Defense
The House late Thursday approved a massive, $606 billion bill funding the Defense Department and war activities in Afghanistan and Iraq in 2013. – The Hill’s Floor Action Blog
The House debated amendments for most of the day, results follow here – The Hill’s Floor Action Blog
The chairman of the board of the Aerospace Industries Association, Pratt & Whitney President David Hess, expressed guarded optimism today that industry is getting through to Congress about the danger of sequestration. – AOL Defense
Gen. Mark Welsh, the next Air Force Chief of Staff, admitted that the service’s fiscal 2013 budget was “simply not executable” in the face of Congressional opposition over cuts to the Air National Guard. Welsh vowed to work with Congress, the Guard, and governors “so we never end up here again.” – AOL Defense
A meat axe approach to Washington’s budget deficit problem that hacks away at nearly every corner of American society – from farmers to weapons manufacturers – is spooking the very U.S. Congress that embraced the idea nearly a year ago. – Reuters
But the [Navy’s] plan to use a 50-50 blend of alternative and petroleum-based fuel has hit a snag — Congressional lawmakers who bristle at spending time and money chasing alternative energy at a time when defense spending is being cut and traditional oil is cheaper. – Associated Press
Cybersecurity
After months of debate, Senate sponsors of a broad cybersecurity bill have buckled to industry and Republican pressure to avoid any new government standards for critical networks. – National Journal
President Barack Obama writes: Today we can see the cyber threat to the networks upon which so much of our modern American lives depend. We have the opportunity—and the responsibility—to take action now and stay a step ahead of our adversaries. For the sake of our national and economic security, I urge the Senate to pass the Cybersecurity Act of 2012 and Congress to send me comprehensive legislation so I can sign it into law. – Wall Street Journal
The War
There was no military response to the attack [on the USS Cole], and legal proceedings have been slow. The families of the Cole crew are fighting to make sure Al Nashiri faces a full military trial, four years after he was first charged and 10 years after he was arrested. – Washington Times
One part of the prosecution’s case against Maj. Nidal Hasan, the accused Fort Hood, Texas, shooter, is a series of e-mails between the Army psychiatrist and the now dead radical Muslim cleric, Anwar al-Awlaki. – CNN’s Security Clearance
U.S. citizens who are on the government’s list of people banned from flying because they’re considered terror threats are not prevented from learning how to fly in schools around the country, according to government regulation. – Associated Press
Allies
The new Australian Defence Capability Plan (DCP) announced in early July was developed following consultation with Australian defense industry and has been aligned with the four-year forward estimates period in the budget. That means it now includes only projects that will achieve either first or second pass approval within the four-year period. – Defense News
ICYMI, you can view and read Australian Leader of the Opposition Tony Abbott’s recent remarks on the US-Australia alliance here – Heritage Foundation
