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Defense Policy / Programs
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News Reports

Current Operations

• OIF/OEF/OND Casualty Update 11 Dec 2013 [PDF]
• Official Urges Afghans to Sign Security Agreement Promptly AFPS 11 Dec 2013 -- The United States wants the Afghan government to sign a proposed bilateral security agreement "as soon as possible," a senior Defense Department official with responsibility for Afghanistan told Congress today.
• U.S. Supports Peacekeeping Efforts in Central African Republic AFPS 11 Dec 2013 -- Two U.S. Air Force C-17 Globemaster III aircraft and a small command and support team are on the ground in Uganda, preparing to conduct airlift operations in support of ongoing peacekeeping operations in the Central African Republic, Army Col. Steve Warren, a Defense Department spokesman, said today.
• HMS Illustrious completes Philippines aid mission UK MOD 11 Dec 2013 -- The Royal Navy vessel and her ship's company have completed their task supporting the post-Typhoon Haiyan relief mission.

Defense Policy / Programs

• Readout of Secretary Hagel's Call with Ukrainian Minister of Defense Pavlo Lebedyev DoD 11 Dec 2013
• AF officials announce FY14 civilian workforce shaping AFNS 11 Dec 2013 -- The Air Force will reduce the size of its civilian workforce by about 900 positions in addition to maintaining approximately 7,000 vacancies across the force to meet the demands of a constrained fiscal 2014 budget, officials announced.
• AF announces additional force management programs to reduce force size AFNS 11 Dec 2013 -- Air Force leaders announced force management programs Dec. 11 designed to reduce the force by thousands of Airmen over the next five years as a result of sequestration.
• Corps Commander: Sequestration Bites into Readiness AFPS 11 Dec 2013 -- Strapped for operating funds due to sequestration, yet charged with providing ready forces to support the U.S. rebalance to the Asia-Pacific region, the I Corps commander said he is channeling the resources he has where it matters most: into training junior troops and developing future leaders.
• Air Force's Top Officer Outlines Tough Budget Decisions AFPS 11 Dec 2013 -- With sequestration cemented as law into the foreseeable future, the Air Force's top officer today discussed some tough choices the service faces as its leaders try to pare $12 billion from the budget.
• Multinational training improves defenses AFNS 11 Dec 2013 -- On the northern tip of Japan, foreign ground forces are slowly pushing south. The Army and Japan Ground Self-Defense Force, or JGSDF, are trying their best to hold the foreign forces off. All the while, the Air Force monitors the airspace and the Navy tries to lockdown the sea. Japan is under full-scale attack -- virtually.
• DARPA Pioneers Tactical Mobile Devices for Soldiers AFPS 11 Dec 2013 -- For the first time in any war, U.S. soldiers on foot patrol across Afghanistan can use secure mobile handheld devices and infantry-tailored apps to access digital maps, set up and share routes, execute sudden mission changes and store critical information for use back inside the wire.
• Houston Visits Singapore during Western Pacific Deployment NNS 11 Dec 2013 -- The Los Angeles-class fast-attack submarine USS Houston (SSN 713) arrived at Changi Naval Base Singapore Dec. 9 for a visit as part of its deployment to the Western Pacific.
• US-Russian Warheads-for-Fuel Program Completed RIA Novosti 11 Dec 2013 -- The last shipment of Russian uranium from nuclear warheads converted to reactor fuel arrived in Baltimore by sea on Tuesday, ending a program that has provided 10 percent of all US electricity over the past 15 years.
• US-Russian Nuclear Conversion Program Ends VOA 11 Dec 2013 -- Uranium converted from Russian nuclear warheads has provided an estimated 10 percent of U.S. electric power in recent years. The 20-year 'Megatons to Megawatts' program has come to an end.
• Russia to Develop Light-Class Fighter Jet RIA Novosti 11 Dec 2013 -- Russia will soon start developing a prototype of an advanced lightweight fighter jet to supplement fifth-generation T-50 aircraft, a top government official said Wednesday.
• Russia Warns of Nuclear Response to US Global Strike Program RIA Novosti 11 Dec 2013 -- A senior government minister warned Wednesday that Russia could retaliate with a nuclear strike if a new US military strategy threatened its security.
• Russia to Focus on Robotic Weaponry in Arms Procurement RIA Novosti 11 Dec 2013 -- The Russian army should focus on the acquisition of robotic weaponry and reduce its overall number of different types of military equipment in use, a deputy prime minister said Wednesday.
• Russia Speeds Up Work on Angara Rocket Base RIA Novosti 11 Dec 2013 -- Construction of a launchpad in northern Russia for the long-delayed Angara rocket will be completed ahead of previous estimates, the country's defense minister has said.
• NATO Secretary General's term extended NATO 11 Dec 2013 -- On 11 December, the North Atlantic Council decided to extend the Secretary General's tenure of office to enable him to prepare and preside the NATO Summit which will take place in South Wales on 4-5 September 2014.
• President defends Taiwan's stance on China's ADIZ declaration CNA 11 Dec 2013 -- President Ma Ying-jeou said Wednesday in a meeting with the top U.S. official in charge of relations with Taiwan that Taiwan reacted firmly to China's declaration of an air defense identification zone (ADIZ) in the East China Sea.
• Chinese, Thai armies kick off joint military drill People's Daily 11 Dec 2013 -- The Chinese and Thai army special forces kicked off a 14-day joint anti-terror training in Thailand on Monday morning.
• Chinese scholar wants aircraft carrier in South China Sea CNA 11 Dec 2013 -- China's first aircraft carrier, the Liaoning, should be deployed in the South China Sea to strengthen the country's claim to the region, a Chinese military expert has argued.
• China's Peace Ark leaves Philippines People's Daily 11 Dec 2013 -- China's navy hospital ship Peace Ark left the Leyte Gulf in southeastern Philippines Tuesday for home after concluding a 16-day medical aid mission in typhoon-hit areas, said a Foreign Ministry spokesman.
• Peace Ark leaves Leyte after disaster relief People's Daily 11 Dec 2013 -- Hospital ship Peace Ark completed its disaster relief mission and left Leyte Gulf in the Philippines at 8 am on Dec 10.
• Xu Qiliang stresses to step up efforts in military standardization People's Daily 11 Dec 2013 -- Xu Qiliang, member of the Political Bureau of the Central Committee of the Communist Party of China (CPC) and vice chairman of the Central Military Commission (CMC) of the CPC, attended the working meeting on military standardization of the Chinese People's Liberation Army (PLA) on December 9, 2013 in Beijing.
• IRGC commander: Irans power not mere military IRNA 11 Dec 2013 -- Commander of the Islamic Revolution Guards Corps (IRGC) Major General Mohammad Ali Ja'fari said Iran's power relies not just on its military might.
• Iran insists on taking delivery of S-300 systems Iran Press TV 11 Dec 2013 -- Iranian Foreign Minister Mohammad Javad Zarif says the Islamic Republic insists on taking delivery of the Russian-made S-300 missile defense systems under a deal cut between the two countries.
• Press Briefing by Principal Deputy Press Secretary Josh Earnest, 12/11/2013 The White House 11 Dec 2013
• December 11, 2013 - U.S. Department of State Daily Press Briefing US Dept. of State 11 Dec 2013

Defense Industry

• DoD News: Contracts for December 11, 2013

Other Conflicts

• 11 December 2013 - Daily Press Briefing by the Office of the Spokesperson for the Secretary-General United Nations 11 Dec 2013
• UN refugee chief seeks support to assist record number of internally displaced people UN News Centre 11 Dec 2013 -- The United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees today appealed for greater global support to assist the almost 30 million people around the world who are forcibly displaced in their own countries.
• US Suspends Non-Lethal Aid for Syrian Rebels VOA 11 Dec 2013 -- The United States confirmed Wednesday that non-lethal aid to northern Syria has been suspended after Islamist fighters seized warehouses used by the Western-backed Free Syrian Army rebels.
• Obama nearly lied US into war with Syria: Seymour Hersh Iran Press TV 11 Dec 2013 -- Leading American investigative journalist, Seymour Hersh, says US President Barack Obama had nearly "cherry-picked" its evidence for launching a military strike against Syria after a chemical weapons attack near the Syrian capital, Damascus, in August.
• Syria army launches large-scale ops. against militants Iran Press TV 11 Dec 2013 -- The Syrian army has launched large-scale military operations against foreign-backed militants across the country.
• Number of foreign militants in Syria exceeds 5,000 Iran Press TV 11 Dec 2013 -- A new report says the number of foreign militants fighting the government of Syrian President Bashar al-Assad is now above 5,000.
• IRGC experts training Syrian army: Cmdr. Jafari Iran Press TV 11 Dec 2013 -- An Iranian commander says the the Islamic Revolution Guards Corps (IRGC) has military experts in Syria who share experience and provide consultations to the armed forces of the Arab country.
• France Could Face Long Intervention in CAR VOA 11 Dec 2013 -- France's President Francois Hollande has vowed to stay the course in the Central African Republic, where French forces deployed to curb the country's escalating violence have sustained their first casualties. After Mali, CAR marks Paris' second military intervention in Africa this year. It may also prove more complex and lengthy than expected.
• Security Council hears criticism over 'inaction and paralysis' in Darfur crisis UN News Centre 11 Dec 2013 -- It is "an understatement" to say the victims of Sudan's Darfur conflict have lost all hope, the Chief Prosecutor of the International Criminal Court (ICC) said today, reiterating her "frustration and despair" at the United Nations Security Council's "inaction and paralysis", and urged it to take firm action to bring those indicted for war crimes to justice.
• DR Congo: UN peacekeeping on offensive after defeat of M23, says senior UN official UN News Centre 11 Dec 2013 -- With peace efforts under way with the M23, the United Nations in the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC) is shifting its focus to other rebel groups and working with the Government to maintain the fragile gains in the eastern part of the country, the Security Council was told today.
• UN Targets FDLR Fighters in Eastern Congo VOA 11 Dec 2013 -- The head of the U.N. mission in the Congo said Wednesday that with the defeat of M23 rebels, U.N. peacekeepers are targeting other armed groups that have terrorized the eastern Congo for years.
• UN urges DR Congo authorities to ensure accountability for election-related abuses UN News Centre 11 Dec 2013 -- A new United Nations report stresses the importance of ensuring accountability for human rights violations committed in the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC) during the 2011 electoral period so as to prevent such crimes from being repeated during the next elections.
• Briefing: Escalating clashes in northern Kenya IRIN 11 Dec 2013 -- A fresh outbreak of violence between communities in northern Kenya's Moyale area – in Marsabit County - has displaced tens of thousands and led the government to take the almost unprecedented step of deploying its troops domestically in an effort to quell the unrest.
• Egyptian civilians in crosshairs of Sinai militants IRIN 11 Dec 2013 -- Hani Ayesh, a resident of al-Arish, in Egypt's Sinai Peninsula, was on his way to work when his bus was struck by a rocket or missile launched by militants targeting a nearby army vehicle.
• Senior UN relief official concerned as Israeli demolitions displace dozens of Palestinians UN News Centre 11 Dec 2013 -- A senior United Nations humanitarian official today voiced concern as Israeli demolitions in the Jordan Valley resulted in the displacement of 41 people, including 24 children, some of whom were uprooted for the second time this month.

News Reports

• Canada set up spy posts for NSA: Report Iran Press TV 11 Dec 2013 -- Canada has set up covert spying posts around the world and spied on trading partners at the request of the US National Security Agency (NSA), a report says.
• Yanukovych Invites Opposition For Talks RFE/RL 11 Dec 2013 -- President Viktor Yanukovych says he is inviting all parties, including the opposition, to find a compromise to solve Ukraine's political crisis.
• Ashton: Yanukovych Promised Solution Within 24 Hours RFE/RL 11 Dec 2013 -- EU foreign-policy chief Catherine Ashton says President Viktor Yanukovych has promised to take steps toward solving the crisis in Ukraine within 24 hours.
• Ukrainian Police Launch Assault on Kiev Barricades RIA Novosti 11 Dec 2013 -- Elite riot police and Interior Ministry forces clashed with opposition supporters in the Ukrainian capital Kiev early Wednesday, dismantling barricades that protesters put up in the streets to disrupt access to government buildings.
• Ukrainian Opposition Rejects Talks With Government RIA Novosti 11 Dec 2013 -- Ukrainian opposition leaders on Wednesday rejected talks proposed by the government in a bid to resolve the current political crisis.
• Ukraine Protest Leaders Refuse Talks VOA 11 Dec 2013 -- Ukrainian protest leaders on Wednesday said they would not hold talks with President Viktor Yanukovych until their demands, including that he resign, were met.
• Kerry Fails to Convince Key Senators to Forgo New Iran Sanctions VOA 11 Dec 2013 -- A direct appeal by U.S. Secretary of State John Kerry has not convinced skeptical senators to forgo a push to boost sanctions against Iran. Kerry appears to have changed few if any minds when he told U.S. lawmakers that further sanctions would torpedo delicate international negotiations to limit Tehran's nuclear program.
• Zarif: Iran, Russia closing agreement on building reactor, N. power plant IRNA 11 Dec 2013 -- Iranian Foreign Minister Mohammad Javad Zarif said Iran and Russia are closing agreement on building reactor and nuclear power plant.
• Iran, IAEA to discuss Iranian uranium mine inspection ISNA 11 Dec 2013 -- Iranian representative to the IAEA Reza Najafi said the country and the agency plan to discuss practical measures in the second phase of the deal concluded in Tehran between the Atomic Energy Organization of Iran (AEOI) Head Ali Akbar Salehi and the IAEA Chief Yukiya Amano, in Vienna on Wednesday.
• Kerry Asks U.S. Lawmakers Not To Seek New Iran Sanctions RFE/RL 11 Dec 2013 -- U.S. Secretary of State John Kerry has appealed to U.S. lawmakers not to impose new sanctions on Tehran as world powers implement a six-month first-step deal toward seeking a comprehensive agreement with Iran to curb its nuclear program.
• Russia Reaffirms Plans to Cooperate With Iran on Peaceful Atom RIA Novosti 11 Dec 2013 -- Russia is interested in continuing collaboration with Iran in the development of the Islamic Republic's civilian nuclear power program, Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov said Wednesday.
• Uruguay's move to legalize cannabis endangers global anti-drug effort, UN agency says UN News Centre 11 Dec 2013 -- Amid growing debate over international drug control policy in Latin America, the United Nations drug and crime agency today said that a decision by the Uruguayan parliament to legalize cannabis is a strike against international cooperation.
• Ban urges Bangladesh's leaders to solve differences over elections through dialogue UN News Centre 11 Dec 2013 -- Voicing strong concern over widespread violence in Bangladesh that has left dozens of people dead since last month, Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon today called on Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina to resolve differences over upcoming parliamentary elections scheduled for January through dialogue.
• Myanmar: UN human rights expert welcomes latest release of political prisoners UN News Centre 11 Dec 2013 -- An independent United Nations human rights expert today welcomed the release of 44 prisoners of conscience in Myanmar, hailing it as an important step towards fulfilling President Thein Sein's pledge of freedom for all political prisoners by the end of this year.