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Operations
Defense Policy / Programs
Defense Industry
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News Reports

Current Operations

• OIF/OEF/OND Casualty Update 20 Nov 2013 [PDF]
• Loya Jirga To Decide Whether U.S. Troops Stay Or Go RFE/RL 20 Nov 2013 -- For both Kabul and Washington, having a traditional gathering of Afghan tribal chiefs and political leaders decide the fate of a contentious bilateral security deal offers strategic advantages.
• Afghanistan announces final list of presidential candidates Iran Press TV 20 Nov 2013 -- Independent Election Commission (IEC) of Afghanistan has declared eleven candidates as eligible to run for 2014 presidential election.
• Russia Concerned at US Plans for Bases in Afghanistan RIA Novosti 20 Nov 2013 -- A senior Russian diplomat has voiced concerns over US plans to retain nine military bases in Afghanistan after their planned withdrawal from the country.
• Afghanistan: UN mission welcomes final list of candidates for 2014 elections UN News Centre 20 Nov 2013 -- The United Nations Assistance Mission in Afghanistan (UNAMA) welcomed the announcement today of the final list of candidates for next year's presidential and provincial council elections.
• US, Afghanistan Work to Finalize Pact Before Elders Meeting VOA 20 Nov 2013 -- The United States and Afghanistan worked to finalize a crucial security pact on Wednesday, a day before more than 2,500 Afghan elders are due to begin debating whether to allow some U.S. troops to stay in the country after 2014.
• Afghan Tribal Leaders to Vote on US-Afghan Security Pact VOA 20 Nov 2013 -- More than 2,000 Afghan tribal and community elders soon will decide on an agreement that determines whether any U.S. forces will remain in the country after 2014. The tribal assembly has high stakes for Afghanistan's future.
• Operation Damayan airlift operations intensify AFNS 20 Nov 2013 -- Airmen from the 36th Airlift Squadron, launched 24-hour C-130 Hercules aircraft night operations in support of Operation Damayan Nov. 18. Night operations substantially multiply the joint airlift component here increase the flow of evacuation flights from Tacloban, Philippines, the region hit hardest by Typhoon Haiyan.
• Ashland and Germantown Arrive to Support Operation Damayan NNS 20 Nov 2013 -- USS Ashland (LSD 48) and USS Germantown (LSD 42), with embarked elements of the 31st Marine Expeditionary Unit (MEU), Naval Beach Unit (NBU) 7 and Commander Amphibious Squadron (PHIBRON) 11, arrived in Leyte Gulf off the Philippines coast Nov. 20 in support of Operation Damayan.
• Typhoon Haiyan: UN agency donates satellite phones, laptops to Philippines relief effort UN News Centre 20 Nov 2013 -- With all manner of aid beginning to make its way to victims of Typhoon Haiyan, the United Nations telecommunications agency has today stepped in to provide equipment such as satellite phones and laptops to the World Health Organization (WHO) and Philippines Government crisis response units.
• 31st MEU Elements Arrive Near Tacloban, Philippines AFPS 20 Nov 2013 -- About 900 Marines with the 31st Marine Expeditionary Unit have arrived in the Philippines, near Tacloban.
• Bilateral Team Assesses Remote Sites in Philippines AFPS 20 Nov 2013 -- A bilateral assessment team recently traveled to remote areas in and near Leyte, Philippines, using an MV-22 tiltrotor Osprey aircraft to assess the needs of people isolated by Typhoon Haiyan, as part of Operation Damayan.
• Mustin Supports Operation Damayan NNS 20 Nov 2013 -- U.S. Navy Sailors along with the Philippine government and non-government organizations provided aid and supplies to 18 villages throughout the area.
• HMS Daring provides shelter kits to Philippine islanders UK MOD 20 Nov 2013 -- The Royal Navy has reached further Philippine islands devastated by Typhoon Haiyan, distributing humanitarian aid to desperate villagers.

Defense Policy / Programs

• Joint Media Availability with Secretary Kerry, Secretary Hagel, Foreign Minister Bishop and Defence Minister Johnson in the Ben Franklin Room, U.S. Department of State DoD 20 Nov 2013 -- Presenter: Secretary of State John Kerry, Secretary of Defense Chuck Hagel, Australian Foreign Minister Julie Bishop, Australian Defence Minister David Johnson
• EOD Mobile Unit 1 Holds Change of Command NNS 20 Nov 2013 -- Explosive Ordnance Disposal Mobile Unit (EODMU) 1 held a change of command ceremony 15 Nov. at Naval Base Point Loma, Calif.
• U.S., Australian Leaders Bolster Mutual Security, Economic Goals AFPS 20 Nov 2013 -- Secretary of State John F. Kerry and Defense Secretary Chuck Hagel met with their Australian counterparts here today for discussions that ranged from global security and peaceful denuclearization to humanitarian assistance and investments in cyber and space technology.
• Lincoln Progressing in Rebuilding Berthing Spaces NNS 20 Nov 2013 -- Sailors assigned to the Nimitz-class aircraft carrier USS Abraham Lincoln (CVN 72) PM 11's berthing team are beginning the rebuilding process by overhauling spaces and bringing in replacement racks Nov. 20.
• CVN 77 Begins COMPTUEX NNS 20 Nov 2013 -- The George H.W. Bush Carrier Strike Group (CSG) 2 departed Norfolk to begin Composite Training Unit Exercise (COMPTUEX)Nov. 20.
• Combined Force Maritime Component Commander Concludes in Miami NNS 20 Nov 2013 -- The U.S. Naval War College held a Combined Force Maritime Component Commander (CFMCC) Flag Officer course, hosted by U.S. Naval Forces Southern Command/ U.S. 4th Fleet at U.S. Southern Command headquarters in Miami that concluded Nov. 20.
• SECNAV Completes Partnership-Building Visit to Qatar NNS 20 Nov 2013 -- Secretary of the Navy Ray Mabus completed a visit to Doha, Qatar, Nov. 20.
• Air Force accepts CENTCOM's customs mission AFNS 20 Nov 2013 -- For the first time the Air Force is solely responsible for the U.S. Central Command's customs mission in Southwest Asia. In a recent transfer of authority ceremony, the 387th Air Expeditionary Squadron, undisclosed location, Southwest Asia, accepted responsibility for the customs mission from the U.S. Navy who has performed the mission for the past eight years.
• Marines conduct long-range flight into Senegal USMC News 20 Nov 2013 -- Marines from Special Purpose Marine Air-Ground Task Force Crisis Response completed a long-range flight demonstration of Marines from Moron, Spain, to Dakar, Senegal, November 13.
• Israel Successfully Tests 'David's Sling' Missile VOA 20 Nov 2013 -- Israel says it has completed a successful test of its interceptor missile, Magic Wand.
• U.S.-Israel David's Sling Weapon System Intercepts Target During Integrated Flight Test MDA 20 Nov 2013 -- The Israel Missile Defense Organization and the U.S. Missile Defense Agency completed a successful intercept test today of the David's Sling Weapon System.
• Russian Defense Ministry Blames Makers for Failed Missile Launch RIA Novosti 20 Nov 2013 -- The latest failed launch of Russia's new submarine-launched ballistic missile was caused by a manufacturing glitch, the Defense Ministry said Wednesday.
• Russia to Start Producing New Main Battle Tank in 2016 RIA Novosti 20 Nov 2013 -- The development of Russia's new-generation main battle tank will be completed in 2015, and mass production is slated to being in 2016, the tank maker said Wednesday.
• Russia to Boost Spending on Defense Contracts by 25% in 2014 RIA Novosti 20 Nov 2013 -- Government spending on orders for military equipment will increase by 25 percent next year, Deputy Defense Minister Yuri Borisov said Wednesday.
• Russian Military Gets 67 Combat Aircraft This Year RIA Novosti 20 Nov 2013 -- The Russian military is getting a total of 67 new combat aircraft this year, an official from the United Aircraft Corporation said Wednesday.
• China orders combat-oriented reforms in military schools People's Daily 20 Nov 2013 -- China's military schools have began reforming curriculums and management of their students to boost real combat abilities, sources with the People's Liberation Army (PLA) have said.
• China's U8E unmanned helicopter makes debut at air show abroad People's Daily 20 Nov 2013 -- China's U8E-type unmanned helicopter was showcased on November 17, 2013 at the 13th Dubai Air Show in Dubai, United Arab Emirates.
• US worried about China's nuke bombers hitting military bases Iran Press TV 20 Nov 2013 -- The United States is gravely concerned about China's new long-range nuclear bombers that can target previously unreachable US military bases in the Pacific, according to a new report.
• Iran sends heavy submarine to East Asian waters ISNA 20 Nov 2013 -- Iran launched a heavy submarine of Tareq Class dubbed 'Younes' (Jonah) to East Asian waters, Iran Navy's Deputy Commander for Operations Admiral Siavash Jareh announced on Wednesday.
• Royal Scots Dragoon Guards receive new Jackal vehicles UK MOD 20 Nov 2013 -- The Royal Scots Dragoon Guards have bid farewell to the Challenger 2 main battle tank and welcomed in the Jackal armoured vehicle.
• Indonesia halts military, intelligence cooperation with Australia People's Daily 20 Nov 2013 -- Indonesian President Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono said on Wednesday that Indonesia had temporarily halted its military and intelligence cooperation with Australia while waiting for official reply from Australian government upon queries submitted by Indonesian government on Australia's wiretapping on Indonesia.
• Indonesia downgrades cooperation with Australia Iran Press TV 20 Nov 2013 -- Indonesia is officially "downgrading" its relations with Australia in response to reports of the country's President being spied on by Canberra.
• November 20, 2013 - U.S. Department of State Daily Press Briefing US Dept. of State 20 Nov 2013
• Press Briefing by Press Secretary Jay Carney, 11/19/2013 The White House 20 Nov 2013

Defense Industry

• DoD News: Contracts for November 20, 2013

Other Conflicts

• 20 November 2013 - Daily Press Briefing by the Office of the Spokesperson for the Secretary-General United Nations 20 Nov 2013
• Ban condemns deadly attack against police station in Somali town of Beledweyne UN News Centre 20 Nov 2013 -- Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon has strongly condemned the deadly attacks on Tuesday against a police station in Beledweyne, Somalia, which follow a number of similar attacks on the Somali people in recent weeks.
• Nigeria Extends State of Emergency in Northeast VOA 20 Nov 2013 -- Nigerian lawmakers have approved a six-month extension of the state of emergency in areas where troops are fighting Islamist militants.
• U.S., Australian Leaders Bolster Mutual Security, Economic Goals AFPS 20 Nov 2013 -- Secretary of State John F. Kerry and Defense Secretary Chuck Hagel met with their Australian counterparts here today for discussions that ranged from global security and peaceful denuclearization to humanitarian assistance and investments in cyber and space technology.
• Lincoln Progressing in Rebuilding Berthing Spaces NNS 20 Nov 2013 -- Sailors assigned to the Nimitz-class aircraft carrier USS Abraham Lincoln (CVN 72) PM 11's berthing team are beginning the rebuilding process by overhauling spaces and bringing in replacement racks Nov. 20.
• CVN 77 Begins COMPTUEX NNS 20 Nov 2013 -- The George H.W. Bush Carrier Strike Group (CSG) 2 departed Norfolk to begin Composite Training Unit Exercise (COMPTUEX)Nov. 20.
• Combined Force Maritime Component Commander Concludes in Miami NNS 20 Nov 2013 -- The U.S. Naval War College held a Combined Force Maritime Component Commander (CFMCC) Flag Officer course, hosted by U.S. Naval Forces Southern Command/ U.S. 4th Fleet at U.S. Southern Command headquarters in Miami that concluded Nov. 20.
• SECNAV Completes Partnership-Building Visit to Qatar NNS 20 Nov 2013 -- Secretary of the Navy Ray Mabus completed a visit to Doha, Qatar, Nov. 20.

News Reports

• Officials Optimistic as Iran Nuclear Talks Enter Second Day VOA 20 Nov 2013 -- Iranian and international negotiators will continue a key series of meetings on Thursday that officials say could lead to the first steps toward guaranteeing that Iran's nuclear program is purely peaceful, as it claims, and toward easing economic sanctions.
• Rouhani, Cameron speak in landmark phone call ISNA 20 Nov 2013 -- British Prime Minister David Cameron has held a phone conversation with Iranian President Hassan Rouhani, in the first such call between a UK premier and an Iranian president in more than a decade.
• Iran rejects UN human rights draft resolution Iran Press TV 20 Nov 2013 -- Iran has dismissed a UN General Assembly committee's draft resolution about the alleged violation of human rights in the Islamic Republic.
• US seeks to bring Iran to knees by bans: Leader Iran Press TV 20 Nov 2013 -- Leader of the Islamic Revolution Ayatollah Seyyed Ali Khamenei says Iran will not back down an iota from its rights, including its nuclear rights, and will never give in to pressure.
• Iran to 'fully' pursue nuclear rights in talks Iran Press TV 20 Nov 2013 -- Iran's Majlis Speaker Ali Larijani says Tehran will "fully" pursue its nuclear rights in negotiations with the six world powers in Geneva.
• New Round Of Iran Nuclear Talks Opens In Geneva RFE/RL 20 Nov 2013 -- World powers and Iran have begun a new round of talks in Geneva on the Islamic republic's nuclear program.
• Potentially Decisive Iran Nuclear Talks Open VOA 20 Nov 2013 -- Iran's supreme leader says Tehran will not retreat on what he called the country's nuclear rights during negotiations with six world powers that resumed Wednesday in Geneva.
• EU's Schulz Not Losing Hope For Ukraine, Yet RFE/RL 20 Nov 2013 -- European Parliament President Martin Schulz says he expects Ukraine to play its 'game' with the EU until the very last minute.
• As Somali piracy falls, questions over what to do with captured pirates IRIN 20 Nov 2013 -- The UN Security Council on Monday voted to continue policing measures off the coast of Somalia that have seen a notable decrease in attacks by pirates, unanimously renewing authorizations for international action against the gunmen.
• Ban calls for universal ratification of Rome Statute of the International Criminal Court UN News Centre 20 Nov 2013 -- Despite collective efforts, much remains to be done towards universal ratification of the Rome Statute, the treaty that established the International Criminal Court (ICC), United Nations Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon today said encouraging Member States to ratify or accede to it.