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Current Operations

• OIF/OEF/OND Casualty Update 10 Feb 2014 [PDF]
• UK RAF admits using US drones in Afghanistan without notifying Parliament Voice of Russia 10 Feb 2014 -- The British Ministry of Defence admitted that the UK has used American drones more than 250 times to carry out military operations in Afghanistan, while the parliament was given no reports of the cases.
• Afghans clear Sangin Valley prior to elections USMC News 10 Feb 2014 -- Afghan National Army soldiers with 2nd and 3rd Brigades, 215th Corps, teamed with the Afghan Uniform Police and other Afghan National Security Forces to conduct a completely Afghan-led operation called Oqab 144, with only advisor-related help from coalition forces.
• Taliban Takes 'Positive' Approach to Pakistan Peace Talks VOA 10 Feb 2014 -- The Taliban-appointed team to negotiations with the Pakistan government say the militant leaders have adopted a 'positive' attitude to peace talks held last week with the government. The government says the negotiations are just one aspect of their counter-terrorism policy.
• US increases military operations in Somalia: Report Iran Press TV 10 Feb 2014 -- The United States has stepped up its military operations in Somalia in recent months, after al-Shabab fighters attacked an uptown shopping mall in Kenya's capital Nairobi, Press TV reports.

Defense Policy / Programs

• Fourth Attack Sub to be Homeported in Guam NNS 10 Feb 2014 -- The U.S. Navy announced today that the Los Angeles-class fast-attack submarine USS Topeka (SSN 754) will change homeports and move to Naval Base Guam.
• Marines, JGSDF discover a new way to communicate USMC News 10 Feb 2014 -- U.S. Marines with the 15th Marine Expeditionary Unit discovered a new way to speak through encrypted communications with soldiers from the Japan Ground Self-Defense Force during Exercise Iron Fist 2014 aboard Camp Pendleton, Calif.
• 1/1, JGSDF conduct training for Iron Fist USMC News 10 Feb 2014 -- As soldiers from the Japan Ground Self-Defense Force sprint across a grassy field, they drop into the prone and begin to fire.
• Marines prepare for 31st MEU with escalation of force training USMC News 10 Feb 2014 -- Instructors from 1st Law Enforcement Battalion provided Marines from 3rd Battalion, 5th Marines and 2nd Battalion, 11th Marines, with non-lethal weapons training aboard Camp Pendleton, Calif., Feb. 4.
• Marines prepare for 31st MEU with escalation of force training USMC News 10 Feb 2014 -- Instructors from 1st Law Enforcement Battalion provided Marines from 3rd Battalion, 5th Marines and 2nd Battalion, 11th Marines, with non-lethal weapons training aboard Camp Pendleton, Calif., Feb. 4.
• 1st MEB leads in commanding the amphibious battlefield USMC News 10 Feb 2014 -- Over the past decade, the Marine Corps pulled away from its naval traditions to conducting sustained operations ashore for Operation Iraqi Freedom and Operation Enduring Freedom.
• Secretary of the Navy Concludes Partnership Visit to Madrid NNS 10 Feb 2014 -- Secretary of the Navy Ray Mabus concluded a visit to Madrid, Spain, Feb. 10.
• Carl Vinson Completes TSTA/FEP NNS 10 Feb 2014 -- Aircraft carrier USS Carl Vinson (CVN 70) completed its Tailored Ship's Training Availability (TSTA) and Final Evaluation Problem (FEP) before returning to Naval Air Station North Island, Coronado, Calif., Feb. 10.
• Training key to missileer readiness AFNS 10 Feb 2014 -- Pulling 24-hour alerts across the 341st Missile Wing's 13,800-square mile missile complex is an around-the-clock responsibility. Missileers here support the Air Force's nuclear deterrence and assurance mission at the wing's 15 launch control centers and missile alert facilities.
• Malmstrom AFB missile maintainers successfully install reentry system AFNS 10 Feb 2014 -- Missile maintainers from the 341st Missile Maintenance Squadron successfully removed and installed a new reentry system at an Intercontinental Ballistic Missile launch facility here Feb. 7.
• Unmanned QF-4 crashes near Holloman AFNS 10 Feb 2014 -- An unmanned QF-4 Aerial Target assigned to the 82nd Aerial Target Squadron here, crashed Feb. 7. The crash site is located inside the White Sands National Monument, which was closed in advance of the test mission.
• Scandals Raise Questions Across the Military VOA 10 Feb 2014 -- The Pentagon is embroiled in a series of corruption scandals that span the globe and have rocked the Navy, Air Force, and Army National Guard. Both sides of Congress are holding hearings into the matters. But the number of scandals is raising questions about a lack of accountability across the U.S. military that many say is unprecedented.
• NATO Secretary General and Moldovan Foreign Minister discuss stepping up cooperation NATO 10 Feb 2014 -- NATO Secretary General Anders Fogh Rasmussen welcomed Moldova's commitment to increased political dialogue and practical cooperation with the Alliance in talks with Moldova's Foreign Minister Natalia Gherman on Monday (10 February 2014). The Secretary General congratulated the minister on the recent initialing of an Association Agreement with the European Union at the Vilnius summit, which shows Moldova is on the right track to meetings its European integration objectives. He expressed strong appreciation for Moldova's upcoming deployment to the NATO-led KFOR mission, which demonstrates that Moldova wishes to be a security provider in the Euro-Atlantic area.
• India Signs Contract for Ukrainian Anti-Aircraft Artillery RIA Novosti 10 Feb 2014 -- An Indian company has signed a contract with a Ukraine weapons exporter to buy up to 138 anti-aircraft vehicles, the Ukrainian defense conglomerate Ukroboronprom said on its website Monday.
• Investigators Reopen Case Into Russian Defense Ministry Fraud RIA Novosti 10 Feb 2014 -- Russian investigators have reopened a probe into an alleged multimillion-ruble fraud at the Defense Ministry on the basis of one of the suspect's testimonies, Kommersant newspaper reported Monday.
• Russia Delays Tests of UAE-Made Drone RIA Novosti 10 Feb 2014 -- The Russian military has postponed tests of a high-endurance drone until an unspecified future date, a spokesperson for the United Arab Emirates company that makes the vehicle said Monday.
• S. Korea stresses irrelevance of family reunion to military drill with U.S. People's Daily 10 Feb 2014 -- South Korea on Monday stressed irrelevance of the agreed family reunion to the joint military exercises with the United States following the announcement of detail schedules for the annual drills.
• S. Korea to conduct military drills with U.S. from Feb. 24 to April 18 People's Daily 10 Feb 2014 -- South Korea's Defense Ministry said Monday that it will conduct annual joint military drills with the United States from Feb. 24 to April 18 despite the Democratic People's Republic of Korea (DPRK)'s protest against it.
• S Korea, US to conduct military drills despite N Korea's protest Voice of Russia 10 Feb 2014 -- South Korea's Defense Ministry announced Monday it will conduct annual joint military drills with the United States from February 24 to April 18 despite North Korea's protest against it.
• Press Briefing by Press Secretary Jay Carney, 2/10/2014 The White House 10 Feb 2014
• February 10, 2014 - U.S. Department of State Daily Press Briefing US Dept. of State 10 Feb 2014

Defense Industry

• DoD News: Contracts for February 10, 2014

Other Conflicts

• 10 February 2014 - Daily Press Briefing by the Office of the Spokesperson for the Secretary-General United Nations 10 Feb 2014
• UN-mediated Syrian peace talks resume as aid lifeline to Homs extended for three days UN News Centre 10 Feb 2014 -- United Nations-sponsored talks between the Syrian Government and opposition resumed today, 10 days after a first round ended with little progress, in efforts to end the civil war, as an already- violated ceasefire to allow humanitarian access to a city cut off by siege for nearly two years was extended for another three days.
• Major Powers to Take Bigger Role in Syria Talks VOA 10 Feb 2014 -- Senior U.S. and Russian officials are to take a bigger role in the U.N.-sponsored talks on Syria's future that reconvened in Geneva Monday. The move comes as the Syrian government and opposition delegations remain far apart on how to end the nearly three-year-long civil war.
• Fighting terrorism, key to resolve Syria crisis: Miqdad Iran Press TV 10 Feb 2014 -- Syrian Deputy Foreign Minister Faisal al-Miqdad says the priority to reach a political solution to the deadly crisis in the Arab country is to stand against terrorism.
• More chemical arms material leaves Syria, joint OPCW-UN mission confirms UN News Centre 10 Feb 2014 -- A third shipment of chemical weapons material was removed from Syria today, the Joint Mission of the Organization for the Prohibition of Chemical Weapons (OPCW) and the United Nations confirmed.
• UN to Continue Humanitarian Pause in Homs VOA 10 Feb 2014 -- The United Nations says the Syrian government and opposition have agreed to extend a humanitarian pause in the beleaguered city of Homs for another three days
• Syrian Refugees Find Themselves in Deep Debt VOA 10 Feb 2014 -- U.N. agencies have had to reduce aid to Syrian refugees in Lebanon and those who get no food assistance say they are falling into deep debt.
• President Assad's resignation not on Geneva agenda - Syrian FM Voice of Russia 10 Feb 2014 -- There will be no discussion concerning President Bashar al-Assad's resignation at Geneva conference, Syrian Deputy Foreign Minister Faisal Mekdad said on Monday.
• Third shipment of chemical weapons leaves Syria Voice of Russia 10 Feb 2014 -- The third shipment of Syrian chemical weapons has taken place, the Reuters news agency reports on Monday citing an OPCW statement.
• Homs evacuation operation extended until Wednesday night - UN Voice of Russia 10 Feb 2014 -- The United Nations has said an operation to allow civilians to leave besieged districts of the Syrian city of Homs will be extended until Wednesday night.
• Taiwan, China to Hold First Official Talks VOA 10 Feb 2014 -- Taiwan and China hold official talks this week, a historic first for the two governments since a civil war ended more than six decades ago. Political differences still linger and while the two administrations do not officially recognize one another, some analysts think the talks could mark a small step toward more normal, official ties - and perhaps even be a prelude to a possible meeting between China's Xi Jinping and Taiwan's President Ma Ying-jeou later this year.
• China blasts US meddling in regional sea disputes Iran Press TV 10 Feb 2014 -- Beijing has blasted Washington's irresponsible warnings over the Chinese government's move to declare a new air defense zone in the South China Sea.
• UN reiterates importance of inclusive peace process ahead of South Sudan talks UN News Centre 10 Feb 2014 -- Released detainees from the Sudan People's Liberation Movement (SPLM) must be part of the national political dialogue in South Sudan, the United Nations peacekeeping mission in the country reiterated today as anti- and pro-Government representatives prepare to meet for a new round of peace talks.
• Opposition Threatens Boycott of South Sudan Talks VOA 10 Feb 2014 -- The second round of peace talks between South Sudanese rebels and the government is scheduled to open Tuesday in Ethiopia's capital. The rebels say that unless their demands are met, however, they will boycott the negotiations.
• Central African Republic: UN condemns killing of politician, latest violence UN News Centre 10 Feb 2014 -- A senior United Nations official today condemned the latest wave of violence in the Central African Republic (CAR) capital Bangui, including the killing of a member of the National Transitional Council, and called for those responsible to be brought to account.
• EU agrees military mission to Central African Republic Voice of Russia 10 Feb 2014 -- EU foreign ministers on Monday formally approved an EU military mission to the troubled Central African Republic, with some 500 troops to be sent to help French and African Union forces already there.
• S. Sudan postpones peace talks in Ethiopia: Official Iran Press TV 10 Feb 2014 -- A second round of peace talks aimed at ending a nearly two-month-old conflict between South Sudan's government and rebels have been delayed, a government spokesperson says.
• Ex-Congolese Warlord Appears at War Crimes Court VOA 10 Feb 2014 -- The International Criminal Court opened a hearing Monday to decide whether to bring Congolese rebel leader Bosco Ntaganda to trial for war crimes and crimes against humanity. Ntaganda, who was deported to The Hague court last year, says he is innocent.
• Yemen to become federal republic, divided into six provinces - media Voice of Russia 10 Feb 2014 -- A presidential panel has agreed to transform Yemen into a six-region federation as part of its political transition, state news agency Saba announced Monday.
• Kosovo has made 'remarkable' progress, Pristina-Belgrade dialogue must continue – UN official UN News Centre 10 Feb 2014 -- Building on the "remarkable progress" made in Kosovo during 2013, particularly with regard to local elections, both parties must consolidate "the critical achievements"; Pristina and Belgrade must continue their dialogue to reach regional reconciliation, stability and prosperity, the top United Nations official there said today.

News Reports

• EU: Association Agreement With Ukraine Not Final Goal RFE/RL 10 Feb 2014 -- EU foreign ministers have reiterated that the European Union remains committed to signing an Association Agreement with Ukraine, but that the agreement 'does not constitute the final goal in EU-Ukraine relations.'
• Ukraine Opposition To Draft Constitutional Changes RFE/RL 10 Feb 2014 -- Opponents of President Viktor Yanukovych in Ukraine's deadlocked parliament are set to begin work on a draft bill on constitutional changes to dilute presidential powers.
• Espionage suspect questioned, homes searched CNA 10 Feb 2014 -- Prosecutors and investigators Monday searched the Taipei home of a former reporter who allegedly collected intelligence for Beijing, along with a Taichung home belonging to her parents.
• Supreme Leader's Speech in Meeting with Air Force Commanders and Personnel Khamenei.ir 08 Feb 2014 -- The following is the full text of the speech delivered on February 8, 2014 by Ayatollah Khamenei, the Supreme Leader of the Islamic Revolution, in a meeting with commanders and personnel of the Air Force of the Islamic Republic of Iran Army. The meeting was held on the occasion of the historic pledge of allegiance of Air Force officers to Imam Khomeini (r.a.) on the 19th of Bahman of 1357.
• IAEA hails 'good' progress in Iran cooperation Iran Press TV 10 Feb 2014 -- A senior official from the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) has hailed "good" progress in talks with Iran over its nuclear energy program.
• Iran to pursue peaceful nuclear purposes: Rouhani Iran Press TV 10 Feb 2014 -- Iran's President Hassan Rouhani has reaffirmed Tehran's position to continue developing its nuclear energy program for peaceful purposes.
• Iran says new centrifuge developed to enrich uranium Voice of Russia 10 Feb 2014 -- Iran has developed a new generation of centrifuges which are 15 times more powerful than those currently being used to enrich uranium, its atomic chief Ali Akbar Salehi said Monday.
• Kerry Traveling to South Korea and China for Talks on North Korea VOA 10 Feb 2014 -- U.S. Secretary of State John Kerry leaves Wednesday for South Korea and China, where he will meet with officials about containing North Korea's nuclear program. The Obama administration also is working to secure the release of U.S. citizen Kenneth Bae, who is being held in a North Korean labor camp.
• Number of confirmed H7N9 cases hits 200 since October: CDC CNA 10 Feb 2014 -- The number of confirmed human cases of H7N9 has reached 200 since October, predominantly in China, Taiwan's Centers for Disease Control (CDC) said Monday.
• Turkey's Controversial Internet Legislation Fuels Political Tensions VOA 10 Feb 2014 -- Opposition parties in Turkey have called on President Abdullah Gul to veto controversial Internet restrictions that were approved last week by the country's parliament and have increased the international community's concerns over freedoms and rights in the country
• Obama, Hollande Hail Transformed US-French Relationship VOA 10 Feb 2014 -- U.S. President Barack Obama welcomes France's President Francois Hollande to the White House Tuesday for the first state visit by a French president since 1996. Discussions will cover Iran nuclear negotiations, Syria, counter-terrorism efforts in Africa, trade, economic issues and climate change.
• EU to Launch Political Talks with Havana VOA 10 Feb 2014 -- The European Union has agreed to launch talks with Cuba aimed at forging closer political and economic ties, with human rights central to any discussions. The decision could mark a turning point in EU-Cuban relations.