| January 27, 2015 |
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. Kurd Militia Says ISIS Is Expelled From Kobani
(New York Times) Kurdish militias regained full control of the northern Syrian town of Kobani on Monday, driving Islamic State militants out with the help of American-led airstrikes, Kurdish activists on the scene said.
2. Hagel: Stress Of 'Nonstop War' Forcing Out Good Soldiers
(National Public Radio) Outgoing Secretary of Defense Chuck Hagel, speaking to NPR's Morning Edition, says he's concerned about retaining qualified U.S. military service members amid the "stress and strain" of more than 13 years of continuous warfare in Afghanistan and Iraq.
3. Female guards file discrimination complaints against Guantanamo judges
(Miami Herald) Some female soldiers at the prison's secret lockup for former CIA captives have filed gender discrimination complaints against two military judges who are forbidding women from handling prisoners to and from legal meetings.
4. Spain: Death count rises to 11 in military jet crash at base
(Associated Press) The death toll from the crash of a Greek F-16 at a Spanish military base rose to 11 Tuesday after one of the French airmen who suffered serious burns died at a Madrid hospital, Spain's Defense Ministry said.
5. Exclusive: Freed Al Qaeda Agent Was Part of Proposed Swap for Jailed Americans
(Daily Beast) Before the Qatari government freed an imprisoned American couple, they asked for a jailed terrorist in return. That al Qaeda agent was recently released from the Supermax prison.
CONGRESS McCain: More US Boots on Ground in Iraq, Syria
(Defense News) A powerful US senator is pushing President Barack Obama to put more American boots on the ground in Iraq and Syria.
House Dem: Sanctions can be 'ready to go' if Iran talks fail
(The Hill) Democratic Rep. Brad Sherman (Calif.), a member of the House Foreign Affairs Committee, is expressing support for legislation that would impose new sanctions on Iran if talks fail to reach a deal curbing its nuclear program.
Blizzard Delays House Border Security Bill
(Defense News) As a winter storm grips the east coast and snarls air travel, House leaders are delaying votes on a border security bill calling for increased aircraft patrols.
Democrat assails GOP leader of House Benghazi committee
(Associated Press) Democrats on a special House committee investigating the deadly 2012 attacks in Benghazi, Libya, have complained that the panel's Republican chairman has excluded them from crucial steps in the investigation while Republicans meet with witnesses.
Iran Sanctions Showdown Is Drawing New Battlelines in Congress
(DefenseOne) The real fight over Iran sanctions isn't between the White House and the new Republican majority in Congress - it's a no-holds-barred, intra-party battle that, until now, has largely been fought behind closed doors and between the lines of statements to the press in the U.S. Capitol and capitals worldwide.
NJ lawmakers warn against new base closings round
(The Hill) A bipartisan group of New Jersey House members is urging the Defense Department to avoid proposing a new round of military base closures in its next budget request.
INDUSTRY Raytheon Files 3DELRR Suit Against Air Force
(Defense News) Raytheon has filed a suit against the US Air Force in hopes of blocking a service decision to reevaluate a major radar contract awarded to the Massachusetts-based company.
Super Hornet infrared system gets green light
(C4ISR & Networks) An infrared search and track (IRST) system for the F/A-18 Super Hornet has been green-lighted for low-rate initial production, according to a Lockheed Martin announcement.
ULA's Tory Bruno Takes to Twitter
(Intercepts, Defense News) When Tory Bruno took over as CEO of the United Launch Alliance (ULA) in August, analysts predicted a change in how the launch company did business. But maybe not at this level.
Bulgaria may switch MiG support from Russia to Poland
(IHS Jane's 360) Bulgarian MiG-29 'Fulcrum' combat aircraft may in future be serviced and maintained in Poland rather than Russia.
Lockheed delivers first of Navy's automated aircraft test systems
(Defense Systems) Lockheed Martin has delivered to the Navy the first of 36 Electronic Consolidated Automated Support Systems, or eCASS, an upgrade to the CASS test system that has been in use aboard naval vessels and ashore since the early 1990s.
Turkey Expects $1.2B-$1.6B Procurement Boost
(Defense News) Turkey expects to raise US $1.2 billion to $1.6 billion in extra funds to finance procurement through a fee men can pay to avoid conscription, officials said.
Russia's amphibious UAV almost in production
(C4ISR & Networks) Russia is developing an unmanned hovercraft capable of landing on water. The prototype is now operational and ready to begin testing,
U.S. to Aid India in Building Aircraft Carriers
(DoDBuzz) Tucked away in a new defense deal with India was an agreement for the U.S. to aid India in fielding aircraft carriers that China views as a threat
Chinese Carrier-On-Land Facility Adds Destroyer
(USNI News) China has made several additions to its so-called carrier-on-land facility, including a mock-up of the People's Liberation Army Navy's (PLAN) planned next generation guided missile destroyer, according to recent satellite imagery.
Germany to delay potential arms deals to Saudi Arabia
(IHS Jane's 360) The German government is delaying any potential sales of arms to Saudi Arabia, German newspapers reported on 25 January.
Defense contractor to pay feds $2M to settle claims it inflated prices
(Associated Press) A Northern California defense contractor will pay the federal government $2 million to settle claims about its manufacturing of parts for remote-controlled aircraft.
Defense News Unveils New Apps
(Defense News) Defense News has new apps for iPhone, iPad and Android phones and tablets, all available via the App Store or Google Play.
VETERANS New simplified map for Veterans Affairs
(Military Times) Veterans Affairs Department officials who promised to simplify the agency are touting major progress after settling on a single map of the United States.
Reduced tuition for vets' dependents proposed in Maine
(Associated Press) The University of Maine System is considering a proposal to reduce tuition for military veterans' dependents living outside the state.
Texas clause limiting veterans' tuition benefits struck down
(Houston Chronicle) In a ruling that could add to Texas universities' financial challenges, a judge on Monday struck down a clause in a state law limiting veterans' tuition benefits to those who enlisted in the military while living in Texas.
Labor Department takes data-driven approach to veteran hiring
(Washington Post) Contractors will have to start collecting annual data on their veteran hiring practices in 2015, according to an updated Labor Department regulation.
Aberdeen veteran gracious for the hand up from Helping a Hero
(Fayetteville Observer) New homes are old news in bustling housing communities like Legacy Lakes. But one that's planned on Legacy Lakes Way drew 150 or more people to the pine-covered lot Thursday afternoon, despite the chilly air and threat of rain.
Military women group essay contest offers scholarship
(Virginian-Pilot) Military Women Across the Nation is holding an essay contest that offers a $1,500 scholarship to a relative of a woman who has served or is serving in the armed forces.
WWII vet returning to scene of bloody battle
(Associated Press) A World War II combat veteran from upstate New York is returning to the scene of a bloody Pacific island battle as an army of one.
Survivors Mark Anniversary Of Nazi Death Camp Liberation
(Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty) A ceremony will be held at the site of the former Nazi death camp at Auschwitz in Poland to mark the 70th anniversary of the liberation of prisoners still alive there when Red Army soldiers arrived.
VA Secretary says he will investigate Tomah medical center
(Associated Press) Secretary of Veterans Affairs Robert McDonald announced Monday that he will launch an investigation into a Tomah VA medical center that came under scrutiny for overprescribing opiates after a Marine died there.
Amid Libya turmoil, a renewed call to return early US sailors' remains home
(The Philadelphia Inquirer ) Their homecoming has been long awaited. Every time the remains of Navy Master Commandant Richard Somers and the crew of the USS Intrepid get the attention of leaders in Washington, world events intervene.
Texas woman will never forget her days as a World War II flygirl
(Austin American-Statesman) On Dec. 7, 1941, Susie Winston Bain was returning to her University of Texas dormitory after a sorority meeting when she heard about the Japanese attack on Pearl Harbor.
Vets study links PB pills, genetic variations to Gulf War illness
( Pittsburgh Tribune) A government-issued pill intended to protect troops from nerve agents may have made some troops more vulnerable to a chronic condition marked by headaches, cognitive problems, pain and fatigue, researchers say.
SORCC sued by Commission for the Blind
(Mail Tribune) Oregon's Commission for the Blind has filed a federal lawsuit against the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs for allegedly failing to comply with the Randolph-Sheppard Act at its facility in White City. The 1936 law gives preference to blind people to run vending machines on government properties.
Delaware Veteran Understands Power of the Pen
(Newsworks.org) It used to be soldiers could only receive mail specifically addressed to them, until a Delawarean wrote a letter to Dear Abby that changed all of that. It was 1967 when 19-year-old Private First Class David Rice was in Vietnam. He was drafted.
DEFENSE DEPARTMENT More bases use visitor background checks
(Military Times) Bases stateside will be seeing tighter security for non-Defense Department visitors this year as more resources become available for bases to conduct background checks.
US Special Ops Build Bridges in Africa
(Defense News) US Special Operations forces in Africa are preparing for one of their biggest exercises of the year, a multinational event that spans several West African countries and serves as one of the premiere partnership events for US forces in Africa.
On Point: 20 Questions with Rear Admiral John Kirby
(Medium.com) Elevated to the position of Pentagon Chief Spokesman, Admiral Kirby became the person behind the microphone, standing in front of the blue Pentagon curtain, delivering the news of the day straight from the deeply-varnished oak walls of the E-Ring.
Martin Dempsey seeks essay contest to honor late Saudi king
(Politico) The National Defense University plans to establish an essay and research competition focused on the Middle East in honor of Saudi Arabia's late King Abdullah - a memorial directed by America's top uniformed military leader.
Cybersecurity Now Key Requirement For All Weapons: DoD CIO
(Breaking Defense) Cybersecurity - it's not just for networks anymore. What's come to be known as the Internet of Things means targets cane be almost anywhere.
Defense hearings: Pre-budget release rush
(Military Times) Congress boasts a full slate of hearings this week, with the Armed Services and Veterans' Affairs committees tackling major topics before the release of the federal budget the following week.
Gary Sinise tells off Howard Dean: The 'American Sniper' flaps still haven't ended
(Washington Post) The latest flap erupted following comments by former Gov. Howard Dean (D.-Vt.) on Friday night. They came on "Real Time with Bill Maher," in which the show's host ripped the movie for its lack moral ambiguity and Kyle for writing previously that he didn't care about Iraq and hated the "savages" there.
Did the White House Use Drone Killing Technology?
(DefenseOne) The White House won't comment on whether or not they took any special steps to bring down the small UAV. But the White House may have employed the same anti-drone technology that the military is trying to perfect to protect ships and planes from future drone swarms.
ARMY Europe at front of Army's new 'Complex World' concept, general says
(Stars & Stripes) If the Army's new operating concept is about preparing to fight in an increasingly complex security environment, forces in Europe are in some ways on the leading edge, said the Army's top general in charge of training.
McHugh: Job-based fitness test report coming this year
(Army Times) Plans for job-specific fitness tests could reach Army Secretary John McHugh's desk this summer, and McHugh told Army Times on Wednesday what the service is doing to create and study those requirements - and what might happen to soldiers who can't meet them.
Former 82nd chief of justice convicted of rape, assault
(Army Times) An officer who previously served as the chief of military justice for the 82nd Airborne Division was convicted Sunday of rape, forcible sodomy, assault and disobeying an order from a superior officer.
Cobra Strike: Patriot battalion learns sports psychology skills to improve readiness, performance
(El Paso Times) Cobra Strike soldiers will learn "sports psychology skills, mental skills that high-performing athletes and high-performing teams have been using for 30 years," Henke said. These skills include how to breathe and visualizing success.
Applications open: Be a general's enlisted aide
(Army Times) Applications are being accepted for a program that prepares noncommissioned officers in the ranks of promotable sergeant through master sergeant to serve as enlisted aides to general officers.
March board to recommend new Vet Corps chief
(Army Times) Most active-component colonels of the Veterinary Corps will be evaluated by an advisory board March 25 that will recommend to the secretary of the Army candidates for possible appointment as the service's next senior veterinarian.
NAVY Crew bids farewell to frigate Rodney M. Davis
(Navy Times) Friends and families were joined by plankowners as sailors strode off the frigate Rodney M. Davis for the last time Friday at a ceremony in Everett, Washington.
Container ship still stuck on coral off Okinawa
(Navy Times) The maritime prepositioning ship that ran aground off Okinawa Thursday unloaded most of its military personnel over the weekend, but the Navy is no closer to freeing the stricken vessel.
USS Green Bay Ships Out for Japan
(USNI News) Amphibious warship USS Green Bay (LPD-20) left Naval Station San Diego, Calif. on Monday to join the U.S. Navy's forward deployed forces in Sasebo, Japan, according to the service.
New SAPR reporting rules boost response time
(Navy Times) Each time a sailor files an unrestricted sexual assault report, it sets off a chain of responses from the victim's command, counseling services and legal support. To ensure that every resource is made available in a timely manner, the Navy is implementing a new progress report for the first eight days after an allegation is filed.
AIR FORCE U.S. Air Force personnel treated for minor injuries after F-16 crashes into flight line
(Associated Press) A Greek F-16 fighter jet crashed into other aircraft on the ground during NATO training in southeastern Spain Monday, killing at least 10 people, Spain's Defense Ministry said; Based on initial reports, there were no U.S. personnel killed but an unknown number were treated for minor injuries, said Air Force Lt. Col. Vanessa Hillman, a Pentagon spokeswoman.
IG investigating two-star's 'treason' comments
(Air Force Times) The Air Force Inspector General's Office is investigating allegations that a two-star general told a group of officers they were committing treason if they worked with lawmakers against the service's own contentious plans to retire to the A-10.
Academy cadet killed in skiing accident
(Air Force Times) A freshman Air Force Academy cadet was killed in a skiing accident Saturday, the academy said.
400 recruits arrive for revamped basic training
(Air Force Times) The first major overhaul to basic military training in years begins Tuesday when a group of 400 recruits embark on the 8-1/2 week course that will culminate with five full days of classroom instruction focused on character development.
Kunsan-based airman fined for posting revenge porn
(Stars & Stripes) A 25-year-old Kunsan-based airman has been fined for posting a sex video online after recording it without his partner's permission.
MARINE CORPS New agreement expands military training with Dominicans
(Marine Corps Times) Leaders from the U.S. and Dominican Republic signed a deal to boost its military partnership, which could leave troops regularly training in the small Caribbean country as both nations battle transnational organized crime.
Marines' planning guidance highlights cyber, tech
(C4ISR & Networks) Guidance calls for a review of plans for live, virtual and constructive training across the MAGTF,
Corps buys hyper-realistic virtual marksmanship sims
(Marine Corps Times) The Corps' next-generation simulated marksmanship trainers are now on their way to the fleet, and they'll thrust Marines into realistic training scenarios that mimic the complexities of the battlefield.
COAST GUARD Coast Guard shows video of plane splashing into the Pacific by parachute
(Washington Post) The Coast Guard took part in two rescues after aircraft went down near Hawaii on Sunday - including one in which the service captured video of a pilot's small plane descending to the Pacific Ocean by parachute.
AFGHANISTAN/PAKISTAN Afghan economic crisis looms as foreign aid dollars depart
(Associated Press) Afghanistan's fragile economy has lost around a third of its value in the past year as international aid organizations that poured in cash for more than a decade have drastically scaled back after Western forces effectively ended their 13-year war against the Taliban.
"Marg" Group formed against Taliban and ISIS in northern Afghanistan
(Khaama Press) A new group calling themselves "Marg" or "Death" announced its existence in northern Afghanistan.
USAID suspends awards to US contractor working in Iraq, Afghanistan
(Associated Press) The main U.S. foreign assistance agency on Monday suspended awards to a non-governmental organization that has received more than $1 billion for its work in Afghanistan and Iraq the past nine years.
MIDDLE EAST U.S. drone strikes resume in Yemen despite turmoil
(Associated Press) A U.S. drone strike targeted al-Qaida in Yemen on Monday, signaling Washington's determination to keep fighting the militants despite political paralysis brought on by a Shiite power grab.
Obama Leading a High-Powered Delegation to Saudi Arabia
(New York Times) President Obama left here on Tuesday after a three-day visit to India and headed to Saudi Arabia, where he and a bipartisan delegation of prominent current and former officials will offer condolences for the death of King Abdullah and pay respects to his successor.
Israeli C4I Network Extends Special Ops Reach
(Defense News) As Israel grapples with an arc of threats that emanate up and around the Arabian Sea, an Internet Protocol (IP)-supported communications network is augmenting its ability to command complex operations at its borders and far beyond.
Mubarak's two sons reportedly freed from Egyptian prison
(Al Jazeera America) The two sons of ousted Egyptian President Hosni Mubarak were released from prison Monday, nearly four years after they were first arrested along with their father, authorities said.
AP Interview: Iraq 'sleeper cells' fight Islamic State group
(Associated Press) "Sleeper cells" made up of former Iraqi police officers and soldiers are tipping off authorities to Islamic State group positions in the northern city of Mosul, a prominent lawmaker has told The Associated Press.
Disowned, under threat, Iraqi musician seeks new life in U.S.
(McClatchy) Ahmed Abdulateef's gift for music made him a target in his hometown of Baghdad, where his father smashed his guitar and militants held a gun to his head for daring to follow a passion that has no place in their rigid brand of Islam.
Islamic State calls on Muslims to attack West
(Associated Press) The spokesman for the Islamic State group is calling on Muslims living in Western countries to carry out more attacks, saying any loyalist who has the opportunity to "shed a drop of blood" should do so.Abu Mohammed al-Adnani, in an audio recording released Monday, praised recent attacks in Australia, Belgium and France - where gunmen killed 12 people in an assault on the Paris office of Charlie Hebdo magazine.
Saudi Succession Hints at Shift in Foreign Role
(New York Times) Prince Mohammed bin Nayef, the interior minister of Saudi Arabia, arrived at a meeting of security chiefs from across the Arab world in Marrakesh, Morocco, last March to deliver a call to arms: It was time, he declared, for a concerted effort to eradicate the Muslim Brotherhood, according to two Arab officials briefed on the meeting.
Criticism of Netanyahu's planned U.S. speech mounts in Israel
(McClatchy) Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu is facing growing criticism in Israel for a planned speech to the U.S. Congress about Iran, accused by his political rivals of damaging ties with Washington to promote his election campaign.
In Iraq, like anywhere, it's hard to find good morgue workers
(Los Angeles Times) There was blood on the white tile floor, on the eight metal gurneys and on the hands of the worker using coarse black thread to sew up an autopsy incision on the latest body to arrive at the moldering central morgue.
Canadian troops involved in 2 more Iraq firefights
(Associated Press) Canadian special forces in northern Iraq have engaged in two more firefights against Islamic State group militants, but Canada's government denies they're involved in combat.
'Lone soldiers' from U.S. serve in Israel's army
(Kansas City Star) It started as a vacation: Israel. Jake Fichman had never been there. Though Jewish, the former Barstow School and Park University graduate from south Kansas City concedes that, other than being bar mitzvahed and attending temple, he hadn't for most of his life been deeply immersed in his faith or the militarized politics of the Middle East.
Female terrorists finding their place in Islamic militants' ranks
(Los Angeles Times) From bikini-clad beachgoer to veiled jihadist fugitive, the partner of Paris gunman Amedy Coulibaly underwent a startling metamorphosis that illuminates the dangerous potential behind militant groups' efforts to increase their recruiting of female terrorists.
EUROPE UN: deadly attack on Ukraine city could be war crime
(Associated Press) Deadly rocket attacks on the Ukrainian port city of Mariupol this weekend that "knowingly targeted civilians" violated international humanitarian law and could amount to war crimes, the U.N. political chief said Monday.
Greek Election Reflects a Deep Divide in Europe
(New York Times) The Greek election not only strengthened opponents of austerity, it also highlighted a fundamental tension at the heart of Europe's six-decade-long push to forge a closer union of democratic states: what to do when voters in different countries have different, even opposite, demands.
Russia defiant after more threats from West over Ukraine
(Associated Press) Russian officials struck a defiant note Monday after Western leaders threatened to further punish Moscow for escalated fighting in eastern Ukraine over the weekend, arguing that the Ukrainian government is responsible for the latest increase in violence.
NATO Says Training Center In Georgia To Open Soon
(Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty) A top NATO official says the alliance and Georgia are working to open a joint training center in Georgia.
War in Ukraine threatens to worsen HIV crisis
(Al Jazeera America) Kiev has cut off delivery of opioid substitutes to rebel-held east, which could undo years of progress combating HIV.
Azerbaijan, Armenia Trade Accusations Of Cease-Fire Violations
(Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty) Azerbaijani and Armenian officials have exchanged fresh accusations of violations of a 1994 cease-fire.
Ukraine conflict: Putin 'foreign legion' remarks nonsense - Nato
(BBC) Nato's chief has dismissed as "nonsense" a claim by Russia's Vladimir Putin that the Ukrainian army operates as a "foreign legion" for the alliance.
Robot stick insect will soon see, feel
(Reuters/Washington Post) A robot at Germany's Bielefeld University is modeled after a stick insect, with six limbs that it can move independently. Researchers are working to give the robot feelers and a camera system that would allow it to see.
OSCE Condemns Raid On Crimean Tatar TV Channel
(Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty) The headquarters of the only television channel broadcasting in the Crimean Tatar language on the annexed Black Sea peninsula are being searched by representatives of Russia's Federal Security Service (FSB) and Investigative Committee.
Police raid southern French town with strong jihadi network
(Associated Press) French security forces have raided a small town in the south that is known as a center for the jihadi recruiting networks that have sent hundreds of French youths to fighting in Syria and Iraq.
ASIA-PACIFIC Japan envoy hopeful about release of ISIL hostages
(Al Jazeera America) A Japanese envoy in Jordan expressed hope that both a Japanese hostage and a Jordanian pilot held by Islamic militants will return home "with a smile on their faces," as criticisms mounted Tuesday over the government's handling of the crisis.
Friend Of Japanese Hostage Starts 'I Am Kenji' Facebook Campaign
(Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty) A friend of Kenji Goto, the Japanese journalist held hostage and threatened with execution by the Islamic State (IS) group in Syria, is waging a campaign on Facebook and Twitter calling for his release.
Abandoned as a child bride, wife of Narendra Modi hopes he calls
(Washington Post) She's waiting for him, as she has been all her life. But when Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi dined with Barack and Michelle Obama at a glittering banquet Sunday night, his wife wasn't by his side.
Obama urges religious tolerance, human rights in India
(Los Angeles Times) President Obama urged support for religious tolerance and human rights in a speech Tuesday in New Delhi, India, drawing on the American experience and his own personal ones to soften a message with the potential to give offense to his Indian hosts, especially Prime Minister Narendra Modi.
AFRICA Former Lord's Resistance Army Commander Appears at War Crimes Court
(New York Times) A captured Ugandan rebel commander made his first public appearance Monday at a hearing before the International Criminal Court, where he stands accused of crimes including murder and enslavement.
Ebola crisis: Oxfam calls for recovery Marshall Plan
(BBC) Oxfam has called for a multi-million dollar Marshall Plan-type scheme to help the three West Africa countries worst affected by Ebola to recover.
A Nigerian City, Long Under Siege, Survives an Audacious Militant Assault
(New York Times) It was the kind of onslaught many feared. This city of more than two million, the most important in northern Nigeria, has endured many fierce assaults from Boko Haram militants during the course of their uprising, which began here nearly six years ago.
Gunmen at Libyan luxury hotel take hostages; 3 guards dead
(Associated Press) A Libyan security official says gunmen have stormed a luxury Libyan hotel popular with foreigners and have taken hostages after killing at least three guards.
THE AMERICAS Drone crashes at White House; hobbyist says it's his
(Associated Press) A two-foot-long drone apparently flown by a hobbyist crashed on the White House grounds Monday in an extraordinary, if unintended, breach that raised fresh questions about the president's security - and a growing threat from the sky.
U.N. Security Councils ends 'informative' visit to Haiti
(Miami Herald) The United Nations Security Council wrapped up a three-day mission Sunday urging Haiti's warring politicians to work together to stage elections as quickly as possible while remaining mum on whether it will move ahead with plans to reduce the presence of its 7,100-strong peacekeeping mission beginning in March.
US announces charges in New York Russian spy ring case
(McClatchy) An alleged Russian spy ring was busted up and one man arrested in New York City following an extended investigation, Justice Department officials said.
Fidel Castro writes statement on shift in Cuba-US relations
(Associated Press) Former Cuban leader Fidel Castro ended his long silence over his country's decision to restore diplomatic ties with the United States, writing that he backs the negotiations even though he distrusts politics in Washington.
COMMENTARY AND ANALYSIS What Dempsey Wants In New War Powers To Fight ISIS
(Micah Zenko in Council on Foreign Relations) Bearing those concerns in mind, it was troubling to read portions of a new interview with Gen. Martin Dempsey, chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff. First, Dempsey endorsed the passage of a new authorization bill but made clear that it should be a blank check for which the military can do whatever it wants.
How an ISIS Beheading Might Change Japan
(Matt Schiavenza in The Atlantic) The prime minister has argued that the clause has become anachronistic in a world where China, a longtime adversary, has greatly improved its military capacity. Following the elections in December, Defense Minister Gen Nakatami explained the rationale.
The New Commandan'ts Way Forward
(Bryan McGrath in War On The Rocks) No Service has a relationship with its chief like the Marines, and while the Service Chiefs do not exercise operational command of forces, no force is more impacted operationally by the priorities of its chief than the Marines.
Guns, Lies, and Videotape: The War in Eastern Ukraine Is Back On in Full
(Foreign Policy) The last such meeting of ambassadors from NATO and Ukraine occurred in August, when fighting between Kiev and Russian-backed rebels spiked. By the second week of September, the conflict's cumulative casualties reached 3,517 deaths and 8,198 injuries. The violence in eastern Ukraine had died down after a Sept. 5 cease-fire agreement, but in recent days the war has returned in full force.
Editorial: Cooperating To Cut Reaper Costs
(Defense News) This week in Paris, the NATO nations that operate General Atomics' Reaper remotely piloted aircraft will gather to share lessons to improve interoperability and reduce cost.
How the Government Collapse in Yemen Could Interfere with One of Obama's Political Priorities
(National Journal) The administration said it temporarily won't send Guantanamo Bay detainees back to Yemen. And that might be the nail in the coffin for closing the prison in the next two years.
Commentary: Ash Carter's Dilemma
(Harlan Ullman in Defense News) When Ash Carter takes the oath of office as the US secretary of defense, he will be caught on the horns of an excruciating dilemma.
Is Sri Lanka Ready Yet For Postwar Reconciliation?
(Kate Cronin-Furman in Cicero Magazine) Sri Lanka's January 8 presidential election shocked the world. The removal of strongman Mahinda Rajapaksa from office and peaceful transfer of power have triggered an outpouring of optimism about Sri Lanka's democratic future. But on one key set of issues it's not clear that regime change heralds progress: post-war reconciliation and accountability for international crimes committed during Sri Lanka's long civil war.
Commentary: Set Minimum Qualifications for Acquisition Leadership
(Terry Marlow in Defense News) After 45 years as a defense acquisition practitioner, policy developer and senior adviser to the US Air Force secretary, I have seen and been involved in numerous studies and other efforts to improve the defense acquisition process.
Coleman: Cyber fears dampen World Economic Forum
(Kevin G. Coleman, SilverRhino) Business and industry leaders, government organizations, military and intelligence organizations and prominent individuals are all experiencing the uncomfortable feeling that comes with being hacked and the need to address cyber security. This topic made it to the World Economic Forum in Davos, Switzerland, with an early morning hotel meeting where business leaders are trying to address this threat proactively.
Editorial: Air-Sea Battle, Jointness and Wargames
(Defense News) The United States has always employed novel operational concepts to overcome what appear to be insurmountable military problems.
MCRMC 101, The Future of the All-Volunteer Force
(Jeremy Hilton in USMClife.com ) The Military Compensation and Retirement Modernization Commission (MCRMC) is set to release its findings Thursday, January 29, 2015. Our nation will have to grapple with the commission's conclusions and the implications to our All-Volunteer Force (AVF).
Malaysia Airlines' Latest Woe: An Attack by the 'Cyber Caliphate'
(Justine Drennan in Foreign Policy) In a statement on Facebook, Malaysia Airlines said, "At this stage, Malaysia Airlines' web servers are intact." It assured customers that the "temporary glitch does not affect their bookings and that user data remains secured."
US-Belgian initiative is blueprint for Muslim engagement
(Tara D. Sonenshine and Tom C. Korologos in The Hill) Belgium, a small country of 11 million that likes to refer to itself as the capital of Europe, stands at the intersection of a global struggle against extremism. As Belgian troops mobilize on public streets, and police raids continue against suspected terror sites, the world observes how this European nation deals with the problem of deepening radicalism facing many societies, including our own.
Amid turmoil at home, Yemenis remain stranded at Guantanamo
(Al Jazeera America) Congressional anxiety over releasing the Yemenis appears to be political fueled by the growth of ISIL and recent attacks in Paris, but drawing such link "is not even apples and oranges, it's apples and crocodiles," said Ramzi Kassem, a law professor at the City University of New York who also represents Guantanamo prisoners.
Inside the White House Fight Over the Slaughter in South Sudan
(Colum Lynch in Foreign Policy ) Many in the administration believe an arms embargo is essential to stopping South Sudan's bloodshed. Why had Susan Rice been blocking it?
Five Rules for Defense Spending
(Douglas Macgregor in Breaking Defense) In 1796 Thomas Jefferson said there were two types of American political parties, "One which fears the people most, the other fears the government." In domestic politics the contemporary American political divide is equally wide and Americans should not expect their elected leaders to change course one iota.
State of Disunion: America's Lack of Strategy is its Own Greatest Threat
(Cicero Magazine) Following last week's State of the Union address, the headlines were filled with discussions of a gridlocked and ineffectual Congress, a "lame duck" presidency, and what direction America should be headed. This includes talk of what threatens America's position in the world and what American national strategy should be. Before strategy comes vision and goals. Vision can be equated to an "endstate"-the final situation or circumstance one wishes to be in following a concerted pattern of actions devised to achieve that goal-the "strategy." It is the picture of where, what, or how one wants to be after achieving goals through executing the strategy. Strategy is simply the way and means selected in the attempt to achieve goals to reach that vision or endstate.
Iraqi security: It's not quite as simple as Colonel Núñez seems to think it is
(Foreign Policy) Colonel Nu��n��ez is exactly right in his suggestion that we get beyond the blame game and on to actions that increase the probability of success in the coming Iraqi counter offensive to restore their national border and eliminate ISIS as a threat to their sovereignty. He is also right in saying that the collapse of the portion of the Iraqi Army that fell apart in early 2014 has more than a single cause. But his analysis of the problem and his recommendations that flow from that analysis are incomplete.
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