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Operations
Defense Policy / Programs
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News Reports

Current Operations

• OIF/OEF/OND Casualty Update 20 Mar 2014 [PDF]
• Taliban Militants Storm Police Station in Eastern Afghanistan VOA 20 Mar 2014 -- Taliban suicide bombers and gunmen stormed a police station early Thursday morning in the eastern Afghan city of Jalalabad, killing at least 11 people, including 10 policemen, and wounding about 20 others.
• Taliban Gunmen Killed in Attack on Kabul Hotel VOA 20 Mar 2014 -- Four Taliban gunmen were shot dead after they opened fire in a luxury hotel catering to foreigners in Afghanistan's capital, Kabul, Thursday. The incident comes ahead of Afghanistan's presidential elections next month.
• Coalition forces teach map skills class to ANA soldiers in Afghanistan USMC News 20 Mar 2014 -- Marines and civilian contractors from the Security Force Assistance Advisor Team for 4th Brigade, 215th Corps, Afghan National Army, gave a map skills class aboard Forward Operating Base Delaram II, March 15, 2014.
• Georgian President visits Georgian Infantry Battalion, Marines aboard Camp Leatherneck USMC News 20 Mar 2014 -- The maintenance bay was clean and tidy despite the rain and mud outside. Afghan, American and Georgian flags were displayed behind a podium in preparation for the important visitor. Anticipation filled the air as soldiers with the 31st Light Infantry Battalion with the Republic of Georgia and Marines with Georgian Liaison Team 11 stood still in formation as they awaited the arrival of the Georgian President Giorgi Margvelashvili to Camp Leatherneck, Helmand province, Afghanistan, March 15.

Defense Policy / Programs

• Readout of Secretary of Defense Chuck Hagel's call yesterday with Israeli Minister of Defense Moshe 'Boogie' Ya'alon DoD 20 Mar 2014
• Secretary Discusses Iran With Israeli Defense Minister AFPS 20 Mar 2014 -- During a phone conversation with Israeli Defense Minister Moshe Yaalon yesterday, Defense Secretary Chuck Hagel expressed his deep concern about Yaalon's reported comments on U.S. policy towards Iran and reiterated the U.S. commitment to preventing Iran from obtaining a nuclear weapon, Pentagon Press Secretary Navy Rear Adm. John Kirby said in a Defense Department news release.
• USS Wayne E. Meyer Departs for Western Pacific Deployment NNS 20 Mar 2014 -- The Arleigh Burke-class guided missile destroyer USS Wayne E. Meyer (DDG 108) departed Naval Base San Diego March 20 on an independent deployment to the Western Pacific Ocean.
• USS Simpson Returns Home NNS 20 Mar 2014 -- Guided-missile frigate USS Simpson (FFG 56) returned home to Naval Station Mayport, Fla., March 20, after a six-month deployment to the 6th Fleet Area of Responsibility.
• Navy to Christen Littoral Combat Ship Jackson DoD 20 Mar 2014 -- The Navy will christen its newest littoral combat ship, the future USS Jackson (LCS 6) in a ceremony at the Austal USA Shipyard in Mobile, Ala., March 22, at 10 a.m. CDT.
• Defense Department Announces Comprehensive Awards Review DoD 20 Mar 2014 -- The Department of Defense announced today that a comprehensive review of its military decorations and awards program will be conducted, which will incorporate lessons learned over the past 13 years of combat.
• Department of Defense Press Briefing by Rear Admiral Kirby in the Pentagon Briefing Room DoD 20 Mar 2014 -- Presenter: Press Secretary Rear Admiral John Kirby
• 3rd Battalion, 8th Marine Regiment kicks off Black Sea Rotational Force 14 deployment with non-lethal weapons sustainment training USMC News 20 Mar 2014 -- Marines earned their reputation of "always ready" from constant training and sustaining, keeping their skills as fresh as possible in case they are needed.
• Lincoln Rehab Team Saves Navy Nearly $3/4-million NNS 20 Mar 2014 -- Sailors from the Air Department aboard the Nimitz-class aircraft carrier USS Abraham Lincoln (CVN 72) recycled parts from the decommissioned aircraft carrier USS John F. Kennedy (CV 67) in an effort to save the Navy a pocket full of money during Lincoln's refueling complex overhaul (RCOH).
• USS Jason Dunham Receives Emergent Helicopter Hangar Door Repair from NSSA NNS 20 Mar 2014 -- After undergoing modifications to her helicopter hanger door, USS Jason Dunham (DDG 109) departed from Naval Station Norfolk in Norfolk, Va. to undergo workups, March 4.
• USS Mount Whitney Conducts Shipboard Readiness Training At Sea NNS 20 Mar 2014 -- The U.S. 6th Fleet flagship USS Mount Whitney (LCC 20) arrived in her homeport of Gaeta, Italy, March 20, after a three-day underway, in which a number of drills and training scenarios were completed.
• George H.W. Bush Carrier Strike Group Enters 5th Fleet NNS 20 Mar 2014 -- More than 5,000 Sailors serving in the George H.W. Bush Carrier Strike Group (GHWB CSG) arrived in the U.S. 5th Fleet area of responsibility (AOR) following a routine transit through the Suez Canal, March 19.
• US, South Korea set to launch massive war games Iran Press TV 20 Mar 2014 -- The United States military says Washington and Seoul are set to hold major war games next week, with the participation of thousands of American troops.
• Over 10,000 US troops to participate in massive landing drill in S Korea VoR 20 Mar 2014 -- More than 10,000 US troops will participate in a large-scale landing drill in South Korea next week, the US military said Thursday, days after North Korea test-fired 25 projectiles in apparent protest at the continuing joint exercises. The drill, code-named Ssang Yong ('Twin Dragons') and billed by local news media as one of the largest-ever of amphibious landing exercises by the two allies, will take place from March 27 through to April 7 on the southeast coast of South Korea.
• Breaking Defense Ties With Russia Would Hurt Ukraine – Official RIA Novosti 20 Mar 2014 -- Ukraine would be inflicting unnecessary damage upon itself if it breaks off ongoing cooperation with Russia's defense industry, a senior Russian official said Thursday.
• France Should Return Money if Warship Deal Cancelled – Rogozin RIA Novosti 20 Mar 2014 -- France should either fulfill its contract obligations under a June 2011 contract to deliver two Mistral-class warships to the Russian navy or return the money, a Russian deputy premier said on Wednesday.
• Chinese army to raise military training standards People's Daily 20 Mar 2014 -- The level of Chinese military training will be raised to actual combat standard to improve the army's capabilities, according to a guidance issued by the country's military leadership.
• Press Gaggle by Press Secretary Jay Carney en route Orlando, FL, 3/20/2014 The White House 20 Mar 2014
• March 20, 2014 - U.S. Department of State Daily Press Briefing US Dept. of State 20 Mar 2014

Defense Industry

• DoD News: Contracts for March 20, 2014

Other Conflicts

• 20 March 2014 - Daily Press Briefing by the Office of the Spokesperson for the Secretary-General United Nations 20 Mar 2014
• Syria militants flee Qalamoun region toward Lebanon border Iran Press TV 20 Mar 2014 -- Foreign-backed Takfiri militants in western Syria are feeling toward the Lebanese border as Syrian troops comb through the strategic Qalamun region.
• Syria army chases militants out of Ras al-Ain in Qalamoun Iran Press TV 20 Mar 2014 -- The Syrian army has recaptured the town of Ras al-Ain in the mountainous region of Qalamoun, north of Damascus, days after taking over the strategic city of Yabroud, Press TV reports.
• Syria troops recapture medieval castle near Homs Iran Press TV 20 Mar 2014 -- Syrian government forces have managed to recapture a famous medieval castle near the western city of Homs after heavy fighting with militants surrounding the area.
• Over half of Syria's chemical weapons removed or destroyed, says joint OPCW-UN mission UN News Centre 20 Mar 2014 -- The Joint Mission of the Organization for the Prohibition of Chemical Weapons (OPCW) and the United Nations said today that over half of Syria's chemical weapons material has been removed or destroyed.
• First UN humanitarian aid convoy from Turkey sets out for Syria UN News Centre 20 Mar 2014 -- A United Nations convoy carrying vital humanitarian supplies for hundreds of thousands of people in desperate need in northern Syria is leaving today from Turkey, the first time in the three years of the conflict that aid is being transported via this route.
• Syria Fighting Spills Into Northern Lebanon VOA 20 Mar 2014 -- Syrian warplanes bombed areas along Lebanon's northern border Thursday amid bitter fighting between rebels and government forces in a historic border town. Scores of civilians and fighters were reported to be fleeing into Lebanon.
• Philippines get bolder on Ren'ai Reef issue People's Daily 20 Mar 2014 -- The Philippines are continuing to make trouble in the South China Sea, and are now providing indications of their true intentions on the Ren'ai Reef issue.
• Boko Haram Adds Heat to Nigeria 2015 Vote VOA 20 Mar 2014 -- The deadly Boko Haram insurgency gripping northeastern Nigeria has intensified in recent months, and some Nigerians say it could destroy the ruling party's chance of winning next year's elections. But some analysts say the insurgency is being used as a political weapon for both sides.
• Nigeria army warns Boko Haram Iran Press TV 20 Mar 2014 -- Nigeria's chief of army staff has called on Boko Haram members to embrace negotiations or get crushed by the military.
• Analysts: Nigeria's Boko Haram Funding Vast, Varied VOA 20 Mar 2014 -- In one of the poorest regions of the world, Nigerian insurgents fight with advanced weaponry and disappear into the shadows after massive attacks. Security analysts say funding for these operations is most likely vast and varied, and the only way to permanently stop the fighting is to cut it off.
• Burma Constructs New Border Checkpoints With Bangladesh VOA 20 Mar 2014 -- Burma, also known as Myanmar, says it is building new checkpoints along its border with Bangladesh in volatile Rakhine state.
• Muslims rebuild homes as communal tensions ease in central Myanmar town IRIN 20 Mar 2014 -- Thousands of residents displaced by inter-communal violence a year ago in this central town in Myanmar are being allowed to rebuild their homes.
• Kerry's Mideast Peace 'Framework' Likely to Ignore Gaza VOA 20 Mar 2014 -- Virtually nothing is known about a framework Mideast peace deal U.S. Secretary of State John Kerry is expected to unveil in the coming weeks.
• Israel advances plans for 2,269 West Bank homes VoR 20 Mar 2014 -- Israel has progressed with plans for more than 2,000 new homes in six West Bank settlements, an official said Thursday, in a move likely to further endanger peace talks. Guy Inbar, a spokesman for the defence ministry unit responsible for civilian affairs in the Palestinian territories, said a ministry committee had furthered existing plans for 2,269 homes at a meeting last month.
• World must 'sit up and pay attention' to situation in Central African Republic – UN rights chief UN News Centre 20 Mar 2014 -- Despite the recent halt in large-scale violence that took place in crisis-riven Central African Republic (CAR) in December and January, people are still being killed every day, the United Nations human rights chief warned today, deploring the "dire" humanitarian situation facing the country and calling on the international community to dramatically step up vital aid efforts.
• UN's Pillay: 'Terrifying' Hatred in the C.A.R. VOA 20 Mar 2014 -- The United Nations' top human rights official says sectarian violence in the Central African Republic remains at a 'terrifying level,' and has prompted atrocities that include cannibalism.
• Security Council: UN envoy says solid basis for reform needed to consolidate Liberia's peace UN News Centre 20 Mar 2014 -- As Liberia enters its second post-conflict decade, it faces great challenges to institutionalizing critical sector reforms and building capacity for effective governance, a senior United Nations official said today, adding that seizing the present "window of opportunity" would be critical for consolidating the country's hard-won peace and charting a future of inclusive development.
• Libya government says firm in battle against terrorism Iran Press TV 20 Mar 2014 -- The Libyan government has expressed determination to continue with its battle against 'terrorist groups' in the country.

News Reports

• Obama Expands Sanctions Against Russia VOA 20 Mar 2014 -- U.S. President Barack Obama announced on Thursday morning a series of expanded sanctions against Russia over its annexation of the Crimean peninsula.
• Statement by the President on Ukraine The White House 20 Mar 2014
• Background Briefing on Ukraine by Senior Administration Officials The White House 20 Mar 2014
• Hagel Gets Assurances About Russian Troops on Ukraine Border AFPS 20 Mar 2014 -- Russian Defense Minister Sergei Shoygu assured Defense Secretary Chuck Hagel that Russian troops along the Russia-Ukraine border are there solely for exercise purposes and will not cross over into Ukrainian territory, Pentagon Press Secretary Navy Rear Adm. John Kirby said today.
• Pro-Russian forces board 3 Ukrainian warships Iran Press TV 20 Mar 2014 -- Pro-Russian forces have seized three Ukrainian warships in the strategic Black Sea peninsula of Crimea as Ukraine says its troops are being threatened in the breakaway region.
• EU poised to slap more sanctions on Russia over Crimea Iran Press TV 20 Mar 2014 -- German Chancellor Angela Merkel says the European Union (EU) will impose more sanctions on Russia following its decision to annex Ukraine's strategic Black Sea peninsula of Crimea.
• In Russia, Ban calls for 'honest and constructive dialogue between Kyiv and Moscow' UN News Centre 20 Mar 2014 -- Leading diplomatic efforts to encourage all parties involved in the Ukraine crisis to find a peaceful solution, United Nations Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon met today with Russian President Vladimir Putin and emphasized the need for de-escalating tensions between Russia and Ukraine, and restoring the "brotherly relationship" between the two countries.
• Time to end condoning of Ukrainian Right Sector militants, Svoboda activists - Lavrov VoR 20 Mar 2014 -- Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov told United States Secretary of State John Kerry by telephone on Thursday that Washington should stop condoning Ukrainian nationalists and extremists.
• Lavrov tells Kerry Russia's Crimea move will not be revisited, must be respected VoR 20 Mar 2014 -- The decision of Crimea to reunite with Russia, 'reflecting the will of the absolute majority of its residents, is not subject to revision' and must be respected, Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov told his US counterpart John Kerry on Thursday.
• Ukraine is lying while explaining suspension of its chairmanship in CIS – Russia VoR 20 Mar 2014 -- Kiev's reasons for suspending its chairmanship in the CIS did not correspond to reality, the Russian Foreign Ministry said on Thursday. On Thursday the new authorities in Kiev decided to quit the CIS, the organization of former Soviet Republics.
• Obama to Reassure Europe as Ukraine Crisis Deepens VOA 20 Mar 2014 -- As Russia consolidates its power over the Crimean region of Ukraine, President Barack Obama is heading to Europe for talks with allies in a bid to pressure Moscow.
• Russia Duma ratifies Crimea reunification treaty Iran Press TV 20 Mar 2014 -- Russia's lower house of parliament, the State Duma, has overwhelmingly approved a treaty to annex Ukraine's strategic Black Sea peninsula of Crimea into the Russian Federation.
• Kerry Tells VOA He Hopes for No Russian Tension Spillover VOA 20 Mar 2014 -- In an exclusive interview with VOA, U.S. Secretary of State John Kerry discussed the Iran nuclear issue and also said that said he hopes tensions with Russia over Ukraine do not affect other global issues requiring continuing U.S.-Russia diplomacy.
• Moscow puzzled by some of names on US sanctions list - Putin spokesman VoR 20 Mar 2014 -- Moscow is studying Washington's list of individuals against whom sanctions were imposed, and already puzzled by some of the names, Russian President's Press Secretary Dmitry Peskov said.
• Russia imposes entry ban on US lawmakers, officials in retaliation for US sanction VoR 20 Mar 2014 -- The Russian Foreign Affairs Ministry has published a list of US politicians against whom sanctions will be introduced, identical to those imposed by the United States against Russian officials.The list includes House Speaker John Boehner, US Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid, Senate Foreign Relations Committee Chairman Robert Menendez and other senior US administration officials who are legally prohibited to visit Russia.
• Diplomatic talks between Russia, US should continue – Obama VoR 20 Mar 2014 -- The United States will impose new sanctions against Russia in addition to the ones imposed earlier this week due to Moscow's political course towards Ukraine, US President Barack Obama said on Thursday. At the same time, he stressed that diplomatic talks between Russia and the United States should go on. The American leader specified that the new measures are imposed against Russian high-ranking officials and other people who did not belong to authorities in Moscow, but who, as Washington believes, support actions of the Russian government against Ukraine. Obama added that one Russian bank was also included in the list. However, the president did not disclose the name of the bank.
• Russia's lower parliament ratifies Crimea reunification treaty VoR 20 Mar 2014 -- The State Duma, Russia's lower house of parliament, ratified the historic Crimea reunification treaty at its additional session on Thursday. A total of 443 State Duma deputies supported the ratificiation and only one voted against, while 300 yeas were necessary. The agreement will be provisionally applied from the date of its signing and will enter into force since the date of its ratification.
• Military infrastructure to adjust for protecting Crimea from possible intrusions - Russian Defense Ministry VoR 20 Mar 2014 -- The Russian Armed Forces will adjust their development plans in the context of the entry of Crimea and Sevastopol into Russia, Russian Deputy Defense Minister Yuri Borisov told reporters on Thursday.
• Amid Russian Threats, Ukraine Asks US Diplomat for Help VOA 20 Mar 2014 -- As the U.S. president announced tougher economic sanctions to punish Russia for moving to annex Crimea, one of his top diplomats was in the Ukrainian capital to reassure nervous Ukrainians of America's solidarity with them while they are vulnerable.
• Russia's Duma Ratifies Crimea Annexation RFE/RL 20 Mar 2014 -- Russia's State Duma has ratified an agreement that makes Crimea part of the Russian Federation. The agreement is expected to be endorsed by the upper house of parliament on March 21.
• Federal State Is Only Solution for Ukraine – Lavrov RIA Novosti 20 Mar 2014 -- Making Ukraine a federal state is the only way to stabilize situation in the country, Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov said on Thursday.
• Russia Uncovers Arms Smuggling Route Through Ukraine RIA Novosti 20 Mar 2014 -- Russian law enforcement raided an arms group that smuggled weapons to the country's North Caucasus from the European Union via Ukraine, the country's Federal Security Service said Thursday.
• Russia Announces Sanctions Against US Officials RIA Novosti 20 Mar 2014 -- The Russian Foreign Ministry on Thursday imposed sanctions against nine senior US officials in retaliation to US visa bans and asset freezes.
• Obama Announces New Sanctions Against Russia RIA Novosti 20 Mar 2014 -- US President Barack Obama on Thursday announced new sanctions against Russia over its reunification with Crimea.
• Amid Russia-Ukraine Crisis, Moldova's Fault Lines Quaver RFE/RL 20 Mar 2014 -- The similarities are too obvious to ignore. First, last month, Moldova's Russian-speaking Gagauz Autonomous Republic held a controversial referendum that overwhelmingly expressed support for closer relations with a Moscow-led customs union instead of the European Union.
• NSA attorney: Tech companies knew about bulk data mining Iran Press TV 20 Mar 2014 -- Despite months of denial from leading tech companies that they were aware of the government's mining of user information, the National Security Agency's senior attorney testified that information was obtained with the 'full knowledge and assistance' of those firms.
• US Senator orders probe of alleged CIA unlawful computer hacking VoR 20 Mar 2014 -- The leader of the US Senate on Thursday ordered an investigation into what he called an 'indefensible' breach of the Senate Intelligence Committee's computers by the CIA.
• Google, Yahoo, Apple, Microsoft and Facebook knew about PRISM surveillance - NSA VoR 20 Mar 2014 -- The top lawyer for the National Security Agency told a civil liberties oversight board on Wednesday that companies such as Google, Yahoo, Apple, Microsoft and Facebook knew all about the NSA surveillance program PRISM, the Guardian reported.
• China to make further contribution over Iranian nuclear issue People's Daily 20 Mar 2014 -- China on Thursday said it would continue communicating with relevant parties and make contributions to reach an agreement on the Iranian nuclear issue as early as possible.
• EU Sees Wide Differences In Iran Nuclear Talks, But Praises Commitment RFE/RL 20 Mar 2014 -- An EU official says there are some broad differences between Iran and the six world powers in reaching an agreement on Tehran's controversial nuclear program.
• Pakistan dismisses US report on Osama bin Laden IRNA 20 Mar 2014 -- Pakistan on Thursday dismissed as 'ridiculous and baseless' American media reports that the countrys intelligence agency had protected al-Qaeda chief, Osama bin Laden, who was killed in Abbotabad by the US military in 2011.
• Readout of the Vice President's Call with President of the Iraqi Kurdistan Region Masoud Barzani The White House 20 Mar 2014
• Readout of the Vice President's Call with Iraqi Prime Minister of Nouri al-Maliki The White House 20 Mar 2014
• India's Campaign Spending to Touch a Record $ 5 Billion VOA 20 Mar 2014 -- India's election spending is set to reach $5 billion as candidates spend millions of dollars on what studies say will be the country's most expensive campaign. Analysts say a large portion of funding comes from unaccountable sources, and some is used to bribe voters.