DoD Buzz

With Hurricane Ike around the bend and Hannah bearing down on the East Coast it seemed like a good time to look at what military derived technology is going to help monitor and predict these deadly storms. UAVs, with their long linger times, look likely to play an increasingly important role. NOAA and NASA are already trying to figure out the best way to do this.

The US needs more civil awareness programs to help combat terrorism, says Air Force Gen. Victor Renuart, head of Northern Command. But Renuart makes clear that it’s a difficult subject to tackle.

When the history of the Russian invasion of Georgia is written, one of the most revealing discussions may center on the role of cyber warfare.

Some questions that will need answering: Just when did Russian hackers begin their attacks on the Georgian websites. Just what role did NATO — especially Estonian and American — cyber warriors have in guiding the Georgian response. Was the enormous three-week attack on Estonia last April from Russia a practice run for the Georgian attack?

A new study by RAND found that most terrorist groups end either because they joined the political process or because local police and intelligence rolled them up. Police and intelligence agencies, not the military, should be the tip of the spear against Al Qaeda.