FW: Early Bird Brief

Start by doing what's necessary; then do what's possible;

 and suddenly you are doing the impossible.

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From: no-reply@militarytimes.com
Subject: Early Bird Brief
Date: Tue, 28 Apr 2015 04:28:39 -0600

Having trouble viewing this email? | View it in your browser April 28, 2015 April 28, 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. Obama could tap new top general this week (CNN) President Barack Obama is expected to announce his pick for the next chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff this week, perhaps as soon as Tuesday, a senior U.S. official told CNN. 2. Baltimore Enlists National Guard and a Curfew to Fight Riots and Looting (New York Times) Maryland's governor activated the National Guard on Monday and the city of Baltimore announced a curfew for all residents as a turbulent day that began with the funeral of 25-year-old Freddie Gray, the nation's latest symbol of police brutality, ended with rioting by rock-throwing youths, arson, looting and at least 15 police officers injured. 3. U.S., Japan strike new military agreement (Defense News) The US and Japan agreed to a major update in their military relationship Monday, one that is expected to lead to a greater global presence for Japan's militar 4. GOP, Pentagon tussle over East Coast shield (Politico) The Pentagon has repeatedly said it doesn't need - nor can it afford - a third anti-missile battery on American territory to defend against a possible attack from North Korea or Iran. But that hasn't stopped congressional Republicans, ideologically predisposed to a more comprehensive missile shield than Democrats, from pushing for one on the East Coast. 5. Special Forces helping rescue Nepal earthquake survivors (Air Force Times) Twenty-six members of Army Special Forces are helping Nepal's military find and help survivors from Saturday's devastating earthquake. Advertisement Yemen Saudis pound arms depots in Yemen as bread, medicine run short (Reuters) The humanitarian situation in Yemen has become catastrophic, relief officials said on Monday, as Saudi-led aircraft pounded Iran-allied Houthi militiamen and rebel army units for a second day, dashing hopes for a pause in fighting to let aid in. Head Of Iran's Revolutionary Guard Accuses Saudi Arabia Of 'Killing A Nation' (Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty) The head of Iran's Islamic Revolutionary Guards Corps (IRGC) has accused Saudi Arabia of following in Israel's footsteps by carrying out air strikes in Yemen. Yemen's exiled government declares 3 disaster zones (Associated Press) Yemen's exiled government on Monday declared three areas in the country engulfed in fighting between Shiite rebels, their allies and pro-government forces as "disaster" zones, including the southern port city of Aden, and said that the month of violence has claimed 1,000 civilian lives. War of words -- and bombs -- shakes Yemen (Los Angeles Times) With Saudi Arabia beefing up its forces along the frontier with Yemen, rival Iran on Monday unleashed some of its harshest rhetoric yet in denouncing the month-old Saudi-led military campaign against Yemen's Shiite Muslim rebels. Islamic State Iraq faces huge challenges dislodging Islamic State in Anbar (Associated Press) Iraqi forces are on a westward push to retake Anbar, a sprawling Sunni-dominated desert province captured by the Islamic State group in their offensive last year. Islamic State kills five journalists working for Libyan TV station-army official (Reuters) Islamic State militants have slit the throats of five journalists working for a Libyan TV station in the eastern part of the country, an army commander said on Monday. In Latest Rumor, Iranian Newspaper Claims IS Leader 'Died In Israeli Hospital' (Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty) After a week of frantic speculation about the health of Islamic State (IS) leader Abu Bakr al-Baghdadi, an Iranian hard-line news website has reported the most outlandish claim yet -- that the Iraqi militant supremo died in an Israeli hospital. Activists Warn IS Could Be About To Kill Kidnapped Yazidi Boys, Men (Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty) Yazidi activists in Iraq have said that the Islamic State (IS) extremist group has separated hundreds of male Yazidi captives from women and girls and could be preparing to kill them. Russia-Ukraine 'If the Russians Come, We Will Destroy Them': Ukrainian Civilians Prepare for War (Daily Signal) Many have decided to train for war due to widespread worries about an escalation in the Ukraine conflict and the potential for it to spread all the way to Dnipropetrovsk, which, with its nearly 1 million residents, is Ukraine's fourth largest city. EU-Ukraine Summit Opens In Kyiv (Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty) The EU-Ukraine summit is the first since their Association Agreement was signed last year after the ouster of pro-Russian President Viktor Yanukovych, which was followed by Moscow's takeover of Crimea and the seizure by Russian-backed separatists of territory in eastern Ukraine. Lawyer Says Jailed Pilot Savchenko To Be Moved To Civilian Hospital (Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty) A lawyer for Nadia Savchenko says that the Ukrainian military pilot will be moved from a Moscow jail to a civilian hospital in the Russian capital on April 28. Advertisement US Troops in Europe Request Bigger Guns Amid Tensions With Russia (Fox News) One of the last American combat units stationed in Europe is asking the government for bigger guns amid rising tensions over Russia's involvement in the Ukraine conflict. Merkel Says Sanctions On Russia Should Be Tied To Fulfilling Minsk Deal (Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty) German Chancellor Angela Merkel said on April 27 that the continuation of international sanctions against Russia should depend on whether it upholds its commitments under a cease-fire deal for eastern Ukraine that was signed in Minsk in February. Ukraine: Aiming for E.U. Membership (New York Times) President Petro O. Poroshenko said Monday at a high-level meeting with European Union officials that Ukraine would be able to meet the conditions to apply for membership in the bloc within five years. Industry F-35 Engines From United Technologies Called Unreliable (Bloomberg) F-35 engines from United Technologies Corp. are proving so unreliable that U.S. plans to increase production of the fighter jet may be slowed, according to congressional auditors. Pratt & Whitney Pushes Back on Two Critical F-35 Engine Reports (National Defense) Pratt & Whitney's President of Military Engines Bennett Croswell said he was surprised by the GAO report's conclusions. "The data that was in the report was accurate. I don't think it gave a full picture," he told reporters April 27. Report: Anti-Corruption Programs Lacking (Defense News) Two thirds of defense companies are not doing enough to publicly promote their anti-corruption policies, according to a survey by independent watchdog Transparency International. Gripen Radar Upgrade Aimed At Sweden And Exports (Aviation Week) Saab unveiled a major upgrade of the JAS 39C/D Gripen's radar here April 27, intended to double its detection and tracking range and give it the ability to track low-radar-cross-section (RCS) targets. BAE Conducts First APKWS Flight Test on Aussie Helo; U.S. Army Contract Expected Soon (USNI News) BAE Systems successfully demonstrated its Advanced Precision Kill Weapon System (APKWS) from an Airbus Tiger Armed Reconnaissance Helicopter for the first time in testing with the Australian army, going 10 for 10 in live-fire flight tests, a company official told USNI News. Atlantis develops long-range 40 mm grenade (IHS Jane's 360) The Atlantis Corporation in South Africa has developed an innovative long-range 40x46 mm grenade that is compatible with standard low-velocity grenade launchers. Patrol Boat Delivered to Tunisian Navy (Defense News) The Tunisian Navy has taken delivery of one of four full cabin inboard boats from US-based SAFE Boats International as it deals with increasing maritime security threats, including terrorism and the wave of illegal immigrants crossing the Mediterranean Sea in search of work in Europe. RBC acquires Sargent Aerospace & Defense (IHS Jane's 360) US ball-bearing manufacturer RBC Bearings announced on 26 March that it had agreed to acquire Sargent Aerospace and Defense from manufacturing firm Dover Corporation for USD500 million. DISA awards $469 million telecom contract (C4ISR & Networks) Hewlett-Packard has won a DISA telecom contract with a maximum value of $469 million. Sierra Nevada Corporation acquires new unmanned capabilities (IHS Jane's 360) US aerospace and defence equipment manufacturing firm Sierra Nevada Corporation (SNC) announced on 23 April that it had acquired Kutta Technologies. A&D Companies Rushed To Send Shareholders Cash In 2014 (Aviation Week) The largest publicly traded companies in recent years have generated billions of dollars in free cash flow, as defined by operating cash flow minus capital expenditures, with most of it returned to shareholders in the form of dividend increases and stock repurchases. DARPA seeks infrared hyperspectral chem sensors (C4ISR & Networks) DARPA wants to improve chemical and biological weapons detection by using infrared hyperspectral imaging. Congress House Authorization Would Keep A-10s Flying (Defense News) The House Armed Services Committee (HASC), for the second consecutive year, is proposing blocking the retirement of A-10 attack planes. The panel also wants to clear the Navy and Marine Corps to buy additional fighter jets. Lawmaker rips Defense Secretary for remarks on sexual assault (The Hill) Rep. Martha McSally (R-Ariz.) on Monday ripped Defense Secretary Ash Carter for remarks he gave last week suggesting that putting women in ground combat jobs would make them vulnerable to sexual assault, saying it was the same logic used by the Taliban to segregate women. Rand Paul's Drone Reversal (DefenseOne) The Kentucky senator defends the White House drone policy he once lambasted in a 13-hour filibuster, dulling any edge he may have had on a GOP pack running on the same national security platform. Defense hearings: NDAA day at House Armed Services (Military Times) There is only a handful of hearings but plenty of defense/veterans work on Capitol Hill this week. Republicans push for changes to Iran bill (The Hill) Sen. Roy Blunt (R-Mo.) on Monday became the latest Republican to request changes to legislation allowing Congress to weigh in on a nuclear deal with Iran. It was 'mistake' to oust Saddam Hussein, Sen. Rand Paul says (CQ-Roll Call) Kentucky Sen. Rand Paul told a group of Jewish community leaders in Brooklyn on Monday he thinks the United States made an error ousting Iraqi President Saddam Hussein in 2003. GOP defense budget challenges Obama on Ukraine, Guantanamo (Associated Press) The GOP chairman of the House Armed Service Committee on Monday recommended a $604 billion defense budget for 2016 that challenges the White House because it includes lethal weapons for Ukraine, makes it harder for the president to empty the detention facility at Guantanamo Bay. Rights groups criticize Burr after report he'd called for killing U.S. citizen (McClatchy) Civil liberties groups raised concerns Monday about reports that U.S. Sen. Richard Burr, a North Carolina Republican, had called in 2013 for the CIA to hunt down and kill an American citizen who'd become a top al Qaida operative, rather than capturing him for trial. Veterans Senator unveils bill to help vets' caregivers (Military Times) Today, there are several programs to support spouses and parents who care for injured service members from the post-9/11 era. The VA provides a monthly stipend, travel expenses, access to health insurance, mental health services, training and respite care for designated caregivers. Design released for $98 million Medal of Honor museum (Army Times) The National Medal of Honor Museum Foundation has unveiled architectural designs for its planned $98 million tribute to recipients of the military's highest valor award and the wars in which they fought. Wounded Veteran Benjamin Breckheimer Safe After Avalanche on Mount Everest (NBC News) A Wisconsin man who was trying to become the first wounded veteran to climb Mount Everest is safe after the devastating 7.8-magnitude earthquake in Nepal triggered a deadly avalanche. Forty years later, Vietnam veterans still search for lost loves (Washington Post) After nearly a lifetime had passed, he found himself back in Vietnam, the first of four trips he would take hoping to find her. All this time later, he's never been able to forget something she said shortly before he was due to ship out on the Fourth of July, 1970. What Congress's first 100 days meant for veterans (Christopher Neiweem in The Hill) No matter the organization or interest, benchmarks are used as a way to measure the success or failure of an agenda. Since the 114th Congress just passed its first 100 days, its agenda as it relates to veterans and veteran issues should be examined. Philly case file mistakes are latest troubles for VA (Military Times) It's a different week but the same set of frustrated questions and criticism for Veterans Affairs Department leaders. Anonymous grant helps vets finish school (Cincinnati Enquirer) Fumarola is going back for his bachelor's degree. He's a military policeman in the Army National Guard, and he's also the first person benefiting from a new program that offers a stipend to low-income and underemployed veterans. Whistleblower Says San Antonio VA Still Manipulating Wait Time Data (Austin American-Statesman ) Turner should know. His 2014 allegations of wait time data manipulation in San Antonio and Austin sparked a series of investigations into Texas VA facilities and have been repeated by at least four other clerks. Japan's 'whitewashing' of World War II history rankles some U.S. veterans (Associated Press) Lester Tenney endured three hellish years as a Japanese prisoner during World War II, but with the passing of decades and repeated visits, he's made peace with his former enemy. Yet as Prime Minister Shinzo Abe prepares to address Congress this week, in the 70th anniversary year of the war's end, something rankles the U.S. military veteran about Japan's attitude toward its past. VA Chief: Aging Vietnam Vets Straining System (MedPage Today) The struggles veterans face in accessing healthcare are a harbinger for all American medicine, and the problem won't be resolved without adequate funding, said Department of Veterans Affairs Secretary Robert McDonald. Prosecutors file 26 charges against fired chief investigator for Oklahoma Veteran Affairs (Associated Press) A former Oklahoma Veterans Affairs Department chief investigator who was fired after authorities said they discovered he had faked his credentials and was actually a convicted felon is facing new criminal charges. Army colonel sees exit as a 'breach of faith' (San Diego Union-Tribune) On April 29, 1975, Herrington was part of a small contingent of U.S. negotiators under orders to stay behind when the war ended and continue the thorny work of locating and repatriating missing American servicemen or their remains. Vietnam War veterans reunite in Pa. after 50 years of searching (The Times-Leader) Two veterans of the Vietnam War, platoon mates who for decades tried to find one another after surviving one of the nation's deadliest wars, sat face-to-face Sunday for the first time in a half century. Defense Department & National Security Report: Defense Department Sitting on $1.5 Billion for Afghanistan Reconstruction Projects (National Journal) After 14 years in Afghanistan, the Defense Department has successfully transferred 813 U.S. bases to the Afghan National Security Forces, but it has yet to spend roughly $1.4 billion intended for local transportation, power, and education projects, a watchdog group found. Tricare pharmacy pilot included in 2016 defense bill (Military Times) Lawmakers are interested in learning whether establishing a "preferred" retail pharmacy network for Tricare beneficiaries to use in filling drug prescriptions - including for chronic conditions - could save the government money. What the Air Force is sending to Nepal to help with earthquake relief (Washington Post) The massive earthquake that devastated Nepal on Saturday has prompted the U.S. Air Force to send two C-17 cargo planes loaded with relief supplies to the south Asian country - and it could be just the beginning of help from the U.S. military. Hoping to buy powdered alcohol? You'll have to wait (Military Times) It's like Kool-Aid with a kick. But troops hoping to take a few pouches of powdered alcohol along on their next deployment or camping trip may have to wait awhile as states decide whether to regulate the dried booze known as Palcohol - and the company that makes it explores manufacturing and distribution options. Group urges IG oversight of service academy sex assaults (Stars & Stripes) An advocacy group for female servicemembers on Monday urged the White House to create new oversight of sexual assaults at the U.S. service academies. Ash Carter's Idea of Disruptive Innovation: Unplug the Military From GPS (National Defense) One of the Pentagon's best-known inventions, the GPS satellite, could be replaced in the foreseeable future by technology that is far cheaper and more resistant to jamming. Finding an alternative to GPS not only could save the Pentagon billions of dollars but also would make the military less vulnerable to signal disruptions, said Defense Secretary Ashton Carter. News organizations push to unseal Petraeus documents (Associated Press) A coalition of news organizations is pushing for the release of documents related to the sentencing of former CIA Director David Petraeus, whose career was ruined for sharing classified materials with his mistress who was writing his biography. Army 'Natural born soldier' laid to rest at Arlington (Army Times) Retired Command Sgt. Maj. Robert "Bob" Gallagher would have served 20 more years in uniform if they had let him. Report: Police investigating explosions heard near Camp Zama (Stars & Stripes) Police are investigating what may have been a crude rocket attack on U.S. Army base Camp Zama early Tuesday morning, according to reports. QMP screenings postponed until July and September (Army Times) A Qualitative Management Program retention screening for staff sergeants and senior NCOs of the Regular Army and Active Guard and Reserve (Army Reserve) will be conducted in July and September, several weeks later than previously scheduled. Story of how a kidney donor was found for soldier stranger than fiction (Fayetteville Observer) Filpo continues to serve, now assigned to U.S. Army Special Operations Command. In his mind, his saving grace was to be his family. Even now, with the surgeries expected to take place in early May, Filpo doesn't quite understand what is happening. Ranger School Class With 8 Women Tackles Darby Queen Obstacle Course (Columbus Ledger-Enquirer) Over nearly a mile of rolling Chattahoochee County terrain on the far eastern reaches of Fort Benning, the course presents 26 obstacles for Ranger School students to navigate. Former Soldier Finally Receives Purple Heart in Fort Hood Shooting (Charlotte Observer ) More than five years after an Army psychiatrist nearly killed him in a shooting rampage that killed many others, Matt Cooke received a Purple Heart medal at a ceremony Saturday. Navy Navy officials aim to boost weapons training for sentries (Navy Times) Watchstanders could soon be armed with tasers and other nonlethal weapons as Fleet Forces Command looks to beef up shore and shipboard security teams in the wake of a shooting tragedy. HASC Mark Adds $120 Million for 3 Destroyer Combat System Upgrades, Money for Missiles (USNI News) The funds would upgrade three planned mid-life modernizations from a basic hull, mechanical and electrical (HM&E) systems repairs to include a complete refresh of the Aegis combat system from current 1980s era computing technology. Cruiser Lake Erie skipper canned for command climate (Navy Times) The commanding officer of the cruiser Lake Erie was fired Monday after an investigation found a poor command climate on board, according to a Navy release. More questions, few answers in SEALs' deaths (Virginian-Pilot) The drowning deaths of two highly trained and physically fit Navy SEALs in a base pool where they regularly worked out have so far raised more questions than answers. USN confirms 2016 as starting point for deploying two Littoral Combat Ships to Singapore (IHS Jane's 360) Two US Navy (USN) Littoral Combat Ships (LCSs) will be forward deployed to Singapore in 2016, a senior USN official has confirmed. A new leader rises to guide the Blues (Pensacola News Journal) Having reached numerous milestones in their 69-year history, the United States Navy's Blue Angels have come to yet another momentous event in welcoming their first ever executive officer. Naval Academy midshipmen, caught in Baltimore protests, direct families to safety (The Capital Gazette) These midshipmen directed families to the back of the Subway. Then they lined up, in front of families, as protesters passed outside, some throwing rocks. Women and children gathered farthest from the windows, except for Grinnell, the only female midshipman there from the Naval Academy. USS Constitution closed for repairs, to partly open in June (Associated Press) The world's oldest commissioned warship afloat is closing to visitors as it heads to dry dock in Boston for repairs. Reports: USS Carl Vinson sailor hurt in leap from hotel balcony (Virginian-Pilot) A sailor on leave in Perth, Australia, from the carrier USS Carl Vinson was injured after jumping from a balcony on the 10th floor of a hotel into the pool, according to Australian news accounts. Hawaii-based admiral to lead Reagan carrier group (Honolulu Star-Advertiser) Two Pearl Harbor admirals will be elevated to major Navy leadership positions including commander of the USS Reagan carrier strike group, the Pentagon announced last week. Navy researchers make bulletproof glass out of clay (Engadget) After decades of research and development, the NRL has created a transparent, bulletproof material that can be molded into virtually any shape. Air Force Bomber, six-gen take cuts in chairman's markup (Defense News) The House Armed Services Committee is proposing to remove $460 million from the research and development of the Air Force's next-generation bomber - but that may not be bad news for the service. U.S. readies Afghans to fly solo (Air Force Times) When the Soviets left Afghanistan in 1989, the Afghans had hundreds of modern aircraft, but few remained by the time the U.S. invaded following the Sept. 11 attacks. High court rejects appeal from protester at military base (Associated Press) The justices on Monday let stand an appeals court ruling that said officials did not violate the First Amendment rights of John Dennis Apel when they banned him from protesting near Vandenberg Air Force Base. June deadline for applying to Test Pilot School (Air Force Times) Aspiring test pilots have until June 5 to apply for Test Pilot School Pentagon audit faults sole-source Air Force IT purchases (C4ISR & Networks) An audit of non-competitive Air Force IT acquisitions, conducted by the Department of Defense Inspector General, found significant flaws in a some of them. A-10 funded in chairman's markup of defense bill (Air Force Times) The A-10 will keep flying, if the House Armed Services Committee chairman has his way. Holloman officer gets 42 months for sexual assault, other charges (Air Force Times) An officer at Holloman Air Force Base, New Mexico, was sentenced April 22 to 42 months confinement and dismissal from the Air Force after he was found guilty of sexual assault of an unidentified woman and other charges. Marine Corps Marines rally to save tattooed sergeant's career (Marine Corps Times) More than 1,000 people have signed a petition calling for Corps leaders to change the tattoo policy and issue a re-enlistment waiver to a Marine whose career was derailed after he ran afoul of the service's body ink regulations. Deadly quake may force vet to cancel Everest climb (KTVB) A former U.S. Marine and amputee from Boise may have to cancel his second attempt to scale Mount Everest after a magnitude 7.8 earthquake strikes Nepal, killing hundreds. Marines at Robins Get More Super Cobra Attack Choppers (Macon Telegraph ) The Marine helicopter unit at Robins will be seen in the skies a lot more often. National Guard Minn. National Guard joins avian influenza eradication efforts (West Central Tribune) The State Emergency Operations Center announced Sunday that 30 National Guard soldiers will haul water needed for avian influenza decontamination today through Wednesday. Nevada Guard hires its 1st female brigade commander (Associated Press) The Nevada Guard has hired its first female brigade commander. Afghanistan/Pakistan Afghan leader holds emergency talks with NATO commander (Stars & Stripes) Afghan President Ashraf Ghani held emergency talks Monday with NATO's commander about escalating fighting against insurgents in northern Afghanistan, delaying a planned visit to India. Taliban launch offensive in northern Afghan province (Long War Journal) Thousands of Taliban fighters attacked Afghan forces in the northern province of Kunduz in an effort to seize control of the provincial capital and outlying districts. Afghan officials have said that several areas of Kunduz are now under the jihadist group's control. Pakistan's Neutrality in the Yemen Crisis: Brought to You by China (The Diplomat) As the weather changes in Saudi-Pakistani relations, Pakistan will look to its "all-weather" partner China. Middle East Tensions rise on Israel-Syria border after infiltration attempt, airstrikes (Washington Post) Israeli forces were on heightened alert on Monday along their country's northern border with Syria after the military reported thwarting a militant attack with airstrikes. Al Qaida's Nusra advances in northern Syria, capturing another government base (McClatchy) Islamist rebels led by al Qaida's affiliate, the Nusra Front, widened their hold Monday on Syria's Idlib province, capturing another government base and pressing an offensive near Ariha, a town of 70,000 that has been primarily in government hands since the uprising against President Bashar Assad began in 2011. UN: Israeli actions killed 44 Palestinians at UN shelters (Al Jazeera America) A United Nations inquiry has found that at least 44 Palestinians were killed and at least 227 injured by "Israeli actions," including direct mortar strikes, while sheltering at U.N. locations during last year's Gaza war. Europe 'Maus' Book About Holocaust Is Removed in Russia (New York Times) The government's plan was simple enough: Rid Moscow of swastikas or any other symbol of Nazism before Victory Day, the celebration of the Soviet Union's defeat of Germany and the most important political holiday in Russia. Lithuania Bars Russian Bikers At Border (Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty) Lithuania barred three Russian motorcyclists from crossing into the country on April 27. Sandwich-Making Chornobyl Fox Goes Viral (Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty) A video of a fox taking food from RFE/RL Ukrainian Service journalists in the Chornobyl exclusion zone has gone viral, with more than 1 million hits on social and news media sites. Asia-Pacific Report: US, Philippines agree on rotations to bases along South China Sea (Stars & Stripes) U.S. forces would have access to at least eight bases in the Philippines - including two near a hotly contested island group claimed by China - under a new bilateral defense agreement, according to a Philippine media report. US sends $10M in aid to quake-hit Nepal (The Hill) The United States is sending $10 million in aid to Nepal following a devastating earthquake over the weekend. In U.S.-Japan talks, China is the elephant in the roo (Associated Press) When President Obama and Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe meet on Tuesday, a major subtext of their discussions will be the world leader not in the room - Chinese President Xi Jinping. India Claims To Have Upgraded Howitzer (Defense News) India claims it has built an improved version of the original 155mm howitzer the Army bought in 1987 by upgrading the barrel from 39mm to 45mm. In earthquake's deadly aftermath, Nepalis grieve the loss of their sacred landmarks (Washington Post) In the chill of a post-rain morning, ­Punya Ram Kawang, a teacher, was standing before a mound of rubble in his torn neighborhood Monday, trying to figure out how to grieve. Indian defence imports rise 56% in three years (IHS Jane's 360) India has spent a total of INR838 billion (USD13.1 billion) on defence imports over the past three years, with related expenditure climbing by more than 50% during this period, new figures published by the Indian Ministry of Defence (MoD) show. Drone Operator Mulled Dropping Radioactive Sand on US Tokyo Facility (Stars & Stripes) A man who flew a drone carrying radioactive sand onto the roof of the Japanese prime minister's office considered targeting a U.S.-related facility in downtown Tokyo, according to local media. Africa Before Dangers at Sea, African Migrants Face Perils of a Lawless Libya (New York Times) The two 8-year-old Eritrean boys had ridden for days across the deserts of Ethiopia, Sudan and Libya packed in the back of a truck with two other children and a dozen adults. Then they spent another month trapped in a crowded farmhouse that the smugglers used as a pen to store their human cargo. Demand surges for cybersecurity in Mideast and Africa (Xinhua News) Demand surges for cyber security in the Middle East and Africa as firms in the region face thousands of cyber threats on average per day, experts warned here Sunday. Mediterranean migrant crisis: why is no one talking about Eritrea? (The Guardian) In the world's most censored country, citizens face a stark choice - live in misery or risk death by leaving. But it has no western allies so the situation goes unreported. President of Sudan Is Re-elected With 94 Percent of Vote (New York Times) President Omar Hassan al-Bashir of Sudan, the country's longtime leader, was declared re-elected on Monday, winning 94 percent of the vote in balloting that was boycotted by opposition groups and marred by low turnout and public apathy. Analysis: Islamic State strengthens ties with Boko Haram (BBC) The Islamic State (IS) has released a new video, eulogising Nigeria's Boko Haram, in the latest sign of closer ties between the two militant groups. Outgoing special ops leader lauds Africa efforts (Stars & Stripes) Maj. Gen. James B. Linder, the outgoing leader of U.S. Special Operations Command Africa, recalled on Friday an attempted suicide bombing he said highlights the value of special operators' training efforts in Africa. Commentary and Analysis Good Leadership Sometimes Means Keeping Your Opinion To Yourself (Andrew Steadman in Task & Purpose) It's easy to feel like you're not really leading unless you are contributing something. Here's why that's dangerous. Commentary: A Ground War Against ISIL (Todd Johnson in Defense News) Wars, by their very nature, are brutal affairs; none more so than the conflicts currently raging in the Middle East. Shinzo Abe Is the Ally America Needs (Dennis Blair in DefenseOne) The Japanese leader's visit, which starts Wednesday, will present a stark contrast to those of Iraq's Haider al-Abadi and Israel's Benjamin Netanyahu. The Pentagon's Third Offset Strategy: What US Allies and Partners Need to Know (Van Jackson, The Diplomat) When the Department of Defense (DoD) undergoes strategic change, allies and partners would benefit greatly from not only paying attention, but reading between the lines and playing a constructive shaping role. Commentary: On Target With Missile Defense (US Army Maj. Gen. Francis Mahon (ret.) in Defense News) As Congress reviews the president's fiscal 2016 budget, I recently witnessed a welcome sign of interest from congressional staffers who attended a standing-room-only, roundtable discussion on missile defense. The questions and discussion were insightful, and brought clarity to the Missile Defense Agency's (MDA's) sound strategy to defend against a rapidly evolving missile threat. Dear Ukraine: Please Don't Shoot Yourself in the Foot (Josh Cohen in Foreign Policy) Despite the unceasing flare-ups of separatist violence in the Donbass, Ukraine's new government has managed to take some steps to move the country forward: it has passed legislation to combat corruption, secured funding to stabilize the economy, and reined in its oligarchs. The Navy's New Museum Drone and Strategic Malpractice (Robert Martinage and Shawn Brimley in War On The Rocks) Aviation history was made last week: an unmanned aircraft - the X-47B - successfully completed an air-to-air refueling demonstration, taking 4,000 pounds of fuel from a KC-707 tanker aircraft. This historic achievement followed last year's equally revolutionary series of carrier launch and recovery operations by the X-47B. The Minuteman III ICBM's Future (Constance Baroudos, Lexington Institute) Today's increasingly complex world ensures that the nuclear triad will continue to play a critical role in the 21st century. However, ICBMs, like the other elements of the strategic deterrent, are aging and are overdue for modernization. Special Relationship: U.S. Marines Flying from a UK Warship (John T. Kuehn in Cicero Magazine) The combination of budgetary factors, procurement costs and issues, and the continuing need for air and sea power is why the relationship between the U.S. and UK is so "special" that Britain's next aircraft carrier, HMS Queen Elizabeth, will likely be home to U.S. Marine Corps F-35Bs - American fighters flying from a British warship. Editorial: Carter Charts New Cyber Path (Defense News) US Defense Secretary Ash Carter's new cyber strategy and push to harness the power of Silicon Valley are key and welcome steps to improving the cyber security of the United States and its allies. Why The Military Needs Diversity (Carl Forsling in Task & Purpose) Diversity in the military isn't about social justice, it's about improving the quality of the armed forces. ???Top U.S. Negotiator Warns of Dangers of Failing to Lock Down Iran Deal (John Hudson, Foreign Policy) America's top negotiator in the Iran nuclear talks offered a surprisingly detailed assessment of Tehran's existing nuclear capabilities on Monday as she warned that failing to secure a final deal with the longtime adversary would seriously threaten American national security. Can America Better Counter the "Bleedout" Threat? (Kevin Strouse, Overt Action) A 19th century wag in Harper's Magazine once wrote, "A Special Providence watches over children, drunkards, and the United States." When it comes to the general quality of most terrorists trying to strike America, he might be right. Obama's Drone Reforms Don't Apply to 46 Percent of Strikes (Micah Zenko in Council on Foreign Relations) Despite a 2013 pledge to fix the targeted killing program, the Obama administration ignores its own directives for nearly half of all strikes. Patton's Hawaiian Ordeal: Even a Legend Can Learn From His Mistakes (Col. Cole C. Kingseed (ret.) in Army Magazine) During his tour with the Hawaiian Division at Schofield Barracks, then-Maj. George S. Patton Jr.'s irritability and blunt personality elicited a strong response. Something Special About Doing Business With SOCOM (Ariel Robinson, National Defense) SOCOM knows what it wants, and it moves quickly to get it. It follows the same federal procurement regulations as the conventional branches of the military, but its acquisitions move faster in large measure because it is smaller, controls its own budget and has a leaner bureaucracy. 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