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Current Operations

• OIF/OEF/OND Casualty Update 30 Jan 2014 [PDF]
• VOA Exclusive: Report Shows Afghans Overwhelmingly Against Taliban Rule VOA 30 Jan 2014 -- A study obtained by VOA shows that Afghan citizens overwhelmingly oppose Taliban rule and believe their living conditions have improved over the last 10 years.
• CLB-6 redeploys, CLB-7 last Marine logistical unit to deploy to Afghanistan USMC News 30 Jan 2014 -- Marines and sailors with Combat Logistics Battalion 6 handed over the responsibilities as the logistics combat element for Regional Command (Southwest) to Combat Logistics Battalion 7 during a transfer of authority ceremony aboard Camp Leatherneck, Afghanistan, Jan. 26.
• Hagel: Afghanistan Cannot Keep Delaying Decision on US Troops VOA 30 Jan 2014 -- U.S. Defense Secretary Chuck Hagel says Afghanistan cannot keep deferring a decision on whether to sign a security pact with the United States allowing some U.S. troops to stay beyond 2014.
• Leaked secret document records 330 US drone strikes in Pakistan Voice of Russia 30 Jan 2014 -- Secret documentation collected by Pakistani field officers gives detailed information on 330 US drone strikes that have occurred in Pakistan since 2006.

Defense Policy / Programs

• Rogers Tabbed as Next Cyber Command Chief AFPS 30 Jan 2014 -- Navy Vice Adm. Michael S. Rogers is President Barack Obama's nominee to become the next commander of U.S. Cyber Command, Defense Secretary Chuck Hagel said in a DOD news release issued today.
• Statement by Secretary of Defense Chuck Hagel on NSA/CYBERCOM Announcement Thursday, January 30, 2014 DoD 30 Jan 2014
• DOD Announces Nomination of Cyber Command Commander/ NSA Director DoD 30 Jan 2014 -- Secretary of Defense Chuck Hagel announced today Navy Vice Adm. Michael S. Rogers as President Obama's nominee to become commander of U.S. Cyber Command. In addition, the Secretary announced that he has designated Vice Adm. Rogers to serve as director of the National Security Agency, and chief of the Central Security Service.
• National Commission on the Structure of the Air Force's Report Recommends Force Structure Shift, Greater Integration National Commission on the Structure of the Air Force 30 Jan 2014 -- Shifting force structure to the Reserves, expanding multi-component integration of operations, and allowing Airmen easier transition across components are among the 42 recommendations the National Commission on the Structure of the Air Force submitted in its report to the President and Congress.
• SecAF outlines top focus areas to improve ICBM career field AFNS 30 Jan 2014 -- Throughout the next 60 days, senior Air Force leaders will re-examine the way ahead for the Air Force's nuclear mission.
• Air Force Addressing Systemic Problems in ICBM Force AFPS 30 Jan 2014 -- After meeting with thousands of airmen in the ICBM community, Air Force Secretary Deborah Lee James believes there is a systemic problem among missile launch officers.
• Air Force Addresses Aspects of Cheating Scandal AFPS 30 Jan 2014 -- The Air Force has started to address aspects related to the on-going investigation of cheating on proficiency exams by nuclear launch officers at Malmstrom Air Force Base, Mont.
• Defense Department Press Briefing in the Pentagon Briefing Room by Secretary James and General Wilson on Air Force Update on Test Compromise Investigation DoD 30 Jan 2014 -- Presenters: Secretary of the Air Force Deborah Lee James; Air Force Global Strike Command Commander Lt. Gen. Stephen Wilson; and Brigadier General Les Kodlick, U.S. Air Force Director of Public Affairs
• Press Briefing by Secretary Hagel en route to Poland DoD 30 Jan 2014 -- Presenter: Secretary of Defense Chuck Hagel
• Joint Press Conference with Secretary Hagel and Polish Minister of Defense Siemoniak, in Warsaw, Poland DoD 30 Jan 2014 -- Presenters: Secretary of Defense Chuck Hagel and Polish Minister of Defense Tomasz Siemoniak
• Hagel Hails Poland as Important Strategic Ally AFPS 30 Jan 2014 -- Poland continues to be an important strategic ally through NATO, in Europe and around the world, Defense Secretary Chuck Hagel said here today during a joint press conference with his Polish counterpart Defense Minister Tomasz Siemoniak.
• SecAF says AF will reinvest in readiness AFNS 30 Jan 2014 -- Readiness is the primary investment the Air Force will make through fiscal 2014 and 2015, according to the Air Force's most senior leader.
• Official Discusses Chinese Air Force, Missile Trends AFPS 30 Jan 2014 -- U.S. intelligence officials visiting Capitol Hill today reported to the U.S.-China Economic and Security Review Commission on the steady progress made by the People's Liberation Army Air Force and the implications of that development to the United States.
• USS Donald Cook to depart for homeport shift to Rota, Spain DoD 30 Jan 2014-- The USS Donald Cook (DDG 75) will depart its homeport of Norfolk, Va., January 31, 2014, on her way to Rota, Spain, as the first of four Arleigh Burke-class guided-missile destroyers to be stationed in Rota, Spain.
• 4th Combat Engineer Battalion returns home from deployment with Special-Purpose Marine Air-Ground Task Force Africa USMC News 30 Jan 2014 -- After spending six months in the mild climes of Italy and the sweltering humidity of Africa, the ice and snow that greeted them in Baltimore was a drastic change for the Marines of 4th Combat Engineer Battalion. The Marines returned home to their families and civilian lives, Jan. 21, 2014. During their deployment, 4th CEB served as the primary element of Special-Purpose Marine Air-Ground Task Force Africa 13.3.
• New Research on Ocean Conditions Will Aid Planners NNS 30 Jan 2014 -- The Office of Naval Research Global (ONR Global) announced Jan. 30 a grant to the University of Melbourne that will provide new insights into ocean conditions-crucial information for Navy planners involved in tactical and strategic decision-making.
• NAS Meridian Provides Shelter, Food to Stranded Army Paratroopers. NNS 30 Jan 2014 -- Paratroopers of the U.S. Army's 1st Brigade Combat Team (504th Parachute Infantry Regiment) 82nd Airborne Division, sheltered overnight at Naval Air Station (NAS) Meridian Jan. 29 after being stranded on Interstate 20 Jan. 28 on their way to Ft. Bragg, N.C. from Ft. Polk, La.
• U.S. Combats Nexus of Illicit Networks, WMD Proliferation AFPS 30 Jan 2014 -- U.S. national security officials have long been worried about the nexus between terrorists and transnational criminal organizations.
• Hagel to Acknowledge Polish Contributions to U.S. Efforts AFPS 30 Jan 2014 -- Poland has been a significant and strong ally since it joined NATO in 1999, and during his visit to Warsaw this week Defense Secretary Chuck Hagel plans to acknowledge the importance of that partnership and Poland's many contributions to American efforts.
• Navy to Christen Second Mobile Landing Platform DoD 30 Jan 2014 -- The Navy will christen Mobile Landing Platform (MLP) John Glenn on Feb. 1, during a 10 a.m. PST ceremony in San Diego, Calif.
• Space squadron optimizes wideband communication constellations AFNS 29 Jan 2014 -- Late in 2013, the 3rd Space Operations Squadron's mission -- 'Warfighters ensuring reliable wideband communications to national authorities and U.S. and Allied forces' -- was proudly displayed as the unit repositioned its eighth satellite during a nine-month effort to optimize the military wideband communications constellation.
• NATO Secretary General stresses importance of defence in visit to The Hague NATO 30 Jan 2014 -- NATO Secretary General Anders Fogh Rasmussen discussed the importance of this year's Summit in Wales to the Alliance's future and the value of defence during his visit to The Hague on Thursday (30 January 2014) which included talks with Dutch Prime Minister Mark Rutte, parliamentarians and other senior officials. "At a time of global and unpredictable challenges, our Summit in Wales in September will demonstrate the value of our unique Alliance, which brings together the world's strongest alliance of democracies, from Europe and North America," said the Secretary General.
• North Korea threatens nuclear war in response to joint US-South Korea drills Voice of Russia 30 Jan 2014 -- North Korea is threatening nuclear war in response to the scheduled joint military maneuvers between the US and South Korea. North Korea's increasing opposition to the annual joint drills (“Foal Eagle”) looks very similar to the reaction that preceded the start of the same exercises last year which led to a new stalemate on the Korean peninsula.
• Russia to Float Out Stealth Sub for Black Sea Fleet in May RIA Novosti 30 Jan 2014 -- A St. Petersburg shipyard said Wednesday it will float out in May the second of six Varshavyanka-class diesel-electric submarines to be delivered to Russia's Black Sea Fleet in the next two years.
• US Alleges Russian Missile Treaty Violation - Report RIA Novosti 30 Jan 2014 -- The United States notified NATO allies earlier this month of Russian tests of a new missile that could be in violation of a nuclear disarmament treaty, the New York Times reported Thursday.
• Russia to Create Cyberwarfare Units by 2017 RIA Novosti 30 Jan 2014 -- Russia plans to create special cyber-defense units to protect the country against online warfare in the coming years, a senior military commander said Thursday.
• January 30, 2014 - U.S. Department of State Daily Press Briefing US Dept. of State 30 Jan 2014
• Press Gaggle aboard Air Force One en route WI, 1/30/14 The White House 30 Jan 2014

Defense Industry

• DoD News: Contracts for January 30, 2014

Other Conflicts

• 30 January 2014 - Daily Press Briefing by the Office of the Spokesperson for the Secretary-General United Nations 30 Jan 2014
• First round of Syria peace talks will end tomorrow with little headway – UN-Arab League envoy UN News Centre 30 Jan 2014 -- After a "tense but rather promising" meeting today between representatives of the Syrian Government and the main opposition group on reaching a political end to the country's three-year-civil war, the United Nations/Arab League mediator said that the first round of talks will end tomorrow with no serious breakthrough and no major change in the position of either side.
• 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."
• Tense, but 'Promising,' Moments in Syria Talks VOA 30 Jan 2014 -- The top mediator for the Syria talks in Geneva, Lakhdar Brahimi, said there were 'tense' but 'promising moments' during Thursday's negotiations between the Assad government and opposition representatives.
• Syrian parties recognized that terrorism is a serious problem for the country - Brahimi Voice of Russia 30 Jan 2014 -- The Syrian parties have recognized that terrorism exists in their country, but they failed to reach an agreement on how to fight against it. This came today as a statement by Special Envoy of the UN and the League of Arab States Lakhdar Brahimi following the results of the inter-Syrian negotiations in Geneva.
• Suicide bombers storm Iraq ministry building, 24 killed Voice of Russia 30 Jan 2014 -- Six suicide bombers burst into an Iraqi ministry building, took hostages and killed at least 24 people including themselves on Thursday before security forces regained control, security officials said.
• AU Summit Focuses on S. Sudan, CAR Conflicts VOA 30 Jan 2014 -- The African Union summit opened Thursday in Addis Ababa with a call for greater support to end the conflicts in South Sudan and the Central African Republic.
• US, Partners Push for Peace in South Sudan VOA 30 Jan 2014 -- The international community is urging South Sudan's government to release the last four political detainees it arrested as the country erupted in violence last month. The release would likely advance the peace process in South Sudan but that peace talks will continue even if the four men remain in custody.
• UN steps up patrols, probing alleged human rights abuses in South Sudan UN News Centre 30 Jan 2014 -- The United Nations peacekeeping mission in South Sudan is seeking to verify reports of human rights violations in the conflict that erupted just over a month ago, a spokesperson today said, as peacekeepers are boosting patrols in the world's youngest nation.
• South Sudan Urged to Probe Atrocities VOA 30 Jan 2014 -- There are fresh calls for probes into alleged atrocities in South Sudan, where both government and rebel forces have been accused of human rights abuses.
• Insecurity in Central African Republic hampering access to civilians outside Bangui UN News Centre 30 Jan 2014 -- Unless the security situation in the Central African Republic (CAR) improves, humanitarian agencies will not have sufficient access to people in the provinces outside the capital Bangui, the United Nations relief arm today warned.
• Security Council approves 6-month extension for UN peacekeeping force in Cyprus UN News Centre 30 Jan 2014 -- The Security Council today extended the long-running United Nations Peacekeeping Force in Cyprus (UNFICYP) until 31 July 2014, noting that progress made so far had not yet resulted in a comprehensive and durable settlement between the Greek Cypriot and Turkish Cypriot sides.
• New displacements as Philippines nears final peace deal IRIN 30 Jan 2014 -- More than 10,000 people fled their homes this week in Mindanao, southern Philippines, as government forces launched a major offensive against Muslim splinter groups opposed to a final peace deal to end decades of insurgency in the island. The country's capacity to respond to emergencies has been stretched by a series of deadly disasters.
• Displaced by Boko Haram, Nigerians risk invisibility in Niger IRIN 30 Jan 2014 -- Up to 37,000 people - both Nigerians and Nigeriens - have fled Boko Haram violence in northeastern Nigeria since early 2012, and most are sheltering with families in neighbouring Niger, but the aid response thus far has been patchy. Government efforts to register the displaced have been slow, and the refugees among them have yet to be given refugee status.

News Reports

• Yanukovych Says Authorities Fulfilled All Obligations; Opposition Denounces Amnesty RFE/RL 30 Jan 2014 -- President Viktor Yanukovych says Ukraine's authorities have fulfilled all their obligations to resolve the crisis in the country and accused the opposition of continuing to increase tensions.
• EU Lawmakers Pass Ukraine Resolution, Prompting Russian Ire RIA Novosti 30 Jan 2014 -- An outspoken Russian lawmaker has labeled a resolution by Council of Europe lawmakers on unrest in Ukraine as an attempt to damage Russia.
• As Ukrainian Crisis Mounts, President Goes on Sick Leave RIA Novosti 30 Jan 2014 -- Ukrainian President Viktor Yanukovych went on sick leave Thursday, prompting the country's opposition to accuse him of inaction amid the ongoing political crisis.
• Ukraine Protests Continue Despite Amnesty Offer VOA 30 Jan 2014 -- Ukrainian anti-government protesters are vowing to continue demonstrating despite passage of a law offering amnesty to those arrested during the protests over the past two months.
• Ukrainian administration fulfill all its crisis settlement obligations - Yanukovych Voice of Russia 30 Jan 2014 -- Ukrainian President Viktor Yanukovych said the country's administration has fulfilled all its crisis settlement obligations, but the opposition continues to fuel the situation.
• More leaks follow US spy chief's call for halt Iran Press TV 30 Jan 2014 -- Documents obtained by American whistleblower Edward Snowden have revealed more about US spying activities after US spy chief James Clapper called on him to return all of the remaining unpublished documents.
• Terror suspect claims evidence against him obtained through bulk surveillance Voice of Russia 30 Jan 2014 -- Jamshid Muhtorov, a citizen of Uzbekistan who came to the US after being granted political asylum, is accused of supporting a designated terrorist organization based in his native country. In October, he became the first defendant ever to be notified by the government that it had built the case based on bulk surveillance.
• NSA eavesdroped on Copenhagen UN Climate Talks - Snowden leak Voice of Russia 30 Jan 2014 -- The National Security Agency spied on international delegations during the 2009 United Nations climate negotiations conference in Copenhagen, shows the new leak by Edward Snowden obtained by the Huffington Post.
• Iran rejects Obama boast that sanctions forced nuclear deal Voice of Russia 30 Jan 2014 -- Iran on Thursday dismissed as "unrealistic and unconstructive" comments by US President Barack Obama that international sanctions linked to its nuclear programme had forced Tehran to the negotiating table.
• Turkish government fires about 800 more police officers Iran Press TV 30 Jan 2014 -- Turkish government has dismissed or reassigned some 800 police officers in the latest wave of purging the police force following a high-level corruption investigation.
• Thai army set to deploy more troops ahead of polls Iran Press TV 30 Jan 2014 -- The Thai army plans to increase the number of troops in the capital ahead of Sunday's general elections.