New Report Outlines How Blackwater Made Money In The Losing War To Stop Afghanistan Drug Production

American troops patrolled poppy fields in southern Afghanistan on Monday minutes before being ambushed by the Taliban. Lynsey Addario for The New York Times

The Guardian: Former Blackwater gets rich as Afghan drug production hits record high

Opium poppy cultivation is up in Afghanistan despite the infamous mercenary firm formerly known as Blackwater being paid $569m by the Pentagon to stop it

In a war full of failures, the US counternarcotics mission in Afghanistan stands out: opiate production has climbed steadily over recent years to reach record-high levels last year.

Yet there is a clear winner in the anti-drug effort – not the Afghan people, but the infamous mercenary company formerly known as Blackwater.

Statistics released on Tuesday reveal that the rebranded private security firm, known since 2011 as Academi, reaped over half a billion dollars from the futile Defense Department push to eradicate Afghan narcotics, some 32% of the $1.8bn in contracting money the Pentagon has devoted to the job since 2002.

WNU Editor: They have clearly (and spectacularly) failed in their mandate .... Afghanistan Opium Harvest Reaches Record Level.

Where Did All The Money Disappear In Afghanistan?

Matthew Gault, War Is Boring: How the Pentagon Lost Track of $45 Billion

It’s almost impossible to audit what taxpayers have spent to rebuild Afghanistan

Since 2002, Congress has set aside $104 billion specifically to rebuild Afghanistan. Of that, $66 billion went to the Pentagon.

Recently, the Special Inspector General for Afghanistan Reconstruction asked the military to account for all that spending. It couldn’t. According to a new report from SIGAR, the Pentagon only knows how it spent a third of its reconstruction budget.

It didn’t break any rules when it did this, and has since fixed the oversight that led to the underreporting, but it’s cold comfort for taxpayers who will probably never know how the U.S. military spent that money in Afghanistan.

Most likely … not all of it well. The Pentagon has a history of wasting billions in the country on bad projects, corrupt business partners and disreputable construction companies.

Update: The Pentagon Can't Account for $45 Billion It Spent in Afghanistan -- Gizmodo

WNU Editor: The latest report from the Special Inspector General for Afghanistan Reconstruction (SIGAR) is here. The Nation has an interesting post on how some of the money has been spent in Afghanistan .... the one that caught my eye is IBM receiving funds to develop Afghanistan's mineral wealth (I guess they provided the computers/software) .... Blackwater: The Top Pentagon Contractor for Afghanistan Training (The Nation).

President Obama Approves Program That Allows Sanctions On Individuals Or Groups Engaged In Cyber Attacks Or Cyber Spying

Washington Post: U.S. establishes sanctions program to combat cyberattacks, cyberspying

President Obama on Wednesday signed an executive order establishing the first sanctions program to allow the administration to impose penalties on individuals overseas who engage in destructive attacks or commercial espionage in cyberspace.

In the works for two years, the order declares “significant malicious cyber-enabled activities” a “national emergency” and enables the treasury secretary to target foreign individuals and entities that take part in the illicit cyberactivity for sanctions that could include freezing their financial assets and barring commercial transactions with them.

WNU Editor: President Obama's executive order is here.

More News On President Obama Authorizing A New Cyber Sanctions Program

U.S. targets overseas cyber attackers with new sanctions program -- Reuters
Obama Signs Order Creating New Cyber Sanctions Program -- AP
Obama Approves Targeted Sanctions Against Cyberattackers -- NBC
Obama authorizes sanctions on cyber criminals -- USA Today
Obama signs order creating sanctions for cyberattacks -- Washington Times
President Obama creates new cyber sanctions programme -- BBC
U.S. Economic Sanctions to Target Cyber-Attacks, Cyberspying -- Bloomberg

Does Israel Have An Effective Military Option To Stop Iran's Nuclear Program?

Israeli F-16 fighter. Getting ready to visit Iran?

Dan Arbell, CNN: Does Israel have a military option vs. Iran nuclear program?

(CNN)The Iran nuclear negotiations in Lausanne, Switzerland, reportedly have made substantive progress, inching closer toward a provisional agreement between the P5+1 and Iran. While the talks continued to unfold this week, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu restated his concern about an agreement with Iran, vowing "to continue to act against any threat."

If an agreement is reached, the international spotlight will turn to Israel, in anticipation of its possible reaction. Israeli Defense Minister Moshe "Bogy" Yaalon stated that a deal is "a tragedy for the whole world." The question is, however, what can Israel really do once a deal is signed? In recent days, notable conservatives in the United States have attacked President Barack Obama's handling of the negotiations with Iran, arguing that a bad deal will force Israel's hand, leaving it with no choice but to attack Iranian targets.

But is this a realistic conclusion?

WNU Editor: Apparently any military option will only be partially effective, and weighed against the consequences .... not at all appetizing. My prediction on what Israel will do .... they will be pursuing options for stricter controls that are outlined in this WSJ post .... Israel Readies Next Steps to Counter Any Iran Nuclear Deal (Wall Street Journal).

Update: U.S. Secretary of Defense Carter is still brandishing the military option .... Carter Says Iran Nuclear Deal Would Not Limit US Military Options (Military.com) .... more here.

This U.S. Navy SEAL Was Shot 27 Times And Is Now Training To Run A Half-Ironman To Raise Money For Fellow Veterans

The Telegraph: Meet the Navy SEAL who was shot 27 times and lived to tell the story

Eight years ago, Mike Day took multiple bullets to the legs, arms and abdomen while serving in Iraq. Now, he is training to run a half-Ironman to raise money for fellow veterans

A US Navy SEAL who was shot 27 times during one incident while on tour in Iraq has made such an exceptional recovery that he his now preparing to compete in a half-Ironman to raise money for his fellow veterans.

In 2007, Mike Day was caught in a brutal firefight with three al-Qaeda insurgents after he was the first of his team to enter a room in a town near near Fallujah, Iraq.

The enemy fighters opened fire, hitting Day with 27 separate bullets. 11 of the shots were stopped by his body armour, but 16 penetrated his body and left him perilously wounded.

Update: Ex-Navy SEAL who was shot 27 times to run Ironman for fellow vets -- FOX/Tribune

WNU Editor: Hearing and reading these incredible stories .... I am always left speechless.

The U.S Grows Wary As China Continues To Expand Its Navy

China’s navy chief, Adm. Wu Shengli, left, speaks with U.S. Chief of Naval Operations Adm. Jonathan Greenert during a ceremony last summer in Beijing. Photo: Stephen Shaver/Press Pool

Wall Street Journal: As China Expands Its Navy, the U.S. Grows Wary

Washington is divided over whether Beijing should be viewed as naval partner or potential adversary.

China’s navy chief, Adm. Wu Shengli, strolled the Harvard University campus in a tweed blazer and slacks during a visit to the U.S. last fall, joking with students and quizzing school officials about enrolling some of his officers.

A few days earlier, he became the first Chinese navy chief to attend a 113-nation naval forum in Rhode Island, where he hailed U.S.-China military ties and discussed working together on global maritime challenges.

Shortly after his U.S. visit, Adm. Wu took another trip—this time to the Spratly Islands, an archipelago in the South China Sea where his country appears to be building a network of artificial island fortresses in contested waters. It was his first known visit to facilities U.S. officials fear could be used to enforce Chinese control of nearly all the South China Sea, one of the world’s busiest shipping routes.

WNU Editor: The Chinese have been very clear in the past few years that their goal is to first establish a modern naval force in their region of Asia, followed by a modern global navy. As to whether or not they should be viewed as naval partner or potential adversary .... from the Chinese perspective .... they see the U.S. as the adversary.

US Pacific Fleet Commander: China Building 'Great Wall Of Sand' In South China Sea

(Click on Image to Enlarge)

Business Insider: Top US admiral: China is building a 'great wall of sand' in the South China Sea

China's rapid pace of artificial island construction throughout the South China Sea is like the building of a "great wall of sand," the US's Pacific Fleet Commander said at a naval security conference in Canberra, Australia, according to The Wall Street Journal.

Admiral Harry Harris Jr said that China's unabated construction of artificial islands throughout the disputed body of water is provocative. Beijing's dredging of the islands, which all exist in either international waters or contested maritime territory, is only likely to further increase tensions in a region with complex overlapping territorial claims.

WNU Editor: Where are the environmental protestors?

More News On US Pacific Fleet Commander Admiral Harry Harris's Remarks That China Is Building A 'Great Wall Of Sand' In South China Sea

US Admiral: China 'Creating a Great Wall of Sand' in Sea -- VOA/AP
China building a 'Great Wall of Sand' in South China Sea is 'provocative' -- The Telegraph
China building 'great wall of sand' in South China Sea -- BBC
U.S. Navy alarmed at Beijing’s ‘Great Wall of Sand’ in South China Sea -- Washington Post
China’s ‘Great Wall of Sand’ Raises U.S. Concerns -- WSJ
Artificial Islands Ratchet Up China Tensions, U.S. Admiral Says -- Bloomberg
US Navy: Beijing creating a 'great wall of sand' in South China Sea -- The Guardian
China building 'great wall of sand' in contested waters, US official says -- FOX News
US Blasts China’s ‘Great Wall of Sand’ in the South China Sea -- The Diplomat
China building a ‘great wall of sand’ in South China Sea– US Navy -- RT
Op-Ed: China’s artificial islands in South China Sea – Major own goal? -- Digital Journal
The Challenge to China’s South China Sea Approach -- The Diplomat

Citing National Security President Obama Removes Weapons Embargo Against Egypt

President Obama has assured Egypt that he will support the $1.3 billion in annual military assistance the country usually receives. Credit Zach Gibson/The New York Times

New York Times: Obama Removes Weapons Freeze Against Egypt

WASHINGTON — Seeking to repair relations with a longtime ally at a time of spreading war in the Middle East, President Obama on Tuesday lifted an arms freeze against Egypt that he had first imposed after the military overthrow of the country’s democratically elected government nearly two years ago.

Mr. Obama cleared the way for the delivery of F-16 aircraft, Harpoon missiles and M1A1 Abrams tanks, weapons prized by Egyptian leaders, who have smoldered at the suspension. In a telephone call, Mr. Obama assured President Abdel Fattah el-Sisi of Egypt that he would support the full $1.3 billion in annual military assistance the Cairo government traditionally receives, even as others seek to cut it, the White House said.

More News On President Obama Removing The Weapons Freeze Against Egypt

Readout of the President’s Call with President al-Sisi of Egypt -- White House
Obama ends freeze on U.S. military aid to Egypt -- Reuters
US releases military aid to Egypt, cites national security -- FOX News/AP
U.S. restores military aid to Egypt, cites national security -- Washington Times
US lifts military aid freeze against Egypt -- BBC
US lifts arms embargo on Egypt -- Al Jazeera
US releases Egypt military aid suspended since 2013 -- Al Bawaba
Obama Unblocks Delivery of F-16s, Military Aid to Egypt -- JP Updates

Russian Foreign Minister: Nuclear Deal With Iran ‘Reached On All Key Aspects’

RT: Nuclear deal with Iran ‘reached on all key aspects’ – Lavrov

Iran and six major world powers have managed to reach a preliminary agreement on ‘all the key aspects’ of a deal over Tehran’s controversial nuclear program, Russia’s FM has announced, adding that the sides have begun drafting the text.

Experts from Iran and P5+1 have started drafting a preliminary deal and the document could be expected either within the next few hours or later on Wednesday, Sergey Lavrov hopes. However, clearing the “technical details” of a final deal may take until June, he added.

Update #1: Iran nuclear talks: Russia and Iran claim progress -- BBC
Update #2: Iran nuclear talks miss deadline; Russia says 'key aspects' agreed -- Reuters

WNU Editor: Western diplomats are contradicting the optimism that is being expressed by both Iran and Russia .... As Nuclear Talks Drag On, U.S. and Iran Find It Harder to Hear Each Other (New York Times)

Only Two World War II Doolittle Raiders Are Alive Today

Prisoner: Hite, shown here being led blindfolded by his captors, was was taken captive by the Japanese for 40 months after the Doolittle Raid

Daily Mail: One of last three remaining World War II Doolittle Raiders who flew daring mission over Japan just four months after Pearl Harbor dies, aged 95

* Lt. Col. Robert Hite died in Nashville after a battle with Alzheimer's disease
* He was a co-pilot of a crew that flew one of the 16 B-25 bombers that raided Tokyo in 1942
* The air raid gave Americans hope in the wake of Pearl Harbor
* Two of the original 80 Doolittle's Raiders are alive today, both in their 90s

One of the last surviving Doolittle Raiders who attacked Japan during a daring World War II mission has died, age 95.

Lt. Col. Robert Hite died on Sunday at a nursing home in Nashville after a battle with Alzheimer's disease.

He was one of three remaining Doolittle Raiders.

Hite was a co-pilot of a crew that flew one of the 16 B-25 bombers that raided Tokyo in April 1942.

Led by Lieutenant Colonel James 'Jimmy' Doolittle, the mission saw 80 airmen sent in bombers from a carrier at sea to attack military targets in Japan.

WNU Editor: Out of 80 airmen there are now only two. But what I find even more amazing about this story is that some of these American airmen survived the World War II mission and were able to land in China in the first place.