United States and Canada

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.

In Pentagon’s ‘pivot’ toward Asia, has Europe been forgotten?

By Anna Mulrine, Christian Science Monitor

Cyber chief issues call for action; Alexander outlines who does what

By Henry Kenyon and Wyatt Kash, AOL Defense

From Henry Kenyon and Wyatt Kash, AOL Defense:  The nation’s top military cyber commander offered his version of how government and military agencies are likely to work together when America suffers cyber attacks, and warned that industry needs to take a greater role.

General Alexander: ‘The DoD network is not defensible, per se’

By Henry Kenyon and Wyatt Kash, AOL Defense

From Henry Kenyon and Wyatt Kash, AOL Defense:  [Chief of Cyber Command and director of the National Security Agency Gen. Keith] Alexander noted the difficulties the Defense Department has in protecting its own networks.

USN Chief: Partners Needed for Missile Patrols

By Christopher P. Cavas, Defense News

From Christopher P. Cavas, Defense News:  Preparations are continuing to base four U.S. Navy destroyers in Rota, Spain, beginning in fiscal 2014 — a move that will allow the ships to provide a near-continuous ballistic-missile defense (BMD) shield for Europe. And while the U.S. remains the only nation so far able to field a sea-based […]

Proposal to deploy Patriot missiles to enforce no-fly zone in Syria has “won advocates in the State Department”

By Tim Arango, New York Times

From Tim Arango, New York Times:  Turkey raised publicly for the first time on Wednesday the idea of stationing Patriot missile batteries along its southern border with Syria.