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Current Operations

• OIF/OEF/OND Casualty Update 28 Jan 2014 [PDF]
• Afghan President's Spokesman Says U.S. Not Supporting Peace Efforts RFE/RL 28 Jan 2014 -- A spokesman for Afghan President Hamid Karzai has accused the United States of failing to support the country's peace process with Taliban insurgents, the latest sign of tensions between Kabul and Washington.
• UK forces support US troops in Afghanistan operation UK MOD 28 Jan 2014 -- British troops have helped ensure safe passage for a 180-vehicle convoy of American forces redeploying from bases in northern Helmand.
• With Encouragement From Hagel, Cape Ray Leaves for Syria Mission AFPS 28 Jan 2014 -- The container ship M/V Cape Ray and its crew deployed from Portsmouth, Va., yesterday with a message of encouragement from Defense Secretary Chuck Hagel.
• Navy ship in Caribbean drug bust UK MOD 28 Jan 2014 -- British troops have helped ensure safe passage for a 180-vehicle convoy of American forces redeploying from bases in northern Helmand.

Defense Policy / Programs

• President Barack Obama's State of the Union Address The White House 28 Jan 2014
• Obama Touches on Afghanistan, Iran, Syria in State of Union Address AFPS 28 Jan 2014 -- While President Barack Obama's State of the Union speech tonight was dominated by domestic concerns, he also addressed national security concerns.
• DOD Official: Force Size Limits Modernization Efforts AFPS 28 Jan 2014 -- Two years into the pivot to the Asia-Pacific region and the concurrent drawdown in Afghanistan, Pentagon officials today related to Congress the Defense Department's strategy to maintain U.S. superiority in military technology.
• Fox Says DOD Must Slow Growth of Military Compensation AFPS 28 Jan 2014 -- The Defense Department must slow the rate of growth in military pay and compensation or the organization will not be able to fight and win the nation's wars, Acting Deputy Defense Secretary Christine H. Fox said here today.
• Philippine Coast Guard commandant reinforces need for strengthening maritime security USMC News 28 Jan 2014 -- Senior Philippine and U.S. officials observed a maritime domain awareness demonstration at the Philippine Coast Guard Headquarters here Jan. 27.
• USS Makin Island Expands EIDWS Training and Qualification on the Waterfront NNS 28 Jan 2014 -- The amphibious assault ship USS Makin Island (LHD 8) assists San Diego amphibious ships with establishing Enlisted Information Dominance Warfare Specialist (EIDWS) Programs.
• Strike Fighter Wing Pacific Introduces Sailors to New Flame Resistant Variant Coverall NNS 28 Jan 2014 -- Commander, Strike Fighter Wing Pacific (CSFWP) Sailors had the opportunity Jan. 27 at Naval Air Station (NAS) Lemoore, Calif., to have a first-hand look at the new flame resistant variant (FRV) coverall that is scheduled to be distributed to fleet units by the end of 2014.
• US Naval Southern Command/US 4th Fleet Hosts 2014 Latin America Navy Section Chief Conference NNS 28 Jan 2014 -- Commander, U.S. Naval Forces Southern Command/U.S. 4th Fleet is hosting the 12th annual U.S. Military Group Navy Section Chief Synchronization Conference Jan. 27-30.
• 7th Fleet Ballistic Missile Team Supports JMSDF in Exercise Keen Edge NNS 28 Jan 2014 -- U.S. 7th Fleet, U.S. Forces Japan and Japan Self Defense Force (JMSDF) operators will hone their Ballistic Missile Defense (BMD) skills in exercise Keen Edge 2014 which runs through Jan. 31.
• US 7th Fleet Commander Discusses Sustainment and Operations Aboard Amphibious Ships NNS 28 Jan 2014 -- The commander of U.S. 7th Fleet commander visited Fleet Activities Sasebo Jan. 27 to speak with Sailors of 7th Fleet's forward-deployed amphibious and minesweeping ships.
• Royal Navy submarine returns home from successful patrol UK MOD 28 Jan 2014 -- HMS Talent arrived home to a cheering crowd in Plymouth on Monday (27 January) after a 5-month deployment promoting security worldwide.
• IRGC sets up organization for smart combat vessels Iran Press TV 28 Jan 2014 -- A high-ranking Iranian military official says the Islamic Revolution Guards Corps (IRGC) has created an organization for its smart combat vessels to counter any enemy aggression.
• MND relaxes rules for volunteer military recruitment CNA 28 Jan 2014 -- The Ministry of National Defense (MND) said Tuesday that it has relaxed the rules for volunteer military recruitment, including age, height and restrictions on tattoos, as part of efforts to meet recruitment targets of 10,557 for 2014.
• Bangladesh Buys Russian Combat Training Jets Worth $800M RIA Novosti 28 Jan 2014 -- Bangladesh ordered 24 Russian Yak-130 light fighter jets worth $800 million in the final quarter of last year, a Russian newspaper reported Tuesday.

Defense Industry

• DoD News: Contracts for January 28, 2014

Other Conflicts

• 28 January 2014 - Daily Press Briefing by the Office of the Spokesperson for the Secretary-General United Nations 28 Jan 2014
• Security Council authorizes EU force, new sanctions regime in Central African Republic UN News Centre 28 Jan 2014 -- Seriously concerned by widespread human rights violations and the "increasing cycle of violence and retaliation" in the Central African Republic (CAR), the Security Council today extended the mandate of the United Nations peacebuilding office in the country, authorized the use of force by European Union troops, and added travel bans and asset freezes to an arms embargo already in place.
• UN backs EU military force in Central Africa amid troops push Voice of Russia 28 Jan 2014 -- The UN Security Council on Tuesday gave European troops backing to use force in Central African Republic amid a new international push to end deadly chaos in the country.
• Former Rebel Fighters Go Missing in CAR VOA 28 Jan 2014 -- A large group of ex-rebel fighters appears to have gone missing in the Central African Republic, according to the African Union military mission in the country.
• UN Approves Additional Troops in CAR VOA 28 Jan 2014 -- The U.N. Security Council has approved a resolution to increase the number of European troops in the troubled Central African Republic.
• UN urges Syria to speed up its role in elimination of chemical weapons Xinhua 28 Jan 2014 -- UN Secretary-General Ban Ki- moon on Tuesday said he has expressed concern to the Syrian government of its "now behind schedule" elimination of chemical weapon and said it was "imperative" Damascus "intensify its efforts."
• Syria urges US to stop providing arms to militants Iran Press TV 28 Jan 2014 -- A Syrian deputy foreign minister has called on the United States and its allies to stop arming terrorist groups who are fighting against the Syrian government.
• Deadlocks Remain as Syria Talks Break For Day VOA 28 Jan 2014 -- Syrian peace negotiations broke off earlier than planned Tuesday amid mutual accusations and what the opposition delegation said were serious differences over the goal of the talks.
• New supplies of weapons to Syrian conflict area lay groundwork for supporting terrorists - Lavrov Voice of Russia 28 Jan 2014 -- New supplies of weapons to Syria provide solid preconditions for supporting terrorists in the region, Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov said.
• No new session at Geneva-2 after Syrian gov't accuses US of 'arming terrorists' Voice of Russia 28 Jan 2014 -- Syria government delegation in Geneva has denounced the decision of the US Congress on the supplies of armaments to the moderate forces of the Syrian opposition, meaning the mujaheddins of the Islamic Front. Syria's warring sides will not meet again at peace talks in Geneva on Tuesday, the opposition said.
• Taiwan calls for cross-strait pact on security screening mechanism CNA 28 Jan 2014 -- Taiwan's top official in charge of China affairs said Tuesday that a cross-Taiwan Strait pact on a national security screening mechanism should be established on the existing foundation of cross-strait agreements.
• Politics Loom as China, Taiwan Plan High-Level Talks VOA 28 Jan 2014 -- Taiwan announced it will hold ministerial-level talks with China next month. The two sides are likely to discuss issues that would advance Beijing's goal of unifying the two separately ruled sides.
• South Sudan: UN relief chief visits communities displaced by recent violence UN News Centre 28 Jan 2014 -- The United Nations humanitarian chief continued her visit to South Sudan today with a stop in Malakal in Upper Nile state, where she met with communities displaced by the recent conflict and observed the efforts of aid agencies that have been assisting those affected by the violence.
• South Sudan Unrest Strains Fragile Health Care System, MSF Says VOA 28 Jan 2014 -- South Sudan's fragile health care system has been severely strained by more than five weeks of fighting, with many hospitals in conflict areas shut down and people besieging the few medical facilities that remained open, medical aid group Doctors Without Borders (MSF) says.
• Ban proposes extending UN mission in Burundi despite Government's request to end it UN News Centre 28 Jan 2014 -- Despite Burundi's request that the United Nations mission helping it recover from decades of ethnic war end by mid-2014, Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon is recommending its renewal for another full year as the country moves towards crucial elections amid political violence and intra-party tensions.
• UN agency urges continued protection for asylum-seekers from southern, central Somalia UN News Centre 28 Jan 2014 -- The United Nations refugee agency said today it has released updated guidelines on the needs of people fleeing southern and central Somalia that underscore the need for Governments to assess applications for protection on the basis of reliable, up-to-date information about the situation in Mogadishu and other areas.

News Reports

• Ukraine Pres. Yanukovych accepts government resignation Iran Press TV 28 Jan 2014 -- Ukrainian President Viktor Yanukovych has accepted Prime Minister Mykola Azarov's resignation in a move aimed at defusing the Eastern European country's political crisis.
• Ukraine parliament scraps protest law to end conflict Iran Press TV 28 Jan 2014 -- The Ukrainian parliament has overwhelmingly voted to abolish a controversial anti-protest law that triggered deadly unrest in the capital Kiev.
• Ukraine Parliament Repeals Antiprotest Laws As Prime Minister Resigns RFE/RL 28 Jan 2014 -- Ukraine's parliament has repealed controversial antiprotest laws in a move aimed at ending two months of antigovernment protests.
• Ukraine PM Resigns in Bid to Defuse Crisis RIA Novosti 28 Jan 2014 -- Ukrainian Prime Minister Mykola Azarov announced his resignation Tuesday in what he said was a bid to quell the deepening political crisis created by protests in the former Soviet nation.
• Putin Says No Plans to Revise Ukraine Loan RIA Novosti 28 Jan 2014 -- Russian President Vladimir Putin said his country will stick to its commitments to lend debt-strapped Ukraine $15 billion and reduce natural gas prices even if Ukraine's new Cabinet of ministers is filled with opposition politicians.
• Ukraine Government Resigns VOA 28 Jan 2014 -- Ukraine's president on Tuesday accepted the resignation of the government in a bid to quell violent anti-government protests that have gripped the capital Kyiv. The demonstrations began two months ago after Viktor Yanukovich backed away from signing a deal with the European Union.
• Ukraine President Yanukovych accepts resignation of PM Azarov, cabinet Voice of Russia 28 Jan 2014 -- Ukrainian President Viktor Yanukovych in a decree on Tuesday accepted the offer of resignation from Prime Minister Mykola Azarov and the entire cabinet.
• Russia-EU summit: Moscow won't interfere in Ukraine's internal affairs - Putin Voice of Russia 28 Jan 2014 -- Russia will not interfere in Ukraine's internal affairs and believes that too many mediators could only multiply the many problems facing the country, Russian President Vladimir Putin said.
• Morsi clashes with judge as prison escape trial begins Voice of Russia 28 Jan 2014 -- Egypt's ousted Islamist president Mohammed Morsi clashed with judges Tuesday at the opening of his trial on charges relating to his escape from prison in 2011.
• Morsi questions legality of his new trial Iran Press TV 28 Jan 2014 -- Former Egyptian president, Mohamed Morsi, has questioned the legality of his new trial, as he appeared before court on charges of taking part in a prison break in 2011.
• Ousted Egyptian President Defiant at Trial, General Assassinated VOA 28 Jan 2014 -- Ousted Egyptian President Mohamed Morsi protested defiantly from a soundproof glass and metal cage as he went on trial Tuesday in Cairo on charges connected with a mass jail break during the 2011 uprising against long-time autocrat Hosni Mubarak.
• Thai Government: Sunday Election Will Take Place VOA 28 Jan 2014 -- Thailand says it will carry out scheduled national elections Sunday Feb. 2, despite ongoing political unrest and recent violence. Protesters have vowed to disrupt the vote, as part of their months long effort to oust the government, and the main opposition party is boycotting the polls.
• Thailand to go ahead with Feb. 2 elections: Officials Iran Press TV 28 Jan 2014 -- The Thai government has confirmed that the general elections set for February 2 will go ahead as planned despite persistent anti-government protests.
• Israeli Gets 4 1/2 Years For Offering To Spy For Iran RFE/RL 28 Jan 2014 -- An Ultraorthodox Israeli man has been sentenced to 4 1/2 years in prison on charges of trying to spy for Israeli rival Iran.
• Talks on Iran nuclear deal expected in NY in February, says US ISNA 28 Jan 2014 -- The opening round of talks between Iran and six world powers on a deal for Tehran to limit parts of its nuclear program in exchange for a gradual end to sanctions is expected to take place next month in New York, a US official said.
• IAEA team arrives in Iran to visit Gachin uranium mine Iran Press TV 28 Jan 2014 -- International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) inspectors have arrived in Iran to visit Gachin uranium mine in the south of the country, the Atomic Energy Organization of Iran (AEOI) has announced.
• US realizes zero-enrichment unattainable: Iran's Zarif Iran Press TV 28 Jan 2014 -- Iran has reasserted its right to uranium enrichment, saying that the United States has come to the conclusion that the right is not up for discussion.
• Maintaining peaceful N-program top Iran agenda: Official Iran Press TV 28 Jan 2014 -- Maintaining Iran's peaceful nuclear program tops the country's agenda in the negotiations with world powers, Iran's Foreign Ministry spokeswoman says.
• Iran seeks nothing beyond its rights in NPT: Rouhani Iran Press TV 28 Jan 2014 -- Iran's President Hassan Rouhani says the country pursues nothing in its nuclear energy program beyond its rights as stipulated in the nuclear Non-Proliferation Treaty (NPT).
• 19 H7N9 deaths in China People's Daily 28 Jan 2014 -- H7N9 bird flu has killed 19 in China this year already, and the total number of human infections has reached 96, according to the Chinese Center for Disease Control and Prevention.
• Chinese New Year Increases Risk of Spreading Bird Flu VOA 28 Jan 2014 -- In January, China saw a rise in the number of people diagnosed with bird flu. As the Chinese New Year approaches, millions of people will begin their annual journey home for the holiday, increasing the opportunity for the virus to spread.
• China's human H7N9 bird flu cases pass 100 in January Voice of Russia 28 Jan 2014 -- The number of human cases of H7N9 bird flu in China this month has passed 100, as the worst-hit province ordered live poultry markets in major cities to be closed. H7N9 cases and deaths dropped significantly after the end of June last year but have spiked recently with the onset of winter.
• Russian Space Agency Plans World's Biggest Rocket RIA Novosti 28 Jan 2014 -- Russia's Roscosmos space agency is to seek government approval to build the world's largest rocket, its head said Tuesday.
• Russia Could Go It Alone After International Space Station Closes RIA Novosti 28 Jan 2014 -- The Russian segment of the International Space Station could live on as a separate facility after the project's conclusion, the head of the company that oversees the country's participation said Tuesday.
• Russian-Europe ExoMars mission to head for Mars in 2018 Voice of Russia 28 Jan 2014 -- The human path to Mars should lay through consistent development of space technologies on asteroids and on the Moon.