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Defense Policy / Programs
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News Reports

Current Operations

• OIF/OEF/OND Casualty Update 19 Sep 2013 [PDF]
• Afghan District Governor Defects To Taliban RFE/RL 19 Sep 2013 -- A northern district governor and former Afghan senator has defected to the Taliban, citing corruption and a lack of faith in the central government and its Western supporters.
• At Least 20 Afghan Police Dead In Taliban Ambush RFE/RL 19 Sep 2013 -- Taliban fighters have ambushed a police convoy in Afghanistan's northern Badakhshan Province, killing 20 officers and wounding 12 others.
• Afghan Election Commission Employees Kidnapped In North RFE/RL 19 Sep 2013 -- Three employees of the Afghan election commission have been kidnapped in northern Afghanistan.
• Afghan Air Force Flourishing, ISAF Official Says AFPS 19 Sep 2013 -- The mission: build an independent, self-sustaining air force from the inside out, from the ground up.
• 3/7 deploys to Afghanistan USMC News 19 Sep 2013 -- Three individual contingents with 3rd Battalion, 7th Marine Regiment, staged sea bags and gear in the presence of families and friends before departing for Afghanistan.
• Hermes 450 reaches 70,000 hours in Afghanistan UK MOD 19 Sep 2013 -- The British Army's Hermes 450 unmanned air systems have completed over 70,000 hours of surveillance support in Afghanistan.
• Afghans land new capabilities in Logar province Army News 19 Sep 2013 -- The Afghan National Army completed construction of the first helicopter landing zone, or HLZ, on Camp Maiwand in Logar province, Sept. 16.
• Pakistan summons Afghan envoy over cross-border firing IRNA 19 Sep 2013 -- Pakistan summoned Afghan envoy over cross-border firing which killed five Pakistan nationals in southern Balochistan province.
• 250 terrorists flee Pakistans Karachi, enter Waziristan IRNA 19 Sep 2013 -- Pakistan’s Interior Minister told the parliament that nearly 250 terrorists have fled the port city of Karachi after the paramilitary troops launched operations.

Defense Policy / Programs

• Readout of Secretary Hagel's call with Libya's Minister of Defense Abdullah al-Thani DoD 19 Sep 2013
• Service Chiefs Detail 2014 Sequestration Effects AFPS 19 Sep 2013 -- The nation’s service chiefs described how severe budget cuts required by law in fiscal year 2014 would slash their forces, capabilities and readiness and raise security risks to the American people.
• F-35 program chief cites steady progress AFNS 19 Sep 2013 -- Citing changes to one of the Defense Department’s most ambitious acquisition programs, F-35 Lightning II development is making steady progress, the F-35 Joint Program Executive Officer said here Sept. 17.
• Official Describes Evolution of Space Deterrence AFPS 19 Sep 2013 -- Space is a current and future battleground without terrain, the assistant defense secretary for global strategic affairs told a think tank audience.
• AF launches 3rd AEHF satellite AFNS 19 Sep 2013 -- The U.S. Air Force successfully launched the third Advanced Extremely High Frequency communication satellite at 4:10 a.m. EDT, Sept. 18, from Space Launch Complex 41 at Cape Canaveral Air Force Station, Fla.
• Nominee: DOD Intel Community Faces Challenge, Opportunity AFPS 19 Sep 2013 -- Nominee for a senior Pentagon intelligence post told Congress the decisions made today will have long-term security implications.
• Software update keeps B-52 at forefront of bomber fleet AFNS 19 Sep 2013 -- The B-52 Stratofortress will soon receive a software upgrade that will keep the aircraft at the forefront of the U.S. strategic bomber fleet.
• Active Denial System proves non-lethal maritime security capabilities USMC News 19 Sep 2013 -- The Joint Non-Lethal Weapons Directorate, from Marine Corps Base Quantico, Va., demonstrated the maritime security application of the Active Denial System.
• Airmen test skills in first 'Arctic Challenge' AFNS 19 Sep 2013 -- The first Exercise Arctic Challenge, which includes more than 60 aircraft from five partner nations, here began Sept. 16.
• Hawks fly back to Beaufort USMC News 19 Sep 2013 -- Marines with Marine All-Weather Fighter Attack Squadron 533 met their awaiting families and friends upon returning to Marine Corps Air Station Beaufort, Sept. 13.
• US Navy to Join Allied, Partner Navies in Pacific Reach 2013 NNS 19 Sep 2013 -- The U.S. Navy will join allied and partner navies from Japan, Australia, the Republic of Korea and the Republic of Singapore in the multinational Pacific Reach 2013 exercise Sept. 20-27.
• Pacific Resilience concludes in Nepal USMC News 19 Sep 2013 -- Marines and sailors of III Marine Expeditionary Force participated in the closing ceremony of Pacific Resilience Disaster Response Exercise and Exchange Sept. 12 in Katmandu, Nepal.
• Hagel Reaffirms Department’s Commitment to Personnel Security AFPS 19 Sep 2013 -- Defense Secretary Chuck Hagel reaffirmed the Defense Department’s commitment to providing for its people’s safety.
• Russian Missile Forces to Adopt New Command System in 2016 RIA Novosti 19 Sep 2013 -- Russia’s Strategic Missile Forces will use a new-generation automated command and control system from 2016.
• 2nd Missile Cruiser May Join Russia’s Mediterranean Force RIA Novosti 19 Sep 2013 -- The flagship of Russia’s Pacific Fleet, the Varyag missile cruiser, could join the country’s naval task force in the Mediterranean while on a mission in the Indian Ocean.
• Russia, NATO to Hold Joint Military Drills in September RIA Novosti 19 Sep 2013 -- Russia and NATO will hold joint military exercises in late September, the NATO-Russia Council has reported.
• NATO: Ready, Robust, Rebalanced NATO 19 Sep 2013
• Joint press point with NATO Secretary General Anders Fogh Rasmussen and the President of the Czech Republic, Milos Zeman - Opening remarks by the Secretary General NATO 19 Sep 2013
• Javelin missiles fired at Norfolk training range UK MOD 19 Sep 2013 -- Javelin anti-tank missiles have been launched at Stanford Training Area (STANTA) for the first time.
• India has no plan to deploy drones along Bangladesh borders IRNA 19 Sep 2013 -- India assured that it has no plans to fly drone or unmanned aerial vehicles over frontiers with Bangladesh.
• Press Briefing by the Press Secretary Jay Carney , 09/19/13 The White House 19 Sep 2013
• U.S. Department of State Daily Press Briefing, September 19, 2013 US Dept. of State 19 Sep 2013

Defense Industry

• DoD News: Contracts for September 19, 2013

Other Conflicts

• UN and African Union sign plan to protect children in armed conflict UN News Centre 19 Sep 2013 -- The United Nations and the African Union have agreed to strengthen protection of conflict-affected children in Africa.
• Secretary Kerry Remarks to the Press on Syria US Dept. of State 19 Sep 2013
• Kerry: UN Report Confirms Assad Forces Used Sarin in Syria VOA 19 Sep 2013 -- U.S. Secretary of State John Kerry says the U.N. report confirms that Syrian President Bashar al-Assad's forces carried out the attack.
• Syrian Rebel Groups Fight Among Themselves VOA 19 Sep 2013 -- Rebels groups trying to oust Syrian President Bashar al-Assad have begun fighting with each other in towns across northern Syria.
• Putin Confident Syria Chemical Deal Will Be Implemented RFE/RL 19 Sep 2013 -- Russian President Vladimir Putin says he is confident the Syrian government will carry out its commitment to destroy its chemical-weapons.
• Russia Ready to Help Eliminate Syria’s Chemical Arsenal RIA Novosti 19 Sep 2013 -- Russia is ready to help eliminate the Syrian government’s chemical arsenal if the international community agrees.
• Assad Vows To Destroy Chemical Weapons RFE/RL 19 Sep 2013 -- Syrian President Bashar Assad has said his government will implement a deal reached with the United States and Russia to dispose of Syria's chemical weapons.
• Assad Denies Link to Chemical Attack VOA 19 Sep 2013 -- Syrian President Bashar al-Assad says he is fully committed to disposing his chemical arsenal, but denies his forces launched a poison gas attack last month that killed hundreds near Damascus.
• Syria’s Assad Pledges to Destroy Chemical Weapons RIA Novosti 19 Sep 2013 -- Syrian President Bashar Assad has pledged to destroy his country’s chemical weapons, in an interview with a US TV channel.
• NATO Chief Says Military Option In Syria Must Remain Open RFE/RL 19 Sep 2013 -- NATO chief Anders Fogh Rasmussen has said the option of carrying out a military strike against Syria must be maintained.
• Congo Government, Rebel M23 'Chat' in Public VOA 19 Sep 2013 -- Negotiators at peace talks between the Democratic Republic of Congo's government and the M23 rebel movement have three days left before a deadline set by regional leaders for wrapping up the talks.
• Philippine President Urges Muslim Rebels to Surrender VOA 19 Sep 2013 -- Philippine President Benigno Aquino is urging the remaining Muslim rebels in the southern city of Zamboanga to surrender and avoid further bloodshed.
• 96 ceasefire violations by Pakistan this year; highest in 8 yrs IRNA 19 Sep 2013 -- Targeting forward posts and civilian areas along the Indo-Pak border, Pakistan has violated the ceasefire 96 times this year, the highest in last eight years.
• Chinese coast guard continues patrol around Diaoyu Islands People's Daily 19 Sep 2013 -- Two China Coast Guard vessels patrolled territorial waters surrounding the Diaoyu Islands.
• Iraq's Violence Spirals Out of Control VOA 19 Sep 2013 -- Iraq is grappling with its worst violence in years with almost daily bombings and attacks undermining the country's fragile framework and rivaling the dark days of civil unrest in 2007 and 2008.
• Handcuffed, Blindfolded Corpses Found In Baghdad RFE/RL 19 Sep 2013 -- Iraqi police say the handcuffed and blindfolded corpses of 10 unidentified young men were found in eastern Baghdad on September 19.
• Rocket fired from Gaza hits south Israel: Army PressTV 19 Sep 2013 -- The Israeli army says a rocket fired from the besieged Gaza Strip has hit southern Israel with no reports of possible casualties or damage so far.
• Attack on EULEX in Kosovo US Dept. of State 19 Sep 2013
• EULEX Staff Member Shot Dead In North Kosovo RFE/RL 19 Sep 2013 -- The European Union's rule-of-law mission in Kosovo, EULEX, says a Lithuanian member of its staff was shot dead on September 19 in the mainly Serb north.

News Reports

• Senator John McCain: Russians deserve better than Putin Pravda.ru 19 Sep 2013
• US Senator McCain Slams Putin in Pravda Op-Ed RIA Novosti 19 Sep 2013 -- US Senator John McCain, well-known for his vociferous criticism of the Russian leadership, has slammed Russian President Vladimir Putin and his regime.
• Secretary Kerry Remarks With Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi Before Their Meeting US Dept. of State 19 Sep 2013
• Iran's President Seeks 'Constructive Engagement' VOA 19 Sep 2013 -- Iran's newly elected President Hassan Rouhani has pledged to join in constructive dialogue with world powers.
• Iran's Rouhani: We've Never Pursued Nuclear Weapons VOA 19 Sep 2013 -- Iranian President Hassan Rouhani is vowing his country will never pursue a nuclear bomb.
• Former British Foreign Secretary: Iran 'Ready For A Settlement' On Nuclear Issue RFE/RL 19 Sep 2013 -- Former British Foreign Secretary Jack Straw says new Iranian President Hassan Rohani is a "realist" who is "ready for a settlement."
• Iran’s President Rouhani says has full authority for nuclear deal with West PressTV 19 Sep 2013 -- Iranian President Hassan Rouhani says he has full authority to negotiate a deal with the West over the Islamic Republic’s nuclear energy program.
• ‘Occupier’ Israel behind injustice, instability in region: Iran's Rouhani PressTV 19 Sep 2013 -- Iran President Hassan Rouhani has criticized the Israeli regime for doing “injustice to people of the Middle East” and sowing instability in the region.
• Meeting of the Valdai International Discussion Club President of Russia 19 Sep 2013 -- Vladimir Putin took part in the final plenary meeting of the Valdai International Discussion Club. The theme of the club’s anniversary session is Russia’s Diversity for the Modern World.
• Egyptian Police Chief Killed During Operation to Re-take Islamist Stronghold VOA 19 Sep 2013 -- Egyptian officials say a police general was shot and killed by Islamist fighters during a security operation to reassert state control over an area on the outskirts of Cairo.
• Hard start for Mali's new leader IRIN 19 Sep 2013 -- World leaders and others who have pledged to help Mali recover from nearly two years of conflict will gather in the Mali capital, Bamako, today for the official inauguration of the newly elected president, Ibrahim Boubacar Keita.
• Reconciliation Challenges Ahead for Mali President VOA 19 Sep 2013 -- After Mali's nearly two-year crisis tore the country in half and deepened divisions in both the north and the south, newly elected president Ibrahim Boubacar Keita says reuniting his nation is a top priority.
• Over 40,000 Watch Mali President's Inauguration VOA 19 Sep 2013 -- More than 20 heads of state including French President Francois Hollande gathered in Bamako Thursday for the inauguration of Mali's new president, Ibrahim Boubacar Keita.
• Ugandan Man Denies ICC Witness Intimidation VOA 19 Sep 2013 -- A Ugandan man living in Kenya says he is not behind the alleged intimidation of witnesses connected with the ICC trial of Kenyan Deputy President William Ruto and radio executive Joshua Sang.
• Early voting begins in Iraq’s Kurdistan region PressTV 19 Sep 2013 -- Early voting has started in Iraq’s autonomous Kurdistan region, two days ahead of the region’s fourth parliamentary elections.
• Upcoming elections in Sri Lanka an opportunity for reconciliation – UN chief UN News Centre 19 Sep 2013 -- The forthcoming provincial elections in Sri Lanka are an important opportunity for reconciliation in the country, Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon said.
• Swaziland Electoral Group Rejects ‘Sham Vote’ Criticism VOA 19 Sep 2013 -- The spokesman for Swaziland’s Elections and Boundaries Commission (EBC) has rejected criticisms that the final round of elections scheduled for Friday is a sham.
• UN Receives Evidence About Thai Woman Abducted by N. Korea VOA 19 Sep 2013 -- Officials from a U.N. human rights commission met with family members of a Thai woman allegedly being abducted by North Korea.
• Japan's Prime Minister Inspects Leaks at Fukushima Nuclear Plant VOA 19 Sep 2013 -- Japan's Prime Minister Shinzo Abe has inspected the crippled Fukushima Daiichi nuclear power plant to reassure the public over leaks of contaminated water.
• Maldives: Ban urges respect for democracy ahead of second-round presidential vote UN News Centre 19 Sep 2013 -- Secretary-General Ban urged all political leaders in the Maldives to live up to their responsibilities and respect the democratic process.