Military And Intelligence News Briefs -- July 6, 2011

U.S. Defense Secretary Robert M. Gates walks with U.S. Army Gen. David H. Petraeus at Camp Eggers, Afghanistan, June 6, 2011. Petraeus is the commander of U.S. and international forces in Afghanistan. DOD photo by Cherie Cullen

Officials: Petraeus To Hand Off Afghan Command Sooner Than Expected -- Stars And Stripes

WASHINGTON — The Pentagon wants Gen. David Petraeus out of Afghanistan by mid-July, much sooner than the original September target date for his change of command, giving the general time for a break before he takes over as CIA director.

Defense Department and military officials confirm there are plans for Petraeus to leave immediately after his deputy and operational commander Lt. Gen. David Rodriguez ends his term in country. Rodriguez’s last day is expected to be July 11, with Petraeus tentatively scheduled to leave July 18.

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Military And Intelligence News Briefs

Iran showcases home-grown arms in war games -- Washington Times/AP

Libya Rebels To Meet NATO, EU Chiefs Next Week -- Defense News

Afghan civilians killed by RAF drone -- Reuters

Giant Spy Blimp Battle Could Decide Surveillance’s Future -- Danger Room

German parliament to debate sale of 200 tanks to Saudis -- BBC

Japan’s Soft Power Chance -- The Diplomat

South Korea readying forces to respond to future attacks from North -- Stars and Stripes

Russia warns NATO against going alone on missile defense -- MDAA

Information Warfare: The Online Blue Army Threatens China -- Strategy Page

Liam Fox: I will change culture of U.K. Ministry of Defence -- The Telegraph

Ministry of Defence loses 5,000 high tech radios worth £184 million -- The Telegraph

European Parliament Study Calls for Defense Review -- Defense News

Britain should start spying on Eurozone neighbours, former MI6 chief says -- The Telegraph

Plenty of Blame to Go Around for ‘Disappearing’ Warship -- Danger Room

Army's faulty computer system hurts operations -- Politico

Making Headway on Cyber Counterfeits -- Defense Tech

Natick Labs Testing Exoskeleton -- Defense Tech

U.S. Navy, Northrop Grumman Successfully Test Systems Required to Operate X-47B Unmanned System From an Aircraft Carrier -- Northrop Grumman

Physicist: I Can Predict Insurgent Attacks, Thanks to The ‘Red Queen’ -- Danger Room

Time running out on GI Bill fixes -- Stars and Stripes

U.S. military’s abortion policy is out of date -- Miami Herald

Official: White House to lift ban on military suicide condolences -- CNN

First lady salutes military families -- Chicago Sun Times

A final salute for Americans killed in overseas conflict -- L.A. Times

US military deaths in Iraq war at 4,469 -- AP

US military deaths in Afghanistan at 1,542 -- Miami Herald

Bob Gates' Legacy -- Jed Babbin, American Spectator

What’s Wrong and What’s Right With the War Colleges -- Dr. George E. Reed, DefensePolicy.org

CIA has a lot to answer for -- L.A. Times editorial