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Operations
Defense Policy / Programs
Defense Industry
Other Conflicts
News Reports

Current Operations

• US military to take over control of most terror drone strikes from CIA Iran Press TV 27 Feb 2013 -- The US plans to transfer control of some of its assassination drone-strike operations from the CIA spy agency to the military in bid to ease the controversy over the secrecy of its targeted-killing campaign.
• Brazilian Firm to Provide Aircraft to Afghan Air Force AFPS 27 Feb 2013 -- Deputy Defense Secretary Ashton B. Carter called Brazilian Minister of Defense Celso Amorim this evening to inform the Brazilian government about the decision made by the United States Air Force to award Sierra Nevada Corp./Embraer SA a $427 million contract to provide light air support aircraft and associated maintenance and training for the Afghan air force.
• AF awards light air support aircraft contract AFNS 27 Feb 2013 -- The Air Force awarded a $427,459,708.00 contract to Sierra Nevada Corp. to provide light air support aircraft and associated maintenance and training for the Afghan air force.
• Reconnaissance force ready for Afghanistan deployment UK MOD 27 Feb 2013 -- Soldiers from the 1st Mechanized Brigade Reconnaissance Force (BRF) have conducted their final training exercise on Salisbury Plain.

Defense Policy / Programs

• Message to the Department of Defense from Secretary of Defense Chuck Hagel DoD 27 Feb 2013
• All-Hands Meeting with Secretary Hagel from the Pentagon DoD 27 Feb 2013 -- Presenter: Secretary of Defense Chuck Hagel
• Hagel Takes Office as 24th Defense Secretary AFPS 27 Feb 2013 -- Just before his private swearing-in ceremony as the 24th secretary of defense, Chuck Hagel and his wife, Lilibet, arrived at the Pentagon this morning and were greeted by Marine Corps Lt. Gen. Thomas D. Waldhauser, military assistant to the secretary of defense.
• New US Defense Chief Acknowledges Challenges Ahead VOA 27 Feb 2013 -- Former U.S. Senator Chuck Hagel has been sworn in as defense secretary after a bitter confirmation fight and days before the military could see billions of dollars cut from its budget.
• Readout of Deputy Secretary of Defense Ash Carter's Call with Brazilian Minister of Defense Celso Amorim DoD 27 Feb 2013
• Detailed geospatial map data provides Soldiers greater technology, in less time Army News 27 Feb 2013 -- The Sept. 11, 2012, attack on the U.S. Consulate in Benghazi, Libya reinforced the need for U.S. Army Africa to have at its fingertips the ability to draw upon the most up-to-date detailed maps and imagery of any given region at a moment's notice.
• VMM-365 flies the barn USMC News 27 Feb 2013 -- Marine Corps Air Station New River, N.C. -- Marine Medium Tiltrotor Squadron 365 conducted the largest Osprey flight in the squadron's history, Feb. 20.
• NATO Secretary General holds talks with US Secretary of State John Kerry NATO 27 Feb 2013 -- BUG: the mark does not exist in the description file
• Naval Postgraduate School, NATO Partner to Build Transparency, Efficiency in Defense Institutions NNS 27 Feb 2013 -- The Naval Postgradaute School (NPS) helped welcome an international contingent of diplomats and senior government officials from nations across the globe for the 'Building Integrity' conference in NPS' hometown of Monterey, Calif., Feb. 25-28.
• Navy to Close Archives if Sequestration Occurs NNS 27 Feb 2013 -- The Navy is making plans to close its archives to all visitors and research requests if the upcoming sequestration proceeds, Naval History and Heritage Command (NHHC) officials announced Feb. 27.
• Admiral Delivers Prestigious Awards to NMCB-11 NNS 27 Feb 2013 -- Rear Adm. Mark A. Handley, commander of 1st Naval Construction Division (NCD) presented Cmdr. Lore Aguayo, commanding officer of Naval Mobile Construction Battalion (NMCB) 11, with the Battle Efficiency Award plaque and pennant as well as the Peltier Award plaque Feb. 26, at Naval Construction Battalion Center (NCBC) Gulfport.
• A look back at black aviation engineer units of World War II AFNS 27 Feb 2013 -- As we close the books on February, Black History Month offers us the opportunity to recall the important role black Americans played in providing the worldwide system of bases during World War II as members of segregated aviation engineer battalions.
• Army Aviation looking to overcome 'degraded visual environment' Army News 27 Feb 2013 -- Army acquisition officials are pursuing solutions to help aircraft crews navigate through what is called a 'degraded visual environment.'
• 18th MEDCOM leads first U.S. Army Pacific Humanitarian De-mining Action Program with Sri Lanka Army News 27 Feb 2013 -- Medical specialists from 18th Medical Command (Deployment Support) led a joint mobile training team of specialist to the Sri Lankan Army Humanitarian De-mining Unit's Camp Boo-Oya, an area in the northern part of the country where de-mining has been a main focus since 2003, to unfold the first phase of an Humanitarian Mining Action Program that will help the Sri Lankan Army enhance its medical efforts and ability with de-mining in that region of the country.
• USS Freedom to Conduct Maiden Deployment to the Asia-Pacific NNS 27 Feb 2013 -- The U.S. Pacific Fleet announced today that the Navy's first littoral combat ship USS Freedom (LCS 1) will depart her homeport of San Diego on March 1 and deploy to the Asia-Pacific region.
• Forrest Sherman Returns Home NNS 27 Feb 2013 -- Arleigh Burke-class Aegis destroyer USS Forrest Sherman (DDG 98) returned home to Norfolk Naval Base Feb. 26 after completing an eight-month deployment to the 6th Fleet Area of Responsibility in support of theater security cooperation.
• NORAD Promotes Maritime Awareness to Protect Homeland AFPS 27 Feb 2013 -- Drive around any American city and you're likely to see tractor-trailers hauling huge containers that arrived from overseas at any of 361 major U.S. ports dotting some 95,000 miles of U.S. coastline.
• Defense Minister Slams Property Service Company RIA Novosti 27 Feb 2013 -- Russian Defense Minister Sergei Shoigu on Wednesday criticized the performance of some defense-related agencies, as well as mistakes made by his predecessor Anatoly Serdyukov.
• Putin Orders Defense Ministry to Get House in Order RIA Novosti 27 Feb 2013 -- President Vladimir Putin instructed the General Staff of the Russian Armed Forces on Wednesday to sort out issues related to housing for soldiers and the problems affecting garrison towns.
• Airborne Forces to Take on Rapid Response Role - Minister RIA Novosti 27 Feb 2013 -- Russia's Airborne Forces (VDV) should expand the scope of their mission and be prepared to operate as a rapid reaction force, Russian Defense Minister Sergei Shoigu said on Wednesday.
• Strategic Balance Being Disrupted - Putin RIA Novosti 27 Feb 2013 -- Systematic attempts are being made to undermine the existing strategic balance of forces, Russian President Vladimir Putin said on Wednesday at a meeting with senior military staff at the Russian Defense Ministry.
• North Korea says its nuclear weapons can strike US mainland Iran Press TV 27 Feb 2013 -- North Korea says Washington should be 'acutely aware' that the US mainland is within the range of Pyongyang's nuclear weapons.
• Pakistan army chief vows support to peaceful transition IRNA 27 Feb 2013 -- Pakistan army Chief General Ashfaq Pervez Kayani has said that the armed forces will support peaceful transfer of power after the parliamentary elections, scheduled to be held in May.
• NATO Allies Participate in Proud Manta NNS 27 Feb 2013 -- Exercise Proud Manta 2013 (POMA 13), NATO's largest anti-submarine warfare exercise, began in the Ionian Sea, Feb. 23.
• Germany sells arms to Arab states to protect Israel Iran Press TV 27 Feb 2013 -- Germany's Defense Minister Thomas de Maiziere says arms sales to the Arab littoral states of the Persian Gulf is aimed at protecting Israel.
• February 27, 2013 - U.S. Department of State Daily Press Briefing US Dept. of State 27 Feb 2013
• Press Briefing by Press Secretary Jay Carney and Secretary of Education Arne Duncan, 2/27/2013 The White House 27 Feb 2013

Defense Industry

• DoD News: Contracts for February 27, 2013

Other Conflicts

• 27 February 2013 - Daily Press Briefing by the Office of the Spokesperson for the Secretary-General United Nations 27 Feb 2013
• Reports: US Considering Directly Aiding Syrian Rebels VOA 27 Feb 2013 -- U.S. Secretary of State John Kerry is reportedly close to announcing a major policy shift to expand non-lethal assistance to Syrian rebels. The issue will be addressed in Rome on Thursday where nations supporting the Syrian opposition will gather.
• Kerry: Syrian Opposition Needs More Help VOA 27 Feb 2013 -- Amid reports Washington is considering offering military assistance to Syrian rebels, U.S. Secretary of State John Kerry says Syria's opposition needs more help from the international community to oust President Bashar al-Assad.
• Kerry hints renewed US efforts to intervene in Syria Iran Press TV 27 Feb 2013 -- New US Secretary of State John Kerry has underlined American 'determination' to intervene in Syria in favor of foreign-backed opposition forces seeking removal of the Damascus government.
• 150,000 Syrians fled from crisis in February alone, UN says Iran Press TV 27 Feb 2013 -- The United Nations says that only a record 150,000 people have fled from violence in Syria so far in February.
• US vows major expansion of its support for armed militants in Syria Iran Press TV 27 Feb 2013 -- The US is planning a major expansion of its support for terrorist gangs in Syria engaged in a foreign-backed armed insurgency aimed at toppling the government of President Bashar al-Assad.
• UN agency condemns attacks on Palestinian refugees in Syria UN News Centre 27 Feb 2013 -- The United Nations today strongly condemned attacks on Palestinian children in Syria and renewed its call on all parties to the conflict in the Middle Eastern country to cease violence in residential areas to prevent harming refugees and civilians.
• Kerry Urges Africans to Take Over Malian Operations VOA 27 Feb 2013 -- During a brief stopover in Paris, U.S. Secretary of State John Kerry urged African countries to take over French military operations in Mali as soon as possible, saying it was critical the region find African solutions to its problems.
• Somalia forces, African Union troops seize strategic town of Burhakaba Iran Press TV 27 Feb 2013 -- Iran and the P5+1 group of the five permanent members of the UN Security Council plus Germany have started the second day of talks in Almaty, Kazakhstan, Press TV reports.
• 2013 will be 'decisive' year for Israeli-Palestinian peace process, Ban tells UN meeting UN News Centre 27 Feb 2013 -- Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon today underscored the importance of making progress this year in the Israeli-Palestinian peace process, and called on both parties to refrain from any actions that undermine prospects for resuming negotiations.
• UN human rights expert urges international probe into death of Palestinian prisoner UN News Centre 27 Feb 2013 -- A United Nations human rights expert today called for an international investigation into the death of Palestinian prisoner Arafat Jaradat, who died in Israeli custody just a few days after his arrest.
• DR Congo: UN mission shelters hundreds of civilians following clashes UN News Centre 27 Feb 2013 -- The United Nations peacekeeping operation in the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC) is sheltering some 400 people in what remains a tense situation following fighting between national troops and an armed group, a spokesperson for the world body said today.
• Somali government to relocate IDPs, welcome returning refugees IRIN 27 Feb 2013 -- The Somali government plans to relocate thousands of internally displaced persons (IDPs) currently living in Mogadishu to camps on the outskirts of the city, but there are concerns over inadequate government capacity as well as security and access to services in the proposed relocation areas.

News Reports

• Iran Asks Quick Follow-up on New Sanctions Offer VOA 27 Feb 2013 -- Iran and world powers have agreed to more talks about the Iranian nuclear program, after negotiators for those nations offered new concessions and Iran responded by asking for a quick follow-up meeting.
• Russia: Almaty nuclear talks constructive IRNA 27 Feb 2013 -- Russian News Agency Ria-Novesti quoting Russian Deputy Foreign Minister and Senior Negotiator Sergei Ryabkov said that the first round of nuclear talks between Iran and Group 5+1 in Almaty was constructive and useful.
• Diplomat: Iran received no new proposals IRNA 27 Feb 2013 -- An Iranian diplomat close to 5+1-Iran talks in Almaty said the Islamic Republic of Iran has received no proposals from the sextet during the current negotiations.
• Jalili: Iran to continue uranium enrichment as long as necessary IRNA 27 Feb 2013 -- Secretary of Supreme National Security Council Saeed Jalili said Iran will continue enriching uranium as long as it needs to do so.
• Jalili: 5+1 response to Iran's proposals more realistic than before IRNA 27 Feb 2013 -- Secretary of Supreme National Security Council (SNSC) Saeed Jalili said the response of the 5+1 to Iran's proposal was more realistic than before.
• Jalili: Iran to continue cooperation with IAEA IRNA 27 Feb 2013 -- Secretary of Supreme National Security Council, Saeed Jalili says Iran will continue cooperation with the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA).
• Iran says G5+1 response to its 6-point plan more realistic IRNA 27 Feb 2013 -- Iran said on Wednesday the G5+1 response to its six-point proposal was more realistic.
• Iran, P5+1 begin second day of talks in Almaty Iran Press TV 27 Feb 2013 -- Iran and the P5+1 group of the five permanent members of the UN Security Council plus Germany have started the second day of talks in Almaty, Kazakhstan, Press TV reports.
• Iran-P5+1 talks useful, says Russian deputy FM Iran Press TV 27 Feb 2013 -- Russia's Deputy Foreign Minister Sergey Ryabkov says the first meeting of Iran and the P5+1 group in Almaty, Kazakhstan, was 'useful.'
• US lawmakers to tighten sanctions on Iran amid Tehran-P5+1 talks Iran Press TV 27 Feb 2013 -- US lawmakers plan to tighten economic sanctions against Tehran over the country's nuclear energy program as Iran and the group of six major world powers continue their talks in Kazakhstan.
• P5+1 has not offered new proposal: Iranian source Iran Press TV 27 Feb 2013 -- An Iranian source says the P5+1 group has not presented Iran with a new proposal and only replied to Iran's proposals presented during Moscow talks eight months ago as they conclude meetings in Kazakhstan.
• Iran, P5+1 experts to meet in Istanbul in March: Russian official Iran Press TV 27 Feb 2013 -- Russian Deputy Foreign Minister Sergei Ryabkov says the expert-level meeting between Iran and the group of six major world powers will be held in March.
• Iran's ex-FM announces candidacy for 2013 presidential election Iran Press TV 27 Feb 2013 -- Iran's former Foreign Minister Manoucher Mottaki has announced his readiness for candidacy in the next presidential election.
• Next round of talks between Iran, P5+1 in April: Iran Iran Press TV 27 Feb 2013 -- Secretary of Iran's Supreme National Security Council (SNSC) Saeed Jalili says the next round of talks between Tehran and the group of six major world powers will be held in Kazakhstan in April.
• Political Payback Or Justice For Tehran's 'Butcher Of The Press'? RFE/RL 27 Feb 2013 -- Years after three young men were tortured to death after being detained for participating in mass protests that followed Iran's 2009 presidential election, the man held responsible has finally gone on trial. Outside observers of the closed-door trial, however, hold out little hope for justice.
• 'Positive' Iran Nuclear Talks End In Almaty RFE/RL 27 Feb 2013 -- Representatives of Iran and world powers gathered in Kazakhstan have ended a two-day meeting on Tehran's nuclear program on a cautiously optimistic note.
• Iran Nuclear Talks End With No Breakthrough RIA Novosti 27 Feb 2013 -- Talks between Iran and six world powers on the Islamic Republic's disputed nuclear program ended in Almaty, Kazakhstan without agreement on Wednesday, but the two sides have pledged to hold further meetings in the coming weeks.
• Iran Says Nuclear Talks 'Positive' VOA 27 Feb 2013 -- Iran and world powers have agreed to more talks about the Iranian nuclear program, after meeting in Kazakhstan for two days of negotiations that yielded no major breakthroughs.
• Iran dismisses charges of espionage against its employee in Madrid embassy IRNA 27 Feb 2013 -- Iran's embassy in Madrid in a statement released on Wednesday dismissed the allegation of espionage against its employee.
• Japan Hopes Sanctions, Chance for Dialogue Can Alter North Korea's Course VOA 27 Feb 2013 -- Japan is holding out hope that a combination of more sanctions and the opportunity to return to dialogue will keep North Korea from further pursuing nuclear weapons and ballistic missiles. That emerged from an exclusive interview VOA correspondent Steve Herman conducted Wednesday with Japan's foreign minister in Tokyo.
• Q&A: Japanese Foreign Minister Fumio Kishida VOA 27 Feb 2013 -- Transcript: VOA's Steve Herman sat down with Japanese Foreign Minister Fumio Kishida to discuss regional territorial disputes and other issues. (The following questions were asked in English; answers are translated from Japanese.)
• Litvinenko family lawyer accuses UK of coverup Iran Press TV 27 Feb 2013 -- The lawyer for the family of former Russian spy Alexander Litvinenko says Britain and Russia are conspiring to try to close an inquiry into his murder for the sake of bilateral trade ties.
• US Supreme Court rejects challenge to surveillance law Iran Press TV 27 Feb 2013 -- The US Supreme Court has blocked an attempt by US citizens and human rights groups to challenge a surveillance law used to monitor overseas phone calls, text messages, and emails of foreigners abroad.
• All Kenyans must work to ensure upcoming polls are peaceful and credible – Ban UN News Centre 27 Feb 2013 -- Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon today voiced the hope that all Kenyans will work together to ensure that next week's elections will be peaceful and credible, as he discussed the upcoming polls with the country's President, Mwai Kibaki.
• Analysis: Towards security and good governance in Libya IRIN 27 Feb 2013 -- In Libya you see constant reminders of the Arab Spring and the violent end to Col Gaddafi's 42-year rule - from the bullet holes at the airport, posters of revolutionary martyrs, to the thousands of national flags on buildings.
• Gwadar: A Port For China, A Tinderbox For Balochistan? RFE/RL 27 Feb 2013 -- Pakistan and China say developing the Arabian Sea port of Gwadar, in Pakistan's southwestern province of Balochistan, will promote trade throughout Central Asia. But Baluch nationalists warn that Beijing's interest in the port could spark more violence in the restive province.