17 September 2013 Military News

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Defense Policy / Programs
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Current Operations

OIF/OEF/OND Casualty Update 17 Sep 2013 [PDF]

Karzai Says No Rush For Security Deal With U.S. RFE/RL 17 Sep 2013 -- Afghan President Hamid Karzai says his country is in no rush to conclude a security agreement with the United States.
Human rights gains in Afghanistan remain fragile – UN top official UN News Centre 17 Sep 2013 -- A United Nations senior official today called on Afghan authorities to boost efforts to strengthen human rights in the country, noting that despite progress in recent years, they remain fragile as the nation continues its transition period.
Five Arrested In Killing Of Top Afghan Policewoman RFE/RL 17 Sep 2013 -- Five men have been arrested in Afghanistan for their connection to the killing of a top female police officer.
Afghan civilians learn how to operate power plant in Kandahar Army News 17 Sep 2013 -- Afghan civilians learning to run Bagh-e-Pul -- a power plant currently operated by the International Security Assistance Force -- recently started the hands-on phase of their training as to assume responsibility of the plant at the end of this year.
Missouri Guardsmen build bridge helping Currahee movement Army News 17 Sep 2013 -- To bring a measure of ease to vehicular movement, soldiers with the 1438th Engineer MRBC, Missouri National Guard, constructed a Maybe-Johnson bridge in the village of Laka Tiza, Afghanistan, Aug. 30 through Sept. 3.

Buckley nerve center for FEMA flood victims support AFNS 17 Sep 2013 -- With more than a 1,000 people unaccounted for and communities still damaged from flooding, the Federal Emergency Management Agency, staged out of Buckley Air Force Base, Colo., continues providing life-essential materials to Coloradans in need.
Guardsmen Stranded by Rising Waters Resume Their Mission AFPS 17 Sep 2013 -- Sixteen Colorado National Guard members and first responders who were unable to evacuate themselves after they were stopped by rising flood waters Sept. 15 have resumed their regularly scheduled mission.

Defense Policy / Programs

Welsh champions communication, airpower in Air Force update AFNS 17 Sep 2013 -- The Air Force chief of staff discussed airpower and the service’s warfighting capabilities across its core missions.
Energy leader: The smart use of energy helps accomplish the mission AFNS 17 Sep 2013 -- Military and industry leaders discussed the role of energy in helping the Air Force accomplish its mission and current initiatives.
304th Expeditionary Signal Battalion and Third Republic of Korea Army test compatibility of communication Army News 17 Sep 2013 -- Bravo Company, 304th Expeditionary Signal Battalion participated in a joint signal demonstration with the Third Republic of Korea Army in Yongin City, South Korea Sept. 9.
Pacom Forum Promotes Regional Disaster Preparedness AFPS 17 Sep 2013 -- The top U.S. officer who oversees the Defense Department's vast transportation and logistics network shared insights today in how closer cooperation can help Asia-Pacific nations to respond faster and more effectively in the event of a natural disaster or humanitarian crisis.
Opening Ceremony marks start of BSRF-14 USMC News 17 Sep 2013 -- Marines and Sailors with Black Sea Rotational Force 14, and soldiers with the 9th Mechanized Infantry Brigade based in Constanta, Romania, conducted an opening ceremony in celebration of the 14th rotation of BSRF.
Air-Sea Battle concept promotes increased integration to defeat future threats USMC News 17 Sep 2013 -- The classified multi-Service concept on Air-Sea Battle (ASB) has been the subject of much speculation and interest since its release in 2011. The concept remains classified but an unclassified summary is now available for Marines to read and consider its impact on the future of war fighting.
Philippines, US to start joint military drills Iran Press TV 17 Sep 2013 -- The Philippines and the United States are to start joint military drills near the disputed South China Sea waters.
Army developing tool to reduce altitude sickness in deployed Soldiers Army News 17 Sep 2013 -- It is no secret that Soldiers must prevail in all kinds of terrain and climates to complete missions. Afghanistan, for example, boasts mountains with elevations higher than 24,000 feet.
4th Fleet Frigate Offloads $78 Million in Drugs NNS 17 Sep 2013 -- The USS Rentz and its embarked Coast Guard law enforcement detachment transferred $78 Million in confiscated cocaine Sept. 15 to the U.S. Coast Guard cutter Forward.

Video address by NATO Deputy Secretary General Alexander Vershbow to the Conference on International Organisations and the National Security of Ukraine (Kyiv, Ukraine) NATO 17 Sep 2013
Secretary General says NATO is open to expand cooperation with Kyrgyzstan NATO 17 Sep 2013 -- NATO Secretary General Anders Fogh Rasmussen told Kyrgyz President Almazbek Atambayev on Tuesday (17 September 2013) that the Alliance is open to expand its cooperation with Kyrgyzstan, as well as providing support to democratic reforms. "Kyrgyzstan is a valuable partner for NATO," the Secretary General said. "We appreciate your commitment to dialogue and cooperation and we appreciate your commitment to develop your country's democratic institutions."

Russia plans to boost Mediterranean naval presence Iran Press TV 17 Sep 2013 -- Russia plans to further boost its naval force in the Mediterranean Sea by deploying another warship to its existing fleet in the region by the end of September.
Russian Army to Receive New Kalashnikov Assault Rifles in 2014 RIA Novosti 17 Sep 2013 -- Various modifications of a new Kalashnikov AK-12 assault rifle as well as a host of other small arms will be put in service with the Russian armed forces in 2014, a senior government official said.
No Syrian Scenario at Zapad-2013 Drills – Russian Defense Ministry RIA Novosti 17 Sep 2013 -- A scenario involving potential military action in Syria will not be part of the upcoming large-scale Russian-Belarusian military exercise Zapad-2013, a senior Russian defense official said.
Criminal Case Opened Over Russian Nuclear Sub Fire RIA Novosti 17 Sep 2013 -- Russia's Investigative Committee announced Tuesday that officials, who have not been named, will be investigated on abuse of office charges over a recent fire on a nuclear submarine.
Russia Puts Some 20,000 Internal Troops on Training Alert RIA Novosti 17 Sep 2013 -- More than 20,000 of the Russian Interior Ministry's internal troops have been put on alert in preparation for upcoming Russian-Belarusian drills, a senior ministry official said Tuesday.

RAF space monitoring station reaches milestone UK MOD 17 Sep 2013 -- RAF Fylingdales has reached 50 years of service in the fields of space surveillance and missile early warning operations.

IRGC to unveil new domestically developed combat drone Iran Press TV 17 Sep 2013 -- A senior Iranian military commander says the Islamic Revolution Guards Corps (IRGC) will be unveiling a domestically designed and built combat drone in the near future.

Iran, Oman sign MoU to boost defense cooperation Iran Press TV 17 Sep 2013 -- Iranian and Omani defense ministers have inked a memorandum of understanding to strengthen military cooperation between the two countries.

Haiti Moves Toward Rebuilding Army VOA 17 Sep 2013 -- Haiti has taken steps toward rebuilding its military, which was abolished in 1995.

Press Briefing by the Press Secretary Jay Carney , 09/17/13 The White House 17 Sep 2013
U.S. Department of State Daily Press Briefing, September 17, 2013 US Dept. of State 17 Sep 2013

Defense Industry

DoD News: Contracts for September 17, 2013

Other Conflicts

Press Conference by Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon at United Nations Headquarters, 17 September 2013 United Nations 17 Sep 2013
Press Conference by President of Sixty-eighth General Assembly, 17 September 2013 United Nations 17 Sep 2013
Ahead of new General Assembly session, Ban stresses global cooperation to tackle major challenges UN News Centre 17 Sep 2013 -- Secretary-General Ban stressed the need for global cooperation to tackle the world’s most pressing issues.

Video Raises Questions About Possible Iranian Combat Role In Syria RFE/RL 17 Sep 2013 -- Rebels battling Bashar al-Assad's forces in Syria have long claimed Tehran was directly involved in the fight.
Syrian Activists Decry Focus on Chemical Weapons VOA 17 Sep 2013 -- As the international community acts to neutralize Syria's chemical weapons capabilities, some in the Syrian opposition say the brutality of the conventional war is being ignored.
UN Report on Syria Leaves Little Doubt about Chemical Weapons VOA 17 Sep 2013 -- There is a growing consensus that details contained in a U.N. report of last month’s chemical attack in Syria leave little doubt as to who was responsible.
Statement by the Chairman of the NATO-Russia Council on US-Russia framework for the elimination of Syrian chemical weapons NATO 17 Sep 2013 -- Today we convened an extraordinary session of the NATO-Russia Council to discuss Syria.
UN Syria resolution not to refer to Chapter 7 of UN Charter: Lavrov Iran Press TV 17 Sep 2013 -- Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov says the resolution that the United Nations Security Council (UNSC) is to adopt on Syria will not refer to Chapter 7 of the UN Charter, regulating the use of military force against Damascus.
Syrian army gains control of Shabaa on Damascus suburbs Iran Press TV 17 Sep 2013 -- The Syrian army has gained control of the town of Shaba'a on the suburbs of the capital, Damascus, as it continues its fight against foreign-backed militants, Press TV reports.
Chemical Weapons Attack in Syria a 'War Crime' – UN Chief RIA Novosti 17 Sep 2013 -- UN Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon condemned as a "war crime" the deadly attack carried out on a Damascus suburb last month after a UN inspectors' report released Monday said there was "clear and convincing evidence" that chemical weapons were used.
Obama OKs Anti-Chemical Weapons Supplies to Syrian Rebels RIA Novosti 17 Sep 2013 -- The White House said Monday that it had authorized the delivery of supplies and equipment to the Syrian opposition to assist them in defending against chemical weapons as the United States and Russia work on a plan to secure the chemical stockpile of Syrian President Bashar Assad's government.
Russia Calls UN Report on Syria Chemical Attacks Incomplete RIA Novosti 17 Sep 2013 -- Russia's top diplomat called Tuesday for additional investigations into allegations of chemical weapons use in Syria, saying a UN report presented a day earlier had failed to answer certain questions and reiterating Moscow's position that the attack was a "provocation" by opposition forces.
Persons with disabilities 'forgotten victims' of Syrian conflict – UN committee UN News Centre 17 Sep 2013 -- The two and a half-year conflict in Syria has made persons with disabilities extremely vulnerable to gross rights violations on a daily basis, a United Nations committee said today, stressing the need for greater protection of their rights.
Russia, France Split on Syria Arms Report VOA 17 Sep 2013 -- Russia is still saying that Syrian rebels were responsible for a chemical weapons attack outside Damascus on August 21. The news comes after Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov met with his French counterpart Laurent Fabius in Moscow Tuesday to discuss the issue.
Russian, French Foreign Ministers Differ Over Chemical Attack In Syria RFE/RL 17 Sep 2013 -- Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov has said that Russia has "serious grounds" to believe that a chemical-weapons attack that occurred near Damascus last month was a provocation.

Death Toll Jumps in Philippine Standoff as 64 Hostages Rescued VOA 17 Sep 2013 -- The Philippine military says the death toll in the more than week-long standoff with a Muslim rebel faction in the country’s south has surged to at least 90 people.
Philippine Army Gains Ground on Rebels in Zamboanga VOA 17 Sep 2013 -- The Philippine military says troops have rescued 116 hostages in the past 18 hours and recaptured 70 percent of the coastal area recently occupied by rebels in a continuing standoff between the army and Muslim rebels.

2 injured as Pakistan targets Indian forward posts IRNA 17 Sep 2013 -- A Border Security Force personnel and a civilian were injured when Pakistani troops, violating the ceasefire, opened unprovoked and heavy firing on Indian posts along the LoC.

UN envoy urges Israelis and Palestinians to accelerate, not undermine, peace negotiations UN News Centre 17 Sep 2013 -- Efforts for renewed peace prospects in the Middle East should not be neglected amid the turmoil elsewhere in the neighbourhood.
Egyptian border restrictions create misery in Gaza IRIN 17 Sep 2013 -- Residents and officials in Gaza say the repeated closures of the border crossing into Egypt, a key lifeline for Palestinians in the occupied territories, is destroying livelihoods, harming health and lowering basic living conditions.

Russia's FSB Says Umarov Loyalist Behind Attacks RFE/RL 17 Sep 2013 -- Russia's Federal Security Service (FSB) says a subordinate of Chechen rebel leader Doku Umarov is behind attacks in Chechnya and Ingushetia that killed three police officers.

Former Kosovo Rebel Commander Cleared Of War Crimes RFE/RL 17 Sep 2013 -- A former ethnic Albanian rebel commander turned politician has been acquitted of war crimes during the 1998-99 Kosovo conflict.

Bangladesh Sentences Islamic Leader to Death for War Crimes VOA 17 Sep 2013 -- Bangladesh's Supreme Court handed down a death sentence to Abdul Quader Mollah, a leader of the Jemaat-e-Islami party and a top Islamic leader during the country's 1971 war of independence against Pakistan.
Bangladesh Court Condemns Islamic Leader To Death RFE/RL 17 Sep 2013 -- The Supreme Court of Bangladesh on September 17 sentenced a top Islamic leader to death for war crimes committed during the 1971 independence war, rejecting an earlier life sentence imposed by a war crimes tribunal.

First Witness Called in Ruto ICC Trial VOA 17 Sep 2013 -- Prosecutors at the International Criminal Court (ICC) in The Hague have begun calling witnesses in the trial of Kenyan Deputy President William Ruto, who is facing charges of crimes against humanity.
Sudan Insists Bashir be Allowed to Attend UNGA VOA 17 Sep 2013 -- Sudan is insisting President Omar al-Bashir has the right to attend the U.N. General Assembly meetings in New York, despite U.S. warnings he would be unwelcome because of his indictment on war crimes charges.

News Reports

SECNAV Directs Review of Security Procedures NNS 17 Sep 2013 -- Secretary of the Navy Ray Mabus directed a rapid review of Navy and Marine Corps' security procedures Sept. 17 at military bases in the United States.
Pentagon Orders Security Review of All US Military Facilities VOA 17 Sep 2013 -- Defense Secretary Chuck Hagel is ordering a security review of all U.S. military facilities around the world after a gunman shot 12 people to death Monday at the Washington Navy Yard.
Probe Examines Security in Navy Yard Rampage VOA 17 Sep 2013 -- Authorities are questioning how a U.S. military contractor with a history of violence and mental problems could have gotten clearance to enter a Navy base in Washington where he killed 12 people Monday before police shot him dead.

Famously Inflexible Iranian Leader Advocates Flexibility RFE/RL 17 Sep 2013 -- Iranian Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei appears to have softened his position toward international diplomatic dealings.
Obama Wants to Test Iran Leader's Interest in Dialogue VOA 17 Sep 2013 -- President Barack Obama said that Iran's new President Hassan Rouhani appears to want to open a dialogue with the United States and that he is willing to test whether this is the case.
Iran not after nuclear weapons: Ayatollah Khamenei Iran Press TV 17 Sep 2013 -- Leader of the Islamic Revolution Ayatollah Seyyed Ali Khamenei has reiterated Iran's opposition to the possession of nuclear weapons based on the beliefs of the Iranian nation.
Iran wants peace in Strait of Hormuz: Pres. Rouhani Iran Press TV 17 Sep 2013 -- Iran President Hassan Rouhani has reaffirmed the Islamic Republic's determination to maintain peace in the strategic Strait of Hormuz.
Iran will never stop uranium enrichment: Lawmaker Iran Press TV 17 Sep 2013 -- A senior Iranian lawmaker has ruled out the possibility of any cessation in Iran's uranium enrichment activities, saying the measure is the country's inalienable right.

Readout of Secretary Hagel's Call with Egyptian Minister of Defense Gen. Abdel Fattah Al-Sisi DoD 17 Sep 2013

Brazil to bypass US-centric internet amid spy revelations Iran Press TV 17 Sep 2013 -- Brazil has announced plans to bypass the US-centric internet amid revelations that Washington conducts spy operations on web communications.

Burma Signs New Nuclear Deal With IAEA VOA 17 Sep 2013 -- Burma and the U.N. nuclear agency have signed an agreement that will give international inspectors wider access to Burmese facilities.

'Unspeakable atrocities' reported by UN-mandated human rights inquiry on DPR Korea UN News Centre 17 Sep 2013 -- The head of the United Nations-appointed inquiry into human rights violations in the Democratic People's Republic of Korea (DPRK) reported today that testimony heard so far by his team pointed to widespread and serious abuses, including abductions and torture, as well as "unspeakable atrocities" in detention camps.
UN Investigators Accuse N. Korea of Widespread Rights Violations VOA 17 Sep 2013 -- A United Nations Commission of Inquiry accuses North Korea of systematic, widespread and grave violations, which could amount to crimes against humanity.
South Korean Military Defends Shooting of Defector VOA 17 Sep 2013 -- South Korea's Ministry of Defense officially acknowledged the killing of a South Korean citizen as he was trying to cross a river to North Korea, apparently to defect.

Analysis: Untangling China's aid to Africa IRIN 17 Sep 2013 -- This year, the two most powerful men on the globe, presidents Barack Obama and Xi Jinping, both embarked on Africa tours, pledging to increase aid and investment and work with the continent to improve development.
Analysis: Behind China's aid structure IRIN 17 Sep 2013 -- China's role as an aid donor has been met with wariness, both from aid experts and recipients. Confusion over the nature of China's aid arises because the country uses multiple ministries and agencies to give money, has different strategic priorities than traditional Western donors, and does not release detailed reports about how much aid it provides.
China Opens Rare Trial of Investigators Accused of Torture VOA 17 Sep 2013 -- A court in eastern China has opened a rare trial of six corruption investigators accused of torturing to death a public sector engineer whom they were interrogating.

Cambodian Leaders Begin 2nd Day of Talks VOA 17 Sep 2013 -- Cambodian Prime Minister Hun Sen and the country's main opposition leader held a second day of talks Tuesday in hopes of finding a way to resolve a political crisis that has escalated into violence.

Exiled Ugandan General to Lose Parliament Seat VOA 17 Sep 2013 -- A leading Ugandan legislator says exiled army General David Sejusa could lose his seat in Parliament if he fails to attend parliamentary proceedings Wednesday.

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