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Operations
Defense Policy / Programs
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News Reports

Current Operations

• OIF/OEF/OND Casualty Update 18 Sep 2013 [PDF]
• Gunmen kill Afghan official in Kunduz PressTV 18 Sep 2013 -- The head of the Independent Election Commission in northern Afghanistan’s Kunduz Province has been killed by unknown gunmen.
• US drone attacks kill five in east Afghanistan PressTV 18 Sep 2013 -- At least five Afghans have been killed in US-led airstrikes in the northeastern province of Kunar.
• Arsenal makes final shipment to the Afghan National Army, supporting US troop withdrawal Army News 18 Sep 2013 -- A final shipment of 60mm mortars left the arsenal this week en route to the Afghanistan National Army.
• Afghan Women Silenced by Fear VOA 18 Sep 2013 -- Women in Afghanistan are increasingly worried about a return to the repressive policies of the past as international combat forces leave the country.
• Taliban Commander Said Killed In Karachi Operation RFE/RL 18 Sep 2013 -- A Taliban commander has been killed in an ongoing operation against militants and criminals in Pakistan's commercial hub, Karachi.

Defense Policy / Programs

• Defense Department Press Briefing by Secretary Hagel and General Dempsey in the Pentagon Briefing Room DoD 18 Sep 2013
• Aegis Ballistic Missile Defense System Completes Successful Intercept Flight Test DoD 18 Sep 2013
• Strategy, Threats, Resources Must Balance, Winnefeld Says AFPS 18 Sep 2013 -- The tough fiscal environment means the Air Force must make investment choices that protect America and its interests today, but also in the future.
• Quadrennial Defense Review sparks shift from industrial to information age AFNS 18 Sep 2013 -- In order to provide air superiority through difficult fiscal conditions, the Air Force must find ways to break paradigms and become affordable with sequestration level funding.
• Combat air forces leader describes role, requirement of future force AFNS 18 Sep 2013 -- The leader of Air Combat Command unveiled his assessment of the blueprint required for the combat air forces in the 2020s.
• KC-46 progress hinges on requirements, funding stability AFNS 18 Sep 2013 -- An Air Force official here Sept. 17 announced production and high-priority upgrade plans to refresh its fleet of KC-135 Stratotankers.
• Generals speak to importance, relevancy of nuclear enterprise AFNS 18 Sep 2013 -- Three Air Force generals discussed the state of the service’s nuclear enterprise.
• Shelton talks space, cyberspace at AFA Air and Space Conference AFNS 18 Sep 2013 -- Air Force Space Command's top official said sequestration is the biggest threat to the nation's space and cyberspace capabilities.
• Global readiness remains paramount Army News 18 Sep 2013 -- The commander of U. S. Army Forces Command, Gen. Daniel B. Allyn, addressed "Global Responsiveness and Regional Engagement" during the Maneuver Warfighter Conference.
• Strategic landpower must remain focus Army News 18 Sep 2013 -- The commanding general of the U.S. Army's Training and Doctrine Command said he believes the Army should increase its focus on Strategic Landpower.
• First Rotational U.S. Army Unit to Deploy to South Korea AFPS 18 Sep 2013 -- The Marines have a rotational element that deploys to Darwin, Australia, as part of the U.S. rebalance to the Asia-Pacific region. The Navy has started littoral combat ship rotations in Singapore.
• Media Roundtable with Deputy Secretary of Defense Carter in Delhi, India DoD 18 Sep 2013
• Readout of Deputy Secretary Carter's Visit to India DoD 18 Sep 2013
• Success of India, Pakistan Critical to Region, Carter Says AFPS 18 Sep 2013 -- Deputy Defense Secretary Ash Carter today wrapped up a weeklong overseas trip that included stops in Afghanistan, Pakistan and India.
• U.S. Foreign Military Sales Promote Security Cooperation AFPS 18 Sep 2013 -- Though 2012 was a banner fiscal year with $69.1 billion in foreign military sales, that program and others like it are not in the business of selling equipment.
• US Attorney Gen. Urged to Back Russian Helicopter Investigation RIA Novosti 18 Sep 2013 -- A group of US lawmakers is urging Attorney General Eric Holder to assist the Pentagon’s criminal investigation into contracts for the maintenance and overhaul of Mi-17 helicopters.
• New guided munition sensors are greater than sum of their parts Army News 18 Sep 2013 -- Scientists were able to make ten ordinary, automotive-grade inertial sensors work together to perform "orders of magnitude" better.
• USS Cowpens Departs for Deployment NNS 18 Sep 2013 -- The Ticonderoga-class guided-missile cruiser USS Cowpens departed Sept. 17 for a seven-month, Western Pacific deployment.
• APS 13 sets sail for Africa after months of training USMC News 18 Sep 2013 -- Marines and sailors with Security Cooperation Task Force Africa Partnership Station 13 board the Royal Netherlands Navy landing platform dock HNLMS Rotterdam.
• Putin Urges Russian Weaponry Makers to Keep Up With Demands RIA Novosti 18 Sep 2013 -- Russian President Vladimir Putin urged his country’s arms manufacturers to produce weapons that are superior to those of possible adversaries.
• Tajik Parliament to Ratify Extension of Russian Base Lease RIA Novosti 18 Sep 2013 -- Tajikistan’s parliament is expected to promptly ratify a deal that extends Russia’s lease of a military base in the Central Asian nation that borders Afghanistan.
• Latvia Sounds Alarm Over Russian Warplane Flights RIA Novosti 18 Sep 2013 -- Latvia’s defense minister on Wednesday slammed frequent flights by Russian warplanes near the country’s airspace.
• Russian Military Officers Steal Fuel for Tank Biathlon – Prosecutors RIA Novosti 18 Sep 2013 -- No matter how exotic was the purpose of the drill, three Russian military officers managed to resort to the common crime of theft when arranging it.
• Royal Navy on exercise in the Persian Gulf UK MOD 18 Sep 2013 -- British warships have taken part in their first major exercise in the Persian Gulf since passing through the Suez Canal last week.
• Iran’s 27th fleet docks at Port Sudan PressTV 18 Sep 2013 -- Iran’s 27th fleet of warships has docked at a Sudanese port in the Red Sea after patrolling the high seas to safeguard Iranian commercial vessels and oil tankers.
• Press Briefing by Press Secretary Jay Carney, 9/18/2013 The White House 18 Sep 2013
• U.S. Department of State Daily Press Briefing, September 18, 2013 US Dept. of State 18 Sep 2013

Defense Industry

• DoD News: Contracts for September 18, 2013
• Boeing to Complete Production of C-17 Globemaster III in 2015 Boeing 18 Sep 2013 -- Boeing will complete production of the C-17 Globemaster III and close the C-17 final assembly facility in Long Beach, Calif. in 2015.
• New Boeing Jetliner Has First Test Flight VOA 18 Sep 2013 -- The newest addition to the Boeing 787 line of passenger jets completed its first test flight Tuesday.

Other Conflicts

• Daily Press Briefing by the Office of the Spokesperson for the Secretary-General, 18 September 2013 United Nations 18 Sep 2013
• Political missions ‘indispensable’ for peace and security, UN reports UN News Centre 18 Sep 2013 -- Political missions deployed in volatile environments around the world are making a proven difference.
• Could US, Iran Agree On Syria Without Assad? VOA 18 Sep 2013 -- More than two years after President Barack Obama said it was time for Syria’s president to go, Bashar al-Assad is still in power in Damascus.
• Iran Keeps Low Profile in Syria Diplomacy VOA 18 Sep 2013 -- Syria’s main ally, Russia, has taken on a central role in the effort to get President Bashar al-Assad to give up his chemical weapons.
• Ex-Pentagon Chiefs Criticize Obama, Putin on Syria RIA Novosti 18 Sep 2013 -- Former US Defense Secretary Robert Gates did not mince words this week when asked if he trusts Washington and Moscow plan to secure Syria’s chemical stockpiles.
• Military Assets Ready to Back Up Diplomatic Push With Syria AFPS 18 Sep 2013 -- U.S. military assets remain ready to launch attacks if the diplomatic efforts to secure and dismantle the Syrian regime’s chemical arms should fail, senior defense officials said.
• Syria Weapons Deal Could Change Dynamic of War VOA 18 Sep 2013 -- Middle East analysts say the agreement to dismantle Syria’s chemical weapons is a potential game-changer in the bloody civil war.
• Syria Peace Talks Elusive Despite Chemical Weapons Diplomacy VOA 18 Sep 2013 -- The U.S.-Russian framework for eliminating Syrian chemical weapons does not address the political divisions that have long delayed peace talks.
• Syria Thanks Russia, Gives 'New Evidence' Rebels Behind Chemical Attack RFE/RL 18 Sep 2013 -- Syrian President Bashar al-Assad has thanked Syria's main ally Russia for supporting his regime and said Moscow is helping "create...a new global balance."
• UN Experts to Return to Syria 'Within Weeks' VOA 18 Sep 2013 -- The chief U.N. chemical weapons inspector says his team will return to Syria "within weeks" to follow up on several more allegations of chemical weapons use.
• Russia’s UN Envoy Urges Inspectors’ Return to Syria RIA Novosti 18 Sep 2013 -- Russia’s UN envoy Vitaly Churkin called for an “immediate return” of organization’s inspectors to Syria for additional investigations into alleged use of chemical weapons.
• Russia to Submit Its Syria Chemical Attack Findings to UN RIA Novosti 18 Sep 2013 -- Moscow will soon submit to the United Nations findings indicating that the Syrian opposition had used chemical weapons during the deadly civil war, the Russian foreign minister said.
• Syria Hands Russia Proof on Rebels’ Use of Chemical Weapons RIA Novosti 18 Sep 2013 -- The Syrian authorities handed over to Russia evidence proving that opposition forces were allegedly involved in the use of chemical weapons last month, a senior Russian diplomat said.
• Assad Thanks Russia for Support Against Foreign Intervention – SANA RIA Novosti 18 Sep 2013 -- Syria’s President Bashar Assad thanked Moscow for supporting Damascus as it was confronted with the threat of foreign intervention and terrorism.
• UN Powers Discuss Security Council Resolution On Syria RFE/RL 18 Sep 2013 -- The five permanent members of the United Nations Security Council have met in New York to discuss a resolution on Syria but conceded afterward that the effort failed to make much headway.
• Syrian Christians in Limbo, Fearing Repeat of Iraq VOA 18 Sep 2013 -- Syria’s Christians dread the upsurge of radical Islamic fundamentalism among rebels battling to oust President Bashar al-Assad.
• Philippine Troops Clearing City Attacked by Rebels VOA 18 Sep 2013 -- Philippine troops conducted house-to-house raids Wednesday in what they hope is a final push against rebels who took over parts of a key southern city.
• Mindanao crisis deepens as displacement tops 100,000 IRIN 18 Sep 2013 -- Aid workers are struggling to provide assistance to more than 100,000 people displaced by fighting in Mindanao.
• Nigerian Army Deploys Troops to Fight 'Ethnic Militia Groups' VOA 18 Sep 2013 -- The Nigerian army has deployed hundreds of troops to combat what it calls “ethnic militia groups” in central Nigeria.
• Nigerian army kills 150 Boko Harem militants PressTV 18 Sep 2013 -- The Nigerian military says its forces have killed about 150 Boko Haram militants in an operation carried out in the country’s northeast.
• HRW Urges UN to Sanction CAR's Seleka Leaders VOA 18 Sep 2013 -- Human Rights Watch is calling on the U.N. Security Council to sanction leaders of the Central African Republic’s Seleka coalition.
• 80,000 people displaced by fresh fighting in DR Congo over past month UN News Centre 18 Sep 2013 -- Some 80,000 people have been driven from their homes in a new outbreak of violence in the eastern Democratic Republic of the Congo.
• Egypt reopens Rafah border crossing PressTV 18 Sep 2013 -- Egyptian officials have reopened the Rafah border crossing with the besieged Gaza Strip after a weeklong shutdown.
• 3 soldiers killed, 9 injured in Egypt’s Sinai: Security officials PressTV 18 Sep 2013 -- At least three Egyptian soldiers have been killed and 10 others injured in a car bomb attack targeting a military intelligence office in Egypt’s Sinai.
• Security Council extends UN peace mission in Liberia for another year UN News Centre 18 Sep 2013 -- The Security Council extended the mandate of the United Nations Mission in Liberia for another year.
• A long wait for justice in Libya IRIN 18 Sep 2013 -- Abdullah Al-Sanussi, the former head of Libyan military intelligence and Gaddafi’s brother-in-law, is accused of crimes at Abu Salim, including orchestrating the massacre of more than 1,200 prisoners in 1996.
• Cambodia: UN-backed genocide tribunal secures loan to pay national staff UN News Centre 18 Sep 2013 -- The United Nations has secured a loan from major donors to meet the salaries of national staff working for the tribunal responsible for trying genocide suspects in Cambodia.
• One Dead in Aftermath of Bangladeshi War Criminal's Resentencing VOA 18 Sep 2013 -- One person has died after being hit by stones in Bangladesh as demonstrators protest the death sentence of a senior Islamist leader for war crimes.
• U.S. Judge Says Suspected Bosnian War Criminal Eligible For Extradition RFE/RL 18 Sep 2013 -- A U.S. judge has approved the extradition of a former Bosnian prison-camp guard to his native Bosnia.

News Reports

• Carter to Lead Panels on Base Security, Personnel Clearance AFPS 18 Sep 2013 -- “Obviously, something went wrong” in security procedures at the Washington Navy Yard, where a gunman killed 12 workers.
• Mabus Orders Security Clearance Reviews NNS 18 Sep 2013 -- Secretary of the Navy Ray Mabus announced Sept. 18 three new reviews to better understand the circumstances under which security clearances are granted and renewed.
• US Navy Yard Gunman Was Treated for Mental Illness VOA 18 Sep 2013 -- More details have emerged about the private contractor who fatally shot 12 people Monday at the Washington Navy Yard.
• Additional Emergency Family Assistance Center Established to Support Victims of WNY Shootings NNS 18 Sep 2013 -- In the aftermath of the shooting at the Washington Navy Yard, Naval District Washington established an Emergency Family Assistance Center.
• Breakthroughs expected in Iran’s nuclear issue: AEOI head PressTV 18 Sep 2013 -- The Atomic Energy Organization of Iran says there will be breakthroughs in efforts to settle dispute over Iran's nuclear energy program.
• Iran-Owned New York Building Seized RFE/RL 18 Sep 2013 -- The U.S. Justice Department says it has conducted the biggest seizure of terrorism-related assets in history, confiscating a 36-story New York City building from an Iranian group.
• Release of Political Prisoners in Iran US Dept. of State 18 Sep 2013
• Iranian Prisoner Release Seen As Harbinger Of Reforms RFE/RL 18 Sep 2013 -- Iran's unexpected release on September 18 of about a dozen political prisoners is being seen as the first tangible sign of change in the country.
• Prominent Iranian Human Rights Lawyer Released From Jail RFE/RL 18 Sep 2013 -- Prominent Iranian human rights lawyer Nasrin Sotoudeh has been released from jail.
• N. Korean Call for New Nuclear Talks Prompts Wary US Response VOA 18 Sep 2013 -- North Korea has called again for the resumption of multi-nation talks on its nuclear program.
• North Korea Presses for Resumption of Nuclear Talks VOA 18 Sep 2013 -- China says North Korea is willing to work with Beijing on restarting six-party talks on its nuclear program.
• Chinese court to announce verdict on Bo's case on Sept. 22 People's Daily 18 Sep 2013 -- The Jinan Intermediate People's Court announced that it will deliver the verdict on Bo Xilai's case at 10 a.m. on Sept. 22.
• Opposition boycotts Bahrain reconciliation talks after ex-MP arrest PressTV 18 Sep 2013 -- Main Bahraini opposition groups have boycotted the country’s national reconciliation talks to protest against the arrest of a top opposition figure.
• Ahead of polls in Guinea, UN Peacebuilding Commission commends progress made UN News Centre 18 Sep 2013 -- The United Nations Peacebuilding Commission has called on all politicians and leaders in Guinea to honour their commitments.
• ICC Judge Warns Against Exposing Ruto Trial Witnesses VOA 18 Sep 2013 -- A judge in the trial of Kenya's Deputy President William Ruto has warned the public not to reveal the identity of protected prosecution witnesses.
• Mugabe's New Government Faces Old Challenges VOA 18 Sep 2013 -- Zimbabwe President Robert Mugabe officially opened the new parliament this week, with his ZANU-PF party now firmly in control after July's elections.
• Nigeria Ruling Party ‘Resolving’ Internal Rift VOA 18 Sep 2013 -- A spokesman for Nigeria’s ruling People’s Democratic Party says senior officials of the group are trying to resolve internal wrangling that threatens to break the party apart in the run-up to the 2015 general election.
• Cambodian Opposition Refuses to Call Off Parliament Boycott VOA 18 Sep 2013 -- Cambodia’s opposition said it will not attend the scheduled opening of parliament next week despite a request by the king to call off their boycott.
• UN envoy urges Sierra Leoneans to work together to advance democracy, development UN News Centre 18 Sep 2013 -- A senior United Nations official called on all Sierra Leoneans to set aside their differences and work together.
• Second Round of Voting in Maldivian Presidential Elections US Dept. of State 18 Sep 2013
• Ukraine Spends Over $66M on Chernobyl Plant Every Year RIA Novosti 18 Sep 2013 -- Maintenance of the Chernobyl nuclear power plant costs Ukraine some 50 million euros ($66.7 million) a year, the station’s head said.