NATO Chief: NATO's Next War Will Be In Cyberspace

NATO's Next War—in Cyberspace -- Anders Fogh Rasmussen, Wall Street Journal

The Atlantic Alliance protected its members during the age of the Berlin Wall. We must be prepared to protect them during the age of the firewall.

On April 23, the Dow Jones Industrial Average dropped by 150 points within seven minutes, destroying billions of dollars in value. The reason was a message on the Associated Press's Twitter account claiming that two explosions had shaken the White House.

The tweet was quickly exposed as bogus, the result of hacking by a group identifying itself as the Syrian Electronic Army. The Dow recovered immediately. But the lesson was clear. A single tweet can cause major economic disruption.

How times have changed. During the age of the Berlin Wall, tanks and ideologies faced off across closed borders. In the age of the firewall, borders are open, ideas are free and war can be virtual—but its consequences just as devastating and real.

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My Comment: Next war ?!?!?! .... someone should tell the NATO Secretary General that you are in one already .... Nato suffered 2,500 cyber attacks in 2012.

Spanish Tiger Attack Helicopter in Afghanistan.

Tiger Attack Helicopter Spanish Army Airmobile Force (FAMET) in Afghanistan.

U.S. Air Force General Philip Breedlove To Be NATO's Top Commander

In his 36 years of military service, Gen Breedlove has commanded a fighter squadron, an operations group and three fighter wings. BBC

NATO Approves Breedlove's Nomination As Top Commander -- Reuters

(Reuters) - NATO said on Thursday it had approved the nomination of U.S. Air Force General Philip Breedlove to be the Western alliance's top military commander.

Breedlove, whose nomination was endorsed by ambassadors from the 28 NATO allies, will succeed Admiral James Stavridis as NATO's Supreme Allied Commander Europe. His appointment requires U.S. Senate confirmation.

U.S. Marine General John Allen, who led NATO forces in Afghanistan, was originally nominated to the job.

After being caught up but later cleared in a scandal that forced CIA chief David Petraeus to resign, Allen announced last month he would retire and forgo his nomination because of his wife's health.

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More News On U.S. Air Force General Philip Breedlove To Be NATO's Top Commander

Air Force General Breedlove nominated for top Nato post -- BBC
Obama Picks Breedlove to Be NATO Commander -- Wall Street Journal
U.S. nominates Breedlove as top NATO commander -- Reuters
Obama taps AF general as new European commander -- Politico
Gen. Breedlove nominated to head US European Command -- Stars and Stripes
Statement by the President on Intention to Nominate General Philip Breedlove for U.S. European Command and SACEUR -- White House

NATO Prepares Contingency Plans For A Military Intervention In Syria

NATO Supreme Allied Commander Europe (SACEUR) U.S. Navy Admiral James Stavridis.(Reuters / Tobias Schwarz)

NATO Commander Says Syrian Plans Under Way -- Radio Free Europe

The top U.S. military commander in Europe says several NATO countries are discussing plans for possible military action in Syria.

Admiral James Stavridis said any such military action would require a UN Security Council resolution and agreement among all 28 members of NATO.

Stavridis' remarks March 19 before the U.S. Senate Armed Services Committee come after Syria's government and rebels accused each other of launching a deadly chemical attack near the northern city of Aleppo.

Syria's state-run SANA news agency said 25 people were killed and dozens wounded in the alleged rebel attack on March 19.

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More News On NATO Preparing Contingency Plans For Syria

US commander: Contingency plans under way for possible NATO involvement in Syria -- FOX News/AP
NATO nurturing Syria contingency plan - top US commander -- RT
Nato countries 'planning action to end the civil war in Syria' -- South China Morning Post
Some NATO members mull Syria military action: US admiral -- Ahram Online
Stavridis Shares NATO Perspective on Afghanistan, Syria -- US Department of Defense
U.S. military considers its options in Syria -- CNN

Top U.S. Military Commander In Europe: NATO Planning For Possible Syria Missions

Photo: ADM James G. Stavridis, Commander EUCOM and SACEUR

Stavridis: More Direct Engagement By US Could Turn Tide In Syria -- Stars And Stripes

STUTTGART, Germany — Adm. James Stavridis, NATO’s top military commander and head of U.S. European Command, told lawmakers Monday that a more aggressive posture by the U.S. and its allies could help break a stalemate in war-torn Syria

“My personal opinion is that would be helpful in breaking the deadlock and bringing down the regime,” Stavridis said during testimony before the Senate Armed Services Committee.

So far, the U.S. and NATO has refrained from providing lethal support to Syrian opposition forces, who have been engaged in a bloody two-year battle with the regime of Bashar al-Assad.

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Update: Top commander says NATO making contingency plans for possible military involvement in Syria -- Washington Post/AP

My Comment: General Stavridis appears to be speaking for himself because I doubt that most members of NATO want to be involved in Syria's civil war. France and Britain maybe .... everyone else a definite no. But is NATO preparing contingency plans .... probably. But planning and preparing is different than doing.

Update: This is not a surprise .... NATO head Anders Fogh Rasmussen is distancing himself from Syria's civil war.

NATO Establishes Rules For Cyber Warfare

Rules Of Cyberwar Set Out For First Time In Nato Manual -- The Telegraph

A Nato handbook laying down the rules of cyber warfare has said governments should refrain from attacking hospitals and nuclear plants.

The manual is the first attempt to set out how international law applies to online attacks by the state, and warns that online attacks could lead to full-blown military conflicts.

The handbook, the result of three years collaboration between international experts for Nato's Co-operative Cyber Defence Centre of Excellence, defines a cyber attack as one that is “reasonably expected to cause injury or death to persons or damage or destruction to objects.”

An online attack on an electricity grid resulting in fire is one example of the way that cyberwar could bring about real physical harm.

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More News On NATO Establishing Rules For Cyber Warfare

Rules of cyberwar: don't target nuclear plants or hospitals, says Nato manual -- The Guardian
Nato Cyber Warfare Manual: Civilian Hackers 'Legitimate Targets' For Conventional Attacks In War -- Huffington Post
Military researchers publish cyber warfare manual -- IT News
Nato cyberwar manual: Civilian hackers can be targets -- Salon
NATO publishes a how-to manual for cyber warfare -- Digital Trends
Cyber attacks must avoid civilian targets, says Nato manual -- Computer Weekly
Cyber warfare: What are the targets? -- Examiner

WNU Editor: NATO's cyber-warfare manual is here.

U.S. Air Force General Philip Breedlove Likely Next NATO Chief

Gen. Philip M. Breedlove. Air Force

Air Force Commander Is Likely Candidate for Top NATO Post -- New York Times

BRUSSELS — Senior NATO officials said on Thursday that Gen. Philip M. Breedlove, currently the commander of American Air Force units in Europe and Africa, was emerging as the likely candidate to be nominated by President Obama to be the alliance’s supreme military commander.

An opening to serve as NATO’s next military commander surfaced this week as the previous nominee, Gen. John R. Allen of the Marine Corps, announced that he was retiring.

General Allen, who served until earlier this month as the top commander in Afghanistan, said he was retiring to focus on family health issues. He had been caught up in the scandal that led to the resignation of David H. Petraeus as the director of the Central Intelligence Agency. Last month, the Pentagon officially cleared him of any misconduct after an investigation into his exchange of e-mails with Jill Kelley, a Tampa, Fla. socialite.

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Update #1: Air Force general is likely choice to be nominated for top NATO job in Europe -- Washington Post/AP
Update #2: Philip Breedlove Looks Like He'll Replace John Allen in Top NATO Job -- Atlantic Wire

My Comment: What caught my eye in this news report is the General's last name .... Breedlove????

NATO Secretary-General Anders Fogh Rasmussen Warns Against Defense Cuts

NATO Chief Warns Against Defense Cuts -- Voice of America

NATO's top official is raising concerns about the way some members are responding to tough economic times, saying they could be compromising their safety.

NATO Secretary-General Anders Fogh Rasmussen warned the reduction in defense spending is a matter of concern. "My appeal to governments is, firstly, hold the line, stop the cuts. Secondly, make more efficient use of the resources you do have, through more multinational cooperation. And thirdly, once the economies recover, start to increase defense investments again," he stated.

Rasmussen spoke in Brussels Thursday ahead of a meeting of NATO defense ministers.

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More News On NATO Secretary-General Anders Fogh Rasmussen Warning Against Defense Cuts

NATO chief urges member countries to stop cutting defense budgets to maintain security -- Washington Post/AP
NATO urges allies to reverse defense spending cuts -- Reuters
NATO Head Urges Halt To Defense Cuts -- Defense News/AFP
NATO Readiness May Be Hurt by U.S. Cuts, Official Says -- Bloomberg Businessweek
NATO's Rasmussen Urges Halt To Defense Spending Cuts -- Radio Free Europe

German Tiger Gunship Helicopter Starts Operations in Afghanistan

C295 Airborne Early Warning and Control (AEW&C) System

Airbus Military has started flight-testing the modified C295  Airborne Early Warning and Control (AEW&C) system with winglets to enhance the performance during take-off, climb and cruise phases of flight by increasing the lift-drag ratio.

C295 Airborne Early Warning and Control (AEW&C) system AEW&C has been jointly developed by the  Airbus Military and IAI/Elta Systems by using Elta's AESA radar to provide high quality 360 degree surveillance.

German Eurocopter Tiger Gunship Helicopter Leaves for Afghanistan

Germany has sent its Eurocopter Tiger EC 665 Gunship helicopters to Afghanistan by a Germans leased Russian AN-124-100 strategic transport aircraft.

France has already deployed some of its Tiger EC 665 attack helicopters to provide assistance to the International Security Assistance Force (ISAF) in Afghanistan.

Eurofighter Typhoon Test Fires Meteor Beyond Visual Range Air-to-Air Missile

The Meteor Beyond Visual Range Air-to-Air Missile has been successfully launched from a Eurofighter Typhoon as part of the Future Enhancements Flight Test Programme. The missile was eject launched from a rear fuselage missile station, which on Eurofighter Typhoon is semi-conformal for aircraft drag and radar signature reduction. 

The missile motor was fired, providing data that will allow the missile launch envelope to be expanded. This builds on an earlier series of flight trials, carried out by partner company BAE Systems on behalf of the Eurofighter programme, where unpowered missiles were used to demonstrate safe separation on the missile. This current package of work begins the full integration of the Meteor missile with all Eurofighter Typhoon systems. 

 The flight trials were conducted with integrated support from QinetiQ and MBDA at a firing range in Aberporth, Wales, UK on the 4th December. After taking part in the Meteor trials, BAE Systems Typhoon Test Pilot Steve Long said: “By completing these initial Meteor flight trials, Typhoon has taken a significant leap forward in operational capability. As a fighter pilot, you ultimately want the best possible combination of aircraft and advanced weapons to ensure mission success and to get you home safely.

 The range and performance of the Meteor weapon goes a long way to achieving this - with confidence. A potent long range missile, coupled with a highly agile aircraft gives us a very potent and very powerful mix.” Meteor, a beyond visual range air-to-air missile manufactured by MBDA will provide the Eurofighter Typhoon aircraft with the next generation of cutting edge weapons capability. 

 Featuring advanced air breathing motor technology for maximum range and the latest electronics to deliver optimum combat performance, it will ensure that Eurofighter Typhoon remains the world’s most advanced multi role aircraft and will further complement its short and medium range air-to-air missile capabilities.

British HMS Illustrious (R06) Aircraft Carriers Sails into Valletta, Malta

HMS Illustrious (R06), Invincible-class light aircraft carriers of the Royal Navy sails into Valletta, Malta for five day visit by the Response Force Task group (RFTG).

HMS Illustrious (R06) became operational after a £40 million refit last year and is operated as one of two RN's helicopter carriers after the retirement of Harrier II vertical/short takeoff and landing (V/STOL) fighter jets.

HMS Illustrious (R06) will withdrawn from service by 2014.

Female Soldiers of Hellenic Armed Forces

Random images of the Female Soldiers of Hellenic Armed Forces.

Females are allowed to join the Hellenic Armed Forces on a voluntary basis if they meet the minimum requirements of 1.60 meters height and 18-25 BMI.

Female Soldiers of Israel Defense Forces's Karakal Combat Unit 
Israeli Female Soldiers Ready for Leisure And War
 Female Soldiers of The Israel Defense Forces (IDF)

NATO Chief: The Plan Is Working In Afghanistan

NATO Secretary-General Anders Fogh Rasmussen (left) with Afghan President Hamid Karzai during his visit to Kabul last week.

Nato’s Plan Is Working In Afghanistan -- The Telegraph

Violence is falling and normal life is on the rise in many areas. Now it’s the Afghans’ turn.

I have just returned from Afghanistan, having seen real progress which too rarely receives the attention it merits. We have a clear plan to put Afghans in charge of their own security by the end of 2014. That is what the Afghans themselves want, and what we agreed with our partners in the International Security Assistance Force (Isaf) at Nato’s Lisbon summit in 2010. We are sticking with that plan because it is working.

Together with the North Atlantic Council – Nato’s political decision-making body – and seven partner nations, we visited Afghanistan to demonstrate our commitment to the mission, reaffirm our strategy and timetable, and reassure the Afghan people of our continued support after 2014.

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My Comment: I am super duper skeptical.

NATO Nations Meet To Discuss Afghanistan, Syria, And Allied Defense Capabilities

COUNCIL MEETING

U.S. Defense Secretary Leon E. Panetta and defense leaders participate in a meeting of the NATO defense ministers and members of the North Atlantic Council in Brussels, Oct. 9, 2012. DOD photo by Erin A. Kirk-Cuomo

Defense Ministers Mull Future of NATO Missions -- Novinite

Defense Ministers of countries members of NATO are meeting in Brussels for two days, starting Tuesday.

The main topics on the agenda are the current state and the future of NATO missions and operations in Afghanistan and Kosovo.

The war and crisis in Syria have not been included in the official agenda, but the issue can be debated and examined on the request of any participating country from the Alliance.

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More News On Today's Meeting Of NATO Defense Heads

Afghanistan, Allied Defense Capabilities Top NATO Defense Ministerial Agenda -- RTT News
NATO Says 2014 Transition to New Afghan Mission on Target -- Blomberg
Panetta, Allen to reassure NATO on insider attacks -- AP
NATO looks beyond Afghan combat mission -- Reuters

NATO will 'protect and defend Turkey' if Syria launches an attack, says head of alliance -- Daily Mail
NATO says plans in place to defend Turkey from Syrian attacks -- FOX News/AP
NATO has plans to defend Turkey if need be: Rasmussen -- Reuters
NATO ready to fight with Turkey as ‘worst case’ scenario unfolds in Syrian crisis -- National Post
NATO Warns Against Syria-Turkey Escalation -- Defense News/AFP

NATO Seeks Restructured Defense as EADS-BAE Tops Talks -- Bloomberg Businessweek
BAE-EADS merger: Hammond set for Nato talks -- BBC

NATO Members to Discuss Alliance’s Nuclear Policy -- Defpro
NATO Members to Discuss Alliance’s Nuclear Policy - -RIA Novosti

NATO Chief Anders Fogh Rasmussen Term Extended By 1 Year

Rasmussen Wins Fifth And Final Year As NATO Chief -- Defense News

BRUSSELS— NATO chief Anders Fogh Rasmussen on Oct. 3 won a fifth year at the helm of the North Atlantic Treaty Organization, leaving him in place to help oversee a difficult withdrawal from Afghanistan.

“Following a process of consultations, Allies approved today Secretary General Anders Fogh Rasmussen’s fifth year in office, thus extending his mandate until July 31st 2014,” the alliance said in a statement.

Rasmussen, 59, served as Danish prime minister from 2001-2009 and is NATO’s 12th secretary-general.

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More News On NATO Chief Anders Fogh Rasmussen Term Extended By 1 Year

NATO secretary general’s term extended by 1 year, will lead alliance through July 2014 -- Washington Post/AP
NATO Extends Rasmussen’s Term as Secretary General -- US Department of Defense
NATO nations extend Rasmussen's term until 2014 -- Deutsche Welle
Rasmussen to Remain NATO Chief for Another Year -- RIA Novosti
NATO allies extend Secretary General's term one more year -- Foreign Policy
Rasmussen's NATO Term Extended By One Year -- Radio Free Europe
NATO's secretary-general discusses Afghanistan, Libya -- L.A. Times

Afghan National Army Commandos from 5th Special Operations Kandak

Afghan National Army Commandos from 5th Special Operations Kandak patrol through a village during a clearing operation in Chahar Darreh district, Kunduz province along with the members of the International Security Assistance Force (ISAF).