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Operations
Defense Policy / Programs
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News Reports

Current Operations

• OIF/OEF/OND Casualty Update 14 Jan 2014 [PDF]
• Obama Responds To Gates Memoirs On Afghanistan RFE/RL 14 Jan 2014 -- President Barack Obama is defending his faith in the United States' war mission in Afghanistan, following criticism from former Pentagon chief Robert Gates that Obama lacked the passion for military action and lost confidence in his own troop surge.
• Afghan army conducts independent large-scale operation Army News 14 Jan 2014 -- Afghan National Security Forces solely conducted one of the largest operations in the history of the ANSF in late December 2013, in a mission that covered four provinces in southern Afghanistan.
• US Deploys Small Military Team to Somalia VOA 14 Jan 2014 -- The United States has deployed a small team of military advisers to Somalia for the first time in more than 20 years.

Defense Policy / Programs

• Hurricane Hunters transition from tropical gales to arctic blasts AFNS 14 Jan 2014 -- Maintaining constant awareness of what storm systems are doing is a concerted effort between the National Weather Service and the 53rd Weather Reconnaissance Squadron here, also known as the Hurricane Hunters.
• Army aviation flying smarter into fiscal squeeze Army News 14 Jan 2014 -- As Army aviation's flight path continues through the drawdown and budgetary constraints, it will swap some helicopters around and defund others, said Maj. Gen. Kevin W. Mangum.
• Airmen help 'Hamilton's Own' get equipment to Yuma Proving Ground Army News 14 Jan 2014 -- Soldiers from the 1st Battalion, 5th Field Artillery Regiment, 1st Armored Brigade Combat Team, 1st Infantry Division, and Airmen from the 22nd Airlift Squadron, 60th Air Mobility Group, Travis Air Force Base, Calif., conducted a joint Emergency Deployment Readiness Exercise on Jan. 9 at Forbes Field. 'Hamilton's Own' Soldiers partnered with a C-5 Galaxy crew to load and secure two tactical vehicles in support of the battalion's training mission from Jan. 14 to Feb. 8 at Yuma Proving Ground in Yuma, Ariz.
• Safety top priority on chem-demil ship, officials say Army News 14 Jan 2014 -- Joe Wienand pulled his agency's military challenge coin from his coat pocket and held it in the air to display its artwork. He pointed to a small dot of green paint on its surface, less than 1/8 inch in diameter.
• Sequester-constrained Army arsenal welcomes ... no, cheers small contracts Army News 14 Jan 2014 -- The Watervliet Arsenal announced today that it received a contract valued at more than $1 million to manufacture 81 mm mortar clamp assemblies for the Army's TACOM Life Cycle Management Command.
• Readout of Secretary of Defense Chuck Hagel's Call with Colombian Minister of Defense Juan Carlos Pinzón DoD 14 Jan 2014
• USS Elrod Deploys to the Mediterranean NNS 14 Jan 2014 -- The Oliver Hazard Perry class guided-missile frigate USS Elrod (FFG 55) departed Jan. 14 on a six-month deployment to the 6th Fleet area of operations.
• Navy conducts anti-submarine drill ahead of Lunar New Year CNA 14 Jan 2014 -- The Navy held an anti-submarine drill in waters off southern Taiwan on Tuesday to highlight its combat readiness ahead of the Lunar New Year holiday that starts later this month.
• Taiwan could negotiate with China over air defense zone CNA 14 Jan 2014 -- President Ma Ying-jeou said Tuesday that Taiwan will not rule out the possibility of negotiations over China's air defense identification zone (ADIZ), which overlaps with Taiwan's in an area covering about 23,000 square kilometers.
• UK 'wasted millions' on army recruitment IT system Voice of Russia 14 Jan 2014 -- The UK's Ministry of Defence had to write off £6.7m on a failed online recruitment system, UK Defence Secretary Philip Hammond has told MPs.
• January 14, 2014 - U.S. Department of State Daily Press Briefing US Dept. of State 14 Jan 2014
• Daily Press Briefing by the Press Secretary 1/14/14 The White House 14 Jan 2014

Defense Industry

• DoD News: Contracts for January 14, 2014

Other Conflicts

• 14 January 2014 - Daily Press Briefing by the Office of the Spokesperson for the Secretary-General United Nations 14 Jan 2014
• 14 January 2014 - Press Conference by Incoming Economic and Social Council President United Nations 14 Jan 2014
• 14 January 2014 - Press Conference on Upcoming Event to Commemorate Rwanda Genocide United Nations 14 Jan 2014
• In show of solidarity, Ban, senior UN officials visit Syrian refugees in northern Iraq UN News Centre 14 Jan 2014 -- Visiting with Syrian refugees in northern Iraq, Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon today called "heart-breaking" what he saw in Kawrgosik camp, saying he was particularly saddened to see so many young children, women and vulnerable people suffering from "this man-made tragedy."
• Indonesian Jihadists in Syria Highlight Conflict's Global Draw VOA 14 Jan 2014 -- As the war in Syria enters its third year, the conflict continues to attract Islamic fighters from the Arab world, and from countries as far flung as Kazakhstan, Australia and Indonesia. The trend has become a major concern for Western governments.
• ISIL militants seize Syria's Raqqah: Foreign-backed group Iran Press TV 14 Jan 2014 -- Foreign-sponsored Syrian opposition sources say al-Qaeda-linked militants from the so-called Islamic State of Iraq and the Levant (ISIL) have seized the northern Syrian city of Raqqah as infighting among Takfiri groups intensifies in the Arab country.
• Numbers of South Sudanese uprooted by conflict surges to over 400,000, UN reports UN News Centre 14 Jan 2014 -- The number of South Sudanese civilians driven from their homes by a month-long conflict has surpassed 400,000 in a major surge over the past week, with those fleeing to neighbouring countries nearly doubling to 78,000, according to United Nations figures released today.
• South Sudanese Take Dangerous Journey Out of Battle-Ridden Bor VOA 14 Jan 2014 -- As South Sudan's military advances on the rebel-held city of Bor, citizens are fleeing in enormous numbers, taking refuge across the river in the small village of Mingkamen.
• South Sudan: 200 Die Fleeing Fighting as Boat Sinks VOA 14 Jan 2014 -- South Sudan's military says at least 200 people trying to flee fighting in the country's north were killed when their boat sank in the White Nile River.
• Reconciliation a tall order in CAR's Bossangoa IRIN 14 Jan 2014 -- The recent change of leadership in the Central African Republic (CAR) offers a glimmer of hope for an end to sectarian violence, but earlier interviews with Christians and Muslims seeking sanctuary in separate locations in the northern town of Bossangoa reveal how entrenched attitudes have become after so much violence.
• Central African Republic: UN team documents grave human rights abuses UN News Centre 14 Jan 2014 -- The human rights situation remains extremely volatile in the Central African Republic (CAR), the United Nations said today, as it released its findings on a wave of abuses committed last month including extrajudicial killings, sexual violence, mutilations and enforced disappearances.
• UN Reports Grave Human Rights Violations in CAR VOA 14 Jan 2014 -- A new United Nations report presents an appalling picture of human rights violations in the Central African Republic, including killings, kidnappings, torture, and rape. The report by the Office of the High Commissioner for Human Rights describes events since the explosion of violence in the capital, Bangui and the northern town of Bossangoa on December 5 and 6.
• Rebels attack town in eastern DR Congo, UN reports UN News Centre 14 Jan 2014 -- The United Nations today reported a new rebel attack in the eastern Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC) as the region continues to suffer from deadly violence even after the defeat of a major dissident group, the M23, over a month ago.
• US Cautiously Helps Iraq Fight Militants VOA 14 Jan 2014 -- The United States announced that it is committed to helping Iraq fight militants but will not, for now, transfer the bulk of military assistance that the government of Iraqi leader Nouri al-Maliki has requested.

News Reports

• US does not want to give up surveillance of Germany - media Voice of Russia 14 Jan 2014 -- Despite initial assurances, the US is not willing to sign an intelligence cooperation agreement with Germany, meant to guarantee a mutual cessation of wiretapping, the Sueddeutsche Zeitung newspaper says on Tuesday, citing sources in German government circles.
• Legislature approves controversial amendments to restrict wiretaps CNA 14 Jan 2014 -- Lawmakers made wiretap warrants more difficult to obtain Tuesday by approving sweeping amendments to the country's wiretapping law, in a move criticized by the Ministry of Justice as having 'a negative impact on crime-fighting.'
• IAEA: Iran Asks for Nuclear Talks Postponement VOA 14 Jan 2014 -- The U.N. nuclear agency says talks with Iran on Tehran's nuclear program have been postponed until February 8.
• IAEA inspectors to visit Iran mid Jan on Geneva deal ISNA 14 Jan 2014 -- Inspectors of the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) will visit Iran mid January to monitor enforcement of the Geneva deal in the country.
• EU sanctions relief for Iran to go fully into effect on January 20 ISNA 14 Jan 2014 -- European Union governments will implement all EU sanctions relief for Iran covered by a landmark nuclear deal on January 20, the day the agreement takes effect - including lifting a ban on insuring its oil, the EU officials said.
• West recognizes Iran nuclear rights: Rouhani Iran Press TV 14 Jan 2014 -- Iran President Hassan Rouhani says the nuclear deal between Tehran and the six world powers shows the West has finally recognized the Islamic Republic's right to peaceful nuclear technology.
• Iran-IAEA talks to be held on February 8: Envoy Iran Press TV 14 Jan 2014 -- A top Iranian diplomat says planned negotiations between Iran and the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) have been deferred to February 8.
• Enemy lacks ability to attack Iran militarily: Army chief Iran Press TV 14 Jan 2014 -- Commander of Iran Army Major General Ataollah Salehi has underlined Iran's military capabilities, stating that enemy is incapable of launching a military attack against the country.
• Obama Urges Congress To Give Iran Deal A Chance RFE/RL 14 Jan 2014 -- President Barack Obama has urged U.S. lawmakers to give diplomacy with Iran a chance after agreements with Tehran cleared the way during the weekend for a six-month interim nuclear deal to go into force next week.
• Thai premier snubs calls for resignation amid protests Iran Press TV 14 Jan 2014 -- Thailand Prime Minister Yingluck Shinawatra says she will not step down, despite growing calls by the opposition protesters for her resignation.
• Egyptians Vote Under Tight Security VOA 14 Jan 2014 -- Egyptians are voting in a two-day referendum to decide whether to adopt a new constitution supported by the military-backed interim government.
• New UN campaign spotlights links between organized crime and counterfeit goods UN News Centre 14 Jan 2014 -- The United Nations today launched a new campaign to raise awareness about the links between organized crime and the trade in counterfeit goods, which amounts to $250 billion a year.
• Hollande Defends Africa Strategy, His Right to Privacy VOA 14 Jan 2014 -- French President Francois Hollande says European countries likely will offer military backing to France's operation in the conflict-torn Central African Republic, and he denies his country is going it alone in defusing crises overseas.