The Case Against WikiLeaks Suspect Bradley Manning Continues

Judge Refuses To Dismiss Charges Against WikiLeaks Suspect Bradley Manning -- Washington Post

A military judge refused Tuesday to toss out the case against WikiLeaks suspect Bradley Manning but ruled that any sentence the Army private receives should be reduced by 112 days because of his mistreatment in confinement.

Manning’s confinement at a military jail in Quantico, Va., was “more rigorous than necessary,” said Army Col. Denise Lind, the military judge presiding over the hearing at Fort Meade, Md. Maintaining him in suicide risk over mental health recommendations “became excessive in relation to legitimate government interests.”

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More News On The Trial Of Wikileaks Suspect Bradley Manning

Judge denies Manning motion to dismiss charges in WikiLeaks case -- NBC
WikiLeaks soldier's sentence reduced - if convicted -- Reuters
WikiLeaks: Bradley Manning was treated improperly in lockup, judge rules -- Christian Science Monitor
Judge: Army GI in WikiLeaks Illegally Punished -- ABC News/AP
Bradley Manning awarded sentencing credit by judge -- Politico
Bradley Manning ensured leaks would not harm US, lawyer insists -- The Guardian

Former British Military Chiefs Warn That National Security Is Being Compromised By Budget Defense Cuts

Defence Of UK Has Diminished 'To A Perilous Degree', Warn Former Armed Forces Bosses As They Hit Out At Cuts In Spending And Lack Of Investment -- Daily Mail

* Damning report by former defence chiefs calls for investment to plug gaps
* They warn national security is being 'severely compromised' by the cuts
* Armed Forces are the 'Cinderella' and 'sacrificial lamb' of the public services'

The Armed Forces' ability to defend the country has diminished to a 'perilous degree' because of spending cuts, former defence chiefs have warned.

They argue in a damning report from the UK National Defence Association (UKDA) that investment is needed to plug gaps in the Royal Navy, Army and Royal Air Force created by the funding squeeze.

The UKNDA's chief executive, Commander John Muxworthy, branded the Armed Forces a 'sacrificial lamb' and 'Cinderella of the public services', and said the nation's security is being 'severely compromised'.

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Update: Military chiefs call for reversal of defence cuts -- The Guardian

My Comment: The British government is not paying any attention to them. The cuts are here to stay.

Are British Military Forces At Risk Of A 'Fatal' Cyber-Attack

UK Armed Forces At Risk Of 'Fatal' Cyber-Attack, MPs Warn -- The Guardian

Defence select committee says there are worrying gaps in MoD's cyber-strategy and calls for urgent ministerial intervention.

Britain's armed forces are at risk of being "fatally compromised" by a sustained cyber-attack because the military is dependent on technology that has no proven back-up, MPs have warned .

The potential vulnerability must be addressed urgently, according to the Commons defence select committee, as part of a broader effort across government to face up to the threats posed from cyberspace.

In a withering critique of the government's cyber-strategy, the committee concludes: "The government needs to put in place – as it has not yet done – mechanisms, people, education, skills, thinking and policies which take into account both the opportunities and the vulnerabilities that cyber presents. It is time the government approached this subject with vigour."

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More News On British MPs Being Warned That The UK Armed Forces Are At Risk Of A 'Fatal' Cyber-Attack

British military at risk from cyber attack - watchdog -- Reuters
Reliance on computers could see Armed Forces 'fatally compromised' by terrorists mounting cyber attack -- Daily Mail
U.K. Must Focus on Defense Cyber Security, Lawmakers Say -- Bloomberg Businessweek
Cyber attack could defeat UK armed forces, MPs warned -- Scotsman
Cyber Attack Threat: UK Armed Forces Warned -- SKY News

Military Scientists On The Frontline

What Do UK's Military Scientists Do On The Frontline? -- BBC

It's a little known fact that the UK Ministry of Defence deploys scientists to the frontline in Iraq and Afghanistan. But what do military science advisers do?

To find out, Quentin Cooper from BBC Radio 4's Material World programme interviewed Nick Barrett, programme leader for support to operations at the Defence Science and Technology Laboratory (DSTL).

QC: Nick, a lot of us are used to the idea that alongside soldiers there are embedded journalists. But aside from medics and engineers, we don't really hear about scientists going to war.

NB: I guess it's not something which has received a lot of media attention in the past, but it's a growing capability. It's a growing initiative to send scientists on to the front line to assist and support our troops.

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My Comment: Fascinating reading .... there is a lot of smart people out there who are risking their lives everyday to better protect the soldiers.

Picture Of The Day

RUNNING LAPS

U.S. sailors run laps around the ship during physical training aboard the guided-missile cruiser USS Mobile Bay in the U.S. 5th Fleet area of responsibility, Jan. 5, 2012. The sailors are assigned to the 1st Class Petty Officer Mess and the Chief’s Mess. The Mobile Bay is deployed with the John C. Stennis Carrier Strike Group to conduct maritime security operations, theater security cooperation efforts and support missions for Operation Enduring Freedom. U.S. Navy photo by Petty Officer 2nd Class Armando Gonzales

Flying A B-2

We Fly A B-2 Stealth Bomber -- Popular Mechanics

More people have been to space than have flown in a B-2 stealth bomber. PopMech gets an extremely rare ride, flying a B-2 training mission and going behind the scenes to meet the people (and dogs) who've kept the B-2 at the forefront of American power projection for 20 years.

I Am Spirit 544

I never expected to step inside the cockpit of a B-2 Spirit, the Pentagon's long-range stealth bomber. So you can imagine the shock of being at 27,000 feet and hearing an Air Force pilot tell me over the cockpit intercom, "Okay, you have the jet."

I place one suddenly damp left hand on the throttle and the right on the stick, taking nominal control of a $2 billion aircraft. There are only 20 B-2s in the Air Force arsenal, including a second B-2 flying formation with us, slicing through clouds a scant 4 miles ahead. It occurs to me that with some exceptionally bad luck, I could endanger one-tenth of the American B-2 fleet and cause a rebalance in global military power.

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My Comment: That must have been one cool ride.

How To Fly A U-2 Spy Plane

How To Fly A U-2 Spy Plane -- Jalopnik

Got your eye on a sweet used '59 U-2 spy plane you saw on Craigslist? Would you go ahead and take the plunge if you just, you know, knew how to fly it? Then boy, are you in luck.

That's because a couple days ago an entire flight manual for the U-2 from 1959 was declassified and released by the CIA. You can tell it's declassified because on each page where the word "secret" appears, someone has carefully drawn a line through it. We've got a copy here for you.

The U-2 is, of course, one of the most legendary and well-known aircraft of all time. It was one of the first true purpose-built spy planes, created at the height of the Cold War to fly over the Soviets and snap photos at high enough altitudes to prevent them from finding out or shooting it down. Of course, the U-2 may best be known for the time that both the finding out and shooting down part actually happened in 1960 over the Soviet Union.

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My Comment: Amazing .... this was classified super-duper top secret 50 years ago .... and now it can be read by anyone in the world.

Al Qaeda's Affiliate Is Rising In Syria

Analysis: Study Shows Rise Of al Qaeda Affiliate In Syria -- CNN

A jihadist group with links to al Qaeda has become the most effective of the different factions fighting the regime, according to a new analysis, and now has some 5,000 fighters.

The group is Jabhat al-Nusra, which was designated an al Qaeda affiliate by the United States government last month. It is led by veterans of the Iraqi insurgency "and has shown itself to be the principal force against Assad and the Shabiha," according to the study.

CNN obtained an advance copy of the analysis, set to be released Tuesday by the Quilliam Foundation, a counterterrorism policy institute based in London.

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More News On The Rise Of Jabhat al-Nusra

Syria conflict: New insight into shadowy jihadist group -- BBC
Al-Qaeda Affiliated Jihadist Group Gaining Power in Syria -- Al Gemeiner
Syria conflict: New insight into shadowy jihadist group -- Updated News
Syrian Jihadist Al-Nusra Militants Execute Three Assad Soldiers [VIDEO] -- IBTimes
New jihadist group emerges in Syria -- Threat Matrix

Pentagon To Accelerate Special Ops in 35 African Countries

Hagel's Nomination Signals Intent To Accelerate Ops In 35 African Countries -- Business Insider

In the weeks leading up to Chuck Hagel's nomination, the Pentagon announced plans to put specialized Army troops in 35 countries in Africa.

Though the announcement came on Christmas Eve and didn't receive much attention, it still serves as a hint of what's to come under a Hagel-run Pentagon — that is, conservative deployment of U.S. troops.

The mission for these troops is loosely noncombat, and primarily to train organic security forces to quell Islamic insurgent activity, which somewhat parallels operations during the Banana Wars of about a century ago.

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My Comment: The American public and Congress should demand a debate and discussion on  this policy shift .... but considering that this news was released on Christmas Eve .... I guess everyone had other priorities.

Rwanda Wants No NATO Drones Flying Near Their Border With The Congo

Rwanda Opposes Use Of Drones By The U.N. In Eastern Congo -- Reuters

Rwanda on Tuesday opposed the use of surveillance drones in eastern Congo as proposed by the United Nations until there is a full assessment of their use, saying it did not want Africa to become a laboratory for foreign intelligence devices.

Envoys said U.N. peacekeeping chief Herve Ladsous told the Security Council during a closed-door session that the U.N mission in the Democratic Republic of Congo plans to deploy three unmanned aerial vehicles, also known as drones, in the country's conflict-torn eastern provinces.

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My Comment: Rwanda supports rebel groups like M23in in eastern Congo .... they do not want the photographic evidence that would implicate them in this involvement. Hence ... the opposition to have these drones flying around without their input (or restrictions).

President Obama's National Security Nominations Will Face Some Senate Opposition

Chuck Hagel And John Brennan Nominations Set Up Showdown With GOP -- The Guardian

President's picks to lead Pentagon and CIA face opposition from lawmakers who disapprove of proposed national security team

President Barack Obama was finalising his second-term national security team on Monday with the nomination of Chuck Hagel as defense secretary and counter-terrorism adviser John Brennan as head of the CIA – and in the process opens a new front in his bitter fight with Republicans in Congress.

After losing a bruising battle to nominate Susan Rice as Hillary Clinton's replacement at the State Department, Obama will name Hagel –
a decorated war hero – as head of the Pentagon, despite vows of resistance from Republicans who accuse the former Nebraska senator of opposing measures to stop Iran obtaining a nuclear capability and of offering less than rock-solid support for Israel.

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My Comment: The Democrat controlled U.S. Senate is not going to deny President Obama his national security team. but the confirmation process is going to be interesting .... and I predict very informative on where U.S. national security policies are heading.

Asia's Arms Race (Graphic)

(Click on Image to Enlarge)

My Comment: The graph on China is jaw-dropping. In 2 years they will be spending more money on their military than everyone in Asia combined. Their only competitor in Asia will be the U.S., and one must wonder on how long will it take for the Chinese to even surpass the U.S..

Is The U.S. Serious About Leaving Afghanistan Completely?

White House: No US Troops An Option For Afghanistan -- Voice of America

WHITE HOUSE — Three days before Afghanistan's president, Hamid Karzai, meets with President Barack Obama in Washington, White House officials said Tuesday that the United States is considering all options, including potentially leaving no troops in Afghanistan beyond 2014 when foreign combat forces are to leave.

The United States and Afghanistan are negotiating details of a bilateral security agreement, including the scope of a potential U.S. troop presence, after 2014.

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More News On Reports That The U.S. Is Considering A Complete Withdrawal From Afghanistan

U.S. doesn't rule out complete pullout from Afghanistan after 2014 -- Reuters
U.S. considering no troops in Afghanistan -- Army Times/AP
White House open to full Afghanistan withdrawal after 2014 -- NBC
U.S. May Remove All Troops From Afghanistan After 2014 -- FOX News/CNN
Obama Weighs Leaving No Troops in Afghanistan After 2014 -- Bloomberg Businessweek
WH considering withdrawing all troops from Afghanistan -- CBS News
Afghanistan US Troop Exit May Be Rapid -- ABC News
US contemplates Afghanistan military withdrawal on eve of Karzai visit -- The Guardian
US considering 'zero' option for Afghanistan in 2014 -- The Telegraph
White House weighs total Afghan pullout -- Financial Times
Some in Obama administration push for only a few thousand U.S. troops in Afghanistan after 2014 -- Washington Post
A 'Zero Option' for Afghanistan: Yes, President Karzai, we might pull out completely. -- David W. Barno, Foreign Policy

Comparing Syria's War Dead With Other Past Civil Wars

By The Numbers: Syria Deaths -- CNN Staff

More than 60,000 people have been killed in Syria since unrest began in the country nearly two years ago, according to the latest estimate from the United Nations.

And that might actually be an "underestimate," according to U.N. High Commissioner for Human Rights Navi Pillay, who reported the statistics this year. She said Syria's raging civil war has made it "increasingly challenging" to collect accurate and reliable data.

But even if that number is on the low side, it does provide a way to put Syria's conflict in historical context.

Take a look at Syria's statistics below and see how they compare with statistics from another recent civil war (Libya), civil wars in countries of similar size (Yugoslavia in the 1990s and Spain in the 1930s) and even the Civil War in the United States.

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My Comment: Sobering statistics, and a heads-up on how bloody the Syrian civil war can become.

Visualizing 38 Million Deaths From 25 Conflicts Over 100 Years Using Blood And Dining Room Table

(Click on Image to Enlarge)

WNU Editor: From Feelguide ....

.... The past century has seen more death, war, atrocity, and spilled blood than we can even wrap our heads around, but this new inforgraphic entitled “100 Years of World Cuisine” makes an excellent attempt at doing just that. By using various volumes of blood to match the proportion of deaths that occurred in each tragedy, it hits the message home of the massive scale of tragedy that we have inflicted on ourselves over the past century. Artists Clara Kayser-Bril, Nicolas Kayser-Bril and Marion Kotlarski, explicitly wanted to associate a “shocking, gory picture, like the reality of war” to these statistical numbers, a “context, like a scale on which we could visualize each conflict next to the others.” You can learn more at 100YearsOfWorldCuisine.com.

Last Year's Libyan Revolution Casualties Lower Than Expected

Libyan Revolution Casualties Lower Than Expected, Says New Government -- The Guardian

Deputy minister of martyrs says 4,700 rebel supporters died and 2,100 are missing, down from 2011's estimate of 25,000.

Libya's new government has drastically reduced its estimate of the number of people who were killed in the revolution against Muammar Gaddafi's regime, concluding that 4,700 rebel supporters died and 2,100 are missing, with unconfirmed similar casualty figures on the opposing side.

Miftah Duwadi, the deputy minister of martyrs and missing persons, told the Libya Herald newspaper that the numbers for revolutionary losses were still being checked but officials did not expect any major changes.

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My Comment: 10,000 killed and missing .... it could have been worse.

Happy Birthday Kim Jong-un (Maybe)

North Korean leader Kim Jong-un delivering a New Year's Day address in Pyongyang last week. Photo: KNS

The Missing Brothers Of Kim Jong-un -- Sydney Morning Herald

Kim Jong-un is portrayed in North Korea's official state media as a leader without comparison, blessed with a supreme bloodline, flanked by a supportive wife and endowed with the "brilliant" ability to revamp the economy, command an army and guide the space program.

But one thing is notably absent from these descriptions: any mention of his two brothers, both of whom were once rumoured to be heirs to the family-run empire.

As Kim prepares for his nationally celebrated birthday on Tuesday, thought to be his 30th, his brothers are far away from the state-sanctioned spotlight, one living in secrecy in North Korea, the other apparently moving between China and Singapore.

Read more ....

Update: Kim Jong Un Sends Birthday Candy To North Korean Children In Honor Of His Day Of Birth: Report -- Huffington Post

WNU Editor: Here is a photo gallery of Kim Jung-un

Commentaries, Opinions, And Editorials -- January 8, 2013

Karzai Meets Obama: How Will They Shape A Post-2014 Afghanistan? -- Scott Peterson, Christian Science Monitor

Few appear to believe the Taliban can regain power after 2014, when the US withdraws most of its troops. What's key, some say, is developing a US-Afghan partnership that will survive.

Afghan President Hamid Karzai's visit to Washington this week will shape the future of Afghanistan, as he and Obama determine the number and role – if any – of US forces in Afghanistan post-2014.

After more than a decade of war and costly efforts to build infrastructure and train Afghan security forces that now number 350,000, the view from Kabul is still mixed. Many are concerned about what will happen when the bulk of the 66,000 remaining US troops will be withdrawn by the end of 2014. Others believe that Afghanistan is ready to stand on its own.

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Commentaries, Opinions, And Editorials

To deter extremists in Syria, Obama must heed lessons of Kosovo intervention -- Andrew Burt, Christian Science Monitor

Maliki's dangerous game is increasing sectarian dangers -- Ranj Alaaldin,

Effectively Confronting Tehran: Try attacking the Revolutionary Guard and negotiating with the government. -- Daniel Pipes, NRO

Doing a big favor for Kim Jong Un: How Eric Schmidt and Bill Richardson are playing into the dictator's hands. -- John Bolton, New York Daily News

Border raids give India-Pakistan peace process a reality check -- Shivam Vij, Christian Science Monitor

“Never Again” in Kenya? -- Juliet Torome, Project Syndicate

Connecting the dots in Somalia, Ethiopia and Kenya -- Abukar Arman, The Commentator

In Socialist France, Investors And Entrepreneurs Are An Endangered Species -- Sylvain Charatelection, Forbes

Depardieu's puzzling love for Russia -- Matthew Fraser, CNN

Terrorists to Bounce Back in 2013 -- Rohan Gunaratna, National Interest

Nominations for Defense and the C.I.A. -- New York Times editorial

The Disengagers: Kerry, Hagel, and the end of American military adventurism? -- David Rothkopf, Foreign Policy

World News Briefs -- January 8, 2013

Ailing Chávez To Miss Presidential Inauguration -- Wall Street Journal

CARACAS—President Hugo Chávez recovering from cancer surgery in Cuba, will miss his scheduled inauguration for a new six-year term on Thursday and has requested to be sworn in at a later date, setting off accusations by the opposition that the delay violates the Constitution.

The announcement, read to legislators on Tuesday by National Assembly head Diosdado Cabello, comes as uncertainty builds up over the state of Mr. Chávez's health and the future of his socialist revolution. The letter from Vice President Nicolás Maduro sought to postpone the swearing in ceremony, scheduled to occur before the National Assembly on Thursday, to a later date in front of the nation's Supreme Court. He didn't specify a new date.

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MIDDLE EAST

U.S. troops arrive in Turkey to help protect border with Syria, prompting some skepticism.

Syria crisis: Food aid 'cannot reach a million people'.

Morsy backs Syrian calls for al-Assad to face war crimes trial.

Iran, Syria, not settlements, threaten world: Israel PM.

Iranian oil revenues 'drop 45%' because of sanctions.

Kurdish militants attack Turkish outpost, 13 killed.

Iraqi troops shoot into air to scatter protesters.

Egypt foils bomb plot near Gaza border.

Kuwait sentences second man to jail for insulting emir.

ASIA

Australian heatwave puts south-east on alert as wildfires burn out of control.

North India cold snap toll rises to 170.

Lawyers agree to defend India rape suspects.

India says troops killed in Kashmir skirmish. India says Pakistani troops entered its territory in Kashmir, killed 2 soldiers.

Myanmar rebels say government continues offensive.

US considers leaving no troops in Afghanistan.

Obama to meet Afghan President Karzai on Friday: White House.

British soldier killed in Afghanistan in suspected 'green on blue' attack.

Tokyo protests to China over 4 ships near islands.

Ex-governor in North Korea with Google chief; seeks American's release.

India: Maoist rebels kill seven paramilitary soldiers.

Five accused in India rape case charged in court.

North Korean students show Google chief how they search web.

AFRICA

Malian army attacks Islamist rebels in the north.

Qatar increases aid to Egypt to $5bn.

Food aid pillaged in Central Africa: UN.

C. African rebel spokesman: we could take capital.

CAR prepares for peace talks as rebels threaten capital.

Rebels capture Mali government troops.

South Sudan sees northern border zone within a month.

Ghana President sworn in despite election challenge.

Libya's largest parliamentary group boycotts Congress.

EUROPE

Anger grows in Hungary over anti-Roma article.

Depardieu to face criminal court over drink-driving.

Eurozone unemployment reaches new high.

Plastic bullets fired at N Ireland protesters.

Silvio Berlusconi 'won't stand for PM'.

UN war crimes trial resumes for Hadzic.

Depardieu: 'I'm French' despite Russian passport.

AMERICAS

US roasts to hottest year on record by landslide.

30 years after war, Britain battles Argentina over cruise ships at Falklands.

Chile truckers block road to protest arson attack.

Hillary Clinton's Benghazi testimony has a date.

Obama names Hagel and Brennan to lead Pentagon and CIA.

Haitian prime minister says country is safe.

Venezuela to postpone Thursday's presidential inauguration.

Venezuelan gov't says Chavez's condition "unchanged".

Venezuela opposition furious over likely Chavez inauguration delay.

Helicopter crashes in Peru, killing all seven aboard.

Former President George H.W. Bush still hospitalized.

Audit of Canada native band casts cloud on protest movement.

TERRORISM/THE LONG WAR

Pakistan: Officials say U.S. drones kill 8 militants.

Analysis: Study shows rise of al Qaeda affiliate in Syria.

Pakistani-born terror suspect makes first US court appearance.

ECONOMY/FINANCE/BUSINESS

Fuel leaks out of Dreamliner headed to Tokyo; second problem in two days for Japan Airlines planes.

AIG may join bailout lawsuit against U.S. government.

Target vows to match Amazon’s prices.

Analysis: Apple bid for Samsung sales ban faces skeptical court.

GOP lawmaker proposes ban on trillion dollar coin.

The great banking swindle of 2013.

Civil War In Syria -- News Updates January 8, 2012

US Officials: Syria 'Has Chemical Weapons That Could Be Used Within Two Hours' -- Business Insider/The Telegraph

Syria has armed dozens of bombs with sarin gas and other chemical weapons that could be used to target opposition less than two hours after President Bashar al-Assad issues orders, US officials have claimed.

Only concerted diplomatic pressure from the US, Russia, China and other countries has stopped the regime from loading the bombs on to its aircraft.

Satellite imagery gathered by Israel and other states in late November showed regime soldiers preparing the 500lb bombs in late November.

Read more ....

More News On The Syrian Civil War

Syria Live Blog -- Al Jazeera
Syria conflict: refugee numbers near 600,000 - Tuesday 8 January 2013 -- The Guardian

Syria violence rages on after Assad shrugs off pressure, remains defiant -- CBS/AP
Fighting flares again in Palestinian refugee camp in Syrian capital, 5 killed -- Washington Post/AP
Syrian Rebels Receive Little Help from International Community -- PBS Newshour
Insight: Aleppo misery eats at Syrian rebel support -- Reuters
UK meeting plans for possible post-Assad Syria -- Reuters
Syria's Assad 'desperate,' Britain says -- UPI
Fears raised over Syria uranium stockpile -- Financial Times
World ignoring Syria's systematic ruin: Jumblatt -- Reuters

Hints of Syrian Chemical Push Set Off Global Effort to Stop It -- New York Times
Report: Israeli Intelligence Alerted West to Movement of Syria’s Chemical Weapons -- Al Gemeiner
Obama Listened to Israel, Avoided Chemical War in Syria: Report -- Arutz Sheva
Israel: State of Syrian chemical weapons could change in a moment -- Debka
Syria rebels 'monitor' chemical weapons sites -- Al Jazeera

Syria conflict: New insight into shadowy jihadist group -- BBC
Analysis: Study shows rise of al Qaeda affiliate in Syria -- CNN
Al-Qaeda Affiliated Jihadist Group Gaining Power in Syria -- Al Gemeiner

Syrians' choice is loyalty or mutiny -- Phil Sands, The National
Assad's Public Appearance On Sunday Could Be His Last -- Maya Shwayder, Business Insider/International Business Times
How I survived Syria's killing fields -- Martin Fletcher, The Australian, The Times
Time for a Syrian transitional government -- Radwan Ziadeh, Foreign Policy
Retribution or Reconciliation: On Syria's Future -- Raphael Harkham, Huffington Post
Russia Still Key to Political Transition in Syria -- Fyodor Lukyanov, Al-Monitor
Assad and the U.S. are blind to reality in Syria -- Washington Post editorial
The Syrian Stalemate -- Robert G. Rabil, National Interest