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Operations
Defense Policy / Programs
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Other Conflicts
News Reports

Current Operations

• Leaving Nimroz, Combat Logistics Battalion 7 returns Marines, sailors, equipment to Camp Leatherneck USMC News 17 Apr 2014 -- Marines and sailors with Combat Logistics Battalion 7 were instrumental in returning more than 302,000 pounds of equipment and supplies as well as the last of the Marines and sailors of Security Force Assistance Advisor Team 4-215 back to Camp Leatherneck from Forward Operating Base Delaram II in Nimroz province, Afghanistan, April 7 and 8.
• Bonhomme Richard Assists in Korean Search and Rescue Efforts NNS 17 Apr 2014 -- The U.S. Navy amphibious assault ship USS Bonhomme Richard (LHD 6) is engaged in search and rescue operations, April 17, near the site of Korean passenger ship Sewol that sank near the island of Jindo off the southwestern coast of the Republic of Korea.

Defense Policy / Programs

• Department of Defense Selected Acquisition Reports (SARs) (As of December 31, 2013) DoD 17 Apr 2014 -- The Department of Defense has released details on major defense acquisition program cost, schedule, and performance changes since the December 2012 reporting period. This information is based on the Selected Acquisition Reports submitted to the Congress for the December 2013 reporting period.
• Department of Defense Press Briefing with Secretary Hagel and Minister Siemoniak in the Pentagon Briefing Room DoD 17 Apr 2014 -- Presenters: Secretary of Defense Chuck Hagel and Poland's Minister of National Defense Tomasz Siemoniak
• U.S., Poland Defense Leaders Find New Areas for Cooperation AFPS 17 Apr 2014 -- Amid deep concerns about the situation in Ukraine, the defense leaders of the United States and Poland met at the Pentagon today and identified new areas in which their militaries can work together, including special operations, air force cooperation, and more exercises and training.
• Acquisition Community Works to Improve Tradecraft AFPS 17 Apr 2014 -- Everything the defense acquisition community is doing now is being done to improve its "tradecraft," Katrina G. McFarland, the assistant secretary of defense for acquisition said yesterday.
• USS Cowpens, USS Spruance Return from Deployment NNS 17 Apr 2014 -- Guided-missile cruiser USS Cowpens (CG 63) and guided-missile destroyer USS Spruance (DDG 111) returned to Naval Base San Diego April 17 following completion of separate deployments to the Western Pacific Ocean.
• Pentagon: US to send additional "non-lethal" military aid to Ukraine Iran Press TV 17 Apr 2014 -- The administration of US President Barack Obama says it will send more "non-lethal" military aid to the new Western-backed government of Ukraine amid increasing tensions between the country and neighboring Russia.
• Smarter spending for Air Force acquisitions AFNS 17 Apr 2014 -- Finding efficiencies within the acquisition process was the top talking point for Maj. Gen. Wendy Masiello, deputy assistant secretary for contracting, when she spoke with members of the Air Force Association and the media during the AFA's monthly breakfast April 16, 2014, in Arlington, Va.
• USS Howard Concludes Visit to Manila NNS 17 Apr 2014 -- Arleigh Burke-class guided-missile destroyer USS Howard (DDG 83) completed its visit to Manila April 11-14 while on their Western Pacific deployment.
• USNS Spearhead Delivers Project Handclasp Material in Nigeria NNS 17 Apr 2014 -- Sailors and civil service mariners aboard joint, high-speed vessel USNS Spearhead (JHSV 1) delivered 46 pallets of humanitarian items donated by private companies to nongovernmental organizations as part of Project Handclasp in Lagos, Nigeria, April 15.
• U.S Marines and Republic of Korea Completes Air Assault Mission Army News 17 Apr 2014 -- Soldiers from 2nd Combat Aviation Brigade assisted the ROK and United States Marines in completing an air assault mission, March 13, 2014, at a multi-purpose range complex in Northern South Korean.
• U.S. Army Europe aviators train with Dutch, Hungarian partners Army News 17 Apr 2014 -- Soldiers from U.S. Army Europe's 12th Combat Aviation Brigade spent the past two weeks here, training alongside their multinational partners from two Dutch air assault battalions and Hungarian forces during exercise Saker Falcon. The exercise wrapped up April 17.
• Congressmen, Army break ground at future R&D hangar site Army News 17 Apr 2014 -- Congressmen, U.S. Army senior executive service members and other military officials gathered at the Joint Base's Lakehurst section for a ceremonial groundbreaking at the site of a future Army research and development aircraft hangar April 11.
• Largest solar array on U.S. military installation to be developed Army News 17 Apr 2014 -- The U.S. Army announced Monday, plans to start development of a solar array that will provide about 25 percent of the annual installation electricity requirement of Fort Huachuca, Ariz.
• Putin Says Russia Not Afraid of NATO Expansion RIA Novosti 17 Apr 2014 -- Russia is not afraid of NATO expansion, Russian President Vladimir Putin said during a live Q&A session with the public on Thursday.
• NATO Reaches New Low in Anti-Russian Rhetoric – Russian Foreign Ministry RIA Novosti 17 Apr 2014 -- NATO has surpassed its propaganda efforts of the 1990s by blaming Russia for the escalation of the Ukrainian crisis, the Russian Foreign Ministry said Thursday.
• Russian Defense Ministry Placed $140 Million Order at Crimean Shipyard - Putin RIA Novosti 17 Apr 2014 -- The Russian Defense Ministry has placed a 5-billion-ruble ($140-million) order at a Crimean shipyard, Russian President Vladimir Putin said during a live Q&A session with the public on Thursday.
• April 17, 2014 - U.S. Department of State Daily Press Briefing US Dept. of State 17 Apr 2014

Defense Industry

• DoD News: Contracts for April 17, 2014

Other Conflicts

• 17 April 2014 - Daily Press Briefing by the Office of the Spokesperson for the Secretary-General United Nations 17 Apr 2014
• Syria's negotiator Brahimi says Homs once again a 'theatre of death' VoR 17 Apr 2014 -- International mediator Lakhdar Brahimi said on Thursday that a deal between trapped fighters and civilians in Homs city and the Syrian authorities had broken down, as government forces appeared close to retaking the besieged opposition area.
• UN-Arab League Envoy urges fresh talks with besieged Syrians, authorities UN News Centre 17 Apr 2014 -- Regretting the abrupt halt in talks between the Syrian authorities and the negotiating committee representing civilians and fighters trapped in the Old City of Homs, United Nations-Arab League envoy Lakhdar Brahimi today urged all the parties to return to the negotiating table and complete the deal that had been on the verge of being signed.
• South Sudan: Ban 'strongly condemns' attack on UN mission base in Jonglei state UN News Centre 17 Apr 2014 -- Amid escalating violence in northern and central South Sudan, United Nations Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon strongly condemned today's attack on civilians and peacekeepers at the UN mission base in Bor, the war-torn capital of Jonglei state, by a mob of armed civilians who forced their way into the facility and opened fire on displaced persons sheltering inside.
• Ban returns to airwaves in Central African Republic to call for end to fighting UN News Centre 17 Apr 2014 -- On the heels of his recent visit to the Central African Republic (CAR), where the deadly rift between Christians and Muslims continues to widen, Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon today in a radio message appealed to all Central Africans to build a unified country through peace.
• Western Sahara: UN refugee agency announces resumption of family visit flights UN News Centre 17 Apr 2014 -- The United Nations refugee agency announced today that following many months of suspension, family visit flights between Sahrawi refugees living in camps near Tindouf, Algeria, and their families in the territory of Western Sahara has resumed.
• Looming polls raise Burundi's risk profile IRIN 17 Apr 2014 -- If high-level engagement by outside parties is a measure of political risk, Burundi is a country to keep a close eye on as it approaches elections next year.
• Kenya: UN agency disturbed by arrests and deportations of Somali refugees UN News Centre 17 Apr 2014 -- The United Nations today voiced concern over the arrest and detention of over 1,000 refugees and asylum-seekers who were rounded up during counter-terrorism operations launched by Kenyan security forces in Nairobi this month.
• On first visit to Gaza, UN official calls for end to Israeli blockade UN News Centre 17 Apr 2014 -- On his first official visit to the Gaza Strip, the new head of the United Nations agency assisting Palestinian refugees across the Middle East underscored the need to lift the seven-year Israeli blockade and end the "illegal collective punishment" unleashed on the population there.

News Reports

• Remarks With EU High Representative Catherine Ashton After Their Meeting US Dept. of State 17 Apr 2014
• Pro-Russia protesters move to seize Donetsk airport Iran Press TV 17 Apr 2014 -- A group of pro-Russia protesters has reportedly arrived at the Donetsk airport in east Ukraine to take control of the premises.
• Putin implies the Russian military may intervene Iran Press TV 17 Apr 2014 -- Russian President Vladimir Putin has implied that his country may intervene in Ukraine militarily if the Kiev government continues to use force against pro-Moscow activists in eastern Ukraine.
• OPINION: Angered by Coup, Thuggery, Ukrainian Troops Won't Shoot Protesters RIA Novosti 17 Apr 2014 -- Ukrainian troops will never obey the regime's orders to shoot their fellow countrymen, a retired senior official at Russia's Defense Ministry told RIA Novosti Thursday.
• Secretary-General welcomes initial talks in Geneva to defuse Ukraine crisis UN News Centre 17 Apr 2014 -- United Nations Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon today said he was encouraged by the initial round of diplomatic negotiations on the crisis in Ukraine held in Geneva, but stressed that all sides need to follow up words with deeds as the situation remains 'extremely volatile.'
• Russia, West Reach Agreement on Easing Ukraine Tensions VOA 17 Apr 2014 -- Top diplomats from Ukraine, Russia, the European Union and the United States have agreed on a set of measures to ease mounting tensions in eastern Ukraine.
• US Condemns Anti-Semitic Leaflets In Ukraine VOA 17 Apr 2014 -- Leaflets ordering Jews in eastern Ukraine to register with a self-proclaimed local authority have drawn the condemnation of U.S. Secretary of State John Kerry. Jewish organizations also are denouncing the action.
• Putin: Reports Of Russian Involvement In Eastern Ukraine 'Nonsense' RFE/RL 17 Apr 2014 -- Russian President Vladimir Putin says claims Russian soldiers or undercover agents are involved in the current separatist unrest in eastern Ukraine are 'nonsense.'
• Ukraine Restricting Russian Males From Entering Country RFE/RL 17 Apr 2014 -- Ukraine is stepping up its border controls with Russia, restricting entry for Russian men of 'fighting age,' a spokesman for the State Border Guard Service of Ukraine told RFE/RL.
• Kramatorsk Dispatch: Humiliating Capitulation Dampens Troops' Morale RFE/RL 17 Apr 2014 -- On April 15, a Ukrainian army unit lost six armored personnel carriers to pro-Russian militants in the city of Kramatorsk. Acting President Oleksandr Turchynov says the troops will be brought before a court for what he describes as an act of 'cowardice.'
• Kiev's Military Crackdown on Eastern Protests Doomed From Start - Russian General RIA Novosti 17 Apr 2014 -- The failure of this week's military crackdown by Kiev authorities on protesters in eastern Ukraine was a foregone conclusion, as the army will not fight peaceful protesters unless provoked by outside forces, former Chief of the Russian General Staff told RIA Novosti Thursday.
• Putin Hopes to Resolve Issues of Gas Transiting Through Ukraine to Europe RIA Novosti 17 Apr 2014 -- Russian President Vladimir Putin hopes that all the issues related to the transit of gas through Ukraine will be successfully resolved on the basis of current existing contracts.
• Putin Says Ukraine Cannot Elect President Without Changing Constitution RIA Novosti 17 Apr 2014 -- The new head of state cannot be elected in Ukraine without amending the constitution in the country, which still has its legitimate president, Russian President Vladimir Putin said during a live Q&A session with the public on Thursday.
• Solving Crisis in Ukraine Depends on Guarantees to People in Country's Southeast - Putin RIA Novosti 17 Apr 2014 -- Solving the crisis in Ukraine depends on guarantees given to the residents of the southeastern regions of the country and not the order of when presidential elections and a referendum are to be held, Russian President Vladimir Putin said during a live Q&A session with the public on Thursday.
• Kiev's Claim of Russian Involvement in Ukraine 'Smells of Paranoia' – Moscow RIA Novosti 17 Apr 2014 -- Kiev's claim that Russian special forces are involved in orchestrating protests in Ukraine "smells of paranoia," Russian Defense Minister Sergei Shoigu said Thursday.
• Putin Says Ousted Ukraine Leader Fulfilled His Duties RIA Novosti 17 Apr 2014 -- Viktor Yanukovych, who maintains that he is still the legitimate president of Ukraine, had fulfilled his duties as much as possible, Russian President Vladimir Putin said during a live Q&A session with the public on Thursday.
• Putin Condemns Kiev's Criminal Use of Tanks Against Civilians in Eastern Ukraine RIA Novosti 17 Apr 2014 -- The use of tanks and aviation against civilians is another crime of the coup-imposed Kiev government, Russian President Vladimir Putin said during a live Q&A session Thursday.
• Ukrainian Troops Laying Down Arms Will Be Prosecuted - Acting Ukrainian President RIA Novosti 17 Apr 2014 -- The Ukrainian military brigade that laid down its weapons during a special operation against protesters earlier this week will be dissolved and its soldiers will stand trial, acting Ukrainian President Olexander Turchynov said Thursday.
• Diplomats Say Roadmap Reached on Easing Ukraine Tensions VOA 17 Apr 2014 -- The U.S. and Russian foreign ministers say a deal has been reached on easing tensions in Ukraine.
• Kyiv: Russian Banks Fund Separatists VOA 17 Apr 2014 -- As Western powers consider introducing further sanctions against Russia, Ukraine's government says it has evidence that four Russian banks are involved in funding pro-Russian separatist agitation in eastern Ugkraine and is urging Western politicians to sanction them.
• Putin Hopes No Need to Use Russia's Military Forces in Ukraine RIA Novosti 17 Apr 2014 -- Russian President Vladimir Putin hopes that he would not have to use the right to order the deployment of Russia's military forces in Ukraine.
• Putin Says Russian Troops Were Behind Crimea's Back During Referendum RIA Novosti 17 Apr 2014 -- Russian President Vladimir Putin said that Russian military personnel was behind the backs of Crimea's self-defense during the open referendum and acted correctly and professionally.
• Putin Says Presence of Russian Troops, Instructors in Ukraine 'Nonsense' RIA Novosti 17 Apr 2014 -- Russian President Vladimir Putin called the statement by the West and Kiev that there were apparently Russian troops and instructors in eastern Ukraine "nonsense" during a live Q&A session with the public on Thursday.
• Putin Reserves Right to Use Force in Ukraine VOA 17 Apr 2014 -- Russian President Vladimir Putin said he has 'a right' to send troops into Ukraine but hopes he will 'not have to exercise that right.'
• Direct Line with Vladimir Putin President of Russia 17 Apr 2014 -- The annual special Direct Line with Vladimir Putin was broadcast live by Channel One, Rossiya-1 and Rossiya-24 TV channels, and Mayak, Vesti FM and Radio Rossii radio stations.
• Putin's Q&A Session 2014: Crimea, Ukraine, Gas, Foreign Policy and Mass Surveillance RIA Novosti 17 Apr 2014 -- Russian President Vladimir Putin held a live question-and-answer session on Thursday, answering 81 questions from the public, including 35 about the crisis in Ukraine and Russia's reunification with Crimea.
• Putin Hopes for Resumption of Ties With US RIA Novosti 17 Apr 2014 -- Russian President Vladimir Putin said Thursday he hopes for the full resumption of contacts between Russian and US officials in the future.
• Trust Between Russia, US Lost, Not Moscow's Fault – Putin RIA Novosti 17 Apr 2014 -- The trust between Russia and the United States has been lost to a great degree, but the fault for this does not lay on Moscow, Russian President Vladimir Putin said Thursday during a live Q&A session.
• Europe Can't Refuse Russian Gas Without Harming Own Interests - Putin RIA Novosti 17 Apr 2014 -- Europe cannot refuse the delivery of Russian gas without harming its own economic interests, Russian President Vladimir Putin said during a live Q&A session with the public on Thursday.
• 9/11 Hearing Adjourns Amid Possible Conflict of Interest AFPS 17 Apr 2014 -- This week's preliminary hearing for five suspects in the Sept. 11, 2001 terrorist attacks ended today with the court considering an inquiry into whether a member of the defense's legal team was contacted by the FBI.
• Trial of Egyptian Cleric Opens in New York VOA 17 Apr 2014 -- The U.S. federal trial of terror suspect Abu Hamza al-Masri began Thursday in a New York courtroom where the Egyptian-born cleric faces multiple terror-related charges.
• Irans IAEA envoy: Iranian nuclear program totally transparent IRNA 17 Apr 2014 -- Iran's representative to International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA), Reza Najafi said that all dimensions of Iranian nuclear program are completely transparent.
• Iran complying with interim nuclear accord: IAEA Iran Press TV 17 Apr 2014 -- The United Nations' nuclear monitoring body says Iran is complying with the terms of an interim nuclear agreement struck between the Islamic Republic and six world powers late last year.
• Algerians Vote in Presidential Election VOA 17 Apr 2014 -- Algerians went to the polls to decide who will govern the country for the next five years, as ailing President Abdel Aziz Bouteflika seeks a fourth term. He faces strong opposition from former Prime Minister Ali Benflis.
• Critics Say Venezuelan Protests Test Limits of Military's Support VOA 17 Apr 2014 -- During the two months of deadly anti-government protests that have rocked the oil-rich nation of Venezuela, President Nicolas Maduro has accused the opposition of trying to initiate a coup. Though a small number of military officers have been arrested for allegedly plotting against the government, the leadership of the armed forces continues to support the president, at least for now.