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Defense Policy / Programs
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News Reports

Current Operations

• US Military Plans Drone Base in Northwest Africa VOA 28 Jan 2013 -- News reports say the United States is preparing to establish a base for drones in northwest Africa to boost surveillance of Islamist extremist groups.
• Afghan, Coalition Troops Arrest Taliban IED Expert AFPS 28 Jan 2013 -- A combined Afghan and coalition security force arrested a Taliban leader in the Baghlan-e Jadid district of Afghanistan’s Baghlan province.
• Afghan, Pakistani Defense Officials Discuss Military Cooperation RFE/RL 28 Jan 2013 -- Afghan and Pakistani defense officials are discussing bilateral military cooperation, including the prospects of having the Afghan National Army trained by Pakistani military specialists.
• ISAF, NATO employ tactics against 'insider threats' Army News 28 Jan 2013 -- The International Insider Threat Conference was hosted Jan. 24, at the Joint Multinational Training Command in Grafenwoer.
• U.S. troops, Afghan police visit border observation post Army News 28 Jan 2013 -- Afghan Border Police officers from Zone 1 recently visited Observation Point 12, a small post in Kunar Province along the Afghanistan-Pakistan border, Jan. 21.
• 411th Engineer Brigade leaves legacy in Afghanistan Army News 28 Jan 2013 -- Joint Task Force Empire executed sustained, multifunctional engineer operations as the lead engineer force assigned to U.S. Forces-Afghanistan.
• Hawaii Guard assistance team mentors, trains Afghan Uniformed Police Army News 28 Jan 2013 -- SFAT 21, part of the 29th Infantry Brigade Combat Team with the Hawaii National Guard, has a huge task to accomplish.
• Pittsburgh area reserve unit mobilizes Army News 28 Jan 2013 -- More than 60 Soldiers from the 303rd Tactical Psychological Operation Company training before deploying to Afghanistan this Spring.
• Death Toll from Pakistani Militant Clashes Reaches 70 VOA 28 Jan 2013 -- Fighting between two banned Islamist militant groups in Pakistan’s restive northwestern tribal belt along the Afghan border has killed at least 70 people and wounded scores more since fierce clashes broke out last week.
• Casualties Reported In Clashes Between Militant Groups RFE/RL 28 Jan 2013 -- Casualties were reported as fighting between Tehrik-i-Taliban and Ansar-ul-Islam militant groups entered its fourth day in Pakistan's Khyber tribal district near the Afghan border.
• Along Korea's DMZ, Lone Forward-Deployed US Division Stays Prepared VOA 28 Jan 2013 -- The 2nd Infantry is one of the U.S. Army's most decorated divisions, having engaged in four wars, going back to World War I.

Defense Policy / Programs

• Guantanamo Terror Suspect Hearings Off to Difficult Start VOA 28 Jan 2013 -- Pretrial hearings got under way at Guantanamo Bay, Cuba, in the case of five men accused of masterminding the September 11, 2001, attacks on the United States.
• More Pretrial Hearings Kick Off for 9/11 Suspects AFPS 28 Jan 2013 -- Khalid Sheikh Mohammed, the self-proclaimed mastermind behind the 9/11 terrorist attacks, along with four co-defendants charged with planning and carrying out the attacks, acknowledged to the judge that they understand and have no questions about their rights.
• Carter: Sequestration Planning Requires Balance AFPS 28 Jan 2013 -- Planning for sequestration is the practical thing to do and doesn’t indicate a lack of confidence in Congress, Deputy Defense Secretary Ashton B. Carter said.
• Island-landing Ceremony Held for New Carrier NNS 28 Jan 2013 -- The future aircraft carrier Gerald R. Ford received its island during a ceremony at Huntington Ingalls Industries-Newport News Shipbuilding Jan. 26.
• Dawn Blitz 2013: Training for Strength NNS 28 Jan 2013 -- Expeditionary Strike Group 3 and 1st Marine Expeditionary Brigade began the synthetic phase amphibious exercise Dawn Blitz 2013 aboard USS Boxer Jan. 28.
• Marines Board USS Carter Hall for Unit Training Exercise NNS 28 Jan 2013 -- 26th Marine Expeditionary Unit integrated with sailors onboard USS Carter Hall Jan. 23, to participate in amphibious squadron/marine expeditionary unit integration (PMINT) and Composite Training Unit Exercise.
• USAID, III MEF discuss disaster relief options USMC News 28 Jan 2013 -- Marines with III Marine Expeditionary Force participated in a joint humanitarian operations course Jan. 17-18 at Hashmarks, the staff noncommissioned officers’ club on Camp Courtney.
• People Provide Foundation for NORAD, Northcom Homeland Defense AFPS 28 Jan 2013 -- Ask the commander of U.S. Northern Command and North American Aerospace Defense Command, and he’ll tell you that it’s people who form the foundation of their homeland defense mission.
• NORAD Jets Prepare to Protect Super Bowl Skies AFPS 28 Jan 2013 -- Continental US North American Aerospace Defense Command Region fighters, along with interagency partners, will be busy well before Super Bowl Sunday.
• Corps’ top leaders address combat exclusion policy termination USMC News 28 Jan 2013 -- Defense Secretary Leon E. Panetta officially announced the end of rule excluding women from assignment to units and positions whose primary mission is to engage in direct ground combat, Jan. 24.
• New runway rubber removal system debuts in Southwest Asia AFNS 28 Jan 2013 -- The Air Force Civil Engineer Center in conjunction with the Air Force Research Laboratory recently introduced a first-of-its-kind runway rubber removal system for use at remote airfields.
• Russia to Buy 7 AW139 Helicopters RIA Novosti 28 Jan 2013 -- Russia’s Defense Ministry is planning to buy seven multirole AgustaWestland AW139 helicopters for 630 million rubles (about $20 million) this year.
• French Air Force to Take Over Policing Baltic Air in May RIA Novosti 28 Jan 2013 -- The French Air Force will take over from Denmark the mission of policing Baltic airspace in May, the Latvian Defense Ministry said.
• Royal Navy's new carrier receives first massive gas turbine UK MOD 28 Jan 2013 -- The first of the world's most powerful marine gas turbines has been installed in the Royal Navy's new aircraft carrier HMS Queen Elizabeth at Babcock's Rosyth shipyard in Scotland.
• First Navy Wildcat makes maiden flight UK MOD 28 Jan 2013 -- The first Wildcat attack helicopter to be delivered to the Royal Navy has successfully taken its first flight at Yeovil in Somerset.
• Innovative ways sought to improve the security of maritime operations UK MOD 28 Jan 2013 -- The Ministry of Defence is looking for ways to strengthen the security of maritime operations so that it can be more effective at combating illegal activities such as gun-running, people-smuggling and piracy.
• Taiwan needs new submarines: president CNA 28 Jan 2013 -- President Ma Ying-jeou said that Taiwan badly needs a new generation of submarines to beef up its naval fleet.
• Press Briefing by Press Secretary Jay Carney, 1/28/2013 The White House 28 Jan 2013
• U.S. Department of State Daily Press Briefing, January 28, 2013 US Dept. of State 28 Jan 2013

Defense Industry

• DoD News: Contracts for January 28, 2013

Other Conflicts

• Daily Press Briefing by the Office of the Spokesperson for the Secretary-General, 28 January 2013 United Nations 28 Jan 2013
• Regional Leaders Want African Troop Surge in Mali VOA 28 Jan 2013 -- West African heads of state have decided to send more troops to Mali in an effort to speed up the defeat of Islamic militants who control parts of that West African country.
• AU Approves $50 Million for Mali Peacekeeping VOA 28 Jan 2013 -- Heads of state meeting at the African Union summit in Addis Ababa have approved funding for an African military intervention in Mali.
• African Union to Boost Mali Military Presence – Russian Envoy RIA Novosti 28 Jan 2013 -- The leaders of African Union member states have agreed to boost their military presence in the anti-Islamist operation in northern Mali.
• Rights Group: Retaliation in Northern Mali VOA 28 Jan 2013 -- A human rights group is trying to verify reports of civilian deaths and disappearances as French and government forces retake control of towns in northern Mali.
• Relief as Mali towns recaptured IRIN 28 Jan 2013 -- Residents of Gao and Timbuktu in northern Mali expressed relief after French and Malian forces re-took the towns from Islamist militia, but said they faced an enormous task in rebuilding the cities.
• Islamists Pushed Out of Timbuktu and Kidal in Northern Mali VOA 28 Jan 2013 -- Islamist militants have lost more ground in northern Mali, with French and Malian troops taking the city of Timbuktu and secular Tuareg rebels announcing they have seized the city of Kidal.
• French Forces Seize Control Outside Timbuktu VOA 28 Jan 2013 -- French forces have taken control of the airport and roads leading into the Malian city of Timbuktu, continuing an operation to oust Islamist militants who have controlled northern Mali for months.
• French Military Enters Timbuktu RFE/RL 28 Jan 2013 -- The French military says its troops have entered the historic city of Timbuktu in northern Mali after seizing the airport overnight.
• French-led Forces in Mali Capture Timbuktu Airport RIA Novosti 28 Jan 2013 -- French-led forces in Mali have captured the airport in the key northern city of Timbuktu as they keep liberating northern territories of the country from al-Qaeda-linked militants.
• Belgium Pledges Non-Military Support to Mali Operation RIA Novosti 28 Jan 2013 -- Belgium is ready to provide logistic and informational support to France’s military operation in Mali starting March 1, 2013, Belgian Foreign Minister Didier Reynders said.
• France Urges International Support for Syrian Opposition VOA 28 Jan 2013 -- France urged Western and Arab nations meeting in Paris to make good on pledges to support Syria's opposition, warning that failure to do so would play into the hands of Islamist extremists.
• Israel Security Chief Visits Russia Amid Syrian WMD Concerns RIA Novosti 28 Jan 2013 -- Israel's Security Council head Yaakov Amidror headed to Russia on Monday.
• With No Foreign Meddling, Syrian War Over in 2 Weeks - Assad RIA Novosti 28 Jan 2013 -- Assad: The civil conflict in Syria can be over in two weeks if foreign fighters and weapons stop trickling in through the border with Turkey.
• Russia 'Never Supported' Syrian Government VOA 28 Jan 2013 -- Russia says it "never supported" the government of Syrian President Bashar al-Assad.
• Press Conference by Humanitarian Affairs Operations Director on Situation in Syria, 28 January 2013 United Nations 28 Jan 2013
• Syria humanitarian needs growing more acute, UN official stresses ahead of donor forum UN News Centre 28 Jan 2013 -- A senior United Nations relief official turged greater funding to assist millions of people in need amid a deteriorating situation inside the country and a particularly harsh winter in the region.
• Presidential Memorandum - Presidential Determination Regarding the Unexpected Urgent Refugee and Migration Needs Relating to Syria The White House 28 Jan 2013
• UN: To avoid tensions with refugees, Lebanese hosts need support IRIN 28 Jan 2013 -- Donors channelling funds towards Syrian refugees in Lebanon must also assist their poor Lebanese hosts to diffuse rising tensions.
• China Denies Weapons Transfers to Burma's Wa Rebels VOA 28 Jan 2013 -- China's embassy in Rangoon has rejected allegations Chinese weapons were transferred to Burma's ethnic United Wa State Army last year.
• Nigeria Condemns New MEND Threat VOA 28 Jan 2013 -- The Nigerian government has condemned a new threat from the Movement for the Emancipation of the Niger Delta.
• DRC Peace Deal Delayed at AU Summit VOA 28 Jan 2013 -- African leaders have failed to sign a U.N.-mediated peace deal aimed at ending the conflict in the troubled eastern Democratic Republic of Congo.
• Analysis: Small steps to land reform in eastern DRC IRIN 28 Jan 2013 -- Shukuru Rudahunga keeps a wary eye on the steep slope above her as she weeds her patch of sorghum in the eastern province of North Kivu, in the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC); she knows the risks are deadly.
• UN mission sheltering civilians after fighting in South Sudanese town UN News Centre 28 Jan 2013 -- The United Nations peacekeeping operation in South Sudan is sheltering around 2,500 people who fled an outbreak of violence over the weekend in the eastern town of Pibor.
• Taiwan President reiterates peace initiative for disputed Diaoyutais CNA 28 Jan 2013 -- President Ma reiteratedhis peace initiative for the disputed Diaoyutai Islands in the East China Sea.

News Reports

• Iran Claims to Launch Live Monkey into Space VOA 28 Jan 2013 -- Iran said it had launched a live monkey into space, seeking to show off missile delivery systems that are alarming to the West given Tehran's parallel advances in nuclear technology.
• Iran 'Sends Monkey Into Space' RFE/RL 28 Jan 2013 -- Iran has reportedly sent a monkey into space.
• Iran Launches Monkey Into Space RIA Novosti 28 Jan 2013 -- Iran has successfully launched a bio-capsule with a live monkey into space.
• Iran places Pioneer Explorer Satellite into space IRNA 28 Jan 2013 -- Iran launched Pioneer Explorer Satellite and placed it into space, taking a giant stride in the field of space bio-research, Public Relations Department at Iran Aerospace Organization said.
• Russia Says World Powers, Iran Must Stop Arguing About Meeting Venue RFE/RL 28 Jan 2013 -- Russia is calling on global powers and Iran to stop arguing and agree on a venue for talks on Tehran's nuclear program.
• Differences Over Venue Delay Iran Plus Six Meeting - Lavrov RIA Novosti 28 Jan 2013 -- Iran and Western powers should stop behaving “like little children” and agree on a venue for future nuclear talks, Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov said.
• FM rejects Ashton claim that Iran is wasting time IRNA 28 Jan 2013 -- Iran's Foreign Minister Ali Akbar Salehi rejected claim made by European Union foreign policy chief Catherine Ashton accusing Tehran of wasting time.
• World Powers Ask Iran To Meet In February For Nuclear Talks RFE/RL 28 Jan 2013 -- Global powers have asked Iran to meet in February to discuss its nuclear program.
• Salehi: Astana, Bern ready for hosting Iran-G5+1 talks IRNA 28 Jan 2013 -- Foreign Minister Ali Akbar Salehi stated that Kazakhstan Republic and Switzerland have declared their readiness to host Tehran and world powers’ nuclear talks.
• Iran Renews Media Crackdown Ahead Of June Vote RFE/RL 28 Jan 2013 -- Iran has renewed its crackdown on the press less than five months before the country’s June 14 presidential vote.
• Iran Jails Journalists for Foreign Cooperation VOA 28 Jan 2013 -- Iran has arrested a dozen journalists accused of cooperating with foreign Persian-language media organizations, in what appears to be a coordinated crackdown on the press.
• UN human rights experts urge Iran to halt execution of five activists UN News Centre 28 Jan 2013 -- A group of United Nations independent experts urged Iran to halt the execution of five activists belonging to the Ahwazi Arab minority.
• U.S. Confirms Pastor Sentenced To 8 Years In Iran RFE/RL 28 Jan 2013 -- The U.S. State Department has confirmed that Iranian authorities have sentenced an American Christian pastor of Iranian origin to eight years in prison.
• Kim Jong Un Makes Opening Address at Fourth Meeting of Secretaries of WPK Cells KCNA 28 Jan 2013 -- The dear respected Kim Jong Un made an opening address at the Fourth Meeting of Secretaries of Cells of the Workers' Party of Korea (WPK).
• Fourth Meeting of Secretaries of Cells of WPK Opens KCNA 28 Jan 2013 -- The Fourth Meeting of Secretaries of Cells of the Workers' Party of Korea (WPK) was opened with splendor.
• U.S. Mistook Koreans: KCNA Commentary KCNA 28 Jan 2013 -- A consultative meeting of officials in the fields of state security and foreign affairs in view of the grave situation prevailing in the DPRK took place under the guidance of Kim Jong Un, first secretary of the Workers' Party of Korea, first chairman of the DPRK National Defence Commission and supreme commander of the Korean People's Army.
• Rodong Sinmun Calls for All-out Action to Protect Its Sovereignty KCNA 28 Jan 2013 -- The all-out action declared by the DPRK is a just patriotic struggle to defend the sovereignty and dignity of the nation, Rodong Sinmun says in a bylined article.
• More Clashes in Egypt Despite State of Emergency VOA 28 Jan 2013 -- Protesters and riot police clashed in Cairo elsewhere in Egypt, after Egyptian President Mohamed Morsi declared a 30-day state of emergency in three provinces at the center of deadly anti-government riots.
• Egypt: Emergency Declared In 3 Cities RFE/RL 28 Jan 2013 -- Protestors and police are clashing in Cairo despite the declaration of a state of emergency in three other major cities.
• Morsi Declares Sate of Emergency in Three Egypt’s Cities RIA Novosti 28 Jan 2013 -- Egyptian President Mohammed Morsi has declared a state of emergency in three cities along the Suez Canal where violent riots killed dozens of people in the last three days.
• In Shadow of Mali, AU Pledges to Solve Own Problems VOA 28 Jan 2013 -- The African Union summit ended night with a commitment to play a leading role in solving problems on the continent instead of waiting for other nations to lead the way.
• Welcoming ‘Africa on the rise,’ Ban urges achievement of development goals UN News Centre 28 Jan 2013 -- United Nations Secretary-General Ban urged the step-up of efforts to reach agreed development goals as he touched on a range of issues in Addis Ababa.
• Zambia Will Maintain Country’s Stability, Says Official VOA 28 Jan 2013 -- Zambia’s Home Affairs minister says President Michael Sata’s government will resist attempts by individuals or political groups to hinder the country’s burgeoning democracy.
• Chinese Blogger Who Exposed Sex Scandal Faces Police Pressure VOA 28 Jan 2013 -- A Beijing blogger once praised by Chinese authorities for exposing a sex scandal involving a Chongqing city official is now facing pressure from them to stop his independent anti-corruption campaign.
• Women Have High Profile in Kurdish Struggle VOA 28 Jan 2013 -- The killing earlier this month of three female Kurdish activists in Paris highlighted the powerful role women play both politically and militarily in the Kurdish struggle.
• Guatemalan Judge Orders ex-President Tried for Genocide VOA 28 Jan 2013 -- A Guatemalan judge has ordered former dictator Jose Efrain Rios Montt be tried for the genocide of nearly 2,000 indigenous Mayans in the early 1980s.
• Who Is Ramazan Abdulatipov? RFE/RL 28 Jan 2013 -- Russian President Vladimir Putin has named former Russian Nationalities Minister Ramazan Abdulatipov as acting head of Abdulatipov's home Republic of Daghestan.
• Kremlin Reshuffles Dagestan Leadership RIA Novosti 28 Jan 2013 -- One of the most troubled regions in Russia’s restive North Caucasus got a new leader, in a Kremlin-backed reshuffle that garnered a wide range of early interpretations.
• FM Lavrov: US Move to Quit Civil Rights Panel Not Official RIA Novosti 28 Jan 2013 -- Russia has not received any official notification from the United States confirming its departure from a bilateral group on civil society issues, Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov said.