Iran
New ‘Mahdi malware’ cyber spy attack on Iran disclosed
Los Angeles Times – July 17, 2012
Security experts have identified a cyber espionage attack that appears to have chiefly targeted computers in Iran that they say differs from previously discovered malware believed to be part of a covert U.S. and Israeli effort to monitor and delay Tehran’s nuclear development program.
North Korea
North Korean leader Kim Jong Eun is made ‘marshal’ of the military
Chico Harlan, Washington Post – July 18, 2012
North Korea on Wednesday named its young leader, Kim Jong Eun, as “marshal” of the military, a preeminent job title that analysts say is designed both to reinforce his absolute power and warn off senior elites who might question it.
Pakistan
Pakistan, US to resume talks on drone strikes
CBS News – July 18, 2012
Two generals turned spy chiefs are expected to sit down for their first official meeting in Washington later this month and try to mend the fractured U.S.-Pakistani relationship.
Defense Spending
Military contractors to testify on potential defense cuts
Ed O’Keffe, Washington Post – July 17, 2012
House Republicans will call on the leaders of major military contracting firms Wednesday to detail how they plan to deal with the roughly $500 billion in defense spending cuts set to take effect over the next decade.
Pentagon Official: No Plan To Counter Sequestration
Barbara Opall-Rome, Defense News – July 17,2012
Despite the “dire consequences” to U.S. national security of congressionally-threatened budgetary sequestration, the Pentagon has no plans to mitigate anticipated damage to domestic and international cooperative programs, a DoD official said.
Looming defense budget cuts worry mayors, Cheney
Lauren French and David Alexander, Reuters – July 17, 2012
Former Vice President Dick Cheney told Republican lawmakers on Tuesday that looming defense cuts could have a serious impact on the U.S. military, even as a new analysis predicted the budget reductions that begin in January could cost 2 million jobs.
