| Small Wars Journal

The Unnoticed Surge in Afghan Security by Lieutenant General William B. Caldwell IV, Chicago Tribune opinion. BLUF: "The surge of Afghans is the remarkable story of the tremendous growth of the Afghan National Security Force, a story will only continue as the army and police grow by an additional 35,000 by the end of October." LTG Caldwell is the Commanding General of NATO Training Mission-Afghanistan.

15 February SWJ Roundup

Middle East / North Africa

Public Holiday Gives Egypt's Rulers More Time to Implement Reforms - VOA

Egypt's Generals Try to Quell Strikes - Washington Post

Egypt Army Sets 6-Month Blueprint, Future Role Unclear - New York Times

Egyptian Military Criticizes Public Worker Strikes - Voice of America

Muslim Brotherhood in Egypt Present Two Faces - Wall Street Journal

In One Slice of New Egypt, Few Focusing on Religion - New York Times

Egypt Economy Awaits its Lost Tourists - Washington Post

Clashes in Iran, Protests Continue in Yemen and Bahrain - New York Times

Iran, Bahrain and Yemen, Protesters Take to Streets - Los Angeles Times

Egypt Uprising Inspires Middle East - Washington Post

Arab League Leader Says Nations Shouldn't Fear Revolts - Washington Post

Arab Leaders to Meet in Baghdad - Washington Times

Bahrain Police Disperse Rallies With Tear Gas - Voice of America

Unrest Spreads in Bahrain - Wall Street Journal

Bahrain Man 'Shot Dead' at Protester's Funeral - BBC News

Supporters, Opponents of Yemen's President Clash in Capital - VOA

Street Battles Hit Yemeni Capital in Latest Protest - BBC News

Clashes in Yemen Between Pro- and Anti-govt Protesters - Washington Post

Palestinian Leader Dissolves Cabinet - New York Times

Palestinian Cabinet Resigns as Mideast Turmoil Spreads - Washington Post

Upheaval Opens the Exits in Tunisia - New York Times

Tunisia Migrants: Italy Puts Europe on Alert - BBC News

Facebook Officials Keep Quiet on Its Role in Revolts - New York Times

A Cautious Faith in the Army - New York Times opinion

Afghanistan

One Year After Offensive, Signs of Progress in Marjah - Stars and Stripes

Bomb Kills 2 at Upscale Kabul Hotel Complex - Washington Post

Suicide Bombing in Kabul Kills Two - Los Angeles Times

Afghan Guards Called Heroes After Thwarting Attack - New York Times

Afghan Government Seizes Election Ballots - Washington Post

U.N. Says More Child Victims in Afghanistan - Associated Press

Men Accused of Plot to Sell Drugs to Arm Taliban - New York Times

Afghan, Coalition Forces Detain Insurgents in Kandahar - AFPS

U.S. Army: Reprimands Issued for Troubled Mission - Navy Times

Pakistan

U.S. 'to Prove' Raymond Davis Immunity in Pakistan - BBC News

Pakistani Gov't Says No Change on American Diplomat's Case - VOA

Pakistani Governor's Assassin Pleads Guilty - Associated Press

Iraq

Iraqi Protesters Seek Not a New Regime, but Jobs - New York Times

Iran

Iran Uses Force Against Protests As Region Erupts - New York Times

Iran Sees Biggest Protests in a Year - Washington Post

Iran Uses Tear Gas, Arrests to Break Up Protests - Voice of America

Iran Unrest: MPs Call for Death of Mousavi and Karroubi - BBC News

State Department Turns to Twitter to Reach Iranians - USA Today

U.S. Department of Defense

Obama Seeks $676 Billion for Defense Programs - Washington Times

Obama Asks for $671 Billion Defense Budget in Fiscal 2012 - AFPS

Gates: Defense Needs $540 Billion for Fiscal '11 - AFPS

Pentagon Looks to Cut Spending with 2012 Budget - Stars and Stripes

Mullen: U.S. Depends on Military Ties with Israel - Associated Press

Still No Word on Combat Brigades in Europe - Stars and Stripes

'Don't Ask' Repeal Training Set to Begin - AFPS

Rumsfeld's Revisionism - Washington Post opinion

United States

Clinton Picks Holbrooke Replacement - New York Times

Grilling Heated in House Hearing on Egypt and Middle East - Washington Post

Sen. Grassley Probes Border Agent Slaying - Washington Times

U.S. Policy to Address Internet Freedom - New York Times

House Passes Extension of Patriot Act - Washington Times

United Kingdom

Army Apologizes after U.K. Soldiers Sacked by Email - Reuters

Africa

Athor Attack in South Sudan's Jonglei 'Killed 200' - BBC News

Economic Sanctions Hurting Ivory Coast Economy - Voice of America

Niger Politicians Forge Alliances Before March Election - Voice of America

Mugabe's Absence Reportedly Hinders Zimbabwe Government - VOA

Partying Amid Poverty Stirs South Africa Debate - New York Times

Americas

In Mexico, Anti-Drug Leader Is Killed - Wall Street Journal

Mexico Drug Violence Kills 18 in Tamaulipas State - BBC News

Mexico, U.S.: Bridging a Gap Between Fear and Peace - New York Times

Colombia Drugs: Police Hold 'Gang's Financial Brains' - BBC News

Drug Submarine Seized by Colombian Navy - BBC News

Arrests of Brazilian Police Spur Drive Against Graft - New York Times

Argentina Accuses U.S. of Sneaking in Cargo - New York Times

Argentina, U.S. Tangle over Military Material - Associated Press

Asia Pacific

Admiral: China's Carrier Killer Won't Stop U.S. Navy - Associated Press

Russian Sold Secrets for China's First Carrier - Washington Times

2 Philippine Soldiers, 5 Militants Killed in Clash - Associated Press

Gov't: Philippine Rebels Stronger Ahead of Talks - Associated Press

U.N. Launches Assessment of N. Korea Food Needs - Associated Press

Thailand, Cambodia Foreign Ministers to Face Off at U.N. - Voice of America

Europe

Cuts in European Defense Budgets Raise Concerns - Washington Post

Tunisia Migrants: Italy Puts Europe on Alert - BBC News

Russian Tycoon's Trial Was Rigged, Assistant Says - New York Times

Russia: Khodorkovsky Sentence Imposed by 'Higher Authority' - Washington Post

Russian Judge's Superiors Issued Verdict - Los Angeles Times

Germany Feels Push Back as It Grows More Euro-Assertive - New York Times

Italian Prime Minister to Stand Trial - Los Angeles Times

Berlusconi Indicted on Prostitution Charges - Associated Press

Investigators of Turkish Plot Detain 4 Journalists - New York Times

Read more about 15 February SWJ Roundup

Weight of War (Updated)

Weight of War: Gear that Protects Troops Also Injures Them by Hal Bernton, Seattle Times. BLUF: "Military studies acknowledge that combat soldiers are carrying too much weight - often more than 100 pounds. These loads have contributed to soaring numbers of injuries, and higher costs in disability payments."

Update: Military Struggles to Lighten Soldiers' Load (Part 2) by Hal Bernton, Seattle Times.

Highlights from Budget Day at the Pentagon

Click here to see the summary of today's FY 2012 budget request rollout at the Pentagon.

Some highlights (all dollar figures in billions):

1) DoD top line declines from projected $708 in FY11 (depending on how the battle over the CR turns out) to $671 in FY12. All the reduction is in Overseas Contingency Operations (OCO) ($159 to $118). Base budget goes from $548 to $553.

2) 1.6% raise in uniformed base pay (civilians are under a two-year freeze), same as Employment Cost Index. Other allowances to go up more.

3) DoD will try again to raise Tricare premiums for working-age retirees.

4) Notable increases in purchases of UAVs and Army helicopters.

5) $1.3 for Cyber Command.

6) Section 1206 (Global Train and Equip) will get $0.5. This does not include $12.8 for Afghan security forces (included in OCO), $0.5 for transition in Iraq from DoD to State.

7) Delays in F-35 mean that DoD plans to buy 41 F-18s between 2012-2016.

8) Navy will buy 11 ships in FY12, including 1 DDG, 2 SSN, 4 LCS, 2 JHSV, 1 MLP, and 1 LPD. R&D begins on new SSBN.

9) Funding for new USAF bomber and "long-range strike family of systems."

10) Within the FY12 base budget request, personnel and O&M again get the biggest increases. FY12 procurement request also grows but by $7 less than forecast last year. Research, milcon, and other accounts all shrink.

11) DoD sees base budget at $611 in FY16, 0.5% per annum real growth since FY10. OCO stable at $50 FY13-FY16, which would seem to assume a sharp drawdown in Afghanistan after FY 12.

Read more about Highlights from Budget Day at the Pentagon

The Sacrifice Ahead

The Sacrifice Ahead: The 2012 Defense Budget - Center for a New American Security policy brief by Travis Sharp.

The fiscal year 2012 defense budget request is a break from the past ten years of budget growth, but it does not go far enough to rebalance defense spending priorities given the fiscal pressures and threats the United States faces, according to this policy brief. The Sacrifice Ahead: The 2012 Defense Budget recommends that the Department of Defense (DOD) pursue additional efficiencies savings and make modest reductions in its base budget to help shore up the U.S. economy, the core of America's global and military power.

In The Sacrifice Ahead, author Travis Sharp calls on government leaders -- including the next secretary of defense and members of Congress -- to address the budgetary challenges that threaten U.S. national security: The Pentagon's need to further streamline its operations and America's growing debt.

"The FY 2012 budget requested by DOD will enable the U.S. military to defend the nation against many perils. But it will do little to stymie a threat that may ultimately prove more dangerous: America's growing debt," writes Sharp. "Over time, the economic consequences of indebtedness may crowd out investments in a U.S. military that undergirds international security; may render the United States more vulnerable to economic coercion; and may erode America's global stature and soft power. Relieving U.S. indebtedness demands preventive action by American society and government -- including DOD."

The Sacrifice Ahead: The 2012 Defense Budget