• Military Menu                       

• Introduction
• Systems
• Facilities
• Agencies
• Industry
• Operations
• Countries
• Hot Documents
• News
• Reports
• Policy
• Budget
• Congress
• Links

• WMD
• Intelligence
• Homeland Security
• Space

Operations
Defense Policy / Programs
Defense Industry
Other Conflicts
News Reports

Current Operations

• OIF/OEF/OND Casualty Update 26 Aug 2013 [PDF]
• US Presidents Often Use Constitutional Power to Intervene Overseas VOA 26 Aug 2013 -- As U.S. President Barack Obama weighs whether to attack Syria for its alleged use of chemical weapons against rebels last week, he must consider significant legal factors.
• Afghan Leader Asks Pakistani PM To Help Encourage Peace Process RFE/RL 26 Aug 2013 -- Afghan President Hamid Karzai has asked Pakistan's Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif to help arrange peace talks between Kabul and Taliban militants.
• Karzai Visits Pakistan for Help on Taliban Peace Talks VOA 26 Aug 2013 -- Afghan President Hamid Karzai met with Pakistan’s new Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif in Islamabad to urge him to help further a troubled political reconciliation process in Afghanistan.
• Pakistan to support Afghan peace process, PM Sharif tells Karzai IRNA 26 Aug 2013 -- Pakistani Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif assured the visiting Afghan President Hamid Karzai of his country’s support to the peace and reconciliation process in the war-torn Afghanistan.
• Karzai urges Pakistan to facilitate peace talks with Taliban PressTV 26 Aug 2013 -- Afghan President Hamid Karzai has called on Pakistani authorities to facilitate controversial peace talks between his country and the Taliban.
• US bombs police checkpoint in Afghanistan; casualties reported PressTV 26 Aug 2013 -- US forces have bombarded a police checkpoint in Afghanistan’s central province of Wardak, causing several casualties.
• Kalak Hode 5: Showing the ANA what right looks like (Part 1) Army News 26 Aug 2013 -- Despite recent setbacks in Afghanistan this month, the allied war strategy to hand off control of the nation's security to Afghan National Security Forces in 2014 is still on track.
• Kalak Hode 5: Showing the ANA what right looks like (Part 2) Army News 26 Aug 2013 -- A recent partnered operation, named Kalak Hode 5, came to a close late September.
• Route Lion extension opens a road of possibilities Army News 26 Aug 2013 -- Over the last decade Afghan National Security Forces have worked diligently with their International Security Assistance Force partners to grow and improve their combat capabilities.
• ANA stands up new Special Operations Brigade in Paktya Army News 26 Aug 2013 -- The new brigade is the first of its kind, bringing together hundreds of Afghan special forces commandos under a streamlined command at the ANA 203rd Corps headquarters.

Defense Policy / Programs

• Remarks by Secretary Hagel and Minister of Defense Purnomo to Indonesian troops in Jakarta, Indonesia DoD 26 Aug 2013
• Joint Press Conference with Secretary Hagel and Minister of Defense Purnomo in Jakarta, Indonesia DoD 26 Aug 2013
• Hagel Announces U.S. Deal to Sell Helicopters to Indonesia AFPS 26 Aug 2013 -- In a first-of-its-kind deal worth about $500 million, the United States has agreed to sell eight new Apache AH-64E attack helicopters and Longbow radars to Indonesia.
• US Significantly Boosts Military Funding for SE Asia VOA 26 Aug 2013 -- The United States has announced a major increase in U.S. funding for military education and training programs in Southeast Asia.
• U.S., Chinese Navies Exercise Counterpiracy in Gulf of Aden AFPS 26 Aug 2013 -- After concluding an ambitious counterpiracy exercise yesterday with the Chinese navy, members of the U.S. 5th Fleet expressed hope it will lay groundwork for closer future cooperation.
• Statement by NSC Spokesperson Caitlin Hayden on National Security Advisor Susan Rice’s Meetings with Israeli Delegation The White House 26 Aug 2013
• Air Force struggles to fill pilot slots for drones: Report PressTV 26 Aug 2013 -- The US Air Force is having trouble finding volunteers to fill its unpopular drone pilot spots despite the increasing role of unmanned aircraft in US assassination and surveillance missions.
• Army's manufacturing improvements yield lighter body armor Army News 26 Aug 2013 -- Soldiers facing rugged terrain and extreme temperatures are continually searching for ways to reduce the weight of their gear.
• USS Carter Hall Arrives in Seychelles for Port Visit NNS 26 Aug 2013 -- Sailors and Marines aboard the amphibious dock landing ship USS Carter Hall arrived in Port Victoria, Seychelles for a port visit, Aug. 25.
• USS Denver Conducts Cultural Exchange, Departs Darwin, Australia NNS 26 Aug 2013 -- Amphibious transport dock ship USS Denver, with the embarked 31st Marine Expeditionary Unit, departed Darwin, Australia, Aug. 26.
• USS Hampton Visits Singapore during Western Pacific Deployment NNS 26 Aug 2013 -- The San Diego based USS Hampton arrived at Changi Naval Base Singapore Aug. 22 for a visit during a deployment to the Western Pacific.
• USS Bainbridge Arrives in Seychelles for Port Visit NNS 26 Aug 2013 -- Guided-missile destroyer USS Bainbridge arrived in Port Victoria, Seychelles for a port visit, Aug. 26.
• USS Pearl Harbor Completes Pacific Partnership 2013, Returns to San Diego NNS 26 Aug 2013 -- USS Pearl Harbor returned to San Diego Aug. 26 after more than three months in the Indo-Asia Pacific region for Pacific Partnership 2013.
• Vigilant Eagle Continues Closer U.S.-Russian Cooperation AFPS 26 Aug 2013 -- Beginning tomorrow, fighter jets from the North American Aerospace Defense Command and the Russian air force will scramble during an air defense exercise.
• S.C. Guardsmen train to protect skies over National Capital Region Army News 26 Aug 2013 -- The 1st Battalion, 362nd Air Defense Artillery initiated the road to war with an initial assessment to validate a unit for their National Capital Region mission.
• SP-MAGTF CR trains with Spanish soldiers USMC News 26 Aug 2013 -- Marines and sailors with Special Purpose Marine Air-Ground Task Force Crisis Response, joined forces with the Spanish army for bilateral live-fire training at the Principe Training Camp in Spain.
• Airmen train for contingency operations AFNS 26 Aug 2013 -- Members of the 736th Security Forces Squadron provide an integrated force protection element that arrives first at operating locations.
• US Jury Considers Sentence for Fort Hood Shooter VOA 26 Aug 2013 -- Family members of U.S. soldiers killed in a shooting rampage at Fort Hood, Texas in 2009 are testifying at the sentencing phase of the shooter's trial.
• Victims of Fort Hood Shooter Tell Court of Their Suffering VOA 26 Aug 2013 -- In a courtroom at Fort Hood, Texas Monday, Major Nidal Hasan sat quietly as witness after witness described how their lives were shattered when he went on a murderous shooting rampage.
• Remarks by the President in Presentation of the Medal of Honor to Staff Sergeant Ty M. Carter The White House 26 Aug 2013
• Staff Sgt. Ty Carter receives Medal of Honor at White House Army News 26 Aug 2013 -- Staff Sgt. Ty Michael Carter became the second Soldier to receive the nation's highest military award for extraordinary gallantry and selfless actions during the Battle of Kamdesh.
• Strike Fighter Squadron 106 Commanding Officer Relieved of Duties NNS 26 Aug 2013 -- The commanding officer of Strike Fighter Squadron One Zero Six based at Naval Air Station Oceana was relieved of his duties Aug. 26 by Commander, Naval Air Force Atlantic.
• USS Shoup Command Master Chief Relieved NNS 26 Aug 2013 -- The command master chief of USS Shoup was relieved of his duties on Aug. 26 following a substantiated assault charge for grabbing the uniform shirt of a junior Sailor who was not wearing the proper uniform.
• Japan Scrambles Fighter Jets to Meet Russian Planes RIA Novosti 26 Aug 2013 -- The Japanese Defense Ministry has scrambled its interceptors for the second time in four days in response to the approach of Russian military airplanes.
• Russia Developing Unmanned Next-Generation Fighter – General RIA Novosti 26 Aug 2013 -- Russian designers are proceeding with development of an unmanned “sixth-generation” fighter jet.
• Italian Military Inspectors to Fly over Russia RIA Novosti 26 Aug 2013 -- Italian military inspectors will fly over the territory of Russia starting from Monday under the international Open Skies Treaty.
• Hard intentions behind Japan's "soft breakthrough" People's Daily 26 Aug 2013 -- A high-profile launch ceremony for the "Izumo" destroyer was held on August 6th, displaying Japan's militaristic ambitions to the world in the form of this "quasi carrier".
• How important is the power of an aircraft carrier? People's Daily 26 Aug 2013 -- Whilst many media discuss aircraft carriers, they often ignore their power systems.
• Taiwan unit displays helicopter maintenance work CNA 26 Aug 2013 -- A Taiwan Army aviation unit is to be honored as a military model group of the year.
• Iran Army to unveil new air defense achievements PressTV 26 Aug 2013 -- A senior Iranian commander says the country plans to unveil a number of new air defense accomplishments in the near future.
• Press Briefing by Press Secretary Jay Carney, 8/26/2013 The White House 26 Aug 2013
• U.S. Department of State Daily Press Briefing, August 26, 2013 US Dept. of State 26 Aug 2013

Defense Industry

• DoD News: Contracts for August 26, 2013
• Atlant Rising: Russia Fights to Lead Airship Revival RIA Novosti 26 Aug 2013 -- Airships are cheaper to fly than helicopters and airplanes, can carry more cargo than heavier-than-air flying vehicles and are capable of reaching remote and hard-to-reach areas.

Other Conflicts

• Daily Press Briefing by the Office of the Spokesperson for the Secretary-General, 26 August 2013 United Nations 26 Aug 2013
• Obama Weighs Syria Decision VOA 26 Aug 2013 -- When President Barack Obama makes a decision about a response to the August 21 chemical weapons attack in Syria, the White House says he will lay out the case to the American people and the world.
• US Military Has Myriad Ways to Strike Syria in Potential Operation VOA 26 Aug 2013 -- U.S. military planners have a range of air, naval and ground assets that could be used against Syria in response to a suspected chemical attack.
• US: Must be Accountability for Syria Chemical Weapons Attack VOA 26 Aug 2013 -- U.S. Secretary of State John Kerry says Syria's government is trying to destroy evidence of what he says is its use of chemical weapons against civilian targets near the capital last week.
• UN Chemical Weapons Team Takes Blood from Victims VOA 26 Aug 2013 -- United Nations inspectors have taken blood samples from the victims of last week's alleged chemical weapons attack by the Syrian military.
• Secretary Kerry Remarks on Syria US Dept. of State 26 Aug 2013
• Phone conversation of Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov with US Secretary of State John Kerry The Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the Russian Federation 26 Aug 2013
• Kerry Calls Use Of Chemical Weapons In Syria A 'Moral Obscenity' RFE/RL 26 Aug 2013 -- U.S. Secretary of State John Kerry has said that President Barack Obama wants to hold accountable those who used chemical weapons in Syria last week.
• Kerry: Use of Chemical Weapons in Syria 'Obscene' VOA 26 Aug 2013 -- U.S. Secretary of State John Kerry says it is "undeniable" that chemical weapons recently were used in Syria, and he calls the action a "moral obscenity."
• Syria: UN chemical weapons team reaches inspection site UN News Centre 26 Aug 2013 -- The team of United Nations inspectors probing the possible use of chemical weapons in Syria spent its first day in the suburbs of Damascus at the site of the alleged incident.
• UN Chemical Weapons Team Visits Damascus Suburb VOA 26 Aug 2013 -- U.N. inspectors have visited a Damascus suburb to meet victims of suspected chemical weapon attacks.
• UN Inspectors Visit Alleged Chemical Attack Site RFE/RL 26 Aug 2013 -- UN weapons inspectors have visited the site of an alleged chemical weapons attack in a western suburb of Damascus.
• UN Team Reaches Syria ‘Gas Attack’ Site Despite Sniper Fire RIA Novosti 26 Aug 2013 -- UN chemical weapons experts reached the site of an alleged poison gas attack outside Damascus hours after their convoy came under sniper fire.
• Russia Warns West Against Military Action in Syria VOA 26 Aug 2013 -- Russia’s Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov has called on Western states to “avoid past mistakes” and not take military action in Syria.
• Russian FM Blasts West Over Syrian Chemical Weapons RIA Novosti 26 Aug 2013 -- Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov slammed Western countries for suggesting the Syrian government carried out a chemical attack earlier this month.
• Germany Urges Action If Syria ‘Poison Gas Attack’ Proved RIA Novosti 26 Aug 2013 -- Germany has called on the international community to act if the allegation that the Syrian government used poison gas against its civilians proves to be true.
• Germany’s defense minister sees ‘no outside military intervention’ in Syria PressTV 26 Aug 2013 -- Germany’s Defense Minister Thomas de Maiziere says he sees no outside military intervention in Syria.
• All Contracts with Russia ‘on Track’ – Syria’s Assad RIA Novosti 26 Aug 2013 -- All the contracts Syria has signed with Russia are being implemented despite pressure from the West, Syrian President Bashar Assad said.
• Failure awaits any US attack on Syria: President Assad PressTV 26 Aug 2013 -- Syrian President Bashar al-Assad has warned that ‘failure awaits the United States’ if it launches a war on his country.
• Mali's MNLA Rebels Look to Talks, Greater Autonomy in North VOA 26 Aug 2013 -- Mali's president-elect, Ibrahim Boubacar Keita, takes the oath of office on September 4.
• Attacks on Civilians in Nigeria's Northeast US Dept. of State 26 Aug 2013
• US Concerned About Escalating DRC Violence VOA 26 Aug 2013 -- Renewed fighting in the Democratic Republic of Congo between government soldiers and M23 rebels has brought expression of concern from the United States.
• Clashes in DRC’s Ituri District displace thousands IRIN 26 Aug 2013 -- Thousands of people have been displaced by clashes between government forces and an armed group in northeast Democratic Republic of Congo’s Ituri District.
• Collective efforts essential for progress as Somalia faces critical moment – UN envoy UN News Centre 26 Aug 2013 -- The top UN envoy in Somalia stressed that efforts from the Government as well as regional and international organizations are needed to achieve progress.
• Palestinians Cancel Peace Talks After Israeli Forces Kill Three RFE/RL 26 Aug 2013 -- Media reports quoting Palestinian officials say the Palestinian leadership has canceled a round of peace talks with Israel scheduled for August 26.
• UN agency urges restraint after staff member is shot dead by Israeli forces UN News Centre 26 Aug 2013 -- The UN agency tasked with assisting Palestinian refugees called for restraint from all parties after receiving confirmation that one of its staff members was shot and killed.
• Attacks Across Iraq Kill Dozens RFE/RL 26 Aug 2013 -- A series of attacks across Iraq has killed at least 46 people and wounded dozens of others.
• Breakaway Georgian Regions Mark Fifth Anniversary Of Russian Recognition RFE/RL 26 Aug 2013 -- Georgia's breakaway regions of South Ossetia and Abkhazia are marking the fifth anniversary of Russia's recognition of their independence.

News Reports

• CIA files show agency was involved in Iraq’s gas attack on Iran PressTV 26 Aug 2013 -- Newly declassified CIA documents show that the United States had a hand in Iraq’s deadly chemical attacks on Iran during the 1980-1988 war against the Islamic Republic.
• China Prosecutors Push for Severe Bo Xilai Sentence VOA 26 Aug 2013 -- Chinese prosecutors wrapped up their case in the trial of fallen political star Bo Xilai by urging the court to impose a severe punishment.
• Bo's trial ends, verdict to be announced later People's Daily 26 Aug 2013 -- The trial of Bo Xilai, charged with bribery, embezzlement and abuse of power, concluded at 1:04 p.m. Monday at Jinan Intermediate People's Court.
• Muslim Missionaries Make Kyrgyz Inroads Through Bangladeshi Madrasah RFE/RL 26 Aug 2013 -- A conservative Sunni Muslim movement that is banned in most of Central Asia has made inroads into Kyrgyzstan.
• Ghana King Urges Citizen Confidence in Supreme Court VOA 26 Aug 2013 -- In Ghana, the paramount king of Akyem Abuakwa, has called on citizens to be confident that the Supreme Court will hand down the right ruling this week on the validity of the 2012 presidential elections.
• Russia Reiterates Offer to Help Clean Up Fukushima Radiation RIA Novosti 26 Aug 2013 -- Russia’s state-owned nuclear utility, Rosenergoatom, has reiterated an offer to help Japan clean up contamination at the disaster-hit Fukushima nuclear power plant.