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Current Operations

• OIF/OEF/OND Casualty Update 12 Mar 2014 [PDF]
• Minister of National Defence Statement to Mark Flag Lowering in Afghanistan Canada DND 12 Mar 2014
• Canadian Armed Forces completes military mission in Afghanistan Canada DND 12 Mar 2014
• US Commander Urges Patience With Afghanistan VOA 12 Mar 2014 -- The commander of U.S.-led forces in Afghanistan says maintaining a residual military presence in the country is desirable and feasible even if Kabul continues to delay signing a bilateral security agreement with the United States.
• Dunford Briefs Senate on Progress in Afghanistan AFPS 12 Mar 2014 -- By any measure, the U.S. and NATO campaign in Afghanistan has been successful, but that success will be jeopardized if international troops must withdraw at the end of the year, said the commander of the NATO-led International Security Assistance Force and of U.S. forces in Afghanistan said here today.
• Afghan National Army soldiers familiarize themselves with MOUT techniques USMC News 12 Mar 2014 -- Afghan National Army soldiers enrolled in the Regional Corps Battle School conducted a Military Operations in Urban Terrain training exercise aboard Camp Bastion, Afghanistan, March 8.
• Georgians coordinate, lead operation with Marines through village in Now Zad District USMC News 12 Mar 2014 -- The sky was black with the exception of a few construction lights illuminating a small compound. Rugged, heavyweight military vehicles began to stage for departure. Voices were heard shouting out of the darkness, ensuring everyone was accounted for and ready to begin the operation.
• Afghan National Army soldiers familiarize themselves with mortars, demolition USMC News 12 Mar 2014 -- A trained mortarman brings a strategic advantage to the battlefield, providing the capability to accurately engage enemy firing positions from a far distance.
• US-led airstrike kills four in western Afghanistan Iran Press TV 12 Mar 2014 -- At least four people have been killed and several others injured in a fresh US-led airstrike in the troubled western Afghanistan, security sources say.
• US Drone Strikes, Civilian Casualties Drop in Pakistan Last Year VOA 12 Mar 2014 -- A United Nations investigation finds a significant reduction in the use of armed drones by the United States in the Federally Administered Tribal Areas [FATA] of Pakistan in 2013. The report, which has been submitted to the U.N. Human Rights Council, paints a much bleaker picture, however, of the use of drones in Afghanistan and Yemen.
• US sends 12 F-16 fight jets to air base in Poland VoR 13 Mar 2014 -- The US Defense Department confirmed on Wednesday that it is sending a dozen F-16 fighter jets and 300 personnel to the US aviation detachment at Lask Air Base in Poland.

Defense Policy / Programs

• Department of Defense Press Briefing by Gen. Kelly in the Pentagon Briefing Room DoD 12 Mar 2014 -- Presenters: Commander General John F. Kelly (USMC), U.S. Southern Command
• Greenert: Navy Faces Support Shortfalls, Maintenance Backlogs AFPS 12 Mar 2014 -- Shrunken but stable Defense Department budgets through fiscal 2015 allow the Navy an acceptable forward presence and have temporarily restored critical training and operations, but the force still faces shortfalls, backlogs and higher risks, the chief of naval operations said today.
• 2015 Budget Reduces Infrastructure Spending, Official Says AFPS 12 Mar 2014 -- The Defense Department is assuming more risk in infrastructure with its proposed 2015 budget, the acting deputy undersecretary of defense for installations and environment told a House Appropriations Committee panel here today.
• USS Green Bay Back in the Water Following Dry Dock Period NNS 12 Mar 2014 -- Amphibious transport dock USS Green Bay (LPD 20) has water under the keel once again after successfully completing a dry dock period at the National Steel and Shipbuilding Company (NASSCO) in San Diego, March 10.
• Officials Update Congress on Military Space Policy, Challenges AFPS 12 Mar 2014 -- If potential adversaries are to challenge the United States, they must do so in the space domain, the Defense Department's top space policy official told Congress here today.
• Special Operations Leaders Lay Out Evolving Threats AFPS 12 Mar 2014 -- While the scale of the homeland security threat has diminished, overseas threats to U.S. interests continue to grow, the military's top special operations leaders said on Capitol Hill yesterday.
• Spokesman: F-16 Augmentation Continues U.S.-Poland Partnership AFPS 12 Mar 2014 -- A dozen more F-16s and 300 personnel based at Aviano Air Base, Italy, will augment the U.S. aviation detachment at Lask Air Base, Poland, a Pentagon spokesman announced today.
• USS Nicholas Decommissioned NNS 12 Mar 2014 -- Cmdr. Cory Blaser, commanding officer of USS Nicholas (FFG 47), decommissioned the ship during a ceremony at Naval Station Norfolk March 10; 30 years ago to the date in which it was placed into commission in 1984.
• Bataan Rescues Stranded Mariners NNS 12 Mar 2014 -- Search and rescue (SAR) swimmers aboard amphibious assault ship, USS Bataan (LHD 5), responded to a vessel in distress in the Aegean Sea March 8.
• USS George H.W. Bush Completes Second Successful Port Visit in Antalya, Turkey NNS 12 Mar 2014 -- USS George H.W. Bush (CVN 77) departed Antalya, Turkey March 12, following a three-day port visit.
• USS Philippine Sea Departs Aksaz, Turkey NNS 12 Mar 2014 -- Guided-missile cruiser USS Philippine Sea (CG 58), attached to the George H.W. Bush Carrier Strike Group (GHWBCSG), departed Aksaz, Turkey March 12, to continue its scheduled deployment in the 6th fleet area of operations.
• Cybercom Nominee Emphasizes Legislation, Transparency AFPS 12 Mar 2014 -- President Barack Obama's nominee to be director of the National Security Agency and commander of U.S. Cyber Command said yesterday that legislation and transparency are critical to the nation's security in cyberspace.
• £20 million contract for new Royal Navy ships UK MOD 12 Mar 2014 -- The Ministry of Defence (MOD) has signed a £20 million contract to buy parts for the Royal Navy's 3 new offshore patrol vessels (OPVs).
• UK to redeploy its drones from Afghanistan to Africa and the Middle East VoR 12 Mar 2014 -- Ben Emmerson, the UN rapporteur monitoring counter-terrorist operations by unmanned aircraft, says that the UK's squadron of 10 Reaper drones, which is now dislocated in Afghanistan, is unlikely to return to the UK after the international military contingent is fully withdrawn from Afghanistan. Most likely, the squadron will be redeployed to Africa and the Middle East to be used against jihadists there. The drones will be based in countries like Nigeria or Djibouti.
• Belarus Seeks to Host More Russian Jets Amid Ukraine Crisis RIA Novosti 12 Mar 2014 -- Belarus will ask Russia to deploy up to 15 additional combat aircraft on its territory in response to increased NATO military activity along the country's borders, President Alexander Lukashenko said Wednesday.
• Y-20 prototype aircraft can take off with maximum weight People's Daily 12 Mar 2014 -- Research and development on China's Y-20 large transport aircraft, which ranks as a large aircraft by international standards, is going smoothly, and the level of technology is maturing in various aspects.
• Irans 29th Flottila berths at Omans Salalah port IRNA 12 Mar 2014 -- The Navys 29th Flotilla berthed at Salalah port, Oman after 48 hours of voyage.
• Iran not to negotiate on defense issues in talks ISNA 12 Mar 2014 -- A member of Iranian nuclear negotiating team Majid Takht-Ravanchi reiterated that the country would not discuss defense and missile power in its negotiations with the five permanent members of the UN Security Council plus Germany.
• Iran defense might not in P5+1 talks agenda: Official Iran Press TV 12 Mar 2014 -- A senior Iranian nuclear negotiator says the Islamic Republic will never accept to include the country's defense capabilities in its nuclear talks with the P5+1.
• Daily Press Briefing by the Press Secretary, 3/12/14 The White House 12 Mar 2014
• 12 March 2014 - Daily Press Briefing by the Office of the Spokesperson for the Secretary-General United Nations 12 Mar 2014

Defense Industry

• DoD News: Contracts for March 12, 2014

Other Conflicts

• Assad visits displaced Syrians in Damascus suburbs Iran Press TV 12 Mar 2014 -- Syrian President Bashar al-Assad has made a public visit to displaced people living in a refugee camp outside the capital, Damascus.
• Syria: UN chief implores world to reenergize political talks on ending bloodshed UN News Centre 12 Mar 2014 -- Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon today said that the international community cannot afford to lose focus or turn away from war-torn Syria, and called for renewed political efforts to end what, after three years of bloodshed, is now the biggest humanitarian and security crisis in the world.
• CAR refugees overwhelm Cameroon IRIN 12 Mar 2014 -- Up to 130,000 refugees have fled from the Central African Republic (CAR) to Cameroon, many of them wounded from attacks, dehydrated or traumatized, say local officials and aid workers, who are struggling to cope with the speed of the influx.
• CAR farmers struggle to recover from devastation IRIN 12 Mar 2014 -- With the year's main planting season just weeks away, many in the Central African Republic (CAR) have been left desperately ill-equipped by months of conflict. In the charred village of Bessan, to the west of the country, the concerns are typical: a dire lack of seeds, tools and manpower.
• Security Council: progress lagging on post-secession accord between Sudan, South Sudan UN News Centre 12 Mar 2014 -- The United Nations Security Council today regretted the lack of progress in implementing a two-year-old agreement between Sudan and South Sudan on security, the common border and economic relations, and called on both Governments to renew their commitment to the aims of the accord, particularly regarding the status of the long-contested Abyei area.
• South Sudan: mission calls for respect of UN working, security agreements UN News Centre 12 Mar 2014 -- The United Nations Mission in South Sudan (UNMISS) reports increasing difficulties in implementing its mandate due to growing restrictions of movement, and calls on all parties to respect the work done by UN staff and the inviolability of the Organization's assets and premises.
• Spokesman for Maritime Administration of DPRK on 'Oil Tanker Incident' in Libya KCNA 12 Mar 2014 -- A spokesman for the Maritime Administration of the DPRK Wednesday gave the following answer to the question raised by KCNA in connection with the recent DPRK-flagged 'oil tanker incident' which occurred in Libya:
• Western Sahara: UN refugee agency says family visit flights will resume next month UN News Centre 12 Mar 2014 -- The United Nations refugee agency announced today that the family visit flights between Sahrawi refugees living in camps near Tindouf, Algeria, and their families in the territory of Western Sahara are set to resume next month.

News Reports

• Statement of G-7 Leaders on Ukraine The White House 12 Mar 2014
• Ukraine: UN human rights envoy denied access to Crimea UN News Centre 12 Mar 2014 -- The United Nations said today that in addition to logistical challenges that hindered Assistant Secretary-General for Human Rights IvanŠimonović from traveling to the autonomous Ukrainian region of Crimea this week, he was informed by authorities that he could not be received there.
• Obama: 'We Will Stand With Ukraine' VOA 12 Mar 2014 -- President Barack Obama said Wednesday that the U.S. and its allies would be forced to apply a cost to Russia if it presses ahead with a referendum on Sunday that would effectively annex Crimea.
• US President Obama meets Ukrainian PM Arseniy Yatsenyuk VoR 12 Mar 2014 -- US President Barack Obama has held a high-profile White House meeting with Ukraine's Prime Minister Arseniy Yatsenyuk, in a calculated display of the West's backing – moral, financial and diplomatic – for the embattled new government in Kiev.
• Remarks by President Obama and Ukraine Prime Minister Yatsenyuk after Bilateral Meeting The White House 12 Mar 2014
• Crimea to nationalize Ukraine state companies Iran Press TV 12 Mar 2014 -- The Crimean parliament is to nationalize Ukrainian state companies on its territory, including offshore rigs, the region's first deputy prime minister says.
• Russia Tries To Win Over Crimean Tatars RFE/RL 12 Mar 2014 -- As pro-Moscow authorities consolidate their hold over Ukraine's Crimean peninsula, the region's Tatars have found themselves on the receiving end of a Kremlin-backed charm offensive to win their support. But it appears to be falling flat.
• Washington React: Kerry to Meet Lavrov on Ukraine VOA 12 Mar 2014 -- The United States is sending Secretary of State John Kerry to London for a meeting with Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov, part of the effort to end the crisis in Ukraine.
• G-7 Leaders Condemn Russia-backed Crimea Vote VOA 12 Mar 2014 -- Joined by other leaders, the G-7 is calling on Russia to cease all efforts to change the status of Ukraine's peninsula in violation of Ukrainian and international law.
• Iran committed to interim nuclear agreement with G5+1 IRNA 12 Mar 2014 -- Iran is committed to the interim nuclear agreement with G5+1 including US, UK, France, Russia, China plus Germany, Chairman of Majlis National Security and Foreign Policy Commission Alaeddin Boroujerdi said on Wednesday.
• Iran, Russia reach initial deal on 2 more N-plants Iran Press TV 12 Mar 2014 -- Iran and Russia have reached a preliminary agreement to build at least two more nuclear power plants in the Iranian port city of Bushehr in south of the country.
• Cell Phone Proliferation No Threat to North Korean Regime VOA 12 Mar 2014 -- The number of mobile phone subscribers in North Korea doubled to more than two million last year, but a 'Korean Spring' appears unlikely anytime soon.
• EU parliament threatens to block US trade deal over mass spying VoR 12 Mar 2014 -- The European Parliament threatened Wednesday to block a landmark free trade deal between the European Union and the United States if Washington does not end its mass spying activities. Negotiators are meeting in Brussels this week for a fourth round of talks on the Transatlantic Trade & Investment Partnership (TTIP), which would create the world's largest free-trade area. But the parliament would have to approve any deal for it to come into effect.
• CIA ties to Congress at risk over spying charges - US Intelligence Chief VoR 12 Mar 2014 -- The CIA's relationship with Congress would be ruined if it is proven that the agency illegally spied on the Senate Intelligence Committee. This comes after the spy agency had allegedly searched senators' computers for clues on how they learned about CIA terrorist interrogation program.
• Could U.S. Gas Boom Loosen Europe's Energy Dependence On Russia? RFE/RL 12 Mar 2014 -- With shale gas production in the United States booming, Russia's intervention in Crimea has given a boost to those calling for the United States to expedite natural gas exports to Europe to help it cut its reliance on Russian energy. But how realistic is this idea?
• Russian News Site Editor Removed, Prompting Uproar From Staff RIA Novosti 12 Mar 2014 -- The editor-in-chief of the popular Russian news website Lenta.ru was relieved of her post Wednesday, prompting staff there to complain that their editorial independence was being stifled.
• Russia Lost $550M From Failed Satellite Launches in 4 Years RIA Novosti 12 Mar 2014 -- Over the past four years the Russian government has lost nearly $550 million from uninsured failed satellite launches, the Vedomosti newspaper reported Wednesday, citing an aerospace industry audit.
• UN expert denounces use of torture-tainted information in States that condemn practice UN News Centre 12 Mar 2014 -- States that condemn torture while using information and products obtained through the practice in other countries are hypocritical, a United Nations human rights expert declared today, regretting that many Governments refuse to subject their intelligence agencies to strict scrutiny on the subject.
• China Considers Tougher Anti-terror Measures VOA 12 Mar 2014 -- Lawmakers in China are pushing for a national law to better protect the country from terrorism after a brutal attack earlier this month at a train station in the southwestern part of the country.