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Operations
Defense Policy / Programs
Defense Industry
Other Conflicts
News Reports

Current Operations

• OIF/OEF/OND Casualty Update 18 Nov 2013 [PDF]
• Cowpens Assists in Operation Damayan NNS 18 Nov 2013 -- Ticonderoga guided-missile cruiser USS Cowpens (CG 63) commenced its aid to the Republic of the Philippines in support of Operation Damayan, Nov. 16.
• Mighty Moo Comes to the Rescue NNS 18 Nov 2013 -- After a few days in port Hong Kong, San Diego-based Ticonderoga guided-missile cruiser USS Cowpens' (CG 63) mission shifted, to provide immediate aid in the aftermath of the Super Typhoon Haiyan/Yolanda in namely Samar and Leyte Island of the Republic of the Philippines.
• Airmen shift from exercise to real-world relief efforts AFNS 18 Nov 2013 -- Airmen from Yokota Air Base, Japan, shifted gears from exercise to real-world humanitarian relief operations as they arrived at Clark Air Base, Republic of the Philippines, to provide tactical airlift support for Operation Damayan, Nov. 16.
• Joint Task Force 505 Activates for Operation Damayan AFPS 18 Nov 2013 -- Joint Task Force 505 officially activated today to conduct humanitarian assistance and disaster relief operations in support of the Philippine government and armed forces in Operation Damayan.
• Ospreys Make First Descent aboard George Washington in Support of Operation Damayan NNS 18 Nov 2013 -- Two U.S. Marine Corps MV-22 Ospreys assigned to Marine Medium Tiltrotor Squadron (VMM) 262 and one from VMM 265 landed for the first time on the flight deck of the U.S. Navy's forward-deployed aircraft carrier USS George Washington (CVN 73), Nov. 17.
• GW Medical Team goes Ashore to Support Operation Damayan NNS 18 Nov 2013 -- Sailors assigned to the medical department aboard the U.S. Navy's forward-deployed aircraft carrier USS George Washington (CVN 73) treated wounded Philippine citizens and conducted a health care needs assessment in the Guiuan area during Operation Damayan, Nov. 17.
• HMS Daring brings relief to isolated typhoon victims UK MOD 18 Nov 2013 -- HMS Daring has arrived in Cebu today to target UK medical assistance, emergency supplies and clean water to victims of Typhoon Haiyan stranded without assistance.
• RAF delivers much needed JCBs to the Philippines UK MOD 18 Nov 2013 -- The RAF's C-17 aircraft has arrived in the Philippines bringing much needed equipment to the typhoon-battered islands.

Defense Policy / Programs

• U-2 modifications reduce decompression sickness AFNS 18 Nov 2013 -- Air Force pilots flying the 'Dragon Lady' no longer experience decompression sickness during their high-altitude flights, according to officials with the U-2 Program Office here.
• Acting SECAF: AF at increase level of risk under sequestration AFNS 18 Nov 2013 -- Air Force readiness was the topic of concern for the Air Force's senior leader as he addressed members of the Air Force Association and the media during the association's monthly breakfast, in Arlington, Va., Nov. 18.
• U.S. to Train Libyan Military Personnel in Bulgaria AFPS 18 Nov 2013 -- The United States has agreed to provide basic combat training for 5,000 to 8,000 Libyan military personnel at the request of the Libyan prime minister, Pentagon spokesman Army Col. Steve Warren said today.
• Socom Planning Ahead for Future Missions, McRaven Says AFPS 18 Nov 2013 -- U.S. special operations forces are postured to take on the global counterterrorism challenges the nation faces in the years ahead, the commander of U.S. Special Operations Command said Nov. 16.
• Comptroller Cites Budget Lessons DOD, Congress Must Learn AFPS 18 Nov 2013 -- The Defense Department and Congress must take to heart lessons from the past decade of war and the current budget crunch if there is going to be security for the long haul, panelists at the Reagan National Defense Forum said Nov. 16 at the Reagan Library in Simi Valley, Calif.
• Comptroller: Instability Affects Readiness, Civilian Workforce AFPS 18 Nov 2013 -- The Defense Department has assumed a substantial level of risk to military readiness and to its civilian workforce because of the long-term instability of its budget and the budget process, Pentagon Comptroller Robert F. Hale said here last week.
• USS Preble Completes Western Pacific Deployment NNS 18 Nov 2013 -- Guided-missile destroyer USS Preble (DDG 88) returned to its homeport of San Diego Nov. 18 following the completion of a deployment to the U.S. 7th Fleet Area of Responsibility (AOR).
• USS Gravely Returns from Maiden Deployment NNS 18 Nov 2013 -- The Aegis guided-missile destroyer USS Gravely (DDG 107) returned home to Naval Station Norfolk Nov. 18 marking the successful completion of her nine-month maiden deployment.
• USS Freedom Visits Brunei, Prepares for Operation Damayan NNS 18 Nov 2013 -- USS Freedom (LCS 1) arrived at Brunei's port of Muara Nov. 18 to take on fuel and supplies in preparation to support humanitarian assistance and disaster relief efforts in the Philippines.
• Readout of Secretary Hagel's Meeting with Turkey Foreign Minister Ahmet Davutoglu DoD 18 Nov 2013
• VMM-266 (Rein.) returns from deployment USMC News 18 Nov 2013 -- Marines with Marine Medium Tiltrotor Squadron (VMM) 266 Reinforced returned to Marine Corps Air Station (MCAS) New River from an eight-month deployment to the Red Sea with the 26th Marine Expeditionary Unit (MEU), Nov. 4.
• Online recruitment of air force pilots starts People's Daily 18 Nov 2013 -- Applicants for the People's Liberation Army Air Force can submit their applications online starting on Monday.
• China to optimize army size, structure: CPC decision People's Daily 18 Nov 2013 -- China will optimize the size and structure of the army, adjust and improve the proportion between various troops, and reduce non-combat institutions and personnel, according to a decision of the Communist Party of China (CPC) published Friday.
• Chinese military aims for global connections People's Daily 18 Nov 2013 -- Exercises with three other countries seen as small steps toward building mutual trust
• Royal Gibraltar Regiment trains with Moroccan Army UK MOD 18 Nov 2013 -- Soldiers from the Royal Gibraltar Regiment are strengthening ties with the Moroccan Army by taking part in Exercise Jebel Sahara.
• £35 million contract sustains RAF's precision weapon UK MOD 18 Nov 2013 -- The Ministry of Defence (MOD) is investing £35 million to sustain the RAF's stockpile of Brimstone missiles.
• BrahMos supersonic cruise missile launch RIA Novosti 18 Nov 2013 -- The Indian army on Monday successfully tested an advanced version of the BrahMos supersonic cruise missile, which destroyed a fortified target with high-precision, India's The Hindu newspaper reported.
• Iran unveils strategic drone IRNA 18 Nov 2013 -- Defense Ministry's new strategic drone dubbed Fotros was unveiled here Monday.
• Iran unveils biggest indigenous drone Iran Press TV 18 Nov 2013 -- Iran has unveiled its biggest domestically developed unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV), which can be used for reconnaissance and combat operations.
• Press Briefing by Press Secretary Jay Carney, 11/18/2013 The White House 18 Nov 2013
• November 18, 2013 - U.S. Department of State Daily Press Briefing US Dept. of State 18 Nov 2013

Defense Industry

• DoD News: Contracts for November 18, 2013
• Russian Arms Exporter to Sell $13Bln Worth of Weaponry This Year RIA Novosti 18 Nov 2013 -- Russia's state arms exporter will deliver more than $13 billion worth of military equipment to foreign customers in 2013, a senior defense industry official said Monday.
• Russia Delivers 4 Mi-171E Helicopters to China RIA Novosti 18 Nov 2013 -- A Russian helicopter maker has delivered four more Mi-171E multipurpose helicopters to China under a 2012 contract.

Other Conflicts

• 18 November 2013 - Daily Press Briefing by the Office of the Spokesperson for the Secretary-General United Nations 18 Nov 2013
• Russia Pushes Diplomacy for Syria Peace Talks VOA 18 Nov 2013 -- Russia hosted closed-door talks Monday with Syrian diplomats in a renewed push for a Syrian peace conference in which Moscow says Tehran also must play a role.
• US to train Libya forces: Commander Iran Press TV 18 Nov 2013 -- The United States plans to train thousands of Libyan troops as well as special operations forces for 'counter-terrorism missions,' a senior American military official says.
• Libyan government deploys troops to Tripoli Iran Press TV 18 Nov 2013 -- Hundreds of troops have been deployed to Libya's capital, Tripoli, following deadly violence that gripped the city after anti-militia protesters were attacked by armed militiamen.
• S. Sudan Bishop Says Yau Yau Not Behind Deadly Jonglei Attacks VOA 18 Nov 2013 -- A retired Roman Catholic bishop in South Sudan who is leading an effort to get rebel leader David Yau Yau to lay down arms has voiced doubt that insurgents led by Yau Yau were behind deadly cattle raids in Jonglei state last month.
• South Sudan faces enormous challenges amid some signs of hope, says UN envoy UN News Centre 18 Nov 2013 -- Beset by enormous challenges in extending the Government's authority, deadly inter-communal conflict, and human rights abuses by the security forces, South Sudan is "travelling a bumpy road" despite some positive signs, the top United Nations envoy for the world's youngest nation warned today.
• UN Expresses 'Cautious Optimism' About South Sudan VOA 18 Nov 2013 -- The top United Nations official for South Sudan, as well as South Sudan's U.N. representative, are expressing cautious optimism about the months ahead in that country, but they also agree South Sudan faces significant challenges.
• African Union Monitoring Congo, Rebel Peace Talks VOA 18 Nov 2013 -- The African Union (AU) is monitoring security in the Democratic Republic of Congo following the breakdown of a peace deal between the government and the M23 rebels, according to Erastus Mwencha, deputy AU chairman.
• Obstacles to return in eastern DRC IRIN 18 Nov 2013 -- Tens of thousands of refugees and displaced people are starting to return to their homes in the two territories of the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) previously occupied by the M23 rebels.
• Darfur: Joint African-UN mission assists talks to diffuse intertribal tensions UN News Centre 18 Nov 2013 -- The joint African Union-United Nations peacekeeping mission in Darfur, which this weekend assisted in mediating between the Salamat and Misseriya tribes in the central area of the region, today expressed grave concern about intertribal conflict on civilians.
• Somalia: Security Council reaffirms call to fight piracy, armed robbery at sea UN News Centre 18 Nov 2013 -- The United Nations Security Council today reiterated its calls on the international community to fight piracy and armed robbery at sea, which continue to pose a threat to the delivery of humanitarian aid to the country.

News Reports

• Kerry: Evolving Iran Nuclear Deal No Threat to Israel VOA 18 Nov 2013 -- U.S. Secretary of State John Kerry says talks to limit Iran's nuclear program do not threaten Israel's security. Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu is campaigning against what he says is a 'bad agreement' that does not require Iran to dismantle any of its nuclear activities.
• Obama, Key Senators to Discuss Iran Nuclear Negotiations VOA 18 Nov 2013 -- President Barack Obama is scheduled to meet Tuesday with senators to discuss negotiations between the U.S. and other P5+1 nations, and Iran, over its nuclear program, and a proposal for a modest easing of sanctions.
• Iran Talks Cause Rifts Among US Leaders VOA 18 Nov 2013 -- Talks between world powers and Iran are scheduled to resume this week over the country's controversial nuclear program. As details of a preliminary agreement begin to emerge, political leaders in the United States sharply disagree on the best way to move forward.
• No reduction in Iran's nuclear activities: AEOI Iran Press TV 18 Nov 2013 -- Spokesman of the Atomic Energy Organization of Iran (AEOI) Behrouz Kamalvandi says there has been no reduction or halt in the country's peaceful nuclear energy program.
• Putin Sees 'Real Chance' for Iranian Nuclear Solution RIA Novosti 18 Nov 2013 -- Russian President Vladimir Putin expressed optimism about striking a deal on Iran's contentious nuclear program during a phone conversation Monday with his Iranian counterpart, the Kremlin said.
• Putin: 'Real Chance' to Resolve Iranian Nuclear Issues VOA 18 Nov 2013 -- Russian President Vladimir Putin says there is a 'real chance' to resolve the decade-long standoff over Iran's nuclear program.
• Iran Motivated for Nuclear Deal, but Tough Issues Remain VOA 18 Nov 2013 -- As talks between world powers and Iran resume this week on its nuclear program, experts say even hardline factions in the Islamic Republic appear motivated to make a deal. There are still difficult issues to resolve, though, including Iran's claimed "right" to enrich uranium.
• Iran should meet 4 demands for nuclear deal: Paris Iran Press TV 18 Nov 2013 -- French President Francois Hollande says Iran should meet four demands to reach an agreement over its nuclear energy program in the upcoming talks with the world six major powers in Geneva.
• US N. Korea Envoy in Asia Amid Push to Revive Nuclear Talks VOA 18 Nov 2013 -- The United States special envoy to North Korea travels to Asia this week as regional powers step up efforts to restart talks on ending Pyongyang's nuclear weapons programs. Glyn Davies, the U.S. Special Representative for North Korea arrives in China Tuesday and will later make stops in Seoul and Tokyo. But it is the envoy's stop in China that is going to be watched closely for any signs of a breakthrough.
• Israel Holding Suspected al-Qaida Bio Weapons Expert VOA 18 Nov 2013 -- Israel says it has been holding a suspected al-Qaida operative for the past three years and is now asking a court to extend his detention for another six months.
• Taiwan terminates diplomatic ties with Gambia CNA 18 Nov 2013 -- Taiwan terminated diplomatic relations with The Gambia Monday, three days after the West African state abruptly announced a break-off of bilateral diplomatic ties.
• China to work with Taiwan to keep ties warm: spokesman CNA 18 Nov 2013 -- China did not directly comment Monday on Taiwan's recent loss of a diplomatic ally, saying only that it was prepared to work with Taiwan to maintain the current positive trend in the bilateral relationship.
• Supreme Court denies bid against NSA Iran Press TV 18 Nov 2013 -- The US Supreme Court has rejected a bid to prevent the National Security Agency from collecting records on all US phone calls.
• Indonesia to Review Cooperation with Australia Due to Spying Claims VOA 18 Nov 2013 -- Indonesia says it will review all cooperation with Australia in response to revelations Australian spies tried to listen to phone conversations of President Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono.
• EU Ministers Issue 'Urgent Appeal' To Yanukovych RFE/RL 18 Nov 2013 -- EU foreign ministers have called on Kyiv to take action over jailed former Prime Minister Yulia Tymoshenko as they gathered in Brussels to discuss Ukraine ahead of an EU summit in Vilnius later this month.