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Defense Policy / Programs
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News Reports

Current Operations

• RAF Voyager now operating Afghanistan flights UK MOD 20 Dec 2013 -- Two RAF Voyager aircraft have begun flying between the UK and southern Afghanistan, months ahead of schedule.
• US drone crashes in Afghanistan's Nangarhar Province Iran Press TV 20 Dec 2013 -- A US unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV) has crashed in Afghanistan's eastern province of Nangarhar with Taliban claiming responsibility for the incident.

Defense Policy / Programs

• Department of Defense Press Briefing by Secretary Mabus on Navy Husbanding Policies and Contracting Initiatives the Pentagon Briefing Room DoD 20 Dec 2013 -- Presenters: Secretary of the Navy Ray Mabus; Rear Admiral Jonathan Yuen, Naval Supply Systems Command; Deputy Assistant Secretary of the Navy for Acquisition and Procurement Elliott Branch; and Press Secretary Rear Admiral John Kirby
• Mabus Tightens Navy's Counter-fraud Measures AFPS 20 Dec 2013 -- While the Navy already has one of the strongest counter-fraud efforts in the government, Navy Secretary Ray Mabus today announced new measures to assure contracting integrity and to prevent fraud.
• Missouri Welcomed Home after Maiden Deployment NNS 20 Dec 2013 -- A few hundred families, friends and Navy personnel welcomed home USS Missouri (SSN 780) at Naval Submarine Base New London, Dec. 20, after the Virginia-class attack submarine completed its first overseas deployment.
• USS Jason Dunham XO, CMC relieved of duty NNS 20 Dec 2013 -- Commander, Destroyer Squadron 28 relieved the USS Jason Dunham's (DDG 109) executive officer and command master chief of their duties Dec. 20 as a result of their inappropriate responses to reports of hazing conduct, including failure to inform the commanding officer regarding the alleged hazing.
• USS North Carolina Departs for Western Pacific Deployment NNS 20 Dec 2013 -- Sailors hugged and kissed their family and friends as they said goodbye on the submarine piers of Joint Base Pearl Harbor-Hickam as the Los Angeles-class fast-attack submarine USS North Carolina (SSN 777) departed Dec. 19 for a deployment to the Western Pacific region.
• Obama Directs Review of Sexual Assault Prevention Progress AFPS 20 Dec 2013 -- President Barack Obama has instructed Defense Secretary Chuck Hagel and Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff Army Gen. Martin E. Dempsey to continue their efforts to make substantial improvements to the military's sexual assault prevention and response, including related improvements to the military justice system.
• Haney: Security Challenges Demand Vigilance, Agility AFPS 20 Dec 2013 -- The challenging and ever-changing strategic environment requires a "vigilant, flexible and innovative" force able to prepare for and respond to threats to U.S. national security, the commander of U.S. Strategic Command said.
• Statement by Secretary of Defense Chuck Hagel on Sexual Assault Prevention and Response DoD 20 Dec 2013 -- Eliminating sexual assault in the military is one of the Department of Defense's highest priorities.
• PCU Milwaukee Conducts Mast-Stepping Ceremony NNS 20 Dec 2013 -- The crews of the Navy's newest littoral combat ship, Pre-Commissioning Unit (PCU) Milwaukee (LCS 5), conducted a mast-stepping ceremony at the Marinette Marine Corporation in Marinette, Wis., Dec. 18.
• Hagel slams China's 'irresponsible' actions in naval standoff Iran Press TV 20 Dec 2013 -- Pentagon chief Chuck Hagel criticizes the Chinese Navy as "irresponsible," saying its actions risk escalating tensions with the United States.
• Russian Military Confirms Plans for New Light Transport Plane RIA Novosti 20 Dec 2013 -- The Russian Defense Ministry and the United Aircraft Corporation will sign a contract on the development of the Il-112V light transport plane next year, a deputy defense minister said Friday.
• Russia Needs Naval Buildup in Arctic - Deputy Premier RIA Novosti 20 Dec 2013 -- Russia should beef up its naval presence in the Arctic to protect its economic interests in the region from the encroachment of NATO nations, a senior minister said on Friday.
• Russian Military to Decide on Missile Deployment at NATO Borders RIA Novosti 20 Dec 2013 -- A decision on whether to deploy tactical ballistic missiles near borders with NATO countries will be made only following a threat assessment by the Russian military, Russia's top diplomat said Friday.
• Russia to Commission 2nd Borey Nuclear Sub on Dec. 23 RIA Novosti 20 Dec 2013 -- The second Borey-class nuclear-powered ballistic missile submarine, the Alexander Nevsky, will join the Russian navy during an official ceremony at the Sevmash shipyard on December 23, a local administration source said Friday.
• Taiwan seeking early repatriation of AWOL officer held in U.K. CNA 20 Dec 2013 -- Taiwan is seeking a speedy repatriation for an AWOL military officer detained in the U.K. for illegally staying there, and will arrange for her to meet with Taiwanese diplomatic staff in London if she applies, the foreign ministry said Friday.
• Taiwan hopes AWOL officer in U.K. will be repatriated for trial soon CNA 20 Dec 2013 -- Emily Yeh, the Taiwanese military intelligence officer who fled to the United Kingdom to avoid military service, will face a sentence of no more than five years when she is repatriated, the defense ministry said Friday.
• AWOL intelligence officer says she does not regret decisions CNA 20 Dec 2013 -- The Taiwanese AWOL military officer detained in the United Kingdom for overstaying said Thursday she does not regret her decision to return to Taiwan from the United States a few years ago to pursue a career in military intelligence.
• Navy's 28th flotilla berth in Colombo Port IRNA 20 Dec 2013 -- Deputy Navy Commander for Operations Siavash Jarreh said that the 28th Flotilla of the Iranian Navy which is in Southeast Asia berthed at Colombo port in Sri Lanka.
• Iran kicks off major aerial drill over Persian Gulf Iran Press TV 20 Dec 2013 -- The Islamic Republic of Iran's Air Force (IRIAF) has launched massive military exercises over the Persian Gulf waters in the south of the country.
• Iran's 28th fleet docks at Sri Lankan Colombo port Iran Press TV 20 Dec 2013 -- The Iranian Navy's 28th fleet of war vessels, which includes the nation's first super-heavy submarine, has docked at Sri Lanka's port of Colombo, says a top commander.
• Peru Signs $400M Deal for Russian Transport Helicopters RIA Novosti 20 Dec 2013 -- Peru has signed a $400 million deal to buy 24 Mil Mi-171 transport helicopters for its military, Peruvian media reported Friday.
• December 20, 2013 - U.S. Department of State Daily Press Briefing US Dept. of State 20 Dec 2013

Defense Industry

• DoD News: Contracts for December 20, 2013

Other Conflicts

• 20 December 2013 - Daily Press Briefing by the Office of the Spokesperson for the Secretary-General United Nations 20 Dec 2013
• Libya's Political Tensions Appear Headed Towards a Showdown VOA 20 Dec 2013 -- Political tensions in Libya which have left the country paralyzed appear to be heading towards a showdown. Libya’s fractious parliamentarians have given the country’s beleaguered Prime Minister Ali Zeidan an ultimatum to resolve a dispute with wayward militias over the closure of vital eastern oil terminals politically, or use military force to get the oil flowing again.
• 2013 witnessed some of the highest levels of forced displacement ever - UN report UN News Centre 20 Dec 2013 -- The United Nations refugee agency warned today that 2013 is on track for some of the highest levels of forced displacement ever seen, owing to unusually large numbers of new refugees and internally displaced people (IDPs).
• Joint UN-Arab League envoy says over 30 nations invited to peace conference on Syria UN News Centre 20 Dec 2013 -- The Joint Special Representative of the United Nations and the League of Arab States for Syria, Lakhdar Brahimi today announced that more than 30 nations have been invited to attend the long-sought Syria peace conference to be held in Geneva next month.
• France Says EU to Consider Operation in CAR VOA 20 Dec 2013 -- France said the European Union will consider a joint operation next month in the conflict-torn Central African Republic, where French and African forces are working to disarm militias and restore security. EU leaders, have just wrapped up a summit in Brussels, appear to be lukewarm about such a commitment.
• Fresh Fighting Erupts in Central African Republic VOA 20 Dec 2013 -- Renewed fighting has erupted in the Central African Republic, where French and African soldiers have been trying to quell unrest.
• France seeks 'European presence' in CAR Iran Press TV 20 Dec 2013 -- French President Francois Hollande has renewed calls for a 'European presence' in the Central African Republic, saying he expects Poland to provide military support for the French troops in the African country.
• Central African Republic: UN rights official calls for international efforts to avert disaster UN News Centre 20 Dec 2013 -- The crisis in the Central African Republic (CAR), where thousands of people have been killed and 750,000 others driven from their homes, risks deteriorating even further amid escalating Muslim-Christian clashes and the reported involvement of foreign elements, a top United Nations official warned today, calling for international efforts to help avert disaster.
• Violence continues to spread across South Sudan Iran Press TV 20 Dec 2013 -- Clashes continue between government forces and troops loyal to fugitive former vice president, Riek Machar, as violence spreads across several regions of South Sudan.
• Peacekeepers, Civilians Killed in Attack on South Sudan UN Base VOA 20 Dec 2013 -- The United Nations said Friday that two peacekeepers and 20 South Sudanese civilians were killed in an attack on a U.N. base in Jonglei state, as a delegation of high-ranking African officials held talks with President Salva Kiir to try to end the violence in the young country.
• 20 Killed in Attack on UN in South Sudan VOA 20 Dec 2013 -- The United Nations says at least 20 civilians were killed during an attack on a U.N. base in South Sudan that also left two Indian peacekeepers dead.
• India Maoist group to abandon armed struggle Iran Press TV 20 Dec 2013 -- A group of Maoist rebels in southern India has decided to lay down arms and choose democratic ways for their cause.
• DR Congo govt. approves amnesty for M23 rebels Iran Press TV 20 Dec 2013 -- The government of the Democratic Republic of Congo has approved a plan for giving amnesty to some former March 23 Movement (M23) rebels.

News Reports

• Iran has 20-percent n-fuel for Tehran research reactor for next few years: Salehi IRNA 20 Dec 2013 -- Head of Atomic Energy Organization of Iran, Ali-Akbar Salehi said on Friday that Iran has reserved 20-percent nuclear fuel for Tehran research reactor so that it can work non-stop for a few more years.
• Iran will not forsake rights if West violates Geneva deal: Salehi Iran Press TV 20 Dec 2013 -- The head of the Atomic Energy Organization of Iran (AEOI) says the country will not compromise on its rights should the Western side renege on the nuclear deal recently struck with Tehran.
• Iran reaffirms enrichment as red line Iran Press TV 20 Dec 2013 -- Iran says uranium enrichment on home soil will be a red line in any final settlement of the dispute over its nuclear energy program.
• Obama To Veto Any New Iran Sanctions RFE/RL 20 Dec 2013 -- The White House has vowed that President Barack Obama will veto any legislation imposing new U.S. sanctions on Iran.
• Russia's Khodorkovsky Released After Putin Pardon RFE/RL 20 Dec 2013 -- Mikhail Khodorkovsky has said after his release from prison that he had sought a pardon from Russian President Vladimir Putin for family reasons and did not admit guilt.
• Khodorkovsky Walks Free After Putin Signs Pardon RIA Novosti 20 Dec 2013 -- A lawyer for jailed oil tycoon Mikhail Khodorkovsky said Friday that his client had been released after President Vladimir Putin signed a decree pardoning Russia's most famous prisoner.
• Khodorkovsky Flies to Germany After Release from Russian Prison RIA Novosti 20 Dec 2013 -- Former oil tycoon Mikhail Khodorkovsky has flown to Germany after being released from prison on a presidential pardon, Russia's penal authorities said Friday.
• Khodorkovsky Says He Asked for Pardon for Family Reasons RIA Novosti 20 Dec 2013 -- Former oil tycoon Mikhail Khodorkovsky, who was released from prison on Friday on a presidential pardon, said he had asked Vladimir Putin for clemency due to family circumstances.
• US 'Welcomes' Khodorkovsky Pardon but Raps Russia on Rights RIA Novosti 20 Dec 2013 -- The United States said Friday that it "welcomes" the Kremlin's decision to pardon former oil tycoon Mikhail Khodorkovsky and other Russian prisoners but expressed concern about the mingling of politics and justice in Russia.
• EU Presidency: Ukrainian Government Has 'Lost Credibility' RFE/RL 20 Dec 2013 -- The current president of the European Union says the door to a closer partnership with Ukraine remains open, but that the people of Ukraine - and not necessarily the current government - should decide their future.
• Egypt: UN cites 'worrying escalation' in harassment of civil society, rights defenders UN News Centre 20 Dec 2013 -- The United Nations human rights office today called on Egyptian authorities to immediately release all individuals detained in relation to their work as human rights defenders, noting a "worrying escalation" in the harassment and intimidation of civil society in the country.
• Li: China-US 'mutual interests beat differences' People's Daily 20 Dec 2013 -- Economic ties are a 'ballast' for overall China-US relations, Premier Li Keqiang said on Thursday, despite recent maritime tensions between the two navies.
• ESA to Make 3D Map of Milky Way VOA 20 Dec 2013 -- The European Space Agency this week successfully launched the star-mapping satellite Gaia on a mission that will take it more than a million kilometers from Earth - to create the first three-dimensional (3D) map of our galaxy, the Milky Way.