Israel's Vice Premier: 'We Are Preparing For War'

Photo: Moshe Ya'alon

IDF Chief Of Staff-Turned-Vice Premier: 'We Are Not Bluffing' -- Truth Provider

Moshe Ya'alon tells Ari Shavit he is preparing for war. He suggests you do the same.

Exactly seven years ago, I interviewed the chief of staff. On the eve of his retirement from the Israel Defense Forces, Moshe “Bogie” Ya’alon spoke with an expressionless face against the Gaza disengagement, against a Palestinian state and against giving terrorism a “tailwind.” He predicted that Hamas would seize control of the Gaza Strip and that rockets would rain down on Israeli cities. But when, at the end of the interview, we were joined by the Israel Defense Forces spokeswoman and a Haaretz photographer, the chief of staff became a different person. As the photographer had him pose in his office, he started telling jokes.

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Update: Moshe Ya'alon: Strategic thinker and leader -- Jerusalem Post

My Comment: Poignant and disturbing .... and I have no reason to doubt him.

Afghanistan War News Updates -- June 29, 2012

A U.S. paratrooper fires his M249 squad automatic weapon at insurgents during a firefight on the outskirts of the village of Spedar in southern Afghanistan's Ghazni province, June 15, 2012. U.S. Army photo by Sgt. Michael J. MacLeod

Afghan Officials Hail Talks With Insurgents -- New York Times

KABUL, Afghanistan — A flurry of informal contacts between the Afghan government and insurgent representatives over the past week suggests that long-stalled peace negotiation efforts may be inching forward, Afghan officials say, though American officials played down the significance of the meetings.

Afghan government negotiators sat with representatives of the insurgents first at an informal meeting in Paris this week and then at an academic conference in Kyoto, Japan, through the past two days, officials said. President Hamid Karzai’s top peace negotiator, Salahuddin Rabbani, hailed the public contacts this month as an indication that the Taliban were backing off their demand that Americans be the main interlocutors in any talks.

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More News On Afghanistan

ISAF Joint Command morning operational update, June 29 -- ISAF
Combined Force Detains Taliban Leader -- US Department of Defense
Militants kill 10 in attack in eastern Afghanistan -- AP
Air Strike Kills Taliban Leader In East Afghanistan -- RTT
Troop immunity likely to be focus of U.S., Afghanistan deal -- Reuters
Afghan Taliban Deny Taking Orders From Pakistan -- New York Times/Reuters
Afghan Taliban Deny Taking Orders From Pakistan -- Radio Free Europe
Radio Mullah re-emerges as security threat -- Express Tribune
Afghans face mass deportation from Pakistan -- DAWN/AFP
400,000 Unregistered Afghan Refugees Face Deportation By Pakistan -- Radio Free Europe
Afghanistan appeals for foreign corporate investment as a way to stabilize after years of war -- Washington Post/AP
Afghanistan Woos Foreign Investors in New Delhi -- New York Times
India's growing stake in Afghanistan -- BBC
India seeks larger role in stabilizing Afghanistan after NATO drawdown -- Washington Post
An Umbrella for Afghan Stability -- Chinmaya R. Gharekhan and Karl F. inderfurth, New York Times

World News Briefs -- June 29, 2012

EU Leaders Agree On Bank Rescue Fund -- Voice of America

European leaders threw a critical financial lifeline to struggling Spain and Italy and agreed to a roadmap to restructure the euro currency union at a Brussels summit that continues through Friday.

After marathon overnight talks, the 27 European Union leaders agreed Friday on a series of short and longer term measures to shore up the struggling eurozone. As expected, they signed onto a growth and jobs package worth about $151 billion for the 17-nation area.

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MIDDLE EAST

Assad rejects external solution for Syria crisis.

Assad forces bombard northern towns, avoid Turkish border. Military funerals in Syria suggest mounting casualties.

Syria on agenda as Clinton, Lavrov meet in St. Petersburg.

Iraq's commitment to U.S. mission questioned in Congress. U.S.’s $51 billion Iraq projects at risk, inspector says.

EU oil embargo on Iran goes into effect Sunday.

National service proposal riles Israeli arabs.

ASIA

South Korea puts off Japan military pact at last minute.

China blocks Bloomberg for exposing financial affairs of Xi Jinping's family.

China's Shenzhou-9 spacecraft returns to Earth.

Democrats beat ruling party in Mongolian election.

India police kill '17 Maoists' in Chhattisgarh.

India floods: Many thousands flee homes in Assam.

15 years after China takeover, Hong Kong uneasy.

AFRICA

Back-to-back coups hand ECOWAS huge challenge.

Islamist militants stream into northern Mali town after victory.

Egyptians pack Tahrir on eve of Mursi inauguration.

Egypt's defence minister hangs defiantly on to power.

Amnesty International: Arms imports fuel S. Sudan violence.

Khartoum: Sudan austerity protesters 'tear-gassed'.

EUROPE

Breakthrough in Europe bank talks send Spain, Italy borrowing costs down. Merkel defends compromise deal on eurozone banks.

EU deal for Spain, Italy buoys markets but details sketchy.

Uzbekistan quits Russia-dominated security pact.

Eta members arrested in London.

Julian Assange remains at embassy after failing to report to police.

AMERICAS

President Obama signs Colorado disaster declaration.

Mercosur 'to suspend' Paraguay over Lugo impeachment.

Drug cartel rivals behead Zetas on camera.

Mexican drug cartels work to sway local vote.

Falklands responds to Argentine approaches on fishing and flights.

Russian arms dealer jailed in U.S. will appeal.

TERRORISM/THE LONG WAR

Pakistan Army facing greater threat from al-Qaeda: observers.

Yemen says al Qaeda militants may have fled to Oman.

London police arrest 2 terror suspects.

ECONOMY/FINANCE/BUSINESS

Barclays boss Bob Diamond says he will not resign.

Nestle 'failing' on child labour abuse, says FLA report.

Google gave us a week of product launches and impressive demos at I/O.

Boeing, Embraer teaming up on military plane.

Military And Intelligence News Briefs -- June 29, 2012

Djiboutian Maj. Daher Meraneh Arreh explains to U.S. Air Force Col. Jon Gullett, Combined Joint Task Force - Horn of Africa communication director, how he would like to train his soldiers.

US Military Seeks To Spread Skills Around The World To Ease Burden On Itself -- CNN

The U.S. military plans to deploy specialized Army units around the globe as part of an effort to build worldwide military partnerships, Defense Secretary Leon Panetta said Thursday.

The first units will be deployed to Africa Command next year. These units, known as brigade combat teams, will specialize in the culture and language of the geographic places in which they are operating.

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MILITARY AND INTELLIGENCE NEWS BRIEFS

July UN Meeting to Discuss Global Arms Trade Treaty -- Voice of America

What Do We Know About Syria’s Air Defenses? -- Defense Tech

China starts 'combat ready' patrols in disputed South China Sea -- Christian Science Monitor

Olympic roof missiles: residents to launch legal action -- The Guardian

Report: Ex-British minister sold secrets to Czechs -- Stars and Stripes/AP

HMS Illustrious trains with French Navy -- Mod.uk

Reducing reaction times key factor for Russian Air Force modernization -- Voice of Russia

Jamming Grenades, Micro-Missiles: Israel’s Latest War Tech, Uncovered -- Danger Room

The Farnborough Airshow 2012: Glimpses of the Future -- Stars and Stripes

U.S. military shipping MV-22 aircraft to Japan next month -- Examiner

U.S. firm, subsidiaries admit role in sending military software to China -- CNN

United Technologies sent military copter tech to China -- Reuters

Funds for Lockheed-Led Missile Defense Urged by Panetta -- Bloomberg Businessweek

Army Strips Down Expectations -- And Battle Network -- For Faster Fielding -- Aol Defense

USS New York Lands Apache Helicopters -- Navy.mil

Is Time Right for Military Cyber Branch? -- GovInfoSecurity

The Military-Industrial Complex complex -- John Talton, Seattle Times

Experts: Military Contractors Hype Economic Costs Of Sequestration -- Eli Clifton, Think Progress

Drill Sergeant of the Year competition: Province of a select few -- Stars and Stripes

Lying about your military service? These bloggers have you in their sights -- MSNBC

Recruiter charged with wearing unearned awards -- Navy Times

Army sergeant, veteran convicted in corruption probe surrounding Iraq War contracts -- Stars and Stripes

Official: Battalion commander dead in Fort Bragg shooting -- MSNBC

Military judge to decide whether to further delay Fort Hood shooting suspect’s murder trial -- Washington Post/AP

Military Sexual Assault Accusers Head to Capitol Hill -- ABC News

Air Force investigates growing sex-abuse scandal -- Washington Post

Sex scandal widens at Air Force base in Texas -- Reuters

After sex scandal, Air Force mulls using only women to train female recruits -- Christian Science Monitor

This Army Wife Is About To Blow The Lid Off How The Army Treats Its Damaged Soldiers -- Business Insider

After Threats From Italy And Spain, Germany Agrees To Bank Rescue

European Leaders Reach Key Deal On Banks -- CNN

(CNN) -- European leaders reached a "breakthrough" deal early Friday to ease the recapitalization of struggling banks that should help draw the eurozone back from the brink of a gathering crisis.

Under the deal, European leaders agreed to create a single supervisory body to oversee the eurozone's banks which could use the single currency area's rescue funds, the European Financial Stability Facility or European Stability Mechanism, to aid banks directly without adding to governments' debt.

European Union leaders are hoping for implementation of the agreement by July 9, an EU statement said.

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Update #1: Eurozone crisis live: Bank bailout throws lifeline to Spain and Italy -- The Guardian
Update #2: Debt crisis live: Markets surge after EU summit deal -- The Telegraph

My Comment: A union can never stay together if some members believe that it is only by threatening another that they will get what they want. In this case .... Italy and Spain's threats of "holding back everything" may play to certain groups who do not want to implement the austerity that Europe desperate needs .... but the problems are not solved just postponed .... and yes .... this crisis will only come back but far more critical than before.

South Korea And Japan Postpone Signing Their Intelligence Pact

South Korean President Lee Myung-Bak speaks during the 10th anniversary commemorative ceremony of the second naval battle of Yeonpyeong at the Navy's 2nd Fleet Command in Pyeongtaek, about 45 miles south of Seoul, on June 29, 2012. The speech came in lieu of a botched intelligence-sharing pack between Seoul and Tokyo. Stringer-Korea/Reuters

South Korea And Japan Put Military Intelligence Pact On Hold After Outcry -- CNN

Seoul, South Korea (CNN) -- South Korea and Japan on Friday postponed the signing of a landmark military intelligence pact after the prospect stirred discontent among Koreans.

Japan occupied Korea for 35 years during the first half of the 20th century, and anti-Japanese sentiment still lingers.

The two countries had originally been scheduled to sign the accord in Tokyo on Friday. But the ceremony has been put on hold pending consultations on the matter with the South Korean National Assembly, an official at the South Korean Foreign Ministry said.

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More News On Japan And South Korea Postponing Their Intelligence Pact

S. Korea Postpones Signing Military Pact with Japan -- Voice of America
South Korea Postpones Military Data Pact With Japan -- New York Times
SKorea puts off Japan military pact at last minute -- FOX News/AP
S. Korea Postpones Military Intelligence Accord With Japan -- Bloomberg Businessweek
At last minute, S. Korea postpones signing first military pact with Japan since World War II -- Washington post
U.S. Korea, Japan postpone landmark military pact -- AFP
S Korea, Japan postpone military agreement -- The Australian
South Korea postpones historic military pact with Japan -- BBC
South Korea and Japan put intelligence pact on hold -- The Guardian

The Afghan War Will Be A Lifetime Struggle For Some U.S. Soldiers

As More U.S. Soldiers Lose Limbs In Afghanistan, Doubts About A War That's "Winding Down" -- CBS

(CBS News) BETHESDA, Md. - After the Supreme Court rulings Thursday, President Obama met for three hours with 52 wounded service members being treated at Walter Reed National Military Medical Center in Maryland.

The last American combat troops are expected out of Afghanistan by the end of 2014. But don't tell the troops at Walter Reed the war in Afghanistan is winding down. Amputations -- many of them multiple -- have gone up to more than 20 a month.

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My Comment: You cannot help but feel for these troops.

A Texas College Shows How Easy It Is To Hijack A UAV Drone

US Navy handout photo of a RQ-4 Global Hawk drone (REUTERS/U.S. Navy)

Texas College Hacks Drone In Front Of DHS -- RT

There are a lot of cool things you can do with $1,000, but scientists at an Austin, Texas college have come across one that is often overlooked: for less than a grand, how’d you like to hijack a drone?

A group of researchers led by Professor Todd Humphreys from the University of Texas at Austin Radionavigation Laboratory recently succeeded in raising the eyebrows of the US government. With just around $1,000 in parts, Humphreys’ team took control of an unmanned aerial vehicle owned by the college, all in front of the US Department of Homeland Security.

After being challenged by his lab, the DHS dared Humphreys’ crew to hack into a drone and take command. Much to their chagrin, they did exactly that.

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My Comment: The drone that was hacked was a university drone .... and not a military one. But if it was a military drone .... I hope there are safeguards to prevent such a "hijacking".

An Alternative To ‘Stolen Valor’?

Veteran’s Database of Medals Cited as Alternative to ‘Stolen Valor’ New York Times

In his opinion striking down the Stolen Valor Act on Thursday, United States Supreme Court Justice Anthony M. Kennedy offered an alternative solution for defending the military’s award system against fakers, one he said would not infringe on First Amendment rights.

“The government could likely protect the integrity of the military awards system by creating a database of medal winners accessible and searchable on the Internet, as some private individuals have already done,” Justice Kennedy wrote. “Were a database accessible through the Internet, it would be easy to verify and expose false claims.”

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My Comment: Even though budgets are tight .... this is a program that I would support.

U.S. War Planners Believe 2013 Will Be The Optimum Time To Strike At Iran's Nuclear Facilties

Raiding Iran Triggers Discussion Of When And How -- Aviation Week

Evidence is mounting that the U.S. defense community and the Obama administration view 2013 as the likely window for a bombing attack on Iran's nuclear and missile facilities.

It could be earlier, timed to use the chaos of the Syrian government's fall to disguise such an attack, or later, if international negotiations with Iran stretch out without failing completely. But there is evidence that Iran's intransigence over shutting down its uranium-enrichment program will not buy it much more time.

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My Comment: Is President Obama keen on conducting such a military strike on Iran .... even in 2013 .... I doubt it. There are just too many variables .... and to initiate another war of "preemption" has no appeal among the majority of Americans.