| December 29, 2014 |
THE EARLY BIRD BRIEF |
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TODAY'S TOP 5
1. In 2015, Army will lose nearly 20,000 soldiers in drawdown
(Army Times) The Army stands to lose 18,200 soldiers in the drawdown plan for 2015, through attrition and reduced accessions, but also with retention screening boards that may lead to soldiers being forced out.
2. Bin Laden 'Shooter' Under Investigation for Leaking Secrets
(The Daily Beast) The former Navy SEAL who ignited a controversy when he publicly claimed credit for killing Osama bin Laden is under investigation for possibly leaking official secrets, The Daily Beast has learned.
3. U.S. slow to support Iraqi tribes in the fight against the Islamic State
(David Ignatius in The Washington Post) Watching events unfold in Iraq this year has been like viewing a slow-motion train wreck. Iraqi tribal leaders have been warning since spring about the rise of the terrorist Islamic State and pleading for American help. But after months of slaughter, the United States is only now beginning to build an effective tribal-assistance program.
4. Fired Phoenix VA chief Helman took secret gifts
(Arizona Republic) As Arizona military veterans waited months for doctor appointments in a broken health-care system, then-Phoenix VA hospital Director Sharon Helman went on a weeklong vacation to Disneyland secretly financed by an industry lobbyist, according to an administrative-law judge and documents obtained by The Arizona Republic.
5. Inside the War Against Islamic State
(Wall Street Journal) A retired four-star Marine Corps general, now the U.S. 'special envoy' in the war against the terrorist army, on reasons for optimism even as a long fight looms.
DEFENSE NEWS WITH VAGO MURADIAN
Lessons from World War I
(Defense News) Harlan Ullman, author of "A Handfull of Bullets," discusses how the first World War affects us today.
Top Books for the New Year
(Defense News) Ryan Evans, editor of the "War on the Rocks" website, discusses his top books to check out in the new year.
Leadership Lessons from Adm. Rickover
(Defense News) Retired Navy Rear Adm. Dave Oliver, author of "Against the Tide," discusses what we can from Adm. Hyman Rickover, the "Father of the Nuclear Navy."
Vago's Notebook: Rickover's Vision
(Defense News) Nuclear-powered US Navy ships are a testament to Adm. Hyman Rickover's success.
CONGRESS
Confirmation hearings for Ash Carter tops Senate agenda
(Military Times) The top issue on the Senate agenda to kick off the new congressional session in 2015 will be confirmation hearings for Ash Carter, President Obama's nominee to replace Chuck Hagel as his defense secretary, a process that is expected to move quickly - but not necessarily calmly.
Lone opponent of Afghanistan war feels vindicated
(The Hill) Rep. Barbara Lee (D-Calif.) was the lone 'no' vote in Congress against the war in Afghanistan in 2001, voting against an authorization for use of military force (AUMF) shortly after the 9/11 attacks.
Inhofe: Gitmo release will 'embolden terrorists'
(The Hill) Sen. James Inhofe (R-Okla.) is bashing President Obama for releasing four more Guantanamo Bay detainees, arguing that the move will "embolden terrorists."
ISLAMIC STATE
Islamic State kills Qods Force general in central Iraq
(Long War Journal) An Islamic State sniper gunned down a general in Iran's Qods Force who was advising Iraqi troops and Shiite militias in the battleground city of Samarra in central Iraq.
The U.S. and Iran are aligned in Iraq against the Islamic State - for now
(Washington Post) Iranian military involvement has dramatically increased in Iraq over the past year as Tehran has delivered desperately needed aid to Baghdad in its fight against Islamic State militants, say U.S., Iraqi and Iranian sources. In the eyes of Obama administration officials, equally concerned about the rise of the brutal Islamist group, that's an acceptable role - for now.
Worse than Islamic State? Concerns rise about Iraq's Shiite militias.
(Christian Science Monitor) A former aide to General David Petraeus warns that as the Pentagon prepares to send another 1,500 US troops to Iraq to help "destroy" the Islamic State fighters, there may be an even greater danger that forces face: Iranian-backed Shiite militias.
In Battle to Defang ISIS, U.S. Targets Its Psychology
(New York Times) Maj. Gen. Michael K. Nagata, commander of American Special Operations forces in the Middle East, sought help this summer in solving an urgent problem for the American military: What makes the Islamic State so dangerous?
In Kurdistan, McCain vows efforts to arm Peshmerga
(Rudaw) In a meeting with the Kurdish prime minister on Saturday, US Senator John McCain applauded the Peshmerga forces and the people of Kurdistan for their resistance against the Islamic State (ISIS).
McCain: 'We are literally doing everything the Iraqi government has requested.'
(Washington Post) Once a proponent of sending in specialized troops to help the Iraqi army battle the Islamic State, McCain, after meeting with Iraqi Prime Minister Haider al-Abadi, said ground troops are "not what they [the Iraqis] need."
Official: Jordanian pilot shot down by Islamic State
(Defense News) A Jordanian security official has confirmed to Defense News that a Jordanian pilot was shot down by Islamic State forces in Syria Dec. 24.
Anti-ISIS Operation Gets Its Own Inspector General
(Government Executive) Operation Inherent Resolve, the U.S. military's campaign of airstrikes coupled with training of local troops to degrade the Islamic State in Iraq and Syria, now has its own inspector general to watch for waste in the effort.
No Way Out for Iraqis Who Helped U.S. in War
(Wall Street Journal) The first emails from Iraq landed in John Kael Weston 's inbox while he was eating breakfast at a Utah ski resort. Islamic Statefighters had just seized Fallujah, and the former State Department diplomat fired off a worried message to the Iraqi policeman who helped him over and over again during the war's darkest days.
Islamic State executed nearly 2,000 people in six months: monitor
(Reuters) The Islamic State militant group has killed 1,878 people in Syria during the past six months, the majority of them civilians, a British-based Syrian monitoring organization said on Sunday.
The Islamic State is failing at being a state
(Washington Post) The Islamic State's vaunted exercise in state-building appears to be crumbling as living conditions deteriorate across the territories under its control, exposing the shortcomings of a group that devotes most of its energies to fighting battles and enforcing strict rules.
Grisly finds in Iraqi Yazidi village wrested from militants
(Associated Press) After he fled from this tiny northern Iraqi hamlet four months ago, Hayder Khalef got panicked phone calls from his relatives who had remained behind. They were at that moment being led by Islamic State group gunmen toward a checkpoint on the edge of town.
Inside Isis: The first Western journalist ever to be given access to the 'Islamic State' has just returned - and this is what he discovered
(The Independent) The first Western journalist in the world to be allowed extensive access to Isis territories in Syria and Iraq has returned from the region with a warning: the group is "much stronger and much more dangerous" than anyone in the West realises.
Iraq faces new crisis as winter descends on millions uprooted by Islamic State
(Washington Post) For three years, he worked closely with U.S. forces in Iraq. Now Ammar Younes sits in his frigid tent in a camp in Iraq's Kurdish region, using a scalpel to gouge pieces of shrapnel out of his mangled legs as his young children look on.
The Child Soldiers Who Escaped Islamic State
(Wall Street Journal) Jomah, a 17-year-old Syrian who joined Islamic State last year, sat in a circle of trainees for a lesson in beheading, a course taught to boys as young as 8.
INDUSTRY
Army Awards AMPV to BAE Systems, Future Fights Loom
(Defense News) The US Army surprised no one by awarding BAE Systems a contract on Dec. 23 potentially worth $1.2 billion to begin building the Armored Multi-Purpose Vehicle (AMPV)
General Atomics wins Reaper, Predator support contract
(C4ISR & Networks) General Atomics has won a $375.2 million Air Force contract to support the MQ-1 Predator and MQ-9 Reaper UAVs.
The Military Wants Smarter Insect Spy Drones
(Defense One) The Defense Advanced Projects Research Agency put out a broad agency announcement this week seeking software solutions to help small drones fly better in tight enclosed environments. The Fast Lightweight Autonomy program, the agency said, "focuses on creating a new class of algorithms to enable small, unmanned aerial vehicles to quickly navigate a labyrinth of rooms, stairways and corridors or other obstacle-filled environments without a remote pilot."
Air Force seeks electronic warfare roadmap
(C4ISR & Networks) The Air Force is searching for a roadmap for new electronic warfare receivers.
Thales Picks New Chaiman, CEO
(Defense News) Thales has appointed Henri Proglio as chairman and Patrice Caine as chief executive, with the appointments to be confirmed at a shareholders meeting in February, the defense electronics company said Tuesday.
Seafort Advisors buys shipyard from ThyssenKrupp
(IHS Jane's 360) German companies Seafort Advisors and ThyssenKrupp announced on 23 December that they had reached an agreement for the sale of the Emder Werft und Dockbetriebe shipyard in Emden. The two did not disclose terms of the deal, although a press release said it is expected to close during the first quarter of 2015.
Thales, MBDA Close in on Polish Missile Defense Deal
(Defense News) Thales and European missile maker MBDA have signed two letters of intent for cooperation with their local partner Wojskowe Zakłady Uzbrojenia (WZU) as part of a joint bid for Poland's Wisla air defense system, the defense electronics company said Monday.
German Gunmaker Looks to South African Exports
(Wall Street Journal) German government restrictions on arms exports are squeezing the country's defense industry. But weapons maker Rheinmetall AG is sidestepping politicians in Berlin by investing in a new munitions development center in South Africa.
Poland's submarine replacement plan now 'very difficult to execute', says squadron 2i/c
(IHS Jane's 360) The deputy commander of the Polish Navy's Submarine Squadron has warned that the force faces a bleak future - and possibly even disbandment - if the government fails to order new vessels soon.
Israel Navy to Expand Undersea, Surface Force
(Defense News) The Israel Navy is finalizing plans to integrate a fifth Dolphin-class submarine and a new fleet of unmanned surface vessels (USVs) into its operational force structure in the first few months of the coming year.
Raytheon receives much-awaited Qatari Patriot contract
(IHS Jane's 360) Raytheon has been awarded a long-anticipated USD2.379 billion Foreign Military Sales contract to provide Qatar with 10 Patriot fire units and spares.
Israel, Germany Seal Offshore Patrol Vessel Deal
(Defense News) Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu announced Thursday that Israel has concluded a long-awaited naval procurement deal with Germany.
Taiwan shows off UAVs
(C4ISR & Networks) Taiwan's military displayed its unmanned capabilities this week.
Turkey Receives Second A400M
(Defense News) Turkey has received its second A400M tactical transport aircraft, the country's procurement office announced Tuesday.
Indonesia mulls Be-200 amphibious aircraft for maritime patrols
(IHS Jane's 360) The Indonesian Air Force (Tentera Nasional Indonesia - Angkatan Udara: TNI-AU) has submitted a request to President Joko Widodo to acquire at least one amphibious jet for the service, TNI-AU Chief of Staff Air Chief Marshal (ACM) Ida Bagus Putu Dunia told local reporters on 22 December.
Iveco Cuts 80-Vehicle Deal With Lebanon
(Defense News) Italy's Iveco has signed an agreement to sell 80 military and police vehicles to Lebanon, an Italian industrial source has said.
VETERANS
General Chiarelli's Brain Crusade
(Politico) How one Army officer raised the nation's consciousness about head injuries.
Post-retirement MBA leads to infantry vet's global job
(Military Times) As director of security operations at Boston-based Global Rescue, Retired Army Lt. Col. Scott Hume is part of a team that assembles emergency support for a range of circumstances worldwide
Key JPAC scientific experts to be cut in reform
(Associated Press) A program that provides dozens of scientists and other experts to the Hawaii-based Joint POW/MIA Accounting Command is being cut.
Aviator-turned-CEO carved a path to his dream job
(Military Times) How do you launch a successful startup in a floundering economy while still having fun and staying true to yourself and your family?
Former Fort Bragg Gen. Dan McNeill helps bring his fallen brother home at last
(Fayetteville Observer) A chilly rain bounced off the tarmac as former Fort Bragg Gen. Dan McNeill watched an honor guard unload his brother's flag-draped coffin from a 737.
Bringing POW's journey through hell to light
(Military Times) Opening on Christmas Day, the movie "Unbroken," which marks Angelina Jolie's directorial debut, is based on the book of the same name about Louis Zamperini, whose World War II experiences bring a new definition to the word "harrowing."
Makers of 'American Sniper' press ahead to tell a tale of war and home
(Los Angeles Times) Jason Hall had just turned in his first draft of a script about Chris Kyle, the deadliest sniper in U.S. military history. Bradley Cooper, who was producing the film and had agreed to star, was at a screening of "Silver Linings Playbook" for a group of veterans in Washington.
DEFENSE DEPARTMENT
IG: Investigations of military child deaths flawed
(Military Times) In a review of how the military investigates child deaths, the Pentagon's Inspector General found that 71 percent of criminal probes of child fatalities were flawed because investigators did not follow all required procedures, according to a new IG report.
Pentagon Set to Resume Special Foreign-born Recruiting Program
(Military.com) After a months-long hiatus, a special immigration program designed to attract recruits with certain skills will be up and running once more in the next several weeks.
Defense Secretary Nominee Forms Circle of Advisers
(Defense One) The Pentagon has already announced the formation of a transition team for Ashton Carter, nominated to replace Defense Secretary Chuck Hagel, including Hagel Chief of Staff Rexon Ryu and an Assistant Secretary of Defense, Michael Lumpkin. But Defense One's The D Brief has been told that Carter has designated his own small team of advisers, three people who will assist him from outside of the building through a confirmation process that is expected to run through at least the third or fourth week of January.
Can Carter make a defense difference?
(Politico) Ash Carter faces a double-barreled challenge if he's the next Defense secretary: leading a Pentagon handicapped by a Congress unwilling to go along with military-proposed spending reforms and working within the Obama administration that's notorious for managing military affairs from the White House.
Preparing to ship POVs in 2015
(Military Times) After all the problems service members had getting their personal vehicles shipped during overseas permanent change-of-station moves in 2014, U.S. Transportation Command officials intend to avoid a repeat in 2015.
Rivals in military religious freedom dispute say rule is unclear
(Stars & Stripes) Faith in Jesus might not be your solution, an Army Ranger chaplain told members of the 5th Ranger Training Battalion in a mandatory suicide prevention briefing last month, but that's what helped him through his struggle with depression.
ARMY
SFCs get disqualification notices by mistake
(Army Times) An administrative error has resulted in several sergeants first class of the Regular Army being erroneously notified they are not eligible for consideration by the fiscal 2015 active-component master sergeant promotion board that convenes Feb. 10.
Utah Guard soldier among first women headed to elite Ranger school
(Associated Press) A Utah National Guard solider will be among a handful of women going to the grueling U.S. Army Ranger school as part of the first steps toward integrating the elite combat unit.
Bergdahl's case offers few options for Army
(Military Times) As Army leaders consider how to handle the former Taliban captive who is accused of misconduct, their options are narrowed by an obscure personnel regulation: Because the former prisoner of war's term of enlistment expired during his five years in captivity, the Army must now grant him an honorable discharge or launch a court-martial.
Army data shows rarity of desertion prosecutions
(Associated Press) The U.S. Army has prosecuted about 1,900 cases of desertion since 2001, despite tens of thousands of soldiers fleeing the service in the face of deadly combat, long and multiple deployments in Iraq and Afghanistan and strains on military families.
Personnel files to reflect sex-related offenses
(Army Times) Soldiers in the ranks of private through general who are convicted of sex-related offenses under federal law can expect those actions to be documented in the performance and disciplinary section of their official personnel file.
Clint Lorance's lawyer seeks freedom for former Army officer
(Fayetteville Observer) The lawyer for Clint Lorance, the former Army officer in military prison for the slayings of two Afghan nationals, has filed more papers to try to persuade the 82nd Airborne Division commander to set Lorance free.
2015 deployments: Back to Europe, Iraq, other hot spots
(Army Times) In 2015, soldiers will deploy to hot spots around the globe, with more going to Europe and some to the Pacific.
Soldiers from Fort Bragg's 3rd Brigade Combat Team prepare for Iraq mission
(Fayetteville Observer) The first group of 3rd Brigade Combat Team paratroopers to deploy for Iraq is slated to follow a narrow security mission, but is ready for whatever is asked of it.
7th ID reorganizing to be deployable, Army announces
(Army Times) The 7th Infantry Division headquarters, which was reactivated in 2012 at Joint Base Lewis-McChord, Washington, will reorganize into a deployable unit, the Army announced Tuesday.
Soldier arrested after early morning gunshots at JBLM
(Tacoma News Tribune) Military police Sunday morning arrested a soldier who reportedly fired several gunshots in the air in a parking lot on Joint Base Lewis-McChord.
Reserve surprises: Time commitment, pay, career boost
(Army Times) There are some things you may not know about serving in the Guard or reserves. Some of it is good news - some less so. In any case, it's always best to look before leaping. Some lesser-known aspects of service in the Guard and reserve service:
Belleville West graduate loses 100 pounds to join the Army
(Belleville News-Democrat; Ill.) Alex Rodgers wanted to join the U.S. Army so much that he lost 100 pounds to get in.
Army gets new chief, top enlisted soldier in 2015
(Army Times) The Army will get a new chief of staff in 2015 as Gen. Ray Odierno completes his tenure in September.
NAVY
The year ahead: What sailors need to know for 2015
(Navy Times) 2015 is set to be a big year for sailors. Four new uniforms will be decided upon. Physical Fitness Assessment changes are on the table. And advancement rates are projected to rise.Sailors will start moving aboard the future aircraft carrier Gerald R. Ford, while fleet flattops sail on 10-month deployments. Navy leaders hope to bring the standard deployment down to seven months by 2016, unless massive sequestration cuts derail that plan later in 2015.
Navy discriminated against Muslim over beard, suit says
(San Francisco Chronicle) A Muslim civil rights group has sued the government on behalf of a former Navy enlisted man from Northern California who says he was the target of ethnic slurs, was reassigned to a menial job, and was later denied re-enlistment after seeking permission to wear a beard for religious reasons.
2015 outlook: The next CNO
(Navy Times) Adm. Jon Greenert will come to the end of his three-year tour as chief of naval operations at the end of fiscal 2015 and, barring an appointment to chairman or vice chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, he'll likely retire.
Widow of 'American Sniper' author to appeal Ventura verdict
(Minneapolis Star Tribune) The 8th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals has been asked to overturn the verdict in the defamation case of former Gov. Jesse Ventura, who was awarded $1.8 million in August by a federal jury in St. Paul.
2015 outlook: Fleet faces op tempo, repair challenges
(Navy Times) The Eisenhower Carrier Strike Group will be the lead ships of the new Optimized-Fleet Response Plan that starts in 2015. The plan aims to lock in more predictable deployment schedules and to boost crews' time at home from 50 percent to 68 percent during each 36-month cycle.
MQ-8C Fire Scout makes first sea flight
(C4ISR & Networks) Tests demonstrate important capabilities for the Navy
2015 outlook: 4 new uniforms coming
(Navy Times) There are lots of new threads headed your way.
AIR FORCE
By the numbers: Air Mobility Command's worldwide missions
(Air Force Times) Air Mobility Command began 2014 at breakneck speed in support of the country's ramped-up drawdown in Afghanistan. By year's end, AMC had taken on two more major - and unanticipated - missions: the fight against the Islamic State group and response to the Ebola outbreak in West Africa
Newest U.S. Stealth Fighter '10 Years Behind' Older Jets
(The Daily Beast) When the Pentagon's nearly $400 billion F-35 Joint Strike Fighter finally enters service next year after nearly two decades in development, it won't be able to support troops on the ground the way older planes can today. Its sensors won't be able to see the battlefield as well; and what video the F-35 does capture, it won't be able to transmit to infantrymen in real time.
Need to know, 2015: Missions worldwide
(Air Force Times) As the new year approaches, airmen are active on missions worldwide.
First tanker test plane does taxi tests at Paine Field
(The Herald; Everett, Wash.) The first test plane of Boeing's aerial-refueling tanker program ran through taxiing and ground tests Saturday ahead of its first flight, which is slated for Sunday.
Need to know, 2015: The fleet
(Air Force Times) Despite tight budgets, expect some fleet modernization projects to continue in 2015. Here's the latest:
Airman gets creative in airport proposal. Internet, smartphone users love it.
(FlightLines) Airman 1st Class Jon Greko wanted to make the most of it when he saw his girlfriend Emma for the first time since basic training.
Maternity ABU to be updated this year
(Air Force Times) The Air Force is updating its maternity airman battle uniform for better fit and function, using a new stretch material and adding pockets, Air Force spokeswoman Rose Richeson told Air Force Times.
MARINE CORPS
Gen. Joe Dunford to give his plan for the Marine Corps
(Marine Corps Times) Three months into the job he hasn't said much about the direction he plans to lead the Corps, but that will change early this year as he releases a blueprint for his time leading the service.
Ex-US Marine held in Iran suspends hunger strike
(Associated Press) The family of an ex-U.S. Marine imprisoned in Iran says he's temporarily suspending a hunger strike after authorities agreed to re-examine his case.
HMLA-367 gets new CO after former boss relieved
(Marine Corps Times) The Marine Corps has named a permanent replacement to lead Marine Light Helicopter Attack Squadron 367 after relieving its previous commander of duty earlier this month.
Afghan interpreter finds refuge at Marine's home in Champaign
(Chicago Tribune) Every morning, Dinar sits in a folding chair in a second floor bedroom of a house in this university town and Skypes with his family a world away.
Disaggregated MEUs likely to become more common
(Marine Corps Times) Operating in multiple theaters and under separate chains of command likely will become a more common experience for troops deployed with Marine expeditionary units.
Futenma plan 'quickest solution' to Ginowan safety threat, new defense chief says
(Japan Times) New defense chief Gen Nakatani repeated Friday that the purpose of moving U.S. Marine Corps Air Station Futenma in Okinawa is to get it out of crowded Ginowan, stressing that keeping it in the prefecture will make sure it remains a deterrent in the Asia-Pacific region.
V-22 to get a tanker option
(Marine Corps Times) The V-22 Osprey is getting topped-off with a new capability. An aerial refuelling system is being developed for the tilt-rotor aircraft, turning the cargo and personnel carrier into a tanker that can provide fuel to other aircraft, mid-flight.
US Marine Corps receives first carrier variant F-35C
(IHS Jane's 360) The US Marine Corps (USMC) has received its first carrier variant (CV) Lockheed Martin F-35C Lightning II Joint Strike Fighter (JSF), the company announced on 22 December.
AFGHANISTAN/PAKISTAN
U.S. airstrikes remain crucial to Afghan forces in Taliban battles
(Los Angeles Times) For several days, Taliban fighters barricaded on a mountaintop lobbed rockets at the remote town of Sangar in the valley below. Residents fled while police holed up in their outposts and begged superiors for help.
Afghan police lead insurgent fight at high cost
(Associated Press) When brothers Amir and Mosha Jan joined Afghanistan's police two years ago they believed that their patriotic duty was more important than obeying their father, who did not want his only sons joining the ranks of a police force on the front lines of the war against the Taliban.
Suspected U.S. Drone Strikes Compounds in Pakistan
(Wall Street Journal) Pakistani intelligence officials say a suspected U.S. drone fired missiles at two compounds in the North Waziristan tribal region, killing at least seven alleged militants.
After years of delays, Pakistan cracks down on violent Islamists
(Washington Post) After pledging for years to crack down on violent Islamists, Pakistani authorities are now taking exceptional steps to do so, with a major military operation against the militants and a vow to rein in radical propaganda.
MIDDLE EAST
Qatar Scales Back Role in Middle East Conflicts
(Wall Street Journal) This tiny emirate made plenty of foes in recent years by intervening in an array of regional conflicts. Now, faced with some hefty political costs, it is moderating its big-power ambitions.
Israel's top court orders West Bank settlement demolished
(Los Angeles Times) Israel's Supreme Court has ordered the government to demolish the West Bank settlement of Amona within two years and relocate its 300 Jewish residents, moving to end a years-long legal battle.
Hamas Turns Back 37 Gaza War Orphans From a Bridge-Building Trip to Israel
(New York Times) Thirty-seven young war orphans from Gaza set out on Sunday for a rare visit to Israel. They got as far as the Erez border crossing at the northern end of the Palestinian coastal enclave. There the Hamas authorities turned them back, barring the visit at the last minute.
Yemen senior intelligence official kidnapped
(Associated Press) Suspected Shiite rebels kidnapped Yemen's second highest intelligence official from his house in the capital Sanaa Thursday, security officials and a close associate of the general said.
Al-Jazeera suspends Egyptian channel Mubasher Misr
(BBC) The Qatari-owned al-Jazeera network has suspended its Egyptian channel, whose coverage angered Egypt's government.
Desperate for soldiers, Assad's government imposes harsh recruitment measures
(Washington Post) The Syrian regime has intensified efforts to reverse substantial manpower losses to its military with large-scale mobilizations of reservists as well as sweeping arrest campaigns and new regulations to stop desertions and draft-dodging.
EUROPE
Russia's Revised Military Doctrine Sees Major Threats from NATO, US
(Voice of America) President Vladimir Putin approved a new military doctrine Friday outlining the threat Russia says is posed by NATO's expansion and military buildup closer to its border.
Russia to station additional combat aircraft in Belarus
(IHS Jane's 360) Russia is to permanently deploy an additional eight Sukhoi Su-27 'Flanker' fighters to Belarus, as relations with the West remain tense, state media announced in mid-December.
Russia says NATO pushed Ukraine to give up neutral status
(Reuters) Russia said NATO pushed Ukraine to give up its neutral status as Kiev seeks closer ties with the Atlantic bloc and said the move, approved by Ukraine's parliament this week, would "complicate the situation".
Italy's Defense Budget Less Than Forecast
(Defense News) Italy's defense ministry will have a budget of 13.58 billion euros in 2015, almost one billion euros less than it predicted it would have in a three-year provisional budget issued in 2013.
Frightening airborne rescue for stricken ferry passengers
(Washington Post) Rescue teams working through the night and battling gale-force winds and monster waves began bringing the victims from a ferry fire ashore to safety Monday, Italian officials said. At least one person is confirmed to have died in the risky rescue operation and several injured.
ASIA-PACIFIC
U.S. Bolsters Missile-Defense Presence in Japan
(DoDBuzz) The U.S. is bolstering its ability to intercept ballistic missiles fired from North Korea with the deployment of another missile-defense radar in central Japan.
SKorea, US, Japan to share intel on North Korea
(Associated Press) South Korea, the U.S. and Japan will sign their first joint intelligence-sharing pact next week to better cope with North Korea's increasing nuclear and missile threats, officials said Friday.
Taiwan Navy Takes Delivery of First Stealth 'Carrier Killer' Corvette
(USNI News) The Republic of China Navy has taken delivery of what could be the first of a new class of stealth corvettes, according to local press reports.
Indonesian Agency Says Missing AirAsia Jet Probably Sank
(New York Times) The head of the Indonesian agency searching for a missing AirAsia jet carrying 162 people said Monday that he believed the aircraft was "at the bottom of the sea" and warned that the country lacked adequate equipment to conduct an underwater search.
India Puts Military Assets on Standby for Missing AirAsia Jet
(Wall Street Journal) India has put on standby three warships and a maritime patrol aircraft to join in the search for missing AirAsia Flight 8501.
Pentagon: Claim U.S. shot down MH370 'ridiculous'
(Military Times) A former French airline executive is speculating that the American military downed a civilian Malaysian Airlines flight in March because the plane was headed to a remote U.S. base in the Indian Ocean.
AFRICA
Captured Shabaab official previously identified as group's 'chief of intelligence'
(Long War Journal) There has been some confusion over Hersi's role within Shabaab. A report by the UN in 2013 describes Shabaab's Amniyat as "the special clandestine division of" the group. The Amniyat operates "under the direct leadership of Ahmed Godane [Shabaab's now deceased emir] and operational command of Mahad Mohamed Ali, a.k.a. 'Karate'."
Murky Arms Traffic Plagues Somalia
(Wall Street Journal) Since leaving Somalia in the 1990s, Musa Haji Mohamed Ganjab has been a landlord and entrepreneur and served as a representative of the Somali government, which the U.S. is backing to fight the jihadist group al-Shabaab.
U.N. Set to Cut Force in Darfur as Fighting Rises
(New York Times) Under intense pressure from the government of Sudan, the United Nations is planning to shrink its floundering peacekeeping force in Darfur, even though renewed fighting there has chased more people from their homes this year than during any other in the past decade.
Libya Strikes Militias After Oil Tank Attacks
(Voice of America) Libya's foreign minister warned Sunday that a coalition of extremist groups is making a push to seize the troubled country's oil resources, after an assault on eastern terminals set storage tanks ablaze, destroying 800,000 barrels of crude
COMMENTARY AND ANALYSIS
Campbell: The New Mission in Afghanistan
(Army Gen. John Campbell,commander of NATO's International Security Assistance Force, in Defense News) The year 2014 proved to be a time of critical transition in Afghanistan. Defying Taliban intimidation, more than 7 million Afghans participated in two nation-wide elections to select a new president, marking the first peaceful, democratic transition of power in Afghanistan's history.
Stopping the Next Cyberassault
(Rep. Mich Rogers, R-Mich., in The Wall Street Journal) In 10 years on the House Intelligence Committee I've watched a range of national security threats grow and evolve, but none as quickly as cyberwarfare. Two recent examples suggest the magnitude of the present and future danger.
Organizing for War: Overcoming Barriers to Whole-of-Government Strategy in the ISIL Campaign
(Nathan White in Small Wars Journal) With much needed emergency operations well underway in Iraq and Syria, many are calling for a more comprehensive strategy to combat the Islamic State of Iraq and the Levant (ISIL) in the long-term. If these calls are heeded, the result will be yet another attempt at an interagency, coalition effort by the United States Government that seeks to integrate a wide array of capabilities to achieve policy objectives, albeit with limited numbers of American boots on the ground. Yet, in recent overseas missions, the U.S. regularly struggled to coordinate the various tools of state power to achieve desired strategic end-states. Post-9/11, civilian and military personnel achieved many tactical and operational gains in several places, including Iraq, Afghanistan, Pakistan, Libya, Yemen, and Somalia. But many pitfalls prevented these impressive, often heroic, efforts from leading to strategic success.
Strianese: Maintaining US Lead in a Time of Challenges
(Michael Strianese, L-3 CEO and chairman, Aerospace Industries Association, in Defense News) The widely held perception is that US aerospace and defense companies have weathered sequestration. But even if true, the consequences to our nation of arguably reckless budget cuts are troubling.
Will Fracking, Climate Change, Solar Reshape US Security?
(Jared Anderson and Colin Clark in Breaking Defense) The global oil market is going through an upheaval, with non-OPEC production led by North American producers surging while OPEC's traditional price-setting role changes. First, US oil production and proven oil reserve growth over the past several years is astonishing. Despite the current oil price decline, US oil production growth in 2015 is expected to grow around 1 million barrels per day. However, those growth rates probably won't be sustained over the long term.
Veterans face a national lack of empathy
(Adin Dobkin in The Hill) Veterans from combat operations in Iraq, Afghanistan and countless other one-off endeavors around the globe face a crisis of empathy once they return to the United States. While this crisis is not without historical precedent, current factors in the composition and operations faced by our armed forces make the transition back to civilian life all the more difficult. Post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) and traumatic brain injury (TBI) run rampant and although medical research has leapt forward since previous major combat operations, proper diagnosis and treatment leaves much to be desired.
The Injury Afflicting Veterans That No One Wants to Talk About
(Tessa Poppe in Task & Purpose) We need to start talking about how severe injuries, to include post-traumatic stress disorder, affect veterans' sexual function, fertility, and ability to be intimate.
De Giorgi: Flexibility Is Key to Future Navy Ops
(Adm. Giuseppe De Giorgi, chief of the Italian Navy, in Defense News) The Italian Navy operation Mare Nostrum launched after a boat carrying migrants from Africa sank just off the Italian island of Lampedusa in October 2013, drowning more than 350 people.
Seeing The Interview doesn't hurt North Korea and Kim Jong Un - it helps them
(Max Fisher in Vox) The fact that North Korea's English-language propaganda has been hammering for weeks at the idea that The Interview is an insult to Kim and attack on North Korea should tell you something: North Korea really wants for you to believe that The Interview is an insult to Kim and an attack on North Korea.
Rae: India Must Target Foreign Investment, Indigenous Capability
(Vivek Rae, former chairman of India's defense procurement board, in Defense News) There has been renewed vigor in the Indian defense establishment since the inauguration of the Narendra Modi government in May. This started with a more liberal policy on foreign direct investment (FDI), which increased the cap from 26 percent to 49 percent, and also allowed FDI beyond 49 percent in cases that allow access to state-of-the-art technology.
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