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Operations
Defense Policy / Programs
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News Reports

Current Operations

• OIF/OEF/OND Casualty Update 20 May 2013 [PDF]
• Afghan, Coalition Forces Arrest Insurgents in Khost Province AFPS 20 May 2013 -- A combined Afghan and coalition security force arrested three insurgents today during a search for an insurgent leader with ties to the Taliban and Haqqani terrorist networks in the Sabari district of Afghanistan's Khost province, military officials reported.
• Taliban Claims Deadly Bombing Near Government Compound In Afghan North RFE/RL 20 May 2013 -- Taliban insurgents have claimed responsibility for a suicide attack in northern Afghanistan that authorities say killed at least 14 people, including a senior provincial politician.
• Sharif Calls for Peace Talks With Pakistani Taliban VOA 20 May 2013 -- Pakistan's Nawaz Sharif, who is set to become prime minister for a third time after his party won recent parliamentary elections, on Monday called for peace talks with domestic Taliban extremists, saying "this is the best option" to fight militancy.

Defense Policy / Programs

• DOD Submits Requests for 2014 Overseas Funds, 2013 Reprogramming AFPS 20 May 2013 -- Defense Department officials have submitted two funding-related requests to Congress, Pentagon Press Secretary George Little said here today.
• Dark Horse Battalion reunite with family and friends after tour with 15th MEU USMC News 20 May 2013 -- Family and friends watched Marines and sailors serving with 3rd Battalion, 5th Marine Regiment, currently the Ground Combat Element for the 15th Marine Expeditionary Unit, march onto the Camp San Mateo parade here, May 13.
• Navy Evaluates Collective Protection in Expeditionary Medical Facility NNS 20 May 2013 -- During May 2013, U.S. Navy Reservists and active duty forces constructed a Chemically Hardened Expeditionary Medical Facility at Naval Weapons Station Cheatham Annex, Williamsburg, Va., to test the integration of a collective protection system.
• U.S. Fleet Forces Assists in Hurricane Exercise NNS 20 May 2013 -- U.S. Fleet Forces Command (USFF) and Commander, Naval Installations Command (CNIC) are working together during the Navy's annual Hurricane Exercise (HURREX) and Citadel Gale May 13-24 to prepare units and personnel for the upcoming hurricane season.
• USS Freedom Makes Debut in Singapore NNS 20 May 2013 -- USS Freedom (LCS 1) made its debut in Singapore May 14-19, participating in an international trade show and a maritime exercise with regional navies. Freedom also hosted thousands of visitors, from Singaporean citizens to senior government and military officials, during a series of ship tours.
• SECNAV Visits USS Monterey NNS 20 May 2013 -- Secretary of the Navy, Ray Mabus, visited Sailors aboard guided-missile cruiser USS Monterey (CG 61) while the ship was moored at Khalifa Bin Salman, Bahrain, for a scheduled port visit, May 16.
• Black Boxes Found Amid US Refueling Plane Debris in Kyrgyzstan RIA Novosti 20 May 2013 -- Flight recorders from a US military plane that crashed in northern Kyrgyzstan in early May have been found, the republic's Transport and Communication Ministry said on Monday.
• US, Italian Inspectors to Overfly Russia RIA Novosti 20 May 2013 -- Military inspectors from the United States and Italy will carry out observation flights over Russian territory this week under the international Open Skies Treaty, the Russian Defense Ministry said Monday.
• Taiwan to buy two U.S. frigates CNA 20 May 2013 -- The Republic of China Navy Command confirmed Monday that it is seeking to purchase two active Perry-class frigates from the United States.
• Air Force pilots eject to safety in Mirage jet crash CNA 20 May 2013 -- An Air Force twin-seater Mirage 2000-5 jet fighter crashed into waters west of Hsinchu in northern Taiwan Monday morning, but its pilots ejected to safety before the plane hit the water, according to Air Force Command Headquarters.
• Joint Strike Fighter UK MOD 20 May 2013 -- A small team of UK personnel are learning all about the fifth-generation stealth aircraft at Eglin Air Force Base in Florida.
• Apache Hellfire missiles restocked in £15 million deal UK MOD 20 May 2013 -- The MOD has signed a £15 million contract to replenish the Army's stock of supersonic Hellfire missiles used by Apache helicopters.
• U.S. Remains Watchful After North Korean Missile Launches AFPS 20 May 2013 -- The United States continues to call on North Korean leaders to exercise restraint and abide by their international obligations, Pentagon Press Secretary George Little said here today.
• N. Korea Fires Missiles for Third Day RIA Novosti 20 May 2013 -- North Korea launched another two short-range missiles into the Sea of Japan on Monday, marking the third straight day of firings, South Korea's defense ministry said, Yonhap reported.
• Russia Concerned Over N.Korea Missile Launches - Minister RIA Novosti 20 May 2013 -- Moscow is deeply concerned with reports of North Korea's latest missile tests and hopes that a meeting of intermediaries on the North Korean nuclear issue settlement will be held in the nearest future, Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov said on Monday.
• North Korea Fires Short-Range Projectiles for 3rd Day VOA 20 May 2013 -- North Korea has fired short-range projectiles into its coastal waters for a third consecutive day, defying international calls for restraint.
• Turkish pilot dies in plane crash Iran Press TV 20 May 2013 -- A Turkish pilot has been killed in an incident where he lost control of the aircraft and went down during an acrobatic aerial display in Turkey's southern city of Adana.
• Iran ready to vigorously respond to any hostile measures, Defence minister IRNA 20 May 2013 -- Defense Minister Brigadier General Ahmad Vahidi said Iran is ready to give a vigorous response to any kind of hostile activities.
• Iran develops new air defense system Iran Press TV 20 May 2013 -- Iran's Defense Ministry and the Islamic Revolution Guards Corps Aerospace Force have teamed up to develop a new air defense system, Press TV reports.
• Iran launches production line of new air defense system Iran Press TV 20 May 2013 -- Iran's latest indigenous air defense battery, Ninth Herz, has hit the production line in a ceremony with Iranian Defense Minister Brigadier General Ahmad Vahidi in attendance.
• May 20, 2013 - U.S. Department of State Daily Press Briefing US Dept. of State 20 May 2013
• Press Briefing by Press Secretary Jay Carney, 5/20/2013 The White House 20 May 2013

Defense Industry

• DoD News: Contracts for May 20, 2013
• Russia, Peru to Sign MiG-29 Jet Upgrade Deal RIA Novosti 20 May 2013 -- Russia and Peru will sign a contract to upgrade Lima's fleet of Mikoyan MiG-29 Fulcrum fighters by the end of May, Konstantin Biryulin, deputy head of Russia's Federal Military-Technical Cooperation Service, said on Monday.

Other Conflicts

• 20 May 2013 - Daily Press Briefing by the Office of the Spokesperson for the Secretary-General United Nations 20 May 2013
• Syrian Rebels Suffer Setbacks From Fighting in Town Near Lebanon Border VOA 20 May 2013 -- Syrian government troops backed by fighters from Lebanon's Hezbollah movement have been in fierce battles in the rebel-held town of Qusair after weeks of fighting. Many wounded rebels are being treated across the nearby border in northern Lebanon.
• Russia urges Iran participation in Geneva conference on Syria Iran Press TV 20 May 2013 -- Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov has stressed Iran's influential role in settling the Syria unrest, underlining the need for the inclusion of Iran in an upcoming international conference on Syria.
• Syrian army seizes half of al-Qusayr in Homs province Iran Press TV 20 May 2013 -- The Syrian army has restored security in the western city of al-Qusayr in the central province of Homs, after taking back control of 50 percent of the city from foreign-backed militants.
• Hezbollah Militants Killed in Syria, Activists Say VOA 20 May 2013 -- Syrian activists say at least 23 Hezbollah militants have been killed in fighting for the town of Qusair, as Syrian forces press a weeks-long offensive to recapture the strategic area from rebels.
• Kerry to Mideast for Syria Talks VOA 20 May 2013 -- U.S. Secretary of State John Kerry travels Monday to the Middle East for talks on holding a Syrian peace conference.
• Situation on Korean Peninsula Still Serious - S.Korean FM RIA Novosti 20 May 2013 -- The security situation on the Korean Peninsula is still serious after North Korea's recent missile launch and its defiant pursuit of nuclear weapons, South Korea's foreign minister was quoted by South Korean media as saying Monday.
• 80 killed, 150 injured in Iraq bombing and shooting incidents Iran Press TV 20 May 2013 -- More than 80 people have been killed and over 150 others injured in several bomb explosions and shooting incidents across Iraq.
• Iraq Hit By Wave Of Deadly Bombings RFE/RL 20 May 2013 -- A string of car bombs across Iraq has killed more than 70 people.
• Car Bombs Kill Dozens in Iraq VOA 20 May 2013 -- A wave of car bombs ripped through mainly Shi'ite sections of Iraq's capital and in the southern city of Basra, killing at least 55 people and wounding scores more.
• DR Congo: UN voices concern as fighting resumes between Government and M23 forces UN News Centre 20 May 2013 -- The United Nations peacekeeping mission in the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC) today voiced its concern about renewed clashes between rebels from the 23 March Movement (M23) and the national armed forces in the eastern city of Goma.
• Nigerian Military: More Than 200 Boko Haram Captured VOA 20 May 2013 -- Nearly a week after Nigerian President Goodluck Jonathan announced the deployment of thousands of troops to the country's war-torn north, officials say they now hold more than 200 suspected Boko Haram militants.
• Taiwan launches new initiative to make case against Philippines CNA 20 May 2013 -- Taiwan is preparing to distribute flyers around the world to further state its case to the global community in its dispute with Manila over the recent attack by a Philippines patrol boat on a Taiwanese fishing boat that left a fisherman dead.
• The changing face of land disputes in Liberia IRIN 20 May 2013 -- The Liberia Land Commission, which was set up in 2009 to help settle land disputes between returning refugees and their neighbours, is making significant headway, say land experts, but non-conflict related land disputes are increasing, most of them as a result of weak land laws.
• 51 killed in South Sudan clashes: Officials Iran Press TV 20 May 2013 -- Fifty one people have lost their lives in two separate clashes in eastern and northeastern regions of South Sudan, government officials say.
• India, China Pledge to Overcome Border Tensions VOA 20 May 2013 -- The leaders of Asian giants India and China say they will take steps to build greater mutual trust a month after a tense dispute over their shared border.
• More Regional Troops Going to Central African Republic VOA 20 May 2013 -- It has been almost two months since the Seleka rebel coalition seized power in the Central African Republic, but rebel leaders say they are struggling to get criminality under control. The Economic Community of Central African States says it will begin sending an additional 1,200 regional troops to CAR this week to help stabilize the country.

News Reports

• Russian security forces foil terror attack on Moscow Iran Press TV 20 May 2013 -- Russian security forces have foiled a terror attack on the country's capital, Moscow, killing two of the plotters and arresting another.
• US terror drone kills two in central Yemen Iran Press TV 20 May 2013 -- Two people have lost their lives in a US assassination drone strike in Yemen's central province of Bayda, Press TV reports.
• Obama, Burmese President Discuss Way Forward for Reforms VOA 20 May 2013 -- At the White House, President Barack Obama and Burma's President, Thein Sein, discussed political and economic reforms in Burma, human rights and the importance of resolving the country's ethnic conflicts and religious tensions.
• Burmese President to Visit White House VOA 20 May 2013 -- Burmese President Thein Sein visits the White House on Monday, becoming the first leader of his nation to do so in nearly half a century.
• Uganda to Continue 'Leaked Letter' Investigation, Says Official VOA 20 May 2013 -- A spokesman for Uganda's government says President Yoweri Museveni's administration will continue with investigations into a security breach despite, criticisms that it is contravening the constitution.
• Madagascar: Secretary-General concerned by latest electoral developments UN News Centre 20 May 2013 -- United Nations Secretary General Ban Ki-moon shares the concerns expressed earlier by the Southern African Development Community (SADC) and the African Union over the latest developments in the electoral process in Madagascar, according to the spokesperson for the world body's chief.
• 20 May 2013 - Press Conference on Launch of New Currency for Polynesian Kingdom of Atooi United Nations 20 May 2013