| Small Wars Journal

US Army Gen. David H. Petraeus, commander of the NATO International Security Assistance Force, greets US Defense Secretary Leon E. Panetta upon the secretary's arrival at Camp Eggers, Kabul, Afghanistan, July 9, 2011. DOD photo by US Air Force Tech. Sgt. Jacob N. Bailey.

Panetta Assures Karzai of Continued Commitment - AFPS

Defense Secretary Leon E. Panetta said he believes the United States "is within reach of strategically defeating al-Qaida." Panetta, who arrived in Afghanistan this afternoon, said the United States has identified some of the key al-Qaida leadership in Pakistan, Yemen and other areas. "If we can be successful in going after them, I think we can really undermine their ability to do any kind of planning, to be able to conduct any kind of attack on this country," the secretary said to press traveling with him. "It's within reach. Is it going to take more work? You bet it is." Defense Secretary Leon E. Panetta assured President Hamid Karzai of the United States' continued, long-term commitment to Afghanistan during meetings in Kabul today. "I assured him the US is committed to the long-term security of the Afghan people," the secretary said following a dinner with the president. "Our goal here is to ensure that Afghanistan is stable in the future and can secure, defend and govern itself so it can never again become a safe haven for al-Qaida and its militant allies." ...

Panetta Believes US Close to Defeating al-Qaida - AFPS

Defense Secretary Leon E. Panetta said he believes the United States "is within reach of strategically defeating al-Qaida." Panetta, who arrived in Afghanistan this afternoon, said the United States has identified some of the key al-Qaida leadership in Pakistan, Yemen and other areas...

New US Defense Chief Optimistic About Defeating al-Qaida - VOA

Newly appointed US Secretary of Defense Leon Panetta is on a previously unannounced visit to Afghanistan, his first since taking over the defense post on July 1. He says he is optimistic about defeating al-Qaida, and that victory over insurgents in Afghanistan is "within reach." In the aftermath of the raid that killed Osama bin Laden, Panetta says the United States is closer than ever to "strategically beating" al-Qaida, crippling the terrorist group's ability to stage mass attacks...

Panetta Says Defeat of Al Qaeda Is 'Within Reach' - NYT

Defense Secretary Leon E. Panetta, who arrived in Kabul on Saturday, said the United States was "within reach of strategically defeating Al Qaeda" and that the American focus had narrowed to capturing or killing 10 to 20 crucial leaders of the terrorist group in Pakistan, Somalia and Yemen...

Panetta: US 'Within Reach' of Defeating al-Qaeda - WP

The United States is "within reach" of defeating al-Qaeda and is targeting 10 to 20 leaders who are key to the terrorist network's survival, Defense Secretary Leon Panetta said on Saturday during his first trip to Afghanistan since taking charge at the Pentagon...

Panetta Says US is 'Within Reach' of Defeating Al Qaeda - LAT

The new defense chief says intelligence uncovered in the Bin Laden raid showed that 10 years of US operations against the terror network had left it with fewer than two dozen key operatives. Panetta is visiting Afghanistan for the first time as defense secretary...

Al-Qaida Can Be Dismantled, Petraeus Says - AFPS

The commander of the International Security Assistance Force said here today he agrees with Defense Secretary Leon E. Panetta that al-Qaida can be strategically defeated. Army Gen. David Petraeus told reporters traveling with Panetta that there has been enormous damage -- well beyond the killing of Osama bin Laden -- done to al-Qaida in the Federally Administered Tribal Areas of Pakistan. The damage has disrupted their efforts in the region and it holds the prospect of a strategic defeat for the terror group, he said...

Read more about Afghanistan / Al Qaeda Update

9 July SWJ Roundup

Afghanistan

Tribal Skirmish Threatens Broader Coalition Campaign - S&S

Night Raids Curbing Taliban, but Afghans Cite Civilian Toll - NYT

ISAF Nations Follow US Lead, Announce Early Drawdowns - LWJ

Contract for Afghan Police Training Still Lacks Controls - S&S

Face of Defense: Marine Mentors Afghan Border Police - AFPS

Police: Afghan Guard Shoots Dead 2 NATO Troops - AP

South African Gets 3.5 Years for Kandahar Stabbing - AP

Pakistan

Scores Killed as Violence Rocks Pakistan's Largest City - WP

Troops Ordered to Use Bullets to Quell Karachi Turmoil - NYT

At Least 80 Dead in Karachi Bloodshed - LAT

Shoot-On-Sight Order as Karachi Violence Escalates - VOA

Karachi: 'Shoot on Sight' Orders as Violence Soars - BBC

Pakistan Security to Shoot on Sight in Karachi - AP

Pakistan Condemns Mullen's Statement on Journalist's Killing - NYT

Pakistan Rejects US Claims Over Saleem Shahzad Murder - BBC

Iraq

A Violence Rises Paratroopers Practice a New Mission - HP

Syria

Nearly Half Million Syrians Protest in Flashpoint City of Hama - VOA

Thousands of Syrians Protest in Hama Against Assad - LAT

Thousands Protest in Restive City of Hama - BBC

Envoys Stay in Syrian City Where Protests Continue - NYT

Syria Protests US Ambassador's Support for Demonstrators - WP

US Rejects Syrian Charge That Envoy Incited Protests - Reuters

US, French Envoys in Hama, 13 Killed in Syria - Reuters

Bolstered by Support, Syrians Pour Into Streets - AP

Libya

Niger: Libyan Conflict Impacting Sahel Security - VOA

Cold Gaddafi Threatens to Launch Attacks on Europe - DT

Gaddafi Threatens Europe as Rebels Renew Push - Reuters

Shouting, Libya's Gadhafi Lashes Out at NATO - AP

No Quick Fix to East Libya Woes as War Drags On - Reuters

Yemen

In Yemen, Tribal Militias Flex Muscles - WP

Thousands Rally in Yemen After President Appears on TV - VOA

Competing Yemen Rallies Show National Divide - AP

Saleh Speech Underscores Yemen's Political Divide - Reuters

Israel / Palestinians

Israel Blocks Pro-Palestinian Activists' 'Fly-In' Attempt - VOA

Israel Blocks Some Activists, Deports Others - WP

Israel Blocks Pro-Palestinian 'Flytilla' Activists - BBC

Israel Blocks Flights to Protest Gathering - NYT

Israel Blocks Airborne Protest, Questions Dozens - AP

Turkey Insists on Apology to Normalize Israel Ties - Reuters

US Urges UN Sleuth Resign Over Blog Cartoon - Reuters

Egypt

Tens of Thousands Jam Cairo's Main Square Demanding Reforms - VOA

Egyptians Protest Slow Pace of Change - WP

Cairo's Tahrir Square Fills With Protesters - BBC

Egyptians Protest, Demand Justice After Mubarak - AP

Egyptians Rally to Demand Faster Reforms - Reuters

UN Chief Urges Transparent Elections in Egypt - Reuters

Middle East / North Africa

Bahrain's Top Cleric Slams Reconciliation Talks - AP

Latest Developments in Arab World's Unrest - AP

US Department of Defense

House Boosts Military Budget in Time of Austerity - AP

'Hands-free' Landing on Eisenhower Step Toward Unmanned Naval Flight - VP

Suicide Condolence Letters: Army Captain is a Dissenting Voice - WP

Military Suicides: Obama Seeks to Ease the Pain - LAT editorial

What Would Really Help Troubled Veterans - WP editorial

United States

Betty Ford, Former First Lady, Dies at 93 - NYT

Mexican's Execution Prompts Diplomatic Disappointment - WP

UN Official: US Execution of Leal Broke Int'l Law - AP

How to Treat a Terrorist Suspect - LAT editorial

Why Aren't There More Veterans in Congress? - WP opinion

World

US, Allies' Share of World Military Spending Shrinking - Reuters

Africa

UN: Africa Drought Endangers 500,000 Children - Reuters

South Sudan Becomes an Independent Nation - BBC

South Sudan Becomes World's Newest Nation - AP

South Sudanese Mark Independence From North - Reuters

A Party in South Sudan; World Leaders at Ceremony - AP

UN Security Council Votes to Bolster South Sudan - VOA

UN Approves 7,000 Peacekeepers for South Sudan - AP

UN Votes for South Sudan Peacekeeping Force - Reuters

South Sudan Says Can Live Off Credit if North Blocks - Reuters

A Look at the History, People of South Sudan - AP

After Years of Pressure S. Sudan Nearly a Nation - NYT analysis

The New State of South Sudan - NYT editorial

Nigeria's Maiduguri Bans Motorbikes to Stop Boko Haram - BBC

Nigeria: Thousands Jobless After Motorcycle Ban - AP

Senegal to Return Former Chad President Habre - BBC

DR Congo 'Rape' Colonel Kulimushi Surrenders - BBC

War, Drought Compounding Somalia Exodus - Reuters

Americas

At Least 17 Killed in Northern Mexico Bar Massacre - AP

Colombia's Santos Apologizes for 2000 Massacre - AP

Argentina: Presidency Challenged by Buenos Aires Mayoral Vote - AP

2nd Brazilian Official Quits in Graft Case - NYT

Brazil Prosecutor Charges 37 in 2005 Scandal - AP

Cuba Academic: Party Expulsion Order Overturned - AP

Asia Pacific

Vatican Condemnation of New Chinese Bishop Worsens Tensions - NYT

Japan Prime Minister Sorry for Nuclear Mix-up - BBC

Malaysian Capital Braces for Electoral Reform Rally - VOA

Malaysia Rally: Kuala Lumpur 'to be Locked Down' - BBC

Malaysia Fires Tear Gas at Protest, Arrests 644 - AP

Exxon to Face Lawsuit Over Rights Violations in Indonesia - Reuters

Philippines Probes Soldiers Over 2 Missing Women - AP

Europe

Germany Files Murder Charges in Shooting of US Airmen - S&S

UK: Former Aide to Cameron Is Arrested in Tabloid Scandal - NYT

UK's Cameron Vows Probe of Scandal - WP

British Tabloid Scandal Envelops Three Pillars Already Stained - LAT

UK Media Feels the Heat After Phone-Hack Scandal - AP

Georgia: Photographers 'Infiltrated Institutions' - AP

Nagorno-Karabakh Wants a Seat at the Table - WP

Belarus Protesters Find Inspiration - WP

Belarus: Europe's Last Dictator - WP opinion

South Asia

India Unprepared for Urban Boom - WP

India's $22 Billion Question: What to do With a Treasure? - NYT

India: Security Plan Ordered for Treasure Temple - BBC

Read more about 9 July SWJ Roundup

STS-135: The Final Mission of the Space Shuttle

National Aeronautics and Space Administration - Official Site

Space Shuttle Atlantis Lifts Off on Final Mission - VOA

Atlantis Launches on Last Shuttle Mission - WP

Atlantis Launches on Final Shuttle Mission - WSJ

Atlantis Lifts Off for Last Space Shuttle Mission - NYT

Obama Marks End of Era, Urges NASA to 'Break New Boundaries' - LAT

Space Shuttle Atlantis in Historic Final Lift-off - BBC

Weather Can't Keep Atlantis From its Final Adventure - VOA

Atlantis Roars into Space on Final Shuttle Mission - USAT

Shuttle Lifts Off for Last Time; `Light this Fire' - AP

Atlantis Launches on Historic Mission - NPR

Atlantis Launches for Final Time - USN&WR

Obama Hails Final Shuttle Flight, Eyes Mars Next - AFP

Crowds at the Cape Say Farewell to Atlantis - CBS

Emotions Run High at Last Shuttle Launch - Reuters video

Space Shuttle Pictures: NASA's Last Launch a Success - NG images

In Pictures: Final Shuttle Launch - BBC images

Shuttle's Final Ride, Flickers of the Spirit That Started It All - NYT

An End of an Era, or a Promising New Beginning? - LAT

Does US Have a Future in Space? - NG

Critics Have Doubts About NASA's Post-Shuttle Future - FOX

NASA Argues for 'Incredible Future' - BBC

As Shuttle Sails Through Space, Costs Are Tough to Pin Down - WSJ

Final Launch Marks End Of Intellectual Curiosity - SFC

NASA's Space Shuttle Program: A Look Back - PCM

This Week at War: Rumsfeld's Revenge

Robert Gates was certainly more popular, but his predecessor was far more influential.

Here is the latest edition of my column at Foreign Policy:

Topics include:

1) Rumsfeld wins the doctrine war

2) Taiwan needs missile engineers, not more F-16s

Rumsfeld wins the doctrine war

Secretary of Defense Robert Gates's retirement last week was accompanied by warm praise for his leadership style, his political acumen, and his judgment on critical policy issues. Gates left office widely regarded as one of the most effective defense secretaries since the office was created in 1947. This repute is in sharp contrast to that of his predecessor, Donald Rumsfeld, who left the Pentagon in 2006 under a cloud of scorn from Capitol Hill, the media, and inside the department he ran. Indeed, Gates was brought in specifically to reverse many of Rumsfeld's policies, which many believed were causing the United States to lose the war in Iraq. Gates restored collegial harmony and got the Pentagon through a dark period.

But Gates's departure, the wide-ranging overhaul of Barack Obama's national security team, and, most importantly, the president's decision to withdraw 33,000 soldiers from Afghanistan by next summer shows that the "Rumsfeld Doctrine" is now the accepted standard operating procedure for current and future policymakers. In the end, Rumsfeld won the Doctrine War.

During the first Bush term, and even before the 9/11 attacks, Rumsfeld struggled with the Pentagon, and especially the Army, to create faster, lighter, more flexible, and more expeditionary military forces. Planning for the Iraq campaign in 2002 exposed the rift between Rumsfeld and Army planners, who preferred to replicate the slow massive buildup of armored divisions that had crushed the Iraqi army in the Desert Storm campaign in 1991. Buoyed by the success a handful of intelligence operators, special operations soldiers, and precision air power achieved in Afghanistan, Rumsfeld forced Central Command planners to rip up their Desert Storm-inspired war plan and opt instead for a much smaller force that would be supported by precision firepower and special operations forces.

Even as the Iraqi insurgency negated the campaign's initial success, Rumsfeld persisted in institutionalizing the "faster, lighter" expeditionary doctrine. In 2003, Rumsfeld brought Gen. Peter Schoomaker, who had spent most of his career in special operations, out of retirement to be Army chief of staff. Charged with implementing Rumsfeld's vision, Schoomaker's most notable innovation was the Army's conversion from the large division as the basic deploying unit to the smaller and easier-to-deploy brigade. As the insurgency worsened in Iraq, Rumsfeld resisted pressure to build up a larger and heavier U.S. ground commitment. He also resisted pressure to add to the Army and Marine Corps headcounts to relieve the strain on deploying soldiers, preferring that Pentagon funding remain committed to research and equipment modernization rather than be diverted to personnel accounts. The Iraq campaign had become a distraction to Rumsfeld's transformation agenda and, in his view, feeding more resources into it would only create Iraqi dependency.

Immediately upon entering office, Gates directed the Pentagon to focus on the present crisis in Iraq rather than Rumsfeld's goals of transformation for the future. Reversing long-held Rumsfeld positions, Gates ordered increases in headcounts for the Army and Marine Corps and implemented the troop surge and a protect-the-population counterinsurgency strategy in Iraq.

But the setback for the Rumsfeld Doctrine was only temporary. Obama now seems to agree with Rumsfeld that the long U.S. campaigns in Iraq and Afghanistan have resulted in an unhealthy dependency by the hosts -- Obama's speeches on Iraq and Afghanistan have always included his insistence that these countries take responsibility for their security within explicit deadlines.

Rumsfeld's and Schoomaker's redesign of the Army into a lighter, more mobile, and more expeditionary force seems permanent. Gone is the Cold War and Desert Storm concept of the long buildup of armor as prelude to a massive decisive battle. Instead, globally mobile brigade combat teams will provide deterrence, respond to crises, and sustain expeditionary campaigns. Gen. Martin Dempsey, the current Army chief of staff (and soon to be chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff) recently described a sustainable brigade rotation system, an expeditionary adaptation that the Navy and Marine Corps have employed for decades. In addition, both the Army and Marine Corps have drawn up plans to shrink their headcounts back near the Rumsfeld-era levels. Rumsfeld's concerns about personnel costs sapping modernization are now coming to pass.

There now seems to be a near-consensus inside Washington that the large open-ended ground campaigns that Rumsfeld resisted are no longer sustainable. The former defense secretary's preference for special operations forces, air power, networked intelligence, and indigenous allies is now back in vogue. Even Gen. David Petraeus, who burnished his reputation by reversing Rumsfeld's policies in Iraq, will now implement Rumsfeld's doctrine in eastern Afghanistan. According to the New York Times, the U.S. will counter the deteriorating situation there not by shifting in conventional ground troops for pacification, but with "more special forces, intelligence, surveillance, air power ... [and] substantially more Afghan boots on the ground."

Gates no doubt deserves the praise he has received. He came to the Pentagon during a dark moment and restored respect for the Pentagon's civilian leadership. If the battle is over management style, Gates wins in a knockout. But events, combined with experience gained through trial-and-error, have given the ultimate victory to Rumsfeld's military doctrine.

Taiwan needs missile engineers, not more F-16s

According to the Washington Post, the Obama administration is receiving pressure from some members of Congress to sell more arms to Taiwan, a subject the White House undoubtedly prefers would disappear. In play are proposals to either upgrade Taiwan's current fleet of aging F-16 fighters or replace them new models fresh from Lockheed Martin's assembly line in Texas. The Washington Post reports that Senator John Cornyn (R-TX) is holding up a confirmation vote for deputy secretary of state nominee William Burns until Secretary of State Hillary Clinton affirms that the administration will grant Taiwan improved F-16s. Forty-seven senators signed a letter urging Obama to grant the request.

Cornyn and his colleagues intervened because the administration has already preemptively rejected the F-16 request. Last month, Taiwan's de facto embassy in Washington was preparing a formal request for the F-16 upgrade but was discreetly informed by the White House not to bother. Meanwhile, the clock ticks down for Taiwan's elderly jets, 70 percent of which will likely be retired over the next decade. And with no more orders from the U.S. Air Force and few prospects for additional foreign sales, the F-16 assembly line in Texas could close in 2013.

The Obama administration's January 2010 package for Taiwan, which consisted of exclusively defensive equipment, blew up the Pentagon's relationship with Beijing for over a year. An F-16 deal would undoubtedly be even more explosive.

Both the Bush and Obama administrations have demurred on Taiwan's F-16 request and for good reason. As the Pentagon's annual report on Chinese military power explains, China's ballistic and cruise missile force, which the report terms "most active land-based ballistic and cruise missile program in the world," is more than capable of crushing Taiwan's airfields, rendering Taiwan's fixed-wing air power nearly useless. Anticipating this, Taiwan has plans to fly its fighters from highways. But this is no way to generate enough sorties to confront a high-intensity attack from China; fighter aircraft need maintenance, fuel, ordnance, and much other support, all of which are efficiently located at modern airbases, not by the side of a highway.

What Taiwan needs instead is to mimic mainland China's missile program. Mobile launchers, which unlike airfields could evade detection and targeting, could support both battlefield and strategic missiles that could hold targets on the mainland at risk. Such a program could do a better job of restoring a military balance across the Taiwan Strait than would fixed-wing aircraft operating from vulnerable bases.

Taiwan has, in fact, long been pursuing a variety of indigenous missile types. However, the engineers have yet to get all of the bugs out -- a test last week of a new supersonic anti-ship cruise missile failed to find its target. This followed two more failed tests earlier this year of other missile designs.

The jockeying over the F-16 sale is about more than practical military utility. It also involves issues of symbolism and attempts to preserve the defense industrial base inside the United States. But Taiwan's struggle to adapt to the immense missile threat from the mainland -- over a thousand ballistic missiles are now aimed at Taiwan and a hundred more are added every year -- also applies to U.S. military strategy in the region. United States military plans can no more rely on fixed bases and concentrated surface naval forces than Taiwan can. In the meantime, Taiwan could use some missile engineers instead of more F-16s.

Defence IQ: Top 10 Defence Blogs 2011

Yes, we made the top ten cut at Defence IQ. So did Danger Room, Abu Muqawama, Ares Blog, Kings of War, Michael Yon, War is Boring, Information Dissemination, The Best Defense, and RAF Airman's Blog. Congrats to all!

Here's the write-up on SWJ: "There is nothing particularly small about the topics covered by the Small Wars Journal Blog, which is aimed at engaging small wars practitioners. Run by numerous passionate and high profile contributors, Small Wars Journal Blog offers searing analysis on small wars topics from guerrilla warfare in Colombia to counterinsurgency operations in the Middle East. OK, so we admit that there was a bit of friction as to whether SWJ fell into 'blog' or 'journal' territory. Either way, both are a good read. So add them to your bookmarks."

8 July SWJ Roundup

Afghanistan

NATO Admits Civilian Deaths in Afghanistan - WP

NATO Says Airstrike Killed Women and Children - NYT

Three Germany-based US Soldiers Killed in Afghanistan - S&S

Afghan Border Police Overrun in Remote East - AP

Canada Set to End Combat Mission in Afghanistan - VOA

Canada Ends Combat Mission in Afghanistan - AP

Cmdr: Aussie Troops Keen but Tired in Afghanistan - AP

ISAF Operations Roundup - AFPS

Pakistan

Mullen: Pakistan 'Sanctioned Saleem Shahzad Murder' - BBC

Mullen: Pakistan Govt Sanctioned Reporter's Death - AP

Pakistan Rejects US Allegations on Slain Journalist - VOA

Pakistan Slams US Allegation Over Slain Journalist - AP

Pakistani Scientist Says N. Korea Paid for Nuclear Technology - VOA

Pakistani Army Linked, in Letter, to Nuclear Sale to N. Korea - NYT

Karachi Violence 'Leaves 39 Dead' - BBC

Karachi's Ethnic, Political Violence Kills 70 in Three Days - Reuters

Pakistan Deploys 1,000 Troops to Karachi - VOA

Pakistan Security to Shoot on Sight in Karachi - AP

US Has Verified Al Qaeda Operative's Death - LAT

A Pakistani Journalist's Murder - NYT editorial

Iraq

Mullen: Any Force Deal With Iraq Must Address Iran - Reuters

Iraqi PM Maliki Criticises Sunni Secession Talk - Reuters

Baghdad Roadside Bomb Kills 2 US Soldiers - AP

Iraqi Antiquities Looted in War Returned - WT

US Returns Recovered Artifacts Taken From Iraq - Reuters

Syria

Tanks Surround Flashpoint Syrian City, Residents Flee - VOA

US Ambassador to Syria Heads to Restive City of Hama - WP

American Ambassador to Syria Visits Focal Point in Uprising - NYT

Syria Says US 'Interfering' as Ambassador Visits Hama - BBC

Survivors of Syria's Hama Massacre Watch and Hope - Reuters

Activists: Syrian Forces Kill 3 in Damascus Suburb - AP

Libya

Captured Gaddafi Soldiers Tell of Low Morale - WP

Senior Rebel Is Doubtful Qaddafi Can Be Routed - NYT

Libyan Rebels Advance Towards Key Town South of Tripoli - BBC

NATO Denies Trying to Aid Libyan Rebels' Advance - AP

Berlusconi Opposes Libya Mission; Rome Cuts Involvement - VOA

Italy's Berlusconi Exposes NATO Rifts Over Libya - Reuters

House Sends Conflicting Signals on Libya - NYT

House Rejects Bid to Halt Funding of Military Operations - WP

House Vote Lets Obama Continue US Deployment - WT

House Rejects Effort to Prohibit Funds for Libya - AP

Yemen

Air Goes Out of Protests in a Leaderless Yemen - NYT

Yemen's Wounded President Appears on TV - VOA

Yemen's Saleh Appears on TV, Offers to Share Power - Reuters

Injured President Appears on Video - AP

Israel / Palestinians

UN Report Criticizes Israel for Actions at Border - NYT

House Backs Negotiated Israel-Palestinian Deal - AP

Israeli Airport Gears Up Against Activists - WP

Israel, Europe Turn Back Pro-Palestinian Activists - AP

Greece Intercepts Pro-Palestinian Activist Boat - VOA

Israelis Say UN Report on Gaza Flotilla to Appear Soon - Reuters

Egypt

Mubarak Allies Charged in Tahrir Square Attack - NYT

As Egypt Change Drags on, Some Praise Mubarak - Reuters

Cyber Security

A Gold Standard in Cyber-Defense - WP opinion

US Department of Defense

President Calls for Balanced Defense Spending Cuts - AFPS

Lynn to Step Down as Deputy Defense Secretary - AFPS

Lynn Steps Down as No. 2 at Pentagon - WT

No. 2 Defense Official Quitting - AP

Mabus Says LCS Program 'On a Path of Success' - NT

'Maintenance Issue' Forces USS Essex Back to Port - S&S

End of NASA Flights Might Reduce Opportunities for Military Pilots - S&S

United States

2 Charged in Seattle Terror Plot Plead Not Guilty - AP

Yemeni Pleads Guilty in American Yacht Hijacking - AP

President Considers Tax Credit to Hire Veterans - AFPS

Countdown for Shuttle, and for a Bit of the Florida Economy - NYT

Mexican Citizen Executed as Justices Refuse to Step In - NYT

Africa

S. Sudan, the Newest Nation, Is Full of Hope and Problems - NYT

South Sudan Secedes Amid Tensions - WP

South Sudan Puts on Dress Rehearsal for Independence - VOA

Bashir at South Sudan's Independence Day a Problem - WT

North Sudan Army Demobilizes Southern Members - VOA

US Seeks to Boost South Sudan, Keep Pressing Khartoum - Reuters

7,000 UN Troops and 900 Police for South Sudan - AP

S. Sudan: New Nation, Same Enemy - WP opinion

Rebel Leader Says al-Shabab Losing Ground in Somalia - VOA

Somali Pirates Fire Rocket at Oil Tanker - AP

Ivorian Rebel Becomes Army Chief - BBC

East Africa Drought: DEC Appeals for Funds - BBC

Americas

Mexico: Four Men Found Guilty in 2010 Killing of 15 - LAT

Mexico: 4 Men Found Guilty in Juarez Massacre - AP

Colombia, US Bust 'Mafia Company' Cocaine Ring - Reuters

Chavez Back in Charge at Venezuela Cabinet Meeting - AP

Venezuela's Chavez Keeps Ministers in Same Jobs - Reuters

Honduras Truth Commission Rules Zelaya Removal was Coup - BBC

OAS Coup Report Implicates Honduras in 20 Slayings - AP

Asia Pacific

Pakistani Scientist Says N. Korea Paid for Nuclear Technology - VOA

Pakistani Army Linked, in Letter, to Nuclear Sale to N. Korea - NYT

Starving North Korea Faces Suspicious Donors - LAT

S. Korea Working on New Resettlement Facility for Defectors from N. - VOA

Legacy of Corruption Still Exists in South Korea - AP

In Capitol Visit, Dalai Lama Meets US Lawmakers - AP

China Warns US Officials Not to Meet Dalai Lama - Reuters

China: Rumors of Former President Jiang Zemin's Death False - LAT

Malaysia to Lock Down Largest City to Block Rally - AP

Thailand's Successful Election - WP editorial

Europe

Cracks Show Even as European Union Tries to Grow - WT

Man Charged in Germany in Killing of US Airmen - NYT

Russia: Travel Ban Against Putin Critics Voided - WP

Italy: Berlusconi Says He Will Not Seek New Term - Reuters

Bosnians Heading Toward Srebrenica for Anniversary - AP

Read more about 8 July SWJ Roundup

How to Fix USAID

How to Fix USAID by Joshua Foust, The Atlantic. BLUF: "A broken aid agency helps no one. Instead of throwing development projects at the military, the US should put effort into fixing the aid agency's problems."

The Snapper

The Snapper

CIVCAS (civilian casualties) are a huge problem for our side and for the enemy. The enemy causes far more CIVCAS but as outsiders our mistakes have a more toxic psychological effect. We won't have to wait long for the next report of the Taliban accidentally, or purposefully, blowing up civilians. It will probably happen today and tomorrow.

Our movements along the roads are predictable. In many cases nothing that can be done about that. The times may vary, but many of the routes are set by terrain or circumstance. Our people are very well trained to spot the bombs, and they are supremely outfitted with an impressive array of countermeasures and armor. There are few if any complaints from troops about their training or gear to avoid being blown up. Nobody in history has been more prepared for IEDs than our current combat troops. It's hard to blow them up, but the enemy is smart and continues to land hard punches with low expense. Everyone realizes there is only so much you can do, and then you are in war, and you take chances.

The enemy has difficulty hitting our vehicles with RCIEDs (radio-controlled IEDs) because our countermeasures are excellent. Low-tech inexpensive methods, such as land mines, can work against us on roads, but the problem with land mines is that they are dumb and they blow up the first thing that ticks them off, which likely will be civilian traffic. Enemy CIVCAS toxifies their operating environment and also misses their target.

And so the enemy has developed techniques to circumvent countermeasures and reduce CIVCAS. One of those techniques is "the snapper."

Read more about the snapper at Michael Yon's online magazine.

Deputy Secretary Announces Intention to Depart

Via DoD: Deputy Secretary Announces Intention to Depart

William J. Lynn III, the third-longest serving deputy secretary in the post-Cold War era, today announced his intention to step down as deputy secretary and return to private life. Lynn met with Secretary of Defense Leon E. Panetta late last week to discuss his plans. At Panetta's request, Lynn has agreed to remain until a successor is in place this fall.

"Bill Lynn has provided outstanding advice and counsel to this department and to the nation over the course of his long career," said Panetta. "I will rely on his experience and expertise during this transition period. His service will be greatly missed."

As the nation's 30th deputy secretary of defense, Lynn capped a nearly two-decade career of government service, during which he served as senior national security advisor to the late Sen. Edward Kennedy and a senior advisor to five secretaries of defense.

"It has been a rare privilege to serve in the Department of Defense during such a challenging time," said Lynn. "And it has been an honor to serve alongside an outstanding group of civilian and military members who every day demonstrate the value to this nation of their unwavering commitment and dedicated service."

During his tenure, Lynn helped the department navigate new strategic and fiscal realities, while supporting efforts in two wars. He helped create a new space policy, the department's first ever operational-energy strategy, and a landmark cyber strategy to protect the nation in the digital age, including the creation of the U.S. Cyber Command. He received widespread praise from America's men and women in uniform for expanding their use of social media to communicate with their families while deployed.

Lynn also oversaw the department's budget process, relations with the defense industry, and acquisition process, including the department's successful bid for a new refueling tanker.

Improving the care and treatment of wounded warriors was also a signature issue for Lynn, who implemented a new system of disability evaluation and oversaw the department's development of an integrated electronic health record.

Lynn will continue living in the Washington D.C., area but has not yet announced any future plans.

Read more about Deputy Secretary Announces Intention to Depart

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