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Operations
Defense Policy / Programs
Defense Industry
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News Reports

Current Operations

• OIF/OEF/OND Casualty Update 19 Feb 2013 [PDF]
• Tracker Airmen protect Bagram AFNS 19 Feb 2013 -- A group of Airmen from the 455th Expeditionary Security Forces Squadron is combining the old school skills of tracking with modern technology to bring a new capability to the fight.
• Precision Strike Kills Insurgents in Kunar Province AFPS 19 Feb 2013 -- A precision strike in the Ghaziabad district of Afghanistan's Kunar province yesterday killed two insurgents, military officials reported.
• Afghan civilian deaths drop but attacks on women, children and political targets rise – UN UN News Centre 19 Feb 2013 -- The number of Afghan civilians killed or injured in 2012 decreased for the first time since the United Nations began keeping track of such figures, according to a report released today, but attacks on women and children, and threats on perceived Government supporters, are on the rise.

Defense Policy / Programs

• If Sequestration Triggers, Furloughs Begin in Late April AFPS 20 Feb 2013 -- If sequestration is triggered next week, unpaid furloughs for civilian Defense Department employees will start in late April, Pentagon officials said here today.
• Department of Department Press Briefing on Civilian Furlough Planning Efforts from the Pentagon DoD 20 Feb 2013 -- Presenter: Under Secretary of Defense and Chief Financial Officer Robert F. Hale and Acting Under Secretary of Defense for Personnel and Readiness Jessica Lynn Wright
• President Accepts Allen's Request for Retirement AFPS 19 Feb 2013 -- President Barack Obama today accepted a request by Marine Corps Gen. John R. Allen to retire from the military to address health issues within his family.
• Panetta Salutes Allen's Service, Leadership AFPS 19 Feb 2013 -- Defense Secretary Leon E. Panetta today praised the service and leadership of Marine Corps Gen. John R. Allen, who is slated to retire.
• Statement by Secretary of Defense Leon E. Panetta on General Allen's Decision to Retire DoD 19 Feb 2013
• U.S., African partners ready for Central Accord 13 Army News 19 Feb 2013 -- Months of long-distance planning and meetings evolved in recent weeks into an in-person partnership that will launch Central Accord 13.
• Pentagon Revamps Approach to Industrial Base, Official Says AFPS 20 Feb 2013 -- The Defense Department has revamped its approach to communicating and interacting with the defense industrial base after applying lessons learned from previous economic downturns, a senior defense official said here today.
• Panetta Lands in Brussels for Afghan-focused NATO Meetings AFPS 20 Feb 2013 -- Defense Secretary Leon E. Panetta arrived here today and will spend the rest of the week at NATO headquarters, attending defense meetings and engaging his counterparts in one-on-one discussions.
• New Medal to Retain Place in Order of Precedence AFPS 19 Feb 2013 -- The new Distinguished Warfare Medal will retain its place in the order of precedence among military decorations, Pentagon Press Secretary George Little said here today.
• Panetta Plans to Attend NATO Meetings in Brussels AFPS 19 Feb 2013 -- Defense Secretary Leon E. Panetta departs tomorrow for Brussels, where he will attend a series of meetings with NATO defense ministers and other leaders, Pentagon officials said.
• Stennis' SNOOPIE Team Gathers Intel NNS 19 Feb 2013 -- 'Away the SNOOPIE team, away,' is heard over the ship's intercom. Moments later, Sailors rush through the ship carrying video cameras, binoculars and digital cameras with long-distance lenses.
• America's Greenest Carrier NNS 19 Feb 2013 -- Underway again Feb. 15, after eight months in port, Sailors aboard the aircraft carrier USS Carl Vinson (CVN 70) are supporting conservation efforts and the preservation of the environment by revitalizing the ship's environmental stewardship organization known as the Green Machine.
• Bonhomme Richard, 31st MEU Conduct Emergency Evacuation Drill During Cobra Gold 13 NNS 19 Feb 2013 -- Amphibious assault ship USS Bonhomme Richard (LHD 6) and 31st Marine Expeditionary Unit (MEU) worked in conjunction to conduct a non-combatant evacuation operation (NEO) and transportation of Japanese nationals overseas exercise off the coast of Sattahip, Thailand, Feb. 17.
• Weapons Onload: Arming Carl Vinson for Duty NNS 19 Feb 2013 -- In yet another step toward becoming a fully mission-capable aircraft carrier, Sailors assigned to the aircraft carrier USS Carl Vinson's (CVN 70) weapons department worked around-the-clock Feb. 17-18, making her a warship poised to do the nation's tasking.
• Black Sea Rotational Force Marines go to the field for noncombatant evacuation operations USMC News 19 Feb 2013 -- Marines and sailors with the 2013 iteration of the Black Sea Rotational Force conducted their first noncombatant evacuation mission rehearsal exercise the week of January 7.
• Making the Grade: Carl Vinson Gets CATCC Qualified NNS 19 Feb 2013 -- The Nimitz-class aircraft carrier USS Carl Vinson (CVN 70) took another major step toward becoming deployment-ready, earning Carrier Air Traffic Control Center (CATCC) qualifications Feb. 14.
• USS Kauffman CO Relieved of Command NNS 19 Feb 2013 -- Capt. John V. Fuller, commander, Destroyer Squadron (DESRON) 22, relieved Cmdr. Corey D. Wofford, commanding officer of the Norfolk Naval Station-based USS Kauffman (FFG 59), Feb. 15, due to loss of confidence in Wofford's ability to command.
• Military Works to Counter Cyber Threats AFPS 19 Feb 2013 -- The United States military is working diligently to beef up cyber defenses against all threats, Pentagon Press Secretary George Little said here today.
• US Firm Links Chinese Army to Cyber Attacks VOA 19 Feb 2013 -- A U.S.-based Internet security group is accusing the Chinese government of involvement in a sophisticated campaign of cyber attacks against American businesses, government and critical infrastructure.
• Belarus Phases Out Russian Warplanes, Radars RIA Novosti 19 Feb 2013 -- Belarus’ Armed Forces will replace a Russian radar station with an indigenous one and get rid of Russian-made Sukhoi Su-27 fighters, Belarusian Defense Minister Yury Zhadobin said on Tuesday.
• HMS Argyll deploys on counter-narcotics operations UK MOD 19 Feb 2013 -- HMS Argyll left Plymouth yesterday to conduct counter-narcotic operations across the Atlantic.
• Iran producing 3000-km-range radar systems: Vahidi Iran Press TV 19 Feb 2013 -- Iran’s Defense Minister Brigadier General Ahmad Vahidi says the Islamic Republic is producing various long-range radar systems which can cover a distance of up to 3,000 kilometers.
• S-1000 submarine - joint Russian-Italian development Voice of Russia 19 Feb 2013 -- Russia and Italy are resuming their joint development S-1000 submarine, which is an export version of the Amur class submarine. The joint development is between Rubin Design Bureau of Russia and Fincantieri of Italy.
• Russia sends four more warships to Mediterranean Sea near Syria Iran Press TV 19 Feb 2013 -- A flotilla of four Russian warships is heading to the Mediterranean Sea near the Syrian waters, Russian Defense Ministry says.
• Taiwan's volunteer military set for new milestone CNA 19 Feb 2013 -- Nearly 2,800 Taiwanese men are set to become the first individuals subject to new military service rules as Taiwan begins its transition toward an all-volunteer military.
• UAE gets USD 200 billion worth of US-made Predator drones Iran Press TV 19 Feb 2013 -- The United Arab Emirates has signed 17 defense contracts to purchase military equipment worth USD1.4 billion, including US manufactured Predator drones.
• Press Briefing by Press Secretary Jay Carney, 2/19/2013 The White House 19 Feb 2013
• February 19, 2013 - U.S. Department of State Daily Press Briefing US Dept. of State 19 Feb 2013

Defense Industry

• DoD News: Contracts for February 19, 2013
• From licensed assembly to joint production: India wants to produce Russian tanks T-90C Voice of Russia 19 Feb 2013 -- On the basis of total characteristics, today the T-90C tank is the best tank on the international market. According to Siyenko, "there are hundreds of already manufactured tanks". This tank is produced on the base of the Russian license at a tank factory in the city of Avadi, in the state of Tamil Nadu.

Other Conflicts

• 19 February 2013 - DAILY PRESS BRIEFING BY THE OFFICE OF THE SPOKESPERSON FOR THE SECRETARY-GENERAL United Nations 19 Feb 2013
• UN must prepare for future potential missions – heads of peacekeeping, field support say UN News Centre 19 Feb 2013 -- While focused on current peacekeeping operations around the world, the United Nations must also prepare for potential future peacekeeping roles ranging from Mali to Syria to the Horn of Africa, the heads of the UN peacekeeping and field support departments today told a special review committee.
• Russia to Evacuate More Nationals From Syria RIA Novosti 19 Feb 2013 -- Two Russian Emergencies Ministry planes will deliver humanitarian aid to Syria on Tuesday and evacuate Russians and nationals of former Soviet republics from the war-stricken Middle East country, an Emergencies Ministry official said.
• Arms Supplies to Syrian Rebels Expanding - Moscow RIA Novosti 19 Feb 2013 -- Foreign military supplies to Syria's armed opposition have been growing, Russian Deputy Foreign Minister Gennady Gatilov said on Tuesday.
• Securing access to millions of Syrians in need a major challenge – UN official UN News Centre 19 Feb 2013 -- Humanitarian agencies are trying to keep up with the rising needs stemming from the ongoing conflict in Syria, the top United Nations relief official said today, while noting that limited access is preventing everyone who requires assistance from receiving it.
• Activists Say Syrian Missile Hit Aleppo VOA 19 Feb 2013 -- Syrian opposition activists say a missile attack late Monday leveled several buildings in the northern commercial city of Aleppo. They say at least 19 people were killed in the strike on the city's Jabal Badro district. The dead include women and children.
• Russia supplies only defensive weapons to Syria - official Voice of Russia 19 Feb 2013 -- Russia will continue fulfilling its contractual obligations as part of military-technological cooperation with Syria as long as international sanctions in relation to this country are absent, Vyacheslav Dzirkaln, deputy director of the Russian Federal Service for Military-Technological Cooperation, said.
• Libya's displaced Tawergha threaten unilateral return IRIN 19 Feb 2013 -- Two years on from the start of the Libyan revolution, one major humanitarian issue awaits resolution: the internal displacement of around 60,000 Libyans accused of close ties to the Gaddafi regime and committing abuses during the nine-month conflict.
• South Sudan: UN envoy urges communities in Jonglei to end cycle of violence UN News Centre 20 Feb 2013 -- The top United Nations official in South Sudan is urging the communities in the eastern state of Jonglei to break the cycle of violence, following a "very serious" attack and cattle raid, while UN and local officials are poised to distribute humanitarian aid to thousands of people affected by the fighting.
• Somalia: UN Political Office condemns recent wave of terror attacks UN News Centre 19 Feb 2013 -- The United Nations political office for Somalia today condemned a series of February terror attacks, urging Somalis to strengthen their resolve against terrorism and work with the authorities to bring the perpetrators to justice.
• Taiwan insists it will not collaborate with China on the Diaoyutais CNA 19 Feb 2013 -- The Republic of China (Taiwan) will not align itself with China in dealing with issues related to the disputed Diaoyutai Islands in the East China Sea, Ministry of Foreign Affairs spokesman Steve Hsia reiterated Tuesday.

News Reports

• Moscow Against North Korea Trade Sanctions RIA Novosti 19 Feb 2013 -- Moscow will not support trade sanctions against North Korea but is ready to support additional UN Security Council sanctions aimed at Pyongyang's controversial nuclear program, Russian Deputy Foreign Minister Gennady Gatilov said on Tuesday.
• Mehmanparast: Iran, G5+1 should take identical measures IRNA 19 Feb 2013 -- Foreign Ministry spokesman Ramin Mehmanparast said on Tuesday that in the upcoming meeting between Iran and G 5+1 in Kazakhstan the two sides should take identical measures.
• Mehmanparast: Iran-5+1 upcoming talks good chance for trustbuilding by US IRNA 19 Feb 2013 -- Foreign Ministry spokesman Ramin Mehmanparast said the upcoming talks between Iran and the 5+1 is a proper chance for the US for trustbuilding.
• Leader's remarks on nuclear weapons, US talks Iran Press TV 19 Feb 2013 -- Leader of the Islamic Revolution Ayatollah Seyyed Ali Khamenei touches upon key issues such as Iran’s stance on nuclear weapons, talks with the United States and domestic politics.
• Iran denies presence of expert in North Korea nuclear test Iran Press TV 19 Feb 2013 -- Iran’s Foreign Ministry Spokesman Ramin Mehmanparast has rejected media claims about the presence of an Iranian expert at the site of North Korea’s recent nuclear test.
• P5+1 must recognize Iran's nuclear rights: Spokesman Iran Press TV 19 Feb 2013 -- Iran’s Foreign Ministry Spokesman says if the group of six major world powers (P5+1) recognizes the Islamic Republic’s rights, Tehran will remove their concerns over the country’s nuclear energy program.
• Kerry: Mandatory Budget Cuts Would Hurt US Foreign Policy VOA 20 Feb 2013 -- U.S. Secretary of State John Kerry says mandatory federal budget cuts set for March 1 will undermine America's position in the world, damaging both U.S. foreign policy and private sector investment.
• Armenian President Sargsyan Secures Second Term in Office RIA Novosti 19 Feb 2013 -- Incumbent Armenian President Serzh Sargsyan has won Armenia's presidential election with over 58 percent of the vote, according to official results announced by the country's Central Election Commission (CEC) on Tuesday.
• UN human rights office concerned over Egypt's draft law on demonstrations UN News Centre 19 Feb 2013 -- The United Nations human rights office today voiced concerns about the draft law on demonstrations approved by the Egyptian Cabinet last week, in particular regarding the type and scope of limitations imposed on the freedom of assembly.
• UN rights office concerned by conviction of 25 Sahrawi civilians by military court UN News Centre 19 Feb 2013 -- The United Nations human rights office today expressed concern over the conviction of 25 Sahrawi civilians by a military court after they clashed with security forces in a protest camp near Laayoune, Western Sahara.
• Why the Sahel needs $1.6 billion again this year IRIN 19 Feb 2013 -- The 2013 Sahel Regional Strategy calls for US$1.66 billion to help meet humanitarian needs and build up resilience among vulnerable groups - an identical figure to the 2012 crisis appeal - even though aid agencies estimate the number of Sahelians at risk of going hungry this year has dropped 44 percent to 10.3 million. IRIN spoke to aid agency representatives to find out why the ask has remained constant.
• How Social Networks Are Dealing With Terrorists RFE/RL 19 Feb 2013 -- At the end of January, Twitter suspended the account of the Somali-based Al-Qaeda-linked terrorist group Al-Shabaab. The account was taken offline after the group posted a video on Twitter threatening to kill two Kenyan hostages unless the Kenyan government met its demands.