| January 23, 2014 |
THE EARLY BIRD BRIEF | Get the most comprehensive aggregation of defense news delivered by the world's largest independent newsroom covering military and defense.
| ADVERTISEMENT  | | ADVERTISEMENT  | TODAY'S TOP 5 1. New Saudi Ruler Pledges Continuity After Death of King Abdullah
(New York Times) Hours after the death of Saudi Arabia's ruler, his successor, King Salman, moved quickly on Friday to project a sense of continuity, saying in a televised address that the oil-rich nation, a Western ally that has long played a dominant role in Arab politics, would not change course.
2. U.S., Iraq Prepare Offensive to Retake Mosul From Islamic State
(Wall Street Journal) The U.S. and Iraq have begun preparations for an assault by summer to retake Mosul, selecting and training military units and cutting supply lines to Islamic State militants who control Iraq's second-largest city, the top American commander in the Middle East said.
3. Yemen chaos threatens U.S. counterterror efforts, including drone program
(Washington Post) The White House's strategy for fighting al-Qaeda in Yemen - repeatedly presented as a model by President Obama - was left in tatters Thursday by the resignation of the manwho personally approved U.S. drone strikes in the country and the collapse of its central government.
4. Hagel: Vietnam War's lessons still echo today
(Military Times) It's been 47 years since Chuck Hagel patrolled the thick jungles of Vietnam as an Army squad leader, but the lessons he learned influence his decisions today.
5. Army leaders now hope to slow the drawdown
(Army Times) The Army is considering taking measures to slow the drawdown, though the service still plans to eventually reach an end-strength of 450,000 active-duty troops.
CONGRESS HASC chair: DoD 'nickel and diming' troops
(Military Times) Pentagon personnel budgeting is "nickel and diming our people to death," according to the chairman of the House Armed Services Committee, and he hopes an upcoming compensation review can restore some sanity to the debate.
Senators Criticize Obama's ISIS Strategy
(Defense News) Senators emerged Thursday from a classified briefing with sharp critiques of the Obama administration's plans to arm and train Syrian rebels.
Harry Reid Calls for 'Clean' DHS-Funding Bill
(Defense News) Senate Minority Leader Harry Reid is pressing GOP leaders to put a homeland security funding bill on the floor that is free of controversial immigration measures.
Republicans stuck between two paths on Iran
(Politico) Republicans are clashing over the best strategy for confronting President Barack Obama over his attempts to strike a nuclear deal with Iran, as GOP leaders try to build enough Democratic support to override a threatened veto.
Turner: Putin's Actions Must 'Come With a Price'
(Defense News) President Barack Obama should take actions to show Russia its alleged military advances in Ukraine "come with a price," says a member of two House national security committees.
GOP lawmakers press administration to get tougher with Russia
(The Hill) House Republican lawmakers on Thursday urged the Obama administration to make a tougher response to Russia following an escalation of violence in Ukraine.
Carter Hearing Set; Will Testify on Budget
(Defense News) Ashton Carter will appear before the Senate Armed Services Committee about his nomination for US defense secretary Feb. 4, then return a month later to testify about the next defense spending plan.
Lawmakers, VA spar over appeals cases
(Military Times) Lawmakers still are worried about the growing backlog of appealed benefits cases at the Veterans Affairs Department - but VA officials still don't think it's a major problem.
Sweeping Veterans Affairs bill targets senior execs
(Federal Times) Senior executives at the Veterans Affairs Department could have their pensions docked and their bonuses cut under legislation introduced Jan. 22.
Pentagon Gearing Up Once Again To Fight Sequestration
(Defense Industry Daily) Pentagon leaders are preparing to mount an assault on the possible full return of draconian spending cuts known as sequestration as they near plans to unveil the defense budget request for fiscal 2016, Defense Secretary Chuck Hagel said Thursday.
HASC Chairman: Reform Needed to Avoid Future Acquisition Missteps
(National Defense) The new House Armed Services Committee chairman said he would be willing to get tough with F-35 manufacturer Lockheed Martin if necessary, but the program has become too vital to kill.
HASC Chairman Wants Review of Strategic Deterrence, Threats, Challenges
(Seapower) The new House Armed Services Committee (HASC) chairman appeared open to providing a separate funding source for the expensive Ohio replacement program Jan. 22, but was opposed to the Navy's request to put 11 of its 22 Ticonderoga-class guided-missile cruisers into a phased modernization program in order to keep some of these crucial combatants in the fleet beyond their expected service life.
INDUSTRY Turf War Seen at Heart of Russian Space Industry Shake-Up
(Moscow Times) An ambitious drive by a friend of President Vladimir Putin's to take control of Russia's defense industry may be behind a shock announcement this week that Russia would merge its federal space agency with a major industry group, analysts said.
US Air Force to Reevaluate 3DELRR Award
(Defense News) The US Air Force will reevaluate its decision to award Raytheon a major radar contract, following protests by Northrop Grumman and Lockheed Martin, the service confirmed Wednesday.
Northrop Eyes Future Palmdale Production
(Defense News) Northrop Grumman is eyeing extra space at its F-35 center fuselage facility as a potential production line for a new aircraft - whatever that may be.
UK Taps AandP Marine to Tailor S. Korea Tankers
(Defense News) A marine engineering company in southwest England has been selected to customize four new military tankers being built in South Korea to support the new Queen Elizabeth-class aircraft carriers and other Royal Navy warships.
India's Radar Tender Evokes Weak Response
(Defense News) India's decision to procure precision approach radars (PARs) only from domestic sources has encountered difficulties, as a majority of the invited companies opted not to participate and none of the remaining three bidders appear to be meeting the technical specifications of the tender, said a source in the Ministry of Defence.
BAE unveils thermal imaging sight
(C4ISR & Networks) BAE has unveiled what it claims is the first 12-micron thermal imaging sight.
Maritime surveillance plane ready to fly
(C4ISR & Networks) Boeing's Maritime Surveillance Aircraft (MSA) is ready for customer demonstration flights.
Survey: Federal Procurement Culture Impedes Innovation
(National Defense) Signs of technology malaise can be seen across the federal government. The Pentagon has warned that it is losing its military technological superiority as other countries rush to develop advanced conventional and cyber weapons to counter U.S. armaments and satellites. The U.S. intelligence community worries that technologies it used to own almost exclusively - like high-resolution satellite imagery, encryption and biometrics - are progressing far more rapidly in the civilian world.
General Dynamics sees more demand for 'insider' cyber protection
(Reuters) General Dynamics Corp, a key provider of cyber services for the U.S. government, said recent high-profile cyberattacks were boosting demand from government agencies for better protections against breaches by so-called insiders.
Boeing Readies Maritime Surveillance Aircraft for Demonstration
(Seapower) Boeing had readied its new Maritime Surveillance Aircraft (MSA) for its first demonstration flights to potential customers.
U.S. Navy Approves F/A-18 Super Hornet IRST System for Production
(Seapower) The F/A-18 Super Hornet infrared search and track (IRST) system, developed and integrated by Boeing and Lockheed Martin, received approval from the U.S. Navy to enter low-rate initial production, a Boeing spokeswoman announced in a Jan. 22 release.
Curtiss-Wright Awarded Contract for Amphibious Assault Vehicle Systems
(Seapower) Curtiss-Wright Corp.'s Defense Solutions division has received a contract from Strategic Communications LLC to supply its rugged network router and switch subsystems to support the upgrade of the U.S. Marine Corps (USMC) AAVC-7 Amphibious Assault Vehicle, the company announced in a Jan. 19 release.
Ekso Bionics Secures Second Phase of SOCOM's TALOS Project
(Seapower) Ekso Bionics Holdings Inc., a robotic exoskeleton company, announced in a Jan. 22 release that its leading work on the first phase of the TALOS project resulted in a grant to expand its involvement into the second phase of the project.
Stratolaunch's Carrier Aircraft Almost 40 Percent Complete
(Defense Industry Daily) Stratolaunch Systems is almost 40 percent through assembly of its massive carrier aircraft and is on track for a 2016 first flight goal, according to Scaled Composites President Kevin Mickey.
L-3 Acquires RF Component And Systems Supplier MITEQ
(Defense Industry Daily) L-3 Communications [LLL] on Thursday said it has acquired MITEQ, Inc., a developer and manufacturer of RF components, assemblies and systems and low-power satellite communications products, for $41 million.
VETERANS Burn-pit, electrocution lawsuits to continue
(Military Times) A Supreme Court decision on Tuesday sent several lawsuits against defense contractor KBR back to trial court, allowing litigation to continue over the company's support operations in Iraq and Afghanistan.
Veterans advocates: Stop the VA 'hamster wheel' disability appeals process
(Stars & Stripes) The effort to clear a massive backlog of veteran disability claims is hurting efforts to address a similar backlog in appeals of denied claims, say advocates demanding reforms to an onerous "hamster wheel" system that leaves veterans languishing for years.
State lawmakers discussing ways to help veterans
(The Day) Connecticut's veterans could receive a number of tax breaks under a host of bills proposed by state legislators this session.
Michigan football players visit VA hospital
(The Detroit News) A group of 17 Michigan football players, visited the veterans' hospital on Thursday afternoon, spending an hour with patients.
Wounded Fort Drum veteran moving into accessible home provided by Homes for Our Troops (VIDEO)
(Watertown Daily Times) For wounded veteran Jeffrey P. Hackett, each day in his current home can be a challenge.
DEFENSE DEPARTMENT As he exits, Hagel warns of limits to military power
(Stars & Stripes) As he prepares to hand over the reins of the Pentagon, Defense Secretary Chuck Hagel is warning that military power has its limits and Americans should avoid believing that force alone can transform conflict-riven societies in the Middle East and elsewhere.
Airstrikes Have Killed About 6,000 Islamic State Militants, U.S. Says
(Wall Street Journal) The U.S.-led military campaign against Islamic State Forces in Iraq and Syria has killed approximately 6,000 members of the militant group since airstrikes began last summer, U.S. Central Command officials said.
US Trainers To Deploy To Ukraine
(Defense News) American soldiers will deploy to Ukraine this spring to begin training four companies of the Ukrainian National Guard, the head of US Army Europe Lt. Gen Ben Hodges said during his first visit to Kiev on Wednesday.
U.S. pulls top Navy official at Gitmo; inappropriate relationship alleged
(CNN) The commanding officer of the U.S. Naval Station in Guantanamo Bay, Cuba, has been relieved of duty "due to loss of confidence" in his "ability to command," the Navy says. At issue is an allegation of an inappropriate relationship, a U.S. military official told CNN.
DoD needs better tech for today's ISR
(C4ISR & Networks) Much of the technology used in ISR missions is aging, and developed with an older war paradigm.
DARPA tries for single-pilot drone teams
(C4ISR & Networks) Project CODE is an effort to develop software to team multiple UAVs
MyCAA spouse scholarship program underused
(Military Times) Less than one-fifth of the military spouses who are eligible for the Defense Department's scholarship program are using it, according to an analysis by Rand Corp.
NGA explores new ways to leverage commercial images
(C4ISR & Networks) Commercial imagery use by the National Geospatial-Intelligence Agency (NGA) is in the midst of improvements redefining the GEOINT landscape.
Audit finds gaps in cybersecurity of critical DoD systems
(C4ISR & Networks) Defense Department program offices are struggling in testing and evaluation, particularly when it comes to systems reliability and the cybersecurity of systems across the military, according to a new report.
On-Base Residents Lose Renters Insurance Due to BAH Cuts
(Military.com) A change to how the Defense Department calculates housing rates is not only impacting those who live off base, but also those who live on base in privatized military housing.
Privatized housing residents to feel 'BAH' pinch, too
(Stars & Stripes) Families living in privatized military housing units will not escape the impact of moves Congremade last month to dampen the value of Basic Allowance for Housing (BAH), says a Defense Department housing expert who is coordinating with service branches to implement the changes.
Sources: U.S. not sending Gitmo detainees to Yemen
(Associated Press) Chaos in Yemen is adding yet another challenge to President Obama's drive to close the Guantanamo Bay prison, with administration officials saying a ban on detainee transfers to the unstable Middle East nation has effectively been restored.
Pentagon Gearing Up Once Again To Fight Sequestration
(Defense Industry Daily) Pentagon leaders are preparing to mount an assault on the possible full return of draconian spending cuts known as sequestration as they near plans to unveil the defense budget request for fiscal 2016, Defense Secretary Chuck Hagel said Thursday.
ARMY Chief: Sequestration could create 'hollow Army'
(Army Times) The Army is in danger of becoming a "hollow Army" if sequestration returns in 2016, the service's top officer said Thursday.
Full Speed Ahead On Wargames: Gen. Odierno
(Breaking Defense) The US Army is trying to reinvent itself, much as it did during the Great Depression. Even if the steep cuts called sequestration return in 2016 - as is current law - the Army would rather get smaller than shortchange innovation, Chief of Staff Ray Odierno said today. The service will hold annual wargames on new ways of fighting, Gen. Odierno said, the first of them this August on the concept formerly known as Air-Sea Battle.
Army delays handgun solicitation
(Army Times) The Army on Wednesday formally pushed back release of a final solicitation to produce its new handgun.
Army announces enlisted promotions for February
(Army Times) NCO promotions will see a sharp upturn in February, with 3,723 advancements to the ranks of sergeant through sergeant major being authorized for the Regular Army.
Some enlisted soldiers can elect to leave early
(Army Times) Early outs of up to six months again are authorized for certain Regular Army enlisted soldiers.
Fort AP Hill's civilian commander dies at 68
(Tribune News Service) Robert Wright, deputy garrison commander of Fort A.P. Hill, died Monday at his home in Bowling Green, leaving the Army post bereft of its highest-ranking civilian.
Guam names new National Guard adjutant general
(Pacific News Daily) Col. Roderick R. Leon Guerrero will be the new adjutant general of the Guam National Guard.
Fort Bragg Air Assault School renamed for Medal of Honor recipient
(Fayetteville Observer) Fort Bragg is recognized as home to the Army's airborne and special operations forces, but the nation's largest post is now making a claim on air assault, too.
Gov. Cuomo recognizes Fort Drum in sprawling speech that outlines reforms and budget priorities
(Watertown Daily Times) Gov. Andrew M. Cuomo mentioned Fort Drum and the north country prominently in his sprawling combined State of the State address and budget message Wednesday afternoon as he touted past accomplishments and, at times, veered into more aspirational territory, holding New York state up as an example for the nation.
NAVY Navy container ship carrying troops runs aground
(Navy Times) The maritime prepositioning ship Sgt. Matej Kocak ran aground six miles off the coast of Okinawa, Japan on Thursday, 7th Fleet said Thursday.
Crews search for ways to free grounded Military Sealift Command ship
(Stars & Stripes) The USNS Sgt. Matej Kocak remained grounded for a second day Friday in waters near Okinawa, as divers and other personnel determine the best way to free the stranded cargo ship.
How the bin Laden shooting helped launch Navy SEAL Robert O'Neill's charity
(Washington Post) When Navy SEAL Robert J. O'Neill left the military in August 2012, he was frustrated. After hundreds of combat missions - including the SEAL Team 6 raid that killed al-Qaeda leader Osama bin Laden - he wasn't sure what to do with his life, but he didn't want to stay in the Navy anymore.
New Navy aviation commander wants sailors to 'focus on warfighting'
(Stars & Stripes) Newly promoted Vice Adm. Mike Shoemaker took command of Naval Air Forces and Naval Air Force Pacific Fleet on Thursday, as Vice Adm. David Buss ended a naval career that began at the Naval Academy in July 1974.
The hunt for Red October gets easier. How submarine warfare is changing.
(Christian Science Monitor) Today's submarines are in danger of becoming increasingly vulnerable as "game changers" in undersea warfare make it easier to detect them, a new report says.
Littoral Ship's Mine-Clearing Equipment Flawed, U.S. Tester Says
(Bloomberg) Mine-detection equipment for the U.S. Navy's Littoral Combat Ship, including an underwater drone, remains unreliable, the Pentagon's test office has found.
Navy recruiting enlisted women to join sub crews
(The Virginian-Pilot) Enlisted women will begin serving on submarines next year; the Navy announced Wednesday that female sailors can immediately begin signing up for those jobs.
AIR FORCE Warrant: DNA links academy cadet to alleged sex assault
(Air Force Times) Police in Boulder, Colorado, say DNA evidence links an Air Force Academy junior to the alleged sexual assault of a fellow cadet in that city in November.
2 star's 'treason' comments spark call for an investigation
(Air Force Times) A prominent lawmaker is calling for an investigation of a major general's reported comments blasting officers as treasonous if they work with Congress against Air Force plans to retire the A-10.
Civil Air Patrol major selected for Mrs. United States pageant
(Air Force Times) Civil Air Patrol Maj. Jaimie L Henson entered the Mrs. United States National Pageant on a whim, hoping it would give her a platform to tell people about the Civil Air Patrol and the benefits of volunteerism.
Fighter jet training underscores importance of personnel who are pilots' eyes and ears
(Tampa Tribune) As the Navy F/A-18 Hornet fighter jet roars 11,000 feet overhead awaiting instructions for dropping a 500-pound bomb on an enemy anti-aircraft battery, Dutch army Capt. Nico Schoone scans the target then consults "The Bible."
MARINE CORPS Report: Lax security ahead of insider attack
(Marine Corps Times) A new investigation into the murders of three Marines by a teenager on a forward operating base in Afghanistan shows gaps in security ahead of the attack. The investigation, completed in October at the request of Marine Corps Staff Director Maj. Gen. Michael Regner, also appears to contradict claims that the murders were linked to a corrupt Afghan police chief with alleged ties to insurgents.
Retired colonel behind Marine Corps Marathon dies at 84
(Marine Corps Times) James L. Fowler, who saw a marathon as a way to bridge the gap between civilians and the military following the divisive Vietnam War, died of heart failure on Tuesday. He was 84.
Powerful Osprey training from Prescott in dark
(The Daily Courier (Prescott, Ariz.)) A Marine Corps V-22 Osprey aircraft has been conducting training exercises from the Prescott airport on Wednesday evening and tonight, causing the airport and police to receive numerous calls from concerned citizens.
Duke Energy to Build Solar Farm at Camp Lejeune
(Charlotte Business Journal) Duke Energy Corp. (NYSE:DUK) will build a 13-megawatt solar-energy facility at the U.S. Marine Corps' Camp Lejeune in eastern North Carolina, with the project costing $25 million to $30 million.
Helicopter squadron to conduct night, early morning takeoffs at MCAS Yuma
(Yuma Sun) Marine Heavy Helicopter Squadron 466 is currently at Marine Corps Air Station Yuma for training operations and will be conducting night and early morning takeoffs over the next several days.
COAST GUARD Coast Guard helicopter hits bird, makes emergency landing
(KHOU-TV) Officials say a U.S. Coast Guard helicopter made an emergency landing in Southeast Texas after hitting a bird.
INTERNATIONAL TERROR Islamic State Deadline for Japanese Hostages Passes
(Wall Street Journal) The deadline for Japan to pay a $200 million ransom for two Japanese hostages held by Islamic State militants passed Friday with no reports of progress in efforts to release the two men.
Mom of Japanese hostage pleads for life, says he 'bears no hate' for Islam
(Stars & Stripes) The mother of a man facing execution by the Islamic State group pleaded for his life Friday morning, just hours before a $200 million ransom demand was expected to expire.
Did Japan Botch ISIS Hostage Deal?
(Daily Beast) The country's ISIS hostage crisis is a tragedy-one that its government helped to create. Is the Abe administration more concerned with saving face than saving lives?
Japan's response to Islamic State hostage situation limited by constitution
(Stars & Stripes) Japan may one day be able to mount a rescue attempt for hostages, like the two men captured and held ransom by the Islamic State militants, but its current laws and capabilities leave no room for a homegrown military operation.
Iraqi PM warns falling oil price could hurt fight against Islamic State
(Reuters) Iraqi Prime Minister Haider al-Abadi said on Thursday he feared lower revenues from falling global oil prices could hurt his country's military campaign against Islamic State.
With Yemen's president out, U.S. ponders its campaign against al Qaida
(McClatchy) Yemen, for years a showpiece of U.S. counterterrorism efforts against the world's most active al Qaida branch, plunged into a dark and uncertain period Thursday with the resignation of the president and his cabinet after a militant takeover.
Yemen's Government Quits-and Gives Al Qaeda An Opening
(Daily Beast) The stage now seems set for the outbreak of full-fledged sectarian civil war, one that al Qaeda in the Arabian Peninsula, the terror network's most dangerous and capable affiliate, is likely to exploit for its advantage.
ISIS (Daesh) not a major threat to Afghanistan, Nabil says
(Associated Press) The Islamic State group threatened to kill two Japanese hostages within 72 hours, demanding a $200 million ransom in a video posted online Tuesday that showed a knife-brandishing masked militant standing over the two kneeling captives.
Pakistan bans Haqqani terrorist network
(Khaama Press) The government of Pakistan has included the Haqqani terrorist network in the list of proscribed organizations following mounting pressures by Washington.
Suicide attack leaves 2 killed, 16 injured in Lashkar Gah
(Khaama Press) Two persons have been killed and 16 others wounded in a suicide attack in Lashkar Gah, provincial capital of southern Helmand province.
Capture the Flag in Afghanistan
(Foreign Policy) IS is trying to make inroads into Afghanistan but how likely are Afghan's to replace their white Taliban flags with the black ISIS flag?
AFGHANISTAN/PAKISTAN Afghan intelligence has infiltrated among enemy networks: Nabil
(Khaama Press) The Afghan intelligence operatives have successfully infiltrated among the networks of the enemies of Afghanistan in a bid to put further pressure on the groups which are involved in insurgency activities in the country.
Brawl in Afghan parliament over cabinet nominees rejection
(Khaama Press) The Lower House of the Parliament - Wolesi Jirga on Thursday witnessed brawl among the lawmakers over the issue of cabinet nominees holding dual citizenship.
Another senior Pakistani Army General visits Afghanistan
(Khaama Press) Another senior Pakistani Army General visited Afghanistan on Thursday amid frequent visits by Pakistani security officials following a deadly school attack in December last year.
MIDDLE EAST US moving personnel out of Yemen
(The Hill) The United States will remove additional personnel from Yemen amid heightened security concerns after Shiite rebels forced the resignation of the country's president.
The US Just Lost One Of Its Top Counterterror Partners In The Middle East
(Business Insider) Yemeni President Abd-Rabbuh Mansour Hadi resigned on Thursday, capping a three-day span in which the major institutions of the Yemeni state dramatically plunged into ever-deeper levels of irrelevance.
6,000 Receivers Destroyed In Iran's War On Satellite Dishes
(Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty) Six thousand satellite receivers and dishes have been destroyed in a stadium in the city of Shiraz, according to reports by Iranian news agencies that posted photos of the police action, in the latest phase of Iran's ongoing war on banned satellites.
Ayatollah Khamenei Appeals to Western Youth on Islam and Prejudice
(New York Times) In a rare effort to reach out to the West, Iran's supreme leader released a letter to youngsters in the United States and Europe imploring them to learn about Islam from original sources and not, as he said in a later posting on Twitter, have it "introduced to you by prejudices."
Barack Obama will not meet Benjamin Netanyahu in March
(BBC) Barack Obama will not meet Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu when he visits in March to speak to Congress, the White House says.
Israeli's 'magic' yarmulke made to protect Jews from attacks
(Associated Press) An Israeli barber has fashioned what he calls "magic" yarmulkes out of hair, designed to allow religious Jews to cover their heads without attracting unwanted attention from anti-Semites.
EUROPE Ukraine rebel Zakharchenko 'rejects truce talks'
(BBC) The main pro-Russian rebel leader in eastern Ukraine says his troops are on the offensive and he does not want truce talks with Kiev.
Ukraine bus attack kills 13, dashes peace hopes for east
(Associated Press) Ukraine bus attack kills 13, dashes peace hopes for east
Threat of new Russian incursion as violence flares in Ukraine
(Stars & Stripes) There are signs Russian forces are building up their presence in eastern Ukraine, where fighting in recent days between Ukrainian troops and separatists has intensified, NATO Supreme Allied Command Gen. Philip Breedlove said Thursday.
Chaotic Retreat Follows Ukrainians' Withdrawal From Donetsk Airport
(New York Times) The ruins of the once gleaming and modern Donetsk airport, site of near relentless fighting in recent days, finally fell on Thursday to pro-Russian rebel forces who then paraded captured Ukrainian soldiers through the streets of the embattled city.
North Korean Leader Kim Jong Un May Visit Moscow, Russia Says
(Time) Kim Jong Un could visit Moscow this May in his first foreign visit as North Korea's leader, according to statements from Russian foreign minister Sergei Lavrov.
London Meeting Signals Closer UK-Japan Ties
(Defense News) Britain and Japan have pledged to increase cooperation in military training, weapons development, cyber, security and other areas following a meeting in London of the nations' foreign and defense ministers on Wednesday.
ASIA-PACIFIC In the Asian Arms Race, the Prize Is India
(Businessweek) Barack Obama will be the guest of honor at India's Republic Day parade on Jan. 26. The celebrations will feature child acrobats, marching bands, and colorful floats representing India's states and territories. Also on display will be the country's military hardware, much of which dates from the Soviet era. One of the topics of discussion when Obama meets with Prime Minister Narendra Modi will be how to upgrade India's defense capabilities.
What's Next for US-India Defense Ties with Obama's Trip?
(The Diplomat) As U.S. President Barack Obama prepares for his visit to New Delhi next week to meet Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi, defense officials from both sides have been rushing to finalize the components of what could amount to a much-needed boost in this dimension of the U.S.-India relationship.
Obama Won't Hear Cheers in India on Afghanistan Policy
(National Journal) One of the few times President Obama received bipartisan applause in his State of the Union address was when he boasted that "our combat mission in Afghanistan is over." But when he arrives in New Delhi this weekend, he won't hear any cheers for the pullout.
Obama's visit to India includes climate change talks
(USA Today) President Obama's upcoming visit to India includes viewing the Taj Mahal and a major holiday parade and hopes for progress on climate change negotiations.
North Korea urges South to lift sanctions before talks can begin
(Reuters) North Korea on Friday demanded the lifting of sanctions, imposed by South Korea after a 2010 attack on one of its naval vessels, as a condition for resuming dialogue.
Philippines: US Lifts Restrictions On Military Aid
(Agence France-Presse) The United States has lifted restrictions on a small portion of its military assistance to the Philippines that was withheld over human rights concerns, the foreign minister said Thursday.
4 Abu Sayyaf camps fall in Philippines
(Tribune News Service) Four camps of the terrorist Abu Sayyaf Group have fallen into government hands since the Armed Forces of the Philippines started its offensives against the ASG, the communist new People's Army and other threat groups early this month, according to the military.
In Impeaching Ex-Premier, Junta Revives Thailand's Divisions
(New York Times) After months of claiming to be an honest broker in this deeply divided country, Thailand's military junta swung decisively to the side of the conservative Bangkok establishment on Friday, imposing a five-year ban from politics on a former prime minister who is detested by the elites but loved in the provinces.
AFRICA Wider Chaos Threatens as Fighters Seize Branch of Libya's Central Bank
(Washington Post) The battle for control of Libya threatened to break open its central bank on Thursday as fighters with one of the country's two warring factions seized control of its Benghazi branch, risking an armed scramble for its gold reserves that could cripple the last functioning institution in the country.
Nigeria Keeps Playing the Boko Haram Blame Game
(Foreign Policy) Speaking at the Royal Institute of International Affairs at Chatham House in London on Thursday, Sambo Dasuki said the cowardice of Nigeria's army is the reason why a multinational military base in Baga fell to Boko Haram terrorists earlier this month in a bloody attack that deeply embarrassed Jonathan's fragile government.
China Is Getting Ready to Surge Troops Into Africa
(War Is Boring) Military deploying to protect Beijing's people and investments
THE AMERICAS US, Cuba move toward embassies but long path lies ahead
(Al-Jazeera) The United States and Cuba on Thursday set a detailed agenda for re-establishing full diplomatic ties, but said it could take weeks just to schedule the next round of talks, a sign of the long road ahead after more than a half-century of tension.
Drone carrying drugs crashes south of U.S. border
(CNN) Drone carrying drugs crashes south of U.S. border
Conflict, and Smiles, as U.S. and Cuba Discuss Ties
(New York Times) The United States and Cuba held talks on Thursday to re-establish diplomatic ties broken during the Cold War, aiming to put the countries on a path toward normal relations after decades of hostility, acrimony and mistrust.
COMMENTARY AND ANALYSIS Censorship at the highest ranks of the U.S. military and the growing divide between the military and civilians
(Foreign Policy) If, as Secretary Gates and Admiral Mullen lamented, there is a dangerous disconnect between the American people and the members of the military, then this disconnect will only be exacerbated by erecting barriers between military members and the media. If the military wants to bridge this gap, then encouraging members of the military to express opinions and share experiences should be the goal. Sadly, this is not the case. If the status quo continues, the gulf between the military and civilian communities will only continue to grow.
Profit and Loss in Somalia
(Foreign Policy) It was lunchtime on Christmas Day in Mogadishu, and Brett Fredricks was doing what he loved. The retired member of the Army's famed and secretive Delta Force was huddling with Ugandan soldiers planning an assault on an enemy position during a firefight with al-Shabab guerrillas. But this gunbattle was different. It was taking place inside the international force's heavily secured base at Mogadishu airport. It would also be one of the final moments of Brett Fredricks's life.
Boko Haram's Resiliency Spells Trouble for West Africa
(Small Wars Journal) As the world mourned for the victims of an Islamist jihadist terror attack in France, a mass casualty attack in Baga, Nigeria by Boko Haram killed scores of men, women and children - low estimates say possibly 500 were killed; high estimates say 2,000. Regardless of the exact casualty count, the attack triggered no mass marches, no speeches by international heads of state, and no outward signs of solidarity from the White House or Congress. Why?
The Death of Ukraine's Cyborg Army
(Foreign Policy) For Obama to be right, and for America to be successfully leading the way to a free, peaceful, and democratic Ukraine, it stands to reason that Putin would have to be on the back foot and growing less belligerent by the day. Then why is he only ratcheting up his aggression?
5 Iranian Weapons of War America Should Fear
(The National Interest) With the possible exception of North Korea, no country in the post-Cold War era has sought to challenge the United States as much as Iran. From the Middle East to Central Asia to Latin America, Tehran has never missed an opportunity to antagonize the U.S. and limit its influence.
No Escape from War: Hezbollah and Israel Inch Toward Open Fighting
(Foreign Affairs) The Syrian civil war has left virtually no pillar of the Middle East undamaged. The most recent geopolitical victim, it seems, is the post-2006 relationship between Israel and Hezbollah, which was based on de facto mutual deterrence and resulted in an uneasy calm along the Israeli-Lebanese border. The reported January 18 Israeli airstrike against a Hezbollah-Iranian car convoy in southern Syria is the latest and boldest in a series of tit-for-tat operations that, since last February, have gradually eroded the old order and inched Israel and Hezbollah ever closer to a war that neither wants.
Can You Have a Transparent Spy Agency?
(DefenseOne) To the average American, the term intelligence agency refers to a group of secret military types, locked in a windowless room in Virginia, furtively collecting data on bad guys, good guys, citizens, everybody. That data is delivered up the chain in manila envelops marked "Top Secret." There's still some truth to that stereotype (apparently, they get to have windows now) but Robert Cardillo, director of the National Geospatial Intelligence Agency, or NGA, is hoping to secure an unconventional legacy as a spy chief.
Can Ash Carter Tame the Nuclear Weapons Budget?
(DefenseOne) If Ashton Carter is confirmed next month as defense secretary, as appears likely, he will face a dilemma: the Pentagon's trillion-dollar plans to modernize the U.S. nuclear arsenal are excessive and unaffordable. As the Air Force and Navy admit, their nuclear shopping lists outstrip their budgets. This gives Carter an historic opportunity to bring the nuclear weapons budget in line with U.S. security needs.
King Abdullah Dies, Disrupting Saudi Arabia at a Sensitive Time
(Foreign Policy) Plunging oil prices, the Islamic State, and a shadow war throughout the Middle East. The next ruler of the House of Saud has a full plate.
Why Yemen's Implosion Matters
(Foreign Policy) Since the Houthis started their push to power last fall, al Qaeda has exploited the fears of Yemenis who oppose the Shiite group, trying to convince them that it is their natural ally against the Houthis. A sectarian war in Yemen would further strengthen al Qaeda, providing it with more recruits among the disaffected Sunni Yemenis who increasingly view the rise of the Houthis as an existential threat. There are already clear signs of a strengthened al Qaeda in the Arabian Peninsula (AQAP), including expanded operations and a larger presence across the country.
Opinion: LCS Survivability Questions Linger
(USNI News) Less than a month after U.S. Navy leaders announced modified versions of both variants of the Littoral Combat Ship would be the Navy's pick for its for a more lethal and survivable small surface combatant, one of the chief LCS critics said the upgrades would do little to improve the survivability of the class.
Regionally Aligned Forces: Less About What It Is, More About What It Can Be
(Small Wars Journal) The Army's recent strategic shift from a two-front, "fight and win" Army to the Regionally Aligned Force's (RAF) "shape and prevent" (and so "win" by not fighting) has, unsurprisingly, caused consternation from all corners of the security birdcage. Despite the many lessons learned after a decade of unconventional warfare, counterinsurgency, and what most observers conclude was a general failure of COIN operations to succeed in dealing with the human element, the military industrial complex still clings to the traditional force-on-force conception of future threats.
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