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Current Operations

• OIF/OEF/OND Casualty Update 10 May 2013 [PDF]

Defense Policy / Programs

• Official Explains DOD's Role in National Arctic Strategy AFPS 10 May 2013 -- The Defense Department worked closely with other federal agencies in support of the National Security Staff effort that generated the National Strategy for the Arctic Region released today, a senior Pentagon official said.
• Navy Forward Deploys Additional PCs to Bahrain NNS 10 May 2013 -- Commander, U.S. Fleet Forces Command (USFF) will forward deploy five patrol coastal (PC) ships to U.S. Naval Forces Central Command (NAVCENT), Manama, Bahrain, May 14.
• USS Mississippi Changes Commanders NNS 10 May 2013 -- Virginia-class attack submarine USS Mississippi (SSN 782) held a change of command ceremony, aboard Naval Submarine Base New London, May 10.
• Military Sealift Command Holds Change of Command NNS 10 May 2013 -- Rear Adm. Thomas K. Shannon relieved Rear Adm. Mark H. Buzby as commander, Military Sealift Command, during a change of command ceremony aboard USNS Spearhead (JHSV 1), May 10.
• SecAF, CSAF share confidence in nuclear enterprise AFNS 10 May 2013 -- Appearing before the Senate Appropriations Subcommittee on Defense to testify about the service's fiscal 2014 budget request, Secretary of the Air Force Michael Donley and Air Force Chief of Staff Gen. Mark A. Welsh III also addressed Congressional concerns over media reports about the findings of a recent missile wing inspection.
• Breedlove Takes Charge at European Command AFPS 10 May 2013 -- Air Force Gen. Philip M. Breedlove took command of U.S. European Command here today during a ceremony at the command's headquarters with Deputy Defense Secretary Ash Carter presiding.
• Carter Visits U.S. Africom Troops, Civilians AFPS 10 May 2013 -- The Defense Department understands the strategic and political importance of Africa and U.S. Africa Command, Deputy Defense Secretary Ash Carter said here today.
• Hale: Sequestration Devastates U.S. Military Readiness AFPS 10 May 2013 -- During a Senate hearing yesterday on President Barack Obama's $9.5 billion military construction budget request for fiscal year 2014, Defense Department Comptroller Robert F. Hale said the severe and abrupt budget cuts imposed by sequestration are devastating the U.S. armed forces.
• Cal Fire trains Marines to combat Wild Land Fires USMC News 10 May 2013 -- Marine Medium Helicopter Training Squardon-164 with 3rd Marine Aircraft Wing, along with Helicopter Combat Support Squadron 3, Helicopter Sea Combat Squadron 21 and the California Department of Forestry and Fire Protection extinguished simulated fires during the exercise.
• Russian Paratroopers to Get Drones by 2018 – Shamanov RIA Novosti 10 May 2013 -- Russian paratrooper divisions will receive unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs or drones) within the next three-to-five years, Colonel-General Vladimir Shamanov, Commander of Russia's Airborne Forces, told journalists on Friday.
• HMS Protector returns to Portsmouth UK MOD 10 May 2013 -- HMS Protector, the Royal Navy's ice patrol ship, returned home to Portsmouth today, 10 May, following a 9-month deployment to Antarctica.
• Iran Unveils New Domestically-Built UAV RIA Novosti 10 May 2013 -- Iran has unveiled a radar-evading unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV) capable of carrying out both surveillance and attack missions, the Press TV channel reported on Thursday.
• Iran unveils latest home-made UAV IRNA 09 May 2013 -- Iran's latest indigenized unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV) dubbed as Hemase (Epic) was unveiled at the presence of Defense Minister Brigadier General Ahmad Vahidi on Thursday night.
• Saudi king issues royal decree, fires air force chief Iran Press TV 10 May 2013 -- Saudi Arabia's King Abdullah bin Abdul Aziz has dismissed and retired Air Force Commander General Mohammed al-Ayesh by royal decree.
• Nigerian chopper crashes in Niger Delta: Air Force Iran Press TV 10 May 2013 -- A Nigerian Mi-24B attack helicopter has crashed at a military base in the country's southern Niger Delta, but there were no immediate reports of casualties, Nigeria's Air Force says.
• May 10, 2013 - U.S. Department of State Daily Press Briefing US Dept. of State 10 May 2013

Defense Industry

• DoD News: Contracts for May 10, 2013

Other Conflicts

• 10 May 2013 - Daily Press Briefing by the Office of the Spokesperson for the Secretary-General United Nations 10 May 2013
• Syria's Chemical Weapons Vulnerable as Conflict Widens VOA 10 May 2013 -- As fighting continues between Syrian government troops and a variety of opposition forces, including Islamic militants, there are growing concerns about the security and vulnerability of Syria's suspected chemical weapons stockpiles.
• Germany spy chief visited Syria: Report Iran Press TV 10 May 2013 -- The head of Germany's Federal Intelligence Service (BND), Gerhard Schindler, has visited Syria to discuss the presence of German extremists in the country, a report says.
• Brahimi agrees to stay on as UN-Arab League Syria envoy: UN Iran Press TV 10 May 2013 -- UN-Arab League Special Representative for Syria Lakhdar Brahimi has agreed to remain in his post as an international mediator on Syria following reports of his decision to quit, a top UN official says.
• Turkey to support potential US-led no-fly zone on Syria: Erdogan Iran Press TV 10 May 2013 -- Turkish Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdogan says Ankara will support the United States if Washington plans to impose a no-fly zone on Syria.
• Turkish premier says Syrian government used chemical weapons Iran Press TV 10 May 2013 -- Turkish Premier Recep Tayyip Erdogan has accused the Syrian government of using chemical weapons despite a new UN finding on the possible use of the nerve agent, sarin, by foreign-backed militants in the Arab country.
• Putin, Cameron Hold Syria Talks RFE/RL 10 May 2013 -- Russian President Vladimir Putin says he has discussed with visiting British Prime Minister David Cameron possible options and joint measures for ending the conflict in Syria.
• Russia, UK Have Common Interest in Stabilizing Syria - Putin RIA Novosti 10 May 2013 -- Russia and the United Kingdom have common interest in preserving Syria's territorial integrity and sovereignty, Russian President Vladimir Putin said after talks with British Prime Minister David Cameron.
• Russia Plans No New Arms Sales to Syria - Lavrov RIA Novosti 10 May 2013 -- Russia has no plans to supply Syria with weapons beyond the current contracts that Moscow is honoring, Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov said on Friday.
• US Officials Urge Russia to Stop Syria Arms Sales RIA Novosti 10 May 2013 -- US officials on Thursday reiterated their call to Moscow to cut off arms sales to Syria, hours after media reports suggested that Russia was ready to sell advanced ground-to-air missile systems to the country.
• Syria: UN agencies assist thousands displaced by recent deadly violence in Baniyas area UN News Centre 10 May 2013 -- United Nations agencies today said they have begun distribution of emergency assistance to thousands of Syrians who were recently displaced by alleged massacres in Baniyas and its surrounding areas.
• International community must not become 'numb' to atrocities in Syria – UN rights chief UN News Centre 10 May 2013 -- The international community must act to stop the conflict in Syria and ensure those responsible for human rights violations are held accountable, the United Nations human rights chief said today following reports of massacres in Baniyas, as well as displacement of civilians due to military build-up in Qusayr.
• Britain, Russia Agree on 'Urgent' Push for Syrian Talks VOA 10 May 2013 -- British Prime Minister David Cameron and Russian President Vladimir Putin say they are committed to working together to end the bloodshed in Syria.
• Okinawa discussion aimed to show sovereignty over Diaoyu: academics Global Time 10 May 2013 -- China on Thursday rejected Japan's protest over a bylined article by two researchers in a major Chinese newspaper that questioned Japan's sovereignty over Okinawa, saying its position on the history of Okinawa and the Ryukyu Islands remains unchanged.
• Ryukyu issue offers leverage to China Global Times 10 May 2013 -- A bylined article published Wednesday in the People's Daily called for the revisiting of the unsolved historical issue of the Ryukyu Islands, the largest of which is Okinawa.
• Chinese Ships Reported Spotted Near Spratly Shoal VOA 10 May 2013 -- The Philippine military is reporting the presence of two Chinese military surveillance vessels near the Philippine-occupied Ayungin Shoal in the disputed Spratly's region, according to the Philippine Inquirer newspaper.
• Philippine envoy apologizes to family of dead Taiwanese fisherman CNA 10 May 2013 -- The representative of the Philippines to Taiwan Antonio Basilio apologized on Friday to the family of a Taiwanese fisherman shot dead a day earlier by a Philippine government vessel.
• Taiwan claims jurisdiction in case of fisherman's death CNA 10 May 2013 -- The Taiwanese government has jurisdiction in the case of a fisherman who was shot dead by a Philippines official vessel and will demand that the Southeast Asian country bring the killer to justice, a Ministry of Justice (MOJ) official said Friday.
• Philippines suspends 11 officers over Taiwanese fisherman's death CNA 10 May 2013 -- The Philippines has suspended 11 law enforcement officers involved in the killing of a Taiwanese fisherman at sea, Philippine Coast Guard Commandant Rear Admiral Rodolfo Diwata Isorena said Friday.
• Taiwanese fishing boat provoked shooting: Philippines CNA 10 May 2013 -- The Philippines' Presidential Office said Friday that its coast guard officers 'reacted appropriately' in an incident in which a Taiwanese fisherman was shot dead, claiming that the Taiwanese fishing boat 'provoked' the shooting.
• Pyongyang Calls South Korean President's US Trip 'Prelude to War' RIA Novosti 10 May 2013 -- North Korea has called the South Korean President's recent visit to the United States a "prelude to war," Yonhap reported on Friday citing North Korean media sources.
• Tanzanian troops arrive in eastern DR Congo as part of UN intervention brigade UN News Centre 10 May 2013 -- A contingent of Tanzanian soldiers arrived in the eastern city of Goma in the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC) today as part of the intervention brigade authorized by the United Nations to help neutralize armed groups in this volatile part of the country.
• Security Council: Counter-terrorism committees focus on Mali, the Sahel and Somalia UN News Centre 10 May 2013 -- The United Nations counter-terrorism panel dealing with Al-Qaida strengthened its work and cooperation with related UN bodies to more urgently address the evolving threats posed by the network in Mali, the Sahel and Somalia, the chairmen of the group today told the UN Security Council.
• Spate of Kidnappings Reported in Eastern DRC VOA 10 May 2013 -- Nearly 30 people have been kidnapped in the eastern Democratic Republic of Congo since the beginning of April, according to a North Kivu-based civil society group, which says it knows where some of the victims are being held.
• Understanding the causes of violent extremism in West Africa IRIN 10 May 2013 -- Academics and government, military and civil society representatives gathered for a conference in the Senegalese capital this week to assess the interplay between development and violent extremism in West Africa, with some participants suggesting that underdevelopment, marginalization and weak governance create a breeding ground for militancy.
• Briefing: The UN's integrated mission in Somalia IRIN 10 May 2013 -- Following the unanimous adoption of a UN Security Council (UNSC) resolution setting up an integrated mission in Somalia, the UN Assistance Mission in Somalia (UNSOM) will be set up for an initial one-year period beginning on 3 June; it will be based in the capital Mogadishu.
• CAR Rebels Accused of Major Rights Violations VOA 10 May 2013 -- Human Rights Watch accuses rebels in the Central African Republic of committing serious rights violations before and after this year's coup in the turmoil-torn nation.

News Reports

• More hopefuls join Iran's heated presidential race Iran Press TV 10 May 2013 -- More hopefuls have signed up to participate in Iran's upcoming presidential election on the fourth day of registration for the crucial vote.
• US blacklists firms over sanctions on Iran's oil sector Iran Press TV 10 May 2013 -- The United States has put two international companies on its blacklist for allegedly helping Iran bypass illegal unilateral oil sanctions and slapped penalties on four Tehran-based firms in connection with Iran's nuclear energy program.
• Iran's military keeps 24/7 vigil on threats, ready to react: Top cmdr. Iran Press TV 10 May 2013 -- A senior Iranian commander says the country's Armed Forces are keeping a watchful eye on all potential threats, and are ready to counter any moves against the Islamic Republic.
• '240-plus register for Iran polls' Iran Press TV 10 May 2013 -- The number of Iran's presidential hopefuls to register for the upcoming election has surpassed 240 as the May 11 registration deadline for hopefuls nears, Press TV reports.
• 243 people register for June presidential election IRNA 09 May 2013 -- A total of 243 people have nominated themselves for Iran's 11th presidential election slated for June 14 at the end of third enrollment day, an interior ministry official said.
• Election-Related Attacks Continue On Eve Of Pakistani Vote RFE/RL 10 May 2013 -- Attacks on Pakistani politicians are continuing on the eve of the country's May 11 general elections.
• Pakistani Campaign Rhetoric More Bark Than Bite? RFE/RL 10 May 2013 -- Pakistan's parliamentary elections are historic in that they mark the country's first democratic transition of power. But the lead-up to the May 11 vote also exposed some worrying democratic shortcomings.
• Pakistan Voters Head to Polls in Landmark Elections VOA 10 May 2013 -- Pakistan will hold landmark elections on Saturday, marking the first time in this country's volatile history that a civilian government transfers power to another via the ballot box. Despite threats and violence, many voters are determined to use their votes to bring about change to their country.
• Taiwan condemns attack on fishing boat by Philippines CNA 10 May 2013 -- Taiwan condemned the shooting Thursday of a Taiwanese fishing boat by an official Philippine vessel, which caused the death of a fisherman.
• Boston Police Chief Says No Warning RFE/RL 10 May 2013 -- Boston's police chief says his department was never told about a Russian intelligence warning about one of the suspects in the Boston Marathon bombings.
• Boston Bombing Suspect Sought Jihad in Russia – Reports RIA Novosti 10 May 2013 -- Suspected Boston Marathon bomber Tamerlan Tsarnaev traveled to Russia last year with an interest in taking up jihad and contacting fundamentalist Islamic groups in the country's restive North Caucasus region, some of whom viewed his outreach with suspicion and consternation, US media reported Friday.
• US And Britain Withdraw Some Diplomats From Libya VOA 10 May 2013 -- The United States and Britain are withdrawing some of the staff from their embassies in Tripoli, Libya because of a standoff between the government and heavily armed militias blockading parts of the capital, embassy officials said Friday.
• Obama to support expansive Internet wiretapping powers Iran Press TV 10 May 2013 -- The Obama administration is likely to approve a Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) proposal that would make it easier to tap into many types of Internet communications rather than traditional phone services.
• ISS Astronauts Prepare for Spacewalk to Fix Ammonia Leak RIA Novosti 10 May 2013 -- Astronauts in the US section of the International Space Station (ISS) were preparing for a possible spacewalk to inspect and fix an ammonia leak in a cooling loop, NASA said Friday, hours after the leak was detected.