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Operations
Defense Policy / Programs
Defense Industry
Other Conflicts
News Reports

Current Operations

• OIF/OEF/OND Casualty Update 30 Aug 2013 [PDF]
• Bomb blast kills Afghan district governor PressTV 30 Aug 2013 -- A bomb attack at a mosque in Afghanistan’s northern province of Kunduz has killed a district governor, his bodyguards and several civilians.
• Australian Troops In Afghanistan Investigated Over 'Misconduct' Report RFE/RL 30 Aug 2013 -- Soldiers from Australia's special forces are under investigation amid allegations that they cut off the hands of at least one dead insurgent in Afghanistan.
• Australia probes reports its troops cut off hands of militant in Afghanistan PressTV 30 Aug 2013 -- Australia has begun an investigation into reports that its Special Forces troops cut off hands of a Taliban militant in Afghanistan for fingerprinting.
• Desert Rats prepare for Afghanistan UK MOD 30 Aug 2013 -- 7th Armoured Brigade personnel have displayed their skills on Salisbury Plain prior to deploying to Afghanistan later this year.
• Yemen Al-Qaeda Leader Reportedly Killed By Drone Strike RFE/RL 30 Aug 2013 -- Reports from Yemen quote unnamed local security officials as saying that a U.S. drone strike has killed an Al-Qaeda leader in the southern part of the country.
• US drone strike kills 3 in Yemen: Tribal source PressTV 30 Aug 2013 -- Three people have died in a US killer drone strike drone in southern Yemen, a tribal source says.

Defense Policy / Programs

• Would International Military Action Against Syria Be Legal? RFE/RL 30 Aug 2013 -- If the US and its allies responded to Syria's alleged use of chemical weapons by launching a military strike without the approval of the UNSC, would it be a violation of international law?
• How Would US Attack on Syria Affect Washington's Asia Pivot? VOA 30 Aug 2013 -- What does a possible U.S. attack on Syria mean for the Obama administration's pivot to Asia, which Washington is presenting as part of its disengagement from wars in Iraq and Afghanistan?
• Champoux: Eighth Army trained, equipped, ready Army News 30 Aug 2013 -- Ulchi Freedom Guardian proved that Eighth Army is trained, equipped and ready, according to the U.S. Army's top operational commander in South Korea.
• NMCB 3 CCAD Chinhae Increase Capabilities with ROK Engineers NNS 30 Aug 2013 -- Seabees from Naval Mobile Construction Battalion 3's Civic Construction Action Detail in Chinhae, Republic of Korea, increased capabilities and interoperability with their ROK counterparts.
• Press Conference by Secretary Hagel and Secretary Gazmin in the Philippines DoD 30 Aug 2013
• Hagel Praises ‘Unbreakable’ U.S.-Philippine Alliance AFPS 30 Aug 2013 -- Defense Secretary Chuck Hagel met with Philippine government and defense leaders and later paid his respects to U.S. troops laid to rest at the Manila American Cemetery.
• US, Philippines Reinforce Defense Ties VOA 30 Aug 2013 -- The U.S. Defense Secretary is in the Philippines, talking to top officials about plans to reinforce defense ties.
• Pentagon Launches Criminal Probe of Russian Helicopter Contracts RIA Novosti 30 Aug 2013 -- The Pentagon has opened a criminal investigation of a US Army aviation unit which granted contracts worth tens of millions of dollars to Russian and US firms.
• Remarks by President Obama and the Presidents of Estonia, Lithuania, and Latvia The White House 30 Aug 2013
• Joint Statement by the United States of America, Republic of Estonia, Republic of Latvia, and Republic of Lithuania The White House 30 Aug 2013
• FACT SHEET: The United States and Estonia - NATO Allies and Global Partners The White House 30 Aug 2013
• Fact Sheet: The United States and Latvia – NATO Allies and Global Partners The White House 30 Aug 2013
• FACT SHEET: The United States and Lithuania – NATO Allies and Global Partners The White House 30 Aug 2013
• Chicago Visits Stirling during Western Pacific Deployment NNS 30 Aug 2013 -- The Los Angeles class fast attack submarine USS Chicago arrived at HMAS Stirling for a visit as part of its deployment to the Western Pacific Aug. 21.
• AWG prepares soldiers for adaptive leadership at Risk Reduction Exercise, NIE 14.1 Army News 30 Aug 2013 -- Members of the U.S. Army Asymmetric Warfare Group are looking at what it takes for soldiers to effectively operate within the subterranean environment.
• The Army Intelligence Center is Established, 1 September 1954 Army News 30 Aug 2013 -- On September 1, 1954, the ACSI officially redesignated the CIC Center as the Army Intelligence Center.
• Navy Releases Final Environmental Impact Statements for At-Sea Training and Testing Activities NNS 30 Aug 2013 -- U.S. Navy publicly released the Final EIS/OEISs Aug. 30 for planned training and testing activities.
• International Marine Task Force Embarks Dutch Ship for Africa Partnership Station NNS 30 Aug 2013 -- An international task force of Marines embarked the Royal Netherlands Navy HNLMS Rotterdam as part of effort to strengthen capabilities with African partner forces.
• Agencies Commit to Transition Assistance Program AFPS 30 Aug 2013 -- The DoD, Veterans Affairs, Labor, Education, the Office of Personnel Management and the Small Business Administration codified their continued commitment to help transitioning service members.
• Russia’s New Bomber to Carry Hypersonic Weapons RIA Novosti 30 Aug 2013 -- Russia’s next generation long-range bomber PAK-DA will be armed with hypersonic weapons.
• Russia Developing Attack Drone From T-50 Fighter Jet RIA Novosti 30 Aug 2013 -- Russia is developing an unmanned combat air vehicle based on the T-50 fifth-generation fighter jet.
• Russian MiG-31 Fighter Jets Good Enough Until ‘At Least 2028’ RIA Novosti 30 Aug 2013 -- Russia’s MiG-31 Foxhound interceptors will stay in service until “at least 2028” or possibly five or 10 years more.
• Russia Unveils Pantsir Air-Defense Command Station at Airshow RIA Novosti 30 Aug 2013 -- A command station for Russia’s Pantsir-S1 mobile air-defense weapon system has been demonstrated for the first time at the MAKS airshow near Moscow.
• Kiev, Moscow Finalize Deal on An-124 Heavy-Lift Plane RIA Novosti 30 Aug 2013 -- Ukraine and Russia are set to sign off on a joint production deal to modernize the An-124 heavy lift transport aircraft.
• Canada purchase of F-35 jets to cost taxpayers $71 bn: Report PressTV 30 Aug 2013 -- A new report shows the Canadian Conservative government’s plans for purchasing F-35 fighter jets could cost under worst-case scenario CAD 71 billion.
• HMS Dragon proves versatile in the Gulf UK MOD 30 Aug 2013 -- In the space of just 7 days Type 45 destroyer HMS Dragon has hosted 4 different types of aircraft during her ongoing operations in the Gulf.
• Xi Jinping aboard first aircraft carrier, watches training People's Daily 30 Aug 2013 -- President Xi Jinping has visited the Shenyang military theater of operations and watched a training session for the country's first aircraft carrier, the Liaoning.
• China's 'Sharp Sword' stealth UAV to make first flight one year later People's Daily 30 Aug 2013 -- Military expert Du Wenlong revealed that China's first stealth UAV will make the first flight after one year and it is in good technical conditions at the present time.
• India's GSAT-7 successfully launched IRNA 30 Aug 2013 -- India's first exclusive satellite for Navy, GSAT-7, was successfully launched.
• N. Korea Expanding Rocket Launch Site VOA 30 Aug 2013 -- A leading U.S. research institute says new satellite imagery shows North Korea has embarked on a major construction program at a launch site used last year to fire a rocket into orbit.

Defense Industry

• DoD News: Contracts for August 30, 2013

Other Conflicts

• Daily Press Briefing by the Office of the Spokesperson for the Secretary-General, 30 August 2013 United Nations 30 Aug 2013
• Syria – Excerpts from the interview given by François Hollande, President of the Republic, to the daily newspaper Le Monde French Ministry of Foreign Affairs 30 Aug 2013
• U.S. Public Wary on Syria VOA 30 Aug 2013 -- One of the lasting political legacies of the Bush years is a sentiment among many Americans that they were duped during the run-up to the Iraq war.
• Obama: Syrian Chemical Weapons Use Threat to US Interests VOA 30 Aug 2013 -- U.S. President Barack Obama said he has not made a final decision on attacking Syria, but made clear he thinks doing so would be in the interest of national security.
• Experts Cite Problems in Possible US Strike on Syria VOA 30 Aug 2013 -- The United States is weighing military action against Syria for its alleged chemical weapons attack on rebel forces and civilians outside Damascus on August 21.
• US Military Has Myriad Ways to Strike Syria in Potential Operation VOA 30 Aug 2013 -- Should the United States decide to go ahead with military action against the Syria, military planners will have a range of air, naval and ground assets at their disposal.
• Syria: Ban begins consultations; chemical weapons team wraps up probe UN News Centre 30 Aug 2013 -- UN Secretary-General Ban cut short an official visit in Europe to return to the world body’s New York Headquarters for a series of consultations with Member States today.
• Government Assessment of the Syrian Government’s Use of Chemical Weapons on August 21, 2013 The White House 30 Aug 2013
• Secretary Kerry Remarks on Syria US Dept. of State 30 Aug 2013
• Kerry: Syrian Government Launched Chemical Attack VOA 30 Aug 2013 -- Secretary of State John Kerry says U.S. intelligence indicates the Syrian government is responsible for last week's alleged chemical weapons attack.
• U.S. Presents Evidence For Accusing Syria's Assad Of Using Chemical Weapons RFE/RL 30 Aug 2013 -- U.S. Secretary of State John Kerry has presented Washington's reasons for accusing the regime of Syrian President Bashar al-Assad of using chemical weapons.
• Obama Ponders Best Timing for Syria Attack VOA 30 Aug 2013 -- Speculation is rife about the possible timing of U.S. air strikes on Syria, after President Barack Obama announced that he is considering a military response to the Syrian army's alleged use of chemical weapons.
• Readout of the President’s Phone Call with President Hollande of France The White House 30 Aug 2013
• US to Seek International Coalition on Syria VOA 30 Aug 2013 -- U.S. Defense Secretary Chuck Hagel says the United States will continue to seek an international coalition in response to Syria's alleged use of chemical weapons.
• US Ramps Up Case for Military Response to Syria VOA 30 Aug 2013 -- The United States continues its campaign to persuade its citizens and the world to back a military response to allegations that Syria has used chemical weapons against civilians.
• UN Inspectors Visit Syrian Military Hospital in Damascus RIA Novosti 30 Aug 2013 -- UN chemical weapons inspectors visited a military hospital in eastern Damascus, as part of their broader investigation into reports that chemical weapons were used on August 21.
• Assad Allies Iran, Russia Consider Syria Options RFE/RL 30 Aug 2013 -- A U.S.-led military intervention in Syria would put Washington on a collision course with two unwavering allies of Syrian President Bashar al-Assad - Iran and Russia.
• US Frustrated by Russian Efforts to ‘Block’ Syria Action at UN RIA Novosti 30 Aug 2013 -- An urgent meeting of the five permanent members of the United Nations Security Council – reportedly called by Russia – ended in less than an hour.
• Israel threatens use of force amid anti-Syria war rhetoric PressTV 30 Aug 2013 -- The Israeli regime has threatened that its military will use ‘great force’ in response to the escalation of violence in the region, specifically Syria.
• German FM rules out his nation's role in military strike against Syria PressTV 30 Aug 2013 -- German Foreign Minister Guido Westerwelle has ruled out his country’s participation in any military against Syria.
• Italy FM warns Syria attack could turn conflict global PressTV 30 Aug 2013 -- Italian Foreign Minister Emma Bonino has warned that a military attack on Syria will risk escalating into “a global conflagration,” saying that diplomacy is the only solution to crisis in the Arab country.
• Despite Veto, UK's Cameron Wants 'Robust Response' on Syria VOA 30 Aug 2013 -- Britain’s leader will still push for a “robust response” in Syria, despite parliament rejecting any military action against the Syrian government.
• U.K. Lawmakers Reject Syria Strikes RFE/RL 30 Aug 2013 -- Britain's parliament has rejected taking military action against Syrian government targets over the regime’s alleged use of chemical weapons.
• Kremlin Unaware of Syrian S-300 Missile Contract Payment - Aide RIA Novosti 30 Aug 2013 -- Moscow has no knowledge of Syria having made payments for Russian-made S-300 surface-to-air missile systems.
• Russia Signed No New Weapons Deals With Syria – Arms Exporter RIA Novosti 30 Aug 2013 -- Russia has signed no new arms supply contracts with Damascus since the start of the civil war in Syria.
• Russian Navy Assault Ships Ready to Evacuate Nationals From Syria RIA Novosti 30 Aug 2013 -- Russian Navy assault ships are ready, if necessary, to rapidly evacuate Russian citizens from Syria.
• UN agencies to continue humanitarian work in Syria despite security challenges UN News Centre 30 Aug 2013 -- United Nations agencies reiterated their commitment to continue providing emergency relief for Syrians inside the country.
• Combatants “recycled” in DRC IRIN 30 Aug 2013 -- M23, currently fighting the Democratic Republic of Congo’s (DRC) army and UN forces near the North Kivu capital of Goma, is just one of more than 30 armed groups in the country’s east.
• M23 Rebels Withdrawing from Positions in E. Congo VOA 30 Aug 2013 -- The political head of the M23 rebel group in eastern Democratic Republic of Congo says its fighters are pulling back from their positions near the city of Goma.
• DRC Accuses Rebel M23 of Shelling Rwanda VOA 30 Aug 2013 -- The Democratic Republic of Congo’s government has denied that its armed forces, known as F.A.R.D.C, have been launching cross-border attacks into Rwanda.
• DR Congo: Ban condemns attacks on civilians, calls on parties to pursue political process UN News Centre 30 Aug 2013 -- Secretary-General Ban condemned the latest bout of violence in the eastern Democratic Republic of the Congo.
• Central African Republic: UN food relief agency scaling-up operations despite deteriorating security UN News Centre 30 Aug 2013 -- The United Nations food relief agency is helping thousands of people displaced by increasing violence in the Central African Republic.
• UN Agencies See Security Deterioration in CAR VOA 30 Aug 2013 -- UN aid agencies report an alarming deterioration in the security situation in the Central African Republic.
• China's refusal of Philippines request meets international law People's Daily 30 Aug 2013 -- "The arbitration request initiated by the Philippines concerning the dispute of the South China sea has no legal ground", Huang Huikang, a senior Chinese diplomat, said.
• 'Don't flaunt ASEAN banner' on the S. China Sea issue People's Daily 30 Aug 2013 -- The top Chinese diplomat said othat China opposes certain ASEAN member nations "trying to tout their own stand as that of the regional organization" on the South China Sea issue.
• Al-Qaeda Group Claims Responsibility For Baghdad Bombings RFE/RL 30 Aug 2013 -- An Al-Qaeda group has claimed responsibility for a wave of bombings across Baghdad that killed more than 70 people and wounded over 200 people.
• Truck Bomb Kills 17 in Iraq as Violence Continues VOA 30 Aug 2013 -- A truck bomb ripped through a busy market north of the Iraqi capital Thursday, killing at least 17 people and wounding dozens of others.
• Indian firing kills 11, injure 31 Pakistanis this year: Advisor IRNA 30 Aug 2013 -- Pakistani parliament was informed that eleven Pakistanis, including eight soldiers, have been killed as the result of Indian unprovoked firing on the Line of Control in the disputed Kashmir region.

News Reports

• Thousands of Morsi supporters stage fresh rallies across Egypt PressTV 30 Aug 2013 -- Thousands of Muslim Brotherhood supporters have staged fresh mass rallies across Egypt in support of ousted president, Mohamed Morsi.
• North Korea Rescinds US Envoy Invitation VOA 30 Aug 2013 -- The U.S. State Department says North Korea has rescinded its offer for a senior U.S. envoy to visit Pyongyang to negotiate the release of a jailed Korean-American.
• China to Launch Corruption Probe Into Former Senior Politician VOA 30 Aug 2013 -- A Hong Kong newspaper says China has decided to start a corruption investigation into retired politician Zhou Yongkang, who until last year was one of the country's elite leaders.
• Analysis: Guinea’s halting fight against impunity IRIN 30 Aug 2013 -- Since 2012, in an unprecedented effort in the country, top security officials in Guinea have been indicted for alleged crimes against civilians.
• Ukraine to Vote on EU/Customs Union Affiliation RIA Novosti 30 Aug 2013 -- Ukraine will decide through popular vote whether to sign a free-trade pact with the European Union or join the rival Russia-led Customs Union, Ukrainian President Viktor Yanukovych said.
• Date Set For Tajik Presidential Election RFE/RL 30 Aug 2013 -- Tajikistan's parliament has set November 6 as the date for the country's next presidential elections.