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Current Operations

• OIF/OEF/OND Casualty Update 11 Jun 2013 [PDF]
• UN mission deplores deadly attack against Afghan government workers UN News Centre 11 Jun 2013 -- The United Nations mission in Afghanistan strongly condemned today's attack against government employees in the capital, Kabul, which killed at least 17 civilians and injured 40 – the latest incident amid a worsening security environment in the country.
• Combined Force Kills Extremists in Nangarhar Province AFPS 11 Jun 2013 -- A combined Afghan and coalition security force killed five extremists during a search for a senior Taliban leader in the Khugyani district of Afghanistan's Nangarhar province today, military officials reported.
• UN: Afghan Civilian Casualties Up Almost 25 Percent VOA 11 Jun 2013 -- The United Nations said civilian casualties from the conflict in Afghanistan have increased dramatically this year. News of the figures came as 14 people were killed by a Taliban suicide bomber Tuesday near Afghanistan's Supreme Court. The increasing number of civilians killed could impact Afghanistan national elections next year and its transition to security independence as international combat forces leave next year.

Defense Policy / Programs

• US Supreme Court rejects torture suit by two Americans against ex-military chief Iran Press TV 11 Jun 2013 -- The US Supreme Court has rejected a lawsuit against the federal government and former Defense Secretary Donald Rumsfeld by two Americans that were torture while detained by invading US forces in Iraq.
• Peacekeeping Operations Center Ribbon Cutting Army News 11 Jun 2013 -- A new barracks and training facility at the Indonesian Peacekeeping Operations (PKO) Center here is expected to boost United Nations' peacekeeping efforts worldwide.
• Joint US Army/Indonesia Exercise 'Garuda Shield' Begins Army News 11 Jun 2013 -- More than ten days of intensive joint training involving U.S. and Indonesian troops is underway with the start of Garuda Shield 13.
• Exercise Eager Lion begins in Jordan Army News 11 Jun 2013 -- Exercise Eager Lion kicked off in Jordan this week as U.S. service members began training with military forces from 19 nations.
• Fleet grows, training increases for F-35 AFNS 11 Jun 2013 -- The largest fleet of F-35 Lightning II joint strike fighters grew to 25 aircraft as the F-35 Integrated Training Center here welcomed two new Air Force F-35A variants of the multi-role fighter to the Emerald Coast, June 5.
• Hagel, Dempsey Discuss North Korea, Iran, Cyber Challenges AFPS 11 Jun 2013 -- North Korea remains a dangerous and unpredictable country, and the United States needs to be prepared for every option and contingency, Defense Secretary Chuck Hagel told a Senate panel today.
• Army scientists advance chemical detection techniques Army News 11 Jun 2013 -- It's in the news on a regular basis. It's of increasing concern for the President of the United States. It's prompting U.S. forces to be more prepared. Chemical warfare is an increasingly real and dangerous threat to our nation, and the availability of accurate, quick detection is critical to the safety of the Warfighter and our nation.
• Readout of Secretary Hagel's Meeting with President of Peru Ollanta Humala DoD 11 Jun 2013
• US Navy and Marine Corps Begin Multinational Amphibious Exercise Dawn Blitz 2013 USMC News 11 Jun 2013 -- Marines and sailors from 1st Marine Expeditionary Brigade, I Marine Expeditionary Force and the Navy's Expeditionary Strike Group-3, Commander, Third Fleet, announce the official commencement of multinational amphibious exercise Dawn Blitz 2013 off the Southern California coast, June 11-28.
• Asheville Visits Subic During Western Pacific Deployment NNS 11 Jun 2013 -- The Los Angeles class submarine USS Asheville (SSN 758) arrived at Subic Bay June 8 for a visit, as part of its deployment to the Western Pacific.
• Kearsarge ARG and 26 MEU Begin Eager Lion NNS 11 Jun 2013 -- The Kearsarge Amphibious Ready Group (KSG ARG) and embarked Marines from the 26th Marine Expeditionary Unit (MEU) commenced their participation in Exercise Eager Lion 2013, June 9.
• Secretary of the Navy Celebrates Naming of USS Paul Ignatius NNS 11 Jun 2013 -- Secretary of the Navy Ray Mabus hosted a ceremony today to celebrate the recent announcement that the next Arleigh Burke class guided-missile destroyer will be named USS Paul Ignatius.
• Freedom Sets Sail for CARAT Malaysia 2013 NNS 11 Jun 2013 -- The Navy's first littoral combat ship, USS Freedom (LCS 1), departed Changi Naval Base June 11 to participate in Cooperation Afloat Readiness and Training (CARAT) Malaysia 2013.
• CHINFO Visits LCS Training Facility NNS 11 Jun 2013 -- Rear Adm. John Kirby, U.S. Navy Chief of Information (CHINFO), visited the Littoral Combat Ship Training Facility (LTF) managed by the Center for Surface Combat Systems (CSCS) Fleet Anti-Submarine Warfare Training Center (FLEASWTRACEN), June 10.
• Satellite program finds savings while providing critical imagery AFNS 11 Jun 2013 -- An Air Force program at Hanscom Air Force Base that continually provides critical imagery to warfighters and first responders, is also reducing costs.
• Hagel Details Budget Request, Calls for More Base Closures AFPS 11 Jun 2013 -- Sequestration and the need for another base closure and realignment commission headlined Defense Secretary Chuck Hagel's testimony before the Senate Appropriations Committee's defense subcommittee today.
• U.S. Forces, Regional Partners Kick Off 'Eager Lion' in Jordan AFPS 11 Jun 2013 -- Thousands of service members from 19 countries are participating in Eager Lion, an annual multinational exercise.
• Science, Tech Skills Increasingly Vital, Official Says AFPS 11 Jun 2013 -- The Defense Department needs to be thinking now about how to best recruit a workforce skilled in science and technology, which will be increasingly vital to national security, a senior DOD official said here yesterday.
• Colombians Partner During Beyond the Horizon AFPS 11 Jun 2013 -- Capt. Ernesto Santamaria of the Colombian army remembers a scary childhood. The FARC -- Fuerzas Armadas Revolucionarias de Colombia -- ran rampant in Colombia, terrorizing citizens with a spate of murders, kidnappings and other activities associated with narcotics trafficking.
• Defense Contractors Will Share Burdens of Furloughs, Hagel Says AFPS 11 Jun 2013 -- The Defense Department is reviewing all of its contracts, and DOD contractors will share the burden of spending cuts, including the furloughs facing the department's civilian workforce, Defense Secretary Chuck Hagel told senators today.
• Marines Focused at Tactical Edge of Cyber, Commander Says USMC News 11 Jun 2013 -- What differentiates his command from Army, Navy and Air Force cyber operations is a focus on the forward-deployed nature of America's expeditionary force in readiness, the commander of Marine Corps Forces Cyberspace Command said during a recent interview here.
• Nimitz Strike Group Enters 5th Fleet NNS 11 Jun 2013 -- The aircraft carrier USS Nimitz (CVN 68) with embarked Carrier Strike Group (CSG) 11, Carrier Air Wing (CVW) 11 and Destroyer Squadron 23, along with the guided-missile cruiser USS Princeton (CG 59) entered the U.S. 5th Fleet area of operations June 9.
• Pacific Partnership Departs Samoa NNS 11 Jun 2013 -- The amphibious dock landing ship USS Pearl Harbor (LSD 52) departed Samoa, the first mission port of Pacific Partnership 2013, June 10.
• Strike Force NATO, U.S. 6th Fleet Complete Integration Training on Mount Whitney NNS 11 Jun 2013 -- On the command and control ship USS Mount Whitney (LCC 20), members of the Striking and Support Forces NATO (SFN) and U.S. 6th Fleet completed a week of training on integrating U.S. Forces with NATO, June 7.
• C2OIX, the Navy's Newest Messaging System - Cost Efficient and Simpler NNS 11 Jun 2013 -- The Navy announced last month its plans to change the way official Navy messages are delivered, which is the result of an ongoing effort to increase efficiency and cut costs.
• Iran's indigenous missile launching destroyer joins Navy IRNA 11 Jun 2013 -- The new indigenous missile launching destroyer dubbed 'Bayandor' officially joined the Iranian Navy here Tuesday.
• 'Fateh' submarine to be unveiled this year: commander IRNA 11 Jun 2013 -- Iran's Navy Commander Rear Admiral Habibollah Sayyari said that the fully indigenous submarine named 'Fateh' will be unveiled in the current Iranian year (started March 20).
• Iran rejects Russia's offer to replace S-300 systems with Tor systems: Envoy Iran Press TV 11 Jun 2013 -- Iran's ambassador to Russia says Tehran has rejected Moscow's proposal to provide the Islamic Republic with a substitute for the S-300 systems, which should have been delivered under a bilateral arms deal.
• Iran Navy to unveil indigenous Fateh submarine: Cmdr. Iran Press TV 11 Jun 2013 -- The Iranian Navy has launched an optimized destroyer and plans to unveil an indigenous submarine in a further sign of the country's naval capabilities.
• Russia Scrambles Combat Aircraft in Snap Alert Drills RIA Novosti 11 Jun 2013 -- The Russian Air Force has redeployed some 20 combat aircraft and helicopters from their home bases to forward airfields in western Russia as part of a new round of snap combat readiness check of the Russian military, the Defense Ministry said.
• Russia to Send 250 Troops for Indra-2013 Drills in India RIA Novosti 11 Jun 2013 -- Russia will send over 250 servicemen from the Eastern Military District to take part in the annual Indra-2013 joint anti-terrorism exercise with India, the district's press service said.
• June 11, 2013 - U.S. Department of State Daily Press Briefing US Dept. of State 11 Jun 2013
• Press Briefing by Press Secretary Jay Carney, 6/11/2013 The White House 11 Jun 2013

Defense Industry

• DoD News: Contracts for June 11, 2013

Other Conflicts

• 11 June 2013 - Daily Press Briefing by the Office of the Spokesperson for the Secretary-General United Nations 11 Jun 2013
• Syrian Troops Positioned for Aleppo Offensive VOA 11 Jun 2013 -- Syrian government forces are moving into position to launch a major offensive on the rebel-held half of the country's biggest city, Aleppo, according to opposition activists.
• Analysis: Hard choices: When the Syria aid response runs out of money IRIN 11 Jun 2013 -- In a spacious office in Jordan's general security building, a career diplomat, now the Jordanian government focal point for Syrian refugees, runs off a list of expenses: water tank vehicles, additional classrooms, hospital equipment, even insecticides.
• Putin Warns Against Syria Intervention RIA Novosti 11 Jun 2013 -- Russian President Vladimir Putin said Tuesday that foreign intervention in the Syrian civil war is unacceptable because it would result in a new source of terror in the region.
• Twin Bombs Kill 14 in Syrian Capital VOA 11 Jun 2013 -- Two suicide bombers struck al-Marjeh Square in the Syrian capital Tuesday, killing at least 14 people and wounding dozens more in the second major attack on the square since the end of April.
• Military's shutdown of NE Nigeria telecoms disrupts trade IRIN 11 Jun 2013 -- With mobile phone signals shut down since 15 May in large parts of three northeastern states following a military offensive against Boko Haram (BH) Islamists, anxious residents say the sick are cut off from medical help, commercial supplies are dwindling and food prices rising.
• Nigeria crisis sends over 6,000 people fleeing for safety, UN agency reports UN News Centre 11 Jun 2013 -- Anti-insurgent operations and general insecurity have uprooted thousands of people in north-eastern Nigeria, with more than 6,000 of them fleeing to neighbouring Niger for safety, the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR) reported today.
• UNHCR: Thousands Flee Nigeria-Boko Haram Crisis VOA 11 Jun 2013 -- The United Nations refugee agency is reporting that thousands of people have fled a government-led crackdown on radical Islamist militant group Boko Haram in northeastern Nigeria to seek safety in neighboring Niger.
• Austria starts peacekeepers withdrawal from Golan Heights Iran Press TV 11 Jun 2013 -- Austria has begun pulling out its peacekeeping forces from the Israeli-occupied Golan Heights following intense clashes between Syrian forces and Takfiri militants that led to the injury of two UN observers last week.
• Press Conference on International Criminal Tribunal for Rwanda United Nations 11 Jun 2013
• Prosecutor of UN Rwanda genocide tribunal urges cooperation to catch remaining fugitives UN News Centre 11 Jun 2013 -- With nine men linked to the 1994 genocide in Rwanda still on the run, the Prosecutor who would help to try them is today urging Member States to cooperate with the United Nations war crimes tribunal and its successor body to track down and arrest the fugitives.
• Following violent clashes in Iraq, Ban stresses need for dialogue, reconciliation UN News Centre 11 Jun 2013 -- Voicing concern over the upsurge of violence in Iraq, Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon called today on all parties to redouble their efforts to support reconciliation and end sectarian violence.
• Tamils want more devolved power in Sri Lanka's north IRIN 11 Jun 2013 -- Ahead of Sri Lanka's planned provincial election in a former war zone, the country's main ethnic minority Tamil party is pushing to have as much power devolved from Colombo as possible.
• Clashes in South Sudan displace tens of thousands: UN Iran Press TV 11 Jun 2013 -- The United Nations Refugee Agency says fighting in South Sudan's Jonglei State has displaced tens of thousands of people.
• 'Indian jets violated Pakistan's airspace' Iran Press TV 11 Jun 2013 -- The Pakistan Air Force says Indian fighter jets have "briefly violated" the country's airspace in the east.
• Myanmar authorities must do more to curb abuses against the Rohingya – UN expert UN News Centre 11 Jun 2013 -- The fatal shooting of three Rohingya women is the latest example of law enforcement officials operating with complete impunity in western Myanmar, an independent United Nations expert today said, calling on Government authorities to investigate the incident.

News Reports

• US Web Surveillance Allegations Spark Global Privacy Debate VOA 11 Jun 2013 -- Governments, campaigners and bloggers around the world have been reacting to allegations that U.S. security agencies secretly collected emails and files directly from the servers of companies like Google and Facebook. The claims were made following leaks from a former contractor at the National Security Agency. The British government has been accused of colluding in the alleged surveillance program.
• Internet Companies Want Permission to Reveal Details of NSA Spy Program VOA 11 Jun 2013 -- Three big Internet companies want the Obama administration to let them reveal details of federal court orders to turn over information about their users to U.S. spy agencies.
• Russia says it will consider extending asylum to leaker of US spying bids Iran Press TV 11 Jun 2013 -- Russian officials have expressed their willingness to consider extending political asylum to former American NSA spy agency employee Edward Snowden amid major US efforts to seek his extradition from Hong Kong.
• Obama under fire in Europe and US for NSA's massive spying net Iran Press TV 11 Jun 2013 -- US President Barack Obama has come under growing criticism over the country's massive electronic surveillance bids across America and Europe as European leaders demand more details on the spying efforts from the US government.
• Journalist In U.S. Surveillance Case Says More To Come RFE/RL 11 Jun 2013 -- The journalist who exposed classified U.S. surveillance programs leaked by a former American defense contractor says there will be more 'significant revelations' to come.
• Damage from NSA Leak Being Assessed VOA 11 Jun 2013 -- The U.S. government is investigating whether the disclosure of a highly classified U.S. surveillance program by Edward Snowden was criminal.
• Legal Wiretaps by Special Services Are 'Normal' – Putin RIA Novosti 11 Jun 2013 -- Russian President Vladimir Putin has defended the right by Russian special services to wiretap but stressed that such practices should take place only when they are sanctioned by a court.
• Russia May Consider US Spy Leaker's Asylum Request – Media RIA Novosti 11 Jun 2013 -- The Russian authorities will consider political asylum for Edward Snowden, who risks prosecution in the United States for his recent blockbuster spy leaks, if he sends a proper request, business daily Kommersant said Tuesday, citing the Kremlin spokesman.
• Turkish PM backs police violent crackdown on anti-government protests Iran Press TV 11 Jun 2013 -- Turkish Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdogan has defended the violent police crackdown on ongoing anti-government protests in the city of Istanbul.
• Turkish Riot Police Move On Protesters In Taksim Square RFE/RL 11 Jun 2013 -- In Turkey, hundreds of riot police have moved past barricades into Istanbul's Taksim Square, which antigovernment protesters have been occupying for more than a week.
• Turkish Riot Police Overrun Taksim Square VOA 11 Jun 2013 -- Turkish riot police pushed through barricades at Istanbul's Taksim Square on Tuesday, firing tear gas and water cannon at hundreds of protesters.
• Will Iran's Election Bring Nuclear Talks Thaw? VOA 11 Jun 2013 -- The United States and the European Union believe Iran is seeking to develop nuclear weapons, but Tehran says its program is for peaceful, civilian purposes.
• FM spokesman: Bushehr nuclear power plant doing its normal activities IRNA 11 Jun 2013 -- Foreign Ministry spokesman Abbas Araqchi stressed here on Tuesday that Bushehr Nuclear Power Plant is doing its normal activities.
• Bushehr N-plant under repair for technical malfunction: Iran ambassador Iran Press TV 11 Jun 2013 -- Iran ambassador to Russia says the main generator of the country's Russian-built nuclear power plant in Bushehr is under repair due to a technical malfunction.
• Araqchi: US spying on Iran not a new subject IRNA 11 Jun 2013 -- Foreign Ministry spokesman Abbas Araqchi said on Tuesday that continued US spying on Iran is not something new or strange.
• Iran's Rezaei says diplomacy can resolve nuclear standoff with West Iran Press TV 11 Jun 2013 -- Iranian presidential candidate Mohsen Rezaei says it is possible to reduce tensions with the West by finding a diplomatic solution to the country's nuclear issue.
• Reformists Consolidate Behind Rohani, But Can He Win? RFE/RL 11 Jun 2013 -- Iran's reformist movement is now backing a sole candidate: Hassan Rohani.
• Russian Space Freighter Undocks From Orbital Station RIA Novosti 11 Jun 2013 -- A Russian cargo spacecraft undocked from the International Space Station (ISS) on Tuesday for a weeklong flight to study the operation of its liquid-propellant engines in the ionosphere, which spans from 50 to 250 miles above the Earth's surface.
• Russian Space Freighter to Depart From Orbital Station RIA Novosti 11 Jun 2013 -- Russian Progress M-19M cargo spacecraft will be undocked on Tuesday from the International Space Station (ISS) and depart on a week-long orbital flight to conduct a series of experiments, Russia's Mission Control said.
• Chinese Manned Spaceship Reaches Orbit RIA Novosti 11 Jun 2013 -- A Chinese spaceship carrying three astronauts blasted off on Tuesday and reached a designated orbit, mission control said.
• Could US Work with China on Space Issues? VOA 11 Jun 2013 -- As China's space program rapidly advances, many are debating whether the United States should consider unprecedented cooperation with Beijing on space science and exploration missions.
• China Launches 15-day Manned Space Mission VOA 11 Jun 2013 -- China launched a manned space mission Tuesday, continuing its ambitious goal of building its own space station. Among the many tasks to be undertaken during the 15-day flight, the astronauts will lead lectures from space to educate Chinese students.
• Germany Reveals Alleged Russian Spies' Names RIA Novosti 11 Jun 2013 -- Prosecutors believe they have uncovered the real names of German-based agents accused of spying for Russia, who are on trial in Stuttgart.
• Press Conference by United Nations Regional Humanitarian Coordinator for Sahel United Nations 11 Jun 2013
• West Africa's Sahel region still in crisis and requires urgent support, says UN official UN News Centre 11 Jun 2013 -- A senior United Nations humanitarian official today appealed for urgent support to tackle the ongoing food and nutritional crisis in the Sahel region of West Africa and respond to the needs of 11.4 million people facing food insecurity.
• Uganda Opposition Demands ICC Action Against President VOA 11 Jun 2013 -- Uganda opposition groups are calling on the International Criminal Court (ICC) to file charges against President Yoweri Museveni after he said his government tear-gassed demonstrators.
• Guinea: Ban welcomes multi-party dialogue to overcome electoral challenges UN News Centre 11 Jun 2013 -- The spokesperson for Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon said today that the UN chief is "encouraged" by the progress made in the multi-party political dialogue underway in the Guinean capital, Conakry.
• Security Council: despite challenges, Yemen's political transition on course, says UN official UN News Centre 11 Jun 2013 -- With the second round of the Yemen's national dialogue under way, the political transition in the country is largely on course, a senior United Nations official told the Security Council today, urging continued cooperation and coordination among political parties, the Government and the donor community.