Security & Defense

Security Force Assistance: It’s Not Just for Weak States

By Derek Reveron

Doctrinally, security force assistance (SFA) is a set of activities to develop the capacity and capabilities of foreign security forces and their supporting institutions. We often associate SFA with weak states, where the United States enables partner countries such as Pakistan, Colombia, and Yemen to combat challenges that threaten their own security and regional stability.

Panetta, Germany differ on troop numbers in Afghanistan

By Lolita C. Baldor, AP

From Lolita C. Baldor, AP:  Defense Secretary Leon Panetta and his German counterpart offered conflicting accounts Friday of a discussion about how many U.S. and European forces would remain in Afghanistan after the anticipated end of combat after 2014.

Air Force commander is likely candidate for top NATO post

By Thom Shanker, New  York Times

From Thom Shanker, New  York Times:  Senior NATO officials said on Thursday that Gen. Philip M. Breedlove, currently the commander of American Air Force units in Europe and Africa, was emerging as the likely candidate to be nominated by President Obama to be the alliance’s supreme military commander.

The Pyongyang Persian Pickle

By Harlan Ullman

In English slang, “pickle” means a bad situation or a state of disorder. The provenance is Shakespeare’s “The Tempest.” And pickle well applies to the nuclear ambitions of North Korea, Iran and U.S. policy.

Why China will not stop its cyberespionage and cyberwar efforts

By Greg Austin, International Herald Tribune

Chinese Army unit is seen as tied to hacking against U.S.

By David E. Sanger, David Barboza, and Nicole Perlroth, New York Times

Video: Napolitano names top three countries where cyber attacks against U.S. are launched

By PBS NewsHour

From PBS NewsHour:  Homeland Security Secretary Janet Napolitano told NewsHour senior correspondent Ray Suarez on Friday that cyber attacks on the United States are on the rise, and internationally, three countries are the biggest sources: Iran, Russia and China.

Panetta to lead U.S. delegation to NATO defense ministerial

By American Forces Press Service

From American Forces Press Service: Defense Secretary Leon E. Panetta will continue in his position until former Sen. Chuck Hagel is confirmed

Drones and the Law: Restoring Checks and Balances

By Pejman Yousefzadeh

The Department of Justice has recently released a white paper detailing what it believes to be the scope of the president’s authority to kill Americans suspected of being members of al Qaeda—killings that are usually conducted via drones. The white paper argues that the killing of such suspects does not violate due process or the […]