ON THE FIGHT
Telecommunication giant Verizon has released a scathing report, attributing a whopping 96 percent of cyber espionage cases to “threat actors in China.” The remaining four percent are unknown — or, perhaps, undisclosed.
China has deployed a carrier-killing missile to Taiwan.
The Air Force expects to spend almost $20 million on “offensive cyber operations,” including research and development, operations, and training, according to budget documents circulated this week. The service estimates needing almost $10 million for new tools to run offensive cyberspace warfare operations, including “unique intelligence and analysis equipment,” a spending justification states. The money would also cover certain specialized operations, up to and including “counter-information capabilities” that protect systems and content against deliberate or inadvertent intrusions, corruption and destruction.
A Washington Times editorial argues that the Central Intelligence Agency doesn’t deserve its own Air Force.
Secretary of Defense Hagel stopped in Jordan for a brief sit-down with senior military officials and the top political leadership.
ON THE FORCE
The Director of DARPA will brief the press on what she views as emergent technologies and capabilities vital to the US’ future today at the Pentagon.
POTOMAC TWO-STEP
A forty-six page report released late yesterday by lawmakers concludes that reductions in security levels prior to the attack that killed Ambassador Stevens and 3 other Americans were approved at the highest levels of the Department of State. The report also concludes that talking points from the intelligence community were altered to protect the administration from criticism of inadequate security levels.
The US Department of Treasury has sanctioned the living daylights out of Hizballah.
ON TECH
A top contributor to Wired magazine urges the public and policymakers to embrace drones, not shy away.
