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News Reports

Current Operations

• OIF/OEF/OND Casualty Update 01 Apr 2014 [PDF]
• Afghan officials with Nimroz, Helmand provinces meet to discuss upcoming elections USMC News 01 Apr 2014 -- Nimroz and Helmand provincial leaders met with Brigadier Gen. Daniel D. Yoo, commanding general, Regional Command (Southwest), and key members of his staff aboard Camp Leatherneck, Helmand province, Afghanistan, March 26 and 29.
• 1st Combat Engineers clear the way for friendly forces USMC News 01 Apr 2014 -- The Marines of 4th platoon, Mobility Assault Company, 1st Combat Engineer Battalion, conducted a route clearance operation in Helmand province, Afghanistan, March 24.
• Navy team prepares Afghan medics to operate independently USMC News 01 Apr 2014 -- A small team of sailors has been tasked with empowering Afghans to stand on their own as coalition forces draw down and transition full security responsibility in the Sangin Valley.
• Coalition forces install culvert denial systems to prevent IED placement USMC News 01 Apr 2014 -- United States Army soldiers with the 65th Engineer Battalion led an operation to install culvert denial systems along Highway 1 in Helmand province, Afghanistan, March 24.
• Millions Of Afghan Women Register To Vote, Hoping To Have An Impact RFE/RL 01 Apr 2014 -- With just days to go before the polls, millions of Afghans have braved long lines and the threat of militant attacks to obtain their voter cards. A sizable number of those who rushed to register this year have been women.

Defense Policy / Programs

• Department of Defense Press Briefing by Secretary Hagel en route to Hawaii DoD 01 Apr 2014 -- Presenter: Secretary of Defense Chuck Hagel
• Defense Officials in Ukraine for Consultations AFPS 01 Apr 2014 -- Senior U.S. defense officials are in Kiev, Ukraine, for bilateral defense consultations with Ukrainian defense officials, Pentagon spokesman Army Col. Steve Warren said today.
• Cooperative Effort Helps Stop Spread of WMDs, Officials Say AFPS 01 Apr 2014 -- Weapons of mass destruction can spread at the speed of an airliner, a missile, or even the internet, the deputy assistant defense secretary for countering weapons of mass destruction said today.
• Boxer ARG Participates in Ssang Yong 2014 NNS 01 Apr 2014 -- The Boxer Amphibious Ready Group (BOXARG), with embarked 13th Marine Expeditionary Unit (MEU), began participation in Exercise Ssang Yong 2014 March 27 off the coast of the Republic of Korea (ROK) with the ROK navy and Marine Corps.
• USS Mason Arrives In Palermo for Port Visit NNS 01 Apr 2014 -- Guided-missile destroyer USS Mason (DDG 87) arrived in Palermo, Italy for a scheduled port visit, March 31.
• Aviation detachment keeps US-Polish training running smoothly AFNS 01 Apr 2014 -- 'All the expectations you have for a normal assignment -- throw those out the window,' said Maj. Micah Chollar, the director of operations for the Detachment of the 52nd Operations Group. 'We have to analyze who we have, what our guys bring to the table and what we can do to overcome any challenges thrown our way.'
• Preparation Sets Stage for Effective Crisis Response NNS 01 Apr 2014 -- Sailors and Marines from several East Coast-based expeditionary commands conducted an in port maritime staff exercise onboard USS Iwo Jima (LHD 7) March 27-31 to refine their collective ability to respond to crises.
• African Partnership Flight Angola 2014 concludes AFNS 01 Apr 2014 -- African Partnership Flight Angola 2014 came to a close March 28 after a full week of events including Airmen from the Angolan, U.S. and Zambian air forces.
• U.S. Looking to Reassure NATO Allies About Ukraine AFPS 01 Apr 2014 -- The Russian takeover of Crimea from Ukraine has NATO allies worried, the chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff said today.
• Hagel Begins Asia-Pacific Trip With U.S.-ASEAN Forum AFPS 01 Apr 2014 -- Defense Secretary Chuck Hagel begins his fourth official trip to the Asia-Pacific region today with a stop in Honolulu for the first U.S.-hosted U.S.-ASEAN Defense Forum, an informal meeting of the defense ministers of 10 countries that make up the Association of Southeast Asian Nations.
• Dempsey Pleased at U.S.-Israeli Review of Threats AFPS 01 Apr 2014 -- Army Gen. Martin E. Dempsey said he is pleased with his just-concluded U.S.-Israeli look at combating likely threats in the region.
• US, ROK Navies Complete Foal Eagle Exercise, Enhance Teamwork and Interoperability NNS 01 Apr 2014 -- The U.S. and Republic of Korea (ROK) navies enhanced their combined and joint maritime capabilities after completing a series of drills and exercises ashore and at sea from March 8-31 in support of exercise Foal Eagle 2014.
• US seeks to boost troops at Black Sea base: Romania Iran Press TV 01 Apr 2014 -- Romania says the United States wants to boost its military presence in the eastern European country amid tensions in neighboring Ukraine.
• US to boost troops at Romania airbase increasing NATO's military presence in Eastern Europe VoR 01 Apr 2014 -- US has asked to boost the number of troops and aircraft stationed at an airbase in NATO ally, Romania, President Traian Basescu said. The request would add up to 600 US troops to the roughly 1,000 currently stationed in Romania, and would increase the number of military aircraft there, Reuters reports.
• NATO takes measures to reinforce collective defence, agrees on support for Ukraine NATO 01 Apr 2014 -- NATO foreign ministers on Tuesday (1 April 2014) reaffirmed their commitment to enhance the Alliance's collective defence, agreed to further support Ukraine and to suspend NATO's practical cooperation with Russia. "NATO's greatest responsibility is to protect and defend our territory and our people. And make no mistake, this is what we will do," NATO Secretary General Anders Fogh Rasmussen said.
• NATO Air Force manoeuvres begin in Lithuania VoR 01 Apr 2014 -- Two-day manoeuvres of the NATO Air Force with the participation of warplanes of Lithuania, the United States, Germany, as well as NATO partner - Sweden, have begun in Lithuania on Tuesday, Russian news agency TASS reports.
• NATO and Swedish Fighter Jets train together over the Baltic Sea NATO 01 Apr 2014 -- Two U.S. fighter jets under NATO command were scrambled from the Siauliai air base in Lithuania Tuesday (1 April 2014) to exercise with two Swedish Gripen fighter aircraft over the Baltic Sea, in a training event designed to improve coordination and emergency procedures.
• NATO Suspends Civilian, Military Cooperation With Russia RFE/RL 02 Apr 2014 -- NATO says it is suspending "all practical civilian and military cooperation" with Russia in response to Moscow's annexation of Ukraine's Crimea region.
• Statement of the NATO-Ukraine Commission NATO 01 Apr 2014 -- "We, the Foreign Ministers of the NATO-Ukraine Commission, are united in our condemnation of Russia's illegal military intervention in Ukraine, and Russia's violation of Ukraine's sovereignty and territorial integrity."
• Statement by NATO Foreign Ministers NATO 01 Apr 2014
• NATO Foreign Ministers to reaffirm commitment to collective defence NATO 01 Apr 2014 -- NATO Foreign Ministers will show their steadfast commitment to Allied collective defence in the wake of the Ukraine crisis and agree on ways to support Ukraine, said NATO Secretary General Anders Fogh Rasmussen at the start of the two-day ministerial on Tuesday (1 April 2014).
• NATO Suspends Cooperation with Russia VOA 01 Apr 2014 -- NATO will suspend 'all practical civilian and military cooperation' with Russia because of Moscow's annexation of Ukraine's Crimea.
• Kazakhstan Gives Green Light for Russian Nuclear Transit RIA Novosti 01 Apr 2014 -- The government of Kazakhstan has issued a transit permit for a subsidiary of Russia's state-run Rosatom agency, the country's nuclear authority said Tuesday.
• Russia Terminates, Does Not Denounce Black Sea Fleet Deal With Ukraine RIA Novosti 01 Apr 2014 -- Moscow has terminated without denouncing the bilateral agreements with Ukraine providing for the basing of the Black Sea Fleet, a senior Russian official said Tuesday.
• Japan approves new arms export rules, triggering concerns People's Daily 01 Apr 2014 -- The Japanese Cabinet on Tuesday approved new principles and guidelines on arms export, marking a major change on the war-renouncing country's defense stance for the first time in nearly half a century.
• China concerned about Japan's arms exports readjustment People's Daily 01 Apr 2014 -- China is greatly concerned about Japan's decision to lift a ban of nearly half a century on weapons exports, Foreign Ministry spokesman Hong Lei said Tuesday.
• China general charged with corruption Iran Press TV 01 Apr 2014 -- China has formally charged a senior army officer with corruption and abuse of power, in what has become the biggest corruption scandal to engulf the army.
• Senior Military Official Charged in China's Anti-Corruption Drive VOA 01 Apr 2014 -- In China, authorities have charged a former senior military official with corruption. Prosecutors allege that by abusing his power within the military he amassed billions of dollars, speculated in real estate and gathered a huge collection of gold and luxury goods.
• Royal Navy joins search for missing aircraft UK MOD 01 Apr 2014 -- Submarine HMS Tireless has been tasked to assist in the search for flight MH370 as UK support to the international effort continues.
• Ukraine to Hold Military Exercises with European, NATO Allies VOA 01 Apr 2014 -- Ukraine will host joint military exercises with European and NATO countries while NATO has decided to suspend 'all practical civilian and military cooperation' with Russia because of Moscow's annexation of Ukraine's Crimea.
• Iron Dome fires hit Israel 'accidentally' Iran Press TV 01 Apr 2014 -- Israel's Iron Dome missile system has 'accidentally' fired interceptor rockets into the Red Sea resort city of Eilat in southern Negev.
• Daily Briefing by the Press Secretary, 4/1/14 The White House 01 Apr 2014
• April 1, 2014 - Secretary of State John Kerry Press Availability at NATO US Dept. of State 01 Apr 2014
• April 1, 2014 - U.S. Department of State Daily Press Briefing US Dept. of State 01 Apr 2014

Defense Industry

• DoD News: Contracts for April 01, 2014

Other Conflicts

• 1 April 2014 - Daily Press Briefing by the Office of the Spokesperson for the Secretary-General United Nations 01 Apr 2014
• At Brussels conference, Ban says genocide prevention is global responsibility UN News Centre 01 Apr 2014 -- Addressing the International Conference on Genocide Prevention in Brussels, United Nations Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon today declared that defending human rights is a global responsibility, and called on all Governments to renew their commitment to vigilance and political will to prevent any mass atrocities from ever occurring again.
• Unidentified Drone Found on South Korean Island VOA 01 Apr 2014 -- An unidentified drone has crashed on a South Korean island, near the disputed maritime border with North Korea - one day after the two sides exchanged artillery fire into the sea.
• Turkey army fires artillery into Syria: Report Iran Press TV 01 Apr 2014 -- Turkish army has fired artillery into the Syrian territory following an incident when a rocket from the Arab country hit a mosque in Turkey.
• Kerry Cancels Meeting with Abbas Over Recognition Spat VOA 01 Apr 2014 -- Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas says he is resuming a bid to win more United Nations recognition, breaking an agreement that already is threatened by Israel's refusal to release more Palestinian prisoners. U.S. Secretary of State John Kerry has cancelled plans to meet with Abbas on Wednesday.
• US Release of Israeli Spy Pollard Could Be Key to Renewed Peace Talks VOA 01 Apr 2014 -- Jewish American Jonathan Pollard has been held in prison for nearly three decades for passing American secrets to Israel. But his possible release may be the key to keeping the fragile Israeli-Palestinian peace talks from collapsing.
• Deal Emerging on Mideast Talks Extension VOA 01 Apr 2014 -- Officials close to the Mideast peace talks say an agreement is emerging that would extend negotiations through 2015 in exchange for the release of an American convicted of spying for Israel in 1987.
• China urges U.S. to stop Ren'ai Reef remarks People's Daily 01 Apr 2014 -- China on Tuesday urged the United States to stop its irresponsible remarks on the Ren'ai Reef and its encouragement of provocation by countries involved in disputes over the sovereignty of the reef.
• Lebanon begins major military operation in Tripoli Iran Press TV 01 Apr 2014 -- The Lebanese military has launched a campaign to quell the violence in the northern city of Tripoli, which has been suffering from a spillover of conflict from neighboring Syria.
• South Sudan: harassment of staff draws concern of UN mission UN News Centre 01 Apr 2014 -- Amid growing humanitarian aid needs and despite recent assurances from the Government, the United Nations mission in South Sudan (UNMISS) continues to report increasingly difficult working conditions due to movement restrictions and other harassments against its personnel and partners.
• As delayed Guinea-Bissau vote nears, UN panel stresses need for free, fair polls UN News Centre 01 Apr 2014 -- The United Nations panel dealing with peacebuilding efforts in Guinea-Bissau today welcomed the successful preparations for the country's upcoming legislative and presidential elections and called on all stakeholders to cooperate in ensuring that the polls are free and fair.
• Aid workers keen to return to tense western Myanmar IRIN 01 Apr 2014 -- International aid workers forced to flee western Myanmar after being targeted by Buddhist mobs last week say they need to return to Rakhine State to help with food and water distributions for displaced people.
• Stepped-up attacks in Central African Republic prompt UN call for more peacekeepers UN News Centre 01 Apr 2014 -- With the Central African Republic (CAR) capital of Bangui having relapsed into wider violence, the United Nations human rights office today urged States to support the world body's appeal for thousands more peacekeepers and police.
• Muslims Remain Trapped in C.A.R. Town VOA 01 Apr 2014 -- In western Central African Republic, entire towns have been emptied of Muslims. Some have been killed, while thousands of others have fled the anti-balaka militia who attacked them earlier this year as Muslim Seleka rebels withdrew to the northeast. In the southwestern town of Boda, thousands of Muslims are trapped as international troops struggle to keep a lid on tensions.

News Reports

• Kiev owes $1.7bn in unpaid Russian gas: Gazprom Iran Press TV 01 Apr 2014 -- Russia's state-owned energy giant Gazprom Neft has announced that Ukraine owes the company 1.7 billion dollars in unpaid gas bills, amid an increase in gas prices.
• Ukraine's Loss of Territorial Integrity Resulted From Internal Processes – Russia RIA Novosti 01 Apr 2014 -- Ukraine's loss of territorial integrity was a result of internal processes, not interference from Russia, which never violated its obligations under a 1994 agreement on respecting Ukrainian borders, the Russian Foreign Ministry said Tuesday.
• Russia's Economic Ties with Ukraine Depend on Non-Aligned Status – Russian Foreign Ministry RIA Novosti 01 Apr 2014 -- The development of closer ties, including economic cooperation, between Moscow and Kiev will depend on Ukraine's commitment to maintaining a non-aligned status, the Russian Foreign Ministry said Tuesday.
• Ukraine Follows 'Arab Spring' Scenario – Russian Defense Minister RIA Novosti 01 Apr 2014 -- A scenario similar to the Arab Spring has unfolded in crisis-hit Ukraine during and after the events leading up to the ouster of the country's president in February, Russian Defense Minister Sergei Shoigu said Tuesday.
• Ukraine to Disarm Illegally Armed Groups After Kiev Shooting RIA Novosti 01 Apr 2014 -- Ukraine's parliament has ordered the immediate disarming of illegally armed groups in the country following a fatal shooting Monday on the city's main square believed to have involved a political activist of the Right Sector movement.
• Crimean Tatars Want UN Peacekeepers VOA 01 Apr 2014 -- The leader of the Crimean Tatars says he wants international peacekeeping forces sent to the Black Sea peninsula, which Russia recently annexed from Ukraine.
• NATO 'Can't Confirm' Russian Troop Withdrawal RFE/RL 01 Apr 2014 -- NATO Secretary-General Anders Fogh Rasmussen says he has seen no evidence that Russia is withdrawing troops it deployed along Ukraine's eastern border.
• Crimean Tatar Leader Calls For UN Peacekeeping Troops RFE/RL 01 Apr 2014 -- The veteran leader of the Crimean Tatars has called on the UN Security Council to send peacekeeping forces to Crimea.
• 'We Need To Cure Ukraine:' Maidan Doctor Aims For Presidency RFE/RL 01 Apr 2014 -- Prominent Ukrainian doctor Olha Bohomolets says her country is 'gravely sick.'
• Arrests of Ultranationalists Fuel Jitters in Ukraine VOA 01 Apr 2014 -- The arrest in Kyiv this week of an ethnic Russian pan-nationalist accused of recruiting dozens of paid recruits to storm the Ukrainian parliament is fuelling allegations here that Russia is preparing so-called "provocations" designed to destabilize Ukraine.
• Report: CIA Misled Public About Terror Detainees VOA 01 Apr 2014 -- The Washington Post newspaper says according to a congressional report the CIA misled the public for years over its now-defunct enhanced interrogation program of suspected terrorists.
• US Senate's report sheds light on CIA detainees' tortures VoR 01 Apr 2014 -- A report by the Senate Intelligence Committee concludes that the CIA concealed its brutal interrogation program for years both from the government and the public, including details on their commonly practiced torture techniques, overstating the significance of plots and interrogated prisoners. This, US officials confirm, yielded little, if any at all, intelligence.
• Turkish police clash with protesters over polls results Iran Press TV 01 Apr 2014 -- Turkish police clash with thousands of opposition demonstrators protesting against the results of mayoral elections in the major cities of Ankara and Istanbul.
• UN health agency working to contain Ebola outbreak in Guinea UN News Centre 01 Apr 2014 -- The number of suspected and confirmed cases of Ebola (EVD) in Guinea has jumped from 103 to 122 in just three days, with 80 confirmed deaths, said the United Nations World Health Organization (WHO), which will now focus on preventing further transmissions of the often fatal disease.