U.S. Defense Secretary Leon E. Panetta conducts a press conference aboard a U.S. Air Force E-4B National Airborne Operations Center aircraft on his way to meet with NATO leaders in Brussels, Feb. 1, 2012. DOD photo by U.S. Navy Petty Officer 1st Class Chad McNeeley
U.S. Surprises Kabul With Early End To Afghanistan Military Operations -- National Post
BRUSSELS/KABUL — The United States took Kabul by surprise by laying out plans to end its Afghan combat role earlier than expected, just after the leak of a secret report that the Taliban is confident of regaining control of the country.
U.S. Defense Secretary Leon Panetta said late on Wednesday the United States would stop taking the lead role in combat operations before the end of 2013 and step into a supporting role as it winds down its longest war.
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MILITARY AND INTELLIGENCE NEWS BRIEFS
No S-400 Missile Exports Before 2015 -- RIA Novosti
Russia to Scrap 3 Mln Tons of Munitions by 2014 -- RIA Novosti
Russian Navy to Receive Mistral Warship in 3 Years -- RIA Novosti
Typhoon 'not ruled out' for India -- Defence Management
Belgian DM Warns of Over-Reliance on U.S. -- Defense News
New U.K. Policy Focuses On Competition, Technology -- Defense News
Media: France to send nuclear aircraft carrier to Persian Gulf -- Trend
Israel: 1 in 10 houses in south Lebanon used for arms storage -- Daily Star
Israeli Army Chief Says Nation Needs to Be Ready to Strike Iran -- SFGate/Bloomberg
U.S., Canada Expand Joint Planning, Operational Options -- US Department of Defense
Feinstein offers peek at U.S.-Israeli talks on Iran -- Washington Post
U.S. Chairman Notes Transition Challenges in Years Ahead -- US Department of Defense
U.S. Admiral Plays Down Floating Gulf Base Reports -- Defense News
Get Ready for the EQ-4 Global Hawk -- Defense Tech
USAF Reveals Latest X-Plane: X-56A -- Aviation Week
USS Essex unable to fulfill mission for 2nd time in seven months -- Stars and Stripes
NATO Doesn’t Yet Know How To Protect Its Networks -- Danger Room
AF, Air Guard ready for face off -- DoD Buzz
Reserve Forces On The Cusp Of New 'Golden Age' -- Aol Defense
Army Reserve to retain current troop level -- Washington Times
Military health leaders cite innovations in care from decade of war -- Dvids
Female veteran sues U.S. over denial of full benefits -- L.A. Ti
Typhoon 'not ruled out' for India -- Defence Management
Belgian DM Warns of Over-Reliance on U.S. -- Defense News
New U.K. Policy Focuses On Competition, Technology -- Defense News
Media: France to send nuclear aircraft carrier to Persian Gulf -- Trend
Israel: 1 in 10 houses in south Lebanon used for arms storage -- Daily Star
Israeli Army Chief Says Nation Needs to Be Ready to Strike Iran -- SFGate/Bloomberg
U.S., Canada Expand Joint Planning, Operational Options -- US Department of Defense
Feinstein offers peek at U.S.-Israeli talks on Iran -- Washington Post
U.S. Chairman Notes Transition Challenges in Years Ahead -- US Department of Defense
U.S. Admiral Plays Down Floating Gulf Base Reports -- Defense News
Get Ready for the EQ-4 Global Hawk -- Defense Tech
USAF Reveals Latest X-Plane: X-56A -- Aviation Week
USS Essex unable to fulfill mission for 2nd time in seven months -- Stars and Stripes
NATO Doesn’t Yet Know How To Protect Its Networks -- Danger Room
AF, Air Guard ready for face off -- DoD Buzz
Reserve Forces On The Cusp Of New 'Golden Age' -- Aol Defense
Army Reserve to retain current troop level -- Washington Times
Military health leaders cite innovations in care from decade of war -- Dvids
Female veteran sues U.S. over denial of full benefits -- L.A. Ti
Feinstein offers peek at U.S.-Israeli talks on Iran -- Washington Post
U.S. Chairman Notes Transition Challenges in Years Ahead -- US Department of Defense
U.S. Admiral Plays Down Floating Gulf Base Reports -- Defense News
Get Ready for the EQ-4 Global Hawk -- Defense Tech
USAF Reveals Latest X-Plane: X-56A -- Aviation Week
USS Essex unable to fulfill mission for 2nd time in seven months -- Stars and Stripes
NATO Doesn’t Yet Know How To Protect Its Networks -- Danger Room
AF, Air Guard ready for face off -- DoD Buzz
Reserve Forces On The Cusp Of New 'Golden Age' -- Aol Defense
Army Reserve to retain current troop level -- Washington Times
Military health leaders cite innovations in care from decade of war -- Dvids
Female veteran sues U.S. over denial of full benefits -- L.A. Times
Don't Ask Don't Tell: War over gays in military in new phase -- Politico
GOP Lawmaker on Potential BRAC Request: ‘Kill It’ -- Defense news
GOP senators to release plan to stop triggered defense cuts -- The Hill
FBI Targets "Hoarder" In Top-Secret Thefts -- Smoking Gun
Pentagon U-2 decision a mistake -- Michael Polimeni, Newsday
U.S. Chairman Notes Transition Challenges in Years Ahead -- US Department of Defense
U.S. Admiral Plays Down Floating Gulf Base Reports -- Defense News
Get Ready for the EQ-4 Global Hawk -- Defense Tech
USAF Reveals Latest X-Plane: X-56A -- Aviation Week
USS Essex unable to fulfill mission for 2nd time in seven months -- Stars and Stripes
NATO Doesn’t Yet Know How To Protect Its Networks -- Danger Room
AF, Air Guard ready for face off -- DoD Buzz
Reserve Forces On The Cusp Of New 'Golden Age' -- Aol Defense
Army Reserve to retain current troop level -- Washington Times
Military health leaders cite innovations in care from decade of war -- Dvids
Female veteran sues U.S. over denial of full benefits -- L.A. Times
Don't Ask Don't Tell: War over gays in military in new phase -- Politico
GOP Lawmaker on Potential BRAC Request: ‘Kill It’ -- Defense news
GOP senators to release plan to stop triggered defense cuts -- The Hill
FBI Targets "Hoarder" In Top-Secret Thefts -- Smoking Gun
Pentagon U-2 decision a mistake -- Michael Polimeni, Newsday