FW: Early Bird Brief

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From: no-reply@militarytimes.com

Subject: Early Bird Brief
Date: Thu, 7 May 2015 04:24:51 -0600

Having trouble viewing this email? | View it in your browser May 7, 2015 May 7, 2015     FOLLOW US Good morning and welcome to the Early Bird Brief. Please send news tips and suggestions to Early Bird Editor Oriana Pawlyk: opawlyk@militarytimes.com. Today's Top 5 1. Pentagon credit cards used for gambling, escorts (Politico) A Defense Department audit has found that a number of Pentagon employees used their government credit cards to gamble and pay for "adult entertainment" - findings that are expected to lead department officials to issue stern new warnings. 2. Pentagon concedes Islamic State now controls part of major Iraqi refinery (McClatchy) U.S. military officials on Wednesday acknowledged that Iraq's biggest oil refinery is in danger of falling to Islamic State militants and downplayed the refinery's strategic importance only weeks after building it up. 3. Carter's latest budget pleas largely ignored by GOP (Military Times) In his final scheduled budget testimony before Congress this year, Defense Secretary Ash Carter on Wednesday again pleaded with lawmakers not to use temporary war funds to avoid looming budget caps but instead find a better, long-term fiscal compromise. 4. Syria Is Using Chemical Weapons Again, Rescue Workers Say (New York Times) Lately, the pace of the bombardments in contested areas like Idlib Province has picked up, rescue workers say, as government forces have faced new threats from insurgents. 5. Obama administration seeks to alter bill that has caused furor in Iraq (Washington Post) The Obama administration has launched a campaign on Capitol Hill aimed at scrapping a legislative measure that has outraged the Iraqi government and led a senior Shiite cleric to threaten the mobilization of a powerful militia that could threaten U.S. troops. Advertisement Yemen Iran releases seized Maersk vessel (Associated Press) The Iranian government released a Marshal Islands-flagged cargo ship Thursday, Iran's official IRNA news agency reported. Navy ends escort mission in Strait of Hormuz (Military Times) The U.S. Navy has ended its week-old mission to accompany American- and British-flagged ships through the Strait of Hormuz at the mouth of the Persian Gulf, a Pentagon spokesman said Wednesday. Airstrikes on Houthi insurgents kill scores near Saudi border (Los Angeles Times) Scores of people were reported killed by overnight Saudi-led airstrikes in northern Yemen targeting Houthi rebel strongholds near the border with Saudi Arabia, pro-Houthi authorities and area residents said Wednesday. Yemen's UN ambassador calls for ground forces to intervene (Associated Press) Yemen's ambassador to the United Nations is asking the international community to quickly intervene with ground forces to save the country from Houthi rebels who have been targeted by Saudi-led airstrikes for weeks. Kerry hopes to win pause in Yemen war as he heads to talks (Associated Press) U.S. Secretary of State John Kerry said he hopes to secure a pause in Yemen's war as he prepared for talks in Saudi Arabia Wednesday, citing increased shortages of food, fuel and medicine that are adding to a crisis that already has neighboring countries bracing for a mass exodus of refugees. Islamic State From hip-hop to jihad, how the Islamic State became a magnet for converts (Washington Post) As the Islamic State's recruiting efforts have grown, concern in the West has largely centered on Europe's entrenched Muslim communities - communities that have spawned more than 4,000 mostly young and socially isolated Muslims who have left to join Islamist militants fighting in Syria and Iraq. Once there, the new arrivals can transform into what intelligence officials call the most dangerous kind of radical: one with a Western passport. CIA's Ex-No. 2 Says ISIS 'Learned from Snowden' (Daily Beast) The former deputy director of the CIA says in a new book that the NSA contractor's disclosures allowed the forerunners of the terrorist group to evade electronic surveillance. Report: 2.2 million Iraqis displaced by Islamic State (Associated Press) A Norwegian humanitarian group says a record 38 million people have been internally displaced in their countries worldwide, with 2.2 million Iraqis alone forced to flee from their homes in 2014 after the Islamic State group overrun their areas. Russia-Ukraine Defense chief eyeing moves by Ukrainian separatists (The Hill) Defense Secretary Ashton Carter told the Senate Wednesday that Russia-backed separatists might be preparing for another military campaign in Ukraine. Pentagon considered stopping intercepts of Russian aircraft (CNN) The Pentagon considered, and then rejected, the idea of stopping routine intercepts of Russian military aircraft flying off the coast of Alaska, because the U.S. intercept flights appeared to have limited deterrent or intelligence value, according to two U.S. defense officials. Ukraine, Rebels Hold Talks On Shaky truce (Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty) Ukrainian and separatist representatives have met in Minsk for the first time since the two sides signed a peace deal in February. Advertisement 5 Ukrainian troops killed as cease-fire teeters on brink (Associated Press) Ukraine says five government troops battling separatist forces in the east have been killed in one of the worst single days of bloodshed since a cease-fire was declared in February. Shrinking US Army Forces in Europe Fuel Concerns of Russian Expansion (Military.com) The Pentagon's restructuring of aviation units in Germany is stoking concerns that the dwindling U.S. presence in Europe is too weak to deter future Russian aggression. Industry GD Withdrawals Show Strength, Analysts Say (Defense News) Last month, General Dynamics withdrew from the US Army's Rifleman radio competition, just shortly after the company left the competition for the T-100, the T-X trainer replacement program based on the Alenia Aermacchi M-346 design India, France Yet To Sign Deal on Rafale (Defense News) India and France did not sign any type of agreement for the purchase of 36 Rafale fighter aircraft for the Indian Air Force during the Wednesday visit of French Defense Minister Jean-Yves Le Drian here. Chinese Drone Maker DJI Raises $75 Million From Accel Partners (Wall Street Journal) Chinese drone maker SZ DJI Technology Co. secured a $75 million investment this week that values the company at roughly $8 billion, according to people familiar with the situation, propelling the firm into an exclusive club of startups and signaling Silicon Valley's high hopes for the commercial promise of flying robots. Boeing, Kuwait Said To Be Near Deal for Up To 40 Super Hornets (Defense News) Boeing could be the latest international aircraft-maker to garner a deal for more fighter aircraft, with word that the US government is nearing agreement to sell up to 40 F/A-18 E and F Super Hornet strike fighters to Kuwait. AUVSI: Industry looks toward commercial market (C4ISR & Networks) On the showroom floor of the AUVSI conference, held May 4 through May 6 in Atlanta, there were plenty of the well-known defense organizations and their military-focused unmanned offerings. But more than ever, there were models - and chatter - about the growing number of commercial applications for unmanned aerial systems. USAF to overhaul F-16 Block 40 to 50 wings (IHS Jane's 360) The US Department of Defense (DoD) has issued a request for information (RfI) to overhaul the wings of its Block 40 to 50 Lockheed Martin F-16 Fighting Falcon combat aircraft. BAE to deliver tactical SIGINT systems (C4ISR & Networks) BAE Systems will produce 12 Tactical Signals Intelligence Payload systems under a $70 million contract that also includes engineering support services, according to the company. The systems will serve the U.S. Army and Special Operations Command. Navy to Lean On Industry as Cyber Threats Grow (National Defense) The Navy's newly released five-year strategic plan for cyber operations calls for enhanced collaboration with industry to meet the service's demands in the digital realm. Pentagon clears Global Hawk for upgrades (IHS Jane's 360) The US Air Force's (USAF's) Northrop Grumman RQ-4 Global Hawk unmanned reconnaissance aircraft has received Milestone C approval from the US Department of Defense (DoD), allowing the programme to continue with crucial modifications. Electronic warfare market to reach $24B by 2020 (C4ISR & Networks) The global electronic warfare market is expected to reach $24.3 billion in 2020, according to a forecast by market research firm ASDReports. This reflects a compound annual growth rate of 5.37 percent from $17.7 billion in 2014. SpaceX capsule soars with dummy in 1st test of crew escape (Associated Press) SpaceX chalked up another big test flight Wednesday, firing a capsule into theair to try out its new, super-streamlined launch escape system for astronauts. Rooivalk 2 under consideration (IHS Jane's 360) South Africa's Denel group is studying the possibility of bringing the Rooivalk attack helicopter back into production in an updated variant. Solar Panels Could Increase Endurance for Robotic Systems (National Defense) By using solar cells along with traditional batteries, unmanned aerial vehicle manufacturers could triple or even quadruple a system's endurance, said one industry executive May 6. IDEF 2015: Dearsan completes Turkish patrol boat contract, moves ahead with exports (IHS Jane's 360) Turkish shipbuilder Dearsan handed over its 16th and final New Type Patrol Boat (NTPB) to the Turkish Navy in February and is also on track to complete deliveries of its first export order to Turkmenistan this year, the shipbuilder has confirmed. Congress Carter, Dems Slam GOP's Inflated War Fund (Defense News) Defense Secretary Ashton Carter and key Senate Democrats on Wednesday slammed a Republican-concocted plan to offset defense-spending limits by inflating a war fund. GOP pushing aside conservative amendments to Iran nuclear bill (McClatchy) The Republican-controlled Senate is pushing aside amendments offered by two of its most conservative members in order to clear the way for likely approval of a bill that would give Congress the power to review a nuclear agreement with Iran. Kaine to press Congress for war authority, again (Virginian-Pilot) Nine months after President Barack Obama ordered airstrikes on Islamic State terrorists, U.S. Sen. Tim Kaine will make a floor speech Thursday berating his colleagues for avoiding a vote on the undeclared war. House subcommittee requests GAO report on WTUs (Army Times) Reports of abuse of wounded warriors have prompted a House subcommittee to request a report on Warrior Transition Units from Congress' accountability arm. McCain: Disinvite China from Next Year's RIMPAC Exercise (Military.com) One year after China made its debut appearance at the Rim of the Pacific Excercise, the largest joint military exercise in the world, the chairman of the Senate Armed Services Committee wants the country disinvited when ships from 20 of the world's navies gather in the region in 2016. Manchin: W.Va. 'would welcome' Jade Helm (The Hill) Sen. Joe Manchin (D-W.Va.) on Wednesday said his state would gladly host the military's controversial Operation Jade Helm 15 training mission. Veterans Ousted Phoenix VA chief sues to regain job (Arizona Republic) The former Phoenix VA Health Care System director is suing in federal court to get her job back, but the Department of Veterans Affairs argues that she will have to overcome a law written specifically to bar such appeals. Report: VA not doing enough on claims backlog (Stars & Stripes) Baltimore tops a list of the slowest VA offices for responding to veterans disability claims, while Providence, R.I., is at the opposite end of the spectrum, processing claims almost five times faster, according to a new report from a Senate working group. WWII patriotism led woman to join Civil Air Patrol (The (Westchester County, N.Y.) Journal News) There weren't many ways a young woman could help defend her country when Johnnie Pantanelli graduated from high school in 1943. Lawmaker wants private sector more involved in veterans health care (The State) VA officials want to fix the current system. Rice would rather see the private sector handle more of veterans' health care. Chicopee landlord refuses to allow ramp for handicapped veteran (Western Mass News) A disabled veteran is in desperate need of a ramp to get in and out of his Chicopee apartment, but the property owner is putting up a fight. The Northampton Veterans Affairs Medical Center has offered to install the ramp for Kevin O'Brien, but the property managers say it can't be done. The oldest living World War II veteran is turning 109 (The Week) At 108, Richard Overton is the oldest living World War II veteran, and he doesn't bother trying to figure out the secret to his longevity. Newly released reports chronicle harm to veterans (Florida Today) In Tampa, a Veterans Affairs doctor prescribed drugs at an alarmingly high rate, despite being told by colleagues to stop. Army board to consider whether WWII soldier should get Medal of Honor (Lexington (Ky.) Herald-Leader ) An Army board will consider new evidence to decide whether a Clinton County, Ky., native should receive the Medal of Honor. Feds: VA official stole cash for stripper sex, gambling (Detroit News) A former federal employee admitted embezzling about $150,000 from a Veterans Affairs retail store and blowing the cash on strippers, prostitutes and gambling sprees, the Justice Department said Tuesday. A Free Life in Iraq (The New Yorker) An Iraqi man who trained people to be journalists after the fall of Saddam Hussein was killed by a car bomb in Baghdad this week. Remembering veterans who committed suicide through photographs of where they lived (PRI.org) After decades of war reporting, photojournalist David Guttenfelder came home and realized that he had only covered one side of the story. We're Not Buying VA Secretary's Editorial Lauding The VA (Task & Purpose) McDonald's piece comes at a time when the VA finds itself sinking ever deeper into controversy. Reading like an appeal, as if to say, "But look at all this other great stuff we do," the editorial sounds more desperate than convincing. Defense Department & National Security Pentagon still mishandling military whistleblower cases, report finds (McClatchy) Military personnel who report retaliation for blowing the whistle on wrongdoing confront a dysfunctional bureaucracy and long delays, according to an assessment by Congress' watchdog agency. Pacific Command sending 500 troops to Nepal (Stars & Stripes) The U.S. Pacific Command has activated a joint task force that will include 500 personnel deployed to Nepal in support of earthquake relief operations. Tricare reform for Guard, reserves being pushed (Military Times) A proposal to shift 9 million Tricare beneficiaries to civilian health plans may have been rejected last month by Congress and President Obama, but some military advocates are pressing for a test-run of the plan, called Tricare Choice, for National Guard and Reserve members. The 'Texas takeover': Chuck Norris vs. Jon Stewart (Military Times) Who better to monitor a military exercise in Texas than Chuck Norris? Operation Jade Helm 15, a Special Operations Command training exercise, has sparked heated buzz about a potential military coup in the Lone Star State. And television's Texas Ranger is the latest critic to admit that the exercise has him worried. Family of U.S. captive killed by drone backs hostage czar idea (Associated Press) The family of an American captive killed in a drone strike said Wednesday it would welcome the creation of a hostage czar to coordinate government efforts to free those held. Texas Governor Backtracks After Pentagon Denies Takeover Plot (National Public Radio) "Rumors have been flying in some corners of the Internet that those training exercises scheduled for this summer are actually a cover for a military takeover and the imposition of martial law. Now the governor is backtracking a bit now. We want to get filled in on what's happening." Opinion: The Pentagon should drop the ban on women in combat units - no exceptions (Brian Wagner in The Washington Post) As of April 23, eight women continue to persevere at the current Ranger course. They may all fail to complete the entire course. Yet their mere presence in the program, conducted under intense public scrutiny, is already a victory for integration. Army Special report: Army updates bonuses, cash incentives (Army Times) An overview of the Army's biggest special pay and incentive programs. Army already enlisting 'Dreamers' as Congress debates immigration (The Hill) The Army has already allowed almost 50 illegal immigrants to enlist as members of Congress debate whether to allow them to seek citizenship through military service. Tattoo update: Your ink record will remain on file (Army Times) The Army's strict tattoo policy may have gone away, but the memos documenting your tattoos have not. Army Begins Massive Makeover of Combat Vehicle Fleet (National Defense) The Army has suspended purchases of new combat vehicles for the time being, but it is ploughing ahead with plans to gut aging tanks and equip them with fresh components and electronics, including a new powerful targeting sensor. Army now down to 496,079 soldiers, near drawdown goal (Army Times) The drawdown has reduced the Regular Army to 496,079 soldiers, some 23,700 fewer troops than were on the active-duty rolls at this time last year. "It's Unbelievable What We Go Through," Laments Army Helo Program Manager (Breaking Defense) You're the Army and you really, really want a new, more powerful and efficient engine for most of your helicopter fleet. It's really urgent. But you're not going to get those engines for your UH-60 Black Hawk and AH-64 Apache helicopters for at least another 11 years. What's the reason? Good old fashioned bureaucracy. Guard, Reserve nurses can go for anesthesia grad degree (Army Times) A selection board will meet in August to consider qualified nurses of the National Guard and Army Reserve for funded graduate studies in anesthesia nursing and appointments to the Regular Army Nurse Corps. Best of Army Reserve compete at Fort Bragg (Fayetteville Observer) This week, the best the Army Reserve has to offer are on Fort Bragg vying for the opportunity to compete at the Army-level later this year. Navy Controversial CO's name pulled from O-6 selectees list (Navy Times) The promotion of the former commanding officer of the destroyer William P. Lawrence, who was faulted in the 2013 deaths of two helicopter pilots, has been put on hold. US Navy Cyber Launches Strategic Plan (Defense News) The commander of US Navy Cyber announced a five-year strategy, and like the Pentagon's cyber strategy announcement two weeks earlier, acknowledged the dire need for talented workers with the skills to fend off the nation's foes. U.S. Pacific Fleet to Host First-Ever Amphibious Leaders Symposium (USNI News) The U.S. Pacific Fleet will host an amphibious operations exercise this month that will include a week-long conference and tabletop exercise for more than 30 Pacific countries. Boot camp officials stand by decision to bar some religious services (Navy Times) Despite pressure from both sides of the religious divide, Navy boot camp officials are standing firm on their decision to bar more than a half dozen civilian volunteer religious leaders from conducting services on the base. Navy SEAL Workout Anyone Can Do: How It Came to Be (ABC News) More than 10 years later, TRX has become a household name and, according the company, it's in more than 25,000 gyms in the United States and is used by more than 95 percent of professional sports teams, including in the NFL, the NBA, MLB and the NHL. Navy, Marine Cyber Fought Off All Net Attackers Since 2013 (Breaking Defense) When Iran hacked the Navy-Marine Corps Intranet in fall 2013, it shook up the sea services' approach to cybersecurity. Thanks to that new vigilance, their networks have fended off every subsequent attack, the head of Navy Cyber Command said today. Ex-Navy SEAL gets prison in fraud case (San Diego Union-Tribune) When it came time for Jason Matthew Mullaney to face a judge for sentencing, after being accused of using his loan business to defraud a dozen investors, many of them fellow members of the military, several of them showed up in court to support him. Sailors fight fires, floods in Fleet Week competition (Sun Sentinel ) On Tuesday, six teams from the Navy and Coast Guard competed in six maritime safety training drills that included firefighting, search and rescue and patching a flooded chamber. Navy grad wins major league game (Navy Times) Navy Reserve Lt. Mitch Harris recorded his first Major League Baseball victory and became the first Naval Academy grad to win a major league game Tuesday night as the Cardinals beat the Chicago Cubs 7-4 in St. Louis. Air Force First female F-35 pilot completes initial flight (Air Force Times) The first female F-35 pilot has taken flight. Watch new video of an Afghan battle that yielded top Air Force valor awards (Washington Post) The U.S. Air Force on Wednesday awarded three top valor awards to Special Operations troops who were caught in a vicious ambush in Afghanistan last fall in which insurgents openly planned to take some of them prisoner. Then the service provided something unusual: video of the attack involved. Air Force Academy cadet released from Virginia hospital after heart attack (Colorado Springs Gazette) Hailey Lane, whose struggle to recover from the March 23 incident grew into a Twitter movement under the hashtag #HaileyStrong, was headed home to continue healing, her family said. 37th Training Wing identifies basic trainee who died (Air Force Times) The basic trainee who died Monday at Joint Base San Antonio-Lackland has been identified as Kelani Thomas, 19. Marine Corps Medal of Honor recipient Meyer issues flag challenge (Stars & Stripes) Meyer, the Marine Corps' first living recipient of the military's highest honor since the Vietnam War, posted a video on his official Facebook page urging viewers to post images that "mean something to you, something that represents this country ... and show them that we're stronger than they'll ever be." Marines' Aviation C2 System Finishes Operational Assessment (USNI News) The Marines' Common Aviation Command and Control System (CAC2S) wrapped up its operational assessment in Arizona and will have a busy year finalizing software and hardware tweaks before heading to initial operational test and evaluation a year from now. National Guard Military leaders from Benin and Togo visiting North Dakota (Associated Press) Officials from the African nations of Benin and Togo are in North Dakota this week to further their relationship with the North Dakota National Guard. Afghanistan/Pakistan Afghanistan Is Too Dangerous for Congressional Visits (Daily Beast) President Obama may have declared that the U.S. combat mission in Afghanistan has ended. But the country is still so dangerous that the Pentagon has banned members of Congress and their aides from traveling there this summer, U.S. officials told The Daily Beast. Afghan Army Makes Progress; Will Government Services Follow? (National Public Radio) Afghans are now in charge of fighting the Taliban - with no Americans in sight - and compared to just two short years ago, they're doing well: They are relatively well equipped, organized and led. They look like a professional army and are eager to go out and take on the Taliban. Afghan Villagers Rise Up Against Militants (Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty) Tired of waiting for government help, hundreds of villagers in a remote northern Afghan province have taken up arms against the militants who are terrorizing their villages. Middle East Website Highlights Israel's Anti-Tunnel Weapon (Defense News) Project Snake Pit is the name of Israel's secret weapon first employed in the final stages of Israel's grueling anti-tunnel war in Gaza as part of Operation Protective Edge. Israel's Netanyahu Forms New Coalition Government (Associated Press) Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu on Wednesday completed the formation of a new coalition government, reaching a last-minute deal with a nationalist party just before a midnight deadline. A Kosovo father recounts harrowing trip to retrieve sons from Syria (McClatchy) When Uksmajli's son Arbnor telephoned one day last July to say that he, his wife, two children and younger brother, Albert, were in Syria, Uksmajli took matters into his own hands. He went after them himself. Qatar Airways Could Gain More Traffic Rights To France From Qatar Rafale Deal (Aviation Week) The debate about the Gulf airlines' European expansion is taking a new turn, following a report that Qatar Airways secured additional traffic rights into France as part of a ???6.3 billion ($7.03 billion) deal between Paris and Doha for the sale of 24 French-built Rafale fighter jets and an option for 12 more. Europe NATO Beware: Turkey May Buy Russia's S-300 Air Defense System (The National Interest) Turkey is still considering purchasing Russia's S-300 air and missile defense system, a senior Russian defense industry official said on Wednesday. Uncertainty: The only sure thing in Britain's too-close-to-call election (Washington Post) After a bitter, bruising and unusually fragmented six-week election campaign, British voters prepared to vote Thursday knowing just one thing with near certainty: Nobody is going to win. Norway Picks Supacat High-Mobility Vehicle (Defense News) Norway has ordered HMT Extenda vehicles from British maker Supacat under a deal valued at £23 million (US $34.8 million), including support, to bolster the mobility of its land forces. NATO researchers test underwater drones in Norway (Stars & Stripes) Part of a NATO project based in Italy, it is an early version of the kind of unmanned, autonomous technology many believe to be the future of anti-submarine warfare. Someone stole $1 billion from Moldova. That's an eighth of its GDP (Global Post) Investigators, including the US auditing firm Kroll, are looking into the matter but have released few details. The speaker of Moldova's parliament finally released a report by Kroll late Monday night that implicated a Moldovan businessman in the scheme, but recommended further investigation. Becvar Named Top Czech Military Chief (Defense News) Czech President Milos Zeman has appointed Lt. Gen. Josef Becvar as the new chief of the General Staff of the Czech Armed Forces. Becvar will replace Gen. Petr Pavel. Poland seeks 250 new semi-automatic sniper rifles (IHS Jane's 360) The Polish Armament Inspectorate has announced a 'technical dialogue' for the possible delivery of 250 semi-automatic sniper rifles chambered in the 7.62x51 mm NATO calibre to replace the Polish armed forces' worn-out Soviet-made SVD (Dragunov) rifles. Asia-Pacific US Eyes Expanded Military Exercises with ASEAN Navies (The Diplomat) While these exercises are no doubt important and countries are often happy to pursue this sort of cooperation with the United States, the act of broadening these exercises is often much more complex than some observers appreciate. How Narendra Modi Wants to Change India (Time) The prime minister has become a major global player. India's crackdown on NGOs receiving foreign funding prompts U.S. criticism (Washington Post) The U.S. ambassador to India on Wednesday criticized the government's clampdown on nongovernmental organizations that receive foreign funding, saying it could have a "chilling effect" on civil society in the world's largest democracy. China's Xi Prepares to Visit Russia (The Diplomat) Xi will seek to further cement China-Russia ties as he attends Victory Day celebrations in Moscow. Africa 3,000 Nigerians escaping Boko Haram deported from Niger (Associated Press) Niger troops have deported more than 3,000 Nigerian fishermen and refugees escaping Boko Haram, forcing them to undertake a brutal three-day trek in which at least a dozen people died, an official and witnesses said Wednesday. Kenya Steps Back From Threat to Expel Somali Refugees (New York Times) President Uhuru Kenyatta of Kenya on Wednesday softened a threat to expel hundreds of thousands of Somali refugees within three months, saying there would be no forced repatriations. The Americas Surveillance planes spotted in the sky for days after West Baltimore rioting (Washington Post) Discovery of the flights - which involved at least two airplanes and the assistance of the FBI - has prompted the American Civil Liberties Union to demand answers about the legal authority for the operations and the reach of the technology used. This App Will Tell You Where It's Legal to Fly a Drone (Time) FAA to release B4UFLY app for drone hobbyists this summer. Retired Justice Stevens says some Guantánamo captives may deserve reparations (Miami Herald) Retired U.S. Supreme Court Justice John Paul Stevens shattered the taboo on talking about reparations for Guantánamo captives this week in a speech that said some of the nearly 800 men and boys held at the Pentagon's prison camps in Cuba may be entitled to compensation, like Japanese Americans who were interned during World War II. Commentary and Analysis What Americans Don't Understand About Their Own Military (Harvey M. Sapolsky in Quartz) Reinstating the draft is hardly a realistic solution to bridging the military-civilian gap in the U.S. And here's why. Commentary: US Must Never Rest on Defense (Marion Blakey in Defense News) On April 30, my nearly eight-year tenure as leader of the Aerospace Industries Association (AIA) concluded and I joined the ranks of AIA members as the president and CEO of Rolls-Royce North America. House of Cards: How King Salman's Reshuffling May Backfire (Roberto Iannuzzi in Cicero Magazine) In the midst of a harsh military campaign in Yemen, Saudi King Salman has managed to surprise once again. Before dawn on April 29, he issued a series of royal decrees reshuffling both the Cabinet and the monarchy's line of succession. Educating the U.S. Military: Is Real Change Possible? (Joan Johnson-Freese in War On The Rocks) The latest article in our special series, "The Schoolhouse." | Issues that keep JPME institutions from truly excelling in both serving near-term warfighter needs and providing the strategic, critical-thinking-based education necessary for students' future positions and challenges - specifically at degree-granting intermediate and senior level institutions - are chronicled in Christopher Lamb and Brittany Porro's 2015 article in Joint Forces Quarterly. Problems break down into two key areas. Nuclear Weapons Enable Peace (Constance Baroudos, Lexington Institute) Contrary to some media reports, like Senator Dianne Feinstein's opinion editorial last year, nuclear weapons are an affordable deterrent. The nuclear triad accounts for less than 2 percent of the total defense budget and protects economic centers like New York and Los Angeles from blackmail and complete destruction. Editorial: Integrate US-Japan Forces (Defense News) Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe's visit to the United States last week was a success. He made Japan's case on security, trade and diplomacy, becoming the first Japanese leader ever to address a joint session of Congress. And in English, no less. Why The National Guard Needs Its Community Connection (Angry Staff Officer in Task & Purpose) The National Guard is running the risk of losing its long-held community ties as it becomes more aligned with the regular Army. The struggle between freedom and tyranny in Ukraine (Jim Gerlach in The Hill) Unfortunately today, President Obama does not appear to fully understand the essence of the struggle underway in eastern Ukraine between freedom and tyranny or, if he does, he fails to appreciate the historic imperative of using American military assistance to once again beat back the lawless aggression of an imperialistic ruler. Editorial: Of Budgets and Odd Alliances (Defense News) The unusual coalition of conservative Republican deficit hawks and liberal Democrats united to cut Pentagon spending is worrying defense supporters. Tomorrow's Small Wars Won't Just Be Land Wars (David Sterman in DefenseOne) Imagine a crisis in a coastal country where terrorists and insurgents turn the littorals to their advantage. Are the United States and its allies ready for naval forces to play a key role in counterinsurgency? Rethinking Section 660: Democracy, Police, and U.S. Foreign Assistance (Jason Fritz in War On The Rocks) Most definitions of democratic policing offer similar characteristics: the police are "subject to the rule of law embodying values respectful of human dignity, rather than the wishes of a powerful leader or party; can intervene in the life of citizens only under limited and carefully controlled circumstances; and [are] publicly accountable." It is not a leap of logic to reason that if those who physically uphold the rule of law abide by the principles of democracy, they would also create places that are more democratic than not. How America and Russia Could Start a Nuclear War (Tom Nichols in The National Interest ) Is a nuclear war between Russia and America possible today? After all, there is no longer a Cold War, the Soviet Union and its military alliance were dismantled long ago, and both Russia and America have slashed their nuclear inventories. What could cause a nuclear conflict? How would such an exchange start, and how would it progress? Post-ISAF Afghanistan: The Early Months (Sultan Barakat and Brooke Smith-Windsor in Brookings) What will happen in this post-transition period? Will Afghanistan's security hold? What can Afghanistan expect from NATO going forward? Can the economy develop despite a likely decline in foreign aid? What role might Pakistan and other neighbors play in shoring up Afghanistan's economy and reinforcing its national security? To forward this e-mail to a friend, click here Click to Unsubscribe from this Newsletter or Customer Service: 1-800-368-5718 or cust-svc@gannettgov.com © 2015 Military Times, a division of Gannett Government Media 6883 Commercial Drive, Springfield, VA 22159