Afghanistan War News Updates -- August 1, 2012

U.S. Army Capt. Joseph Driskell, left, scans for an insurgent sniper while U.S. Army Spc. Justin Vnenchak communicates the situation to others in the area during a route-clearance operation along Highway 1 in Afghanistan's Ghazni province, July 23, 2012. Driskell commands the 82nd Airborne Division’s Company A, 1st Battalion, 504th Parachute Infantry Regiment, 1st Brigade Combat Team. Vnenchak is a radio operator. U.S. Army photo by Capt. Thomas Cieslak

Taliban Deny Media Report That They Seek Split With al Qaeda -- Long War Journal

The Afghan Taliban's official spokesman issued a statement rejecting a media report that the group seeks to sever ties with al Qaeda.

Zabihullah Mujahid, the official spokesman for the "Islamic Emirate of Afghanistan," issued the statement earlier today in the Pashtu language section on the Taliban's website, Voice of Jihad. A translation of the statement was obtained by The Long War Journal. Zabihullah said that a report in Asharq Alawsat, which summarized an article in Financial Times claiming that former Taliban officials said the group was willing to cut ties with al Qaeda, was not confirmed or sanctioned.

Read more ....

More News On Afghanistan

ISAF Joint Command morning operational update, Aug. 1 -- ISAF
War in Afghanistan News - 1 Aug 2012 -- War On Terror News
Decorated MARSOC gunnies killed in Afghanistan -- Marine Times
July deadliest month in nearly a year for Coalition -- Stars and Stripes
Insurgents pull 4 people off minibus in east Afghanistan and shoot them dead, officials say -- Washington Post/AP
Taliban execute four Afghans ‘for western links’ -- DAWN/AFP
Insurgents kill 7, wound 17 civilians in eastern Afghanistan -- Dvids
20 militants killed in Afghanistan -- Voice of Russia
Senior Taliban leader arrested in southern Afghanistan -- Khaama Press
ANSF lead ‘Battle’ mission to secure Afghanistan’s Highway 1 -- Dvids
Top Afghan General: Taliban Defeat Would Take Less Than A Year -- Daily Beast
In Afghanistan, targeted attacks on leaders an ominous trend -- Stars and Stripes/L.A. Times
Why China Should Do More In Afghanistan -- Jeffrey W. Hornung, The Diplomat
US military deaths in Afghanistan at 1,935 -- FOX News/AP

World News Briefs -- August 1, 2012

Leon Panetta, the US defence secretary (left) and Israel's Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu Photo: Reuters

US Force An Option Against Iran Nuclear Programme, Says Leon Panetta -- The Telegraph

Leon Panetta has warned Iran it must accept limits on its nuclear programme or face US military action as he arrived in Israel for key talks.

Mr Panetta, the defence secretary, made his remarks outside the city of Ashkelon in southern Israel, with an "Iron Dome" anti-rocket defence system as a backdrop.

The Pentagon chief said repeatedly that "all options," including military force, are on the table to stop Iran, should sanctions and diplomacy - the preferred means of persuasion - ultimately fail.

Read more ....

MIDDLE EAST

Al-Assad to army: Restore order to Syria. Syria army in 'crucial and heroic battle', says Bashar al-Assad. Assad praises troops but his whereabouts are mystery.

Dash to enter Damascus with rebels shows government still in control.

Syrian soldier executed after graveside 'trial'.

UN: Syria using fighter jets against rebels with tanks.

Panetta meets Israeli leaders amid reports of splits on striking Iran. Panetta, in Israel, warns that US will use military force to stop Iran nuclear bomb.

Iraq car bombings kill 19 in central Baghdad.

New Iran sanctions also hit banks in China, Iraq.

Iran unfazed by Israeli, US threats of force: Netanyahu.

ASIA

Human rights group cites 'atrocities' in Myanmar.

China, S. Korea slam Japan's claims over disputed islands.

Philippines and Cambodia in South China Sea row.

China says US sanctions against Chinese bank over transactions with Iran will damage ties.

Power restored across India after historic failure.

Oil majors avoid Philippine bids for China-claimed sea blocks.

AFRICA

Sahel region of West Africa 'in permanent food crisis'.

Mali warned of 'human rights chaos' by Amnesty.

Intelligence building in Libya hit by blast; suspected killer of rebel chief freed from jail.

Turks provide aid in Mogadishu, Somalia, where others fear to tread.

Suicide bombers target Somali constitution conference.

Exiled Rwandan general attacks Paul Kagame as 'dictator'.

EUROPE

Eurozone manufacturing activity 'hits three-year low'.

Spanish regions rebel against deficit targets.

Bulgaria releases image of suicide bomber.

Belarus generals sacked over Swedish teddy bear stunt.

Greece strips VIPs of police guards amid public anger.

AMERICAS

"Fast and Furious" gun case doomed by reckless strategy: report.

Mexico charges generals over suspected drug gang ties.

Colombian rebel chief says he's ready for peace.

With Brazil as advocate, Venezuela joins trade bloc.

TERRORISM/THE LONG WAR

Sharp decline in terror attacks after Bin Laden death.

Taliban deny media report that they seek split with al Qaeda.

Judge orders Iran, al-Qaida, to pay $6 billion in 9/11 lawsuit.

ECONOMY/FINANCE/BUSINESS

Asian factories sputter as Europe sinks: PMIs.

Drought deepens worries about food supplies, prices.

Deutsche Bank to cut 1,900 jobs.

Apple says documents prove Samsung copied iPhone.

Military And Intelligence News Briefs -- August 1, 2012

Critics Question AF’s F-22 Solutions -- Defense Tech

Questions over the Air Force’s claim they have solved the F-22 oxygen problems are starting to get louder.

First, Flight Global’s Dave Majumdar wrote an article citing anonymous F-22 pilots concerns that the service’s scientists and engineers have falsely blamed the Combat Edge upper pressure garment. Majumdar quotes one F-22 pilot saying: “There’s one thing I know for certain: The Combat Edge isn’t the culprit.”

Read more ....

MILITARY AND INTELLIGENCE NEWS BRIEFS

Why have F-22 pilots passed out at the controls? Pentagon solves mystery. -- Christian Science Monitor

The F-22 Is Cured, We Hope -- Strategy Page

F-22 Oxygen Fix Expected By End of Year -- Defense News

China opposes military intervention in South China Sea -- New York Daily News

Chinese Ships Are Sailing The Black Sea For The First Time Ever -- Business Insider

China Conducts Missile Tests In Tibet – Analysis -- Eurasia Review

Putin Attends Nuclear Sub Ceremony -- RIA Novosti

Bulava Missile to overcome any missile defence system -- Voice of Russia

British soldier's death part of 'culture of complacency' -- The Telegraph

Israel: Military Ordered to Develop Plan to Draft Ultra-Orthodox Men -- New York Times

Iraq’s new violence leaves some US military members questioning war; others say wait and see -- Washington Post/AP

MRAPs Versus Iran -- Strategy Page

Heavy armor, heavy lobbying -- DoD Buzz

Army may train women for rigor of front lines -- Washington Times

Broken promises-more trouble for F-35 supply chain -- Eric Palmer Blog

F-22 Raptor Loses $79 Billion Advantage in Dogfights: Report -- ABC News

US Navy Wins Big As Senate Approps Adds $4.2B To Keep Nine Ships, Add Destroyer, Fund Attack Sub -- Aol Defense

The US Bought Another Of These 'Unreliable' $1.5-Billion Ships -- Business Insider

Pearl Harbor seen as possible site for new ships -- Stars and Stripes/The Honolulu Star-Advertiser

Navy Teaches Robot Top Gun, X-47, To Fly From Aircraft Carriers -- Aol Defense

Robot Copter Clears Probation, Chases African Pirates -- Danger Room

Study Criticizes Pentagon Over Its Plans for a Greater Focus on Asia -- New York Times

GOP: White House pressuring defense industry not to warn of layoffs -- Washington Times

White House prepping for budget cuts, to shield military pay -- Reuters

John McCain criticizes looming defense cuts in Tampa -- Tampa Bay Times

Sequester battle continues with no end in sight -- DoD Buzz

Congress helps Camp Lejeune families hurt by tainted water -- McClatchy News

Don't Wait For Cyber 'Pearl Harbor': Russia & China Are Stealing Our Lunch Now -- Sydney J. Freedberg Jr., Aol Defense

The Truth About Military Cuts -- New York Times editorial

Drones kill transnational terrorists -- Charles G. Kels, Washington Times

At least 1,935 US military deaths in Afghanistan since 2001 -- Washington Post/AP

Israel To The U.S.: You Cannot Prevent Us From Attacking Iran

U.S. Defense Secretary Leon E. Panetta, right, has a private dinner with Israeli Defense Minister Ehud Barak in Jerusalem, July 31, 2012. Panetta is on a five-day trip to the region to meet with leaders in Tunisia, Egypt, Israel and Jordan. DOD photo by Erin A. Kirk-Cuomo

Israel's Message To Panetta: U.S. Can't Prevent An Attack On Iran -- Haaretz

Another major topic of discussion will be efforts to prevent Syria's chemical weapons from reaching Lebanon.

U.S. Secretary of Defense Leon Panetta arrived in Israel last night for a brief visit that will focus on the American-Israeli dispute over whether to attack Iran's nuclear facilities. Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and Defense Minister Ehud Barak plan to stress that Israel reserves the right to defend itself, and to make its own decision on whether to attack.

Another major topic of discussion will be efforts to prevent Syria's chemical weapons from reaching Lebanon.

Read more ....

My Comment: When it comes to Iran .... it is clear that there is no unity among the allies on developing a plan of action that would force Iran to give up on it's nuclear enrichment program. Couple this with no leadership from the White House .... Israel may end up escalating and initiating an independent course of action that will surprise Washington and plunge the region into conflict.

China Is Winning The Arms Race Against India

In Himalayan Arms Race, China One-Ups India -- Aviation Week

It has all the appearance of an arms race on the roof of the world.

Asia’s two great powers are facing off here in the eastern Himalayan mountains. China has vastly improved roads and is building or extending airports on its side of the border in Tibet. It has placed nuclear-capable intermediate missiles in the area and deployed around 300,000 troops across the Tibetan plateau, according to a 2010 Pentagon report.

Read more ....

My Comment: After what happened today .... it is not hard to understand why India is falling behind China.

British Soldiers Protecting The Olympics Must Sleep In A Sweltering, Cramped And Poorly-Lit Underground Car Park

Poor: These are the spartan sleeping conditions facing many of the British heroes helping provide security at the Olympics

Is This Grim Bunker Fit For Army Heroes? Soldiers Protecting The Games Are Having To Sleep In Underground Car Park -- Daily Mail

* More than 2,000 soldiers guarding London venues are sharing a sweltering, cramped and poorly-lit concrete bunker at a disused shopping centre
* One soldier’s furious mother said the billets were ‘worse than Afghanistan’

In a grimy underground car park, row upon row of camp beds are crammed together.

These are the spartan sleeping conditions facing many of the British heroes helping provide security at the Olympics.

More than 2,000 soldiers guarding London venues are forced to share a sweltering, cramped and poorly-lit concrete bunker at a disused shopping centre.

Read more ....

My Comment: They gave up their leave for this type of treatment .... this does not look good.

The X-47B Stealth Drone Up Close And Personal

Exclusive Pics: The Navy’s Unmanned, Autonomous ‘UFO’ -- Danger Room

NAVAL AIR STATION PATUXENT RIVER, Maryland — If you saw it in person, you’d probably think it was a UFO, too.

That’s what happened when the Navy trucked its batwing-shaped drone of the future from California to its new testing bed here in Maryland. Across the country, 911 switchboards lit up with reports that mysterious trucks were hauling a spaceship. In truth, it was a demonstration model for something the Navy desperately wants: to launch an armed, spying, stealthy drone from an aircraft carrier, one of the hardest maneuvers in aviation, conducted with the click of a mouse. But up close, you can see why people freaked out.

Read more ....

More News On The X-47B

U.S. Navy reveals deadly stealth plane mistaken for UFO on Washington D.C. highway -- Daily Mail
The X-47B Stealth Drone Will Now Be Flying Over The East Coast -- Business Insider
X-47B unmanned aircraft gets its Pax River wings -- Gizmag
Navy's X-47B UCAV in Debut Flight at Pax -- Ares/Aviation Week