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Operations
Defense Policy / Programs
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News Reports

Current Operations

• OIF/OEF/OND Casualty Update 22 Jul 2013 [PDF]
• U.S.-Afghan Pact Possible by October, Dempsey Says AFPS 22 Jul 2013 -- The chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff came away from a meeting with Afghan President Hamid Karzai today convinced that the United States and Afghanistan can sign a bilateral security agreement between now and October.
• Afghans prepared to sign US security pact: Karzai Iran Press TV 22 Jul 2013 -- Afghan President Hamid Karzai has expressed readiness to ink a security pact with the United States which allows American troops to stay in Afghanistan beyond the 2014 withdrawal deadline.
• Afghan Parliament Sacks Interior Minister RFE/RL 22 Jul 2013 -- Afghanistan's parliament has dismissed the country's interior minister.

Defense Policy / Programs

• US to Hold New Hearings for 71 Guantanamo Detainees VOA 22 Jul 2013 -- The U.S. says it plans to hold new hearings on whether 71 of the 166 suspected terrorists held at its prison at Guantanamo Bay are still a threat to the United States.
• Overview of U.S. Policy in the East Asia and Pacific Region US Dept. of State 22 Jul 2013 -- Daniel R. Russel, Assistant Secretary, Bureau of East Asian and Pacific Affairs
• MWSS-172 endures jungle, strengthens teamwork USMC News 22 Jul 2013 -- CAMP GONSALVES, Okinawa - The long, muddy trail, which crosses rivers, vertical slopes and thick brush, always presents a formidable obstacle for Marines, as they race against time to navigate the Jungle Warfare Training Center's endurance course at Camp Gonsalves.
• Special Operations Officials Emphasize Capacity Building AFPS 22 Jul 2013 -- Building on the lessons learned in Iraq and Afghanistan, U.S. Special Operations Command is refocusing on helping partner militaries across the geographic commands build special operations capacity, Socom's commander reported.
• Hagel: Future Requires Hard Decisions, Disciplined Priorities AFPS 22 Jul 2013 -- Disciplined priorities and tough choices will be needed to guide the Defense Department's historical transition aimed at maintaining strong, capable and ready forces in the stark post-conflict fiscal environment, Defense Secretary Chuck Hagel said today.
• Carter, Israeli Leaders Reaffirm Defense Relationship AFPS 22 Jul 2013 -- During Deputy Defense Secretary Ash Carter's first official trip to Israel, he and senior security officials here reaffirmed that the U.S.-Israeli defense relationship has never been stronger and agreed to continuing close consultations on shared security interests.
• Readout of Deputy Secretary Carter's Meetings with Senior Israeli Security Officials DoD 22 Jul 2013
• USS Springfield Returns from Six-Month Deployment NNS 22 Jul 2013 -- Los Angeles-class attack submarine USS Springfield (SSN 761) returned to its homeport in Groton, Conn., July 22, after completing a scheduled six-month deployment.
• Civil engineers build medical facility, save AF thousands AFNS 22 Jul 2013 -- Consistent with fluctuating operations in deployed locations, the ability to quickly and efficiently build structures to house new missions is crucial. The 1st Expeditionary Civil Engineer Group here has specialized teams of Airmen who support projects to fulfill construction requirements.
• Hagel Calls on Vets to Partner in Reshaping Military AFPS 22 Jul 2013 -- Opening his address today to the Veterans of Foreign Wars National Convention with a tribute to Korean War veterans, Defense Secretary Chuck Hagel called on the nation's 22 million veterans to become partners in helping the Defense Department work through "historic transition and change."
• DOD Environmental Efforts Succeeding, Officials Say AFPS 22 Jul 2013 -- While the Defense Department is battling to maintain the nation's military readiness in an austere budget climate, its conservation efforts in communities across the country are quietly flourishing, environmental experts told a national security audience recently.
• BSRF-13, Azerbaijan's OCC Battalion Facilitate Communications In Sync USMC News 22 Jul 2013 -- Soldiers with Azerbaijan's Operational Capabilities Concept battalion are working with the Marines of Black Sea Rotational Force 13 at Novo Selo Training Area, Bulgaria, to improve their communications skills while developing a close working relationship during Exercise Platinum Eagle 13.
• Bonhomme Richard Participates in Beach Assault Exercise NNS 22 Jul 2013 -- The forward-deployed amphibious assault ship USS Bonhomme Richard (LHD 6) participated in a simulated beach assault as part of the biennial combined joint training exercise Talisman Saber 2013, July 20 and 21.
• HMNZS Manawanui Concludes Participation in Pacific Partnership 2013 NNS 22 Jul 2013 -- The Royal New Zealand Navy diving support vessel HMNZS Manawanui (A09) concluded its mission with Pacific Partnership 2013, July 21.
• Turkish, US Military Inspectors to Fly Over Russia RIA Novosti 22 Jul 2013 -- Military inspectors from Turkey and the United States will fly over Russia's territory starting from Monday as part of the international Open Skies Treaty, Russia's Defense Ministry said.
• Panama says found MiG fighter jets on seized North Korean ship Iran Press TV 22 Jul 2013 -- Panama says it has uncovered two Russian-made MiG-21 fighter jets on board a North Korean cargo ship that it seized along with the crew at the Panama Canal.
• Panama Finds Soviet MiG Fighters on Seized N. Korea Ship RIA Novosti 22 Jul 2013 -- Investigators in Panama discovered two Soviet-built MiG-21 fighter jets while unloading a North Korean ship that was seized last week with 240 tons of concealed weapons parts on board as it tried to enter the Panama Canal en route to North Korea from Cuba, media reports said Monday.
• N. Korea Flooding Hampers Search for Downed US Pilot VOA 22 Jul 2013 -- VOA correspondent Steve Herman is in North Korea and has been able to make a rare journey out from the capital Pyongyong, where he's had a first-hand glimpse at some of the damage in the country caused by overflowing rivers and other flooding. He reports from Hyangsan, where recent heavy rainfall has led to the discovery of some human remains that seem to date back to the Korean War.
• Russia concludes massive military exercises Iran Press TV 22 Jul 2013 -- Russian military has concluded one its largest war games in recent history in the nation's far eastern and central region, describing the results as more than satisfactory.
• Russian Armed Forces Complete Combat Readiness Snap Check RIA Novosti 22 Jul 2013 -- A snap check of combat readiness of unprecedented scale in Russia's Far Eastern and Central military districts ended on Sunday.
• Ministry defends results of military recruitment CNA 21 Jul 2013 -- The Ministry of National Defense said Sunday that as of July 3, it had recruited 1,847 men and women, or 31 percent of the target of 5,887, for joining the military, downplaying a local media report on poor results of the ministry's recruitment drive.
• July 22, 2013 - U.S. Department of State Daily Press Briefing US Dept. of State 22 Jul 2013
• Press Briefing by Press Secretary Jay Carney, 7/22/2013 The White House 22 Jul 2013

Defense Industry

• DoD News: Contracts for July 22, 2013
• Kalashnikov Gun Maker Lands $400 Mln Missile Contract RIA Novosti 22 Jul 2013 -- Russia's Izhmash arms factory, manufacturer of the legendary Kalashnikov assault rifle, has won a 13 billion ruble (about $400 million) Defense Ministry tender for antitank missiles, the company said Monday, in one of its "largest state orders in recent years."

Other Conflicts

• 22 July 2013 - Daily Press Briefing by the Office of the Spokesperson for the Secretary-General United Nations 22 Jul 2013
• Press Conference by Special Representative for Children and Armed Conflict on Recent Visit to Syria, Jordan, Iraq, Turkey, Lebanon United Nations 22 Jul 2013
• Generation of Syrian children at risk of growing up 'angry and illiterate' – UN official UN News Centre 22 Jul 2013 -- There is no reward to be won in Syria, a top United Nations child rights official said after visiting the region, stressing today that without a political solution, children will continue to bear the brunt of the conflict, leaving a generation of angry, illiterate adults.
• Worries Over Syrian Breakup VOA 22 Jul 2013 -- Syria's neighbors are becoming increasingly worried that the contending sides in its civil war, including the competing rebel factions, are preparing the ground for an eventual break-up of the country.
• Syria says Russia committed to S-300 systems contract Iran Press TV 22 Jul 2013 -- Syrian Deputy Prime Minister Qadri Jamil says Russia's contract to supply Syria with the sophisticated S-300 air defense systems is still in place.
• Syrian Rebels Claim Gains in North VOA 22 Jul 2013 -- Syria's rebels say they are making gains in the country's north just a day after taking heavy losses near the capital of Damascus.
• Russia: Military Intervention Will Not Bring Peace to Syria VOA 22 Jul 2013 -- Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov met Monday with Syrian Deputy Prime Minister Qadri Jamil in Moscow to try to resolve the deadly conflict in Syria.
• Coordinated Attacks on Iraqi Prisons Free Hundreds VOA 22 Jul 2013 -- Iraqi militants using suicide bombers and mortar rounds staged coordinated attacks on two prisons, possibly freeing hundreds of prisoners including senior terrorist leaders.
• UN envoy lauds progress in Burundi but cautions that hurdles remain on path to stability UN News Centre 22 Jul 2013 -- Burundi has made progress on a number of fronts in recent months but still faces numerous challenges, including a weak economy, cross-border incursions and a "mixed" human rights situation, the top United Nations envoy to the country told the Security Council today.
• In Eastern Congo, M23 Rebels Battle for Hearts, Minds VOA 22 Jul 2013 -- M23 rebels in the eastern Democratic Republic of Congo are trying to strengthen their grip on areas under their control as they come under attack by the Congolese army. The residents of rebel-held towns in eastern Congo, however, are growing weary of the ongoing conflict.

News Reports

• Egypt's Interim President Urges Reconciliation After New Clashes VOA 22 Jul 2013 -- Egypt's interim president is urging people to remain calm and abstain from violence following a new round of deadly clashes in Cairo.
• AU to Send Panel to Investigate Situation in Egypt VOA 22 Jul 2013 -- An Egyptian envoy is protesting the country's suspension from the African Union, saying the decision was based on a misunderstanding of events. The AU Commission plans to send a panel to Egypt to reassess its decision.
• Morsi Family Accuses Egyptian Army of Abduction VOA 22 Jul 2013 -- The family of ousted Egyptian President Mohamed Morsi accuses the nation's military of kidnapping him.
• Kremlin Denies That Putin Played Role in Navalny's Release RIA Novosti 22 Jul 2013 -- The Kremlin's spokesman on Monday said President Vladimir Putin had played no role in opposition leader Alexei Navalny's sudden release from jail last week.
• NSA docs prove Germany complicit in spying program: Report Iran Press TV 22 Jul 2013 -- A report has revealed that German intelligence services themselves used one of US National Security Agency's most valuable spying programs.
• Iran hopes for change in West confrontation approach Iran Press TV 22 Jul 2013 -- Iran's Foreign Minister Ali Akbar Salehi says Tehran hopes that the West will shift from confrontation to cooperation and interaction with the Islamic Republic once Iranian president-elect Hassan Rohani takes office early next month.
• EU Blacklists Hezbollah Military Wing VOA 22 Jul 2013 -- The European Union has put Hezbollah's military wing on its list of terrorist organizations, underscoring concern about the group's role in Syria and a bombing attack last year in Bulgaria..
• EU lists Hezbollah's military wing as terrorist group Iran Press TV 22 Jul 2013 -- The European Union has put what it calls the military wing of the Lebanese resistance movement, Hezbollah, on its terror blacklist.
• Al-Qaeda behind Iranian diplomat kidnap: Yemeni security officer Iran Press TV 22 Jul 2013 -- A Yemeni security officer says al-Qaeda militants are suspected of having abducted Iranian diplomat Nour Ahmad Nikbakht in Sana'a.
• Tackling drugs, crime must be part of post-2015 development agenda, says UN official UN News Centre 22 Jul 2013 -- The head of the United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime (UNODC) today stressed the links between combating these two significant threats and achieving a sustainable world, during discussions on the future global development agenda.
• Major Solar Storm Could Be Heading for Earth VOA 22 Jul 2013 -- With the sun nearing the peak of its 11-year cycle, scientists say a powerful solar storm may be headed our way, which could shut down electricity supply networks and disorient GPS and satellite systems.