Thank You
Robert Serge
VVA 17 Member
Blog Master
To all my fellow veterans friends and family my we all remember
From: no-reply@navytimes.com
To: rserge1@outlook.com
Subject: Navy Times Early Bird Brief
Date: Fri, 26 Sep 2014 04:40:14 -0600
COMPILED BY THE EDITORS OF DEFENSE NEWS & MILITARY TIMES
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TODAY'S TOP 51. DoD policy will allow some immigrants in U.S. illegally to serve(Military Times) A small number of immigrants living in the U.S. illegally will have an opportunity to join the military for the first time in decades under a new Defense Department policy unveiled Thursday. 2. F-35 jet combat ready next year, new Israeli order close (Reuters) The first version of the F-35 fighter jet will be combat ready by mid-2015, despite an engine failure which still needs a fix, and Israel could sign a deal within months to buy more of the aircraft, program officials said on Thursday. 3. Beating Ebola From The Sea (Gary Anderson in Small Wars Journal) Ebola is such a terrible disease that it has turned the norms of humanitarian relief operations upside down. In the case of hurricanes, earthquakes, and famines; non- governmental organizations usually flood to the scene to help. But the cancellation of airline travel and the risk to aid workers and first responders is so great that this help is lacking. President Obama's decision to use military assets to help is understandable, but the quality of military assistance is as important as good intentions. 4. Can 'Call of Duty' and other video games help plan for war? New project will find out. (Washington Post) Steven Grundman was sitting on his couch, watching his son play the video game "Call of Duty: Black Ops II" when he was struck by an idea that, he thinks, might just change how policy experts approach the future of war. 5. Space bubbles' may have led to deadly battle in Afghanistan (Science) On the morning of Monday, 4 March 2002, sometime just before the sun came up, an MH-47E Chinook helicopter carrying a group of U.S. Army Rangers flew low across a rugged Afghan landscape. Their destination was a snowcapped mountain called Takur Ghar. ISLAMIC STATEBig Red One' HQ will deploy to Iraq(Army Times) The 1st Infantry Division headquarters will deploy to Iraq in the coming weeks as the U.S. expands its war against the Islamic State, officials announced Thursday. What the 60-plus members of the anti-Islamic State coalition are doing (Washington Post) The United States-led coalition to fight the Islamic State militant group continues to grow, with numerous nations providing varying levels of backing in the form of military equipment, aid and political support. It is unclear, however, what exactly constitutes being a member of this coalition and how many nations have signed up. Pentagon says it will take years to retrain Iraqi forces. Why so long? (Christian Science Monitor) The assassination and intimidation campaign waged by Islamist militants, as well as the cronyism practiced by the former Iraqi prime minister, have led to an erosion of confidence, says the retired general who took command of the training effort for Iraqi security forces in 2007. Arab Allies Take Lead In Syria Airstrikes; F-22s Fade From View (Breaking Defense) The outlines of the campaign against ISIL are beginning to come into focus. The bombings and missile attacks against ISIL in Iraq are largely tactical, designed to provide the Iraqi military with some breathing room until they and the Kurdish peshmerga can mount effective counterattacks to drive ISIL out of their territory. But the bombings and missile strikes in Syria against ISIL are strategic, as Pentagon spokesman Rear Adm. John Kirby said several times today during the morning news briefing. Pace of Air Campaign in Syria Expected to Slow (Wall Street Journal) U.S. airstrikes against Islamic State fighters in Syria, which began this week with forceful missile and bomber salvos, are expected to eventually settle into a lower-intensity tempo resembling the American-led campaign in Iraq, defense officials said. CENTCOM releases new video of airstrikes on Islamic State targets in Syria (Military Times) Central Command released new video Thursday of airstrikes against Islamic State targets in Syria by U.S. and coalition aircraft. U.S. says airstrikes crippled most of small oil refineries held by Islamic State in Syria (Washington Post) American military officials said Thursday that U.S. and allied airstrikes had crippled most of the small oil refineries controlled by Islamic State in Syria and that the remainder would be targeted in coming days. Pentagon puts ISIS costs at $7M to $10M per day (The Hill) The Pentagon said Thursday that the costs of U.S. efforts against the Islamic State in Iraq and Syria are an estimated $7 million to $10 million per day. USAF goes into Syria prepared to meet resistance (IHS Jane's 360) The US airstrikes carried out against Islamist militants in Syria on the night of 22-23 September were supported by aircraft that were prepared to take on Syria's air defences, a video released by US Central Command (CENTCOM) has revealed. Iraqi Woman Activist Killed By Islamic State (Associated Press) Militants with the Islamic State group tortured and then publicly killed a human rights lawyer in the Iraqi city of Mosul after their self-proclaimed religious court ruled that she had abandoned Islam, the U.N. mission in Iraq said Thursday. As U.S. takes on the Islamic State, al-Qaeda remains degraded but not defeated (Washington Post) As the United States mobilized against new Islamist enemies this month, the voice of an aging adversary echoed in the distance. A Terror Cell That Avoided the Spotlight (New York Times) Some time last year, a Kuwaiti man in his early 30s who had spent more than a decade hiding from the American government arrived in northwest Syria, where he met up with other members of Al Qaeda who had begun putting down roots in a country torn by two years of death and chaos. FBI Chief: Khorasan Plot May Still Be Alive (Voice of America) Terrorist plots against the United States and Europe may still be in the works despite this week's airstrikes against the al-Qaida cell known as Khorasan. FBI Director James Comey told reporters in Washington Thursday he is "not confident at all" that attacks by U.S.-led coalition disrupted Khorasan's plans. Iraqi PM: Plot To Attack US, Paris Subways (Associated Press) Iraq's prime minister said Thursday that captured Islamic State militants have told Iraqi intelligence agents of an alleged plot to attack subways in the United States and Paris, but French and American officials said they had no such information. FBI: U.S. thinks it knows militant in Foley beheading video (CNN) The United States believes it has identified the ISIS militant in the video showing American journalist James Foley's killing, FBI Director James Comey said Thursday. Clashing Goals in Syria Strikes Put U.S. in Fix (New York Times) President Obama said the American-led airstrikes in Syria were intended to punish the terror organizations that threatened the United States - but would do nothing to aid President Bashar al-Assad of Syria, who is at war with the same groups. Lack of reliable partners in Syria poses daunting challenge to U.S. (Los Angeles Times) With the dramatic aerial bombardment of militant positions in Syria on Tuesday, the Obama administration has expanded its offensive against Islamic State extremists to new but treacherous terrain. ISIS Videos Employ 'Good Cop, Bad Cop' Approach (National Public Radio) Robert Siegel talks to Peter Neumann, professor of security studies at the Department of War Studies at King's College London, about new ISIS production techniques and the release of their new video showing the kidnapped British journalist John Cantlie. Syria's Islamic Rebels Fear US Could Hit Them (Associated Press) When the United States opened its aerial campaign against the Islamic State group in Syria this week, its first salvo also hit an al-Qaida cell it says was planning terror attacks - a move that has injected more chaos into the conflict and could help President Bashar Assad. Ursula von der Leyen in surprise Iraq visit (Deutsche Welle) Germany's defense minister, Ursula von der Leyen, has made a surprise visit to Iraq to hold talks with Kurdish leaders. The visit comes a day after Germany began delivering arms to Kurdish fighters. INDUSTRYF-35 'On Track' for Carrier Tests in November(Defense News) The F-35 joint strike fighter is on track to conduct trials aboard a US Navy aircraft carrier in November, but there are still variables as to what may be tested, the program's top official said today. Army to Start Next JLTV Competition This Fall (DoDBuzz) Truck-maker Oshkosh Corp. and Humvee-maker AM General LLC both brought prototypes of their new light-duty tactical trucks to this year's Modern Day Marine expo. How Do Global Conflicts Impact Defense Industry? (Bloomberg) Bloomberg Government Senior Defense Analyst Kevin Brancato reports on the impact of the war against the Islamic State on the defense industry. He speaks on "Market Makers." SNC, Embraer Deliver First A-29 to US Air Force (Defense News) Sierra Nevada Corp. (SNC) and Embraer have delivered the first A-29 Super Tucano to the US Air Force, with company officials pledging Embraer's Jacksonville, Florida, facility will produce the remainder of its order on time. JELA, LPTA are but tools in a toolbox (C4ISR & Networks) Contracting tools such as joint enterprise licensing agreements (JELA) and lowest-price/technically acceptable (LPTA) contracts are only tools, according to Victor Gavin, the Navy's program executive officer for Enterprise Information Systems. As such, they might change the way defense agencies buy IT in the future, but the changes will be beneficial only if officials use the techniques judiciously. Airbus's Southwell To Step Down (Defense News) The boss of Airbus UK Robin Southwell is leaving the company after nearly a decade at the controls. Airbus Group talks to interested parties on defense assets: CEO (Reuters) Airbus Group (AIR.PA) has begun sounding out potential partners for parts of its defense and security business whose future was left undecided in a recent portfolio review, Chief Executive Tom Enders said on Thursday. Indonesia, China discuss radar deal (IHS Jane's 360) Indonesia is in discussion with China about possibly buying a Chinese-developed maritime radar system, Indonesia's state-run news agency Antara reported on 24 September. Dassault Aviation Plans to Buy Back Up to 10% of Stock (Wall Street Journal) Dassault Aviation SA AM.FR -1.02% shareholders today approved a plan that would allow the company to buy back as much as 10% of its stock. Exclusive: India eyes Sikorsky helicopter, other big U.S. arms buys (Reuters) In a boost to U.S. weapons makers looking for ways to offset lower domestic military spending, India is expected to choose Sikorsky Aircraft's S-70B Sea Hawk helicopters at a 16-aircraft tender worth over $1 billion. Brazil plans to add 56 additional 6x6s (IHS Jane's 360) The Brazilian Army is expected to purchase a new batch of VBTP-MR Guarani 6x6 amphibious armoured vehicles from Iveco Latin America. Finmeccanica calls for binding offers for AnsaldoBreda (Reuters) Italy's defense group Finmeccanica (SIFI.MI) said on Thursday its board had decided to proceed with a request for binding offers for its loss-making train unit Ansaldo Breda after examining the bids so far received. VETERANSRetaliation claims rise sharply at VA(Atlanta Journal-Constitution) Complaints of retaliation against whistleblowers at the Department of Veterans Affairs more than doubled in recent months, according to an Atlanta Journal-Constitution analysis, and one of the highest profile VA whistleblowers claims he and the chief witness in his case have been subjected to retaliation in Atlanta. U.S. Rep. Martha Roby doesn't trust the VA system (Montgomery Advertiser) U.S. Rep. Martha Roby, R-Montgomery, says she'll have to see Veterans Administration plans in action. It's a "show me" situation, she said Wednesday while meeting with Wednesday at the Montgomery Advertiser. New electronic form to streamline chaotic VA claims process (Stars & Stripes) The Department of Veterans Affairs is changing the way veterans file disability claims, in the hopes of speeding up the process VA audit: Delays on benefits claims cause Seattle office to overpay (Tacoma News Tribune) Delays in processing claims at the Department of Veterans Affairs benefits office in Seattle are causing the agency to overpay patients after they recover from surgeries, according to a VA Inspector General report released Thursday. Va. governor aims to end veteran homelessness (Associated Press) Virginia is in the second day of a challenge aimed at sheltering homeless veterans. Vets share VA troubles at Hampton town hall meeting (Virginian-Pilot) One veteran said he waited a year and a half after biopsies of his lung and his lymph nodes to finally find out he has cancer. Veterans to get free ACC tech training under state grant (Austin American-Statesman) As many as 460 veterans will receive free training at Austin Community College for jobs in the high-demand information technology sector under a $1.1 million state grant, officials said Wednesday. CONGRESSDespite Troubles, Veteran Senator Calls F-35's Political Support 'Fairly Strong'(Defense News) There are no political wolves moving to sink their teeth into the Pentagon's F-35 fighter program, despite a speckled past, says one veteran US senator. Boehner: Don't Expect War Authorization Vote in Lame-Duck Session (Roll Call) Speaker John A. Boehner thinks Congress should debate authorizing use of force against the Islamic State in Syria - but not until new members of the House and Senate take office in January. Analysis: Will Congress Vote on Authorizing America's New War? (Defense News) Read between the lines of senior lawmakers' statements about a congressional vote to authorize President Obama's war on the Islamic State (IS) group and one realizes Congress may not vote at all. Panel: Law Authorizing ISIS Strikes Could Be Up For Review When Congress Returns (USNI News) Because the 2001 Authorization of the Use of Military Force "has no sunset" or "geographic limits," a panel of legal scholars agreed that it likely covered President Barack Obama's moves against the Islamic State in Iraq and Syria (ISIS) and the al Qaeda cell Khorasan, but invoking the old law also opened the door for congressional review after the midterm elections. DEFENSE DEPARTMENTEbola mission includes risk of malaria for troops(Military Times) U.S. troops are trickling in to Liberia to set the stage for a massive deployment to West Africa to help contain the Ebola epidemic. U.S. to Shield Military From High-Interest Debt (Wall Street Journal) The Obama administration plans to propose tougher financial protections for personal loans made to the military amid concerns lenders are circumventing rules designed to protect servicemembers from taking on high-interest debt. Questions mount regarding sexual assault reporting at Ft. Leonard Wood (St. Louis Post-Dispatch) A victims rights group said Thursday that it wants the Department of Defense to investigate whether superiors at Fort Leonard Wood discouraged trainees to report allegations of sexual assault and harassment. DoD negotiates path toward core data centers (C4ISR & Networks) Defense Department agencies are well into efforts to trim the number of data centers the military operates in favor of moving to a more centralized approach. Officials say this shift will streamline operations, improve security and help achieve efficiencies and savings. ARMYArmy's Doctrine Chief: Expect the Unexpected(Government Executive) Though reluctant to reduce military training to a bumper sticker, the Army's top doctrine commander on Thursday chose "win in a complex world" as the most succinct expression of his approach to future warfare preparations. Army: It's good news that sexual assault reports are up (Stars & Stripes) Reports of sexual assaults in U.S. Army Europe jumped 131 percent in fiscal 2013. Retired 3-star: Americans don't understand that ground troops win wars (Military Times) U.S. lawmakers and the wider American public do not understand why it is important to win land wars because the Army has a hard time explaining it, said retired Lt. Gen. David Barno. Most of Fort Monroe commercial space is unfilled (Virginian-Pilot) Three years after the Army decommissioned Fort Monroe, nearly all of the space intended for residential use has been filled. But less than one-quarter designated for businesses is occupied. HRC may shut some personnel systems down, command says (Army Times) The Human Resources Command is working with Army Cyber Command, the Army Network Enterprise Technology Command and the Army G6 (chief information officer) to resolve a "significant and complex" information technology challenge that may result in several key personnel services systems being pulled off line, HRC officials said Thursday morning. NAVYLemoore pilot in Pacific crash makes 'full recovery'(Fresno Bee) A Lemoore-based Navy jet fighter pilot who ejected over the Pacific Ocean after a crash that claimed the life of a fellow pilot has recovered from his injuries, the Navy said Wednesday. Hunting Mines Via Drones (Defense News) US Navy project officials have turned a small quad-rotor drone into a mine-hunter by equipping it with miniaturized, ultra-sensitive metal-detecting equipment. Bedbugs infest Naval Academy for second time in 2 years (Capital Gazette; Annapolis, Md.) Turns out some midshipmen are just scratching the surface of their challenges. The Navy Wants a Tactical Cloud (NextGov) The Office of Naval Research wants to harness the power of cloud computing and bring big data fusion capabilities to the warfighting environment. AIR FORCEAir Force EOD mission ends after 12 years in Afghanistan(Air Force Times) Twelve years after the first response as part of Operation Enduring Freedom, the Air Force explosive ordnance disposal mission in Afghanistan has ended and EOD airmen have left the country. Air Force Academy leaders provide board with list of problems, corrective actions (Colorado Springs Gazette) Ahead of the release of an inspector general's report on the Air Force Academy's athletic department, leaders at the school outlined a string of problems and actions to correct them for the academy's Board of Visitors. Latest MTI case dismissed in rare ruling (Air Force Times) An Air Force judge on Sept. 23 dismissed charges against a former military training instructor accused of having an inappropriate relationship with one recruit and attempting a relationship with a second. Embassy issues security warning for US personnel in Turkey (Stars & Stripes) Incirlik Air Base and other U.S. military installations in Turkey are on heightened alert after the U.S. Embassy issued a security warning urging Americans in the country to be vigilant against potential terrorist attacks. Staff sergeant evals will all close out Jan. 31 (Air Force Times) Staff sergeants' enlisted performance reports will close out on Jan. 31 under the Air Force's overhauled promotion system, the service said in a Thursday release. MARINE CORPSMarines reveal details of tense embassy evacuation from Libya(Marine Corps Times) Newly released details about the decision to evacuate the U.S. Embassy in Libya in late July highlight the challenges of tactical decision-making between the Marine Corps and State Department in the event of a crisis at a diplomatic post that requires military action. Miramar colonel under review for affair (San Diego Union-Tribune) The top official in charge of rooting out misconduct at Marine Corps Air Station Miramar was removed from his post on Wednesday, as he is under investigation regarding an extramarital affair with a subordinate. Lejeune gate guard in deadly incident charged with negligent homicide (Marine Corps Times) A Camp Lejeune gate sentry accused of killing a fellow Marine in a negligent shooting in April has been charged by the Marine Corps. Marine vet House hopeful: No troops to Iraq (The Hill) Massachusetts House nominee Seth Moulton (D) released a campaign ad Thursday opposing sending U.S. troops back to Iraq. MRAP whistleblower scores victories in settlement with Marine Corps (Marine Corps Times) A Marine Corps civilian who wrote a scathing internal report arguing that the Corps could have saved hundreds of lives by approving a 2005 request for Mine Resistant Ambush Protected vehicles in Iraq has won his whistelblower compliant. AFGHANISTAN/PAKISTANAfghan Runner-Up, in Tone of Compromise, Confirms He Will Join Government(New York Times) The runner-up in Afghanistan's bitterly disputed presidential election, Abdullah Abdullah, struck a conciliatory note toward President-elect Ashraf Ghani in a speech on Thursday in which he confirmed that he would join the government as its chief executive officer. Islamic State expanding activities in Ghazni province (Khaama Press) Local officials in southeastern Ghanzi province of Afghanistan have warned that militants linked with Islamic State are expanding their activities in parts of this province. US drone strike in North Waziristan kills Uzbeks, 'foreign nationals' (Long War Journal) Yesterday, the US launched the first recorded drone strike in Pakistan's tribal areas in more than six weeks, killing 10 jihadists, including Uzbek fighters and local Taliban members. Mistrust between Afghanistan and Pakistan soars as U.S. forces depart (Washington Post) As Taliban fighters kill a growing number of Afghan soldiers, the country's leaders are blaming Pakistan, an accusation that has sent the neighbors' relations to one of the lowest points in more than a decade. What Nawaz Sharif of Pakistan Seeks (New York Times) Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif of Pakistan is scheduled to speak at the United Nations on Friday, Sept. 26 In Pakistan, some antigovernment protesters just want to go home (Los Angeles Times) A month ago, Shabbir Ahmed was excited when he and 20 coworkers were ordered by their boss to join antigovernment demonstrations in the heart of this capital. The 25-year-old laborer from the eastern metropolis of Lahore had never been to Islamabad before. MIDDLE EASTUS launches second US drone strike in Shabwa in 2 weeks(Long War Journal) Local officials in Yemen's southern province of Shabwa reported that an American drone strike killed at least four al Qaeda in the Arabian Peninsula (AQAP) fighters today. The strike is the second in Yemen this month; the US also targeted AQAP fighters in Shabwa province on Sept. 11. U.S. orders some of its diplomats out of Yemen (Washington Post) The State Department on Thursday pulled some of its diplomats out of Yemen and advised Americans already there to depart quickly, as the country plunged deeper into turmoil with rebels in control of the capital, Sanaa. Israel's first Dolphin AIP sub arrives in Haifa (IHS Jane's 360) Israel's fourth Dolphin-class submarine, INS Tanin , arrived at the Haifa naval base on 23 September, completing an acquisition that has been hailed as a significant boost to the Israel Defense Forces' (IDF's) long-range operational capabilities. Iranian President: West Should Step Aside in Fight Against ISIS (National Journal) Iranian President Hassan Rouhani took the podium at the United Nations General Assembly on Thursday to berate the West for "strategic mistakes" and to ask the international community to leave the fight against Islamic extremism to regional powers. Hamas agrees to cede some power in Gaza to Fatah for the first time in seven years (Washington Post) The two main Palestinian factions, the Islamist movement Hamas and its rival, Fatah, announced Thursday that they have reached an agreement to allow the Palestinian Authority to return to the Gaza Strip and run the government there for the first time in seven years. EUROPEIn Latvia, fresh fears of aggression as Kremlin warns about Russian minorities(Washington Post) As top Kremlin officials have sounded ominous new warnings that they will defend ethnic Russians wherever they live, Latvia, the NATO nation with the highest proportion of Russians, is feeling in the crosshairs. Ukraine Pushes for NATO Membership as Gas Talks Commence (Businessweek) Ukraine kick-started the process to strengthen its ties with NATO and will strive to join the alliance in the "short term," its government said, a day after its president declared the worst of its eastern separatist war was over. Russian Duma Ratifies Treaty On Eurasian Economic Union (Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty) Russia's State Duma has ratified the treaty on the Eurasian Economic Union (EES). Jihadists' surrender after Turkey sends them to 'wrong French airport' (France 24) French security services were left red-faced Wednesday after three alleged French jihadists, arrested in Turkey, failed to arrive at Paris's Orly airport where they were due to be taken in for questioning. ASIA-PACIFICNorth Korea Inching Toward Mobile Long-Range Missile(Bloomberg) North Korea's military is taking steps to field a road-mobile intercontinental ballistic missile that could threaten the U.S., the head of American forces in the Pacific said today. Kim Jong-un hasn't been seen for weeks and no one is quite sure why (Washington Post) In North Korea, political life revolves around Supreme Leader Kim Jong-un. Yet Kim appeared to have skipped a high-level governmental meeting Thursday - and no one seems to know quite why. North Korean threat underscores need for land mine exemption (Stars & Stripes) The Obama administration's decision to remove all of its land mine stockpiles, except those in South Korea, underscores the constant security threat posed by North Korea and serves as a reminder that little has changed in the decades-old military standoff here. Some 1,000 Asians Flock To ISIL: Adm. Locklear (Breaking Defense) Even as the latest Mideast war sucks in more US attention and resources - as well as wannabe jihadis from around the world - the outgoing chief of Pacific Command emphasized the much-derided "rebalance to the Asia-Pacific" is still going strong. Despite sequestration budget cuts the US is still strong enough to handle both theaters at once - and it must continue to be, Adm. Samuel Locklear told reporters here today. India opts to decommission recovered 'Kilo' sub (IHS Jane's 360) An Indian Navy (IN) board of inquiry (BoI) is believed to have recommended decommissioning INS Sindhurakshak , the Russian 'Kilo'-class submarine that sank in Mumbai in August 2013 following an on-board explosion. Australian Terror Suspect May Not Have Acted Alone (Associated Press) A terror suspect shot dead after he stabbed two Australian counterterrorism police officers may not have been acting alone as originally thought, a lead investigator said Thursday. Reports: 50 were killed in China clash (USA Today) The latest violent clash in China's troubled Xinjiang region, described by authorities as a terrorist attack, was far more deadly than first reported, according to state media accounts. AFRICAEbola Epidemic Worsening, Sierra Leone Increases Quarantine Restrictions(New York Times) Acknowledging that the Ebola epidemic sweeping Sierra Leone was worsening, officials here put hundreds of thousands more citizens under quarantine on Thursday, sealing off more than a quarter of the country and warning travelers not to get out of their vehicles in the districts under isolation. Fighting Ebola with Data, Satellites and Drones (DefenseOne) Current Centers of Disease Control estimates suggest that the disease could infect more than 1.4 million people by January. To limit Ebola's spread, researchers need better on-the-ground intelligence about where it's moving. But the virus's deadly mortality rate, 70 percent for this strain, makes up-close observation as difficult as gathering data on a deadly human adversary. It's no small challenge for the World Health Organization or the 3,000 troops that President Barack Obama sent to Africa to help them. South Sudan: China to Send Troops for U.N. Mission (New York Times) China said Thursday that it would send 700 troops to join a United Nations peacekeeping mission in South Sudan, where fighting between government forces and rebels has threatened Beijing's oil investments. Pirate: $1.6 Million Ransom Paid For Journalist (Associated Press) Negotiators paid a $1.6 million ransom for the release of a German-American journalist who was kidnapped in Somalia and held for two years and eight months, a commander of pirates who held him said Wednesday. A German spokeswoman would not confirm that money was paid for the freedom of Michael Scott Moore and U.S. policy prohibits paying ransoms. Tunisians Following a Path of Less Rancor (New York Times) Moncef Marzouki, the physician and human rights activist who became president of Tunisia after the Arab Spring swept out the country's longtime dictator, is a hot ticket at this year's United Nations General Assembly. And why not? Spanish and Moroccan Police Arrest Militant Suspects in North Africa (Wall Street Journal) Spanish and Moroccan police Friday arrested nine suspected members of a militant cell with alleged ties to the Syria-based group Islamic State, in the latest sweep in the area around Spain's northern African enclaves. COMMENTARY AND ANALYSISCongress should pass an authorization for using force against the Islamic State(Washington Post Editorial Board) AT THE United Nations on Wednesday, President Obama offered a powerful case for war against the Islamic State. "This group has terrorized all who they come across in Iraq and Syria," he said. "There can be no reasoning - no negotiation - with this brand of evil. The only language understood by killers like this is the language of force." How Congress Cut and Ran on Syria (Bruce Ackerman in Politico) Lawmakers left town without fulfilling their most solemn duty to the American people. Six Speeches, and the Evolution of a President (George E. Condon Jr. in National Journal) The message and the man have changed much since Obama's first U.N. address. The battle against the Islamic State is not ours to fight or win (Retired Marine Lt. Gen. Bernard E. Trainor in The Washington Post) Abu Bakr al-Baghdadi and his band of Islamic State zealots received international attention for their brutality and lightning sweep across Iraq, but the United States should know better than to respond with a clarion call to battle. We have already been burned trying to solve the Rubik's cube of the Middle East. U.S. actions in the region should remain calculating, patient - and detached. No, Containing ISIL is Not "Good Enough" (Brad Taylor in War on the Rocks) Is the Islamic State in Iraq and the Levant (ISIL) contained? And would that be good enough? Dr. Christopher Bolan of the U.S. Army War College seems to think so. He argued as much recently here at War on the Rocks. While Bolan's line of reasoning is appealing to many Americans who are tired of costly foreign entanglements, both parts of his argument fall apart when subjected to scrutiny. The War Machine (John Cassidy in The New Yorker) With President Obama using his address at the United Nations General Assembly to rally more support for the U.S.-led military campaign against the Islamic State in Iraq and al-Sham, or ISIS, there are at least two ways to view what is happening. Training the Syrian Opposition: So, What's the Plan? (Melissa Dalton in War on the Rocks) The world is focused on the United States and its Arab partners pummeling the Islamic State of Iraq and the Levant (ISIL) from the air in Syria, but observers should be paying more attention to the other pillar of America's anti-ISIL strategy. And they should be asking serious questions. Namely, what does the United States intend to accomplish by training and equipping the Syrian opposition? It isn't entirely clear. Can a Divided UN Help us Fight Terrorism? (Katrin Park in Cicero Magazine) President Obama came before the United Nations hat in hand this week and got it to commit to anti-terror action, as the Security Council unanimously approved his foreign fighters resolution. He should also use the UN to promote the "antidotes" to violence he spelled out - entrepreneurship, civil society, education and youth - as part of "an architecture of counterterrorism." The Unaffordable Arsenal (Tom Z. Collina in Foreign Policy) The Obama administration is embarking on a multibillion-dollar nuclear spending spree. Problem is, none of it is necessary. Iran's Ballistic Missiles: Threading the Needle (John Allen Gay in War on the Rocks) Iran's ballistic missile forces, the strongest in its neighborhood, are a clear threat to stability in the Middle East. Iran might someday make a nuclear weapon and put it atop one of those missiles, raising the danger even further. The limits of the 'sectarian' framing in Yemen (Stacey Philbrick Yadav in The Washington Post) It was 2005 when my Yemeni friends first started talking seriously about their fears that the Houthis would march on the capital of Sanaa. Obama Should Be Pressuring, Not Legitimizing, Bahrain (Brian Dooley in Defense One) To the surprise of some, Bahrain's tiny Air Force joined this week's air attacks on the Islamic State (ISIS or ISIL) in Syria. It's the weakest air power in the region, doesn't offer much firepower and it's been a shaky U.S. ally in recent months. Bahrain is also controlled by a brutally undemocratic regime. Now the Obama administration is bolstering that regime with a token but legitimizing military inclusion in the coalition against ISIL. Administration officials should be pressuring the Bahrainis to change their ways and questioning the 60-year U.S. military relationship with the nation. China's Deadly Miscalculation in the Making (Joseph Bosco in Real Clear Defense) Effective deterrence requires both the will and the capabilities-and the proper communication to the adversary that we are armed with both. | |||||
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