My Take On Today's U.S. Secretary of Defense Confirmation Hearing For Senator Chuck Hagel

My Comment: If you want to listen to and/or watch the hearing .... the above video has it all (i.e. 6 hours worth). I must confess that I did listen to most of it .... actually more as back ground noise while I did other stuff.

What's my impression of the hearing .... in short .... Sen. Chuck Hagel was not prepared .... and for me that was a surprised. He knows that he has a long history of making public remarks that most Americans will disagree with .... and he should have known that they would be brought up in these hearings. But he was not ready, and Senator's McCain and Graham were very successful in putting him on the spot. My guess is that being a former senator .... he probably thought that he would have the same pass that was afforded to Sen Kerry when he had his confirmation hearing for Secretary of State a few days ago. LOL .... that certainly did not happen today.

Are there enough votes to derail this confirmation .... definitely not. The Democrats are going to vote as one, and Chuck Hagel will be the next Secretary of Defense. But Chuck Hagel did lose some political capital, and he must now be ready to expect even more harsher questions when defense budget cutbacks are proposed and submitted to Congress in the near future.

But the real target for today's hearings was not Chuck Hagel .... it was President Obama. And while his name was only mentioned a few times .... he was the 800lb gorilla in the room that everyone was conscious of. He may now has his nominee .... but if today's hearings are any indication .... the real battle is about to begin.

Commentaries, Opinions, And Editorials -- January 31, 2013

Approximate path of alleged Israeli strike on Syria's border with Lebanon, Jan. 30, 2013, according to foreign reports. Haaretz

Israel Strikes A Syrian Target And Lays Down A Marker -- David Ignatius, Washington Post

As Syria descends into war and chaos, Israel has entered the fray, reportedly striking a target in the surburbs northwest of Damascus where the Syrians apparently had placed a new SA-17 antiaircraft missile battery.

The Israeli attack on the SA-17 missiles was first reported Wednesday by the Associated Press. What’s intriguing is that the same area that was hit — the Jamraya research center in the suburb known as Dummar, northwest of Damascus — is also a center for chemical weapons research. This led some Syrian opposition sources to believe that the Israelis’ real target was the chemical weapons center.

Read more ....

Commentaries, Opinions, And Editorials

Why did Israel attack Syria now, and why did the Syrians admit it? -- Amos Harel, Haaretz

Israel’s attack on Syria part of clandestine war against Hezbollah -- Jonathan Manthorpe, Vancouver Sun

Syrian spillover -- Jerusalem Post editorial

Israel Doing West’s Dirty Work in Syria -- Jonathan S. Tobin, Commentary

Arab Spring’s hits and misses -- Fareed Zakaria, Washington Post

What about Palestinian ghettos in the West Bank? -- George S. Hishmeh, Special to Gulf News

Egypt’s dilemma: New regime, same old state -- H. A. Hellyer, The Globe and Mail

Why Iran's nuclear enrichment upgrade may be a 'game changer' -- Peter Grier, Christian Science Monitor

The United States Could Be Violating Its Own Iran Sanctions -- Brian Fung, The Atlantic

China’s New Militancy -- Gordon G. Chang, The Diplomat

Why the Chill in U.S.-Russia Relations Matters -- Seth Mandel, Commentary

Argentina-Iran deal makes a mockery of justice -- Andres Oppenheimer, Miami Herald

Obama’s America looks a lot like the EU -- Victor Davis Hanson, Washington Times

Mister Taxman: Why Some Americans Working Abroad are Ditching Their Citizenships -- Helena Bachmann, Time

World News Briefs -- January 31, 2013 (Evening Edition)

Syria Warns Israel Of 'Surprise' Retaliation -- Al Jazeera

Diplomat's threat comes as Syrian ally Iran says air raid near Damascus will have significant implications for Israel.

Syria has threatened to retaliate for an Israeli air attack while its ally Iran says there will be repercussions for Israel over the attack.

Ali Abdul-Karim Ali, Syrian ambassador to Lebanon, said in Damascus on Thursday that Syria "has the option and the capacity to surprise in retaliation".

Read more ....

MIDDLE EAST

White House warns Syria over 'weapons to Hezbollah'.

Suddenly it looks like Assad could win the Syrian war.

Syrian rebels make slow headway in south.

Factbox: Rising Syrian death toll, refugee wave.

Syria threatens Israel with retaliation.

Israeli jets strike deep inside Syria.

Israel strike on Syria 'unacceptable': Russia.

Iran threatens 'serious consequences' for Tel Aviv.

Israel may feel need to strike Syria again.

US Patriot deployment in Turkey mired in bureaucratic red tape.

Bahrain opposition leader wants crown prince at talks.

Diplomats: Iran prepared to up nuclear program.

Exclusive: Iran crude oil exports rise to highest since EU sanctions.

Kurdish militants dismiss Turkey withdrawal reports.

UN inquiry says Israel must end settlements.

Two militants, five soldiers killed in Yemen: sources.

ASIA

North Korea placed under 'martial law', told to 'prepare for war'.

Gunman kills Pakistani Sunni leaders in apparent tit-for-tat hit.

“Will not repeat 1989 mistakes,” US assures Pakistan.

Pakistani Taliban enter fray around strategic NATO routes.

US and South Korea monitoring for third nuke test by North.

Japan ex-minister warns of Okinawa unrest, secession.

Clashes mark Bangladesh general strike. Scores hurt as Islamists take to Bangladesh streets over tribunal.

Exclusive: Austerity in India - Defense and welfare spending to be slashed.

Beijing takes steps to fight pollution as problem worsens.

In Vietnam, rage growing over loss of land rights.

Chinese court convicts two Tibetans for 'encouraging self-immolation'.

AFRICA

France says Mali mission 'succeeded'. The French are winning handily in Mali.

'Mali militants in disarray' after French air strikes.

With easy part of Mali mission almost over, Chad is poised to take lead.

France calls for Mali peace talks.

Egypt opposition gears up for protest after pledge to end unrest.

Egypt rivals hold rare meeting and call for dialogue. Egypt politicians renounce violence at crisis talks.

S. African convicts seek exoneration for apartheid-era crime.

Somalia: Anger over woman charged after alleging rape.

EUROPE

Candidate in Armenia’s presidential election shot and wounded.

Russia's freedoms crackdown 'worst since USSR fall'. Russia's 2012 crackdown worst since Soviet era -rights group.

Analysis: Italy's Monti struggles as Berlusconi takes revenge.

British political rivals unite against EU exit.

British Prime Minister David Cameron arrives in Libya.

Greek transport workers, doctors strike over austerity.

Poland hurt by EU aid freeze over suspicious road deal.

Spain's Rajoy, ruling party deny secret payment scheme.

EU peace fund to target young Northern Ireland loyalists.

City renames itself Stalingrad to mark battle.

Red Cross struggling to aid Europe's 'new poor'.

AMERICAS

Biden and Donilon preparing for new nuclear discussions with Russia.

Argentina declines invitation to Falklands meeting.

Canadians' possible role in Algeria attack of great concern to U.S..

Suspension of U.S. debt limit wins final congressional approval.

Mexico City 'explosion' at Pemex, state oil giant.

US puts Colombian gang on drug kingpin list.

Colombian rebels say they have 'right' to take hostages, putting peace talks on edge.

Colombia rebels free seized oil workers, kill four soldiers.

Obama sees immigration deal within six months.

Cuba dissidents approved, denied for passports.

Huge Chinese expo center planned for Cancun riles Mexican businesses, environmentalists.

A look back at Clinton's years as top US diplomat.

TERRORISM/THE LONG WAR

Drone strike prompts suit, raising fears for U.S. allies.

U.S. faces new Al Qaeda threat as terror group's 'strike map' is revealed.

Guantanamo 9/11 suspect hearings face rough start.

U.S. policy toward countering al-Qaeda 2.0 (commentary).

ECONOMY/FINANCE/BUSINESS

BlackBerry shares slide as new devices face uphill battle.

Migrants' billions put aid in the shade.

EA boss denies video games encourage violent attacks.

Wall Street Journal 'also victim of China hacking attack'.

New York Times 'hit by hackers from China'.

Armenian Presidential Candidate Shot And Injured In An Assassination Attempt

Paruyr Hayrikyan

Armenian Presidential Candidate Injured In Assassination Attempt -- RT

An Armenian presidential candidate has been shot in the center of Yerevan, the country's capital, late Thursday. The 64-year-old Paruyr Hayrikyan of the Union for National Self-Determination party, was taken to hospital following the incident.

­Hayrikyan was taken to the Saint Gregory the Illuminator medical center with two gunshot wounds, in the shoulder and in the chest. The chest wound is considered serious, but not immediately life-threatening, medics said.

Read more ....

More News On Armenian Presidential Candidate Paruyr Hayrikyan Injured In An Assassination Attempt

Candidate in Armenia’s presidential election shot and wounded -- Washington Post/AP
Armenian Presidential Candidate Shot In Yerevan -- Radio Free Europe
Armenia presidential candidate Airikian shot in Yerevan -- BBC
Candidate Hayrikyan taken to hospital with gunshot wound -- Pan Armenian
Assassination attempt on Hayrikyan deliberate step to destabilize the situation in the country -- Public Radio Armenia

Has China Declared A Cyberwar Against The New York Times?

A Cyberattack From China: TimesCast: Chinese hackers infiltrated The New York Times’s computer systems, getting passwords for its reporters and others.

Hackers in China Attacked The Times for Last 4 Months -- New York Times

SAN FRANCISCO — For the last four months, Chinese hackers have persistently attacked The New York Times, infiltrating its computer systems and getting passwords for its reporters and other employees.

After surreptitiously tracking the intruders to study their movements and help erect better defenses to block them, The Times and computer security experts have expelled the attackers and kept them from breaking back in.

The timing of the attacks coincided with the reporting for a Times investigation, published online on Oct. 25, that found that the relatives of Wen Jiabao, China’s prime minister, had accumulated a fortune worth several billion dollars through business dealings.

Read more ....

My Comment: The New York Times (and other media outlets) better get use to such attacks .... the web is an important source of revenues for these media outlets, and those who may not appreciate the coverage that they receive (i.e. North Korea, China, Iran, etc.) may as retribution start targeting these web properties and services.

Despite Calls To End The Violence, The Unrest In Egypt Continues

Egypt Opposition Forces Gear Up For More Anti-Govt Rallies On Friday -- Ahram Online

Opposition parties, 'revolutionary' movements call for yet another round of Friday demonstrations against President Morsi, the Muslim Brotherhood and Egypt's newly-approved constitution.

At a Thursday press conference held at Egyptian Popular Current headquarters, 16 political parties and movements announced plans to take part in nationwide protests on Friday.

Calls for the demonstrations were originally issued by the National Salvation Front (NSF), Egypt's largest opposition bloc.

The NSF announced that "peaceful marches" would set out for the Presidential Palace in Cairo's Heliopolis district to reiterate "demands of the revolution." Among these are the dismissal of the current government, amendment of the recently-approved constitution and the appointment of a new prosecutor-general.

Read more ....

More News On The Unrest In Egypt

Rival Egypt Political Camps Agree Framework to End Violence -- Bloomberg Businessweek
Egypt politicians condemn violence in Al-Azhar meeting -- BBC
Egypt's Islamists, Liberals Agree to Renounce Violence -- Voice of America
Egypt's Political Factions Denounce Violence -- AP
A first step toward calming Egypt? Political leaders renounce violence -- Christian Science Monitor Reuters
Opposition calls for Friday marches across Egypt -- Daily News Egypt
Protests Challenge Egypt's Leadership -- Voice of America
Egypt's police regain Mubarak-era notoriety -- Bloomberg Businessweek/AP
Egypt army chief: Using military to secure the streets is 'very risky' -- NBC
Egypt violence is rooted in the economy, not just politics -- NBC
Can Egypt Survive Its Latest Crisis? -- Council On Foreign Relations
Chaos in Egypt: Tahrir squandered -- The Economist

Vice President Joe Biden Will Meet Russia's Foreign Minister For Talks On Syria And Nuclear Weapons

Reduction talks: A Russian Topol-12M mobile nuclear missile is being moved at a strategic forces base near the central Russian city of Yoshkar-Ola

Vice President Joe Biden Will Meet Russia's Foreign Minister For New Talks Over Reducing Nuclear Weapons -- Daily Mail

* Meeting between statesmen will take place in Munich, Germany
* It is first talks since New START arms reduction programme was agreed

Vice President Joe Biden will meet Russia's foreign minister Sergei Lavrov this weekend to try to spark new U.S.-Russia talks over reducing their countries' nuclear arsenals.

The meeting will take place in Munich, Germany, before National Security Advisor Tom Donilon travels to Moscow for a second round of talks next month.

It comes after years of tension between the U.S. and Russia that has included President Vladimir Putin accusing the U.S. of meddling in his country's politics.

Read more ....

Update: Biden to talk arms control with top Russian envoy -- Washington Times

My Comment: The focus will be on Syria .... but there will be no agreement.

Was Yesterday's Israeli Strike In Syria A Very-Small-Scale Dress Rehearsal For A Military Strike Against Iran?

The U.S. said the target was a truck convoy carrying weapons bound for Hezbollah (Baz Ratner/REUTERS)

Israel’s Strike On Syria As A Dress Rehearsal For Conflict With Iran -- Washington Post

The Israel-Iran standoff, in which Israel has long signaled its willingness to strike suspected Iranian nuclear sites if they come too close to producing a weapon, got a sort of very-small-scale dress rehearsal on Wednesday. The Israeli air force attacked a target inside Syria, Tehran’s closest ally, which set off the expected condemnations (from Syria, Iran, Russia and the Lebanese militant group Hezbollah) and fears of reprisal.

Both Israel and Iran will likely be observing the fallout from the attack closely, trying to determine what it might say about how an Israeli attack on Iranian nuclear facilities would play out in the region. It’s too early to say what, if anything, they could learn. But the possibility that they might extrapolate lessons about a potential Israel-Iran conflict gives added significance – and added risk – to every action and reaction in the coming hours and days.

Read more ....

My Comment: I would have to say that this was not a dress rehearsal for a military strike against Iran. Launching a military strike against Iran would involve enormous resources .... resources that the Israelis just do not have. But if they were to launch a strike, it would be to drag in the international community on a political level and to use them as a lever to stop Iran's nuclear program. I call this the "Hail Mary's pass" .... if all fails just ratch-up the pressure and let the outside powers come in and sort out the mess. Is this feasible .... I personally think not .... but who knows what they are thinking (or what they are intending to do) in Jerusalem .... and maybe that was one of the points on why yesterday's Israeli action was approved.

Syria And Iran Threaten Retaliation For Israeli Strike

Syria’s Allies Denounce Israeli Strike -- Washington Post

JERUSALEM — Syria’s allies on Thursday strongly condemned Israel’s airstrike on a Syrian target, calling the move “open aggression” that challenged the legitimacy of the government of President Bashar al-Assad.

Angry statements from Russia, Iran and the militantly anti-Israel group Hezbollah underscored the risk that Israel’s action — which analysts and Western officials described as an attempt to stop the transfer of weapons from Syria to Hezbollah outposts in Lebanon — could hasten the spillover of the civil war in Syria into a wider conflict.

Read more ....

More News On Syria Threatening Retaliation Against Israel For Their Military Strike

Syria threatens to retaliate after Israeli air strikes - as it happened -- The Guardian
Syria threatens retaliation for Israeli airstrike -- AP
Syria warns Israel of 'surprise' retaliation -- Al Jazeera
Iran, Syria warn of retribution for Israeli airstrike -- CNN
Syria, Iran threaten retaliation against Israel over airstrike -- FOX News
Israel Syria attack will have 'grave consequences:' Iran -- AFP
Syria warns of "surprise" response to Israel attack -- Reuters
Syria Threatens Retaliation for Israeli Airstrike -- ABC News/AP
Syria, Iran threaten Israel over air strike -- CBS/AP
Syria may respond to Israeli air strike, says ambassador -- The Guardian
Syria complains to UN over Israel 'attack' -- BBC
Syria summons U.N. Golan commander to protest Israel attack -- Reuters
Arab League chief slams 'Israeli Syria strike' -- AFP
Egypt condemns Syria attack: Israel responsible -- YNet News
Russia concern at Israeli 'air strike' on Syria -- BBC
Israel faces repercussions of air strike on Syria -- The Guardian
Syria's allies warn of retaliation for Israeli airstrikes, but threats likely hollow -- Christian Science Monitor
Syria says Israel responsible for air raid results -- Reuters
Conflicting stories emerge over Israel's air strikes in Syria -- The Independent
Syria 'confirms' Israeli air strike but disputes target -- BBC
Analysis: Strike adds complexity to tense region -- Jonathan Marcus, BBC

Iran Vows To Speed Up Uranium Enrichment

Iranian President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad visits the Natanz nuclear enrichment facility. (Reuters)

Iran Is Said to Be Set to Accelerate Uranium Enrichment -- New York Times

LONDON — Iran has told the United Nations nuclear supervisory body that it plans to install more sophisticated equipment at its principal nuclear enrichment plant, a diplomat said on Thursday, enabling it to greatly accelerate its processing of uranium in a move likely to alarm the United States, Israel and the West.

The diplomat, based in Vienna which is the headquarters of the International Atomic Energy Agency, cited a letter from Iranian officials to the I.A.E.A. saying it wants to upgrade its main enrichment plant at Natanz. The upgrade could speed up enrichment by as much as two or three times, the diplomat said, requesting anonymity in light of the confidential nature of the Iranian note.

Read more ....

More News On Reports That Iran is Accelerating It's Uranium Enrichment

Iran Tells UN Monitors Uranium Enrichment Output Is Rising -- SFGate/Bloomberg
Iran 'plans to upgrade enrichment equipment' -- BBC
Diplomats: Iran prepared to up nuclear program -- AP
Iran Plans Nuclear Equipment Upgrade -- Voice of America
Nuke fast track? Iran plans to up uranium-enrichment capacity -- Christian Science Monitor/Reuters
Diplomats: Iran seeking to upgrade nuclear equipment -- USA Today
Diplomats Say Iran To Speed Up Nuclear Enrichment -- Radio Free Europe
Iran plans to speed up nuclear fuel work -- News24
Iran plans to upgrade its nuclear facility at Natanz nuclear plant -- Xinhuanet
Iran to install new nuclear equipment at Natanz site -- Global Post/AFP

My Comment: The Russian response to this uranium enrichment acceleration illustrates how much they are in denial on what is happening .... and totally uninterested in Western concerns. Their response is here.

War in Mali -- News Updates January 31, 2013

Mali Militants 'In Disarray' After French Air Strikes -- BBC

Three weeks of French targeted air strikes in northern Mali have left Islamist militants "in disarray", France's defence minister has said.

Jean-Yves Le Drian said the jihadists had now scattered, marking a "turning-point" in France's intervention.

His comments come as the French troops continue to secure Kidal, the last town occupied by militants.

The latest strikes have been on command centres, training camps and depots north of Kidal, a spokesman has said.

Col Thierry Burkhard said the "fairly significant" targets had been hit in the Aguelhok mountains near the Algerian border, reports the AFP news agency.

Read more ....

More News On The Conflict In Mali

French air strikes hit Islamist bases in north Mali -- AFP
French troops in Mali take Kidal, last Islamist holdout -- BBC
4 Malian soldiers killed after vehicle hits land mine -- FOX News/AP
French foreign minister: Troops to leave Mali soon -- AP
U.N. Security Council to Discuss Peacekeepers for Mali -- Reuters
Security Council plans regular UN peacekeeping force for Mali after France ousts Islamists -- Washington Post/AP
France backs possible U.N. force in Mali -- Reuters
France calls for Mali peace talks -- Al Jazeera
Mali plans July elections as it makes gains in battle against militants -- CNN
Militants Ineligible for Dialogue, Mali President Says -- Voice of America
Malian president offers Tuareg rebels talks -- Global Post
France’s Says Mali Should Accept Some Touareg Autonomy -- Bloomberg Businessweek
Timbuktu, Gao Residents Worry about Dwindling Food, Fuel -- Voice of America
In storied town of Timbuktu, growing sense of freedom after Islamists leave, but fears linger -- Washington Post/AP
Mali manuscripts in Timbuktu are mostly safe, South Africa university says -- Washington Post/AP
Bulk of Timbuktu manuscripts survived occupation -- Reuters
Analysis: The dynamics of inter-communal violence in Mali -- IRIN
Mali: Avoiding Revenge in Order to Win Peace -- allAfrica.com
A long look before a leap into a war in Mali. This is action best left to Africans -- Fred Gedrich, Washington Times
The war is over, but can France sustain peace in Mali? -- France 24

How Afghan Aid Money Is Being Wasted Or Stolen

'Incalculable Waste' In U.S.-Paid $100 Billion Afghan Fund -- Washington Examiner

The unprecedented $100 billion program slated to rebuild war-torn Afghanistan has been ravaged by theft, cost overruns, bribes, unused facilities and "incalculable waste," and now the federal auditor of the reconstruction effort is urging Congress to make sure taxpayers are getting their money's worth before spending more.

But, warned an urgently written quarterly report to Congress from the Special Inspector General for Afghan Reconstruction, even if Congress gives the OK, auditing how Afghanistan spends the largest rebuilding fund in U.S. history will be difficult after American troops leave in October 2013.

Read more ....

My Comment: I have commented before that even if a trillion dollar Afghan aid fund was set up .... within a decade the money will be gone and there will be very little if anything to show for it. The culture of corruption, tribalism, sectarianism, and a long history of conflict are the root problems for Afghanistan. And while I do expect Afghanistan to one day rise from this mess .... it will do so on it's own terms and over a long period of time .... and $100 billion government aid packages will not expedite this process.

The Special Inspector General for Afghanistan Reconstruction's website is here.

Did U.S. Officials Purchase Oil From Iran For Afghan Forces Thereby Violating Sanctions?

Oil tankers loaded with supplies for NATO forces wait to cross southwest Pakistan-Afghanistan border crossing in Chaman (Stringer Pakistan Reuters, / January 2, 2009)

U.S. Officials Failed To Verify That Fuel For Afghan Forces Did Not Come From Iran, Report Says -- Washington Post

American officials in Afghanistan have failed to verify that fuel purchased for Afghan security forces in recent years did not come from Iran, which would constitute a violation of U.S. sanctions, according to an inspector general report issued Wednesday.

The report warned that “it will become more difficult” to make sure assistance to Afghanistan complies with sanctions on Iran as the U.S. military footprint in the country continues to shrink over the next two years. The United States intends to start giving a fuel stipend for Afghan forces to the Afghan Ministry of Defense in March, rather than directly supplying units in the field.

Read more ....

More News On Iranian Oil Being Purchased For Afghan Forces

Iran fuel may be part of U.S.-funded Afghan supply deals: report -- Reuters
Afghan army fuel sales may have broken Iran sanctions -- The Hindu
Some fuel purchased by US for Afghan army may have been from Iran despite sanctions – report -- Voice of Russia
Turkmenistan sold Iranian oil to US -- World Bulletin
Is Turkmenistan Selling Iranian Oil To Americans In Afghanistan? -- Eurasianet.org

My Comment: I suspect that the reason why this oil was purchased was because it was the lowest bid (if no bribes were paid off that is). With not much money in the bank, it will not surprise me if Afghanistan starts to purchase Iranian oil (if the price is right) once NATO and U.S. forces leave. As for the Iranians, I am sure that they must be sensitive to the leverage that they have over the Afghan government on this issue, and will probably be positioning themselves to take advantage of this "leverage" once U.S./NATO officials have left.

Afghanistan War News Updates -- January 31, 2013

U.S. soldiers and Afghan border police depart Observation Point 12 along the Afghanistan-Pakistan border and head to the landing zone for an awaiting UH-60 Black Hawk helicopter in Kunar province, Afghanistan, Jan. 21, 2013. U.S. Army Photo by Sgt. Jon Heinrich

Congressional Watchdog Questions Size Of Afghan Forces -- Defense News

If the $10 billion in fiscal 2013 funds earmarked for reconstruction efforts in Afghanistan is ever unlocked from congressional budget battles, the total bill for American reconstruction efforts in that country will hit $98 billion, according to a new government watchdog report released Jan. 30.

Roughly $55 billion of that total will have gone toward recruiting, training, equipping and fielding the Afghan National Security Forces (ANSF) alone, the Special Inspector General for Afghanistan Reconstruction (SIGAR) said in its latest quarterly report to Congress.

Read more ....

More News on Afghanistan

Hagel vague on U.S. presence in Afghanistan -- Washington Post
Combined Force Arrests Taliban Leaders in Helmand Province -- US Department of Defense
22 killed or injured following explosions in Afghanistan -- Khaama Press
Taliban district chief killed in eastern Afghanistan -- Khaama Press
Marines increase rocket strikes in Afghanistan -- Marine Times
Afghan father hands over 'bomber son' to police -- BBC
ISAF, NATO employ tactics against inside threats -- ISAF
Afghan and US officials start 3rd phase of security talks -- Khaama Press
Pakistani Taliban enter fray around strategic NATO routes -- Christian Science Monitor
Afghanistan isn't safe, U.S. warning says -- UPI
Bundestag extends German military mission in Afghanistan -- Deutsche Welle
German Parliament extends Afghan mission by 13 months -- Washington Post/AP
Azerbaijan to withdraw peacekeepers from Afghanistan -- apa.az
Musharraf: Pakistan Can Play 'Critical Role' in Stabilizing Afghanistan -- Voice of America
Kabul religious conference postponed -- UPI
Canadian Army commander reflects on lessons from Afghanistan -- CBC
Afghan Contractor Failings on Bomb Barriers Being Probed -- Bloomberg
As 2014 NATO pullout approaches, more Afghans flee their homeland -- Washington Post
Afghans Bristle at U.S. Ban on Airline -- New York Times
Afghanistan warns Kabul police: Start following traffic rules -- Stars and Stripes
Feeding Afghanistan's TV craze -- CNN
Afghanistan Media Boomed During War, But Faces Uncertain Future As U.S. Withdraws -- Huffington Post
Afghanistan Registers Major Rise In Press-Freedom Index -- Radio Free Europe
First Afghan Youth Orchestra to perform in United States -- Khaama Press
Afghanistan’s First Youth Orchestra to Travel to the U.S. -- Time

World News Briefs -- January 31, 2013

Syria, Iran Threaten Retaliation Against Israel -- YNet News

Deputy Iranian foreign minister says alleged Israeli strike will have 'serious implications' for Tel Aviv while Syrian envoy threatens to launch 'surprise attack'

Syria and Iran have threatened to retaliate for an alleged Israeli air raid near the capital Damascus.

Syrian Ambassador to Lebanon Ali Abdul-Karim Ali says Damascus has "the option and the surprise to retaliate." He said he cannot predict when the retaliation will be, saying it is up to relevant authorities to prepare for it.

Read more ....

MIDDLE EAST

Suddenly it looks like Assad could win the Syrian war.

Syrian rebels make slow headway in south.

Factbox: Rising Syrian death toll, refugee wave.

Israeli jets strike deep inside Syria.

Israel strike on Syria 'unacceptable': Russia.

Iran threatens 'serious consequences' for Tel Aviv.

Diplomats: Iran prepared to up nuclear program.

Exclusive: Iran crude oil exports rise to highest since EU sanctions.

Kurdish militants dismiss Turkey withdrawal reports.

UN inquiry says Israel must end settlements.

Two militants, five soldiers killed in Yemen: sources.

ASIA

Pakistani Taliban enter fray around strategic NATO routes.

US and South Korea monitoring for third nuke test by North.

Japan ex-minister warns of Okinawa unrest, secession.

Clashes mark Bangladesh general strike. Scores hurt as Islamists take to Bangladesh streets over tribunal.

Exclusive: Austerity in India - Defense and welfare spending to be slashed.

Beijing takes steps to fight pollution as problem worsens.

In Vietnam, rage growing over loss of land rights.

Chinese court convicts two Tibetans for 'encouraging self-immolation'.

AFRICA

'Mali militants in disarray' after French air strikes.

With easy part of Mali mission almost over, Chad is poised to take lead.

France calls for Mali peace talks.

Egypt rivals hold rare meeting and call for dialogue. Egypt politicians renounce violence at crisis talks.

S. African convicts seek exoneration for apartheid-era crime.

Somalia: Anger over woman charged after alleging rape.

EUROPE

British Prime Minister David Cameron arrives in Libya.

Greek transport workers, doctors strike over austerity.

Poland hurt by EU aid freeze over suspicious road deal.

Spain's Rajoy, ruling party deny secret payment scheme.

EU peace fund to target young Northern Ireland loyalists.

City renames itself Stalingrad to mark battle.

Red Cross struggling to aid Europe's 'new poor'.

AMERICAS

Colombian rebels say they have 'right' to take hostages, putting peace talks on edge.

Colombia rebels seize three oil workers, blow up energy tower.

Obama sees immigration deal within six months.

Cuba dissidents approved, denied for passports.

Huge Chinese expo center planned for Cancun riles Mexican businesses, environmentalists.

A look back at Clinton's years as top US diplomat.

TERRORISM/THE LONG WAR

U.S. faces new Al Qaeda threat as terror group's 'strike map' is revealed.

Guantanamo 9/11 suspect hearings face rough start.

U.S. policy toward countering al-Qaeda 2.0 (commentary).

ECONOMY/FINANCE/BUSINESS

Migrants' billions put aid in the shade.

EA boss denies video games encourage violent attacks.

New York Times 'hit by hackers from China'.

Military And Intelligence News Briefs -- January 31, 2013

The Pentagon. DoD photo by Tech. Sgt. Andy Dunaway, U.S. Air Force

U.S. Defense Spending Fell At The Fastest Rate In 40 Years -- Business Insider

We've mentioned a few times today that GDP went negative primarily because of the big drop in defense spending.

But we didn't realize just how historic the drop was.

JPMorgan economist Michael Feroli put it in context. The defense spending drop happened at the fastest pace in 40 years. As you can see in the chart below, the last time we had a faster drop was in 1972.

Read more ....

MILITARY AND INTELLIGENCE NEWS BRIEFS

NATO Chief to Warn Defense Cuts Could Endanger Alliance's Power -- Reuters

Canada Budget Cuts Cleave Deepest in Army -- Defense News

UK unveils £159 billion defence equipment plan, but doubts remain -- Reuters

David Cameron 'to keep defence equipment spending pledge' -- BBC

Australian Defence Force to sell off thousands of vehicles and other war equipment -- Herald Sun

China preparing to win high intensity military ops -- Zee News

Top Court Rejects Call to Close Airbase in Central Russia -- RIA Novosti

Was the Mistral a Bad Deal for Russia? -- Information Dissemination

Iran Navy Starts 3-Day Drills in Persian Gulf -- RIA Novosti

Bundestag extends German military mission in Afghanistan -- Deutsche Welle

Congressional Watchdog Questions Size of Afghan Forces -- Defense News

ASD Mike Sheehan: Yemen, Somalia Are Models For Mali; Afghans Should Watch -- Sydney J. Freedberg Jr., Aol Defense

Special Ops Command South Presses for Increased Engagement -- US Department of Defense

Pentagon Increases Focus on AFRICOM -- Defense News

Sales of F-35 fighters to Israel could violate Japan's export ban -- Asahi Shimbun

Navy Under Secretary not worried about F-35B grounding -- Defense Tech

Reduced F-35 performance specifications may have significant operational impact -- Flight Global

Faulty F-35 fuel lines to be scanned in U.S. instead of Britain -- Reuters

100th F-35 On Lockheed Martin’s Production Line -- Lockheed Martin

Littoral Combat Ships- How not to buy ships -- Bring the heat. Bring the Stupid.

LCS - A History Lesson in Failed Execution -- Information Dissemination

Back to the Future with Cargo Airship -- Defense Tech

Smartphone to hold integrated warrior gear -- Space Daily/UPI

U.S. military contracts for linguists -- UPI

7 Big Defense Companies With Big Transparency Problems -- Danger Room

Automatic defense cuts called ‘more likely than unlikely’ -- Stars and Stripes/Bloomberg

Council Worries 100K Shipbuilding Jobs At Risk; Sequestration Killed GDP Growth -- Aol Defense

Hagel: Sequester cuts would devastate military -- Navy Times

Next Pentagon Chief Doesn’t Want to Get Sucked Into France’s Mali War -- Danger Room

Republican Hagel faces GOP critics at hearing -- AP

Hagel to face grilling by Senate panel on Mideast, budget -- Reuters

White House on offensive to get Hagel as defense secretary -- Reuters

For Defense Sector, Americans’ Support for Military Cuts Is an Inconvenient Truth -- Defense News

Military judge rejects defense arguments in Fort Hood shooting case -- Reuters

Even After Lackland Scandal, Military Still Isn’t Fixing Its Sexual Abuse Epidemic -- Danger Room

GAO: Military lack guidance on responding to sex assaults -- Stars and Stripes/Washington Post

Science Fiction and Fantasy Authors Who Served in the Military, and How it Changed Their Work -- io9

Defense cuts that need to be avoided -- Washington Post editorial

Pentagon's budget nightmare: How each branch would handle sequester cuts -- Christian Science Monitor

With Sequestration About To Happen, Defense Contractors Tell Shareholders To Not Worry

As Sequestration Looms, Contractors Don’t Fret -- Washington Post

The next few months could look even scarier than the last few for defense contractors already battered by federal budget cuts, thanks to the threat of automatic reductions looming in March. But industry executives had a surprising message for shareholders this week: Don’t worry about it.

In call after call with investors, officials at some of the area’s largest contracting firms refused to guess how much it would cost them if Congress allows the “sequester” to kick in on March 1. Even as their lobbyists keep warning how much the cuts would hurt the industry, the executives are projecting confidence that the sequester will not happen.

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My Comment: I say worry.

Trying To Develop A Better Virtual Battle Simulation

Photo: Army commanders are trying to work out what resources their budget should be spent on

British Army Stages Record-Breaking Virtual Battle -- BBC

The British army has conducted its largest virtual battle simulation, involving 220 soldiers.

The experiment was carried out at the Army's Land Warfare Centre in Warminster, Wiltshire.

The two-hour scenario saw soldiers on computers completing virtual missions in a fictional French town.

The Army says the simulation will help it to find out which resources it needs to invest in, once it takes control of its own budget in April 2013.

"The aim is to understand how various changes have an impact on the speed at which command can respond," said Col Tim Law, assistant head of army force development.

"We're trying to determine exactly what we need to fight and win the wars of tomorrow."

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My Comment: Not exactly the real world .... and they do still have a long way to go with the tech .... but it is a start.

Israel Must Have Good Intelligence Sources In Syria

IAF plane takes part in maneuvers [file] Photo: IDF spokesperson

Officials: Israel Struck Syria Arms Shipment, Notified US -- Jerusalem Post

'Wall Street Journal' cites Western official as saying strike targeted convoy of trucks carrying Russian-made SA-17 missiles to Hezbollah; American officials tell 'New York Times' Israel notified US about attack.

US officials said Wednesday overnight that Israel had bombed a suspected shipment of anti-aircraft missiles in Syria on Tuesday night, the Wall Street Journal and New York Times reported.

The Wall Street Journal report cited a Western official as saying that the strike targeted a convoy of trucks carrying Russian-made SA-17 missiles to Hezbollah, in a border area west of Damascus .

American officials told the Times that Israel notified the US about the attack. The reports follows varying accounts of the alleged strike.

Read more ....

My Comment: If this story is true, it tells me that Israel has an extensive intelligence operation underway in Syria right now. It also tells me that the Syrian government is more focused in it's life and death struggle against Syrian rebels .... and that tracking and finding Israeli spies are probably low on their priority list. But after today's strike .... that may change.

Three Former Top Spies Endorse "Zero Dark Thirty's" Version Of Torture

Shock Endorsement: 'Zero Dark Thirty' Wins Raves From Top Spies -- Washington Examiner

In a surprising endorsement, three top former CIA officials Tuesday praised the controversial anti-terror film "Zero Dark Thirty," claiming that it properly showed that brutal interrogation worked in the early war against al Qaeda, despite administration claims.

What's more, the three, including a former CIA director and his top spy, said that without so-called "enhanced interrogation," which President Obama killed in his third day in office, the nation's security is at risk.

"I fear for the safety of our national security because of that," said Jose Rodriguez, a 31-year CIA veteran who headed the National Clandestine Service from 2004-2008.

Read more ....

My Comment: Conventional wisdom has been saying the opposite .... but I will wager that years from now .... when the politics has changed ..... a re-evaluation on the effectiveness of enhanced interrogation techniques will be done. And when that report is completed, it would not surprise me that a different conclusion and consensus will be reached.

Update: Top CIA Officials To Bigelow: Our Torture Boxes Were Bigger -- Business Insider

What Ever Happened To The US Air Force's Y-23?

YF-22 and YF-23. Wikipedia

This Is What Regret Looks Like To The US Air Force -- Business Insider

Back in 1997, the US Air Force choose between the F-22 Raptor and the YF-23 for its fifth-generation fighter.

The YF-23 had a greater flight range, giving the fighter the potential to strike much further targets.

The F-22 Raptor had a more conventional design and more effective program management, and was seen as less costly and less risky.

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WNU Editor: For more info on the YF-23, go here.

Is Now The Time For Japan To Step Up It's Defense Commitments?

In this Oct. 14, 2012 file photo, Japan Maritime Self-Defense Force (JMSDF) destroyer Kurama leads other vessels during a fleet review in Sagami Bay, south of Tokyo. Japan's Cabinet endorsed Tuesday, Jan. 29, 2013 a record-high 92.6 trillion yen (US$1.02 trillion) general budget for the coming fiscal year aimed at buoying growth through more public works spending while raising defense outlays to counter tensions with China. The 4.75 trillion yen (US$52.5 billion) in proposed defense spending, up 0.8 percent from last year, is the first such increase in 11 years and is partly aimed at beefing up Japan's coastal and marine surveillance around islands also claimed by China and Taiwan. Photo: Itsuo Inouye

It's Time To End Japan's Defense Dependence On The United States -- Doug Bandow, Forbes

America’s war in Afghanistan is winding down, but the U.S. must worry about conflict elsewhere. Once viewed as inconceivable, war between China and Japan now looks possible, though thankfully still unlikely. Tokyo should get serious about its own defense.

The U.S. used its power as occupier after World War II to impose a constitution on Japan which forbade possession of a military. But America lost its enthusiasm for that arrangement early during the Cold War. When Washington subsequently pushed Tokyo to rearm, the latter hid behind its constitution.

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My Comment: It looks like Japan is getting the message.

Deployment Of The F-35 Will Not Solve The U.S. Navy's Carrier Shortage

F-35 test aircraft are seen at Naval Air Station Patuxent Aircraft, Md. Lockheed Martin

Solving The Navy’s Carrier Shortage -- Adm. James A. Lyons, Washington Times

F-35 fifth-generation aircraft could provide needed support.

The U.S. Navy, operating with too few carriers, now has a forward-deployment dilemma. Keeping two carriers deployed to the Middle East with only nine deployable strike carriers is not sustainable, even with their deployment time increasing by 50 percent. This is having debilitating consequences for fleet readiness. An immediate relaxation from the two-carrier commitment would provide much-needed forward deployment flexibility. This can be accomplished by utilizing operational alternatives, including modified U.S. Air Force Air Expeditionary Forces, along with U.S. Marine Corps Air Wing, to provide the required close air support mission in Afghanistan.

With the four-year overhaul of the USS Abraham Lincoln, combined with the delay of the USS Gerald Ford, the Navy will still require additional deployment flexibility. The Joint Strike Fighter (JSF) F-35 fifth-generation aircraft could possibly provide such flexibility.

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My Comment: Adm. James A. Lyons argument makes sense if you choose to ignore this.

Picture Of The Day

OVERBOARD DRILL

A search and rescue team aboard the aircraft carrier USS Harry S. Truman launches a rigid hull inflatable boat during a man-overboard drill in the Atlantic Ocean, Jan. 29, 2013. The Truman is conducting a composite training unit exercise to prepare for its upcoming deployment. U.S. Navy photo by Petty Officer 3rd Class Rob Aylward

Medal of Honor Recipient Staff Sergeant Clinton Romesha (Photo Gallery)

Thomas Rasmussen (courtesy of Jake Tapper)

Soldier To Get Medal Of Honor For Fighting Off Hundreds Of Taliban While Injured -- Business Insider

There were 53 US troops at Combat Outpost Keating, Afghanistan on the morning of Oct. 3, 2009. While they had been attacked many times before, on that morning at 6 AM everything went to hell.

The quiet mountain dawn broke to an overwhelming onslaught of more than 300 Taliban fighters attacking almost instantaneously.

The attackers had one goal, as detailed in "The Outpost", a riveting account of the battle written by journalist Jake Tapper: overrun and capture the base.

Read more ....

WNU Editor: The photo gallery starts here.