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: Mon, 20 Oct 2014 05:01:19 -0600
COMPILED BY THE EDITORS OF DEFENSE NEWS & MILITARY TIMES
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TODAY'S TOP 51. Dunford takes command of the Corps, issues first order to Marines(Marine Corps Times) The 36th commandant's first order to the Marine Corps as he took command was a simple one: Continue to march. 2. Marshall To Retire From Net Assessment Office in January (Defense News) Andrew Marshall - a Pentagon institution who influenced policy makers from the Cold War to today - has signaled his intention to step down in January, according to sources. 3. On principled resignation: A response (Retired Army Lt. Gen. James M. Dubik in Foreign Policy) Justice in the conduct of war sometimes demands principled resignation of senior political and military leaders. In this, Colonel Anderson is right. But while the current situation calls for a straightforward, no-holds-barred discussion between the president and his military advisors, the criteria for resignation are not present -- at least not yet. 4. Navy Grounds Top Guns (The Daily Beast) The F/A-18s needs spare parts and in too many cases they're being taken from brand new jets. This is a risk to national security and pilots' lives. 5. These federal contractors are hiring vets now (Military Times) Companies that do business with the federal government employ a big chunk of the U.S. workforce - and if you're a veteran looking to join their ranks, federal law requires that they give you a leg up. DEFENSE NEWS WITH VAGO MURADIANUS Military Strategy in Iraq(Defense News) Gen. Ray Odierno, Army chief of staff, on the US advisory mission in Iraq. 2015 Defense Budget (Defense News) Gen. Ray Odierno, Army chief of staff, on the effects of sequestration on defense spending. US Army's New Operating Concept (Defense News) Gen. Ray Odierno, Army chief of staff, on responding to new environments, such as state and non-state actors and irregular warfare. Vago's Notebook: US Army's New Op Concept (Defense News) The US Army's new operating concept will depend on its sister services doing their part AUSA 2014: Mark Edwards, President North America, Tencate Advanced Armor (Defense News) Mark Edwards, President North America, Tencate Advanced Armor EBOLAPentagon plans Ebola domestic-response team of medical experts to aid doctors(Washington Post) The Pentagon announced Sunday that it would create a 30-person team of medical experts that could quickly leap into a region if Ebola cases emerge, providing support for civilian doctors who might lack proficiency in the deadly virus or other infectious diseases. Top U.S. commander in Ebola fight sees progress (USA Today) The first of 17 U.S.-built Ebola treatment centers in West Africa will open in a few weeks, the top commander of U.S. troops in the region told USA TODAY on Sunday. We Need More Hospitals Equipped to Treat Ebola, NIH's Fauci Tells Meet the Press (NBC News) More U.S. hospitals need personnel prepared to handle and treat Ebola patients, the Director of the National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases told NBC News. In an interview with NBC's "Meet the Press," Dr. Anthony Fauci said that pre-training is vital - and the four major biocontainment units in the U.S. are not enough. Dallas Hospital Had the Ebola Screening Machine That the Military Is Using in Africa (DefenseOne) The military is using an Ebola screening machine that could have diagnosed the Ebola cases in Texas far faster, but government guidelines prevent hospitals from using it to actually screen for Ebola. Soldier tests negative for Ebola virus (Columbus Ledger-Enquirer; Ga.) Fort Benning officials announced Saturday night that the new soldier who had recently visited Nigeria has tested negative for the Ebola virus. He was the first patient ever admitted to the new Martin Army Community Hospital facility, which is still being outfitted and is expected to open in November. Woman who fell ill near Pentagon does not have Ebola (Washington Post) A woman whose illness caused concern near the Pentagon and a four-hour quarantine for passengers on a bus in the District does not have Ebola, Arlington and Fairfax County officials confirmed Friday. Ebola Is Ruled Out After Cruise Ship Carrying Hospital Worker Returns to Texas (New York Times) In the end, there was never any risk of the Ebola virus aboard what became known as the Ebola Cruise. Spain gives US go-ahead to use bases against Ebola (Associated Press) Spain has agreed to allow the U.S. to use two military bases in the southwest of the country to support its efforts to combat the Ebola outbreak in West Africa. Ebola Vaccine Development Probably Too late To Deal with Current Crisis (NextGov) The Department of Health and Human Services has three Ebola virus vaccines in the research and development pipeline to prevent the spread of the disease at home and abroad as quickly as possible. More than a decade later, SARS offers lessons on Ebola (Los Angeles Times) It was a novel virus whose early symptoms could easily be mistaken for a dozen other common afflictions. With no treatment or vaccine in hand, it bubbled up - and quickly mushroomed - in a group of poor, populous countries. Mission Unaccomplished: Containing Ebola in Africa (Associated Press) Looking back, the mistakes are easy to see: Waiting too long, spending too little, relying on the wrong people, thinking small when they needed to think big. Many people, governments and agencies share the blame for failing to contain Ebola when it emerged in West Africa. ISLAMIC STATEU.S. planes airdrop arms to besieged Syrian town(USA Today) The U.S. Air Force dropped military aid around the besieged Syrian town of Kobani overnight in an effort to resupply Kurdish forces battling Islamic State militants there, said U.S. Central Command in Tampa. U.S. Steps Up Airstrikes in Iraq's Anbar Province (Wall Street Journal) The U.S. said Sunday that it had expanded airstrikes in Iraq's Sunni-dominated Anbar province, a stronghold of Islamic State militants. Iraq Requests 800 More Hellfires to Combat Militants (Bloomberg) The Iraqi government has asked to buy 800 more Hellfire missiles from the U.S., according to a Pentagon spokeswoman. Hagel seeks info on Iraq chemical weapons exposure (Associated Press) Defense Secretary Chuck Hagel has asked his military chiefs and service-branch secretaries to look into questions about the medical care and treatment of about 20 service members who were exposed to chemical weapons during the Iraq war, a senior defense official said Friday. CENTCOM chief: Unclear when Iraqi army will be ready (Military Times) The top commander overseeing the U.S. war effort in Iraq and Syria can't say when the Iraqi army might be ready go on the offensive and roll back the Islamic State extremists who now control large parts of western and northern Iraq. U.S. Central Command Casts Doubts On Claims ISIS Operating Captured MiGs (USNI News) The U.S. Central Command has seen no evidence that the Islamic State of Iraq and Syria (ISIS or ISIL) terrorist group is operating its own warplanes. One Month In, Mixed Reviews on Iraq, Syria Airstrikes (Defense News) On Sept. 23, the US began airstrikes against militants aligned with the Islamic States (IS) inside Syria, kicking off what President Barack Obama and top military leaders characterizes as a campaign that will last for some time. The Pentagon Can't Say If It Stopped the Khorasan Terror Threat (National Journal) Top military officials still don't know if last month's airstrikes stopped the "imminent" threat of a terrorist attack posed by an al-Qaida-linked terrorist group in Syria. Appointment of Iraq's new interior minister opens door to militia and Iranian influence (Washington Post) Iraq's parliament voted Saturday to put an affiliate of an Iranian-backed paramilitary group in charge of a key security ministry, a move that could strike a serious blow to efforts to unite Sunnis and Shiites to wrest back their country from Islamist extremists. Top Iraq Shiite Cleric Backs PM's Fight Against IS (Associated Press) Iraq's top Shiite cleric, Grand Ayatollah Ali al-Sistani, has met with the country's prime minister in a sign of support for his newly-formed government and its struggle against the Islamic State extremist group. The Tide Slowly Turns in Kobani (The Atlantic) According to reports, U.S.-led airstrikes are tipping the balance against ISIS in the battle for the Syrian border town, Turkey Would Oppose US Arms Transfers to Kurds (Associated Press) Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan says his country would not agree to any U.S. arms transfers to Kurdish fighters battling Islamic militants in Syria. Arab League Reaffirms Support for Iraq in Fight Against IS Militants (Voice of America) A high-level Arab League delegation met with Iraqi leaders Sunday, expressing support in the country's battle against the Islamic State group and terrorism. Lebanon pulled into war with Islamic State group (Associated Press) With all eyes on the Islamic State group's onslaught in Iraq and Syria, a less conspicuous but potentially just as explosive front line with the extremists is emerging in Lebanon, where Lebanese soldiers and Shiite Hezbollah guerrillas are increasingly pulled into deadly fighting with the Sunni militants along the country's border with Syria. INDUSTRYBoeing Seeks Revised Schedule for U.S. Aerial Tanker(Bloomberg) Boeing Co. (BA) is revising its master schedule for developing the new U.S. Air Force aerial tanker, adding to uncertainty about a plane that already has run up an estimated $1 billion in excess costs for the contractor. USAF Strike Chief Urges B-52 Engine Replacement (Defense News) The head of US Air Force Global Strike Command wants the service to consider installing new engines on its aging B-52 fleet, but budget realities could intervene. Updated F-35 Logistics System Coming Soon (National Defense) Over the next couple of months, the F-35's maintenance and logistics system will undergo a facelift with new hardware and software aimed at reducing the time needed to process data. F-16 Upgrade: Problems With S. Korea-BAE Deal Could Open Door to Lockheed (Defense News) South Korea is threatening to break an agreement with BAE Systems to upgrade its fleet of KF-16s, opening a window of opportunity for competitor Lockheed Martin to reclaim its dominance in the lucrative F-16 upgrade market. Shipbuilders Bet on Radical Hull Designs to Defeat Swarming Boat Threat (National Defense) Earlier this year, satellite imagery revealed Iran's construction of a full-size USS Nimitz-class aircraft carrier replica, which was created so that swarms of high-speed Iranian boats could practice destroying it. Operation DeathClick' targets defense contractors (Federal Times) The same technology that allows online advertisers to deliver content based on a user's location, browsing history and interests is being used to send targeted malware attacks, most recently detected attempting to infiltrate U.S. defense contractors. New Light Jet Could Save Air Force Money (National Defense) A commercial aircraft company is pitching its light jet to the Air Force to replace the service's T-1A used to train tanker pilots. Textron's Profit Jumps 61%, Driven by Aviation Unit (Wall Street Journal) Textron Inc. on Friday said the business-jet market is the strongest it has been in years, buoyed by new aircraft models and declining numbers of used planes looking for buyers. Lockheed's selfie campaign shows of JLTV, benefits military families (Army Times) A few vehicle makers at the AUSA show this week banned people from taking pictures of their products, but Lockheed Martin was counting on it. Pentagon Contracting Trends Paint Gloomy Picture for Defense Industry (National Defense) There is a growing consensus in Washington that military spending - despite the looming threat of across-the-board federal budget cuts in 2016 - could be ticking back up. Stepped-up combat operations in the Middle East, an escalation of military efforts to contain the Ebola outbreak in West Africa and the possibility of Republicans winning the Senate have created upbeat expectations. Thales Staff Urges Internal Pick for New Chairman (Defense News) Staff at defense electronics company Thales called for an internal appointment of the next chairman following the French government's surprise pick of Jean-Bernard Levy to head giant electricity utility Electricite de France (EDF), the employee shareholders association said. MANEX UUV trials provide data for NATO MCM work (IHS Jane's 360) NATO's Centre for Maritime Research and Experimentation (CMRE) in Italy is compiling sensor data from four unmanned underwater vehicles (UUVs) in an effort to spur the development of autonomous mine countermeasures (MCM) technology. ThyssenKrupp Says It Is Still in Running for Australia Submarine Contract (Wall Street Journal) ThyssenKrupp Marine Systems said it believes it is still in the running to supply Australia with one of the most powerful nonnuclear submarine fleets in Asia-a deal widely thought to have been all-but-sealed by Japan. India Test Fires Nirbhay Cruise Missile (Defense News) India's homemade subsonic cruise missile Nirbhay, capable of carrying a nuclear payload and considered similar to the US Tomahawk cruise missile, was test-fired for the second time Friday from the missile testing center in the eastern state of Odisha. APKWS II: Laser-Guided Hydra Rockets in Production At Last (Defense Industry Daily) APKWS is about to get its 2nd export customer, as Australia finishes testing APKWS-II aboard its EC665 Tiger ARH scout/attack helicopters. August 2014 trials at Woomera were conducted by Airbus subsidiary Australian Aerospace's Operational Support Group, and saw APKWS go 7-for-7 in tests while mounted on a new 70mm rocket: Forges de Zeebrugge's FZ90. Canada Seeks ISR Planes for Spec Ops (Defense News) Canada's special operations forces are planning to acquire a small fleet of intelligence, surveillance and reconnaissance aircraft to improve their capability to track and target insurgents on the ground. Poland launches UGV tender (IHS Jane's 360) The Polish Armed Forces have launched a tender to purchase 50 unmanned ground vehicles (UGVs) to be known as Tarantula in Polish service. Norwegian Budget Hike Gets Mixed Reviews (Defense News) The 3.5 percent net increase in Norway's 2015 defense budget has disappointed some leading military organizations and been called inadequate against a backdrop of increased regional tensions caused by Russian aggression in Ukraine. Russia orders second Ivan Gren-class landing ship (IHS Jane's 360) The Russian Navy has ordered a second Ivan Gren-class (Project 11711) landing ship, Sergei Vlasov, the director general of the Nevskoe Design Bureau, told IHS Jane's on 14 October. Russia Making Major Push Into Mideast Market (Defense News) Following a decade of "near-absence" in the Middle East, Russia is once again asserting itself as it looks to sell arms to former Soviet-era clients while breaking into the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) market. VETERANSProposed online AAFES shopping for vets inches forward(Military Times) The tide may be turning in the effort to allow all honorably discharged veterans to shop at the online store operated by the Army and Air Force Exchange Service. VA morale low, but actions by new boss could change things (Washington Post) Despite all its recent controversy, the Department of Veterans Affairs generally provides good health care to its patients. Attitudes of VA employees toward their agency, however, are ailing. Preparing for Future Catastrophes, the VA Reaches to the Past (NextGov) The Department of Veterans Affairs plans to build a nationwide high-frequency radio network to connect its medical facilities in case of an emergency that knocks out other forms of communications - applying century-old technology to current needs. Pittsburgh VA director gets more time to appeal firing recommendation (Pittsburgh Tribune-Review) The Department of Veterans Affairs is giving the suspended director of its Pittsburgh-area hospitals more time to convince top officials they shouldn't fire her. Buffalo soldier deserves Arlington burial, Bellevue man says (Seattle Times) A Bellevue man says a buffalo soldier and Medal of Honor recipient who was buried in Nebraska needs to be moved to Arlington National Cemetery. U.S. Rep. Adam Smith may clear a path for him to do just that. Judge: Ex-soldier should pay fees to Burger King (Associated Press) A federal magistrate judge is recommending that a former soldier suing Burger King for swallowing needles in a sandwich pay attorneys' fees and costs to the defendants for not showing up at a settlement conference. Who's to blame for Marine vet's suicide? (San Diego Union-Tribune) Who is to blame for the suicide of Marine Corps veteran Jeremy Sears? Suit against Young VA center claims veteran died as a result of treatment delays (Tampa Tribune) Back in April, the Department of Veterans Affairs released the results of its investigation into cancer deaths that occurred as the result of delayed gastrointestinal treatment. CONGRESSNumbers Point to Slim GOP Senate Majority(Defense News) The closer November's congressional elections get, the more red experts are seeing across the midterm map. And that means Republicans are likely to control both chambers come January. Seth Moulton underplays military service (Boston Globe) The American political graveyard has more than a few monuments to politicians and public officials who embellished details of their military service, in some cases laying claim to medals for heroism or other military honors they never received. Report: Group pulls ads politicizing Foley's death (The Hill) A conservative political group running Web ads that showed U.S. journalist James Foley just before he was beheaded by Islamic militants has seemingly taken down the controversial spots, according to liberal web site MediaMatters.org. DEFENSE DEPARTMENTAs Defense, Intelligence Agencies Drown in Data, Technology Comes to the Rescue(National Defense) Director of National Intelligence James R. Clapper has asked the government's tech gurus and the private sector to "help us find the needles without having the haystacks." Progress on car shipments difficult to measure, verify (Military Times) A backlog of personal vehicle shipments in U.S. Customs has been "significantly reduced and is very near to normal clearance timelines," according to the new contractor responsible for shipping troops' cars on reassignment moves to and from overseas. Hypersonic Weapons Can Defeat the Tyranny of Time, Distance (National Defense) Hypersonic technology, which has been in development since the 1950s, holds the promise of sharply reducing the so-called tyranny of time and distance. Pentagon's virtualized desktop infrastructure reaches 18,000 computers (Federal Times) Thomas Sasala has successfully led the Army through a virtualized desktop infrastructure (VDI) program that currently is being scaled from pilot phases to more than 20,000 users throughout the Pentagon. The program holds promise for the rest of the Defense Department and broader federal government as agencies look to combine efficiencies, savings and security - with IT promising significant possibilities. Holograms Next Step in Realistic Training for Tomorrow's Troops (National Defense) Ground troops today train in mock villages, where two-dimensional insurgents and civilians pop out of windows or doorways, and the soldier or Marine must instantly decide to shoot or hold fire. Attorneys: Guantanamo Bay force-feeding practices akin to 'torture' (Washington Post) Attorneys for a hunger-striking detainee at the U.S. prison at Guantanamo Bay, Cuba, said in court filings Friday that the manner in which military officials are force-feeding their client is akin to "torture" and a federal judge should order them to use what they view as more humane practices. ARMYJIEDDO, Army Test Underground Robots(Defense News) The Army Research Lab and the Joint IED Defeat Organization (JIEDDO) have just wrapped up a critical new test of small ground and air unmanned assets aimed at detecting improvised explosive devices in culverts in subterranean environments, and officials say the experiment represents a new way for the DoD to collaborate with industry on innovative new products. Army tests super-repellent uniform (Army Times) Army researchers have developed a no-stick, no-stain, no-stink coating that could all but eliminate the need for soldiers to wash their uniforms - and it's going commercial before it goes on your ACU. Lawyer: Lt. Col. accused in sex trafficking case was working on War College thesis (San Antonio Express-News) An Army officer accused in a sex-trafficking case in San Antonio now says he did not have sex with a 15-year-old girl at the center of the charge against him, despite a previously reported statement to the contrary from his former lawyer. Here Comes the Army Cyber Battle Lab (NextGov) The Army currently operates a Network Battle Lab and plans to change it to the Cyber Battle Lab beginning in October 2015 -- and is looking for some contractor support. PEO Soldier issues reminder to use lithium batteries in gear (Army Times) While on patrol during one of his four war-zone tours, Staff Sgt. Jose Salcedo experienced firsthand one of the problems that can come with using alkaline batteries instead of lithium ones in sophisticated military gear. Army keeps focus on diversity in recruiting (Fayetteville Observer) Army leaders are not sure how deep ongoing troop cuts will go, but that has not stopped them from recruiting soldiers to the ranks. Ranger rescue: Instructor saves 2 at Florida beach (Army Times) Typical recovery from neck surgery: Plenty of rest. Autopsy: Kelli Bordeaux died from blunt force trauma to head (Fayetteville Observer) Fort Bragg soldier Kelli Bordeaux died from blunt force trauma to her head, according to an autopsy report released Friday by the North Carolina Office of the Chief Medical Examiner. SMA: Boots may not meet military specs (Army Times) Sergeant Major of the Army Raymond Chandler is concerned soldiers are buying boots that don't meet military specs, and the service will soon respond with a list of approved and unapproved footwear to better equip soldiers. As logistics mission closes in Afghanistan, Pacific heats up (Army Times) The new reality of the Army - sending scalable units all over the world with wide-ranging missions - cannot be done without the necessary equipment. Coordinating these efforts is Gen. Dennis Via, commanding general of Army Materiel Command. NAVYNavy report casts doubt on Sea Dragon's reliability(Virginian-Pilot) A month ago, when the Navy released one of its investigations into a crash that killed three sailors, an official said the service remained "absolutely confident" in the safety of the Sea Dragon, its oldest helicopter. Fleet to shift three destroyers to Japan (Navy Times) The next three years will see three destroyers - two from San Diego and one from Norfolk, Virginia - shift home ports to Japan as part of the fleet's Asia pivot. The changes announced by Fleet Forces Command Thursday: Navy plan for radar-detection training riles Olympic National Forest users (Tacoma News Tribune) Olympic Peninsula residents and heavy users of the Olympic National Forest are raising concerns about a Navy plan to expand a close-to-home training range for a growing fleet of jets equipped to detect and jam enemy communications. VIDEO: Robot boats will escort naval vessels (C4ISR & Networks) The Navy plans to escort its ships using unmanned watercraft, beginning soon, according to a Navy video. Flattop flip-flop: Repair problems force schedule change-up (Navy Times) The flip-flop of two carrier deployments has revealed the Achilles' heel of the latest deployment plan - designed to make ship schedules more predictable - before it was even able to get started. Navy harbor patrol boats keep bad guys at bay in Bahrain (Stars & Stripes) As the guided-missile cruiser USS Philippine Sea was leaving port here last week, a nearby Navy patrol craft noticed something not quite right. Navy chaplain shares his outlook on moral injury (Midland Reporter-Telegram; Texas) Texas Christian University's Soul Repair Center, part of the Brite Divinity School, is hosting the "Bringing our Veterans All the Way Home" conference this week, garnering community support for veterans healing from what the center refers to as moral injury. AIR FORCEKadena contractor, airman found dead on Okinawa(Stars & Stripes) Two people assigned to Kadena Air Base on Okinawa were found dead in separate incidents on Saturday. Former special operations troops take up battle against online child predators (Air Force Times) Military members who can no longer fight the wars overseas are battling a new enemy at home: the murky online spaces where sexual predators prey on children. USAF's Secretive X-37B Lands Successfully (Aviation Week) The U.S. Air Force X-37B spaceplane landed at Vandenberg AFB, California, on Oct. 17, completing a record-setting 675 days in orbit. Robinson takes command at PACAF (Air Force Times) Gen. Lori Robinson took command of Pacific Air Forces from Gen. Hawk Carlisle on Thursday during a change of command ceremony at Joint Base Pearl Harbor, Hawaii. Academy leaders will say no more about athletic department inspection (Colorado Springs Gazette) The Air Force Academy says leaders have said all they can about a review of the school's athletic department that came in the wake of a player misconduct scandal. Efficiency is watchword for Air Force energy chief (Air Force Times) The Air Force's new energy chief repeatedly uses one word to describe his mission: efficiency. World War II pilot gets medal for freeing POWs (San Antonio Express-News) Lt. Gen. Perry Wiggins, commander of U.S. Army North at Joint Base San Antonio-Fort Sam Houston, is awarding a Silver Star posthumously today to a World War II pilot who helped free more than 1,100 POWS in Romania. Air Force's MC-12 mission ends in Afghanistan (Air Force Times) The Air Force's mission with the MC-12 Liberty in Afghanistan is over. MARINE CORPSMarine's murder charge in the Philippines has international consequences(Marine Corps Times) The death of a Filipino transgender woman following a bilateral military training exercise made international waves after a U.S. Marine was charged with murder. Philippines Subpoenas US Marine Murder Suspect (Associated Press) The Philippine government served a subpoena Friday for a U.S. Marine accused of killing a transgender Filipino in an emotional case expected to test the country's military ties with the United States. Bold Alligator is back (Marine Corps Times) The blue-green team will flex its amphibious muscles once again in Exercise Bold Alligator 2014, planned for late October-early November. U.S. Marines tap female execs for advice on growing women in ranks (Reuters) Last spring, U.S. Marine Corps Commandant General James Amos did not even know who Sheryl Sandberg was. Marines to return to California following six months Down Under (Marine Corps Times) After seven months away, the third group of Marines and sailors to go to Australia is headed back to California. Former Marine shares her story of domestic violence (Yuma Sun) Like so many other women in abusive relationships, Heather Griffith experienced routine domestic violence at the hands of a partner on a daily basis. Although she left her now ex-husband several times during their marriage, she would always return, only to experience more abuse each time, including once being hogtied and having her clothes cut off. Marine conquers rock wall-climbing challenge without his legs (Washington Post) Some readers may recall Cpl. Michael Egan, a Marine veteran who lost both legs in an explosion in Afghanistan in May 2012, and recalled the experience in a gripping piece published on Checkpoint in June. He underwent more than 30 surgeries, but has remained active, tackling triathlons, surfing and a 450-mile hand-cycling race from Paris to London. NATIONAL GUARDWhy bikini shoot cameo may land National Guardsmen in hot water(Christian Science Monitor) The Pentagon regularly cooperates with Hollywood's steady demand for war equipment to fill out action thrillers, but two Utah soldiers may face punishment for agreeing to participate in something perhaps too risque: a bikini video shoot featuring British women cavorting with guns and tanks across the desert. Ex-soldier returns to fight substance abuse in military (USA Today) In the 10 years since Frank L. Greenagel Jr. was discharged from the Army he has taught English at the largest high school in America, started his own counseling center for drug abuse, chaired a task force to curb youth heroin and opiate use in New Jersey and run a recovery house at Rutgers University. Parnell says 27 to vie for top job at Alaska Guard (Alaska Dispatch News) Gov. Sean Parnell on Friday announced that 27 people have applied for the top position at the Alaska National Guard. AFGHANISTAN/PAKISTANSenior al Qaeda leader reported killed in US airstrike in eastern Afghanistan(Long War Journal) The US is reported to have killed a senior al Qaeda leader in an airstrike in the eastern Afghan province of Nangarhar near the border with Pakistan's tribal agency of Khyber. Despite US military officials claims to the contrary, recent raids and airstrikes against al Qaeda show that the network is not limited to operating in the northeastern Afghan provinces of Kunar and Nuristan. In Afghanistan's unfinished war, civilians pay the price (Stars & Stripes) Wazir is 12. Or maybe 13. He doesn't know for sure. New Afghan leaders face culture clash as they form Cabinet (Washington Post) Mohammad Mohaqiq thinks he's owed a lot for throwing his support behind Afghanistan's U.S.-brokered coalition government. The influential former warlord-turned-politician expects nothing less than a fifth of all Cabinet ministries and governorships for his ethnic group. Discord dissolves Pakistani Taliban coalition (Long War Journal) Ever since the head of the Movement of the Taliban in Pakistan, Hakeemullah Mehsud, was killed in a US drone strike in late 2013, the al Qaeda-linked group has been plagued by leadership disputes, infighting, and defections. Mullah Fazlullah, Mehsud's successor, has proven to be incapable of holding the coalition of jihadists together. Bhutto's Son Tries to Revive the Pakistan Peoples Party's Fortunes (New York Times) Seven years ago, Benazir Bhutto returned to Pakistan after a decade in exile to a boisterous welcome from hundreds of thousands of her followers. Over the weekend, Bilawal Bhutto Zardari, 26, tried to reclaim the legacy of his mother with a huge rally in the southern port city of Karachi. MIDDLE EASTGCC Naval Group To Focus on Coastal Threats(Defense News) The Gulf Cooperation Council's planned maritime security force - announced last week at a conference in Qatar - will most likely focus on coastal interdictions and counterterrorism operations and be less of a "blue water navy," according to a regional expert. Haqqani Leaders Detained in Persian Gulf, Not Inside Afghanistan (Wall Street Journal) Two recently captured top members of Afghanistan's Haqqani network insurgent group were detained in the Persian Gulf and not in Afghanistan, as Kabul had claimed, Taliban and foreign officials said, indicating a possible shift in attitude in a region where Afghan militants have long enjoyed freedom of movement. Obama Sees an Iran Deal That Could Avoid Congress (New York Times) No one knows if the Obama administration will manage in the next five weeks to strike what many in the White House consider the most important foreign policy deal of his presidency: an accord with Iran that would forestall its ability to make a nuclear weapon. But the White House has made one significant decision: If agreement is reached, President Obama will do everything in his power to avoid letting Congress vote on it. Hamas leader's daughter received medical treatment in Israel: sources (Reuters) A daughter of the leader of Hamas in Gaza was admitted to an Israeli hospital for emergency medical treatment this month after she suffered complications from a routine procedure, two sources familiar with the case said. EUROPEBritish RAF Now Flying Improved Typhoon Aircraft(Defense News) Typhoon fighters equipped with a package of new capabilities have entered operational service with the Royal Air Force. Sweden in 3rd day of suspected sub search (Associated Press) A Swedish military search for evidence of suspected undersea activity in its waters has entered its third day amid reports of a suspected Russian intrusion. Ukraine troops struggle with nation's longtime neglect of military (Los Angeles Times) Mlitia commander Yuri Bereza and his 150 Ukrainian irregulars were closing in on pro-Moscow separatists in their last stronghold in this eastern city when Russian troops and armor thundered in out of nowhere to cut them off in the suburb of Ilovaisk. Ground zero in the battle for Ukraine: Donetsk airport (USA Today) The airport here in this battle-scarred region of eastern Ukraine seems oblivious to the cease-fire brokered six weeks ago. Soldiers' rights activist jailed in Russia (Associated Press) A veteran activist who investigated the deaths and disappearances of Russian soldiers in Ukraine has been jailed, an advocacy group said Saturday. Denmark tries a soft-handed approach to returned Islamist fighters (Washington Post) The rush of morning shoppers parted to make way for Talha, a lanky 21-year-old in desert camouflage and a long, religious beard. He strode through the local mall with a fighter's gait picked up on the battlefields of Syria. Streams of young Muslim men greeted him like a returning king. ASIA-PACIFICS. Korea fires warning shots against N. Korean soldiers approaching MDL: Seoul(Yonhap News Agency) South Korean border guards fired warning shots as about 10 North Korean soldiers approached the military demarcation line (MDL) inside the demilitaized zone (DMZ), Seoul's military officials said, adding that there was no exchange of fire. Female cabinet members' resignations undermine Abe's recovery efforts in Japan (Washington Post) Two of Japan's new female cabinet ministers, appointed just last month as part of Prime Minister Shinzo Abe's plan to let women "shine"" resigned their posts Monday amid allegations of financial impropriety. Presumed Guilty in China's War on Corruption, Targets Suffer Abuses (New York Times) He was starved, pummeled and interrogated for days on end in an ice-cold room where sleeping, sitting or even leaning against a wall were forbidden. One beating left Wang Guanglong, a midlevel official from China's Fujian Province, partly deaf, according to his later testimony. Suicide, he told relatives and his lawyers afterward, tempted him. Protesters, police clash again in Hong Kong's Mong Kok neighborhood (Washington Post) Police once again clashed with street occupiers early Sunday in Mong Kok, a Hong Kong neighborhood that has become the flash point of the city's ongoing protests. Joko Widodo Is Sworn In as Indonesian President (New York Times) Joko Widodo, a commoner who was born in a Javan slum, was sworn in on Monday as president of Indonesia, completing an improbable political rise from hometown mayor to leader of the world's fourth most-populous nation. AFRICAIn Libya's Benghzai, Mood of Resignation Over War(Associated Press) As fighting raged Friday between Islamist militias and forces loyal to Libya's elected government, the mood was of resigned indifference in this embattled city that once took pride in being the first to rise up against longtime dictator Moammar Gadhafi. Boko Haram suspected in deadly attacks after Nigeria cease-fire to free schoolgirls (Washington Post) Boko Haram militants are suspected to have killed dozens of people in five attacks on Nigerian villages after a government-announced cease-fire to enable 200 abducted girls to be freed, security sources and witnesses said Saturday. At Birthplace of the Arab Spring, Discontent Opens a Door to the Past (New York Times) Chaima Issa, a poet and the daughter of a former political prisoner, is determined to keep Tunisia's revolution alive. COMMENTARY AND ANALYSISCan the U.S. Army Win In A Complex World?(John R. Evans, Jr. in the Brookings Institution) Winning is not a singularly American concept, but from our sports teams to our military we expect a winner. The Coming Swarm: Robotics on the Battlefield (Paul Scharre in Real Clear Defense) The unfolding robotics revolution is transforming a range of industries, from manufacturing to transportation, warehouse management, household appliances, toys, elder care and more. Similarly, it will lead to significant and perhaps surprising changes in warfare. Ted Cruz: Republican priorities for 2015 (U.S. Sen. Ted Cruz, R-Texas, in USA Today) By all signs, Americans are preparing to send Washington a clear message in the 2014 elections. Defining Dismissal Down (Wall Street Journal) The common theme in the many failures of President Obama's second term is government incompetence, and a corollary is lack of accountability. Both themes came together in the news late last week that the Veterans Affairs department can't even successfully fire officials it wants to dismiss. The nasty politicization of Ebola (Dana Milbank in The Washington Post) Francis Collins, director of the National Institutes of Health, administered a dose of truth to political Washington this week. Even Containment Needs Boots on the Ground (Jerry Meyerle in Defense One) The United States may need to deploy ground forces to Iraq and Syria just to contain the Islamic State and arrest its momentum, to say nothing of destroying the group. Air strikes have not halted its advance and are bound to yield diminishing returns. The longer the group controls important cities such as Ramadi, Fallujah and Mosul, the stronger it will become. There's Only One Way to Beat ISIS: Work with Assad and Iran (Leslie H. Gelb in The Daily Beast) The Obama administration has pulled together a coalition as ineffectual as it is unwilling. It's time to join up with the forces, however unsavory, that can do the job. Like It or Not, Containment Is What It Is (Thomas Karako in Defense One) Secretary of State John Kerry has emphatically denied that the United States is pursuing a containment strategy against the Islamic State in Iraq and Syria, but the term appears apt. Containment hardly seems optimal, and ISIS does not yet seem contained, but at this point it is unclear that the administration is interested in or capable of more. Indeed, recent ISIS advances suggest that they are nowhere near contained. The Foreign Policy Essay: The Arab World's Foreign Fighter Problem (Daniel Byman in Lawfare) The Arab world's foreign fighter problem makes the West's concerns seem minor. Specific numbers should be treated with suspicion, but the current estimate is that there are roughly 15,000 foreign fighters in Iraq and Syria, of which the vast majority are from the Arab world. When these fighters return home, they may further radicalize Arab politics, reorient existing terrorist groups in a more dangerous direction, create new violent organizations, and otherwise make the Middle East's already bleak prospects even worse. Why Containment Is a Myth (James Jay Carafano in Defense One) Containment has become the easy button for many who want to deal with Washington's most pressing national security challenges with a light touch. No idea could be more misguided. Bridges Versus Barricades (Ronald Brownstein in National Journal) President Obama's response to global challenges stresses coalition-building over unilateralism. Leon Panetta and Hillary Clinton: It's Complicated (Peter Beinart in The Atlantic) Reporters have focused on how the former defense secretary's memoir praises her and criticizes the president. The book itself tells a different story. Don't Make a Bad Deal With Iran (Yuval Steinitz in The New York Times) Israel is deeply concerned about the trajectory of the ongoing negotiations concerning Iran's nuclear program. The talks are moving in the wrong direction, especially on the core issue of uranium enrichment. | |||||
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