Background – History – Thoughts from military history John Keegan on how the Taliban can be defeated.

• Daily Telegraph: If America decides to take on the Afghans, this is how to do it

Background – Looks like there is strategic as well as tactical thinking going on???

• The Times: Secret plans for 10-year war

Japanese Maritime Self Defense Force – The Japanese Prime Minister has pledged the assistance of the JMSDF in any military operation against terrorists.

• New York Times (registration required): Japan Says Its Armed Forces Will Actively Back the U.S.

US Navy – The USS Kitty Hawk has set sail; presumeably for the Gulf. That makes for 4 carriers either in the Persian Gulf or on their way towards it.

• Associated Press: U.S. Carrier Leaves Base in Japan

Background – Heavy weekend reading on the difficulties of gathering intelligence on asymetric threats.

• Jane’s: Intelligence gathering asymmetric threats – PART ONE
  

NOSI is taking the weekend off and will be updated again on Monday.