The, head of the Air Force Quadrennial Defense Review, doesn’t begrudge Congress the sequester deal that slashed defense spending. In fact, he embraces it. (Continue reading . . .)
Defense Secretary Chuck Hagel announced Tuesday that the Department of Defense would review the newly created Distinguished Warfare Medal aimed at troops who pilot drones, which has drawn considerable criticism from veterans groups and members of Congress because the so-called “drone medal” would outrank combat honors such as the Purple Heart. (Continue reading . . .)
Budget cuts resulting from the sequester could hurt access to care for military post-traumatic stress disorder victims, a top Army medical offficial says.
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The European Union is following the United States’ lead to incorporate unmanned aerial vehicles, commonly referred to as drones, into civilian life. (Continue reading . . .)
Reviving peace and stability in Mali will require the restoration of democracy and military progress advancing together, the assistant secretary of State for the Bureau of African Affairs said on Friday. (Continue reading . . .)
With the anticipated billion-dollar boom of the drone industry, states across the country are vying for the chance to get in on its early — and the Federal Aviation Administration will be the arbiter, at least in terms airspace. (Continue reading . . .)
WASHINGTON — Drones, which had been used exclusively by the military until recently, have gained favor among federal and local law enforcement. But a somewhat unlikely type of user has entered the scene — journalists. Universities and news organizations nationwide have been exploring possibilities in photojournalism using unmanned aerial vehicles, technology that has been exploding in a variety of fields. Known for their use overseas to hunt down terrorists, unarmed UAVs with cameras are garnering … (Continue reading . . .)
Though officials are not yet sure how much of an impact pending automatic budget cuts could have, defense readiness levels will be affected, a top Air Force commander said. (Continue reading . . .)
The Justice Department’s recently released rationale behind targeted drone strikes against American citizens is receiving some mixed reactions on Capitol Hill. (Continue reading . . .)
WASHINGTON — Charlottesville, Va., is the first city to pass a resolution opposing the domestic use of unmanned aerial vehicles – drones. But several states also are looking to restrict the unmanned aerial vehicles from flying over their skies. Legislatures in 11 states — California, Montana, Oregon, Texas, Nebraska, Missouri, North Dakota, Virginia, Florida, Oklahoma and Maine — are concerned the drones will infringe upon their citizens’ privacy rights. “We are not and never should … (Continue reading . . .)
In a fresh Insights column, NSZ's Josh Meyer explains that when it comes to leaks, the Obama administration plays both sides, "acknowledging the need for highly sensitive and even classified information to get out to the public when it is expedient and beneficial to its approval ratings, and trying to prosecute those who release information that it doesn’t like." Read more.
Foley in June, 2011
U.S. Journalist James Foley, missing in Syria since Thansgiving 2012, is now thought to be being held by the Syrian government.
“The family appeals for the release of Jim unharmed,” his relatives said on a web site focused on getting him freed. He was kidnapped in northwest Syria on Thanksgiving Day, the family said.
Watch video archive of May 3 World Press Freedom Day event in Boston: “Silenced Voices: When Conflict Journalists Go Missing.”
