Topic: U.S. Armed Forces

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China's growing military might: top 4 concerns for the Pentagon

In a report issued this week, the Department of Defense for the first time directly accused China’s military of using cyberattacks to spy on US networks. In this arena and others, “China’s military buildup shows no signs of slowing,” said David Helvey, deputy assistant secretary of Defense for East Asia, who presented the report.Here are Pentagon officials’ top four concerns as they carefully monitor the growth of China’s military.
Briefing
Chemical weapons 101: Six facts about sarin and Syria’s stockpile

President Obama said Assad's use of chemical weapons would be a 'red line' for US. Did he use sarin or any other chemical weapon against his own people?
CSMonitor editors share their favorite people to follow on Twitter

Twitter turned 7 this week. In celebration of the social network's birthday, The Christian Science Monitor compiled a list of favorite Twitter accounts. Each is informative and useful in its own way. Find out what each section recommends for you.
Top 3 threats to the United States: the good and bad news

The annual Worldwide Threat Assessment of the US Intelligence Community is out this week, a widely-anticipated report compiled by the nation’s intelligence agencies. Here is the good and bad news about the top three threats facing the United States, according to an unclassified version of the report.
Bestselling books the week of 3/10/13, according to IndieBound*

See what's selling in bookstores across America.

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War with Iran? 5 ways events overseas could shape Obama's second term.

The threat posed by Iran’s nuclear program is the most urgent example of the foreign-policy challenges that face President Obama in his second term. Here are four others.
Iran confirms clash with US drone, claims it was in Iranian airspace (+video)

The US says the drone was flying in international airspace; last year, a CIA stealth drone was brought down deep inside Iran. The aerial confrontation comes as more nuclear talks loom.
Why Pentagon won't say how it would cut $55 billion starting Jan. 1

The Pentagon may finally be planning for dreaded spending cuts set to take effect in the new year, though it is mum on any specifics. It wants Congress to come up with a different solution to US deficit spending.
Backchannels 'Cyberterror' and Chinese hackers

How scared should we be?
In Pentagon's 'pivot' toward Asia, has Europe been forgotten?

President Obama is pushing the Pentagon to look toward Asia, but some worry that US attention could overbalance away from Europe, which remains the home of many core allies.
Backchannels Aghanistan's Karzai back to antagonizing the US and attacking free speech

And why not? It's not as though his public statements cost him anything.
Syrian rebels root for Romney in hopes of US military intervention

Desperate for foreign intervention, some rebels say they hope the party that brought on the Iraq war might also bring America to Syria.
10 books to read after the election

Election season is finally almost over. Now it's time to actually tackle America's problems. Here are 10 books that offer context.
Could New Hampshire hold the key? Romney and Obama take no chances.

Both Obama and Romney are squeezing in last-minute visits to New Hampshire this weekend, and their campaigns are running at full speed. And all for 4 electoral votes.
The Monitor's View: Good riddance, Sandy. Hello sea barriers?

Individuals and government have done much that is praiseworthy in the recovery effort following superstorm Sandy. But what should be done to prevent the next disaster?
In Sandy's aftermath, military brings rescue swimmers and 'bucket trucks'

The US military has manpower, equipment, and skills that make it uniquely suited to disaster relief. In the aftermath of hurricane Sandy, it is filling in important gaps.
Opinion: Lack of US, Western intervention in Syria helps jihadists

Hillary Clinton heads to Doha, Qatar next week to push for a shakeup in the Syrian opposition. The West must step up its game by providing advanced weapons to Syrian rebels. Fears of such weapons aiding jihadist fighters are overblown, even as Western hesitancy strengthens jihadists.
No prank: On Halloween, US military forces train for zombie apocalypse

The scenario is part of a counterterrorism summit held this week. A zombie invasion would have characteristics similar to other catastrophic events and would be 'a federal incident,' a summit organizer says.
Benghazi terrorist attack follows Obama on the campaign trail

The terrorist attack on the US consulate in Benghazi, Libya, continues to follow President Obama as he faces an extremely close reelection bid and the expected onslaught of Hurricane Sandy.
Benghazi attack: Urgent call for military help ‘was denied by chain of command’

Fox News and others report that military help was available during the terrorist attack on the US consulate in Benghazi, Libya, but denied. CIA and Pentagon officials strongly deny the claim.
Russian hydroelectric project strengthens bond with Kyrgyzstan

A project to build four hydroelectric power stations will extend the Kremlin's footprint in Kyrgyzstan. Kyrgyz officials welcome the investment, which could boost their economy.
Decoder Wire Do the numbers of Obama's $4 trillion deficit plan add up?

Deficit plans are never set in stone and often more a statement of policy values than a fiscal blueprint. President Obama's is no different. But digging into it offers interesting insight.
5 national security issues next president must tackle

President Obama and Mitt Romney battle over foreign policy issues in the third and final presidential debate. No matter who wins the presidential election November 6, Mr. Romney or Mr. Obama will have to confront five urgent national security issues in the first weeks of his term.
'Fortress Israel' and 'The Generals'

Authors Patrick Tyler and Thomas E. Ricks examine Israeli and U.S. militarism through the country's commanders.
Foreign affairs: 23 new books I wish Obama and Romney would read

In preparation for the upcoming presidential debate on foreign policy, check out these 23 books that offer the kind of nuance and context mostly overlooked during a campaign.
George McGovern: A war hero who fought for peace

Former US Senator George McGovern was a war hero who inspired many in his opposition to the Vietnam War. Always a proud liberal, he was crushed in his 1972 challenge to Richard Nixon.
Student loans: Even military worries about rising debt

Student loans come with protections for US troops, but loan companies seem to be misleading them, a new Pentagon report says. Student loans, held by 41 percent of troops, are among their top concerns.
Should military veterans endorse presidential candidates?

A provocative new study examines some potential pitfalls when retired military veterans wade into political campaigning. Endorsements could erode trust in the military, the report finds.
Arrests of US sailors in Okinawa reignites opposition to bases (+video)

The arrests in Okinawa of two US sailors on suspicion of raping a local woman are adding to longstanding frustrations by local Japanese with the US military presence there.
9/11 cases: Khalid Sheikh Mohammed speaks in court, lectures judge

The accused 9/11 mastermind had skipped pretrial hearings at Guantánamo, but he made a surprise showing Wednesday afternoon and addressed the court. Khalid Sheikh Mohammed had some counsel for the judge.