THREATWATCH
A top strategist previews Secretary Hagel’s security strategy and what it could mean for the U.S. military, as the US confronts a wide range of asymmetric threats.
Secretary of State John Kerry traveled to Iraq in an attempt to end Iranian overflight missions ferrying arms and supplies to the Syrian regime through Iraqi-controlled airspace.
The tussle over Iranian influence in Iraq and Syria comes on the heels of this provocative piece in the Washington Post that alleges waning American influence is to blame for increased Iranian inroads into the country.
ON THE FORCE
With the majority of bureaucratic impediments removed, a female U.S. Army intelligence officer is doing the best she can to augment and support Special Operations Forces in Afghanistan as part of the Cultural Support Teams.
You may be asking yourself, “How accountable is the senior Air Force leadership, really?” Well, the Air Force has officers like these, who fire themselves when they don’t meet the standards they impose on their own commands — that is, before they fire themselves.
The Pentagon is dramatically expanding its ability to simultaneously defend against and launch computer network attacks.
U.S. Special Operations Command has partnered with Remington to produce the Precision Sniper Rifle.
The Coast Guard is considering reinstating tuition assistance.
POTOMAC TWO-STEP
Despite claims in Washington that moving the drone program to the Pentagon from the CIA would result in transparency and accountability for all, the Pentagon has thus far refused prominent national security reporters, including those of the Washington Post, access to even trivial and rudimentary information about the sizable U.S. Air Force presence in Niger.
Congress has sliced the line item behind the Pakistani Counterinsurgency Fund.
Secretary Hagel spoke to President Hamid Karazi on the phone — and what a snoozer it was.
ON SECRECY – OR LACK THEREOF
The New York Times is of the opinion that the Bradley Manning court case is, in and of itself, a state secret.
A former Syrian cargo pilot has documented in exquisite detail how he flew in arms and materiel to support Syrian President Assad in planes financed and loaded by other countries, including Iran and Russia.
The Department of Defense announced the release of the Strategy for Homeland Defense and Defense Support of Civil Authorities.
A sailor was found with a gunshot wound onboard an amphibious vessel in San Diego.
CONTRACT WATCH
The Department of State is expanding its car insurance coverage for all government vehicles under their cognizance in Mexico.
The Department of State’s internal intelligence shop flexes its muscles.
The Air Force is developing a highly-specialized, highly-miniaturized cryptologic box for use in incredibly austere locales.
Yes, there is such a thing as the Spacecraft Cyber Resiliency Program Office.
