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Defense Policy / Programs
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News Reports

Current Operations

• OIF/OEF/OND Casualty Update 23 May 2014 [PDF]
• Karzai Says Herat Attack Targets Afghan, Indian Interests RFE/RL 23 May 2014 -- Afghan President Hamid Karzai is calling the attack on India's consulate in Herat 'an attack on Afghanistan, India, and our shared interests.'
• Pakistan army hits militant hideouts for 3rd day Iran Press TV 23 May 2014 -- Four pro-Taliban militants have been killed by Pakistani armed forces in a third day of military action in the country's tribal region close to the border with Afghanistan.

Defense Policy / Programs

• Snowden leaks did staggering damage to US national security: Pentagon report Iran Press TV 23 May 2014 -- The extent of damage to the US national security from the leak of secret NSA documents by Edward Snowden is staggering, a US Department of Defense report reveals.
• Snowden's leaks damage US intelligence operations - Top-secret Pentagon report VoR 23 May 2014 -- A top-secret Pentagon report to assess the damage to national security from the leak of classified National Security Agency documents by Edward Snowden concluded that 'the scope of the compromised knowledge related to US intelligence capabilities is staggering'. Report contains one sensational line: 'The scope of the compromised knowledge related to US intelligence capabilities is staggering.'
• Hagel's 14th International Trip Spans Asia, Europe AFPS 23 May 2014 -- Defense Secretary Chuck Hagel next week begins a 12-day trip that ranges from Alaska to the Straits of Malacca to the Black Sea, marking the intensity of DOD's global engagement and the secretary's own commitment to sustaining the effort, the Pentagon press secretary said today.
• Department of Defense Press Briefing by Admiral Kirby in the Pentagon Briefing Room DoD 23 May 2014 -- Presenters: Rear Admiral John Kirby, Press Secretary
• Russia Must De-escalate or Risk Isolation, Hagel Says AFPS 23 May 2014 -- Russia must work to de-escalate tensions along its border with Ukraine, Defense Secretary Chuck Hagel said on PBS's "Charlie Rose Show" last night.
• Department Announces Facilities Adjustments in Europe DoD 23 May 2014 -- The Department of Defense announced today that it will fully return 21 sites to their host nations in Europe, saving the U.S. government approximately $60 million annually. This return is part of a continued effort for U.S. European Command to shed non-enduring and excess sites from its real-property inventory, and focus more resources on other USEUCOM mission requirements.
• 7th Fleet, Royal Malaysian Navy Leaders Discuss CARAT, HA/DR During Staff Talks Onboard USS Blue Ridge NNS 23 May 2014 -- Senior leaders from the U.S. 7th Fleet and Malaysia Royal Navy met for a professional exchange of ideas in a variety of technical and tactical topics on board the 7th Fleet flagship USS Blue Ridge (LCC 19), May 19.
• George Washington Completes Sea Trials, Ready for Patrol NNS 23 May 2014 -- The U.S. Navy's forward-deployed aircraft carrier USS George Washington (CVN 73) returned to its forward-operating location of Fleet Activities Yokosuka, Japan, May 23, after completing sea trials.
• Global Strike validates conventional, nuclear missions AFNS 23 May 2014 -- The Air Force Global Strike Command validated the command's ability to support its conventional and nuclear missions while simultaneously participating in two exercises May 12-20.
• NATO Completes Large-Scale Spring Storm Drills in Estonia RIA Novosti 23 May 2014 -- Large-scale NATO military exercises in Estonia that included over 6,000 servicemen from eight NATO member countries drew to a close on Friday, the commander of the country's General Headquarters said.
• West's Refusal of Dialogue May Lead to Ukraine's Membership in NATO – Putin RIA Novosti 23 May 2014 -- Russia fears that the West's refusal to engage in dialogue on Ukraine may lead to Kiev joining NATO and the US deploying missile defense systems in the country, Russian President Vladimir Putin said Friday.
• The importance of Europe in NATO's maritime work UK MOD 23 May 2014 -- Defence Secretary Philip Hammond has delivered a speech at the annual meeting of the Chiefs of European Navies in Portsmouth.
• Russia Strengthens Military Bases Abroad – Defense Minister RIA Novosti 23 May 2014 -- Russia is strengthening its military bases abroad as well as helping to boost the armed forces of the Collective Security Treaty Organization (CSTO) and the Shanghai Cooperation Organization (SCO), Russian Defense Minister Sergei Shoigu said Friday.
• Russia will respond to NATO's military activities: Top general Iran Press TV 23 May 2014 -- Russia's top general has warned that Moscow will retaliate against NATO's increased military activities near the country's border amid escalating tensions with the Western alliance over the ongoing crisis in Ukraine.
• China-Russia navies conduct 'anti-piracy' exercises People's Daily 23 May 2014 -- The Chinese and Russian navies staged exercises on the East China Sea on Friday to simulate anti-piracy operations.
• China-Russia naval drill hones defense capabilities People's Daily 23 May 2014 -- Chinese and Russian navies on Thursday completed a defense exercise against the intrusion of unidentified boats as part of their ongoing naval drill 'Joint Sea-2014'.
• Beijing bumps up security patrols People's Daily 23 May 2014 -- The Chinese capital is rolling out a three-tier patrol plan that covers the skies, subways and streets after a series of terrorist attacks across the country.
• 2 Chinese naval vessels call at Myanmar port People's Daily 23 May 2014 -- Two Chinese naval vessels comprising Zheng He training vessel and Wei Fang defense vessel called at the Myanmar International Terminals Thilawa (MITT) in Yangon's Thanlyin township Friday morning as its second leg of Asian voyage.
• Iran Army Ground Forces begin major drills in Isfahan Iran Press TV 23 May 2014 -- The Iranian Army's Ground Forces have started the first phase of major military drills in the central province of Isfahan.
• May 23, 2014 - U.S. Department of State Daily Press Briefing US Dept. of State 23 May 2014

Defense Industry

• DoD News: Contracts for May 23, 2014

Other Conflicts

• 23 May 2014 - Daily Press Briefing by the Office of the Spokesperson for the Secretary-General United Nations 23 May 2014
• International Criminal Court sentences former Congolese militia leader to 12 years UN News Centre 23 May 2014 -- The International Criminal Court (ICC) today sentenced former militia leader Germain Katanga to 12 years in prison for war crimes committed in relation to a 2003 attack in eastern Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC).
• ICC Sentences Congolese Militia Leader to 12 Years in Jail VOA 23 May 2014 -- The International Criminal Court (ICC) has sentenced former Congolese militia leader Germain Katanga to 12 years in prison for his part in a 2003 massacre.
• Source: Hanoi No Longer Confronting Chinese Ships VOA 23 May 2014 -- A U.S. based journalist who recently visited the South China Sea says he believes the current situation near China's disputed oil rig has calmed down.
• China-Vietnam Maritime Dispute Tests US Pivot to Asia VOA 23 May 2014 -- The standoff over a Chinese oil rig in disputed waters off Vietnam is testing the Obama administration's so-called pivot of military and diplomatic assets to Asia.
• Hanoi's charges 'irresponsible' People's Daily 23 May 2014 -- Beijing slammed Hanoi on Thursday for 'making irresponsible accusations' against China on the international stage, following Vietnam's decision a day earlier to consider pursuing legal action over China's islands in the South China Sea.
• Ban condemns deadly mortar attack on electoral rally in southern Syria UN News Centre 23 May 2014 -- Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon today condemned a deadly mortar attack on an electoral rally in southern Syria and reiterated his call for an end to violence in the country.
• Russia, China veto draft U.N. resolution on Syrian civil war People's Daily 23 May 2014 -- Russia and China, two permanent members of the UN Security Council, on Thursday wielded veto power over a draft resolution which is intended to refer the Syrian civil war to the International Criminal Court (ICC).
• Fresh Takfiri infighting leaves 50 militants dead in Syria Iran Press TV 23 May 2014 -- Dozens of people have been killed and several others severely injured in violent clashes between rival militant groups in Syria.
• Syrian troops make fresh advances in Aleppo Iran Press TV 23 May 2014 -- The Syrian army makes more gains in battles against foreign-backed Takfiri militant groups near the country's northern city of Aleppo.
• North, South Korea Exchange Accusations on Firing Incident VOA 23 May 2014 -- North and South Korea exchanged accusations after navy ships from each side opened fire on the other, raising tensions along their contested maritime border.
• N Korea rejected as 'sheer fabrication' charges of shelling near S Korean warship VoR 23 May 2014 -- North Korea on Friday rejected as 'sheer fabrication' Seoul's charges that it fired shells near a South Korean warship the previous day.
• Boko Haram: Small in Numbers, Big in Impact Across Nigeria VOA 23 May 2014 -- The Nigerian state governor whose region is considered the base for Boko Haram said the militants are small in numbers -- but are having a huge and destructive impact.
• Boko Haram, Nigerian group that kidnapped schoolgirls, put on UN terror sanctions list UN News Centre 23 May 2014 -- The United Nations Security Council has added Boko Haram, the Nigerian militant group that has claimed responsibility for the abduction of more than 200 schoolgirls in mid-April, to its list of Al-Qaida associates subject to financial sanctions and an arms embargo.
• Cameroon, Chad Finalize Boko Haram Security Talks VOA 23 May 2014 -- The presidents of Cameroon and Chad on Friday concluded two days of meetings during which they fine-tuned plans and reiterated commitments to a declaration of war on Nigeria-based Boko Haram militants made in Paris last week.
• US Special Envoy Calls for African Troops in South Sudan VOA 23 May 2014 -- U.S. Special Envoy to Sudan and South Sudan Donald Booth called Friday for the rapid deployment of a regional force in South Sudan to protect teams monitoring the country's shaky ceasefire.
• UN official in South Sudan meets with key rebel leader to discuss peace efforts UN News Centre 23 May 2014 -- The top United Nations official in South Sudan has met with rebel leader David Yau Yau to discuss peace efforts in Greater Pibor County, Jonglei state, which was once the epicentre of instability in the country.
• Mali: fresh violence uproots civilians, as UN official heads north to push for ceasefire UN News Centre 23 May 2014 -- Deadly clashes between Tuareg rebels and Government forces in northern Mali have sent a "small but growing" number of terrified civilians fleeing southward and into neighbouring countries, the United Nations refugee agency said today, while senior UN and African Union officials are in Kidal to push for a ceasefire.
• Central African children fleeing to Cameroon on 'journey of starvation, death' - UN UN News Centre 23 May 2014 -- Nearly 30 children – the youngest a baby – died in the past month fleeing violence in the Central African Republic (CAR), the United Nations refugee agency today confirmed, renewing its appeal for $22 million in urgently-needed funds to help the growing number of people taking "a journey of starvation and death" in search of safety in Cameroon.

News Reports

• Small Number of Russians Moving From Ukrainian Border AFPS 23 May 2014 -- A small number of Russian troops have moved away from the southern and eastern borders of Ukraine, but thousands more remain in place, Pentagon Press Secretary Navy Rear Adm. John Kirby said here today.
• Putin Vows to Recognize Ukraine Presidential Vote VOA 23 May 2014 -- Russian President Vladimir Putin has vowed to recognize the outcome of Sunday's presidential election in Ukraine, while voicing hope that Ukraine's new president will end military operations against separatists in the east.
• Ukraine in 'full-scale civil war': Putin says Iran Press TV 23 May 2014 -- Russian President Vladimir Putin says the crisis in Ukraine has evolved into a full-scale civil war, blaming the situation on Washington's backing for the overthrow of former Ukrainian president, Viktor Yanukovych.
• Ukraine Vote Campaign Climaxes After 17 Troops Killed RFE/RL 23 May 2014 -- Candidates vying to become Ukraine's next president are due to hold their final campaign rallies on May 23, one day after the Ukrainian Army suffered heavy losses to pro-Russian separatists in the east.
• Eight Things You Didn't Know About The Ukrainian Election RFE/RL 23 May 2014 -- It's all but certain that 'chocolate king' Petro Poroshenko is going to win more votes than 'gas princess' Yulia Tymoshenko in Ukraine's May 25 first-round elections. But there are still a few new things to learn about the vote.
• Missing The Vote: Fear Trumps Election Hopes In Donetsk RFE/RL 23 May 2014 -- Donetsk is the largest city in eastern Ukraine, with a population of nearly a million people. But it appears that many - if not most - of its voters will not be able to take part in Ukraine's presidential election on May 25 because of the climate of fear separatists have established on the city's streets.
• Moscow Ready to Work With New Ukrainian Leadership After Election – Putin RIA Novosti 23 May 2014 -- Russia will work with the new power structures in Ukraine after Sunday's presidential election and hopes that military activities cease after the vote, Russian President Vladimir Putin said Friday.
• Moscow Hopes for Positive Result of Direct Contacts Between Adversaries in Ukraine RIA Novosti 23 May 2014 -- Russia hopes the direct contacts that have been launched in Ukraine between the country's adversaries will lead to a positive result, but the most important condition to carry out this goal remains an end to violence, Russian President Vladimir Putin said Friday.
• US Sees Ukraine Crisis as Technical Issue – Putin RIA Novosti 23 May 2014 -- The situation that has appeared in Ukraine is very important for Russia but is only a technical issue for the United States, Russian President Vladimir Putin said Friday.
• Kiev Could Facilitate Dialogue With Moscow by Paying Gas Debt – Putin RIA Novosti 23 May 2014 -- Kiev could create favorable conditions for dialogue with Moscow by paying its debt for gas supplies, Russian President Vladimir Putin said during the plenary session of the St. Petersburg International Economic Forum on Friday.
• Putin Says West Supported Unconstitutional Coup in Ukraine RIA Novosti 23 May 2014 -- Western countries supported the unconstitutional coup in Ukraine at the same time that Moscow suggested finding an exit from the crisis in the country through dialogue, Russian President Vladimir Putin said Friday.
• Putin Calls 4-Party Consultations on Ukraine-EU Association 'Nothing But Slogans' RIA Novosti 23 May 2014 -- The European Union has so far announced nothing but slogans about consultations on Ukraine's possible association with the EU, Russian President Vladimir Putin said Friday.
• Ukraine Torn by Full-Fledged Civil War – Putin RIA Novosti 23 May 2014 -- Following the coup in Ukraine, chaos followed and a full-fledged civil war has broken out, Russian President Vladimir Putin said during the plenary session of the St. Petersburg International Economic Forum (SPIEF) on Friday.
• By Reunifying With Crimea Russia Protected Citizens From Odessa-Like Tragedy – Putin RIA Novosti 23 May 2014 -- The number of victims in Crimea could have been even larger than in the tragedy in Odessa if Russia had not reunified with the peninsula, which was the right thing to do, Russian President Vladimir Putin said at the plenary session of the St. Petersburg International Economic Forum (SPIEF) on Friday.
• Private Military Companies Involved in Ukraine Standoff – Russian General Staff RIA Novosti 23 May 2014 -- Private military companies are participating in events in Ukraine, the head of the Russian military's General Staff said Friday.
• Ahead of Ukraine Vote, Fighting Continues in East VOA 23 May 2014 -- Fighting continued Friday between pro-Russian separatists and government forces in eastern Ukraine, two days before a presidential election.
• Worries Grow Over Ukraine 'Yugoslav Scenario' VOA 23 May 2014 -- When Russian President Vladimir Putin reclaimed Crimea for Moscow, he called the territory "inseparable" from the motherland.
• Putin: Russia Will Accept Ukrainian Election Outcome VOA 23 May 2014 -- Russian President Vladimir Putin has said he will respect the outcome of Ukraine's presidential election. It is the first time he has explicitly indicated that he will accept Ukraine's election result.
• Several houses destroyed in Slavyansk by artillery fire VoR 23 May 2014 -- Several houses were destroyed when Slavyansk and its suburbs were hit by massive artillery fire overnight, a member of the local people's police force told ITAR-TASS on Friday. Ukrainian government forces particularly intensively fired at the village of Semyonovka, he said. A house burned up after it was hit by a direct strike. The family left the house the day before, and thus survived. A neighboring house was partly destroyed after a shell exploded right on its porch. Another house near the center of Slavyansk was partly destroyed when a shell exploded near the gates, the source said.
• US unipolar vision of world failed: Putin Iran Press TV 23 May 2014 -- Russia's President Vladimir Putin says the world should not be dominated by one power as the United States' "unipolar" vision of the world has failed.
• Failure of single-polar world order obvious to everyone - Putin VoR 23 May 2014 -- The failure of a single-polar world order is now obvious to everyone, even to those who continue dictating their rules of the game and imposing behavioral standards, Russian President Vladimir Putin said on Friday.
• Putin To Share His Economic Vision At Boycotted Forum RFE/RL 23 May 2014 -- Russian President Vladimir Putin is to speak on May 23 at an international business forum in St. Petersburg that is being boycotted by the leaders of dozens of Western companies in response to Russia's annexation of Crimea and its role in the Ukrainian crisis.
• US Imposes Sanctions Against Russia to Gain Business Advantage in Europe – Putin RIA Novosti 23 May 2014 -- Russian President Vladimir Putin suggested on Friday that the United States planned to receive competitive advantages in trade and economic ties with Europe by insisting on sanctions against Russia.
• Color revolutions threaten global stability - Russian Defense Minister VoR 23 May 2014 -- Russian Defense Minister Sergei Shoigu said there is a threat of the spread of 'color' revolutions in the world, that are increasingly resembling forms of warfare. 'The phenomenon of 'color revolutions' is becoming a significant factor in the destabilization of the situation in many regions of the world. Foreign values are being forced on peoples under the guise of democracy,' Shoigu told at conference on international security held in Moscow on Friday.
• Economic sanctions as political pressure tool have boomerang effect in modern world - Putin VoR 23 May 2014 -- Economic sanctions in the modern world will eventually reflect on the economies of the countries that initiated them, Russian President Vladimir Putin said. 'It's obvious that economic sanctions as a tool of political pressure have a boomerang effect in today's mutually dependent world and they will eventually reflect on the businesses and economies of the countries that initiated them,' Putin said at the St. Petersburg economic forum on Friday.
• Ousted Thai Prime Minister 'Detained' by Coup Leaders VOA 23 May 2014 -- A day after launching a coup, Thailand's military summoned key politicians to army offices, including the previous caretaker prime minister and former Prime Minister Yingluck Shinawatra. The army chief, Gen. Prayuth Chan-ocha, meanwhile took control of the government.
• US Urges Return to Democracy in Thailand VOA 23 May 2014 -- The United States is calling for the release of all of Thailand's senior political leaders who are currently in military detention following Thursday's coup.
• 155 political figures banned from leaving Thailand Iran Press TV 23 May 2014 -- The Thai army says 155 prominent political figures are banned from leaving the country without permission.
• UN official urges respect for human rights, restoration of rule of law following Thai coup UN News Centre 23 May 2014 -- The United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights today urged Thailand to ensure respect for human rights and a prompt restoration of the rule of law, echoing a call made yesterday by Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon following the military coup.
• Afghanistan is second country where NSA records all mobile calls - WikiLeaks VoR 23 May 2014 -- Today, in a statement on WikiLeaks' official page Julian Assange has announced Afghanistan was the second country that was targeted by the NSA's Somalget program 'recording and storing nearly all the domestic [and international] phone calls'.
• Source: Russia may build 8 new nuclear reactors for Iran IRNA 23 May 2014 -- Moscow may sign an intergovernmental agreement with Teheran this year to build eight new reactors for nuclear power plants in Iran, a source close to the negotiations disclosed on Thursday.
• Simple Switch to US Nuclear Fuel for Ukraine Plants Impossible - IAEA Official RIA Novosti 23 May 2014 -- Simply switching from Russian-made nuclear fuel to its US equivalent for use in Ukrainian reactors is impossible, Miroslav Lipar, an official from the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) said.
• UN agriculture agency urges more research into role of animals in spreading MERS virus UN News Centre 23 May 2014 -- Health experts and veterinarians called for stepped-up monitoring, investigations and immediate reporting of cases of the Middle East Respiratory Syndrome Coronavirus (MERS-CoV) during a meeting convened by the Food and Agricultural Organization (FAO) in Oman.
• Hubble's Dazzling Mission Nears Its End VOA 23 May 2014 -- The Hubble Space Telescope has changed the way we see the universe.