Pakistan’s Daily Security Briefs: May 4, 2015

The Pakistan Daily Security Briefs for May 4, 2015, have been compiled by Iqtidar Kahn, assistant editor of The Bureau of Investigative Reporting. They are made available at 4:00pm local time.

I include them here as this news most-likely will not be reported by US-based media. Information here have been collected by Kahn, including articles that have appeared in foreign press.

Enjoy reading the other side’s perspective, what is important to them, and about conflicts that you just won’t find anywhere else.

Editorial Snapshot

Polio watch: A three day polio campaign will begin in certain sensitive Union Councils (UCs) of Karachi from today. Fingers crossed for no casualties.

Senate, the upper house of parliament, to meet today:  The Senate session, which was summoned by the President last Thursday, is going to meet today at 16:00 hours local time.

Defense Early Bird Briefs – May 4, 2015

The following information was collected and compiled by the editors of the Defense and Military Times magazine. Known as the Early Bird Briefs, this was edited by Oriana Pawlyk (opawlyk@militarytimes.com) from The Military Times Magazine. I present it here as it appears from my email.

The editors over at the Military Times compile news by branch of service, by country, by industry contracts, by pending legislation in Congress or the Senate, etc. from many major news outlets, major blogs, and from the Department of Defense and its own publication, Military Times. 

Here are the Top 5. Click on “Continue Reading” link will take you to the rest of today’s news.

** Note: The Military Times is not affiliated with any government site. While there might be links to government sites, Military Times is published by Gannett Government Media, which is a subsidiary of Gannett Co., Inc.

TODAY’S TOP FIVE NEWS STORIES:

142 U.S. troops involved with Nepal earthquake relief

(Military Times) There are 142 U.S. service members currently involved in earthquake relief efforts in Nepal, according to U.S. Pacific Command. That breaks down to 86 Marines, 38 soldiers and 18 airmen, PACOM spokesman Army Maj. David Eastburn told Military Times on Sunday. 

 

Mysterious new force emerges in Yemen to fight rebels

(Los Angeles Times) A shadowy new pro-government force has been deployed in the embattled Yemeni port city of Aden, according to reports Sunday, sparking speculation that ground troops from the Saudi-led coalition may have joined the battle against Houthi rebels and their allies. Saudi Arabia, however, denied that it had sent ground forces to Aden or any other part of Yemen. 

 

Afghan security forces suffer record casualties

(USA Today) Afghan security forces have suffered record casualties this year as they combat Taliban rebels largely without the benefit of U.S. air power and other international military support they had come to rely on in the past, U.S. and Afghan officials said. 

 

US advisers hope realistic training scenarios help Iraqi troops face Islamic State fighters

(Stars & Stripes) With live explosives, smoke and rocket fire from helicopter gunships, American troops and their international partners are trying to give Iraqi soldiers a realistic idea of what they can expect when they take on Islamic State militants. 

 

Signs Point to Dunford as Next JCS Chairman

(Defense News) Gen. Joseph Dunford, the commandant of the Marine Corps, is at the top of the list to become the next Joint Chiefs chairman, according to several sources. 

This Week in Defense News with Vago Muraudian

 

DoD’s New Cyber Strategy

(Defense News) The Atlantic Council’s Steve Grundman and Capital Alpha Partners’ Byron Callan discuss Defense Secretary Ash Carter’s recently unveiled cyber initiative for the Pentagon. 

 

Improving USMC Amphibious Capabilities

(Defense News) Maj. Gen. Robert Walsh, director of Navy expeditionary warfare, on how the Marine Corps is improving its amphibious skills. 

 

Navy’s New Missile Sub

(Defense News) Rear Adm. Joseph Tofalo, director of Navy undersea warfare, on core missile sub requirements. 

 

Vago’s Notebook: New DoD Cyber Strategy

(Defense News) Culture change is needed at the Pentagon and Silicon Valley for Ash Carter’s new cyber strategy to succeed. 

CONTINUE READING…

Defense Early Bird Briefs – April 14, 2015

Welcome to Defense and Military Times” all new Early Bird Brief, the mos comprehensive roundup of national and international headlines compiled by the world’s largest independent newsroom covering the global defense industry and military affairs. Please share your thoughts direectly with Early Bird Editor Oriana Pawlyk: opawlyk@militarytimes.com.

Today’s Top 5

Iraqi leader arrives in Washington at turning point in ISIL battle (Politico) Iraqi Prime Minister Haider al-Abadi is visiting Washington Tuesday at a crucial moment in the war against the Islamic State.

Putin Lifts Ban on Russian Missile Sales to Iran (New York Times) President Vladimir Putin on Monday approved the delivery of a sophisticated air defense missile system to Iran, potentially complicating negotiations on Tehran’s nuclear program and further straining ties with Washington.

VA whistleblowers allege continued attacks, failures (Military Times) Last July, when Dr. Christian Head testified before Congress about improper record keeping at the Greater Los Angeles Veterans Affairs Health Care system, he also detailed what department whistleblowers typically face when they speak out: isolation, defamation, and aggressive attacks.

The sequestration monster myth (Politico) Defense Secretary Ash Carter warns that sequestration will make the nation “less secure.” Sen. John McCain says it will set the military “on a far more dangerous course.” And Joint Chiefs Chairman Gen. Martin Dempsey says it will prompt “a dramatic change in how we protect our nation.” There’s just one problem: The sequestration monster lurking around the corner isn’t really coming.

Best for Vets: Employers 2015 rankings are out (Military Times) With the unemployment rate for the latest generation of veterans routinely running below 7 percent, companies across all industries have realized how vets can boost bottom lines – and they’re fighting to bring people like you onboard.

Breaking: Egypt Hellfire Sale OK’d By State Deptartment Amid Yemen Strikes

By Aaron Mehta
Defense News (A Gannett Company)
1:48 p.m. EDT April 8, 2015 

 

An MH-60S Seahawk helicopter fires an AGM-114 Hellfire air-to-surface missile at simulated enemy personnel during a live-fire, close-air support training at Farallon de Medinilla Target Range, Northern Mariana Islands, Dec 10, 2013. (U.S. Marine Corps photo by Cpl. Joseph Karwick)

WASHINGTON — An Egyptian procurement of 356 AGM-114K/R3 Hellfire II missiles has been cleared by the State Department, the first new procurement since the White House lifted a freeze on weapon sales to that nation.

The sale also comes as Egypt takes part in anti-militant operations in Yemen, which the US is indirectly aiding with logistical support.

If the sale is given the OK by Congress and details are worked out between the two governments, it would represent the first sale of the R model of Hellfire to Egypt. Egyptian military forces currently operate the F and K variants.

The sale, with a projected cost of $57 million, would occur under a Foreign Military Sales agreement. Lockheed Martin would be the prime contractor, with work occurring at its Orlando, Florida, facility.

The announcement of the sale, posted on the Defense Security Cooperation Agency’s website, noted that it would help “improve the security of a friendly country that has been and continues to be an important force for political stability and economic progress in the Middle East.

“Egypt will use the enhanced capability as a deterrent to regional threats and to strengthen its homeland defense,” the notice reads.

While the justification statement on weapon sales notifications are usually bland, those two statements are notable, given current events.

Continue reading (On Defense News Website) →

Defense Early Bird Briefs – April 3, 2015

 

Here are the descriptions and links to news from everything defense. Troops, military contracts, by branch of service, Congress, U.S. Senate and the Executive Branch, etc. 

I generally get this list every day before noon, and I will have it up on this site as soon as I can.

 

There is a lot of news coming out of our military and other defense issues, policies, etc. The editors over at the Military Times do a great job compiling the news by branch of service, by country, by industry contracts, by pending legislation in Congress or the Senate, and so one.

 

The following information was collected and compiled by the editors of the Defense and Military Times magazine. Known as the Early Bird Brief, this was edited by Oriana Pawlyk (opawlyk@militarytimes.com), and I present it here as it appears from my email.

TODAY’S TOP 5

1. Iran Agrees to Framework of Nuclear Deal
(New York Times) Iran and the world powers said here Thursday that they had reached a surprisingly specific and comprehensive general understanding about the next steps in limiting Tehran’s nuclear program, though Western officials said many details needed to be resolved before a final agreement in June.   

2. Saudi Air War Over Yemen Leaves U.S. on Sidelines
(Time) History makes it almost relaxing for the U.S. military to be sitting out the latest air war launched by Saudi Arabia against the Houthi rebels now occupying a growing chunk of Yemen.   

3. Kenya massacre points up country’s weakness against Somali militants(Los Angeles Times) It took just four gunmen to demonstrate Kenya’s impotence against the Somali militant group Shabab.   

4. Pentagon authorizes refueling help for Yemen campaign
(USA Today) The Pentagon has agreed to provide aerial refueling support for Saudi and allied pilots attacking Houthi rebels in Yemen, an expansion of the U.S. military’s role in the conflict, a Defense Department official said Thursday.   

5. More military tobacco restrictions likely
(Military Times) Raising tobacco prices and expanding tobacco-free areas on military bases are two options for discouraging use that will be presented to Defense Secretary Ash Carter by an advisory committee, according to a defense spokeswoman.