Late Thursday, the Obama Administration decided — even as the Pentagon is on the verge of scrapping the ban on openly gay men and women serving in the military — that it wants the judiciary to steer clear of ordering the 17-year old law unconstitutional. It’s a technical hiccup, but what it means is that the Obama Administration — …
Military
Incoming! More Defense Spending Cuts?
When we wrote in April that the U.S. could both build a smarter military and save $1 trillion in defense spending over the coming decade (out of a total of about $7 trillion), it seemed pretty radical. But President Obama has called for $400 billion in savings over the coming 12 years, and now there’s word that an even deeper …
“Stop Using My Paycheck as Your Poker Chip!”
There’s talk in Washington that the failure to raise the debt limit could lead to a halt in military paychecks. This — surprise! — does not please soldiers currently fighting or deployed elsewhere overseas.
“A-One, and a-Two, and a-Three…”
Pentagon Unveils Defensive Cyberwar Strategy
The Pentagon rolled out its new cyber-defense strategy Thursday, hyping it with the news that foreign hackers (from an unidentified country) invaded the computers of one of its (unidentified) contractors in March and pilfered 24,000 sensitive documents in one fell swoop.
Cyber-security is a Pentagon growth area, make no mistake …
Air Force Argument for New Bomber Bombs, Top General Says
Marine General James “Hoss” Cartwright, vice chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, just made a lot of enemies in the Air Force. Over breakfast Thursday, he made clear he finds the service’s push for a new manned bomber as a part of the U.S. nuclear triad less than convincing. “I’m known as a bomber-hater, I guess,” the nation’s No. …
Don’t Ask…About “Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell…”
[vodpod id=Video.13029876&w=425&h=350&fv=width%3D514%26amp%3Bheight%3D290%26amp%3Bvideo%3D2053834788%26amp%3Bplayer%3Dviral%26amp%3Bend%3D0%26amp%3Blr_admap%3Din%3Apbs%3A0]
…because it is getting really confusing, as I tried to detail Wednesday night on the PBS NewsHour, along with Aubrey Sarvis of the Servicemembers Legal Defense …
“What’s Pakistan’s Role in Afghanistan Going To Be?”
As the U.S. begins pulling troops out of Afghanistan, is Pakistan going to be a help or a hindrance to stability in the region? John Nagl of the Center for a New American Security and your Battlelander discuss the issue with Dr. Nora Bensahel, counter-insurgency expert with CNAS, and Dave Barno, retired Army lieutenant general and …
Military Suicides: The Families Left Behind
In the recent swirl of articles and blogs about the new Presidential policy on honoring those who suicide in combat with a condolence letter, there are some who may be lost: the Families. The controversy seems to be about whether or not you should “honor” the Soldier who died with a letter of condolence. Recently the White House …
China’s Rapid Space Ascent
A recent revelatory study by my colleagues Eric Hagt and Matthew Durnin to be published in the Journal of Strategic Studies (October 2011 Vol. 34) describes China’s rapid expansion of its space satellite network from humble beginnings only one decade ago. It’s constellation of reconnaissance, data-relay, navigation and communications …
Cyprus: Warnings About Iranian Gunpowder Ignored
[youtube=http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_fpDb47CtoI&feature=player_embedded]
In the daily drone of news it flitted by as an unfortunate act of God of one sect or another: at least 15 people died Monday in a blast at a major naval base in Cyprus. The blast was so fierce it blew out windows and doors of a tourist town two miles away …
Military Housing: Trials and Tribulation
Compared to many of my gay and lesbian colleagues, my time in service has treated me well. In general gay officers have it easier than our enlisted counterparts, and our options with housing play a large role.
Many newly enlisted troops are forced to live in small dorms with roommates. It’s usually not the barracks scene that …
Zero-Sum Game
We cut off funding to Pakistan last week. Guess who steps in to fill the gap this week?