Thank You
Robert Serge
VVA 17 Member
Blog Master
To all my fellow veterans friends and family my we all remember
From: no-reply@navytimes.com
To: rserge1@outlook.com
Subject: Navy Times Early Bird Brief
Date: Tue, 16 Sep 2014 04:41:57 -0600
COMPILED BY THE EDITORS OF DEFENSE NEWS & MILITARY TIMES
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TODAY'S TOP 51. Taliban bomber kills 3 NATO troops in Kabul(Associated Press) A Taliban attacker detonated his car bomb next to an international military convoy on Tuesday, killing three troops from the NATO-led force and wounding nearly 20 troops and civilians, officials said. 2. U.S. military to lead Ebola fight (Washington Post) President Obama will announce Tuesday that the U.S. military will take the lead in overseeing what has been a chaotic and widely criticized response to the worst Ebola outbreak in history, dispatching up to 3,000 military personnel to West Africa in an effort that could cost up to $750 million over the next six months, according to senior administration officials. 3. Airstrikes Against ISIS Are Tactics. Here's a Strategy (Army Lt. Col. Daniel L. Davis in The Daily Beast) A U.S. Army officer with plenty of on-the-ground experience suggests the talking heads think through the consequences of their calls to action. 4. For James Foley's Family, U.S. Policy Offered No Hope (New York Times) The email appeared in Michael Foley's inbox a year after his brother James disappeared on a reporting trip in northern Syria. It made clear that the people holding him wanted one thing above all else: money. 5. US Army Floats Requirements For Three Light Vehicles (Defense News) The US Army is looking to develop a family of three lightweight, highly mobile ground vehicles for a light infantry brigade as it conducts a joint forcible entry mission. ISLAMIC STATEU.S. Expands Airstrikes on Islamic State Targets in Iraq(Bloomberg) U.S. attack and fighter aircraft struck Islamic State fighters in a new area today, expanding an air campaign that began last month. Pentagon gives three objectives for Syria (The Hill) The Pentagon on Monday provided three objectives for its plan to train and equip moderate Syrian forces to take on the Islamic State in Iraq and Syria (SIS). Obama's Dramatic Reversal on Bush's Laws of War (DefenseOne) When President Barack Obama announced his strategy to defeat the Islamic State in Iraq and Syria last week, the former constitutional law professor and 3-year senator who campaigned for the presidency on a promise to end the never-ending war in Iraq launched another indefinite war in the Middle East against the terrorist group. Kerry: US open to talks with Iran on Islamic State (Associated Press) As more than two dozen nations pledged Monday to help Iraq fight the Islamic State militants, the United States said it was open to talking to Iran about a role in resolving the crisis, despite Washington's earlier opposition to Tehran even attending the conference. Iran says it rejects U.S. cooperation requests on Islamic State (Los Angeles Times) Iran has rejected direct overtures from top U.S. diplomats, including Secretary of State John F. Kerry, to cooperate with Washington in the battle against Islamic State extremists in Iraq, Iran's supreme leader said Monday. U.S. Efforts to Build Coalition Against Islamic State in Iraq, Syria Are Hampered by Sectarian Divide (Wall Street Journal) U.S. efforts to build a broad coalition to combat Islamic State on Monday ran straight into the sectarian chasm that has divided the Middle East for centuries, with Arab allies disagreeing over whether Iraq's neighbors-particularly Iran and Syria-should have a role in any military campaign. No war, at least on paper: Islamic State mission joins list of undeclared US wars (Stars & Stripes) Secretary of State John Kerry said Sunday there is a "tortured debate" over whether the United States is at war with the Islamic State in Iraq and Syria. Australia commits SAS, F/A-18s, Wedgetail and more to anti-IS coalition (IHS Jane's 360) Australia is pre-positioning combat aircraft and special forces in the Middle East ready to participate in the US-led effort in Iraq to degrade the Islamic State (IS). Tiny Qatar Plays Outsize Role in US War Strategy (Associated Press) Just miles from where former Guantanamo Bay terror suspects have resettled, American warplanes take off from Qatar's al-Udeid air base in the global war on extremism. Islamic State fighters drawing on oil assets for funding and fuel (Washington Post) Oil has helped fund and fuel the Islamic State in Iraq and Syria, with small amounts coming from fields in northern Iraq and being smuggled across the borders in tanker trucks. A tiny drop in the sea of petroleum globally, the oil tapped by the Islamic State has given it a revenue source most extremist groups lack. Islamic State group issues new curriculum in Iraq (Associated Press) The extremist-held Iraqi city of Mosul is set to usher in a new school year. But unlike years past, there will be no art or music. Classes about history, literature and Christianity have been "permanently annulled." INDUSTRYBogdan: F-35 Likely Protected in Next Budget(Defense News) The F-35 joint strike fighter will likely be protected regardless of whether the Pentagon is operating under limits imposed by the Budget Control Act in fiscal 2016, the program's top official said Monday. Pratt says next F-35 engine deals will cut costs by 7-8 pct (Reuters) Pratt and Whitney, a unit of United Technologies Corp, said its contracts with the Pentagon for the next two batches of engines for the F-35 fighter jet will result in combined cost savings of 7 percent to 8 percent. Lockheed Successfully Links Live, Virtual F-16 For Training Exercises (Defense News) Lockheed Martin has taken a major step forward in advancing live, virtual and constructive (LVC) technologies with a training exercise that linked a pilot flying an F-16 in the air with a "wingman" flying an F-16 on the ground, fighting against computer-generated adversaries. Mabus: Ohio-Class Submarine Replacement Could 'Gut' Navy Shipbuilding Budget (National Defense) Without extra funding from Congress, the production of 12 new ships to replace the Ohio-class submarines could "gut" the Navy's shipbuilding budget for more than a decade, Secretary of the Navy Raymond Mabus said Sept. 15. Boeing Begins Rolling Out New Business Strategy (Defense News) Since tacking charge of Boeing Defense, Space and Security late last year, Chris Chadwick has been building a plan to transform the world's No. 2 military contractor with $33 billion in 2013 sales and more than 55,000 employees. GE exec says avoided geared design in jet engine battle with Pratt (Reuters) General Electric Co (GE.N) avoided using a geared design for its new engine for narrowbody jets because of concerns about weight and reliability, said a top GE executive on Monday as it battles with rival Pratt and Whitney for billions of dollars in engine orders. Boeing: 737 Size a Benefit for JSTARS Recap (Defense News) As Boeing attempts to position itself as the leader in the race to replace the US Air Force's joint surveillance target attack radar system (JSTARS) aircraft, the company is relying on the belief the service will want more power for potential growth down the line. Exelis takes Army night-vision contract (C4ISR & Networks) Exelis has received an $8 million U.S. Army contract for its Generation 3 night vision equipment. Software upgrade gives Tomahawk rapid retargeting capability (IHS Jane's 360) The US Navy (USN) and Raytheon conducted back-to-back tests of the Tomahawk Block IV cruise missile equipped with upgraded mission planning and missile system software, the company announced on 9 September. US weapons makers sense rising demand for air defense systems, tanks (Reuters) Military crises around the world are boosting foreign demand for U.S. weapons, especially air and missile defense systems, spy equipment and armored vehicles, according to U.S. government and industry officials. Harris gets manpack radio order (C4ISR & Networks) Harris Corp. has won a Department of Defense RF-340M Falcon III multi-channel manpack radio order. Rolls: Flight Test Successful on V-22 Engine Upgrade (Defense News) Rolls-Royce has completed a successful flight test of its new engine upgrade for the V-22. Cobham completes Aeroflex acquisition (IHS Jane's 360) UK aerospace and defence supplier Cobham has acquired US communications equipment maker Aeroflex in a deal valued at USD1.46 billion, it was announced on 15 September. Indo-Russian Jet Program Finally Moves Forward (Defense News) India and Russia have finally sorted out all sticky issues that have been holding back an agreement on the Fifth Generational Fighter Aircraft (FGFA) program, a Russian diplomat in India said, ending the opening chapter of a program expected to build 200 jets at a cost of $30 billion. US, India blow hot on industrial ties, cold on mil-to-mil exchanges (IHS Jane's 360) The United States' recent moves to enhance bilateral defence industry and strategic ties with India are at odds with the limited interaction between their respective armed forces, diplomatic and military sources have said. AIR FORCE ASSOCIATION AIR & SPACE CONFERENCEBreedlove: NATO Allies Need More Precision Weapons(Defense News) NATO alliance members still do not have enough guided bombs and missiles to conduct a long-lasting battle, the alliance's top general said Monday. Breedlove: Junior officers, NCOs a resource 'that NATO can't waste' (Air Force Times) NATO partners need to do a better job putting noncommissioned officers and junior officers in alliance leadership roles, Gen. Philip Breedlove, commander, U.S. European Command and NATO Supreme Allied Commander, told audience members during this week's Air Force Association annual conference. Combating sexual assault (Air Force Times) Reports of sexual assault in the Air Force continue to rise while the frequency of the crime remains stable - a paradox that could signify growing trust in the military justice system, the two-star general in charge of the service's sexual assault prevention and response office said Sept. 10. Command chiefs: Eval and promotion system overhaul tackles long-standing problems (Air Force Times) The impending overhaul of the enlisted performance system dominated the chief master sergeant forum on the opening day of the 2014 Air Force Association's Air and Space Conference outside Washington, D.C. ACC, PACAF focused on Pacific pivot (Air Force Times) Two of the Air Force's largest major commands will see their leadership change in the coming months, as both train and prepare for the shifting focus toward the Pacific. Reserve chief sees window to snag those leaving active duty (Air Force Times) The Air Force's planned cutbacks of thousands of active-duty members have prompted the reserve components to try to capture as many of the airmen as possible to beef up their ranks and keep the training and experience "in blue." Cyber airmen race to stay ahead of new threats (Air Force Times) As cyber threats increase and become more sophisticated, airmen in the Cyber career field find themselves operating in a fast-paced environment just trying to stay two steps ahead. Spotlight on nuclear force prompts ongoing reforms (Air Force Times) What began as a tumultuous year for the Air Force's nuclear community - highlighted by a cheating scandal and reports of low morale across the missileer force - evolved into a year of change for the airmen under Global Strike Command. And more change is coming. VETERANSVets of Iraq, Afghanistan being short-changed on the Medal of Honor?(CNN) The Medal of Honor is the nation's highest military honor, signifying extraordinary acts of valor. The Veterans No One Talks About (National Journal) Tens of thousands of soldiers who are discharged from the military each year are locked out of VA services. Oil and gas companies court military veterans as shale boom grows (Pittsburgh Post-Gazette) John MacZura, an Army infantry veteran, started work a week after graduation. CONGRESSHASC Preparing Syrian Rebel Train-And-Equip Measure; Could Be CR Amendment(Defense News) The US House Armed Services Committee is crafting a measure that would grant President Obama the authority to train and arm Syrian forces to take on the Islamic State, while ensuring Congress is kept in the loop. White House steps up pressure on Congress to arm Syria rebels (The Hill) President Obama is making calls to lawmakers on Capitol Hill urging them to support giving him authority to arm and train Syrian rebels in a vote later this week. US House Comes Back Early, Could Take Up CR as Early as Tuesday (Defense News) The US House could vote on a government shutdown-averting spending bill and new authorities to take on the Islamic State as soon as Tuesday. Dempsey, Hagel set to defend Syria plan (The Hill) Joint Chiefs of Staff Chairman Gen. Martin Dempsey and Defense Secretary Chuck Hagel could face tough questioning Tuesday as Congress considers the president's plan to train and equip fighters inside Syria. Hill Agenda This Week: Fund the Government and Arm Syrian Rebels (National Journal) Congress has plenty to tackle in its last week before recess. DEFENSE DEPARTMENTPride and patronage(USA Today) Each year, members of Congress exercise a little-known power to help constituents obtain a nomination to one of the country's four elite service academies, which prepare future officers for the Army, Navy, Air Force and Merchant Marine. One Chart Showing Every Military Pay Raise in the Last 30 Years (Government Executive) The fate of the military raise, however, hangs much more in the balance. Obama and a Senate committee have backed a 1 percent pay boost, while the House has passed legislation that would give uniformed service personnel a 1.8 percent base salary increase. Military Children (WAMU; Washington, D.C.) Nearly two million children have parents currently serving in the military, and that number doubles when you include the children of veterans post 9/11. They've had to say goodbye to their parents multiple times during what has been the largest sustained deployment in the history of our all-volunteer force. These young people live in every zip code of this country and on military bases across the globe. And yet their everyday lives are mostly invisible to the rest of us. It's a matter of benefits vs. readiness, DOD official tells spouses, civilians (Stars & Stripes) An already tough fiscal environment prompting proposed benefit cuts would get far worse if Congress does not repeal another round of sequestration in 2016, a top U.S. Defense Department official warned military spouses and civilians at town meetings here. Flexibility key for spouses, says AF secretary's husband (Military Times) In Frank Beatty's experience in the private sector, discussions about job losses and benefits cuts are not limited to the military community. But a key difference between the two sectors is family programs, said Beatty, husband of Air Force Secretary Deborah Lee James. ARMY'Truly extraordinary': Medal of Honor awarded to 2 soldiers for actions in Vietnam(Army Times) More than four decades later, two soldiers on Monday received the Medal of Honor for their actions during the Vietnam War. US Army Plans To Better Manage Cyber Soldiers (Defense News) The US Army is closer than ever to introducing a cyber branch to better manage troops with highly sought skills in this area, according to a senior Army cyber official. Pinning of Bronze Star nine years in the making (Outside the Wire) When retired Army Lt. Gen. Karl Eikenberry pinned the Bronze Star on retired Army Maj. Eric Phillips, it provided resolution to a long saga that began in Afghanistan in 2005. Decorated soldier flying home to surprise family in Abernathy dies en route (Lubbock Avalanche-Journal; Texas) War-decorated Staff Sgt. Virginia Caballero died unexpectedly on a commercial flight home from Kuwait, family members said Monday. Fort Bragg postpones discharge hearing for Staff Sgt. Joshua Eisenhauer (Fayetteville Observer) Eisenhauer, 33, is accused of shooting at Fayetteville police and firefighters from his west Fayetteville apartment complex in January 2012. Scholarships, fellowships open to officers, NCOs (Army Times) It's that time of year when the Army announces application rules, deadlines and other information about several prestigious scholarship and fellowship programs for officers, warrant officers and noncommissioned officers. Agile and deadly: Vision for the future US Army combat vehicle (C4ISR & Networks) A new research program aims to get the next-generation ground combat vehicle off the drawing board. NAVYUSS Vinson, others begin Valiant Shield after loss of pilot(Stars & Stripes) One of the U.S. military's largest joint exercises began on a somber note Monday, as participants dealt with the loss of one of their own. Uniform overhaul: Warm-up suit, parka and lightweight NWUs are in the works (Navy Times) Navy officials are on the cusp of approving new uniforms and tweaking old ones to expand sailors' options and modernize their sea bag - changes that will start appearing as soon as a year from now. No court martial for nurse who refused to give forced-feeding at Guantanamo (Miami Herald) A Navy commander has chosen not to court-martial a nurse who refused to conduct forced-feedings of hunger strikers this summer and has instead asked a board to determine whether the nurse should be allowed to stay in the U.S. Navy. Navy wants to harvest retired Japanese helos for parts (Virginian-Pilot) It's unusual for the United States - by far the biggest defense spender in the world - to seek scrapped military equipment from other nations. Typically those roles are reversed. E-6 fed master chief during chiefs season training (Navy Times) A command investigation has determined that a chief-selectee who spoonfed an E-9 during chiefs season training on the aircraft carrier Carl Vinson was not subjected to hazing. AIR FORCESecretary James: 21 general officer billets to be cut in fiscal 2015(Air Force Times) The Air Force plans to eliminate 21 general officer billets in fiscal 2015, as part of a review directed by Secretary Deborah Lee James earlier this year. Air Force IT Strategy Boosts Cyber, Neglects Jamming (Breaking Defense) The good news is the Air Force has almost finished a new strategy to protect its high-tech gear from hackers. The bad news? The problem is huge, the processes are nascent, and the intimately interrelated issue of electronic warfare is, at the moment, not part of the discussion $300 incentive pay for officers, some enlisted assigned to nuclear mission begins Oct. 1 (Air Force Times) Officers assigned to the Air Force's nuclear mission will receive $300 a month in incentive pay beginning Oct. 1, Secretary Deborah Lee James announced today at the Air Force Association's annual Air and Space Conference outside Washington, D.C. Enlisted airmen in related career fields also will be eligible for up to $300 in monthly special duty pay. Two strokes haven't kept AFA coach from competing (Colorado Springs Gazette) At 42, Lt. Col. Dan Oosterhous, an Air Force pilot, tennis coach and athlete, felt alive and healthy until a stroke threatened to end his career and forever alter his life. Revamped enlisted evals: Expect sweeping changes in 2015 (Air Force Times) The ongoing overhaul of the enlisted performance system is one of the biggest changes in store for airmen in 2015 - and Chief Master Sergeant of the Air Force James Cody is urging airmen to be patient as it kicks into gear. MARINE CORPSMakin Island amphibious ready group arrives in Mideast(Stars & Stripes) The Makin Island amphibious ready group with more than 4,000 Marines and sailors arrived in the Middle East on Friday. MarSOC to add new training complex (Jacksonville Daily News) A new facility that will provide breaching and marksmanship training to special operations forces Marines has been scheduled for construction aboard Stone Bay. Sgt. Bill Cahir bridge proposal reaches Pennsylvania lawmakers (Express-Times; Easton, Pa.) A Pennsylvania lawmaker has taken up the effort to rename the Easton-Phillipsburg (Route 22) Toll Bridge for a Marine killed in Afghanistan who had also been a journalist and candidate for federal office. AFGHANISTAN/PAKISTANScenes From the Forgotten War America Is Losing(Politico Magazine) A dispatch from Helmand province-where I saw all the same mistakes we're making now. Afghan Vote Fight Highlights Military's Divided Loyalties (Wall Street Journal) The U.S. exit from Afghanistan has long been premised on fielding a large Afghan army able to confront the Taliban. Now, the crisis over the country's disputed presidential election is raising an unsettling question: Where do the troops' loyalties lie? Democracy? No, Afghans say, after vote count ends (Associated Press) The ballot counting in Afghanistan's five-month-long presidential election is finished, but as negotiations continue over the country's future political power structure, many here are asking: Does my vote count? Afghan 'Hip' helo crashes (IHS Jane's 360) An Afghan Air Force (AAF) Mil Mi-17 'Hip' transport helicopter crashed in the central Daikundi province of the country, killing one and injuring six others onboard, national media reported on 15 September. MIDDLE EASTGaza War Leaned Heavily On F-16 Close-Air Support(Defense News) Hundreds of the more than 6,000 targets struck from the air during Israel's 50-day urban war in Gaza were from fighter jets delivering one-ton bombs in record time and in close proximity to friendly ground forces. Syria aircraft crashes in city held by IS group (Associated Press) Activists say that a Syrian military aircraft has crashed in a city that is a main stronghold of the militant Islamic State group. Turkey Open to Bids for Refuge by Muslim Brotherhood Exiles (New York Times) President Recep Tayyip Erdogan of Turkey said on Monday that several exiled leaders of Egypt's Muslim Brotherhood who fled to Qatar but lately have come under pressure to leave that Persian Gulf monarchy could perhaps find a new refuge in his country. Turkey mulls 'buffer zone' against Jihadist group (Associated Press) Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan has said that Turkey's military is working on plans to establish a "buffer zone" against Islamic militants, on the country's borders with Iraq and Syria, Turkish media reports said Tuesday. EUROPEUkraine Truce Threatened as Rebels Call for Offensive(Bloomberg) Ukraine's cease-fire, now in its 11th day, came under threat as some separatists called for the resumption of fighting as lawmakers debate giving special status to the country's two easternmost regions. Ukrainian president offers rebels major concessions to end uprising (Washington Post) President Petro Poroshenko on Monday proposed a series of major concessions to end the uprising by pro-Russian rebels in restive eastern Ukraine, offering the separatists a broad amnesty and special self-governance status for territories they occupy. Scottish 'Yes' Vote Could Have Major Impact On U.K. Defense (Aviation Week) However they vote on Sept. 18, the four million residents eligible to cast ballots in the Scottish independence referendum are set to change the face of the British Isles and how they will be defended. London Repeats Offer of New Powers if Scotland Votes No (New York Times) With two days of fevered campaigning left before Scotland votes in a referendum on independence, the leaders of the three main British political parties renewed a pledge on Tuesday to grant Scots "extensive new powers" if they reject secession. French Arms Exports Rise 42 Percent (Defense News) France signed arms export contracts worth 6.87 billion euros (US $8.8 billion) in 2013, up more than 42 percent from the 4.8 billion euros in the previous year, despite tougher US competition and Russia, according to a report to Parliament released on Sept. 9. Russian government signs loan guarantees to industry (IHS Jane's 360) The Russian government announced on 15 September that it is providing state-backed guarantees to seven defence industrial organisations to ensure continued delivery of the country's military modernisation programme. ASIA-PACIFICStrong 5.6 earthquake reported in Tokyo(USA Today) An earthquake measuring 5.6 on the Richter scale shook buildings in Tokyo late Monday night. Imagery shows Liaoning, J-15 mockup at Dalian shipyard (IHS Jane's 360) Satellite imagery provided by Airbus Defence and Space has confirmed media reports that Chinese aircraft carrier Liaoning recently undertook a four-month maintenance period in the Dalian shipyard, which refurbished the ship after its acquisition from Ukraine. Japanese women who have escaped from North Korea find little sympathy at home (Washington Post) Yoshi Takeuchi realized they had made a mistake as soon as the ferry docked in Chongjin, a major industrial city on North Korea's east coast. Vietnam reveals fourth TT400TP patrol vessel (IHS Jane's 360) Images published on Vietnamese internet forums suggest that the Hong Ha Shipbuilding Company in Hai Phong has begun builder's sea trials of the People's Army of Vietnam (PAVN) Navy's fourth TT400TP-class patrol boat. Myanmar interested in Indonesian defence equipment, industrial collaboration (IHS Jane's 360) Indonesia is looking to expand defence industrial ties with Myanmar as part of an effort to boost military exports to its Southeast Asian neighbour. AFRICA'It's despair on all fronts,' says Ebola aid worker(Washington Post) For Lance Plyler and the other health workers treating Ebola patients at the small missionary hospital in Liberia, exhaustion came in many forms. UN takes over C. African Republic peacekeeping (Associated Press) The United Nations took over a regional African peacekeeping mission in Central African Republic on Monday, nine months after sectarian violence erupted that has left at least 5,000 people dead and has forced tens of thousands of Muslims to flee into exile in neighboring countries. Former Libyan general claims new air strike in western Libya (Reuters) Forces loyal to former Libyan army general Khalifa Haftar claimed an air strike on an armed group near Tripoli on Monday, a senior commander said, in what would be the first air strikes in western Libya for three weeks. COMMENTARY AND ANALYSISAirpower vs. Ground Forces(Retired Air Force Gen. John Michael Loh in Defense News) Airpower has been getting a bum rap lately largely because its demonstrated effectiveness doesn't sit well with retired Army talking heads and oped authors who argue for a near-exclusive strategy of boots on the ground Opinion: Bomber Secrecy Should Be Reviewed (Bill Sweetman in Aviation Week) The Air Force Association's annual convention this week will be pervaded by more than the usual unreality. Like a dark planet that can only be detected by the visible orbits it perturbs, the Long Range Strike Bomber (LRS-B) project will be ever-present but invisible. Tactical Cyber: How to Move Forward (Andrew O. Metcalf and Christopher Barber in Small Wars Journal) Cyberspace operations, both defensive and offensive, captured the attention of many pundits, military professionals, and interested observers. Commentary: Please, Not Another Continuing Resolution (J. David Patterson in Defense News) As we've come to expect, Congress revealed plans not to pass a defense spending bill by the end of the fiscal year, Sept. 30, and will extend this year's spending authority by passing another continuing resolution (CR), this time to fund the Defense Department through November. Why John Bolton's Dangerous Call to Nuclear Arms Makes No Sense (Joe Cirincione in Defense One) Former Bush administration officials John Bolton and John Yoo want to respond to Russia's Ukraine incursions by launching a new nuclear arms race. In their new Wall Street Journal op-ed they say that Russia's recent violation of the Intermediate Nuclear Forces, or INF, treaty is good enough reason to trash the 27-year old agreement and build more nuclear weapons to deploy in Europe. Obama Must Get Congress's Backing for the Fight Against ISIS (Sen. Tim Kaine, D-Va., in The New York Times) THE current threat posed by the Islamic State in Iraq and Syria, or ISIS, will test not only the resolve and strategic judgment of America and its allies, but also our nation's fidelity to a basic constitutional principle. The 7 Habits of Highly Effective Coalitions (Retired Navy Adm. James Stavridis in Foreign Policy) During my time leading NATO global operations from 2009 through 2013 as the supreme allied commander, I spent an inordinate amount of time and effort focused on keeping the 50-nation coalition of the International Security Assistance Force on a steady course and speed in Afghanistan. In every sense, the coalition itself represented the strategic center of gravity in the complex struggle for the future of Afghanistan -- and still doe Time for another 'Sunni Awakening' in Iraq (Retired Iraqi Gen. Mohammed Al-Samarae in Cicero Magazine) Recent history in Iraq shows that an effective way to achieve victory against ISIS would be to deprive it of its Sunni incubator. Obama Can't Destroy the Islamic State Without Iran's Help (Jack A. Goldstone in Politico) Washington loves nothing more than to oversimplify the complex. But the fight against the radical jihadist movement that has taken over large parts of Syria and Iraq is not simply a war. Defeating ISIS and Their Complex Way of War (Aaron Bazin in Small Wars Journal) The question this article will address is if ISIS displays the characteristics of a complex adaptive system, how should the international community address this threat? To Defeat ISIS, Keep it Simple (J. Michael Barrett in War on the Rocks) An ages-old military dictum known as the "KISS" principle warns wartime planners to "Keep it Simple, Stupid." Complexity is all too often the enemy of success. Obama looking for Congress in the fight against the Islamic State (Walter Pincus in The Washington Post) President Obama is making sure Congress is a partner in the escalation of U.S. involvement in the bloody Syrian civil war with a vote to approve funds to train and equip about 5,000 Syrian anti-Islamic State, anti-Assad fighters over the next year. Drones and Democracy: A Response to Firmin DeBrabander (Benjamin Wittes in Lawfare) The New York Times has an oped this morning by a philosophy professor named Firmin DeBrabander worrying that drone warfare heralds the end of democracy in America. No, I am not making that up or even exaggerating Commentary: The American Case for British Unity (Anthony Cordesman in Defense News) Events are moving so quickly in the Middle East, the Ukraine and Asia that we tend to forget that we may suddenly face a very different kind of strategic crisis on Sept. 18. Scots will vote on independence from the United Kingdom, and if the vote is yes, it will undercut and weaken our strongest ally. America's Stake in the Scottish Referendum (David Frum in The Atlantic) The imminent referendum on Scottish independence has received surprisingly little attention in the United States. Americans have an excuse: Until recently, the British political elite paid nearly equally little attention to the possible break-up of their country. Then, at the end of August, just weeks before the September 18 vote, polls detected a sudden rise in pro-independence 'Yes' sentiment. 'No' is still favored to win. But the result will be uncomfortably close. | |||||
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