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Defense Policy / Programs
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News Reports

Current Operations

• OIF/OEF/OND Casualty Update 08 Mar 2013 [PDF]
• Media Availability with Secretary Hagel en route to Manas, Kyrgyzstan DoD 08 Mar 2013
• Hagel Visits Afghanistan to Assess Operations AFPS 08 Mar 2013 -- Defense Secretary Chuck Hagel landed here today on his first trip as the Defense Department’s leader to thank U.S. troops and to see for himself “where we are in Afghanistan.”
• Secretary Thanks ISAF Troops, Pledges His Support AFPS 08 Mar 2013 -- Defense Secretary Chuck Hagel issued a message to all members of the International Security Assistance Force.
• New US Defense Secretary Visiting Afghanistan VOA 08 Mar 2013 -- Chuck Hagel has made his first visit to Afghanistan as the U.S. secretary of defense.
• Afghan troops turn guns on US forces, contractor killed PressTV 08 Mar 2013 -- Armed men wearing Afghan army uniforms have attacked the US military base in the eastern province of Kapisa, killing one civilian contractor.
• 2CR trains Troops, SFAATs for future deployment to Afghanistan Army News 08 Mar 2013 -- The Regiment will serve as a Security Force Assistance Brigade and build and train specialized Security Force Assistance Advisory Teams.

Defense Policy / Programs

• Russia, US In For Serious Missile Defense Talks - Ambassador RIA Novosti 08 Mar 2013 -- US Ambassador to Russia Michael McFaul expects to hold talks on missile defense issues this year.
• Missile, Space Intelligence Center Saves Warfighter Lives AFPS 08 Mar 2013 -- Engineers, scientists and analysts of the Defense Intelligence Agency’s Missile and Space Intelligence Center provide high-confidence assessments of foreign missile and space systems.
• Nellis pilots take first step toward F-35 operational testing AFNS 08 Mar 2013 -- Two officers from the operational test community are among the six pilots in the first F-35 Lightning II pilot training course after an Air Education and Training Command decision to start training here in January.
• Sequestration impacts ripple across Air Force AFNS 08 Mar 2013 -- Air Force senior leaders issued updated guidance to leaders of Air Force major commands and addressed the service's Airmen last week on how the service will operate under sequestration and a continuing resolution.
• Kearsarge Amphibious Ready Group Departure Rescheduled For Monday NNS 08 Mar 2013 -- Sailors and Marines from the Kearsarge Amphibious Ready Group and 26th Marine Expeditionary Unit will deploy from Norfolk , Va., and Camp Lejeune, N.C., March 11.
• Leading through fiscal uncertainty: Fort Bragg community prepares for pending sequestration Army News 08 Mar 2013 -- The entire 82nd Airborne Division will not be trained to the same level.
• Fort Bragg brigade prepares for deployment to Kosovo Army News 08 Mar 2013 -- For the first time in more than 10 years, an active- duty Army unit will lead the Kosovo peacekeeping operations in the Multi-National Brigade East area.
• Air Assault Course increase 2ID capabilities Army News 08 Mar 2013 -- For the first time in 15 years, 2nd Infantry Division and Eighth U.S. Army Soldiers tackled the rigorous Air Assault Course at Camp Hovey, South Korea.
• USS Albany Returns Home from Deployment NNS 08 Mar 2013 -- The Los Angeles-class attack submarine USS Albany (SSN 753) will return to Naval Station Norfolk from a regularly scheduled deployment.
• Israel holds naval drill with US, Greece PressTV 08 Mar 2013 -- Tel Aviv says the Israeli regime, the United States and Greece have launched a joint two-week Mediterranean naval exercise called ‘Noble Dina.’
• Proud Manta Ends with Successful Teamwork NNS 08 Mar 2013 -- Exercise Proud Manta 2013, NATO's largest anti-submarine warfare exercise, concluded in the Ionian Sea, March 6.
• HM-14 Detachment Trains in Gulf of Mexico NNS 08 Mar 2013 -- A Helicopter Mine Countermeasures Squadron (HM) 15 detachment continues to train at the Naval Surface Warfare Center Panama City Division.
• USS Jason Dunham Sailors Train During Bahrain Port Visit NNS 08 Mar 2013 -- Guided-missile destroyer USS Jason Dunham completed a 10-day port visit to Bahrain, March 6.
• Saharan Express 2013 Kicks Off in Senegal NNS 08 Mar 2013 -- Participants from 14 nations attended a pre-sail conference March 7, to kick off Exercise Saharan Express 2013.
• Marking the Second Anniversary of the Great East Japan Earthquake US Dept. of State 08 Mar 2013
• Army Announces Task Force Behavioral Health Findings DoD 08 Mar 2013
• Dempsey: Education Provides Foundation of Democracy AFPS 08 Mar 2013 -- The chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff stressed the importance of education in remarks at the World Affairs Council of Washington, D.C.-hosted annual education gala.
• Army, Marines Stop New Tuition Assistance Enrollments AFPS 08 Mar 2013 -- Budget problems have forced the Army and Marine Corps to cancel the tuition assistance program, service officials said.
• USS Monitor Unknown Sailors Honored at Arlington National Cemetery NNS 08 Mar 2013 -- The U.S. Navy honored two unknown Sailors, found inside the sunken USS Monitor during an expedition to recover artifacts in 2002, with an interment ceremony at Arlington National Cemetery.
• Involving women in preventing, managing and resolving conflicts NATO 08 Mar 2013 -- NATO and its operational partners in the International Security Assistance Force and Kosovo Force are demonstrating a strong commitment to promoting the important role that women can play.
• Taiwan to cancel quotas for women in military CNA 08 Mar 2013 -- Taiwan has decided to cancel the quota limit for women serving in the military, as part of efforts to recruit more female soldiers.
• U.S. Department of State Daily Press Briefing, March 8, 2013 US Dept. of State 08 Mar 2013

Defense Industry

• DoD News: Contracts for March 08, 2013
• Fact Sheet: Implementation of Export Control Reform The White House 08 Mar 2013
• Executive Order - Export Control Reform The White House 08 Mar 2013

Other Conflicts

• Daily Press Briefing by the Office of the Spokesperson for the Secretary-General, 08 March 2013 United Nations 08 Mar 2013
• UN peacekeeping - on the front lines to end violence against women UN News Centre 08 Mar 2013 -- It is estimated that up to seven in ten women globally will be beaten, raped, abused, or mutilated in their lifetimes.
• China calls for calm after North Korea threats PressTV 08 Mar 2013 -- China has called for “calm and restraint” after North Korea reacted to a new series of UN sanctions with vows of a nuclear strike and cancellation of peace deals with South Korea.
• S. Korea Warns North About Attack Threats VOA 08 Mar 2013 -- South Korea is expressing concern and frustration with North Korea's continuing bellicose rhetoric, which includes threats of a preemptive nuclear strike.
• South Korea warns to destroy North as war of words escalate PressTV 08 Mar 2013 -- South Korea has warned that North Korea will “perish from earth” if Pyongyang goes ahead with its threats to attack the South.
• White House: ‘Fully Capable’ to Defend Against North Korea Nuclear Threat RIA Novosti 08 Mar 2013 -- The United States vowed to aggressively defend itself and its allies after North Korea furiously threatened a pre-emptive nuclear strike.
• North Korea ready for all-out war: Kim PressTV 08 Mar 2013 -- North Korean leader Kim Jong-un says Pyongyang is ready for an “all-out war” amid recent developments that followed its third nuclear test.
• North Korea Cancels Nonaggression, Hot-Line Pacts With South RFE/RL 08 Mar 2013 -- North Korea has announced it is cancelling its nonaggression pact and emergency hotline with rival South Korea.
• North Korea Annuls Non-Aggression Deals with South RIA Novosti 08 Mar 2013 -- North Korea is annulling non-aggression deals with South Korea, the Committee for the Peaceful Reunification of Korea said in a statement.
• North Korea abrogates deals with South PressTV 08 Mar 2013 -- North Korea has canceled all agreements on non-aggression with South Korea and cut the hotline between Pyongyang and Seoul, following the UN approval of a new series of sanctions against the country.
• Aggressors Will Meet Destruction: CPRK Secretariat KCNA 08 Mar 2013 -- The Secretariat of the Committee for the Peaceful Reunification of Korea released the information bulletin No. 1021.
• Important Measures to Defend Nation's Sovereignty, Dignity and Country's Supreme Interests: CPRK KCNA 08 Mar 2013 -- The Committee for the Peaceful Reunification of Korea issued the following statement.
• KCNA Blasts Key Resolve and Foal Eagle KCNA 08 Mar 2013 -- The statement of a spokesman for the Supreme Command of the Korean People's Army is the thunderclap declaration of the just will of the servicepersons and people of the DPRK.
• UN Expects to Free Hostages in Syria Saturday VOA 08 Mar 2013 -- U.N. officials say the expected to take place Saturday.
• UN Suspends for Day Efforts to Release Peacekeepers in Syria VOA 08 Mar 2013 -- Efforts to release 21 U.N. peacekeepers held by armed elements of the Syrian opposition were suspended Friday.
• Blue helmets seized in Golan safe but remain captive – UN peacekeeping chief UN News Centre 08 Mar 2013 -- The head of United Nations peacekeeping operations said that the blue helmets seized in the Golan Heights two days ago are all safe but remain detained.
• Syrian Shelling Forces UN Rescue Convoy to Retreat VOA 08 Mar 2013 -- A United Nations convoy sent to pick up 21 U.N. peacekeepers held by Syrian rebels has reportedly been forced to retreat following shelling in the area.
• Syria Trying to Release Golan Hostages by Force - Diplomat RIA Novosti 08 Mar 2013 -- The Syrian government says it is trying to free UN peacekeepers taken hostage by insurgent fighters last week in the disputed Golan Heights region with no outside help.
• Damascus briefs UN on transfer of Libyan, Saudi arms, militants to Syria PressTV 08 Mar 2013 -- Syria has written to the United Nations over a measure by Turkey to assign a special mission to a Libyan ship carrying arms and terrorists to help the militants fighting against Damascus.
• Iran military not present in Syria: Cmdr. PressTV 08 Mar 2013 -- Chief of Staff of Iran's Armed Forces Major General Hassan Firouzabadi says the Islamic Republic has no military presence in Syria.
• Lavrov: Russia ‘Not in Regime Change Game’ in Syria RIA Novosti 08 Mar 2013 -- Russia would not pressure Syrian President Bashar al-Assad to step down and welcomes Syrian opposition’s tentative willingness to hold talks with his regime, Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov said.
• Russia won’t pressure Syrian president to step down: Lavrov PressTV 08 Mar 2013 -- Russia says there will be “absolutely” no chance that Moscow pressures Syrian President Bashar al-Assad to step down.
• Russia Wants Bilateral Demilitarization in Syria – Lavrov RIA Novosti 08 Mar 2013 -- Russia could consider steps toward demilitarizing the conflict in Syria, but wants first some “explanations” about foreign weapons supplies to the Syrian opposition.
• UN food aid agency to feed 2.5 million people inside Syria by April UN News Centre 08 Mar 2013 -- The United Nations World Food Programme said it aims to feed 2.5 million people inside Syria by next month, up from 1.7 million in February.
• War on Mali not completely over: French defense minister PressTV 08 Mar 2013 -- French Defense Minister Jean-Yves Le Drian says the war France launched on Mali has not “completely” finished.
• French Forces Uncover Huge Weapons Stash in Mali Mountains VOA 08 Mar 2013 -- French Defense Minister Jean-Yves Le Drian says French troops have discovered a huge arsenal of weapons in the mountains of northern Mali.
• Philippines Seeking Peaceful Solution to Malaysian Sabah Conflict VOA 08 Mar 2013 -- With more than 50 Philippine citizens reported dead in clashes in the Malaysian province of Sabah, officials in Manila says it may be time for a surrender.
• DRC: New Rebel Leader Drops Challenge to President VOA 08 Mar 2013 -- A faction of the rebel group M23 in the Democratic Republic of Congo has chosen a new civilian leader who says he won’t challenge the legitimacy of President Joseph Kabila.
• UN calls for suspension of DR Congo military units involved in mass rapes UN News Centre 08 Mar 2013 -- The United Nations has called on the national army of the Democratic Republic of the Congo to suspend two of its battalions.
• Ban welcomes new border agreements between Sudan and South Sudan UN News Centre 08 Mar 2013 -- Secretary-General Ban welcomed an agreement on signed by Sudan and South Sudan which aim to strengthen border security and lead to the permanent resolution of outstanding issues.
• Sudan, South Sudan Agree To Pull Back Troops VOA 08 Mar 2013 -- Sudan and South Sudan have agreed that by March 14 they will pull back their troops from a buffer zone along their border.
• 11 militants killed in NW tribal region IRNA 08 Mar 2013 -- At least eleven suspected militants have been killed in Pakistan’s northwestern Khyber and Orakzai tribal regions.
• Khmer Rouge Tribunal Stalls Amid Troubles VOA 08 Mar 2013 -- The United Nations-backed tribunal investigating Cambodia's murderous Khmer Rouge movement ran into more trouble this week, suspending hearings after a strike over unpaid wages and the illness of one of the three defendants.

News Reports

• EU to impose new sanctions on Iran: European diplomats PressTV 08 Mar 2013 -- The European Union is planning to impose sanctions on nine Iranians over allegations of violations of human rights.
• China opposes ‘blind’ sanctions on Iran, defends Iran's nuclear rights PressTV 08 Mar 2013 -- Chinese Foreign Ministry spokeswoman Hua Chunying has reaffirmed her country’s support for Iran’s right to peaceful nuclear energy.
• P5+1 closer to Iran’s stance at Almaty talks: Diplomat PressTV 08 Mar 2013 -- A senior Iranian diplomat says the proposals recently tabled by the group of six major world powers over the issues regarding Iran’s nuclear program incorporate more logical elements which are closer to Tehran’s views.
• Iran Looks To Car Exports To Power It Through Sanctions RFE/RL 08 Mar 2013 -- Western sanctions may be sapping Iran's economic strength, but Tehran believes it still has an ace to play: its automotive industry, the country's second-biggest export earner after oil and gas.
• Sixth Anniversary of the Disappearance of Robert Levinson US Dept. of State 08 Mar 2013
• Deadly Ethnic Clash Reported In China's Xinjiang Region RFE/RL 08 Mar 2013 -- Several people have been reported killed in a clash between members of China's Uyghur minority and its Han Chinese majority in the far western region of Xinjiang.
• More Development Recommended as Answer to Tibetan Unrest VOA 08 Mar 2013 -- More than 100 Tibetans have set themselves on fire in protest of Chinese government policies, with many of those immolations occurring within the last year.
• Egypt police quit Port Said HQ as army takes over PressTV 08 Mar 2013 -- Egyptian police have withdrawn from their headquarters in the turbulent canal city of Port Said following attacks by protesters, transferring control to the military, the Interior Ministry says.
• UK FM sends ‘clear warning’ to Yemen dissidents PressTV 08 Mar 2013 -- British Foreign Secretary William Hague has threatened anti-government groups in Yemen of UN Security Council action during a conference to hand a multi-billion-dollar aid to Sana’a.
• Tunisia’s government line-up decided: PM-designate PressTV 08 Mar 2013 -- Tunisia’s Prime Minister-designate Ali Larayedh says a new cabinet line-up has been decided amid political crisis in the North African country.
• Tunisian PM Announces New Government VOA 08 Mar 2013 -- Tunisia's prime minister designate has unveiled a new Islamist-led coalition government following last-minute talks aimed at averting a major political crisis.
• Burma's NLD Faces Challenges at Historic Congress VOA 08 Mar 2013 -- Burma's once-outlawed National League for Democracy is holding its first party congress since the opposition group was founded 25 years ago.
• Challenges ahead of Myanmar’s first census in 30 years IRIN 08 Mar 2013 -- As Myanmar readies to launch a pilot of its first national census in three decades on 30 March, activists and experts cite a number of challenges ahead of the actual count in 2014.
• Provisional Results in Kenya: Kenyatta Wins, Barely VOA 08 Mar 2013 -- Provisional results in Kenya give Deputy Prime Minister Uhuru Kenyatta a razor-thin victory in Monday's presidential election.
• Kenyan Poll Result Expected; Kenyatta Maintains Lead VOA 08 Mar 2013 -- As the vote totals slowly trickle in, the race for Kenya’s presidency is still too close to call.
• Guinea violence mars political progress IRIN 08 Mar 2013 -- Two months ago Guinea was abuzz with talk of a newly launched electoral commission amid signs that the country, without a parliament for five years, was finally moving towards a legislative election.
• Chavez To Be Preserved 'Like Lenin' RFE/RL 08 Mar 2013 -- Venezuela’s interim leader says Hugo Chavez’s body will be preserved “like Lenin” and put on display inside a glass tomb.
• Hugo Chavez’s Body to Be Embalmed - Venezuelan VP Maduro RIA Novosti 08 Mar 2013 -- Venezuela’s authorities have decided to embalm the body of Hugo Chavez and display it at a military museum, Vice President Nicolas Maduro said.
• Venezuela Honors Late President Chavez VOA 08 Mar 2013 -- In Caracas, thousands of supporters of President Chavez gathered outside the Venezuelan Military Academy on Friday to pay their last respects.
• Venezuela Bids Farewell to President Chavez RIA Novosti 08 Mar 2013 -- The official funeral ceremony for Venezuela's late President Hugo Chavez began at the army academy in the capital Caracas at midday local time.
• Georgian Lawmakers Adopt Resolution Reaffirming Western Course RFE/RL 08 Mar 2013 -- The Georgian Parliament has reaffirmed the country's commitment to its European and Euro-Atlantic foreign-policy course.
• Georgian Parliament Confirms Course for EU, NATO Integration RIA Novosti 08 Mar 2013 -- The Georgian parliament approved a 19-point resolution, in line with which the country is to continue its integration into the EU and NATO and will have no diplomatic relations with states recognizing the independence of breakaway Abkhazia and South Ossetia.
• Haiti: UN expert calls for strengthening state institutions UN News Centre 08 Mar 2013 -- An independent United Nations human rights expert wrapped up a visit to Haiti by calling for the strengthening of State institutions.
• Moldovan Government Resigns Amid Corruption Allegations RFE/RL 08 Mar 2013 -- Moldovan Prime Minister Vlad Filat’s government has resigned.
• Cardinals Debate Qualifications For Pope RFE/RL 08 Mar 2013 -- Pope Emeritus Benedict XVI, who resigned as pontiff last month, has pledged his "unconditional reverence and obedience" to whomever succeeds him to guide the 1.2 billion-member Roman Catholic Church.
• Vatican: Cardinals to Begin Conclave on Tuesday VOA 08 Mar 2013 -- The Vatican says Roman Catholic cardinals will meet on Tuesday to start the conclave needed to elect a successor to Pope Benedict XVI.