Russia/Venezuela War Games, + Cyberwar....

Russia, Venezuela to hold naval war games
http://www.hindu.com/2008/09/08/stories/2008090856581400.htm
http://afp.google.com/article/ALeqM5iio3aRoskDcylpG-L-L9i7Ss-8Pw
MOSCOW: Russia and Venezuela will hold joint naval war games in what could be a Russian response to a NATO naval build-up in the Black Sea.
Four warships and 1,000 marines from Russia’s Pacific Fleet would take part in joint manoeuvres with the Venezuelan Navy on November 10-14, Russian news agencies reported quoting the Venezuelan naval command. It would be for the first time the Russian Navy would participate in war games in South America.
Russian warships would be visiting Venezuela “to take part in naval training and to strengthen friendly ties between the two countries,” said the Venezuelan Navy on Sunday.

Anti-aircraft 'war games' for Iran
http://news.scotsman.com/world/Antiaircraft-39war-games39-for-Iran.4467214.jp

Space-based missile defense and the psychology of warfare In future wars, those who are fighting against the West—today Iran or North Korea, tomorrow, who knows?—will use ballistic missiles not only to terrorize enemy civilian populations but to build morale among their own forces and people. Missile defense is the key to winning this critical psychological battle. As long as their missiles are being shot out of the sky, claims that they are hurting the enemy and thus filling people’s need for revenge can be shown to be utterly empty. ...(more on ABL) http://www.thespacereview.com/article/1205/1

Offence best defence for US in cyber war?
An expansion of offensive capabilities in cyberspace would bring vital change in the US military
The Pentagon is under pressure to go on offensive in cyberspace by developing the technique to attack other nations’ computer system rather than defending America's electronic security, a media report said on Monday (September 8). “Exploiting’ computer networks to gather intelligence is currently the most important use of cyber-power. Clearly, the exploitation activities have been pre-eminent,” a senior Pentagon official said. Under the most sweeping proposals, military experts would acquire the know-how to commandeer the unmanned aerial drones of adversaries, disable enemy warplanes in mid-flight and cut off electricity at precise moments to strategic locations, such as military installations, while sparing humanitarian facilities, such as hospitals, the ‘Los Angeles Times’ said in its report.
http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/World/USA/Offence_best_defence_for_US_in_cyber_war/articleshow/3460426.cms
Leading historian issues warning of a new cold war
http://www.sundayherald.com/news/heraldnews/display.var.2442300.0.leading_historian_issues_warning_of_a_new_cold_war.php "Ferguson also warned that the West had to sit up and take notice of the Shanghai Co-operation Organisation. The SCO was officially founded in 2001 as a counterpart to Nato and the European Union. Aside from China and Russia its members are Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Tajikistan and Uzbekistan.
Ferguson said that the SCO had sneaked "under the radar" of the West, and its activities should be carefully monitored."
See also: China still on-side with Russia
http://www.atimes.com/atimes/China/JI06Ad01.html
http://www.globalresearch.ca/index.php?context=va&aid=10104

RAF show off 'killer' drone aircraft which will help protect major dam in Afghanistan http://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-1053180/RAF-killer-drone-aircraft-help-protect-major-dam-Afghanistan.html

The Mantis is designed to fly thousands of miles and last up to 30 hours without refuelling

"The unmanned Mantis killer ‘drone’ aircraft will guard supply pylons in the area where last week British troops carried out a daring mission to install a 200-ton turbine.
Designed to fly thousands of miles and last up to 30 hours without refuelling, the Mantis – which is the size of a small lorry – will carry Brimstone air-to-ground tank-busting missiles and GBU laser-guided bombs......Unlike its smaller predecessor, the American-built Reaper, the British-made Mantis can take off and fly pre-programmed missions on its own.
The present generation of drones is controlled by a pilot using a joystick at a ground station.
A full-scale model, developed by a consortium that includes BAE Systems, QinetiQ, Rolls-Royce and GE Aviation, features ground-scanning radar and lasers, and is due to be tested later this year...."
See Also: Long-range Vision
Quest for 5-Year UAVs Drives Record-Shattering Flights
http://www.defensenews.com/story.php?i=3711816&c=FEA&s=TEC

Darpa Finds a Flu-Fighter
http://blog.wired.com/defense/2008/09/darpas-flu-figh.html
Early in the decade, Darpa, the Pentagon's blue-sky research arm, started pouring money into an effort to make troops stronger, smarter, and tougher to kill. Along the way, Darpa-backed scientists may have just discovered a way to beat back to flu.

DHS Recognizes Critical Manufacturing Sector As Key New Private Sector Security Partner http://media-newswire.com/release_1072268.html
The U.S. Department of Homeland Security (DHS) today formally recognized the creation of the new Critical Manufacturing Sector Coordinating Council (CMSCC). The CMSCC includes companies such as automakers, heavy equipment manufacturers and steel producers.
The current CMSCC membership includes:ArcelorMittal USA Bridgestone Americas Holding, Inc. Caterpillar Inc. Chrysler LLC Deere & Company Ford Motor Company General Motors Goodyear Tire & Rubber Company Kohler Company Navistar International Corporation United States Steel Corporation ...

IRobot snaps up Nekton Research
http://www.washingtontechnology.com/online/1_1/33472-1.html