30 July 2013 Military News

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Current Operations

OIF/OEF/OND Casualty Update 30 Jul 2013 [PDF]

Department of Defense Press Briefing on the July 2013 Section 1230 Report, "Progress Toward Security and Stability in Afghanistan" in the Pentagon Briefing Room DoD 30 Jul 2013
Report Cites Afghan Security Forces Gains, Progress AFPS 30 Jul 2013 -- Afghan national security forces are in the lead throughout the country, and they continue to make progress, according to a report to Congress released.
Reading Between The Red Lines Of U.S.-Afghan Security Talks RFE/RL 30 Jul 2013 -- A months-long effort by the United States and Afghanistan to hammer out a long-term security arrangement has so far achieved one obvious result.
US money going to terrorists in Afghanistan PressTV 30 Jul 2013 -- 43 individuals or companies who are supporters of Taliban and al-Qaeda in Afghanistan have been given U.S. military contracts despite the knowledge of American officials.
Afghan Forces Kill 50 Militants RFE/RL 30 Jul 2013 -- Afghan authorities say 50 militants, including foreign fighters, have been killed over a 24-hour period in a security operation in the country's east.
US airstrikes claim 80 lives across Afghanistan in 24 hours PressTV 30 Jul 2013 -- A series of US airstrikes have claimed the lives of more than 80 people and severely injured several others in different regions of war-ravaged Afghanistan over the past 24 hours.
Welcome home parade for bomb disposal team UK MOD 30 Jul 2013 -- Soldiers who trained the Afghan Army in bomb disposal have paraded through Saffron Walden in Essex to mark their return from Afghanistan.
UN: Women’s Rights at Risk in Afghan Peace Process VOA 30 Jul 2013 -- Since the fall of the Taliban in 2001, the rights of Afghan have progressed: Women are in school, the workplace and government.

Militants Free 250 Inmates In Attack On Pakistani Prison RFE/RL 30 Jul 2013 -- Taliban militants have launched a coordinated assault on a prison in the northwestern Pakistani town of Dera Ismail Khan.
Pakistani Prison A 'Sweltering Hell' RFE/RL 30 Jul 2013 -- Those who have stayed there simply call it a "sweltering hell" - a moniker earned for the suffocating conditions prisoners must endure during the hot summer months.
Taliban Free Fellow Jailed Terrorists from Pakistani Prison VOA 30 Jul 2013 -- Security forces have launched a massive manhunt in a city in the northwestern Pakistani province of Khyber-Pakhtunkhwa, where more than 200 prisoners have escaped.
13 die as Pakistani forces clear jail after Taliban attack IRNA 30 Jul 2013 -- Pakistani officials said that the security forces have cleared a jail in the country's northwest hours after attack by heavily armed Taliban militants.
Police kill four pro-Taliban militants in southwestern Pakistan PressTV 30 Jul 2013 -- Pakistani police forces have killed at least four pro-Taliban militants during a security clean-up operation in the volatile southwestern city of Quetta.

Readout of Secretary Hagel's Meeting with the President of Yemen Abdo Rabbo Mansour Hadi DoD 30 Jul 2013
3 killed in US assassination drone strike in Yemen PressTV 30 Jul 2013 -- At least three people have been killed in an airstrike carried out by a US assassination drone in Yemen’s southern province of Shabwa.

Defense Policy / Programs

Manning Guilty Of Spying, Fraud But Spared On 'Aiding Enemy' Charge RFE/RL 30 Jul 2013 -- A U.S. military judge has convicted Army Private Bradley Manning of multiple espionage and fraud and theft counts but found him not guilty of the most serious charge.
Manning Convicted of 5 Espionage Charges in Wikileaks Case VOA 30 Jul 2013 -- A U.S. military court-martial has convicted an Army private on charges of espionage for leaking U.S. secrets to WikiLeaks, but found him not guilty of a more serious charge of aiding the enemy.
Bradley Manning Acquitted of Aiding the Enemy, Convicted on Other Charges RIA Novosti 30 Jul 2013 -- A US military judge found former Army intelligence officer Private Bradley Manning not guilty of aiding the enemy, but guilty of lesser charges.
Manning convicted of espionage, cleared of 'aiding the enemy' charge PressTV 30 Jul 2013 -- US Army Pfc. Bradley Manning has been found guilty on five counts of violating the espionage act for giving secret US documents to WikiLeaks.

Readout of Secretary Hagel’s Meeting with Greece’s Minister of Defense Dimitris Avramopoulos DoD 30 Jul 2013
Haney Vows to Maintain Deterrence as Stratcom Commander AFPS 30 Jul 2013 -- Navy Adm. Cecil D. Haney will make providing a safe, secure and effective strategic nuclear deterrent his top priority if confirmed to lead U.S. Strategic Command.
Cruise missile flight Airmen protect aircrews, aim for excellence AFNS 30 Jul 2013 -- There's a single point on base where Airmen perform a critical part of the mission here to fuel, maintain, load and test missiles - all under one roof.
U.S.-South Korea Exercises Vital to Readiness, General Says AFPS 30 Jul 2013 -- North Korea is investing in asymmetric systems such as special operations, cyber, and ballistic missiles as its conventional forces have declined in capability.
MV-22 squadron arrives at MCAS Iwakuni USMC News 30 Jul 2013 -- Marines with Marine Medium Helicopter Squadron 262 off-loaded 12 MV-22 Osprey tiltrotor aircraft at the port facility at Marine Corps Air Station Iwakuni, Japan, July 30.
Freedom Gets Underway to Support First Overseas Crew Swap NNS 30 Jul 2013 -- Advance team of "Blue" crew Sailors is in Singapore to participate in a brief sea trial that began July 30, as part of the upcoming crew swap.
Talisman Saber 2013 Wraps Up Aboard USS Blue Ridge NNS 30 Jul 2013 -- The biennial joint U.S.-Australian exercise Talisman Saber 2013 concluded with a ceremony hosted by the commander of U.S. Pacific Command.
U.S., South Africa kick-off Exercise Shared Accord 13 AFRICOM 30 Jul 2013 -- Approximately 700 U.S. and 3,000 South African Defense Force service members gathered here for the opening ceremony of Exercise Shared Accord 13 on July 24.
Azerbaijani Leaders Practice Combat Planning With BSRF-13 USMC News 30 Jul 2013 -- A dozen Azerbaijani staff officers took part in a staff planning exercise as part of Exercise Platinum Lion 13 in Novo Selo Training Area, Bulgaria.
USS Santa Fe Departs for Western Pacific Deployment NNS 30 Jul 2013 -- Family and friends bid farewell to the crew on the submarine piers at Joint Base Pearl Harbor-Hickam as USS Santa Fe departed July 29, for a deployment to the Western Pacific region.
Pacific Partnership Arrives in Solomon Islands NNS 30 Jul 2013 -- Amphibious dock landing ship USS Pearl Harbor arrived in the Solomon Islands for Pacific Partnership 2013, July 29.
Airmen deliver ideas for IT improvements through 'Every Dollar Counts' campaign AFNS 30 Jul 2013 -- As the Air Force continues to adapt to current fiscal challenges, the service is scrutinizing every dollar spent on mission, personnel, and readiness.
Enhanced combat helmet heads to production USMC News 30 Jul 2013 -- After successful stringent tests that program experts say well exceeded initial requirements, the Marine Corps is getting ready to field its new enhanced combat helmet.
Lewis-McChord Soldier to be awarded Medal of Honor Army News 30 Jul 2013 -- Staff Sgt. Ty Michael Carter will receive the Medal of Honor for his courageous actions while deployed to the Nuristan Province, Afghanistan, in October 2009.
Army Releases June 2013 Suicide Information DoD 30 Jul 2013
No Decisions Yet on Cutting Furlough Days, Official Says AFPS 30 Jul 2013 -- Despite media reports that say Defense Department civilians may face up to five fewer furlough days, “no decisions have been made at this time,” a Pentagon spokesman said today.
Navy officer sentenced to 90 days in jail for sexual assault PressTV 30 Jul 2013 -- A US Navy officer has been sentenced to 90 days in prison after he found guilty of sexually assaulting a sailor aboard the USS Germantown.
DOD to Help Employees Affected by Housing Allowance Error AFPS 30 Jul 2013 -- Help to civilian Defense Department employees complete paperwork seeking to have repayment waived for living quarters allowances that were granted to them by mistake.

Indian Aircraft Carrier Passes Engine Tests in Russian Sea Trials RIA Novosti 30 Jul 2013 -- A Russian-built aircraft carrier due to be delivered to the Indian Navy following a much-delayed refit has successfully passed engine tests during the first stage of final sea trials.
Russia Develops Silent Robotic Armored Vehicle RIA Novosti 30 Jul 2013 -- Russia’s Military-Industrial Company has developed and tested a hybrid-powered silent armored personnel carrier that could eventually be remotely operated.

Cash-strapped UK has effectively pulled out of NATO naval groups PressTV 30 Jul 2013 -- The British government has admitted that it has effectively pulled out of the NATO naval missions due to economic hardships.

'Peace Ark' hospital ship leaves Gulf of Aden People's Daily 30 Jul 2013 -- The "Peace Ark" hospital ship of the Navy of the Chinese People's Liberation Army left the waters off the Gulf of Aden.

Taiwan military to prosecute officers involved in death of Army conscript CNA 30 Jul 2013 -- Military prosecutors are expected to formally indict an undisclosed number of officers as early as Wednesday.

U.S. Department of State Daily Press Briefing, July 30, 2013 US Dept. of State 30 Jul 2013

Defense Industry

DoD News: Contracts for July 30, 2013
Russian PM Approves Aviation Industry Development Plan RIA Novosti 30 Jul 2013 -- Russian Prime Minister Dmitry Medvedev has approved a plan to implement a state program on aviation industry development in 2013-2015.

Other Conflicts

Daily Press Briefing by the Office of the Spokesperson for the Secretary-General, 30 July 2013 United Nations 30 Jul 2013

Secretary Kerry Remarks on the Middle East Peace Process Talks US Dept. of State 30 Jul 2013
Formal Mideast Peace Negotiations to Begin by Mid-August VOA 30 Jul 2013 -- Israeli and Palestinian negotiators held a second and final day of preliminary, face-to-face talks in Washington Tuesday.
Middle East diplomatic Quartet welcomes renewed Israeli-Palestinian talks UN News Centre 30 Jul 2013 -- The United Nations and its diplomatic partners in the Middle East Quartet welcomed the resumption of direct talks between Israelis and Palestinians.
Kerry Convinced Mideast Peace Deal Possible VOA 30 Jul 2013 -- U.S. Secretary of State John Kerry said on Tuesday that Israeli and Palestinian negotiators have agreed to convene again in the Middle East within the next two weeks.
Kerry Hopes to Help Seal Final Mideast Peace Deal in 9 Months VOA 30 Jul 2013 -- U.S. Secretary of State John Kerry said that Israeli and Palestinian negotiators have agreed to meet again within the next two weeks.
Israeli, Palestinian Negotiators To Meet Again Within Weeks RFE/RL 30 Jul 2013 -- U.S. Secretary of State John Kerry says Israeli and Palestinian negotiators will hold their next round of peace talks within two weeks in the region.
Fresh Mideast Talks Start, US Pushes Nine-Month Timetable RIA Novosti 30 Jul 2013 -- Israel and Palestinians launched a fresh effort to hammer out a long-elusive peace deal that would result in the creation of a Palestinian state.
Obama Meets Israeli, Palestinian Negotiators VOA 30 Jul 2013 -- U.S. President Barack Obama met privately at the White House with Israeli and Palestinian negotiators Tuesday, a day after the two sides held the first direct peace talks in nearly three years.

Foreign Fighters in Syria a Potential Security Problem in Other Countries VOA 30 Jul 2013 -- The Assad government in Syria is facing tough opposition from rebels who have been joined by militants from other countries.
Surging violence in Syria may impede aid deliveries UN News Centre 30 Jul 2013 -- The United Nations World Food Programme cautioned that it may have difficulty reaching its goal to aid 3 million people inside Syria this month.
Top Kurdish politician killed in bomb blast in Syria PressTV 30 Jul 2013 -- An eminent Kurdish politician has been killed in a car bomb attack in Syria near the Turkish border.

Former Mali PM Keita Takes Lead in Presidential Vote VOA 30 Jul 2013 -- Partial results from Mali's presidential election show that front-runner and former prime minister Ibrahim Boubacar Keita is leading and may win an outright victory.

Hospital: Explosions Kill 24 in Northern Nigeria VOA 30 Jul 2013 -- A hospital official says the death toll from a series of bombings in the northern Nigerian city of Kano has doubled to 24.

Al-Qaeda claims responsibility for Iraq deadly bomb attacks PressTV 30 Jul 2013 -- An al-Qaeda affiliated group in Iraq has claimed responsibility for a series of bombings that killed dozens of people in the Arab country.

China Rules Out High-Level Summit with Japan Over Island Dispute VOA 30 Jul 2013 -- A Chinese government official denies Beijing and Tokyo are planning high-level talks on a territorial dispute that has strained ties between the two Asian powers.

UN mission sets up security zone in eastern DR Congo, gives rebels 48 hour ultimatum UN News Centre 30 Jul 2013 -- The United Nations peacekeeping mission in the Democratic Republic of the Congo announced that will, for the first time, use its intervention brigade.
New UN statistics show alarming rise in rapes in strife-torn eastern DR Congo UN News Centre 30 Jul 2013 -- The recurrent conflict in the Democratic Republic of the Congo’s North Kivu province has led to an alarming rise in rapes and violence against women and girls.

Security Council extends UN peacekeeping missions in Côte d’Ivoire, Cyprus and Darfur UN News Centre 30 Jul 2013 -- The Security Council wrapped up July with the unanimous extension of UN operations in Côte d’Ivoire and Darfur, – and a vote to continue the UN mission in Cyprus.

Call for stronger security for Thai teachers in south IRIN 30 Jul 2013 -- Stronger security is needed for teachers in government schools in Thailand’s deep south, where an ongoing insurgency by Muslim separatist groups has left more than 150 teachers dead since 2004.

150-200 Militants Active in Dagestan – Republic’s Leader RIA Novosti 30 Jul 2013 -- About 150 to 200 militant insurgents are currently active in Russia’s turbulent North Caucasus republic of Dagestan.
Explosives Found in Russia's Dagestan After Rebel Leader Held - Officials RIA Novosti 30 Jul 2013 -- Russia’s Federal Security Service has discovered a large cache of homemade explosives in the capital of Russia's troubled North Caucasus republic of Dagestan.

News Reports

Readout of Secretary Hagel's Call with Egyptian Defense Minister Al-Sisi DoD 30 Jul 2013
Egypt's Muslim Brotherhood Set for Mass March VOA 30 Jul 2013 -- As diplomats call for a peaceful settlement between supporters of ousted Egyptian President Mohamed Morsi and the military-backed interim government, Muslim Brotherhood leaders say there will be no compromise.
EU Diplomat Meets with Egypt's Morsi VOA 30 Jul 2013 -- The European Union's top diplomat has visited ousted Egyptian President Mohamed Morsi, who has been held in an undisclosed location since the military pushed him from power nearly a month ago.
Ashton Meets With Egypt's Morsi RFE/RL 30 Jul 2013 -- After a meeting with ousted Egyptian President Muhammad Morsi, the European Union's foreign policy chief has called on all sides in Egypt to try to resolve the country's increasingly bloody crisis through talks.

Tunisia’s ruling party says open to forming new government PressTV 30 Jul 2013 -- Tunisia’s ruling Ennahda Party says it is open to creating a new government as political tensions escalate between the supporters and opponents of the incumbent government.
Tunisia's Marzouki calls for national unity amid rising tensions PressTV 30 Jul 2013 -- Tunisian President Moncef Marzouki has called on all political parties and figures to close ranks amid mounting tensions between the supporters and opponents of the government.

UN urges greater efforts to tackle Libya challenges UN News Centre 30 Jul 2013 -- The United Nations mission in Libya strongly condemned the recent violence in the country.

China Exports to North Korea Fall VOA 30 Jul 2013 -- Newly released Chinese trade data show that during the first six months of the year, exports to North Korea fell for the first time in four years.
US Veterans Return from N. Korea After Search for Pilot's Remains VOA 30 Jul 2013 -- An 88-year-old American Medal of Honor winner from the Korean War this week wrapped up an unprecedented trip to North Korea.

Chinese Magazine Details Charges Facing Bo Xilai VOA 30 Jul 2013 -- A prominent Chinese current affairs magazine has published what it says are new details of corruption charges against former senior official Bo Xilai.
US, China Begin Human Rights Dialogue VOA 30 Jul 2013 -- U.S. and Chinese officials discuss the sensitive topic of human rights during talks beginning Tuesday in southwest China.
China to Audit Govt. Debt RIA Novosti 30 Jul 2013 -- China’s authorities have ordered large-scale auditing procedures for the government’s debt.

Low-Key Businessman Named Pakistan's President VOA 30 Jul 2013 -- Pakistani lawmakers have elected Mamnoon Hussain, a close political ally of Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif, for the largely ceremonial post of president.
Pakistani Lawmakers Elect Hussain As President RFE/RL 30 Jul 2013 -- Pakistan's Election Commission says Mamnoon Hussain has been elected as the country's next president.
Pakistan lawmakers elects Mamnoon Hussain as new president PressTV 30 Jul 2013 -- Pakistani lawmakers have elected the candidate for the ruling party, Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz, as the country's 12th president.

Zimbabwe's elections may be peaceful - but fair? IRIN 30 Jul 2013 -- The general consensus is that Zimbabwe’s general elections, to be held tomorrow, on 31 July, will take place in relative peace.
Zimbabwe's Mugabe 'Will Step Down' If He Loses Election VOA 30 Jul 2013 -- President Robert Mugabe says he will step down if he loses Zimbabwe's presidential election on Wednesday.
Zimbabwe's Mugabe 'Will Step Down' If He Loses Election VOA 30 Jul 2013 -- President Robert Mugabe says he will step down if he loses Zimbabwe's presidential election on Wednesday.
Mugabe Accused of Rigging Zimbabwe Election VOA 30 Jul 2013 -- Zimbabweans go to the polls for national elections Wednesday with the opposition accusing President Robert Mugabe of trying to rig the vote.

EU Eastern Partnership Program: A Status Checklist RFE/RL 30 Jul 2013 -- Armenia and Georgia last week concluded negotiations on their Association Agreements with the European Union.
Ukraine Denies Refuge to Russian Opposition Activist RIA Novosti 30 Jul 2013 -- Ukraine’s migration authorities have refused to grant political asylum to a Russian opposition activist.

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