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Defense Policy / Programs
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News Reports

Current Operations

• Afghan Elections Hailed; Fraud a Concern VOA 07 Apr 2014 -- The ballots are being counted in Afghanistan after an election being hailed as a success. At least 7 million people voted, despite death threats from the Taliban. Now analysts are watching closely to see how the votes are tallied and if fraud will damage the outcome.
• Election Day ‘Historic’ for Afghanistan, Official Says AFPS 07 Apr 2014 -- With International Security Assistance Force support available, but largely unneeded, millions of Afghan citizens voted April 5 under the umbrella of protection provided by Afghan security forces, Pentagon spokesman Army Col. Steve Warren said today.
• Regional Command (Southwest) takes in the British 'Desert Rats' USMC News 07 Apr 2014 -- The British-led Task Force Helmand combined with Regional Command (Southwest) during a merger ceremony held on Camp Bastion, April 1.
• Afghanistan: Ban welcomes polls as important step forward in first democratic transition of power UN News Centre 07 Apr 2014 -- United Nations chief Ban Ki-moon has congratulated the Afghan people for Saturday’s historic presidential and provincial elections, which marked “an important step forward” in the country’s path to democracy.
• More Than Half Of Provinces' Ballots Have Reached Afghan Capital RFE/RL 07 Apr 2014 -- Afghanistan's Independent Election Commission says ballot boxes from 20 of the country's 34 provinces have been transported to Kabul for the final vote count from weekend elections.
• Navy Team Detects Signals in Search for Missing Aircraft AFPS 07 Apr 2014 -- U.S. Navy personnel continue their support of the search for missing Malaysia Airlines Flight 370, a Pentagon spokesman said today.

Defense Policy / Programs

• Scale Model WWII Craft Takes Flight with Fuel From the Sea Concept NNS 07 Apr 2014 -- Navy researchers at the U.S. Naval Research Laboratory (NRL), Materials Science and Technology Division, demonstrated proof-of-concept of novel NRL technologies developed for the recovery of carbon dioxide (CO2) and hydrogen (H2) from seawater and conversion to a liquid hydrocarbon fuel.
• USS Anchorage Departs Pearl Harbor NNS 07 Apr 2014 -- The San Antonio-class amphibious transport dock ship USS Anchorage (LPD 23), along with the embarked Special Purpose Marine Air-Ground Task Force, ASEAN, 1st Marine Expeditionary Force (MEF), departed Pearl Harbor, April 7.
• CNO Talks Payloads, Platforms and Joint Operability at Sea-Air-Space Expo NNS 07 Apr 2014 -- The Navy's top admiral joined his sea service counterparts to discuss the importance of the sea services at the Sea-Air-Space Service Chief Update Panel April 7.
• Hagel Visits Chinese Aircraft Carrier Liaoning AFPS 07 Apr 2014 -- On Defense Secretary Chuck Hagel’s first official visit to China, the Peoples’ Liberation Army allowed him, in response to a request made in January, to become the first foreign visitor to tour the sleek refitted Russian aircraft carrier -- the PLA’s first -- called Liaoning.
• Fox Challenges Marines, Navy to Innovate AFPS 07 Apr 2014 -- The Navy and Marine Corps need to think about how to be more innovative, including leveraging experiences learned from the wars in Iraq and Afghanistan, in the face of budget challenges that could become more acute, acting Deputy Defense Secretary Christine H. Fox said today.
• DOD Must Meet New Challenges With Smaller Force, Fox Says AFPS 07 Apr 2014 -- The Defense Department’s fiscal year 2015 budget request recognizes that the U.S. military must meet homeland and global objectives with a pared-down force, acting Deputy Defense Secretary Christine H. Fox said today at the Army War College in Carlisle Barracks, Pa.
• Officials: Military Medicine Must Support Readiness AFPS 07 Apr 2014 -- U.S. national security and defense strategies must be supported by a strong, forward-leaning Military Health System, the Defense Department’s top physician told Congress last week.
• Hammack testifies on FY15 budget, calls for BRAC in '17 Army News 07 Apr 2014 -- The Army's assistant secretary for Installations, Energy and Environment told senators that the Army needs another round of base realignment and closure in 2017.
• Remarks by Acting Deputy Secretary Fox at the Army War College, Carlisle Barracks, Pennsylvania DoD 07 Apr 2014 -- Presenter: Acting Deputy Secretary of Defense Christine H. Fox
• Remarks by Acting Deputy Secretary Fox at the Navy War College, Newport, Rhode Island DoD 07 Apr 2014 -- Presenter: Acting Deputy Secretary of Defense Christine H. Fox
• AF Reserve space squadron temporarily assumes command of nation's weather satellites AFNS 07 Apr 2014 -- In a lead up to the recent launch of America's 19th Defense Meteorological Satellite Program, or DMSP, spacecraft, Air Force Reservists here took full command and control of the nation's inventory of weather satellites across the globe.
• All Systems Go: Navy's Laser Weapon Ready for Summer Deployment NNS 07 Apr 2014 -- Navy engineers are making final adjustments to a laser weapon prototype that will be the first of its kind to deploy aboard a ship late this summer.
• Navy to Deploy Electromagnetic Railgun Aboard JHSV NNS 07 Apr 2014 -- The U.S. Navy plans to install and test a prototype electromagnetic railgun aboard a joint high speed vessel in fiscal year 2016, the service announced today.
• Space superiority remains vital to national security AFNS 07 Apr 2014 -- Gen. William Shelton, the commander of Air Force Space Command, highlighted a successful satellite launch to the House Armed Services Committee's subcommittee on strategic forces during a budget hearing for national security space activities here, April 3.
• NATO restricts extensive access to its HQ for Russian diplomats VoR 07 Apr 2014 -- NATO has restricted extensive access to NATO Headquarters to all representatives of the Russian Permanent Mission as of Tuesday, April 8. "This still gives Russian diplomats a level of access to NATO Headquarters that was never granted by any Russian ministry or institution to NATO staff working in Moscow," TASS agency reports citing the official NATO website's statement.
• NATO, Sweden train over the Baltics to enhance interoperability among allies AFNS 07 Apr 2014 -- The 17th Baltic Region Training Event, or BRTE XVII, took place here April 1 and 2 over the Baltic region, to sharpen the skills of aircrews and air controllers from the U.S., Lithuanian and Swedish air forces.
• Measures following NATO Ministers' decision to suspend all practical cooperation with Russia NATO 07 Apr 2014 -- NATO Foreign Ministers decided on April 1 to suspend all practical cooperation with Russia, civilian and military, as a direct consequence of Russia's illegal military intervention in Ukraine and of Russia's violation of Ukraine's sovereignty and territorial integrity, which NATO strongly condemns. Ministers also decided that political dialogue in the NATO-Russia Council can continue, as necessary, at the Ambassadorial level and above, mainly to discuss the crisis in Ukraine. Political consultations in the Euro-Atlantic Partnership Council at the Ambassadorial level can also continue as appropriate.
• CIS chiefs of General Staff to discuss military cooperation plan until 2020 in Baku VoR 07 Apr 2014 -- The CIS Committee of Chiefs of General Staff will hold its next sitting in Baku, Azerbaijan, on April 8, and Russian General Staff Chief Valery Gerasimov will preside over the meeting, the Russian Defense Ministry press service and information department said.
• Royal Marines launch final attack as part of exercise UK MOD 07 Apr 2014 -- As part of Joint Warrior, Royal Marines of 40 Commando were put through their paces on the damp fields of Edingham Castle in Scotland.
• China Corruption Case Against Zhou Yongkang Exposes Scale of Graft VOA 07 Apr 2014 -- In a case that could have wide-ranging implications for the future of China's leadership the administration of Chinese President Xi Jingping continues to tighten its corruption investigation around former Chinese domestic security chief Zhou Yongkang and his inner circle.
• Commentary: Hagel needs to assure China over 'pivot to Asia' People's Daily 07 Apr 2014 -- U.S. Defense Secretary Chuck Hagel Monday kicked off his first visit to China since taking office.
• Russia Says Concerned Over Possible Leaks of Ballistic Missile Technology by Kiev RIA Novosti 07 Apr 2014 -- Ukraine must adhere to its international obligations on non-proliferation of weapons of mass destruction and prevent the sale of ballistic missile technologies to third countries, the Russian Foreign Ministry said Monday.
• North Korea slams missile test by South Iran Press TV 07 Apr 2014 -- North Korea has condemned a recent test-firing of a ballistic missile by South Korea, calling it a "grave provocation."
• Remarks by Mr. Michael Aho, U.S. Representative to the UN Disarmament Commission, during the Open Plenary Session U.S. Permanent Representative to the United Nations 07 Apr 2014
• April 7, 2014 - U.S. Department of State Daily Press Briefing US Dept. of State 07 Apr 2014
• Daily Press Briefing by Press Secretary Jay Carney, 04/07/14 The White House 07 Apr 2014

Defense Industry

• DoD News: Contracts for April 07, 2014

Other Conflicts

• 7 April 2014 - Daily Press Briefing by the Office of the Spokesperson for the Secretary-General United Nations 07 Apr 2014
• In Kigali, Ban marks 20th anniversary of Rwandan genocide urging vigilance to prevent future atrocities UN News Centre 07 Apr 2014 -- Commemorating “one of the darkest chapters in human history,” United Nations officials paid tribute this morning to the 800,000 men, women and children – overwhelmingly Tutsi, moderate Hutu and Twa – that were systematically killed 20 years ago in Rwanda, and urged the international community to work together and remain vigilant to prevent such atrocities from ever happening again.
• Rwandans mark 20th anniversary of 1994 genocide Iran Press TV 07 Apr 2014 -- Rwandans have marked the 20th anniversary of the 1994 genocide, in which hundreds of thousands of people were slaughtered.
• Hersh: Turkey behind Syria sarin attack Iran Press TV 07 Apr 2014 -- American investigative journalist Seymour Hersh says Turkey was behind last year's sarin gas attack carried out by foreign-backed insurgents in Syria.
• Lack of Funds Limits Aid to Displaced Syrians VOA 07 Apr 2014 -- The United Nations reports its multi-billion dollar appeal to assist millions of Syrians displaced by conflict remains seriously underfunded. The U.N. warns this funding shortfall is triggering tensions between refugees and the communities hosting them.
• Central African Republic: UN study warns crisis devastating economy, livelihoods UN News Centre 07 Apr 2014 -- The crisis in the Central African Republic (CAR) is devastating the economy and people's ability to secure basic necessities, says a new joint United Nations assessment, which warns that as the violence continues and the rains set in, providing the type of broad action needed to halt the country’s downward spiral is becoming more difficult and expensive “with every passing day.”
• South Sudan Ruling Party Official Urges More Targeted Sanctions VOA 07 Apr 2014 -- A leading member of South Sudan’s ruling Sudan People’s Liberation Movement (SPLM) has called on the international community to follow America’s lead by putting additional pressure on the government in Juba in a bid to help quickly resolve that country’s conflict.
• UN expert alarmed at worsening human rights situation in Myanmar's Rakhine state UN News Centre 07 Apr 2014 -- An independent United Nations expert today sounded the alarm on the deteriorating human rights situation in Myanmar's Rakhine state, adding that the evacuation of aid workers following recent attacks on the humanitarian community would have severe consequences for life-saving work in the area.

News Reports

• US Warns Russia Against Further Moves in Ukraine VOA 07 Apr 2014 -- The White House is telling Russia to stop intervening in eastern Ukraine, or face more sanctions.
• Complications Cloud Russia's Ukraine Ambitions VOA 07 Apr 2014 -- Pro-Russian protests in several eastern Ukraine cities over the weekend, including the takeover of a government building in one city, have heightened concerns Russia might try to take control of the region just as it annexed Crimea last month.
• Stability in Ukraine is impossible without heeding Russian-speaking people's opinion - Pushkov VoR 07 Apr 2014 -- There will be no stability in Ukraine until it begins heeding the opinion of the Russian-speaking population, Alexei Pushkov, the head of the Russian delegation to the Parliamentary Assembly of the Council of Europe (PACE) and the head of the State Duma committee on international affairs, said.
• Legislature of just proclaimed Donetsk People's Republic asks Putin move in peacekeepers VoR 07 Apr 2014 -- Legislature of just-proclaimed Donetsk People's Republic asks Russian president to move in temporary peacekeeping contingent.The legislators also passed a decision on holding a referendum on whether or not the region should join the Russian Federation. It will be held no later than May 11, TASS reports.
• Protesters occupy Kharkov regional administration's building VoR 07 Apr 2014 -- Pro-Russian protesters entered the building of the Kharkov regional administration on Sunday, an Interfax correspondent reports. It took them ten minutes to get inside. People on the street greeted with cheers and whistle the appearance of a man carrying the Russian flag in a second-floor window. They shouted, "Bravo" and "Police and People Together". Earlier reports said the storm of the Kharkov regional administration began on Sunday night.
• Russia instigating unrest in Ukraine: Kiev Iran Press TV 07 Apr 2014 -- Ukraine's interim prime minister has blamed Russia for instigating unrest in major cities in the eastern part of the former Soviet state.
• Russia after more Crimea scenarios in Ukraine: Kiev Iran Press TV 07 Apr 2014 -- Ukraine's acting President Oleksandr Turchynov has alleged that Russia is attempting to repeat 'the Crimean scenario' in the country's eastern parts.
• Luhansk Dispatch: Armed Pro-Russian Protesters Set For Standoff With Police RFE/RL 07 Apr 2014 -- In Luhansk, everything is now in place for a potentially bloody standoff between pro-Russian protesters and Ukrainian police that could dramatically escalate tensions in the east of the country.
• Ukrainian President Blames Moscow For Unrest In Eastern Cities RFE/RL 07 Apr 2014 -- Acting Ukrainian President Oleksandr Turchynov says the seizure of government buildings in eastern Ukraine and the declaration of a 'Donetsk People's Republic' were engineered by Russia.
• Ukraine's Interim Leader Vows Tougher Anti-Separatism Measures Amid Dissent in East RIA Novosti 07 Apr 2014 -- Ukraine's interim president vowed to introduce tough "anti-separatism measures" Monday in response to rallies over the weekend for greater autonomy in the country's mainly Russian-speaking eastern and southern regions.
• Eastern Ukraine's Donetsk is Different From Crimea - Russian Lawmaker RIA Novosti 07 Apr 2014 -- The situation in eastern Ukraine's Donetsk Region requires individual examination and is not identical to the Crimean scenario, the deputy chairman of Russia's upper house of parliament told RIA Novosti on Monday.
• Crimean Security Forces Fend off Attack on Military Facility RIA Novosti 07 Apr 2014 -- Crimean security forces repelled an attack by a gang of hooligans on a military checkpoint and barracks in western Crimea late on Sunday, the Crimean Interior Ministry told reporters Monday.
• Ukraine PM Blames Russia for Unrest in East VOA 07 Apr 2014 -- Ukraine's prime minister has accused Russia of backing violent separatist rallies, including the seizure of government buildings Sunday in three eastern Ukrainian cities.
• Russia-Ukraine Window of Opportunity for War or Peace VOA 07 Apr 2014 -- Pro-Russian activists have seized state security buildings in the eastern Ukrainian city of Donetsk and are calling for a referendum on autonomy. In response, Ukraine's parliament is demanding harsh punishment for separatists and analysts are saying the Ukraine crisis is now in a dangerous new phase.
• Russia Will Not Further Fortify Border With Ukraine RIA Novosti 07 Apr 2014 -- Russia has no plans to increase its fortifications along the border with Ukraine, a source in the the country's Border Guard Service told RIA Novosti on Monday.
• Russia, US Complete Warheads-for-Fuel Program RIA Novosti 07 Apr 2014 -- The United States has completed payments under a historic agreement providing for the import of Russian highly-enriched uranium for electricity production, Russia's state-owned uranium producer and trader Techsnabexport said Monday.
• Council of Europe's Parliament to Reconsider Russian Delegation's Credentials Over Crimea RIA Novosti 07 Apr 2014 -- The Parliamentary Assembly of the Council of Europe (PACE) will debate a resolution on the Russian delegation's credentials on Thursday, according to Alexei Pushkov, the delegation's head.
• 'US annexed the whole world' through mass surveillance - Assange VoR 07 Apr 2014 -- Julian Assange, the editor-in-chief of the whistleblower website WikiLeaks, who currently lives in the Ecuadorian Embassy in UK, said that the United States and other members of the Five Eyes alliance (Australia, Canada, New Zealand, the United Kingdom) control the whole world by being in charge of the communications technologies and systems.
• CIA used Doctor Zhivago as Cold War weapon to undermine USSR VoR 07 Apr 2014 -- US Central Intelligence Agency (CIA) was directly involved in publishing and distributing Boris Pasternaka??s Doctor Zhivago novel which was banned in USSR during the Cold War, according to newly declassified CIA documents published by the Washington Post Sunday.
• Ex-CIA director: Sen. Feinstein too 'emotional' on CIA torture Iran Press TV 07 Apr 2014 -- Former CIA director Michael Hayden says the chairwoman of the Senate Select Committee on Intelligence, Dianne Feinstein (D-California), is being too "emotional" about the CIA's torture techniques.
• CIA Used Doctor Zhivago as Cold War Weapon to Undermine USSR RIA Novosti 07 Apr 2014 -- US Central Intelligence Agency (CIA) was directly involved in publishing and distributing Boris Pasternak's Doctor Zhivago novel which was banned in USSR during the Cold War, according to newly declassified CIA documents published by the Washington Post Sunday.
• Russia Prevented 258 Foreign Agents from Spying in 2013 – Putin RIA Novosti 07 Apr 2014 -- Russia's intelligence services last year stopped 46 foreign officials and 258 agents from spying in the country, Russian President Vladimir Putin said Monday.
• Talks on final nuclear deal draft to start in May: Iranian FM IRNA 07 Apr 2014 -- Talks on drafting a comprehensive final nuclear agreement will begin in May when Iran and six powers meet again in Vienna, Iranian Foreign Minister Mohammad Javad Zarif told the press here Monday upon arrival at Vienna airport.
• Iran's IRGC arrests foreign-linked terrorist team Iran Press TV 07 Apr 2014 -- Iran's Islamic Revolution Guards Corps (IRGC) says it has busted a major terrorism and sabotage network with links to foreign spy agencies in the southwestern Iranian province of Khuzestan.
• Al-Qaeda plots to assassinate Yemen president: Sources Iran Press TV 07 Apr 2014 -- The al-Qaeda militant group is hatching a plot to assassinate Yemeni President Abd Rabbu Mansur Hadi, sources say.
• Saudi Arabia MERS death toll reaches 66 Iran Press TV 07 Apr 2014 -- Saudi Arabia's health authorities say the deaths of two more men from the Middle East Respiratory Syndrome coronavirus (MERS-CoV) have brought the death toll from the illness in the country to 66.