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Current Operations

Defense Policy / Programs

• Self-sustaining unit builds improvements AFNS 16 Dec 2012 -- Throughout the Air Force, units depend on each other to successfully complete the mission. For example, without supply, maintainers wouldn't have the parts needed to make repairs.
• Peru May Purchase 24 Combat Helicopters from Russia RIA Novosti 16 Dec 2012 -- Peru intends to buy a consignment of 24 combat helicopters and eyes Russia as one of its potential suppliers along with France and the United States, Peruvian Defense Minister Pedro Cateriano said.
• Iran criticizes deployment of Patriot missiles in Turkey as provocative IRNA 16 Dec 2012 -- Foreign Minister Ali Akbar Salehi on Sunday criticized deployment of Patriot missiles in Turkey by the North Atlantic Treaty Organization as provocative.
• Iran Navy ready to expand presence in int'l waters: Commander IRNA 16 Dec 2012 -- Navy Commander Rear Admiral Habibollah Sayyari said Sunday that the Iranian naval forces are ready to expand their presence in the international waters to serve national interests.

Defense Industry

Other Conflicts

• Iran announces new 6-point peace plan for Syria IRNA 16 Dec 2012 -- Foreign Ministry on Sunday announced a new six-point peace plan for Syria.
• Syrian Warplanes Bomb Palestinian Camp in Damascus VOA 16 Dec 2012 -- Syrian opposition activists say government warplanes have bombed a Palestinian refugee camp on the southern outskirts of the capital, Damascus, killing at least eight people.
• Five Militants Killed In Pakistan Gunbattle RFE/RL 16 Dec 2012 -- Police say five militants were killed in a gunbattle in Pakistan's northwestern city of Peshawar, one day after an attack on an airport in the city left at least four civilians dead and more than 40 injured.

News Reports

• Egypt Completes First Round of Constitution Referendum RIA Novosti 16 Dec 2012 -- Egyptian voting polls closed late on Saturday four hours later than it had been planned after the country completed the first round of the all-nation referendum on the draft Constitution.
• First Round of Voting Ends on Egypt Constitution VOA 16 Dec 2012 -- The polls have closed in the first round of voting in a referendum on Egypt's controversial new constitution.
• Egyptian Rights Groups Ask for Referendum 'Restage' VOA 16 Dec 2012 -- Tentative results from Saturday's first round of voting in Egypt's constitutional referendum are showing a narrow lead for supporters of the document. Opposition and civil society groups allege vote fraud, while the head of Egypt's electoral commission denied those charges.
• Iran, IAEA satisfied with talks in Tehran- MP IRNA 16 Dec 2012 -- A senior lawmaker said Sunday that Iran and the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) are both satisfied with the outcome of the latest nuclear talks held in the Iranian capital.
• VP: Iran looking positively at talks with 5+1 IRNA 16 Dec 2012 -- Vice President Mohammad Reza Mir Tajeddini said Iran looks at talks with the 5+1 on its peaceful nuclear program with a positive attitude.
• Larijani: Some world powers create obstacle in Iran-G5+1 talks IRNA 16 Dec 2012 -- Majlis (Parliament) Speaker Ali Larijani lashed out at certain big powers for their efforts aimed at creating problems in the path of talks between Iran and the Group 5+1 (five permanent members of the UN Security Council plus Germany).
• Georgia's Historic Transition Faces Crucial Tests In 2013 RFE/RL 16 Dec 2012 -- With the first-ever peaceful transfer of power through competitive and universally accepted elections, 2012 was a momentous year for Georgia.
• Japan's Governing Party Resoundingly Ousted in Shift to Right VOA 16 Dec 2012 -- Japan's governing party has suffered a crushing election defeat. Results of parliamentary elections Sunday show the next government will be formed by the Liberal Democratic Party. The conservatives and their allies are expected to take a more hawkish approach in confronting the country's neighbors, but what they plan to do to reverse Japan's long economic decline remains murky.
• Space Station's Orbit Raised Ahead of Crew Arrival RIA Novosti 16 Dec 2012 -- The International Space Station's orbit has been increased by almost 2.5 kilometers in a test of the station's new emergency debris avoidance system, Mission Control told RIA Novosti.