United States and Canada

NATO’s Plan for Afghanistan Post-2014: A ‘Stable Instability’

By Michael Hirsh, Atlantic

From Michael Hirsh, Atlantic:  Senior commanders with the American-led International Security Assistance Force, which consists of 28 NATO countries and 22 other participating nations, say that substantial aid and military support is going to be necessary well after the scheduled withdrawal at the end of 2014.

NSA Chief: US Under Constant Cyber Attack Threat

By Andrea Shalal-Esa and Deborah Charles, Reuters

From Andrea Shalal-Esa and Deborah Charles, Reuters:  The top U.S. general in charge of cyber security warned on Tuesday that the United States is increasingly vulnerable to attacks

Beijing’s Bitskrieg: China’s Revolution in Cyber Warfare

By John Arguilla, Foreign Policy

From John Arguilla, Foreign Policy:  What’s coming from Beijing is, in a word, "bitskrieg." The Pentagon report describes this as a three-phase process.

Arctic Council Adds Six Members, Including China

By Steven Lee Myers, New York Times

From Steven Lee Myers, New York Times: The Arctic Council agreed on Wednesday to expand to include six new nations, including China, as observer states, as a changing climate opens the Arctic to increasing economic and political competition.

Security Interests in the New US Strategy for the Arctic

By White House

From White House:  While the Arctic region has experienced warming and cooling cycles over millennia, the current warming trend is unlike anything previously recorded.

US Moving 200 Marines to Sicily for Libya: Italy

By AFP

From AFP:  Italy on Wednesday said the United States was transferring 200 marines and two planes to its base at Sigonella in Sicily to deploy in Libya in case US diplomats come under attack as they did last year.

Russia Expels US Diplomat Accused of Spying

By Paul Sonne and Gregory L. White, Wall Street Journal

French Defense Minister: Groups from Mali Seeking ‘New Terrorist Hotbed’ in Libya

By Jamey Keaten, AP

From Jamey Keaten, AP:  Terror groups ousted from Mali appear to be trying to set up a new haven in Libya, France’s defense minister said Monday, vowing to discuss ways of helping Tripoli improve its shaky security with U.S. officials later this week.

Surge of Cyberattacks from the Middle East Against US Corporations

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

From David E. Sanger and Nicole Perlroth, New York Times:  A new wave of cyberattacks is striking American corporations, prompting warnings from federal officials, including a vague one issued last week by the Department of Homeland Security.