Defense
U.S. Navy detected and tracked a Russian nuclear-powered attack submarine less than 300 miles from the southern U.S. East Coast last month, according to U.S. defense officials. – CNN’s Security Clearance
Few ships are more dependent on proper software development than the thinly crewed DDG-1000 Zumwalt-class destroyers, which rely on computer networks to run more automated systems for their operation. Thus far, Raytheon Integrated Systems, one of the Zumwalt’s prime contractors developing a major portion of that software, has been able to meet program deadlines and milestones for those systems. – Aviation Week
The Defense Department needs to lay out a clear path to coordinate strategy on its lighter-than-air vessels, according to an October report by the Government Accountability Office. – Defense News
The Defense Department’s highest-level review panel for warfighting concepts on Tuesday is slated to assess how to proceed on developing conventional weapons capable of attacking targets halfway around the world on short notice, Global Security Newswire has learned. – Global Security Newswire
The Pentagon’s chief weapons buyer mapped out the next phase of a “better buying power” initiative on Mo nday, saying the U.S. military could do “infinitely better” in the way it buys weapons and services. – Reuters
At stake is more than just America’s military budget, but rather the role this nation plays around the globe to ensure our way of life is protected, our wars are fought abroad, and our economy remains strong. Yet to date, the current commander in chief has failed to articulate these consequences to the American people. In order to avoid a catastrophe for the force, whoever wins the White House in November must work with Congress to reverse these devastating defense cuts—quickly. – US News and World Report’s World Report
Jack David and Michael Dunn write: What the Air Force can’t do is continue on its present path. At least not for much longer. – Wall Street Journal
NATO
Russia and NATO are slated to hold discussions early next month after a number of months without contact between high-ranking officials from the former Cold War foes, which are engaged in a long-running dispute over missile defense, Deutsche Presse-Agentur reported. – Global Security Newswire
Nunn-Lugar/Nonproliferation
A key White House official on Monday suggested that the changes Russian officials are looking to make to a bilateral agreement that allows the United States to help secure and dismantle Soviet-era weapons of mass destruction are not unreasonable. – Global Security Newswire
Russia has called for new steps aimed at bolstering the International Atomic Energy Agency’s ability to verify that nuclear programs are not tapped for illicit use, ITAR-Tass reported on Tuesday. – Global Security Newswire
Foreign Armies East
Military experts from Africa, the United Nations and Europe have drafted plans to recapture northern Mali, officials said on Tuesday, as one faction of the Islamist rebels who occupy the territory called for talks. – Reuters
A Taiwanese defense insider on Monday said the United States would not receive data from an extended-distance radar being stood up on the island, the Taiwanese Central News Agency reported. – Global Security Newswire
Pakistan does not need the United Nations’ help to crackdown on the infamous Haqqani Network based along the country’s border with Afghanistan, telling allies in the region that ongoing efforts have already had an impact on the terror group. – DEFCON Hill
U.S. officials in Libya have begun to look for recruits for a commando force which they plan to train to fight militants, a former commander of Libyan rebels who toppled Muammar Gaddafi said on Tuesday. – Reuters
An Israeli think tank held a war-game simulation for the 48 hours after an potential Israeli strike on Iran’s nuclear facilities, finding that the opposing sides moved more toward “containment and restraint” than an escalating regional war. – DEFCON Hill
A former Syrian air force general who was also the country’s first astronaut said Tuesday that only about one-third of Syria’s fighter pilots are carrying out the daily bombing raids of rebel strongholds because President Bashar Assad’s regime cannot count on the loyalty of the rest. – Associated Press
Homeland Security
Sen. Tom Coburn (R-OK) writes: Since the 9/11 attacks, Congress and the White House have invested hundreds of millions of taxpayer dollars in support of dozens of state and local fusion centers across the United States. After a two-year Senate investigation identified problems with nearly every aspect of the Department of Homeland Security’s involvement with these centers — including irrelevant, untimely or useless intelligence reporting to DHS, among other widespread deficiencies — there is a clear need for reform. – Defense News
