Military And Intelligence News Brief -- August 29, 2012

You Can Lie About Getting a Purple Heart, But Don’t Wear It -- Wall Street Journal

You can falsely claim military decorations, but don’t try to wear them on your chest. The first is likely to be considered protected speech; the second, according to the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Ninth Circuit, is a crime.

In June, the Supreme Court held in U.S. v. Alvarez that lying about being a war hero was protected speech. In doing so, the court struck down a portion of the Stolen Valor Act. The Ninth Circuit was asked to consider whether wearing a medal that a veteran obtained under false pretenses was also protected by the First Amendment.

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MILITARY AND INTELLIGENCE NEWS BRIEFS

U.S. Hails Russia’s Readiness for Nuclear Cuts -- RIA Novosti

Russia wants a hypersonic bomber -- Defense Tech

China building new Type 052D guided missile destroyer -- Taipei Times

Swedish Intelligence Agency Blows $800,000 On James Bond Themed Party -- Business Insider

Italian Armored Vehicles To Be Tested in Russia -- Defense News

Former Israeli Commandos Dominate Politics -- ABC News/AP

Analysis: China's aircraft carrier: in name only -- Reuters

Air and Missile Defense Could be the U.S. Army’s Role in the Asia-Pacific Theater -- Defpro

U.S.-Brazil Relations and the Role of the Defense Industry -- Defpro

Defense industry’s life preserver -- DoD Buzz

Marines Consider Increased Role for Women in Corps -- Military.com/American Forces Press Service

Marines testing women in combat jobs -- AP

Amos: Some male Marines anxious about women in combat jobs -- Stars and Stripes/AP

Study: Half of Military Crashes in Humvees -- Military.com/UPI

Electronic Weapons: America Hires The Decepticons -- Strategy Page

Navy sought to stifle concerns of radiation on S.F. Bay island, emails show -- NBC

Marines vs. Zetas: U.S. Hunts Drug Cartels in Guatemala -- Danger Room

Lawyers in WikiLeaks case argue over email access -- CBS

Experts: Fort Hood suspect's beard might bias jury -- Stars and Stripes/AP

Why Pentagon's progress against sexual assault is so slow -- Anna Mulrine, Christian Science Monitor

VA officials: Veterans being tricked into paying for benefits help -- Stars and Stripes/AP

US Military Deaths in Afghanistan at 1,971 -- AP