Information Warfare – In Digital Combat, U.S. Finds No Easy Deterrent

New York TimesIn Digital Combat, U.S. Finds No Easy Deterrent

On a Monday morning earlier this month, top Pentagon leaders gathered to simulate how they would respond to a sophisticated cyberattack aimed at paralyzing the nation’s power grids, its communications systems or its financial networks. The results were dispiriting. The enemy had all the advantages: stealth, anonymity and unpredictability. No one could pinpoint the country from which the attack came, so there was no effective way to deter further damage by threatening retaliation. What’s more, the military commanders noted that they even lacked the legal authority to respond — especially because it was never clear if the attack was an act of vandalism, an attempt at commercial theft or a state-sponsored effort to cripple the United States, perhaps as a prelude to a conventional war.

Operations Other Than War – Still a long way to go

Chronicle HeraldStill a long way to go

Canadian sailors and soldiers have established a beachhead of hope in the port city of Jacmel, cleaning up, delivering aid, medical care and even toys, and laying the groundwork for a more ambitious effort in the weeks ahead. Sailors from HMCS Halifax and members of DART, the military’s Disaster Assistance Response Team, have taken over the concrete pier and waterfront lot in the shadow of the ruined town, where lovely French colonial buildings have fallen to rubble.

Operations Other Than War – US Navy keen to show its sensitive side in Haiti

BBCUS Navy keen to show its sensitive side in Haiti

We are in Cassagne, an impoverished rural hamlet which felt the full force of the earthquake. Flying in on a marine helicopter, I witnessed Mother Nature’s grim lottery: some houses untouched by the tremor, alongside homes completely flattened. A community in need at the best of times, and now completely shattered, is adapting to a humanitarian invasion.

Operations Other Than War – In a Haitian village of 10,000, five local sailors find a way ahead

Virginian PilotIn a Haitian village of 10,000, five local sailors find a way ahead

Navy Lt. Joel Castillo pulled a notebook from under his arm Friday afternoon and studied his list: The main water distillery broke down during the earthquake. The biggest church in town is half-collapsed and the rubble is blocking roads. The hospital survived but has only three patients; even the severely wounded are too afraid to step indoors for treatment…

Operations Other Than War – 10,000 sailors, Marines ready for 'long haul' in Haiti

Virginian Pilot10,000 sailors, Marines ready for ‘long haul’ in Haiti

At least 15 U.S. Navy ships and several special units are involved in the Haiti rescue effort and sailors and Marines are starting what is expected to be a “long haul.”

Virginian PilotBataan crew rolls ashore, huge work ahead in Haiti

Defense Technology InternationalHaiti Updates: Marines, More Troops and Ships Docking

Operations Other Than War – Bataan scouts out best sites to put boots on the ground in Haiti

Virginian PilotBataan scouts out best sites to put boots on the ground in Haiti

Marines and sailors traveling with the amphibious assault ship Bataan got their first glimpse of the devastation in Haiti on Monday and identified a handful of sites where they’ll deploy on-the-ground teams as soon as today.

Operations Other Than War – Local military providing aid in Haiti

Virginian PilotLocal military providing aid in Haiti

Sailors and Coast Guardsmen from the Hampton Roads area will play a critical role in the U.S. effort to deliver humanitarian assistance to Haiti, with thousands of locals on standby to deploy to the impoverished country and some already there.

Christian Science MonitorUS sends aircraft carrier to help with Haiti earthquake damage