opening allegations that the government had fueled unrest in the eastern part of the country.
• UN concerned over reports of human rights violations in Sudan, South Sudan UN News Centre 11 Dec 2012 -- The United Nations human rights office today expressed its concern over the recent killing of a prominent public commentator in South Sudan, warning that a series of attacks on human rights defenders in the country amounted to an "assault on freedom of expression."
• Worry Grows Over Rising Sectarian Attacks In Pakistan RFE/RL 11 Dec 2012 -- Sunni-dominated Pakistan has seen an unprecedented spike in religious violence this year, with at least 375 minority Shi'ite Muslims killed across the country.

News Reports

• Multiple Protests Rock Egypt VOA 11 Dec 2012 -- Multiple protests are taking place in Cairo and across Egypt Tuesday, both by Islamist supporters of President Mohamed Morsi and by the opposition National Salvation Front.
• Nine Reported Hurt In Violence Ahead Of Egypt Rallies RFE/RL 11 Dec 2012 -- Nine people have been reported hurt in violence in Cairo as supporters and opponents of President Muhammad Morsi prepare for rival rallies.
• S. Leader's Envoy at IRGC: Negotiation with US against people's will IRNA 11 Dec 2012 -- Representative of Supreme Leader at Islamic Revolution Guard Corps (IRGC) said here Monday negotiation with United States is retreating of people and leader and their yielding to enemy's will, despite the people's will.
• US Shrugs Off Russian Bill to Punish American Abuses RIA Novosti 11 Dec 2012 -- The United States has shrugged off Russian legislation that would punish Americans for alleged human rights violations in response to the Magnitsky Act, a bill passed by the US Senate last week that would slap sanctions on Russian officials accused of rights abuses.
• Donors pledge $384 million for life-saving UN humanitarian fund in 2013 UN News Centre 11 Dec 2012 -- Donors responded to the United Nations call to support the emergency fund that is critical to saving the lives and livelihoods of millions of people in the aftermath of disasters by pledging $384 million for next year.
• Donors urged to give generously to life-saving UN humanitarian fund UN News Centre 11 Dec 2012 -- United Nations officials today appealed to donors to give generously to the emergency fund that is critical to saving the lives and livelihoods of millions of people worldwide in the aftermath of disasters.
• Thales Makes Second Attempt to Adjust Yamal Orbit RIA Novosti 11 Dec 2012 -- Specialists from Thales Alenia Space carried out on Tuesday a second out of four scheduled maneuvers to bring the Yamal-402 satellite into its designated orbit, Russia's Gazprom Space Systems (GSS) company said.
• DISASTERS: Asia's 2012 figures and trends IRIN 11 Dec 2012 -- The good news: fewer people died from natural disasters in Asia in 2012 than in previous years. The bad news: between January and October, natural disasters still claimed more lives here than anywhere else in the world - and experts predict the trend will continue as populations and industries expand in a region that already houses the world's largest number of urban residents.
• Huge Drop in Attacks After Antipiracy Program - UN RIA Novosti 11 Dec 2012 -- The UN Office on Drugs and Crime's (UNODC) piracy program has led to a significant cut in pirate attacks and seizures of ships, UNODC Executive Director Yury Fedotov said on Tuesday.