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Operations
Defense Policy / Programs
Defense Industry
Other Conflicts
News Reports

Current Operations

• Combined Force Searching for Taliban Leader Detains Insurgents AFPS 11 Feb 2013 -- A combined Afghan and coalition security force in the Maiwand district of Afghanistan’s Kandahar province today detained four insurgents while searching of a senior Taliban leader.
• U.S. Begins Withdrawing Military Equipment From Afghanistan RFE/RL 11 Feb 2013 -- The U.S. military has started withdrawing military equipment from Afghanistan through Pakistan as it prepares to pull out most of its combat troops next year.
• Afghanistan: UN welcomes Government moves to address detainee torture UN News Centre 11 Feb 2013 -- The United Nations Mission in Afghanistan welcomed the announcement of recommendations by the Government to stem torture, ill-treatment and prolonged illegal detention in the country.
• Afghan Panel Says Prison Torture Not Systematic RFE/RL 11 Feb 2013 -- An Afghan government panel confirms it has found evidence of torture of detainees, but it denied systematic abuse of prisoners.
• Official Stresses Importance of 2014 Afghan Elections AFPS 11 Feb 2013 -- The Afghan presidential elections now set for April 2014 are looming ever larger as a milestone for measuring progress in the country.
• Talks Between Afghan, Pakistani Clerics Reportedly Hit Snag VOA 11 Feb 2013 -- A delegation of Afghan religious leaders was in Islamabad for talks with their Pakistan counterparts on the reconciliation process between militants and the Afghan government.

Defense Policy / Programs

• Fleet Forces Outlines Fiscal Impact on Readiness for Commanders NNS 11 Feb 2013 -- Commander, U.S. Fleet Forces Command sent a personal for message to commanders and commanding officers Feb. 8 about how he plans to maintain fleet readiness through fiscal uncertainty.
• Stennis Carrier Strike Group Departs Dubai NNS 11 Feb 2013 -- The John C. Stennis Carrier Strike Group got underway Feb. 5, following a four-day port visit to Jebel Ali, Dubai.
• USS Theodore Roosevelt Undergoes First Fuel Onload in Almost 4 Years NNS 11 Feb 2013 -- USS Theodore Roosevelt took on 500,000 gallons of JP-5 fuel Feb. 10, marking the first time the ship has received fuel since it entered refueling and complex overhaul more than three years ago.
• Carrier Strike Group 11 Changes Command NNS 11 Feb 2013 -- Carrier Strike Group (CSG) 11 held a change of command ceremony aboard the aircraft carrier USS Nimitz (CVN 68) Feb. 11.
• Ramstein Airmen train with Israeli air force AFNS 11 Feb 2013 -- The 86th Airlift Wing and 435th Contingency Response Group conducted a Flying Training Deployment with the Israeli air force's 103rd Squadron Jan. 27 to Feb. 8 here.
• Burma Observers Participate in US-Led Military Exercises in Thailand VOA 11 Feb 2013 -- Burma’s armed forces are for the first time participating in a United States-led military exercise in Thailand.
• Exercise Cobra Gold begins USMC News 11 Feb 2013 -- Today’s opening ceremony for Exercise Cobra Gold 2013 in Chiang Mai province marks beginning of the 32nd iteration of the largest multinational exercise in the Asia-Pacific region.
• Exercise Cobra Gold 2013 Kicks Off in Thailand AFPS 11 Feb 2013 -- The commander of U.S. Pacific Command kicked off the longest-running U.S. military exercise in the Pacific in Thailand, calling the 13,000 multinational participants guardians of future peace and prosperity.
• Military Sealift Command Delivers Marine Corps Cargo for Multinational Exercise in Thailand NNS 11 Feb 2013 -- Military Sealift Command-chartered container ship MV Capt. Steven L. Bennett completed cargo operations at the port of Chuk Sa Met, Thailand Feb. 8 to support exercise Cobra Gold 2013.
• Boxer Hosts Iron Fist 2013 NNS 11 Feb 2013 -- USS Boxer is hosting exercise Iron Fist 2013 from Feb. 4-15 with elements from the 13th Marine Expeditionary Unit and the Japanese Ground Self-Defense Force while underway off the coast of California.
• East African Security Forces Host Inaugural Special Operations Conference AFRICOM 11 Feb 2013 -- Across east Africa, the use of Special Operations Forces as a means to enhance the capability to protect civilians is a growing trend.
• Gravely Gets Underway for Maiden Deployment NNS 11 Feb 2013 -- Deploying for the first time, USS Gravely departed Feb. 11 for the U.S. 6th Fleet Area of Responsibility to participate in Ballistic Missile Defense escort operations.
• Navy's First Joint High-Speed Vessel Visits St. Petersburg NNS 11 Feb 2013 -- Military Sealift Command's first joint high-speed vessel, USNS Spearhead, made its first port visit to the Port of St. Petersburg Feb. 10.
• Statement from Secretary of Defense Leon E. Panetta on the Extension of Benefits to Same-Sex Partners DoD 11 Feb 2013
• Same-sex Couples Can Claim New Benefits by October AFPS 11 Feb 2013 -- Military members and retirees with same-sex partners will qualify for up to 24 new benefits under policy changes Defense Secretary Leon E. Panetta announced.
• Remarks by the President in Presentation of the Medal of Honor to Staff Sergeant Clinton L. Romesha The White House 11 Feb 2013
• Asymmetric Warfare Group Begins Construction 3-building complex Army News 11 Feb 2013 -- Fort Meade continues to grow as the Asymmetric Warfare Group prepares for the construction of a three-building complex.
• North Korea Claims 'Successful' Nuclear Test VOA 11 Feb 2013 -- North Korea defied international warnings Tuesday and carried out its third nuclear test, drawing immediate condemnation from leaders around the globe.
• Earthquake in N.Korea, Nuclear Test Feared VOA 11 Feb 2013 -- The U.S. Geological Survey is reporting a 4.9-magnitude earthquake in North Korea, raising fears that Pyongyang may have gone ahead with its threat to conduct a third nuclear test.
• Rodong Sinmun Warns S. Korean Regime KCNA 11 Feb 2013 -- The south Korean "Ministry of Defense" recently called for "developing concrete, substantial and definite strategy" to cope with the "the north's potential nuclear threat" and declared that the conception of "pre-emptive attack" would be included in the "strategy of nuclear deterrence against the north" to be worked out with the U.S.
• Russian Military Inspectors to Fly Over Italy RIA Novosti 11 Feb 2013 -- Russian military inspectors will begin a surveillance flight over the territory of Italy under the international Open Skies Treaty.
• Russian Defense Ministry Hands Back Orthodox Church Property RIA Novosti 11 Feb 2013 -- A seminary turned military aviation school is to be handed back to the Russian Orthodox Church, the Defense Ministry has announced.
• Closing the gap: Keeping NATO strong in an era of austerity NATO 11 Feb 2013
• Pakistan tests nuclear-capable missile IRNA 11 Feb 2013 -- Pakistan conducted a successful test fire of a short range Surface to Surface Missile Hatf IX (NASR), having a range of 60 kilometers, and can carry nuclear warheads.
• Three Killed in Medevac Helicopter Crash in Azerbaijan RIA Novosti 11 Feb 2013 -- All three crewmembers of a Mi-17 Hip helicopter were killed on Monday when it crashed into the Caspian Sea, the Azerbaijan Defense Ministry said.
• Liberia: UN mission supports response to air crash that killed Guinean high officials UN News Centre 11 Feb 2013 -- United Nations peacekeepers in Liberia are assisting with response and recovery efforts for a plane crash outside of the capital city Monrovia.
• Guinea Army Chief Killed in Liberia Plane Crash VOA 11 Feb 2013 -- The head of Guinea's armed forces and other senior Guinean military officials have been killed in a plane crash in Liberia.
• Press Briefing by Press Secretary Jay Carney, 2/11/2013 The White House 11 Feb 2013
• U.S. Department of State Daily Press Briefing, February 11, 2013 US Dept. of State 11 Feb 2013

Defense Industry

• DoD News: Contracts for February 11, 2013

Other Conflicts

• Daily Press Briefing by the Office of the Spokesperson for the Secretary-General, 11 February 2013 United Nations 11 Feb 2013
• U.S. Assistance to the Palestinians US Dept. of State 11 Feb 2013
• State Department Contributes an Initial $171 Million to the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees US Dept. of State 11 Feb 2013
• Presidential Memorandum - Presidential Determination Regarding Drawdown Under Section 506 (a)(1) of the Foreign Assistance Act of 1961, as Amended, for Chad and France to Support Their Efforts in Mali The White House 11 Feb 2013
• Malian, French Forces Repel Islamist Assault on Gao VOA 11 Feb 2013 -- French and Malian soldiers are on high alert in the northern town of Gao, a day after Islamist militants launched an assault to retake the city they were forced out of two weeks ago.
• “Utter destitution” for north Mali displaced: ICRC IRIN 11 Feb 2013 -- Some 6,500 Malians forced to flee to a remote area near the border with Algeria following the French-led military intervention against Islamist fighters are surviving under trees and in wrecked vehicles without sufficient food.
• Syrian Rebels Claim Control Of Country's Largest Dam RFE/RL 11 Feb 2013 -- Syrian activists say rebels fighting against the regime in Damascus have taken control of the country's largest dam on the Euphrates River in the province of Raqa.
• Blast Kills 12 at Syria-Turkey Border VOA 11 Feb 2013 -- The explosion of a car near the border between Turkey and Syria has killed at least 12 people and wounded nearly 30 others.
• UN-Arab League envoy and Syrian opposition leader hold talks in Cairo UN News Centre 11 Feb 2013 -- The Joint Special Representative of the United Nations and the League of Arab States for Syria, Lakhdar Brahimi, held a meeting in Cairo with Syrian opposition leader Moaz Al-Khatib.
• Syrian Opposition to Expand US Presence VOA 11 Feb 2013 -- Syria’s main opposition coalition will soon open an office in New York City, not far from the United Nations.
• Syria to Stick to Principles Despite Outside Pressure - Assad RIA Novosti 11 Feb 2013 -- Syria will never forgo its principles and cave in to outside pressure, President Bashar Assad said.
• Pakistani Authorities Consider New Peace Talks Offer from Taliban VOA 11 Feb 2013 -- Pakistani opposition parties and their political allies are increasing pressure on the coalition government to consider a recent offer of peace talks from the Pakistani Taliban.
• South Sudan POWs Return to Juba VOA 11 Feb 2013 -- Five South Sudanese prisoners of war returned to Juba Monday, hours after they were released by authorities in Sudan, who had held them since the middle of last year.
• UN Mission en route to assess reports of deadly fighting in South Sudan UN News Centre 11 Feb 2013 -- The United Nations peacekeeping mission in South Sudan dispatched a team to investigate reports that more than 100 people have been killed and many others injured in a cattle raid.
• South Sudan Rebels Blamed After Scores Killed VOA 11 Feb 2013 -- Officials in South Sudan's Jonglei state blamed rebels led by David Yau Yau for killing more than 100 people, mostly women and children, in the deadliest cattle raid in the state in two years.
• Sudan and Darfur rebel group sign ceasefire under UN-African Union auspices UN News Centre 11 Feb 2013 -- The Government of Sudan and one of the main rebel factions in Darfur have signed a ceasefire agreement to move the peace process forward.
• Sudan: Independent UN expert urges action on security sector’s human rights abuses UN News Centre 11 Feb 2013 -- The Government of Sudan must act on allegations of human rights abuse by its security sector, a United Nations independent expert has urged.
• Healthcare still disrupted in the Central African Republic IRIN 11 Feb 2013 -- Healthcare remains difficult to access in parts of the Central African Republic that are under the control of the Séléka rebel alliance, despite relative calm following an 11 January peace agreement.
• Suicide Bomber Wounds Somali Police Official VOA 11 Feb 2013 -- A suicide car bomber in central Somalia has set off a blast targeting a senior police official.
• Polish Ambassador Emerges Unhurt in Iraqi Mine Explosion RIA Novosti 11 Feb 2013 -- The ambassador of Poland in Iraq emerged unhurt after an explosive device went off near his car in northern Iraq.
• Suicide Bombing Kills Up To Eight In Northern Iraq RFE/RL 11 Feb 2013 -- A suicide car bomb has killed as many as eight people in the northern Iraqi city of Mosul.
• Gunmen Kill Four In Mosul RFE/RL 11 Feb 2013 -- Iraqi officials say gunmen have killed four people in the northern city of Mosul.

News Reports

• US Lists New Iran Sanctions on Several Chinese Firms VOA 11 Feb 2013 -- The US announced new sanctions on a Chinese businessman and several companies for selling to Iran items banned under U.S. laws aimed at curbing that country's missile program.
• Imposition of Nonproliferation Sanctions Against Foreign Entities and Individuals US Dept. of State 11 Feb 2013
• Israel: New Iran Centrifuges Demand Sanctions Upgrade VOA 11 Feb 2013 -- Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said that new centrifuges Iran was installing for its uranium enrichment program could cut by a third the time needed to create a nuclear bomb.
• Almaty Nuke Talks to Reconcile Russian, EU Plans RIA Novosti 11 Feb 2013 -- This month’s upcoming talks on Iran’s nuclear program will be dedicated to reconciling Russian and European proposals on the issue.
• Iran calls US carrot-and-stick approach as dictation, not negotiation IRNA 11 Feb 2013 -- Iran's Ambassador to Germany Ali Reza Sheikh Attar called US and its allies' carrot-and-stick approach towards Iran’s peaceful nuclear activities and their quest for direct and indirect talks as dictation not negotiation.
• UN human rights experts urge Iran to release detained opposition activists UN News Centre 11 Feb 2013 -- United Nations human rights experts called on Iran to immediately release two leading opposition figures and their family members who remain under house arrest.
• Children Of Iran Opposition Leaders Arrested, Released RFE/RL 11 Feb 2013 -- Iranian authorities have released the children of two prominent opposition figures, Mir Hossein Musavi and Mehdi Karrubi, after briefly detaining them for questioning.
• Bahrain Holds New Reconciliation Talks RFE/RL 11 Feb 2013 -- The government and opposition representatives in Bahrain have launched a new round of reconciliation talks - the first such meetings since 2011.
• Call for investigation into post-revolution deaths in Egypt IRIN 11 Feb 2013 -- Clashes during the second anniversary of the revolution which deposed Egypt's former president Hosni Mubarak have brought the number of Egyptians killed since the uprising began to at least 1,085.
• 2 Years After Mubarak Ousted, Egyptians Struggle to Keep Hope VOA 11 Feb 2013 -- There has been so much change in Egypt in the past two years, it is sometimes hard to remember how little there was for so long.
• Egyptian Protesters Clash With Police On Arab Spring Anniversary RFE/RL 11 Feb 2013 -- Egyptian police have clashed with protesters as thousands took to the streets to mark the second anniversary of the ouster of former President Hosni Mubarak.
• Egyptian Protesters, Police Clash on Mubarak Ouster Anniversary VOA 11 Feb 2013 -- Egyptian protesters frustrated with President Mohamed Morsi's government clashed with police in Cairo Monday, during rallies marking the second anniversary of former leader Hosni Mubarak's resignation.
• Libyans Wary of Violence in Tunisia VOA 11 Feb 2013 -- Libya’s leaders are watching nervously the turmoil in neighboring Tunisia, fearing it may foreshadow trouble for them too.
• Tunisian PM Threatens to Resign Amid Disputes with His Party RIA Novosti 11 Feb 2013 -- Tunisian Prime Minister Hamadi Jebali warned that he would resign if his Islamist Ennahda party kept opposing his plans of the Cabinet shake-up, Al Arabiya reported on Monday.
• Tibetan Exile PM Sends New Year Message of Solidarity VOA 11 Feb 2013 -- Lobsang Sangay, political head of the government-in-exile, says this New Year is a time for reflection.
• Kenya Holds First Presidential Debate VOA 11 Feb 2013 -- In Kenya, eight presidential candidates met for the first of two presidential debates Monday night at Brookhouse International School.
• Russian President Sacks 6 Drug Police Generals, 1 Colonel RIA Novosti 11 Feb 2013 -- Russian President Vladimir Putin dismissed six generals and one colonel from the Federal Drug Control Service.
• Two Africans Among Likely Candidates for Next Pope VOA 11 Feb 2013 -- Reaction in Africa to the resignation of Pope Benedict is focused, in part, on whether his successor could come from the continent.
• Next Pope Could Be From Latin America VOA 11 Feb 2013 -- With Pope Benedict's stunning announcement that he will resign later this month, the time may be coming for the Roman Catholic Church to elect its first non-European leader and it could be a Latin American.
• Pope's Decision to Step Down Prompts Global Praise VOA 11 Feb 2013 -- The spiritual head of the Anglican church said he is of "heavy heart" after learning of Pope Benedict's decision to resign on February 28, due to advancing age.
• German-Born Pope Brought Conservative Views to Vatican VOA 11 Feb 2013 -- Pope Benedict the 16th, the first pope to resign in nearly 600 years, established his legacy as a strict theologian and enforcer of Roman Catholic doctrine.
• Pope Benedict Announces Resignation RFE/RL 11 Feb 2013 -- In a surprise announcement, the Vatican has said that Pope Benedict XVI will resign on February 28 - the first pontiff to step down in nearly 600 years.
• Pope Benedict XVI Makes Surprise Resignation RIA Novosti 11 Feb 2013 -- Pope Benedict XVI is to step down as head of the Catholic Church on February 28 due to old age and failing health, Vatican Radio reported on Monday.