| January 30, 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. Taliban claims responsibility for attack on Americans at military base near airport
(Washington Post) The Taliban claimed responsibility Friday for a shooting incident at a military base attached to Kabul's international airport yesterday that killed three American civilian contractors and an Afghan national, saying the attacker had infiltrated the ranks of the security forces.
2. Commission calls for abolishing Tricare
(Military Times) The congressional commission has recommended a complete overhaul of the military health system - one that does away with Tricare, changes the medical command structure and seeks to improve Defense Department coordination with Veterans Affairs.
3. Jordan Lets Islamic State's Deadline for a Prisoner Exchange Pass
(New York Times) Jordan refused to release an imprisoned female militant on Thursday to meet a deadline set by the Islamic State, demanding that it first needed proof that a captured Jordanian pilot was still alive. The impasse provoked fears that the extremists would carry out their threats to kill the pilot and a Japanese journalist they were also holding hostage.
4. Government Allies Are Said to Have Slaughtered Dozens of Sunnis in Iraq
(New York Times) At least 72 people from a majority Sunni village in eastern Iraq were methodically singled out for slaughter this week, according to witnesses and local Sunni leaders, who said the victims were killed by Shiite militiamen who were supporting Iraqi security forces.
5. Pentagon Seeks 13% Weapons Increase as Obama Urges End to Cuts
(Bloomberg) The Pentagon is seeking an increase of $20.4 billion, or 13 percent, for weapons and research as President Barack Obama begins a push to remove defense budget caps that would force cuts in spending instead.
CONGRESS Sequestration: GOP, Dems 'Don't Have a Plan'
(Defense News) President Barack Obama on Thursday will lay out a plan to end sequestration that Republicans immediately will reject, but GOP members "don't have a plan" of their own.
Panel says shrink troops' retirement, start 401(k)
(Military Times) A new proposal to revamp military retirement that landed Thursday on Capitol Hill would shrink the size of troops' pensions and end the 20-year, all-or-nothing aspect of the benefits package by starting 401(k)-style investment funds and government contributions for lower-ranking troops.
Senate Panel OKs Threat of New Iran Sanctions
(Defense News) A Senate committee on Thursday easily approved legislation that would impose tougher economic sanctions on Iran if ongoing talks about its nuclear arms program remain stalled.
Congress, advocates wary of panel's proposals
(Military Times) None of the major changes outlined in the new military compensation report released Thursday can become law without congressional action, and so far lawmakers are viewing the massive document as a conversation starter, not a blueprint.
Report: Consolidate commissaries and exchanges
(Military Times) Defense officials should think about consolidating commissaries and exchanges into a single defense resale system, according to the report from the Military Compensation and Retirement Modernization Commission released Thursday.
Military compensation commission: Who's who?
(Military Times) Congress created the Military Compensation and Retirement Modernization Commission in 2012 to conduct a sweeping review of military pay and benefits with an eye to ensuring sustainability of U.S. forces and preserving a robust quality of life for service members and their families. The commission members were chosen by Congress and President Obama for their expertise and experience in federal and military compensation and retirement, private-sector benefits, active-duty and reserve component experience or family member familiarity, Veterans Affairs expertise and actuarial science.
New White House Hostage Rescue Strategy MIA
(Daily Beast) The Obama administration promised to overhaul how it brought captives home-and dealt with their parents. Five months in, and those interactions still "suck."
The Pentagon's new fiscal cliff
(Politico) The administration and the new Republican-controlled Congress are creating another budgetary cliff on defense spending, forcing the military to face across-the-board cuts if Pentagon spending busts the caps that are already law.
Former Secretaries of State Say Global Crises Demand Budget Certainty for U.S. Military
(Seapower) With world facing its most diverse and complex array of crises since the end of the World War II, it is crucial that the United States maintains a strong military driven by strategy instead of fiscal concerns, three former secretaries of state told the Senate Armed Services Committee Jan. 29.
Senator: Taliban detainees have communicated with Haqqani
(Associated Press) Sen. Lindsey Graham said Thursday that the Taliban detainees released from Guantanamo Bay in exchange for Sgt. Bowe Bergdahl have been in touch with members of the al-Qaida linked Haqqani network, yet all five still are being monitored in Qatar.
INDUSTRY Airbus Replaces Military Aircraft Chief
(Wall Street Journal) Airbus Group NV on Thursday replaced the head of its military plane operations and said it would face "financial consequences" due to problems with the A400M military airlifter.
Northrop Grumman, Raytheon Pledge Boost in Spending and Exports
(Wall Street Journal) Northrop Grumman Corp. and Raytheon Co. on Thursday both pledged to boost research spending and exports, but the two defense companies received sharply different reactions from investors.
Bulgaria Eyes New Fighter Jets
(Defense News) Bulgaria is considering buying new fighter jets for its air force, the defense minister said.
NGA picks BAE for $43M intel training contract
(C4ISR & Networks) BAE has been awarded a National Geospatial-Intelligence Agency (NGA) to train intelligence officers and analysts.
Air Force suspends FedBid, proposes debarment
(C4ISR & Networks) The Air Force has suspended its contracts with reverse-auction company Fedbid and is proposing the company be barred from future contracts.
Northrop Grumman Cuts Ties With Conservative Policy Group
(DefenseOne) The defense contractor's departure from the American Legislative Exchange Council follows an exodus of tech companies late last year.
Northrop Teases New Bomber in New Ad
(Defense News) Northrop Grumman has made no secret of its desire to land the Air Force's next-generation bomber program, known as the Long Range Strike-Bomber (LRS-B). With the service expected to downselect in late spring or early summer between Northrop and its competition, a team of Boeing and Lockheed Martin, it appears the company is getting more serious about its public push for the program.
Amphibious Combat Vehicle Competition to Heat Up
(National Defense) The first phase of the ACV competition will intensify this year, with a final request for proposals to be released in February. After proposals are received, the Marine Corps plans to downselect to two vendors as early as this fall.
Raytheon CEO says problems resolved with U.S. GPS ground system
(Reuters) Raytheon Co on Thursday said it has "turned a corner" on problems with the ground control system it is building for the U.S. Air Force's global positioning system satellites, and does not expect any impact on financial results.
VETERANS Former Fort Carson soldier a humble Medal of Honor recipient
(Colorado Springs Gazette) Clint Romesha's Medal of Honor jingles with the keys and change in the front pocket of his blue jeans.
One of last four WWII Doolittle Raiders dies at 94
(Yakima Herald Republic) Lt. Col. Edward Saylor, one of four surviving Doolittle Raiders who attacked Japan during a daring 1942 mission credited with lifting American morale during World War II, has died. He was 94.
Dogged reservist behind win for ill crewmen
(The Herald) Retired Air Force Reserve Maj. Wes Carter almost didn't travel to Washington D.C., recently, where, to his surprise, he heard an independent panel of scientists verify what he had dogged the Air Force and Department of Veterans Affairs about for almost four years.
Sen. Tammy Baldwin tells VA to interview whistleblowers
(Associated Press) U.S. Sen. Tammy Baldwin on Thursday asked that the lead investigator looking into allegations of opiates being overprescribed and retaliatory practices at the VA hospital in Tomah take into account whistleblowers' testimony.
DEFENSE DEPARTMENT U.S. military cited for increasing classification of information on Afghan forces
(Washington Post) The top U.S. general in Afghanistan is increasingly classifying information about the Afghan military and police that had previously been released, an "unprecedented" decision that keeps it from the American public, according to a new watchdog report.
Pentagon Pauses New Exchanges With China
(Wall Street Journal) The Pentagon put on hold an effort to expand defense ties with China, saying it wouldn't agree to a major new military exchange until the two countries can agree on rules for airborne encounters between their warplanes.
Asia commissaries to see poultry shortage
(Military Times) Commissary officials are warning customers in South Korea, mainland Japan and Okinawa that they'll see shortages of some poultry products after those countries issued embargoes because of an outbreak of avian flu in the U.S.
Special Forces face increased cyber risks, challenges
(Army Times) The anonymity of Special Forces operators is at risk as enemies hone their ability to glean online data of SOF personnel that can be bought or sold by private individuals or terrorist groups.
What Your Facebook Posts Mean to US Special Operations Forces
(DefenseOne) Social media as an intelligence asset is of growing value to special operations forces, but there are legal issues and controversy surrounding its use.
DoD Official: Government Has Lost its Technological Edge Over Opponents
(National Defense) A senior Defense Department official said the government has lost its technological edge and now must rely on industry to overmatch adversaries in the battlefields of the future.
ARMY SMA Chandler to retire, reflects on his tenure
(Army Times) As he prepares to hang up his uniform after 34 years of service, Sergeant Major of the Army Raymond Chandler says he's not done looking out for soldiers.
Command lists to be released Feb. 6
(Army Times) Selection lists containing the names of active component officers designated for brigade and battalion command in fiscal 2016 will be released Feb. 6.
Army merging intel into WIN-T
(C4ISR & Networks) The idea is to save money and satellite bandwidth by channeling intelligence and command and control traffic over the same network.
Fort Carson MP delivers baby at post gate
(Army Times) It's a question no expectant father would want to ask, especially with his wife in the front seat of his car: "Anyone know how to deliver a baby?"
General: US Army Programs Hinge on Helo Swap
(Defense News) Key US Army aviation modernization plans - Future Vertical Lift, the Improved Engine Turbine program and digital cockpit upgrades for Black Hawks - all hinge on the service's cost-cutting Aviation Restructure Initiative (ARI), senior service officials said on Thursday.
Army Aviation Leaders Look to Congress for Help on Budget, Restructure Plan
(National Defense) Army aviation is in "a period of vulnerability," said the commanding general of the Aviation Center of Excellence and Fort Rucker.
Importance of Manned-Unmanned Aircraft Teams to Grow as Army Divests Kiowa Warriors
(National Defense) Army aviation leaders said the service will continue to replace OH-58 Kiowa Warrior reconnaissance helicopters with AH-64 Apache attack helicopters teamed with unmanned aircraft.
Army Looks To Build Two Forms of Medium Future Vertical Lift
(Breaking Defense) And then there were five. There were already going to be four different aircraft in the Future Vertical Lift (FVL) family, from light to medium to heavy to "ultra."
Polish soldier names son for Fort Drum soldier who saved his life in Afghanistan (VIDEO)
(Watertown Daily Times) A Polish soldier, whose life was saved in Afghanistan by the sacrifice of a Fort Drum soldier, has named his son for his battlefield protector.
Colorado Springs man allegedly stole Fort Carson soldiers' identities to file tax returns, police say
(Colorado Springs Gazette) A Colorado Springs man is wanted on suspicion of stealing the identities of 14 Fort Carson soldiers to file for their tax returns.
NAVY Official: Navy investigating pilot's campus fly-by
(Navy Times) Folks in the cafes and classrooms of Berkeley, California, were startled Tuesday afternoon by a rare sight and sound for the university town: a Navy fighter passing low overhead.
U.S. 7th Fleet CO: Japanese Patrols of South China Sea 'Makes Sense'
(Navy Times) The commander of U.S. 7th Fleet said Japan should start patrolling the South China Sea and said China's claims in the region are resulting in, "unnecessary friction" with neighbors.
Nuclear Power Plants on New Submarines May Last 40-Plus Years
(National Defense) The Navy hopes to have the first replacement for the Ohio-class ballistic missile submarine on duty by 2031. When that vessel is launched, the onboard nuclear power plant is expected to last its entire 40-year service life.
Expo Will Showcase Naval Future Force Science and Technology
(Seapower) For the first time ever, the general public will be admitted free to the Naval Future Force Science and Technology Expo general exhibit hall to see the Electromagnetic Railgun, an autonomous swarmboat, a firefighting robot and much more.
Navy Builds a New Class of Sea-Basing Ships
(DoDBuzz) The Navy is making progress building a new class of ships configured for sea-basing and expeditionary missions as a way to help account for a shortage of amphibious assault ships and forward-position Marines, sailors, special operations forces, air assets and ship-to-shore connector vehicles, service officials said.
New Navy command established in Suffolk
(Daily Press) Adm. Philip Davidson, commander of the Navy's Fleet Forces, spoke of the Battle of Midway, a pivotal U.S. win during World War II, when trying to convey the importance of the newly formed Information Dominance Forces Command.
USS George Washington gets new captain ahead of crew swap, overhaul
(Stars & Stripes) he captain slated to guide the aircraft carrier USS George Washington through a crew swap with the USS Ronald Reagan later this summer took command of his ship Friday.
US Navy investigating jet's loud flyover in Berkeley
(Associated Press) The Navy is investigating a military jet that zoomed frighteningly close this week over Berkeley's homes and UC Berkeley.
AIR FORCE Lawmakers oppose plan to cut personnel at Lajes Field
(Air Force Times) A bipartisan group of lawmakers is concerned that the Defense Department's plan to reduce military and civilian personnel at Lajes Field in the Azores will harm U.S. relations with Portugal, the host nation.
Doolittle Raider' Saylor dies at 94
(Air Force Times) Lt. Col. Edward Saylor, one of the last surviving Doolittle Raiders who flew a daring bombing mission over Japan just four months after the attack on Pearl Harbor, died Wednesday near Seattle. He was 94.
Lawmaker, an A-10 vet, aims to protect Warthog
(Air Force Times) One of the newest lawmakers on Capitol Hill is a former A-10 driver, and she is wasting no time protecting her former aircraft.
After assaults, academy mandates trail buddies
(Air Force Times) After two alleged assaults in December and January on Air Force Academy grounds, the school has ordered cadets, other personnel and guests not to go on most trails and unimproved areas by themselves.
333 officers pin on new rank in January
(Air Force Times) The Air Force said Jan. 29 that 333 officers were slated to pin on their new ranks this month.
Lackland instructor guilty in recruit's 1995 rape
(Air Force Times) A jury Thursday found a veteran Air Force NCO guilty of raping one of his recruits in training 20 years ago at Joint Base San Antonio-Lackland.
Langley Air Force Base F-22s head to Nevada for training
(Daily Press) F-22s from Langley Air Force Base have flown to Nevada to participate in three weeks of combat training.
MARINE CORPS Probe turns up little on notorious Afghan police chief
(Marine Corps Times) A recent Marine Corps inquiry into a 2012 insider attack aboard a forward operating base in Afghanistan does little to clear up the mystery surrounding Sarwar Jan, a notorious Afghan police chief who arrived at the FOB just weeks before the attack that left three Marines dead.
The next SMMC: Sgt. Maj. Ronald Green's rise to the top
(Marine Corps Times) More than two years before Sgt. Maj. Ronald Green was interviewed by Commandant Gen. Joseph Dunford to become the Corps' next top enlisted leader, the two shared a drink from Devil Dog Fountain, a favorite pilgrimage site in France marking the site of the Marines' historic World War I rout of the German Army at Belleau Wood. Now Green and Dunford are again marking history as they prepare to lead the Marine Corps together.
Cause of Marine's death on Fort Bragg similar to previous seat malfunctions
(Fayetteville Observer) A 147-page report obtained Thursday by the Observer details the Marine's accidental death on Fort Bragg last year and shows that at least 11 other Marines from his unit had experienced similar seat malfunctions.
Pendleton expo features new fitness gear for Marines
(Marine Corps Times) Between the silencers, satellites, and missile systems that made up the bulk of the displays at the Marine West expo here Jan. 28 was everything that a Marine needs for a solid workout, from warm up to recovery.
COAST GUARD Cool video: Coast Guard medevacs woman off NC coast
(WRAL TV News) A MH-60 Jayhawk helicopter crew from Air Station Elizabeth City arrived at the ship at about 2:20 p.m., hoisted the woman to the helicopter and took her to Sentara Norfolk General Hospital in Norfolk, Va., where she was last reported to be in stable condition, the Coast Guard said.
Coast Guard remembers Blackthorn tragedy
(WFTX TV News) Coast Guardmen from the surrounding area, along with families of crewmembers of the Coast Guard Cutter Blackthorn and numerous other guests attended the 35th annual Blackthorn memorial ceremony near the Sunshine Skyway Bridge in St. Petersburg Wednesday.
Historians celebrate U.S. Coast Guard's 100th anniversary at OC Museum
(Press of Atlantic City) South Jersey winter storms can get pretty hectic. Just imagine a century ago, when Coast Guardsmen had to work during those nasty storms to save lives.
ISLAMIC STATE Egypt's IS affiliate claims Sinai attacks that killed 26
(Associated Press) An Egyptian militant group affiliated with the Islamic State has claimed responsibility for coordinated and simultaneous attacks that struck more than a dozen army and police targets in three towns in the restive Sinai Peninsula, killing at least 26 security officers.
Iraq PM orders urgent probe into military 'massacre'
(Al Jazeera) Iraqi forces and Shia militias accused of killing more than 80 unarmed civilians suspected of being ISIL sympathisers.
No word on Islamic State hostages' fate; Goto's wife issues statement
(Associated Press) A deadline of sunset Thursday for a possible prisoner swap purportedly set by the Islamic State group holding a Japanese journalist and a Jordanian military pilot passed with no sign of whether the two men were still alive.
Jordan has demanded proof from Islamic State (Isis) that its captured pilot is still alive before it goes ahead with a possible exchange for a convicted terrorist.
(The Guardian) Jordan has demanded proof from Islamic State (Isis) that its captured pilot is still alive before it goes ahead with a possible exchange for a convicted terrorist.
Bombs in central Baghdad kill 12: security sources
(Reuters) At least 12 civilians were killed on Friday morning when two bombs exploded in central Baghdad, security sources said.
An Incomplete Victory in the War Against ISIS
(DefenseOne) Islamic State forces have reportedly lost the Syrian border town of Kobani, but it's not necessarily a turning point in the war.
U.S.-led air strikes hit Islamic State targets in Syria and Iraq
(Reuters) The United States and coalition partners launched six air strikes against Islamic State targets in Syria, and 12 more in Iraq as they kept up pressure on the insurgent group, the U.S. military said on Thursday.
Underground Terror Network Said to Benefit Would-Be Jihadists in Europe
(Wall Street Journal) Islamic State's ability to provide safe harbor to friends and family removes potential obstacles for would-be attackers in the West. They no longer need to be part of a terror group's rank-and-file to benefit from its resources, according to Western counterterrorism officials and people close to militant networks.
AFGHANISTAN/PAKISTAN ISIS Recruiter And Former Guantanamo Bay Prisoner Captured By Taliban In Afghanistan
(International Business Times) Mullah Abdul Rauf Khadim is only 33, but he's already been in the Afghan and Pakistani Taliban, detained at Guantanamo Bay, released from prison, become a recruiter for the Islamic State group and, on Wednesday, reportedly captured by the same group that launched his jihadist career.
US officials: 3 US contractors killed in Afghan shooting
(Associated Press) U.S. defense officials say three American contractors were shot to death by a gunman in the Afghan capital of Kabul.
Pakistanis fleeing offensive find new dangers in Afghanistan
(Associated Press) Tens of thousands of Pakistanis have sought shelter at a sprawling refugee camp in a volatile region of Afghanistan after crossing the mountainous border to escape a military onslaught against insurgents.
Pakistan official raises death toll from Shiite mosque bombing in country's south to 20 killed
(Associated Press) Pakistan official raises death toll from Shiite mosque bombing in country's south to 20 killed.
NDS seize 15000kg of Ammonium chloride belonging to Haqqani network
(Khaama Press) At least 15,000 kg of ammonium chloride belonging to Haqqani terrorist network were seized by the Afghan intelligence operatives from eastern Paktia province.
MIDDLE EAST Egypt military targeted in deadly Sinai attacks
(BBC) At least 26 people, mostly soldiers, have been killed in a series of attacks by Islamist militants in the north of Egypt's Sinai peninsula.
Brotherhood activism and regime consolidation in Egypt
(Washington Post) A year-and-a-half out from the military coup that ended the term of Morsi, the Brotherhood has shown little sign of deviating from their strategy of continued protest.
Hezbollah Kills 2 Israeli Soldiers Near Lebanon
(New York Times) Hezbollah antitank missiles killed two Israeli soldiers as they drove in a disputed area along the Lebanese border on Wednesday, a sharp retaliation for Israel's deadly drone strike last week that killed six Hezbollah fighters and an Iranian general.
Hezbollah, Israel signal each other they want to end fighting
(McClatchy) Israel and Hezbollah stepped back from further confrontation Thursday after a flare-up of fighting across the Lebanese border raised fears that a broader conflict might erupt.
Here's what a Hamas training camp for teens looks like
(Washington Post) Judging by the orderly rows of hundreds of young wanna¬bes lined up in crisp military fashion at their graduation ceremony here Thursday, the armed wing of the Islamist movement Hamas will have plenty of eager recruits this year.
Saudi King Hands Out Pink Slips and Bonuses
(New York Times) Less than a week after ascending the throne, King Salman of Saudi Arabia issued an array of royal decrees on Thursday - abolishing government bodies, changing ministers, dismissing the chief of intelligence and further consolidating his own authority.
Video shows Hezbollah Brigades convoy transporting American M1 tank
(Long War Journal) A video uploaded to YouTube appears to show a large Hezbollah Brigades convoy transporting weapons, troops, and armored vehicles to the front to fight the Islamic State.
RUSSIA-UKRAINE 12 civilians, 5 troops killed in eastern Ukraine
(Associated Press) The city hall in the rebel stronghold of Donetsk said Friday seven people were killed and 23 wounded as the city remains under constant artillery fire.
On Ukraine battlefield, one act of mercy becomes an Internet meme
(Reuters) The phone connection from my living room in Berlin to the battlefield in eastern Ukraine couldn't have been better. First Lieutenant Alexei Chaban of the Ukrainian 17th Tank Brigade came in loud and clear, the sound of gunfire in the distance. "There's some shelling going on," he said. "If the line cuts out, it's a mortar attack." Chaban spoke in the same matter-of-fact voice of his Facebook posts from the front.
Ukraine conflict: EU extends sanctions against Russia
(BBC) EU foreign ministers have agreed to extend existing sanctions against Russia until September.
Gorbachev: Ukraine could explode into 'hot war' between Russia and the West
(Christian Science Monitor) Mikhail Gorbachev, the Soviet Union's last leader and widely credited for helping end the cold war, today blamed the West and the US in particular for "dragging" Russia into what he says could be a larger, "hot war" over Ukraine.
Russia warns West support for Kiev could lead to 'catastrophe'
(Reuters) Russia's envoy to the European security watchdog OSCE urged the United States and Europe on Thursday to stop supporting the "party of war" in Ukraine and warned "catastrophe" could result, Interfax news agency reported.
EUROPE Mercier: Engine Failure Prompted F-16 Crash
(Defense News) An engine failure at takeoff led to Monday's deadly crash of the Greek Air Force F-16, which killed 11 personnel at a NATO air base in Spain, French air chief Gen. Denis Mercier said on Thursday.
Spanish Patriots Deployed to Southern Turkey
(Defense News) Patriot air defense systems sent by Spain to Turkey as part of a NATO mission were deployed at a base in the Adana province, southern Turkey, officials said.
Russia says patrols near UK airspace were 'routine'
(BBC) Russia has dismissed claims its planes caused "disruption to civil aviation" in the UK this week, saying its actions were not "threatening" or "disruptive".
Moscow, Washington discuss possible Kerry visit to Russia: sources
(Reuters) Moscow and Washington are discussing a possible visit to Russia by U.S. Secretary of State John Kerry to discuss the Ukraine crisis, diplomatic sources say.
Srebrenica appeals verdict due at war crimes tribunal
(BBC) The UN war crimes tribunal for the former Yugoslavia is set to deliver a final verdict in the case of five men convicted over the Srebrenica massacre.
Quelle Horreur! France Unveils Anti-Jihadist Propaganda Campaign
(For) That campaign, centered around the website stop-djihadisme.gouv.fr, opens with a video that seeks to dispel what the French government sees as the myths sold by Islamist terror groups. With Frenchmen and other Europeans streaming to Syria to engage in that country's civil war, the video depicts the Facebook activity of a hypothetical user interested in radical Islam and jihad. A recruiter then messages him and asks him whether he wishes to talk with fighters in Syria.
ASIA-PACIFIC Philippines mourn 44 police commandos; terror suspect hunted
(Associated Press) The Philippine president says he has ordered the hunt for a Filipino terror suspect who escaped an anti-terrorist operation that resulted in the killings of 44 police commandos.
MH370: Malaysia declares flight disappearance an accident
(BBC) The Malaysian government has officially declared the disappearance of Malaysian Airline flight MH370 an accident and says there were no survivors.
3 Goals of China's Military Diplomacy
(The Diplomat) China seeks to accomplish three things with its military diplomacy: deterrence, agenda-setting, and reassurance.
Don't shoot! Curious bullhead shark halts China military exercise
(South China Morning Post) A bullhead shark stopped China's naval flotilla in its tracks while it was conducting a military drill on an escort mission to the Gulf of Aden.
Vietnam Grounds Decades-Old Huey Choppers After Fatal Crash
(Associated Press) Vietnam's military announced Friday it has temporarily grounded Vietnam War-era U.S.-built helicopters after a crash killed four personnel.
India asks Japan to offer Soryu subs for Project 75I requirement
(IHS Jane's 360) India has invited Japan to compete in the Indian Navy's (IN's) long-delayed INR500 billion (USD8.1 billion) Project 75I (India) requirement for six diesel-electric submarines with land attack and air independent propulsion (AIP) capabilities.
AFRICA Chadian air force, ground troops bomb Boko Haram out of Nigerian border town; witnesses say
(Associated Press) Chadian air force, ground troops bomb Boko Haram out of Nigerian border town; witnesses say.
Nigeria: Boko Haram Plans to Bomb Soft Targets Using Livestock, Warns FG
(All Africa) The federal government has said it has uncovered plans by Boko Haram insurgents to hide and detonate explosives using livestock such as goats, cows, donkeys and camels.
It Seems a Chinese Missile Drone Just Crashed in Nigeria
(War Is Boring) The wreckage of an armed drone turned up in northeast Nigeria on Tuesday near the epicenter of the West African country's violent Islamist insurgency. The drone looks Chinese. And that's a very big deal.
AU calls for regional force to fight Boko Haram
(Al Jazeera) The African Union has called for a regional five-nation force of 7,500 troops to defeat the "horrendous" rise of the Nigerian armed group Boko Haram, AU Commission Chief Nkosazana Dlamini-Zuma has said.
South Sudan's warring leaders meet face-to-face
(Al Jazeera) South Sudan's president Salva Kiir and rebel leader Riek Machar have met face-to-face for the latest round of peace talks aimed at ending their 13-month-old civil war, mediators and officials said.
THE AMERICAS German couple killed in Paraguay, apparently by guerrillas
(Associated Press) A German couple abducted from their cattle farm was found dead Thursday, apparently at the hands of a guerrilla group that earlier this week demanded the owner of an adjoining farm pay $300,000 and give food to the poor.
Plane Crashes Near Aruba After Pursuit by Military Jets
(New York Times) A small civilian aircraft, pursued by Venezuelan military jets, crashed Thursday into the Caribbean Sea near the island of Aruba, officials on the island said.
COMMENTARY AND ANALYSIS Six months later, Congress needs to vote on Obama's war against Islamic State
(Los Angeles Times) A puzzling aspect of President Obama's war against Islamic State, a military campaign that is now almost six months old, is his attitude toward congressional approval for the mission.
What Downturn? Top Pentagon Contractors Turn In Strong Results Despite Soft Demand
(Forbes) With most of the mandated military savings coming from technology accounts, it seemed like a no-brainer that weapons makers would get hit hard. But a combination of cost-cutting, stock buy-backs and earnings gains from businesses outside the federal marketplace has minimized the pain to investors.
London anti-extremism conference must challenge the role of Iran
(The Hill) Allowing Iran to continue to meddle and systematically advance its position in these countries will only exacerbate the sectarian aspects of these civil wars in Iraq and Syria.
Reining In Argentina's Spymasters
(New York Times) On Jan. 14, a prosecutor named Alberto Nisman accused Argentina's president, Cristina Fernandez de Kirchner, and her foreign minister, Hector Timerman, of covering up Iran's alleged role in a 1994 terrorist attack.
RIP Air-Sea Battle?
(The National Interest) Maybe it is just a name change, but I am concerned that incorporating "the concept formerly known as Air-Sea Battle" into the highly bureaucratic joint concept development process could stifle innovation and dilute the concept's focus.
In 'Amira and Sam,' Martin Starr and Dina Shihabi add charm
(Los Angeles Times) For his first feature, writer-director Sean Mullin throws a potentially unwieldy mix of story elements into the rom-com blender: post-military life, immigration, free-market capitalism and showbiz dreams. That "Amira and Sam" manages to be engaging and unforced for a good portion of its running time is a considerable feat.
Understanding Putin's plans
(The Economist) The Russian president is stepping up both the war in Ukraine and his confrontational rhetoric against NATO and the West
West must help Ukraine to defend itself against Russia
(Financial Times) There is a path between these two pitfalls. The west's strategy should be to provide Ukraine with defensive military equipment that will help to deter further advances by Russian-backed rebels. These could include javelin anti-tank missiles that can be used to contain the large numbers of armoured vehicles which the Russians have deployed in Donetsk and Lugansk. However, the west should not furnish Ukraine with heavy weaponry with an overtly offensive purpose.
Is changing military retirement good?
(San Diego Union-Tribune) A proposed overhaul of U.S. military retirement met with some skepticism along with reserved judgment on Thursday among San Diego County stakeholders.
Bergdahl Verdict Will Be White House's Next Political Headache
(Foreign Policy) As the Army mulls charging the former POW with desertion, the Obama administration braces for new attacks on its prisoner exchange with the Taliban.
Inconvenient Truths in Afghanistan
(New York Times) Classifying that information unreasonably prevents American taxpayers from drawing informed conclusions about the returns on a $107.5 billion reconstruction investment that, adjusted for inflation, has surpassed the price tag of the Marshall Plan.
IN CASE YOU MISSED IT SMAP satellite launch delayed until Friday
(UPI) NASA's fleet of Earth observation satellites was expected to grow one stronger on Thursday, but the launch of its Soil Moisture Active Passive (SMAP) observatory was delayed 24 hours after high winds thwarted Thursday's liftoff.
Drones Spotted, but Not Halted, Raise Concerns
(New York Times) As Major League Baseball's top players took the field at the All-Star Game in Minneapolis in July, a covert radar system scanned the sky above the 40,000-seat stadium for what security experts said was an emerging threat to public safety: drones.
Sebastian Junger Knows Why Young Men Go To War
(War Is Boring) The filmmaker discusses combat and America's male identity crisis.
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