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The article discusses the various challenges that South Africa's armed forces face and the successful way in which they are forging ahead despite the challenges and difficulties. Several key issues like a limited budget, obsolescence problems, lesser flight hours and others are highlighted.

The article discusses the vital role that the word and phrase 'precision; and 'reducing the burden' play in the current operational environment in Iraq and Afghanistan. The pledge of General Stanly McChrystal, NATO's International Security Assistance Force (ISAF) Commander to reduce collateral damage has led to a reduction in damage to civilian lives and property.

The article discusses the increasing threat posed by modern surface-to-air missiles (SAMs) and the efforts that are being undertaken by countries to tackle the problem. The use of suppression and destruction of enemy air defenses (SEAD/DEAD) capabilities are useful in tackling the problem of SAMs.

The article discusses the recent changes in combat operations in Iraq and Afghanistan, which have led the British Army to reform, upgrade and restructure its fleet. The British Army has recently upgraded a number of armored fighting vehicles (AFVs) and is also now focusing on the Future Rapid Effect System (FRES-Scout).

Militaries all over the world are largely dependent on unmanned ground vehicles (UGVs) for a number of expanding military operations. The technological developments of the UGV's and all that they offer are discussed.

Equipment requirements that international special operations forces (SOF) are procuring to meet the global asymmetric war are presented.

The article discusses the counter-insurgency tactics being thought by the U.S. to protect the troops in Iraq and Afghanistan against insurgency.

The Canadian Department of National Defense (DND) has issued a statement that coalition troops who are part of NATO's International Security Assistance Force (ISAF) are encountering a list of problems in the asymmetric warfare due to extensive combat operations in and around Kandahar. Some of the problems are the difficulties of enemy and target indication, communicating within sections and platoons, heavy loads, heat injuries.

Myanmar's Tatmadaw, or armed forces, has increased defense expenditure and procurements since it seized power in 1988, driven mainly by external and domestic security concerns. However, despite the growing defense spending, the Tatmadaw continues to face a staffing crisis, including low troop morale and potential dissent by senior commanders.

The U.K.'s new coalition government's Strategic Defence and Security Review (SDSR) seeks to rebuild the rapid reaction capabilities of the country's armed forces. The article examines the former Labour government's Strategic Defence Review launched in 1998, the early efforts to address shortfalls in power projection capability, and the implications of the current SDSR on contingency operations.

The demand for urgent operational requirements (UOR) has increased because of the participation of U.K. in operations in Iraq and Afghanistan is debated. Opinions over the increasing demand for UORs, impacting on the U.K. defense industry have differed.

The doctrinal manual of the U.S. Army, the FM 3-0, Operations has been updated incorporating lessons learnt from the experiences in Iraq and Afghanistan. The new manual lays importance on stability operations and civil support.

The establishment of the U.S. African Command (AFRICON) has two key U.S. objectives - peacekeeper training and military capacity building, in other words war and peace. An African Standby Force (ASF) will be set up by the African Union for peacekeeping and emergency operations.

The irregular nature of military operations has lead to need for network-centric operations and resultant collection of huge number of actionable intelligence, minimizing decision cycles, connecting battlefield entities and sharing information among all involved. As most of the information is geo-referenced in some way or other, geospatial intelligence discipline is becoming a main enabler in network- or information-centric missions.

The new Norwegian Intelligence Surveillance Target Acquisition and Reconnaissance (ISTAR) battalion's first major test was held in the Trondelag area of Norway in early March 2005 during Exercise 'Battle Griffin 2005'. The battalion was formed as part of Norwegian element of the Prague Capabilities Commitment of 2002 and is intended to support international missions, where the provision of timely and accurate intelligence is very important.

The U.K. Royal Air Force (RAF) AgustaWestland Merlin HC 3 support helicopters have been deployed to Iraq in order to support the U.K. forces operating in the Basra region. The successful deployment of four helicopters of No 1419 Flight, 28 (Army Co-operation-AC) Squadron is discussed.

The foreign and defense ministers of France, Germany, Poland have called for the European Union (EU) to increase efforts towards a Common Security and Defense Policy (CSDP) initiative. Some of the key areas in which momentum needs to be increased are highlighted.

Robert Gates, U.S. Secretary of Defense has urged U.S. allies not to undertake drastic reductions in active-duty troops in operations in Iraq and Afghanistan. Gates has suggested that it would be better to first cut overhead costs and those in less essential programs.

The British Army's campaign in Afghanistan is being boosted by its Operation 'Entirety' effort. The Operation includes re-rolling of four British Army armored and mechanized infantry battalions as light role units, while their BAE Systems Warrior and Bulldog armored fighting vehicles will be placed in storage.

The allied defense ministers of the 28 member nations of NATO are to review a draft plan for the transfer of primary security to Afghanistan's military and police forces at the meeting to be held in late April in Tallin, Estonia. NATO's main agenda for 2010 is to be the transition of responsibility from the NATO-led International Security Assistance Force (ISAF) to Afghan forces.

The US Department of Defense (DoD) has announced the beginning of recent joint helicopter missions between the Iraqi Air Force (IQAF) and the US Army. The main aim is to prepare the IQAF for more complex missions in the near future.

A report from the U.K. House of Commons Public Accounts Committee (PAC) calls for amendments in the Ministry of Defence (MoD) urgent operational requirements (UOR) process for Iraq and Afghanistan. The report states that the existing system has sometimes restricted equipment support to the frontline.

The U.S.-led Combined Security Transition Command - Afghanistan (CSTC-A) believes the Afghan National Army's (ANA) training can be accelerated to reach the full strength of 134,000 troops by November 2010, a year ahead of the existing schedule.

The Pakistani Army is expanding the scope of its operations beyond the Swat Valley into South Waziristan, following orders from the Pakistani President, Asif Ali Zardari. The main purpose of extending the military operations is to target Tehrik-e-Taliban Pakistan (TTP) leader Baitullah Mehsud.

The Palestinian Authority's security forces continue to elicit fear and mistrust among the population mainly due to their failure to counter threats posed by Palestinian militant groups like the Hamas and others. The Palestinian Authority's security forces are striving to reform themselves and get rid of factionalism and division them to work as a cohesive force.

The UK formally ceased its military operations in Iraq on 30 April, 2009 after a six year period, and handed over control of the city of Basra, in Iraq to its American counterparts. The complete pull out of troops will be completed by July 2009, with a small contingent of trainers staying on.

The U.S. and Afghan forces are shifting focus to interdiction in Kunar province on the Afghan-Pakistan border region. This move has resulted in increased contact with enemy elements in the remote mountainous regions and is preventing them from operating in populated areas.

The U.K. handed over responsibility of all military operations across southern Iraq to the U.S. on March 31, 2009, prior to winding up its involvement in the Iraq War. Plans are being worked out to provide the Iraqi forces with some vehicles and equipment, while deploying others for operations in Afghanistan.

The deteriorating security situation in Afghanistan prompts the U.S. President Barack Obama to announce a troop surge of around 17,000 soldiers to the region. A spokesman from the U.S. Department of Defense indicated that the 2nd Marine Expeditionary Brigade would deploy 8,000 soldiers in spring 2009, followed by 4,000 troops of the 5th Stryker Brigade, 2nd Infantry Division in summer.

The U.S. military is using a new co-ordination system termed Heterogeneous Airborne Reconnaissance Team (HART) for forces on the battlefront. This system helps shorten the timeframe for receipt of images between ground forces and unmanned aircrafts.

The article discusses whether military intervention to help bring about a change to the regime in Zimbabwe, that have failed earlier, have any chances of working. Most African leaders are advocating for military action to remove President Robert Mugabe but it poses numerous challenges and risks.

A report from the US Government Accountability Office (GAO) highlights some of the potential long-term challenges faced by the U.S. Air Force (USAF) in conducting homeland air defense operations. Two of the main challenges are the ageing fleet and its replacement and the substitution of Air Sovereignty Alert (ASA) units on deployment.

Strategic agreements signed in 2008 to facilitate the withdrawal of coalition forces could give the Iraqi forces added responsibility for all direct logistics support from January 1, 2009, leading to a possible slowdown in Iraqi operations.

Russia has managed to conduct a successful war operation against Georgia, but the military is busy working on a plan for the immediate future. The five key areas for improvement have also been highlighted.

There will be major changes in the way that the U.S. coalition forces plan and execute their operations following a recent security agreement between the U.S. and Iraq. Iraq's presidential council recently ratified two strategic pacts with the U.S.

The government of Spain plans to remove the currently imposed limit of 3000 personnel to be deployed in operations abroad. The plans are to increase the limit to 7,700 service personnel that may be posted abroad.

The U.S. marines have confided on its field artillery for its operations in the southern Helmand province of Afghanistan. The fire support officer for the Marine Expeditionary Unit revealed that around 100 artillery operations were conducted in Afghanistan.

The US military with a transformed wider, counterinsurgency operational focus in Iraq is preparing to move its resources to a number of compact and distributed bases and is re-assigning its fund to match the changes. The topmost concerns of the budget transfers are transfer of funds to operation and logistics support and provide more flying time for army intelligence, surveillance and reconnaissance (ISR) assets.

The Pentagon is examining options of a troop growth as a surge in Afghanistan and has redirected the carrier USS Abraham Lincoln to support the operations.

U.S. military officials have warned Iran that any attempt on its part to close the Strait of Hormuz in view of an attack on its nuclear facilities, would be deemed to be an 'act of war'. This would be seen as an attack against the entire international community, and not just the U.S.

The U.S. Africa Command (AFRICOM) in a move to dispel misconceptions about its operations before its becoming fully operational on October 1, 2008, plans to emphasize its projects and engagements. The headquarters for the unified command will continue to remain Germany as of now.

A U.S. Army study has revealed that the U.S. Army was not well prepared for post-combat operations following the fall of Iraqi President Saddam Hussein in Iraq. One of the main reasons being cited for this is the sudden change in the alignment command structure in 2003.

Afghan President Hamid Karzai has reiterated that Afghanistan will not hesitate to exercise its right to attack militant across the border in Pakistan. This follows the cross-border attacks on Afghans and coalition troops by militants.

NATO's Secretary General on June 3, 2008 has outlined NATO's 10-year vision to confront the key security threats of the next decade. There is a greater need to enhance NATO's military operational effectiveness.

The United Nations is quite optimistic that its Darfur peacekeeping mission will be operational by the end of 2008 despite the problems about deployment of troops. The only problem they may face in deployment of troops is logistical problems.

The Operation 'Za eer al-Assad Fi Saulat al-Haq' or 'Lion's Roar' of the Iraqi Army's Mosul operation has finally come to an end with the lifting of the curfew. Insurgent attacks during this period dropped by nearly 85%.

China is increasing its naval operations and building up of missiles targeting Taiwan Strait. The rising naval operations are a reflection of Beijing's deployment of Russian-made submarines and destroyers.

A series of war games 'United Quest' was carried out by the U.S. Army Training and Doctrine Command (TRADOC) to test the capabilities of the U.S. Africa Command (AFRICOM).

New border co-ordination centers (BCC) established along the Afghanistan-Pakistan border will be jointly manned by the International Security Assistance Force (ISAF), Afghan and Pakistani forces. This will help to counter cross-border insurgency.

The U.S. ambassador of NATO Victoria Nuland has proposed that all NATO nations should make available resources among member nations for better efficiency in alliance and European Union operations.