Category: NATOSource

Germany’s Botched Drone Policy

By Judy Dempsey, Strategic Europe

From Judy Dempsey, Strategic Europe: [A] botched and expensive project to produce a drone system for the Bundeswehr could be [Defense Minister Thomas] de Maizière’s undoing.

Hagel Discusses F-35, Afghanistan, and Syria with Dutch Minister of Defense

By American Forces Press Service

From American Forces Press Service: Secretary of Defense Chuck Hagel hosted the Netherlands’ Minister of Defense Jeanine Hennis-Plasschaert at the Pentagon today, Pentagon Press Secretary George Little said.

US Lawmakers Seek to Block Sharing of Missile Defense Data with Russia

By Desmond Butler, AP

From Desmond Butler, AP:  Republicans are trying to block Obama administration overtures to Russia on missile defense, creating a potential obstacle to arms control talks.

Slow Growth Could Delay Russia Military Spending

By Alexander Kolyandr, Wall Street Journal

From Alexander Kolyandr, Wall Street Journal:  Russia could postpone its ambitious military spending program as an economic slowdown forces the government to review its spending plans, the country’s finance minister indicated Wednesday.

Kerry: ‘Thousands of Hezbollah Militia’ in Syria

By Arshad Mohammed and Suleiman Al-Khalidi, Reuters

From Arshad Mohammed and Suleiman Al-Khalidi, Reuters:  Washington threatened on Wednesday to increase support for Syria’s rebels if President Bashar al-Assad refuses to discuss a political end to a civil war that is spreading across borders.

NSA Deputy Warns Against Cyber Vigilantes

By Colin Clark, Breaking Defense

From Colin Clark, Breaking Defense:  The private sector — and the government — must “exhaust” the use of traditional responses such as public shaming, criminal charges, diplomatic demarches, and sanctions “before we contemplate the dangerous possibility we might encourage vigilantism

Report Recommends US Permit Private Counterattacks Against International Hackers

By David E. Sanger, New York Times

From David E. Sanger, New York Times:  With President Obama preparing for a first meeting with China’s new president, a commission led by two former senior officials in his administration will recommend a series of steps that could significantly raise the cost to China of the theft of American industrial secrets.

Iranian Soldiers Fighting for Assad in Syria, Says State Department Official

By Anne Gearan, Washington Post

From Anne Gearan, Washington Post:  Iran has sent soldiers to Syria to fight alongside forces loyal to President Bashar al-Assad

Congressional Panel Seeks to Block Retirement of Global Hawk Drones

By Jeremy Herb, Hill

From Jeremy Herb, Hill:  A House Armed Services subcommittee is proposing to block the Air Force’s planned retirement of the Global Hawk Block 30 drones at the end of 2014.

NATO Deactivates Allied Air Command Izmir HQ in Turkey

By Kimberly Rhoades, Allied Air Command