"Army Gen. Ray Odierno, JFCOM's commander, will lead an all-hands meeting at 1 p.m. today to discuss the command's future, according to an e-mail sent to JFCOM staff Tuesday."

SWJ will post updates as info becomes available.

Not much to update so far. The AP reports, via the Washington Post, that JFCOM cuts will include 2,300 in Virginia and more at several other locations. The hardest hit will be the defense contractor force, down to 500 from the current estimated 2,500 nationwide.

Update 2: Odierno Details Joint Forces Command Disestablishment Plans by Cheryl Pellerin of the American Forces Press Service.

... In the months ahead, streamlined relevant joint functions will be transferred to "appropriate Defense Department entities, mostly the Joint Staff," Odierno said. "We'll ensure that we sustain the momentum and gains in jointness while maintaining critical interaction with NATO, specifically Allied Command Transformation, and other multinational partners."

Allied Command Transformation, based in Norfolk, Va., is a NATO military command that provides the conceptual framework for conducting combined joint operations.

Odierno said he's required over the next 30 days to publish a detailed implementation plan and submit it to Gates.

"During this time," the general said, "I will continue to refine the details of this plan, and will continue to refine it as we begin execution of the plan."

A two-star general officer will lead the new organization from Norfolk-Suffolk as deputy director for operational plans and joint force development on the Joint Staff. Joint Forces Command will be disestablished as a four-star combatant command by the end of August, and all personnel moves will be complete by March 2012.

"Today we have 33 liaison officers as part of Joint Forces Command," Odierno said. "They will remain connected to the Joint Warfighting Center. We have requests for 17 other nations to join us here, and that will continue to be programmed."

The general said the command's outlying centers and agencies will be realigned and reduced for efficiency and assigned to other combatant commands. No physical moves are projected with the transfers.

These include the Joint Warfare Analysis Center in Dahlgren, Va.; the Personnel Recovery Agency in Fort Belvoir, Va.; the Joint Communications and Support Element at MacDill Air Force Base in Tampa, Fla.; and the NATO School in Germany.

Joint Forces Command service components include Fleet Forces Command, Air Combat Command, Marine Forces Command and Army Forces Command, Odierno said, and each will revert to their respective service's control Aug. 1.

The reorganized command will retain 51 percent of its Virginia work force, which will be reduced from about 4,700 people to 2,425. In the Norfolk-Suffolk area, the work force will drop to 1,900 from 3,800 people, and from 21 buildings to four...

As Egypt Protest Swells, U.S. Sends Specific Demands - New York Times

U.S. Call to Hosni Mubarak's Government - BBC News

Free Elections Still Distant Prospect for Egypt - Washington Post

Allies Press U.S. to Go Slow on Egypt - New York Times

U.S. Lawmakers Now Back Egypt Aid - Los Angeles Times

Cairo Demonstrators Dig In - Wall Street Journal

Ranks of Protesters Swell in Cairo - Washington Post

Protests Grow Again; Govt Offers New Compromises - Los Angeles Times

Egyptians Show No Signs of Weariness - Washington Times

Egypt Protests Swell Despite Government Steps on Reform - VOA

Freed Young Leader Energizes Egyptian Protests - Associated Press

White House Walks Fine Line on Muslim Brotherhood - Washington Post

Gates Praises Egyptian Military Amid Protests - Stars and Stripes

Emotions of a Reluctant Hero Galvanize Protesters - New York Times

More Protesters Turn Out, Drawn by Google's Ghonim - Los Angeles Times

Mr. Suleiman's Empty Promises - New York Times editorial

Humility on the Nile - Washington Post opinion

Up With Egypt - New York Times opinion

U.S. Hypocrisy on Egypt - Washington Post opinion

U.S. Must Back Democracy in Egypt - Los Angeles Times opinion

Middle East

Gates Calls Egypt Protests Signal to Other Mid-East Leaders - VOA

Jordan Tribesmen Warn King to Reform or Risk Revolt - Voice of America

Palestinians to Hold Local Elections July 9 - Associated Press

Afghanistan

Karzai Again Takes a Swipe at Western Backers - Los Angeles Times

Afghan President: Reconstruction Teams Have to Go - Voice of America

Karzai: NATO Reconstruction Bases Must Go - Associated Press

Afghan Government Expands Reach But Gains Fragile - Associated Press

Karzai Calls on the U.S. To Free a Taliban Official - New York Times

Afghan Govt Accuses 16 Security Firms of Violations - Washington Post

Brigade Commanders Provide North Afghanistan Update - AFPS

Military Working Dogs: Afghanistan's Most Loyal Troops - Los Angeles Times

Pakistan

Mystery Over Detained American Angers Pakistan - New York Times

Bombings Kill 4, Destroy Oil Tanker Carrying NATO Fuel - CNN News

Iraq

In Kirkuk, a Test of U.S. Peacekeepers' Lasting Impact - Washington Post

Violence Continues in Iraq as U.S. Mission Changes - Associated Press

Car Bombs in Northern Iraq Kill 7 - Associated Press

Amnesty Accuses Iraq of Operating Secret Prisons to Torture Detainees - VOA

Rumsfeld: U.N. Speech Pre-empted Terror Camp Raid - Washington Times

Iran

Iranian Dissident Says Planned March Will Test Regime - New York Times

WikiLeaks

Assange Sex Assault Charges Debated, Day 2 - Washington Post

WikiLeaks Founder in Court to Challenge Extradition - New York Times

Prosecutor: Assange Dodged Swedish Investigators - Los Angeles Times

U.S. Department of Defense

Chairman's Corner: 2011 National Military Strategy - AFPS

Mullen: U.S. Military Shifting Focus to Asia-Pacific - Stars and Stripes

Pentagon Highlights Threats from Asia in Strategy - Washington Times

Special Operations 'Fraying Around the Edges,' Commander Says - AFPS

U.S. Commander: Special Operations Forces Stressed - Associated Press

Rumsfeld: I Should've Left the Pentagon in 2004 - CBS News

DARPA 'Crowd Sources' Combat Vehicle Design - AFPS

Navy Employee, Ga. Contractor Accused of Kickbacks - Associated Press

Most Seriously Wounded Commander Returns to Combat - The Daily

Medal of Honor Recipient Giunta to Leave Military - Des Moines Register

Navy Sets Deadline for Post-DADT Training - Washington Post

United States

At CIA, Mistakes by Officers Often Overlooked - Washington Post

House Panel Set for Hearings on Terrorist Threat Within - Los Angeles Times

Patriot Act Extension Fails in House - Bloomberg

Patriot Act Reverse Surprises GOP - Washington Times

Africa

Sudan's Terror-list Removal Untied from Darfur - Washington Times

Southern Sudan Minister Shot Dead by Ministry Driver - BBC News

Prosecution Makes Closing Arguments in Taylor Trial - Voice of America

Former Liberian President Boycotts War Crimes Trial - New York Times

Riches in Nigeria Lost After Arrival - New York Times

Americas

Mexican City's Troubles Reshape Families - New York Times

U.S. Teens Killed in Juarez Crossed Border for Party - Associated Press

Haiti Issues New Passport for Aristide - New York Times

Passport Puts Aristide Closer to Possible Haiti Return - Los Angeles Times

Asia Pacific

Talks Collapse Between N., S. Korea Military - Stars and Stripes

Korea Talks Ended Abruptly Without Agreement - New York Times

North, South Korea Hold Official Talks - Washington Post

Taiwan General Lo Hsien-che Held on China Spy Charges - BBC News

Pause in Fighting Between Thailand and Cambodia - New York Times

Europe

Europe Watches Arab Protests for Lessons - Voice of America

Germany Charges al-Qaida Suspect - Associated Press

Russia: Security Shake-up Follows Moscow Bombing - Washington Times

Russia's Top Terrorist Promises More Bombs for Moscow - Voice of America

Russia Expels U.K. Reporter Who Covered Corruption - Washington Post

U.S., French Defense Leaders Sign Space Agreement - AFPS

Italy: Prosecutors to Recommend Trial for Berlusconi - New York Times

Six months ago, Secretary Gates stood right here at this podium and asked some very pointed questions about the capabilities and future of the Marine Corps. He challenged the Corps to, "define the unique mission of the Marines going forward." When the boss challenges you to do something, you probably ought to take it seriously... and we did.

I refer to our Marine Corps of today as a 'middleweight force.' I liken it to boxing, where a middleweight boxer can box up into the heavy weight division or box down to the lightweight division simply by changing his weight and training regime. The same is true for the Marine Corps. We fill the void in our Nation's defense for an agile force that is comfortable operating at the high and low ends of the threat spectrum, or the more likely ambiguous areas in between.

In early September, the Marine Corps began an internally-driven, comprehensive Force Structure Review. Armed with the "mission of the Marine Corps" from my Planning Guidance, and using the future security environment as the backdrop in which we will most likely operate, a team of our brightest Marines and Civilian Marines, guided by myself and the top leadership of our Corps, crafted a post-Afghanistan Marine Corps. Yesterday, I briefed Secretary Gates and our senior leadership on the results of this study, and Congress is being briefed, as well.

As a result of our review, the Marine Corps will:

1. Right-size the Marine Corps for a post Afghanistan world

2. Build capabilities that support a "middleweight force" whose role is to respond to today's crisis... TODAY

3. Fully institutionalize the lessons learned during nine years of combat and counter insurgency missions

4. Assure access, preserve freedom of maneuver and deny sanctuary against irregular, hybrid and conventional threats

5. Maintain a force with a minimum capability to simultaneously deploy two Brigade's worth of assault forces from 33 amphibious ships

6. Eliminate unnecessary HQ's and flatten the Marine Corps command structure where it makes sense to do so

7. Build regionally-aligned Marine Expeditionary Brigade Command Elements that provide scalable, Joint Task Force-capable, crisis response command and control for our Regional Combatant Commanders

8. Maintain Reserve force structure at current levels while internally reorganizing for increased operational relevance with the Total Force

9. Increase Marine Cyber-forces by 67% and Marine Special Operations Command by 44%

10. Turn high demand/low density forces into high demand/'right density' forces

11. Transition 7% of non-operational forces to operational billets

12. Reorganize and Consolidate Irregular Warfare Organizations

13. Restructure our logistics groups to increase the depth, availability and responsiveness of our combat service support

Chairman's Corner: National Military Strategy

By Admiral Mike Mullen

Chairman, Joint Chiefs of Staff

WASHINGTON, February 08, 2011 - Today, I released the 2011 National Military Strategy which provides a vision for how our Joint Force will provide the military capability to protect the American People, defend our Nation and allies, and contribute to our broader peace, security and prosperity.

While we continue to refine how we counter violent extremism and deter aggression, this strategy also rightfully emphasizes that our military power is most effective when employed in concert with other elements of power. This whole-of-nation approach to foreign policy, with civilian leadership appropriately at the helm, will be essential as we address the complex security challenges before us.

This strategy also acknowledges that while tough near-term choices must be made during this era of broader economic constraints, we will continue to invest in our people and our families. Working with our government and interagency partners, and our friends and allies, they, most of all, will bring this strategy to life as we meet our 21st century responsibilities in a dynamic, yet uncertain, future.

- Admiral Mike Mullen

In Egypt, U.S. Weighs Push for Change With Stability - New York Times

U.S. Eases Off Call for Swift Egypt Reform - Los Angeles Times

Cairo Demonstrations Hit Standstill - Washington Post

Despite Talks in Egypt, Protests Continue - Voice of America

Egyptian Leaders Announce 15% Pay Raises - Washington Times

Egypt Unrest: Public-sector Pay Rise But Protests Go On - BBC News

Obama Says Egypt 'Making Progress' in Negotiation - Bloomberg

Egypt Protesters Call For Push to Eject Mubarak - Reuters

Muslim Brotherhood Eyes Comeback in Egypt - Washington Post

Foreign Islamists Get Little Support in Egypt - Wall Street Journal

How Long Can Military Navigate Middle Ground? - Los Angeles Times

Protesters Restless as they Hope for U.S. Support - Washington Post

Cable Tells of Mubarak Resisting U.S. Calls for Reform - Washington Post

Cairo Seeks Business as Usual in Unusual Times - Voice of America

Egypt's Leaders Seek to Project Air of Normalcy - New York Times

Egypt Approves Raise for Government Workers as Protests Continue - VOA

Makeshift Clinics Treat Ill and Injured in Cairo - Washington Times

Amid Egypt Turmoil, More Clashes in Sinai - New York Times

Protesters Tell of Beatings While in Custody - Los Angeles Times

Egypt Releases Google Executive, Company Says - New York Times

Wrongly Choosing Egypt's Generals - Washington Post editorial

Is Caution the Right U.S. Strategy? - New York Times opinion series

Speakers' Corner on the Nile - New York Times opinion

Middle East / North Africa

Egyptian Upheaval Threatens Efforts to Revive Mideast Peace Talks - VOA

Tribesmen in Jordan Issue Call for Political Reform - New York Times

Lebanon: Hariri Tribunal Begins Procedural Hearing Ahead of Trial - VOA

Results: South Sudan Backs Independence - BBC News

Sudan Leader to Accept Secession of South - New York Times

Sudan Under Pressure After South Secedes - Washington Times

Flotilla to Try to Break Gaza Blockade in May - Washington Times

The Real 'Realism' on Israel - Los Angeles Times opinion

Afghanistan

Afghan, NATO Forces Brace for Spring Offensive - Associated Press

NATO: Hundreds of Afghan Fighters to Lay Down Arms - Reuters

900 Afghans Militants Join Reintegration Program - Associated Press

Civilian Program Mentors Afghan Defense Counterparts - AFPS

Afghan, Coalition Forces Detain Suspects in Khost - AFPS

Suicide Attack Kills 1 in Kandahar - Los Angeles Times

A Blood-Stained Rifle in Afghanistan - New York Times

Pakistan

U.S.-Pakistan Relations Strained with Jailed Diplomat - Washington Post

Pakistan Launches Afghanistan Fuel and Goods Tax - BBC News

Pakistan: Pervez Musharraf 'Accused' Over Bhutto Murder - BBC News

Iraq

Rumsfeld Admits 'Possible' Iraq Troop Mistakes - Agence France Presse

Marine Gets 6 Years in Prison for Iraq Fraud - Washington Post

Iran

Iran's Opposition Seeks Rally to Back Egypt and Tunisia - New York Times

WikiLeaks

WikiLeaks Founder Fights Extradition - Voice of America

Assange Back in Court to Challenge Extradition - New York Times

Assange at Extradition Trial in London - Washington Post

U.S. Department of Defense

Navy Drone Will Call Aircraft Carriers Home - Wall Street Journal

Report Calls for Restraints in Space Activity - Washington Times

Official Cites Need for Collaboration in Solving DOD Issues - AFPS

United States

Muslims to Be Congressional Hearings' Main Focus - New York Times

U.S. Mends Frosty Relations with Al Jazeera - Los Angeles Times

United Kingdom

U.K. Ministers 'Wanted Lockerbie Bomber Released' - BBC News

U.K. Report: Previous Govt Backed Bomber's Release - Associated Press

Africa

A.U. Mediators Meet with Ivorian Rival Governments - Voice of America

Zimbabwe: ZANU-PF Members Attack Foreign Business - Voice of America

Ethiopia Says 2.8 Million People Need Emergency Food Aid - VOA

D.R. Congo 'Gold Smugglers' Arrested in Goma - BBC News

Americas

Haiti's President to Stay Three Months Past Term - New York Times

Haiti 'Gives Ex-President Aristide New Passport' - BBC News

Asia Pacific

Is China a Measuring Stick or a Warning Sign? - Washington Post

S., N. Korea to Hold Military Talks Tuesday at DMZ - Stars and Stripes

North, South Korea Hold First Talks in Four Months - Los Angeles Times

Cambodia Reports Fresh Border Clashes With Thailand - Voice of America

Cambodians Are Evacuated in Temple Feud With Thais - New York Times

U.S. Starts War Games Near Thai-Cambodian Clash - Washington Times

Indonesia Demands Probe Into Attack on Muslim Sect - Associated Press

Indonesian Authorities Vow Inquiry After Attack - New York Times

Burma Opposition Seeks Sanctions Talks With U.S., Eur. - Associated Press

Former Philippine Defense Secretary Is Dead - New York Times

Europe

Chechen Warlord Umarov Claims Moscow Airport Bomb - BBC News

Moscow's New Armada - Newsweek

Russia Expels a British Journalist - New York Times

Milan Judge Frees Former Guantanamo Inmate - Associated Press

New Basque Party Launched, Rejects ETA Violence - Associated Press

South Asia

No Breakthrough in India-Pakistan Talks - Associated Press

Tibetan Lama Faces Scrutiny and Suspicion in India - New York Times

Opposition-Sponsored Strike Shuts Down Bangladesh - Voice of America

Floods Fury Returns to Sri Lanka - BBC News

After First Talks, Egypt Opposition Vows New Protest - New York Times

Egypt: Key Opponents Relax Stance - Washington Post

Egypt's New Cabinet Meets as Protests Continue - Los Angeles Times

Vice President Offers Concessions in Egyptian Talks - Washington Times

Egypt Protesters Unmoved by Talks - BBC News

Egyptian VP Holds Unprecedented Talks with Muslim Brotherhood - VOA

Muslim Brotherhood Joins Talks on Egypt Crisis - Los Angeles Times

Muslim Brotherhood Cagey on Government Shift - Washington Times

Egypt VP Meets Opposition, Offers New Concessions - Associated Press

Clinton: U.S. to Wait-and-See on Brotherhood's Talks - Voice of America

At Tahrir Square, Egyptian Army Feints and Jabs - Washington Post

Egypt's Ire Turns to Confidant of Mubarak's Son - New York Times

Prizing Status Quo, Mubarak Resists Pressure - New York Times

White House Races to Keep Pace with Events - Washington Post

Clinton: Warning Against Hasty Exit for Mubarak - New York Times

Clinton: Mubarak Ouster Now Could Complicate Transition - Washington Post

Israel Concerned About Gas Supplies After Egyptian Pipeline Blast - VOA

Al Jazeera Hopes Reports From Egypt Open Doors in U.S. - New York Times

Optimism About Missing Google Executive in Egypt - New York Times

A Republic Called Tahrir - New York Times opinion

Egypt's Iran Parallel - Washington Post opinion

Middle East / North Africa

Echoes of Soviet Collapse in Mideast Revolt - Associated Press

Kuwaiti Interior Minister Steps Down - Associated Press

Tunisia Suspends Activities of Former Ruling Party - Voice of America

Political Party of Ex-Leader Is Suspended in Tunisia - Associated Press

South Sudan Independence Referendum Result Expected - BBC News

50 Left Dead After Mutiny by Army Unit in South Sudan - Reuters

How Democracy Became Halal - New York Times opinion

The Age of Oil Isn't Going Away - Washington Post opinion

Afghanistan

E. Afghanistan: At War With the Taliban's Shadowy Rule - New York Times

U.S. Plan to Arm Afghan Villagers Carries Risks - Washington Post

Karzai Seeks End to NATO Reconstruction Teams - New York Times

Report Casts Doubt on Taliban's Ties With Al Qaeda - New York Times

Karzai Sets March 21 as Start of Security Transfer to Afghan Forces - VOA

Karzai Critical of Aid Bypassing Afghan Government - Washington Post

Teenage Soldier Discovers Bomb Factory in Afghanistan - Daily Telegraph

Germany Pledges to Support Afghanistan After Withdrawal - Deutsche Welle

Iraq

Iraqis Protest Poor Public Services Across Country - Associated Press

Iran

Iran's Opposition Hopes to Draw from Protests - Washington Post

In Tehran, Trial Begins of Americans Held as Spies - New York Times

2 American Hikers in Iranian Prison Plead Not Guilty - Los Angeles Times

Iran Opens Trial of 3 Americans on Spy Charges - Associated Press

U.S. Hikers Plead Not Guilty in Iran Spy Case - Voice of America

Iran Opposition Asks to Hold Rally for Solidarity with Egyptians - VOA

WikiLeaks

Wikileaks Founder Back in Court to Challenge Extradition - New York Times

WikiLeaks' Assange Faces Extradition Hearing - Associated Press

Former WikiLeaks Colleagues Forming New Web Site - New York Times

U.S. Department of Defense

Defense Spending in Virginia: How Deep the Cuts? - Virginian-Pilot

National Defense Rocket Launches from Calif. Coast - Associated Press

Handbook to Guide GIs on Social Media Usage - Army Times

Military Contractor Selling Faulty Grenades to U.S. Army - ABC News

United States

Killing of Missionary Rattles Texas Border - New York Times

As Somali Gangs Evolve, So Does Enforcement - Associated Press

For a Hmong Hero, a Lavish Farewell - New York Times

Foreign Policy: Obama the Realist - New York Times opinion

Obama Needs Freedom Agenda He Can Believe In - Washington Post opinion

Africa

Stopping Violent Cycle Among African Soldiers - Stars and Stripes

Fighting Congo's Ills With Education and Army of Women - New York Times

India: 28 Suspected Somali Pirates Captured - Voice of America

Americas

Mexican Prison Official Murdered in Monterrey - BBC News

Just 2 Candidates, but Worries for Haiti's Runoff - New York Times

Asia Pacific

Japan, U.S. Join Hands Against Nuclear Terrorism - Kyodo News

Japan PM Says Russia Visit to Kurils 'Unforgiveable' - BBC News

South Korea Questions Boat Passengers From North - New York Times

Cambodia, Thailand Again Exchange Cross-Border Shelling - Voice of America

Cambodia Asks U.N. to Act Amid Clashes With Thailand - New York Times

Cambodia Calls for U.N. Buffer Zone at Thai Border - BBC News

Europe

Chechen Rebel Leader Promises More Terror Attacks on Russia - VOA

Fearful Russian Lawmaker Flees to U.S. - Associated Press

South Asia

India and Pakistan Officials Meet - BBC News

Mumbai Court to Rule on Appeal by Gunman Qasab - BBC News

Jhalanath Khanal Sworn in as Nepal's New PM - Voice of America

It is remarkable to us that in the past year the army grew by approx 50K soldiers and the police grew by nearly 20K. At the same time the ANSF is growing, the Afghan people value and respect their security forces. A November 2010 Asia Foundation poll found that 92 percent of Afghans agreed or strongly agreed that the army is honest and fair, while 84 percent thought the same about the police. The Afghan people's appreciation and respect for their security forces remains steady as we begin to achieve major milestones in our mission for a stable, independent Afghan Security Force.

To be sure, there are significant challenges facing the ANSF. These include: illiteracy, attrition, and leader development. NTM-A is committed to assisting the ANSF overcome these challenges and instill a culture of stewardship. The attached papers offer an assessment of the change that has taken place in MOI and MOD over the past year. The highlights are:

1. Interior Minister Mohammadi and Defense Minister Wardak have instituted significant leadership changes, reformed policy, and laid a solid foundation to assume responsibility for Afghanistan's security in 2014. Both ministers are committed to building a professional force that is ethnically-balanced.

2. Change is supported by new laws such as the Inherent Law on Officers and NCOs to improve personnel policies and new regulations to improve retention, information sharing, and cooperation.

3. Interior Minister Mohammadi is attempting to decentralize the Interior Ministry by empowering his deputies and ensuring local commanders have the authority and resources they need.

4. Defense Minister Wardak is undertaking significant organizational change by creating the Ground Force Command and holding his commanders responsible for their unit's attrition, training, and operational effectiveness.

5. Outside of individual ministry reform, there are several initiatives to improve cooperation between Interior and Defense. This includes MOD transferring small arms to MOI, formalizing joint training, and improving information sharing. The ministers increasingly recognize the importance of approaching common problems such as attrition, pay, and training as an ANSF problem.

The international community has much to be proud of in Afghanistan, but as the NATO Summit in Lisbon made clear, progress requires commitment to training and equipping the ANSF through 2014 and sustaining an enduring partnership beyond 2014; and the Afghan people agree. In the same Asia Foundation poll that found high levels of Afghan public support for the ANSF, Afghans recognized there is much work to be done and international assistance is essential to training the force.

Ministry of Defense: Year in Review - NTM-A Information Paper

Ministry of Interior: Year in Review - NTM-A Information Paper