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News Reports

Current Operations

• OIF/OEF/OND Casualty Update 22 Apr 2013 [PDF]
• Coalition helps Afghan police secure high ground Army News 22 Apr 2013 -- Coalition forces mobilized to assist Afghan Border Police establish a new checkpoint to overlook and control a mountain pass near the Afghanistan-Pakistan border March 25 to April 1 in Spin Boldak district, Kandahar province, Afghanistan.
• U.S., Afghan engineers build road through 'Taliban center of mass' Army News 22 Apr 2013 -- Soldiers of Combined Task Force 4-2 (4th Stryker Brigade Combat Team, 2nd Infantry Division), 229th Engineer Company of the Wisconsin Army National Guard, and the Afghan National Security Forces, finalized road construction on a new route in the Panjwa'i district of Afghanistan, April 4.
• Taliban Captures 11 in Eastern Afghanistan VOA 22 Apr 2013 -- Taliban militants say they have captured the crew and passengers of an Afghan-owned civilian helicopter that was forced to make an emergency landing in militant-controlled territory in eastern Afghanistan.
• Afghan, Coalition Forces Arrest Insurgents During Searches AFPS 22 Apr 2013 -- Combined Afghan and coalition security forces arrested seven insurgents yesterday during searches for Taliban leaders in two of Afghanistan's provinces, military officials reported.

Defense Policy / Programs

• Hagel, Yaalon Finalize New Israel Military Capabilities AFPS 22 Apr 2013 -- In what Defense Secretary Chuck Hagel called "a significant step in U.S.-Israeli defense cooperation," he and his Israeli counterpart finalized an agreement today on a package of new defense capabilities the United States is offering Israel.
• Israel, US finalize $10 billion arms deal Iran Press TV 22 Apr 2013 -- US Secretary of Defense Chuck Hagel and Israeli Minister of Military Affairs Moshe Yaalon have finalized a new arms deal worth USD 10 billion.
• Hagel Finalizes Arms Deal On Israel Visit RFE/RL 22 Apr 2013 -- U.S. Secretary of Defense Chuck Hagel says a planned multibillion-dollar arms deal will help Israel maintain its qualitative military superiority in the region.
• US Defense Secretary Pledges Military Support to Israel VOA 22 Apr 2013 -- U.S. Defense Secretary Chuck Hagel has assured Israel that the U.S. government is committed to preserving Israel's military strength in the Middle East. The remark follows a meeting with the Israeli defense minister Monday on the second day of a week-long trip to the region.
• Sequestration will affect force readiness AFNS 22 Apr 2013 -- The four branches of the military delivered another warning to Congress April 18 that a prolonged budget sequester will significantly affect military readiness, and could leave the services unable to carry out defense strategy.
• Dempsey Urges More Strategic Dialogue Between China, U.S. AFPS 22 Apr 2013 -- The strategic rebalance to the Asia-Pacific doesn't mean deploying high numbers of U.S. troops into the region, but it does involve more interest, more engagement and more quality in equipment and capabilities, America's senior military officer said here today.
• NATO, Eucom Commander Outlines Challenges Ahead AFPS 22 Apr 2013 -- Winding down four years as commander of U.S. European Command and as supreme allied commander for NATO's global operations, Navy Adm. James G. Stavridis called on NATO members to live up to their defense spending commitments and to continue working together to address challenges confronting the alliance.
• Media Availability by Secretary Hagel with President Peres in Tel Aviv, Israel DoD 22 Apr 2013 -- Presenter: Secretary of Defense Chuck Hagel and Israeli President Shimon Peres
• Joint Press Conference with Secretary Hagel and Israeli Defense Minister Ya'alon in Tel Aviv, Israel DoD 22 Apr 2013 -- Presenter: Secretary of Defense Chuck Hagel and Israeli Defense Minister Moshe Ya'alon
• Over half of Guantanamo prisoners on hunger strike, says US official Iran Press TV 22 Apr 2013 -- Over half of the detainees at the notorious Guantanamo Bay prison are on a hunger strike in protest against jail conditions and their imprisonment without charge or trial for more than a decade, a US military official says.
• Breedlove to Assume Command of Eucom, NATO Command AFPS 22 Apr 2013 -- Air Force Gen. Philip M. Breedlove will assume responsibilities as commander of U.S. European Command and as NATO's supreme allied commander for Europe during change-of-command ceremonies slated for mid-May, Eucom officials reported.
• Sequestration impact on combat aviation: decreased readiness AFNS 22 Apr 2013 -- The near and long term effects of sequestration and budget cuts for the military's combat aviation assets was the focus of a House Armed Services Committee subcommittee panel on Capitol Hill April 17.
• Combat Logistics Battalion 6 performs live fire of motorized weapon system USMC News 22 Apr 2013 -- Target spotted … at a distance of 1,000 meters it waits. A Marine sights in on the objective, plans to fire and takes the shot.
• Stennis Strike Group Arrives in Hawaii NNS 22 Apr 2013 -- The John C. Stennis Carrier Strike Group (JCSCSG) made its first stop in the U.S. at Joint Base Pearl Harbor-Hickam April 21 following an eight-month deployment to the 5th and 7th fleet areas of responsibility (AOR).
• Pacific Fleet Commander Visits USS John C. Stennis at Sea NNS 22 Apr 2013 -- Commander, U.S. Pacific Fleet visited the Nimitz-class aircraft carrier USS John C. Stennis (CVN 74) at sea April 20.
• USS Tortuga Completes Exercise Balikatan 2013 NNS 22 Apr 2013 -- The amphibious dock landing ship USS Tortuga (LSD 46) successfully completed the 29th iteration of the annual Republic of the Philippines-U.S. Military exercise Balikatan 2013 (BK13) March 17.
• CVN 77 Successfully Completes Fleet Replacement Squadron Carrier Qualifications NNS 22 Apr 2013 -- USS George H.W. Bush (CVN 77) concluded its five-day Fleet Replacement Squadron (FRS) carrier qualifications (CQ) in the Atlantic Ocean, April 20.
• Obama's nuclear U-turn: Billions set aside for B61 nukes Iran Press TV 22 Apr 2013 -- US President Barack Obama is accused of making a U-turn on his nuclear disarmament pledges as his administration plans to allocate billions of dollars for upgrading its atomic arsenal in Europe.
• Light Armored Reconnaissance Battalion makes big bang in training USMC News 22 Apr 2013 -- Marines and sailors from Bravo Company, 2nd Light Armored Reconnaissance Battalion, 2nd Marine Division, shot shoulder-launched multipurpose assault weapon (SMAW) and AT-4 rocket launchers as part of their training, April 17, 2013.
• U.S. Navy Begins Fourth Annual Naval Engagement Activity with Vietnam NNS 22 Apr 2013 -- The U.S. Navy began the fourth annual Naval Engagement Activity with the Vietnam People's Navy April 21 with the arrival USS Chung-Hoon (DDG 93) and USNS Salvor (T-ARS-52) in Da Nang.
• USS Momsen Departs for Western Pacific Deployment NNS 22 Apr 2013 -- The Arleigh Burke-class guided-missile destroyer USS Momsen (DDG 92) departed Naval Station Everett for a deployment to the Western Pacific April 22.
• Critical Infrastructure Protections Include Employee Information /AFPS 22 Apr 2013 -- President Barack Obama's February executive order requiring federal agencies to improve cybersecurity protections for critical infrastructure means the Defense Department will be sharing more information with the defense industrial base, Michael E. Reheuser, the director of DOD's Privacy and Civil Liberties Office, said April 19.
• Background Briefing on the NATO Ministerial US Dept. of State 22 Apr 2013
• Foreign Ministers will discuss full range of security issues NATO 22 Apr 2013 -- Relations with Russia, the mission in Afghanistan, North Korea and developments in the Middle East and North Africa will top the agenda of Tuesday's (23 April 2013) NATO Foreign ministers meeting.
• Iran's military experts overhaul two planes IRNA 22 Apr 2013 -- Iran's army public relations announced here Monday that Iranian military experts have successfully overhauled a F4 fighter jet and a Boeing 777 plane during 97,000 person/hour work.
• UK MPs call parl. debate against army cuts Iran Press TV 22 Apr 2013 -- A group of British Conservative MPs have joined forces to counter cuts to the military personnel, calling for a parliamentary debate to block the Ministry of Defense's cuts plan.
• Russia to Spend $100 Mln on Combat Vehicle Upgrades RIA Novosti 22 Apr 2013 -- The Russian Defense Ministry has announced a tender for the modernization of BMD-1 airborne fighting vehicles, and plans to spend almost 3.4 billion rubles (around $100 million) on that goal, the state procurements agency said on Monday.
• Russian Warship 'Spots' Foreign Sub on Exercise RIA Novosti 22 Apr 2013 -- The flagship of Russia's Northern Fleet, the nuclear-powered missile cruiser Pyotr Veliky made a simulated detection of a foreign submarine in the Barents Sea during a recent exercise and guided other assets to track it, Fleet spokesman Vadim Serga said on Monday.
• Taiwan holds live-fire drill in Spratlys: official CNA 22 Apr 2013 -- Coast Guard Administration (CGA) personnel stationed on Taiping Island in the South China Sea conducted a live-fire drill earlier this month as part of its task of safeguarding the country's sovereignty over the area, an official confirmed Monday.
• Report of Navy commander's ouster 'untrue': defense ministry CNA 22 Apr 2013 -- The Ministry of National Defense rebutted a report Monday that Taiwan's navy commander will be replaced due to glitches in last week's Han Kuang live-fire exercise in outlying Penghu County.
• April 22, 2013 - U.S. Department of State Daily Press Briefing US Dept. of State 22 Apr 2013
• Press Briefing by Press Secretary Jay Carney, 04/22/2013 The White House 22 Apr 2013

Defense Industry

• DoD News: Contracts for April 22, 2013

Other Conflicts

• 22 April 2013 - Daily Press Briefing by the Office of the Spokesperson for the Secretary-General United Nations 22 Apr 2013
• Ban reiterates necessity of political solution to Syrian conflict in meetings with envoy, partners UN News Centre 22 Apr 2013 -- Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon and the Secretary-General of the League of Arab States, Nabil Elaraby, today met with their special representative Lakhdar Brahimi to discuss ways to help the Syrian parties begin a political process which could help end the violence while protecting all people and communities in the shattered country.
• EU Eases Syria Sanctions to Help Opposition VOA 22 Apr 2013 -- European Union foreign ministers have agreed to ease an oil embargo against Syria to help rebel forces fighting the government of Syrian President Bashar el-Assad. The move follows a decision by the United States to dramatically increase aid to the Syrian opposition.
• Syria Activists: Pro-Assad Forces Kill 80 Near Damascus VOA 21 Apr 2013 -- Syrian opposition activists say pro-government forces have killed at least 80 people in five days of fighting to recapture a rebel suburb of Damascus.
• Syrian army advances on Qusayr town near Lebanese border Iran Press TV 22 Apr 2013 -- The Syrian army has made advancements on the strategic town of al-Qusayr near the border with Lebanon.
• Syrian army forces destroy large arms convoy in Idlib Iran Press TV 22 Apr 2013 -- Syrian forces in the northwestern province of Idlib have attacked and destroyed a large convoy of munitions originating from Turkey and destined for the militant groups in Syria, Press TV reports.
• Syrian army deals major blow to militants near Damascus Iran Press TV 22 Apr 2013 -- Syrian soldiers have killed dozens of militants near Damascus as the army continues mop-up operations on the outskirts of the capital.
• Russia warns EU against lifting arms ban on Syria militants Iran Press TV 22 Apr 2013 -- Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov has warned the European Union against lifting an embargo on weapons supply to foreign-backed militants in Syria, saying the move violates international law.
• Syrian Opposition Names Interim Leader VOA 22 Apr 2013 -- Syria's opposition coalition named a veteran dissident Monday as its interim leader.
• India Vows to Protect Border Amid Alleged Chinese Incursion VOA 22 Apr 2013 -- India has vowed to protect its border, following reports that Chinese soldiers had set up a camp inside territory claimed by India in the Himalayas. The response from Indian Defense Minister, A.K. Antony, to reports that Chinese troops had set up a camp in the cold desert region of Ladakh was brief but firm.
• Ban 'shocked and saddened' by civilian deaths in Nigeria violence UN News Centre 22 Apr 2013 -- Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon has voiced shock and sadness today at reports of high numbers of civilians killed in Nigeria's Borno State following armed clashes there between Government forces and an extremist group.
• UN official, visiting Central African Republic, calls for end to abuses, disorder UN News Centre 22 Apr 2013 -- During a visit to the Central African Republic today, the United Nations' top political official appealed for urgent efforts to establish security and end abuses against civilians, while reiterating international calls for a full return to constitutional rule.
• HRW Accuses Burma of Ethnic Cleansing VOA 22 Apr 2013 -- Human Rights Watch says Burma's government and local authorities engaged in a campaign of ethnic cleansing against the ethnic Rohingya Muslims.
• Plea for return of officials to northern Mali IRIN 22 Apr 2013 -- Residents in the northern Mali towns of Gao and Timbuktu are calling for the rapid return of officials to re-start basic services and help run their towns, which they say are in a state of "complete chaos".
• Landmark Belgrade-Pristina Deal Faces Hurdles In Northern Kosovo RFE/RL 22 Apr 2013 -- The Serbian community in northern Kosovo is angry about an EU-brokered deal that is meant to normalize ties between Belgrade and Pristina -- and their anger could complicate the implementation of the accord.

News Reports

• RCMP Arrests Two Individuals for Terrorism-related Charges RCMP 22 Apr 2013 -- Today, the RCMP arrested two individuals and charged them with conspiring to carry out a terrorist attack against a VIA passenger train. The accused have been charged under sections 248, 235 (1), 83.2, 83.18, 83.21 of the Criminal Code of Canada. As a result of extensive collaborative efforts, the RCMP was able to disrupt the threat early.
• Suspect in Boston Marathon Attack Charged with Using a Weapon of Mass Destruction US Dept. of Justice 22 Apr 2013 -- Attorney General Eric Holder announced today that Dzhokhar A. Tsarnaev, 19, a U.S. citizen and resident of Cambridge, Mass., has been charged with using a weapon of mass destruction against persons and property at the Boston Marathon on April 15, 2013, resulting in the death of three people and injuries to more than 200 people.
• Boston Bombings Suspect Charged With Using Weapon Of Mass Destruction RFE/RL 22 Apr 2013 -- The U.S. Department of Justice has said that Boston Marathon bombings suspect Dzhokhar Tsarnaev has been charged with using a weapon of mass destruction and could face the death penalty if convicted.
• Boston Bombing Suspect Formally Charged VOA 22 Apr 2013 -- U.S. authorities have charged the Boston Marathon bombing suspect with using a weapon of mass destruction, meaning if he is convicted he could face the death penalty for last week's explosions that killed three people and injured more than 170 others.
• Boston bombings suspect may never speak again: Hospital head Iran Press TV 22 Apr 2013 -- The director of the hospital treating a Boston bombings suspect says he has been severely wounded and may never be able to speak again.
• US Woman Learned her Husband was Boston Bombing Suspect on TV - Lawyer RIA Novosti 22 Apr 2013 -- The American widow of Tamerlan Tsarnaev, the suspected Boston Marathon bomber who was killed in a shoot-out with police last week, had no inkling he was allegedly involved in the attack, in which three people were killed and more than 180 injured, until she saw his picture on television, the Associated Press (AP) reported Monday.
• Russia, US Stress Need for Joint Counterterror Efforts RIA Novosti 22 Apr 2013 -- Russia and the United States are committed to boosting their efforts to jointly fight terrorism, Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov said on Monday.
• China: North Korea Could Carry Out Fourth Nuclear Test VOA 22 Apr 2013 -- A top military official in China says it is possible North Korea could carry out a fourth nuclear test.
• Political instability undermines disaster preparedness in Bangladesh IRIN 22 Apr 2013 -- Ongoing political instability in Bangladesh is undermining disaster preparedness efforts, experts warn. From January to April 2013, opposition parties have enforced 18 nationwide strikes throughout Bangladesh, with even more enforced at the regional and district level, according to security analysts.
• European Commission Recommends Opening Accession Talks With Serbia RFE/RL 22 Apr 2013 -- The European Union has recommended that membership talks should be opened with Serbia and has given the green light for Kosovo to start talks on an association agreement with the bloc.
• UN chief congratulates Iraqis on successful local elections UN News Centre 22 Apr 2013 -- Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon today congratulated the people of Iraq on their participation in the country's Governorate Council elections, adding that by exercising their constitutional right to vote, the Iraqi people had "reaffirmed their desire" for democracy.
• Iraq 10 years on: Blistering black-outs IRIN 22 Apr 2013 -- The electricity supply system in Iraq has suffered from decades of neglect and lack of new investment, according to the UN.
• Iraq 10 years on: Are the taps flowing? IRIN 22 Apr 2013 -- For much of the past decade, Iraqis have cursed about two things: 'maya' and 'kahraba' - water and electricity.
• Iraq 10 years on: The humanitarian legacy IRIN 22 Apr 2013 -- Ten years after US forces took over Iraq, opinions on the progress made are as polarized as ever.
• Dead Rats Shut Down Japan Nuclear Plant's Cooling System RIA Novosti 22 Apr 2013 -- The cooling system for the spent fuel pool at the crippled Fukushima nuclear power plant in northeast Japan was halted on Monday after several dead rats were discovered at the facility, the Kyodo news agency reported.
• Fighting international crime is key to sustainable development, UN official says UN News Centre 22 Apr 2013 -- International crime undermines sustainable development, hinders access to education and discourages investment opportunities, the head of the United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime (UNODC) said today, adding that disrupting the flow of illegal profits had become a crucial for successful crime fighting.
• US Antares Rocket Makes First Flight RIA Novosti 22 Apr 2013 -- The Antares rocket, designed in US to carry a commercial space freighter to the International Space Station (ISS), blasted off early on Monday Moscow time from the launch pad in the Wallops Island.