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Current Operations

• OIF/OEF/OND Casualty Update 05 Feb 2013 [PDF]
• First US Patriot battery under NATO command and control NATO 05 Feb 2013 -- On a hillside overlooking the city of Gaziantep, the US Patriot missile launchers were activated under NATO command and control today.

Defense Policy / Programs

• US Can Kill Americans Linked to Al-Qaida, Says Memo RIA Novosti 05 Feb 2013 -- A confidential memo obtained by media and published Tuesday spells out the US government's legal justifications for killing US citizens linked to al-Qaida, and offers a rare look at one of the most secretive policies of President Barack Obama's administration.
• Justice Dept.: Legal for US to Kill al-Qaida Americans Abroad VOA 05 Feb 2013 -- A leaked confidential memo from the U.S. Justice Department says it is legal for the government to kill U.S. citizens abroad if it believes they are senior al-Qaida leaders actively engaged in planning operations to kill Americans.
• Attorney General Defends Rationale for Killing American Terrorists VOA 05 Feb 2013 -- U.S. Attorney General Eric Holder has explained the Obama administration's rationale behind legally allowing the government to kill U.S. citizens abroad if it believes they are senior al-Qaida leaders actively engaged in planning operations to kill Americans.
• Press Teleconference Roundtable on Integrated Health Records from the Pentagon DoD 05 Feb 2013 -- Presenter: Jonathan Woodson, Assistant Secretary of Defense for Health Affairs; Beth McGrath, Deputy Chief Management Officer; Robert Petzel, Undersecretary for Health Affairs; Roger Baker, Assistant Secretary for Information and Technology
• Remarks by Secretary Panetta and Secretary Shinseki from the Department of Veterans Affairs DoD 05 Feb 2013 -- Presenter: Secretary of Defense Leon E. Panetta, Secretary of Veterans Affairs Eric Shinseki
• DOD, VA to Speed Integration of Health Records AFPS 05 Feb 2013 -- The secretaries of Defense and Veterans Affairs announced their departments will speed implementation of the Integrated Electronic Health Record program, allowing service members and veterans better access and more importantly, better medical care.
• Archangels continue satellite control legacy Army News 05 Feb 2013 -- Alpha Company at Fort Detrick began its existence as the first Satellite Operation Center in 1982. Since then, the Archangels (Alpha) have led the 53rd Signal Battalion (Satellite Control) in several technological advancements to better serve the United States Military in the ever-increasing need for satellite communications.
• Ariz. Reserve battalion mobilizes to Fort Bliss Army News 05 Feb 2013 -- January signified not only the beginning of a new year, but also the transition to active duty for the 2nd Battalion, 363rd Training Support Regiment, Task Force Black Scorpion, 5th Armored Brigade, Division West, from Mesa, Ariz.
• Electronic Warfare stands ready to wage silent war Army News 05 Feb 2013 -- We see it all too often. Another Soldier was killed when his convoy was hit by an improved explosive device.
• Air Force increases projected KC-46 flying hours, crew ratio AFNS 05 Feb 2013 -- The Air Force has increased planned life-cycle flying hours and aircrews assigned to the new KC-46A refueling tanker to make optimal use of the commercially-proven aircraft's fuel efficiency, cargo and aeromedical evacuation capabilities.
• Readout of Secretary Panetta's Call with Egyptian Minister of Defense Abd-al-Fattah Al-Sisi DoD 05 Feb 2013
• Royal Thai Navy, Marines Visit USS Bonhomme Richard NNS 05 Feb 2013 -- The forward-deployed amphibious assault ship USS Bonhomme Richard (LHD 6) with embarked Amphibious Squadron (PHIBRON) 11 and 31st Marine Expeditionary Unit (MEU) hosted four officers from the Royal Thai Navy and Marine Corps, Feb. 1.
• USS Germantown Conducts VBSS Training Underway NNS 05 Feb 2013 -- Sailors assigned to the amphibious dock landing ship USS Germantown (LSD 42) conducted visit, board, search and seizure (VBSS) training underway in the U.S. 7th Fleet area of operations.
• NJ Airmen among first on ground, supporting French operations in Africa AFNS 05 Feb 2013 -- More than 100 Airmen from the 621st Contingency Response Wing, located here and at Travis Air Force Base, Calif., are currently supporting airlift missions transporting French soldiers and military equipment from Istres, France, to Bamako, Mali.
• Obama Calls on Congress to Avoid Sequestration AFPS 05 Feb 2013 -- President Barack Obama today called on Congress to avoid deep, across-the-board spending cuts looming March 1 under a "sequestration" mechanism in budget law and to take a balanced approach to America's debt problems.
• Carter Meets with Jordanian Leaders, Praises U.S. Troops AFPS 05 Feb 2013 -- On the final leg of his six-day visit to Europe and the Middle East, Deputy Defense Secretary Ashton B. Carter met with military leaders and Jordan's King Abdullah II here today, and praised U.S. forces stationed here during what he called a pivotal time for the region.
• Stavridis Presses to Close Language, Cultural Skills Gap AFPS 05 Feb 2013 -- Despite "the widest imaginable set of skills" among the Defense Department's 3.2 million military and civilian members, the Defense Department has an "obvious capability gap" in its lack of foreign language skills that affect its global missions, the supreme allied commander for Europe and commander of U.S. European Command lamented in his command blog.
• New Waterjets Could Propel LCS to Greater Speeds NNS 05 Feb 2013 -- The Navy's fifth littoral combat ship (LCS), Milwaukee, will be the first to benefit from new high-power density waterjets aimed at staving off rudder and propeller damage experienced on high-speed ships.
• USS Gridley Returns from Deployment NNS 05 Feb 2013 -- The Arleigh Burke class destroyer, USS Gridley (DDG 101), will return from a six-month, independent deployment to the 5th and 7th Fleet Areas of Responsibility (AOR) Feb. 5.
• Norad Exercise Planned for National Capital Region DoD 05 Feb 2013
• African Lion rockets into 2013 USMC News 05 Feb 2013 -- Marine Corps Forces Africa conducted the final planning conference for African Lion 13 at the Royal Moroccan Armed Forces southern headquarters facilities in Agadir, Morocco, Jan. 29 – Feb. 1.
• Electronic Attack Squadron 132 Completes Deployment at Naval Air Facility Misawa NNS 05 Feb 2013 -- Electronic Attack Squadron (VAQ) 132 completed a six-month deployment aboard Naval Air Facility Misawa, Feb. 2.
• USS Bonhomme Richard Celebrates 234 Years of the Ship's Name NNS 05 Feb 2013 -- Sailors assigned to the forward-deployed amphibious assault ship USS Bonhomme Richard (LHD 6) with Marines of the embarked 31st Marine Expeditionary Unit (MEU), celebrated the 234th anniversary of the ship's namesake, Feb. 4.
• Russian Air Force to Get 48 Il-476 Transports RIA Novosti 05 Feb 2013 -- The Russian Air Force's Military Transport Aviation (MTA) will receive a total of 48 Ilyushin Il-476 heavy transport planes by 2020, rather than the previously stated 39, its commander Col. Gen. Vladimir Benediktov said on Tuesday.
• Defense Ministry Fraud Suspect Released Under Plea Bargain RIA Novosti 05 Feb 2013 -- Yekaterina Smetanova, a suspect in a large-scale fraud at the Russian Defense Ministry, has been released from custody with travel restrictions after fully cooperating with investigation, Russia's Investigative Committee said.
• No Fuel in Russia For French-Built Warship - Deputy PM RIA Novosti 05 Feb 2013 -- Russia does not produce the type of fuel necessary for the French-made Mistral-class amphibious assault vessels it has ordered, Deputy Prime Minister Dmitry Rogozin said Tuesday.
• Russia Starts Kuril Islands Exercises RIA Novosti 05 Feb 2013 -- Russia has started large-scale military exercises in the disputed Kuril Islands in the country's far east, a military official said on Tuesday.
• HMS Cattistock heads for the Med UK MOD 05 Feb 2013 -- Royal Navy minehunter HMS Cattistock has set sail on a four-month NATO mission in the Mediterranean.
• Press Briefing by Press Secretary Jay Carney, 2/5/13 The White House 05 Feb 2013
• February 5, 2013 - U.S. Department of State Daily Press Briefing US Dept. of State 05 Feb 2013

Defense Industry

• DoD News: Contracts for February 05, 2013
• Russian Weapons Sales Shift Away From East – Arms Official RIA Novosti 05 Feb 2013 -- Russia is losing arms markets in Asia and the Middle East, two of its traditional strongholds, but gaining new ones in Latin America and Africa, a Russian arms official said this week ahead of an aviation expo in India, a major buyer of Russian weaponry that has recently been opting for Western hardware.

Other Conflicts

• 5 February 2013 - Daily Press Briefing by the Office of the Spokesperson for the Secretary-General United Nations 05 Feb 2013
• UN warns of deepening humanitarian crisis in Syria UN News Centre 05 Feb 2013 -- The United Nations humanitarian arm today warned that the ongoing conflict in Syria, which will soon enter its third year, will lead to a sharp spike in the number of people needing urgent aid, including food, clean water and vital medical services.
• UN Struggles to Provide Medical Care for Syrians VOA 05 Feb 2013 -- The World Health Organization reports the health situation in Syria has progressively worsened over the last six months. And, a WHO representative in Syria says there has been a marked deterioration in the ability to provide health care to the civilian population over the past month.
• UN: Syrian Humanitarian Crisis 'Catastrophic' VOA 05 Feb 2013 -- The United Nations says the humanitarian crisis in Syria has reached 'catastrophic' proportions and is dramatically expanding its aid operation to reach one million more people.
• At Brussels conference, UN stresses need for dual-track approach to stabilize Mali UN News Centre 05 Feb 2013 -- Both military and political efforts are vital if Mali's partners are to help the country emerge from its ongoing crisis, the United Nations political chief stressed today at a conference held in Brussels to discuss the latest situation in the West African nation.
• Chadian Forces Move to Secure Mali's Kidal VOA 05 Feb 2013 -- Chadian soldiers have begun securing the Malian city of Kidal, which was the last major stronghold of Islamist militants in the country.
• International Groups Discuss Mali Support VOA 05 Feb 2013 -- International organizations and officials from Mali are meeting Tuesday to discuss efforts to stabilize the country, following a campaign by French and Malian forces to retake control of major northern cities.
• Mali a "wake-up call" for drug trafficking, says think tank IRIN 05 Feb 2013 -- At the launch of a Ghana-based Commission on the Impact of Drug-Trafficking on Governance, Security and Development in West Africa, its chair, former Nigerian President Olusegun Obasanjo, said the situation in Mali should serve as a "wake-up call" to the perils of allowing organized crime to escalate out of control.
• Georgian PM Criticizes Saakashvili, Pledges To Restore Russian Relations RFE/RL 05 Feb 2013 -- Georgian Prime Minister Bidzina Ivanishvili has accused President Mikheil Saakashvili of seeking to destabilize the country.
• Obama to Visit Israel, West Bank, Jordan VOA 05 Feb 2013 -- President Barack Obama will soon make his first visit to Israel as U.S. leader. He also will go to the West Bank and Jordan for wide-ranging talks that include the situation in Syria and tensions with Iran.
• 'We cannot afford a year without tangible results,' Ban says on Israeli-Palestinian crisis UN News Centre 05 Feb 2013 -- Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon today urged the swift resumption of negotiations toward a two-State solution to the Middle East conflict, citing Israeli settlements and delays in Palestinian reconciliation among obstacles to be overcome.
• Insecurity and impunity remain serious problems in Guinea-Bissau, warns UN official UN News Centre 05 Feb 2013 -- In spite of the recent steps taken by various parties in Guinea-Bissau to advance the transition process, insecurity and impunity are still serious issues that the Government must urgently address, a senior United Nations official said today.
• UN chief welcomes formation of unity government in Central African Republic UN News Centre 05 Feb 2013 -- United Nations Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon today welcomed the formation of the Government of National Unity in the Central African Republic (CAR), and called on all parties to abide by the ceasefire agreement signed last month.
• China Takes Active Role in Talks Between Burma and Kachin Rebels VOA 05 Feb 2013 -- China says it is willing to play a role in peace talks between the government of Burma and the Kachin Independence Organization (KIO), which is seeking greater autonomy.
• With increased security, healthcare improves in Somalia IRIN 05 Feb 2013 -- With security improved following the retreat of Al-Shabab insurgents from urban areas of south and central Somalia, aid agencies have increased health services and expanded emergency healthcare, reaching previously inaccessible areas.

News Reports

• Ahmadinejad In Egypt In Landmark Visit RFE/RL 05 Feb 2013 -- Iranian President Mahmud Ahmadinejad has held talks in Cairo with his Egyptian counterpart, Muhammad Morsi, as he began the first visit to Egypt by an Iranian president since 1979.
• Iranian President Makes Landmark Visit to Egypt VOA 05 Feb 2013 -- Iranian President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad is in Cairo, the first leader of the Islamic Republic to visit Egypt since the countries broke relations more than 30 years ago. Ahmadinejad embraced fellow Islamist, Egyptian President Mohamed Morsi, upon his arrival.
• Salehi: No reason to concern over Iran's nuclear program IRNA 05 Feb 2013 -- Foreign Minister Ali Akbar Salehi voiced Iran's readiness to respond to the worries about its nuclear program during the upcoming talks and give the assurance that there is no reason to be concerned about it.
• Salehi: Vice Pres, Biden's comments sign of Washington's change of approach IRNA 05 Feb 2013 -- Iran's Foreign Minister Ali-Akbar Salehi said here Monday he believes US Vice President Joe Biden's proposal for one-to-one talks with Tehran is a sign of Washington's changed approach towards Iran.
• Sa'eid Mortazavi arrested IRNA 05 Feb 2013 -- Official information website of Tehran Prosecutor Office announced minutes after beginning of Tuesday that former judge sa'eid Mortazavi has been arrested.
• Salehi's suggestions for 5+1G, Pres. Obama IRNA 05 Feb 2013 -- IRI Foreign Minister Ali-Akbar Salehi said in an interview Monday Iran's right to take peaceful advantage of nuclear energy and entire process of nuclear fuel production, including uranium enrichment need to be respected.
• Iran's nuclear advancement increased Iran's bargaining power IRNA 05 Feb 2013 -- Supreme Leader's representative to IRGC, Ali Saeedi said on Tuesday that Iran's significant success and development in the peaceful nuclear technology has increased Iranian bargaining powers at international level.
• North Korean Video Depicts Burning US City VOA 05 Feb 2013 -- With another North Korean nuclear test looming, the country's official website, Uriminzokkiri, has posted an unusual video on its YouTube channel showing what appears to be a U.S. city in flames after some kind of attack from space.
• UN Official Urges Human Rights Probe of North Korea VOA 05 Feb 2013 -- A report by a special U.N. investigator is calling for the United Nations to open an inquiry into North Korea for possible crimes against humanity.
• US Lifts Kam Air Ban as Kabul Pledges Probe RIA Novosti 05 Feb 2013 -- The United States has lifted a ban on Afghanistan's biggest private airline, Kam Air, after the Afghan government pledged an investigation into US claims of opium smuggling by the carrier, the International Security Assistance Force in Afghanistan (ISAF) said in a statement on Tuesday.
• Bulgaria Links Hezbollah to Israeli Bombing VOA 05 Feb 2013 -- The Bulgarian government says Hezbollah was responsible for the bombing of a tourist bus near a Black Sea port city last year in which five Israelis and one Bulgarian were killed. The accusation implicates a group whose political wing is a major force in Lebanon's government.
• Constitution Delay Frustrates Libyans VOA 05 Feb 2013 -- Diplomats were urging Libya's new rulers as long ago as last summer to move quickly on deciding the process for drafting a new constitution. But six months after the country held an election in July, the first one in half-a-century, nothing has happened.
• Year's First Baikonur Space Launch Postponed Due to Weather RIA Novosti 05 Feb 2013 -- This year's first space launch from the Baikonur space port has been postponed until Wednesday due to bad weather, the Federal Space Agency Roscosmos said on Tuesday.
• Taiwan, U.S. sign revised diplomatic immunity pact CNA 05 Feb 2013 -- Taiwan and the United States have signed a revised agreement on privileges, exemptions and immunities to provide more legal protection to diplomats stationed in each other's country.