Gertz Addresses Story on Russia Building Nuclear-Armed Drone Submarine: ‘It’s Certainly an Alarming Development’ - by Washington Free Beacon Staff Wednesday September 9th, 2015 at 9:13 AM | Police fear protests sparking backlash against law enforcers | » Australia to Accept Additional 12,000 Refugees From Iraq and Syria 10/09/15 00:00 from NYT > Islamic State in Iraq and Syria (ISIS) - U.S. National Security and Military News Review

Police fear protests sparking backlash against law enforcers

Gertz Addresses Story on Russia Building Nuclear-Armed Drone Submarine: ‘It’s Certainly an Alarming Development’by Washington Free Beacon Staff

Wednesday September 9th, 2015 at 9:13 AM

Washington Free Beacon

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Washington Free Beacon senior editor Bill Gertz was interviewed by radio host Sam Sorbo Tuesday on his story about Russia building a drone submarine to deliver large-scale nuclear weapons against U.S. harbors and coastal cities.

“It’s certainly an alarming development because it shows that the Russians are very serious about building up their nuclear forces,” Gertz said. “Again, this is a developmental program. It’s some years away, but it’s a big story the fact that they are building this new ‘Kanyon’ unmanned, underwater vehicle.”

Gertz reports:

The developmental unmanned underwater vehicle, or UUV, when deployed, will be equipped with megaton-class warheads capable of blowing up key ports used by U.S. nuclear missile submarines, such as Kings Bay, Ga., and Puget Sound in Washington state.

Details of the secret Russian nuclear UUV program remain closely held within the U.S. government.

The Pentagon, however, has code-named the drone “Kanyon,” an indication that the weapon is a structured Russian arms program.

The nuclear drone submarine is further evidence of what officials say is an aggressive strategic nuclear forces modernization under President Vladimir Putin. The building is taking place as the Obama administration has sought to reduce the role of nuclear arms in U.S. defenses and to rely on a smaller nuclear force for deterrence.

Officials familiar with details of the Kanyon program said the weapon is envisioned as an autonomous submarine strike vehicle armed with a nuclear warhead ranging in size to “tens” of megatons in yield. A blast created by a nuclear weapon that size would create massive damage over wide areas.

A megaton is the equivalent of 1 million tons of TNT.

Lies and misinformation have been a Russian specialty for decades, Gertz said.

The Kanyon appears to be part of a Russian strategic modernization effort that seeks to give Moscow the ability to coerce the United States. It is also expected to complicate the Obama administration’s attempts to seek further reductions in U.S. and Russian nuclear forces after the 2010 New START arms treaty.

New arms cuts were derailed after Russia’s military annexation of Crimea and continuing destabilization of eastern Ukraine, as well as by Moscow’s failure to return to compliance with the 1987 Intermediate-Range Nuclear Forces Treaty.

The post Gertz Addresses Story on Russia Building Nuclear-Armed Drone Submarine: ‘It’s Certainly an Alarming Development’ appeared first on Washington Free Beacon.

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New GITMO Recidivism Report Shows Increase in Detainees Suspected of Reengaging by Cody M. Poplin

Wednesday September 9th, 2015 at 9:10 AM

Lawfare - Hard National Security Choices

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The latest ODNI recidivism report can be found here. Its predecessor, which was released in March, is available here. 

A few brief takeaways: 

Since the last report in March 2015, an additional 10 former detainees are suspected of having reengaged in the fight against the United States. 5 of those detainees were released by the Obama administration, bumping the percentage of former detainees released post-January 2009 who are suspected of reengaging from 0.9 percent to 4.9 percent. 

One additional detainee released by the Bush administration was confirmed to have reengaged in terrorist activity. In total, 111 of the 532 detainees released by President Bush (20.9 percent) and 6 of the 121 (4.9 percent) released by President Obama have rejoined the fight. 

Four detainees that were released by the Bush adminstration and confirmed to have returned to the battlefield have been killed, raising that number from 24 to 28. 

Jason Leopold of Vice News has a full run-down on the report.

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An American family saved their son from joining the Islamic State. Now he ... - Washington Post

Wednesday September 9th, 2015 at 9:08 AM

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An American family saved their son from joining the Islamic State. Now he ... Washington Post FBI Director James B. Comey has called on Muslim families and religious leaders to work with the bureau to prevent young Americans from becoming radicalized, saying “our interests are aligned.” “We just need to make sure that folks are understanding ... and more »

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An American family saved their son from joining the Islamic State. Now he ... - Washington Post

Wednesday September 9th, 2015 at 9:08 AM

James B. Comey - Google News

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An American family saved their son from joining the Islamic State. Now he ... Washington Post FBI Director James B. Comey has called on Muslim families and religious leaders to work with the bureau to prevent young Americans from becoming radicalized, saying “our interests are aligned.” “We just need to make sure that folks are understanding ... and more »

Apple and Other Tech Companies Tangle With US Over Data Access - New York Times

Wednesday September 9th, 2015 at 9:07 AM

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New York Times

Apple and Other Tech Companies Tangle With US Over Data Access  New York Times The businesses say they are seeing greater demand than ever for built-in encryption — including the new operating system Apple introduced last year for the iPhone, which James B. Comey, the F.B.I. director, and other government officials have ... FBI considered taking Apple to court over encryption fearsCult of Mac all 27 news articles »

Islamic State forces are engaging in chemical warfare, says German intelligence by Joseph Fitsanakis

Wednesday September 9th, 2015 at 9:06 AM

IntelNews.Org

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Germany’s foreign intelligence agency says it has evidence that the Islamic State is making use of chemical weapons in northern Iraq, according to media reports.

Stingray surveillance now legally requires search warrant per DOJ guidelines - International Business Times AU

Wednesday September 9th, 2015 at 9:04 AM

Fbi Aclu Report - Google News

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Stingray surveillance now legally requires search warrant per DOJ guidelines International Business Times AU The rules also apply when the FBI is helping out state or local law enforcement, and require more tracking and reporting. "For far too long, their use of ... Yates affirmed the comment ofACLU but said that they are working on a similar policy. They ... and more »

F.B.I. considered taking Apple to court over encryption fearsby Luke Dormehl

Wednesday September 9th, 2015 at 9:03 AM

Fbi - Google Blog Search

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The F.B.I. and Department of Justice are so concerned about Apple's pro-privacy iOS encryption that senior officials advocated taking Apple to court over t.

Slavic Brotherhood 2015 Rehearses Anti–Color Revolution Operations

Wednesday September 9th, 2015 at 9:03 AM

Eurasia Daily Monitor - The Jamestown Foundation

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Russia’s Armed Forces conducted a military exercise indicating Moscow’s intent and planning to use military force to thwart future “color revolutions.” Elite Airborne Forces and special forces from Russia, Belarus and Serbia participated in Slavyanskoye Bratstvo (Slavic Brotherhood) 2015, signaling that color revolutions—as a potential threat to the Russian state—have a direct influence on military training and operational planning. Accordingly, Russia’s top brass hailed the exercise as the “first of its kind,” and basked in the controversy surrounding Serbia’s involvement. However, Slavyanskoye Bratstvo 2015 reveals a significant doctrinal shift now impacting combat training, affording insight into the types of forces envisaged in such hypothetical operations as well as a possible search for additional “anti-color revolution” allies (TASS, September 4).

Serbian Foreign Minister Ivica Dacic stated that Belgrade would not tolerate criticism from the European Union over Serbia’s participation in the exercise. “Who can read us a lecture?” Dacic asked rhetorically, adding “the EU is not a military bloc. Let them go about their business.” The joint Belarusian, Russian and Serbian military exercise prompted little reaction from Washington or Brussels. Nonetheless, presumably aiming to pre-empt any critique of Belgrade’s decision to send forces to the exercise Dacic said, “We have the right to work with those with whom we want. It is our right! Serbia is a separate, independent state.” Moscow’s interest in widening the joint exercise to include a country from outside the Commonwealth of Independent States (CIS) could also suggest Russia is searching for possible political support over future actions related to this type of threat (Komsomolskaya Pravda, September 5).

Slavyanskoye Bratstvo 2015 was staged on September 2–5, at the Rayevskiy range, near Novorossiysk, in Southern Military District. The exercise itself was comparatively small, involving a total of 700 personnel, 20 aircraft and helicopters, and around 100 pieces of equipment; the bedrock of the force was drawn from the Russian 7th Air Assault Division, with a Serbian airborne company and Belarus sending two companies of special forces. Colonel Roman Breus, the commander of the 7th Air Assault Division, was placed in overall command of the exercise (Nezavisimoye Voyennoye Obozreniye, September 2).

Yet, its importance as part of the combat training year was explained by the chief of the General Staff, Army-General Valeriy Gerasimov, referring to “so-called color revolutions” as a form of armed struggle that must be met by military force. Gerasimov noted that interpreting such color revolutions as a form of warfare provides the basis for adjustments to the Russian Armed Forces—including changing the combat training system and necessitating working out the ways and means to combat these popular movements (Nezavisimoye Voyennoye Obozreniye, September 2).

Details of exercise scenario were elaborated by Colonel-General Vladimir Shamanov, the commander of the Airborne Forces (Vozdushno Desantnye Voyska—VDV). Shamanov said the scenario centered upon anti-government protests in a notional country, escalating into riots in the streets followed by armed groups attempting “provocations,” including mounting terrorist attacks to further destabilize the situation. The security forces in the notional state were overwhelmed by these events, and the government called for foreign assistance (Regnum, September 3; Nezavisimoye Voyennoye Obozreniye, September 2). On this basis, the joint force grouping was deployed to bring the situation under control. Beyond the predictable phrases Shamanov used to outline this response, including joint anti-terrorist actions, as well as localizing and eliminating illegal armed groups, he also said that in the early stages of the operation, the forces used non-lethal weapons. Consequently, the operation divided into three stages: following initial deployment and the use of non-lethal weapons, the follow-on phases witnessed special operations and other tactical elements (Nezavisimoye Voyennoye Obozreniye, September 4).

Reporting in the Russian military media noted the real danger of “color revolution”—highlighting events in Kyrgyzstan, Georgia and Ukraine—and how this was influencing Russian security thinking. Russia’s top brass and defense officials have referred to color revolutions as a security threat to the Russian state on numerous occasions; the political-military elite view popular uprisings quite differently from their international counterparts. For example, Eduard Rodyukov, a member of the Academy of Military Sciences, said that riots are acts of civil disobedience. He made a series of observations concerning events in Kyiv during the Maidan protests. In his view, the natural conclusion is that the military must be capable of protecting the regime. Another individual who regards color revolutions as a threat demanding a military response is Lieutenant-General (retired) Yuri Netkachev. Indeed, Netkachev has consistently argued that countering color revolutions must be calibrated into Russian military exercises, on the basis that a color revolution per se falls below the threshold of what governments would normally define as overt revolution, thus arguing that the Russian General Staff has to interpret such events as a form of warfare and prepare troops to respond (Nezavisimoye Voyennoye Obozreniye, July 10; Dokwar.ru, June 9, 2014).

Slavyanskoye Bratstvo 2015 is a unique Russian military exercise, as it provides evidence that the General Staff now folds anti–color revolution themes into its exercises. It is no surprise to see small-scale forces being used, or that these were drawn from the VDV with possible support from other elite units, including special forces. But the military press is silent on the actual techniques and methods at the disposal of the Russian military to adequately respond to a Euro-Maidan-style crisis. While Shamanov referred to the force grouping possessing non-lethal weapons, much of the exercise seemed scripted around regular combined-arms training. According to the VDV spokesperson, Major Irina Kruglov, the Serbian company helped to localize enemy forces, while Belarusian forces performed water crossings and the VDV battalion destroyed an enemy “training center.” The joint forces then engaged in maneuvers to block enemy forces. Firepower included artillery with bombing provided from air assets, including Su-24 and Su-25 aircraft and Mi-35 helicopters. “A pair of Su-25s performed three hits with unguided rockets, a pair of front-line Su-24 bombers carried out the bombing, and Mi-35s struck two blows [against] groups of illegal armed groups,” Kruglov noted (TASS, September 4).

Slavyanskoye Bratstvo 2015 will most likely prove to be the first of many exercises in which the scenario concentrates on EuroMaidan-style events, allowing the Russian General Staff to develop and refine the planning for intervention during such crises. The firepower used in the exercise also confirms that Moscow is prepared to use force in this type of crisis.

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8 September 2015

Wednesday September 9th, 2015 at 9:02 AM

Drones (Military) | World News | The Guardian

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8 September 2015

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  LiveUK 'would not hesitate' to kill more British jihadis with drones, says Fallon - Politics live

  
  

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  UK 'would not hesitate' to kill more British jihadis with drones, says Fallon - Politics live

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  • Michael Fallon warns of more RAF drone strikes in Syria – video

    
    

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    Michael Fallon warns of more RAF drone strikes in Syria – video

  • First thoughtsCameron justifies the drone strike in Syria: is this his WMD moment?

    Simon Jenkins

    
    

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    Cameron justifies the drone strike in Syria: is this his WMD moment?

• Community leaders and politicians call for answers over deaths of British Isis militants who were killed in drone strikes authorised by UK government

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Drone strike in Syria won’t make the UK a safer place

Wednesday September 9th, 2015 at 9:01 AM

Drones (Military) | World News | The Guardian

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  Drone strike in Syria won’t make the UK a safer place

  Letters: Each time we abandon the belief that deliberate killing is wrong under any circumstances, we reinforce the message that our supposed principles of justice and the rule of law are a false hypocrisy

  
  

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  Drone strike in Syria won’t make the UK a safer place
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  Guardian comment cartoonSteve Bell on David Cameron and the Syria drone strike – cartoon

  
  

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  Steve Bell on David Cameron and the Syria drone strike – cartoon
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  The Guardian view on Britain’s Syria drone strikes: nastiness evident, necessity unproven

  
  

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  The Guardian view on Britain’s Syria drone strikes: nastiness evident, necessity unproven

• • Death penalty by drone strike is a challenge for liberal minds

    Rafael Behr

    
    

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    Death penalty by drone strike is a challenge for liberal minds

  • State-sanctioned killings without trial: are these Cameron’s British values?

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    State-sanctioned killings without trial: are these Cameron’s British values?

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  • AnalysisHow UK government decided to kill Reyaad Khan

    
    

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The ‘kill list’: RAF drones have been hunting UK jihadis for months

Wednesday September 9th, 2015 at 9:01 AM

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  The ‘kill list’: RAF drones have been hunting UK jihadis for months

  Jeremy Corbyn leads cross-party group of MPs warning government has no legal basis for move as Lib Dem sources say they would have vetoed move in coalition

  
  

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Poll: Washington Insiders Expect Full-Year CR

Wednesday September 9th, 2015 at 9:01 AM

Defense News - Home

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Congress’ budget morass will be solved with a full-year continuing resolution, according to a think thank poll

       

Pakistan Surprises Many With First Use of Armed Drone

Wednesday September 9th, 2015 at 9:01 AM

Defense News - Home

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Pakistan makes first acknowledged use of armed drone By Usman Ansari   ISLAMABAD: Pakistan has made its first acknowledged operational strike using its Burraq armed UAV, which analysts say highlights higher than expected level of sophistication in t

       

Moscow asks Bulgaria to clarify denial of Russian over-flights

Wednesday September 9th, 2015 at 9:00 AM

DEBKAFile

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September 9, 2015, 9:05 AM (IDT)

Russian Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs Mikhail Bogdanov demanded clarifications from Sofia on its decision to block Bulgarian airspace to Russian planes. Last week, NATO member Bulgaria refused permission for an unspecified number of Russian aircraft to cross its airspace.  "The planes were said to carry humanitarian aid but we had information that the declared cargo was not the real one," foreign ministry spokeswoman Betina Zhoteva said.

She denied pressure from NATO partners. DEBKAfile adds: This sharp exchange reflected the acceleration of the Russian military buildup in Syria and growing US attempts to stem this development. Washington earlier asked Greece, Turkey and Cyprus to ban Russian supply flights to Syria from its airspace.

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Khamenei: Israel will not exist in 25 years, US is Great Satan

Wednesday September 9th, 2015 at 9:00 AM

DEBKAFile

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September 9, 2015, 2:55 PM (IDT)

"God willing there will be nothing left of the Zionist regime in 25 years," Iran’s supreme leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei said in a series of tweets Wednesday. "Meanwhile, the heroic jihadi Islamic spirit will not leave the Zionists in peace for a second." Just hours before Congress opened its debate on the Iranian nuclear deal, Khamenei declared that Tehran will not negotiate with the US on any issue after the landmark nuclear deal with world powers in July. Referring again to the US, he said “the Iranian nation did not expel this Great Satan; we barred their direct access and now we must not allow their indirect access and infiltration.”

China just gave the game away - Business Insider

Wednesday September 9th, 2015 at 8:59 AM

Cyber Warfare - Google News

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Business Insider

China just gave the game away Business Insider xi jinping, jiang zemin, hu jintao ReutersChinese President Xi Jinping, left, with former President Jiang Zemin and former President Hu Jintao during a military parade to mark the 70th anniversary of the end of World War II, in Beijing Thursday. So much for China's centuryChicago Tribune Wondering Why China Held Its Parade? Here Are 5 Things Beijing Accomplished.The Diplomat Officials: China cyber sanctions could come next weekCNN South China Morning Post (subscription) -The Japan Times -Barron's all 283 news articles »

In Russia, A 'Show Of Force' As The Military Tries To Modernize - NPR

Wednesday September 9th, 2015 at 8:59 AM

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NPR

In Russia, A 'Show Of Force' As The Military Tries To Modernize NPR Russia has been displaying its military might lately, with war games and weapons shows. Even though his country is the midst of a recession, President Vladimir Putin is pushing ahead with a costly plan to modernize the military. Top U.S. and NATO ... Putin scrambles military units near UkraineCBS News Putin orders snap military exercise in central RussiaYahoo News Putin orders Russian military drills amid Ukraine tensionsU.S. News & World Report all 160 news articles »

US Cyber Command Chief Details Plans to Meet Cyberspace Threats - Department of Defense

Wednesday September 9th, 2015 at 8:58 AM

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US Cyber Command Chief Details Plans to Meet Cyberspace Threats Department of Defense All military missions and personnel are affected by the cyber realm. Cyberspace is a new warfighting domain, just as land, sea, air and space are domains. The Cyber Command vision statement underlines the need to integrate cyberspace operations into ... and more »

Oil Prices Rise on China Hopes - Wall Street Journal

Wednesday September 9th, 2015 at 8:58 AM

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Wall Street Journal

Oil Prices Rise on China Hopes Wall Street Journal LONDON—Oil prices were up slightly on Wednesday, nudged higher by comments from Chinese officials that raised hopes of more economic stimulus from the world's second-biggest economy and led financial exchanges higher around the globe. China's new oil contract signals shift from Brent and US dollarTelegraph.co.uk Oil falls more than 3 percent on oversupply, China equity lossesReuters all 585 news articles »

The real ticking time bomb in China's economy - Fortune

Wednesday September 9th, 2015 at 8:58 AM

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Fortune

The real ticking time bomb in China's economy Fortune Real estate debt might do to China's economy what it did to the United States'. As more bad economic news continues to filter out of China, most eyes have been fixated on the volatile fluctuations of the nation's equity markets and the potential ...

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Russia Confirms It Has Military Advisers in Syria - New York Times

Wednesday September 9th, 2015 at 8:53 AM

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Russia Confirms It Has Military Advisers in Syria New York Times MOSCOW — The Foreign Ministry confirmed on Wednesday that Russian military advisers were in Syria, but it said that their presence was part of a longstanding agreement to provide militaryaid to the Middle Eastern country. Russian military aid to ... Moscow admits Russian military experts on the ground in SyriaFox News Russia Has Officially Confirmed That It Has Military Experts in SyriaTIME Photo via Wikimedia CommonsVICE News Haaretz all 362 news articles »

News Roundup and Notes: September 9, 2015 by Nadia O'Mara

Wednesday September 9th, 2015 at 8:27 AM

Just Security

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Nadia O'Mara

Before the start of business, Just Security provides a curated summary of up-to-the-minute developments at home and abroad. Here’s today’s news.

IRAQ and SYRIA

Russian presence in Syria. Russian military experts are present in Syria, the country’s Foreign Ministry announced today, the first official confirmation of its role in the conflict there after weeks of rumors. [Reuters]  The US has begun steps to block a Russian military buildup in the country, asking Greece and Bulgaria to close their airspace to Russian transport planes. Bulgaria has accepted the request. [New York Times’ Michael R. Gordon and Eric Schmitt]  Russia has accused the US of “international boorishness” for the action. [Reuters]  The Washington Post editorial boardcalls for concerted US action to stem the Russian progression in Syria, adding that President Putin is “acknowledging a truth” President Obama has refused to accept, “any political agenda for Syria’s future is meaningless” without power on the ground.

UK drone strikes. The British government would not “hesitate” to conduct further drone strikes against targets if there is a threat of a “likely” armed attack, Defense Secretary Michael Fallon said yesterday. [New York Times’ Stephen Castle]  Nicholas Watt reports on the UK military “kill list,” writing that Royal Air Force aerial drones have been patrolling in Syria for months, seeking out targets on a list drawn up by the UK National Security Council. [The Guardian]

Response to the strikes. Spencer Ackerman comments on Obama’s “terror legacy,” writing that announcements by the UK and Pakistan of drone strikes against their own citizens “follow a template sketched by Obama over the past seven years,” at the Guardian.  UK human rights organization, Rights Watch announced that it is taking legal action against the government to force it to publish the legal advice it received justifying the strikes. [The Telegraph’s Kate McCann and Christopher Hope]  And Rafael Behr writes on the challenge posed to liberal minds, concluding that while one may wish for a better way to deal with homegrown jihadists, it may not exist. [The Guardian]

There is growing consensus between the US and European allies that in order to stop the Islamic State, its “nerve centers” in Syria must be targeted, report Dion Nissenbaum and Julian E. Barnes. [Wall Street Journal]

Australia will extend its involvement in the air campaign against ISIS to Syria, Prime Minister Tony Abbott announced, adding that Australian jihadists “may well feel the force” of the country’s arms. [Sydney Morning Herald’s David Wroe]  And France is looking into the possibility of strikes against ISIS in Syria, President François Hollande announcing the start of reconnaissance flights in the country. [France 24]

Turkish ground troops entered Iraq yesterday, as part of an operation to capture Kurdish rebels who had crossed the border from Turkey over the weekend following an attack which killed 16 soldiers, a government official said. [New York Times’ Ceylan Yeginsu]

ISIS has advanced on the strategic border town of Marea, Syria; the town is near to an important supply route for Syrian rebels close to the Turkish frontier. [Wall Street Journal’s Raja Abdulrahim and Dion Nissenbaum]

US-led airstrikes. The US and coalition military forces carried out five airstrikes against Islamic State targets in Syria on September 7. Separately, partner forces conducted a further 16 strikes on targets in Iraq. [Central Command]

Conflict in the Middle East fuels the migrant crisis currently gripping Europe; Jeremy Bowen explains how it is “impossible to avoid the consequences.” [BBC]

A severe sandstorm hit parts of the Middle East yesterday, disrupting fighting and airstrikes in Syria. [Reuters]

The Islamic State’s actions are “un-Islamic” according to a religious ruling ratified by over 1,000 Muslim clerics in India. [AP]

IRAN

President Obama has secured the support of 42 senators, crossing a key threshold which means he could avoid having to invoke his veto to push the accord through Congress. [Wall Street Journal’s Siobhan Hughes and Carol E. Lee]  Democratic Sens Richard Blumenthal, Gary Peters, Ron Wyden and Maria Cantwell announced their support for the deal as lawmakers returned from the August recess. [Reuters’ Patricia Zengerle]

Tehran will not negotiate with the US on any other issue following the conclusion of the nuclear accord, Iran’s Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei announced on his website today. [Reuters’ Bozorgmehr Sharafedin]

Nuclear deal opponents are not letting up in their campaign against the deal, former Vice President Dick Cheney giving a speech yesterday at the American Enterprise Institute. [Politico’s Nahal Toosi]

Hillary Clinton paved the way to achieving the diplomatic shift with Tehran in her final months as secretary of state, according to current and former US officials. [Wall Street Journal’s Jay Solomon and Laure Meckler]

The House vote on the Iran deal is expected to be held on the anniversary of the 9/11 attacks this Friday; the timing of the vote is reported to be partially coincidental and may be a way for the GOP to underscore the potential terror implications of the agreement. [The Hill’s Cristina Marcos]

Presidential candidate Donald Trump would renegotiate with Iran on President Obama’s nuclear accord with the Islamic Republic, he wrote in an op-ed at USA Today.

Now that Obama has secured the latest threshold of votes, writes Alan M. Dershowitz, Congress must insist that Iran complies fully with the provisions of the agreement. [Wall Street Journal]

An important reason to oppose the Iran nuclear accord is Syria, argues Lina Sergie Attar, opining that any deal which “supports the regime that fuels the Assad regime’s military is simply a deal that rewards genocide, destruction, and mass displacement of innocent people.” [The Daily Beast]

HILLARY CLINTON EMAIL CONTROVERSY

Former secretary of state Hillary Clinton apologized for her use of a private email server while in office, admitting it was a “mistake,” during an interview with David Muir of ABC News yesterday. Clinton added that she is trying to be as transparent as possible in the wake of the controversy. [New York Times’ Maggie Haberman]

The statement marks the clearest indicator that Clinton has concluded she needs to adjust her approach to the situation amid claims of her lack of honesty and trustworthiness, marked by a slide in the polls, reports Laura Meckler. [Wall Street Journal]

Clinton took a “long time getting there,” writes Benjamin Soloway, pointing out that as recently as Monday, she refused to apologize because “what I did was allowed,” in a piece at Foreign Policy.

UKRAINE and RUSSIA

Close to 8,000 people have been killed during the conflict in eastern Ukraine, according to a UN report released yesterday blaming the ongoing role of Russian troops and weaponry for preventing the path to peace. [New York Times’ Nick Cumming-Bruce]

Ukraine has accepted the jurisdiction of the International Criminal Court, a step which could pave the way for a war crimes investigation into the ongoing conflict with Russian-backed separatists. [AP]

CYBERSECURITY

A recent cyberattack on the unclassified network for the Pentagon’s Joint Staff was persistent and adapted following a failed attack a week before the successful breach, the head of the NSA said yesterday. [Wall Street Journal’s Damian Paletta]

The US is preparing to bring criminal charges against Chinese cyberspies in response to suspected attacks on American networks, US officials told The Daily Beast, reports Shane Harris.

In response to threatened sanctions by the US, China is pushing back in an “unorthodox” manner, holding a tech conference to highlight its power over the American technology industry, report Paul Mozur and Jane Perlez. [New York Times]

OTHER DEVELOPMENTS

Egypt has announced a “major military operation” targeting the ISIS affiliate – Sinai Province – in the Sinai peninsula; 56 militants are said to have been killed in the first two days of the mission. [AFP]

Infighting between Taliban members has sparked concern over the potential rise of the Islamic State in the country, due to fresh recruits from defectors. [The Times’ Hugh Tomlinson and Wajahat S Khan]

The US has opened a diplomatic mission for Somalia, based out of the American Embassy in Nairobi, Kenya, as part of wider efforts to normalize relations with the nation. [AP]

Two powerful rival militias in Libya are upholding a strategic truce in a joint effort to push back advances by the Islamic State group in the country, according to commanders and political representatives. [Wall Street Journal’s Tamer El-Ghobashy]

Accused 9/11 plotter, Khalid Sheik Mohammed is asking the trial judge to help send a letter to President Obama, written while held at Guantánamo Bay detention facility; his attorneys have refused to discuss the effort which recently appeared in a notation on the war docket, reports Carol Rosenberg. [Miami Herald]

A Marine Corps women-in-combat experiment achieved mixed results, with reports of breakdown in unit cohesion and perceived unequal treatment by peers. [Marine Times’ Hope Hodge Seck]

A weapons-free zone in Bambari, Central African Republic has been established by the UN, it was announced by the peacekeeping chief yesterday following a visit to the country. [UN News Centre]

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Mystery Surrounds Wealthy Tajik General Accused Of Attacks

Wednesday September 9th, 2015 at 8:18 AM

GlobalSecurity.Org

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At age 51, Tajik General Abduhalim Nazarzoda seemed to have everything going for him.

Encryption Battle Between Apple and FBI Heats Up | Digital Trends by Lulu Chang

Wednesday September 9th, 2015 at 8:13 AM

Fbi - Google Blog Search

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The best excuse for failing to comply with federal regulations? Simply shrugging and saying “no can do.” Literally. At least, that's the strategy being taken by Apple and a number of other tech companies who aren't so much ...

New details on FBI's lavish spending in 'Shrimp Boy' case - San Francisco Chronicle (subscription)

Wednesday September 9th, 2015 at 8:13 AM

Fbi - Google News

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San Francisco Chronicle (subscription)

New details on FBI's lavish spending in 'Shrimp Boy' case San Francisco Chronicle (subscription) We don't know how the criminal case against Raymond “Shrimp Boy” Chow will turn out, but do know one thing: Both the FBI undercover agents and their targets had one heck of a good time during the probe, especially the lead undercover agent known in ... Yee case defense wants undercover FBI agent's name revealedSFGate all 3 news articles »

US Moves to Block Russian Military Buildup in Syria - New York Times

Wednesday September 9th, 2015 at 8:11 AM

Cyber Warfare - Google News

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New York Times

US Moves to Block Russian Military Buildup in Syria New York Times WASHINGTON — The United States on Tuesday moved to head off preparations for a suspected Russian military buildup in Syria as Bulgaria agreed to an appeal from the Obama administration to shut its airspace to Russian transport planes. The planes' ... and more »

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US Moves to Block Russian Military Buildup in Syria - New York Times

Wednesday September 9th, 2015 at 7:58 AM

Cyber Warfare - Google News

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New York Times

US Moves to Block Russian Military Buildup in Syria New York Times WASHINGTON — The United States on Tuesday moved to head off preparations for a suspected Russian military buildup in Syria as Bulgaria agreed to an appeal from the Obama administration to shut its airspace to Russian transport planes. The planes' ... Photo via Wikimedia CommonsVICE News all 219 news articles »

Is the Georgian Government Turning Toward China and Russia?

Wednesday September 9th, 2015 at 7:54 AM

Eurasia Daily Monitor - The Jamestown Foundation

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Georgian Prime Minister Irakli Garibashvili presented his government’s newly appointed minister of foreign affairs, Giorgi Kvirikashvili, at the annual gathering of Georgian diplomats, in Tbilisi. Until September 1, Kvirikashvili headed the Ministry of Economy and Sustainable Development (Civil Georgia, September 1).

The appointment evoked a great deal of interest among the expert community and the public because Kvirikashvili’s background is not related to diplomacy. Kvirikashvili received a Master’s degree from the University of Illinois and worked as the top manager in several large Georgian banks, including the bank of Cartu, which belongs to the billionaire and founder of the ruling Georgian Dream coalition, Bidzina Ivanishvili (Datab.us, accessed September 8).

The former top manager of Cartu bank is Ivanishvili’s confidant, and many observers have speculated that if Kvirikashvili was “transferred” from the economy ministry to the foreign ministry, that probably means that the economy is now being linked to the foreign policy of Georgia.

The head of the government himself confirmed this conclusion: “The government is focused on economic development and job creation, and this goal determines [both] our foreign policy and domestic economic agenda.” Garibashvili added, “I think that Mr. Kvirikashvili will be a very successful Foreign Minister; his experience and knowledge will help us in implementing such a foreign policy that will be better tied to our economic priorities and bring more success to our country in terms of foreign policy, as well as in terms of strengthening [its] economic policy” (Civil Georgia, September 1).

Up until now, Georgia’s foreign policy was considered to be “value oriented,” not economically pragmatic. Notably, both of Kvirikashvili’s immediate predecessors heading the foreign ministry—Maia Panjikidze and Tamara Beruashvili—were professional diplomats with substantial experience. They were considered staunch supporters of Tbilisi’s Euro-Atlantic orientation. The new foreign minister, along with the head of the government, has confirmed that the country would stay on the same course toward integration with the West; but they still put an emphasis on the economy, motivating a spirited debate in policy circles and sharp criticism from the opposition.

Generating the most controversy was undoubtedly Kvirikashvili’s statement on “processes in Eurasia.” In particular, he declared, “Many interesting things are happening in the world. Apart from the pro-Western direction, there are relations with the East, the new developments on the Eurasian content.” At the same time, the minister spoke in favor of the direct dialogue with the Russian Federation within the “Prague format of talks”—between the special representative of the Georgian government, Zurab Abashidze, and Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs of Russia Grigory Karasin (Kommersant, September 3). Kvirikashvili also welcomed the expected lifting of sanctions against Iran, emphasizing, “This process is very interesting for Georgia from an economic point of view” (Civil Georgia, September 2).

The opposition reacted to the foreign minister’s speech with accusations that the government was readying to cede Georgia’s foreign policy to Russia. David Darchiashvili, one of the leaders of the United National Movement, argued that Georgia was playing right into Russia’s hand, as the latter “is trying to play a key role in the region and establish the Eurasian Union to reclaim its former influence” (Author’s interview, September 5).

Nonetheless, Prime Minister Garibashvili spoke in support of and further expanded on the initiative laid out by the new head of the foreign ministry. “Mr. Kvirikashvili mentioned that we will consider all of the potential available on the Eurasian continent and I want to note that this is the right direction, the right message; along with our main goal—Euro-Atlantic integration—of course, we should continue and further deepen relations with China and other countries in Asia,” the prime minister said (Civil Georgia, September 2).

This mention of China was naturally not accidental. The Georgian government regards Beijing as the most valuable potential investor in the country. Chinese investors have already implemented several large projects in Georgia. And while he was minister of the economy, Giorgi Kvirikashvili held intensive talks with Chinese companies about the construction of a new Black Sea harbor in Anaklia, with cargo turnover of 100 million tons per year (see EDM, March 25). Talks are expected to conclude in the near future. It appears that Georgian authorities are hoping that Kvirikashvili’s new post, while simultaneously retaining his rank as deputy prime minister, will convince Chinese partners to prioritize projects in Georgia and reassure them about the safety of their investments.

In particular, the new port in Anaklia promises to create tens of thousands of local jobs and should turn Georgia into an important international transportation hub. “…in October we will be hosting a high-level dialogue within the framework of the Tbilisi Silk Road Forum,” Kvirikashvili stated at the above-mentioned ambassadorial meeting. He continued, “Making full use of [Georgia’s] transit potential and increasing our participation in regional energy and transport projects [not least the Anaklia port] will be the priority direction of our policy” (Civil Georgia, September 1).

Kvirikashvili’s appointment to head the foreign ministry, combined with Prime Minister Garibashvili’s statement about the need for a “pragmatic policy toward Russia” (Civil Georgia, September 2), is seen in foreign policy circles as indicative of a serious shift for Georgia. “The authorities decided to look not only to the West, but also to the East and North and pay more attention to the economic outcomes of foreign policy,” the former director of the Tbilisi Diplomatic Academy, Iosif Tsintsadze, told this author. According to Tsintsadze, such pragmatism means that Georgia will not reject a pro-Western course out of hand (interview for the author, September 2).

Yet, many doubt the government’s true intentions. After all, influential figures in the ruling Georgian Dream coalition made repeated remarks in recent months about needing to change the country’s foreign policy orientation away from the West. For example, the “Georgia’s beer king,” businessman and parliamentary member of the Georgian Dream coalition Gogi Topadze, stated in March that Georgia’s attempts to move closer to NATO were harmful (Interpressnews.ge, March 11). And Topadze’s colleague Giorgi Kavtaradze complained about the Western community’s reluctance to accept Georgia into its alliance (1tv.ge, July 8).

An expert with the independent news agency GHN, David Avalishvili, has argued, however, that given the level of Russian “soft power” in Georgia (see EDM, April 2, 2014), Tbilisi’s new foreign policy course away from the West could quickly tip not toward the East, but toward the North—Russia. “The pro-Russian forces claim that Georgia did not receive any tangible results from its pro-Western policies… Unfortunately, the majority of society perceives these issues quite primitively, regarding only a NATO Membership Accession Plan [MAP] or a visa-free regime with the European Union as ‘real achievements,’ ” the analyst said (Author’s interview, September 5). Thus, a popular backlash against limited Western support could mean Georgia may spiral back into Russia’s embrace.

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Insurgents capture army air base in northwestern Syria

Wednesday September 9th, 2015 at 7:30 AM

Www.Washingtontimes.Com Stories: Security

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BEIRUT (AP) - Syrian state television is reporting insurgents have captured an army air base northwest of the country after a two-year siege.

The TV report Wednesday said government forces at the Abu Zuhour air base "have evacuated their positions and moved to another point."

The Britain-based Syrian Observatory for ...

Russia eludes US ban on NATO airspace by roundabout route to Syria via Iraq and Iran

Wednesday September 9th, 2015 at 7:21 AM

DEBKAFile

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September 9, 2015, 1:47 PM (IDT)

Moscow opened a new route for flying military shipments from Sevastopol in Crimea and other South Russian bases to Syria, debkafile discloses. To circumvent US efforts to block the airspace of NATO nations, Greece, Turkey and Bulgaria, along the Mediterranean route, the Russian is senidng military transports over the Caspian Sea, northern Iran and Iraq, to reach Mezze airbase in Damascus and supply the new Russian base at Jablah.The White House warned Tuesday night, Sept. 8: “Russian military buildup would risk confrontation with the counter-ISIL coalition that included the US.”

Putin won his war in Ukraine

Tuesday September 8th, 2015 at 7:31 PM

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Russian President Vladimir Putin signs autographs in the Siberian city of Chita, Russia. (Michael Klimentyev/AFP via Getty Images)

By Marvin Kalb September 7 at 7:48 PM

The war in Ukraine has slipped off the front pages. Eighteen months ago, when Russian President Vladimir Putin seized Crimea and then instigated a pro-Russian rebellion in the Donbas region, Ukraine was hot news. Putin was roundly denounced, and Russia was hit with damaging economic sanctions. East-West relations soured badly, and diplomats wondered whether they were witnessing the beginnings of another cold war.

Now Ukraine, as a European crisis, has lost its urgency. One reason is the rush of other news, from global economic jitters and the flood of desperate Arab and African migrants to Europe to the preoccupying nuttiness of the U.S. presidential campaign. But there is another equally important reason. Putin seems to have won his little war in Ukraine, and his Western critics watch from the sidelines, sputtering with helpless rage.

Roughly a year ago, Putin faced one of the biggest decisions of his presidency: whether to strike a compromise deal with Ukrainian President Petro Poroshenko or openly commit his troops and tanks to the war. Much to the surprise of many observers, the Ukrainian army and militias seemed a battle away from defeating Putin’s rebels. Putin, facing defeat, doubled-down and ordered his forces to cross the border and turn back the Ukrainian advance. He clearly wanted to prove to Poroshenko and his Western backers that in a war between Russia and Ukraine, Russia would win.

Within a few weeks, Putin and Poroshenko reached agreement on a rickety cease-fire, which predictably did not hold. Early this year, German Chancellor Angela Merkel rushed to negotiateanother cease-fire, but she knew, as did President Obama, that it depended in large part on whether Poroshenko and his Kiev colleagues would extend recognition (a form of legitimacy) to rebel leaders in Donetsk and Luhansk and grant them autonomous status within Ukraine. This was and remains a bitter pill for Poroshenko to swallow. He faces violent opposition from right-wing extremists, and he runs a fragile country in serious economic and political trouble. More important, perhaps, he knows by now that neither Germany nor the United States will fight for Ukraine. Yes, they will offer warm words of support, modest financial and military assistance, of course — but apparently little more.

In this environment of caution and retreat, Putin has, slowly but surely, “frozen” the conflict, much as he did in 2008 in the former Soviet republic of Georgia. Far more than Western leaders, Putin can now influence and, when necessary, control the flow of economic, political and diplomatic developments in Ukraine.

For this “victory,” Putin has had to pay a heavy price. His economy has floundered, his reputation has suffered and Russia has experienced a return to domestic disorder and discontent that is real, even spreading. But as yet this has not had any discernible effect on his position within Russia. He seems perfectly capable of retaining his almost dictatorial grip on political power.

I sometimes dream an impossible dream — that somehow we could magically transport Ukraine into Western Europe, where it would prosper as a Western democracy with a vibrant economy. It deserves such a future. But we cannot. Ukraine will always share a common border with Russia in much the same way that it shares a common culture, language and religion with Russia. For most of its existence, Ukraine has been a part of Russia, separating itself as an independent nation only in1991, when the Soviet Union disintegrated. Ukraine lives uncomfortably in Russia’s “near abroad,” its backyard, its “sphere of influence.” Whether we like it or not, Russia is the dominant power in Eastern Europe, and no solution to the current crisis can realistically emerge unless and until Russia and Ukraine work out an acceptable modus vivendi between them.

Putin’s attitude toward Ukraine is similar to that of other Russian leaders. He is not breaking new ground. His definition of nirvana is a Slavic confederation consisting of Russia, Belarus and Ukraine — all, as he puts it, “historically Russian land.” Kiev, the Ukrainian capital, he labels “the mother of all Russian cities,” and he speaks of the “aspiration of the Russians, of historical Russia . . . of ancient Rus,” as Russia and Ukraine bound together by a common history of more than a thousand years.

Putin can tolerate an independent Ukraine so long as it is “friendly” to Russian national interests, and, as any good despot, he trusts only himself to define this friendship. Down the road, he has hinted that he would like to convene a Yalta-type conference, at which he and other world leaders would redraw the map of post-1991 Europe. It’s not a very likely possibility, but Putin thinks he has time. He has Ukraine squirming in the palm of his hand, and he sees his Western adversaries as weak, divided, corrupt and, maybe, in this circumstance, ready to strike a deal to his liking.

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Giant Russian transport aircraft in Syria raise concerns

Tuesday September 8th, 2015 at 4:40 PM

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Three giant Russian Condor transport aircraft have flown into the Assad International Airport near Latakia, Syria, over the past few days. They have unloaded large containers but it's not known yet what's in the containers, reports CBS News correspondent David Martin.

At the same time a passenger flight has arrived, presumably bringing people who will move into the modular housing which has been erected at the airfield and can now hold in excess of 1,000 people. A U.S. official says every indication is that Russia is setting up a forward operating base, but for what reason remains unclear.

It could be preparations for military intervention or it could be a ramping up of military deliveries to the Assad regime.

The U.S. position is that "any effort to bolster the Assad regime would potentially be destabilizing." According to government spokesmen in both Greece and Bulgaria, Washington has asked them to deny Russia overflight rights, something that has made the Russians angry and led a harsh rebuke of Bulgaria from Moscow.

The planes that flew in came out of southern Russia and flew through Iranian and Iraqi air space to reach Syria. It is not clear whether the U.S. asked Iraq to deny overflight rights.

In addition to the activities at the air field, Russian special operations forces have been reported at the Syrian Naval Academy near Latikiya.

Bulgaria's Foreign Ministry earlier said the country is refusing to allow Russian military transport aircraft to fly through its airspace en route to Syria from Sept. 1-24. It said without elaboration that the reason for the refusal was "incorrect information" about the purpose of the flights and the cargo.

On Monday, Greek Foreign Ministry spokesman Constantinos Koutras said the U.S. has asked Greece to cancel overflight permission for flights headed to Syria. He said Athens is examining the request.

U.S. defense officials, who spoke on condition of anonymity because they were not authorized to publicly discuss the sensitive issue, said the U.S. has seen an increasing number of Russian transport planes seeking diplomatic approval for flights into Syria. They also have seen the movement of some prefabricated housing in Syria, although they haven't seen any troops moving in or becoming involved in actual combat activities, as some media reports suggested.

U.S. Secretary of State John Kerry called his Russian counterpart Sergey Lavrov over the weekend to express concern, warning that if reports about the Russian military build-up in Syria were accurate, it could further escalate the conflict, increase refugee flows and raise the threat of confrontation with the U.S.-led coalition fighting the Islamic State of Iraq and Syria (ISIS.)

Russia has staunchly backed Syrian President Bashar Assad throughout the nation's 4.5-year civil war, providing his regime with weapons and keeping military advisers in Syria. Russia's relationship with Syria has been deep since Assad's father was in power, and the country provides the Russian Navy with its only Mediterranean naval base.

President Vladimir Putin said again Friday that Russia is providing the Syrian military with weapons and training. Asked if Russia could deploy its troops to Syria to help fight ISIS, Putin answered coyly, saying "we are looking at various options."

Moscow has said that Russian military experts are in Syria to train its military how to use weapons shipped by Russia under existing contracts.

© 2015 CBS Interactive Inc. All Rights Reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. The Associated Press contributed to this report.

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Today's Headlines and Commentaryby Quinta Jurecic , Cody M. Poplin

Tuesday September 8th, 2015 at 3:23 PM

Lawfare - Hard National Security Choices

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This Labor Day weekend saw a flurry of activity as European leaders attempted to grapple with the growing migration and refugee crisis. German Chancellor Angela Merkel led the charge with a promise to allow migrants and refugees to enter the country and to spend $6.7 billion to assist asylum seekers. Yet the chancellor emphasized that Germany will need help from other E.U. member states in dealing with the growing crisis, the Wall Street Journal writes.

The BBC has a helpful roundup of measures taken by various E.U. countries. Most notably, France and the United Kingdom have pledged to accept 44,000 migrants and refugees into their countries. The Guardian also brings us news that, according to Germany’s vice-chancellor, the country will be able to accept 500,000 refugees a year for “several years”—a high number, but lower than the 800,000 refugees who are projected to seek asylum within Germany each year.

In Foreign Policy, Alex Massie argues that the refugee crisis has become a critical moment for a Europe struggling to define itself. The dream of a united Europe, with states working together under a common policy to address shared problems, has never been more urgent—and yet it remains as far away as ever. Of course, much of the problem stems from Europe’s overwhelming failure to address the chaos in Syria, which is coupled with what Gayle Tzemach Lemmon calls in Defense One the Obama administration’s failed “containment” approach to the Syrian Civil War.

In apparent response to Europe’s crisis, Israel has begun building a fence along the country’s eastern border with Jordan. According to the AP, the fence appears intended to deter refugees Syrian refugees from entering the country, many of whom have taken shelter in Jordan.

The Economist examines the vexed distinction between refugees and migrants, taking a hard look at the numbers to figure out what characterizes those heading to Europe for safety or economic prosperity. The question is a crucial one: as many Lawfare readers know, refugees and migrants are granted very different protections under international law.

And the Journal reports that Europe’s nightmare may only get worse from here. As news of refugees and migrants entering Europe gains increasing prominence, many more people are feeling it’s time to take the journey as well. In particular, Iraqis and Nigerians battered by the extremist violence in their home countries are beginning to make the perilous trip in increased numbers.

On Monday, U.K. authorities announced that the United Kingdom had launched its first armed drone strike inside Syria, killing two U.K. citizens belonging to the ISIS militant group. One non-U.K. citizen was also killed. The New York Times reports that the government’s decision to extend drone strikes into Syria is a “significant step” for the United Kingdom, which is not currently conducting military operations within the country. The strike has drawn comparisons to the 2011 targeted killing of Anwar al Awlaki, the radical al Qaeda-linked preacher and U.S. citizen, who was killed when the United States conducted a drone strike outside a clearly defined theater of combat.

Though the strike has drawn serious criticism from both within and outside the United Kingdom, U.K. Defense Minister Michael Fallon stated that his government “wouldn’t hesitate” to carry out similar strikes in the future “if we know that there is an armed attack that is likely.” The Times has more.

A number of observers have weighed in on the legal arguments for and against the United Kingdom’s actions. Over at the blog Head of Legal, Carl Gardner argues that the strike was, as the government argues, legal under U.K. and international law. At the Guardian, Joshua Rozenberg agrees. At theFinancial Times, however, David Allen Green feels that there’s “room for doubt” as to the legitimacy of the government’s self-defense arguments.

Meanwhile in France, President Francois Hollande is also preparing to launch airstrikes in Syria. TheJournal reports on the planned expansion of French anti-ISIS efforts, which appear to be influenced by fears of a potential ISIS attack on France—an argument strikingly similar to the United Kingdom’s self-defense rationale. The country has recently suffered a series of extremist attacks on its own soil, the most recent being a highly-publicized, attempted shooting on a high-speed train last month.

As France and the United Kingdom prepare to ramp up their respective anti-ISIS campaigns, theTimes brings us news that the Pentagon is planning a major overhaul of the struggling U.S. train-and-equip program for moderate Syrian rebels. Since the program began, it has grappled with small numbers of recruits, an unclear purview, and—most recently—the kidnapping of several rebel leaders by the al Nusra Front. So how does the Pentagon intend to turn this sinking ship around? “Dropping larger numbers of fighters into safer zones, as well as providing better intelligence and improving their combat skills.”

But the Journal tells us that problems for anti-ISIS rebel groups may not end any time soon: ISIS fighters are closing in on a northern Syrian town close to a crucial border crossing with Turkey, which is a main supply route for rebels. ISIS’s seizure of the crossing would essentially compensate for the extremist group’s loss of the Tal Abyad border crossing earlier this summer.

And yesterday, ISIS seized control of the last oil field remaining under Syrian government control, Reuters writes. Syrian state television failed to mention the loss of the field in the official report on the battle.

What exactly is it that Russia is trying to do in Syria? That’s the question of the moment, with recentreports of Russian military buildup within the embattled country. Now AFP lets us know that Russian officials have dismissed U.S. concerns over the buildup, saying that the Kremlin has “never concealed the fact that it is sending military equipment to the Syrian authorities to help them fight terrorism.” But the AP suggests that President Vladimir Putin may be preparing to join the anti-ISIS coalition in an effort to mend his country’s frayed ties with the West—perhaps freeing the Kremlin to amp up its presence in Ukraine. The Daily Beast, meanwhile, theorizes that Russia’s goal is to fortify the flailing regime of Syrian President Bashar al Assad.

Violence continues between the Turkish government and the Kurdish PKK, with reports that a bomb has killed 14 Turkish policemen. Al Jazeera writes that the explosion occurred soon after the Turkish military carried out airstrikes against PKK forces in northern Iraq.

Recently, the chaos and dysfunction roiling Libya has made the country an easy target for ISIS-affiliated extremist. But now, the Journal reports that two of Libya’s most powerful rival militias are collaborating to halt ISIS’s westward expansion. The militias had previously been on opposite sides of the civil war that has raged across Libya since the Arab Spring, but have now reached what seems to be a lasting ceasefire.

Mali’s military has arrested three militants suspected of involvement in a series of recent attacks on the country’s capital city of Bamoko, Reuters tells us. The militants are affiliated with the group Massina Liberation Front, a relative newcomer to the crowded world of extremist Islamist organizations.

Reuters also brings us the news that Qatar is sending 1,000 ground troops into Yemen to aid in the Saudi-led coalition’s efforts, though sources are conflicted as to whether the troops have already entered the country or not. Meanwhile, the coalition has deployed the Patriot Air Defense System to Yemen’s Marib Province. And VOA News reports on Saudi Arabia’s first acknowledgement of the presence of Saudi ground troops in Yemen—which came after 55 of those soldiers were killed in a Houthi missile strike.

With Congress back from August recess, the circus begins: This week both chambers will debate the nuclear agreement with Iran. On Friday, Senator Ben Cardin (D-MD) announced his opposition to the deal in a Washington Post op-ed. But the AP tells us that the Obama administration has succeeded in whipping not just the 34 Senators needed to block a veto override of a disapproval measure, but the full 41 required to prevent the measure from even reaching the Senate floor—if all those who have now stated their support for the deal vote in favor of it when the time comes.

11 Afghan policemen were killed in a U.S. airstrike in southern Afghanistan on Monday, the Afghan Ministry of the Interior has declared. The Journal reports on the incident, which the Afghan government blamed on a “lack of proper coordination” between Afghanistan and the United States. Yet according to the Times, the U.S. military denies that such an airstrike ever took place. If true, the strike would be one of the deadliest recent incidents of friendly fire in Afghanistan.

Mullah Akhtar Muhammad Mansour is taking steps to consolidate his power as the Taliban’s new leader, attempting to quash a breakaway faction of the organization that has instead declared loyalty to Mullah Mansour Dadullah in the wake of Mullah Omar’s confirmed death. Mullah Dadullah has long been a gadfly to the Taliban leadership, the Times writes, and there is some suspicion that his fighters harbor sympathies with ISIS.

Pakistani authorities declared on Monday that the country’s first air strike conducted by a domestically manufactured drone had succeeded in killing three militants, the Times reports. The drone, named “Burraq” or “Prophet’s Horse,” struck in the Shawal Valley in North Waziristan and brings Pakistan into an elite-club of countries that have successfully used a drone in a combat or counterterrorism operation. If you want to get an eyeful of the new Pakistan-made drone, the Journalhas got you covered.

Japan’s Prime Minister Shinzo Abe secured another term as president of the ruling Liberal Democratic Party after no challengers filed applications to run against him. Mr. Abe will remain the president of the party for at least another three years. He told reporters that he intends to push forward with his plan to change the Japanese constitution to allow Japan’s military to fight in conflicts abroad. The legislation effectuating the change is expected to be enacted next week. The New York Times has more.

The IAEA said yesterday that North Korea appears to be building new facilities at its Yongbyon nuclear site. According to IAEA Director General Yukiya Amano, the IAEA has “observed renovation and construction activities at various locations within the site.” The construction was confirmed via satellite; the DPRK has not granted the IAEA access to the site since 2009.  

The news comes as North and South Korea have agreed today to hold more reunions for families separated when the two countries were divided. More than 100 families will be reunited over six days in late October, Korean Yonhap News reports.

The Los Angeles Times reports that over the last 14 months, the United States has significanly boosted its spy presence in the Arctic, with most of its 16 intelligence agencies assigning analysts to work full time on the region while the Director of National Intelligence convened a “strategy board” to discuss recent findings and events in the region. The decision reflects a renewed focus on Arctic resources as well as concerns over Russia’s military buildup around the Arctic circle.

In Politico, Joseph Marks provides an overview of the pending legal battle between the U.S. government and tech giant Microsoft over whether or not the Department of Justice can demand access to emails stored on servers abroad. The government won the first two hearings before a magistrate judge and a U.S. District Court. On Wednesday, the 2nd Circuit Court of Appeals will hear Microsoft's appeal.

Of course, Microsoft is not the only tech company doing battle with the U.S. government. The New York Times carries news that this summer, Apple refused to turn over encrypted data transiting Apple devices using the company’s messaging service, iMessage.

Finally, Defense One informs us that the State Department is looking to build a “cybersecurity playbook,” that will “clearly guide both offensive cyber operations and responses to cyberattacks.” The department released twelve areas where it is attempting to shore up a strategy, including “cloud computing security,” “dynamic system defenses,” and “application whitelisting.”

The Washington Post carries the story of how one family stopped their son from joining the Islamic State, but now worries that he may go to prison. 19-year-old Asher Abid Khan flew to Istanbul to join ISIS, but without ever leaving the Turkish airport, thought again and returned to his home in Houston. In May, the FBI charged Khan with material support for terrorism, a charge that could land him in prison for 30 years. The case is sure to raise new questions over the United States’s aggressive use of the material support clause in prosecutions, as well as how it should handle de radicalized individuals.

The latest Guantanamo Bay recidivism rates show that the rate of former detainees suspected of “re-engaging” with militant groups increased over the first half of 2015, as five detainees released by the Obama administration were added to the list of those “suspected of reengaging.” The report also reveals that an additional four former detainees that were “confirmed of reengaging” have been killed. Jason Leopold of Vice News has more on the ODNI report, which can be read in full here.

According to the Guardian, the military has rescinded the security clearances for attorneys representing the only detainee who has agreed to testify against the 9/11 defendants. In addition, a doctor who specializes in treating torture victims has also lost access to the base. At this time, the military has not provided justification for the suspension of the clearances. One defense attorney at GITMO said the revocation of the clearances is “an illustration of the dysfunction that plagues Guantanamo and in many ways is getting worse.”

The Associated Press reports that military prosecutors will charge Bowe Bergdahl not only with desertion, but also for misbehavior before the enemy, an offense that the AP notes has rarely been invoked since World War II. If convicted, Bergdahl could face a life sentence.

Parting Shot: Okay, okay. It’s a trend.  Chimps don’t like drones either, it seems. But, unlike other animals who haven’t taken too kindly to a quadcopter orbiting their personal space, this chimp planned ahead and attacked the drone with a stick. That video here.

ICYMI: This Weekend, on Lawfare

Ben alerted us to William McCants’ new profile of Abu Bakr al Baghdadi.

Matthew Waxman noted three Lawfare-related books that stood out from his summer reading list.

Llewelyn Hughes and Austin Long wrote this week’s Foreign Policy Essay, on national security, energy, and what they see as the United States’ surprising advantage.

Bobby considered reports of the U.K. citizens killed by their home country’s drone strikes, suggesting that this may be a “British Anwar al Awlaki scenario.”

Dustin Lewis, Naz Modirzadeh, and Gabriella Blum discussed international humanitarian law and the question of medical assistance concerning terrorists.

Email the Roundup Team noteworthy law and security-related articles to include, and follow us onTwitter and Facebook for additional commentary on these issues. Sign up to receive Lawfare in your inbox. Visit our Events Calendar to learn about upcoming national security events, and check out relevant job openings on our Job Board.

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Europe’s Migration Crisis a Boon for Organized Crimeby webdesk@voanews.com (Jamie Dettmer)

Tuesday September 8th, 2015 at 2:31 PM

Voice Of America

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European police units responsible for monitoring social media sites for terrorist activity are expanding their focus to find people traffickers.  They are looking for traffickers advertising their services online while law enforcement officials warn that drug smuggling rings have switched to smuggling refugees and migrants. European officials admit they are just starting to piece together a complete picture of the far-flung organized crime networks that are profiting from the misery...

Turkey Detains Dutch Journalist

Tuesday September 8th, 2015 at 2:30 PM

WSJ.Com: World News

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Turkey detained on Sunday a Dutch journalist covering the escalating war between the state and Kurdish insurgents, signaling an expansion of the government’s clampdown on reports from the country’s restive southeast.

Rights Experts Challenge Mexico's Probe of Student Killings

Tuesday September 8th, 2015 at 2:30 PM

WSJ.Com: World News

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Critical parts of Mexico’s investigation into the abduction and probable killing of 43 teaching students a year ago are being challenged by the Inter-American Commission on Human Rights as seriously flawed.

Airstrikes Pound Yemen's Capital

Tuesday September 8th, 2015 at 2:30 PM

WSJ.Com: World News

1 Share

Airstrikes by a Saudi-led military coalition pounded targets in Yemen’s capital, intensifying a retaliatory campaign against the country’s Houthi rebels following the death of 60 coalition soldiers in a rocket attack on Friday.

Cameron a Hostage in Migrant Crisis

Tuesday September 8th, 2015 at 2:29 PM

WSJ.Com: World News

1 Share

EUROPE FILE: The migration crisis is a challenge for the European Union like no other, says Simon Nixon

U.S. National Security and Military News Review

us national security | national security | us military | US military news | Drug wars | 

» Australia to Accept Additional 12,000 Refugees From Iraq and Syria
10/09/15 00:00 from NYT > Islamic State in Iraq and Syria (ISIS)
It will focus on taking in women, children and families who are members of persecuted minorities and who have sought refuge in Jordan, Lebanon and Turkey.

» Tony Abbott Says Australia Will Accept 12,000 More Refugees
10/09/15 00:00 from NYT > Islamic State in Iraq and Syria (ISIS)
The nation will focus on taking in women, children and families who are members of persecuted minorities in Iraq and Syria, and who have sought refuge in Jordan, Lebanon and Turkey.

» Manchester fuzz 'truly sorry' for 'accidentally' hacking phone of ... - The Register
09/09/15 12:44 from Cyberwar - Google News
The Register Manchester fuzz 'truly sorry' for 'accidentally' hacking phone of ... The Register Greater Manchester Police (GMP) has issued an apology to a senior police officer's partner whose phone was "accident...

» Yemen's Refugee Crisis Is Spilling Over Into Somalia
09/09/15 12:30 from Defense One - All Content
There are now nearly 1.5 million displaced people in Yemen, though their plight is no less dire than those pouring out of the battlefields of Iraq and Syria.

» Online Adultery Leads To Cyber Warfare? - Mondaq News Alerts (registration)
09/09/15 12:26 from cyber warfare - Google News
Online Adultery Leads To Cyber Warfare ? Mondaq News Alerts (registration) People who go online likely consider the risks involved with using the Internet. People who contemplate extra-martial affairs probably consider the risks of those...

» Clinton: Putin’s Ability to Say ‘I Will Be Your Next President’ Has a ‘Certain Attraction To It’
09/09/15 12:14 from Washington Free Beacon
The post Clinton: Putin’s Ability to Say ‘I Will Be Your Next President’ Has a ‘Certain Attraction To It’ appeared first on Washington Free Beacon .

» Former CIA Leaders Release Book Defending Brutal Tactics - ABC News
09/09/15 11:59 from cia - Google News
Minneapolis Star Tribune Former CIA Leaders Release Book Defending Brutal Tactics ABC News Former senior CIA officials instrumental in extracting information from al-Qaida prisoners through what most Americans consider to have been tortu...

» Despite Opposition, Japanese PM Wants to Allow Military to Deploy Overseas - Huffington Post
09/09/15 11:50 from anti-Americanism - Google News
Huffington Post Despite Opposition, Japanese PM Wants to Allow Military to Deploy Overseas Huffington Post It is spawning anti-Americanism among a broader and younger cross-section of Japanese who more and more regard their leader as an ...

» A History of The Russian Secret Service
09/09/15 11:45 from Intelligence Analysis and Reporting
Title:                      A History of The Russian Secret Service Author:                 Richard Deacon Deacon, Richard (1972) [pseud .]. A Hlstory of The Russian Secret Service. London, Muller LCCN:    72187343 HV8225 .M23 1972 Subje...

» Secretary General visits US ''Dragoon'' military convoy in the Czech Republic - NATO HQ (press release)
09/09/15 11:38 from nato - Google News
NATO HQ (press release) Secretary General visits US ''Dragoon'' military convoy in the Czech Republic NATO HQ (press release) NATO Secretary General Jens Stoltenberg thanked US troops for their service and their strong co...

» Microsoft patches yet another Hacking Team zero-day exploit - PCWorld
09/09/15 11:37 from Cyberwar - Google News
PCWorld Microsoft patches yet another Hacking Team zero-day exploit PCWorld Over two months after Italian surveillance software maker Hacking Team had its internal data leaked by hackers, vendors are apparently still fixing zero-day expl...

» Pentagon Orders Even More HQ Cuts, Infuriating Employees' Union
09/09/15 11:35 from Defense One - All Content
Defense Department personnel officials are moving ahead with a more-severe version of an existing plan for cuts to headquarters staff—angering a major union in the process.

» NATO's new force could have wider crisis role: French commander - The Fiscal Times
09/09/15 11:34 from nato - Google News
The Fiscal Times NATO's new force could have wider crisis role: French commander The Fiscal Times BRUSSELS (Reuters) - NATO's new rapid reaction force must be able to respond to crises on the alliance's southern flank, a top ...

» Microsoft patches yet another Hacking Team zero-day exploit - ITworld
09/09/15 11:24 from Cyberwar - Google News
Microsoft patches yet another Hacking Team zero-day exploit ITworld In July, security researchers searching through the leaked Hacking Team files found exploits for six zero-day vulnerabilities: three in Flash Player, two in Windows and ...

» Dutch pilots sharpen combat readiness at Aviano
09/09/15 11:22 from News - Stripes
Dutch pilots sharpen combat readiness at Aviano The Dutch military is wrapping up three weeks of training at Aviano, as part of a mission to improve pilots’ combat readiness. GALLERY Dutch pilots sharpen combat readiness at Aviano States...

» Coast Guard assists in $2.5 million drug bust in the Bahamas
09/09/15 11:19 from Recent Updates for U.S. Coast Guard Digital Newsroom

» Rogers Outlines Cyber Challenges Facing DoD, U.S.
09/09/15 11:14 from American Forces Press Service News Feed
The commander of U.S. Cyber Command described the role of deterrence in the cyber world, the problems of defending against cyber enemies, and “operationalizing” cyber capabilities in the Defense Department during a discussion at the Wood...

» Senator Condemns Supporters of Iran Deal as ‘Partisan Loyalists’
09/09/15 11:10 from Washington Free Beacon
Sen. Steve Daines (R., Mont.) told constituents Tuesday that “partisan loyalists” of President Obama are the sole congressional lawmakers backing the nuclear deal with Iran. The post Senator Condemns Supporters of Iran Deal as ‘Partisan ...

» NATO's new force could have wider crisis role - French commander - Channel News Asia
09/09/15 11:10 from nato - Google News
Channel News Asia NATO's new force could have wider crisis role - French commander Channel News Asia BRUSSELS: NATO's new rapid reaction force must be able to respond to crises on the alliance's southern flank, a top military...

» Obama Official Headlining Conference that Booed Cruz for Pro-Israel Comments
09/09/15 11:00 from Washington Free Beacon
President Obama’s ambassador for religious freedom is headlining the same Middle Eastern Christian conference where Sen. Ted Cruz (R., Texas) was booed off stage last year for defending Israel and condemning Hezbollah. The post Obama Off...

» Hillary Clinton’s Record Shows Support for Federal Gun Tax
09/09/15 11:00 from Washington Free Beacon
Hillary Clinton offered her personal support for a 25 percent tax on gun sales during a congressional hearing in 1993. The post Hillary Clinton’s Record Shows Support for Federal Gun Tax appeared first on Washington Free Beacon .

» Who is Protecting the Drug Trade? Afghan Officials Blame NATO after Eleven ... - Center for Research on Globalization
09/09/15 10:57 from nato - Google News
Center for Research on Globalization Who is Protecting the Drug Trade? Afghan Officials Blame NATO after Eleven ... Center for Research on Globalization A US-led coalition airstrike killed 11 Afghan anti-drug police officers in southern ...

» Operation Kalmyk: Hacking investigation to drop action - BBC News
09/09/15 10:51 from Cyberwar - Google News
BBC News Operation Kalmyk: Hacking investigation to drop action BBC News An investigation into alleged computer hacking by a private investigator will not pursue further action against anyone, Metropolitan Police say. Operation Kalmyk lo...

» How an F-16 crashed into the Gulf of Mexico
09/09/15 10:46 from National Security: National Security, Pentagon & Defense Department News - The Washington Post
The cause was spatial disorientation.

» How an F-16 fighter jet crashed into the Gulf of Mexico
09/09/15 10:46 from National Security: National Security, Pentagon & Defense Department News - The Washington Post
The pilot did not eject and he did not survive the impact.

» FBI looking for two men wanted in six robberies of 7-Eleven stores in region - Washington Post
09/09/15 10:38 from fbi - Google News
Patch.com FBI looking for two men wanted in six robberies of 7-Eleven stores in region Washington Post Federal law enforcement officers are looking for at least two men who they say are wanted in connection with robbing six 7-Eleven stor...

» Opinion: On cybersecurity info sharing, it's the medium not the message - Christian Science Monitor
09/09/15 10:33 from cybersecurity - Google News
Christian Science Monitor Opinion: On cybersecurity info sharing, it's the medium not the message Christian Science Monitor If Congress succeeds in pushing through CISA, neither the bill in its current form – nor any of the amendment...

» The Rules of Cyberspace Just Got A Bit Clearer
09/09/15 10:30 from Defense One - All Content
The UN's new recommendations guiding state activity in cyberspace break new ground in three important areas.

» CIA vet to speak at World Affairs Council program in McKinney - Dallas Morning News
09/09/15 10:29 from cia - Google News
Dallas Morning News CIA vet to speak at World Affairs Council program in McKinney Dallas Morning News Jason Matthews, a 33-year veteran of the CIA , will speak at a World Affairs Council of Dallas/Fort Worth event at 11:45 a.m. Thursday....

» PM: Israel is Europe's only protection from extremist Islam in Middle East 
09/09/15 10:28 from DEBKAFile
September 9, 2015, 5:28 PM (IDT) Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, accompanied by his wife Sara, departed for London on Wednesday in order to hold talks aimed at strengthening security cooperation with his British counterpart Da...

» Russian hybrid war in Syria would worsen refugee crisis - NATO chief - Ukraine Today
09/09/15 10:28 from nato - Google News
Ukraine Today Russian hybrid war in Syria would worsen refugee crisis - NATO chief Ukraine Today NATO Secretary General Jens Stoltenberg has expressed concern that Russian involvement in the Syrian Civil War could deepen a conflict that ...

» Report: Hillary Clinton to Begin Being Spontaneous, Fun
09/09/15 10:20 from Washington Free Beacon
The post Report: Hillary Clinton to Begin Being Spontaneous, Fun appeared first on Washington Free Beacon .

» Morning Joe Destroys Clinton’s Flat ‘Hostage Video’ Apology
09/09/15 10:12 from Washington Free Beacon
The post Morning Joe Destroys Clinton’s Flat ‘Hostage Video’ Apology appeared first on Washington Free Beacon .

» NATO Could Take a Walk Down Memory Lane and Stop Provoking Nuclear War - Sputnik International
09/09/15 10:12 from nato - Google News
Sputnik International NATO Could Take a Walk Down Memory Lane and Stop Provoking Nuclear War Sputnik International Carte Blanche "shocked and horrified citizens in NATO countries, especially in West Germany – ground zero for any war...

» Face of Defense: Seeing Double
09/09/15 10:05 from American Forces Press Service News Feed
Driving through the gates at Andersen Air Force Base, someone could easily mistake the two airmen that stand guard there, and it’s easy to see why.

» Russia Could Destroy A Few NATO States - ValueWalk
09/09/15 10:04 from Nato Russia - Google News
ValueWalk Russia Could Destroy A Few NATO States ValueWalk Russia is also working on the Yu-71 hypersonic missile, which is becoming a headache for NATO and the Pentagon. The Yu-71 is being developed by Russian and Indian engineers, and ...

» Russian hacker group exploits satellites to steal data, hide tracks
09/09/15 10:02 from National Security: National Security, Pentagon & Defense Department News - The Washington Post
The Turla group has hijacked data beamed from commercial satellites in Africa and the Middle East.

» Russian nuclear sub Dmitri Donskoy Crosses Dardanelles
09/09/15 10:01 from DEBKAFile
September 9, 2015, 5:01 PM (IDT) Military sources of DEBKAfile report that the Russian nuclear submarine Dmitri Donskoy TK-208, which is headed to Syrian territorial waters, crossed the Dardanelles Strait on Wednesday on is way to Syrian...

» Tequila, Painted Pearls, and Prada: How the CIA Helped Produce 'Zero Dark Thirty' - VICE News
09/09/15 10:00 from cia - Google News
VICE News Tequila, Painted Pearls, and Prada: How the CIA Helped Produce 'Zero Dark Thirty' VICE News On April 21, 2011, Mark Boal called the CIA to tell them he was going to Afghanistan. The previous year, the screenwriter had b...

» Three 7-11 Hold-Ups in Area Work of Serial Robbers, FBI Says - Patch.com
09/09/15 10:00 from fbi - Google News
Patch.com Three 7-11 Hold-Ups in Area Work of Serial Robbers, FBI Says Patch.com The FBI is offering a $10,000 reward in coordination with partner law enforcement agencies to identify and locate at least two armed individuals who are sus...

» Hillary’s Sources, Methods, and Lies
09/09/15 09:55 from The XX Committee
I’ve been doing my best to explain the complex intelligence realities behind Hillary Clinton’s on-going #EmailGate scandal for months now, and we’re still far from the end of this messy saga. Hillary’s take on wha...

» Bloomberg-Backed Anti-Gun Group Plans Capitol Hill Protest, Attacks NRA-Backed Politicians
09/09/15 09:50 from Washington Free Beacon
The Bloomberg-backed group Everytown for Gun Safety will hold a protest on Thursday in Washington, D.C., calling for stricter gun control and attacking the National Rifle Association (NRA). The post Bloomberg-Backed Anti-Gun Group Plans ...

» FBI: Gun Sales Surged to Record Levels in August - National Review Online
09/09/15 09:44 from fbi - Google News
National Review Online FBI : Gun Sales Surged to Record Levels in August National Review Online FBI data suggests gun sales in the U.S. shot up in August after a barrage of high-profile shootings led to renewed calls for stronger firearm...

» Amid NATO Threats, Russia New Air Bases Could Open Across Eastern Europe And ... - International Business Times
09/09/15 09:30 from Nato Russia - Google News
International Business Times Amid NATO Threats, Russia New Air Bases Could Open Across Eastern Europe And ... International Business Times ... Collective Security Treaty Organization -- a group of Moscow-influenced nations -- would allow...

» CIA to release Kennedy, Johnson intelligence briefings - Washington Times
09/09/15 09:22 from cia - Google News
Washington Times CIA to release Kennedy, Johnson intelligence briefings Washington Times The CIA announced Wednesday that it will be releasing previously classified President's Daily Brief (PDB) articles from the John F. Kennedy and ...

» CIA to release John F. Kennedy, Lyndon B. Johnson intelligence briefings - Washington Times
09/09/15 09:22 from cia - Google News
Washington Times CIA to release John F. Kennedy, Lyndon B. Johnson intelligence briefings Washington Times The CIA announced Wednesday that it will be releasing previously classified President's Daily Brief (PDB) articles from the Jo...

» Wall St. set to open higher on Chinese stimulus hopes
09/09/15 09:16 from Search Results
Wall St. set to open higher on Chinese stimulus hopes Apple to show off new iPhones, Apple TV on Wednesday Tax concerns on Yahoo's Alibaba stake spinoff prompt target cuts Chinese premier seeks to quell global markets' China fears Oil pr...

» It wasn’t '500' Iranian IEDs; Pumping the brakes (again) on Gitmo; LCS buzzes boaters; When Trump was a soldier; And a bit more.
09/09/15 09:01 from Defense One - All Content

» Former CIA leaders release book defending brutal tactics - U.S. News & World Report
09/09/15 08:48 from cia - Google News
U.S. News & World Report Former CIA leaders release book defending brutal tactics U.S. News & World Report WASHINGTON (AP) — Former senior CIA officials instrumental in extracting information from al-Qaida prisoners through what most Ame...

» DEFCON CYBER™ Scores YOUR Risk Posture based on NIST Cybersecurity Framework - PR Newswire (press release)
09/09/15 08:40 from cybersecurity - Google News
PR Newswire (press release) DEFCON CYBER™ Scores YOUR Risk Posture based on NIST Cybersecurity Framework PR Newswire (press release) MANASSAS, Va., Sept. 9, 2015 /PRNewswire/ -- Rofori Corporation is announcing the availability of its DE...

» Brzezinski: Clinton’s Interviews Appear ‘Tightly, Tightly Controlled’
09/09/15 08:33 from Washington Free Beacon
The post Brzezinski: Clinton’s Interviews Appear ‘Tightly, Tightly Controlled’ appeared first on Washington Free Beacon .

» Russian hacker group exploits satellites to steal data, hide tracks - Washington Post
09/09/15 08:33 from Cyberwar - Google News
Russian hacker group exploits satellites to steal data, hide tracks Washington Post The Turla malware originated from a “sophisticated Russian-government-affiliated” hacker group that “we call Venomous Bear,” said Dmitri Alperovitch, co-...

» CIA says Hillary Clinton's emails contained 'Top Secret' info (+video) - Christian Science Monitor
09/09/15 08:24 from cia - Google News
CIA says Hillary Clinton's emails contained 'Top Secret' info (+video) Christian Science Monitor The CIA and the National Geospatial-Intelligence Agency “concluded that the emails were 'Top Secret,' the highest classi...

» Syria drone strike: former DPP questions legal justification
09/09/15 08:17 from Drones | World news | The Guardian 
Syria drone strike: former DPP questions legal justification Lord Macdonald refers to timing of strike that killed two British Isis members in August and asks for more transparency 5:27 AM Syria drone strike: former DPP questions legal j...

» MSNBC Rips Clinton’s ‘Hamfisted’ ‘Stagecraft’ Right After Announcing She’d Be More Spontaneous
09/09/15 08:12 from Washington Free Beacon
The post MSNBC Rips Clinton’s ‘Hamfisted’ ‘Stagecraft’ Right After Announcing She’d Be More Spontaneous appeared first on Washington Free Beacon .

» Raytheon, US Navy demonstrate new electronic attack architecture using MALD-J ... - MarketWatch
09/09/15 08:05 from CyberWar - Google News
Raytheon, US Navy demonstrate new electronic attack architecture using MALD-J ... MarketWatch About RaytheonRaytheon Company, with 2014 sales of $23 billion and 61,000 employees worldwide, is a technology and innovation leader specializi...

» Pennsylvania launches cybersecurity task force for financial sector - Pittsburgh Business Times (blog)
09/09/15 08:02 from Cyberwar - Google News
Pittsburgh Business Times (blog) Pennsylvania launches cybersecurity task force for financial sector Pittsburgh Business Times (blog) The Pennsylvania Department of Banking and Securities has formed a cybersecurity task force to provide ...

» News Roundup and Notes: September 9, 2015
09/09/15 08:00 from Just Security
Nadia O'Mara Before the start of business,  Just Security  provides a curated summary of up-to-the-minute developments at home and abroad. Here’s today’s news. IRAQ and SYRIA Russian presence in Syria. Russian military experts are presen...

» Worst sandstorm in 15 years grounds all Israeli internal flights
09/09/15 07:59 from DEBKAFile
September 9, 2015, 2:59 PM (IDT) The air pollution that enveloped Israel for the second day in a row on Wednesday, September 9, is the worst that the country has suffered in 15 years. More than 550 people have been hospitalized nationwid...

» Khamenei: Israel will not exist in 25 years, US is Great Satan
09/09/15 07:55 from DEBKAFile
September 9, 2015, 2:55 PM (IDT) "God willing there will be nothing left of the Zionist regime in 25 years," Iran’s supreme leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei said in a series of tweets Wednesday. "Meanwhile, the heroic j...

» NATO and Tunisia ready to strengthen their cooperation on tackling common ... - NATO HQ (press release)
09/09/15 07:43 from nato - Google News
NATO HQ (press release) NATO and Tunisia ready to strengthen their cooperation on tackling common ... NATO HQ (press release) NATO Secretary General Jens Stoltenberg and the Minister of Foreign Affairs of the Republic of Tunisia Taieb Ba...

» Tightening up NATO–EU Relations: Opportunities and Obstacles - European Leadership Network
09/09/15 07:19 from nato - Google News
Czech Happenings Tightening up NATO –EU Relations: Opportunities and Obstacles European Leadership Network On 30 March 2015, while addressing the European Parliament in Brussels, the NATO Secretary General Jens Stoltenberg encouraged clo...

» Cybersecurity culture is a collective effort - Tech Page One
09/09/15 07:07 from cybersecurity - Google News
Cybersecurity culture is a collective effort Tech Page One Cybersecurity involves many different technical and informational solutions that must be adopted and implemented to position an organization for the greatest chance of resiliency...

» Queen Elizabeth II surpasses Queen Victoria's long reign
09/09/15 07:03 from News - Stripes
Queen Elizabeth II surpasses Queen Victoria's long reign Queen Elizabeth II reached a major milestone Wednesday, becoming the longest-reigning monarch in Britain's history by passing Queen Victoria, who served for 63 years and seven mont...

» Russia eludes US ban on NATO airspace by roundabout route to Syria via Iraq and Iran 
09/09/15 06:47 from DEBKAFile
September 9, 2015, 1:47 PM (IDT) Moscow opened a new route for flying military shipments from Sevastopol in Crimea and other South Russian bases to Syria, debka file discloses. To circumvent US efforts to block the airspace of ...

» Deputy Director of CIA to Speak at Cornell - ithaca.com
09/09/15 06:29 from cia - Google News
ithaca.com Deputy Director of CIA to Speak at Cornell ithaca.com The CIA's efforts to protect and promote U.S. national security continue to reap both praise and controversy. As part of this on-going national discussion, Deputy Direc...

» Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty: Sea breeze military drills bring US, NATO to ... - Kyiv Post
09/09/15 06:21 from nato - Google News
Kyiv Post Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty: Sea breeze military drills bring US, NATO to ... Kyiv Post Some 2,500 U.S., Ukrainian, and NATO troops are taking part in Sea Breeze 2015, a two-week military exercise in the Black Sea and Ukrai...

» Europe's first 'growth hacking' academy has opened in Amsterdam - Business Insider
09/09/15 06:18 from Cyberwar - Google News
Business Insider Europe's first 'growth hacking ' academy has opened in Amsterdam Business Insider As of today, university students in the Netherlands will be able to apply for a new educational program centered around 'g...

» After two-year siege, rebels conquer Syrian airbase in Idlib
09/09/15 06:06 from DEBKAFile
September 9, 2015, 1:06 PM (IDT) Syria’s state-run television station announced on Wednesday that government forces had withdrawn from the Abu al-Duhur air force base in Idlib province, located in the northwestern part of the count...

» Global stocks rally as investors scent fresh stimulus
09/09/15 05:04 from Search Results
Global stocks rally as investors scent fresh stimulus Oil markets rise as Asian stocks soar China state planner chairman says economy fundamentally healthy Khamenei says Iran will not negotiate with U.S. beyond nuclear talks Moscow accus...

» DHS ‘Confused’ About What a Warehouse Is
09/09/15 05:00 from Washington Free Beacon
The Department of Homeland Security (DHS) cannot effectively manage its warehouse space, in part due to “confusion” about what the definition of a warehouse is, according to a new audit. The post DHS ‘Confused’ About What a Warehouse Is ...

» Report: Kasich Once Proposed Freeze on Israel Military Aid
09/09/15 05:00 from Washington Free Beacon
Gov. John Kasich of Ohio is reported to have proposed freezing U.S. military aid to Israel while he was serving on the House Budget Committee, a recommendation that would make him an outlier in the 2016 Republican primary field. The post...

» Street Posters to Advertise Iran as ‘America’s Newest Ally’ at Trump, Cruz Rally
09/09/15 05:00 from Washington Free Beacon
Posters advertising Iran as “America’s newest ally” will be showcased in Washington, D.C., starting Wednesday at the rally against the deal on Capitol Hill that Republican presidential candidates Donald Trump and Ted Cruz will attend. Th...

» Global Anti-Semitism Now Has a Leader - The Jewish Voice
09/09/15 04:30 from anti-Americanism - Google News
Global Anti-Semitism Now Has a Leader The Jewish Voice In addition to the shared Aryanism myth, other core themes revolved around the symbiosis between anti-Semitism and anti-Americanism . “Every American who comes to the Orient does so ...

» 9 September 2015
09/09/15 04:14 from Drones | World news | The Guardian 
9 September 2015 Analysis Drone strikes by UK and Pakistan point to Obama's counter-terror legacy Countries’ attacks on their own citizens vindicate those who warned that the US president’s signature practice would echo around the world ...

» Cybersecurity Index Beats S&P 500 by 120%. Here's Why, in Charts - Wall Street Journal (blog)
09/09/15 03:52 from cybersecurity - Google News
Wall Street Journal (blog) Cybersecurity Index Beats S&P 500 by 120%. Here's Why, in Charts Wall Street Journal (blog) Bank of America Merrill Lynch has put together a 195-page report on cybersecurity . It notes that, since Since...

» Is the Islamic State a Cyber Threat? - War on the Rocks
09/09/15 03:52 from CyberWar - Google News
War on the Rocks Is the Islamic State a Cyber Threat? War on the Rocks Both the video and ISIL's threats were generally greeted with deep skepticism by most Western cybersecurity experts. One prominent writer on cyber issues criticiz...

» CIA swimmers take fifth at championships - DesMoinesRegister.com
09/09/15 03:31 from cia - Google News
DesMoinesRegister.com CIA swimmers take fifth at championships DesMoinesRegister.com Central Iowa Aquatics had 13 swimmers representing Team Iowa at the 14-and-under long course central zone championship Aug. 7-9 at the University of Min...

» ANALYSIS
09/09/15 02:59 from News - Stripes
ANALYSIS For Hillary Clinton, an apology at last for email controversy Hillary Rodham Clinton's late-arriving mea culpa came just 24 hours after she insisted in an interview with The Associated Press she didn't need to apologize because ...

» Cybersecurity Czar Richard Clarke to Keynote at HIMSS Privacy & Security Forum ... - Press Release Rocket
09/09/15 02:11 from CyberWar - Google News
Cybersecurity Czar Richard Clarke to Keynote at HIMSS Privacy & Security Forum ... Press Release Rocket Clarke served in the Pentagon, the State Department, the Intelligence Community, and the White House, then went on to act as an o...

» Moscow asks Bulgaria to clarify denial of Russian over-flights
09/09/15 02:05 from DEBKAFile
September 9, 2015, 9:05 AM (IDT) Russian Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs Mikhail Bogdanov demanded clarifications from Sofia on its decision to block Bulgarian airspace to Russian planes. Last week, NATO member Bulgaria refused permis...

» MALI: Feuds, Fanatics And The Phantom Peace
09/09/15 01:46 from StrategyPage.com

» WINNING: An Offer You Cannot Refuse
09/09/15 01:45 from StrategyPage.com

» COUNTER-TERRORISM: Shoot First, Shoot To Kill And Aim For The Leaders
09/09/15 01:45 from StrategyPage.com

» LEADERSHIP: E Is For Expeditionary
09/09/15 01:44 from StrategyPage.com

» CIA interrogation tactics that can be used at home - The Detroit News
09/09/15 01:38 from cia - Google News
The Detroit News CIA interrogation tactics that can be used at home The Detroit News Houston, co-author with Michael Floyd and Susan Carnicero of the best-seller “Spy the Lie” and now the new book, “Get the Truth: Former CIA Officers Tea...

» Hacker mag 2600 laughs off Getty Images inkspots copyright claim - The Register
09/09/15 01:03 from Cyberwar - Google News
The Register Hacker mag 2600 laughs off Getty Images inkspots copyright claim The Register Venerable hacker publication 2600 is fighting off what looks like an early candidate for the most egregious copyright infringement accusation of 2...

» Islamic State forces are engaging in chemical warfare, says German intelligence
09/09/15 01:03 from intelNews.org
Germany’s foreign intelligence agency says it has evidence that the Islamic State is making use of chemical weapons in northern Iraq, according to media reports.

» Asian stocks catch a lift from US, Europe; Nikkei soars
09/09/15 00:57 from Search Results
Asian stocks catch a lift from US, Europe; Nikkei soars Lockheed Martin to lay off 500 in information systems, government services unit: source Oil markets rise as Asian stock markets catch a tailwind Operation to steady China stocks a s...

» ALB Japan In-House Legal Summit 2015 - Legal Business Online
09/09/15 00:37 from CyberWar - Google News
Legal Business Online ALB Japan In-House Legal Summit 2015 Legal Business Online Dr. Kozlovski is an expert investor in Cyber Security and a teaching professor on Internet and Cyber Law, Information technology and innovation, with experi...

» Credit union ranked poorly; cybersecurity task force established; new cardiac ICU - Pittsburgh Post-Gazette
09/09/15 00:05 from cybersecurity - Google News
Pittsburgh Post-Gazette Credit union ranked poorly; cybersecurity task force established; new cardiac ICU Pittsburgh Post-Gazette The Pennsylvania Department of Banking and Securities has formed a cybersecurity task force to help financi...

» Britain ‘Wouldn’t Hesitate’ to Carry Out More Drone Strikes in Syria, Minister Says
09/09/15 00:00 from NYT > Islamic State in Iraq and Syria (ISIS)
The defense minister said the terrorist threat against his country justified actions like the strike on Aug. 21 that killed three suspected members of the Islamic State.

» A New Wave of Migrants Flees Iraq, Yearning for Europe
09/09/15 00:00 from NYT > Islamic State in Iraq and Syria (ISIS)
Emboldened by media coverage showing their countrymen and fellow Arabs fleeing the war in Syria, many who had resisted leaving during past crises now see a chance to go.

» Britain Won’t ‘Hesitate’ on Drone Strikes in Syria
09/09/15 00:00 from NYT > Islamic State in Iraq and Syria (ISIS)
The defense minister said the threat against his country justified actions like the Aug. 21 strike that killed three people suspected of being Islamic State members.

» China Flexes Tech Muscles Before State Visit With Meeting of Industry Giants
09/09/15 00:00 from NYT > Cyberwarfare
As President Xi Jinping of China prepared to visit the United States, Washington warned of possible sanctions over digital attacks. Beijing pushed back by organizing a tech forum of industry leaders.

» China Flexes Tech Muscles Before a State Visit
09/09/15 00:00 from NYT > Cyberwarfare
As President Xi Jinping prepared to visit the United States, Washington warned of possible sanctions over digital attacks. Beijing pushed back by organizing a technology forum of industry leaders.

» FBI used Burning Man to field-test new surveillance equipment - Boing Boing
08/09/15 23:49 from fbi - Google News
FBI used Burning Man to field-test new surveillance equipment Boing Boing The FBI's 2012 file on its Burning Man surveillance, obtained via Freedom of Information Act requests, reveals that America's domestic spy agency for at le...