Operations
Defense Policy / Programs
Defense Industry
Other Conflicts
News Reports

Current Operations

• Manas Transit Center Facilitates Success in Afghanistan AFPS 15 Dec 2012 -- The sounds of close-air support overhead usually signal assistance and relief to ground troops and are often referred to as "the sounds of freedom."
• UN Reports an Increase in Civilian Casualties in Afghanistan RIA Novosti 15 Dec 2012 -- Civilian casualties in Afghanistan increased by 28 percent between August 1 and October 31 this year, compared to the same period of last year, a recent United Nations report said.

Defense Policy / Programs

• Dempsey Discusses North Korea, U.S. Strategic Rebalance AFPS 15 Dec 2012 -- The decision by North Korea to conduct another missile launch is unfortunate and counterproductive to stability in the region, the chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff said today.
• USS Greeneville Returns to Pearl Harbor NNS 15 Dec 2012 -- Friends and families of the crew from USS Greeneville (SSN 772) gathered at the submarine piers to welcome back the Los Angeles-class submarine as she returned to Joint Base Pearl Harbor-Hickam after completing a six month deployment to the Western Pacific region, Dec. 14.
• PACAF Airmen share best practices with ROK space team AFNS 15 Dec 2012 -- Members of Pacific Air Forces' space forces met with visiting members of the Republic of Korea, Deputy Chief of Staff Planning team, to discuss space successes and challenges, Dec. 7, 2012.
• Russia's Gabala Pullout No Security Risk – Defense Ministry RIA Novosti 15 Dec 2012 -- Russia's decision to stop using the Gabala radar station in Azerbaijan will not hurt its security, the Russian Defense Ministry said on Saturday.

Defense Industry

Other Conflicts

• UN Refugee Chief Visits Lebanon VOA 15 Dec 2012 -- U.N. High Commissioner for Refugees Antonio Guterres says the situation for Syrian refugees will likely get worse as the conflict in that country continues. He and European Union Commissioner Kristalina Georgieva are visiting Lebanon to meet with Syrian refugees and Lebanese host families.
• Syrian Refugees Face Bleak Winter VOA 14 Dec 2012 -- Almost two years of fighting in Syria has forced more than half a million Syrians to flee to safety in neighboring countries - Turkey, Lebanon, Iraq and Jordan. According to the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees, the largest number, more than 150,000, are in Lebanon.
• US Urges Russia to Play "More Constructive Role" in Syria RIA Novosti 15 Dec 2012 -- The US Department of State on Friday urged Russia to "to play a more constructive role" in the Syrian settlement and end support for President Bashar al-Assad.
• UN Considers Sending up to 10,000 Peacekeepers to Syria - source RIA Novosti 15 Dec 2012 -- The United Nations considers sending from 4,000 to 10,000 peacekeepers to Syria, a diplomatic source told RIA Novosti on Friday.
• Rockets Fired on Pakistan Airport, Five Dead, Dozens Injured VOA 15 Dec 2012 -- At least five people died and dozens more were injured in a rocket attack on Pakistan's Peshawar airport northwest of the capital, Islamabad, in a brazen assault Saturday night.

News Reports

• Egypt Votes On Controversial Constitution RFE/RL 15 Dec 2012 -- including liberals, secularists, and Christians -- say the document is too Islamist and hurts rights.
• Egypt Votes on New Constitution VOA 15 Dec 2012 -- Long lines of people formed outside polling stations in the Egyptian capital Cairo Saturday, as voting got under way on a referendum for a controversial new constitution. The vote is being staggered over two successive Saturdays due to a boycott by a majority of the judiciary, which must oversee the vote by law.
• Arrests Made At Russian Opposition Rally RFE/RL 15 Dec 2012 -- Moscow police have detained dozens of protesters and several opposition leaders to disperse an unsanctioned rally in a square outside the headquarters of the Federal Security Service (FSB).
• Opposition Rallies in Moscow Despite Ban RIA Novosti 15 Dec 2012 -- A considerable crowd of opposition activists braved subzero temperatures and police cordons to attend a peaceful, unsanctioned rally in Moscow on Saturday, marking the first anniversary of mass protests in Russia.
• Russian Opposition Leaders Detained at Anti-Putin Rally VOA 15 Dec 2012 -- Thousands of demonstrators have gathered in central Moscow to protest Russian President Vladimir Putin. At least 30 people, including prominent opposition leaders, have been arrested.
• Persian Gulf sustainable security achieved only through regional cooperation, official IRNA 15 Dec 2012 -- Advisor to the Supreme Leader of the Islamic Revolution Brigadier General Yahya Rahim Safavi said that sustainable security in the Persian Gulf is available only through cooperation among regional countries.
• MP: US sanctions violate international law IRNA 15 Dec 2012 -- Deputy Chairman of Majlis Commission on National Security and Foreign Policy Mohammad Hassan Asafari said on Saturday that the US sanctions violate international law.
• Secretary-General concerned about continuing political deadlock in Nepal UN News Centre 15 Dec 2012 -- United Nations Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon is deeply concerned about the continuing political deadlock in Nepal, according to his spokesperson.
• Troubled Russian Satellite Reaches Designated Orbit RIA Novosti 15 Dec 2012 -- A wayward Russian satellite reached its designated geostationary orbit on Saturday after its engine was switched on for the fourth time, the Gazprom Space Systems (GSS) company said.