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News Reports

Current Operations

• OIF/OEF/OND Casualty Update 03 Apr 2014 [PDF]
• Latest deployment of UK forces to Afghanistan announced UK MOD 03 Apr 2014 -- The next deployment of UK armed forces to Afghanistan is due to take place in June 2014, Defence Secretary Philip Hammond has announced.
• Pakistan frees 16 Taliban prisoners in bid to revive peace talks VoR 03 Apr 2014 -- Pakistan has freed at least sixteen Taliban prisoners with the approval of Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif, officials said on Thursday, in a move designed to invigorate a shaky peace process with the militant group. The Pakistani Taliban called a one-month ceasefire on March 1 but said this week they would not extend the truce because the government was not serious about meeting their demands, Reuters reports.
• Encouraged by preparations for historic Afghan polls, Ban urges all citizens to vote UN News Centre 03 Apr 2014 -- Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon said today he is encouraged by the technical and security preparations and broad public engagement for Afghanistan's upcoming elections and urged all of the country's citizens to take part in the historic polls which will be held on Saturday.
• Fears of Violence, Fraud Cloud Afghan Presidential Election VOA 03 Apr 2014 -- Millions of Afghans are being asked to defy Taliban threats and cast their votes Saturday for a new president. But Afghans and analysts say that their biggest fear is that the elections will be marred by fraud, and losing candidates will not accept the results. That, in turn, could lead to greater unrest, instability and violence.

Defense Policy / Programs

• Rogers Takes Over Top NSA, Cyber Command Posts AFPS 03 Apr 2014 -- Navy Adm. Michael S. Rogers assumed command of U.S. Cyber Command and became director of the National Security Agency and the Central Security Service during a ceremony here today.
• Clapper confirms warrantless searches of Americans Iran Press TV 03 Apr 2014 -- The US National Security Agency has conducted searches of Americans' phone and internet communications without court warrants, the Obama administration's top intelligence official has confirmed.
• Senate Panel Orders Release of CIA Torture Report VOA 03 Apr 2014 -- The Senate Intelligence Committee has voted to release parts of a secret report criticizing the CIA's methods of interrogating terror suspects after the 2001 al-Qaida attacks on New York and Washington.
• Commander Identifies Fort Hood Shooter, Provides Details AFPS 03 Apr 2014 -- Army Spc. Ivan A. Lopez, 34, was the gunman in yesterday's shooting at Fort Hood, Texas, the installation commander said today.
• Remarks at ASEAN Conference DoD 03 Apr 2014 -- Presenter: Secretary of Defense Chuck Hagel
• Additional 175 US marines to be deployed to Black Sea region VoR 03 Apr 2014 -- The Pentagon said on Wednesday it was bolstering the size of its Europe-based crisis response force to 675 Marines by sending 175 new troops to a Romanian base near the Black Sea at a time of tensions over the situation at the Crimean peninsula.
• 'Super Galaxy' fleet complete at Dover AFNS 03 Apr 2014 -- From the Galaxy to Super Galaxy, Dover's armada of C-5M Super Galaxies is finally complete.
• Air Force leaders insist new tanker is key to airpower AFNS 03 Apr 2014 -- The top three acquisition priorities for the Air Force are the KC-46A aerial tanker, the F-35A Joint Strike Fighter and the Long Range Strike Bomber, officials told members of Congress during a hearing of House Armed Services Committee's subcommittee on seapower and projections forces, April 2.
• Budget Cuts Threaten Military Readiness, Officials Say AFPS 03 Apr 2014 -- The Pentagon will need additional resources if the United States wants to remain a global leader through defense strategy, and the current budget request for military spending assumes an increased level of risk for some missions, two senior Defense Department officials told Congress today.
• Reserve Forces Provide Flexibility, Leaders Tell Congress AFPS 03 Apr 2014 -- The flexibility and dual skill set of National Guard and Air Force Reserve forces has strengthened national security, the chief of the National Guard Bureau told Congress yesterday.
• Air Force Leaders Lay Out Budget Priorities, Concerns AFPS 03 Apr 2014 -- Air Force leaders testified yesterday before the Senate Appropriations Committee on their service's top priorities now and for the future.
• VMAQT-1 completes transition, first pilots begin flying USMC News 03 Apr 2014 -- Marine Tactical Electronic Warfare Training Squadron 1 took another step toward fully capable status with their first class of EA-6B Prowler student pilots taking to the sky for the first time March 27.
• 2nd MAW squadrons complete integrated exercise, return home USMC News 03 Apr 2014 -- Marines and Sailors from several 2nd Marine Aircraft Wing squadrons returned to the air station March 28, 2014 after completing Integrated Training Exercise 3-14 at Marine Corps Air-Ground Combat Center Twentynine Palms, Calif.
• USS Frank Cable Completes First Underway Replenishment in 10 Years NNS 03 Apr 2014 -- Military Sealift Command's USNS Cesar Chavez (T-AKE 14) pulled alongside the submarine tender USS Frank Cable (AS 40) April 3, allowing Frank Cable to complete an underway replenishment (UNREP).
• Software Tool to Improve Naval Aviation Safety Reaches Key Developmental Milestone NNS 03 Apr 2014 -- A software tool that will help the Navy and Marine Corps reduce its aviation mishap rate and enhance aircrew training reached a key developmental milestone March 25, laying the groundwork for limited production and installation on fleet computers.
• NSWC IHEODTD Supports Digital Rocket Launcher Early Operational Capability NNS 03 Apr 2014 -- Naval Surface Warfare Center Indian Head Explosive Ordnance Disposal Technology Division engineers delivered 16 early operational capability, or EOC, LAU-61G/A Digital Rocket Launchers for Naval Air Systems Command's Direct and Time Sensitive Strike Weapons (PMA 242) program office, March 28.
• Defense Meteorological Satellite Program Flight 19 launch AFNS 03 Apr 2014 -- The Air Force successfully launched the 19th Defense Meteorological Satellite Program or, DMSP, spacecraft at 7:46 a.m. PDT, April 3, from Vandenberg Air Force Base, Calif. The satellite was carried aboard a United Launch Alliance Atlas V launch vehicle.
• Bombers train on long-range capabilities AFNS 03 Apr 2014 -- Two B-52 Stratofortresses from Barksdale Air Force Base, La., and two B-2 Spirit bombers from Whiteman Air Force Base, Mo., recently flew non-stop from their home stations to training ranges in Hawaii to exercise the president's credible and flexible military options to meet national security obligations to the U.S. and its allies. Part of the mission was to conduct coordinated range operations amongst multiple airframes as well as test low approach training capabilities before returning to their bases.
• Hagel, ASEAN Defense Ministers Expand Disaster-relief Partners AFPS 03 Apr 2014 -- Defense Secretary Chuck Hagel and defense ministers of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations crisscrossed the city yesterday in a motorcade of vans, buses and police cars, adding potential partners or capabilities that might expand humanitarian assistance and disaster relief efforts in the Asia-Pacific region at every stop.
• Marines finish theater security cooperation mission in Mauritania USMC News 03 Apr 2014 -- After nearly a month in Mauritania, a team of Marines with Special-Purpose Marine Air-Ground Task Force Africa 14.1 completed its latest theater security cooperation mission, March 21.
• George H.W. Bush and Truman Strike Groups Turnover Duties NNS 03 Apr 2014 -- The George H.W. Bush Carrier Strike Group (GHWB CSG) relieved the Harry S. Truman Carrier Strike Group (HST CSG) of its duties in the U.S. 5th Fleet Area of Responsibility (AOR) March 24.
• Four for Four: Successful Griffin Missile Test Fire in US 5th Fleet NNS 03 Apr 2014 -- A flotilla of coastal patrol (PC) ships launched four missiles at target sleds last week to test the operational capability of the system.
• USS Gettysburg Arrives in Toloun for Port Visit NNS 03 Apr 2014 -- Guided-missile destroyer USS Gettysburg (CG 64) arrived in Toloun, France for a scheduled port visit, April 2.
• Denver Puts Marines Ashore during Ssang Yong NNS 03 Apr 2014 -- Amphibious transport dock ship USS Denver (LPD 9) transported Marines from the 31st Marine Expeditionary Unit (MEU) to the coast of the Republic of Korea (ROK) as part of Exercise Ssang Yong 2014.
• USMC Tanks Loaded onto USS Ashland NNS 03 Apr 2014 -- Marine Corps tanks were loaded onto Whidbey Island-class amphibious dock landing ship USS Ashland (LSD 48) during a port visit in Gwangyang Hang, South Korea, April 1.
• USS San Jacinto Arrives in Palma for Port Visit NNS 03 Apr 2014 -- Guided-missile destroyer USS San Jacinto (CG 56) arrived in Palma, Spain for a scheduled port visit, April 3.
• USS Truman Arrives in Palma for Port Visit NNS 03 Apr 2014 -- The aircraft carrier USS Harry S. Truman (CVN 75) arrived in Palma, Spain for a scheduled port visit, April 3.
• Pentagon Suspends Missile Shield Talks with Russia over Ukraine RIA Novosti 03 Apr 2014 -- The Pentagon has halted all talks with Russia concerning its anti-missile defense shield in Europe over the Ukrainian crisis, Deputy Assistant Secretary of Defense for Nuclear and Missile Defense Policy Elaine Bunn said.
• Russia FM sends note to Ukraine embassy on Black Sea Fleet treaties termination VoR 03 Apr 2014 -- Russian Foreign Ministry has sent a note to Ukrainian Embassy in the Russian capital of Moscow over termination of treaties on the Black Sea Fleet, the Russian top diplomatic agency stated on Thursday, TASS reports. 'Russian Foreign Ministry has sent a note to Ukrainian Embassy in Russia and stated about the federal law on termination of the effect of the treaties related to deployment of the Russian Black Sea Fleet in Ukraine enacted on April 2, 2014,' the country's Foreign Ministry said.
• Russia asks NATO to explain its plans to mount military presence in Eastern Europe, expects detailed answer - Lavrov VoR 03 Apr 2014 -- Russia is waiting for NATO explanations about the consistency of its mounting activity in East European countries with Russia-NATO legal documents, the Voice of Russia correspondent Kira Kalinina reports.'We have posed these questions to the North Atlantic Alliance. We are expecting not just any answer but an answer fully respectful of the rules we have coordinated,' Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov told a press conference after negotiations with his Kazakh counterpart Yerlan Idrisov.
• Lavrov Says Russia Withdrawing Troops From Ukraine Border Area RFE/RL 03 Apr 2014 -- Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov has said some Russian troops near the Ukrainian border will return to permanent bases after completing military drills, and called for the 'de-escalation' of rhetoric over the Ukrainian crisis.
• US Energy Department Halts Cooperation with Russia on Peaceful Nuclear Projects RIA Novosti 03 Apr 2014 -- The US Department of Energy has suspended cooperation with its Russian counterpart on several experimental projects that focused on the peaceful nuclear energy, a spokesperson with Rosatom nuclear agency told RIA-Novosti Thursday.
• Moscow Sent Diplomatic Note to Ukraine on Terminating Black Sea Fleet Agreements RIA Novosti 03 Apr 2014 -- Russia sent a diplomatic note to the Ukrainian embassy informing Kiev that the bilateral Black Sea Fleet agreements have been terminated, the Russian Foreign Ministry has said in a statement Wednesday.
• Chinese invasion of Taiwan would take 4 months to prepare: official CNA 03 Apr 2014 -- If the People's Republic of China were to decide to invade Taiwan, it would need at least four months to prepare for such an action, Deputy Minister of National Defense Lee Shying-jow said Thursday.
• President confident in shift to all-volunteer military CNA 03 Apr 2014 -- President Ma Ying-jeou expressed confidence in the chances of success in Taiwan's shift to an all-volunteer force during an inspection visit Thursday to a military unit in northern Taiwan made up of volunteer soldiers and officers.
• China Focus: PLA senior generals back Xi's orders People's Daily 03 Apr 2014 -- High-ranking officers of the People's Liberation Army (PLA) have voiced group support to President Xi Jinping's instruction of building a strong military.
• Secretary General tells Estonia NATO is firmly committed to collective defence NATO 03 Apr 2014 -- NATO Secretary General Anders Fogh Rasmussen welcomed the new Estonian Prime Minister Taavi Roivas in his first visit to NATO Headquarters and stressed the firm commitment of the Alliance to collective defense. "As we face the most serious security crisis in a generation, we are determined to keep NATO robust, ready and agile. Estonia, like every NATO member, can count on Allied solidarity at all times and against any threat", the Secretary General said.
• NATO must explain military buildup in Europe: Lavrov Iran Press TV 03 Apr 2014 -- Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov has called on NATO to explain its recently announced plans to bolster military presence in Eastern Europe.
• Remarks by NATO Deputy Secretary General Ambassador Alexander Vershbow at the Vilnius Conference 2014 ''NATO's Open Door: Ten years after the ''big bang'' ' NATO 03 Apr 2014 -- These remarks were delivered at the Minsters' roundtable on the "Relevance of NATO's Open Door Policy"
• Press Briefing by Press Secretary Jay Carney, 4/3/2014 The White House 03 Apr 2014
• April 3, 2014 - U.S. Department of State Daily Press Briefing US Dept. of State 03 Apr 2014

Defense Industry

• DoD News: Contracts for April 03, 2014

Other Conflicts

• 3 April 2014 - Daily Press Briefing by the Office of the Spokesperson for the Secretary-General United Nations 03 Apr 2014
• President Assad says Syria must defeat terrorism Iran Press TV 03 Apr 2014 -- Syria's President Bashar al-Assad says Syrian people have no choice but to triumph over foreign-backed militants and extremist theoreticians in the country.
• 'Syria conflict has had tragic impact' Iran Press TV 03 Apr 2014 -- A United Nations survey has pointed to massive damage inflicted in Syria as a result of the foreign-backed militancy in the country.
• Syria army strikes militants hard Iran Press TV 03 Apr 2014 -- Syrian forces have carried out new operations across the country against militants, inflicting heavy losses on them.
• The number of Syrian refugees in Lebanon surpasses one million – UN agency UN News Centre 03 Apr 2014 -- Now in its fourth year, the Syrian conflict hit yet another bleak milestone today, as the United Nations refugee agency reported that the number of displaced seeking refuge in neighbouring Lebanon has passed the one million mark, putting more pressure on a host community that is already stretched to the breaking point.
• UN: Lebanon Now Hosting 1 Million Syrian Refugees VOA 03 Apr 2014 -- The United Nations refugee agency said Lebanon is now hosting more than 1 million Syrian refugees who have fled their country's three-year-old crisis.
• Kerry: Israeli, Palestinian Leaders 'Have to Lead' on Peace Talks VOA 03 Apr 2014 -- U.S. Secretary of State John Kerry spoke by telephone Thursday with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas, after both sides broke parts of an agreement on talks toward a two-state solution. Kerry is in Algiers, where he discussed prospects for Mideast peace with Algerian Foreign Minister Ramtane Lamamra.
• Kerry: Mideast Peace Talks at 'Critical Moment' VOA 03 Apr 2014 -- U.S. Secretary of State John Kerry spoke by telephone Thursday with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and plans to speak later in the day with Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas, after both sides broke parts of an agreement on talks toward a two-state solution.
• Darfur: Security Council adjusts priorities of African Union-UN peacekeeping force UN News Centre 03 Apr 2014 -- Deeply concerned at the "considerable deterioration" of the security situation in Darfur over the past year, marked by ongoing clashes between the Sudanese Government and rebels, and an upsurge in inter-communal violence, the United Nations Security Council today endorsed Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon's revised strategic priorities for the joint African Union-UN mission in the long-restive western region of Sudan.
• UN officials cite 'race against time' to prevent humanitarian catastrophe in South Sudan UN News Centre 03 Apr 2014 -- With no political solution to the conflict that has torn South Sudan apart in sight, senior United Nations officials working in the country stressed today that they are in a "race against time" ahead of the rainy season to help prevent a health and hunger catastrophe.

News Reports

• Yanukovych, Russian agents accused of Kiev carnage Iran Press TV 03 Apr 2014 -- Ukraine has accused ousted president Viktor Yanukovych and Russian security agents of being responsible for the killings of pro-EU protesters during Kiev rallies in February.
• US Criticizes Russia's Gas Price Hike for Ukraine VOA 03 Apr 2014 -- The White House objected to Russia's increase in natural gas prices for Ukraine on Thursday and said markets should determine prices.
• Ukraine Crisis Reminiscent of US Cold War Challenges VOA 03 Apr 2014 -- When Russian-speaking troops marched through the Crimean peninsula in February, it marked a dramatic change in relations between the United States and its one-time Cold War adversary.
• War Of Words: Moscow, Kyiv Trade Diplomatic Barbs RFE/RL 03 Apr 2014 -- Kyiv is calling for independence referendums in Russia's regions. It is also pushing for Ukrainian to become Russia's second state language.
• Investigators Say Yanukovych Gave 'Criminal Order' To Kill Protesters RFE/RL 03 Apr 2014 -- Ukrainian security officials say the killings of protesters in Kyiv in February occurred 'under the direct leadership' of ousted President Viktor Yanukovych, and accused Russian security services of involvement in the repression.
• Gazprom Hikes Gas Price For Ukraine RFE/RL 03 Apr 2014 -- Gazprom says Russia's natural-gas price for Ukraine will rise by $100 to $485 per 1,000 cubic meters as of April.
• Kiev Looks to Diversify Sources of Nuclear Fuel Supplies RIA Novosti 03 Apr 2014 -- Ukraine could sign a contract with multinational Westinghouse next week on nuclear fuel deliveries in an effort to diversity its fuel sources, the country's Minister of Energy and the Coal Industry Yuri Prodan said Thursday.
• Ukraine Begins Patrols of Border With Russia's Crimea RIA Novosti 03 Apr 2014 -- Ukrainian border guards have begun patrolling the country's new boundary with Russia north of Crimea, the Ukrainian Border Service announced Thursday.
• Russia Cancels Black Sea Fleet Gas Discount for Ukraine RIA Novosti 03 Apr 2014 -- Since Russia has terminated agreements with Ukraine on the basing of the Black Sea Fleet, it has also retracted a related discount on export duties on gas destined for the country, Russian Prime Minister Dmitry Medvedev said during a meeting with Gazprom CEO Alexei Miller on Thursday.
• Ukrainian Officials: Protesters Shot Under Yanukovych's Orders VOA 03 Apr 2014 -- Ukraine's new government has alleged that the February killing of protesters in Kyiv took place under the orders of ousted president Viktor Yanukovych. It has also pointed to Russian involvement in the bloodshed.
• NASA Severs Ties with Russia, Except for ISS RIA Novosti 03 Apr 2014 -- The US space agency NASA officially announced it has suspended some space-related contacts with Russia amid tensions over Ukraine, but said will continue working together on the International Space Station, where both US and Russian astronauts are currently living together.
• Former North Korean intelligence officer unveils Kim Jong-il assassination attempts VoR 03 Apr 2014 -- A former North Korean intelligence officer who defected to the West has given an extraordinary account of the paranoia and turmoil within the secretive regime. The official described how assassination attempts on Kim Jong-il, the country's leader until three years ago, drove the country's feared internal security apparatus to take elaborate measures against suspected plots, real or imagined - including an attempt by a rogue army unit to launch missiles against Pyongyang, Telegraph reports.
• White House: 'Cuban Twitter' Was Not Covert Operation VOA 03 Apr 2014 -- The White House says a so-called 'Cuban Twitter' communications network created by the U.S. government was a development program, not a covert operation.
• 'US funded social network to incite unrest in Cuba' Iran Press TV 03 Apr 2014 -- A new investigation reveals that the US government has secretly funded a social media network program to instigate political unrest in Cuba.
• US Efforts to Create 'Cuban Twitter' Unmasked VOA 03 Apr 2014 -- The U.S. government is coming under scrutiny for funding a secretive social network designed to gather information on Cuban democracy advocates and help organize social protests.
• US officials secretly funded a 'Cuban Twitter' to overthrow Fidel Castro VoR 03 Apr 2014 -- Who said the Cold War was over? The US government secretly funded the establishment of Cuban Twitter in 2009 to stir political unrest in Cuba. Social network was designed to undermine the communist government in the country, the Associated Press reports. The project ZunZuneo by Agency for International Development (USAID) was carried out for three years and has attracted tens of thousands of subscribers.
• Rising death toll in Ebola outbreak sparks panic around the world VoR 03 Apr 2014 -- At least 80 people died in West Africa in Ebola outbreak. Risinf death toll has sparked around the world. France has called for extra 'vigilance' among domestic medical services following an unprecedented Ebola outbreak in former French colony Guinea.
• Closing Guinea's Ebola infection gap IRIN 03 Apr 2014 -- The Ebola outbreak in Guinea's southern region which has spread to the capital, Conakry, and to neighbouring countries, has been propagated mainly through person-to-person contact, a gap that health experts and state authorities are struggling to close.
• Musharraf escapes assassination attempt: Police Iran Press TV 03 Apr 2014 -- Police say Pakistan's former military ruler Pervez Musharraf has escaped an assassination attempt, with a bomb going off on a road minutes before his convoy's arrival.