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Defense Policy / Programs
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News Reports

Current Operations

• Key Pakistan Taliban Commander Shot Dead VOA 24 Feb 2014 -- A key Pakistan Taliban commander was fatally shot Monday, and a top government official is saying Pakistan has reached a turning point in its dealings with the militants.
• Royal Navy ship assists in Caribbean drugs bust UK MOD 24 Feb 2014 -- Another multi-million-pound cocaine seizure for Royal Fleet Auxiliary (RFA) naval support ship Wave Knight.

Defense Policy / Programs

• Remarks by Secretary Hagel and Gen. Dempsey on the fiscal year 2015 budget preview in the Pentagon Briefing Room DoD 24 Feb 2014 -- Presenters: Secretary of Defense Chuck Hagel and Joint Chiefs of Staff Chairman Gen. Martin E. Dempsey
• Background Briefing on Fiscal 2015 Budget Recommendations DoD 24 Feb 2014 -- Presenter: Senior Defense Department Officials
• Hagel Outlines Budget Reducing Troop Strength, Force Structure AFPS 24 Feb 2014 -- Defense Secretary Chuck Hagel has proposed cuts in military spending that include further reductions in troop strength and force structure in every military service in the coming year as part of an effort to prioritize U.S. strategic interests in the face of reduced resources after more than a decade of war.
• Dempsey Stresses Balance in the Fiscal 2015 Budget Request AFPS 24 Feb 2014 -- Balance is a key word in the fiscal year 2015 defense budget request, the chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff said.
• US Army to Shrink to Pre-World War II Levels VOA 24 Feb 2014 -- U.S. Defense Secretary Chuck Hagel has unveiled the largest cuts to the U.S. Army since before World War II.
• George H.W. Bush Carrier Strike Group Enters 6th Fleet NNS 24 Feb 2014 -- More than 5,000 Sailors serving in the George H.W. Bush Carrier Strike Group (GHWB CSG) arrived in the U.S. 6th Fleet Area of Responsibility (AOR), Feb. 24.
• US Senator Visits CSL Comalapa, VP-8 NNS 24 Feb 2014 -- The chairman of the Senate Committee on Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs visited Cooperative Security Location (CSL) Comalapa, El Salvador Feb. 23 as part of a brief country tour.
• USS John Paul Jones Demonstrates Next Generation Warfighting Capability NNS 24 Feb 2014 -- Sailors assigned to the Arleigh-Burke class guided-missile destroyer USS John Paul Jones (DDG 53) successfully completed two live-fire tests of the Aegis Weapons System (AWS) Feb. 8.
• Army introduces four new mountaineering, climbing kits Army News 24 Feb 2014 -- Soldiers at the Army Mountain Warfare School here are slated to receive new equipment designed to improve their performance and give them 'Spiderman-like' abilities. The equipment is part of the improved Army Mountaineering Kit.
• Strike First Battalion Conducts Mobility Exercise in Southwest Asia Army News 24 Feb 2014 -- Soldiers from Bravo Battery, 1st Battalion, 44th Air Defense Artillery Regiment, conducted a mobility exercise from 19 to 21 January 2014. The intent was to validate their ability to tactically transport and move the Patriot Air Defense System from one area of operation to another.
• Army Chief of Staff visits Camp Humphreys Army News 24 Feb 2014 -- Army Chief of Staff Gen. Ray Odierno visited the Camp Humphreys Military Community today, where he got a firsthand look at many of the transformation initiatives and construction projects currently underway here.
• Shyu outlines strategy for modernization at AUSA Army News 24 Feb 2014 -- To prepare the Army for tomorrow, the seeds must be planted today, according to Heidi Shyu, assistant secretary of the Army for acquisition, logistics and technology.
• SecAF outlines top priorities during 'State of AF' address AFNS 24 Feb 2014 -- After her second month in office, Secretary of the Air Force Deborah Lee James laid out her top three priorities as part of a "state of the Air Force" address, during the final day of the 30th annual Air Force Association Warfare Symposium and Technology Exposition Feb. 21.
• U.S., Thai friendship strengthens during joint exercise AFNS 24 Feb 2014 -- Members from the 353rd Special Operations Group joined members of the Royal Thai air force for Exercise Teak Torch Jan. 27 through Feb. 7 in Udon Thani, Thailand.
• DOD Takes Holistic View of Slowing Military Compensation Growth AFPS 24 Feb 2014 -- The Defense Department can no longer put off slowing the growth of military personnel costs, and the fiscal year 2015 budget request DOD is recommending to the president begins that process, defense leaders said here today.
• VMAQ-2, MALS-14 Marines, sailors return from UDP USMC News 24 Feb 2014 -- More than 200 Marines and sailors with Marine Tactical Electronic Warfare Squadron 2 and Marine Air Logistics Squadron 14 returned to Marine Corps Air Station Cherry Point Feb. 13 after participating in the squadron's first Unit Deployment Program rotation to Marine Corps Air Station Iwakuni, Japan, since 2002.
• 1st EOD prepares for deployment to Afghanistan USMC News 24 Feb 2014 -- Since the beginning of the "Global War on Terror," Marines have deployed to Southwest Asia and the Middle East for combat and support operations.
• CLB-15 Marines support 1st Marine Division, Japanese during Iron Fist USMC News 24 Feb 2014 -- Ten Marines with Combat Logistics Battalion 15, Combat Logistics Regiment 17, 1st Marine Logistics Group, completed a five-day operation, providing logistical support during Exercise Iron Fist 2014, Feb. 15, 2014.
• Navy Releases Updated Plan for Future Arctic Readiness NNS 24 Feb 2014 -- The U.S. Navy released an updated Arctic Roadmap Feb. 24 to prepare naval forces over the next 15 years for operations in the Arctic Ocean.
• Shelton announces new space situational awareness satellite program AFNS 24 Feb 2014 -- The commander of Air Force Space Command announced a new satellite program during a speech about the importance of space and cyberspace at the Air Force Association Air Warfare Symposium and Technology exposition, Feb. 21, here.
• Revealed: US to track other countries' spacecraft Iran Press TV 24 Feb 2014 -- The US Air Force has unveiled a previously secret program for keeping tabs on other countries' spacecraft as well as tracking space debris.
• Russia Develops 'Laser Shield' for Military Optical Devices RIA Novosti 24 Feb 2014 -- Russian scientists have developed a special filter that protects sensitive elements of optical devices used in military equipment from destruction by laser beams.
• China to export new-type patrol ship to West Africa People's Daily 24 Feb 2014 -- The first new-type patrol ship F91 that China plans to export to Nigeria has been launched. It will be delivered in the middle of 2014 as scheduled.
• Iran unveils smart cruise missile system, composite armor Iran Press TV 24 Feb 2014 -- Iran's Armed Forces unveil indigenous smart seeker for pinpoint ballistic missiles and smart composite armor as the country's latest military achievements.
• Daily Briefing by the Press Secretary, 2/24/14 The White House 24 Feb 2014
• Background Press Briefing by Senior Administration Officials on Vice President Biden's Foreign Leader Meetings The White House 24 Feb 2014
• February 24, 2014 - U.S. Department of State Daily Press Briefing US Dept. of State 24 Feb 2014

Defense Industry

• DoD News: Contracts for February 24, 2014

Other Conflicts

• 24 February 2014 - Daily Press Briefing by the Office of the Spokesperson for the Secretary-General United Nations 24 Feb 2014
• Senior UN officials highlight need for strengthening capabilities of peacekeeping operations UN News Centre 24 Feb 2014 -- Innovating and strengthening the capabilities of United Nations peacekeeping operations is essential to ensure safety and security, to adequately protect civilians, and to modernize mission postures in line with the evolving nature of conflict, the top officials from the UN peacekeeping and field support departments told a special review committee today.
• Head of European security bloc outlines areas for greater collaboration with UN UN News Centre 24 Feb 2014 -- Security in Europe cannot be taken for granted, as illustrated by the political crisis and recent escalation of violence in Ukraine, the head of the world's largest regional security grouping said today, as he outlined areas for closer cooperation between the Organization for Security and Cooperation in Europe (OSCE) and the United Nations.
• On visit to besieged camp, UN official urges unhindered access for all civilians in Syria UN News Centre 24 Feb 2014 -- A senior United Nations official said today he was shocked by what he saw during a visit to a Palestinian refugee camp in Syria, and underscored the need for full and unhindered access to all conflict-affected communities in the country.
• UN, humanitarian partners sound global alarm on behalf of Syria's children UN News Centre 24 Feb 2014 -- Moved by the dire plight of more than 5 million war-traumatized Syrian children – both inside and outside the country – United Nations agencies and their partners today joined forces to urge the world to demand an end to the "relentless horror and suffering" those children face before an entire generation is lost.
• Syria army continues offensive against militants Iran Press TV 24 Feb 2014 -- The Syrian army continues its offensive against foreign-backed militants in several areas across the country, killing dozens of them in fresh clashes.
• South Sudan: Malakal, site of recent clashes, 'tense, deserted,' UN peacekeepers report UN News Centre 24 Feb 2014 -- The South Sudanese city of Malakal is looted and burned, with more than 100 bodies scattered along the route, United Nations peacekeepers in the country reported today.
• The mass graves of Bor, South Sudan IRIN 24 Feb 2014 -- A handful of volunteers in almost deserted Bor, capital of South Sudan's Jonglei State, remove dead bodies from homes, put them in body bags donated by the International Committee of the Red Cross, and place them in mass graves. Since the emergence of an armed rebellion in mid-December, government troops have lost and won control of the town several times. On 23 February, the army said it had repelled further attempts to take Bor.
• New Clashes Erupt in South Sudan VOA 24 Feb 2014 -- Clashes erupted at the weekend between pro- and anti-government forces in Jonglei state, the largest state in South Sudan, officials from both sides said Monday.
• Analysts Debate Way forward For South Sudan VOA 24 Feb 2014 -- South Sudan has been independent for nearly three years. The Sudan People's Liberation Movement, which had fought a decades-long war from the Republic of Sudan, assumed control of the government and began state-building.
• Urgent electoral reforms needed ahead of polls in Côte d'Ivoire - UN expert UN News Centre 24 Feb 2014 -- Côte d'Ivoire must adopt urgent reforms before the presidential elections scheduled for October, a United Nations independent expert today warned following an official visit to the country.
• 4 killed during clashes in Central African Republic Iran Press TV 24 Feb 2014 -- At least two African UN peacekeepers and two gunmen have been killed following a fresh round of violence between soldiers and militia in the Central African Republic (CAR), an official says.
• 'China fires water cannon at Filipinos near disputed shoal' Iran Press TV 24 Feb 2014 -- The military chief of the Philippines, General Emmanuel Bautista, says China's coastguard has used water cannon against Filipino fishermen to drive them away from a disputed sea shoal.
• UN hosts meeting with Greek Cypriot, Turkish Cypriot negotiators UN News Centre 24 Feb 2014 -- "Substantive discussions" started today in the resumed talks aimed at reaching a comprehensive settlement of the Cyprus problem, a United Nations spokesperson confirmed, following a meeting today between Greek Cypriot negotiator Andreas Mavroyiannis and his Turkish Cypriot counterpart, Kudret Özersay.
• Conflict in Yemen's north threatens political transition IRIN 24 Feb 2014 -- At least seven months of stop-start clashes in northern Yemen are hampering aid delivery and raising fears that conflict here could derail the country's political transition process, according to aid workers and analysts.

News Reports

• Ukrainian Envoy: Country Supports EU Membership, Good Relations with Russia VOA 24 Feb 2014 -- Ukraine's U.N. ambassador says his countrymen "broadly" support EU membership, but they also want good neighborly relations with Russia.
• Russia Accuses Kyiv Of Using 'Dictatorial,' 'Terrorist' Means RFE/RL 24 Feb 2014 -- Russia's Foreign Ministry has alleged that 'dictatorial and sometimes terrorist methods' are being used in Ukraine to pressure dissenters against the country's new authorities.
• EU's Ashton Meeting Ukraine's New Acting President RFE/RL 24 Feb 2014 -- EU foreign policy chief Catherine Ashton begins a two-day visit to Kyiv on February 24, meeting with Ukraine's new interim leadership about the country's political crisis and measures that could be taken to stabilize the economy.
• Who Might Lead Ukraine? RFE/RL 24 Feb 2014 -- The ouster of President Viktor Yanukovych marks a resounding victory for Ukraine's pro-European protesters after their deadly, three-month standoff with the government..
• Explainer: Why Ukraine Needs Western Economic Help RFE/RL 24 Feb 2014 -- Ukraine's crisis is not just political. The country also desperately needs economic support and hopes to get it from the West. Here are five things to know about what Ukraine needs, and where the money might come from.
• Russia questions Ukraine new gov't legitimacy Iran Press TV 24 Feb 2014 -- Russia has questioned the legitimacy of Ukraine's new government, saying the current authorities have come to power as a result of an 'armed mutiny.'
• Bankruptcy looming large for Ukraine: Economists Iran Press TV 24 Feb 2014 -- Bankruptcy is looming large for Ukraine amid the current political uncertainty grappling the Eastern European country, a number of economists have warned.
• Ukraine's Yanukovych 'wanted for mass murder' Iran Press TV 24 Feb 2014 -- Ukraine's acting Interior Minister says police has issued an arrest warrant for ousted President Viktor Yanukovych, accusing him of the "mass murder" of peaceful protesters.
• Ukraine Hopes for $35Bln in Western Aid RIA Novosti 24 Feb 2014 -- Ukraine said Monday that it has asked Western powers to provide at least $35 billion in urgent financial aid as it struggles to cope with a severe political and economic crisis.
• Medvedev Raises Doubts on Legitimacy of New Powers in Ukraine RIA Novosti 24 Feb 2014 -- Russian Prime Minister Dmitry Medvedev said Monday that "substantial doubts" existed over the legitimacy of the new acting government in Ukraine.
• Moscow Monitoring Ukrainian Bill on Curtailing Russian RIA Novosti 24 Feb 2014 -- A Russian Foreign Ministry official said Monday that Moscow will be closely scrutinizing a draft law in Ukraine that would see Russian dropped as an official language.
• Ukraine Ex-Ruling Party Moves to Opposition RIA Novosti 24 Feb 2014 -- Ukraine's former ruling Party of Regions, which had until recently held an overwhelming majority of seats in parliament, announced Monday that it will take up the role of the opposition.
• Ukraine Hopes Russian Gas Price Won't Change – Report RIA Novosti 24 Feb 2014 -- Ukraine hopes that the price it pays for Russian natural gas will remain unchanged despite the ouster of pro-Russia President Viktor Yanukovych, Ukraine's acting energy minister told Reuters on Monday.
• Moscow Accuses Ukraine's New Leaders of 'Dictatorial Methods' RIA Novosti 24 Feb 2014 -- The Russian Foreign Ministry said Monday that Ukraine's new authorities aim to employ "dictatorial and sometimes terrorist methods" to suppress opposition in disloyal regions.
• Western Leaders Move to Secure Financial Aid for Ukraine RIA Novosti 24 Feb 2014 -- European and US finance heads moved quickly Monday to secure a financial aid package for Ukraine following the ouster of its president Saturday and a potential withdrawal of Russian economic support.
• UN chief calls on Ukrainians to find peaceful way forward amid current turmoil UN News Centre 24 Feb 2014 -- Amid the rapidly unfolding events in Ukraine, Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon today called for an inclusive political process to enable the country to emerge from its current crisis, one which reflects the aspirations of its people and preserves its unity and territorial integrity.
• Arrest Warrant Issued for Ukraine's Yanukovych VOA 24 Feb 2014 -- The interim government in Ukraine has issued an arrest warrant for ousted president Viktor Yanukovych, accusing him and other officials of mass murder of protesters.
• EU disgraced itself after signing Ukraine deal which lasted less than ten minutes - expert VoR 24 Feb 2014 -- So, President Yanukovych has lost and the situation in Ukraine is developing according to the old rule, known even to the ancient Romans – 'Woe to the Vanquished'.
• Some Western countries pursue geopolitical goals regarding Ukraine - Russian FM VoR 24 Feb 2014 -- Russian Foreign Ministry thinks that some Western countries are more concerned about unilateral geopolitical calculations, than about the fate of the Ukraine. 'We are forced to note that some of our Western partners seem to be more concerned about unilateral geopolitical calculations, than about the fate of the Ukraine,' the ministry stated on its website this Monday.
• Extremists who hunger for power in Ukraine must be stopped – Russian FM VoR 24 Feb 2014 -- Moscow calls on all parties involved in the Ukrainian riots to take full responsibility and to prevent further deterioration of the crisis, the Russian Foreign Ministry stated.
• Moscow surprised European politicians support Ukraine presidential election plans VoR 24 Feb 2014 -- The Russian Foreign Ministry has expressed surprise that some of the European politicians have hastened to support the announcement of the plans to hold early presidential elections in Ukraine in May 2014, although the agreement reached by the opposition and the authorities on February 21 says that voting can be held only after the end of the constitutional reform.
• Klitschko, Tyahnibok favor lustration in Ukraine VoR 24 Feb 2014 -- Leader of the Udar party Vitaly Klitschko and leader of the Svoboda rightwing party Oleh Tyahnibok favor lustration in Ukraine
• Yanukovych wanted for mass murder, last known whereabouts in Crimea VoR 24 Feb 2014 -- Fugitive Ukrainian President Viktor Yanukovych, ousted after bloody street protests, is wanted by for mass murder, authorities announced on Monday.
• Obama Official Warns Russia on Military Action in Ukraine RIA Novosti 24 Feb 2014 -- A senior US official on Sunday warned Moscow not to send troops into Ukraine amid the political crisis gripping Russia's ex-Soviet neighbor, saying such a move would constitute a "grave mistake."
• New Ukrainian leader declares determination to cooperate with Russia VoR 24 Feb 2014 -- Speaker of the Ukrainian Parliament Alexander Turchinov, who received temporary presidential powers on Sunday, declared determination to cooperate with Russia in a TV message to the Ukrainian people.
• 'Central problem and challenge of Ukrainian life now is nationalism' - expert VoR 24 Feb 2014 -- 'The actual central problem and challenge of the Ukrainian life now is not democracy or civic activities, it is nationalism. It is absolutely clear that the last two months brought extremely huge and dangerous mounting of the pure traditional and very aggressive ethnic nationalism which brought a lot of disasters in Europe and in the world in general 100 years ago and 150 years ago,' Mikhail Dmitriyev, Russian historian, Director of the Centre of Ukrainian and Belorussian Studies at Moscow State University, told The Voice of Russia.
• A Specter Is Haunting Russia RFE/RL 24 Feb 2014 -- A specter is haunting Russia - the specter of Ukraine's Euromaidan. The stunning and dizzying fall of Viktor Yanukovych's regime - which the hapless Ukrainian ruler tried to model on Vladimir Putin's kleptocratic and authoritarian power vertical - is inspiring Russia's opposition.
• Maidan won't happen in Belarus - Lukashenko VoR 24 Feb 2014 -- Belarusian President Alexander Lukashenko has ruled out the possibility of a Ukrainian scenario in Belarus. 'It's not enough to say that the Maidan is not acceptable in Belarus. There will be no Maidan in Belarus.
• Lukashenko Rules out Ukraine-Style Uprising in Belarus RIA Novosti 24 Feb 2014 -- Belarusian President Alexander Lukashenko on Sunday ruled out the possibility of a popular uprising in his country similar to the recent events in Ukraine.
• Iran to focus only on nuclear issues in talks with 5+1, official IRNA 24 Feb 2014 -- Advisor to the Supreme Leader for international affairs Ali Akbar Velayati said Irans negotiating team is to focus just on the nuclear issue during talks with the 5+1.
• Iran unveils new long term oil contracts IRNA 24 Feb 2014 -- Iranian Oil Ministry introduced its new type of long term oil contracts in to attract back foreign investors on Sunday.
• Egypt military-backed government resigns Iran Press TV 24 Feb 2014 -- Egypt's military-backed government has resigned amid the country's growing economic problems and a presidential poll that will likely bring army chief Abdel Fattah el-Sisi to power.
• Egypt Government Resigns VOA 24 Feb 2014 -- Egypt's interim Prime Minister Hazem el-Beblawi handed in his government's resignation Monday, amid increasing economic pressures, including a series of labor strikes. Beblawi had been expected to reorganize his Cabinet in the lead-up to presidential elections this spring, but the resignation took many observers by surprise.
• Putin Signs Legislation Overhauling Election System RIA Novosti 24 Feb 2014 -- Russian President Vladimir Putin has signed off on a law drastically overhauling the country's election law in a reform that will create a mixed system by reintroducing single-mandate elections in the next parliamentary vote.
• Russia to Boost Manpower on New Space Center Construction RIA Novosti 24 Feb 2014 -- Work on Russia's new Far Eastern Vostochny space center will be prioritized now that the Winter Olympics in Sochi has come to an end, a senior official said Monday while touring the facility.
• Cambodian Parties Agree to Form Electoral Reform Commission VOA 24 Feb 2014 -- Cambodia's main political parties say they have agreed to form a commission for electoral reforms, which would be a step toward ending a political deadlock that has been in place since July.