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Operations
Defense Policy / Programs
Defense Industry
Other Conflicts
News Reports

Current Operations

• Deployed wing to deactivate AFNS 18 Dec 2013 -- The 451st Air Expeditionary Wing at Kandahar Airfield, Afghanistan, is scheduled to deactivate in January 2014 as part of the bigger Afghanistan retrograde efforts.
• Controversial ID Cards Expose Ethnic Divisions In Afghanistan RFE/RL 18 Dec 2013 -- Violent street protests, walkouts in parliament, and scuffles among politicians -- an effort to introduce new national ID cards is causing an identity crisis in Afghanistan.

Defense Policy / Programs

• Liberty and Security in a Changing World: Report and Recommendations of The President’s Review Group on Intelligence and Communications Technologies President’s Review Group on Intelligence and Communications Technologies 12 Dec 2013, Released 18 Dec 2013
• Panel Recommends Limits on NSA Spying VOA 18 Dec 2013 -- A special panel appointed by President Barack Obama has released its report on U.S. surveillance activities. Obama ordered the report and a wider government-wide review earlier this year amid leaks by exiled former National Security Agency contractor Edward Snowden.
• President Obama's Meeting with the Review Group on Intelligence and Communications Technologies The White House 18 Dec 2013 -- President Obama met with his Review Group on Intelligence and Communications Technologies - Richard Clarke, Michael Morell, Geoffrey Stone, Cass Sunstein and Peter Swire - to discuss the report they submitted to the President on December 13. This meeting offered President Obama an opportunity to hear directly from the group's members and discuss the thinking behind the 46 recommendations in their report.
• Detainee Transfer Announced DoD 18 Dec 2013 -- The Department of Defense announced today the transfer of Noor Uthman Muhammed and Ibrahim Othman Ibrahim Idris from the detention facility at Guantanamo Bay to the Government of Sudan.
• US Expects More Guantanamo Detainee Transfers VOA 18 Dec 2013 -- The Pentagon is speeding up the transfer of detainees from its detention facility at Guantanamo Bay, Cuba. Two Saudi prisoners were sent back to their country this week, after U.S. officials said they received assurances from the Saudi government that the men would receive humane treatment and that they would not join terrorist groups.
• Mobility Airmen ready and responsive anytime, anywhere AFNS 18 Dec 2013 -- As the death of former South African president Nelson Mandela drew the world's attention to the African continent, mobility Airmen raced against the clock to ensure President Obama's security, communications, and mission support was in place.
• DOD Aids State Department in South Sudan Evacuation AFPS 18 Dec 2013 -- Early this morning at the State Department's request, the Defense Department directed two U.S. C-130 aircraft to evacuate 120 personnel from Juba, the capital of South Sudan, to Nairobi, Kenya, Army Col. Steve Warren, a Defense Department spokesman, told reporters today.
• Future USS Milwaukee (LCS 5) Christened and Launched, Marks Production Milestone NNS 18 Dec 2013 -- The Navy, along with the Lockheed Martin-led industry team, christened and launched the future USS Milwaukee in a ceremony at the Marinette Marine Corporation shipyard Dec. 18, marking an important production milestone for the littoral combat ship program.
• Haney Charts Way Forward for U.S. Strategic Command AFPS 18 Dec 2013 -- A month after taking the helm of U.S. Strategic Command, Navy Adm. Cecil D. Haney is moving full steam ahead to continue bolstering the deterrence that protects Americans from what Defense Secretary Chuck Hagel describes as "the world's most complex and dangerous threats."
• Africom Helps African Partners Prepare for Disaster Response AFPS 18 Dec 2013 -- A program initially launched to help African partners prevent pandemics has expanded to encompass preparedness for a full range of natural or man-made disasters, and should one occur, to reduce the associated pain, suffering and loss.
• Crisis Response Marines conduct bilateral live-fire training in Spain USMC News 18 Dec 2013 -- Marines and sailors with Special-Purpose Marine Air-Ground Task Force Crisis Response conducted fire and maneuver, live-fire bilateral training with Spanish Brigada De La Legion Rey Alfonso XIII at Base Alvarez de Sotomayor, Almeria, Spain, Dec. 2-5, 2013.
• Exercise Iron Fist 2014 to bring U.S., Japanese forces together USMC News 18 Dec 2013 -- Marines and sailors from the 15th Marine Expeditionary Unit, will partner with soldiers from the Japan Ground Self-Defense Force to participate in Exercise Iron Fist 2014 aboard Camp Pendleton, from Jan. 23 to Feb. 24.
• US Imposes Sanctions on Burmese Companies, Military Staff Officer VOA 18 Dec 2013 -- The United States has imposed sanctions on a military officer and three companies in Burma, also known as Myanmar, on accusations of involvement in banned arms dealings with North Korea.
• Russia to deploy rail-mounted nuclear missiles Iran Press TV 18 Dec 2013 -- A Russian military commander says Moscow is drafting a plan to deploy rail-mounted nuclear missiles in response to the United States' Prompt Global Strike program.
• Russia Plans Rail-Mounted Missiles to Counter US Global Strike Program RIA Novosti 18 Dec 2013 -- Russia will draft a plan in the coming year to deploy rail-mounted nuclear missiles as a potential response to the United States' Prompt Global Strike program, the commander of its Strategic Missile Force said on Wednesday.
• Russia Plans to Build 'UAV-Killers' Based on Pantsir-S Systems RIA Novosti 18 Dec 2013 -- Russia is upgrading its short-range Pantsir-S air defense systems with an improved capability to intercept unmanned aerial vehicles, a Defense Ministry spokesman said Wednesday.
• 'Satan' Rocket Could Step in to Launch More Russian Satellites - General RIA Novosti 18 Dec 2013 -- Russia could convert more of its RS-20 ballistic missiles to launch domestic satellites in place of other less reliable rockets, the commander of Russia's Strategic Missile Force said on Tuesday.
• Army grounds newly acquired Apache choppers due to malfunction CNA 18 Dec 2013 -- Taiwan's Army has grounded the six AH-64E Apache attack helicopters recently delivered by the United States after receiving notification of a malfunction in a helicopter of the same type used by the U.S. Army, officials said Wednesday.
• Press Briefing by Press Secretary Jay Carney, 12/18/2013 The White House 18 Dec 2013
• December 18, 2013 - U.S. Department of State Daily Press Briefing US Dept. of State 18 Dec 2013

Defense Industry

• DoD News: Contracts for December 18, 2013
• The Brazilian Government selects Gripen SAAB 18 Dec 2013 -- The Brazilian government announced the selection of Gripen NG. The announcement will be followed by negotiations with the Brazilian Air Force aiming at a procurement of 36 Gripen NG.
• FX2 contest Dassault Aviation 18 Dec 2013 -- For the past 15 years, DASSAULT AVIATION and its partners SNECMA (Safran Group) and THALES, brought together within the RAFALE International Consortium, have been working in Brazil to promote the MIRAGE 2000 for the FX Call for Tender, then the RAFALE for FX2.

Other Conflicts

• 18 December 2013 - Daily Press Briefing by the Office of the Spokesperson for the Secretary-General United Nations 18 Dec 2013
• 18 December 2013 - Press Conference by General Assembly President United Nations 18 Dec 2013
• Syria: multinational effort to remove chemical arms kicks off tomorrow, OPCW says UN News Centre 18 Dec 2013 -- The search for suitable vendors to assist in the commercial transport and destruction of Syrian chemical agents is due to begin tomorrow, the head of the Organisation for the Prohibition of Chemical Weapons (OPCW) said today, announcing a multinational effort for that will require additional funding.
• Security Council warns of Syrian civil war's impact on UN force in Golan Heights UN News Centre 18 Dec 2013 -- The Security Council today extended the nearly 40-year-old United Nations observer force in the Golan Heights for another six months, calling on all parties in the Syrian civil war to cease military actions in the area.
• Syrian army kills scores of militants across country Iran Press TV 18 Dec 2013 -- Scores of foreign-backed militants operating inside Syria have been killed in clashes with the Syrian army across the country.
• Russia Joins Operation to Remove Chemical Weapons From Syria RIA Novosti 18 Dec 2013 -- Russia will send armored trucks to Syria as part of an international effort to remove chemical weapons from the war-torn country for destruction at sea, the international watchdog overseeing the operation said in a statement posted online Wednesday.
• Syrian Government Forces Pound Aleppo VOA 18 Dec 2013 -- Syrian government forces continue to bomb rebel-held districts of the country's largest city, Aleppo, for the fourth consecutive day Wednesday. Witnesses say the use of 'barrel bombs' is causing a heavy toll on civilians and that doctors are struggling to treat casualties.
• China urges U.S. to be cautious on South China Sea issue People's Daily 18 Dec 2013 -- China on Wednesday rebuffed U.S. Secretary of State John Kerry's remarks on the South China Sea issue and urged the country to be cautious in its words and deeds.
• Beijing warns US against meddling in China Sea Iran Press TV 18 Dec 2013 -- Beijing has warned the United States to be cautious in its words and actions with regard to territorial disputes involving China and its neighbors.
• Security Council urges South Sudanese parties to cease hostilities, exercise restraint UN News Centre 18 Dec 2013 -- The United Nations Security Council has urged all parties in South Sudan to immediately cease hostilities and exercise restraint to prevent the further spread of violence that has uprooted thousands of civilians in recent days in the world's youngest nation.
• S. Sudan President Willing to Hold Talks with Rival VOA 18 Dec 2013 -- South Sudanese President Salva Kiir says he is willing to hold talks with the former vice president he accuses of leading a coup attempt against him.
• Fighting in South Sudan capital leaves dozens dead, displaced IRIN 18 Dec 2013 -- Fighting over four days in South Sudan's capital, Juba, following what the government has termed a "failed coup attempt", has left dozens dead and many more injured, forcing thousands of others to flee their homes, say officials.
• UN Says Humanitarian Crisis is Spiraling in CAR VOA 18 Dec 2013 -- The United Nations says an estimated two million people are in need of humanitarian assistance in the Central African Republic , where political instability led to deadly clashes that forced thousands of people to flee from their homes.
• Somalia: UN envoy condemns deadly attack on medical convoy near Mogadishu UN News Centre 18 Dec 2013 -- The top United Nations envoy in Somalia has strongly condemned the killing of six people during an attack on a medical convoy outside Mogadishu today.
• Security Council extends terms of judges serving on UN former Yugoslavia tribunal UN News Centre 18 Dec 2013 -- The Security Council today extended the mandates of judges at the United Nations tribunal set up to deal with the worst atrocities committed during the Balkan conflicts of the 1990s.

News Reports

• Senate presses CIA over secret report Iran Press TV 18 Dec 2013 -- The Senate Intelligence Committee is pressing the CIA to share an internal secret report on the agency's controversial detention and interrogation program.
• Brazil denies asylum to whistleblower Snowden Iran Press TV 18 Dec 2013 -- Brazil has denied plans to grant asylum to US whistleblower Edward Snowden, following an offer by Snowden to help the South American nation investigate US spying on its people and president.
• Brazil Reacts Cautiously to Snowden Asylum Request RIA Novosti 18 Dec 2013 -- The Brazilian government has expressed doubts about the possibility of granting political asylum to US fugitive intelligence leaker Edward Snowden in exchange for his help in the investigation of US spying on the Brazilian soil.
• South Koreans Concerned About Pyongyang's Political Purge VOA 18 Dec 2013 -- South Korean social media are filled with comments expressing concern over the sudden execution of North Korean official Jang Song Thaek.
• Iranian-G5+1 to resume experts talks Thursday ISNA 18 Dec 2013 -- An Iranian official announced that expert talks between Iran and the five permanent members of the UN Security Council plus Germany will be resumed in Geneva on Thursday.
• McCain Accuses Moscow Of Blocking Ukraine's EU Path RFE/RL 18 Dec 2013 -- U.S. Senator John McCain says Russia is trying to keep Ukraine from joining the European Union.
• Russia Criticizes 'Blatant Pressure' On Ukraine As Protests Continue RFE/RL 18 Dec 2013 -- Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov has criticized what he called 'blatant pressure' being exerted on the Ukrainian government, a veiled reference to EU efforts to convince Kyiv to sign a pact on closer relations.
• US Says Russia-Ukraine Deal Sidesteps Protesters Concerns RIA Novosti 18 Dec 2013 -- The United States said Tuesday that Russia's multibillion-dollar lifeline to Kiev does not address the concerns of legions of Ukrainians who have taken to the streets to protest their government's decision to halt expected trade deals with the European Union.
• Russia Condemns Pressure on Ukraine to Turn Towards Europe RIA Novosti 18 Dec 2013 -- Russia is surprised by blatant attempts to pressure Ukraine into signing an association agreement with the European Union, Russia's foreign minister said Wednesday.
• DPR Korea: UN experts call for death penalty moratorium after high-profile execution UN News Centre 18 Dec 2013 -- The recent execution of a senior official in the Democratic People's Republic of Korea (DPRK) "is just one among multiple executions" reported in the country since August, carried out with total disregard of due process and other international human rights standards, United Nations independent experts said today, calling on the Government to immediately halt the practice.
• Strong growth in Myanmar boosts opium production in 'Golden Triangle' – UN report UN News Centre 18 Dec 2013 -- Led by strong growth in Myanmar, opium poppy cultivation in the area known as the Golden Triangle rose for the seventh consecutive year, according to a report released today by the United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime (UNODC).
• Golden Triangle opium production rises 22 per cent in 2013, says UNODC UNODC 18 Dec 2013 -- Led by a 13 per cent increase in Myanmar opium cultivation to 57,800 hectares (from 51,000 ha in 2012), opium poppy cultivation in Southeast Asia's Golden Triangle of Myanmar, Lao PDR and Thailand rose for the seventh consecutive year, according to a new UNODC report.
• Security Council spotlights growing threat of drugs, organized crime in West Africa UN News Centre 18 Dec 2013 -- The Security Council, deeply concerned over the increasing links between drug trafficking and other forms of transnational organized crime in West Africa, today emphasized the need to enhance regional cooperation and develop effective strategies to combat this growing threat.
• Taiwan issues level-2 alert for Jiangxi Province over H10N8 flu CNA 18 Dec 2013 -- Taiwan issued a level-2 travel alert for the Chinese province of Jiangxi Wednesday after China confirmed the world's first human infection of the H10N8 avian flu strain there a day earlier.
• WHO announces 2 new cases of MERS in Saudi Arabia Iran Press TV 18 Dec 2013 -- The World Health Organization (WHO) has announced two new cases of the Middle East Respiratory Syndrome coronavirus (MERS-CoV) infection in Saudi Arabia.
• Kerry Announces More U.S. Aid to Storm-damaged Philippines AFPS 18 Dec 2013 -- Secretary of State John F. Kerry visited Tacloban in the Philippines yesterday and announced that the United States will provide an additional $24.6 million in humanitarian aid to help on-going recovery efforts from last month's devastating typhoon, adding to the $62 million already given.
• US Convicts Russian in Illegal Arms Export Case RIA Novosti 18 Dec 2013 -- A Russian man has pleaded guilty in US federal court in Wyoming to attempting to illegally export military-grade thermal-imaging rifle sights from the United States, according to court documents.
• Alarm over Burundi's planned constitution changes IRIN 18 Dec 2013 -- Plans by Burundi's government to make radical amendments to the constitution have raised the political temperature in a country striving to overcome the effects of a civil war fought between 1993 and 2005.