Military And Intelligence News Briefs -- February 2, 2012

U.S. Defense Secretary Leon E. Panetta conducts a press conference aboard a U.S. Air Force E-4B National Airborne Operations Center aircraft on his way to meet with NATO leaders in Brussels, Feb. 1, 2012. DOD photo by U.S. Navy Petty Officer 1st Class Chad McNeeley

U.S. Surprises Kabul With Early End To Afghanistan Military Operations -- National Post

BRUSSELS/KABUL — The United States took Kabul by surprise by laying out plans to end its Afghan combat role earlier than expected, just after the leak of a secret report that the Taliban is confident of regaining control of the country.

U.S. Defense Secretary Leon Panetta said late on Wednesday the United States would stop taking the lead role in combat operations before the end of 2013 and step into a supporting role as it winds down its longest war.

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MILITARY AND INTELLIGENCE NEWS BRIEFS

No S-400 Missile Exports Before 2015 -- RIA Novosti

Russia to Scrap 3 Mln Tons of Munitions by 2014 -- RIA Novosti

Russian Navy to Receive Mistral Warship in 3 Years -- RIA Novosti

Typhoon 'not ruled out' for India -- Defence Management

Belgian DM Warns of Over-Reliance on U.S. -- Defense News

New U.K. Policy Focuses On Competition, Technology -- Defense News

Media: France to send nuclear aircraft carrier to Persian Gulf -- Trend

Israel: 1 in 10 houses in south Lebanon used for arms storage -- Daily Star

Israeli Army Chief Says Nation Needs to Be Ready to Strike Iran -- SFGate/Bloomberg

U.S., Canada Expand Joint Planning, Operational Options -- US Department of Defense

Feinstein offers peek at U.S.-Israeli talks on Iran -- Washington Post

U.S. Chairman Notes Transition Challenges in Years Ahead -- US Department of Defense

U.S. Admiral Plays Down Floating Gulf Base Reports -- Defense News

Get Ready for the EQ-4 Global Hawk -- Defense Tech

USAF Reveals Latest X-Plane: X-56A -- Aviation Week

USS Essex unable to fulfill mission for 2nd time in seven months -- Stars and Stripes

NATO Doesn’t Yet Know How To Protect Its Networks -- Danger Room

AF, Air Guard ready for face off -- DoD Buzz

Reserve Forces On The Cusp Of New 'Golden Age' -- Aol Defense

Army Reserve to retain current troop level -- Washington Times

Military health leaders cite innovations in care from decade of war -- Dvids

Female veteran sues U.S. over denial of full benefits -- L.A. Times

Don't Ask Don't Tell: War over gays in military in new phase -- Politico

GOP Lawmaker on Potential BRAC Request: ‘Kill It’ -- Defense news

GOP senators to release plan to stop triggered defense cuts -- The Hill

FBI Targets "Hoarder" In Top-Secret Thefts -- Smoking Gun

Pentagon U-2 decision a mistake -- Michael Polimeni, Newsday