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Operations
Defense Policy / Programs
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News Reports

Current Operations

• OIF/OEF/OND Casualty Update 25 Nov 2013 [PDF]
• NATO's Post-2014 Afghan Mission Uncertain VOA 25 Nov 2013 -- As Kabul and Washington are finalizing a bilateral security and defense agreement to define the U.S. military presence in Afghanistan after 2014, some NATO members have also indicated a willingness to keep troops in the country after their UN-authorized mandate expires on December 31 2014.
• U.S. Marines Reduce Philippine Relief Operations AFPS 25 Nov 2013 -- U.S. Marines supporting Joint Task Force 505 in Tacloban City have begun to redeploy due to the decreasing demand for unique U.S. military capabilities in recovery efforts.
• DOD Transitions to Next Phase of Aid in Philippines AFPS 25 Nov 2013 -- The Department of Defense has transitioned to the next phase of recovery efforts in the Philippines in the wake of Super Typhoon Haiyan, DOD spokesman Army Col. Steven Warren said today.
• USS Freedom Delivers HA/DR Supplies to Tacloban, Philippines NNS 25 Nov 2013 -- USS Freedom (LCS 1) delivered 10 pallets of humanitarian assistance and disaster relief supplies to officials from the Armed Forces of the Philippines Nov. 24.
• ROC naval ship heads for Philippines on aid delivery CNA 25 Nov 2013 -- A Republic of China Navy vessel departed from Zuoying Naval Base in southern Taiwan Monday to deliver relief supplies to the typhoon-ravaged Philippines, the first time a Taiwanese warship has visited that country in 10 years.
• HMS Illustrious takes over from HMS Daring in the Philippines UK MOD 25 Nov 2013 -- HMS Illustrious has arrived in the Philippines to deliver humanitarian aid provided by the Department for International Development.
• RAF delivers more supplies to the Philippines UK MOD 25 Nov 2013 -- Over the weekend, an RAF C-17 Globemaster delivered further emergency supplies to the Philippine islands in the wake of Typhoon Haiyan.
• New UN programme aims to resuscitate economy in typhoon-hit Philippines UN News Centre 25 Nov 2013 -- As part of its relief response to the massive devastation in the Philippines from Typhoon Haiyan, the United Nations has launched a cash-for-work programme that will eventually employ 200,000 villagers over the next six months.
• China's hospital ship begins treating patients in disaster-hit C. Philippines People's Daily 25 Nov 2013 -- China's Peace Ark Hospital Ship Monday has already given medical aid to patients in typhoon-hit areas in central Philippines, after going into the Leyte Gulf on Sunday afternoon.

Defense Policy / Programs

• Pentagon Prepared to Defend US Planes in China Defense Zone VOA 25 Nov 2013 -- A Pentagon spokesman says the United States will not comply with China's new air defense zone in the East China Sea and is prepared to defend its aircraft that enter the region.
• Dallas Completes Final Scheduled Deployment NNS 25 Nov 2013 -- Los Angeles-class attack submarine USS Dallas (SSN 700) returned to Groton, Conn., Nov. 25, just in time for Thanksgiving and following its final scheduled deployment after more than 30 years in service.
• AFMC makes progress despite impacts of sequestration, restructure AFNS 25 Nov 2013 -- The vice commander of Air Force Materiel Command offered insight into recent developments and answered questions regarding the command's restructure efforts and fiscal challenges at the Air Force Association's 2013 Pacific Air & Space Symposium here Nov. 22.
• 3rd Battalion, 8th Marines conducts battalion field exercise USMC News 25 Nov 2013 -- In preparation for an upcoming deployment to locations throughout Europe and Africa, Marines and sailors with 3rd Battalion, 8th Marine Regiment conducted a week long field training exercise aboard Fort Pickett, Va., from Nov. 12-17.
• HSC-25 Conducts Medical Evacuation from Rota to Saipan NNS 25 Nov 2013 -- Sailors from Helicopter Sea Combat Squadron (HSC) 25 assisted in the medical evacuation (MEDEVAC) of an elderly patient from Rota who required medical treatment Nov. 24.
• George Washington Carrier Strike Group Joins AnnualEx 13 NNS 25 Nov 2013 -- Demonstrating the extraordinary flexibility of a carrier strike group, USS George Washington (CVN 73) kicked off its participation in Annual Exercise (AnnualEx) 13, Nov. 25, just days after completing a humanitarian assistance mission under Operation Damayan in the Philippines.
• Hagel Visits First Zumwalt-class Destroyer NNS 25 Nov 2013 -- Defense Secretary Chuck Hagel said the not-yet-launched Zumwalt-class destroyer he toured Nov. 21 'represents the cutting edge of our naval capabilities.'
• US Typhoon Response Improves Military Ties with Manila VOA 25 Nov 2013 -- Philippines officials say the challenges of mounting the relief effort for Typhoon Haiyan show the urgency of signing a long-term agreement on an increased U.S. troop presence in the country. Typhoon Haiyan struck as the United States and the Philippines were negotiating a plan for more regular U.S. troop rotations to the country.
• U.S., China Conduct Disaster Management Exchange AFPS 25 Nov 2013 -- Soldiers from U.S. Army Pacific, the Hawaii Army National Guard and the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers along with representatives from the Federal Emergency Management Agency participated with members of China's People's Liberation Army in a disaster management exchange, Nov. 12-14 at Marine Corps Training Area-Bellows here.
• Air defense zone won't affect flight freedom: experts People's Daily 25 Nov 2013 -- Establishment of China's air defense identification zone won't affect the flight freedom of other countries' aircraft, military experts reiterated on Sunday.
• China's air defense zone doesn't target specific country: expert People's Daily 25 Nov 2013 -- China's newly-established air defense identification zone over the East China Sea does not target a specific country, said a military expert in Beijing on Tuesday.
• Taiwan in contact with U.S., Japan over China's ADIZ claim CNA 25 Nov 2013 -- Taiwan's government has been in contact with the United States and Japan over China's demarcation of an air defense identification zone in an area that includes the disputed Diaoyutai Islands in the East China Sea, Foreign Minister David Lin said Monday.
• Japan summons China's envoy over air defense zone Iran Press TV 25 Nov 2013 -- Japan has summoned the Chinese ambassador to lodge a protest after Beijing declared an 'air defense identification zone' over the disputed islands of the East China Sea.
• Russian Military Inspectors to Fly Over Turkey RIA Novosti 25 Nov 2013 -- Russian military inspectors will make a monitoring flight over Turkey under the international Open Skies Treaty on Monday, a Russian Defense Ministry official said.
• Russian Navy Gets New Carrier-Based Fighters RIA Novosti 25 Nov 2013 -- The Russian navy has taken delivery of its first four series-produced MiG-29K/KUB carrier based fighter jets, the Defense Ministry said Monday.
• Eastern Military District to Receive 40 Helicopters by 2014 RIA Novosti 25 Nov 2013 -- Russia's Eastern Military District will receive more than 40 combat helicopters by the end of 2013, a spokesman said Monday.
• Saudi Arabia seeking to obtain atomic bomb: Report Iran Press TV 25 Nov 2013 -- Saudi Arabia is reportedly trying to obtain atomic bombs as Iran and the west reach a deal over Tehran's nuclear energy program.
• No need for US missile system after Iran deal: Lavrov Iran Press TV 25 Nov 2013 -- Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov says Iran's nuclear deal with the West leaves no place for the deployment of the long-touted US missile system in Europe.
• UK MoD cost-cutting plans not effective: Report Iran Press TV 25 Nov 2013 -- A new report has found that plans by Britain's Ministry of Defence (MoD) to cut army expenses by expanding reservist troops in place of regular soldiers are ineffective and costly.
• Press Gaggle by Principal Deputy Press Secretary Josh Earnest Aboard Air Force One en route San Francisco, California The White House 25 Nov 2013

Defense Industry

• DoD News: Contracts for November 25, 2013

Other Conflicts

• 25 November 2013 - Daily Press Briefing by the Office of the Spokesperson for the Secretary-General United Nations 25 Nov 2013
• Lebanon needs full support in face of Syrian conflict, says UN-backed group UN News Centre 25 Nov 2013 -- Lebanon needs strong, coordinated support in response to the unprecedented challenges posed by the crisis in Syria, which has brought an inflow of hundreds of thousands of Syrian refugees and has stoked inter-communal conflict, a United Nations-backed international group warned.
• UN Chief Announces Syria Peace Talks In January RFE/RL 25 Nov 2013 -- UN Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon says a second round of Syrian peace talks will be held in Geneva on January 22.
• Geneva conference on Syria set for January, UN chief announces UN News Centre 25 Nov 2013 -- Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon today said that he would convene in Geneva on 22 January the long-sought international conference on Syria bringing together the Government and the opposition to a negotiating table for the first time since the conflict started in March 2011.
• UN Says Syria Peace Talks Set for January VOA 25 Nov 2013 -- U.N. Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon announced on Monday that the Syrian government and opposition will meet at the negotiating table in Geneva for the first time on January 22 - though neither side has confirmed this.
• Libya army on state of alert in Benghazi Iran Press TV 25 Nov 2013 -- The Libyan army is on a 'state of alert' in the eastern city of Benghazi after at least seven soldiers were killed by Salafists.
• Libyan Militiamen Battle Government Forces in Benghazi VOA 25 Nov 2013 -- The Libyan government declared a state of emergency in the country's eastern port city of Benghazi Monday after heavy clashes between the Libyan army and members of an Islamist group believed to be behind last year's attack on a U.S. diplomatic mission. At least seven soldiers were reported killed and more than 39 people wounded.
• Mapping Mogadishu's revival IRIN 25 Nov 2013 -- A mapping exercise to register businesses and infrastructure in Mogadishu, Somalia's capital, aims to provide the government an opportunity to engage in urban planning, raise revenue to fund civic programmes and help settle land disputes, which are increasing as people return to their former homes after decades of conflict.
• UN Refuses to Close Somali Refugee Camps in Kenya VOA 25 Nov 2013 -- The United Nations says it will not close Somali refugee camps in Kenya, despite an order from a government minister for the camps to shut down.
• Senior official urges UN force to curb 'horrific' situation in Central African Republic UN News Centre 25 Nov 2013 -- Citing mounting human rights abuses, sexual violence and other "horrors," a top United Nations official called on the international community for immediate action to halt the rapidly deteriorating situation in conflict-wracked Central African Republic (CAR), which, he said is "descending into complete chaos before our eyes."
• UN Considers Options in Central African Republic VOA 25 Nov 2013 -- The U.N. Security Council is considering options for stemming violence and restoring the state's authority in the Central African Republic, including the possibility of deploying a U.N. peacekeeping mission.
• Security Council condemns 'war crimes' committed by Lord's Resistance Army UN News Centre 25 Nov 2013 -- Reiterating its strong condemnation of war crimes and crimes against humanity by the Lord's Resistance Army (LRA) and its use of children in armed conflict, the Security Council demanded that the group immediately cease all hostilities, release all abductees, and disarm and demobilize.
• DR Congo: senior UN envoy begins visit to bolster regional peace efforts UN News Centre 25 Nov 2013 -- The senior United Nations official for the Great Lakes region of Africa has begun a week-long mission to help shore up peace efforts, visiting Tanzania, Rwanda, the Republic of Congo, Uganda and the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC).
• Mandate of UN peacekeeping force in Abyei extended through May 2014 UN News Centre 25 Nov 2013 -- The Security Council extended the mandate of the United Nations peacekeeping force for Abyei which is tasked with overseeing the demilitarization of an area that is contested by Sudan and South Sudan.
• UN, African Union officials condemn latest attack on Darfur peacekeepers UN News Centre 25 Nov 2013 -- Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon and the head of the joint African Union-United Nations mission in Darfur have condemned an attack on Sunday in which one Rwandan peacekeeper was killed, and called on the Government of Sudan to bring the perpetrators to justice.
• Security Council condemns Iraqi violence, reaffirms support to people, Government UN News Centre 25 Nov 2013 -- The Security Council strongly condemned the recent spate of terrorist attacks in Iraq, as the top United Nations official in the country warned of a deteriorating security environment there aimed at undermining the Iraqi Government and elected officials.

News Reports

• Israelis Skeptical Over Iran Nuclear Pact VOA 25 Nov 2013 -- Israeli leaders see the interim agreement on Iran's nuclear program as a bad deal that does nothing to stop Iran's efforts to build nuclear weapons and Israeli analysts are skeptical about its success.
• France: EU likely to lift some Iran sanctions in December ISNA 25 Nov 2013 -- The EU will likely ease sanctions in place against Iran in December, said French Foreign Minister Laurent Fabius.
• 'EU to partially lift Iran sanctions in December' Iran Press TV 25 Nov 2013 -- French Foreign Minister Laurent Fabius says the European Union will likely lift some of the sanctions imposed against Iran in December following a deal between Tehran and the west.
• World countries hail Iran nuclear agreement Iran Press TV 25 Nov 2013 -- World countries have hailed the recent agreement between Iran and six major world powers over Tehran's civilian nuclear program.
• EU Seen Easing Iran Sanctions Soon RFE/RL 25 Nov 2013 -- France's foreign minister says the European Union would likely lift some sanctions on Tehran by the end of the year as part of a nuclear deal between Iran and six world powers.
• Saudi Arabia Cautiously Welcomes Iran Nuclear Deal VOA 25 Nov 2013 -- Saudi Arabia has joined other Gulf Arab states in cautiously welcoming a nuclear deal reached by their regional rival Iran and a group of world powers.
• Ukraine's Tymoshenko Launches Hunger Strike RFE/RL 25 Nov 2013 -- Jailed former Prime Minister Yulia Tymoshenko has launched a hunger strike in solidarity with Ukrainian protesters rallying in Kyiv for closer ties with the European Union.
• Is New Orange Revolution Brewing In Ukraine? RFE/RL 25 Nov 2013 -- Ukraine is still reeling from the massive demonstrations that gripped its capital on November 24 to protest the government's decision to walk away from a key trade pact with the European Union.
• Ukraine Protesters Clash with Police over EU Agreement VOA 25 Nov 2013 -- Police in Ukraine fired teargas at pro-Europe protesters as they held a second day of demonstrations against the government's decision not to sign a landmark trade pact with the European Union.
• Thailand PM declares emergency law for Bangkok Iran Press TV 25 Nov 2013 -- Thailand Prime Minister Yingluck Shinawatra has declared a special emergency law for Bangkok after riot police and anti-government protesters scuffled in the capital city.