PHOTO: Secretary of Defense Leon E. Panetta, shortly before offering remarks to the Center For a New American Security.
ON BENGHAZI
In public statements, David Petraeus appears to contradict himself.
The White House Photo Office has declined CBS News requests to release images taken of US officials during the Sept. 11 Benghazi attacks. CBS News first requested the images on Oct. 31. In the past, the White House has released photos showing US officials during national security incidents. A half dozen images related to the mission that captured and killed Osama bin Laden were given to the public last year. One depicts President Obama, Vice President Joe Biden, Secretary of State Hillary Clinton and members of the national security team gathered in the Situation Room on May 1, 2011. A White House official referred our request regarding the Benghazi attacks to the White House Photo Office. On Nov. 1, an official there indicated she would process our request quickly, but then did not respond further. Finally, this week, the White House Photo Office told CBS News it would not release any images without approval of Josh Earnest in the White House Press Office. Earnest did not respond to our telephone calls and emails.
ON THE FIGHT
For the United States and its allies, ending the al-Qaida threat calls for a modified military footprint, close work with partners and continued U.S. involvement in regions of the world where violent extremism has flourished. "Tonight," Panetta said, "I wanted to focus on the goal that still remains at the top of the priority list, as it must. That goal that the president made very clear — that we have a responsibility to disrupt, degrade, dismantle and ultimately defeat those who attacked America on 9/11 — al-Qaida — [and] to protect Americans at home and overseas. We need to continue to pursue al-Qaida wherever they go, whatever form they take, wherever they seek to hide. We must be constantly vigilant, we must be constantly determined to pursue this enemy.” Kelsey Atherton helpfully aggregated most of the social media activity last night surrounding the speech, in which Panetta, a former CIA director, argued the U.S. must invest in "new military and intelligence capabilities and security partnerships," citing the continued expansion of special operations forces and praising the use of drones. An encapsulation of what that force would look like can be found in the latest issue of Foreign Affairs.
The international diplomatic push to end the Gaza offensive appeared to gain momentum early Tuesday, with Morsi predicting that attacks would soon end and Netanyahu saying Israel would be a “willing partner” in a cease-fire with Palestinian militants in Gaza. But the Israeli leader later made it clear he was not ruling out a ground invasion.
Gregory Johnsen, on the future of CIA and the ideal characteristics of the man or woman who would lead it: "[We need] […] a C.I.A. director who will halt the agency’s creeping militarization and restore it to what it does best: collecting human intelligence. It is an intelligence agency, not a lightweight version of Joint Special Operations Command. And until America wins the intelligence war, missiles will continue to hit the wrong targets, kill too many civilians and drive young men into the waiting arms of our enemies. Without accurate on-the-ground intelligence, our policies will fail."
ON THE FORCE
Another two commanding officers in the Navy have been relieved of command — fired — making this the 24th commanding officer to be fired in 2012.
Making its Air Force debut, the first combat ready HC-130J Combat King II touched down on Davis-Monthan Air Force Base, Ariz., as the centerpiece of an induction ceremony presided by Col. Jason Hanover, 563rd Rescue Group commander. The 563rd Rescue Group directs flying operations for the USAF’s only active duty rescue wing dedicated to combat search and rescue operations. The new HC-130J aircraft replaces the HC-130P, a 1960’s era aircraft currently in use by the 79th Rescue Squadron.
Brown is offering a " two-year post-doctoral fellow in Modern Arab Culture and Society, with an emphasis on social movements and youth culture in a global context. The ideal candidate will be fluent in Arabic, have extensive field experience in the Arab world, and be familiar with global development and political discourses on modern movements in the Middle East and beyond."
ON TECH
Sony’s Experia TL Bond-branded phone falls short.
Firefox Mobile emerges from the mist.
ON SECRECY – OR LACK THEREOF
The Office of the Undersecretary of Defense is looking to hire a handful of "Unauthorized Disclosure [Senior] Functional Analyst[s]". The position "requires expert knowledge of national, DoD and Intelligence Community information security policies and procedures." The [subject matter expert] "should have security review experience, must be familiar with classification guidance construction, and must understand and interpret DoD policy governing disclosure of classified information."
CONTRACT WATCH
OSD is seeking multimedia specialist support to "design and produce multimedia products for the Deputy Under Secretary of Defense for Intelligence, Warfighter Support".
Naval Special Warfare Development Group wants blades — lots of blades, in fact, in addition to edged weapons.
Robert Caruso is a veteran of the United States Navy, and has worked for the Special Inspector General for Afghanistan Reconstruction, Business Transformation Agency and the Office of the Secretary of Defense.
