Thank You
Robert Serge
VVA 17 Member
Blog Master
To all my fellow veterans friends and family my we all remember
From: no-reply@navytimes.com
To: rserge1@outlook.com
Subject: Navy Times Early Bird Brief
Date: Mon, 4 Aug 2014 04:52:00 -0600
COMPILED BY THE EDITORS OF DEFENSE NEWS & MILITARY TIMES
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TODAY'S TOP 51. Blurred Lines: Commercial, Defense Sectors Begin To Blend(Defense News) As companies continue to turn their eyes toward the Middle East and Asia for new business, a trend has emerged: The lines between commercial and defense businesses are increasingly blurring. 2. Investigation clears top Marine general of tampering in sensitive legal cases (Marine Corps Times) The Pentagon's investigative agency has cleared the Marine Corps' top general of allegations he and other senior officials manipulated military justice to ensure several troops were punished for a making an inappropriate video three years ago in Afghanistan, Marine Corps Times has learned. 3. Terrorist armies fight smarter and deadlier than ever (Retired Army Maj. Gen. Robert H. Scales and retired Army Lt. Col. Douglas A. Ollivant in The Washington Post) Military transformations can be hard to detect. They generally occur over decades, sometimes over generations. 4. Is US vulnerable to EMP attack? A doomsday warning, and its skeptics (Christian Science Monitor) Former CIA Director Woolsey tells Congress of a doomsday scenario in which a nuclear-blast-triggered electromagnetic pulse takes down the US power grid, leading to starvation and death. Some experts decry 'hysteria' over EMPs. 5. Islamic State grabs Iraqi dam and oilfield in victory over Kurds (Reuters) Islamic State fighters seized control of Iraq's biggest dam, an oilfield and three more towns on Sunday after inflicting their first major defeat on Kurdish forces since sweeping across much of northern Iraq in June. ISRAELI GROUND OPERATIONS IN GAZAHouse, Senate Give Iron Dome Funding a Last-Second Reprieve(Defense News) In a dramatic reversal, the US House and Senate on Friday approved a measure to send $225 million to Israel to replenish its Iron Dome missile interceptors. Israel withdraws most troops from Gaza (Associated Press) Israel withdrew most of its ground troops from the Gaza Strip on Sunday in an apparent winding down of the nearly monthlong operation against Hamas that has left more than 1,800 Palestinians and more than 60 Israelis dead. At least 10 killed in strike on Gaza school shelter; U.S. 'appalled' (Los Angeles Times) A boys' school in the southern Gaza city of Rafah, designated as a United Nations shelter for Gazans fleeing days of fighting, was hit Sunday by what U.N. officials said they suspected was Israeli bombardment of an adjacent street. Palestinian officials said at least 10 people were killed and about three-dozen others injured. Israelis regard soldier deaths in Gaza as a price that must be paid (Washington Post) The knock on the door that Yaron Shor had feared for 21 years came late last Monday evening. Netanyahu to US: Don't second guess me on Hamas (Associated Press) Following the quick collapse of the cease-fire in Gaza, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu told the White House not to force a truce with Palestinian militants on Israel. Missing Soldier Killed in Battle, Israel Confirms (New York Times) The Israeli military said early Sunday morning that an officer thought to have been captured by Palestinian militants during a deadly clash Friday morning, which shattered a planned 72-hour cease-fire, was now considered to have been killed in battle. Netanyahu says Israeli military 'will take as much time as necessary' in Gaza (Washington Post) An Israeli soldier who the military feared had been abducted by Hamas gunmen in a firefight Friday that shattered a temporary cease-fire in Gaza was declared dead Sunday, just hours after Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu signaled that military operations against Palestinian militants would continue. INDUSTRYUS Army's JMR Helo Selection Slips(Defense News) The initial down-select for the technology demonstrator phase of the US Army's ambitious Joint Multi-Role (JMR) helicopter program has missed its original July deadline, and Army officials are now saying they'll inform industry teams about who is moving forward sometime this month. BAE wins contract for Map of the World (C4ISR & Networks) BAE has been awarded a $335 million contract to support the National Geospatial-Intelligence Agency (NGA)'s Map of the World project. Sunk Costs: New Carriers Commit UK To Buy Escorts and F-35Bs, Says 1st Sea Lord (Breaking Defense) 65,000-ton ships are hard to turn around, and they can drag a lot else in their wake. That's the $10.4 billion bet the Royal Navy has placed on its controversial program to build two new aircraft carriers. Russia Sanctions: India Defiant, Finland Nervous (Defense News) In the days following US and European Union sanctions against Russia, it was unclear what sort of economic impact they would have on nations that do defense deals with Moscow. Zelenodolsk building modular patrol ships for the Russian Navy (IHS Jane's 360) Tatarstan's Zelenodolsk Shipyard laid down the second Project 22160 patrol ship - Dmitry Rogachev - for the Russian Navy on 25 July. The keel of first-in-class Vasily Bykov was laid on 26 February. Interest Rises in EU Acquisition of Mistrals Sold to Russia (Defense News) The idea that the European Union - not Russia - would acquire two French Mistral-class helicopter carriers already sold to Moscow is gaining ground as the West adopted a ban against future arms deals to Russia, and the energy and financial sectors, analysts said. Brazilian company Flight Tech claims country's first UAV export deal (IHS Jane's 360) The UAV market remains dominated by the US and Israeli defence contractors, but other nations have been heavily investing in the technology especially for more cost-effective, less technologically advanced solutions. South America's Growing Interest in Antarctica Drives Polar Ship Buys (Defense News) Colombia is set to join its South American neighbors in their plans to upgrade Antarctic assets and establishments, which are opening bases and buying polar ships. Replacing Canada's Failing CC-130s: 17 C-130Js (Defense Industry Daily) An C$32.5 million amendment to the CC-130J Operational Training Systems Provider contract (q.v. Feb 13/09) is signed to align the CC-130J training system with ongoing upgrades to the aircraft themselves. Canada Expands Frigate Upgrade Plans (Defense News) Canada is opening a second market for companies to upgrade its frigates, with new plans to buy additional systems and equipment for the ships over the next seven years. DR-MEADS demonstrates 'plug-and-fight' integration (IHS Jane's 360) The tri-national Medium Extended Air Defense System (MEADS) displayed its 'plug-and-fight' capability during a two-week test demonstration at Pratica di Mare Air Base, Italy, watched by several national delegations. Indian Navy Wants To Fast-Track Purchase of Russian Subs (Defense News) The Indian Defence Ministry's delay in floating a tender for six conventional submarines appears to be helping Russia, as the Indian Navy is now asking the MoD to buy two Russian-built Amur-class subs to help restock the shrinking force. Tata's AandD interests to benefit from $35 billion investment (IHS Jane's 360) India's Tata conglomerate has announced plans to invest USD35 billion over the next three years to drive business in key sectors including aerospace and defence (AandD). UK Arms Programs Face Funding Revival (Defense News) The UK expects to revive funding in arms programs after struggling with a straitened budget, with submarines, armored vehicles, helicopters and the two new aircraft carriers seen as beneficiaries, a British defense official said. Saab positions to meet Philippines combat aircraft requirement (IHS Jane's 360) Saab is positioning itself as an early contender to meet the Philippine Air Force's (PAF's) anticipated requirement to procure a multirole combat aircraft (MRCA) platform VETERANSFact check: Rep. Braley's VA hearing attendance under attack(USA Today) A veterans advocacy group is making false and potentially misleading claims in a TV ad attacking U.S. Senate candidate Bruce Braley on his commitment to military veterans. Disabled Army veteran blasts care received at Augusta VA (Augusta Chronicle, Ga.) Ronald Sharp still has flashbacks to the 28 combat explosions he endured in Afghanistan, but he said the nightmare that haunts him most is the treatment he received at the Charlie Norwood Veterans Affairs Medical Center. Atlanta VA hospital delivers substandard care (Atlanta Journal-Constitution) Veterans who wait weeks or months for appointments at Atlanta's VA Medical Center can expect care that, in many ways, falls far short of standards set by the Department of Veterans Affairs itself. VA numbers on treatment delays were misleading (Tampa Bay Times) A Department of Veterans Affairs "fact sheet" told Congress and the public in April that the agency reviewed 250 million medical consultations, dating back to 1999, and found 76 veterans seriously harmed by treatment delays for gastrointestinal cancers. Of them, 23 died. Mold forces relocation of Haley hospital patients (Tampa Tribune) About a half dozen patients in the James A. Haley Veterans' Hospital Spinal Cord Injury Center had to be moved and a hallway sealed off after mold was discovered in an area near the patient care section in May, hospital officials say. VA audit: A third of Puget Sound schedulers say they're told to manipulate patient wait-time data (Tacoma News Tribune) One third of Lakewood and Seattle Veterans Affairs hospital schedulers surveyed in an audit say they were instructed to change how long military veterans waited forappointments, according to a nationwide VA record-keeping audit. CONGRESSAmid Squabbling, a Glimmer of Hope on Senate Defense Bill(Defense News) US lawmakers spent the days before a five-week legislative break trading barbs and moving bills with little chance of becoming law. But just before they departed, the US defense sector received a glimmer of hope. Senate authorizes 1K more Afghan visas (The Hill) The Senate on Friday passed legislation that would grant 1,000 more visas to Afghan civilians who assisted the U.S. Lawmaker wants trial program for deaf to serve in Air Force (Air Force Times) A lawmaker who advocates for the deaf is calling for a trial program that would allow a small number of hearing impaired to serve in the Air Force. Syrian Defector Brings Torture Photos to Congress (National Journal) The former photographer for the Syrian military police said an additional 150,000 people could be killed. DEFENSE DEPARTMENTDoD may send personnel to Africa to help fight Ebola epidemic(Military Times) Defense Department officials are discussing the possibility of sending more personnel to western Africa to assist with the Ebola epidemic there. Pentagon wants to send military trainers to Ukraine (The Hill) The Pentagon announced Friday that the U.S. wants to send troops to train Ukrainian forces next year as the country faces continued aggression from pro-Russia separatists. Study: Shock waves can damage eyes (Military Times) A decade ago, the Defense Department launched a combat eye protection program that contributed to a drop in war-related eye injuries. Pentagon's Civilian Workforce Could Face New Performance Evaluations (Government Executive) The last time the Defense Department tried to overhaul its personnel system, it was, by most accounts, a disaster. Tricare appeals lengthy but not unfair, report finds (Military Times) Appealing a Tricare decision to the highest level within the Defense Health Agency may take nearly a year but that doesn't necessarily mean those decisions go against beneficiaries in the end, according to a report recently provided to Congress. MANETs provide a solution when comms infrastructure is lacking (C4ISR & Networks) Mobile ad hoc networks (MANETs) support radio links in operational areas lacking either a fixed infrastructure or line-of-sight communications. A MANET overcomes both manmade and natural communication obstacles by enabling networked radios to serve as both relay stations and end-user devices. ARMYUPDATE: New images show details of new Army camo(Army Times) Combat uniforms featuring the service's newest camo pattern will be available for sale starting in the summer of 2015, the Army announced Thursday. Army Preparing for Steep Drawdown, Losing Patience With Congress (National Defense) The Army is drawing up plans for how it would operate with nearly 100,000 fewer troops. The analysis will identify specific missions and duties the Army would no longer be able to do at that smaller size. 550 majors to be separated in reduction in force (Army Times) Secretary of the Army John McHugh has approved the results of reduction-in-force boards that will require 550 Regular Army majors to separate or retire from active duty by next spring. With possible defense cuts, soldiers prepare for second career (Fayetteville Observer) As a child, Gene Tidwell ran lemonade stands, hosted garage sales and - after finding a discarded pressure washer - went door to door cleaning neighborhood homes. At West Point symposium, top leaders ponder 'the Army ethic' (Army Times) For two days, more than 150 of the Army's top general officers and senior enlisted leaders, with some help from authors and academics, pored over white papers, compiled briefings from breakout groups and debated everything from the Founding Fathers to Facebook. Is Fort Polk's water safe? Officials say yes, experts disagree (Stars & Stripes) Despite reassurances from officials at Fort Polk, La., that the water is safe, a number of toxicology and health experts say residents could be at risk from lead exposure. Army announces pair of 2-star general assignments (Army Times) The Army announced two general officer assignments on Friday. Fort Bragg soldier charged with murder in Lake in the Pines apartments shooting (Fayetteville Observer) A Fort Bragg soldier has been charged with first-degree murder in the fatal shooting of another solider at an apartment complex off Rosehill Road, the Fayetteville Police Department said today. Missing Fort Riley soldiers now considered AWOL (Topeka Capital-Journal) As the U.S. Army revises its search for two soldiers missing from Fort Riley, the events preceding their last known appearance are vague, leaving one of their fathers with questions. LeClaire found guilty of second degree murder in Cypress Lodge motel shootings (Orange County Breeze; Calif.) An Army Specialist was convicted yesterday of murdering a friend and attempting to murder his father and another man in an unprovoked shooting at a Cypress hotel. Soldier killed, 3 others injured in Germany car crash (Stars & Stripes) A U.S. soldier was killed and three others injured when their car veered off the highway near Kaiserslautern and overturned early Saturday morning, German police and U.S military officials said. Ex-grunt's brewery to tap in to good cause (Army Times) A former Army officer who has launched a microbrewery knows that everyone will raise a glass to help support a veteran-owned business that gives a portion of its proceeds to charities backing military members, policemen and firefighters. NAVYPoseidon completes debut deployment(Navy Times) The inaugural deployment of the P-8A Poseidon is now in the books. Navy Won't Discuss LCS Follow-on Taskforce Results Until Next Budget (USNI News) The results of the Navy taskforce for a follow-up hull to the Littoral Combat Ship are in, but the service will remain mum on the findings until they're integrated into next year's budget, the service said on Thursday. 5 things to know about building ties with the Chinese fleet (Navy Times) Forging stronger relationships with China's navy has been one of Chief of Naval Operations Adm. Jon Greenert's biggest pushes since taking the Navy's top post in 2011. Norfolk sailor's leg amputated after accident (Virginian-Pilot) A Norfolk-based sailor had his leg amputated after it became caught under the wheel of a jet on the flight deck of an aircraft carrier, a Navy official said Thursday. Two-time supe remembered for service to academy (Navy Times) Adm. Charles Larson, a 40-year Navy veteran credited with righting the Naval Academy after the largest cheating scandal in its history, died July 26 after a two-year battle with leukemia. He was 77. Navy diver heroic to the last breath (Virginian-Pilot) As they slowly asphyxiated at the bottom of a pond last year, two Navy divers shared something extraordinary: the choice to die together rather than abandon a fellow sailor. One-stop career portal to launch in late 2015 (Navy Times) The Navy leaves service record management up to sailors, but sailors must now log into a slew of websites to do that effectively - and they're demanding Navy leadership fix the problem. Chiefs list coming next week (Navy Times) The wait is nearly over for more than 16,000 first class petty officers eager to see if they made chief. Air Force Interview: Air Force Academy superintendent sounds off on cadet life, CIs, religious tolerance and more (Air Force Times) In her first year as superintendent, Lt. Gen. Michelle Johnson has steered the Air Force Academy through a government shutdown that grounded flying operations and suspended some classes, a budget crunch, and a scandal that exposed the Air Force Office of Special Investigations' controversial use of cadets as confidential informants who spied on their fellow classmates. AIR FORCEInterview: Air Force Academy superintendent sounds off on cadet life, CIs, religious tolerance and more(Air Force Times) In her first year as superintendent, Lt. Gen. Michelle Johnson has steered the Air Force Academy through a government shutdown that grounded flying operations and suspended some classes, a budget crunch, and a scandal that exposed the Air Force Office of Special Investigations' controversial use of cadets as confidential informants who spied on their fellow classmates. Broken Code: AFA superintendent calls for investigation of athletic transgressions (Colorado Springs Gazette) U.S. Air Force Academy cadet athletes flouted the sacred honor code by committing sexual assaults, taking drugs, cheating and engaging in other misconduct at wild parties while the service academy focused on winning bowl games and attracting money from alumni and private sources in recent years, a Gazette investigation has found. Kwast, O'Shaughnessy nominated for third stars (Air Force Times) President Obama has nominated Air Force Maj. Gen. Steven L. Kwast and Maj. Gen. Terrence J. O'Shaughnessy for appointment to lieutenant general and for new assignments, Defense Secretary Chuck Hagel announced today. IG report on F-22 pilots expected soon (Air Force Times) The Defense Department inspector general is set to complete its report on two F-22 pilots who spoke out more than two years ago about oxygen problems with the jet. 30-year strategy calls for new approach to Air Force careers (Air Force Times) The Air Force should create a way for airmen to leave the service, gather real-world experience and then bring that back into the Air Force without being punished for it, according to the service's 30-year plan unveiled July 30. MARINE CORPSCorps to combine drug, alcohol screenings(Marine Corps Times) Commanders will now test Marines for alcohol and drug use during the same screening, a shift that replaces the previous Corps-wide policy requiring all members of a unit to take a breathalyzer test twice a year. Decorated Marine in serious condition after shooting near Antioch golf course (Contra Costa Times; Calif) A 32-year-old decorated former Marine was shot multiple times near an Antioch golf course early Friday. Modified UAVs raise concerns for infantry (Marine Corps Times) The next big threat to American forces might be a flying IED. Marine reunites with combat companion (San Diego Union-Tribune) As Belle exited a gate at the San Diego International Airport on Friday, her tail started to wag. Officials weigh easing liberty rules in Japan (Marine Corps Times) Marines based in Japan could see the strict rules they face when they go off base eased a bit, as military officials consider relaxing the current liberty policy. IRAQThe Brewing Battle for Baghdad(The Daily Beast) The Islamic State threatens Baghdad and hopes to provoke a new civil war. But Iraq's capital won't fall without a bloody fight. Islamic extremists impose reign of terror in Iraq (USA Today) Police cars have been repainted to say "Islamic police." Women are forbidden from wearing bright colors and prints. The homes of Shiites and others have signs stating they are property of the Islamic State. And everyone walks in fear amid a new reign of terror. Peshmerga Reinforcements Sent to Zumar with Advanced Weapons (Rudaw) Kurdish forces managed to retake one of their bases from Islamic militants on Saturday as fighting between both sides went on for a second day west of Mosul. Iran's elite Guards fighting in Iraq to push back Islamic State (Reuters) In early July, hundreds of mourners gathered for the funeral of Kamal Shirkhani in Lavasan, a small town northeast of the Iranian capital Tehran. The crowd carried the coffin past posters which showed Shirkhani in the green uniform of the elite Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps and identified him as a colonel. Peshmerga to Receive Advanced Weapons (Rudaw) Kurdistan Region President Massoud Barzani promised Peshmerga forces they would soon have advanced weapons in their fight to defend their borders, and said the forces have not occupied any territories outside Kurdish lands. AFGHANISTAN/PAKISTANTaliban commander behind Ghor executions was freed from prison 3 months ago(Long War Journal) According to the Afghanistan Times, a Taliban commander who was freed from prison three months ago was behind the execution of at least 14 civilians in the central province of Ghor: Troubled audit of Afghan presidential vote resumes, but new troubles emerge (Washington Post) Afghanistan's troubled presidential vote audit resumed Sunday, but one candidate's team continued to boycott the review and issued wildly mixed signals about its intentions while the other candidate's agents bickered endlessly over which ballots seemed suspicious. New Afghan Commander Confident, But Realistic About Challenges Ahead (Defense News) When he takes over command of American and NATO troops in Afghanistan on Aug. 26, US Army Gen. John Campbell will preside over the precipitous drawdown of US forces and material from Afghanistan, falling from about 22,000 US troops to 9,800 by December. Airborne Units to Stay in Afghanistan into 2015 (DoDBuzz) Troops from the Army's 101st and 82nd Airborne Divisions will likely be part of the 9,800-strong force staying in Afghanistan in 2015 as part of President Obama's overall war plan, the new U.S. commander in Afghanistan said Friday. Downsizing the War: Layoffs and Yard Sales in Afghanistan (The Daily Beast) The signs of a dying war are everywhere in Afghanistan. An officer serving there reports on the layoffs and yard sales that mark the strange last days of America's longest war. Afghanistan accuses Pakistan for supporting Taliban militants (Khaama Press) The government of Afghanistan accused Pakistan for supporting the Taliban militants by increasing the presence of its military personnel and advisers among the terrorist groups in Afghanistan. MIDDLE EASTJihadists Extend Control Into Lebanese City(Wall Street Journal) A jihadist group that has already seized control of large swaths of Syria and Iraq extended its territorial claims into Lebanon on Sunday, taking over a small city there after overrunning police posts and a military barracks. Army to insulate Arsal from Syria (The Daily Star; Lebanon) The Lebanese Army have made advances in the third day of heavy fighting in Arsal which has left 11 soldiers and 40 gunmen dead, and seen hundreds of residents flee their homes. Arsal clashes a threat to Lebanon's future (Al-Monitor) Over the last two days, the Lebanese army has been facing its most serious challenge as a military institution since May 2007. The Lebanese government is now facing the difficult test that it has been anticipating since the outbreak of the Syria crisis in March 2011. Yemen hands over 8 suspected AQAP members to Saudi Arabia (Long War Journal) The Saudi Interior Ministry confirmed reports yesterday that the Kingdom received eight Saudi individuals from Yemen wanted for their involvement in al Qaeda in the Arabian Peninsula (AQAP). EUROPETo Evade Russians, Plane Crossed Into Sweden(New York Times) In an encounter reminiscent of the Cold War, an American reconnaissance plane crossed into Swedish airspace last month as it sought to avoid being intercepted by Russian fighters, American military officials said on Sunday. Ukrainian army steps up attacks on rebel-held Donetsk (Reuters) Pro-Russian separatists battled on Sunday to keep advancing Ukrainian government forces at bay in heavy fighting on the outskirts of Donetsk, the rebels' main stronghold in eastern Ukraine. Ukrainian Parliament Rejects PM's Resignation (Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty) Ukraine's parliament has overwhelmingly rejected Prime Minister Arseniy Yatsenyuk's resignation. Azerbaijani Defense Ministry Says Four Soldiers Killed Near Karabakh (Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty) Azerbaijan's Defense Ministry says four of its troops have been killed near the breakaway region of Nagorno-Karabakh. ASIA-PACIFICChina sends in troops after quake kills hundreds(USA Today) Chinese authorities on Monday dispatched thousands of soldiers to a remote, mountainous part of China's southwest after a strong earthquake struck Yunnan province, killing at least 381 people. China's Tom Cruise-Emulating Top Guns See Profile Rise (Bloomberg) China showed off newfound fighter-jet skills in 2011 with video suspiciously similar to a "Top Gun" clip. Now, the 1986 blockbuster has another parallel as Chinese pilots emulate Tom Cruise's character in fly-bys of rivals. Could Korean warfighting command stay in Seoul? (Stars & Stripes) The U.S. and South Korea are discussing whether to leave the joint Combined Forces Command in Seoul after American forces relocate to Pyeongtaek, according to top defense officials from both countries. PLAN holds first 'smart mine' clearing exercise in SCS (IHS Jane's 360) The People's Liberation Army Navy (PLAN) conducted a mine-countermeasures (MCM) exercise in the South China Sea in formation for the first time, a Chinese state media outlet reported on 29 July. Japan gives Vietnam six navy ships amid regional tension (BBC) Japan says it will give Vietnam six naval ships for patrols in the South China Sea, amid regional tension over competing maritime claims with China. Philippines proposes 29% defence budget increase (IHS Jane's 360) Philippine President Benigno Aquino has proposed a 2015 defence budget of PHP115.5 billion (USD2.6 billion), which according to official figures is a 29% increase over military spending in 2014 AFRICAAfrica summit brings leaders with close U.S. military relations to Washington(Washington Post) When a cargo plane carrying U.S. troops made an emergency landing in July on a Ugandan highway, it snarled traffic, drew crowds and caused a sheepish-looking Marine Corps colonel to apologize on local television. But it also highlighted the U.S. military's quiet expansion in Africa, seven years after it started a new command run by a four-star general to oversee military operations across the continent. Civilian Vigilante Effort Against Boko Haram Backfires in Nigeria (Wall Street Journal) A 19-year-old tailor, Abdulmuminu Mohammed, bought a $3 machete a year ago and joined his friends in a vigilante effort against Boko Haram. He says he personally placed 10 suspected members of the Islamist terror group under civilian arrest. More than 20 killed as Libya factions fight to control airport (Reuters) Libya's government said more than 20 people had been killed in the latest battles between factions seeking to control Tripoli airport on Sunday, while fighting led to a huge fire raging nearby at the city's fuel depot. British Citizens Flee Tripoli on Ship as 25 Libyans Are Reportedly Killed in Fighting (New York Times) A British Navy ship on Sunday evacuated about 100 British citizens from the Libyan capital, Tripoli, as 25 Libyans were reported killed in the fighting between rival militias that has torn apart the city and destroyed its airport. COMMENTARY AND ANALYSISVA Committee Chair: What Went Wrong at VA, and What Must Be Done To Fix It(Rep. Jeff Miller, R-Fla in NBC News) By now, nearly everyone knows the Department of Veterans Affairs is in dire need of reform. Oversight by the House Committee on Veterans' Affairs and whistleblower revelations have exposed widespread corruption, systemic delays in access to medical care and failures in accountability across the board at our nation's second largest federal agency. The Future of VA Reform Can Be Found in Everything This Week's Bill Left Out (Alex Nicholson in Defense One) As Congress heads into its annual August recess next week, Members will fly off into the sunset finally having jointly achieved something substantive - a comprehensive emergency Department of Veterans' Affairs reform bill that garnered near-unanimous bipartisan support. But almost as surprising as the level of consensus around this package of compromise solutions is the amount of misinformation floating around about what the bill actually does, what it does not do, and how it evolved. Analysis: How GOP Fiscal Hawks Flirted With Blocking Funds for Israel's Iron Dome (John T. Bennett in Defense News) US Senate Majority Leader Sen. Harry Reid asked his colleagues to approve Israeli missile defense and domestic wildfire-fighting funding. Republicans objected. Reid then sought approval for only the Iron Dome funds. Republicans objected. He tried a third time. And, again, Republicans objected. Analysis: What the Gaza war means for Iran (Behnam Ben Taleblu in The Long war Journal) "Peace [be] upon my dear brothers, the political leaders of Hamas and Islamic Jihad and all resistance groups," said Brigadier General Qassem Suleimani, the Commander of Iran's Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps' Qods Force (IRGC-QF,) in a recent letter about the Gaza conflict. As expected, the war between Hamas and Israel has provided great ideological fodder for Iran. And it is no surprise that Iran's revolutionary leadership, best characterized by Ayatollah Khamenei, has been vocal on the issue. Analysis: Israel Underestimates Hamas' Asymmetrical Tactics (Barbara Opall-Rome in Defense News) Amid mounting casualties and mutual recriminations over the sixth failed ceasefire in their ongoing war, Israel and Hamas continued late last week to battle on parallel fronts: under the sands of Gaza and in the court of public opinion. The United States needs to turn its attention to the Arctic Ocean (Don Young, R-Alaska; and Rick Larsen; D-Wash.) There's an international tourism boom happening in the United States, but the newly popular destination might surprise you. The lessons of counterinsurgency and nation-building in Colombia can also apply to the Arab world. (Retired Navy Adm. James Stavridis in Foreign Policy) A 50-year ideological struggle, hundreds of thousands killed, millions displaced, mass graves, murder, rape, torture, a virulent insurgency threatening the overthrow of the entire social order, a rebel enclave carved out of the heart of a big nation. It sounds a lot like the Middle East today, but the grim tale of the tape also applies to the beautiful Andean nation of Colombia over the past half-century. Machiavelli's 27 Rules of War (Ryan Evans in War on the Rocks) Niccolo Machiavelli is best known for The Prince, his guidebook on ruling an Italian city-state. But for a long time after his death, Machiavelli's Art of War was better known and more influential (alongside his Discourses on Livy, both of which were written after The Prince but published before). | |||||
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