United States and Canada

Pentagon says 75,000 troops might be needed to seize Syria chemical arms

By David E. Sanger and Eric Schmitt, New York Times

From David E. Sanger and Eric Schmitt, New York Times:  The Pentagon has told the Obama administration that any military effort to seize Syria’s stockpiles of chemical weapons would require upward of 75,000 troops

Tet by a Thousand Cuts

By Robert Bracknell

The United States is engaged in a counterinsurgency in a faraway Asian nation. The language, climate, social and political culture, religion, and terrain are foreign to the American generals, their units, and most of the diplomats, civilians, and contractors advancing American interests.

The US Needs Courage Leadership from Obama to Avoid Conflict

By Harlan Ullman

In the United States, 9/11 won’t be easily forgotten as the day terror violated our shores. In Britain, on 7/7, English-born Pakistanis stunned Britain by attacking the London Underground. But, in Europe as a whole, 11/11/11 may have larger emotional impact even nearly a century after World War I ended.

US should cancel the flawed, expensive NATO missile defense program

By Yousaf Butt, Christian Science Monitor

From Yousaf Butt, Christian Science Monitor:  One expensive Pentagon boondoggle that should be canceled in these times of tight budgets is the NATO missile defense program.

Russia ready for NATO talks on conventional forces cuts

By Steve Gutterman, Reuters

From Steve Gutterman, Reuters:  Russia is ready for talks with NATO on limiting conventional military forces in Europe as long as the Western alliance does not bring politics into the picture, Russia’s new envoy to NATO was quoted as saying on Thursday.

If Allen is out, who are the top candidates for SACEUR?

By Kate Brennan, Politico

Obama signs secret directive to help thwart cyberattacks

By Ellen Nakashima, Washington Post

From Ellen Nakashima, Washington Post:  President Obama has signed a secret directive that effectively enables the military to act more aggressively to thwart cyberattacks on the nation’s web of government and private computer networks.

Petraeus investigation ensnares Allen, SACEUR nomination put on hold

By Phil Stewart, Reuters

From Phil Stewart, Reuters:  The top U.S. commander in Afghanistan, General John Allen, is under investigation for alleged inappropriate communication with a woman at the center of the scandal involving former CIA Director David Petraeus, a senior U.S. defense official said on Tuesday.

Deputy PM: Russia will ‘react sharply’ to U.S. Aegis ships

By RIA Novosti

From RIA Novosti:  Russia will “react in the sharpest manner” to any US ships equipped with the Aegis combat system attempting to sail by its shores, Russian Deputy Prime Minister Dmitry Rogozin told RIA Novosti in an interview.

US begins first permanent military presence in Poland

By   Ian Brzezinski, New Atlanticist

From  Ian Brzezinski, New Atlanticist:  On Friday, the United States will inaugurate its first permanent military presence in Poland by deploying an air force aviation detachment (AV-DET) at the Polish 32nd Tactical Airbase in Lask.