06 March 2013 Military News

Operations
Defense Policy / Programs
Defense Industry
Other Conflicts
News Reports

Current Operations

Centcom Chief Supports Afghan Prisoner Transfers AFPS 06 Mar 2013 -- The commander of U.S. Central Command told Congress that he supports the decision to release high-value prisoners to the Afghan justice system and described how he envisions ending the threat of IEDs.
Karzai Announces Key Afghan Prisoner Transfer RFE/RL 06 Mar 2013 -- Afghan President Hamid Karzai has announced the final handover of a U.S.-run prison to his administration's control within days.
US not to leave Afghanistan, says Ambassador Olson IRNA 06 Mar 2013 -- The US Ambassador in Islamabad Richard Olson said United States will not leave Afghanistan and will not repeat the mistake of late 80s.
US general urges keeping 13,600 troops in Afghanistan beyond 2014 PressTV 06 Mar 2013 -- A top US military commander has called for keeping more than 13,000 troops in Afghanistan after 2014.
Combined Force Kills Taliban Commander AFPS 06 Mar 2013 -- An Afghan and coalition security force killed one insurgent and wounded two others, including a Taliban commander, during an operation in the Giro district of Afghanistan’s Ghazni province.
Training Reduces Insider Attacks, Mattis Says AFPS 06 Mar 2013 -- Effective counterintelligence training and vigilance has helped to reduce the threat of insider attacks to one this year.
Transcom Chief: Sequester Won’t Affect Afghan Drawdown AFPS 06 Mar 2013 -- The chief of U.S Transportation Command told Congress that cuts in defense spending triggered by the budget sequester should not have an impact on the withdrawal of U.S. troops and materiel from Afghanistan.
2 Italian soldiers injured in west Afghanistan bombing attack PressTV 06 Mar 2013 -- Two Italian soldiers with the US-led forces in Afghanistan have been injured in a bomb attack in western Afghan Province of Farah.
Taliban Execute 16 Abducted Afghan Soldiers RFE/RL 06 Mar 2013 -- Afghan officials say Taliban militants have executed 16 Afghan soldiers in the country’s northeast.
Rakkasans return from successful deployment Army News 06 Mar 2013 -- Approximately 95 soldiers from A/3-187th Infantry returned home from Afghanistan and were recognized for their accomplishments.
Russia Ratifies Afghanistan Transit Deal With Italy RIA Novosti 06 Mar 2013 -- The upper house of the Russian parliament, the Federation Council, ratified an agreement with Italy on the railway transit of Italian personnel, arms, ammunition and military equipment to Afghanistan via Russian territory.
Lengthening the Tether of Fuel in Afghanistan Army News 06 Mar 2013 -- The war in Afghanistan demonstrates the complications stemming from a reliance on fossil fuels.
Improving fuel distribution effectiveness in Afghanistan Army News 06 Mar 2013 -- In November 2010, the 17th Combat Sustainment Support Battalion assumed responsibility for providing sustainment support to the nine bases in Regional Command Capital in Kabul, Afghanistan.

Pakistani military rejects US blame of attack attributed to CIA drone hit PressTV 06 Mar 2013 -- Pakistani military officials have flatly rejected a US news report quoting American officials as accusing Pakistan of using CIA’s assassination drone attacks in the country to cover its own military operations there.

US operating five submarines in Persian Gulf PressTV 06 Mar 2013 -- The number of US submarines deployed to the Persian Gulf and the Sea of Oman has reached five with the dispatch of the USS Springfield to the region.

Defense Policy / Programs

Russia Invites US Military Chief to Missile Defense Talks RIA Novosti 06 Mar 2013 -- Russia has invited US Joint Chiefs of Staff Chairman Martin Dempsey to Moscow for talks which will include the missile defense issue.
Royal Navy destroyer to join ballistic defence trial UK MOD 06 Mar 2013 -- The potential for Type 45 destroyers to help protect deployed UK and Allied forces from threat of ballistic missiles is to be investigated.

Report: U.S. Received Little For What It Spent In Iraq RFE/RL 06 Mar 2013 -- Stuart Bowen, the U.S. special inspector-general for Iraq reconstruction, says that after 10 years and $60 billion in U.S. taxpayer funds, Iraq is still so unstable and broken that even its leaders question whether Washington’s efforts to rebuild the country were worth the cost.
Chilcot inquiry to access secret Blair-Bush conversations on Iraq war PressTV 06 Mar 2013 -- Chilcot report into British involvement in the Iraq war and its aftermath will draw on unprecedented access to secret conversations between former British Prime Minister Tony Blair and former US president George W Bush.

Mattis: U.S. Must Demonstrate Commitment to Mideast AFPS 06 Mar 2013 -- Marine Corps Gen. James N. Mattis testified about the potential for a perceived lack of U.S. commitment to the Middle East as forces draw down in Afghanistan.
US reassures Israeli regime of military funding PressTV 06 Mar 2013 -- The United States' new Secretary of Defense Chuck Hagel has met with Israeli Minister for Military Affairs Ehud Barak, reassuring that Washington will continue funding the Israeli regime’s costly missile system known as the Iron Dome.
Austin, Rodriguez Confirmed to Lead Centcom, Africom AFPS 06 Mar 2013 -- The Senate yesterday confirmed two Army generals as the new commanders of regional combatant commands.
Intelligence Support to Sustainment Operations: Lessons Learned from the Iraq Drawdown Army News 06 Mar 2013 -- From an intelligence perspective, the Iraq drawdown offers many important lessons learned and critical points to capture.
House Approves $982B Budget to Fund US Government VOA 06 Mar 2013 -- The U.S. House has approved a continuing resolution to fund the government for the rest of the fiscal year and avoid a government shutdown.
Special Operations Commander, Congress Evaluate Human Rights Law AFPS 06 Mar 2013 -- The commander of U.S. Special Operations Command responded to lawmakers’ questions about the Leahy Amendment.
Special Operations Promotes Global Partnership Capacity AFPS 06 Mar 2013 -- U.S. Special Operations Command’s commander described to Capitol Hill legislators the importance of expanding global partnerships and training authorities over multiple years to continue meeting mission goals.
Official Lauds State Partnership Program, Pairing Process AFPS 06 Mar 2013 -- The National Guard’s State Partnership Program supports U.S. national and security interests through military, socio-political and economic partner nation engagement.
Airmen build key Africa partnerships AFNS 06 Mar 2013 -- Eight U.S. Air Force members of the 818th Mobility Support Advisory Squadron recently deployed to Cameroon to take part in Central Accord 13, February 20 - March 1.
South Carolina Guard Leaders Visit Colombian Partners AFPS 06 Mar 2013 -- Latest engagement of the newly formed State Partnership Program between South Carolina and the Republic of Colombia.
Senate Appoints Four Members to QDR Panel AFPS 06 Mar 2013 -- Retired Marine Corps Gen. James E. Cartwright, former vice chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, and Michele Flournoy, former undersecretary of defense for policy, are among four appointments to the QDR’s independent panel.
Guardian Decommissioned After 23 Years NNS 06 Mar 2013 -- Avenger Class Mine Countermeasures ship USS Guardian (MCM 5) concluded 23 years of service to the Navy during a decommissioning ceremony March 6 at Naval Base Sasebo, Japan.
USS Hue City, FGS Hamburg Arrive in Alicante, Spain NNS 06 Mar 2013 -- The Ticonderoga class guided-missile cruiser USS Hue City and German frigate FGS Hamburg arrived in Alicante, Spain, March 6.

Russia Should Use ‘Historic Chance’ for Rearmament - Putin RIA Novosti 06 Mar 2013 -- Russian President Vladimir Putin said he plans to control implementation of a plan to rearm the armed forces that he said was a “historic chance” for Russia.
Russia to Get Military Special Operations Unit RIA Novosti 06 Mar 2013 -- Russia’s Defense Ministry is set to create a special operation unit, the chief of the General Staff said.
Russia Vows to Keep Arms Deals With Caracas After Chavez Death RIA Novosti 06 Mar 2013 -- Russia will continue military-technical cooperation with Venezuela regardless of who takes over power in the Latin American country after the death of its charismatic socialist leader Hugo Chavez.
Russia to continue arms deals with Venezuela after Chavez death Voice of Russia 06 Mar 2013 -- Russia will continue military-technical cooperation with Venezuela regardless of who takes over power in the Latin American country after the death of its charismatic socialist leader Hugo Chavez.
Russia to Help Launch Vietnam's Submarines This Year RIA Novosti 06 Mar 2013 -- Moscow will proceed with plans this year to help Vietnam launch a new submarine fleet and train the crews.

Visegrád States to Form EU Battle Group RIA Novosti 06 Mar 2013 -- Polish, Hungarian, Slovak and Czech defense ministers signed a letter of intent to form a battle group with soldiers from the Visegrád countries, which is to be a part of the European Union Rapid Reaction Force.

Azerbaijani Conscript Dies During Army Maneuvers RFE/RL 06 Mar 2013 -- Azerbaijani officials say an army conscript has died during military maneuvers in the country’s mountainous northwestern, becoming the third recruit to die in a week.
Rural Teachers Freed From Tajik Military Service RFE/RL 06 Mar 2013 -- Tajikistan's parliament have passed new legislation exempting village teachers from compulsory military service.

Defense Industry

Other Conflicts

Daily Press Briefing by the Office of the Spokesperson for the Secretary-General, 06 March 2013 United Nations 06 Mar 2013

Arab League Says Members Free to Offer Syria Rebels Arms VOA 06 Mar 2013 -- Arab states are free to offer military support to rebels fighting the forces of Syrian President Bashar al-Assad if they wish.
Britain to provide further assistance for militants in Syria PressTV 06 Mar 2013 -- Britain is to boost assistance to insurgents in Syria, providing them with military equipment.
Turkey calls for lifting arms embargo on Syria militants PressTV 06 Mar 2013 -- Turkish Foreign Minister Ahmet Davutoglu says that Ankara supports lifting the arms embargo on foreign-sponsored militants in Syria.
Ban and Security Council demand release of UN peacekeepers held in Golan Heights UN News Centre 06 Mar 2013 -- Secretary-General Ban and the Security Council strongly condemned the detention by “armed elements of the Syrian opposition” of a group of United Nations peacekeepers who monitor the ceasefire in the Golan Heights between Israel and Syria.
UN Demands Unconditional Release of Golan Peacekeepers VOA 06 Mar 2013 -- The U.N. Security Council is demanding the unconditional release of more than 20 peacekeepers stopped and detained by armed elements of the Syrian opposition in the Golan Heights.
UN Peacekeepers Seized in Syria's Golan Heights VOA 06 Mar 2013 -- United Nations peacekeepers have been detained by armed men in Syria, near the disengagement zone with Israel.
Syria militants detain 20 UN peacekeepers in Golan Heights PressTV 06 Mar 2013 -- The foreign-sponsored militants fighting against the Syrian government have reportedly detained about 20 United Nations peacekeeping forces in the Israeli-occupied Golan Heights.
Syrian Warplanes Bomb Raqqa RFE/RL 06 Mar 2013 -- Syrian jets have bombed Raqqa, a day after opposition fighters took control of the northern town and captured its provincial governor.
Syrian troops kill scores of foreign-backed militants in mop-up operations PressTV 06 Mar 2013 -- Syrian Army soldiers have killed scores of foreign-backed militants fighting government forces during nationwide mop-up operations.
Iran plan, best solution to Syria crisis: Mehmanparast PressTV 06 Mar 2013 -- Iran Foreign Ministry Spokesman Ramin Mehmanparast says Tehran’s peace plan for Syria is the best solution to the crisis in the Arab country.
UN warns of ‘full-scale disaster’ as Syrian refugees reach one million UN News Centre 06 Mar 2013 -- One million Syrians have fled their homeland, the head of the United Nations refugee agency said.
UN: One Million Syrians Are Refugees VOA 06 Mar 2013 -- The United Nations reports the number of refugees from Syria's war has reached the one million mark, calling it a tragic milestone.
Number of Syrian refugees reaches one million: UN PressTV 06 Mar 2013 -- The United Nations has warned that Syria was “spiraling towards full-scale disaster,” stating that the number of refugees who have fled the violence in the Arab country has reached one million.
Syria’s Armenians Return to Their Ancestral Homeland VOA 06 Mar 2013 -- As Syria’s civil war marks a two-year anniversary on March 15, the human cost will be more than 70,000 dead, one million refugees outside the country, and two million more people forced to find new shelter inside Syria.

Moscow Urges Libya to Stop Arms Leakage RIA Novosti 06 Mar 2013 -- The Libyan authorities should do everything possible to stop the spread of Libyan weapons in the region and beyond.
UN urges Libyans to support democratic transition in peaceful manner UN News Centre 06 Mar 2013 -- The United Nations stressed the need for Libya’s democratically elected bodies to be able to carry out their duties.

China Urges Restraint After N. Korea Nullification Threat VOA 06 Mar 2013 -- China is urging restraint after North Korea announced it would nullify the Korean War armistice.
KCNA Commentary on Crucial Measures of KPA Supreme Command KCNA 06 Mar 2013 -- The crucial measures stated to the world by the Supreme Command of the Korean People's Army are timely and decisive countermeasures aimed to defend the sovereignty of the country and its supreme interests from the U.S. moves for provoking a nuclear war.
KCNA Commentary Slams U.S. for Systematically Increasing Nuclear Threats to DPRK KCNA 06 Mar 2013 -- The U.S. nuclear threats to the DPRK have steadily increased for decades with south Korea as a base.
N. Korea Prepares Public for Potential Conflict with South VOA 06 Mar 2013 -- North Korea appears to be preparing its people for a potential conflict with the U.S.-backed South.
S. Korea Vows Retaliation if North Breaks Truce VOA 06 Mar 2013 -- South Korea is responding firmly to North Korea's threat to abrogate the peninsula's truce agreement and resume military action.
S Korea warns North of retaliation amid intensifying tensions PressTV 06 Mar 2013 -- South Korea has warned the North that it would take retaliatory measures against any ‘provocation’ by Pyongyang following a reported threat by North Korea to invalidate a truce that ended the Korean War.

Malaysia Kills 13 Filipino Fighters in Sabah Raid VOA 06 Mar 2013 -- Malaysian troops have killed at least 13 fighters believed to be a part of an armed Filipino group staking a decades-old claim to a southern territory.

Another French soldier killed in Mali: Pres. Hollande's office PressTV 06 Mar 2013 -- Another French soldier has been killed in Mali, bringing the death toll of French troops in the West African country to four, the office of the French President Francois Hollande says.

Security Council authorizes African Union peacekeepers in Somalia for another year UN News Centre 06 Mar 2013 -- The Security Council extended for another year the mandate of the African Union peacekeeping force in Somalia, as it continues to consider a revised United Nations presence in the country.
UN Eases Somalia Arms Embargo VOA 06 Mar 2013 -- The U.N. Security Council has unanimously adopted a resolution that will partially lift the decades-old arms embargo against Somalia.

Boko Haram militants kill 8 in northeast Nigeria PressTV 06 Mar 2013 -- Eight people have been killed in northeastern Nigeria in an attack by the Boko Haram militant group.
Government, NGOs Helping Families of Boko Haram Victims VOA 06 Mar 2013 -- Nigerian officials said on Wednesday their security forces had killed 20 Boko Haram militants and arrested two commanders.

70 dead, 1000s flee in eastern Congo, Red Cross workers say PressTV 06 Mar 2013 -- At least 70 people have been killed and thousands have fled their homes in the eastern Democratic Republic of Congo, according to Red Cross workers in the region.
Briefing: Militias in Masisi IRIN 06 Mar 2013 -- The process of integrating armed groups into the Democratic Republic of Congo’s army, FARDC, has stalled again amid heavy fighting at a base where hundreds of combatants had assembled.
UN mulls deployment of special force to Congo PressTV 06 Mar 2013 -- United Nations Secretary General Ban Ki-moon has called on the Security Council to authorize deployment of a special force to the Democratic Republic of the Congo.

Sudan, South Sudan Set to Resume Border Talks VOA 06 Mar 2013 -- Sudan and South Sudan will resume stalled talks on Thursday to set up a demilitarized border zone in a new attempt to resolve a conflict over oil and land.

Aid Agencies: World has Forgotten Darfur Conflict VOA 06 Mar 2013 -- It's been 10 years since the conflict in the Darfur region of Sudan broke out.

Canada warns Palestinians against taking Israel to ICC PressTV 06 Mar 2013 -- Canada’s Foreign Affairs Minister has announced at pro-Israel lobby’s policy conference that Palestinians would face “consequences” from Ottawa if they use the new UN status to sue Israel at the International Criminal Court.
Palestinian children need better protection in Israeli military detention – UNICEF UN News Centre 06 Mar 2013 -- Palestinian children detained by the Israeli military are subject to ill-treatment that violates international laws, the United Nations Children’s Fund said.

'Malvinas scheduled referendum absolutely void’ PressTV 06 Mar 2013 -- Argentina has declared Britain’s scheduled referendum for the disputed Malvinas Islands as a “media operation” to avoid dialogue and international law.

News Reports

U.S. Commander: Sanctions On Iran 'Not Working' RFE/RL 06 Mar 2013 -- The top U.S. commander in the Middle East says the current sanctions and diplomatic efforts to stop Iran from gaining nuclear capabilities are not working.
Sanctions against Iran are not working, US commander says PressTV 06 Mar 2013 -- A top US commander says the US-engineered sanctions against the Islamic Republic of Iran are not working.
US: Iran Committed to 'Defiance, Delay' with Nuclear Program VOA 06 Mar 2013 -- The United States has expressed concern about Iran's failure to address international questions about its nuclear program, saying Tehran is committed to "deception, defiance and delay."
U.S. Accuses Iran Of Nuclear 'Deception, Defiance, And Delay' RFE/RL 06 Mar 2013 -- The United States has warned Iran it faces further isolation and pressure if it fails to address international concerns about its nuclear program.
Tehran condemns Amano for 'remote-controlling' negotiations PressTV 06 Mar 2013 -- Iran has strongly criticized the International Atomic Energy Agency for mishandling the Islamic Republic’s nuclear energy program and “remote-controlling” its negotiations with Tehran.
Inspectors, Tehran Wrestle Over Access To Parchin Site RFE/RL 06 Mar 2013 -- Will Iran ever let international nuclear inspectors visit the Parchin military complex near Tehran?
Soltanieh: IAEA calls for inspection of Parchin site prior to signing Modality Plan unjustifiable IRNA 06 Mar 2013 -- Iran's Ambassador to the IAEA Soltanieh said that the request made by IAEA director general for inspection of Parchin site prior to signing Modality Plan is unjustifiable and only politicizes the issue.
US offers to talk with Iran in 'good faith,' takes threatening tone PressTV 06 Mar 2013 -- US Secretary of State John Kerry says Washington is ready to negotiate with Iran over its nuclear energy program in “a spirit of good faith,” while a top American general claims the US ‘can bring Iran to its knees.’
Iran to announce new nuclear achievements soon, Abbasi IRNA 06 Mar 2013 -- Head of Atomic Energy Organization of Iran Fereydoun Abbasi said Iran will announce new nuclear achievements soon.
The Decline of Iran in Muslim Eyes VOA 06 Mar 2013 -- Iran, once admired by many many in the Middle East for resisting U.S. influence in the region, is rapidly losing support among the Arab and Muslim public, according to a new public poll.
Venezuela's Chavez Built Ties With Iran VOA 06 Mar 2013 -- Venezuela’s President Hugo Chavez, who died, developed a close relationship with the leaders of Iran, despite Western sanctions on Tehran because of its controversial nuclear program.

Background Briefing on the Situation in Venezuela US Dept. of State 06 Mar 2013
US Officials Expected to Attend Chavez Funeral VOA 06 Mar 2013 -- The United States is expected to send a delegation to Hugo Chavez's funeral later this week in a move that could send a conciliatory message to Venezuela now that its stridently anti-American leader has died.
Venezuela to call election within 30 days PressTV 06 Mar 2013 -- Venezuelan Vice President Nicolas Maduro will take charge as interim president and a presidential election will be called within 30 days.
Venezuela accuses US of having infected Chavez with cancer virus PressTV 06 Mar 2013 -- Venezuelan Vice President Nicolas Maduro has announced the expulsion of two US embassy officials for allegedly spying on the country’s military.
Ahmadinejad Predicts Chavez Will Return Alongside Jesus, Hidden Imam RFE/RL 06 Mar 2013 -- The death of Venezuelan leader Hugo Chavez has prompted eulogies from around the world, but few of the messages have been as eccentric as the second-coming predicted by Iran's president.
Venezuelans Mourn Chavez VOA 06 Mar 2013 -- Crowds of grieving Venezuelans lined the streets of Caracas Wednesday as the funeral procession of late President Hugo Chavez traveled through the capital.
Venezuela Mourns Chavez, World Leaders React To His Death RFE/RL 06 Mar 2013 -- Venezuelans are mourning the death of Hugo Chavez as world leaders react to the passing of the outspoken South American leader.
Venezuela’s President Hugo Chavez Dies From Cancer at 58 RIA Novosti 06 Mar 2013 -- Venezuelan President Hugo Chavez has died after a prolonged battle with cancer, Vice President Nicolas Maduro announced on national television.

Egypt Court Throws Election Timetable Up in the Air VOA 06 Mar 2013 -- An Egyptian court threw the timetable for parliamentary elections into confusion on Wednesday, ordering the cancellation of President Mohamed Morsi’s decree calling the vote and forcing a likely delay to polls due to start in April.
Egypt court orders suspension of parliamentary elections PressTV 06 Mar 2013 -- An administrative court in Egypt has issued an order suspending the country’s upcoming parliamentary elections, scheduled to start on April 22.
Fresh clashes erupt in Egyptian city of Port Said PressTV 06 Mar 2013 -- Fresh clashes have broken out between Egyptian police and demonstrators in the Suez Canal city of Port Said.

Rejected Votes in Kenya Spur Controversy VOA 06 Mar 2013 -- Vote counting from Kenya's presidential election continued Wednesday as officers of the independent electoral commission delivered ballots from around the country to the national tally center in Nairobi.
Vote Counting Continues in Kenyan Presidential Election VOA 06 Mar 2013 -- Kenyan election officials continue to count ballots from Monday's presidential vote, with provisional results showing Uhuru Kenyatta in the lead.

Former Georgian Defense Minister Returns From Self-Imposed Exile RFE/RL 06 Mar 2013 -- Georgia's former Defense Minister Dmitry Shashkin and his family have returned to that country from four months of self-imposed exile.

U.S. 'Deeply Concerned' Over Anti-Opposition Moves In Ukraine RFE/RL 06 Mar 2013 -- The United States has expressed concern over recent moves in the Ukrainian parliament to remove lawmakers.

Italian Political Gridlock Threatens Euro VOA 06 Mar 2013 -- Italy is in a political deadlock following an election late last month that left parliament divided almost equally among three factions.

Campaign Launched to Help Witchcraft Suspects in Malawi VOA 06 Mar 2013 -- Malawi has no law outlawing witchcraft, and no legal definition of witchcraft, yet there is continuing persecution of those denounced as witches.

Conclave Start Delayed as Vatican Muzzles Cardinals VOA 06 Mar 2013 -- Vatican officials on Wednesday told cardinals gathered for the election of the next pope to stop speaking to the media, as further indications emerged that a conclave would not start early next week as had been expected.

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