The revolving door between the Defense Department and the weapons industry spins — a new report offers ways to slow it down.
When 80 percent of US generals go to work for arms makers
Related:
March of the Four-Stars: The Role of Retired Generals and Admirals in the Arms Industry
CODEPINK activists were arrested for protesting Bernie’s support for the US war in Ukraine. But it’s not the first time something like this has happened
This isn’t the first time Bernie Sanders has arrested anti-war protesters
Previously:
Related:
UN Authorizes Kenyan-Led Military Intervention in Haiti
UN Security Council approves sending multinational forces to Haiti
Along with Kenya, countries expected to contribute to the mission are Jamaica, the Bahamas, Antigua and Barbuda.
Tor is a short-range, all-weather, low to medium-range surface-to-air missile system deployed in Ukraine. Both combatants have used the weapon system and its various upgraded and modernized variants in the ongoing war. Ukrainian forces destroyed several Russian Tor air defense systems throughout the war.
…
This is the second time in a week that such bizarre theft has come to light. Earlier this week, the National Police in Kyiv had disclosed the seizure of weapons and detained a man who they claim had “a significant amount” of arms hidden in an apartment and a garage.
…
Controversy has unfolded in Ukraine regarding criminals and arms traffickers stealing weaponry sent from Western equipment stock meant for the Ukrainian troops that are perpetually in need of armed support, whether Western or Soviet-origin arms, to fight against the Russians.
…
According to a Defense Department inspector general report* that came to light in July this year, criminals, volunteer fighters, and arms traffickers took some Western-provided weaponry and equipment meant for Ukrainian troops last year before it was found.
Related:
*The DoD’s Accountability of Equipment Provided to Ukraine (DODIG-2023-002)
Washington’s new pacts with three island states will establish a second island chain of attack as a complete sphere of influence in breach of international law and its own interpretation of freedom of navigation
Claims by US over central Pacific now rival those of Beijing in South China Sea
Related:
Joe Manchin Leads Senate Energy Committee Hearing On Compact Of Free Association Amendments Act (49:30)
Sen. Elizabeth Warren sent a letter to the Pentagon Wednesday with ethics concerns with the office dedicated to private funding defense technology.
…
The OSC’s two special government employees work at WestExec Advisors* and New Vista Capital — two firms that work on defense and technology consulting.
Senator Warren accuses Pentagon appointees of using position for “personal profit”
Related:
WestExec Advisors LLC is a consulting firm founded in 2017 by Antony Blinken [State Department], Michèle Flournoy, Sergio Aguirre, and Nitin Chadda, all former Obama administration officials. Lisa Monaco, Robert O. Work, Avril Haines [DNI], David S. Cohen [CIA], and Jen Psaki have also been WestExec employees.
Wikipedia
The cyber defense teams monito crucial networks in allied countries. US cyber chief Gen. Paul Nakasone also said the NSA is centralizing AI-related missions.
‘Hunt Forward’ cyber teams have deployed to 24 countries, including Ukraine
Related:
NSA to stand up AI security center
Securing artificial intelligence entails “protecting AI systems from learning, doing, and revealing the wrong thing,” he said. “We must build a robust understanding of AI vulnerabilities, foreign intelligence threats to these AI systems, and ways to encounter the threat in order to have AI security. We must also ensure that malicious foreign actors can’t steal America’s innovative AI capabilities.”
…
Asked about AI—including deepfakes—influencing voting in the upcoming 2024 U.S. general election, Nakasone said people need to practice vigilance, and that his team is making sure they “understand the threat techniques of our adversaries”—which the center will help them do
By celebrating a Waffen-SS volunteer as a “hero,” Canada’s Liberal Party highlighted a longstanding policy that has seen Ottawa train fascist militants in Ukraine while welcoming in thousands of post-war Nazi SS veterans.
Canada’s honoring of Nazi vet exposes Ottawa’s longstanding Ukraine policy
This comes amid Kyiv’s failing counteroffensive and poses a major risk of escalation, President Volodymyr Zelensky has desired to use the long-range weapons to attack the Russian mainland.
White House Close To Providing Kiev With Cluster-Armed ATACMS
For all the (mostly misleading) talk of the US government having too much say in content moderation decisions, this move would literally put US government officials effectively in control of content moderation decisions for TikTok. Apparently the thinking is “welp, it’s better than the Chinese government.” But… that doesn’t mean it’s good. Or constitutional.
…
Honestly, what this reads as is the moral panic over China and TikTok so eating the brains of US officials that rather than saying “hey, we should have privacy laws that block this,” they thought instead “hey, that would be cool if we could just do all the things we accuse China of doing, but where we pull the strings.”
…
So, look, if we’re going to talk about US government influence over content moderation choices, why aren’t we talking much more about this?
Related:
TikTok and U.S. rekindle negotiations, boosting app’s hopes for survival
CFIUS monitoring agencies, including the departments of Justice, Treasury and Defense, would have the right to access TikTok facilities at any time and overrule its policies or contracting decisions. CFIUS would also set the rules for all new company hires, including that they must be U.S. citizens, must consent to additional background checks and could be denied the job at any time.
A Draft Of TikTok’s Plan To Avoid A Ban Gives The U.S. Government Unprecedented Oversight Power
Ms. Cat’s Chronicles 
You must be logged in to post a comment.