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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.

Read more ....


Iranian news agency reports another cyberattack by Stuxnet worm targeting industries in south -- Washington Post/AP
Stuxnet attacks Iran again, reports say -- CNet
Iran says it fended off cyber attack on industrial sites -- NBC
Cyber-attack on communication system at Iran’s industrial facilities -- Voice of Russia
Iran thwarts cyber attack against electricity company -- Press TV (Iran)
Report: Iran Defeats New Cyber Attack -- Voice of America
Iran Suggests Attacks on Computer Systems Came From the U.S. and Israel -- New York Times

Update: Iran denies foiling cyber attack on industrial units: Report -- Economic Times

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.

Read more ....


U.S. moves to sell advanced spy drones to South Korea -- Reuters
U.S. moves toward selling advanced spy drones to South Korea -- Washington Post
South Korea to Buy $1.2 Billion in Drones Under U.S. Plan -- Bloomberg Businessweek
Golden Hawk drone sale to S.Korea proposed -- UPI
U.S. plans to sell Global Hawks to S. Korea for US$1.2 bln -- Yonhap News Agency
S. Korean Govt. Plans to Re-evaluate Drone Purchase Early Next Year -- Arirang
U.S. Drones Too Expensive for Korea -- Chosun Ilbo

My Comment: $1.2 billion for four drones .... that is not cheap.

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.

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My Comment: Long overdue. The video tribute above is also a must see.

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.

Read more ....

Update #1: Russia may soon draft new law on military service for women -- Voice of Russia
Update #2: Duma deputies propose military service for women -- Russia And India Report

My Comment: Here is an interesting article from Pravda on the Russian military .... it is arguing that the reason why many Russian women want to join the military is to find suitable husbands. (LOL). But aside from this "opinion", there is still a lot of good info in this Pravda article on other issues confronting the military.

Thousands of young men are dodging the draft over fears of hazing during military training.

The Russian Defence Ministry's autumn military recruitment drive to reinforce its rank of about a million soldiers is in full swing.

But every year it struggles to find the minimum number of recruits.

Thousands of young men are dodging the draft and many are willing to risk jail to avoid the army all together.

Al Jazeera's Charles Stratford reports from the capital, Moscow.

WNU Editor: Video report from Al Jazeera

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.

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Congress OKs increased funding for missile defense programs, National Defense Authorization Act awaits president's signature -- al.com
New U.S. Defense Bill Directs Washington to Consider New Missile Defense System -- Arirang
MDA lays out 2013 testing plans -- Defense Tech
Russia-US talks on anti-missile deployment in stalemate: defense official -- Global Times
It’s time to get serious about missile defense -- Rebeccah Heinrichs, Washington Times

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.

And this yesterday from UPI:

Read more ....

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.

Photo: Ret. U.S. Senator Chuck Hagel. Wikipedia


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.

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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 still supports him.

Photo: Jalaluddin Haqqani. Reuters


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.

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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.

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.

Read more ....

Update #1: ‘Agent 15’ Paralyzing Syrian Victims -- Arutz Sheva
Update #2: Syrian rebels claim recent alleged chemical attack not the first -- APA

My Comment: This is not nerve gas or sarin .... but it is still a very deadly chemical weapon. Syrian rebels are also saying that there have been up to 18 known recent attacks using this chemical weapon.

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.

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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.

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.

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Update: China on alert for Japanese fighter jets over East China Sea: spokeswoman -- Xinhuanet (China)

My Comment: China is slowly escalating tensions with Japan over these islands. Expect a Chinese jet escort for their marine surveillance planes soon.

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?

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My Comment: In short .... the Afghans better get their act together .... and soon.

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.

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My Comment: Let us hope that this trend continues.

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.

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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.

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.

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Christians Besieged: Islamists on the attack in Africa -- Benny Avni, New York Post

Egypt at crossroads: Endorsement of draft Constitution won’t heal political divide -- Times of India editorial

In Syria, the same mistakes. Bush’s shadow hangs over Obama -- Michael Rubin, New York Daily News
A Kurdish state is being established, and Baghdad may accept it -- David Hirst, The Daily Star

Will Iraq Have a Female President? -- Michael Rubin, Commentary

Will Saudi Arabia Ever Change? -- Hugh Eakin, New York Review Of Books

Northeast Asia in turbulence: Incoming 3 leaders share responsibility for peace -- Korea Times editorial

Abandoning Afghanistan -- Gary Schmitt, Weekly Standard

Afghanistan Report Card -- George H. Wittman, American Spectator

Hunting Bin Laden: Zero Dark Thirty -- Marion DS Dreyfus, American Thinker

Government giving gets Robin Hood all wrong: Killing incentive to give will hurt the poor, not the rich. -- Chuck Bentley, Washington Times

Who Will Defend Capitalism If Not The Capitalists? -- IBD Editorial

Gloomy predictions as Washington approaches the 'fiscal cliff' -- Brad Knickerbocker, Christian Science Monitor

Nearly two-thirds of voters in an Egyptian referendum have supported a proposed new constitution, the election commission has announced.

In all, 63.8% of voters cast Yes ballots in two stages, on 15 and 22 December. The commission announced the result live on state-run Nile News TV.

Parliamentary elections must now take place within two months.

Critics say the document, which has triggered mass protests, betrays the revolution that toppled Hosni Mubarak.

He was ousted from power in February 2011 after nearly 30 years of authoritarian rule.

Read more ....

Syria rebels storm strategic border town.

Gulf Arabs decry Iran "interference", Syria killings.

Syria rebels kill military intelligence chief.

Pope decries slaughter of 'defenseless' Syrians.

Iran media report new cyberattack by Stuxnet worm. Iranian industrial sites hit by computer virus.

Israel to build 942 more homes in east Jerusalem.

Turkey lifts objection to Israel-NATO cooperation.

Group says Gaza Palestinians violated laws of war.

Gunmen in Yemen kill 2 army officers in capital; clashes elsewhere kill 3 troops, 11 tribesmen.

Iran set to unveil new domestic satellite.

Israel endorses first university in West Bank.

Baghdad Christians attend mass at attacked church.


Sony says China business has recovered, foresees growth.

China cracks down on child-trafficking gangs.

Kazakh military plane crashes, all 27 on board killed.

India clamps down on gang rape protests, PM appeals for calm.

Pakistan resume India cricket tour in Bangalore.

Top Philippine communist rebel arrested: army.

Taiwan and China move closer to peace accord?

Two die as passenger jet lands in Myanmar rice field.

What wealthy Chinese want for Christmas: a bike.


Darfur battle leaves rebels in rare 'control' over town.

12 killed in attacks on two churches in Nigeria.

Egypt approves new constitution drafted by Mursi allies. Egyptians fret over economy after rancorous vote on constitution.

CAR rebels seize central town, defying foreign troops.

Central Africa rebels and govt. edge closer to talks.

Ship crew held for 1,000 days rescued off coast of Yemen.

U.N. says South Sudan threatens its peacekeeping mission.

Mali: Poorer by the day.

Nelson Mandela looking much better, says Jacob Zuma after Christmas visit.


Pope's Christmas message focuses on Mideast, China.

Archbishop of Canterbury says Anglican church wounded, not dead.

Portugal to hold fire-sale of state assets.

Cold war: Bitter winter weather kills hundreds in eastern Europe, Russia.

Russian ruling party official shot dead in Caucasus.

Greece not doing enough against rich tax dodgers, say EU/IMF.

Car-bomb threat sparks megabrothel evacuation in Spain.

Catholic Church urges Irish to oppose abortion law.

Queen delivers 1st Christmas message in 3D. Queen's Christmas message hails Olympic stars.


Winter storms, tornado threats for Christmas in US.

Deportations of illegal immigrants in 2012 reach new US record.

Down to the fiscal cliff wire, with no solution in sight.

Poverty and fear of gangs drive young immigrants to U.S..

Officials push to postpone swearing-in of Chávez. Venezuelans debate missed Chavez inauguration.

2013 will be the year of final victory: Colombia defense minister.

George H.W. Bush, 88, spends Christmas in the hospital as he continues to struggle with cough and weakness.


US drone strikes kill Jordanian, Yemeni AQAP operatives.

U.S. Army to train Africa forces in anti-terror.

When U.S. drones kill civilians, Yemen’s government tries to conceal it.


U.S. businesses warn of 'coast wide port shutdown' as union strike looms, appeal for Obama intervention.

Mundie, one of Gates' successors, to retire from Microsoft.

Instagram hit with class action lawsuit.

Is this the new BlackBerry? Newly leaked images show what may be the next generation of the device - with the same keyboard design.

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.

Read more ....


Egypt's new constitution approved in referendum -- The Guardian
Egypt approves new constitution drafted by Mursi allies -- Reuters
Egyptian voters back new constitution in referendum -- BBC
Egypt adopts constitution with 64% of votes -- AFP
Egypt's constitution passes -- CNN
New Constitution Approved by 60% of Egyptians - Results -- RIA Novosti
Even in a power base of Egypt's Islamists, rumblings of discontent are heard -- FOX News/AP

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.

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.

Read more ....


Celebrating Christmas in Syria -- Euronews
Syrian Christians 'pray for peace' -- AFP
Syria crisis: Low-key Christmas for Christians -- BBC
No peace nor good will at Christmas in Syria, says UN envoy after talks with Assad -- Al Bawaba
Syria's Christians under threat -- AP
New patriarch urges peace – Syria Islamists warn Christians -- Kuwait Times
Syria: Christians rustle up some Christmas cheer -- Euronews
Christians in Syria mark bitter Christmas -- Hurriyet News
Difficult Christmas for Syria's Christians -- Christian Today
No Christmas in Rebel-Held Northern Syria -- Antiwar.com
In Christmas address, pope decries slaughter in Syria -- USA Today
Pope decries slaughter of 'deeply wounded' Syrians -- CBC/AP

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.

The two sides can’t both be right.

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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.

(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.

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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, 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.

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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.

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.

Read more ....


American troops take a break from the frontline to share in the holiday spirit over Christmas Eve dinner in Afghanistan -- Daily Mail
Troops downrange 'go with the flow' but think of home on Christmas -- Stars and Stripes
Troops in Afghanistan Find Cheer With a Yule Logon -- New York Times
A Christmas treat for our troops: 9,000 servicemen and women celebrate the day with turkey and a 5k fun run -- Daily Mail
In Afghanistan, a hard holiday season for U.S. troops -- Delaware Online
British troops in Afghanistan celebrate with turkey lunch -- BBC
Turkey and trimmings flown in for UK troops in Afghanistan -- BBC
Christmas wishes from Alabama's soldiers in Afghanistan -- al.com
With their loved ones in Afghanistan, families soldier on for Christmas -- Nola.com

* 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.

Read more ....


Video: Holiday Message from General John R. Allen -- ISAF

IED kills 3 civilians in W Afghanistan -- Press TV (Iran)
4 militants killed in northern Afghanistan: ISAF -- NZWeek
Now in Afghanistan, many a dull moment -- Stars and Stripes

Afghans seek policewoman's motive for killing U.S. contractor -- Reuters
Iranian Woman Killed American in Kabul-- Wall Street Journal
Afghanistan: Woman who killed American is Iranian -- AP
Policewoman who killed US aide in Kabul 'is Iranian' -- BBC
Afghan Policewoman Who Killed U.S. Contractor Is Iranian Citizen -- Radio Free Europe

Attack on US adviser will have negative impacts: Sediqi -- Khaama Press
Diggers in Afghanistan get help from Shadow UAV, the eye in sky -- News.com.au
Missing: 200M USD in gas receipts for NATO aid in Afghanistan -- RAWA News
“Underground railroad” brings dogs out of Afghanistan -- Toronto Star
What next for Afghanistan after NATO’s scheduled pullout? -- Boris Pavlishev, Voice of Russia

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.

Read more ....

Gulf Arabs decry Iran "interference", Syria killings.

Syria rebels kill military intelligence chief.

Pope decries slaughter of 'defenseless' Syrians.

Turkey lifts objection to Israel-NATO cooperation.

Group says Gaza Palestinians violated laws of war.

Gunmen in Yemen kill 2 army officers in capital; clashes elsewhere kill 3 troops, 11 tribesmen.

Iran set to unveil new domestic satellite.

Israel endorses first university in West Bank.

Baghdad Christians attend mass at attacked church.


India clamps down on gang rape protests, PM appeals for calm.

Pakistan resume India cricket tour in Bangalore.

Top Philippine communist rebel arrested: army.

Taiwan and China move closer to peace accord?

Two die as passenger jet lands in Myanmar rice field.

What wealthy Chinese want for Christmas: a bike.


Egyptians fret over economy after rancorous vote on constitution.

Central Africa rebels and govt. edge closer to talks.

Ship crew held for 1,000 days rescued off coast of Yemen.

U.N. says South Sudan threatens its peacekeeping mission.

Mali: Poorer by the day.

Nelson Mandela looking much better, says Jacob Zuma after Christmas visit.


Cold war: Bitter winter weather kills hundreds in eastern Europe, Russia.

Russian ruling party official shot dead in Caucasus.

Greece not doing enough against rich tax dodgers, say EU/IMF.

Car-bomb threat sparks megabrothel evacuation in Spain.

Catholic Church urges Irish to oppose abortion law.

Queen's Christmas message hails Olympic stars.


Down to the fiscal cliff wire, with no solution in sight.

Poverty and fear of gangs drive young immigrants to U.S..

Officials push to postpone swearing-in of Chávez. Venezuelans debate missed Chavez inauguration.

2013 will be the year of final victory: Colombia defense minister.

George H.W. Bush, 88, spends Christmas in the hospital as he continues to struggle with cough and weakness.


US drone strikes kill Jordanian, Yemeni AQAP operatives.

U.S. Army to train Africa forces in anti-terror.

When U.S. drones kill civilians, Yemen’s government tries to conceal it.


Mundie, one of Gates' successors, to retire from Microsoft.

Instagram hit with class action lawsuit.

Is this the new BlackBerry? Newly leaked images show what may be the next generation of the device - with the same keyboard design.

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.

Read more ....


Israel says has no proof poison gas used in Syria -- Reuters

Russian Aerobatic Teams First to Get Su-30SM, Su-35C -- RIA Novosti

Iran to conduct navy drill in Strait of Hormuz in December -- Reuters

Report: Head of Syrian military police joins rebels -- YNet News

Gulf leaders agree on unified military command at Bahrain summit -- Al Arabiya News

New Chinese destroyer ready for debut, report says -- Taipei Times

Photos: New Chinese 4-engine large military transport aircraft -- Alert 5

China Versus Most Of The World -- Strategy Page

Kosovo aims to form military force and join NATO -- Stars and Stripes

US to sell $1.2bn in spy drones to S. Korea -- RT

U.S. Army to train Africa forces in anti-terror -- CBS/AP

U.S. Military Builds Up Its Presence In Africa -- NPR

Air-to-Air Warfare Isn’t Dead -- Defense Tech

Questions Abound Over SEAL Team 4 Commander's Apparent Suicide -- Business Insider/AFP

Sexual assault at the US military academies -- Al Jazeera

'Madder than hell': WWII veteran's medals are stolen -- NBC

No Brown-Bagging on the Big Bird: Air Force One food bills add up. -- New York Magazine

Congress designates ‘Taps’ as national song -- Air Force Times

Many Military Veterans Dealing With ALS -- CBS

CIA hated Zero Dark Thirty -- RT

The Strange, Strange Tale of U.S.S. Inaugural -- Bring the heat, Bring the Stupid

Obamas Offer Holiday Wishes, Call for All to Remember Vets -- US Department of Defense

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.

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North Korea says South Korea engaging in psychological warfare by lighting Christmas tower -- FOX News/AP
The Christmas Threat To North Korea…That They Don’t Care About -- Wall Street Journal
North Korea to South Korea: Christmas 'tree' is warfare -- USA Today
North Korea slams Christmas lights as provocation -- Herald Sun
North Korea Accuses South Of Engaging In 'Psychological Warfare' Via Christmas Lights (PICTURE) -- Huffington Post

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.

(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.

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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 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.

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My Comment: There are a few more photos at the link .... check it out.