A power plant and other industries in southern Iran have been targeted by the Stuxnet computer worm, an Iranian civil defence official says.
But the cyber attack has been successfully rebuffed and prevented from spreading, Iranian media report.
Iran's nuclear enrichment efforts were hit hard in 2010 by the Stuxnet worm, which was also blamed for problems at industrial plants and factories.
Tehran accused Israel and the US of planting the malware.
Provincial civil defence chief Ali Akbar Akhavan said Iranian industry was constantly being targeted by "enemy cyber attacks" and companies in Hormozgan province had recently been infiltrated, the semi-official Isna news agency reported.
A United States Air Force Global Hawk drone, manufactured by Northrop Grumman Corp., during a media preview of the Seoul International Aerospace & Defense Exhibition 2011 in Seongnam, South Korea. Photographer: SeongJoon Cho/Bloomberg
US Moves to Sell Advanced Spy Drones To South Korea -- Voice of America
The Obama administration has formally proposed the sale of advanced spy drones to South Korea, in a push to boost the Seoul government's ability to protect itself from attacks by the heavily-militarized North.
The Defense Security Cooperation Agency said in a statement that it has officially notified Congress of the proposed $1.2 billion deal for four high-altitude Global Hawk remotely piloted aircraft, as well as training and logistical support. Analysts say congressional approval is likely.
U.S. Air Force F-22 Raptors perform the missing man formation above the National Memorial Cemetery of the Pacific in Honolulu, Dec. 23, 2012, to honor U.S. Sen. Daniel K. Inouye, a World War II veteran and Medal of Honor recipient from Hawaii who died Dec. 17. The Raptors are assigned to the 199th Fighter Squadron Hawaii Air National Guard and the 19th Fighter Squadron Joint Base Pearl Harbor-Hickam. DOD photo by U.S. Air Force Tech. Sgt. Michael R. Holzworth
Measure To Protect Retired Military Dogs Clears Congress (Video) -- KPBS
Dogs who serve in the United States military would be ensured a good home and proper care in retirement under a measure that cleared Congress last week, and now awaits the signature of President Barack Obama.
The measure was attached as an amendment to the National Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2013. It would re-classify military working dogs as members of the armed forces, rather than military equipment, and allow military working dogs who are not able to be adopted in retirement to be sent to 341st Training Squadron at Lackland Air Force Base in San Antonio to live.
Russia May Soon Draft New Law On Military Service For Women -- RIA Novosti
MOSCOW, December 26 (RIA Novosti) – A bill on voluntary military conscription for women could be introduced in the lower house of the Russian parliament by February 1, 2013, a Russian lawmaker said.
“We will be surveying the public opinion until January 15 and spend the rest of January discussing our initiative with colleagues,” Tatyana Moskalkova from the Just Russia faction in the State Duma and a co-author of the bill told reporters on Tuesday.
“If everything goes well, we will introduce this bill in the State Duma by February 1,” Moskalkova said.
Even as the nation frets over the fiscal cliff Congress is pushing along an $8.5 billion plan to protect the East Coast with a missile defense system, mainly to shield New York City and Washington from a possible Iranian strike. Reuters correspondent Jim Wolf explains how the system would work and why it’s under consideration again. (December 24, 2012)
Spotlight Returns To Missile Defense -- DoD Buzz
Missile defense programs have gained scant attention in the past decade as the U.S. has fought two wars in Iraq and Afghanistan where U.S. forces have faced little to no missile threat.
With the success of the Iron Dome missile defense system in Israel and the new defense strategy that shifts the focus to the Pacific, the spotlight is returning to missile defense.
The Iron Dome system shot down about 85 percent of the missiles Hamas lobbed at Israel in November. Its success has grabbed the attention of Pentagon leaders. Panetta said the U.S. military is considering whether to either develop a similar system or buy their own. Before, the U.S. had balked at the expensive price of the Iron Dome.
A couple of items involving Russian defense procurement lately caught our eye here at the DT World Headquarters. UPI ran this item a few days ago:
The Russian government said it contracted with an aircraft maker for delivery of 30 fighter jets — in addition to the 30 for which it contracted in March. The Irkut aircraft manufacturer will provide the Defense Ministry with the additional 30 Su-30SM fighter jets by 2016, RIA Novosti reported in Moscow Wednesday. The Russian Air Force got its first two Su-30SM planes on Nov. 22, the newspaper said. The Su-30SM is one of the air force’s most important planes. It boasts an improved radar, communications and friend-or-foe identification system, and new weapons, among other updates, the newspaper reported.
My Comment: Russia is clearly dedicated to developing and fielding jet fighters that will compete with America's best for supremacy of the skies. Here is a chart (from Russia's RIA Novosti) that compares the U.S. F-22 to Russia's T-50. Cause for concern .... the T-50 is cheaper .... hmmmm .... let's hope that it will be the avionics that will give U.S. jets an edge.
White House Wavers On Hagel, Considers Others For Defense -- Government Executive
Besieged by criticism from right and left, and considerable skepticism from his former Senate colleagues, Chuck Hagel appears to be following the path of Susan Rice as a trial-balloon nominee who finds himself quickly losing altitude in Washington. And as happened with Rice, the White House is now signaling that it may soon puncture Hagel's hopes.
Just as occurred with Rice, the U.N. ambassador whose prospective nomination as secretary of State—leaked to the media—flamed out in the face of widespread criticism of her, President Obama appears to be rethinking his choice for Defense secretary.
My Comment: As I had explained in this post two days ago .... certain past remarks have caught up with Sen. Chuck Hagel that will not garner the support of many Senate Democrats AND Republicans.The only way that his nomination can be secured is if President Obama goes to 'bat for him' .... a prospect that (in my opinion) has zero chance of happening.
Update: At least New York Times Op-Ed Columnist Thomas Friedman stillsupports him.
Pakistan-Haqqani Ties Threaten To Thwart U.S. -- Ashish Kumar Sen, The Washington Times
Western officials and analysts say U.S. and U.N. pressure is failing to persuade Pakistan to cut its ties to a terrorist network whose attacks coalition forces fear could complicate the withdrawal of U.S. troops from Afghanistan.
The Haqqani Network, based in Pakistan’s northwest region, receives financial and logistical support from Pakistan’s military and Inter-Services Intelligence (ISI) agency, Western officials say.
“The support operation [in Pakistan] for the Haqqanis’ war-fighting is intact,” said a former Western official who spoke on background, citing security concerns.
My Comment: Pakistan's refusal to cut it's ties with the Haqqani group is a guarantee that bloodshed and mayhem will continue in Afghanistan. This post is a must read for those who want to understand Pakistan's role in the war in Afghanistan, and what is it's relationship with the Haqqani network.
Here's What The 'Agent-15' Chemical Weapon Probably Used In Syria Does To People -- Business Insider
Reports that chemical weapons were used this weekend in Syria were effectively confirmed today after doctors at the Syrian American Medical Society (SAMS) interviewed witnesses and victims of the attack.
Doctors at SAMS describe a "probable" use of what chemical specialists refer to as "Agent-15," or 3-Quinuclidinyl Benzilate, or what NATO calls "BZ." They classified their report as "probable" because the higher classification of "confirmed" would require laboratory testing.
Time Running Out On Defense Industry Efforts To Avoid Sequester -- The Hill
The clock has all but run out on the defense industry's efforts to stave off billions in looming budget cuts under sequestration.
At the Pentagon, administration officials have given Defense Department number crunchers the green light to begin planning for the $500 billion in budget cuts set to go into effect in January.
Weeks of intense, last-minute negotiations between Speaker John Boehner (R-Ohio) and President Barack Obama on a potential deal to avoid January’s “fiscal cliff” of looming tax hikes and automatic spending cuts appeared to come to an unceremonious end last Thursday.
My Comment: The Heritage Foundation has done a comprehensive report on the impact of sequestration on the U.S. military. If you have the time (and interest) to read it, the link is here.
Handout photograph taken on a marine surveillance plane B-3837 shows the disputed islets, known as Senkaku in Japan and Diaoyu in China, December 13, 2012.
China On Alert After Japan Scrambles Jets Over E. China Sea -- Voice of America
China says it is on alert after Japan dispatched fighter jets over the East China Sea.
Japanese media report Japan sent F15 fighter aircraft after detecting a Chinese marine surveillance plane in disputed airspace near contested islands in the East China Sea.
Chinese Foreign Ministry spokeswoman Hua Chunying told reporters Tuesday Beijing will pay close attention to Japan's decision to dispatch fighter jets. She said China's surveillance plane was conducting routine patrols at the time.
An Afghan soldier presents the Afghan flag during a security transition ceremony on Camp Sayar in Farah City, Afghanistan, Dec. 12, 2012. U.S. Navy photo by Lt. j.g. Matthew Stroup
Steep U.S. Drawdown In Afghanistan Brings Substantial Risks -- Max Boot, Commentary
The Obama administration appears determined to vacate Afghanistan as fast as possible. If the latest leaks are to be believed, officials are willing to leave as few as 6,000 U.S. troops behind after 2014, concentrated at the Bagram air base and a few other installations around Kabul. The mind boggles at what this would mean in military terms.
Consider one simple fact: Kandahar, the city where the Taliban movement started, is 310 miles southwest of Kabul. Imagine that intelligence analysts have identified a “high-value target” — say, a terrorist facilitator with links to both al-Qaeda and the Taliban — in Kandahar. How would the U.S. military capture or kill him without a secure base in Kandahar?
The guided-missile cruiser USS Antietam displays holiday lights at its homeport of San Diego, Dec. 18, 2012. Ships on Naval Base San Diego are showing their holiday spirit by stringing lights and decorations during the holiday season. U.S. Navy photo by Petty Officer 2nd Class Stephen M. Votaw
Home For The Holidays: Fewer US Troops Are Absent This Year -- Christian Science Monitor
Christmas 2012 marks the smallest deployment of combat troops abroad in at least five years, as the war in Iraq ends and US forces deployed to Afghanistan have been drawing down.
When President Obama and first lady Michelle Obama issued a special holiday greeting over the weekend to US troops fighting overseas, they were addressing the smallest deployment of combat troops in at least five years.
“This week let’s give thanks for our veterans and their families,” the president said. “And let’s say a prayer for all our troops – especially those in Afghanistan – who are spending this holiday overseas, risking their lives to defend the freedoms we hold dear.” Mr. Obama added that the number of troops in harm’s way is coming down, because “the war in Iraq is over [and] the transition in Afghanistan is under way.”
The number of troops in Afghanistan is at its lowest level since the Obama-ordered “surge” of about 35,000 troops in 2007 took the total over 100,000.
Read more .... My Comment: Let us hope that this trend continues.
The Return Of Toxic Nationalism -- Fred Kaplan, Wall Street Journal
The spread of universal values is being rolled back on many fronts, from Russia to the Middle East.
Western elites believe that universal values are trumping the forces of reaction. They wax eloquent about the triumph of human rights, women's liberation, social media, financial markets, international and regional organizations and all the other forces that are breaking down boundaries separating humanity.
Tragically, they are really observing a self-referential world of global cosmopolitans like themselves. In country after country, the Westerners identify like-minded, educated elites and mistake them for the population at large. They prefer not to see the regressive and exclusivist forces—such as nationalism and sectarianism—that are mightily reshaping the future.
My Comment: I completely concur with this analysis because I saw this first hand when I visited China in September. My Chinese hosts .... people that I have known for over 25 years .... were adopting positions and altitudes that can only be described as radical Chinese nationalism. As far as they were concerned .... China's demands on what it believed were it's maritime borders were valid, and that China should be prepared to go to war if necessary. When I talked about the consequences of such actions .... they were the least bothered by it .... going to war was not a worry for them?!?!?!. When I stopped over in Japan I saw the same altitudes forming (albeit at least a year behind) of Japanese nationalism and the now acceptable belief that the Japanese will need to boost their military forces .... a completely forbidden topic only a decade ago.
I am not familiar with the pan-Arab nationalism that is occurring in the Middle East .... but the Egyptian Muslim Brotherhood have clearly touched a nerve in a large segment of the population and are using this base to propel themselves to power. Europe has not escaped this trend either .... I see the growth and use of nationalism by political parties in Russia, Greece, Ukraine, and Hungary .... and I expect this trend to sweep through the other European countries.
Throughout history nationalism has been a tool that was used to "whip up" public sentiment for war .... and all that it ever brought was even more war and suffering. Are we repeating history? I hope not .... but the trends are clearly there.
The World War On Christmas -- Elizabeth F. Ralph, Foreign Policy
Five places where Santa really does have to watch his back.
It's that time of year again when Americans head home, gather with family and friends, snuggle up by the fire, and watch cable news hosts inform us about the secular liberal assault against Christmas. To these unhappy warriors, it seems every "Happy Holidays" sign, religiously neutral public display, or White House Christmas Card featuring the president's dog is a slap in the face to America's Christian values. Read more ....
Egypt Approves Disputed Draft Constitution -- Al Jazeera
Charter drafted by Islamist supporters of President Mohamed Morsi wins 63.8 percent of votes in two-round referendum.
Egypt's new constitution, drafted by Islamist supporters of President Mohamed Morsi, has been approved by 63.8 percent of voters in a two-round referendum, the country's top election committee has announced.
The result on Tuesday, which followed votes held on December 15 and on December 22, matched an earlier unofficial tally given by Morsi's Muslim Brotherhood.
"We have seriously investigated all the complaints," Samir Abu al-Matti, of the Supreme Election Committee, told a news conference. The final official turnout was 32.9 percent of the country's 52 million eligible voters.
My Comment: Only a third of the country's eligible voters voted .... not a singing endorsement in my book.But .... regardless of the low turnout .... this new constitution is now the law of the land in Egypt.
Syrian Christians Pray For Peace On Christmas Eve (PHOTOS) -- RT
As disastrous civil war continues to ravage Syria, Christian communities across the country gathered to attend Christmas masses and pray for peace in the strife-torn land after almost two years of violence.
"I pray that peace and safety returns to the hearts of all Syrians," Heba Shawi, a Catholic attending mass at Notre Dame church in the Damascus district of Qusur told AFP. "I hope the smiles come back to children's faces."
Bishop Joseph al-Absi, who led the mass at the Melkite Greek Catholic Cathedral in Damsacus, prayed for peace in Syria, asking God to protect the country and it leadership, according to SANA news agency.
The Medals of Honor awarded by each of the three branches of the U.S. military, and are, from left to right, the Army, Coast Guard/Navy/Marine Corps and Air Force. Wikipedia
The Changing Process Of Awarding Military's Highest Medal -- North County Times
Peralta case an example of modern methods interfering with witness accounts, vets say.
When it comes to the Medal of Honor, the nation’s highest award for battlefield bravery, the standard has long been the same: Two eyewitnesses.
San Diego Marine Sgt. Rafael Peralta had seven.
His nomination, though, was rejected earlier this month by the Pentagon for the second time in four years, raising questions about whether modern sensibilities — CSI meets G.I. Joe — will forever alter how combat heroes are evaluated and rewarded.
On one hand are the witnesses, who reported seeing Peralta, already on the ground with a gunshot wound to the head, pull a live grenade to his body and shield his squad mates from the blast during combat with insurgents in Fallujah.
On the other hand are forensic experts who doubt whether he could have consciously smothered the grenade and say the evidence shows it exploded next to his body, not under.
My Comment: So .... a pathologist is the one who now decides who gets the Medal of Honor .... not the witnesses who saw the action that would merit this recognition.
Lawmakers Play Waiting Game With 'Fiscal Cliff' Deadline In Sight -- Reuters
(Reuters) - With only a week left before a deadline for the United States to go over a "fiscal cliff," lawmakers played a waiting game on Monday in the hope that someone will produce a plan to avoid harsh budget cuts and higher taxes for most Americans from New Year's Day.
Though Republicans and Democrats have spent the better part of a year describing a plunge off the cliff as a looming catastrophe, the nation's capital showed no outward signs of worry, let alone impending calamity.
The White House has set up shop in Hawaii, where President Barack Obama is vacationing.
The Capitol was deserted and the Treasury Department - which would have to do a lot of last-minute number-crunching with or without a deal - was closed.
Read more .... My Comment: If there is a time for Presidential leadership and the ability to make different parties agree to a deal .... this is it. But Ed Rogers (Washington Post) is probably right .... it is not going to happen with this President.
What do I expect .... a short term solution that will buy some time .... followed by the same policies and actions that got us into this mess in the first place. But in the event that the U.S. does go off the cliff .... expect short term financial chaos, massive cuts in the Pentagon, higher taxes, and a President who will then rush in and propose a plan that everyone will quickly agree to .... but .... it will again be the same policies and actions that got us into this mess in the first place.
Charles Durning, Prolific Character Actor, Dies At 89 -- New York Times
Charles Durning, who overcame poverty, battlefield trauma and nagging self-doubt to become an acclaimed character actor, whether on stage as Big Daddy in “Cat on a Hot Tin Roof” or in film as the lonely widower smitten with a cross-dressing Dustin Hoffman in “Tootsie,” died Monday in New York. He was 89. He died of natural causes, The Associated Press reported, citing Judith Moss, his agent and friend.
Charles Durning may not have been a household name, but with his pugnacious features and imposing bulk he was a familiar presence in American movies, television and theater, even if often overshadowed by the headliners.
My Comment: His life experience from childhood to World War II to Hollywood is truly remarkable. We remember him from his many appearances on film and TV, but it is his war experiences that should awe us. Our prayers are with his family, loved ones, and to his many fans.
Troops In Afghanistan Celebrate Christmas In Company Of Each Other -- FOX News
U.S. troops in Afghanistan, away from their families and thousands of miles from home, were celebrating Christmas in their own way Tuesday with carols, candles and the company of each other.
Soldiers from the U.S., France and Germany packed a dining hall at the Kabul International Airport for a traditional Christmas meal. As the turkey was carved, they shared thoughts of their families.
"I wish I could be home with my family and friends, but, I mean, I am surrounded by nothing but awesome people, so it is good," U.S. soldier Vanessa Gann said.
A Christmas Treat For Our Troops: 9,000 Servicemen And Women Celebrate The Day With Turkey And A 5k fun Run -- Daily Mail
* Thousands of troops serving in Afghanistan enjoy some Christmas treats * Servicemen and women rip open presents and tuck into full turkey dinner * But it was business as usual for many troops still on early morning patrol
British troops serving in Afghanistan were given a taste of home when they celebrated Christmas with a traditional turkey dinner, presents from relatives and a charity fun run.
An extra effort was made today to make sure the 9,000 servicemen and women deployed in the Helmand Province were given some 'down time' as staff at the Laskah Gah Main Operating Base opened Secret Santa presents along with gifts from family.
Medics were given home comforts including new socks, underwear and toiletries as Christmas favourites such as Chris Rea's Driving Home For Christmas and the Pogues' Fairytale Of New York played in the background.
Meanwhile, soldiers and service members with the NATO-led International Security Assistance Force (ISAF) also enjoyed a Christmas dinner and attended a mass to mark the day.
'Like Times Square At New Year's': Pilgrims Mark Christmas In Bethlehem -- NBC/AP
Pilgrims and locals celebrated Christmas Day on Tuesday in the ancient Bethlehem church where tradition holds Jesus was born, candles illuminating the sacred site and the joyous sound of prayer filling its overflowing halls.
Overcast skies and a cold wind didn't dampen the spirits of worshippers who came dressed in holiday finery and the traditional attire of foreign lands to mark the holy day in this biblical West Bank town. Bells pealed and long lines formed inside the fourth-century Church of the Nativity complex as Christian faithful waited eagerly to see the grotto that is Jesus' traditional birthplace.
Time Running Out On Defense Industry Efforts To Avoid Sequester -- The Hill
The clock has all but run out on the defense industry's efforts to stave off billions in looming budget cuts under sequestration.
At the Pentagon, administration officials have given Defense Department number crunchers the green light to begin planning for the $500 billion in budget cuts set to go into effect in January.
Weeks of intense, last-minute negotiations between Speaker John Boehner (R-Ohio) and President Barack Obama on a potential deal to avoid January’s “fiscal cliff” of looming tax hikes and automatic spending cuts appeared to come to an unceremonious end last Thursday.
North Korea Warns South Over Giant Christmas Tower -- The Guardian
Pyongyang warned of unspecified consequences because of the tower, which Seoul allowed Christians to light on Saturday.
North Korea is accusing rival South Korea of using an illuminated frontline Christmas tower to engage in psychological warfare.
North Korean state media said on Monday that the lighting of the Christmas tree-shaped tower is because Seoul was humiliated by Pyongyang successfully putting a satellite into orbit on 12 December.
My Comment: A great Christmas gift .... but 4 months in a Mexican jail .... makes you wonder how many more Americans and foreigners are stuck in some Mexican hell-hole.
Rebels Surround Air Bases Across Aleppo-Commander -- Reuters
(Reuters) - Syrian rebels are surrounding bases and military airports loyal to President Bashar al-Assad across the northern province of Aleppo, a commander said, but are struggling to counter attacks from jet fighters which can fly even from besieged airfields.
Colonel Abdel-Jabbar Oqaidi, who heads the rebels' military council in the province, also told Reuters that his forces are fighting without any help from the Western and Arab governments which want Assad removed from power.
Oqaidi, who leads between 25,000-30,000 troops across Aleppo province, said the rebel strategy had shifted from fighting Assad's forces in the cities to surrounding his bases in the countryside - aiming to encourage defections and weaken the sites so they can be stormed.
Read more .... My Comment: This is a first .... a comprehensive and detailed report from a top rebel commander on the military campaign in the Aleppo region. This shows that the rebels are getting better at organizing and passing along info and intel .... as well developing strategies and coordinating their attacks.
The World's Largest Naval Station Is Packed Tight For Christmas -- Business Insider
The Navy does its best to get troops home for the holidays when it can, but this display at Norfolk Naval base is still more the exception than the rule.
Nine "Flattops," five aircraft carriers, and four amphibious assault ships, are crammed together here at Norfolk among smaller ships and nuclear submarines from December 20, Navy photos. The nine flattops alone, number more than all eight battleships at Pearl Harbor in 1941.
This cohort of ships at Norfolk could all be together for the last time as sixty percent of U.S. ships head to the Pacific and the carrier USS Enterprise (third ship from left, third picture down) falls to decommissioning after 52 years of service.
Ships serving in the Pacific Fleet generally call the Naval Base in San Diego home, making it the largest Navy base on the West Coast.
Read more .... My Comment: There are a few more photos at the link .... check it out.
